Blue or Red is the question of the weekend, as the Premier League gets back to action with the match of the year. With the first international break done and dusted, we can finally get back to the games that matter the most, and few will matter more than the first game of the weekend in the EPL. Manchester...
Blue or Red is the question of the weekend, as the Premier League gets back to action with the match of the year.
With the first international break done and dusted, we can finally get back to the games that matter the most, and few will matter more than the first game of the weekend in the EPL.
Manchester City takes the quick trip to the other side of town, as it visits Manchester United, in an early season battle for league supremacy. There have been numerous inches dedicated to the battle of Pep vs. Jose (plus here, here and here amongst others), but this game will be won by the players on the pitch.
Manchester United super fan Billy Huyton is one of the many people that are more than excited for the derby, which will be an early litmus test for both squads, who come into the game flying high, and unbeaten, in the early part of the campaign.
As is the case with any local derby, the rival fans can be relentless. With two weeks before this match, due to the break, the fervor is at a fever pitch between the sets of supporters.
"It is very important," Huyton said. "Not just for the Mourinho/Pep rivalry, not just because of the historical and geographical rivalry between the teams, but also because City fans have indulged in vulgarities in the build up to the match. Many have stepped over the line with their disgraceful and uncalled remarks, using slurs against the United fans ("rags" to reference when United was forced to play at the City ground after Old Trafford was bombed during World War II, and "manure" to reference the plane crash in 1958 that killed both United and City staff and players.)
It's not on. Some United fans have took part in the vulgarities by saying stuff like 'emptyhad' (what the United fans call the Etihad Stadium, because it is never full) and calling Pep bald, but they are the minority and do not represent United fans. I do."
Which team will come out on top, and get a leg up in the battle for the Premier League title? Tune in at 7:30 a.m. Saturday on NBCSports to see.
With the Manchester Derby headlining the Premier League Sat., here's a taste of MCR
There have been some fantastic Manchester derby matches in the past decade. Here is a quick look at the top five.
1. Rooney bicycle kick, United 2-1, Feb. 2011- Rooney wins the derby with his greatest goal.
2- Michael Owen seals it in the 96th minute, United 4-3, Sept. 2009- The ex-Liverpool striker won United the points after City drew even in the 90th minute. Here is a tweet sent out by the United twitter account Friday that shows the goal, and the reaction, from multiple angles.
3. Nani wins the Community Shield, United 3-2, Aug. 2011- United trailed 2-0 at the half, but roared back to win it when Nani's breakaway found the back of the net in stoppage time.
4- City arrives on the scene, City 6-1, Oct. 2011- The game which ended up winning City its first EPL title.
5- Rooney's late header puts United in the Carling Cup Final, United 3-1, Jan. 2010- United won its second league cup in a row, after a scintillating semifinal with its neighbors.
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There are other matches this weekend, including defending champions Leicester City traveling to Liverpool. It is the first home game of the year for Liverpool, which needed the extra time to complete its new stand at Anfield, although it might be tough to catch any action from these new seats.
Chelsea visits Swansea City, as the Blues look to keep pace with the two Manchester teams at the top of the table.
Top Three/Bottom Three Performances of Week Three
Top Three
1. Marcus Rashford, Manchester United/England U-23- It is hard to imagine a hotter start to a career than the one Rashford has. Everything the kid touches right now turns to gold. He won the Hull City match in the 92nd minute for United, then went away with the England U-23's and scored a hat trick on his debut.
2. Raheem Sterling, Manchester City- The newly-named Premier League August Player of the Month took a lot of abuse last year, after his big-priced move from Liverpool did not turn out very well in the 2015-2016 campaign. But he looks a new player under Guardiola, and his two goals against West Ham prove it.
3. Ronald Koeman's Everton- Koeman took Southampton into the Europa League, and has Everton flying high in his first season at the helm. With a trip to David Moyes' Sunderland Monday, Koeman can keep the Toffees unbeaten, and in the top four.
Bottom Three
1. Stoke City's tough campaign continues- An own-goal from Shay Given gifted Everton the win in week three, and Stoke City sits at the bottom of the table. Now, the Potters have a tough Tottenham side visiting Saturday, with a trip to Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace looming next week.
2. 2015 Promoted teams- Watford and Bournemouth have struggled out of the gate, in their second seasons in the EPL. Can they turn it around, or will the slide continue? Watford visits West Ham for a tough match, and the Cherries host West Brom, in a winnable game.
3. Sunderland- It finally looked like Moyes' squad would get a win, after an 80th minute goal form Jermain Defoe. But Southampton equalized five minutes later, and the Black Cats settled for a point. With another relegation battle looming, those dropped two points could be huge come May.
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Week Four Picks
Saturday, September 10
7:30 a.m.
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
10 a.m.
Bournemouth 0-0 WBA
Arsenal 2-0 Southampton
Burnley 0-1 Hull City
Middlesborough 2-1 Crystal Palace
Stoke City 1-2 Tottenham
West Ham 3-1 Watford
12:30 p.m.
Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City
Sunday, September 11
11 a.m.
Swansea City 1-1 Chelsea
Monday, September 12
3 p.m.
Sunderland 0-2 Everton
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean