Thursday 2 November 2023 08:46, UK
Chris Kamara reflects on a Premier League weekend in which Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez shone for Liverpool, Fernando Torres grappled with Jan Vertonghen and Aaron Ramsey's fine form continued...
KAMMY SAYS: Brendan Rodgers says Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez are possibly the best strike partnership in the Premier League and, although he's biased, he's not far wrong! Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were excellent last season for Manchester United, too. We should put it to a poll! Rodgers inherited Suarez when he moved to Liverpool and if you inherit one of the best players in the world you're blessed. Rodgers targeted Sturridge for a while to add to Suarez and he's had an instant impact since he joined from Chelsea. Chelsea saw his potential but he couldn't get in ahead of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge. People keep talking about young British players being stopped in their tracks but the cream always comes to the top and Sturridge is a very, very good player. And those two together will cause havoc this season.
KAMMY SAYS: Fernando Torres has made lots of headlines for his controversial sending off and clash with Jan Vertonghen. We had Spurs keeper Brad Friedel on Goals on Sunday this week and he called it a good old fashioned battle, they shook hands afterwards and hopefully it's finished with - although it could be costly for Chelsea and Torres if the FA take retrospective action.
On a more positive note, though, Juan Mata was impressive when he came on - as he was all last season. His performances are under scrutiny but when you perform how he did last season, why has he got to prove himself? Jose Mourinho sets up from the back and in the first half - like against Man United - it was safety first then attack. Mata's performance wasn't a surprise but was highlighted because Mourinho says he doesn't fit into his team when they are playing defensively. When he's making it offensive, though, there's nobody better.
KAMMY SAYS: Aaron Ramsey has been fantastic this season. He's another talented young British player playing out of his skin at the moment - and he's playing because he's good enough. Arsene Wenger knew before his injury he was a wonderful talent, so did Gary Speed, who made him captain of Wales. Now he's fit he's been the Player of the Season so far. There's nobody better than him at the moment. Arsenal's midfield now, with Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, with Mathieu Flamini holding, their cleverness and movement is going to worry teams throughout Europe and the Premier League this season.
KAMMY SAYS: Kevin Ball has got a difficult job on his hands. He's got aspirations to be the manager but when they sacked Paolo Di Canio they didn't sack him to appoint Kevin, they need someone to hold the fort and stabilise things. But if he gets results along the way - as I did when I took over from Lennie Lawrence at Bradford - it changes people's opinions. He'd love to be manager but it's all about results and at the moment he's lost one out of one.
KAMMY SAYS: Of course David Moyes is going to come under scrutiny because he's taken over from a legend in Sir Alex Ferguson and they've made their worst start to a season in 24 years. But we mustn't take away credit from what West Brom did. Few teams go to Old Trafford and dominate the ball and carve out chances the way they did. I saw Steve Clarke at Fulham a few weeks ago, before Morgan Amalfitano had kicked a ball, and he said 'watch out for this player'. He didn't play that well in his first game and I wasn't sure but against United he was the best player on pitch; his touch and finish for his goal was top, top drawer. It was a great performance from West Brom but everyone seems to be looking at the negative from Manchester United's point of view.
KAMMY SAYS: To concede from two set plays, like Aston Villa did, and still go on to win the game was brilliant. Man City were certainly going for it at 2-2 Manuel Pellegrini left it two v two at the back and went all out attack to get the winner. Although they do that in Spain where Real Madrid and Barcelona - teams, who like City are expected to win every week - you do need to keep the back door closed because that point could have been useful towards the end of the season. But Paul Lambert must be delighted. They will have ups and downs and on another day those two set play goals they conceded could have been costly but they showed the right character and it's a great result for Villa.
KAMMY SAYS: Cardiff had lots of chances in first half and were the best side by some margin but Martin Jol deserves credit for bringing Bryan Ruiz on. Cardiff were passing ball around them in midfield so he took Alexander Kacaniklic off and brought on Ruiz who the scored equaliser before half time. The second half was more even until Mutch scored that screamer. From Malky Mackay's point of view, their first result away from home in that manner gives them lot of hope for the season, while, for Martin Jol the speculation about his future won't stop. The rumours going round he's on his way won't affect the Fulham players - they know they need to perform - but when you're in a bad patch it is sometimes hard to get out of it.
KAMMY SAYS: It was a big decision to sack Nigel Adkins last season - and there was a lot of pressure on the board to get it right when they appointed his successor, after he won back to back promotions with the club. Well, things are looking good for Southampton and boss Mauricio Pochettino now after they followed up their win at Anfield with victory over Crystal Palace. I met Mauricio a few weeks ago and what a nice fella he is. People thought when he brought in Pablo Osvaldo it could be curtains for Rickie Lambert but they were both on the scoresheet on Saturday and look a good partnership.
KAMMY SAYS: I know Jonny Howson well because he's a Leeds boy. Leeds United thought a lot of him but he's taken a while to settle into the Premier League. He's not been an instant success, while Bradley Johnson, who Leeds were more happy to let go than Jonny, has done better than him so far. But that goal will have done him the world of good and now he can really push on and help Norwich progress.
That's Kammy's view but what did YOU make of the Premier League weekend? Let us know using the feedback form below...
