EPL: Chelsea the biggest winners as derby rivals cancel each other out

The two Manchester clubs registered wins but once again failed to convince

KARACHI: Draws in both the Merseyside and North London derbies did little to help any of the four teams as Chelsea’s win sees them gain daylight between themselves and the other title rivals.

The Merseyside derby was Saturday’s early kick-off fixture and featured two stunning goals, with both captains leading from the front. Steven Gerrard first curled a superb free-kick into the top-corner after Mario Balotelli was fouled on the edge of the box, albeit with Tim Howard getting a hand to it. However, Gerrard’s goal was overshadowed by Phil Jagielka’s thunderbolt of a strike in injury time to level the score and send the Toffee’s supporters into raptures.

Brendan Rodgers would be wondering what could have been after Balotelli spurned a great chance to double Liverpool’s lead right after Gerrard’s goal, missing a tap-in when it seemed easier to score. Balotelli has so far struggled to fill the considerable Luis Suarez-shaped hole in the Liverpool attack and needs to improve on his finishing if he is to prove the naysayers wrong and finally deliver on his potential.

Mistakes define North London derby

If the Merseyside derby was characterised by two moments of sheer individual brilliance, the goals in the North London derby came about from individual mistakes. Injury to captain Mikel Arteta proved particularly costly to Arsene Wenger’s side as substitute Mathieu Flamini was caught slacking on the ball by Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli slotted home calmly in what was perhaps Tottenham’s only meaningful attack of the night.

Arsenal upped the ante in search of an equaliser, and Eric Lamela – provider of Tottenham’s goal – slashed wildly at a simple clearance to gift Arsenal possession inside the area, which ultimately led to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain smashing the ball into the top corner from close range.

While Wenger bemoaned Tottenham’s lack of ambition and defensive mentality, he must point the finger of blame towards his own players, who were unable to carve open a shaky Spurs defence, despite enjoying nearly 70% of the possession.

Flamini was once again exposed as not having the required quality on the ball to merit a place in the Arsenal side and the Gunners would do well to sign a defensive midfielder in January.

Chelsea justifying favourites tag

Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to look ominous and threaten to run away with the title as the other contenders all continue to struggle. A convincing 3-0 win over Aston Villa saw them gain a three-point lead at the top, and they are already five points ahead of last year’s winners Manchester City. Diego Costa was on target once more, to take his Premier League tally to eight in six matches. Struggling Arsenal, who have won just two out of their first six games, will not be relishing the short journey to Stamford Bridge next week, especially after having lost 6-0 at the ground last season. The Gunners will be without Aaron Ramsey and Arteta, revealed Wenger, both of whom were injured against Tottenham. "There is no chance," Wenger said when asked about Arteta and Ramsey's prospects of being involved in Sunday's trip to Chelsea. “If it is a muscular problem, I don't see how they can be fit in five or six days’ time.”

Wenger may now be rueing his decision to not avail Arsenal’s first-refusal option on Cesc Fabregas, who will line up for Chelsea against his former club in what will surely be an emotional fixture for the Catalonian.

Van Gaal’s Rooney dilemmas

Louis van Gaal’s new-look Manchester United side recorded their second win of the season to move into the top half of the table but were made to work extremely hard for their 2-1 win over West Ham. Memories of Leicester’s comeback would surely have crossed the minds of players and supporters when the Hammers halved United’s lead through Diafra Sakho.

Eyebrows were raised when Van Gaal handed Wayne Rooney the captain’s armband over Robin van Persie and the critics will find even more voice after the Englishman was sent off for a rash challenge on Stewart Downing to put his team under unnecessary late pressure. Van Gaal agreed with the decision. "It was a break-out of a set-play of ours and he makes a professional foul, I think you can call it like that," he told the BBC. "I don't think Rooney wanted to do it that way but he did it and you can give a red card."

Falcao and Van Persie have forged a quick understanding up front and Rooney’s three-match suspension may prove costly for the new skipper as he may find himself out of the starting line up if the two strikers continue to link up well. The Dutch manager insists Rooney will be given certain ‘privileges’ due to his role as captain, but his hand may be forced if the former Everton man continues to be the weakest link in one of the league’s strongest attacks.

City unconvincing despite win

Manchester City have also started their title defence slowly and new signing Elaquim Mangala, signed for a whopping £32million, almost cost City two points after scoring an own goal and giving away a penalty that allowed Hull City to draw level after having gone 2-0 down. However, Mangala and City were bailed out by second-half goals from Edin Dzeko, his second of the night, and Frank Lampard.