Week 12 results

Birmingham City v Manchester City
Birmingham under Tino are (were?) the best approach to this league, “might not win so going for it”. 4-4-2 diamond with some very creative ball players in their side will create chances and score goals. City have their system now, sort of a 4-1-1-1-2-1, I feel with Luiz and Schweinsteiger in a line rather than alongside each other it leaves them exposed out wide, fortunately for them Birmingham were also playing a narrow system leaving it quite congested in midfield.

Birmingham City 2-2 Manchester City
Cavani (Yaya) 44, Berardi (Cavani) 86; Robben (Ozil) 37, Kane (Ozil) 45
MOTM: Ozil

Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
Villa becoming a dark horse for Champions League qualification, I like Barkley and Koke in midfield with Khedira giving them a platform, and the usual wingers are among the best in the league. Reus a miss to any side. Unfortunately Ludy limited his chances by copying and pasting without taking out instructions for Reus. Bournemouth are strong, I rate their front four although it was a shame tactics were late, as it limits their chances of getting a result, well within their capabilities in normal circumstances though. Solid defence and midfield too.

Aston Villa 2-1 AFC Bournemouth
Hazard (pen) 11, Lacazette (Koke) 32; Mandzukic (Eriksen) 55
MOTM: Koke

Portsmouth v Liverpool
Liverpool very strong, their 4-4-2 with Vidal and Oscar still isn’t my favourite as I think Vidal central and Griezmann wide left, especially away from home, made more sense. In fact with Costa on the bench I feel Liverpool were crying out for more of a 4-3-3/4-5-1, Vidal in midfield with Kondogbia and Verratti and Aubameyang and Griezmann either side of Costa. Portsmouth had the better balance with David Silva dictating things centrally. Portsmouth are how Liverpool should have lined up IMO.

Portsmouth 2-1 Liverpool
Martial (Silva) 16, Sterling (Costa) 77; Aubameyang (Oscar) 37
Kondogbia 54

Leicester City v Newcastle United
Leicester with an all-Spanish midfield, stood out in a good way but I’d have considered switching Cazorla and Herrera round, weakened at RB through injury though. Newcastle as good as ever going forward, so it made for an entertaining game. I felt Firmino wasn’t enough to capitalise on Leicester’s RB issues so the game was finely balanced, could have gone either way.

Leicester City 2-2 Newcastle United
Bacca (Di Maria) 29, Herrera (Di Maria) 66; Suarez (Pjanic) 61, Suarez (pen) 87
MOTM: Suarez

Arsenal v Hull City
Arsenal lined up with all their big guns, similarly to Chelsea with one of the strongest front 6’s in the league. Think they need a better DM to be at the very top but that’s just me. Also Trippier stands out like a sore thumb! Hull had a tough task today but went for it in the right way with a solid but exciting 4-4-2, hard to see them getting the better of Ronaldo and co but we will see. Hard to critique Hull when their players are pretty fearless and who am I to say they wouldn’t succeed!

Arsenal 2–1 Hull City
Benzema (Rodriguez) 43, Ronaldo (Modric) 90; Vietto (Goretzka) 66
MOTM: Kranevitter

Chelsea v Stoke City
Chelsea line up very strong, probably the strongest front 6 in the league, a tough ask for anybody, let alone a Stoke side without a permanent manager! But Stoke come to Stamford Bridge with a solid team and looked to frustrate the league leaders, while maintaining a solid counter attack.

Chelsea 3-1 Stoke City
De Bruyne (Aguero) 53, Aguero (Neymar) 88, Sanchez (Aguero) 90+2; Shaqiri (Muriel) 32
MOTM: Aguero

Birmingham under Tino are (were?) the best approach to this league, “might not win so going for it”.



Aaaaww I'm touched

Wolves 2-1 Everton
Dzeko (Coutinho), Allan (Coutinho) ; van Persie (Tadic)

Everything was against this Everton side in poor form before the game away to a stronger team had even kicked off. The home side linked well, with a great mix in attack, and it was only Butland that kept this at a respectable score line. Van Persie got on the score sheet but it was nothing more than a consolation as Wolves ran out deserved winners.

Soton 0-1 Man Utd
Lewa (Turan)

The home side didn’t allow United to play in the midfield, and chances were limited for both sides. Soton were unlucky in the end to see this game go against them. Lewandowski getting the goal, that extra bit of quality in the Utd team possibly being the difference.