Outside90’s Benn Mackie casts an eye over the five worst individual performances coming from the English Premier League last weekend.
John Terry (Chelsea vs Manchester City)
The display John Terry produced on Sunday was so bad Chelsea would have had a better chance if they started with a cardboard cut-out of their captain at centre-back. The veteran was badly exposed for large periods of the first-half as the midfield were overrun by a dominant Manchester City line-up. Terry allowed Sergio Aguero to open the scoring, left floundering by a neat turn and precise finish. By half-time Mourinho had seen enough and decided to make a monumental change.
Question marks have been raised on Terry’s future in the past, but he has ultimately shown his quality and will be looking to prove his worth to get the best out of his aging legs.
Key Stats
0 Duels Won
1 Block
1 Clearance
Reece Oxford (West Ham vs Leicester City)
Within a week Reece Oxford has experienced the ecstasy and misery that the Premier League can bring. The British media were lauding his opening week display against Arsenal, with comparisons to some of England’s greatest defensive players. This week has seen him swiftly brought back to earth though, after a pacey Leicester City caused him massive problems throughout. Oxford had no answer to Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton, and Hammers manager Slaven Bilic substituted the Teenager at half-time to freshen up his side.
There is no doubt that Oxford has the talent, he will need to find consistency to perform at the level needed week-in and week-out.
Key Stats
33% Duels Won
0 Tackles
0 Clearances
Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United vs Swansea City)
Daryl Janmaat’s troubled Newcastle career continued as the foolish defender lasted just 41 minutes before being shown a second yellow, and subsequent red for ridiculously pulling back Jefferson Montero. Too often the Dutch defender finds himself walking the lonely stretch down the tunnel for an early shower. Late last season Janmaat was accused of not wanting to play for the Magpies, sent-off against Leicester City under similar circumstances. Montero continued his good form and frustrated Janmaat, who looked poor throughout his time on the field.
Manager Steve McLaren will be expecting better from his right-back upon a return from suspension.
Key Stats
31% Duels Won
1 Yellow card
1 Red Card
Matt Targett (Southampton vs Everton)
Matt Targett did not have an enjoyable Saturday afternoon at the office on the weekend. The 19-year-old from Winchester was bullied as Everton enjoyed running down Southampton’s left-edge with little resistance. Deputising for the injured Ryan Bertrand, Targett did not offer anything in defence and fans were left frustrated as he looked awful and out of his depth. With Bertrand expected out for a further month, Southampton will need their stand-in to lift his game.
Key Stats
17% Duels Won
1 Block
1 Clearance
[interaction id=”55d2cb675323c30959de6bf8″]
Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland vs Norwich City)
To say Patrick van Aanholt is a liability for Sunderland is an understatement. He was beaten easily by Steven Whittaker for Norwich’s second goal and looked as though he had his shoes on the wrong feet throughout the match. Struggling to contribute anything positive, the Dutchman was far too lazy when Sunderland lost possession high in the pitch and refused to track back when needed. Van Aanholt had no answers as Norwich focused their attack down Sunderland’s left-side.
The 24-year-old will need to quickly improve as Sunderland is clearly struggling to gain any cohesion defensively.
Key Stats
42% Duels Won
4 Interceptions
2 Clearances
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
