New low for Newcastle
These days, playing Newcastle United must be a joy. School sides around England would certainly fancy themselves against the Magpies in their current form. There is no escaping what is on the agenda for them between now and the end of the season. After an optimistic start to the season, their catastrophic performances have seen them fall to 19th on the table. With a tough run of fixtures approaching, it is no overreaction to say that Steve McClaren and his men are staring relegation in the face at this early stage. Although most of the problems are prevalent on the pitch, there are deeper problems such as the club’s recruitment policy and internal confusion behind closed doors. They have now conceded the joint most goals in the league (30) from their 14 games and have won just five games out of 33 in 2015, mediocre statistics from a club with such talent. They are not down and out yet but one is beginning to wonder.
Manchester City bounce back against Southampton
After last weekend’s shock capitulation to Liverpool, Manuel Pellegrini and his men were looking to bounce back at home to Southampton and duly did albeit with a few caveats. City dominated the opening exchanges and their dominance was rewarded when Kevin De Bruyne put them ahead inside the first 10 minutes. The energetic and dynamic Fabian Delph doubled their lead after 20 minutes and City looked to be cruising. But after the break, their suspect infallibility returned and the Saints capitalised with Shane Long halving the deficit. After Long’s goal, the Citizens were put under considerable pressure and were it not for the away team’s profligacy would have been pegged back. De Bruyne then assisted Aleksandar Kolarov gorgeously for the win, a win that was not secured easily. City are top of the table but still do not look convincing in all aspects.
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