Outside90’s Benn Mackie casts an eye over the five worst individual performances coming from the opening round of the English Premier League last weekend.
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland vs Leicester City)
It took just 25 minutes for Leicester City to dismantle Sunderland on Saturday. Shambolic defending from Lee Cattermole on the edge of the box led to a penalty as he slid into Riyad Mahrez. In a match to forget, Cattermole made no tackles, no interceptions and did not win an aerial dual.
At 3-0 down, Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat called time on Cattermole’s afternoon as the Sunderland captain was replaced after just 30 minutes.
Petr Cech (Arsenal vs West Ham)
Is Petr Cech still the impenetrable last line of defence he once was? Cech’s display baffled pundits who, prior to the season, claimed he was the final piece in Arsenal’s premiership puzzle. Cech’s display was poor, at times leaving fans questioning if he was secretly on Chelsea’s payroll, a double-agent. His first mistake came when he rushed out to punch a ball but missed it by a metre, leaving Cheikhou Kouyaté to head into an empty net. The second was a shock as Mauro Zárate scored the second from the edge of the area which left Cech wrong-footed.
Petr Cech’s performance summed up. Particularly after the first goal. #BPL pic.twitter.com/cKLC4BV7mM
— Outside90 (@Outside90) August 9, 2015
Adam Lallana (Liverpool vs Stoke City)
Before the season commenced, Adam Lallana was touted as being a pivotal figure for Liverpool. Despite the 1-0 victory, Lallana’s performance was pedestrian. His afternoon was ineffectual as he failed to link up with the players around him. New Striker Christian Benteke was starved of any quality service from the left-wing as Liverpool’s attack looked lopsided at times.
Lallana is at risk of losing his place in the team to new signing Roberto Firmino who looked bright during his brief cameo.
Kyle Walker vs (Tottenham vs Manchester United)
On the opening weekend, Kyle Walker failed to get forward to create chances for Tottenham in a display that helped the Red Devils dispatch Spurs 1-0. Walker provided the own goal that decided the contest. The right-back found himself out of position and initially recovered but gifted United the lead when trying to tackle Wayne Rooney.
Walker was lucky not to be involved in a second own goal as Ashley Young nearly doubled the lead with a shot which slightly deflected off Walker’s foot. Spurs fans will want more from the England international.
https://youtu.be/eeuTXzGo77Q
Joleon Lescott (West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City)
For someone so experienced, one would expect a lot more. Joleon Lescott produced a performance bereft of any quality. His display mirrored that of a rookie defender finding his feet in the senior team. Lescott gave away possession many times and was at fault for leaving Vincent Kompany free for Manchester City’s third goal.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis is renowned for being ruthless when selecting his starting XI, so Lescott will need to gain form quickly.
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