1) Manchester City mean business
The Hawthorns is usually a tough place for any visiting side but the Citizens managed to make light work of a largely uninspiring West Bromwich Albion side. Manchester City managed to record their second highest passes total against a poorly set out Baggies side as manager Tony Pulis later confessed. David Silva fortuitously opened the scoring by flicking in a Yaya Toure shot. The Ivorian then scored a stunner only for captain Vincent Kompany to finish off the scoring in what was a true statement of intent from the Etihad.
2) Chelsea’s defence can actually be breached
The Champions’ path to the title was characterised by solid defensive displays against some of the league’s best attacking teams which led to three of the team’s backline being selected in the PFA Team of the season. Swansea City through Jefferson Montero, Andre Ayew and central striker Gomis set out to prove that last season’s best defence is nowhere near the heights set on their path to the title. Montero made Ivanovic look sluggish and slow as he marauded through Chelsea’s right wing. Gomis rendered the centre back pairing of Cahill and Terry useless whilst Ayew defeated Chelsea’s defensive unit as a whole with blistering pace and clever skills. A real tough start for the Champions.
3) Pre-season counts for nothing: Arsenal
Arsenal won virtually everything they could have in preseason and seemed to back it all up by beating Chelsea in the Community Shield. The team was reflecting a fluidity synonymous with mid season form, scoring goals and conceding none. The team looked like the real deal, the side Arsene Wenger had been building all along to finally lift the title until Westham came to the Emirates. An organised performance, a few defensive errors and a blunt Arsenal side ensured Westham walked away with all three points in a match they were hardly challenged by Arsene’s men. It all seemed to fall apart on the first day.
4) No team will be a walkover
Every team in the league seems to have strengthened substantially with quality signings from all over the world. Some teams may not be able to challenge for the title or get into the Champions League places but they surely will be hard to beat with their well assembled squads. Players like Andre Ayew, Afellay, Zarate and Payet and most recently Shaqiri are joining mid table clubs thereby making them more competitive. Reaffirming this as the best league in the world.
Source: DSG
