Creative Soccer Culture

Talking points from an intriguing weekend of domestic football.

The List | 10 Things We Learnt From This Weekend's Football - 9/12/2013

The List | Ten Things We Learnt From The Weekend's European Football
Talking points from an intriguing weekend of domestic football.

It is that time again, the start of a new week and the post mortem begins. It was Copa weekend in Spain, which saw Real Madrid rather embarrassingly held to a first leg draw against a third division side and the FA Cup draw for the English sides threw up some crackers, with Spurs facing arch rivals Arsenal.

There were thrills and spills again this weekend, some shock results for some whilst others enjoyed extending their lead and seeing their stars rise even further. With that in mind, here are the ten things we learnt from this weekend s action.

What a week Everton have had - Scratch that, what a season. In the space of a few days, the club have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford and drawn with top of the table Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Not only are they more ambitious than they have ever been, but they are also playing better football and picking up points. Moyes who?


Bayern Munich are the team to beat in Europe - Another league game, another white wash for the defending Champions of Europe. Having their star men out has not even stopped the club one bit. They are hammering their opponents and are arguably better than last season. Next up for Guardiola s men are Manchester City who cannot buy a win away from home.


Away day blues are all the rage - Both Chelsea and Manchester City are struggling on the road and that is being kind. Chelsea have conceded seven goals in less than a week and were lucky to come away with a win at the Stadium of Light. At the Brittaina they did not get the same joy and ended up losing a thrilling game 3-2. If either Mourinho or Pellegrini want to win the title, they will have to get their issues on the road sorted.



Joe Hart needs to consider a move - It is World Cup year and England s current number one is spending his time on the bench. With his place already in doubt, struggling to get on their field for his club will not help his case. Both form and confidence are in need of serious help and a January loan move away from the Etihad may well do that.


Angel Di Maria is on his way out of Madrid - After being subbed in the bore draw in the Copa Del Rey, Di Maria reacted rather badly. The winger has seen his star fade since the arrival of Gareth Bale and now Carlo Ancelotti could well be regretting keeping the Argentine and letting Mesut Ozil leave. Monaco, Arsenal and Manchester United are all reportedly in the hunt for the winger.


Luis Suarez is the best striker in the world at the minute - The Uruguayan forward is sensational. Four goals against Norwich and the assist for the fifth, not to mention getting his 14th goal of the season against West Ham. He may be trouble, but there is no doubting the talent the Suarez possesses. Unfortunately for England, they will be seeing it up close and personal in Brazil.


The relegation battle is heating up - Crystal Palace are stringing together a decent run of form and Sunderland are better than their position shows. West Ham, Fulham and Cardiff are all being dragged into the mix and it seems that whilst we have been focusing on the top of the Premiership, the battle at the bottom is shaping up just as nicely.


Something is seriously wrong at Old Trafford - Not only is David Moyes faced with Everton s improvement but he is also seriously under the cosh because of Manchester United s decline. The club have now dropped four more points at home than in the whole of last season, not to mention lost back to back home games for the first time since 2002. The best tip for fans? Clear your Thursday night schedule next season.


Juventus are back on top - The defending Champions went clear at the top of the Italian league after winning for the seventh time in a row at Bolonga. Roma may have kept up their unbeaten run to keep their foot in the door at the top of the table, but Napoli once again dropped points going into a make or break week for them in the Champions League.



Is this Arsenal's season? - They may have dropped a couple of points after Everton salvaged a late equaliser, but the Gunners are now five points clear at the top. There were a huge amount of fans cheering the Toffees on this weekend and they gave the rest of the chasing pack a get out of jail card given their poor results. One of Arsenal s toughest games and they still got a point.

Let us know what you thought of this weekend's football? 

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