The second weekend of the Premier League is in the books and most leagues across Europe have kicked off their 2018/19 season. With that said, in the football equivalent of Snakes and Ladders, who is rising and who is falling?
Callum Wilson celebrates his superb solo strike against West Ham (photo credit: Bournemouth AFC).
On the rise
Zenit St. Petersburg:
One from left field to start with but if you were tuned into the Europa League qualifiers in midweek you will have caught wind of the remarkable comeback staged by the Russian side from St Petersburg. Entering the second leg of their third qualifying round against Belarus outfit Dinamo Minsk, Zenit were 4-0 down from their first leg.
The 2007 UEFA Cup winners halved the deficit before being reduced to ten men. Still, they found a way to take the tie into extra time before Minsk scored to lead 5-4 on aggregate. Unbelievably, a man down and needing two goals, the Russian outfit found the net four times, completing one of the great European comebacks, to go through 8-5 on aggregate, running out 8-1 winners on the night.
Callum Wilson:
A very early contender for Goal of the Season, Bournemouth striker Wilson collected a pass just inside the West Ham United half before gliding past five Hammers players and slotting past Lukaz Fabianski. The mazy run and tidy finish were reminiscent of goals scored by greats such as Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.
The Englishman’s equaliser sparked a comeback as Eddie Howe’s side came from a goal down to win 2-1 in London. The 26-year-old found the net only eight times last season, but now he has two in the first two games of this campaign. Capable of reaching and surpassing the 15-goal mark, that total is an achievable aim for Wilson. Should he get into double figures then the South Coast outfit could have a battle on their hands retaining his services but far less of a battle reaching safety comfortably.
Neil Etheridge:
A penalty save deep into injury time at home against Newcastle United gave Cardiff a well deserved point. Etheridge has now saved a penalty in both The Bluebirds’ opening matches. While his save of Wilson’s spot kick in the opening game was not enough as Bournemouth ran out 2-0 winners, Neil Warnock’s side were good value for a point at the Cardiff City Stadium – and perhaps deserved more.
The Philippines international has been a journeyman for much of his career having started on the books of Chelsea, however he has impressed mightily in his first two Premier League starts and will be a huge factor if Cardiff are to stay up.
Kenedy had a day to forget against Cardiff City on Saturday (photo credit: Sunday Sun).
On the slide
Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
It isn’t often that the former Manchester United forward is on the receiving end of bad news but that is the case this week. The Swedish striker did not travel with L.A. Galaxy for their clash against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, reportedly due to the artificial turf that the Sounders use.
The 36-year-old had blasted the Portland Timbers artificial pitch. Manager Sigi Schmid said that Ibrahimovic would play on turf when it’s the playoffs. The Galaxy were thrashed 5-0 in Seattle, which will have pleased Sweden’s all-time record goal scorer even less.
His disgruntlement was compounded by reports that his A-Z clothing brand was shutting down after losing 21 million Euros. Launched in 2016 the brand has not taken off the way the former Barcelona striker would have liked.
Kenedy:
The Newcastle winger was dreadful in the Magpies’ opening game defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. In the ultimate ‘hold my beer’ moment, the Brazilian managed to top that substandard showing with an atrocious effort in the 0-0 away draw to Cardiff City.
Failing to complete a pass to a teammate in the first half, Kenedy was given the chance to redeem himself for two bad performances with an injury-time penalty to snatch victory for Newcastle in Wales. A tame spot kick was saved and manager Rafa Benitez may have to look at other options on the left flank.
The man on loan from Chelsea also squandered a good chance before his penalty miss. With Newcastle facing an uphill battle already they will need to take any chances that present themselves. Especially against teams they may find themselves in and around at the business end of the season.
Jose Mourinho:
The Special One was not happy with some of the things revealed in Manchester City’s All or Nothing documentary taking some typical Mourinho barbs stating on Friday: “You can buy top players, you cannot buy class,” before stating, “You know, a movie without me doesn’t sell much. Come on! It needed me [in]there.”
The Portuguese will be further displeased after his Manchester United side fell apart against Brighton on Sunday. They lost 3-2, on a day when their City rivals thrashed Huddersfield 6-1. Mourinho’s relationship with Ed Woodward will surely be strained further as his demands for a new centre back were not met, and his current centre halves, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, to be mostly at fault for all three of Brighton’s goals.
The former Chelsea manager has seemed visibly irked since the start of the season, is his ‘third season syndrome’ already in full swing?
