#Epl #Week 11 #5 things we learnt this past week.

Over the weekend, it was a battle of supremacy for clubs from London and Manchester. Whilst City took Arsenal to the cleaners, Manchester united were completely outplayed and outclassed by Antonio Conte's men. Also, Tottenham could not build on thier midweek victory over Real Madrid, but they did manage to take all three points against Crystal Palace, as Hueng meng Son's solitary strike was enough to seal the deal. There were away wins for Burnley and Bournemouth, while new boys, Brighton and Huddersfield, also managed to take all three points courtesy of one nil wins. However, the most impresive was Everton's comeback against Watford from a two goal deficit, to win the match 3-2. But what really are the five things we learnt this past week on the Epl?

Mou vs Conte...Matic vs Bakayoko...Morata vs Lukaku...and the winner is Eden Hazard.

The most anticipated English premiership fixture of the calendar year (2017) has come and gone, with The Blues emerging victorious on the day- and with all three points- against thd Red Devils.

The media had built up the hype so much so that it became a must watch. Both clubs have been in serious competition both on and off the pitch. First, Manchester united had managed to sign Romelu Lukaku from right under Chelsea's noses. Then chelsea reacts to that in the most comical way, as they signed long man utd target, Alvaro Morata, from Real madrid. Then again,  there was the 'Matic' business between both club, as Chelsea acquired the signature of Timoue Bakayoko from french club, As Monaco. However, the most notable of all has to be the recent back and forth banter between the managers of the two clubs. What a game we had on our hands, right? 

Kick off came, and Chelsea upped the pressure from the first blast of the whistle, with Eden Hazard at the centre of every creative move they could muster. The Belgian glided past his markers with ease, and had Nemanja Matic flat ass on the ground at one point. Ander Herrera , who had done a great job silencing Hazard the last time these two clubs met, was lost in the former Lille attacker's shadow. Honestly, Herrera was lucky not to see red, as he continued to kick at the heels of the Belgian, even after he had been cautioned severally by the referee. 

Timoue Bakayoko didnt impress much, neither did former chelsea midfielder, Nemanja Matic. In the same vein, Romelu Lukaku cut a frustrated figure as his service route was cut off. Alvaro Morata did shine bright, but it was the Eden Hazard Show on the day. The 27 year old has been chelsea's best player for some seasons now, and hopefully they do enough to stave off interests from Real madrid for him in the coming seasons.

Gather Round Guys, Stop Man City (SMC 101) is in session. 

Many have tried, many have failed. Many will try, many will fail still, but really Pep Guardiola's manchester City can be beaten. Bold statement, yeah? But Arsenal already gave us tips on how to do just that. 

Many eyes twitched when Arsene Wenger reverted to a four man defence with Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin playing either side of the Kolcieny-Monreal central defence pairing. But is that not the best way of dealing with the pace in the mancester city wings, especially the tireless overlapping runs of the side backs. Saed Kolasinac and Bellerin did more than enough to stifle potential threats from the runs of Kyle Walker and makeshift left back, Fabian Delph. Hence, Pep's team, who have made a habit of breaking teams down from the wings, was made to look in field for more options. 

More importantly, throw in two very physical defensive midfielders to choke, and deal with the threat infield. Kevin de bruyne and David Silva are presently in a world of thier own, but they are not the strongest midfielders there are. The Man city whizkids ran the show in midfield, but Couquelin and Xhaka didnt make it easy for them. They were constantky snapping at thier heels, and makimg them feel the heat. Of course they felt it, and then they began to misplace final passes. First, De bruyne couldnt fimd the right pass for Aguero, as they broke on a counter early in the second half. Then Silva was culprit as he fluffed some final passes too.

Finally, you must take your chances. Very few teams can create many chances against a City team that loves to hold on to possession. Against Arsenal, the case was not different, as they bossed possession from start till the end of the encounter. Arsenal didnt capitalize on the few chances that came thier way, and they paid dearly for it, losing 3-1 on the day.

David cannot afford to luiz (lose) it.

Following their 3-0 bashing in Rome, Antonio Conte had penciled David Luiz and co. for criticism, but the Brazilian was not having any of it and he lashed back out at the manager. The consequence was that the former Paris st. Germain centre back was going to sit out Manchester United's visit to the bridge. Clothed in a ridicoulous black attire, David Luiz took his place in the stands, and watched on as an inspired Chelsea clinically saw off Manchester United, rubbishing previous claims of a collapse at the bridge. 

Whilst chelsea faithfuls continue to bask in thier latest victory, Fan favorite, David Luiz ought to start getting worried. Andreas Christensen was called on to stand in for the former Benfica star, and he did that beautifully. The former Borrusia Monchengladbach loanee did not put in a single wrong foot throughout the match. He managed to keep Romelu Lukaku quiet for the entire duration of the match, and won a hundred percent of the aerial balls he contested for. 

Also, Young German defender, Rudiger came in late into the game to stave off the late manchester united pressure on the Chelsea goal. He too was excellent. And so was Ceasar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill. The defence department is were Chelsea is spoilt for options the most, and David Luiz risks losing his place in the team if he continues to be unprofesional. 

Manchester City can only lose the Epl to Manchester City, over to you Pep.

The citizens have started this campaign like a house on fire, and there is no dousing this fire. The blue manchester team sit top of the pile having garnered 31 points from 11 games, scoring 38 goals in the process. They boast the best goal per game ratio and it is no surprise that they sit 8 points above thier closest rival, manchester united. 

Pep Guardiola's charges have beaten all that have been put before them, with the exception being Everton, who managed to take a point after a one all draw. They put five goals past Jurgen Klopp's hapless Liverpool, and in the weekend, three past Petr Cech in Arsenal's goal. They took all three points at the Bridge, as they pipped Chelsea by a goal to nil, courtesy of a Kevin de bruyne second half strike. 

Manchester city are in a league of thier own, and others are just merely playing catch up. It is ironic that thier UNITED front has more ARSENAL than the GUNNERS. De bruyne and Silva are the assist kings in tue league. Sergio Aguero is the league's highest goal scorer. Jesus, Sterling and Leroy Sane are steady improving. Stones and Otamendi have formed an almost impregnable shield in the heart of the defence. And on the bench, the likes of Danilo and Bernado Silva show the quality and depth of the City squad. Sadly for thr other nineteen teams, it seems onlyb a Manchester city capitulation can stop Pep's men from becoming champions. 

Meanwhile in Merseyside, Unsworth is Leading a revival of Some Sort.

Since Ronald Koeman was relieved of his duties as manager of the Toffees, as a result of thier rather underwhelming start to the EPL season, potential candidates have continued to be linked to the hot seat. Fairly recently, former  Manchested united player, Ryan Giggs, declared interest in the post, but the Everton board kept it in house by promoting Ronald's assistant, David Unsworth. 

In the short while he has been in charge, the former Everton player has not had much joy in the job. His team's loss to Leciester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, are sandwiched in the home and away defeats to french club, Olympic Lyon, in the Europa league. Logically, thier poor form suggests that they would drop points on the weekend to high flying Watford, led by the incorrigible Marco Silva. 

As expected, the match had started with Watford dictating the flow of the game, and the Toffees on the back foot. The only shot they managed in the first half was experlty saved by Huerlho Gomes, who stood strong to palm away Baines' left footed shot. The second half resumed and it was more of the same, and in the 46th minute Richarlison put the Hornets in front. Christian Kabasele doubled the lead shortly after, in the 64th minute, and it looked a de ja vu for Everton. 

Surprisingly, the manager kept spurring his lads on, screaming instructions from the touchline. In no time, Niase had cut the lead back by one goal. Dominic calvert lewin made it all square before Leighton Baines sealed the deal with a coolly taken 90+1 penalty kick. 

Although many would argue that a lot still has to be done to take Everton to where they belong, the never say die attitude they exhibited against the Hornets is definitely a step in the right direction. They need to always fight to the last minute. And if Unsworth can successfully instill this in the lads, there could be a revival in the offing. 

Team of the Week for week 11 courtesy Sofascore