West Ham's Resurgence: Moyes Masterstroke Triggers Premier League Triumph
West Ham manager David Moyes finds relief with a hard-fought victory, while Raheem Sterling's exceptional performance stands out for Chelsea Everton's struggles persist from last season as they suffer a heavy defeat, while Aston Villa make an impressive comeback after their opening-day loss to Newcastle
Gritty derby win just the tonic for Moyes
It has been a tough start to the new campaign for West Ham manager David Moyes, despite the Scot having guided the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory back in May.
The European victory seemed to secure Moyes another season at the London Stadium. However, news then emerged of a disagreement between him and the club's new technical director, Tim Steidten. Additionally, Moyes faced challenges due to West Ham selling their captain and star player to Arsenal this summer. Furthermore, Lucas Paqueta, who was expected to join Premier League champions Man City, had his transfer delayed due to an investigation by the FA and FIFA regarding betting.
After the Hammers failed to maintain their lead and settled for a draw against Bournemouth on the first Saturday of the season, the pressure on Moyes was increasing as they faced Chelsea on Super Sunday. However, there is no better remedy than a victory in a London derby against their fierce rivals to silence any doubts about the manager. Additionally, Moyes was able to showcase the impressive debut of James Ward-Prowse and introduce Edson Alvarez, a new addition to the team, as a substitute in the second half, creating a positive atmosphere at the London Stadium.
Sterling on the rise
A victory, particularly against long-standing rivals Chelsea, can have a remarkable impact on uplifting the morale of a team. This is evident in the current state of the West Ham garden, which is now flourishing, in stark contrast to the defeated opponents they faced today. -Richard Morgan"Jamie Carragher proudly declared Raheem Sterling as the standout player on the field during the first half of Chelsea's eventual 3-1 loss to West Ham.
Carragher was absolutely right; Sterling showcased his exceptional skills once again, particularly with the ball at his feet. He constantly troubled Emerson with his dazzling change of pace, which remains as sharp as ever. Even Tomas Soucek struggled to contain him, resulting in a foul just inside the box right before halftime. With this penalty, Sterling has now surpassed all others in the Premier League, having won 24 penalties. Unfortunately for Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez's penalty save served as a turning point in the game, ultimately diminishing Sterling's impact in the second half."
Sterling was exceptional in terms of attacking presence, recording the highest number of touches in the opposition box (15) this season. However, it was rather disappointing that despite his remarkable performance, he failed to contribute a goal. Nevertheless, Mauricio Pochettino must have been pleased with Sterling's overall display, as it signals the return of the true Raheem Sterling.
New season, same old Everton
According to popular belief, repeating the same actions and anticipating different outcomes is considered a form of insanity. However, the situation at Everton is even more challenging. Despite having experienced three different managers in the past three seasons, the team continues to encounter the same longstanding issues.
Sean Dyche's first summer in charge was expected to bring defensive stability, but players like Michael Keane and Ashley Young failed to deliver in Everton's biggest defeat under his management at Villa Park.
The team's toothless attack also proved costly in their last weekend's game against Fulham, despite an otherwise solid performance. This can be attributed to a lack of goal-scoring options, which doesn't seem to be improving anytime soon, especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin being forced off once again at Villa Park.
Dyche acknowledges that the issues plaguing the Toffees extend beyond the influence of any manager. According to him, "Based on my experiences from the past few seasons, we have the ability to perform well one week, only to falter completely the next."
The predicament for Everton lies in the fact that their current manager, who has successfully transformed underdog teams into capable Premier League contenders, is now witnessing his own team plummet to the very bottom of the top-tier league for the first time in over a decade.
Villa deliver perfect bounce back from Newcastle defeat
Everton's early days in the transfer market leave some concern, although there is potential for improvement. The West Midlands match saw a significant number of Toffees fans express their worry by staying until the final whistle to boo their team off the pitch.
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Moussa Diaby (left) combined superbly with Leon Bailey
Following last weekend's thumping at Newcastle, Aston Villa needed a response - and they delivered an emphatic one against Everton.
Unai Emery's side delivered a commanding display, securing four goals from four different scorers. With 60% possession and a total of 13 shots at goal, their performance undoubtedly lived up to the pre-season expectations. Moussa Diaby, a recent addition to the team, continued to impress with his impactful presence. Although he didn't find the back of the net, Diaby's three shots, including two on target, posed a constant threat to the opposing Villa team.
Diaby formed a strong connection with goal scorer Leon Bailey, as the Frenchman provided the highest number of passes to him among all Villa teammates, building on their past experience at Bayer Leverkusen.
However, both Diaby and Bailey were overshadowed by skipper John McGinn, who delivered an outstanding performance to open the scoring and earn the player-of-the-match title. The Scottish captain demonstrated exceptional leadership on and off the field, driving Villa forward and helping them overcome the previous defeat.
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John McGinn, the captain of Villa, netted the first goal in their match against Everton. Under Emery's leadership, Villa Park has transformed into a formidable stronghold, allowing the team to rebound from away defeats through their impressive home performances. Currently, Villa boasts a remarkable record of eight consecutive victories in the Premier League at home, marking their lengthiest streak since February 1990. Incredibly, during these triumphs, the Villains have only conceded two goals, both of which occurred from set pieces rather than open play.
Emery will be hoping that this dominant victory against Everton can give his team the boost they need for their upcoming European campaign. After 13 years, they are set to participate in the Europa Conference League qualifiers, starting with a match against Hibernian on Wednesday. Don't miss out on streaming Premier League matches on We with NOW, available at just £26 per month for 12 months. You can cancel anytime.
