The Top Flight
Fansided

Premier League Round Two: The good, the bad and the ugly

By Michael Peters

West Bromwich Albion (Credit: Elliot Brown -- Flickr Creative Commons)
West Bromwich Albion (Credit: Elliot Brown -- Flickr Creative Commons) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

View image | gettyimages.com

The Ugly

West Brom

The Baggies had a bit of an excuse for their poor performance last week since they were facing off against Manchester City, but what is the excuse this week? The Baggies traveled to Vicarage Road for a meeting with Watford where they would earn one point after a scoreless draw.

Here is the frightening part: The Baggies failed to register a shot on goal. West Brom actually managed more shots and shots on target against Manchester City than they did against Watford.

The Baggies’ best chance came when Berahino had a free header directly in front of goal and could only nod it wide of the frame.

This is a bit discouraging for The Baggies as they look a legitimate threat to be in the relegation fight through to the end of the season if they do not drastically improve their performances. Potentially losing Berahino to Tottenham could further tarnish their chances of staying up.

Sunderland

Just when you thought it could not get any worse for The Black (and blue) Cats, it most certainly did. Sunderland, coming off a resounding defeat away to Leicester City, put in an even worse performance at home against Norwich City. A consolation goal for Sunderland debutant Duncan Watmore is all the Sunderland supporters, at least those who were still at the Stadium of Light, could take from yet another shambolic performance.

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat, apparently, called for a crisis meeting with his squad after Saturday’s performance.

In what is becoming an annual tradition, Sunderland appear destined for the drop unless they go on another miracle run to stave off relegation at the end of the season. If they stick to the script of the last few seasons then Advocaat has to be replaced late on before they can go on said miracle run. Something tells me they might not be in a reasonable position to save themselves this time. They might, indeed, fall through the Premier League trap door.

Liverpool v. Bournemouth match official and linesman

Craig Pawson made a critical decision during the opening stages of Liverpool’s home opener against Bournemouth when he ruled out The Cherries opening goal for an apparent foul.

Bournemouth defender Tommy Elphick appeared to give The Cherries an unlikely, but deserved, lead early on from a corner kick before Pawson incorrectly disallowed the goal for a foul. Elphick’s contact with Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is minimal at best and Bournemouth should feel hard done by this decision.

That is not the end of it for Bournemouth, though, as Christian Benteke’s opening goal should have been ruled out. Philippe Coutinho made a play towards the ball as it swung across the box, which put the keeper off enough for Benteke to tap it in for the winning goal. Pawson’s linesman flubbed this one.

Two weeks into the season and already there have been two matches impacted by poor refereeing decisions. Hopefully this match does not cost Bournemouth by season’s end as the result could have been completely different had they been awarded the opening goal they earned.

What do you think? Should Elphick’s goal have stood?

Next: Chelsea's Medical Fiasco

More from The Top Flight

Home/Premier League