Four Premier League games each this season and the two Manchester clubs had already scored 32 goals between them. The red and blue sides of Manchester began their tremendous start of season with a mouthwatering Manchester derby in the Community Shield. Lescot took the lead for City and an Edin Dzeko long range shot which Manchester United’s new £18 million signing De Gea made a howler of gave Manchester City a 2-0 lead before the break. Manchester United meant business in the second half which saw them complete arguably the most entertaining comeback in the Community Shield. City showed their immense hunger for silverware by publishing a 3-2 Community Shield win in their favor on their official website.
The Premier League’s commencement saw champions Manchester United struggle for the 3 points away at West Bromwich Albion whiles Manchester City had a comfortable win at home to new Premier League boys Swansea. Mach day 3 delivered the most astonishing results this season as Manchester sunk London. City had scored five past Tottenham before Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal and to think the Premier League champions were yearning to surrender their pride to their ‘noisy neighbors’ was illusory. A tremendous display saw United hit eight past one of their fieriest rivals,Arsenal. The subsequent week wasn’t any better for their adversaries as the Manchester clubs maintained their 100% record and have registered four hat tricks between them so far.
The Premier League seemed to have bowed to the Manchester clubs but Europe had a different response. Champions League football in midweek saw United make a tricky trip to Benefica whiles City entertained Napoli in their Champions League debut. Both sides couldn’t exhibit the quality they had already made evident in the Premier League and could only manage a draw.
Where has their incredible start of season form eluded to? Were United lacking the pace and stamina of their young squad? Was City diffident in their Champions League debut? Or has the prodigious Manchester clubs fallen? Remembering Chelsea’s start of last season might give other Premier League clubs a sign of relief after watching the Manchester clubs at midweek but not to acknowledge the menace posed by the Manchester clubs will be exceedingly perilous.
Premier League match day 5 presents another Manchester versus London tie – United entertain Chelsea at Old Trafford whiles City make a trip to Craven Cottage – which will fortify whether the mighty has really fallen.
Boakye Kwame