The Premier League weekend is over again, barring tonight’s clash between Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa.
Although the clash yesterday between Manchester United and Chelsea failed to provide a winner, it was symptomatic of a day and weekend that featured the classic narrative driven events that fans love about English football.
Here are spoughts.co.uk’s top three moments of the weekend from the Premier League, presented in GIF form.
1. Didier Drogba’s Header Against Man Utd
Didier Drogba’s departure from Chelsea after their Champions League triumph seemed like the perfect cap to a sensational time at Stamford Bridge, and there were doubts this summer about whether he could reach his previous heights again.
Drogba was a difficult man to stop on the pitch in his first spell in the Premier League, and there was no stopping him from making an emotional return to west London.
Sunday was a classic Drogba moment, and reminded fans of both Chelsea and football in general about his innate quality.
Unencumbered by age or the development of the game, Drogba ran to the near post from a corner and leapt high, flicking the ball into the net, as he has done many times before.
The Ivorian international proved on Sunday that he could still be an asset at the highest level.
2. Samuel Eto’o’s Second Goal Against Burnley
Samuel Eto’o’s arrival at Chelsea last season was billed as something of a last hurrah for the Cameroonian international, a throw of the dice by Jose Mourinho on a player who had failed to impress significantly while at Anzhi Makhachkala.
This was not the case, with Eto’o proving himself consistently ahead of Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.
While Mourinho famously doubted his age, he kept scoring, including a famous hat trick against Man Utd.
Now Eto’o is doing it again with Everton, and his long range stunner yesterday, which secured the win, spoke for a player still operating at a high level.
Given the strike and the performance that went with it, Roberto Martinez could have secured himself yet another high class talent at very little cost.
It’s fair to say that the last few months have not been kind to Alan Pardew at Newcastle.
His own decisions have lost him the belief of the fans, and many seem very keen to see his departure take place in the near future.
Credit, then, to the manager for his decision making at half time, with both of his substitutes playing a key role in a 2-1 win for the north east club against Tottenham Hotspur.
The second goal came because of half time sub Remy Cabella’s cross, with Ayoze Perez heading home.
The other interval introduction, Sami Ameobi, had a telling impact within six seconds of his introduction, bagging immediately from kick off after latching onto a through ball from Jack Colback.
Pardew’s decision making seems like it might have bought him more time.
