Manchester Darby -- Man U Embarrased at Home!

Well I have to say a dream day for me on the pitch (after scoring a brace myself yesterday in our humble little Saturday game). Arsenal, of course, won but almost equally as exciting Manchester United lost (and lost ugly). That they lost to the club that has been poaching us for years is itself troubling, but watching Man U lose 6-1 at Old Trafford is well worth the cost. I must say that Man U still looks dangerous going forward, but really do seem rather porous in the back. I heard Vidic played midweek, but wonder why he wasn't suited up today. He was clearly one of the best defenders in the League last year. Without him, Man U is lucky to have only lost one this year. The youngsters have a lot of learning to do and I think it's time to admit that Rio Fernindand's best days are behind him.

Norwich could easily have beat them, Stoke had chances to take the full three, Liverpool really should have won at Anfield and they almost gave the game fully back to Basil before pulling off the late draw. Man U looks like a team in a little trouble at present though surprisingly Chelsea couldn't take advantage, losing to newly promoted QPR 1-0 (they themselves arguably should have beaten Man U but for a few missed opportunities). A few thoughts from the game:

Balotelli is quickly becoming one of the best strikers in the league -- not only is he a cool finisher with a wicked shot and great creativity, but his passing is quite good as well. And Dzeko is spectacular as well. Tevez who? On the flip side, Rooney appears to have had a drop in form of late after looking unstoppable early; I think the same could be said of Young and, to a lesser extent, Nani. It's extraordinary how things have changed. Man City has beaten Man U in the FA Cup and at Old Trafford, with only the meaningless Community Shield in between (which they gave back after being up 2-0 one should note). This could be the changing of the guard in the Premiership, which is both promising and troubling for me. Promising in that I despise Man U and would love to see them fall off their perch. Troubling because one can't escape the idea that Man City bought their way to the top.

This is increasingly the reality in professional sport, but it is still troubling in the same way that increasing wealth and poverty are the trend of the past 30 years. When one looks at City, they see a team where the players on the bench are often better than the top positional players for other teams. Let's take a quick look at a few positions: 

- One of the best goalies in the league, and obviously the England #1.
- Dzeko and Balotelli are two of the best strikers around at present. Sergio Aguero looks to become a superstar. And, of course, is that guy named Tevez that has become "excess to requirements" at the club -- even as he was arguably their most important player last year.
- In the middle, you have what might be the best attacking player in the League (David Silva), together with Milner, Nasri and Johnson as strong wide players, Toure as one of the strongest midfielders around, and Barry and De Jong to round things up.
- Defensively, Kompany is one of the best around, Lescott is starting to look really good again, Michaels is strong in the back and moving forward, Clichy might be getting older but is still good on the wings, Wayne Bridge is still a good player to me and there is still Kolo Toure, Zabaleta and Kolarov to mention (god I'd like just a couple of those players for Arsenal).

Essentially the best (or maybe second best) defensive squad in the Premiership last year added so much offensive talent that they are arguably the best team on both sides of the pitch. It's really extraordinary to consider, but again begs the question of whether sports should be decided by the amount of money the team has to spend (much like politics these days). The Yankees and Lakers are obviously examples of two teams with a lot of money and a lot of trophies, but one of the great things about sports is that you still have to go out there and play the games (and neither team won this year). Beyond Man City, there appears to be a lot more parity this year than in previous campaigns. QPR beating Chelsea? Liverpool settling for a point against Norwich? And on and on. 

In any case, but for a Tottenham win, a great weekend for Arsenal and hints of a new power at the top of the League.