Sevilla 0-0 Manchester United Champions League last 16 1st leg

Sevilla 0-0 Manchester United 21st Feb

 

Our first Champions League knockout stage match since 2014 ended with United fans probably thinking that It wouldn’t be a complete disaster if it’s another 4 years till the next one, such was the lack of entertainment on show. It was a shit performance from a fairly uninspiring team, with very little pace in the play or the personnel, and the travelling fans weren’t in shock at it either.

The headline team news was scarcely believable as Jose Mourinho took sending a message to new levels by benching Pogba for McTominay. In a game of this magnitude to be without our most talented player was baffling. Juan Mata started away against a top team as a right-winger in a 4-3-3, a decision which also puzzled even the most seasoned of Jose watchers.

Ander Herrera rather summed up his season by quickly injuring his hamstring attempting a needless backheel. In hindsight, his injury was very predictable given how little football he has had recently. So, after all the talk, Paul Pogba was on in a three man midfield, looking sharp straight away. Of course he fucking did. Because he’s bloody brilliant.

McTominay starting is a testament to all the coaches that helped him and his own temperament, but it didn’t stop him having a nightmare in the first half, being played off the park by Ever Banega. Passes went astray, he lost runners and he was panicking like a 70’s BBC Radio DJ who has just got a late night knock at the door. To be fair, in the 2^nd half he coped far better and settled down well.

It was a cavalcade of issues as we tried to grapple with an impressive Sevilla outfit in front of a raucous home crowd. Sanchez was a bit out of sync with everyone else, always cutting back and looking for an over ambitious ball. Mata was ineffective in a system that demands him staying wide. Well, yeah, obviously. Sevilla away is a bit different to Huddersfield away. Furthermore, the number 8’s lack of defensive awareness led to our right side getting attacked constantly, with Valencia and Smalling having to work hard to stop moves.

The tricky Joaquin Correa was looking good for Sevilla on the aforementioned left flank, gliding across the pitch with the ball seemingly tied to his feet. The boy likes to cut inside after a slow dribble in a sort of latter-day Kaka style.  Fortunately he somewhat lacked end product. Four or five times he got in a great position to shoot or cross and failed to dig out anything of substance. Still, his mate Banega was controlling the midfield with his knack for breaking lines, and ex-City winger Jesus Navas was a pacey threat at right-back.

We only had one chance in the half, with a top Sanchez ball volleyed over by Lukaku. Our forward though had been one of our better players, winning a lot of flick-ons.  Although he had to be, given how we were mostly just hitting it long rather than trying to progress play. There was very little thought to our approach at all.

They had a bunch of corners from the 25^th minute till half-time, putting us under severe pressure, with the crowd giving a loud roar at every single won signalled by the ref. Thankfully we have the freak that is David De Gea in nets, who loves to play against Spanish clubs. He is the world’s best and it isn’t even slightly close, we are so blessed to have him. He tipped over an N’Zonzi header, he stopped from Correa… Unreal save after unreal save came in response to the Sevilla onslaught, demonstrating his athleticism and unparalleled reflexes to leave it 0-0 at the break when every single shred of evidence said we should be behind.

The best save came when Luis Muriel found space between the two centre-backs to head for goal from close range, but somehow De Gea flicked out his right hand to bat it away. It was a save so good Muriel shook De Gea’s hand when they were walking off at half time.

The second half was a bit better, and they had very few attacks as a slight tiredness crept in after their intense first period. Correa had disappeared really, and number 10 Vasquez was economical in possession but unspectacular. The issue was, we didn’t create much either, instead sitting very deep. There was so much responsibility on Pogba to both evade pressure and carry the ball forward to try and get us up the pitch. Imagine if Herrera hadn’t got injured? United would’ve never got forward at all.

To be fair to both teams, the referee was very whistle happy, looking at every 50-50 battle as a potential violent bloodbath. With the game constantly being broken up for free-kicks and little knocks, it was stifling for all the players, especially the attackers who found it difficult to introduce some speed into the game. Sevilla were strong and diligent, and towards the end sat back themselves to keep the score at 0-0.

It was one of those games for Mata where you wondered what he actually offers the team. Of course the answer is he keeps our average squad IQ acceptable. But ‘jokes’ aside, even those who rate him like it’s still 2013 would recognise these types of games and the position he was playing are hardly his forte. He’s still a quality option but he needs certain conditions to thrive and this was difficult for him.

Looking at the XI, was the performance that much of a surprise? Without the thrust of Martial, Rashford, and Lingard there was a lack of legs on the field. Maybe even Shaw would’ve helped, introducing some pace to the defence that would’ve prompted them to move up the pitch slightly. Even after Pogba came on, United were slow and couldn’t worry the home team too much.

We really should be so much better than Sevilla, and yet magic from De Gea was needed again. We have to be honest about what we saw there; long humped balls forward and little else. Sure, with Banega and N’Zonzi in the middle it was always going to need a terrific performance to get the better of the midfield, but how much money is going to be thrown at clubs before we can dominate these middle-ranking sides?

The 2^nd leg is going to be horrible. A 0-0 away result was last seen to be a decent strategy by Ferguson in 2000, right before Real Madrid took control of the Quarter Final by scoring first at Old Trafford. Without an away goal, we are vulnerable to the sucker punch. They only need one proper chance for us to be really up against it.

United (4-3-3) De Gea 9; Valencia 6, Smalling 7, Lindelof 7, Young 6; McTominay 5.5, Matic 6, Herrera 6 (Pogba 17, 7.5); Mata 5.5 (Rashford 75, 6), Lukaku 7, Sanchez 6.5 (Martial 80, 6).

Sevilla (4-2-3-1) Rico 6; Navas 7, Mercado 6.5, Lenglet 7, Escudero 6; Banega 8 (Pizarro 89), N’Zonzi 6.5; Sarabia 5.5, Vasquez 6, Correa 6; Muriel 6.5 (Ramirez 85).

Huddersfield 0-2 Manchester United FA Cup 5th Round

Huddersfield 0-2 Manchester United (Lukaku 3, 55)

Don’t mention the VAR. United strolled in to the quarters of the FA Cup by brushing aside Huddersfield thanks to two quality goals from Romelu Lukaku, although little attention was given to this fact afterwards, as the media spun themselves into bother over Pogba, Jose, and VAR. Oh My.

Big changes, six of them, were made from the Newcastle loss. De Gea and Valencia were rested; Jones, Martial and Lingard, dropped. Oh, and Paul Pogba. There was something wonderfully ironic about United lining up without Pogba in the squad. Just a day before, Mourinho had used his press conference to dismiss the suggestions that he had any problems with his star man as “lies”. Instead, United had three in midfield that did not inspire confidence, what with Scott McTominay and Michael Carrick being at opposite ends of the age scale, and Nemanja Matic looking increasingly drawn as the season goes on. The excuse was that Pogba was ill on the day of the game, and that did seem plausible given young Ethan Hamilton from the youth team appeared as one of the subs out of nowhere as a last minute replacement. I’m sure a few giggles were had about the fact United had finally switched to a midfield trio and then left out the man it was meant to accommodate. With a trip to Sevilla on Wednesday, Pogba’s absence left more questions than answers.

As did the awful system of the video assistant referee (VAR). This might sound like sour grapes, given that it was my team who had a goal chalked off, especially galling as it was lovely-looking, well-mannered, charity-founding, sensitive-lover Juan Mata that was kept off the scoresheet. But just look at the wait, the energy being sucked from the crowd during the delay, the confusion amongst the players… and for what - the sake of millimetres? True, Mata’s kneecap was offside. But if it had been allowed to stand, would there have been any complaint, given how tight the margin was? Pundits were still claiming it was onside, albeit wrongly, hours after the event. I think that the thing I dislike most about VAR is it is clearly an initiative for the fans watching on TV, and not the match attendees, i.e. the only people that actually matter. The FA and the Premier League must ask themselves whether an extra ~5% of accuracy on offsides is worth yet another reduction in the matchday experience for the humble fan. Don’t get me started on using it for penalties, or red cards – infringements that inherently come down to an individual ref’s interpretation of the law! There have been infamous dives or red card decisions that are still debated years later, how can VAR help there? At least the Huddersfield boss David Wagner agrees with me. “Yes, the decision went in our favour but this VAR for me kills the emotion of the game. This is why I don’t like it – but I am not the person who makes the decision”. Well, in my opinion, VAR belongs in the bin with XG. Kick nerds out of football.

Anyway… United bounced back quickly from the Newcastle defeat, and with 2 minutes and 36 seconds on the clock, they were leading, courtesy of Lukaku. It was a lovely goal, he had held it up in the first place, before laying off to Mata and running in behind. The Spaniard’s through ball found our big Belgian, who cut inside onto his right foot before sliding it past Lossl. It demonstrated all his attributes – the holdup play, the pace, the power, and the supreme finishing. Terrific centre forward play. The home side responded, with Tom Ince steering an effort wide on the turn after springing an awful offside trap. Despite having such an early advantage, United struggled in the opening 15 minutes, unable to string three passes together, and giving it away for fun. We were losing the midfield battle, with Matic out of sorts, McTominay showing a lack of quality and Carrick more tortoise than hare.

At least the United fans were in great voice, using their big FA Cup allocation to its fullest. ‘It’s Carrick, y’know’ was getting a hearty airing in celebration at the club captain actually starting a game of football. Maybe they were trying to distract from the dreck on show in Yorkshire, with United very defensive, and conceding territory by sitting deep. We were looking more like a bunch of individuals than a team, with a real lack of intensity. Still, at least the home side were shite, completely incapable of punishing us. Their only threat in Mounier was being bested in a few battles in an entertaining war with Chris Smalling in the air. It was noteworthy that Smalling was attacking everything, perhaps determined to prove a point after his shambles of a performance at Newcastle. Matic however had a shocking first half, not knowing what to do with the ball at his feet, and looking quite weak. It is to his credit that he emerged after the break improved, finding his feet and passing confidently.

The VAR incident happened on the stroke of half-time, with Young making an enterprising run at right-back then slipping the ball inside, where Mata went round the keeper and tapped in for our second goal. Or so we thought, for as Mata wheeled away in celebration, the ref signalled he was listening to his mates watching a screen fucking miles away. Farcically, BT Sport were fed incorrect images featuring swiggly lines that weren’t parallel to the 18 yard box to judge an offside. Not a good look at all for VAR, although that wasn’t how the decision was actually made, thank Christ. The goal was overturn and the United fans were aghast – but I’ve said my piece on this incoherent system, we still had a match to win.

Just before the whistle, Matic finished a free-kick but this goal was disallowed –normally this time! – For a big offside, but it gave United momentum in the second period. There was an increased aggression, and United were rewarded with a second goal right out of the top-drawer. From our own corner, the ball was cleared to Lukaku. He played a superbly timed one-two with Alexis, before running through and converting nicely. 21 for the season now for Red Rom, who consistently makes the difference for us against the lower teams. If he can crack it against the cream of the crop we would have one hell of a centre-forward on our hands. As for our big January buy and new number seven, he is clearly taking time to get used to his teammates, but even at his lowest he can provide these moments of flair.

Mata, Alexis and United in general were purring now, always on the break, pushing the home team back, looking for a third goal to kill them. It didn’t come, partly as the last 10 minutes were played out sensibly rather than explosively, partly as often the final ball was erratic, despite the real threat posed by Mata’s passing and intelligence. Nevertheless it didn’t bother those United fans who were in top form. A week after yet another brace against PSG at the very apex (the CL latter stages) of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo got serenaded, which warmed my cold heart. ‘Viva Ronaldo’ and ‘He plays on the left’ were sung with gusto, before the traditional ‘Que Sera, Sera…’ was belted out as United reached the Quarters of the Cup for the fourth year in succession. And that’s no mean record.

Afterwards Mourinho lavished more praise on McTominay, who is starting to appear like his personal project. (Or perhaps, one might harshly argue, an exaggerated sham perpetrated solely to prove that despite his reputation he can play young players from the academy and does care about the growth of kids.) He said the new Scottish manager Alex McLeish should come straight to him to get him tied down to Scotland, internationally. Also, this: “I think Scott deserves more than what he is getting. Maybe it’s because he’s this kind of kid profile: a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches, humble kid, arrive in the club when he was nine or 10”. No prizes for guessing who that *may* refer to. Still, how great for the kid to be the recipient of so much approval. There were kind words for Eric Bailly and his welcome return as well, coming on in the dying embers of the match for his first appearance since the loss at Stamford Bridge on the 5^th of November.

There was a neat postscript as to our potential cup opponents as well. For not only were Tottenham taken to a replay by League Two Rochdale after a stoppage-time equaliser, but deliciously, the Greatest Team Ever Seen in English Football were humbled again, 1-0 by Wigan Athletic. Now that they’re in the third tier, it probably was a far bigger one off result than the 2013 cup final shock or the following year giant-killing of Pellegrini’s team at the Ethiad. And old Pep doesn’t take kindly to losing, oh no. The precious cunt completely lost his head, engaging in a pretty childish scrap with his Wigan counterpart at half-time after Delph was sent off. At the final whistle, the Berties decided to throw advertising hoardings at policeman. Despite their lottery win, they will always be poor little bitter city.

Onwards to Sevilla, and the competition Mourinho previously defined himself by. After City and Liverpool smashed Basel and Porto respectively, and Spurs got a very creditable 2-2 at Juventus, the pressure is on us to perform as well. Time to deliver.

United (4-1-4-1) Romero 7; Young 6.5, Smalling 7.5, Lindelof 6, Shaw 6.5; Carrick 6; Mata 7.5 (Lingard 81), McTominay 6, Matic 6, Sanchez 6.5 (Martial 75, 6); Lukaku 8 (Bailly 90+3).

Leicester 2-2 Manchester United

Leicester 2-2 Man Utd (Vardy 27, Maguire 90+4) (Mata 40, 60)

United weren’t at their absolute best, and Leicester are a decent team under Claude Puel, yet when the final whistle went the United fans were crushed with disappointment and anger. Well, of course, a last minute equaliser is always gut-wrenching. But this was different, given that United had come from behind, had been playing since the 73^rd minute against 10 men, and spurned at least 4, maybe 5 cast-iron sitters. Childish and immature, as our manager called it afterwards.

8 changes were made from the loss at Bristol City, with only Pogba, Martial and Lindelof keeping their places. Mourinho selected the Swede at full-back over Darmian, who wasn’t even named in the squad in the absence of Valencia.

United started pretty well in the final game before Christmas, with Pogba on his league return from suspension looking sharp, and Martial seemed dangerous despite some rough tackling from Leicester. However, it was Jamie Vardy who opened the scoring with an astonishingly simple goal, borne out of careless (to put it kindly) defending. Ndidi hoofed it 60 yards, Mahrez chased it down before holding it to play in Vardy for a simple finish. Why Smalling didn’t put a foot in on Mahrez, and why Jones ran out to press thin air to leave us exposed are questions that will forever remained unanswered.

To their credit, the players stepped it up a gear and went on the attack, to be rewarded when Juan Mata put us level late in the half with a precise effort from Lingard’s lay off after Martial had found him in the area. It was only the Spaniard’s second goal of the season.

The second half was exhilarating as the Red Devils completely outplayed Leicester, cutting them open on the break frequently, and they were rewarded with a comprehensive 4-1 away triumph but due to demented finishing and decision making, 2 points were dropped.

It was criminal, really. All those chances, and playing against 10 for the closing stages, with Amartey getting two clear bookings only 16 minutes after coming on. The game should have been over, but United took wasteful to a new level and reminded the faithful of the umpteen home games like this last season. It all started with Martial blazing way over from 12 yards out after a top ball in from Lukaku. The Belgian threw his hands up in frustration, but soon he was celebrating.

Mata had definitely come to the party, putting our noses in front with a curling free-kick from the right of the D past Kasper Schmeichel, his first brace since… March 2015! Yep, the famous Juanfield game. His general underperformance for a £37m player notwithstanding, the quality set-piece had surely made the game simple enough for his teammates.

The still makes it look worse... but it's still a terrible miss

Instead United contrived to fuck up glorious chances. Lukaku was great all game at receiving on the turn and letting others run into the vacated space; one such move ended with Lingard facing an open net after taking the ball past the keeper. But, on the run, he incredibly hit the post, before duly hitting the rebound over as well. It was harder to miss.

After Amartey was sent off, Mourinho confusingly brought on Herrera for Lingard, perhaps as a reaction to Lingard’s dreadful miss. But why bring on a more defensive player when they’re at their most vulnerable, and why Herrera, who isn’t in good form anyway? Still, for all the posturing afterwards about this particular sub, it didn’t have much of an impact. It wasn’t Jose’s fault, this one; United still created more gilt-edged opportunities to put the game to bed with a story and a mug of hot chocolate.



Rashford, just before inexplicably trying to take it round the keeper

Rashford had already contributed to the red card, and he was played through again with only Schmeichel to beat. Instead of shooting, he tried to round the Dane, and ended up losing the ball. It was pathetic from the kid. From that position you have to open your body up and put it in the far corner, not try and act clever.

Still, Leicester weren’t looking that threatening. The MOTM Mata came off for Mkhitaryan, so at least his weird isolation appears to be at an end. Mind, the manager was going spare at yet another chance going begging as the Armenian tried to pass back to Lukaku rather than shoot from point-blank range. At this point, I was bricking it. Surely we would be punished for such muddled thinking in front of goal?

Smalling was involved in a heavy tackle, and it looked like we would have to see it out with 10, but then Rashford was sent clear again and United had almost a 3-on-1. It was the 92^nd minute, so he could’ve even chosen to run the ball into the corner and waste time. But instead he stopped, delayed, passed inside, and lost possession. It was fucking amateur hour, brain-dead from such a good player, one more chance to finish the game wasted. Why did he stop running? What the hell was going through his mind?


Look at the pitch. Then the clock. He stopped and passed inside. Despair.

Leicester pushed Wes Morgan and Harry Maguire up front and went route one for the dying seconds. Amid confusion with our shape, with United taking the ridiculous decision to send Smalling back on at centre-back, Albrighton sent in a deep cross and Maguire volleyed in at the back post, leading to rapturous scenes all over the King Power. It was the last kick of the game.

The post-mortem wasn’t pretty as it was suggested Herrera had ignored Jones’s instruction to fill in at right-back so Lindelof could move into the centre. But that was splitting hairs, tt was at the other end where the fault lied. Romelu Lukaku had been robbed of 3 assists, from Martial, Lingard, and Mkhitaryan. Those three but in particular Rashford should hang their heads in shame at throwing away two points. Lukaku was creating 1 on 1’s at will, they all fluffed their lines, and we were rightly punished by a Leicester team that, to be fair, deserve considerable praise for never giving up despite going down to 10 men. Even though the dirty bastards didn’t deserve anything from the game, obviously. I’m not bitter, what gave you that idea?

The only crumb of comfort from this is with City’s lead being 13 points, the title race is over in the self-styled most competitive league in the world before Christmas. I’m sure Sky’s shareholders are delighted at their flagship product being all but wrapped up before the Champions League even starts again. Fuck them, and fuck their pathetic hype for games that meander into nothingness. It’s the little things, I suppose. Merry Christmas.

United (4-2-3-1) De Gea 7; Lindelof 6, Smalling 5.5, Jones 6.5, Young 7; Pogba 7, Matic 6; Mata 8.5 (Mkhitaryan 83, 5), Lingard 5.5 (Herrera 76, 5), Martial 6 (Rashford 71, 4); Lukaku 8.

Leicester 0-3 Manchester United

Leicester 0-3 Manchester United (Mkhitaryan 42, Ibrahimovic 44, Mata 49)

“The last time I was sat in this chair, the next day I was sacked!”

Jose was in a good mood at the post match press conference, and why not? The United manager had just seen his team stroll to possibly their easiest league win of the season at the home of the champions, who were truly abysmal. Not only this, he’d seen his demand for the other attacking players to ease the goal scoring burden on Zlatan Ibrahimovic answered by goals and brilliant performances from Juan Mata and the wonderful Henrikh Mkhitaryan. It was a world away from the frustration felt after the 0-0 draw vs Hull on Wednesday.

Another reason for the elation was the results elsewhere. Chelsea had beaten Arsenal 3-1, (deliciously, the third coming from Fabregas after a Cech error), and Liverpool continued their hilarious form by losing to the ever more impressive Hull. Top 4 is now not only back on, but almost expected…..? Maybe. We’ll see how the retuning Europa affects us.

The table at the end of a good weekend

 

The intent was shown when the team was announced, with Carrick dropped after a poor half against Hull, and Mata restored to the side. Rooney was missing through illness, and Jones replaced by Smalling after the injury picked up on Wednesday. There was a few grumbles about the lack of Martial (again!), but the attacking players all did well.

Creating opportunities hasn’t really been a problem this term, but our profligacy has, so it was immensely pleasing to see the ruthlessness on display, with three goals in the space of 10 minutes either side of half time sealing the comfortable win. The first 20 minutes didn’t suggest any of this though, with ponderous passing and aggressive tackling from both sides making this seem like ‘one of those’ games. United started with a 4-4-2 with Rashford down the middle, but Mourinho soon changed it back to the more familiar 4-2-3-1 with Mkhitaryan central, where he could do his best work. Mata was a perhaps a tad lucky to get away with a yellow for a late slide tackle on Vardy, but afterwards we settled down and took control. Herrera bounced back from a shocking first half hour to set the tempo with Pogba. 

It was Mkhitaryan who was the real match winner though, with a sensational performance exemplifying why he was signed. So inventive, creative, the ability to commit defenders and most importantly direct running. His goal was similar to his Tottenham one, the flick past Huth before accelerating, and no one was catching him. Almost straight away we turned the screw, an overdue assist for Valencia given the positions he gets into, and yet another for Zlatan –at 35 years and 125 days, the Swedish legend is the oldest player to reach 15 league goals in a season.

LOL @ Morgan's face

Our midfield Armenian was at it again with one-twos with Ibrahimovic and Mata for the third, stroked in from the Spaniard in a similar manner to his winner at Carrow Road last year. He’s responded well from his poor form over Christmas, and as a goal threat, is second only to Ibrahimovic at the moment.

I felt sorry for Leicester’s recent midfield signing Ndidi, who showed impressive tenacity and passing range, as the rest of the side were almost embarrassing. Mahrez and Vardy’s displays, and the contrast from last season, fully deserved the hostility they got at full time.

The Special Juan rounding off the game

The final 20 minutes were pretty dull as United, in full control, decided to rest for battles ahead rather than go for more goals and a bigger goal difference. I mean, even Youngy got some minutes. There were chances to get at least two more and catch up on the others (Mata had a one on one), and Martial could’ve been brought on to really give them both barrels, but after such a good away win, complaining like that would be unfair. It’s been a while since we scored 3 in the league, a great weekend for us, with top games from Mkhitaryan, Smalling, Mata and Zlatan.

Onwards to Watford.

United (4-2-3-1) De Gea 7; Valencia 7, Bailly 6.5, Smalling 8, Rojo 6 (Blind 46, 7); Herrera 6, Pogba 6.5; Mata 8 (Fellaini 77, 6), Mkhitaryan 9, Rashford 7 (Young 83); Ibrahimovic 8.

Premier League half time report.

It is just past the half way point in the Premier League as we are right in the middle of the brilliant Christmas period where the games come thick and fast. As such, it is probably around this time when managers will sit down with their staff and review the games that have gone, and look to dip into the transfer window to improve their squad and get rid of the deadwood. So here is my review of the current top six. What, so no Liverpool? Exactly.

Manchester United- Season so far: Pretty good really, top of the league, 7 points clear, beaten Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Man City, but the defence is worrying. They have conceded more goals than Swansea, West Ham, and Sunderland, and Sir Alex Ferguson still doesn't really know his best team. Overall though, there is every chance of a 20th league title.
Star so far: Robin Van Persie. Who else? Has single handedly grabbed points for United this season, and is truly world class. Has also performed against all the top teams (scored in all the aforementioned victories).
Flop so far: Paul Scholes. It is quite hard to say, but it does seem his time is up. He has barely started any games this season, and the team haven't exactly struggled when he has been left out. Only twice this season, in the comeback at Southampton and the home defeat against Spurs has Scholes performed like he used to. Still, his standing amongst Reds is quite untarnishable. That's not really a word, but it's fitting for a player who may have the wrong decision playing on this season, but will always be adored at Old Trafford.  
January signings? The world class players who could make a difference in Europe are unavailable in January. Would make do with getting Vidic back fit. Kevin Strootman, Thiago Alcantara, and other similar high profile midfielders will be targets in the summer.

Manchester City- Season so far: A few too many draws, but overall a solid championship defence so far. The real issue has been in Europe, where City only picked up a measly 3 points in their group and didn't even get a Europa League spot. Roberto Mancini will probably need to win the league or the FA cup to satisfy the owners, and keep his job.
Star so far: Yaya Toure.  City's midfield enforcer has scored 6 valuable goals, as well as chipping in regularly with assists. Also one of the few City players to turn up in the Champions League. How will city cope without him in January?
Flop so far: Mario Balotelli. The dynamic forward has repaid Mancini's faith with a huge haul of 1 league goal this season. Also tried to take his own club to a tribunal- how much longer will Balotelli be indulged?
January signings? There have been rumours regarding Daniele De Rossi but it is unlikely City will be massive spenders in January. However, cover at centre back is a possibility.  

Chelsea- Season so far: The sacking of Di Matteo is what it will be remembered by, as well as, for the first time since the takeover of Abramovich, Chelsea failing to make it past the group stages in the CL. However, Chelsea made a decent start and are in pole position for the League Cup. Benitez has also successfully tightened up the defence- for now. Still in the title race.
Star so far: Juan Mata has been a giant for Chelsea this campaign, returning from the international break in September refreshed and has been inspirational since Benitez has come in. My player of the season so far, with an eye for goal and superb at creating space.
Flop so far: Roberto Di Matteo. The holders of the CL have never got knocked out so quickly the next year. Seeing Chelsea's performances since his sacking, some of his 'tactics' were remarkably bad- for example, not playing the club's best centre back at centre back (Ivanovic), the refusal to acknowledge that Oscar, Mata, and Hazard clearly occupy the same space (Benitez has very rarely played all 3) and his complete failure to get Torres playing well.
January signings? Daniel Sturridge is on his way to Liverpool, and a replacement striker is what is needed. Falcao will have to wait till the summer at least, same with fellow South American Edinson Cavani, and Lukaku has expressed a wish to remain at West Brom, so Chelsea may look to Demba Ba or even Theo Walcott. Bodies in midfield are also at a premium, with Romeu injured, Lampard's future uncertain and Mikel in South Africa. Fellaini is likely to leave Everton if any club can stump up £18 million or so, could a deal be done there?

Tottenham- Season so far: So far, so good, for Spurs's new manager. Despite the media's best efforts, Villas-Boas has done very well and Tottenham are even outside bets for the title, according to Sandro. But top 4 will do nicely this year. AVB has dealt well with the impact of losing their two best players of 11/12, Modric and Van der Vaart, and are even taking the Europa League seriously
Stars so far: Jermain Defoe/Gareth Bale. Defoe is enjoying a new lease of life away from the bench, equally effective up front on his own or with Adebayor, he has 14 goals in all comps this season. As for Bale, the welsh winger is capable of changing a game in an instant, and the occasional dive hasn't blinded me or most other observers to the fact that he is probably the most exciting player to watch in England. Already has got 9 league goals from the left.
Flop so far: Clint Dempsey- Only 3 goals? And what position does he play anyway? Despite Tottenham's good results, Van der Vaart is still a big miss and Sigurdsson is not the answer. Honourable mentions to Adebayor for his lack of goals, and William Gallas for some inept challenges.
January signings? Joao Moutinho was close to joining in August and Spurs might try again. Need to shift some deadwood, with Dawson presumably on his way. Could recall Danny Rose from Sunderland to add depth. But with Parker and Assou-Ekotto on their way back from the treatment room, Spurs are unlikely to really push the boat out. Have reportedly agreed to take Lewis Holtby from Schalke in the summer and he could be the replacement for Van der Vaart I keep mentioning they need.

Arsenal-Season so far: Have apparently been in about 5 different states of crisis, but actually have made an okay start, with a few rubbish results (like the embarrassing defeat to Bradford). Cazorla and Podolski have been excellent acquisitions, and only Stoke, City and Chelsea have conceded less than them.
Star so far: Santi Cazorla has scored and assisted 7 goals in the premier league, and has been another great addition to the best passing side in the league.
Flop so far: Andre Santos wins because of some truly awful displays, but Thomas Vermaelen has cost Arsenal goals, Ramsey's development has stalled, and Chamakh's zero appearances in the league is probably still too many.
January signings? The Gunners really need another forward, although David Villa won't exactly be excited by moving to the Emirates, and Arsenal may need to look into players like Zaha of Palace instead. An experienced keeper is possible with Reina not happy at Liverpool, and about 6 new medical specialists as well to get that injury prone cun Abou Diaby on the pitch more often. A new left back is a possibility with the perennially injured Gibbs proving to be dodgy fitness wise once more.

Everton-Season so far: Terrific, as for once, have complimented an excellent second half of a  previous season with a great start. Everton have beaten Man United and Spurs at home, and have only lost thrice. Everton's net spend since 2002/03 is 13.9m, whereas Liverpool's for example, has been 173.8m. David Moyes has probably been the manager of 2012, and this is his best chance to get Everton back in the top four. If he doesn't he must be considering just how long he can stay on Merseyside.
Star so far: Marouane Fellaini has led the charge with 8 goals, the Belgian notching against United, Arsenal, and Man City. With an enforced winter break thanks to his headbutt of Shawcross, expect him to continue his form in 2013. Honourable mentions to Tim Howard, Leighton Baines and Leon Osman for consistency, and Pienaar for providing the touch of class.
Flop so far: Bill Kenwright: He may be a fan, but knowing Everton's excellent performances following the arrival of Jelavic, Gibson and Pienaar in January 2012, he should of backed Moyes with money in the summer. Naismith and Hitzelsberger were free transfers, and although Kevin Mirallas cost 6m, all of that was payed for by 15m Jack Rodwell's sale to Man City. The big question as regards to Everton's future as a long term top tier side will remain with Kenwright's ability to find a competent owner.
January signings? A loan signing for Lescott or Scott Sinclair seems the limit for the Toffees, unless some of the Rodwell money is made available. Far more important is to keep hold of their own best players.

Writing that was a lot quicker than I thought it was going to take! Let's all hope for a thrilling second half of the season, I for one want to see a brilliant fight for the title and expect quality in the Champions League. 2012 was a superb football year, can 2013 top it?
Thanks for reading, Adam