Pressemitteilungen » Wednesday night at Orlando or one more Miami loss. T

Matchday Four came with more surprises, Premier League debuts and standout performances coming out of the two-week international break. The week was highlighted by an unlikely result at Anfield, a back-and-forth thriller between title contenders, a hat-trick hero, and the return of attacking football to Old Trafford. Heres my Premier League Notebook: Around the Wheel: Five Thoughts from the Weekend 1) Diego Costa continues to feast on the Premier League. The Spaniard has made scoring look easy. Three more in Chelseas 4-2 win over Swansea, Costa became the first player to score seven goals in his first four games in Premier League history. Credit the supreme finishing, but also tip your cap to the service provided. Costa poached all three goals from on top of the six-yard box. Thats not to take anything away from the target-man. Finishing as such is the ultimate skill and separates good players from the great. Costas impact has been second to none in Chelseas team success. No more complaining from Jose Mourinho he doesnt have proper talent up front. Costa has set the bar that Falcao, Balotelli, and others will try to replicate. 2) The expectation and role of a striker came under debate last week with the commentary surrounding Danny Welbeck. The Englishman scored twice in EURO 2016 qualifying in a win against Switzerland. Welbecks proficiency in front of goal was called into question afterwards, with Louis van Gaal stating he wasnt up to standard at United. Welbeck can do a lot on the field, with speed and touch on the ball to be desired. Whether he can become an out-and-out goal scorer is worth questioning. Welbeck only scored 29 times in 142 appearances while at United. His first half miss against City, chipping Joe Hart but finding the post reflects the frustration with the player. Top finishers put opportunities as such into the back of the net. The move was eerily similar to Welbecks chip attempt in last years Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. Manuel Neuer stayed up and saved the breakaway chip attempt. The miss was a defining moment, with Bayern Munich taking control soon thereafter. Welbeck needs to become more clinical in front of goal to justify his £16 million price tag. Arsene Wenger said himself he would have preferred to acquire Welbeck on-loan rather than purchase. So much for exuding confidence. 3) Does Manchester United have a proper midfield? For all the success United have had in recent seasons, a dominant midfield has noticeably been absent. Its testament to the team approach and quality elsewhere the team was able win so often and convincingly. The midfield diamond Sunday featuring Daley Blind as defensive midfield, Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera on the left and right, with Juan Mata atop the diamond was strong, structured and dominant throughout. There was balance among the group in shape and collective understanding of positioning. The movement was positive, with the group intent on working the ball down the middle first, then looking wide. This is much different of previous and inferior models in Uniteds midfield. Blind was particularly effective, sitting on top of the back four while completing a match best 112 passes, the fifth highest number in a game this season. Wayne Rooney later took over at the top of the diamond and looked at home in the position. Those questioning United not acquiring a player of the ilk of Arturo Vidal in the summer will be pleased by initial returns. With Michael Carricks return on the horizon, the group will continue to have the components to bring stability to the midfield. 4) Liverpools Brendan Rodgers was the Premier Leagues biggest risk-taking manager a season ago. The manager continually tinkered with his formations and tactics early in the season. Although it didnt always work out, you could see the method behind his plans. The decision to not start Raheem Sterling in Liverpools 1-0 home loss to Aston Villa is a puzzling one. Rodgers clearly wants to give the player ample rest as the games come fast and furious. But whether that rest should come when Daniel Sturridge is unavailable should be questioned. Sterling has contributed to 50 per cent of Liverpools goals on the season and is essential to the creativity in the team. The depth players in the team have much to prove. Does Liverpool have enough quality to balance the league and European competition? 5) Its hard to take Manuel Pellegrinis decision to rest Yaya Toure and Fernando, while starting Edin Dzeko on the bench as anything other than putting this years priority on the Champions League. Manchester City plays Bayern Munich mid-week as group play kicks off. A central midfield featuring Frank Lampard and James Milner doesnt seem a preferred duo in a match against a Premier League contender. In fairness, the latter did well on the day. City still picked up the away point, but this is something to monitor as the season wears on. Will Pellegrini continue to play inferior starting XIs in league play before mid-week Champions League play? Team of the Week Speroni (CRY)Rafael (MUFC) – Kompany (MCFC) - Baker (AVFC) – Bertrand (SOU)Wilshere (ARS) – Schneiderlin (SOU) - Fabregas (CHE) - Di Maria (MUFC)Pelle (SOU) – Costa (CHE) Player of the Week: Angel Di Maria (Manchester United) – A star player in a star performance. Di Marias opening goal, his first for United, was a replica of a set-piece he executed in training in the lead-up to the match: a wonderful in-swinging ball forcing the defensive backline and goalkeeper into a decision. The Argentine picked up an assist in the match, and played a part in all four United goals. His burst of speed, directness, and willingness to take on a man on the dribble is invaluable for United. His defensive commitment was likewise impressive, checking back and starting moves on the counter. The top all-around performance on the weekend. Honourable mention goes to Costa. Goal of the Week: Enner Valencia (West Ham) – Known for his incredible athletic and leaping ability, Valencias first Premier League goal came on the ground with a composed, calculated strike of sheer quality. Getting the ball on his foot facing goal from 25 yards out, Valencia shook off defender Michael Dawson, playing the ball on his right foot making space before unleashing an unstoppable blast. The ball, clocked at 110 km/h, blew past Dawson and Curtis Davies before hitting the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net. Dawson had his revenge in the last minute of time added on, chesting Valencias headed ball with eyes for goal off the bar and out of play, preserving the 2-2 draw. Surprise Performance: Ben Hamer (Leicester City) – Making his Premier League debut for the injured Kasper Schmeichel (knee), the 26-year old goalkeeper made a double-save on Mame Biram Diouf and Victor Moses to keep the clean sheet and an unlikely victory. Bonus marks for rocking the most solid beard in the Prem. Best team performance: Manchester United – A move to four at the back is getting Louis van Gaal all kinds of praise. The bigger difference was the midfield diamond that was balanced and in control throughout. With a healthy squad and genuine top talent introduced to the team, it shouldnt surprise any as this team rises through the table. 4-0 flattered QPR. United coasted; in control, dictating the tempo. The team rarely got out of second gear, and when they did, it was a sight to see. Its only just the beginning and first glance gives reason this team can be title contenders. The fear factor, the buzz and electric atmosphere at Old Trafford returned and more of the same is predicted. Worst team performance: Newcastle – It was largely a lifeless performance from a team in desperate need of a spark. The visitors were on the back front from the opening minute, fortunate not to concede, before falling behind after six minutes. The ease by which Southampton carved up the backline will disturb, as will the failure to respond to on-field adversity. The finishing inside the 18 was just as ugly. A pitch invader and Pardew Out banner ended what was another dark day. Pardew remains, but has to be on his last legs. Another performance as such and there is no question hell be facing the sack. Goat of the Week: Ben Foster (WBA) – West Bromwich Albion stayed in the match after falling behind after just two minutes after Jonas Olsson put the ball on a platter for Romelu Lukaku. There was nothing Foster could have done on that occasion. The second goal, the clincher, was all on the England International. A seemingly harmless strike by Kevin Mirallas turned into a mess, as Foster dove over the ball, failing to control what should have been a straightforward save. It was unfortunate for Foster, who is among the busiest and heavily relied upon keepers in the Premier League. Foster took to Twitter post-match to reconcile: [@BenFoster – Sorry for a awful mistake today, at an important point in the game where we were still in it. Need to stick together and stay positive] Stat of the Week: Chelseas Diego Costa has seven goals in four Premier League games. Fernando Torres scored five goals in 28 games last season. Stat of the Week, Part II: Aston Villa limited Liverpool to one shot on target in their 1-0 victory. The only team to hold Liverpool to one shot on target last season? Aston Villa. Table Talk 1) Chelsea (12pts) – Perfect record and no squad looks better on paper. Leaking goals is main concern. Six conceded in four matches will worry Jose. Centre-back duo getting caught out of position. 2) Aston Villa (10) – Surprise outfit hasnt looked pretty but have proven difficult to break down. No goalkeeper has led from the back better than Brad Guzan. True test lay ahead over next four matches (ARS, CHE, MCFC, EVE). Christian Benteke (achilles) closing in on his return certainly helps. 3) Swansea City (9) – Second half breakdown at Stamford Bridge will be a worry, but there is still much to like. Speed down the wings is a constant threat. Need to be better defensively, particularly through the middle. 4) Southampton (7) – A walk in the park for the Saints. New players have acclimatized surprisingly quickly. Team has balance. Can compete for European football again this season. Morgan Schneiderlin has three goals in four games. Dusan Tadic is a pleasure to watch. 5) Manchester City (7) – Earning a point away against top rival goes to script. Pellegrini complaining post-match about the officiating seems a reach, but rather a message for future matches. City needs whatever leg up they can as a marked target as Champions. They had a real difficult time trying to repeat two seasons ago. David Silva playing the number 10 role is one that seems a natural fit and lessens the loss of Alvaro Negredo, out on loan. 6) Tottenham Hotspur (7) – Spurs will feel they should have come away with more. Mousa Dembele went off the post and there were signs of rebounding after a disastrous performance last time out. The team plays too narrow for what their squad selection dictates. Great start to the season for Nacer Chadli. 7) Arsenal (6) – The Gunners will feel as though they were the better team and deserved all three points against City. The first goal conceded showed why Arsenal require a top defensive midfielder. Mathieu Flamini lost his legs then lost his mark, trying to get back and defend on the counter. Sergio Aguero punished him. Its a glaring hole in a very good team. 8) Liverpool (6) – Teams lacks requisite speed to lead the line without Sturridge. Mario Balotelli looked unsettled and out of sync with his teammates. A lacklustre debut for Adam Lallana. Jordan Henderson continues to impress in the double-pivot. One shot on target is not good enough for a team with such positive movement off the ball. 9) Manchester United (5) – What a difference two weeks can make. Four different goal-scorers and a stroll in the park in there 4-0 win. Louis van Gaal now has an embarrassment of riches and the flexibility to use players as he sees fit on a weekly basis. Showed contending quality disposing of an inferior side. 10) Hull City (5) - It will take time for the team to come together with new additions. Abel Hernandez was a debut scorer in the 2-2 draw with West Ham. Look a much more dangerous team this campaign. Potential here. 11) Everton (5) – First win of the season and a much better performance. The wingbacks played their best game of the season and the entire back line was stout defensively after giving up six last time out versus Chelsea. Could have won by more. 12) Leicester City (5) – Picked up first win of the season, marking third game out of four theyve picked up points. Superiorly organized, the team found another goal from big money signing Leonardo Ulloa and saw the debut of Esteban Cambiasso as a second half substitute. Things are looking good for the Foxes. 13) West Ham United (4) – Completed 387 passes at Hull City, the most passes completed by the club in an away match in four years. Its a far cry from the long-ball play expected. Liverpool and Manchester United are the next two opponents. 14) Stoke City (4) – A significant setback losing at home to a newly promoted side after defeating the Champions two weeks ago. It remains a challenge for Mark Hughes how to get the most out of this group in attack. 15) Sunderland (3) – Coming from behind twice in the match to earn a point. The Black Cats show resiliency under Gus Poyet. There is a lot to like about left-back Patrick Van Aanholt. 16) Queens Park Rangers (3) – Completely second rate against and underwhelming. Dreadful defensively and inept in attack, QPR has a league worst -8 goal differential. There is talent in the team. Harry needs to bring it together. And quick. 17) Crystal Palace (2) – Goalkeeper Julian Speroni came to the rescue, with one of the better penalty stops you will see, helping Palace to a scoreless draw with Burnley. Eagles have experienced a shaky start under manager Neil Warnock. 18) Burnley (2) – Positive work-rate. Very well organized. And a difficult team to play against. But they cant score goals. End of story. 19) West Bromwich Albion (2) – WBA isnt a team capable of chasing games. A loss felt inevitable after falling behind after just two minutes. An average midfield and an average team. A long year ahead? 20) Newcastle United (2) – An embarrassing weekend adds to already environment with dysfunction. There is some talent in the squad. Is Pardew capable of getting it out of them amidst the clouds of uncertainty hanging over his future? @WheelerTSN gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca Nikita Zaitsev Jersey . Reyes, 26, was traded from Atlanta to Toronto in July 2010 and spent the remainder of the season in the minors. He began 2011 in the majors and made 20 starts with the Blue Jays, going 5-8 with a 5.40 earned run average before he was waived on Aug. Josh Leivo Jersey . Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto. http://www.officialmapleleafsfanstore.com/authentic-wendel-clark-maple-leafs-jersey/ .C. -- The Bobcats announced theyve signed centre Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract. Calvin Pickard Jersey . Brazilian striker Brandao opened the scoring with a header in the 55th minute before winger Franck Tabanou volleyed home from close range to double the lead in the 61st. Bobby Baun Jersey . Of course that doesnt mean hes ignoring it. Thats actually rather impossible given the behind-the-scenes access to the Toronto Maple Leafs the network is getting.INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers were back to being themselves Sunday. They made shots. They defended hard for 48 minutes. Lance Stephenson regained his swagger and, yes, the reeling Pacers even looked like a playoff-ready team. David West made three free throws in the final 15 seconds and Stephenson produced his league-leading fifth triple-double to give Indiana a 102-97 win over Oklahoma City 102-97, putting the Pacers on the cusp of clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. "Were going to treat it (the season finale) like a playoff game. We have to get that No. 1 spot," Stephenson said. "Thats what we wanted from the beginning of the season so we have to take it, not get it, we have to take it." All they need is a win Wednesday night at Orlando or one more Miami loss. The Heat visit Washington on Monday and host Philadelphia on Wednesday. Its been a wild second-half ride for Indiana (55-26), which held the top spot in the East from opening night in October until the last week of March. When the Pacers beat the Heat on March 26, they had a three-game lead and a seemingly firm grasp on home-court advantage. As the losses mounted, though, Miami charged back and finally took the top spot on March 31. But rather than pulling away, the two-time defending champs gave the lead right back. Miami retook a one-half game by beating the Pacers at home Friday, then fell into a tie with Indiana after losing Saturday night in Atlanta. The Pacers went into Sundays game with six losses in eight games and the knowledge that all they had to do was win their last two -- because they have a better conference record than the Heat. So just like that, Indiana flipped the switch and got back to looking the a championship contender. Six players reached double figures including West, who had 21, and Stephenson, who had 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. He broke Detlef Schrempfs franchise record for most triple doubles in a season (four in 1992-93). "Hes a big part of our personality, a big part of our edge, a fan favourite with good reason and hes one of the head coachs favourites," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said after getting a low-five from Stephenson after a late 3-pointer. Paul George finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds and C.J.&nnbsp;Watson scored a season high 20 points.dddddddddddd. The Pacers didnt even need much from Roy Hibbert, who had six rebounds, no points and was 0 for 9 from the field. The Thunder (58-22) shot 42.9 per cent from the field, were 7 of 28 on 3-pointers and were outrebounded 46-32. NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant had 38 points and Russell Westbrook had 21 as they rallied Oklahoma City from a 10-point deficit over the final seven minutes. The Thunder, who were trying to lock up the No. 2 seed in the West, have no doubt Indiana can play with the best in the NBA. "Whats surprising to me is the people who are down on them," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "In an 82-game season, youre going to have some tough times. Unfortunately for them, theyre having it late in the season. But all it takes is a game or two to get back on." What changed for the Pacers, aside from returning to their home court? They were gritty and selfless, the starters who sat out Wednesday at Milwaukee looked well-rested and the bench that produced a big win over the Bucks looked more confident. While there were still signs of lingering problems, such as 21 turnovers. Indiana stayed in control and closed it out late. After Georges 12-foot runner gave the Pacers an 87-77 lead with 6:59 to go, the Thunder charged back, tying the score at 89 when Westbrook hit a 3 with 2:46 to go. "We put ourselves in good position, we just couldnt finish," Durant said. The Pacers wouldnt allow it. George broke the tie with a 3 and 2:09 to play, West followed that with two straight mid-range jumpers and Stephenson knocked down a 3 with 34.2 seconds left to give make it 97-91. "Were just trying to put together good basketball at this point and hopefully carry it into the playoffs," West said. Notes: George welcomed a 15-year-old Cincinnati boy as part of the Make-A-Wish foundation. Roei, a Pacers fans, has been waiting 10 months for a liver/small bowel transplant. ... Indiana finished 35-6 at home and is assured of having the leagues best home record. ... Nick Collison received eight stitches to close a cut above his nose and backup guard Reggie Jackson injured his neck after running into Ian Mahinmis pick in the fourth quarter. 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