Manchester 13-3 North London - United and City destroy Arsenal and Tottenham in Super Sunday!

Manchester's two Premier League representatives stepped it up a level this afternoon with two resounding victories. Early on Sunday afternoon Manchester City travelled to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham; and left with 3 points following a crushing 5-1 victory. Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd side welcomed Arsene Wenger's stuttering Arsenal and sent them home with following a mind-blowing 8-2 win!!

Both teams started the day with six points from a possible six; and before kick off at Old Trafford, United will have known that their City rivals had made it nine out of nine with a +9 goal difference, but anything City can do United can do better!

At White Hart Lane Man City included new recruit Samir Nasri in their starting line-up; and what an outstanding debut the Frenchman had in his first match. However good his debut was, he could not take the limelight from Bosnian Striker Edin Dzeko, who struck four of City's five goals! Tottenham, who had little to smile about were utterly outplayed by a dynamic, creative and ruthless City side who were very much on top form. They mustered up 22 attempts at goal over 90 minutes as well as dominating possession; and all this away from home.

Despite a 5-1 victory, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and James Milner were among unused substitutes on the day; demonstrating City's resounding strength in depth. With so much money spent on players it seems that City's team is finally reaching its full potential. Roberto Mancini's Midfield and Attacking options are just as good as their City counterparts. With three goals conceded in three games, you could say the defending has not been at its best, but that is a very minor blemish on what has been a superb start to their 2011/12 Premier League campaign. 

Samir Nasri enjoyed a brilliant individual and team debut for Man City. Photo: Guardian

Tom Cleverley gives Man Utd midfield consistency in place of Paul Scholes.

Tom Cleverley's performance on Monday night against Tottenham at Old Trafford will have reassured Man Utd fans that all is not lost following Paul Scholes' retirement. When Sir Alex Ferguson identified Cleverley as a potential homegrown replacement for the outgoing Scholes many fans looked forward to seeing him in first team action. 

Cleverley has now started both of Man Utd's opening fixtures; impressing in both. It is for this reason that he is the focus of this weeks' Tactical Analysis article on dhpremiership. When looking at Cleveryleys' passing map for his first two Premier League starts, it is clear to see what he does well.

Aston Villa Fans Left Understandably Fuming at Gerard Houllier

In a week that Aston Villa bowed out of The FA Cup for yet another season; Villa fans are left wondering why the experienced Gerard Houllier devalued the competition by naming such an under-strength side. Villa travelled to Man City and were on the receiving end of a 3-0 beating on Wednesday night, so what was going through Houllier's mind when he named that team? I intend to assess Wednesday nights events in relation to the remainder of another season without silverware for Aston Villa. 

Villa 'Reserves' were truly crushed at Eastlands. Photo: Metro

How Has Darren Bent's Goal Changed Aston Villa and Man City's Seasons?

Darren Bent's tireless performance saw him score on his Aston Villa debut. Photo:BBC Sport

Darren Bent scoring on his Aston Villa debut was never in doubt, but has the £24m Striker's goal buried Man City's title hopes in this Premier League campaign? It seemed fitting that Villa's record purchase won the game despite only touching the ball 27 times in 94 minutes; demonstrating what he does best with so few touches of the ball. Brian Kidd summarised Man City's performance as "lackluster", suggesting they will bounce back from the defeat. Whilst I do not disagree with Kidd's comments, I do think the title hopes that certainly were existent are now all but gone for Man City. As for Villa, the Man City win should provide them with a solid basis upon which to turn their season around.