EPL: Pellegrini, Moyes get caught up in the chaos theory

There appears to be an element of chaos theory at work on examination of the Premier League table as it currently stands, and yet one could equally apply a dose of logic based on continuity of management and be not at all surprised at all.

None of the top three teams in the table changed their managers last season. However, both teams from Manchester along with Chelsea — who between them have won every League title since Arsenal’s 2004 triumph — did exactly that. And perhaps as a direct consequence of a change of regime, all three are producing some awkward moments for supporters so far.

Last week, I was quick to sing the praises of Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City. Now I, along with troupes of City fans, am left to scratch my head after their defeat at Villa Park. The same applies to the boss. “The way we lost this game was incredible. We led twice, and we had control of the game,” said an exasperated Pellegrini afterwards.

Truly, City were very good in the first half against Aston Villa. But whereas they have little problem scoring freely at home, their strikers do not appear to travel particularly strongly.

The visitors should have scored several times before half-time; instead Villa had almost reached the sanctuary of half-time before Yaya Toure put City 1-0 up. The balance of play was more even in the second half. Karim El Ahmadi’s was cancelled out by Edin Dzeko’s header so City soon had their lead back, only for Leandro Bacuna and Andreas Weimann – whose goals were separated by just a couple of minutes – snatched the points from Pellegrini’s men.

It has to be a worry that even with Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic both playing they conceded three goals in all. Two of their most dynamic forward-minded players, Sergio Aguero and Jesus Navas, were rested from the starting line-up with consideration paid to upcoming Champions League commitments, so it was vital City defended solidly throughout, and they didn’t.

Manchester United’s home defeat to West Brom was a more significant reverse, and David Moyes made some odd decisions. Shinji Kagawa, finally given Premier League game time, was hooked at half-time despite playing quite brightly on the left wing and supplying a nice cross for Anderson which his team-mate headed against the crossbar.

On the other hand, Anderson himself lasted more than 20 minutes longer, even though he gave the ball away far too many times and was regularly found wanting in the physical midfield battle. Phil Jones played at right-back when he probably should have been in central defence, where Nemanja Vidic was rested and Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans looked thoroughly unconvincing at times.

It should be stressed that West Brom’s first goal was an exceptional run and shot from Morgan Amalfitano while Saido Berahino’s winner continued the fairytale ascent of a young man who grew up in an impoverished neighbourhood of Burundi. He played with a handmade ball of plastic bags and tape back then, but having moved to the UK is now hotly tipped to be an England star of the future.

Based on their collective early-season form, I would have expected Tottenham to beat Chelsea at home. Instead, this was a draw, but perhaps the penny has dropped for the stubborn Jose Mourinho with regard to Juan Mata’s ability. He is several classes above John Obi Mikel, who he replaced at half time, and it was the Spaniard who set up John Terry’s equaliser.

On Sunday, Liverpool rebounded from an unexpected home defeat to Southampton with a slightly flattering 3-1 away win against Sunderland. It was a first Premier League start for Luis Suarez since the biting incident, and this time he controlled his appetite in a more acceptable way with two slick goals. Daniel Sturridge, who supplied both those having opened the scoring himself, and Steven Gerrard also excelled.

The ongoing injury to playmaker Philippe Coutinho continues to be an issue for Brendan Rodgers, but with no Cup fixtures to clutter the path forward and winnable fixtures to come - against Crystal Palace, Newcastle and West Brom - Liverpool look in decent shape.