Weekend Soccer Roundup – 8/31/14

Throughout the season, we at 32 Flags will be giving you a complete recap of the action at the end of the weekend in our Weekend Soccer Roundup.  Not only will we run down the biggest winners and losers, but the highlights and most talked about moments of the weekend.

1) Biggest Winner – Liverpool and Chelsea

The two teams gained points on every team who is competing them at the top of the table. Also, Chelsea and Liverpool had to defeat tough teams in Everton and Tottenham respectively and both won convincingly. Manchester City lost to Stoke and Arsenal drew to Leicester.

2) Standout Performer – Mario Balotelli/Liverpool

On the surface, many other players had better games this weekend than Mario Balotelli but Balotelli gets the nod because of how he performed. He had no issues and positively engaged with Liverpool fans and players and everyone at Liverpool is loving Mario being there. It’s only one game so time will tell but Liverpool could be looking at one of the bargains of the decade.

3) Biggest Loser – Manchester United

Another draw by Manchester United yesterday against newly promoted Burnley, puts United 14th in the EPL table. The team has spent a lot of money this summer and replaced who they thought was the problem in David Moyes so why are Man United giving the same performances as last season?

4) Best Tweet

From our own Jeff Snyder:

5) Biggest Surprise – Real Sociedad

There were a lot of upsets but none more than Real Sociedad defeating Real Madrid Sunday. Real Sociedad, who lost to underdog Eibar last week, came back from two goals down to defeat Real Madrid 4-2.

6) Best Moment – The entire Everton/Chelsea game

It’s only August but that may be the game of the year. Chelsea got the goal advantage and then you had a sequence of if Everton scores, Chelsea scores again to keep the advantage. Just a brilliant game, unless you were an Everton fan.

7) Best Goal – Wayne Routledge/Swansea

I had it narrowed down to three but in the end, this takes the cake. The technique needed to drill a shot like that is astounding.

8) Extra Time – 

With the Transfer deadline on Monday, this was the last chance for teams to perform and determine if they need to sign another player. As far as this window is concerned, it’s either going to be one of the quietest windows of the year or one of the busiest. Either way, it’s going to be good and 32 Flags will be reporting the news as the day goes on.

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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