Analysis

The rise of social media has been incredible for sports fans for a variety reasons, most notably the ability to stir up memories of obscure players randomly making exceptional plays.

This network of nostalgia is great for the soul, but the consequence is that players with a catalog that includes a couple of great goals suddenly become hyped beyond belief — which in turn often causes us to forget truly how great the top players were.

Something we often forget about professional footballers is that unlike most of us, they actually have pretty lousy job security. A manager will bench a player who is playing poorly without any second thought because the success of the team is more important than any individual player. 

Of course, the starting lineup is always fluid, but players have to fight every week to make the starting XI, even when it seems like their position is secured. And eventually, every player will be replaced; it is only a question of when. 

Raise your hand if you predicted that West Bromwich Albion would defeat Chelsea 5-2 at Stamford Bridge and then a week later overpower Southampton 3-0. Anybody? I would have been surprised just to hear that West Brom scored multiple goals in a match.

After recording just three wins and scoring only 20 goals in its first 29 EPL matches, West Brom has found the back of the net eight times over its last two matches, picking up two victories — each by three goals — in the process.

With Manchester City reaffirming its Premier League dominance after a "down year" (if 81 points and a +67 GD can be considered a down year), it appears that Pep Guardiola is on his way to a fourth EPL crown. The big question is: How soon can Man City win the league?

After just two months of English football, Barnsley striker Daryl Dike has transformed from a good MLS striker into a transfer target for some of Europe's biggest clubs.

The Oklahoma native has seven goals in 13 matches for Barnsley, and the club has earned 32 of 39 possible points in the Championship during that stretch.