English Premier League: An Apple event style weekend

(Source: Reuters)

Yes, Tim Cook is the CEO at Apple but the Apple event was really all about Phil Schiller, the company’s senior vice president of worldwide sales who spent the most time on stage, presenting and demoing new products. Similarly, while he might not have started the match, Everton’s veteran Steve Naismith stunned everyone (including himself, we suspect) when he scored a hat-trick against defending champions Chelsea, handing them a shock 3-1 defeat at Goodison Park. Yes, Tim Cook will continue to be the main man at Apple, but just like Phil Schiller at the Apple event, Naismith was the man in the limelight against Chelsea.

The Apple Pencil for the most surprising debut

Yes, we know that people go into an Apple event expecting the unexpected, but not too many would have guessed that the company would showcase a stylus (something Apple founder had poked fun at during the launch of the original iPhone in 2007) at the event. Similarly, while many would have expected something special from Anthony Martial (who had been compared with Thierry Henry) in Manchester United’s match against Liverpool, not too many would have bet on the 19-year old slaloming past three defenders and side footing a delectable goal to seal his
team’s 3-1 win over the old enemy. Just like it is too early to say that the Apple Pencil will be a hit, it is too early to predict success for Anthony Martial. But both have displayed ample potential for legendhood!

The “Surface already had those features award” for best duel

(Source: Reuters)

Apple’s unveiling of the iPad Pro with its keyboard and stylus kicked off a dispute with a number of the Microsoft faithful clamouring that their Surface tablet already had those features. And well, things got similarly heated at the touchline in the match between Manchester City and

Crystal Palace, when Palace manager Alan Pardew seemed to get into City’s technical area to protest against a refereeing decision. City boss Manuel Pellegrini was quick to order him back into his own area and words and glares were exchanged before Pardew retreated. They did shake hands a few minutes later, though – something we do not think happened when Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho objected to Everton manager Roberto Martinez taking questions first in the press conference following Everton’s shock win. The F letter was evidently uttered by an irate Mourinho, who told Martinez “Next time tell me to go before you, because we have to travel!” Martinez said he had no control over it, adding cheekily after Mourinho’s departure, “When he beat us 6-3 last season, he was such a nice man. I prefer him like that.” Like the Surface-iPad Pro battle, we don’t think we have heard the last of this one.

The Apple Watch update for the team that continues to defy odds

(Source: Reuters)

Critics might have written it off, but the Apple Watch continues to be in the limelight and pretty much THE wearable to beat. The same can be said for the team that finds itself in the second spot in the Premier League. Leicester City were expected to be candidates for relegation but  Claudio Ranieri’s men have instead emerged as one of the most exciting teams in the league.

And just as the Apple Watch got better with an OS update (to version 2.0), so too did City, who surprised everyone by coming from two goals down to shock Aston Villa.

The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus for the best getting better

(Source: Reuters)

There were those who felt that the new iPhones, the 6S and 6S Plus were not ‘significant’ upgrades (3D touch notwithstanding) as compared to the 6 and 6 Plus, but the consensus was that yes, they did enough to consolidate the iPhone’s reputation as being THE phone to get. Well, Manchester City were in similar vein against Crystal Palace – many felt that they were nowhere near their best as they edged out a battling Palace team by a solitary, very late goal. That said, Manuel Pellegrini’s side remains the only team to have won its every match in the league so far this season and has not conceded a goal either. Love them or hate them, what you cannot ignore is the fact that City are the benchmark for other teams in the EPL right now, just as the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are for other smartphones.

The Siri on Apple TV for most stunning moment!

(Source: AP)

It might not have got as much attention as the iPad Pro and the new iPhones, but for many people, the most memorable moment of the Apple event was Siri responding to queries made on Apple TV, including rewinding the video in response to the “what did she say” query.

Similarly, he may have ended up on the losing side, but Christian Bentekke of Liverpool provided us with the most memorable moment of the EPL weekend when he smashed in a spectacular aerial volley to pull a goal back for his team. The goal is already being considered a shoo-in for the goal of the season shortlist, although Bentekke insists he would trade it for a win over Manchester United!

The iPad Mini 3 for those seeming set to fade away/disappear

Missing in action at the Apple event was the iPad Mini 3, which was quietly discontinued and replaced by the iPad Mini 4 – it will be available for sale for a while yet, though, while stocks remain. And five weeks into the Premiership, it is becoming rapidly clear that some clubs are in a fair bit of strife and are running a fair chance of fading out altogether, like the iPad Mini 3.

Prime candidates are Sunderland and Newcastle – neither has won a match yet and ended up losing on the weekend to worsen matters. What makes matters worse is that unlike the likes of Stoke and Chelsea who have been signs of spirit, both Sunderland and Newcastle (who  ironically, are bitter rivals) have been showing an inclination to let things drift. Are Messrs. Dick Advocaat and Steve McLaren set to fade away like the iPad Mini 3? Well, they currently have Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers for company – the Merseysiders are still in the top ten, but the  swords are out for their manager given 3-0 and 3-1 defeats to West Ham and Manchester United. Will Jurgen Klopp be seen at Anfield before the seaon is out? We would not bet against it.