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channel. Simple. 
And we couldn't even get the big shop in from the Asda by the ground as the frozen stuff would've defrosted by time we got home! All in, a ballbag of a day! 
---------------------------------------------
West Ham 2 – 2 ARSENAL
Aspirations. We all have them. Whether it's a promotion at
work, getting tops off and fingers with Marie in Accounts, buying that flat you
like off the Holloway Road, we all have them. But in order to achieve any of
them, you need to do the basics first, and then work on the frillier parts
later. Arsenal's apparent aspiration this year is to win either the Premier
League, the Champions League or both. Therefore, getting the basics right, like
beating bottom of the table fodder like West Ham (or continental tosh like AZ
Admiral Ackbar on Tuesday) is essential.
I don't pay much credence to what Tony
Adams says anymore as he is obviously a bit mental, but made the point at the
start of the season that if you beat the bottom 10 sides twice each, you will
probably win the League and I think that that's about right.
Anyway - the game. It was dull as far as 2-2 draws go, actually. Arsenal came
out at and immediately looked threatening, with Alex Song's sumptuous little
dink giving Robin van Persie the chance to open the scoring, but the mercurial
Dutchman served only to tackle himself and concede a goal kick. A couple
further half chances ensued before a Bacary Sagna cross led to Robert Green and
James Tomkins colliding mid-air and RvP11 had the easiest tap-ins for 0-1,
which became 0-2 just after the break when an unmarked William Gallas nodded
past a goalline-rooted Robert Green.
Unfortunately, Arsenal again thought the game was won and barely came out for
the second half. A few token pops at goal from 20-30 yards from Fabregas and
Arshavin aside, we didn't quite get going and never cut West Ham open the way
we normally do. The thing that puzzled me was that West Ham didn't even
remotely trouble us and we were masters of our own downfall.
Twenty minutes to go all going nicely, Abou Diabolical gives away a needless
free kick on the edge of the box which Don Vito pushes back into play rather
than hold the damn thing or push out of play (as you are taught your first day
at goalkeeper training), and Carlton Cole manages to stay on his feet long
enough to poke home for 1-2 (seriously, the guy's like Bambi on Ice).
What then followed was something that really upsets me about referees. West Ham
have a half decent but in no way stone-bonker penalty shout when Gallas and
some soon-to-be-Championship mug cross paths and said mug goes to ground. No
penalty. However, the West Ham fans and players are REALLY upset by that and
have a good old grizzle at Chris Foy. A couple of minutes later, a sniper on
the roof takes out Carlton Cole after Alex Song has the temerity to stand
within the great lump's circle of fear and before you can say "F*ck me,
it's Graham Poll!", Chris Foy has blown for a penalty kick which was
dispatched with ease. 2-2, and that was that. Gutted.
Van Persie had a chance to win it in the dying embers, but Robert Green made a
superb reflex save to make up for his earlier indiscretion. Aside from
that we never looked like getting a winner and another harsh lesson has been
learnt - drawing 2-2 against a side destined for a relegation battle is
unacceptable. Not good enough, Arsenal, and much improvement will be needed
against Spurzzzz next week.
Star man: Nobody really covered themsleves in glory, but Alex Song was again
solid in front of what looked like an impenetrable back four for most of the
game. Big hands also to Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna who both had their best
games of the season.
Worst performer: Give me a 'D'! Give me an 'I'! Give me an 'A'!
I think you all know where this is going. Come back Denilson /
Vieira / Gilles Grimandi / Steve Williams... all is forgiven.
Best moment: Cesc Fabregas's rip-snorter from 25 yards that took a coat of
paint of the left-hand upright would have been a contender for goal of the
season if it had gone in, and given us a truly unassailable 0-3 lead.
Tactics: No problem with the tactics, but the players' attitudes and ability to
hold on to a lead needs careful examining. Arsenal's ethos is to attack,
attack, attack, which means that an early two-goal lead is often a hindrance as
the players don't know how to stick and will always twist in the hope of more
goals. Manchester United never give away leads, and that's why they're
Champions. However, it is a skill that comes with experience, so we can only improve
in that area... but it needs to be sooner rather than later.
Chant of the game: Once again, the Arshavin / Adebayor song rang long, loud and
proud throughout the 90 minutes. A bit of variety wouldn't go amiss though,
boys.
Oppo fans: Didn't pipe up at all until after their first goal. Quiet,
miserable, and generally outsung by the travelling Gooners. Ouch.
David Oudôt, www.onlinegooner.com
& taxloser.blogspot.com
---------------------------------------------
Wolverhampton 1 – 1 ASTON VILLA
Well, that wasn't pretty...! Don't suppose a local
derby with Wolves who will fight for their lives this season was ever going to
be a top game, just can't help feeling this was another 'after the Lord Mayor's
Shows' for Villa following a great performance v Chelsea.
There were penalty claims both ends in the first half, apart from that there
was little of note to be fair, just a scrappy, average Premiership game.
The second half Villa got on top without really threatening. We still
have passengers in the team, including a player who should be awesome and should
terrorise in the Premiership - John Carew.
He came off in the 70th minute and was replaced by Emile Heskey
(not a fans favourite it has to be said) but he did more in 5 minutes than JC
did all game, which led to a very well taken goal by Gabby. One real chance,
one goal, like it Gabby.
No idea why we don't shoot more, a player like Darren Bent in this team
alongside Gabby would have had a field day this season... hey ho. No complaints
with the Wolves equaliser via a pen after Steve Sidwell lunged in late.
1-1 away from home isn't a disaster, just can't help but be left with the 'what
if' feeling again.
Star man: Well, Heskey for once came on and changed the game, other than
that, you'd have to say the defence were solid but no one really dazzled.
Worst performer: John Carew, the most undeserving Holte End hero when he is on the pitch
but can't be bothered to put in the effort. The thing that annoys me is this
man is world class on his day but is no use only having your day 1 in 10 games.
Best moment: To be fair, the final whistle, not a game that will last in one's
memory that is for sure!
Tactics: Hit and hope both sides, not pretty.
Oppo fans: The oh-so-funny high-pitched voice take on the 'Villa, Villa, Villa'
song really does (n't) crease me up every time, nicely done dingle dangle
dongles!
Jonathan Fear, www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
BIRMINGHAM 2 – 1 Sunderland
On the way to the ground I shared the train with two Sunderland supporters who
had brought their own beach ball. Unfortunately for them the beach ball was the
only one of the previous week's players who actually turned up to this game!
This was also the return of Steve Bruce to St Andrews and I am pleased to say
that he got a good reception.
I'd say this was Blues' best performance of the season by
far and if wasn't for some suspect goalkeeping the result would have been more
emphatic. The front two of Chucho
and Jerome terrorised their defence and the big name top two of Jones and Bent
didn't get a look-in until the last ten minutes. If we can play like that in
our next few home games we will be well clear of the relegation zone come
Christmas. The only disappointment was that Chuco Benitez didn't score, he
really deserved one.
Star man: Lots of candidates to choose from, but I'll give
it to Benitez just ahead of Barry Ferguson. McFadden had his best game of the
season as well.
Worst performer: Joe Hart. He flapped at a few early on,
dropped one in the six yard box that he was lucky to get away with and was at
fault for the goal.
Tactics: 4-4-2, two quick blokes up front. Perfect. Same
again next week please.
Referee: Seemed to be more obsessed with having throw-ins
taken from the correct spot than refereeing the game properly. Not sure why
Gordon wasn't sent off for deliberate handball late on.
Chant of the game: "Steve Bruce, give us a wave"
Oppo fans: Seemed obsessed by the size of their sheds. There
must be a lot of tools in Sunderland.
Mike, www.joysandsorrows.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
Chelsea 5 – 0 BLACKBURN
Well, what can I say? Big Sam told his players to “take it easy” in the second
half of last week’s win against Burnley and it looked like the players were
still in the same mode!
Rovers were lucky – very lucky to only lose by five! It was like they accepted
defeat before a ball was kicked.
Now I know nobody expected us to get anything from Stamford Bridge, and a few
key players were missing due to injuries and illness etc; but that performance
was unacceptable!
Even on set-pieces, our best chance of scoring, the delivery was absolutely
terrible.
Chelsea didn’t need to get out of second gear or break sweat. They would have
had a harder game against a Conference side!
At least we have an easier game next week at Old Trafford!
Star man: Paul Robinson – not brilliant, but kept the score in single figures
Worst performer: The other ten – no passion, no commitment and according to Big
Sam, disregarded his tactics in the second half!
Best moment: The final whistle
Tactics: 4-5-1. Roberts wandering alone up front and a five-man midfield
that let Chelsea run right through them.
Chant of the game: NONE.
Oppo fans: For most of the game, it seemed like they had brought a book to read
and looked up from it to clap when Chelsea scored, like it was inevitable that
they were going to win. To be fair, Joe Cole got a rapturous ovation when he was
replaced late on.
Pete Anslow, www.4000holes.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
BOLTON 3 – 2 Everton
Yet again, Bolton threw away a two-goal lead but this time got lucky as they
managed to get all three points after another late goal.
Tamir Cohen and Kevin Davies should have had Bolton 2-0 up inside 5 minutes,
but missed gilt-edged headers. Instead it was left to new hero Lee Chung-Yong
and Gary Cahill to do the business with goals of their own.
From then on Bolton sat back and were punished by a great strike from Louis
Saha and then a poor goal from Marouane Fellaini (hairdo) after the break.
With an hour on the clock, Everton looked like the only winners as Bolton's
midfield continued to go missing, but thankfully the introduction of Ivan
Klasnic proved to be a success as he struck home late on.
Our first home win since April gives us hope, but two games against Chelsea
over the next six days is likely to bring us back down to earth with a huge
bump!
Star man: Sam Ricketts. He's not had the best of starts to life at the Reebok,
but he got forward well and produced his best performance in a Wanderers shirt
to date.
Worst performer: Ricardo Gardner. He showed a couple of neat touches in the
first half, but failed to make an impact on the game. When he's on song he's
the best player at the club, but he seems to be going through a bit of a poor
run of form.
Best moment: Ivan Klasnic's winner. It looked like he had been knocked out
after a knock to his head, but two minutes later had the last laugh by slotting
home his first goal for the club.
Tactics: Once again we started with a 4-5-1. After storming into an early lead,
we set back and if we had stayed with that Everton would have taken the points.
The introduction of Klasnic and the move to 4-4-2 for a short spell worked,
something Bolton fans want to see more often.
Chant of the game: "Ivan Klasnic, Ivan Klasnic!" After the huge
success of Ivan Campo, Bolton have grown quite fond of their Ivans and his name
fits perfectly into our three-syllable chant.
Oppo fans: Like most other teams so far this season, they travelled well in
numbers but were relatively quiet. Came to life at 2-2 but just as they were
pushing their side on for the winner, Bolton hit back and took the points
themselves, silencing the travelling mob.
Chris Mann, www.burndenaces.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
BURNLEY 1 – 3 Wigan
(Awaiting report)
---------------------------------------------
CHELSEA 5 - 0 Blackburn Rovers
So for all these years we have had a talented,
super-creative playmaker named Joe Cole on our books. We have shifted him out
to the left-wing, the right-wing, and wherever else suits the formations we
have played, but we have never really seen the best of him. All the while, he
has quietly hinted that he would like to play behind the front two, the tip of
a midfield diamond perhaps, his favourite position.
Saturday 24th October 2009. Joe Cole plays behind the front
two, at the tip of a midfield diamond. He plays a blinder. Chelsea demolish
Blackburn Rovers 5-0.
It says a lot about a game when you leave the ground, and
you cannot remember the opposition ever having the ball. We dominated, start to
finish, but it is difficult to work out whether we were brilliant or if
Blackburn were just woeful. They definitely were, but let’s just enjoy the win
anyway.
The defence was tight, the midfield was buzzing, and the
strikers were threatening. Petr Cech meanwhile, was freezing. Standing still
for 90 minutes in October can’t be good for the circulation.
Possibly the worst thing about the game was thinking back to
a time when Sam Allardyce was seriously being considered for the post of
England manager. One look at how he set his side out on Saturday proves that
even Steve McClaren was a top choice ahead of ‘Big Sam’.
Star man: So there is an English Lionel Messi after all. Joe
Cole was awesome, just awesome, and every time he touched the ball a little bit
of magic shone out. He single-handedly made the autumn cold disappear, he made
us all forget about the recession, he even found a cure for all worldly disease
(possibly). More importantly, he made football beautiful again.
Worst performer: Michael Essien gave the ball away too many
times before curling home his goal, but that is a minor criticism of a
wonderful evening’s work.
Best moment: And back to the Joe Cole love-in we go. Every
time that boy, no, that man, touched the ball. Just stunning.
Tactics: How do you break down a Sam Allardyce team? Well,
quite easily actually. They did the usual ten men behind the ball, big man up
front, and hoofed clearances to connect the two, and we just played through
them. No complaints, except from the fact that we could, and should have,
easily have scored more than we did. We started to take it easy towards the end
but we were five up with half an hour to go. It could have been double figures
if we had kept pushing!
Chant of the game: The cries of ‘SHOOOOOOOOT!’ whenever
anyone received the ball within about 60 yards of Paul Robinson’s goal in the
second-half, leading to a laughing Essien attempting to ping one in from about
that range three times in quick succession as he humorously obliged the shouts.
Oppo fans: Were there any?
Rowan Farnham-Long, www.cfcnet.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
Bolton 3 – 2 EVERTON
If Everton are still looking to relocate to some retail park
on the outskirts of Liverpool then one look at the Reebok Stadium should be
enough to put them off!
A soulless late-nineties new build surrounded by car parks and shops...but it's
right off the motorway so that's dead handy!
Make no bones about it, it's a dog of a place to go.
And it's even more of a dog of a place to get back from when you've just been
beaten after a spirited comeback!
Everton have done the double over Bolton in the last two seasons but a
combination of a dip in form and injuries - no, let's be honest, a dip in form
because of injuries - meant that the Blues fell to their first defeat at the
Reebok since the last day of the 2004-05 season.
On that occasion Everton took the lead thanks to a 9th minute goal from Tim
Cahill but it was Bolton that grabbed the early initiative in this one.
With 17 minutes on the clock, Sam Ricketts got past Tony Hibbert down the
Everton right and sent a bouncing ball across the box that Chung-Yong Lee
steered past Tim Howard.
By that point Tamir Cohen and Kevin Davies - who looks like someone has stuck
limbs on a Calor gas bottle - had already misdirected headers wide of the
Everton goal.
After a shaky start, and Cohen's goal, Everton started to get the ball down and
look a bit more composed but the wind was knocked right out of the sails on 27
minutes as Gary Cahill - why exactly did Villa sell him? - doubled the
Trotters' lead.
Matt Taylor chipped a free kick into the Everton box and their Cahill lofted an
unchallenged header into the net - something that our Cahill hasn't done in a
while!
The worry amongst Everton fans was now growing as, no matter how good we've
been under David Moyes, we've always been susceptible to a webbing every now
and then and after the balls up at Benfica the worry was that we'd get a
roasting at the Reebok.
But, five minutes after Cahill's strike, Louis Saha put the belief back in the
Blues with an absolute stunner.
There was nothing on as the Frenchman picked up a pass from Lucas Neill just
inside the Bolton half, but he advanced a few yards before unleashing a
screamer into the top corner of the Bolton goal.
Foot like a traction engine!
Everton once again took control of the game and finished the half the stronger
of the two teams.
But, unlike in midweek, the Blues came out as the more purposeful side in the
second half and were level within ten minutes of the restart.
Lucas Neill, who has a lot more to his game than the hatchet man we were
expecting, was once again the provider as he fed the ball to Marouane Fellaini
in the Bolton box.
The laconic Belgian brought the ball down superbly before turning Cahill -
theirs not ours - and hammering the ball into the roof of the net from an acute
angle.
Every Evertonian in the ground sensed the win from that moment on as Bolton
seemed to fall apart and Everton got their game together.
Dan Gosling probably should have won the game for Everton as he broke away from
the Bolton defence but a combination of him running out of steam, being caught
in about six minds and a timely intervention by Cahill - theirs not ours -
meant that Bolton got off lightly and were still in the game.
And, with a certain inevitibility, the Trotters went on to win it at the death.
Jussi Jaskeleinen belted a long ball upfield and it was nodded down by Davies -
no, really, route one to Davies' excited-eight-year-old looking head - and 64th
minute substitute Ivan Klasnic reacted quickest to fire past Howard for
Bolton's winner.
So everyone left the ground thoroughly deflated at yet another disappointing
result.
And we couldn't even get the big shop in from the Asda by the ground as the
frozen stuff would've defrosted by time we got home!
All in, a ballbag of a day!
Best performer: Lucas Neill - had a hand in both goals and showed that he has a
lot to offer the Blues. Louis Saha a close second and Moyes did play a blinder
in turning down an £8million offer for him in the summer!
Worst performer: Jack Rodwell - has set the bar high with some stunning
performances but was off the pace today.
Tactics: The Everton team sort of picked itself again - the injury situation is
seriously beyond a joke now - and if you were fit you were in. Not as
disjointed as in midweek but it's hard to see what the manager can do with so
many players out if position.
Away fans: That particular corner of Lancashire does breed some weird folk!
Chant of the game: Nothing original from us, nothing decipherable from them!
Les Roberts, www.everton-mad.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
HULL 0 – 0 Portsmouth
(Awaiting report)
---------------------------------------------
LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 Man Utd
(Awaiting report)
---------------------------------------------
MAN CITY 2 – 2 Fulham
Fulham are a real bogey team of ours, and there was a
depressing inevitability that they’d get something from the game, even when we
were 2-0 up. Still, we’ve lost our last two league games against them at home,
so that’s progress of sorts I guess.
Star man: Wayne Bridge. Has been consistently good this
season, and is an unsung hero.
Worst performer: Micah Richards.
Best moment: Petrov’s goal. 3 in 3 games now for the
mercurial Bulgarian.
Tactics: If we have any aspirations of finishing in the top
four, then we need to be able to see out games like this where we have a
comfortable lead. We look very dodgy at the back at the moment, and need to
improve markedly in that department. To be fair to Fulham they are a decent
side, and have an excellent manager in Hodgson.
Oppo fans: Incredibly quiet, but there were only a couple of
hundred of them there.
Ric Turner, www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
Liverpool 2 MAN UTD 0
Liverpool beat Sir Alex Ferguson's men at Anfield on a day when the quality was
low and Manchester United's creativity lesser still.
Ferguson’s men started the match in ebullient spirits – a midweek Champions
League win and the return of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra to the
starting line-up adding to a sense of expectation around the United camp.
But Ferguson’s side failed to truly test Pepe Reina in the home goal, while
Liverpool unnerved Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand by quickly switching play
from back to front.
The best early chances were Liverpool’s - Edwin van der Sar then brilliantly
kept out Fabio Aurelio's early free-kick and then Dirk Kuyt's shot from the
rebound.
But Rooney had the ball in the Liverpool net, finishing superbly after Michael
Carrick’s through ball, only for the officials to – correctly – rule it
offside.
On the United right the excellent Antonio Valencia carved out a chance for
Rooney, only for the former Everton striker to glance a header into Reina’s
arms. It was United’s best chance of the opening period.
Liverpool’s goal, just after the hour, was all Torres. With Ferdinand half a
yard the wrong side of the Spaniard, Torres was able to hold off his marker and
smash a finish into the roof of the net at van der Sar's near post. Neither
defender nor 'keeper will be completely happy with their contribution to the
goal.
The strike galvanised the home side and United – unusually – seemed bereft of
creativity, making little impression on Liverpool's previously porous
rearguard.
Valencia, remaining positive on the right, then smashed an effort against the
bar from a tight angle, after substitute Michael Owen's pass, and Nani later side-footed
straight at Reina.
Jamie Carragher then brought down Owen who had a clear run on goal. The law
dictated a red card but inexplicably official Andre Marriner produced yellow to
earn Ferguson’s ire. Earlier the Birmingham-born referee had failed to award
United a penalty when Carragher clattered Michael Carrick inside the box.
Vidic, protesting, noted his red in last season's fixture. It was not without
irony then that the Serbian earned a second yellow for a foul on the half-way
line. The first, an infringement of very little malice.
Then with seconds to go – and Ferguson's team piling forward – Liverpool's
David Ngog scored a second on the break to complete United's third loss in a
row to the great rivals.
Star man: Liverpool’s Andre Marriner.
Worst performer: Paul Scholes was off the pace today, caught in possession and
sloppy with the ball. Time is no friend of the professional footballer.
Best moment: Hundreds of beach balls that flooded the pitch before kick-off and
throughout the match. There was little in the game to get excited about.
Tactics: Hard to call Ferguson out for picking an attacking line-up against
opponents on the worst run for more than 20 years.
Chant of the game: “19 years, 19 years...” Liverpool won this battle but the
trophy the Kop really wants is United’s and there’s not a chance it’ll find its
way to Anfield this season.
Oppo fans: Somehow they didn’t find all the beach balls and Cantona masks
funny.
Ed Barker, www.unitedrant.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
Hull 0 – 0 PORTSMOUTH
Bore drawn probably best sums this up to be honest, and on
the basis of this game we are looking at a couple of the sides that would
probably be going down – not only that they would find it hard going next
season in the Championship, although I still think we are better than we
showed, a fair amount better in fact!
We went into the game off the back of half a dozen or so
very good showings, so despite the setbacks of defeats I expected
us to go in with the confidence to take the game to Hull and look for the 3pts,
sadly it seemed that Paul Hart had other ideas and was more than happy to take
the point and this showed in a fairly poor spectacle of a game, to put it
mildly.
I think it is fair to say that we had the better chances, of
which there were few, but it is not one that I would be quick to relive I must
say!
Star man: Hard to say really as I do not think that anyone,
and I mean anyone on either side stood out really. It was probably his quietest
game since his arrival but Kevin-Prince Boateng again showed touches of class I
guess and Aruna Dindane kept running – it has since come to light that he
(Boateng) is carrying a bit of an injury, which explains why he was so quiet?
Worst performer: Sorry, but this has to be Aaron Mokoena. We
all know, himself included, that he is not much of a footballer but why he was
playing in advance of Jamie O'Hara I have no idea! By doing this the ball was
given away more often as the guy cannot pass or pick out a ball. Using O'Hara
deep might have meant that his quality could spring quick counter attacks but
it did not really work and both were left fairly ineffective.
Best moment: Full time as it put us out of our misery and
meant we could go home!
Tactics: Paul Hart has grown on me in recent times but this
was the 'Hart of old', the one that we saw last season who was pretty much
content on taking a point and nothing more from most games. Primarily we had
the same formation as recent games but, as mentioned, he opted to play Mokoena in
advance of O'Hara, which failed horribly. Hart went for a point and ensured
that we got this, when tactically I feel he should have been bolder and taken
the game to Hull as we WOULD have won I am sure as Hull are a poor, poor side.
Granted we could not afford to go all out attack but had we
shown more willingness to win we would have I am sure – this point certainly
does Hull more good than us, had we been where they are I would have been much
happier with this point, whereas it seems like 2pts dropped to be honest. Maybe
time will prove this to be a valuable point; surely 3pts would have been more
valuable though...
Chant of the game: The Hull fans got on Phil Brown's back a
bit, and we helped them out at times! They started singing 'Brownie sort it
out, Brownie, Brownie sort it out' at one point and we joined in with it, much
to their amusement.
Oppo fans: Fairly quiet again on the whole, but certainly
more vocal than they were last season at the KC. Clearly they are growing more
than a tad restless with what they are seeing, and this showed.
PLAY UP POMPEY!
Rug, www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk
---------------------------------------------
TOTTENHAM 0 – 1 Stoke
Jesus wept. I can’t believe I just typed that sequence of words: Spurs 0 Stoke
1. There, I did it again. How did we lose this one? It’s enough to make you
wonder what the point of playing football is, when the other team does nothing
but defend for the entire match, kicks your speedy winger off the park when
you’ve already used your substitutes, and then takes advantage of having the
extra man to pinch it with their only shot of the game. We needn’t have
bothered turning up in that case – just gone shopping with the missus instead.
At least she’d be happy, whereas at the moment neither of us are.
I’ll give Stoke 10 out of 10 for their defending and goalkeeping. At times it
was miraculous. For us, I guess it was just one of those days; I don’t think we
would have scored if we were still playing now. The bigger picture for Spurs is
that Woodgate and Lennon might be doubts for the North London derby next
weekend, and with Defoe already suspended and Modric a long-term absentee –
well, it ain’t looking too clever is it. Jesus wept.
Star man: Wilson Palacios was rock solid – the platform for total dominance of
the game.
Worst performer: Niko Kranjcar – not sure what planet he was on today.
Best moment: Getting a pint in my hands after the match.
Oppo fans: They did good, and they went home with more than they came for.
Andy Knaggs, http://www.spurs-web.com
and http://www.thfctalk.com
---------------------------------------------
Tottenham 0 – 1 STOKE
Stoke were on the back foot for 90% of the game, but once Lennon
limped off, we truly believed a win was there for the taking. Substitute Glenn
Whelan sealed that with a magnificent strike right infront of the rather happy
travelling Stokies.
Star man: Salif Diao once again proved his value with a
superb performance in the heart of midfield. His telescopic legs somehow won the
ball on more than one occassion, and his return to the side is like a new
signing! Honourable mention for Steve Simonsen too.
Worst man: It's hard to pick one- the entire team were a
group of lions.
Best moment: It can only be one. Fuller picked the ball up
on the right
Tactics: Absolutely spot on. We are usually pretty defensive
away from
Chant of the game: "Whelan! Whelan! Whelan!"
Perfection.
Oppo fans: Very quiet. Last season they were probably the
best set of home supporters but this time I was disappointed with them. Perhaps
they just expected to turn up and see Spurs win?
James Knowles, www.pottersnet.co.uk
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WEST HAM 2 – 2 Arsenal
A London derby which is relished by both sets of supporters, we came into this
match looking for our first home win of the Season. Arsenal on the other hand
were on a four-in-a-row winning streak.
Gianfranco Zola had made three changes from the side beaten at Stoke last
weekend. Radoslav Kovac and Julien Faubert were on the bench as Jonathon
Spector and Scott Parker returned, with Guille Franco replacing Alessandro
Diamanti. Arsenal had their familiar unchanged line-up.
Arsenal got us underway, and within a minute could have taken the lead, but as
in previous games we showed great strength and persistence in midfield, Jack
Collison and Scott Parker linking up well. Far from being overwhelmed Collison
could have opened the scoring, but his attempt was deemed to be offside (rather
harshly). Although the league table would suggest otherwise there was very
little difference in the quality of play from both sides in the opening 15
minutes.
The deadlock was broken on the quarter-hour; Sagna and Diabi’s link-up play
confused our defence, Sagna’s cross was met by both James Tomkins and Robert
Green who collided handing Van Persie the easiest of tap-ins.
We fully expected further goals to come, but solid play from Carlton Cole,
Parker and Valon Berhami continued to give us attacking options. Franco too was
giving a good account of himself and working hard on his full home debut.
On 37minutes it was 2-0 and we feared that West Ham would crumble; Van Persie’s
corner kick was met by William Gallas who leaped above Herita Ilunga to
powerfully head the ball past a helpless Parker on the West Ham goal-line.
What followed was a spell of constant Arsenal pressure as they looked to put
the tie beyond us before the end of the first half. To our relief, Chris Foy
blew time on a blistering first 45 minutes.
For the start of the second half West Ham emerged unchanged with a battle on
our hands to rescue anything from this encounter. We start the half well,
showing the great spirit that is in the side. On 56 minutes Zola made his first
change, Alessandro Diamanti coming on for Mark Noble. Hines was also on the
touchline warming up; immediately Diamanti is up to his usual trickery,
knocking the ball forward to Illunga before having a shot on goal from
distance.
Moments later a mix-up in the Arsenal defence releases the ball for Cole who
again sets up Diamanti whose shot again is wide... It’s not going to be our
day; we can just sense it especially when Cesc Fabregas has a shot himself
which whistles no more than inches wide of Rob Greens’ left hand post.
With 65 minutes gone Guille Franco made way for Zavon Hines. Hines made an
instant impression on the watching England manager Fabio Capello, his purpose
and inter-play with Collision is just what we need as we try to claw back the
two-goal deficit. Again Hines pushes forward, this time linking with Scott
Parker who has not stopped running all afternoon.
Hines wins a lucky free kick which is taken by Diamanti, the ball is parried by
Arsenal keeper Mannone, and the first to react is Cole... 2-1. We're back in
it, and to be fair we deserve it!
West Ham have not been playing like a side who are bottom of the league, and
this could well be the turning point of our season. Within minutes Parker
surges into the penalty area and is clipped by William Gallas, despite appeals
nothing is given. An incensed Parker hacks down Eboue and is subsequently
booked.
However referee Foy makes amends on 80 minutes following a Spector throw, Cole
goes down rather easily under a challenge from Song. Penalty given, and
Diamanti makes it quite clear that he will take it. He picks his spot and
although the keeper goes the right way he has no chance of saving such a
powerful shot. 2-2 and we dare to think the impossible, are we going to snatch
a winner..?
The final minutes of this enthralling encounter ended with the ridiculous
decision to send off Parker for what looked like hand ball, although it may
also have had something to do with his earlier penalty appeal. Either way with
two minutes left we were reduced to 10 men, and Arsenal went on the attack to
steal all three points.
With what could have been the last throw of the dice, an Arsenal cross saw Van
Persie starring at Rob Green's goal; as he shot he was bundled to the ground by
Spector as Green saves with his feet.
2-2, a well deserved point for both sides. This could be the bit of luck we
need to turn around our fortunes, next up it’s the long away trip to the
Stadium of Light ... we just can’t wait.
Star man: Carlton Cole. He'd run through a brick wall if Gianfranco Zola asked
him to. An immense performance that will not have gone unnoticed by Mr Capello.
Worst performer: Chris Foy, referee. Incorrectly ruled a perfectly legitimate
West Ham 'goal' out for offside with the score at 0-0, sent Parker of for being
fouled by Fabregas and made a string of unfathomable decisions. To be fair,
both teams thought he was rubbish.
Best moment: Arsenal fans signing "you've only got one song" before
launching, without a hint of irony, into a bastardised version of West Ham
favourite "Over Land and Sea".
Tactics: Full marks to Zola, he got it spot on today. 442, subs used at the
right time - no complaints at all.
Chant of the game: West Ham United upon Diamanti's equaliser going in -
"2-0, and you fucked it up..."
Oppo fans: To be fair, the Arse made a fair bit of noise (though they
were helped somewhat by an over-generous allocation). In fact, they made more
noise that 20x their number make at the Emirates - or ever did at Highbury the
Library. It all went a bit quiet once West Ham scored their second though...
Hammer John, Knees up Mother Brown, www.kumb.com
---------------------------------------------
Burnley 1 – 3 WIGAN
(Awaiting report)
---------------------------------------------
WOLVERHAMPTON 1 -1 Aston Villa
The great unwashed from Birmingham made the 13-mile trek to
the Golden Palace fully expecting to walk away with all 3 points, but they were
in for a shock as Wolves outmuscled them for most of the game and made them
look distinctly average... top 4 side my arse. The prima donna that is Ashley
Young did one thing all game and on that performance should not be in the 22 for
South Africa. Neither will Agbolhor who comes across as quite an average twat,
especially after the way he goaded the Wolves fans after he scored.
SEB scored
Wolves equaliser after Kightly had been hacked down by Ginge Sidwell and Wolves
got the the they deserved
Star man: Karl Henry... I have been critical of Karl Henry for
most of this season as he has been living off the reputation he gained last
year and not performed. In this game he was simply outstanding, bossing the
midfield all game
Oppo fans: Surprisingly quiet for a local Derby, Portsmouth
made more noise that these Brummies
wolf306, www.wolverhamptonwanderers-mad.co.uk
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