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We tore the trotters apart, you could almost hear them squealing 
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Wolves 1 - 4 ARSENAL
I fucking HATE South London. All of it, and everything about it. For a start, it's bloody miles away from where I live. Secondly, it's full of wankers who all went to Bristol, Bath or Durham Universities, and none of the pubs show football on a Saturday afternoon. 7 places me and Kinky Steve went into before we found somewhere that had the game on as apparently the Premier League is less entertaining than egg-chasing. And not even proper egg-chasing - the bloody Welsh playing New Zealand. Seriously - are you kidding me? Are you fucking kidding me? Twats. We traipsed up and down the Northcote Road for what seemed like an eternity, checking in at the Falcon, the Underdog (who cheekily took our beer money and put on the Wolves v Arsenal pre-match show).
Anyway - to add a bit of context, I was in South London as I was playing my first game of the season, a limp-wristed 2-1 defeat against a team made up, ironically, of Kiwis. I was then due to go out to dinner with the Doris (although that is fizzing out, sadly) straight after, so I thought that beers and footy beforehand would be a helluvanafternoon. Humph.
So, the game. It was a case of 'Another Day, Another Dollar' really, as Arsenal bent Wolves over and gave them a jolly-good seeing-to whilst barely getting into second gear and leaving many of us observers rueing the forthcoming international break.
Wolves, to their credit, didn't stop running for 90 minutes and for the first quarter of an hour or so had us a bit under the cosh and constantly threatened from set-pieces. However, their decision to score two own goals and give a Title Contender a comfortable lead was somewhat silly as Roland Zubar (or should that be 'Fubar') and then Jody Craddock put through their own nets (although Craddock's might be ruled an Eduardo goal by the mythical 'Dubious Goals Panel'). To finish the game off, Arsenal scored a third before half-time as Bacary Sagna, who is looking more like the guy we signed from Auxerre with every game, played the perfect give and go with Cesc Fabregas before playing ball into Robin van Persie who killed the ball with one touch dead into the path of the on-rushing Fabregas who lashed past Wayne Hennessey and that was, in effect, game over. 0-3 at half-time.
Andrey Arshavin added a fourth as he side-footed home from 20 yards after Hennessey fluffed a punch from a corner and Arsenal then played keep-ball for the remainder of the 90 with Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo all going very close indeed.
Arsenal wouldn't be Arsenal though, if we didn't concede a shitty goal from a corner, and it was the normally-perfect Thomas Vermaelen who was at fault as he failed to get off the ground and Jody Craddock powered a header past Manuel Almunia, who is simply awful.
And that was that. 1-4 win, boozy Saturday night and a lazy Sunday punctuated by live NFL, Baconface's continuing embarassment at the hands of referees and Simon Cowell's SCANDALOUS decision to choose ratings over singing quality on last night's X-Factor. I'm just gutted that we have a fortnight of nothingness now as we wait for proper football to return.
Star man: Cesc Fabregas is awesome right now and if there is a better midfielder in the World based on current form then I would like to see him. The guy is at the centre of everything Arsenal produce at the moment and the 18 points he got my Fantasy Team this week show how good he has become. He has everything - vision, positioning, passing, shooting, and has even learned how to tackle. For the first time ever I would also like to applaud Abou Diaby who finally managed to get an injury. It was strange that his being substituted and being replaced by Alex Song coincided with us getting on top and getting a foothold on the game.
Worst performer: Joking aside, Diaby looked like the proverbial fish up a tree as he played the 'holding role' in the absence of Alex Song. The guy has no positional discipline and allowed Wolves the freedom of Molineux before his timely exit from the game. Manuel Almunia also remains a worry (as does the goalkeeping situation at Arsenal in general) as he simply never makes any saves and has a habit of letting the first shot on target go past him for a goal. His sheer refusal to even wave a cursory arm at Craddock's header for their consolation goal shows him up for what he is - lazy, unfocused and inept. His ability to always find an opposition shirt with every clearance is also worryingly consistent.
Best moment: Our third goal was a thing of sumptuous beauty - fast, counter-attacking football at its very, very best, and the touch from van Persie to put the ball into Fabregas's path was calmness and quality personified.
Tactics: Resting Alex Song was probably necessary as the guy has played pretty much every second of football so far this season, but without him in the side we look incredibly fragile when we don't have the ball. The guys intended to replace him were Diaby and Ramsey, and whilst Diaby's supposed physicality makes him the ideal replacement for that role (supposedly), his inability to follow his manager's instructions makes him redundant there. Ramsey is a Fabregas clone, so playing him in front of the back four is a waste, and never has the need for Denilson to return from injury been so great.
Chant of the game: The Wolves fans singing "4-0 and you fucked it up" after they scored their consolation made everyone grin from ear-to-ear.
Oppo fans: Rubbish. Didn't stop singing for 90 minutes even when 4-0 down... Well played, boys!
David Oudôt, http://www.onlinegooner.com and http://taxloser.blogspot.com
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ASTON VILLA 5 - 1 Bolton
Well, when I say Bolton 1, I actually mean one to the linesman, the blind begger. Then again, who cares, we tore the trotters apart, you could almost hear them squealing and surely Gary the foghorn Megson will be lucky to hold on to his job after such an inept display? Do I care? Not one bit!
Some might point to the fact Bolton were very poor BUT you can only play who is in front of you and let's face it, those are the sort of games our boys often don't raise their game for and quite often manage to mess up. Not today though, we totally battered them from start to finish, they didn't stand a chance with every one of the Villa boys being played in the right position and all totally up for it. What a difference that makes. From the off you could see Villa were up for it, maybe stung by the midweek loss when really we (apparently) could have won from the chances just in the first half and if not for bad ref decisions... etc etc, that was another day, today Villa were all singing from the same hymn sheet (the hymn was hallelujah by the way) and there was only ever one winner. Happy days. Talking about happy days... I can't for the life of me remember the last 5-1 win, anyone care to help me out!? ;o) www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7502724
Star man: Could be any one of 5 or 6 of our lads really. John Carew, a player so often strolling around like a passenger, was well up for it today and got stuck in, that is the JC we all (including MON who has just done an interview saying he needs to show that sort of form more often) want to see.
Star man though, probably Gabby… or Milner… or Richard Dunne… oh sod it, the whole team this time!
Worst performer: No, not on a day like today, it would be rubbish to say someone didn't do their bit. I'll go with whoever cooked my pie, it was half cold, the trauma I put up with is really harsh in life you know.
Best moment: The penalty! Milner missed, Sidwell hit the post with the follow-up, it rebounded to Milner and he slotted it in. Classic! Oh what fun we had!
Tactics: Every player in their right position, Nigel Hokey-Cokey in the centre and a right-back (shock horror) at right-back. Can't complain. MON also gave the youngsters Delph and The Fonz a run-out towards the end.
Chant of the game: Gary Megson was like a foghorn half the game, even our bench were laughing. Anyway, he strangely went quiet when 5 down so I started singing (I say singing, think of a very very bad John and Edward performance and that goes nowhere near how bad my voice is!) 'You're not shouting anymore, you're not shouting anymore!' Raised the odd giggle, even if only with me!
Oppo fans: Poor buggers, what an awful game for them. Still, they all came in the same taxi so at least they did their bit for the environment
Jonathan Fear, www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk
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Liverpool v BIRMINGHAM
Star man: Cesc Fabregas is awesome right now and if there is a better midfielder in the World based on current form then I would like to see him. The guy is at the centre of everything Arsenal produce at the moment and the 18 points he got my Fantasy Team this week show how good he has become. He has everything - vision, positioning, passing, shooting, and has even learned how to tackle. For the first time ever I would also like to applaud Abou Diaby who finally managed to get an injury. It was strange that his being substituted and being replaced by Alex Song coincided with us getting on top and getting a foothold on the game.
Worst performer: Joking aside, Diaby looked like the proverbial fish up a tree as he played the 'holding role' in the absence of Alex Song. The guy has no positional discipline and allowed Wolves the freedom of Molineux before his timely exit from the game. Manuel Almunia also remains a worry (as does the goalkeeping situation at Arsenal in general) as he simply never makes any saves and has a habit of letting the first shot on target go past him for a goal. His sheer refusal to even wave a cursory arm at Craddock's header for their consolation goal shows him up for what he is - lazy, unfocused and inept. His ability to always find an opposition shirt with every clearance is also worryingly consistent.
Best moment: Our third goal was a thing of sumptuous beauty - fast, counter-attacking football at its very, very best, and the touch from van Persie to put the ball into Fabregas's path was calmness and quality personified.
Tactics: Resting Alex Song was probably necessary as the guy has played pretty much every second of football so far this season, but without him in the side we look incredibly fragile when we don't have the ball. The guys intended to replace him were Diaby and Ramsey, and whilst Diaby's supposed physicality makes him the ideal replacement for that role (supposedly), his inability to follow his manager's instructions makes him redundant there. Ramsey is a Fabregas clone, so playing him in front of the back four is a waste, and never has the need for Denilson to return from injury been so great.
Chant of the game: The Wolves fans singing "4-0 and you fucked it up" after they scored their consolation made everyone grin from ear-to-ear.
Oppo fans: Rubbish. Didn't stop singing for 90 minutes even when 4-0 down... Well played, boys!
David Oudôt, http://www.onlinegooner.com and http://taxloser.blogspot.com
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ASTON VILLA 5 - 1 Bolton
Well, when I say Bolton 1, I actually mean one to the linesman, the blind begger. Then again, who cares, we tore the trotters apart, you could almost hear them squealing and surely Gary the foghorn Megson will be lucky to hold on to his job after such an inept display? Do I care? Not one bit!
Some might point to the fact Bolton were very poor BUT you can only play who is in front of you and let's face it, those are the sort of games our boys often don't raise their game for and quite often manage to mess up. Not today though, we totally battered them from start to finish, they didn't stand a chance with every one of the Villa boys being played in the right position and all totally up for it. What a difference that makes. From the off you could see Villa were up for it, maybe stung by the midweek loss when really we (apparently) could have won from the chances just in the first half and if not for bad ref decisions... etc etc, that was another day, today Villa were all singing from the same hymn sheet (the hymn was hallelujah by the way) and there was only ever one winner. Happy days. Talking about happy days... I can't for the life of me remember the last 5-1 win, anyone care to help me out!? ;o) www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7502724
Star man: Could be any one of 5 or 6 of our lads really. John Carew, a player so often strolling around like a passenger, was well up for it today and got stuck in, that is the JC we all (including MON who has just done an interview saying he needs to show that sort of form more often) want to see.
Star man though, probably Gabby… or Milner… or Richard Dunne… oh sod it, the whole team this time!
Worst performer: No, not on a day like today, it would be rubbish to say someone didn't do their bit. I'll go with whoever cooked my pie, it was half cold, the trauma I put up with is really harsh in life you know.
Best moment: The penalty! Milner missed, Sidwell hit the post with the follow-up, it rebounded to Milner and he slotted it in. Classic! Oh what fun we had!
Tactics: Every player in their right position, Nigel Hokey-Cokey in the centre and a right-back (shock horror) at right-back. Can't complain. MON also gave the youngsters Delph and The Fonz a run-out towards the end.
Chant of the game: Gary Megson was like a foghorn half the game, even our bench were laughing. Anyway, he strangely went quiet when 5 down so I started singing (I say singing, think of a very very bad John and Edward performance and that goes nowhere near how bad my voice is!) 'You're not shouting anymore, you're not shouting anymore!' Raised the odd giggle, even if only with me!
Oppo fans: Poor buggers, what an awful game for them. Still, they all came in the same taxi so at least they did their bit for the environment
Jonathan Fear, www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk
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Liverpool v BIRMINGHAM
As this is a Monday night game and there's no way I could make it, I am writing this while listening to the radio. This will be my first ever live review. Not a lot has happened so far. We had an exceptional minute's silence which is always nice to hear... or not hear in this case. Oh dear, Liverpool have just scored. Sounded like Joe Hart had saved us with a couple of excellent saves but third time lucky for N'Gog. Fifteen minutes gone and I've barely heard our players' names mentioned at all. Just heard one: Tainio is coming off injured. Carsley on, probably should have started. Alan Green doesn't half moan a lot.
Yessssss! Benitez scores his first for the club. Get in! That was the first time we've scored in the first half hour all season. Sounds like a good game all of a sudden. Both teams are having a go. Even the Liverpool fans have woken up. I was beginning to wonder if they were still having their minute's silence. Gerrard coming on now.
Unbelievable!!! Jerome from thirty yards. Where did that come from. Wish I'd paid for ESPN now.
Half time.
Gone a bit quiet again. Don't think we'll be able to hold on for forty-five minutes. Gerrard's just hit the post with a header. Yikes that was close. Hanging on a bit now. Bringing on an extra left back now - we need about three to cope with Glen Johnson. They've just been handed a penalty, sounds like for nothing, typical top four bias. Even Lawro said it wasn't a penalty and he's ex-Liverpool.
Hanging on a lot now. Nothing Blues related to comment on now. It's one-way traffic.
Four minutes stoppage time, not sure I can take it. Final whistle, phew. I'll take a point from that. Shocking decision for the penalty. Going for a lie down now.
Star man: Jerome, just for that goal. Joe Hart was also very good.
Worst performer: The referee. He will be embarrased when he sees the replay of that penalty. To be fair to him he was tricked by N'Gog.
Best moment: Jerome's thirty yard screamer.
Tactics: Adventurous but perhaps we could have done with an extra man in midfield.
Chant of the game: I heard a few enthusiastic 'Keep Right Ons'
Oppo fans: Quiet for most of the game, except for their groans.
Mike, www.joysandsorrows.co.uk
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BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 - 1 Portsmouth
A typical game of two halves. Rovers were terrible in the first half and trailed to a Jamie O'Hara goal. Portsmouth completely nullified our wide men and it proved to be the worst half of football I have witnessed for a long time.
The boos rang out from the Rovers' fans at half-time and whether Big Sam was swayed by the crowd or his own conviction, we'll never know, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Even Stevie Wonder would have seen that something needed to be done!
On came Roberts and McCarthy and straight away Rovers looked livelier. Jason Roberts is an enigma - when he has to think about anything he fluffs it. Fortunately, his two finishes, the first and third goals, were instinctive and he made them look easy!
Sandwiched in between was a bullet header from Captain Ryan Nelsen. The Pompey defence were watching Chris Samba but left "The Admiral" all alone. It could have been more, but 3-1 was deserved by Rovers' second half performance and Sam now has to choose his formation for the next game - a local derby away to his old club Bolton in two weeks time!
Star man: Pascal Chimbonda - another classy performance from him - comfortable at left-back, but excellent at right-back. But he nearly ruined it when lashing out at O'Hara in the first half.
Worst performer: Pedersen & Diouf - both taken off at half-time.
Yessssss! Benitez scores his first for the club. Get in! That was the first time we've scored in the first half hour all season. Sounds like a good game all of a sudden. Both teams are having a go. Even the Liverpool fans have woken up. I was beginning to wonder if they were still having their minute's silence. Gerrard coming on now.
Unbelievable!!! Jerome from thirty yards. Where did that come from. Wish I'd paid for ESPN now.
Half time.
Gone a bit quiet again. Don't think we'll be able to hold on for forty-five minutes. Gerrard's just hit the post with a header. Yikes that was close. Hanging on a bit now. Bringing on an extra left back now - we need about three to cope with Glen Johnson. They've just been handed a penalty, sounds like for nothing, typical top four bias. Even Lawro said it wasn't a penalty and he's ex-Liverpool.
Hanging on a lot now. Nothing Blues related to comment on now. It's one-way traffic.
Four minutes stoppage time, not sure I can take it. Final whistle, phew. I'll take a point from that. Shocking decision for the penalty. Going for a lie down now.
Star man: Jerome, just for that goal. Joe Hart was also very good.
Worst performer: The referee. He will be embarrased when he sees the replay of that penalty. To be fair to him he was tricked by N'Gog.
Best moment: Jerome's thirty yard screamer.
Tactics: Adventurous but perhaps we could have done with an extra man in midfield.
Chant of the game: I heard a few enthusiastic 'Keep Right Ons'
Oppo fans: Quiet for most of the game, except for their groans.
Mike, www.joysandsorrows.co.uk
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BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 - 1 Portsmouth
A typical game of two halves. Rovers were terrible in the first half and trailed to a Jamie O'Hara goal. Portsmouth completely nullified our wide men and it proved to be the worst half of football I have witnessed for a long time.
The boos rang out from the Rovers' fans at half-time and whether Big Sam was swayed by the crowd or his own conviction, we'll never know, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Even Stevie Wonder would have seen that something needed to be done!
On came Roberts and McCarthy and straight away Rovers looked livelier. Jason Roberts is an enigma - when he has to think about anything he fluffs it. Fortunately, his two finishes, the first and third goals, were instinctive and he made them look easy!
Sandwiched in between was a bullet header from Captain Ryan Nelsen. The Pompey defence were watching Chris Samba but left "The Admiral" all alone. It could have been more, but 3-1 was deserved by Rovers' second half performance and Sam now has to choose his formation for the next game - a local derby away to his old club Bolton in two weeks time!
Star man: Pascal Chimbonda - another classy performance from him - comfortable at left-back, but excellent at right-back. But he nearly ruined it when lashing out at O'Hara in the first half.
Worst performer: Pedersen & Diouf - both taken off at half-time.
Best moment: Seeing Big Sam celebrate Rovers' third goal like he'd just won the lottery!
Tactics: 4-4-1-1 to start with, then 4-3-1-2 in the second half. Not quite 4-4-2 as the fans demanded, but as near as dammit - and it worked!
Chant of the game: "All we are saying.....is play 4-4-2". This is becoming quite popular!
Oppo fans: A few made the long trip in terrible weather and credit to them. Happy as Larry in the first half, but sick as pigs in the second.
Pete Anslow, www.4000holes.co.uk
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Aston Villa 5 - 1 BOLTON
Going into the game on the back of two 4-0 defeats against Chelsea, Bolton fans were hoping for a return to the form of pre-Chelsea, when Wanderers lost just one in seven. Instead, they got another taste of their annual Villa Park drubbing.
Villa ran out 4-0 winners two-years ago and 4-2 victors last season. This season was no different as they strolled to victory right from the very first whistle.
Ashley Young put the hosts infront early on before Gabriel Agbonlahor put the ball through Jussi Jaaskelainen's legs following a piece of defending Gary Cahill won't want to see again.
Cahill almost redeemed himself, but his shot came back off the post and Elmander tapped in from all of 2 centimetres (even he can't miss from there). But after the break, Cahill had another nightmare when, along with the equally poor Zat Knight, he gave John Carew all the time in the world to walk into the six yard box and add another goal to the tally.
Kevin Davies then gave away a stupid penalty. Villa's training ground penalty practice paid off when James Milner saw his spot kick saved by Jaaskelainen and after Steve Sidwell played a one-two with the post, Milner prodded home despite sitting down on the turf.
To top it off, Wanderers let Carlos Cuellar have an early Christmas present as he scored late on. Jaaskelainen made a save for the cameras in stoppage time to deny Ashley Young, but it was to be the only highlight of the day for Bolton as they begin to look more and more like a relegation side once again!
Next up, Blackburn and Sam Allardyce! Here's hoping for a better performance than was on show at Villa Park!
Star man: Johan Elmander - HE ACTUALLY SCORED! He did nothing else but then again, neither did anybody else!
Worst performer: Gary Cahill - He had a nightmare against his old club. He and Zat Knight at the centre of defence just don't work well together.
Best moment: Jaaskelainen's penalty save. Villa scored from the rebound but at least we can say we didn't concede from every shot!
Tactics: Again, we started with a 4-5-1 with Kevin Davies alone in attack. But when Tamir Cohen was brought off injured, Johan Elmander came on and we changed to a 4-4-2. We could have played 10-0-0 and Villa would have cut through us all day long.
Chant of the Game: "YEEEEAAAAHHHHHHH". The faint sound of Bolton supporters when Elmander scored.
Oppo fans: They must love watching their team play Bolton. 13 goals in the last 3 seasons against us at Villa Park. A decent turn out, but the noise could have been a little higher considering the scoreline.
Chris Mann, www.burndenaces.co.uk
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Man City 3 - 3 BURNLEY
This game was billed as the David & Goliath encounter of the season and the stark contrast in budgets and spending power on show as the players marched onto the pitch was plain for all to see. We were not expected to get anything from this game but we did after a high scoring superbly entertaining match that finished 3-3.
Man City 3 - 3 BURNLEY
This game was billed as the David & Goliath encounter of the season and the stark contrast in budgets and spending power on show as the players marched onto the pitch was plain for all to see. We were not expected to get anything from this game but we did after a high scoring superbly entertaining match that finished 3-3.
In the first half some of the Clarets play was breathtaking and we thoroughly deserved to go 2-0 up thanks to a goal from the spot by penalty king, Graham Alexander, and a well-taken goal by Fletcher following a sublime cross by Eagles. A bit of a flukey goal towards the end of the first half gave City some hope after Shaun Wright-Phillips’s drive took a wicked deflection giving Jensen no hope. Could the Clarets dare to dream again in the second half? The answer to that soon seemed to be "no!" when two goals by Toure and Bellamy in a three minute spell looked to have turned the dream into a nightmare.
Dejected Clarets fans now feared the worst with visions of those awful tonkings by Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs coming back to haunt us. Some strange substitutions by Owen Coyle after 60-70 minutes did not appear to go down too well with Clarets fans standing around me and when Eagles, who appeared to be our best player on the pitch, was taken off, we couldn’t quite understand the logic. We need not have worried, the lads fought on bravely and rather than attempt to embark on a damage limitation exercise continued to attack and take the game to City.
Dejected Clarets fans now feared the worst with visions of those awful tonkings by Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs coming back to haunt us. Some strange substitutions by Owen Coyle after 60-70 minutes did not appear to go down too well with Clarets fans standing around me and when Eagles, who appeared to be our best player on the pitch, was taken off, we couldn’t quite understand the logic. We need not have worried, the lads fought on bravely and rather than attempt to embark on a damage limitation exercise continued to attack and take the game to City.
We have seen it so often this season though when we have been caught out on the break and punished by the thunderous pace of some of these multi-million pound, top-quality players. For once, although there were a few scares, it didn’t happen this time and when with just three minutes to go we got the equaliser it capped a near-perfect day for all Clarets fans. A delightful cross by Nugent found the head of Fletcher and the ball dropped at the feet of sub, Kevin McDonald who made no mistake from five yards out sending the South Stand into a wild frenzy.
I say near-perfect day because for some it was very disappointing to have lost a 2-0 lead to find ourselves behind 3-2 but, come on, this was an amazing point in the end. Even some of our own fans in our Prediction League on Vital Burnley were forecasting 5-0, even 6-1 type defeats ahead of this match, although my heart had ruled my head again and I had plumped for 1-1.
I say near-perfect day because for some it was very disappointing to have lost a 2-0 lead to find ourselves behind 3-2 but, come on, this was an amazing point in the end. Even some of our own fans in our Prediction League on Vital Burnley were forecasting 5-0, even 6-1 type defeats ahead of this match, although my heart had ruled my head again and I had plumped for 1-1.
Yes, this truly was David’s day with Goliath moping off to think again. Very proud to be a Claret today, well done lads!
Star man: Despite conceding three goals, the back four I thought did particularly well today, with former City defender Stephen Jordan at left back and Tyrone Mears on the opposite flank seemingly in total control and doing well to snuff out the danger from Wright-Phillips and Bellamy for most of the afternoon. Steven Fletcher had a good game too, scoring one and setting up another. He seems to relish playing in the centre rather than being forced to play out wide. He did though seem to tire towards the end and at times looked a little off the pace. For me the man of the match was once more Chris Eagles who since returning to the starting eleven has been in awesome form. I am still slightly puzzled though why he was substituted after 71 minutes.
Worst performer: Nobody had a shocker today and once more it was great teamwork. Graham Alexander and Andre Bikey perhaps had games below their usual standard but none of them deserve the derogatory tag of "Worst performer".
Tactics: You have to give credit to Owen Coyle. Our away form (until yesterday) has been "indifferent" to "shocking" from the fans' perspective but he has stuck to his guns preferring and continuing the attacking style of play whilst not entertaining thoughts of grinding out results through more defence-minded tactics. The latter, of course, is not pretty but could mean survival – but that theory yesterday at least was proven to be a load of poo!
So many times we have been caught out on the break by these tactics, especially away from home as mentioned above, but come on still tenth in the league just two points behind Liverpool (at the time of writing) must mean we are getting something right. Whatever we are getting right we just have to continue to do so!
Chant of the game: The Clarets of course were ribbing the City supporters when we were 2-0 up but the City boys must have thought they had silenced the Clarets after coming from behind to lead 3-2, the worry was we would fold but we didn’t and, of course, had the last laugh when McDonald scored the equaliser. Honours probably even in the chanting stakes but perhaps the nicest moment was when both sets of fans stood up in harmony to sing ‘If you hate Man U stand up’ started by some wag in the Burnley end.
Oppo fans: I actually quite liked the Man City fans; they were full of friendly banter and praise for the Clarets after this match on the bus back to Piccadilly and in the Wetherspoon's pub opposite the station. I think they knew they had just been humbled and might just be thinking now that you can bring a horse to water (multi-million pound players) but you can’t necessarily make it drink (gel as a team)
Our strength yesterday was clearly the fact that sometimes it can be an advantage to have a small squad that regularly play together. In other words a side that plays like hell for each other with high motivation. We played as a tight unit with everybody knowing each other’s style of play. City may have depth of squad but just yet they don’t seem to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and play to them as a team.
Best moment: Well had we gone on to win the game at 2-0 when we seemed to be playing like Brazil that would have been the best moment but in the end the joy and relief of getting that equaliser was plain for all to see and when the final whistle went we were just ecstatic. If you are going to get your first away point in the top flight since 1976 our ‘ickle team may as well do it against moneybags Manchester City.
‘Turfman’ Phil Lea, www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk
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[Looks like the chaps at cfcnet.co.uk got a little confused this week and did me two reports, but hey, you had a good week, so I'm gonna publish them both! Sorry Man U fans... - Terrace Frontlines Ed]
CHELSEA 1 - 0 Manchester United
Two smartly-dressed businessmen meet in an extremely narrow corridor. One is named ‘Mr Manchester United’ while the other is known as ‘Mr Chelsea’. They both need to get around each other, but neither can think of a creative enough way to do so. They ponder the dilemma momentarily, then they both settle for a simpler policy of just walking into each other.
Of course, this did not happen. Well, it could have, somewhere, but it would be a pretty big coincidence seeing as this exact story was actually played out at Stamford Bridge between the two major title challengers on Sunday afternoon. Just to clarify, there were no businessmen getting close in a corridor. That was a metaphor okay?
So, as per usual, the dosage of pre-match hyperbole was far too high, and Super Stupendous Sizzling Sunday (sponsored by Sky Sports) ended up a mildly-entertaining narrow win.
At times in the first-half it was end-to-end stuff, with Wayne Rooney buzzing around our area and Deco, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka attempting to force their way into United’s box. Anelka tested Edwin van der Sar on occasions but the veteran Dutchman was equal to his efforts.
But it was the second-half where the majority of the action took place, with bad blood spilling over mid-way through it. We had the high-kicking Jonny Evans, the lunging Ricardo Carvalho, and, well, Wayne Rooney being Wayne Rooney, but somewhere in the middle of all this kung-fu fighting was a goal.
United will continue to debate the award of the free-kick - just one of many possibly contentious decisions made by Martin Atkinson - and the subsequent foul by Drogba on Wes Brown which allowed John Terry to glance the ball home, but they can keep moaning, we can’t hear them from five points ahead!
Star man: John Terry. As the banner says: Captain, Leader, Legend. In games such as these it takes a big man to step forward and lead by example. JT was the fulcrum of a stubborn defence, and the scorer of a vital goal. Unless it was Anelka’s of course, but the first part still counts…
Worst performer: Mr Atkinson by a long stretch. Drogba gets attacked by Evans, and picks up a booking along with the stud marks on his ribs. Good call ref, see you in League Two next weekend.
Best moment: The final whistle, when myself and many other Chelsea fans could finally unclench. Followed closely by the moment we saw Gabriel Obertan coming on, what an odd-looking fella! He looks like an egg stretched out.
Tactics: Arguably our strongest XI, so no complaints there. The midfield was crowded at times which stifled the game, so it didn’t seem surprising that the solitary goal of the game came from a set-piece. There was not much else either side could do as they cancelled each other out.
Chant of the game: The vociferous plea for Joe Cole to come on. Just reminding Carlo Ancelotti that he’s there if we need him, that’s all.
Oppo fans: If ever proof was needed that United do indeed have a large amount of Mancunian fans, you just needed to listen across to their section of the stand. The noises they were making clearly weren’t English nor any other world language, thus, they must be from the North.
Rowan Farnham-Long, www.cfcnet.co.uk
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CHELSEA 1 - 0 Man Utd
After all the ‘expect fireworks’ build-up this one ended up more of a damp sparkler, not that it stopped the celebrations when John Terry glanced home the winner.
The goal was the catalyst for a very spicy last 15 minutes, for the previous 75 a football match had threatened to break out, but in the last quarter hour it was more likely to be a fight.
The goal itself was the main talking point. Was Drogba active and therefore offside? Did he foul Wes Brown as the ball came in? Did Anelka get the final touch? All this paled into insignificance as the bright yellow ball kissed the pure white net.
One thing that is for certain is that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; Darren Fletcher’s constant moaning would’ve made his footballing father Fergie proud. How the Scot wasn’t booked is beyond me, running 30 yards to try and get Carvalho sent off is one thing, but his persistent fouling would’ve been of better use at Twickenham.
United certainly did their best to stifle Chelsea, clearly they’d learnt lessons from Liverpool on closing down in midfield, and how it had been their undoing at Anfield.
Deco was constantly forced into conceding possession and the home side really struggled to get going.
Wayne Rooney had United’s best opportunities, a curling effort was turned behind by Cech, and later he drove just wide after some good United build up.
Truthfully, the visitors probably deserved a point from the game, but it’s about time they ran out of luck, and even their old friend Martin “oh just one more minute” Atkinson deserted them.
Chelsea created little, Edwin Van Der Sar’s only major save coming midway through the first half from Anelka.
It was instead the turn of The Blues’ defence to take centre stage; Carvalho and Terry repeatedly shut the door in Rooney’s face, refusing to allow the new dad the chance to crack out the infamous rocking cradle celebration.
So a 5-point lead over the champions and a defence looking watertight again. Messrs Ferguson and Wenger might just shift uncomfortably in their seats when they see the league table tonight.
Star man: John Terry. Got the winner, and after taking a rather nasty blow to his ‘gentleman’s area’ in the first half. He and Carvalho refused to let Rooney near Petr Cech.
Worst performer: Deco. Too many flicks for a tight congested game like this. It's okay picking apart Bolton like that, but the champions are a bit different.
Best moment: Had to look past the goal and United toy throwing that followed it. We football fans are a cruel bunch.
Tactics: Safety first at the back was good to see. Cole and Ivanovic were happy to head behind when under pressure. It showed that not only is there defensive self-belief, but Ancelotti has given the players a few lessons in the Italian art of defending.
Chant of the game: Darren Fletcher wasn’t well received. I’ll leave it to your imaginations as to which four-letter word was thrown his way by the Matthew Harding Stand.
Oppo fans: Loud, but they really must stop using our songs. It’ll only add to the theories that all United fans come from Guildford and grew up surrounded by London clubs. Quite nice to get through an afternoon without having to hear ‘Viva Ronaldo’. More Viva John Terry today...
Martyn Landi, www.cfcnet.co.uk
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West Ham 1 - 2 EVERTON
Seven games without a win, seven goals shipped in two games against Benfica - along with the Portuguese giving us a bit of a footballing lesson at Goodison - it was imperative that the Blues picked up their customary three points against West Ham.
And, thanks to goals from Louis Saha and Dan Gosling, they went and did it! But it was the home side that controlled the game early on and carved out the better chances.
Zavon Hines, in for the injured Carlton Cole, and Luis Jiminez twice combined to create openings before Scott Parker got past Joseph Yobo to fire in a shot that Tim Howard did well to gather.
West Ham then won a free kick in a good position as Tony Hibbert fouled Franco - there just aren't enough footballers named after European despots these days - but the delivery from Jiminez was poor and Jack Rodwell cleared the danger.
Then, just as the Evertonians crammed into Upton Park were starting to get a little nervy at the amount chances the Hammers were creating, Louis Saha did what he does best and got us a goal from nowhere.
Tim Cahill picked up the ball just outside the West Ham penalty box and held off the Hammers defence to lay the ball back to the onrushing Saha. There still didn't seem to be much of a chance on but the Frenchman drilled a first-time, curling, daisy-cutter just inside Dopey's - sorry, Robert Green's - right-hand post to send the travelling Blues mental.
Everton got battered for the best part of 75 minutes here last season when Saha came on to turn the game and score two in an eventual 3-1 win for Everton.
The Frenchman did the same in this one as his goal, against the run of play, rocked West Ham as Everton began to take the game to the home side, carving out a number of chances before the interval.
Dan Gosling fired one effort fractionally over the bar, Saha headed a good chance wide from 12 yards out and a Tim Cahill volley was easily gathered by Green.
Having weathered the initial West Ham storm, Everton went into the break one-nil up and the, ultimately fruitless, hunt for half-time jellied eels began. There weren't even any un-jellied eels for God's sake!
The second half began in the most scrappy of fashions with play being constantly broken up by niggly fouls and Everton's Tony Hibbert and Marouane Fellaini were both booked within minutes of the restart.
Once the game settled down it was West Ham that once again took control of matters but, once again, Everton that got on with the scoring.
Yakubu, a second half substitute for Saha, battled for possession and layed the ball off to Dan Gosling who was breaking into the box like a latter-day Carlos Alberto.
Gosling intial right-footed strike was parried by Green but fell to Gosling again who lashed the ball home with his left.
But before the travelling hoardes had time to sit back down West Ham had pulled one back thanks to some inexplicable defending from Tony Hibbert!
Alessandro Diamanti - no, really - clipped a neat diagonal ball over the Everton defence towards Junior Stanislas who dinked a shot over Tim Howard. The effort was creeping towards goal but it looked like Tony Hibbert would be on hand to hack away the danger. He didn't! He just twatted the ball into the roof of his own net!
As own goals go - and there's no such thing as a bad own goal - it was hilarious and reminiscent of Wayne Hatswell's own goal at Forest Green a few years ago.
If you haven't seen Hatswell's effort you can see it HERE... or something, it's an own goal so funny that a 'Hatswell' should now be a commonplace noun!
Anyway, West Ham v Everton... the Hammers, having come back from two goals down against Arsenal, could sense that Everton were also susceptible to blowing doubles. Unfotunately for the Hammers, Everton were proving to be more resilient than in recent weeks and good chances for Hines and Diamanti went begging.
Then Tim Howard did well to bravely snatch the ball off the toe of Franco just outside the six-yard-box and all but secured an Everton win.
The result puts the Hammers back in the drop zone and Everton up to the heady heights of 12th and good old fashioned mid-table mediocrity.
Star man: Tim Howard - The American has, for some reason, come in for some stick from some Evertonians in recent weeks but showed his class to keep West Ham out. His vital save at the end secured the three points for the Blues.
Worst performer: Tony Hibbert - simply for the ridiculous own goal!
Tactics: The 4-4-2/4-5-1 debate rumbles on, but Moyes played to Everton's strengths with a 4-5-1 formation that was more about breaking up play than crafting chances. It's still needs must at Everton and as long as Saha's on the pitch there's always a chance of a goal from nothing!
Chant of the game: 'We're by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen.' Sung without a hint of irony by the thosuands of travelling Blues as we'd forgotten how it felt to be running away with the game!
Moment of the match: Louis Saha's sublime finish, the man is pure class... though Hibbert's own goal was piss funny!
Les Roberts, www.everton-mad.co.uk
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Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 FULHAM
After the delights of the Coliseum and all the exhibits the eternal city has to offer, a stop at Wigan was next up for the faithful. Sadly, the traveling Fulham support seemed to have spent all their hard-earned dosh in Italy with only a smattering of hardcore Fulham supporters taking the highway north.
Nevertheless, a fun time was had by all as Fulham escaped south with another away point. On another day it could even have been three. Things started well when Nevland’s looping header hit the post but quickly went down the slippery slope when Boyce netted for the home side.
Thankfully, we were back on level terms before half time when Dempsey, who had been upended in the box made sure all his faculties worked before striking the penalty beyond Kirkland.
Both sides could have snatched a winner in the second half but the keepers, Schwarzer and Kirkland reigned supreme and the spoils of this encounter were shared.
Star man: Mark Schwarzer – Having a fine season and made some saves that even brought gasps from the home support. Can the Aussie wonder go on for ever?
Worst performer: Our support! 2000 in Rome and a sprinkling in Wigan. Why?
Best moment: Seeing Dempsey strike home the penalty. With Murphy and Kamara both absent through injury I was beginning to wonder who would step up to the spot.
Tactics: The gaffer got it spot on again. With his squad stretched by injury and with the Europa League to contend with, we never looked in danger of losing (says he tongue in cheek)!
Chant of the game: Hard to muster anything other than a cheer when the penalty went in!
Oppo fans: Does anybody sing at Wigan? We had an excuse, we were away from home and most had spent there cash in Rome so didn’t fancy a trip t the land of the best pies in the Premier League!
Andrew Joyce, www.vitalfullham.co.uk
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HULL 2 - 1 Stoke City
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LIVERPOOL v Birmingham
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MAN CITY 3 - 3 Burnley
Another game, another draw. That’s five in a row now, and patently not the form of a team with Champions League aspirations. Mark Hughes is struggling to choose a settled team, and we’re suffering as a consequence. We’ve failed to take all three points from some eminently winnable fixtures recently, and that could come back to haunt us at the end of the season. Frustrating times at Eastlands.
Star man: Stephen Ireland had a decent game on his recall to the first team. The best of a bad bunch.
Worst performer: Wayne Bridge was awful. His distribution was poor, and his positioning even worse. Most of Burnley’s best moves came down our left hand side.
Best moment: Bellamy’s smart finish to put us 3-2 up, after trailing 2-0.
Tactics: Hughes still seems unable to find out Tevez’s best position, and is tinkering with the line-up to try and accommodate him. The decision to put Petrov on the right wing, and SWP on the left, clearly failed.
Oppo fans: To be fair, Burnley brought a lot down and sang loud all afternoon.
Ric Turner, www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
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Chelsea 1 - 0 MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United lost to John Terry's late header at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have referee Martin Atkinson to thank for the victory. Atkinson and his assistants made not one, or two, but three glaring errors in the lead-up to the Londoners' goal to hand Chelsea a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The manner of defeat, coming after an impressive United display, is particularly galling.
Sir Alex Ferguson, without injured central defensive pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, predictably selected Wayne Rooney to plough a lone furrow up-front. Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia offered support in wide areas with Dimitar Berbatov also absent through injury. It was a tactical approach that gave United a solid midfield foundation and enabled Ferguson's team to edge the first half in a tense affair with few chances.
The officials, prior to their involvement in the home side's goal, twice denied United in the first half. Firstly when Anderson put Rooney through on goal, only for the assistant to incorrectly rule the striker offside and then Atkinson failed to blow when Terry hauled Valencia to the ground in the area.
Darren Fletcher, dominant in midfield, saw a shot blocked by Ricardo Carvlho while Giggs and Michael Carrick also test the Chelsea 'keeper in the opening period.
Rooney twice went close after the break as United continue to ask more questions than the home side. First the Scouser drove inches wide of Petr Cech's post then the former-Everton striker force a top class save out of the 'keeper from the edge of the area.
But all United's work was wasted as the officials gifted Chelsea a late winner. Fletcher, winning the ball cleanly from Ashley Cole, was harshly judged to have fouled the former Arsenal left-back on United's right. Frank Lampard swung over the free kick for Terry to head home. The officials, perhaps blinded by their unity with an insulted colleague, ignored both Didier Drogba’s foul on Wes Brown and the offside position of the Ivorian.
Ferguson sent on Michael Owen and Gabriel Obertan to retrieve the situation but it was too late as United slipped to yet another away defeat to a ‘top four’ side.
Star man: Fletcher was outstanding in midfield and was desperately unlucky to give away Chelsea’s match-winning free kick.
Worst performer: Chelsea’s Martin Atkinson didn’t have the best game, and neither did John O’Shea on the United side.
Best moment: Rooney’s turn and curling shot from the edge of Chelsea’s area brought an outstanding save from Cech.
Tactics: Rooney was alone and Ferguson could have gambled earlier but United’s discipline and shape made sense against a Chelsea side unbeaten at home.
Oppo fans: Chelsea’s plastic fans only discovered their club existed in 2003 and were silent until the final 15 minutes with Reds making all the noise.
Ed Barker, www.unitedrant.co.uk
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Blackburn 3 - 1 PORTSMOUTH
A Basement Battle at Ewood Park with Blackburn claiming all three points. Pompey took the lead on 15 minutes with a stunning low drive from 30 yards from Jamie O'Hara, and continued to dominate throughout the 1st half without creating many opportunities. A more positive formation seemed to be working for Paul Hart and the team.
With the game being a must-win for both sides, Big Sam brought on an extra two strikers at half time, which ultimately made the difference. Early in the second half, Rovers equalized through a corner, Chris Samba nodding the ball down to the feet of Roberts, who turned and poked it in. This gave the home team the momentum, and Blackburn took the lead through another corner, a free header from their captain, Ryan Nelsen. As Pompey pushed for an equalizer, Blackburn wrapped up the comeback, with a low pinpoint cross from McCarthy on the left, with Roberts tucking it in.
Star man: Was impressed with Michael Brown. Without the captain's armband, he still was the motivator and put in some decent tackles.
Worst man: Mokoena. His lack of pace really showed today as well as his ability on the ball. As a captain, he should be organising his team, but two simple goals from corners suggests otherwise. Shouldn't be in the 1st team.
Best moment: Seeing O'Hara's shot fizz into the bottom right of Robinsons net. Brilliant goal.
Tactics: The team he set out seemed to do the job in the 1st half, but when Blackburn went 4-3-3, Hart's only change was to bring on Tommy Smith. He also took too long to take off Mokoena and bring on Kanu. At that stage we were chasing the game, and the King had no time on the ball.
Chant of the game: Hearing 'We are Staying Up' gave me real belief that we can do so.
Oppo fans: Up until half time it was all about the away fans but the place came alive when Roberts and McCarthy came on at HT and during the second half.
PLAY UP POMPEY!
Gleams, www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk
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SPURS 2 - 0 Sunderland
I’ll hold my hands up – we were God-awful for the first hour. Partly this was because Harry tried a system with three up and three in midfield that Spurs never came close to making work, and partly it was because Sunderland were really quite good. Once we brought Niko Kranjcar on for Robbie Keane, we were a different side, instantly it seemed.
Keane’s bundled opener was heavily against the run of play as we struggled to work out who, what and where we were. Palacios had a nightmare playing out of position, but it was like the whole damn lot of them had collectively fallen out of the wrong side of the bed. Sunderland were far better.
The second half was similarly poor until after an hour Harry gave up the ghost on the 4-3-3 experiment and we reverted to 4-4-2. Much happier after that. Sunderland look a good little side. Had Kenwyne Jones been playing they might well have won. Bent’s missed penalty got the fans going and then Huddlestone hit the kind of blockbuster that we know he’s capable of, but which he so rarely delivers.
And then last night I heard Steve Bruce talking about the game, and discovered that he’s capable of talking as much guff as any other manager in the Premier League. The guy was a top-drawer centre half, and has the nose to prove it, and yet he can stand there and, with one-eyed bias that even Arsene Whinger would be proud of, say that in the penalty incident which was pivotal in this game, Darren Bent “saw the contact coming and took evasive action”, making it “a stone-wall penalty”.
Let’s think about that for a second....Took evasive action? What he really meant to say, surely, is that he dived. Isn’t there supposed to be an actual foul, rather than just the close proximity of an opponent, which causes someone to catapult themselves through the air, add in a few triple salcos, and wink at the cameras on the way down? Bent dived, he cheated (he was looking straight at me as he did it), he got our keeper booked, though Bruce of course says that Gomes should have got a red card. If the ref had got it right Bent would have got the yellow card for diving. And then he hit a shit penalty. Tweet that one Benty.
We were lucky to win over all, and it was harsh on Sunderland. After losing to Stoke when we deserved to win 2 weeks ago however, I don’t feel inclined to apologise for winning this one. At least I can be honest about it though, and there doesn’t seem to be much of that going around at the moment.
Star man: Heurelho Gomes for the saves; Kranjcar made a big impact too.
Worst perfromer: Robbie Keane – struggling to be the player he was pre-Liverpool.
Best moment: Huddlestone’s crackerjack strike made victory likely.
Tactics: We tried to accommodate three strikers and no-one looked happy. The blend of players in midfield didn’t seem suited to it, and the full-backs were incapable of getting forward in wide areas. After an hour Kranjcar replaced Keane, and we had natural width at last. Straight away we looked a better side.
Chant of the game: To Bent – “You’re just a shit Mrs Redknapp.”
Oppo fans: I thought they would be noisier.
Andy Knaggs, www.spurs-web.com and www.THFCTalk.com
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Hull 2 - STOKE 1
Went in the lead when Matty Etherington latched onto a long ball and smashed the ball into the net and we should have seen the game out but yet again we dropped, and dropped and dropped before conceding to Seyi Olofinjana. After that we, as usual, failed to get back in the game after conceding. Faye was twice stupidly booked and sent off, not the actions of a good captain, and after a late stand off between Tuncay and Pulis the home side scored an injury-time winner after a Sorenson balls up. Deflated is me!
Star man: Matty Etherington, again. Our only outlet and thank god for him. Without him we would have created nothing these past two games, so I'm dreading when he has a bad game
Worst performer: Robert Huth. Came back in for Wilko and made a right hash of it. So ropey it's unbelievable for a German international. Got to be looking over his shoulder now.
Best moment: Got to be Matty's goal. Collected a long ball and headed straight for goal. Fantastic finish at the near post for another fully deserved goal
Tactics: Right, I'm going to have to hold back here. Too defensive, stupid subs, failure to see what was coming and a stubborness that will forever mean it is difficult for people to take to him seriously, despite the results we get. 12 points have now been dropped from winning positions and it's because as soon as he gets a chance to talk to them, and we are winning, we go to a straight back 8 with big lumps up field to nobody and no intention of getting the killer second. When the opposition equalise they have all the momentum and we struggle to get our rhythm going again.
Worst performer: Nobody had a shocker today and once more it was great teamwork. Graham Alexander and Andre Bikey perhaps had games below their usual standard but none of them deserve the derogatory tag of "Worst performer".
Tactics: You have to give credit to Owen Coyle. Our away form (until yesterday) has been "indifferent" to "shocking" from the fans' perspective but he has stuck to his guns preferring and continuing the attacking style of play whilst not entertaining thoughts of grinding out results through more defence-minded tactics. The latter, of course, is not pretty but could mean survival – but that theory yesterday at least was proven to be a load of poo!
So many times we have been caught out on the break by these tactics, especially away from home as mentioned above, but come on still tenth in the league just two points behind Liverpool (at the time of writing) must mean we are getting something right. Whatever we are getting right we just have to continue to do so!
Chant of the game: The Clarets of course were ribbing the City supporters when we were 2-0 up but the City boys must have thought they had silenced the Clarets after coming from behind to lead 3-2, the worry was we would fold but we didn’t and, of course, had the last laugh when McDonald scored the equaliser. Honours probably even in the chanting stakes but perhaps the nicest moment was when both sets of fans stood up in harmony to sing ‘If you hate Man U stand up’ started by some wag in the Burnley end.
Oppo fans: I actually quite liked the Man City fans; they were full of friendly banter and praise for the Clarets after this match on the bus back to Piccadilly and in the Wetherspoon's pub opposite the station. I think they knew they had just been humbled and might just be thinking now that you can bring a horse to water (multi-million pound players) but you can’t necessarily make it drink (gel as a team)
Our strength yesterday was clearly the fact that sometimes it can be an advantage to have a small squad that regularly play together. In other words a side that plays like hell for each other with high motivation. We played as a tight unit with everybody knowing each other’s style of play. City may have depth of squad but just yet they don’t seem to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and play to them as a team.
Best moment: Well had we gone on to win the game at 2-0 when we seemed to be playing like Brazil that would have been the best moment but in the end the joy and relief of getting that equaliser was plain for all to see and when the final whistle went we were just ecstatic. If you are going to get your first away point in the top flight since 1976 our ‘ickle team may as well do it against moneybags Manchester City.
‘Turfman’ Phil Lea, www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk
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[Looks like the chaps at cfcnet.co.uk got a little confused this week and did me two reports, but hey, you had a good week, so I'm gonna publish them both! Sorry Man U fans... - Terrace Frontlines Ed]
CHELSEA 1 - 0 Manchester United
Two smartly-dressed businessmen meet in an extremely narrow corridor. One is named ‘Mr Manchester United’ while the other is known as ‘Mr Chelsea’. They both need to get around each other, but neither can think of a creative enough way to do so. They ponder the dilemma momentarily, then they both settle for a simpler policy of just walking into each other.
Of course, this did not happen. Well, it could have, somewhere, but it would be a pretty big coincidence seeing as this exact story was actually played out at Stamford Bridge between the two major title challengers on Sunday afternoon. Just to clarify, there were no businessmen getting close in a corridor. That was a metaphor okay?
So, as per usual, the dosage of pre-match hyperbole was far too high, and Super Stupendous Sizzling Sunday (sponsored by Sky Sports) ended up a mildly-entertaining narrow win.
At times in the first-half it was end-to-end stuff, with Wayne Rooney buzzing around our area and Deco, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka attempting to force their way into United’s box. Anelka tested Edwin van der Sar on occasions but the veteran Dutchman was equal to his efforts.
But it was the second-half where the majority of the action took place, with bad blood spilling over mid-way through it. We had the high-kicking Jonny Evans, the lunging Ricardo Carvalho, and, well, Wayne Rooney being Wayne Rooney, but somewhere in the middle of all this kung-fu fighting was a goal.
United will continue to debate the award of the free-kick - just one of many possibly contentious decisions made by Martin Atkinson - and the subsequent foul by Drogba on Wes Brown which allowed John Terry to glance the ball home, but they can keep moaning, we can’t hear them from five points ahead!
Star man: John Terry. As the banner says: Captain, Leader, Legend. In games such as these it takes a big man to step forward and lead by example. JT was the fulcrum of a stubborn defence, and the scorer of a vital goal. Unless it was Anelka’s of course, but the first part still counts…
Worst performer: Mr Atkinson by a long stretch. Drogba gets attacked by Evans, and picks up a booking along with the stud marks on his ribs. Good call ref, see you in League Two next weekend.
Best moment: The final whistle, when myself and many other Chelsea fans could finally unclench. Followed closely by the moment we saw Gabriel Obertan coming on, what an odd-looking fella! He looks like an egg stretched out.
Tactics: Arguably our strongest XI, so no complaints there. The midfield was crowded at times which stifled the game, so it didn’t seem surprising that the solitary goal of the game came from a set-piece. There was not much else either side could do as they cancelled each other out.
Chant of the game: The vociferous plea for Joe Cole to come on. Just reminding Carlo Ancelotti that he’s there if we need him, that’s all.
Oppo fans: If ever proof was needed that United do indeed have a large amount of Mancunian fans, you just needed to listen across to their section of the stand. The noises they were making clearly weren’t English nor any other world language, thus, they must be from the North.
Rowan Farnham-Long, www.cfcnet.co.uk
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CHELSEA 1 - 0 Man Utd
After all the ‘expect fireworks’ build-up this one ended up more of a damp sparkler, not that it stopped the celebrations when John Terry glanced home the winner.
The goal was the catalyst for a very spicy last 15 minutes, for the previous 75 a football match had threatened to break out, but in the last quarter hour it was more likely to be a fight.
The goal itself was the main talking point. Was Drogba active and therefore offside? Did he foul Wes Brown as the ball came in? Did Anelka get the final touch? All this paled into insignificance as the bright yellow ball kissed the pure white net.
One thing that is for certain is that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree; Darren Fletcher’s constant moaning would’ve made his footballing father Fergie proud. How the Scot wasn’t booked is beyond me, running 30 yards to try and get Carvalho sent off is one thing, but his persistent fouling would’ve been of better use at Twickenham.
United certainly did their best to stifle Chelsea, clearly they’d learnt lessons from Liverpool on closing down in midfield, and how it had been their undoing at Anfield.
Deco was constantly forced into conceding possession and the home side really struggled to get going.
Wayne Rooney had United’s best opportunities, a curling effort was turned behind by Cech, and later he drove just wide after some good United build up.
Truthfully, the visitors probably deserved a point from the game, but it’s about time they ran out of luck, and even their old friend Martin “oh just one more minute” Atkinson deserted them.
Chelsea created little, Edwin Van Der Sar’s only major save coming midway through the first half from Anelka.
It was instead the turn of The Blues’ defence to take centre stage; Carvalho and Terry repeatedly shut the door in Rooney’s face, refusing to allow the new dad the chance to crack out the infamous rocking cradle celebration.
So a 5-point lead over the champions and a defence looking watertight again. Messrs Ferguson and Wenger might just shift uncomfortably in their seats when they see the league table tonight.
Star man: John Terry. Got the winner, and after taking a rather nasty blow to his ‘gentleman’s area’ in the first half. He and Carvalho refused to let Rooney near Petr Cech.
Worst performer: Deco. Too many flicks for a tight congested game like this. It's okay picking apart Bolton like that, but the champions are a bit different.
Best moment: Had to look past the goal and United toy throwing that followed it. We football fans are a cruel bunch.
Tactics: Safety first at the back was good to see. Cole and Ivanovic were happy to head behind when under pressure. It showed that not only is there defensive self-belief, but Ancelotti has given the players a few lessons in the Italian art of defending.
Chant of the game: Darren Fletcher wasn’t well received. I’ll leave it to your imaginations as to which four-letter word was thrown his way by the Matthew Harding Stand.
Oppo fans: Loud, but they really must stop using our songs. It’ll only add to the theories that all United fans come from Guildford and grew up surrounded by London clubs. Quite nice to get through an afternoon without having to hear ‘Viva Ronaldo’. More Viva John Terry today...
Martyn Landi, www.cfcnet.co.uk
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West Ham 1 - 2 EVERTON
Seven games without a win, seven goals shipped in two games against Benfica - along with the Portuguese giving us a bit of a footballing lesson at Goodison - it was imperative that the Blues picked up their customary three points against West Ham.
And, thanks to goals from Louis Saha and Dan Gosling, they went and did it! But it was the home side that controlled the game early on and carved out the better chances.
Zavon Hines, in for the injured Carlton Cole, and Luis Jiminez twice combined to create openings before Scott Parker got past Joseph Yobo to fire in a shot that Tim Howard did well to gather.
West Ham then won a free kick in a good position as Tony Hibbert fouled Franco - there just aren't enough footballers named after European despots these days - but the delivery from Jiminez was poor and Jack Rodwell cleared the danger.
Then, just as the Evertonians crammed into Upton Park were starting to get a little nervy at the amount chances the Hammers were creating, Louis Saha did what he does best and got us a goal from nowhere.
Tim Cahill picked up the ball just outside the West Ham penalty box and held off the Hammers defence to lay the ball back to the onrushing Saha. There still didn't seem to be much of a chance on but the Frenchman drilled a first-time, curling, daisy-cutter just inside Dopey's - sorry, Robert Green's - right-hand post to send the travelling Blues mental.
Everton got battered for the best part of 75 minutes here last season when Saha came on to turn the game and score two in an eventual 3-1 win for Everton.
The Frenchman did the same in this one as his goal, against the run of play, rocked West Ham as Everton began to take the game to the home side, carving out a number of chances before the interval.
Dan Gosling fired one effort fractionally over the bar, Saha headed a good chance wide from 12 yards out and a Tim Cahill volley was easily gathered by Green.
Having weathered the initial West Ham storm, Everton went into the break one-nil up and the, ultimately fruitless, hunt for half-time jellied eels began. There weren't even any un-jellied eels for God's sake!
The second half began in the most scrappy of fashions with play being constantly broken up by niggly fouls and Everton's Tony Hibbert and Marouane Fellaini were both booked within minutes of the restart.
Once the game settled down it was West Ham that once again took control of matters but, once again, Everton that got on with the scoring.
Yakubu, a second half substitute for Saha, battled for possession and layed the ball off to Dan Gosling who was breaking into the box like a latter-day Carlos Alberto.
Gosling intial right-footed strike was parried by Green but fell to Gosling again who lashed the ball home with his left.
But before the travelling hoardes had time to sit back down West Ham had pulled one back thanks to some inexplicable defending from Tony Hibbert!
Alessandro Diamanti - no, really - clipped a neat diagonal ball over the Everton defence towards Junior Stanislas who dinked a shot over Tim Howard. The effort was creeping towards goal but it looked like Tony Hibbert would be on hand to hack away the danger. He didn't! He just twatted the ball into the roof of his own net!
As own goals go - and there's no such thing as a bad own goal - it was hilarious and reminiscent of Wayne Hatswell's own goal at Forest Green a few years ago.
If you haven't seen Hatswell's effort you can see it HERE... or something, it's an own goal so funny that a 'Hatswell' should now be a commonplace noun!
Anyway, West Ham v Everton... the Hammers, having come back from two goals down against Arsenal, could sense that Everton were also susceptible to blowing doubles. Unfotunately for the Hammers, Everton were proving to be more resilient than in recent weeks and good chances for Hines and Diamanti went begging.
Then Tim Howard did well to bravely snatch the ball off the toe of Franco just outside the six-yard-box and all but secured an Everton win.
The result puts the Hammers back in the drop zone and Everton up to the heady heights of 12th and good old fashioned mid-table mediocrity.
Star man: Tim Howard - The American has, for some reason, come in for some stick from some Evertonians in recent weeks but showed his class to keep West Ham out. His vital save at the end secured the three points for the Blues.
Worst performer: Tony Hibbert - simply for the ridiculous own goal!
Tactics: The 4-4-2/4-5-1 debate rumbles on, but Moyes played to Everton's strengths with a 4-5-1 formation that was more about breaking up play than crafting chances. It's still needs must at Everton and as long as Saha's on the pitch there's always a chance of a goal from nothing!
Chant of the game: 'We're by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen.' Sung without a hint of irony by the thosuands of travelling Blues as we'd forgotten how it felt to be running away with the game!
Moment of the match: Louis Saha's sublime finish, the man is pure class... though Hibbert's own goal was piss funny!
Les Roberts, www.everton-mad.co.uk
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Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 FULHAM
After the delights of the Coliseum and all the exhibits the eternal city has to offer, a stop at Wigan was next up for the faithful. Sadly, the traveling Fulham support seemed to have spent all their hard-earned dosh in Italy with only a smattering of hardcore Fulham supporters taking the highway north.
Nevertheless, a fun time was had by all as Fulham escaped south with another away point. On another day it could even have been three. Things started well when Nevland’s looping header hit the post but quickly went down the slippery slope when Boyce netted for the home side.
Thankfully, we were back on level terms before half time when Dempsey, who had been upended in the box made sure all his faculties worked before striking the penalty beyond Kirkland.
Both sides could have snatched a winner in the second half but the keepers, Schwarzer and Kirkland reigned supreme and the spoils of this encounter were shared.
Star man: Mark Schwarzer – Having a fine season and made some saves that even brought gasps from the home support. Can the Aussie wonder go on for ever?
Worst performer: Our support! 2000 in Rome and a sprinkling in Wigan. Why?
Best moment: Seeing Dempsey strike home the penalty. With Murphy and Kamara both absent through injury I was beginning to wonder who would step up to the spot.
Tactics: The gaffer got it spot on again. With his squad stretched by injury and with the Europa League to contend with, we never looked in danger of losing (says he tongue in cheek)!
Chant of the game: Hard to muster anything other than a cheer when the penalty went in!
Oppo fans: Does anybody sing at Wigan? We had an excuse, we were away from home and most had spent there cash in Rome so didn’t fancy a trip t the land of the best pies in the Premier League!
Andrew Joyce, www.vitalfullham.co.uk
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HULL 2 - 1 Stoke City
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LIVERPOOL v Birmingham
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MAN CITY 3 - 3 Burnley
Another game, another draw. That’s five in a row now, and patently not the form of a team with Champions League aspirations. Mark Hughes is struggling to choose a settled team, and we’re suffering as a consequence. We’ve failed to take all three points from some eminently winnable fixtures recently, and that could come back to haunt us at the end of the season. Frustrating times at Eastlands.
Star man: Stephen Ireland had a decent game on his recall to the first team. The best of a bad bunch.
Worst performer: Wayne Bridge was awful. His distribution was poor, and his positioning even worse. Most of Burnley’s best moves came down our left hand side.
Best moment: Bellamy’s smart finish to put us 3-2 up, after trailing 2-0.
Tactics: Hughes still seems unable to find out Tevez’s best position, and is tinkering with the line-up to try and accommodate him. The decision to put Petrov on the right wing, and SWP on the left, clearly failed.
Oppo fans: To be fair, Burnley brought a lot down and sang loud all afternoon.
Ric Turner, www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
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Chelsea 1 - 0 MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United lost to John Terry's late header at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have referee Martin Atkinson to thank for the victory. Atkinson and his assistants made not one, or two, but three glaring errors in the lead-up to the Londoners' goal to hand Chelsea a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The manner of defeat, coming after an impressive United display, is particularly galling.
Sir Alex Ferguson, without injured central defensive pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, predictably selected Wayne Rooney to plough a lone furrow up-front. Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia offered support in wide areas with Dimitar Berbatov also absent through injury. It was a tactical approach that gave United a solid midfield foundation and enabled Ferguson's team to edge the first half in a tense affair with few chances.
The officials, prior to their involvement in the home side's goal, twice denied United in the first half. Firstly when Anderson put Rooney through on goal, only for the assistant to incorrectly rule the striker offside and then Atkinson failed to blow when Terry hauled Valencia to the ground in the area.
Darren Fletcher, dominant in midfield, saw a shot blocked by Ricardo Carvlho while Giggs and Michael Carrick also test the Chelsea 'keeper in the opening period.
Rooney twice went close after the break as United continue to ask more questions than the home side. First the Scouser drove inches wide of Petr Cech's post then the former-Everton striker force a top class save out of the 'keeper from the edge of the area.
But all United's work was wasted as the officials gifted Chelsea a late winner. Fletcher, winning the ball cleanly from Ashley Cole, was harshly judged to have fouled the former Arsenal left-back on United's right. Frank Lampard swung over the free kick for Terry to head home. The officials, perhaps blinded by their unity with an insulted colleague, ignored both Didier Drogba’s foul on Wes Brown and the offside position of the Ivorian.
Ferguson sent on Michael Owen and Gabriel Obertan to retrieve the situation but it was too late as United slipped to yet another away defeat to a ‘top four’ side.
Star man: Fletcher was outstanding in midfield and was desperately unlucky to give away Chelsea’s match-winning free kick.
Worst performer: Chelsea’s Martin Atkinson didn’t have the best game, and neither did John O’Shea on the United side.
Best moment: Rooney’s turn and curling shot from the edge of Chelsea’s area brought an outstanding save from Cech.
Tactics: Rooney was alone and Ferguson could have gambled earlier but United’s discipline and shape made sense against a Chelsea side unbeaten at home.
Oppo fans: Chelsea’s plastic fans only discovered their club existed in 2003 and were silent until the final 15 minutes with Reds making all the noise.
Ed Barker, www.unitedrant.co.uk
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Blackburn 3 - 1 PORTSMOUTH
A Basement Battle at Ewood Park with Blackburn claiming all three points. Pompey took the lead on 15 minutes with a stunning low drive from 30 yards from Jamie O'Hara, and continued to dominate throughout the 1st half without creating many opportunities. A more positive formation seemed to be working for Paul Hart and the team.
With the game being a must-win for both sides, Big Sam brought on an extra two strikers at half time, which ultimately made the difference. Early in the second half, Rovers equalized through a corner, Chris Samba nodding the ball down to the feet of Roberts, who turned and poked it in. This gave the home team the momentum, and Blackburn took the lead through another corner, a free header from their captain, Ryan Nelsen. As Pompey pushed for an equalizer, Blackburn wrapped up the comeback, with a low pinpoint cross from McCarthy on the left, with Roberts tucking it in.
Star man: Was impressed with Michael Brown. Without the captain's armband, he still was the motivator and put in some decent tackles.
Worst man: Mokoena. His lack of pace really showed today as well as his ability on the ball. As a captain, he should be organising his team, but two simple goals from corners suggests otherwise. Shouldn't be in the 1st team.
Best moment: Seeing O'Hara's shot fizz into the bottom right of Robinsons net. Brilliant goal.
Tactics: The team he set out seemed to do the job in the 1st half, but when Blackburn went 4-3-3, Hart's only change was to bring on Tommy Smith. He also took too long to take off Mokoena and bring on Kanu. At that stage we were chasing the game, and the King had no time on the ball.
Chant of the game: Hearing 'We are Staying Up' gave me real belief that we can do so.
Oppo fans: Up until half time it was all about the away fans but the place came alive when Roberts and McCarthy came on at HT and during the second half.
PLAY UP POMPEY!
Gleams, www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk
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SPURS 2 - 0 Sunderland
I’ll hold my hands up – we were God-awful for the first hour. Partly this was because Harry tried a system with three up and three in midfield that Spurs never came close to making work, and partly it was because Sunderland were really quite good. Once we brought Niko Kranjcar on for Robbie Keane, we were a different side, instantly it seemed.
Keane’s bundled opener was heavily against the run of play as we struggled to work out who, what and where we were. Palacios had a nightmare playing out of position, but it was like the whole damn lot of them had collectively fallen out of the wrong side of the bed. Sunderland were far better.
The second half was similarly poor until after an hour Harry gave up the ghost on the 4-3-3 experiment and we reverted to 4-4-2. Much happier after that. Sunderland look a good little side. Had Kenwyne Jones been playing they might well have won. Bent’s missed penalty got the fans going and then Huddlestone hit the kind of blockbuster that we know he’s capable of, but which he so rarely delivers.
And then last night I heard Steve Bruce talking about the game, and discovered that he’s capable of talking as much guff as any other manager in the Premier League. The guy was a top-drawer centre half, and has the nose to prove it, and yet he can stand there and, with one-eyed bias that even Arsene Whinger would be proud of, say that in the penalty incident which was pivotal in this game, Darren Bent “saw the contact coming and took evasive action”, making it “a stone-wall penalty”.
Let’s think about that for a second....Took evasive action? What he really meant to say, surely, is that he dived. Isn’t there supposed to be an actual foul, rather than just the close proximity of an opponent, which causes someone to catapult themselves through the air, add in a few triple salcos, and wink at the cameras on the way down? Bent dived, he cheated (he was looking straight at me as he did it), he got our keeper booked, though Bruce of course says that Gomes should have got a red card. If the ref had got it right Bent would have got the yellow card for diving. And then he hit a shit penalty. Tweet that one Benty.
We were lucky to win over all, and it was harsh on Sunderland. After losing to Stoke when we deserved to win 2 weeks ago however, I don’t feel inclined to apologise for winning this one. At least I can be honest about it though, and there doesn’t seem to be much of that going around at the moment.
Star man: Heurelho Gomes for the saves; Kranjcar made a big impact too.
Worst perfromer: Robbie Keane – struggling to be the player he was pre-Liverpool.
Best moment: Huddlestone’s crackerjack strike made victory likely.
Tactics: We tried to accommodate three strikers and no-one looked happy. The blend of players in midfield didn’t seem suited to it, and the full-backs were incapable of getting forward in wide areas. After an hour Kranjcar replaced Keane, and we had natural width at last. Straight away we looked a better side.
Chant of the game: To Bent – “You’re just a shit Mrs Redknapp.”
Oppo fans: I thought they would be noisier.
Andy Knaggs, www.spurs-web.com and www.THFCTalk.com
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Hull 2 - STOKE 1
Went in the lead when Matty Etherington latched onto a long ball and smashed the ball into the net and we should have seen the game out but yet again we dropped, and dropped and dropped before conceding to Seyi Olofinjana. After that we, as usual, failed to get back in the game after conceding. Faye was twice stupidly booked and sent off, not the actions of a good captain, and after a late stand off between Tuncay and Pulis the home side scored an injury-time winner after a Sorenson balls up. Deflated is me!
Star man: Matty Etherington, again. Our only outlet and thank god for him. Without him we would have created nothing these past two games, so I'm dreading when he has a bad game
Worst performer: Robert Huth. Came back in for Wilko and made a right hash of it. So ropey it's unbelievable for a German international. Got to be looking over his shoulder now.
Best moment: Got to be Matty's goal. Collected a long ball and headed straight for goal. Fantastic finish at the near post for another fully deserved goal
Tactics: Right, I'm going to have to hold back here. Too defensive, stupid subs, failure to see what was coming and a stubborness that will forever mean it is difficult for people to take to him seriously, despite the results we get. 12 points have now been dropped from winning positions and it's because as soon as he gets a chance to talk to them, and we are winning, we go to a straight back 8 with big lumps up field to nobody and no intention of getting the killer second. When the opposition equalise they have all the momentum and we struggle to get our rhythm going again.
Right, onto subs: why bring Tuncay on so late in the game and then bring him off when we go a man down when there are players who are dead on their feet and have contributed nothing for at least half an hour. Delap, Whitehead and Whelan could all have had no complaints being subbed for Wilko and then Tuncay could have gone on the right with the two survivors from that trio in the middle. He totally embarrassed the Turkish national captain and I don't blame him for his behaviour. Bigger clubs than Stoke were after him in the summer yet he has still not started a game for us. Why? God knows why.
Chant of the game: 'Are you having your teamtalk on the pitch?' Worth a giggle.
Oppo fans: Very quiet for most of the game, but noisy after they equalised.
Daniel Buxton, www.stokecity-mad.co.uk
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Spurs 2 - 0 SUNDERLAND
Well the result certainly did not resemble the game, Sunderland at least deserved a draw from this game. Sunderland where the better team for all of the first half, even though Robbie Keane put Spurs ahead in the first 10-15 minutes of the match. Crouch heading the ball down to Keane which was arguably offside but Keane put the ball past Gordon on his second attempt.
Sunderland didn’t let this effect their performance and continued to fight tooth and nail, they did everything but score. Bent having a shedload of chances but couldn’t find the back of the net, Spurs keeper had pulled off some hellish saves also. Sunderland got a penalty from Bent being one on one with the keeper after flying past King and Woodgate, only to have Gomez take is legs off him. The ref shows a yellow card to the keeper which rattled the Sunderland fans, and by the reaction of the Sunderland dugout Steve Bruce too, all believing he should have had a straight red. Bent puts the ball on the spot, boots its on target only for Gomez to save it, gutted to say the least. Bent is still wearing these new boots which must have been made by a Newcastle fan putting a curse on them in the process.
The first half finishes Bent has had countless chances on goal and missed a penalty. Second half pretty much the same as the first Sunderland come out looking for the equalizer. 68 minutes and disaster happens, Spurs get a second goal, feeling amongst the Sunderland fans are its game over. No one had a bad thing to say about the performance but we just seemed to have no luck at all.
Star man: Spurs keeper, give them the victory we could have been 4-0 up in the first half!
Worst performer: The ref, without trying to sounding like Fergie but he was poor.
Best moment: Sunderland played very well especially as we have go so many first team players out with injuries and bans.
Tactics: Again we played well enough just missing that little bit luck. Its getting a bit worrying that we are getting very dependant on one man scoring! PLEASE DARREN BENT IF YOU’RE READING THIS PUT YOUR OLD BOOT’S BACK ON!
Chant of the game: Most of the songs where the cockney waling slagging off Bent.
Oppo fans: Bunch of tossers.
Daryl Baker, www.Sunderland-Mad.co.uk
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WEST HAM 1 - 2 Everton
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WIGAN 1 - 1 Fulham
Not the best match for the neutral and Phil Dowd seemed hellbent on gifting Fulham everything he could, but we're playing some decent football this season. We certainly had the best of the chances and deserved to win all three points.
Mark Schwarzer had one of those games as he kept out everything we threw at him. In particular, Charles N'Zogbia was a real thorn in Fulham's side. It has to be said that Fulham looked tired after their trip to Rome in the week and Damian Duff has made a career out of falling over and winning free-kicks. Roy Hodgson has the Cottagers very well organised and hard to beat.
It was particularly frustrating that Fulham's penalty came from a free-kick that should have never been. That's the way it goes in football though and hopefully we'll get a bit of luck at White Hart Lane next weekend.
Star man: Whilst Charles N'Zogbia had a particularly impressive performance on the flank, Mo Diame in the centre of the park was unplayable. He's proving to be a real bargain at a little over £2 million and his lanky, languid style fails to hide his skill and quality. Certainly one to watch for the future.
Worst performer: Mario Melchiot had an uncharacteristically poor game and Erik Edman struggled on his return to the team after his injury lay-off. But the worst performance of the day was that of Phil Dowd who seemed keen to gift Fulham three points.
Best moment: Emmerson Boyce bagging his second goal of the season early in the first half. It's a shame my 125/1 bet on Boyce 1-0 didn't come up!
Tactics: Aside from the tempo dropping and allowing Fulham a simple penalty for the equaliser, we played very well today. Martinez has adopted a really entertaining style of football and we dominated possession against a Fulham side happy to sit back and defend. It was frustrating to see N'Zogbia moved to left back when Sinclair came on, but there was only going to be one winner, it's a shame we were beaten by the full-time whistle.
Chant of the game: I would have to say it was the well observed minutes silence on Remeberance Sunday.
Oppo fans: One of the worst away followings in the top flight. Fulham had less than 200 supporters, so it was little surprise that they made no noise. Hats off to those that travelled though.
Paul Farrington, www.WIGANER.net
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WOLVES 1 - Arsenal 4
It was always a game we were going to lose, but to give Arsenal a two-goal start was unlucky. Both own goals were completely unavaoidable, but the following Arsenal goals from Fabregas and Arshavin showed the gulf in class between the two teams. For 28 minutes Wolves outbattled the North Londoners, but then it was like the floodgates opened and Arsenal were 3-0 up by half time. The goal by Fabregas was pure class which even the Wolves fans applauded. We did get on the scoresheet late in the game through Jody Craddockinho. Next up is an easy looking match against Chlsea at Stamford Bridge :)
Star man: Nenad Milijas. Getting a rare first team outing, Milijas was brought in for his excellent left foot. This worried the Arsenal defence early on, but unfortunately didn't produce any telling results
Worst performer: Not one really. Wolves were unlucky with the first two goals and torn apart for the third.
Best moment: Not a Wolves moment but the 3rd goal for Arsenal by Fabregas. CLASS.
Tactics: 4-4-2 but McCarthy dropped Kightly and put Dave Edwards on the right, may be to counteract the left wing play of Arsenal.
Chant of the game: "4-0 and you fecked it up!" - Wolves fans to Arsenal after Wolves scored a last-minute goal to make it 4-1.
Oppo fans: For some reason the majority of Arsenal fans seemed to be spotty students, no real roughnecks that we normally expect with clubs from the smoke. For fans of a team of such brilliance, I'd expect more noise from them.
Wolf306, www.wolves-mad.co.uk
WOLVES 1 - Arsenal 4
It was always a game we were going to lose, but to give Arsenal a two-goal start was unlucky. Both own goals were completely unavaoidable, but the following Arsenal goals from Fabregas and Arshavin showed the gulf in class between the two teams. For 28 minutes Wolves outbattled the North Londoners, but then it was like the floodgates opened and Arsenal were 3-0 up by half time. The goal by Fabregas was pure class which even the Wolves fans applauded. We did get on the scoresheet late in the game through Jody Craddockinho. Next up is an easy looking match against Chlsea at Stamford Bridge :)
Star man: Nenad Milijas. Getting a rare first team outing, Milijas was brought in for his excellent left foot. This worried the Arsenal defence early on, but unfortunately didn't produce any telling results
Worst performer: Not one really. Wolves were unlucky with the first two goals and torn apart for the third.
Best moment: Not a Wolves moment but the 3rd goal for Arsenal by Fabregas. CLASS.
Tactics: 4-4-2 but McCarthy dropped Kightly and put Dave Edwards on the right, may be to counteract the left wing play of Arsenal.
Chant of the game: "4-0 and you fecked it up!" - Wolves fans to Arsenal after Wolves scored a last-minute goal to make it 4-1.
Oppo fans: For some reason the majority of Arsenal fans seemed to be spotty students, no real roughnecks that we normally expect with clubs from the smoke. For fans of a team of such brilliance, I'd expect more noise from them.
Wolf306, www.wolves-mad.co.uk
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