------------------------------
Bolton Wanderers 0-2 ARSENAL
This won't be the lengthiest report this week, kids. I was on a Boys' Weekend in Bristol, the girl I'm seeing has flown out to Australia for a three month jolly, and I've had to take today off work such is the level of carnage that has embroiled my entire being over the last 2 days.
Bolton away is one of those games that so-called football 'experts' (the Custis Brothers at 'The Sun', Jamie Redknapp, Andy Gray etc) love to tell the world that Arsenal hate, that we always lose, and that breaks our season every year. Despite us now having won 4 of our last 5 games at the Reebok. Twats. However, with our ever-mounting injury list (van Persie, Bendtner, Ramsey, Nasri, Denilson, Gibbs, Wilshere etc), Bolton having a new manager and 19 year old Craig Eastmond making his debut in the 'enforcer' role in front of the back four, even I was nervous about the 90 minutes that lay ahead.
An inauspicious by the wonders in red saw the Spanish waiter concede to the first shot on target AGAIN, but thankfully the whistle had already gone for an offside. Armand Traore was woefully off-colour and allowed the winger, Lee, the to get inside, outside and back again whenever he wanted, and Bolton terrorised us for a lot of the opening 20 minutes, with crosses aplenty, goalmouth confusion, and the hilarious sight of Almunia conceding a needless corner by kicking the ball against his own leg and falling over with nobody near him. Amazing.
However, the making of a brilliant side is the ability to conjure something out of nothing. After Phil Dowd has denied Cesc Fabregas the two most obvious penalties you will see this season, and both he and the linesman missing Matthew Taylor kick the young Catalan to the ground, rest his knee on the back of his neck to stop him getting up, and then picking him up by his hair, I was wondering where a goal was coming from. But Fabregas is the best midfield player in England right now, so I needn't have worried. A small portion of penalty box pinball led to Cesc getting the ball on the edge of the Area, played a delightful one-two with The Artist Formerly Known as Prince/Eduardo, and rifled the ball past Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal. 0-1 - cue ecstacy. Wonderful.
The second half was a dogged affair with genuine chances few and far between. A few balls across goal saw Almunia having to perform some actual goalkeeping, and both Billy G and Tommy V stood firm against their carthorse opponents, whose gameplan seemed to be most focused at kicking the opposition into submission. Good luck getting these trogolodytes to play proper football, Mr. Coyle.
The second goal was going to be the crucial one, and it was a hell of a goal finished off by substitute Fran Merida, whose precise finish right inside the far post was a thing of beauty and the perfect end to another free-flowing move. 0-2, game over, cue mercy dash back to Temple Meads station for the 18:30 train back to Paddington.
Wednesday sees the return fixture against Coyle's men, and if we win we go top for the first time this season (albeit having played a game more than Chelsea) which in itself would be a fantastic achievement considering the horrid injuries we have had this season and Chelsea's relative strength. The next time I write for you will be at the start of the most crucial run of games in recent memory as Arsenal take on Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in consecutive matches. If we can come out of that run and be within spitting distance of the leaders then the Title really will be up for grabs now. Come on you Reds.
Star man: Cesc Fabregas is SO GOOD it is unfair to the other players. The guy is a puppet master extraordinaire, whose positional awareness and runs on and off the ball are a thing of beauty. We struggle without van Persie, are missing Song terribly, but Cesc is simply ireplaceable. He ran the game today and was at the centre of everything good we did. Credit also to young Craig Eastomnd, who despite some trrible bullying from Bolton gave as good as he got and save for when he started to tire in the second half, didn't disgrace himself at all.
Worst performer: Armand Traore tried his absolute socks off but was very, very poor yesterday. Kept giving the ball away, was getting caught out of position all over the shop, and was led a merry dance by Bolton over and over again. Gael Clichy is back fit and I, for one, will welcome him back into the team with open arms come Wednesday night. Also, it'd be nice to see Andrey Arshavin actually do anything at all during a football match once in a while.
Best moment: The first goal wa a thing of beauty. Steady Eddy-uardo's little dink into the path of Fabregas was inch-perfect, and the finish sublime. Football the way it should be played.
Tactics: The manager did the best with what he had at his disposal, and by biting the bullet and letting Eduardo play as the lone front man, he allowed Arshavin the freedom of the left wing. Sadly, Gunnar Steinsson fit the Meerkat into his pocket quite nicely, where he stayed for the rest of the afternoon.
Chant of the game: To the tune of "The Animals went by two, by two"... "We brought him in when Henry went, Eddie, Eddie; he scored more goals than Darren Bent, Eddie, Eddie; he broke his leg but now he's back; and Darren Bent will still be cack Eduardo Silva, Arsenal's Number 9."
Oppo fans: Were very happy that they had a new manager, but after having spent the last 18 months booing the previous incumbent they seemed incapable of actually supporting their team. Sad.
David Oudôt, http://www.onlinegooner.com and http://taxloser.blogspot.com
------------------------------
ASTON VILLA 0-0 West Ham
Yesterdays results from those around us:Everton 2-0 Man City;
Stoke 1-1 Liverpool
; Tottenham 0-0 Hull
Today was frustrating as hell, we all (most?) know that we need a striker - who doesn't? - and that might well prove to be the last bit of the jigsaw and arguably the hardest one to get.
Walking out - and the confrontation between Martin O'Neill and a fan or two - made it look like the end of the world. It wasn't. We huffed and puffed, all was pretty solid and God bless our defence, it is now solid and has to be as we don't put away enough chances but on balance we were the only team really likely to get something out of the game.
2 points lost? Yes, it was at home v a relegation threatened side (hope not, they are a 'real' club like us I always think) with major injury worries but as we have no doubt seen countless times before, these things happen and football is a funny old game at the best of times, you never can look 'on paper' and really predict a result can you?
Star man: Either Ashley Young for being more alert than he has been for much of this season or Richard Dunne for being Richard Dunne basically!
Worst performer: The strikers didn't take their chances, that is what is costing us so many points. Harsh but fair I think.
Best moment: Having a nod and a smile from Gianfranco Zola after clapping him. That bloke WAS a genius on the pitch and is a perfect gent off it. Oh hang on, best moment of football? Glad I realised, I was about to go into detail of my pie (steak and kidney by the way). Errm.. well, Cuellar kicked the ball out with such gusto it nearly hit Robbie Savage square in the face whilst commentating, that was great to see! lol
Tactics: We huffed and puffed, we pushed and tried but just didn't get the ball in the net. The only criticism I have is why subs aren't used more to shake things up. Gabby missed a few chances today, he could have been brought off with 20 mins to go and let Nathan Delfouneso (watch out for this kid folks, the Villa have high hopes for him) have a run, what was there to lose?
Chant of the game: Average fan input from both sets of fans today I'm afraid. Not the most exciting game and not much action song wise.
Oppo fans: I seriously don't care that much, they came in good numbers as they usually do but ... bovvered?! Not really!
Jonathan Fear, http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk
------------------------------
BLACKBURN 2-0 Fulham
First win in ten league games - what a relief!
Fulham will count themselves unlucky because they played some good stuff but
failed to get past an alert Paul Robinson. Rovers certainly had the "rub of
the green". We played better a few weeks ago at Craven Cottage but lost 3-0.
That's football for ya!
Sam Allardyce made some changes by bringing in Martin Olsen and Steven Reid
to play wide midfield. This certainly created a lot more commitment and
impetus from the players even though the tactics were still the same!
The difference today was that Rovers scored first, so they weren't chasing
the game and it was very nice of "old boy" Damien Duff to help with the
goal.
Ryan Nelsen's goal after 52 minutes to make it 2-0 really settled the game
although he did look slightly offside - but who cares?
We didn't even give a penalty away even though Chris Samba tried very hard!
The stats of the match were certainly in Fulham's favour but Rovers' got the
important ones - three points, that's all that matters.
So what's next? Oh yes, a semi-final at Villa. Can we turn it around? A
clean sheet and two goals will do nicely.
Star man: Benni McCarthy - back to his old self. Was it because he's in the
shop window, or does Sam want him to stay?
Worst performer: Steven N'Zonzi - The "New Patrick Vieira" is looking more
like Patrick Moore at the moment. I think the young lad needs a rest.
Best moment: Damien Duff's superb lay-off to Chris Samba for Rovers' first
goal.
Tactics: Still 4-4-1-1 but the players seemed a bit more committed today,
which resulted in them getting forward a bit quicker in support.
Chant of the game: None really - the Rovers' fans were quite subdued.
Oppo fans: Came in a minibus and observed the 90 minutes silence impeccably.
Pete Anslow, http://www.4000holes.co.uk
------------------------------
------------------------------
BOLTON WANDERERS 0-2 Arsenal
(Awaiting report)
------------------------------
Man Utd 3-0 BURNLEY
The Clarets put on a truly impressive performance at Old Trafford against Manchester United yesterday but got no reward for their efforts with Sir Ferguson’s men flattered by their final 3-0 victory. Sir Alex himself said after the game that his side could have been embarrassed and they could have been had we put away one of our numerous chances at key times during this match. Burnley bravely kept United at bay in the first half and could have taken the lead had Fletcher done better with a golden opportunity early in the game. Brave defending kept United frustrated and it was goalless at half-time. Another chance went begging in the second-half for the Clarets, after United were caught out by a stunning attack that left Nugent clear with only Van Der Sar to beat. The on-loan striker from Portsmouth though put his shot agonisingly wide much to the relief of Sir Alex who nearly choked on his chewing gum. Sadly for the Clarets a few minutes later just past the hour mark we would find ourselves cruelly 2-0 behind after two goals in five minutes from first Berbatov and then Rooney. We bravely battled on but our bad luck continued when this time the woodwork got in the way. Thompson, who had been given his chance to impress the new gaffer after he replaced the injured Fletcher in the first half came close with an header with just 7 minutes remaining but the ball hit the post. Had that gone in it would have set up a tense finale but in the end it wasn’t to be and deep into stoppage time United got their third goal when Diouf headed home.
Brian Laws would have been delighted with our performance in this baptism of fire but disappointed that once again we did not take our chances.
Clarets fans though can be proud of our team yesterday when you consider the depth in quality not to mention the multi-million pound worth and high salaries of the United players. Not bad for a team capped on salaries of no more than £15k/week. Rooney’s £150,000/week equates to virtually our whole starting eleven put together! Yes, let us indeed be proud and let us once more take a look at that cowardly and totally unprofessional Mick McCarthy who decided to ‘chuck one in’ and field a weakened Wolves reserve side against the Red Devils at Old Trafford recently. Suck on that Mick! We may have lost but we tried with our best team possible and all our fans came away with lots of positives to discuss and their heads held high. A far cry from Wolves fans feeling cheated they had just wasted £40-£50 on a ticket to watch a bunch of fringe players.
Star man: This was a very good team performance despite the result, Both Steven Fletcher and David Nugent generally looked good and would have been rated higher had they not fluffed a couple of glorious chances to take the lead. Thompson also did well after coming on to replace the injured Fletcher in the first half and he was unlucky to hit the post with the score on 2-0.
Chris Eagles was on fire throughout the match and seemed to relish his return to Old Trafford. It was also good to hear the United fans applaud their former player off the pitch when he was substituted late on in the game. Probably the most noise they made all afternoon!
David Edgar also had an excellent debut in the centre of defence but his partner, Michael Duff was outstanding. Duffo is clearly determined to hold onto his position in the side with competition hotting up in the back four following news also that the Clarets appear to be looking for a new centre half. The club confirmed this week they had looked at bringing Sheffield United defender, Matthew Kilgallon to Turf Moor but were not prepared to break their wage structure to get him.
Michael Duff has taken advantage of his chance to impress following the injuries to Clarke Carlisle and Steven Caldwell and he has performed well in the centre of defence since getting back in the side. He thoroughly deserves to be Star man for his efforts at Old Trafford.
Worst performer: I don’t what it is about Wembley hero, Wade Elliott but once again he seemed to be chasing shadows and running into brick walls. Brian Laws may to take the brave decision to drop him if he continues in this disappointing vein.
Tactics: More of the same from Brian Laws who decided to play it safe after just four days in charge. He did tinker around with Nugent playing him more in the right of midfield and at times we seemed to be alternating between 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 even at one point maybe even 4-3-3 but really knowing our luck we would probably only have got a result had we played 1-10-0!
Chant of the game: The Clarets were in top form with some beauties!
We were in fine humorous voice with renditions of ‘We Support Our Local Team’, “We got more Cash than You” and “There’s only One Barry Kilby” Sadly they were probably lost on the prawn sandwich brigade but at least non-plastic proper football supporting fans would have appreciated the cutting edge cynicism and humour.
Oppo fans: We could hear them gromphing prawn sandwiches and could hear the sound of champagne corks popping but as for some proper noise, not from their church! Incredible how just under 3000 Clarets fans seemed to drown out nearly 72000 United ones such was our passion and pride and United fans indifference!
Best moment: Holding them for nearly 65 minutes and almost getting the lead at least twice whilst taking the game to ‘em!
‘Turfman’ Phil Lea, www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk
------------------------------
CHELSEA 7-2 Sunderland
I don’t really know what else I can say… Ridiculous? That hasn’t been mentioned yet, because really it was. A Chelsea team without Drogba and Essien, and with Terry and Ashley Cole limping off at half time puts seven past a Sunderland team that despite recent iffy form, have been one of the surprise packages of the season.
This season we’ve always created bucket loads of chances, but with the exception of Cup cannon-fodder and Blackburn at home, we haven’t turned our superiority into cold hard goals… until today.
13 shots on target, 7 went in. You can’t really argue with figures like that. Admittedly the Sunderland defence had less grit than the M27 (old joke now); Steed Malbranque’s inability to track back and help out made me think I have the stamina for a Premier League career. He seemed more interested in the odd Heathrow bound 747 that passes over the Bridge and identifying their tail-sign, no wonder Steve Bruce hauled him off at the interval.
Now on to the goals we scored. Honestly there were so many I’m struggling to remember them all. Anelka’s first involved some lovely one-touch build up and a great through ball from Michael Ballack, the second was all about Malouda; great to turn and run and the sort of finish that have been frustratingly rare from the Frenchmen. On a sidenote, anyone else notice Malouda seemed to hold up 7 fingers after scoring… spooky.
The third goal is the one that probably deserves the most column inches. Ashley Cole may be disliked for his attitude to just about everything; referees, money, his marriage and his insanely hot wife, but no one on the face on the footballing planet can dispute the class in that goal. I know Cole started out his career as a striker, but Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, you name it, would’ve been a bit chuffed to have plucked the ball out of the sky, turned inside the sliding defender and clipped the ball home with the outside of his boot the way Ash did. Comparisons have been made with Dennis Bergkamp’s goal against Leicester back in 1996, that might be about right.
A big nod to JT for the first time ball over the top. Not half bad for a slow defender who can’t get it on the floor and play it.
Chelsea fans had had their fix of euphoria by this point, had we known our side weren’t even halfway I imagine St John’s Ambulance would’ve been a lot busier dealing with cases of palpitations.
Lampard got himself two goals, both very well taken on the volley with right foot and head respectively, Anelka got another and Ballack scored the fifth with a perfect example of how easy it was for the hosts. The lack of marking was so bad it looked intentional, as if Martin Fulop had insisted on being tested and beaten from close range.
Poor Lorik Cana, filling in a centre half the Albanian just looked lost. It said it all when both he and his manager were caught glancing at the scoreboard at one point to see how long was left, to their dismay it read 34 mins.
In all this excitement I’ve forgotten Sunderland did scroce twice, and admittedly our defending was great either. Alex was miles away as Zenden fired home, and Da Silva was unmarked at the back post for Bent’s goal. Of course it was all relative by this point, but Ancelotti is Italian and therefore loves his defending, so I expect a few words will be exchanged on the training ground on Monday morning.
We had to wait near enough 3 weeks for a league game, it was worth the wait just doesn’t cover it, and Liverpool are getting worse. 2010 is looking good.
Star man: Messrs Ballack and Joe Cole must read these, I slated them against West Ham, but both were outstanding Cole unlucky not to get at least 2 goals. All the goal scorers were superb, as was Belletti.
Worst performer: You must be joking.
Best Moment: Ashley Cole’s goal hands down, that and the seventh going in, making it our highes scoring victory in the Premier League.
Tactics: Ancelotti went 4-3-3 in the absence of Drogba, and Malouda justified his inclusion over a second striker.
Oppo fans: It was at least an hour before I saw any leave, for that they deserve some credit.
Martyn Landi, www.cfc.net
------------------------------
EVERTON 2-0 Manchester City
Never before has an encounter between these two teams been so eagerly anticipated as Everton's grand old team took on Man City's ostentatious new money.
Since the takeover by .... City have been knocking about the Premier League like Bertie Big Bollocks and there has been a fair amount of ill-feeling between the two clubs since the whole Joleon Lescott saga in the summer.
And, thanks to ESPN, we were given that couple of hours extra - after watching Livepool's latest last minute collapse - to let the anticipation and antipathy build up.
Which meant that it was one of those evenings at Goodison when you just know, from the moment you step inside the ground, that the oppostion has got no chance.
And so it came to pass that Everton put on one of their best displays of the season to earn the most satisfying - and, potentially, the most routine - win of the campaign so far.
Everton brought in Sylvain Distin for Galatasaray-bound Lucas Neill and the biggest worry for the Blues was just how the defence would cope with Man City's dangerous looking frontline of Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and the in-form Carlos Tevez.
We needn't have worried!
Santa Cruz lasted just nine minutes before being replaced by Robinho and when the Brazilian blazed a good chance over the Gwladys Street crossbar it all but signalled the end of Man City's part in the match.
Up until that point City had started the brighter of the two teams and were passing the ball with all the confidence of a team that has won every match since the appointment of their new manager.
Speaking of which, Roberto Mancini has promised at least one new face at Man City this month...Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott are said to be fighting over it!
Anyway, Everton's first attack of any real note came after 20 minutes when Louis Saha released Landon Donovan down the right but the American's chipped effort drifted just wide of Shay Given's post.
It was Everton that then took control of the game, the five-man-midfield proving too much for Man City and the Blues were almost one up when Diniyar Bilyaletdinov blasted a shot towards goal that Given did well to tip over.
Everton finally made the breakthrough their play deserved thanks to a cheeky Steven Pienaar free kick after Pablo 'Honey' Zabaletta had fouled Louis Saha on the edge of the area.
Three Everton players stood around the ball and it looked for all the world that it was going to be floated into the box before being headed over by either Tim Cahill or Marouane Fellaini.
But Pienaar had picked his spot and curled the ball into the bottom corner of the goal as Shay Given desperately scrambled across to make the save.
One-nil, lovely stuff!
Everton continued to take the game to City and Bilyaletdinov, having his best game in an Everton shirt, saw another good effort go narrowly wide.
Then, just as we were about to make our way down for the rushed half time pint, Micah Richards pulled back Louis Saha as the Frenchman burst into the box to give Everton the chance to double their lead from the spot.
It was one of those fouls that are hardly ever given and you never, ever get a penalty for them, but it was the right decision and a good job well done by the linesman...even if City could argue that Richards started pullinng Saha's shirt outside the area.
So on the stroke of half time it was heart-in-mouth time as Saha stepped up to take a penalty with the memories of the spurned spot kick at Turf Moor still in mind.
The Frenchman made no mistakes this time though, blasting the penalty right down then middle.
Two nil, game over!
Everyone expected City to come out in the second half and make a game of it, reinvigorated by some half time smooth talking from Mancini.
But there was an air of defeatism around City and Everton remained in control for the rest of the match, the only thing missing was another goal that would have properly refelcted the Blues' overall dominance.
They did come close though as Marouane Fellaini, outstanding again, saw Given tip a header onto the bar and then Tim Cahill rattled the bar with another headed effort.
So Everton's good run of form rumbles on and, with Birmigham and Sunderland at home and Wigan away making up our next three fixtures, there's no reason why it can't continue.
Star man: Marouane Fellaini - Another outstanding display from the big Belgian topped off by a sublime piece of skill towards the end of the match that made a right tool out of Craig Bellamy, not difficult I know but...
Worst performer: again, no one had a bad game...who are people meant to heckle these days?!
Moment of the match: Fellaini executing the most cool-as-fuck tackle ever s he did some mad pirouette to drag the ball off Craig Bellamy's toe as the hunchbacked hitman raced forward.
Chant of the game: 'Grand old team' is our sugnature tune on evenings like this one and it was belted out all game!
Away fans: All silly scarves and denim trackies, the sight of a couple of thousand Paul Calfs is always a disturbing one! All that was missing was the inflatable bananas!
Les Roberts, www.everton-mad.co.uk
------------------------------
Blackburn Rovers 2-0 FULHAM
Our woes on the road, in the Premier League continue, game after game, season after season and decade after decade the band of travelling supporters have away-day after away-day misery heaped upon them.
Is it any wonder that loyal core is dwindling? Anyone prepared to count up the road-miles we generate between away wins?
For the trip to Blackburn optimism was high, Blackburn hadn’t won in the Premier League for ages, surely this would be a rare Fulham away victory, but no, yet more disappointment!
To make matters worse our growing injury list, already littered with the names of John Pantsil, Bobby Zamora, Simon Davies and Diomansy Kamara has two more illustrious names added to it in those of Paul Konchesky and Clint Dempsey, will whoever broke that mirror own up please.
And so to the game, if we have to!
Fulham bossed it but somehow contrived to concede a goal in each half. Christopher Samba netted the first, after Damien Duff had cleared off the line and his centre-back partner, Ryan Nelsen scored the second after the Fulham defence had gone absent following a free kick from Benni McCarthy.
In between those massive blips, Fulham had pushed the home side back with Paul Robinson making some fine saves. Even when he was beaten, courtesy of a magnificent overhead kick from Clint Dempsey, the crossbar came to his rescue.
Fair play to Rovers though, their defence held firm and they took what few opportunities came their way. They’ll play better and lose!
Star man: Clint Dempsey – Gave the Rovers defence all the trouble in the world and if that overhead kick had of gone in they’d be replaying it every ten minutes on Sky Sports! He may have only lasted just until past the hour mark but he was head and shoulders above the others.
Worst performer: Pass! We’re getting used to losing on our travels but I’ll not break ranks and add to anybodies misfortunes!
Best moment: When Clint Dempsey hit that overhead kick, I was sure it was going in!
Tactics: I don’t know what Roy Hodgson has to do to get another win on the road. The shape of the team was perfect, some of the individual performances were deserving of a win but, as usual on the road, it just wasn’t meant to be!
Chant of the game: Not sure anybody heard any of our chants!
Oppo fans: Strange bunch the Ewood lot, bit like going back in time with the sporadic chanting rather than the continual backing most home teams get!
Andrew Joyce, www.vitalfulham.co.uk
------------------------------
Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 HULL CITY
(Awaiting report)
------------------------------
Stoke City 1-1 LIVERPOOL
Well, another kick in the teeth for us. Late goals have cost us very, very dear this season. However, such is life - you play to the final whistle. We have enjoyed the other side countless times.
After the Reading game, us fans were looking for a little fight from our players and management. We got that on Saturday. As we all know, the team was decimated with injuries. Torres, Gerrard, Yossi and Johnson were all out. Aquilani is still feeling his way back to fitness and he played 120 mins on Wednesday and new signing, Maxi, isn't match fit either so was wasn't going to start. Riera won't be rushed back like the last time when his hamstring injury flared up again. We were down to the bare bones, which made Babel's omission from the squad even more telling. He can have no complaints after that performance on Wednesday though. Ryan has played his last game for Liverpool.
Our defence is one area where the injuries haven't affected us so much so it was unsurprising to see the likes of Aurelio played in advanced positions. It was also good to see Masch back. Stoke away is always going to be a long ball bombardment so our big Greek defender was a wise choice and he merited his selection with a solid game and scrappy goal.
The ref, Mason, hasn't been very kind to us this season and has been the wrong side (for us) on a couple of debateable decisions. Booking Lucas when it should have been a clear penalty is just the icing on the cake.
We conceded a late equaliser to "Mourinho's plan B", Robert Huth and very nearly won it ourselves with a late Kuyt header. Events elsewhere involving City, Spurs and Villa made it a chance missed as opposed to catastrophic.
With Spurs up on Wednesday, it is a chance to get closer to the top 4 and bridge the gap some more. It is a chance that we have to take in order to get our season back on track again.
Star man: Lucas – much maligned but improving all the time. Should have earned a penalty also.
Worst performer: First time I will say this, but ref. Need what it owed to us.
Best moment: The Rafa chants, we stick by our own.
Tactics: Tactics were fine and designed to cope with Stoke's alehouse football.
Chant of the game: Again, the Rafa chants.
Oppo fans: Always noisy at Stoke.
Keith, http://www.liverpool.vitalfootball.co.uk/
------------------------------
Everton 2-0 MAN CITY
The
honeymoon period is officially over as Roberto Mancini suffered his first
defeat as City manager. I have no complaints about the result; we were
comprehensively outplayed and outfought by Everton, even though both goals came
as a result of dubious decisions. After a relatively easy start, this was
Mancini’s first real test, facing an Everton side finding some form and with
City nursing an extensive injury list. Our weaknesses were clear for all to
see. Still, you can’t win them all and fortunately for us all our rivals for
that all important fourth spot also dropped points.
Star man: No one
played well.
Worst performer: Robinho.
It’s pretty damning when a substitute gets substituted.
Best moment: The first
60 seconds, where it was a fairly even contest.
Tactics: Roque Santa
Cruz shouldn’t have started, as he clearly wasn’t fit and is now out for a
month at a time when we need him. To then bring on Robinho, ahead of Benjani,
was a mistake. All in all, a bad day at the office for everyone at the club
Oppo fans: Impressive
atmosphere at Goodison, but the way they celebrated at the end you’d have
thought they’d won the European Cup.
Ric Turner, http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
------------------------------
MAN UTD 3-0 Burnley
Defeat to Leeds United in the FA Cup, followed by a disappointing draw at Birmingham City and much talk of financial meltdown added to the air nervousness at Old Trafford. It was an atmosphere that the visitors briefly threatened to take advantage of before three second half goals handed Manchester United a flattering 3-0 win over Burnley today.
Dimitar Berbatov, under pressure to finally deliver on his £31 million price-tag, scored one and created another as the Bulgarian proved the catalyst for United's victory over Brian Law's men. Sir Alex Ferguson will need his striker to keep up this form as he nurses the former-Tottenham Hotspur player through the rest of the season.
Yet the Bulgarian was guilty of wasting chances in an unimpressive opening half for the home side, which saw the return of Edwin van der Sar and Nani to the starting eleven.
Arguably Burnley made the most of the opening 45, with former United trainee Chris Eagles central to some of the visitors' best work. Indeed, the midfielder's superb break and pass created an opening for David Nugent who should have scored to give the Clarets the lead.
Earlier the former-Preston striker, on loan from Portsmouth this season, had created an opening for Steven Fletcher only for the Scot to slide his shot wide of goal with only van der Sar to beat.
While Berbatov was clearly affected by the knee injury that will need a summer operation, his teammates were out-of-sorts in a first period that brought plenty of possession for the home side but little real danger. On this evidence Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Nani will miss out on the trip to Eastlands for the Carling Cup semi-final next week.
On the hour United had the breakthrough, Berbatov collecting the ball to score with a deflected left-footed finish past Brian Jensen. Earlier the Bulgarian had superbly controlled the energetic Antonio Valencia's pass only to fire against the post.
Minutes later Wayne Rooney doubled United's advantage, taking his time to control and fire past the Burnley 'keeper after Berbatov's good work for the Scouser's 16th strike of the season.
United wrapped up the flattering win when Mame Biram Diouf nodded Valencia's long pass over Jensen and into the net in the final minute. The Senegalese striker's gymnastic celebration will live longer in the memory than United's tepid performance.
On the day that Chelsea scored an ominous seven at home to Sunderland, with key players absent at the African Cup of Nations, Ferguson's team needs its best players back. Fast.
Indeed, the solidity that van der Sar offers, despite Tomasz Kuszazk's outstanding recent form, is central to United's ambitions at home and abroad this season. And while Ferdinand did not start at Old Trafford, the England international's return to the heart of United's defence is now days and not weeks away.
United is clearly missing the creative spark in central midfield but any hope of a fourth Premier League title in a row is extinguished without Ferdinand and van der Sar.
Relief today, with much credit to Berbatov for a superb goal and assist, but Ferguson is unlikely to be happy until a full squad is at his disposal again once again.
Star man: Dimitar Berbatov hobbled through most of the match but proved to be the catalyst for victory in the second half
Worst performer: Gary Neville is showing his age and was at fault for some difficult moments for United in the first half
Best moment: Mame Biram Diouf's neat finish and acrobatic celebration on his home debut
Tactics: Back to 4-4-2 helped inject some urgency into United's play
Chant of the game: "We want Glazer out, we want Glazer out"
Oppo fans: Came in a minibus and observed the 90 minutes silence impeccably.
Ed Barker, www.unitedrant.co.uk
------------------------------
STOKE CITY 1-1 Liverpool
In a game bereft of much goal mouth action it took a mistake from
Potters keeper Thomas Sorenson to open the scoring, unfortunately it
was the only chance they had and came from a debatable free kick taken
from the wrong position. Two early injuries forced a change of
personnel and style but it wasn't until Fuller came on that we got the
ball down and played how we should of against that defence. The late
pressure told as a great Etherington corner was nodded across by
Higginbotham and Huth tapped in for the winner. Kuyt hit the post late
on as Liverpool screamed for a penalty, they were denied a good shout
in the first half, and Stoke went close as they closed it out on top
against the weakest Liverpool team I have EVER seen. N'gog giving quite
possibly the worst performance by an opposition striker ever at the
Brit, considering we had four years in what is now League One thats an
impressive statement.
Star man: Ricardo Fuller. Turned the game when he came on. Only played
the last half an hour but was at the fore front of everything we
created at the death, the only way he was stopped was by foul play and
it was a shame he didn't start and we try and play through them
Worst performer: Mama Sidibe. Was very poor. Hardly got on the end of
anything, mistimed numerous jumps and thenm second half seemed to get
in the way of Tuncay and Etherington, doing the job better than any
Liverpool defender.
Best moment: Robert Huth's late equaliser. Great corner, good knock
back and poacher's tap in by the big German. Sent the place wild
Tactics: Set up to contain more than break down and it was
disappointing that we tried to beat Skrtel and Kyriagiakos in the air
rather than using Tuncay's ability on the deck and played Ric alongside
him. Caused a lot more problems when the Jamaican came on and we should
have done this from the start
Chant of the game: 'You're not famous anymore!' Too true as it was a
shock just how bad this Liverpool team is
Oppo fans: Started well with great rendition of YNWA but then went
quiet until their goal. Noisy for a few minutes after but seemed very
tense, as expected, for most of the game
Dan Buxton,www.stokecity-mad.co.uk
------------------------------
Chelsea 7-2 SUNDERLAND
(Awaiting report, quelle surprise)
------------------------------
TOTTENHAM 0-0 Hull City
On another day, 4-0 to Spurs, maybe more. What can you say? Their goalie had a blinder, probably the game of his life. We chalked up eighteen shots on target, but Boaz Myhill was there again, and again, and again...
It is apparently another grievous blow to our hopes of finishing fourth this season; it also apparently proves that these smaller clubs – the “have-nots” in this sprawling epic known as the Premiership – have got Spurs sussed (we’ve been robbed by Stoke and Wolves at the Lane already this season). I have to agree with Harry on this. If Hull City’s game plan was that their goalkeeper would have to make half a dozen world class saves, then yeah, we’ve been sussed and the plan was perfect.
Hull, and Boaz Myhill in particular, are getting all the plaudits, but since no-one else is going to, and since I have the platform, I’m going to sing the praises of the team that deserved three points out of this game.
After a slow start, made slower right from the beginning by Hull’s time-wasting tactics, Spurs gradually began to impose our brand of free flowing, vibrant football on this game. We missed the lacerating speed of Aaron Lennon, but even so, Hull were struggling to stay in the game, and chances began to flow regularly. Myhill served notice of the heroics to come with what seemed like a miraculous double save from Wilson Palacios and Robbie Keane. The boos and jeers that had been ringing in Myhill’s ears in recognition of his sedate approach to preparing his restarts were replaced by applause from the home fans. It was a fantastic piece of goalkeeping.
Jermain Defoe’s weak finish before the break allowed Myhill to look good again. Keane should have scored in the second half. Myhill had palmed away a drive by Luka Modric, and Keane was there, with probably seven eighths of the goal at his mercy. He chose the one eighth that the prone Myhill could hope to cover. Even so, it was another remarkable reaction save. The disbelieving keening sound that arose from the Spurs crowd would not have been music to Keano’s ears. He threw his arms up, as if to say: “What can you do about goalkeeping like that?” Well, you can kick the ball quite hard towards a part of the goal where the goalkeeper has absolutely no bloody chance...
There is a gathering storm here. Sections of the Spurs crowd have never, and probably will never, forgive Robbie Keane for leaving Spurs for Liverpool a year and a half ago. Forgiveness isn’t something that many Spurs supporters do well. It isn’t helping Keane at the moment. He isn’t the player he was; a little bit of magic dust has been lost, it seems. I think he knows that and he hears the crowd’s displeasure. He doesn’t always help himself either though. This was a chance he had to bury.
Anyway, we continued to dismantle the Hull City defence with relentless pressure. Jenas came on to add a driving presence in midfield. Crouch replaced a crestfallen Keane. With Three Metre Peter on, there was more long ball stuff now, but it kept working, and Hull were working overtime to plug the gaps. And of course, there was that goalkeeper to get past. Hull had one sight of goal, but Spurs old boy Nick Barmby hit the side netting. Barmby, by the way, received very generous applause from the Spurs fans when he was later substituted; we’re always maligned by other clubs’ fans as fickle down at the Lane. It is never that black and white.
Six minutes of injury time was some recompense for Hull’s constant time wasting. It came and went though with more chances spurned. Crouch should have won the game with a late point blank header; again it was too close to Myhill. Frustration at the final whistle, but it would be churlish to criticise too much. If we keep playing like that we’ll have no worries.
When Wolves won here the other month, Mick McCarthy changed 10 of the team for the next fixture at Manchester United. Apparently, the poor poppets had put so much into stealing that one from us that they couldn’t play again that week, and Mick wanted to keep them for a game he thought they could win. Guess who Hull City play next....
Star man: Gareth Bale impressed again tanking up and down the left.
Best moment: A whole host of almost great moments, until a certain Mr Myhill intervened!
Tactics: 4-4-2 with Modric on the right in place of the injured Lennon; Defoe and Keane up front
Chant of the game: Brutally immature I know, but.... “Stephen Hunt, you’re a c***” ....Unfortunately nobody thought to serenade the Dawson brothers with a chorus of “We all agree, that Michael is better than Andy...”
Oppo fans: They made some noise, but I couldn’t understand a word of it to be honest!
Andy Knaggs, www.spurs-web.com and www.thfctalk.com
------------------------------
Aston Villa 0-0 WEST HAM
I felt positive coming into this game because I'd watched Villa beat Blackburn on Thursday in a very physical game. We, on the other hand, didn’t play last weekend because of the big freeze. Back came Scott Parker, Jack Collison and Mark Noble. I really thought we were in with a good shout.
Villa showed signs of fatigue early on, but Gabriel Agbonlahor was clearly their key danger man. In our attack we had Frank Nouble, making his first Premier League start, who once again showed great promise and strength.
There was little notable action in the opening half-an-hour. I began to chat to the lads next to me (both Villa fans) about their chances of finishing in the Champions League places, wich just shows how riveting the game was!
Nouble broke past Petrov but was dispossessed on the edge of the Villa box. Then a great through ball from Downing put Villa on the attack but a great save from Green prevented Agbonlahor getting the opener. The sides were evenly matched and although I am biased, West Ham did not look like a side in a relegation battle.
The remaining 20 minutes of the half illustrated just how much James Tomkins has grown this season. He looked composed and sharp when dealing with the tricky Ashley Young. My new Villa-supporting pals complimented me on Rob Green, whilst Villa's Brad Friedel had hardly been troubled in the opening 45 minutes. The sides were level at the break...
We expected the home side to come out guns blazing and they did not disappoint. The first 10 minutes of the half was all Villa, who won a series of corner kicks that we coped with comfortably enough - although we just couldn't get out of our own half. We were riding our luck by the time ex-Hammer James Collins missed a sitter.
For our part Valon Behrami and Parker continued to play a strong role in midfield. In the 60th minute I thought the game was up when sub John Carew chipped the ball over Green who could only parry Downing's initial shot. Fortunately for us, the 'goal' is ruled out for offside.
Diamanti entered the fray as replacement for the ailing Parker who looked like he had picked up a knock. A bit of trickery from the Italian perhaps?
The trouble with Diamanti is that he seems to do brilliant things one moment - and daft things the next. Today however he seemed to be in his brilliant mood, linking up well with Nouble and Junior Stanislas who had replaced Radoslav Kovac. ianfranco Zola probably thought that Kovac was running the risk of being sent off following his first half booking, so it was wise to withdraw him first.
As Villa tired in the final 15 minutes we had more than our fair share of chances to win the game.Perhaps a draw was a fair result - but for us, wins are now vital to move us closer to safety.
Star man today goes to Frank Nouble; ok, he lacks the killer finish we desperately need - but he gives his all to the cause and works for the team.
Overall it was a solid display by a decent West Ham team but we need a proven striker so badly it just isn’t funny anymore. We need all three points from the forthcoming trip to Pompey, we just have to ask 'who is going to get the goals though?'
Hammer John, www.kumb.com
------------------------------
WOLVES 0-2 Wigan
(Awaiting report)
------------------------------
Wolves 0-2 WIGAN
Our last victory against Hull City in the third round of the F.A. Cup was inspired by a number of fringe players who came into the first eleven. In the days leading upto our next league encounter, supporters were curious to see who, if anyone, Martinez would give a chance in the first team.
The answer was to be James McCarthy. The energetic midfielder was on the scoresheet against Hull City and started the game out wide. Scott Sinclair, also on the scoresheet against Hull was unfortunate to miss out and surely deserves more first team chances.
However, back to Moleneux and a very important three points for the Latics who have now inched away from the relegation zone with a game against Bolton Wanderers in hand.
Fresh from his arrival from Celtic, Gary Caldwell slotted into the centre of defence alongside Titus Bramble. The Scotish international took the place of Emmerson Boyce to add organisational qualities to the heart of the Latics defence.
Momo Diame also came back into midfield to continue his dominance with Hendry Thomas, whilst Jason Scotland has paid the price for his lack of goals, making do with a place on the bench.
As ever the Latics dominated possession and there are suggestions that as the team get used to the Martinez ethos, the performances could also improve in hte second half of the season.
This performance certainly goes down as one of the better that the Latics have employed this season. In a similar way to the Hull City FA Cup victory, the Latics seemed to have that extra bit of quality that was the telling difference.
Martinez now has a problem. Hopefully with the continued January additions this problem will only grow. He now has a first team that is no longer cobbled together of the only players who could possibly employ the system. Rather he now has a squad of players from whom any number are capable of a first team birth. A luxury for the Latics boss that should make the second half of the season much easier.
Star man: Gary Caldwell. It was a close run thing with James McCarthy but both players added some much need freshness to the Wigan team. In particular, Caldwell's organisation of the backline was very important. He looks like he could be a tidy bit of business by Martinez.
Worst performer: Hendry Thomas. Sawdust for brains is the only way you can describe the lunge that earned his second yellow card. Never one to shy away or shirk a tackle, Thomas cannot be faulted for effort, but a little bit of thought would have seen him complete ninety minutes.
Best moment: James McCarthy scoring in his first Premier league start to give the Latics the lead. A well taken finish from inside the area after Hahnemann spilled Rodallega's effort.
This was closely followed by Charles N'Zogbia celebrating his goal with the Wigan fans. Perhaps a telling sign that the Frenchman does not want to the leave the DW Stadium?
Tactics: Martinez seemed to have the tactics spot on with the Latics being much the better side for long periods of the game. The defence was also much more organised and managed a clean sheet which was very pleasing. A good day all round really.
Oppo fans: A cracking atmosphere that will go a long way to help the Wolves maintain their top flight status. They are certainly a bonus to the league and should have enough to stay up.
Paul Farrington, http://www.WIGANER.net
------------------------------
MORE FEATURES
Bookmark this post with: