Stoke City 1 ARSENAL 3
It's a huge shame in more ways in one that it is difficult to write about the footballing elements of Saturday's match with Stoke. A 1-3 victory away at a team who have become our bogey side over the last 18 months after going a goal down and losing a player to serious injury should be lauded as an archetype of triumph in the face of adversity, but the only image imprinted of any of our minds this morning is that of Aaron Ramsey writhing in agony on the Britannia Stadium turf.
Ryan Shawcross is English and predictably was defended to the hilt in all corners of the third estate yesterday and this morning as being a 'nice lad' and how he 'isn't that sort of player' (incidentally, who IS that kind of player? Nobody seems to know as whenever this kind of thing happens the players are ALWAYS defended. Even serial scumbag Chris Morgan at Sheffield United). Aaron Ramsey has been lauded as highly as 'the next Zidane' in some quarters. One will represent his country on Wednesday and will be playing Club football again within 3 weeks. The other may not walk properly again.
I could go on and on about the injustice of it all, how the punishment does not fit the crime and how it would be far more preferable for the FA to issue punishments on a Monday morning, examining each case on its merits, rather than hiding behind the curtain of the mandatory three-match ban, which will be issued regardless of whether you commit or GBH or call a referee a 'c*nt', but that has been dealt with elsewhere by a thousand different commentators and besy summarised by the ever-brilliant Arseblog. So I shall instead try to focus exclusively on the game itself.
Arsenal are as about as good with crosses as Dracula and were behind to a Delap-idator thrown-in as early as the seventh minute (at least we survivied 6 minutes longer than the FA Cup tie) when Danny Pugh was given the freedom of Staffordshire to knock in unguarded at the far post, and Manuel Almunia kept up his outstanding record of conceding to the first shot on target.
However, this Arsenal side are growing up and rather than buckle, shrink and hideaway, or give up (a charge that could easily have been levelled at this group of players as little as three months ago), we saw grit, character, team spirit and a real determination to get three points out of this gameand continue to knock on Chelsea's door. The sight of Gael Clichy knocking whichever Championship-belonging-no-mark that was playing on the right for Stoke on Saturday a good 10 yards when challenging for a header in the air was a welcome one. Arsenal's doggedness was rewarded just after the half-hour mark when a Cesc Fabregas cross from the right was meant by Nicklas Bendtner who equalised with a header reminiscent of those Wayne Rooney has received total adoration for recently.
The next hour saw Arsenal take control of the game completely, with Eboue and Fabregas stinging Thomas Sorenson's hands on several occasions. However, the game was turned on it's head in the 65th minute when Ryan Shawcross's first touch went farther than most people can kick the thing, Aaron Ramsey nicked the ball away from him, and Shawcross's 'attempt' to get 'the ball' meant an ankle-high assault that broke the Welshman's fibula and tibia. The red card followed instantly and Shawcross left the field in tears. Whilst I am sure he is remorseful, it would be nice if one journalist had the balls to ask managers like Pulis, Allardyce etc if, when up against teams who are in any way superior to their own, they specifically instruct their players to go out and kick / hurt the opposition.
From there, Arsenal could have gone one of two ways - the way of Birmingham '08, when Gael Clichy inexplicably felled a Birmingham attacker for a last minute penalty, and Captain Gallas had his on-pitch tatrum for the World to see, or they could dig in and 'do it for Aaron'. They chose the second. After an initial 10 minutes of surreal non-football from both sides (two players were physically ill on the pitch and Stoke too didn't seem to know how best to proceed), Arsenal again laid seige on Stoke's goal and Eduardo missed a gilt-edged opportunity to score the winner, poking wide from Alex Song's inch-perfect through-ball.
The die was cast in the final minute of normal time, though, when Nicklas Bendtner shot at goal only for the ball to strike the outstretched arm of Pugh and Peter Walton blew for a definite penalty. Cesc Fabregas, with cojones the size of melons, stepped up and placed the ball beyond the outstretched arm of Sorenson (after having missed against the same 'keeper in the reverse fixture earlier this season) to win the game for Arsenal. Victory was further hammered home a minute later when Rosicky's shot was palmed out into the path of Fabregas who squared for Thomas Vermaelen (the League's top-scoring defender) to make it 3.
Going into the game, there was a feeling amongst the Arsenal supporter base that this was THE game that would mark our season, and the result and performance were beyond encouraging, setting us up nicely for the final ten games. But it came at a price, and I would rather have lost the game and Aaron Ramsey still be walking today than have paid such a big price for our three points. It might well be a cliche, but I hope the team can use this incident as a springboard, a further reason to give all they possibly can and bring the Title back to N5. Come on, Boys - let's do this one for Aaron.
Star man: When Cesc Fabregas was named as Arsenal Captain after the light of the William Gallas debacle, the more cynical suggested it was a Wengerian ploy to ensure his prized asset didn't upsticks to Barcelona for at least another 3 or 4 years. But Saturday proved that Fabregas is a born leader. Whereas Gallas crumbled after Eduardo was left with one and a half legs by Martin Taylor in 2008, Fabregas grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck and with sheer bloody-mindedness would not let this game go by without taking three points from it. He was exceptional, at the heart of everything good that we did, and by stepping up and slotting the winning penalty past Sorenson, he showed guts and character that some may previously have questioned.
Worst performer: Ryan Shawcross. Claims that he is a nice guy fall on deaf ears here, sadly. The guy has previous as shown below, so I urge Mr. Pulis to think before opening his mouth in future.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1083214/Arsenal-striker-Adebayor-ruled-weeks-Stoke-clash.html
http://content.thisis.co.uk/sentinel07/homepage/ad_panel/sentinel_backpage.pdf
Best moment: Nicklas Bendtner is going to be a World-Class Player at the age of 28. Call me stupid, but I think the guy has so much talent and potential it isn't fair on those around him. Wayne Rooney has been rightly celebrated recently as a brilliant header of the ball, but Bendtner's goal on Saturday was just as good as anything the Grandmother-fucker has produced recently. With defenders in front of and behind him, and still on the penalty spot, a goal seemed out of the question. But he rose like a salmon and sent the ball back from whence it came, looping into the only spot of the goal Sorenson had failed to cover. A brilliant goal.
Tactics: The manager elected to start Eboue on the right side of attack instead of Walcott, Rosicky or Eduardo, which shows he either didn't fancy this all that much, or that he doesn't trust in those players as much as the fans (or in the case of Walcott, Fabio Capello) do.
Chant of the game: The entire ground singing 'One Aaron Ramsey' as he was stretchered off was a sign that somethigns transcend football tribalism, and credit to both sets of fans for that.
Oppo fans: Make your own mind up. Outside the ground after the game, there were crowds singing 'One Leg, He's Only Got One Leg!' and there is a thread on the 'Oatcake' fanzine forum calling for Shawcross's red card to be rescinded and given to Ramsey.
David Oudôt, http://www.onlinegooner.com and http://taxloser.blogspot.com
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BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 - 0 Wigan
This game was notable for two things, a dodgy penalty and a viscous cowardly attack on the linesman by the corner flag.
Let’s start with the first incident and I’m going to come straight out and say that after watching it on Match of the Day it was not a penalty. Our player dived and fooled the referee. See Liverpool fans, we can admit it when our players dive… The one-nil lead was deserved though as we dominated most of the first half and had a number of good chances. Wigan flooded the midfield and came to play only on the counter attack which didn’t lead to an exciting game.
The second half was pretty dull with Blues content to hang on to one goal advantage. I found out earlier in the day that the club shop gives a discount of 5% if we win by one goal, 10% if by two and so on. This year we have never one by more than one goal. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Obviously merchandising revenue is more important than our goal difference! The game was held up for five minutes after a tackle by Liam Ridgewell led to the corner flag striking the referee’s assistant in the forehead drawing blood. The poor linesman had to be stretchered off and replaced by Steve Bennett. Shame it wasn’t the other way around, I can’t stand Steve Bennett! Ridgewell got booked but the corner flag escaped without even a talking to which seemed unfair.
Three points is three points however they come and we have already achieved our forty point target and it’s not even March yet. Now on to the cup.
Star Man: Nobody really stood out but I thought Stephen Carr did well.
Worst performer: Keith Fahey for diving.
Best Moment: Not many to choose from. Possibly the moment when the Wigan player attempted an overhead kick and ended up on the floor in a heap and the ball in row Z.
Tactics: Same team, same tactics as before. It may be time to try something new.
Oppo fans: The most remarkable thing about them was that afterwards they left in five coaches. They must have had two seats each.
Mike, www.joysandsorrows.co.uk
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Liverpool 2 -1 BLACKBURN ROVERS
The scoreline shows that Liverpool edged this game but Rovers will wonder how they didn’t come away with at least a point. Rovers had EIGHT shots on target to Liverpool’s three, but they couldn’t finish – a familiar story.
Gerrard opened the scoring on 20 minutes, a bit lucky to control the ball but the chip over Robinson was class.
Rovers deservedly equalised on 41 when Carragher handled the ball while he was on the floor and the ref gave us a penalty! A penalty for the away side in front of the Kop? Wonders never cease!
Keith Andrews picked the ball up and I shat myself, but “Keef” slid the ball under the diving Reina, 1-1.
Just before half-time Liverpool went in front. Torres couldn’t miss after Gael Givet left him all alone and Paul Robinson went missing.
In the second half, Robinson was almost redundant as Rovers pressed for a deserved equaliser which nearly arrived in the last minute, but Pepe Reina produced a world class save to deny Chris Samba.
A good performance today, but I feel that it will get overshadowed by the media and Rafa claiming that we are over physical and just a bunch of Blackburn thugs. His post match interview was child-like and embarrassing, which is a shame because I used to like the guy.
So come on Villa, Spurs or City – anyone but Liverpool for the fourth spot.
Star Man: Chris Samba – back from suspension and was immense. Unlucky not to equalise in the last minute.
Worst performer: Gael Givet – He has been outstanding recently but his poor defensive header and lack of covering which led to the second goal cost us the game.
Best moment: Getting back to my car and finding that all four wheels were still on it.
Tactics: 4-5-1 to start then Roberts came on with 25 minutes to go and Rovers switched to 4-4-2. Liverpool didn’t get a look in after that, it was all Rovers.
Chant of the game: “Champions League – you’re having a laugh, Champions League – you’re having a laugh!”
Oppo fans: Quite subdued today, but the stewards were great, especially on the way out, smiling and giving hugs to everybody! Were they gay or just happy that they’d won?
Pete Anslow, www.4000holes.co.uk
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BURNLEY 1-2 Portsmouth
Ooh er missus, Frankie Howard will be turning in his grave after seeing his ‘Up Pompeii ‘comedy series take on a new twist at Turf Moor on Saturday.
As the walls of Fortress Turf Moor crumbled, it soon became evident the whole stronghold had been built on sand after bottom club, Portsmouth, now in administration and simply playing for pride somehow beat the Clarets 2-1.
This was a day which can only be described as a Comedy of Errors! Who would have predicted last August when we beat Manchester United and Everton at home that we would go on to lose against Pompey, a club that has now completed the double over us this season? The sad thing for Portsmouth is that they would now be just four points behind the Clarets but for the nine-point deduction that is about to hit them for going into administration. The way we played yesterday, I could have seen Portsmouth catching us!
This indeed was a comedy, but a tragic one for Clarets fans and a disaster in terms of trying to avoid relegation. It gives me no pleasure to say this but I just felt all along we would come unstuck in this match and play like a set of plonkers! You always know when the Clarets are going to let you down, and make no mistake about it they did that in style on Saturday. This defeat hurts so much, especially with Bolton winning as well and it is difficult not to apportion blame from the Board down for the predicament we now find ourselves in, second from bottom, losing ground and with Arsenal at the Emirates next up!
This tragic script began in my opinion with a bizarre and totally incomprehensible team selection by Brian Laws. Where is the logic in dropping our best midfielder by far in our last game against Villa (Jack Cork) and replacing him by a player that is in terrible form and has failed to deliver the goods now in well over ten games (Wade Elliott)? Surely Laws could see that considering Elliott came on as a sub only last Sunday against Villa and failed to shine yet again?
Then we have Chris Eagles on the bench, another player that did reasonably well against Villa and one who can turn games round.
Even with those changes though there is no excuse for what happened next and really you have to blame Clarke Carlisle for most of our woes. Carlisle in the absence of injured club captain, Steven Caldwell and deputy, Graham Alexander has been given the captain’s armband, he therefore has to carry the can if the team fail to gel, are tactically inept, and make error after error! The trouble is he couldn’t lead by example because quite frankly he was not at the races and was directly responsible for giving away two penalties in the second-half, the first of which Pompey thankfully missed after Jensen saved.
The second penalty though was an absolute howler and no doubt Frankie Howard from upon high would have been shouting, ’Woe, Woe, and Thrice Woe!’
Thrice? Well yes he was also at fault for Pompey’s earlier first goal and should have been more alert to the danger posed by Piquionne who got in behind him to tap home after 25 minutes.
What worried me most about this disaster was not so much the result but the manner of the defeat. The team just doesn’t seem to have the passion it once had and their heads soon seem to drop. They look clueless in so many departments, defensively naive and inept in midfield. Everybody knows one of Pompey’s best players is O’Hara on loan from Spurs. I lost count of the number of times I saw the lad in acres of space in midfield mounting yet another dangerous attack. Where were Bikey and McDonald? Not tracking back as usual and watching the game unfold towards our end from Pompey’s half whilst playing ‘I spy something beginning with G’. That would be goal to them then?
There was just one bright spot for Clarets fans and that was the magical equalising goal on 31 minutes from Martin Paterson who was making his first start since returning from a long lay-off after recovering from a torn cartilage. His awareness and crafty hooked lob caught James out to make the score 1-1. I would have liked to have said that at least the attack were trying hard and were on the ball but even then Fletcher missed a glorious chance to score with an header with the ball somehow going hopelessly high over the bar. Fletcher may be our top scorer but boy has he fluffed some attempts this season!
There is though something seriously wrong with the team at the moment, they are just not gelling and far too many individuals are off form or under par. They are struggling and their body language speaks volumes. It is a frustrating and worrying time at the club for all concerned and I feel for Brian Laws who seems incapable both tactically and motivationally to inspire these players to perform to the standards required in the top flight. Of course we are not doomed yet and we can still survive but not without some significant improvements in our team performance. It is now also more crucial than ever that we begin to pick up some points on the road but just at present I am not in the mood for being positive with Arsenal next up at the Emirates on Saturday!
Star man: There could only be really one recipient of this award after that grim performance. Martin Paterson scored a stunning goal and was chomping at the bit all afternoon. He looked distraught and angry when Pompey were awarded the second penalty and who could blame him after such a pathetic blunder by Carlisle? In all honesty Pato was the only one who seemed to be trying consistently hard enough throughout the game and he thoroughly deserved to be given the fans texted Man of the Match award.
Worst performer: No contest unless it’s Countdown! Clarke Carlisle wins by a country mile and he must want the world to come and swallow him up at the moment! Here you go Clarke can you get an eight letter word from this jumbled up set of letters? LOBSLOCK
For those neutral fans who don’t know what the hell I am on about, Clarke Carlisle last week fulfilled a dream of playing on Jeff Stelling’s Countdown TV quiz on Channel 4 and won two rounds! I think he chucked the third one in after Laws asked him to stop messing about and return to training! He may as well have won!
Tactics: Don’t make me laugh. Laws wants’ shooting for that inept performance and team selection
Chant of the game: ‘I want my mummy! ‘Yeah OK I lied we didn’t sing that, in fact we didn’t sing anything. We were so embarrassed and scared we all metaphorically hid behind the sofa and whimpered!
Oppo fans: I was expecting far more Pompey fans to turn up and make some noise. Bet more of them wished they had now since ‘Play up Pompey’ (or was it Pay up?) was about all they sung or needed to! Clarets fans though were also thinking Up Pompey, but had more in mind the comedy series by Frankie Howard (yeah OK spelt Pompeii). Ooh er missus, woe, woe and thrice woe!!
Best Moment: Paterson’s goal helped, nothing else did!
‘Turfman’ Phil Lea, www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk
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CHELSEA 2 - 4 Man City
What the hell was that?! And I’m not just referring to Wayne Bridge not shaking JT’s hand… more the awful spectacle that followed over the next 90 minutes, the first 42 of which were the worst I’ve seen this season. I was actually bored, but I suppose with 2 Italians in charge what did I expect? Plenty in the end…
First thing's first, I think City are a shite team. Yes, they have pace on the break and that’s helpful when 3 of the opposition's defenders turn slower than milk, but beyond that they offer little and that was the case today. The defence punt it forward in the hope Bellamy or Tevez or Wright-Phillips will chase after it.
Not one of City’s goals today was their own making; the first was down to the circus act that is John Obi Mikel, the Jeremy Kyle guest that is John Terry and the court jester that is Hilario. Tevez, the benefactor in all this, would probably be the ugly duckling… The time it took his ‘effort’ to trickle in was beyond painful, and you heard the sharp intake of breathe around Stamford Bridge, like me, I think we felt it could turn into one of those days.
The second was a similar scenario, we lost the ball cheaply and Mikel didn’t give Bellamy much of a fight as he fired home.
As for the penalty, if that constitutes a foul then the Premier League would be 7-a-side most weeks. Fat, overrated (not bitter) Gareth Barry went down so quickly I can only assume a discarded pie was laying in the Chelsea penalty area, because it couldn’t have been Belletti breathing on him as he chased back.
Belletti off, Tevez scores, game over.
City could then strut around as if they had planned all this, when their play for the entire game had suggested a heavy night in Manchester to celebrate escaping with a point.
Michael Ballack then chipped in, or rather dived in with his only contribution for the day with a lunge on Tevez so calculated I’m not going to even bother defending it.
Ok, I’ll try; the German was becoming increasingly frustrated, as we all were, with the performance of Mike Dean, who let's say didn’t have the best of games. (Please read as ‘God awful’.)
I’d like to think that for the fourth goal SWP didn’t have the heart to score himself, which is what led him to squaring it to a man he doesn’t deal much with what we humans call ‘emotions’, Mr Bellamy again.
Admittedly this is a pretty weak argument considering the Chelsea fans had spent the entire game booing Shaun’s mate just because he didn’t shake the hand of the man who (allegedly: really?!) had it off with his ex girlfriend. What a wan… oh.
Book ending this mayhem were two more goals for Frank Lampard, good for those of you with him in your fantasy football team, unless of course, like me, you also have Terry and Ivanovic.
Perhaps this would’ve been a closer game were it not for Shay Given’s annoying habit of saving everything. Drogba and Anelka both had chance but were well denied, as was Joe Cole in the first half.
That’s about as positive as I can be, and with Arsenal now within striking distance let's hope this game serves as a wake-up call for Ancelotti, who now has real selection problems with suspensions to add to injuries.
Star man: Err, pass. Actually, I wish we’d done more of that.
Worst performer: Michael Ballack. The only meaningful thing he tried to do today was snap Carlos Tevez in two and he failed, and didn’t even get a straight red. Backed up by Hilario for showing us that that the fat bloke in the pub who always says I could be a footballer is actually right.
Best moment: Does finally being able to leave count? No, I shall combine this was Best Chant. The shout of “he’s gonna cry in a minute” directed at Bridgey. Bit harsh. Oh, and the crossbar challenge that took place at half time, anyone else who witnessed it will know what I mean…
Tactics: Too narrow, and poor passing. We handed City three points and they bit our hands off.
Oppo Fans: Only had the ‘kiddie’ allocation, which was a shame for is a noisy of supporters. Obviously today was no exception.
Martyn Landi, www.cfc.net
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Tottenham 2 – 1 EVERTON
If there's one match that will sum up Everton's 2009/10 season then it'll be this one... a bad first half, a decent second half but, ultimately, some missed chances have cost us!
Instead of keeping the memory of last week's win against Man United in their minds, Everton went into this one with their heads still down from the awful result in Lisbon in midweek and didn't really get started until it was too late.
After a scrappy opening ten minutes Tottenham swept forward to open the scoring with one of those goals that had a depressing inevitibilty about it.
As soon as Jermain Defoe picked the ball up out on the right you just knew Spurs were going one-nil up and so it proved as Defoe hit a cross-shot (Christ knows what it was!) across the box and Roman Pavlyuchenko ran in unmarked at the far post to slot home.
For fuck's sake Everton!
The goal seemd to wake the Blues up a little and they started to ask a few more questions of the Spurs defence and Heurelho Gomes looked like he was the most likely route to an Everton goal.
The Brazilian 'keeper - you always get the feeling that they must've been really shit at football to get thrown in goal in Brazil - made a couple of his trademark howlers, most notably at a Mikel Arteta corner, but the Blues didn't capitalise and, predictably, it was Tottenham that got the next goal.
Luka Modric worked himself into space on the edge of the Everton box and then curled a great effort over Tim Howard to double Tottenham's lead.
The weird-headed get!
Tottenham then took control of the game and were looking for a third to tie things up before half time but, despite being absent for the best part of the game, Everton should have halved the deficit just before half time.
Victor Anichebe fed a great ball to Phil Neville down the right and the Everton captain swung a great ball into the box but Jack Rodwell couldn't direct a free header on target and the chance went begging.
David Moyes took the ineffective Leon Osman off at half time - he ran the show against United but couldn't get going in this one - and replaced him with Phil Jagielka.
This pushed John Heitinga into the defensive midfield position and allowed Jack Rodwell to press forward and it proved to be a good move by the Everton manager as the difference in the second half performance was actually quite staggering.
Instead of letting Spurs play, like in the first half, Everton were now closing down quickly and, when in possession, making the home side chase shadows.
And the Blues change in play, coupled with Tom Huddlestone going off injured, swung the game in the away side's favour and it wasn't long before Tottenham's lead was cut.
Inevitibly, the goal came as Gomes dropped a bollock again - well, he dropped the ball - from an Everton corner and Yakubu was Johnny-on-the-spot, whatever that means, to tap in from close range.
Everton could have equalised moments later through Jack Rodwell but the youngster's shot was too close to the Tottenham 'keeper and he managed to keep hold of the hot potato this time.
Tottenham were being pressed back by the Blues and were resorting to counter attacking but it was Everton that were dictating the play and Steven Pienaar was the next Everton player to fashion a good chance.
Wilson Palacios gave the ball to the South African who raced forward, smoked past Michael Dawson and hit a low shot that Gomes gathered well.
Everton were battering Tottenham in spells, but Spurs always looked dangerous on the countre attack and the end-to-end game was one that the neutrals - does such a thing exist? - would love.
The Blues had another good chance to level matters, this time through Phil Jageilka, but after finding space in the box he headed Arteta's corner high and wide.
But, in reality, that chance should've been the Blues' opportunity to take the lead as, minutes earlier, Landon Donovan missed the sort of chance that would make Ronnie Rosenthal wince and say "Twat of a miss that!"
Rodwell found space on the egde of the Tottenham box and flashed a cross-shot across goal but where Pavlyuchenko found the net in the first half Donovan didn't.
The American somehow contrived to prod the ball into the side netting when it looked easier to score and everyone got the feeling that, in that moment, the game was gone.
Donovan's been nothing but ace since he arrived at Everton but there's a good chance that that miss could be his legacy once he leaves for LA later this month, which is a shame really.
The stupid get!
Man of the Match: Yakubu - he seems to be taking an age to get back to anywhere near his pre-injury form but looked strong on this showing and got himself a goal.
Worst player: Leon Osman - after a great display against United he just went missing in this one!
Moment of the Match: Unfortunately it was Landon Donovan's miss! How?!
Tactics: Moyes did well to pull the team together after a dreadful first half and, in taking off Osman and pushing Heitinga into the middle, he changed the whole flow of the game. He'll still probably get slated for not putting Coleman on though!
Les Roberts, www.everton-mad.co.uk
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Sunderland 0 - 0 FULHAM
I guess, if I were brutally honest, there’d have been a more attractive game to sit through to ensure that we finished the month of February unbeaten, rather than the dirge served up at the Stadium of Light.
At times I found myself dozing off or contemplating the meaning of life rather than following the ball being pinged around the midfield but failing to make its way, safely, to the forward line on more than one occasion. In fact I have to admit I ventured to the burger stall on more than one occasion just to break up the monotony of it all.
But amongst all the doom and gloom there were the occasional glimpses of at least some entertainment. Zoltan Gera went close and Bobby Zamora did his best to prove that Fabio Capello was right in not selecting him for the England squad by planting his header nearer the corner flag than the goal.
Devoid of action in the first half, the home crowd was brought to life in the second half thanks to the introduction of Bolo Zenden. The much travelled playmaker opened up our defence on a couple of occasions but the recipients of such chances, Bent and Jones, fluffed their lines and it turned out in the 0-0 bore we’d all feared from the very first minutes.
Star Man: Mark Schwarzer – The Aussie didn’t have much to do but when he did he was up to the task and displayed the concentration level I was unable to sustain for more than a few minutes at a time!
Worst Performer: Me! For failing to keep awake during what was a thrilling (he jests) spectacle!
Tactics: Roy Hodgson probably got it spot on after a tiring trip to the Ukraine, another point harvested with Premier League survival still the highest item on the agenda.
Best Moment: Arriving home at some god forsaken hour knowing I’d done my duty!
Opposition Fans: Surprisingly muted but considering their recent poor run of form could you really blame them!
Andrew Joyce, www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk
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LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
"On any given day we can beat Liverpool" - Sam Allardyce (SSN on Friday).
Ok Sam. Here goes.
You last beat us in 2006 and have played us since a number of times, winning none. It would appear that any of these given days didn't occur in the last 1,000 or so. Fat head has carried out a vendetta against our manager for a number of years. Who can forget his 'If it wasn't for his two European cup finals, Benitez wouldn't be in a job' line a while back. Yeah Sam and if it wasn't for his 11 League titles, I don't suppose Ferguson would be now either. He ranted for a bit about how he never got a chance at a big job because he didn't have a foreign name. Then did get a chance at a bigg-ish job with Newcastle and started the rot that ended with their relegation. Together with his reaction to the supposed hand gesture last year! The man is an idiot but he is a source of amusement to us so keep it up you simpleton! Run along to Feguson and cry again you gimp.
There was a lot of mis-placed bluster from the Blackburn camp ahead of this game. Diouf reckoned they would win also. Now Spit isn't the biggest fan favourite at the best of time around our place but he doesn't seem to be able to get over the fact that the 40 odd thousand people he played in front of for a few years, hate him. My most despised ex-player if i am honest. A totally reprehensible figure, no wonder Allardyce buys him wherever he goes.
The Fat Sam team lined up as he normally has them do, a wannabee Stoke (actually, that is unfair to Stoke). Long throws all over the shop, kicking anything that moves. Compare and contrast this chancer with a proper manager, who has worked wonders in the last few years, like Roy Hodgson. Roy gets on with it, building a good side and playing the right way. Sam... well Sam chews gum and phones Ferguson when he thinks some man made an awful hand gesture at him. And to think of all the great work he does for the LMA..... who cares.
Liverpool took the lead through Gerrard who appears to be coming back into a bit of form at long last. He got lucky with the touch to open up space but took the chance well with his left foot. Carra gave away a stonewall penalty by trying to pick the ball up in the area (what was he thinking!) and it was 1-1 shortly before half time. A nice ball by Maxi and a Torres clipped finish and we were 2-1 going into the break.
The second half had little of note apart from a good save from Reina at the death after yet another alehouse pump forward. We won without getting out of first gear.
Star Man: Nando, welcome back kid, you have been missed.
Worst Performer: Carra, for THAT handball
Best moment: Rafa's digs at Fat Sam in the post match press conference. Wish he had made that cutting gesture again with his hands.
Tactics: They weren't any, alehouse stuff against that lot. And try not to get our legs broke.
Chant of the game: Torres chant, again welcome back.
Oppo fans: Feel sorry for them watching that every week.
Keith Barkley, www.liverpool.vitalfootball.co.uk
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Chelsea 2 – 4 MAN CITY
Few City fans held any hope that we would get a positive result at Stamford Bridge, as our recent form has been dire and our record against Chelsea leaves a lot to be desired. In the first half it appeared that we were heading to another defeat, until an error at the back allowed Carlos Tevez in score an unlikely equaliser. The second half was a different story altogether, as City's swashbuckling counter attacking opened Chelsea up time after time. Further goals by Tevez and Craig Bellamy (2) confirmed City's superiority, and Chelsea were reduced to nine men as they lost their collective heads. All the pre-match hype was about whether John Terry and Wayne Bridge would shake hands, and the whole, um, affair certainly seemed to galvanise City. Very few teams beat Chelsea at Stamford bridge, so City deserve great credit.
Star man: Carlos Tevez. Our talismanic striker returned from Argentina the day before and led the line impressively.
Worst performer: Adam Johnson seemed a little overawed by the occasion, and struggled to make an impression.
Best moment: So many to choose from. But Bridge's pre-match snub to Terry was up there.
Tactics: Mancini clearly won the tactical battle with his old nemesis Ancelotti. Whilst we offered nothing going forward in the first half, we successfully absorbed Chelsea's pressure and hit them on the break time after time in the second half.
Oppo fans: Rather shamefully booed Bridge's every touch, although I'm not quite sure what he has done wrong.
Ric Turner, www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
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Burnley 1 - 2 POMPEY
Pompey were reminiscent of Nigel Benn yesterday. There we were out on the ropes, and out of nowhere came a giant right hook to KO an opponent! We may be doomed, but we will not go quietly – kicking and screaming is the Pompey way, and you can bet there will be a few more bloody noses in the Premiership before we depart.
Avram Grant decided to tinker a little once more, he still persevered with just one up front, but Webber was certainly playing a more supporting role. His masterstroke though was removing Marc Wilson from the firing line of central defence, he was placed in the 'Basinas' role in front of the defence, he has had his doubters of late, but he was about to ram some comments down some people’s throats.
Pompey came out and it was like watching a team freed from pressure, the ball was on the deck and the passing a bit better than of late – we were not playing like Arsenal of course, but I reckon we could of matched their youth team!
Burnley are in as deep relegation trouble as Pompey, their home form is what has kept them afloat, but they were conceding possession to the team with the hangman's noose around their necks and almost went behind in the first quarter of an hour, Belhadj fired in a cross toward Webber who deftly flicked home, the flag was up though as he had strayed marginally offside.
It took only a further 10 minutes though, and Webber was involved again, he weaved and jinked and fired in a cross-shot that Piquionne managed to get to, he had got goalside of Carlisle and fired home.
The goal fired Burnley into a bit of life, they were in a game and decided they had better up their own ante. Fletcher almost pulled them level, he outstripped Rocha and then fired over James' bar. McDonald was next, he crossed from the right and James did well to squirt it out for a corner.
Pompey were undone by route one once more, but make no mistake this was a quality goal. Jensen pumped long and Paterson with his back to goal managed to lift the ball up and over James, a great opportunist goal.
There was quarter of an hour of the half to go, Burnley were on top, Elliot forced a low save from James and then came the first in a hat-trick of penalty shouts against Carlisle. Webber crossed and the son of Richard Whiteley got his hand in the way, both officials missed it however and Pompey were denied.
Quincy was off and Utaka was on, but O'Hara was next to threaten, he took a return pass and smashed a shot against Jensen's bar, the ball bounced down and Foxe blocked Webber's follow-up, so close.
This was a great game, something we have been denied a bit lately, and the second half was going to be little different. Piquionne almost got in first, but Mears produced a last ditch tackle to deny him, he did the same a couple of minutes later, but this time the hapless Carlisle was up against him, his challenge was not so clean and Pompey had a spot-kick.
Half a dozen players ran away from the responsibility, and O'Hara stood up, he hit his penalty firmly enough, but it was to close to Jensen, he saved like he had at Fratton earlier in the season and scores were still level.
The penalty save lifted Burnley once more and Fletcher should have made Pompey pay, Mears crossed from the right and the Scot headed over from six yards with only James to beat. A real let-off.
Both teams were going all-out for a win. Burnley brought Eagles and Cork on, leading to a ten-minute spell of Claret pressure, but James was never seriously threatened again.
Pompey got a second go from 12 yards on 75, Clarke intercepted a throw meant for his 'keeper, he was caught by both Utaka and Webber and responded by flattening Utaka, meaning Pompey had another golden chance. This time Yebda fought off Wilson for the chance, and he smashed home, sending Jensen the wrong way for his second Pompey goal, Pompey were in front once more.
Burnley predictably threw everything at Pompey now, but the defence held out, ably aided by Wilson in front of them. Rocha was the most static of the rearguard however, and he first took a yellow for a body check on Eagles, and then repeated the dose 5 minutes later and saw red for the second time in his fledgling Pompey career.
Pompey were able to see out the 5 minutes injury time, Diop having a little cameo, heading clear a dangerous centre, his only contribution but a telling one.
(MATCH REPORT WRITTEN BY PAULTSMOUTH.)
Star man: I would have to say Marc Wilson – I think the guy has been somewhat hard-done-by recently. He moved into a defensive midfield role and I think that suited him better, this is where I think his future should lie.
Worst performer: Tinted specs or not I cannot say I would single anyone out for being particularly bad – we were not fantastic by any means, but no one stood out as being 'the worst performer.' At a push, perhaps John Rocha.
Best moment: Avram Grant going into the fans at the end was good, as was the fulltime whistle when the win was confirmed but I would say, despite the 'tension' that remained until fulltime, Hassan Yebda converting the second penalty.
Tactics: Cannot really fault them. He set up with a 'we will not be broken down' mentality really but had more than enough for us to push on and get the win, which we did.
Chant of the game: I wanted the 'Let’s all have a massage' chant to catch on more, sadly it did not so would say the 'Avram Grant's blue and white army' that seemed to go on for at least 10-15 minutes – something I thought 'might' last for the whole half at one point!
Oppo fans: When you are a part of such a noisy following it can be deceptive but I must say they seemed very, very quiet.
PLAY UP POMPEY!
Rug, www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk
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STOKE 1- Arsenal 3
We take an early lead, from a throw in, for the third consecutive home
game against Arsenal. They equalised, just as they did in January, but
an unfortunate incident involving Shawcross and Ramsey left the
Welshman with a broken leg and saw the Stoke man, harshly in my view,
sent off. Shawcross left the field in tears and the game, which was n
free flowing upto that point, slowed right down as both sides rhythm
was disrupted by the sickening scenes of Ramsey's injury. Just as it
looked as though the Potter would claim a well earnt point a ridiculous
penalty decision against Pugh, where the ball struck his hand as he
attempted to get it out of the way, saw Fabregas just about sneak it
past Sorenson and then a shattered Stoke conceded a third when Vermalen
tapped in in the 97th minute
.
Star man: Rory Delap. Another long throw in assist, well via the head of Shawcross but was terrific, showing great work rate, intelligence and skill to try an firstly, hold on to the advantage and then hold on to the point, it was obviously all in vein
Worst performer: Abdy Faye. Been poor all season, well compare to last season, and was subbed off early in the second half. Any unforced defensive sub by Pulis is a rarity at any point in any game so that's just shows how poor he was.
Best moment: Danny Pugh's opener. Recalled to the team after an age in the wilderness to stooped to net a header from close range. The crowd, and Pugh himself, erupted as one of the squad's most popular players went on a lap of honour to celebrate.
Tactics: Got stuck in from the off, put them under the cosh and got the early goal but we did seem to drop too deep and that's fatal against Arsenal as they can pass it through the smallest gaps.
Chant of the game: 'Score from a throw in, we only score from a throw in!' A regular chant now but was great to direct it to the people who detest it more than any other .
Oppo fans: Only made a noise at the end when they scored the penalty
and the third. Well they did make a noise when Shawcross was sent off
but it was the neanderthal way in which they all piled towards the
front trying to get onto the pitch as Shawcross walked, in streams of
tears, from the pitch that really made me lose what respect I had for
the Gooners.
Dan Buxton, The Boothen Roar, www.stokecity-mad.co.uk
TOTTENHAM 2 – 0 Everton
Thank you, Landon Donovan of the USA! This was a huge win for us, but the American had a great chance to peg us back to 2-2, and somehow missed a tap in at the far post. My mate was so certain that Everton were about to score that he turned away in disgust, and was then left scratching his head as to why the Toffees fans weren’t jumping up and down.
Anyway, the Yank missed and we’ve had plenty this season gone the wrong way so I’m not about to apologise. This was a good football match – something else I’ve not had much chance to say this season. We were mostly impressive in the first half. The team plays differently when Crouch isn’t in it. No big criticism of Crouchy intended – I just think the temptation is always there to hit it long and high when the beanpole plays. Pavlyuchenko is a different breed. We played smart, passing football, and Pav it was that opened the scoring, meeting Defoe’s scuffed attempt across goal with a simple finish.
Then we had a bad trot, where we kept giving the ball away, and when we emerged from that Luka Modric beat Tim Howard with a sublime finish that went in off the crossbar. Everton didn’t show much in that first half, but we saw their prowess in the second. They bossed it really, though we were disrupted by the loss of Tom Huddlestone soon after half time. Yakubu pulled one back – an untidy goal from a corner (not sure if Gomes was fouled). Gomes made a couple more saves, Donovan had his mad moment and on the break we were a constant threat as well.
Gareth Bale and Modric were both outstanding, and thank God we held on for a tight and hard fought three points, every one of which is gold at the moment.
Star man: Luka Modric – bright, inventive and slippery .
Best moment: Modric’s goal – our second. Howard seemed bamboozled.
Tactics: 4-4-2 with Pavlyuchenko in for Crouch. With inventive players wide like Modric, Kranjcar and the ever-willing Bale, we tried to play an expansive, up-tempo game.
Opposition fans: Pretty poor – unheard until they scored.
Andy Knaggs, www.spurs-web.com and www.gloryfootball.com
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