Premier League Round-Up Sat 8-11-08
Arsenal are still in the title hunt after beating Man United, Liverpool go back to the top after defeating West Brom, Everton stage another late show to stun West Ham, Portsmouth get their first win under Tony Adams to beat Sunderland, Bolton get a good win at Hull & Wigan & Stoke could only draw…
Arsenal played their best football all season to beat Manchester United 2-1 at the Emirates. This football match was probably the best you will see all season with the pace & the tempo it was played at & it could have gone either way. Man United did start the better & had a goal ruled out for off side when Berbatov scored but it was off side on the reply. But Arsenal did take the lead after 22 minutes when Berbatov tried to clear a free kick but could only find Nasri on the edge of the box & he hie a fast shot that deflected of Gary Neville & it whizzed past Van Der Sar who could do nothing. The match continued at the same pace but Arsenal extended their lead after 3 minutes of the second half when some beautiful football between the Arsenal players ended up with Nasri on the edge of the box & he smashed a fantastic shot past Van Der Saw & into the net. Man United wondered what hit them & could have equalized straight off but Ronaldo couldn’t finish but they did get one back on 90 minutes when Rafael Da Silva scored a great volley but Arsenal held on to claim the win.
Liverpool returned to the top of the table with a comfortable win over West Brom 3-0. It was all down to Robbie Keane who hadn’t scored for Liverpool since his summer move but put that right today. It was a even game for the first 34 minutes but Robbie Keane change that it was a perfect pass from Stephen Gerrard who found Keane making a great run into the box & he coolly lifted it over the on coming Scott Carson. Once he got one the second came only minutes later when Fabio Aurelio pass released Keane & he rounded Carson & slid the ball into a empty net. West Brom did try to get back into the game but couldn’t find a goal & it was left to Alvaro Arbeloa to curl a great goal in injury time to kill off West Brom & secure the points..
Hull seem to had there bubble burst as they were handed their third defeat in a row by Bolton 1-0. It was a hard fought match as both teams had bin struggling of late & Hull went the closest when Marlon King hit the crossbar after 18 minutes. But it wasn’t until the second half when the breakthrough came it was from a corner which wasn’t properly cleared by the Hull defence & it fell to Matt Taylor on the edge of the box who seem to poke come shoot towards goal & it found its way through the ruck of players & into the bottom corner of the net. Hull cam straight back & should have scored at least 3 if not 4 times but Jussi Jaaskelainen was in world class form & keep out Geovanni more then once to deny Hull & give Bolton the win..
Portsmouth gave Tony Adams his first win as Portsmouth manager with a come from behind win over Sunderland 2-1. It was Sunderland who had the best of the start when they went ahead after only 3 minutes as a long ball found Djibril Cisse in the clear & he slotted calmly through David James Legs. Sunderland created even more chances in the first half as Portsmouth continued to not keep possession & give the ball away but they couldn’t capitalise on this & wasted the chance to put the game to bed before half time. But Sunderland were made to pay for this as Portsmouth got level after 51 minutes when Nadir Belhadj’s 25 yard shot found it way into the goal past a diving Fullop. But it was a crazy stupid challenge by El Hadji Diouf on Glen Johnson in the 90 minute that gave Portsmouth a penalty & up stepped Defoe to slot it home & give Portsmouth the win a match Sunderland should have won..
West Ham were stunned at Upton Park as they looked like they were going to pick up a win but they didn’t count on Everton to score 3 goals in the last 7 minutes to win the game 3-1.The match was even in the first half & it could have bin different if it wasn’t for a fantastic save from Tim Howard from a Freddie Sears shot But West Ham did dominate the first half & should have bin ahead. The second half was better from Everton but it was West Ham that broke the deadlock after 60 minutes as Sears was involved again when he headed down a pass to Jack Collison in space & curled his shot past Howard to put West Ham ahead. The game was heading for a West Ham win untill the last crazy 7 minutes it started in the 83rd minute when Saha drifted into space on the right & put in a cross that Lescott met with a powerful header & scored. The second goal was again from the right this time is was Anichebe who put in a cross which found Saha in space & his shot with a help of a deflection found its way into the net past a despairing Green. Saha produced the best goal 2 minutes later when he picked up the ball & turned & from a full 30 yards smashed a shot past Green & give Everton the win when it didn’t look likely..
Wigan were held by Stoke 0-0 in this dull encounter. Apart from two good saves by Thomas Sorensen in the second half from Wilson Palacios & Titus Bramble there wasn’t much else happening & it ended with the match full of effort by very short on any quality whats so ever..
Spanish La Liga Round Nine
1st November 2008
In round nine of La Liga Barcelona shot to the top of the league, with a 4-1 victory over Malaga. Xavi opened the scoring for Barca after 5 minutes with a brilliant free-kick. Malaga hit back on 13 minutes through Duda. Lionel Messi restored Barcas lead on 19 minutes with a low strike. Xavi grabbed his second and Barca’s third in the 53rd minute thanks to an assist from Thierry Henry. Dani Alves scored a deflected free-kick after 81 minutes to give Barca a comfortable 4-1 away victory.
Valencia were beaten at home 4-2 to Racing, a surprise defeat considering Valencia were top before this weekend. Mohamed Tchite gave Racing the lead on 23 minutes. David Villa put Valencia back on level terms with a penalty. Early in the second half Tchite scored his second goal to put the visitors back in front. Joaquin then brought Valencia level once again. Tchite scored his hat-trick on 80 minutes with a header from a set-piece. On 85 minutes things got worse for Valencia as David Albelda put through his own goal to make it 4-2 to Racing.
Villarreal beat Athletic 4-1 at El Madrigal and are now just one point off Barca. Giuseppe Rossi gave the home side the lead on 24 minutes. Joseba Etxeberria headed home after 29 minutes to equalise for the away side. Robert Pires put Villarreal back in front from a Rossi assist. Santo Cazorla made it 3-1 after an hour. Jozy Altidore completed the scoring, after being set up by Santi Cazorla. Atletico Madrid beat Mallorca 2-0. Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero scored both goals. The first came after 14 minutes, after Diego Forlan set him up with a headed pass. The second came after 28 minutes when the Uruguayan and Aguero combined well again for Aguero to finish well, from a short distance out.
2nd November 2008
On Sunday, Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Almeria and missed the chance to go level with Barca, at the top of the league. Real took the lead in the 38th minute through a Raul header. Pablo Piatti rescued a draw late on with a left footed effort. Real Valladolid came back from two goals down to Sevilla to win 3-2. Renato and Jesus Navas gave Sevilla a two goal lead. Then came a turning point in the game, as Sevilla had Luis Fabiano dismissed. Valladolid got a goal back just before half-time through Sesma Jonathan. Fabian Canobbio came on as a substitute and scored two goals, as the home side completed an amazing turnaround.
Getafe drew 1-1 with Recreativo Huelva. Javi Guerrero scored for Recreativo, only to see his team mate Bouzon Amoedo sent off for two bookable offences. Despite battling hard Recreativo couldn’t hold on and in the 83rd minute Juan Angel Albin equalised for Getafe. Sporting Gijon beat Numancia 3-1 at home. Asier Goiria gave the visitors a good start after 20 minutes. The lead didn’t last long however, as Luis Moran equalised soon afterwards for Gijon. Mate Bilic then struck twice for Gijon, his second goal coming from the spot to seal the points.
Premier League Round-Up Sun/Mon 2/3-11-08
Sunday 2nd November
Bolton 2 Manchester City 0
Man City travelled to the Reebok to face a Bolton side who where it trouble at the bottom half of the table but even with their big money signing Robinho they could over come Bolton & lost 2-0. Robinho had the first chance of the match in the 6th minute but could only see his shot go over the bar Bolton’s first chance came after 22 minutes but Fabrice Muamba could only shot well over Joe Hart’s Bar. Robinho was City’s best player & on the 27thminute he chipped a lovely ball behindBolton’s defence but Wright-Phillips could only deliver a poor cross. The very best chance came to City on 41 minutes a Chad Evans pass spilt the Bolton defence which gave Stephen Ireland a run at goal but Jussi Jaaskelainen come out of his goal to collect the low shot. The second half started with City upping the tempo & Wright -Phillips came close smashing his shot over the bar after 51 minutes they went close again on 57 when Robinho neat turn & shot was saved by Jaaskelainen. Bolton did go close on 62 minutes when Kevin Nolan’s close range header was saved by hart only for a penalty appeal by Bolton to be turned down when Richard Dunne bad challenge on Matt Taylor. But Bolton got the opening goal with 13 minutes left when Nolan made a superb pass to Steinsson who broke down the right made a fantastic cross for Ricardo Gardener to side foot his shot into the goal from underside of the bar. The game was over for City just before the end when Gardener got down the left & put in a low cross only for Richard Dunne to turn it into his own net from 6 yards out…
Monday 3rd November
Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 0
Newcastle gave them self a big boost when they over come a Aston Villa side looking to get their 4th win on the trot 2-0 at St James Park. The game started with Newcastle knowing they needed the win but it didn’t look like it would happen in the 11th minute which saw the Villa captain Laursen glance a header from a Gareth Barry corner just wide of the post & on 22 minutes Agbonlahor had a wonderful chance to open the scoring when James Milner put in a cross & all he had to do was get a touch but with the goal at his mercy he failed to get any touch which everyone’s disbelief. Just before the break Villa had another chance when Shay Given was called into action when he made a point blank save from a Ashley Young shot. Newcastle did have one good chance but Steven Taylor only just failed to connect a Habib Beye cross. The Second half was again Villa pushing forward with their pace & ability to hold the ball up but Newcastle defended very well & kept Villa out with Barton getting his trade mark booking for fouling Luke Young when Villa where breaking. But with the match getting stretched abit Newcastle had a chance & on 60 minutes made Villa pay for all the wasted chances Martins pick up a Barton pass on the edge of the box done a neat turn & smashed the ball past Friedel into the bottom corner. Newcastle were now full of confidence & Nicky Butt could have bin on the score sheet whit a neat free kick that just clipped the edge of the post but with 8 minutes left & Villa pushing Newcastle made sure with a nice worked goal. Gutierrez who had played well all match made a powerful run down the left & made a superb cross for Martins to smack the ball past Friedel & into the net & give Newcastle the win & move them up the table…
Premier League Round-Up Sat 1-11-08
Tottenham come from behind to beat undefeated Liverpool,Chelsea take over the top after thrashing Sunderland, Man United survive a scare to just beat Hull, Everton get there first home win by beating Fulham, Stoke beat Arsenal to dent their title hopes, Wigan get a away win over Portsmouth, Middlesbrough draw with West Ham & West Brom & Blackburn do the same…
Tottenham gave Liverpool their first defeat of the season as they came from behind to win 2-1 at White Hart Lane. Everything looked rosey for Liverpool as they took the lead after only 3 minutes on the clock Dirk Kyut scored the goal from the edge of the area. Liverpool were dominate after that & they created so many chances but failed to convert any of them & Tottenham hung in & defended very well. The second half wasn’t any different until the 70th minute when David Bentley swung in a cross & Jamie Carragher could only head the ball into his own net. They comeback was complete in the 90th minute when Bentley had a shot which was turned away by Reina but the ball came loose to Darren Bent who got the ball back into the box & there was Pavlyuchenko to guide the ball into the net at the near post & hand Liverpool there first defeat..
Stoke used all they tactics especially the long ball as they defeated Arsenal which could already see them out of the title picture as Stoke won 2-1. It was the long ball they gave Stoke the lead after 11 minutes as Rory Delap sent in his trademark long throw & there was Ricardo Fuller to head home in the bottom corner. Arsenal tried to get back into the match but Stoke held firm & was at it again on 73 minutes when Delap sent in another long throw this time it was flicked on & Seyi Olofinjana bundled the ball into the net. Arsenal were very frustrated by now & it showed when Van Persie was sent off for a foul on the Stoke goal keeper Sorensen but Arsenal did get one goal back in the dying seconds as Gael Clichy has a shot that was deflected twice before it went into the goal but it was all to late…
Manchester United had to survive a scare as they had to hold on to beat Hull 4-3 at Old Trafford. It looked good for United who took the lead after only 3 minutes when Ronaldo & Berbatov combined with some neat football which left Ronaldo with a finish inside Boaz Myhill’s near post. Hull got back into the game though through Daniel Cousin when he got his head to the ball & guided a Andy Dawson free kick into the net past Van Der Sar. But United responded when Vidic brought the football out of the defence found Berbatov with a good pass who played in Carrick who got the edge of the area & slotted the ball past Myhill & into the net. Ronaldo then got United’s third when he headed in a Nani corner thanks to a deflection of Paul McShane. United went further ahead in the second half from another corner this time Vidic volley home a Wayne Rooney corner but Hull weren’t finished when Bernard Mendy got into the box & lobbed Van Der Sar & into the net. Then with 82 minutes gone Hull were awarded a penalty when Mendy was hauled down by Rio Ferdinand & up stepped Geovanni to score but it was in vain as United held on just..
Chelsea looked in awesome form as they thrashed a sorry looking Sunderland 5-0 at Stamford Bridge. Sunderland held there own until the 27th minute but after that it was all down hill Alex got Chelsea going when Joe Cole’s shot went inder Marton Fulop & Alex was there to bundle home. It was Lampard who created the second when he found Alex who prodded the ball towards goal & Anelka was on hand to get the final touch on the replay he did look off side & the Sunderland boss Roy Keane saw this & protested but got send to the stands for his trouble. Anelka then made it three when he slotted home a Florent Malouda cross from a Lampard pass. The second half started with yet another Chelsea goal this time it was lampard himself who scored the goal from a lovely Joe Cole cross then it was down to Anelka to get his hat trick & Chelsea’s fifth as he turned in a cross from Malouda which saw it hit Fulop looped up & still found it’s way into the net…
Portsmouth still can’t find a win under new manager Tony Adams as they went down 2-1 to Wigan. The weather was very bad at Fratton Park but it didn’t deter from the action Wigan were first to strike from a penalty Papa Bouba Dipo was adjudged to have brought down Titus Bramble in the box & Zaki stepped up to score right down the middle. It stayed like this right up to near the end . It was the 83rd minute when Portsmouth got level a great cross found Kranjcar at the far post & he drilled the ball into the net. But with Portsmouth pushing for the winner Wigan held on & had the last say When Emile Heskey collected the ball & burst into the box & slotted the ball past David James at his near post to give Wigan the win & end their 4 game losing streak..
Everton got their first win of the season at home when they defeat Fulham 1-0 at Goodison Park. It was a scrappy first half with Everton having most of the chances but nothing concrete. The second half was much better as Everton went looking for the goal they needed but Fulham also came close as they hit the woodwork twice through Zoltan Gera who should have scored & Bobby Zomora. But it was up to substute Louis Saha who in the 87th minute found himself in the right place to head a powerful header past the Fulham Keeper to score from a Leon Osman Cross..
Blackburn had to come from behind withten men & managed to get a 2-2 draw with West Brom. Blackburn did take the lead after 13 minutes through a Benni McCarthy penalty as it was awarded when Ryan Donk was Penalised for holding Jason Robert’s shirt. But after that it got bad for Blackburn as Benni McCarthy was sent off to 2 bookable offences with the last booking looked very harsh. With Blackburn down to 10 men West Brom got back into the game & with the second half starting they were level Roman Bednar showed he had quick feet & slotted the ball past Paul Robinson from a Ishmael Miller pass. Miller then scored West Brom’s second when he did a neat turn on the edge of the penalty area & lashed a shot past Robinson who had no chance. But Blackburn got theirpoint when Keith Andrews got his first goal for Blackburn when he was allowed to control himself & smash the football past Scott Carson who had no chance of stopping it..
Middlesbrough fought for a point against west ham who ended their 4 game losing streak when it ended 1-1. It was West Ham who took the lead when a Luis Boa Morte cut back into the box was smashed home by Hayden Mullins on his second attempt. But Middlesbrough didn’t give up but couldn’t find a way through & it looked like West Ham could indeed hold on. But with the match ending & with only 7 minutes left on the clock Middlesbrough got the equaliser when Mido took a free kick & drilled it under Robert Green to give them a well deserved point..
Spanish La Liga Round Eight
Saturday 25th October
The two games on Saturday night resulted in a 5-0 victory for Barcelona against Almeria at the Nou Camp and a 2-0 away win for Betis at Osasuna. After just 24 minutes Samuel Eto’o had scored a hat-trick and Thierry Henry had scored also to make it 4-0. Almeria then had Alvaro Negredo dismissed for a badly timed tackle on Rafael Marquez. Barcelona made it 5-0 in the 36st minute through a brilliantly struck Daniel Alves free-kick. Although they had a numerical advantage, Barcelona couldn’t add to the five goals. Real Betis managed to climb out of the relegation zone, after their away win against Osasuna. Mehmet Aurelio scored Betis first goal with a brilliant free-kick in the 51st minute. Betis had to wait until the 86st minute to secure victory, through a Mariano Pavone close range effort.
Sunday 26th October 2008
Valencia returned to the top of the table despite only drawing 1-1 away at Recreativo. Recreativo took the lead on 47 minutes through Javier Camunas. Valencia equalised in the 62nd minute, through David Villa from close range. Sevilla suffered a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Malaga. The goal came after 16 minutes from Adrian, after Nacho put him through. It got worse for Sevilla in the second half, as they had Adriano sent off for violent conduct.
Numancia won 2-1 at home against Racing. Jose Javier Bakero struck after 26 minutes. It looked like that would enough for a Numancia win but then there was an incredible finish. Five minutes into injury time Mohamed Tchite scored from the spot to equalise for Racing. Even more incredibly Numancia snatched a winner a minute later through Cisma from close range. That was enough to take Numancia off the bottom of the table.
Sporting Gijon beat Deportivo 3-0, to earn an impressive away three points. David Barral started the scoring after 23 minutes with a penalty. Carmelo added a second goal for Sporting after 27 minutes, thanks to a Barrel assist. It got even worse for Deportivo when Diego Colotto was dismissed just before the break. Diego Castro finished the scoring in the 84th minute, to give Sporting three very important points.
Mallorca beat Espanyol 3-0 at home. Aritz Aduriz opened the scoring on 49 minutes with a header. Aduriz then scored another header in the 60th minute from a Juan Arango corner. Fernando Varela made it three in the 76st minute. Getafe beat Real Valladolid 1-0 at home. Daniel Diaz scored the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute from an Esteban Granero set piece.
In an amazing game Villarreal drew 4-4 with Atletico Madrid at El Madrigal. Atletico made a fantastic start, scoring after just a minute through a brilliant Simao effort. It got even better for Atletico after 22 minutes when Diego Forlan fired in a second goal. On 38 minutes came a big turning point as Ever Banega received a second Yellow and was dismissed.
Villarreal made a blistering start to the second half, scoring three goals in 10 minutes through Marcos Senna, Joseba Llorente and Gonzalo Rodriguez. Giuseppe Rossi made it 4-2 on 68 minutes. Atletico came back into the match in the 83rd minute thanks to Simao’s second goal of the night. Raul Garcia scored in the 85th minute to complete an amazing comeback and snatch Atletico a draw.
Real Madrid beat Atletico 3-2 at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid went two goals up. Wesley Sneijder scored with a drive after 13 minutes. Gonzalo Higuain scored a second after 29 minutes. It looked like it would be a straight forward victory for Madrid, until Joseba Exteberria got a goal back for Bilbao after 35 minutes. It got even better for Bilbao, as they equalised through a controversial Andoni Iraola penalty. Higuain scored his second goal of the match in the 59th minute. Bilbao continued to fight hard for an equaliser but was reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when Fernando Amorebieta was dismissed. After that Madrid looked the more dangerous and could have extended their lead. Madrid would have been relieved to get the win in the end against a battling Bilbao side.
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