Premier League Round-Up Sun 16-11-08
Everton could only manage a draw with Middlesbrough & Hull came back to draw with Man City.
Everton had to come from a goal down to earn a draw with Middlesbrough at Goodison Park. Everton seem to struggle at home this season & it showed from the kick off as passes went astray & they were made to pay for it after 8 minutes when they had a counter attack with Stewart Downing breaking down the left pulled the ball back into the box to Gary O’Neil who had plenty of time & space to slot the ball past a diving Tim Howard. Everton could have got back into the game only 5 minute later but Ross Turnball made a good save from Yakubu & Lescotts cross hitting a post. It wasn’t until midway through the second half that Everton got back on terms it was a Arteta free kick into the six yard box & Yakubu tried to back header it into the goal but it actualy hit his back & went it they could have won it later on as Saha nodded down for Yakubu but he dragged his shot well wide & Middlesbrough could have won it at the death but Tuncay Sanli failed to make any use of the opportunity…
Hull City came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Man City at the KC Stadium. Hull started the better & pressured City & it paid off as they were gifted the opening goal Tal Ben Haim back pass to the keeper was a little short & Daniel Cousin nipped in to slot the ball under Joe Hart & into the net. But Hull repaid the favour in the 37th minute when Kamil Zayette for some reason not letting the ball run through to the keeper tried to dribble the ball but he put it to far in front of him & it went to Stephen Ireland who then put the ball into the back of the net. It was Ireland again just before half time when he collected the ball on the edge of the area & curled a great shot round Boaz Myhill & into the net to give City the lead. Hull pressed in the second half & got their rewards when Geovanni’s free kick hit Vincent Kompany & it wrong footed Kasper Schmeichel (on for the injured Joe Hart) & into the net to give Hull the equaliser. They nearly took the lead moments later but Cousin brought a smart save out of Schmeichel Hull then had 3 20 yard free kick in a row but could only find the wall every time & there was a scare at the end as they nearly lost the match when Vassell broke clear & he sent in a fierce shot only for Myhill beat the ball away from his near post to end the match in a draw..
Premier League Round-Up Sat 15-11-08
Liverpool go top for a short while after beating Bolton, Arsenal fail again after getting beaten at home by Aston Villa, Sunderland get a good away win at Blackburn, Fulham win at home to give Tottenham there first defeat under Harry Redknapp, Man United show Stoke how to play football with a home win, Newcastle can only draw with Wigan, West Ham still can’t win when they drew with Portsmouth & Chelsea go back to the top with a away win at West Brom…
Arsenal looked to be out of the title race after they again lose at home this time to Aston Villa 2-0. Ashley young could have put Villa ahead early on as he was fouled by Theo Walcott for a penalty but it was very weak & Manuel Almunia saved it easily. But he did make amends in the 70th minute to put Villa ahead with a brilliant cross which was headed in by Gael Clichey for an own goal. With 10 minutes left Agbonlahor made it two as he raced onto a through ball from defence held of Gallas & fired his shot into the left hand corner past Almunia..
Chelsea looked to bounce back from there mid week defeat by beating West Brom 3-0. The match was all over by half time as Chelsea hit West Brom with 3 quick fire goals the first was scored by Jose Bosingwa as he took a shoot from the edge of the penalty area which took Scott Carson by surprise & went into the net. Then it was Nicolas Anelka’s turn with another two goals the first was a great touch from a Florent Malouda pass which beat the keeper at the near post & his second was another great touch again from Malouda at the far post & thats why he is the league’s top scorer…
Liverpool were top for a little while after beating Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok. Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring with a great header from a Fabio Aureilo cross but Bolton could have bin level as Gary Cahill had his goal ruled out just before half time as Kevin Nolan was adjudged to had blocked Jose Reina. But Liverpool extended their lead in the second half as Fernando Torres came off the bench to put in a superb cross for Steven Gerrard to head home to seal the win…
Man United showed that the Arsenal defeat didn’t effect them as they thrashed Stoke 5-0. Ronaldo opened the scoring as he fired home a 30 yard free kick which was his 100th league goal but in truth Sorensen should have done better. Ronaldo set up the second goal just before half time as he fed in Carrick who created some space for himself before firing the ball into the top corner. Berbatov then made it three after half time when he controlled Tevez’s pass & he made no mistake from six yards out. Then it was sub Danny Welbeck to show what he can do as he hit a fantastic long range shot into the goal to get United’s forth. Their fifth & last goal was scored by Ronaldo with one of his trade mark free kicks to put United in the hunt for the top two…
Fulham won the London derby after beating Tottenham 2-1 to give Harry Redknapp his first defeat as their manager. Fulham’s first goal was another Heurelho Gomez error to add to his collection as he misread a shot at goal from Simon Davis & it flicked Jonathan Woodgate on the way through & into the net. Spurs defence let them down in the second half as they failed to clear a corner & it allowed Andy Johnson to collect the ball turn & fire home from 5 yards out. Substitute Frazier Campbell came off the bench to grab a goal for Tottenham with a great little finish after a good move by Jermain Jenas & David Bentley but it was to late..
Newcastle could only draw with 10 men Wigan 2-2 at St James Park. It was Wigan who took the lead after only 3 minutes as Heskey played in Ryan Taylor & he hit a powerful shot that seem to move in the air & over Shay Given into the net. It stayed that way until the 54th minute of the second half as Emmerson Boyce was sent off for his second yellow card after a challenge on Ameobi & they paid the price as Michael Owen came off the bench to score from close range after Kris Kirkland failed to hold on to a Ameobi shot from outside the box. Obafemi Martins then gave Newcastle the lead as he lashed home a shot after being played in by N’Zogbia but with only a minute to go Wigan had a corner & it was floated in & old Newcastle boy Titus Bramble rose above everybody to head home to give Wigan a point…
Sunderland got their own back after the defeat to Blackburn in midweek by beating them as Ewood Park 2-1. The match didn’t start or look like a Sunderland victory as Blackburn looked the better side & took the lead just before half time when Christopher Samba rose the most to head home a Morten Gamst Pederson cross. But it was Sunderland who came out for the second half better as they equaliser straight off as Paul Robinson punched the ball out of his box very weak & it fell to Kenwyne Jones who vollied it straight back into the goal. With 20 minutes left they went ahead as Steed Malbranque’s header was ran on to by Djibril Cisse & he lifted the ball over Paul Robinson to give them the lead & they held on to win the match..
West ham’s poor form & no wins in 7 matches continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Portsmouth. There were no great chances in the match as both keepers were really only called upon in the whole match . Robert green was called into action when he had to deny Jermain Defoe at least three times while David James could only watch as a Craig Bellamy free kick crashed off the cross bar. But at Least West Ham kept a clean sheet there first for 25 games..
Premier League Round-Up Sun 9-11-08
Chelsea go back to the top of the league with a win over Blackburn, Tottenham’s revival continues with a away win at Man City, Middlesbrough get a good win at Aston Villa & Fulham see off the challenge of Newcastle.
The Match started with the rain pouring down & making the pitch very wet with the ball & players splashing about everywhere. Blackburn must have hoped that it would play into their hands but it didn’t seem that way as Chelsea coped very well with the condition’s & ran out 2-0 winners. They almost took the lead in the first few minutes as a poor back pass by Keith Andrews was sized upon by Nicolas Anelka who try to round Paul Robinson but was brought down by the keeper by the ref just waived it away while replays showed it should have bin a penalty. But for all of Chelsea’s pressing they got awarded on 39 minutes when Jose Bosingwa took a long range shot & it deflected off Anelka’s knee & into the net passed Paul Robinson who had his hand up for hand ball but you could see it wasn’t. The second half was much the same with Chelsea pushing forward & Blackburn playing better but apart from one save by Cech not much threat. Chelsea did wrap the game up with 20 minutes to go when Anelka again found himself in the penalty box & he neatly chipped the ball over the advancing keeper & into the net to put Chelsea back on top of the table..
Middlesbrough got only there second away win of the season when they beat Aston Villa 2-1. The match started with Aston Villa trying to carry on from their Uefa Cup performances where Middlesbrough needed a result of any kind. But with the Villa defence not looking to good it was Middlesbrough who got the first goal. Stewart Downing got down the left & lofted the ball into the Villa box it went straight over Martin Laursen & Nicky Shorey’s heads & it left Tuncay & Alves fighting to put the ball into the net which Tuncay won. But it only took Villa 3 minutes to get back on terms it was a hard shot by Ashley Young that was well blocked which was Followed up by Gabriel Agbonlahor which was also blocked but the ball this time fell to James Milner who chipped the football into the far post for Steve Sidwellto nod home..The second half was just as good with Agbonlahor going close for Villa & Young hooking the ball off the line from a Riggott header even Alves looks like he has contender for miss of the season when he missed a open goal . But with 2 minutes left Middlesbrough got what they deserved when Sidwell made a terrible hash when he mis-controlled the ball which allowed Tuncay to steel in & fire home from 12 yards & give Middlesbrough all 3 points…
Tottenham came away from the Manchester Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Man City even though it was marred by the ref giving out cards on a whim. The game started very brightly indeed withboth teams seem to be going for it but it was City who struck first after 16 minutes. Robinho found Wright-Phillips on the right who turned the ball into the box to find Darius Vassell his shot was parried by the goal keeper Gomes but the ball fell to the oncoming Robinho who slotted the ball home from 7 yards out. The first of 3 red cards came in the 26th minute when Gelson Fernandea was given his second yellow card for tripping David Bently only moments after tripping Luca Modric for his first card. Tottenham then responded to get the equaliser when Darren Bent sized on Richard Dunne’s error to fire the ball under Joe Hart . City had to hang on with only 10 men & they put up some resistance but could only manage until the 65th minute when it was Darren Bent again getting the goal. Jermaine Jenas laid the ball off for Bent who smashed in a shot to see it deflect of Joe Hart’s legs & into the goal to give Tottenham the lead, City were 2 men down after 82 minutes when Richard Dunne was sent off for bring down DarrenBent when he was through on goal looking for his hat trick. With the game coming to a close with City no way back with 9 men the ref then had time to send off Assou-Ekotto for Tottenham for his second bookable offence the sendings off & the card happy ref really spoilt what could have bin a great football match..
Fulham moved to the top half of the table with a good 2-1 victory over Newcastle. The match started well & Fulham were looking to force the play & get the early goal which they nearly did but Gera’s header was headed off the line but they did take the lead after 23 minutes when Claudio Cacapa tried to clear a ball into the box for it only to bounce off Fabricio Coloccini into the path of Andy Johnson who made no mistake & put it through Shay Givens legs. It stayed that way untill the second half & Newcastle coming out & playing much better & putting Fulham under pressure & it didn’t take long for them to equalise a cross came into the box & Fulham failed to clear & it fell to Ameobi & he fired it home from close range. Nicky Butt then came close with a 25 yard effort just past the post but 10 minutes later Fulham were once again ahead the ref had adjudged Coloccini has brought down Johnson in the penalty area so up stepped Danny Murphy to score & that would be his 100th goal. Newcastle did try & get back into the game & brought on Michael Owen as their last resort & he nearly made a impact where he had a chance to equalise in the last minute but couldn’t make it so Fulham hung on for the win…
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..
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…
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