Blackburn 0 Chelsea 2
Chelsea got three points, but did not start that convincingly, and the first half was a goalless draw.
Early in the second half Dutchman, Andre Ooijer was penalised for holding John Terry. That gave Frank Lampard the opportunity to score from the spot, and he impressively obliged. Although Blackburn's able American keeper got a hand to the ball, there was too much power in the shot, and in it went to put Chelsea ahead.
Petr Cech was in goal for Chelsea, after recovering from a shoulder injury. He performed well, particularly when spreading his body to save a well timed volley from McCarthy.
Drogba finished it off for Chelsea in the 80th minute, when he drove the ball past Friedel. Cech saved again towards the end and denied Blackburn any consolation. They are now at the bottom of the Premiership but have plenty of time to pick themselves up.
Mark Hughes, interviewed after the match, was adamant that Chelsea's penalty was unfair and had changed the game.
Jose Mourinho was more philosophical, and suggested that there was no drama in not being at the top at this stage. Bet he was glad of the three points though!
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Blackburn Chelsea
Blackburn Chelsea
Blackburn Chelsea
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
That Man Giggs Again
Watford 1 Manchester United 2
Ryan Giggs, with 600 United games behind him, is still a force to be reckoned with.
Mikael Sylvestre scored the first, after 12 minutes, but Francis tapped in a fine cross from Young, to equalise in the 34th minute. Thereafter, the game could have gone either way, but the redoubtable Giggs was covering every move. When Spring made an awful back pass, it was picked up by the watchful Giggs, who easily went round the Watford keeper, to tap the ball in the back of the net. United were in front in the 52nd minute and that was how it finished.
Three games, three wins, not bad for starters!
Something Was Missing
Manchester City 1 Arsenal 0
Actually it was someone, rather than something, that was missing, and the two main culprits were Henry and Van Persie.
Just because Thierry Henry is a great footballer doesnt mean that he is beyond criticism! Deft touch and graceful artistry, are all very well when goals are the outcome, otherwise they can be a bit of an expensive luxury! These two 'stars' must have missed half a dozen good chances between them, and on the day were simply not good enough.
Stuart Pearce's team deserved to win this one, and he personally went up several notches in the estimation stakes, for his appraisal of the indefensible Ben Thatcher/Pedro Mendes affair. He was unequivocal in his condemnation of Thatcher, and praise for Mendes, and seemed to appreciate that this sort of behaviour has to be stamped out if football is not to become a blood sport!
That having been said passion, of the sort Joey Barton showed is totally different to opponent directed aggression. All of Barton's attention was aimed at the ball, when he blasted home City's penalty. He had a good game.
Well done Joey, Well done City, Well done Stuart Pearce, especially for your comment on that other match.
100 years of the Kop
Liverpool 2 West Ham 1
Liverpool's world famous stadium is 100 years old this week, and the club is in celebratory mode. There two goals in the first half, were sufficient to offset the somewhat lucky, successful attempt by Bobby Zamora in the 11th minute. Was it a cross, or did he actually mean to score, what was an excellent but unlikely goal?
West Ham's joy was evident and it seemed that they would lead at the interval. However, on the 42nd minute Agger blasted in a beauty for one of the best goals of the season. Four minutes later, the in form Crouch scored again for Liverpool.
The game could have swung either way in the second half. The two B's were much involved. Bowker shot just wide for West Ham, and Bellamy's disallowed goal seemed borderline. However, who would begrudge Liverpool, at the Kop on its birthday? Only West Ham perhaps!
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soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Ryan Giggs, with 600 United games behind him, is still a force to be reckoned with.
Mikael Sylvestre scored the first, after 12 minutes, but Francis tapped in a fine cross from Young, to equalise in the 34th minute. Thereafter, the game could have gone either way, but the redoubtable Giggs was covering every move. When Spring made an awful back pass, it was picked up by the watchful Giggs, who easily went round the Watford keeper, to tap the ball in the back of the net. United were in front in the 52nd minute and that was how it finished.
Three games, three wins, not bad for starters!
Something Was Missing
Manchester City 1 Arsenal 0
Actually it was someone, rather than something, that was missing, and the two main culprits were Henry and Van Persie.
Just because Thierry Henry is a great footballer doesnt mean that he is beyond criticism! Deft touch and graceful artistry, are all very well when goals are the outcome, otherwise they can be a bit of an expensive luxury! These two 'stars' must have missed half a dozen good chances between them, and on the day were simply not good enough.
Stuart Pearce's team deserved to win this one, and he personally went up several notches in the estimation stakes, for his appraisal of the indefensible Ben Thatcher/Pedro Mendes affair. He was unequivocal in his condemnation of Thatcher, and praise for Mendes, and seemed to appreciate that this sort of behaviour has to be stamped out if football is not to become a blood sport!
That having been said passion, of the sort Joey Barton showed is totally different to opponent directed aggression. All of Barton's attention was aimed at the ball, when he blasted home City's penalty. He had a good game.
Well done Joey, Well done City, Well done Stuart Pearce, especially for your comment on that other match.
100 years of the Kop
Liverpool 2 West Ham 1
Liverpool's world famous stadium is 100 years old this week, and the club is in celebratory mode. There two goals in the first half, were sufficient to offset the somewhat lucky, successful attempt by Bobby Zamora in the 11th minute. Was it a cross, or did he actually mean to score, what was an excellent but unlikely goal?
West Ham's joy was evident and it seemed that they would lead at the interval. However, on the 42nd minute Agger blasted in a beauty for one of the best goals of the season. Four minutes later, the in form Crouch scored again for Liverpool.
The game could have swung either way in the second half. The two B's were much involved. Bowker shot just wide for West Ham, and Bellamy's disallowed goal seemed borderline. However, who would begrudge Liverpool, at the Kop on its birthday? Only West Ham perhaps!
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Friday, August 25, 2006
A Tale of Two Waynes!
Middlesboro' 2 Chelsea 1
This was a great win for Boro, who were a goal down when Andriy Shevchenko scored, in the 16th minute.
Boro's equaliser was a long time coming, but their persistence was rewarded in the 80th minute, when Pogatetz headed in, past Cudicini. A draw then seemed to be the most likely result, but was not to be. Mark Viduka drove a ball, deflected by Carvalho, into the net and Boro were triumphant.
Wayne Bridge, who had set up Shevchenko for Chelsea's goal, was man of the match.
Charlton 0 Manchester United 3
The other Wayne, Mr Rooney, was not playing having to sit it out, with Paul Scholes, following the Amsterdam controversy. However, that did not stop United from putting up a convincing display, and bagging three goals against their London opponents.
The goal scorers were Fletcher, Saha, and nice to see back in scoring mode, Ole Gunner Solskjaer. Ronaldo was constantly booed by the Charlton crowd. If it was supposed to put him off, it seemed to have the opposite effect, and along with, man of the match Ryan Giggs he posed a constant threat.
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soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
This was a great win for Boro, who were a goal down when Andriy Shevchenko scored, in the 16th minute.
Boro's equaliser was a long time coming, but their persistence was rewarded in the 80th minute, when Pogatetz headed in, past Cudicini. A draw then seemed to be the most likely result, but was not to be. Mark Viduka drove a ball, deflected by Carvalho, into the net and Boro were triumphant.
Wayne Bridge, who had set up Shevchenko for Chelsea's goal, was man of the match.
Charlton 0 Manchester United 3
The other Wayne, Mr Rooney, was not playing having to sit it out, with Paul Scholes, following the Amsterdam controversy. However, that did not stop United from putting up a convincing display, and bagging three goals against their London opponents.
The goal scorers were Fletcher, Saha, and nice to see back in scoring mode, Ole Gunner Solskjaer. Ronaldo was constantly booed by the Charlton crowd. If it was supposed to put him off, it seemed to have the opposite effect, and along with, man of the match Ryan Giggs he posed a constant threat.
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Here We Go Again - Easy for Man Utd and Chelsea
Man Utd 5 Fulham 1
MUFC started their 2006/7 premiership campaign in fine style and firmly put Fulham in their place!
Manchester were indeed United as a team, including Rooney and Ronaldo who sparkled together after their world cup differences. They put on a show to remember, with four of their five goals being scored in a 12 minute spell in the first half, Saha 7, Pearce o.g. 15, Rooney 16, Ronaldo 19.
Saha scored the first, and was instrumental in the second, when all Pearce could do was deflect the ball into his own net. Rooney and Ronaldo then scored in quick succession, and a massacre seemed on the cards. Scholes hit the post with a hard driven shot, and Ryan Giggs who is playing as well as ever, went close from a corner kick.
Fulham got one back minutes before half time when Helguson's shot bounced in off Ferdinand. In the 64th minute, Rooney scored again from a good pass by Wes Brown. Wayne looked happy and had plenty to smile about on this occasion, but he will be sorely missed whilst he sits out a controversial three match ban.
Chelsea 3 Man City 0
That man Terry, who had scored for England against Greece, got things going in the 11th minute, when he headed home from Robben's free kick. Frank Lampard made it two, after 26 minutes. There seemed no way back for City, and the game was put beyond any doubt, early in the second half, when Drogba made it three for Chelsea, with a superb diving header.
This was a decisive win for Chelsea who did not field their strongest side. So when they go up to full strength watch out, because they are not about to surrender their title without one hell of a fight!
Attendances were around 75,000 for United and 41,000 for Chelsea. In a game where money matters it seems that Man U have a profitable ticket advantage. However, rumour has it that there is one Chelsea supporter with very deep pockets, who can easily offset the value of 34,000 tickets. Wonder who that could be?
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
MUFC started their 2006/7 premiership campaign in fine style and firmly put Fulham in their place!
Manchester were indeed United as a team, including Rooney and Ronaldo who sparkled together after their world cup differences. They put on a show to remember, with four of their five goals being scored in a 12 minute spell in the first half, Saha 7, Pearce o.g. 15, Rooney 16, Ronaldo 19.
Saha scored the first, and was instrumental in the second, when all Pearce could do was deflect the ball into his own net. Rooney and Ronaldo then scored in quick succession, and a massacre seemed on the cards. Scholes hit the post with a hard driven shot, and Ryan Giggs who is playing as well as ever, went close from a corner kick.
Fulham got one back minutes before half time when Helguson's shot bounced in off Ferdinand. In the 64th minute, Rooney scored again from a good pass by Wes Brown. Wayne looked happy and had plenty to smile about on this occasion, but he will be sorely missed whilst he sits out a controversial three match ban.
Chelsea 3 Man City 0
That man Terry, who had scored for England against Greece, got things going in the 11th minute, when he headed home from Robben's free kick. Frank Lampard made it two, after 26 minutes. There seemed no way back for City, and the game was put beyond any doubt, early in the second half, when Drogba made it three for Chelsea, with a superb diving header.
This was a decisive win for Chelsea who did not field their strongest side. So when they go up to full strength watch out, because they are not about to surrender their title without one hell of a fight!
Attendances were around 75,000 for United and 41,000 for Chelsea. In a game where money matters it seems that Man U have a profitable ticket advantage. However, rumour has it that there is one Chelsea supporter with very deep pockets, who can easily offset the value of 34,000 tickets. Wonder who that could be?
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Premiership Grand Opening - They're off!
Portsmouth 3 Blackburn 0
They're off! Has a different meaning in football to horse racing, as Mark Hughes soon found out, when Blackburn finished with nine men. Lucas Neill was sent off in the 63rd minute, and was followed by Andy Todd in injury time.
The game was a great start for the enigmatic Rednapp and his new signings. There are few managers as wily as Harry, who bought in Sol Campbell, David James and Kanu to strengthen his squad. Todorov, who had scored for Pompei in the first half, was replaced in the 58th minute with Kanu, who scored twice in the second half,. What a start Harry, keep it up!
Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 1
This match was another managerial success of sorts; with new coach Martin O'Neill's side holding Arsenal to a one all draw. Olaf Mellberg scored for Aston Villa, and created some sort of record, being the first to score against Arsenal at their new Emirates Stadium! Arsenal deserved to equalise through Gilbert in the 84th minute. He scored from a fine delivery by Theo Walcott, who came on in the 73rd minute and made an impressive start. A sign of things to come!
Reading 3 Middlesboro' 2
Newly promoted Reading beat Middlesboro' after a shaky start. Middlesboro' had gone 2 - 0 up in the 21st minute, but by the interval Reading had equalised. Lita scored the winner in the 54th minute, and was delighted with his first goal from his left foot.
Sheffield 1 Liverpool 1
Sheffield United gave Liverpool a hard time and nearly won. They went ahead when Hulse scored in the 46th minute, but Liverpool equalised from an arguable penalty, half way through the second half. Gerrard was tackled in the box by Chris Morgan, who seemed to go for the ball and avoid physical contact. There was little doubt that his desperate tackle put Gerrard off, but was it a penalty? Yes, said the ref, and Fowler coolly scored from the spot. The game was drawn.
All in all it was a good day. The Premiership is back.
They're off! Has a different meaning in football to horse racing, as Mark Hughes soon found out, when Blackburn finished with nine men. Lucas Neill was sent off in the 63rd minute, and was followed by Andy Todd in injury time.
The game was a great start for the enigmatic Rednapp and his new signings. There are few managers as wily as Harry, who bought in Sol Campbell, David James and Kanu to strengthen his squad. Todorov, who had scored for Pompei in the first half, was replaced in the 58th minute with Kanu, who scored twice in the second half,. What a start Harry, keep it up!
Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 1
This match was another managerial success of sorts; with new coach Martin O'Neill's side holding Arsenal to a one all draw. Olaf Mellberg scored for Aston Villa, and created some sort of record, being the first to score against Arsenal at their new Emirates Stadium! Arsenal deserved to equalise through Gilbert in the 84th minute. He scored from a fine delivery by Theo Walcott, who came on in the 73rd minute and made an impressive start. A sign of things to come!
Reading 3 Middlesboro' 2
Newly promoted Reading beat Middlesboro' after a shaky start. Middlesboro' had gone 2 - 0 up in the 21st minute, but by the interval Reading had equalised. Lita scored the winner in the 54th minute, and was delighted with his first goal from his left foot.
Sheffield 1 Liverpool 1
Sheffield United gave Liverpool a hard time and nearly won. They went ahead when Hulse scored in the 46th minute, but Liverpool equalised from an arguable penalty, half way through the second half. Gerrard was tackled in the box by Chris Morgan, who seemed to go for the ball and avoid physical contact. There was little doubt that his desperate tackle put Gerrard off, but was it a penalty? Yes, said the ref, and Fowler coolly scored from the spot. The game was drawn.
All in all it was a good day. The Premiership is back.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Out With the Old - In With the New!
England 4 Greece 0
Was this just a stroll in the park for England, who played very well to beat a team that offered little resistance? With Terry, Lampard, and Crouch (2), all scoring the game was won in double time at half time!
It was non scorer, Owen Hargreaves, who was named man of the match. This was a timely accomplishment, as Manchester United are reported keen to sign him for around 13 million. They might be all the more interested now that he has already proved himself at Old Trafford!
You would have to say it was a good night for Steve McLaren, who needs to consolidate his position as England manager. One swallow does not make a Summer, and with only 45,000 fans turning up for his first test match, not all are convinced about his credentials.
Many considered it controversial to exclude David Beckham from the line up, which would appear to have been as much a political decision as anything. McLaren's policy, of out with the old and in with the new, cannot be judged from one match. It very much depends on consistency, and how the team performs against serious opposition. Steve was Sven's deputy, and there are those who consider that if a new broom really sweeps clean, he would have joined the also rans! He still has it all to prove!
We are nearly there! The season starts in earnest on Saturday when the Premiership swings into action. On with the show! Its all to play for!
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Was this just a stroll in the park for England, who played very well to beat a team that offered little resistance? With Terry, Lampard, and Crouch (2), all scoring the game was won in double time at half time!
It was non scorer, Owen Hargreaves, who was named man of the match. This was a timely accomplishment, as Manchester United are reported keen to sign him for around 13 million. They might be all the more interested now that he has already proved himself at Old Trafford!
You would have to say it was a good night for Steve McLaren, who needs to consolidate his position as England manager. One swallow does not make a Summer, and with only 45,000 fans turning up for his first test match, not all are convinced about his credentials.
Many considered it controversial to exclude David Beckham from the line up, which would appear to have been as much a political decision as anything. McLaren's policy, of out with the old and in with the new, cannot be judged from one match. It very much depends on consistency, and how the team performs against serious opposition. Steve was Sven's deputy, and there are those who consider that if a new broom really sweeps clean, he would have joined the also rans! He still has it all to prove!
We are nearly there! The season starts in earnest on Saturday when the Premiership swings into action. On with the show! Its all to play for!
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thank you David! - Good luck John!
John Terry has been appointed England skipper to replace David Beckham. It was certainly not a one horse race, for Steven Gerrard was very much in the running. A poll run by BBC Sport showed that Terry was very narrowly favoured over his rival, but it seems that Steve McLaren agreed and so, Terry is captain with Gerrard as the vice captain.
Both these players are excellent captains of Chelsea and Liverpool, so it probably depends on whether you live South of Watford, as to whether you agree with the outcome. Most fans will go along with the decision, because although they may rant and rave, in different directions at club level, their cause unites when England take to the field. As David Beckham found out, it is not a job that is devoid of criticism, but most would agree that he did the job well, and became respected for doing so, both on and off the field. So thank you David! Good luck John!
Elsewhere Arsenal and Liverpool have won their early European matches. It was significant that both Liverpool's goals were scored by new boys Craig Bellamy and Mark Gonzalez, who had a dream start. It is reported that he had been awaiting a work permit for quite some time and this was his first opportunity to play. Even so it was a brave decision by Rafael Benitez, to substitute him for Gerrard in the 84th minute. Two minutes later Liverpool were in front when speedy Gonzalez lived up to his name, and slammed the ball home, for a match winner. If he can keep that up, the Chilean international will soon become a kop favourite.
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Both these players are excellent captains of Chelsea and Liverpool, so it probably depends on whether you live South of Watford, as to whether you agree with the outcome. Most fans will go along with the decision, because although they may rant and rave, in different directions at club level, their cause unites when England take to the field. As David Beckham found out, it is not a job that is devoid of criticism, but most would agree that he did the job well, and became respected for doing so, both on and off the field. So thank you David! Good luck John!
Elsewhere Arsenal and Liverpool have won their early European matches. It was significant that both Liverpool's goals were scored by new boys Craig Bellamy and Mark Gonzalez, who had a dream start. It is reported that he had been awaiting a work permit for quite some time and this was his first opportunity to play. Even so it was a brave decision by Rafael Benitez, to substitute him for Gerrard in the 84th minute. Two minutes later Liverpool were in front when speedy Gonzalez lived up to his name, and slammed the ball home, for a match winner. If he can keep that up, the Chilean international will soon become a kop favourite.
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Premiership - 13 Days to Go - Is Rooney a Marked Man?
Wayne Rooney got sent off again Porto on Friday. Paul Scholes was also sent off, for what was deemed to be a dangerous tackle, and so it seems that the game was something of an unfriendly, friendly!
Strikers, like Wayne, are always going to be closely marked by the opposition but has he also been marked by referees? Does one red card deserve another? If a player has recently been sent off, referees will be aware of it, and almost subconsciously, watch that player all the closer. Football has long been a game, where being penalised, very much depends on what the referee sees. Perhaps the more they see, or hear about, the closer they look. The mud sticks, as they say.
Although much of the new English season has started, we must wait until Saturday week, for the Premiership to get under way. Football fever will then return, after the somewhat quiet spell since the World cup, although there has been plenty going on in the transfer market. However, it's on the field where it all really matters, when new signings are tested, and managers seek to justify their expenditure. Can’t wait for the show to begin!
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
Strikers, like Wayne, are always going to be closely marked by the opposition but has he also been marked by referees? Does one red card deserve another? If a player has recently been sent off, referees will be aware of it, and almost subconsciously, watch that player all the closer. Football has long been a game, where being penalised, very much depends on what the referee sees. Perhaps the more they see, or hear about, the closer they look. The mud sticks, as they say.
Although much of the new English season has started, we must wait until Saturday week, for the Premiership to get under way. Football fever will then return, after the somewhat quiet spell since the World cup, although there has been plenty going on in the transfer market. However, it's on the field where it all really matters, when new signings are tested, and managers seek to justify their expenditure. Can’t wait for the show to begin!
Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football
soccer and football
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