Monday, November 27, 2006

Saha Gets Two!

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Manchester Utd 1 - 1 Chelsea


This was a game of two distinct halves, with United ahead in the first and Chelsea driving back in the second.


Saha scored a clever goal for United after 29 minutes, bending the ball inside the post and beyond the reach of Cudicini. However, it should not be overlooked that the ball arrived via a fine pass from Wayne Rooney, who unselfishly seems to be as happy for his colleagues to score as himself. Close marking resulted in Chelsea's first half shots being long range efforts, and Van Der Sar was up to the task.


After the interval Robben was brought on for Geremi although he had played reasonably well. Nevertheless, the switch seemed to inspire Chelsea to at least get even. They succeeded, when after 70 minutes Carvalho's header went in off Saha's head! Unfortunately, it seemed that Van Der Saar might have been impeded by his team mate, as the ball bounced in fiercely from the underside of the crossbar.


So, United are still on top, but this was a valuable draw for Chelsea. With both teams clear at the head of the Premiership they will take some catching - but who will finally triumph?


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City Gerrarised!

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Liverpool 1 - 0 Manchester City


An uncharacteristic bad pass from Joey Barton, let Steven Gerrard in, to score what was to be the only goal of the match.


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was delighted to see Gerrard's first Premiership goal of the current campaign. City manager Stuart Pearce ruefully suggested, that if you hand Gerrard a ball like that 20 yards out, you deserve to be punished! He went on to say that's what happens when you make a costly mistake, playing a top-four club. However, Liverpool cannot claim such distinction until they start winning away from home, as they are currently in ninth position!


Bolton Triumphant!


Bolton 3 - 1 Arsenal

Faye put Bolton ahead in the 9th minute from Diouf's corner, and the writing was on the wall!


Things looked grim for Arsenal, when Anelka made it two up for the home side, just before half time. However, Silva struck back in the dying seconds of the first half injury time, and Arsenal were still in the game.


The Gunners ceased the initiative early in the second half, but their luck was out as they struck the woodwork three times! Then, in the 76th minute they were finished off, as Anelka got his second, and his sides third goal.


Yet again Bolton proved what a good side they are, as they moved up to third place in the Premiership.


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Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Ha! Ha! Saha! - The Jokes on Sir Alec

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Celtic 1 - 0 Man Utd


After Saha had squandered an open goal, from a great Wayne Rooney flick, it was astonishing that he should have been given the opportunity to bungle again, from the penalty spot in the 89th minute!


Manchester United were on top in the first half, when a timid Celtic seemed unable to get the ball. However, they failed to take advantage and at the interval there was no score.


Celtic were more determined in the second half. For United, Ronaldo was back on form, and made several threatening attacks. His best chance came in the 77th minute but his shot was deflected wide. Giggs did not have one of his better games. Rooney played well, and had set up Saha for what could have been a winner.


This blog has previously made a case for Rooney to wear the number nine shirt. He is the most promising English striker for many a year, but there is a psychological advantage in being Number 9! Sure Saha is usually more reliable than he was tonight, but Rooney is a stronger forward who would not have missed these chances!


The only goal of the match was a winner for Celtic, and what a goal it was. It came from a wonderful free kick taken by Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura. It was not a case of the rising sun but the rising ball, as he lifted it over the wall into the corner of the net, giving Van Der Saar no chance.


Well done to Gordon Strachan and his Celtic team for a historic win. As for United, the best way to show Saha that his performance was not good enough, would be for Sir Alec to insist that he swaps shirts with Rooney forthwith!


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Sunday, November 19, 2006

Star Struck!

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Sheffield Utd 1 - 2 Manchester Utd


Gillespie put Sheffield Utd ahead by scoring his first goal in 44 appearances, in the 13th minute.


The Man Utd all stars then took over, and it was fittingly Wayne Rooney, who put his side in front after 30 minutes. Gary Neville's low cross was smartly picked up, by back to form Rooney, who fired the ball home from six yards, leaving Kenny no chance.


After the interval the home side seemed to be demoralised. Even more so, when after 75 minutes, Evra's cross was volleyed home by top striker Rooney for his second goal.


If anybody needs to ask, the man of the match was Wayne Rooney, who is back with a vengeance. On this occasion, team mate Cristiano Ronaldo was unimpressive. He missed at least three chances including one that any schoolboy could have put away. It didn't really matter though, Wayne is back, United are on top, so watch out Chelsea!


London Bridge Not Falling Down


Chelsea 1 - 0 West Ham


Chelsea needed to win, to keep the pressure on Man Utd at the top, and they succeeded.


Drogba was fouled and Geremi's free kick was superbly curled round the wall, to put Chelsea ahead after 22 minutes. Afterwards Shevchenko and Robbens missed good chances.


Chelsea maintained the pressure in the second half as Lampard, Drogba, and Essien all went close. For the visitors, Zamora's volley went over the bar. At the end Chelsea just about deserved their win, although the visitors ensured they didn't have it all their own way.


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Liverpool Kop Out!

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Middlesboro' 0 - 0 Liverpool


The best teams in the Premiership visit The Kop at their peril, and yet away from home Liverpool scare nobody!


Mark Gonzalez and Holland striker Kuyt had chances to put Liverpool ahead, but it was not to be. Boro' were certainly not out of it, and James Morrison and Andrew Davies were threatening.


Liverpool nearly scored after 53 minutes, when both Eviell and Yakubu were denied. Soon afterwards attempts by Bellamy and Aggew met a similar fate, and the writing was on the wall!


The visitors pummelled away, and kept up the pressure until the end without scoring. Crouch, on for Kuyt had two good chances, but until they stop pummelling and start hammering, they will remain subservient to the Premiership giants!


No Quarter - Given


Arsenal 1 - 1 Newcastle


Arsenal cannot afford to drop points if they aspire to remain a potent force at the head of the Premiership.


Team tactics are all very well, but can Arsenal really start with their best player on the bench, and expect to win? I would have thought that unless he sustained an injury, Henry would be more fit rather than less fit, by having played for his country in mid week.


Fabregas had missed for Arsenal, but forgotten man Kieran Dyer capably put the ball away at the other end, and Newcastle were in front. To be fair there was sustained pressure from the Gunners, but Given was magnificent in the Newcastle goal. He saved, and saved, then saved again!


Henry came on in the second half, and as usual made his presence felt. After he was brought down by Steven Taylor, he took the free kick himself, and curled the ball home, round the wall. So Arsenal got the draw, but they must now begin to wonder if there is room at the top, as Man Utd and Chelsea force the pace!


Watford Caught Redknapping!


Portsmouth 2 - 1 Watford


With third place in the Premiership, Pompey go marching on.


Watford got the opener after 32 minutes, when American DeMerit headed home. Kanu then levelled just before half time, with his eighth Premiership goal of the season.


The winner came late in the second half, after Kanu was brought down and LuaLua coolly slammed the ball home from the spot. This was not a classic match but to be third in the Premiership at this stage is a tremendous achievement for Portsmouth AFC, its manager, and a feast for its fans.


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Thursday, November 16, 2006

Holland 1 - 1 England

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Firstly, allow me to apologise because this blog has been misfiring due to a virus attack. It was just one of those unfortunate things that you hear about happening to others, and hope you are bullet-proof against. However, not to dwell, it was something I could have lived without, but all experience is useful. Perhaps, even that gained from recovering from the undesirable, but clever intentions, of malicious hackers!


Back to Football


Holland 1 - 1 England


It really did look as though England would return from Holland with something better than a draw, but it was not to be. Joe Cole re-established himself after recovering from his knee injury. He delivered a brilliant cross after 37 minutes, which Rooney was able to guide into the Dutch net and end his international goal drought.


It was good to see England's premier striker back in scoring mode, but it must be said that he had other chances including a wasted opportunity, when he tamely headed another Cole delivery at the keeper, instead of the volley it was crying out for!


England remained on top for most of the second half, but there slender lead proved not to be enough, and Holland were getting back into the game. Robben was tireless and easily the best Dutch player. It was his decision that led to the equaliser in the 86th minute. Long throws can be almost as effective as corners, and it seemed to be at Robben's insistence that he took the initiative, after two others dallied. His powerful throw finished up in the goal mouth, and in a bit of a scramble Van Der Vaart slammed it home.


This was a better show by McClarens men, but they should have beaten a substandard Dutch side, so there is still not too much to get excited about!


Last Weekend - Yes, I Know it's History Now!


Chelsea hammered Watford 4 - 0 on Saturday, with the superb Drogba bagging his second hat trick of the season. What a player! What a Team!


Manchester United beat Blackburn by a goal to nil, which was their first league win at Blackburn since 1998.Therefore, it was hugely satisfying, especially as they remain three points clear at the head of the Premiership.


There was an earlier blip, when they were surprisingly knocked out of the Carling Cup by Southend. Cup games can throw up unlikely results, but it was great for the underdogs to triumph, with Freddy Eastwood’s fantastic only goal of the match.


Arsenal 3 - 0 Liverpool


Arsenal seem to have delivered a knockout blow, to any pretence Liverpool might have had left, to be near the top of the Premiership. The Gunner's hopes are still very much alive, and if they can keep their act together for the rest of the season, their current third place could be improved upon.


So I hope to be more up to date in future. Computers, like footballers can suffer injuries, but I am glad to be back online, and hopefully virus free.


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Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Gunners Hammered! West Ham 1 - 0 Arsenal

This was a hard fought game which concluded with managerial tempers flaring! In such a game, it is always possible for one side or the other, to feel hard done by. This seemed to be the case with Arsene Wenger, who appeared to take exception to Alan Pardew's excited gesticulations when his side clinched it, in the dying seconds. Perhaps Pardew did overdo it a bit, but this was a big scalp to take, and his pleasure was only matched by Wenger's disdain!


Both sides had scoring opportunities before half time. Henry was involved in setting up Rosicky who wasted the chance. Then he delivered the ball to Van Persie, whose shot forced keeper Robert Green into a fine save.


West Ham too had first half chances, but they produced a strong finish involving Sheringham, Etherington, and Harewood who turned the ball into the net for an 89th minute winner.


Spurs Beat Blues! Tottenham 2 - 1 Chelsea


This was a great result for Tottenham, and for Manchester United who now go three points ahead at the top of the Premiership!


Makelele unusually scored for Chelsea and after 15 minutes they were a goal in front. It could very easily have been more during a period of sustained pressure. Lampard and Ballack both went close, but it was Dawson who levelled the score after 25 minutes.


Lennon scored for Spurs in the 52nd minute, and surprisingly they had come from a goal behind to a goal in front. Things were beginning to look ominous for Chelsea, and even worse when John Terry was sent off after 72 minutes for a second yellow. The Blues tried hard to fight back but Spurs held on for a notable victory.


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Sunday, November 05, 2006

20 Years at the Top Man Utd 3 - 0 Portsmouth

It was fitting that the Red Devils should give Portsmouth a football lesson, on the occasion of the anniversary of Sir Alec Ferguson being 20 years in charge.


It didn't take long for the home team to assert their authority, and Saha scored from the penalty spot after only three minutes. Rooney had been brought down in the box and the scene was set. Does it say anything about Wayne's confidence that he did not take the kick himself? About eight minutes later United were awarded a free kick when Saha was fouled. Cristiano Ronaldo positioned himself over the ball, to deliver a magnificent shot into goal, from 30 yards out. No lack of confidence here, It was reminiscent of what David Beckham used to do, and easily beat goalkeeper James, who nevertheless had a better game than the score line suggests. But for some good saves it could easily have been more!


Vidic put the game beyond dispute in the 66th minute. Twenty years on Sir Alec has much to celebrate!


Cornered by Dutch Hitman Liverpool 2 - 0 Reading


Liverpool have had a bit of an in and out season so far, but again they triumphed at their mighty Kop!


Reading were outgunned by the home side, and finished up being cornered by hitman Kuyt in the 73rd minute! The Flying Dutchman had already put Liverpool ahead after 14 minutes. Gerrard crossed the ball which was headed to Kuyt by Peter Crouch.


After a quiet spell earlier in the season, Steven Gerrard is playing as well as ever. He handles his captaincy in exemplary fashion, and emerged again as man of the match!


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Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Battle of the Titans Barcelona 2 - 2 Chelsea

This was arguably a match that had everything including, football skill, artistic petulance, humour, bad temper, yellow cards, confusion, as well as great goals.


Chelsea were behind early on, when Deco put Barca ahead, after three minutes, with a great drive from twenty yards out. There were other chances for both sides, but at the interval the home side were a goal to nil in front. There had been plenty of drama, and it seemed that most spectators and commentators expected Ashley Cole to be sent off after 37 minutes. However, it later transpired that it was not Cole, but Lampard who had been booked. Interviewed after the match, Lampard was adamant that he hadn't done anything to deserve a booking.


Shortly after the interval Lampard scored a goal, which can only be described as exquisite, from an almost impossible angle. At first he seemed to have fumbled Essien's cross, but he then turned tightly and amazingly lofted the ball over Valdes.


The scores were not equal for long though, because a few minutes later a touch of Ronaldhino wizardry, delivered a ball to Gudjohnsen that was virtually unmissable and Barca went ahead again. Time was running out and it began to look like there would be a Spanish victory. Chelsea though had other ideas and continued to press. Their determination was rewarded when Captain John Terry unselfishly headed towards Drogba, who chested down and swerved to get the equaliser in the 90th minute.


The game was over but the drama continued. In a celebratory tribute to his men, Chelsea boss Jose Mourhino slid across the field on his knees, Meantime, Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard was less pleased, and seemed to berate the referee, who had a busy night with ten yellow cards. Not a classic match but as a spectacle - enthralling!


Home Run Continues Liverpool 3 - 0 Bordeaux


Liverpool continued to shine at home and they are through to the Champions League knockout stages.


Garcia started the ball rolling, with a powerful volley from Gerrard's cross, to put his side one up at the interval. Afterwards Bordeaux seemed more determined, until a nasty incident in the 67th minute saw Mennegazzo sent off for headbutting Riise.


Back to form Steven Gerrard got a second for Liverpool after 71 minutes. Luis Garcia got his second in the 76th minute to make it three for the hosts, and crown a good performance.


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