Tuesday, February 27, 2007

United Skittle the Opposition

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Fulham 1 - 2 Man Utd


You could say that United have skittled the opposition by going nine points up at the head of the Premiership. However, this game was no pushover and even the greatest need their share of luck!


Fulham took control early on against a strong United team. Their initiative was rewarded, in the 17th minute, when McBride's low drive finished up in the back of the net. Despite their lowly place in the Premier League, Fulham were all out to make a name for themselves.


Ryan Giggs was in stunning form, and developed a sparkling move with the competent, but goal starved, Rooney. He was able to move forward with the ball on the right, before delivering a perfect pass back to the Welshman, to volley home, and get his side level. In the meantime there was a bit of a fracas between Ferdinand and Radzinski, and many would believe that the former was lucky to only get a yellow card, after manhandling his opponent in the face!


In the second half Fulham continued to attack, and in the 48th minute Davies was only denied by Van der Saar. United's superb keeper again saved the day from another McBride endeavour, and the league leaders seemed up against it. Then Ronaldo conjured up a piece of magic that changed it all. In a fine solo display, he received the ball in his own half to dance and weave forward. He easily beat Dempsey and Christanval to score the winner in the 88th minute.


So perhaps Fulham were unlucky, but with the likes of Ronaldo, Giggs, Rooney and the rest, United don’t really rely on luck and deserved their hard fought win.


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Fouls Let Fowler In

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Liverpool 4 - 0 Sheffield United


Two penalties in the first half sealed this game for Liverpool. Both were for fouls against Steven Gerrard and both were converted by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. Coach Rafa Benitez summed it up later when he said the second penalty was very, very clear. That seemed to suggest that the first one was not as clear-cut, and somewhat contrived, but if you are thrown the bait you don't have to take it!


Peter Crouch was carried off after being accidentally kicked in the face by Rob Hulse. It later transpired that his nose was broken and he required several stitches to facial lacerations. He was not kept in hospital but we wish him a speedy recovery. The Reds were two up at half time and cruising towards a comfortable victory.


The Blades came out more determined in the second half but it was all in vain, as Sami Hyppia made it three for the home side, when he scored from close range, in the 70th minute. Shortly afterwards, Gerrard made it four when he received the ball from Fowler.


Neil Warnock opined that the first penalty goal had set the game up for Liverpool. However, they won convincingly, and there was much more in the manner of their win than a controversial penalty.


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Wednesday, February 21, 2007

A Proper Game of Football

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Real Madrid 3 - 2 Bayern Munich


Whilst Manchester United were struggling in France, against a resilient but petulant Lille, two of their former stars were putting on a scintillating display at the Bernabeu.


Both David Beckham and Ruud Van Nistlerooy were heavily involved in Real's win over the efficient German side. In fact precision Beckham deliveries were behind all three of his side's goals. Two were netted by the 'old' maestro Raul, with Van Nistelroy getting a third on 34 minutes.


Bayern had got one back lo level, after 23 minutes, but they were behind at the interval. They scored an invaluable second goal after 88 minutes, when Mark Van Bommel set his side up for an interesting second leg.


Interviewed after the match, the in form David Beckham stated how playing for England had been his ambition since he was a boy. He went on to say that he would still be available to play for his country, either from Spain, or Los Angeles, and there was no doubting his sincerity. It would be foolhardy to ignore recent England results, that seem to suggest that his presence has been missed. Steve McClaren take note.


Elsewhere it was a goalless draw between Celtic and AC Milan, and Arsenal were beaten by a goal to nil by PSV Eindhoven.


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French Revolution

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Lille 0 - 1 Man Utd


Following a rather dull first half the game exploded into deep controversy after the interval.


Rooney was in good form and made a great run to chip the ball to Giggs, who just missed at the far post. Then Rooney and Ronaldo were very much involved in a move which could have put their side in front. However, Ronaldo's shot was saved and Rooney's soared over the bar.


The home side believed they had edged in front, when Odemwingie headed in what at first appeared to be a good goal. The referee ruled that the scorer had pushed Vidic, and the goal was disallowed. Technically the official was correct, but the French fans thought otherwise and booed furiously.


After 69 minutes, Saha was substituted for Ronaldo, who was obviously displeased as evidenced by something of a tantrum! He has never scored for United in this competition, which probably grinds as much for him as for his employers, because he would prefer to be able to do something about it.


In the 83rd minute United were awarded a free kick, which Giggs took quickly, curling the ball into the back of the net, seemingly before Lille were ready. They had not finished preparing their defensive wall to their goalkeeper's satisfaction when the winger thumped the ball home. Apparently Giggs had asked the referee if he could take the free kick quickly, and he agreed. So the Welshman had done nothing against the rules, and his side were in front with an opportunist goal.


Lille were incensed and the players marched off the field, as it appeared that they wanted to abandon the game! The crowd were booing, going wild and throwing missiles onto the pitch. Sir Alex Ferguson was disgusted. Gary Neville was indignant, and the game was in danger of becoming a fiasco! After all, it is only a game -but sometimes you wonder!


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Monday, February 19, 2007

Phillips Gets it Wright!

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Chelsea 4 - 0 Norwich


Chelsea gave owner Roman Abramovich a day to remember with a four-nil defeat over an able Norwich side. Wright-Phillips got the first goal in the 39th minute, and was obviously delighted as his smile was only eclipsed by that of Abramovich in his executive box.


Drogba is now expected to score every time he plays and did not let his side down, when he got the second, which was an untidy affair after 51 minutes. From the score line it would be easy to believe that Chelsea had it all their own way, but they didn't. After going two down Norwich dug deep, and they were only denied by the extraordinary goalkeeping of Peter Cech.


At the end, it seemed that Chelsea upped their performance, in the knowledge that their owner and benefactor was watching. Goals by Essien and Shevchenko in extra time, served to exaggerate the result. However, the Championship side had their moments. It was another famous face that looked a little disappointed, but nevertheless Director Delia Smith could be pleased with her team's performance.


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United Pile The Pressure On - Themselves!

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Man Utd 1 - 1 Reading


Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to rest the likes of Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, and hold other key players on the subs' bench, may have cost him dearly. Wayne Rooney was suspended so he was forcefully prevented from playing. It means that United have an extra game to fit into a busy schedule. Gary Neville, in particular was sorely missed. Although not a goal scorer, he is very much a goal maker, through accurate passing and long throwing, and he is inspirationally enthusiastic in the captaincy.


Did United miss several good chances or did Reading defend particularly well? A bit of both is the answer, and Reading fully deserve their replay and could just as easily have won it as the home side, who dominated the first half. Solskjaer, Park and Saha all missed before Carrick put them ahead in first half injury time, which is always a bad time to concede. Although Carrick competently thumped the ball home from about 25 yards, it was a touch of Ronaldo wizardry that presented the opportunity.


United's Portuguese winger was threatening again after the interval but on this occasion he was not a shooting star! One of Readings rare attacks on goal was successful, when Oster's pass connected with Gunnarsson, whose splendid header whistled home passed a bevy of United defenders. This seemed to instil a sense of urgency in Sir Alex, who called in the cavalry, with a triple substitution to try to save the day. Larsson and Saha, had good efforts saved by Federici. Then Reading very nearly snatched a late winner at the other end. So the game was drawn with Steve Coppell applauding his men off the field.


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Defend or Die!

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Arsenal 0 - 0 Blackburn


This was a dull and dreary goal-less draw, with Mark Hughes possibly getting the result he came for. The best entertainment was probably off the field, with Hughes becoming animatedly excited, and Arsene Wenger looking increasingly worried.


It seems those well-known adversaries, Wenger and Sir Alec Ferguson, are concerned about the number of fixtures they have to cram in before the season ends. The have a point, of course, but it seems that television companies have a say in when matches are played. In part, the high salaries that footballers, and everyone else in the Premiership get paid are dependent upon television receipts. This may not be as much the case with United and Arsenal, but it is astonishing to note the number of empty seats at some televised Premiership matches. So, in its present form the Premiership could not survive without television money, and as the saying goes, you can’t have your cake………………….


Generally, defensive football is not nearly as entertaining as that played by attacking sides. However, it is all part of the game, and frustrating as it might be to the opposition, games are won at least as much by keeping the ball out as by scoring goals. Simply put Blackburn came to defend, and they were successful. Odds compilers will probably agree, that they now have a better chance of winning this cup-tie, at home. Hughes would then be a temporary hero!


Arsenal's best chance was thwarted by American keeper, Brad Friedel who made two good saves when the game was in its last minutes. Diving to his left his outstretched hand denied a quiet Henry, and he then blocked the rebound shot from Justin Hoyte. Arsenal, maybe should have won, as they seemed to have a legitimate penalty appeal denied. In the meantime Mark Hughes and Blackburn, live on to fight another day!


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Monday, February 12, 2007

United Miss Ronny!

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Manchester Utd 2 - 0 Charlton


United were without their Portuguese winger and it showed! Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out with a heavy cold, and although United are not a one-man team, by any stretch of the imagination, Ronaldo is a class act in the super star category. Sure the home side won, but Charlton are all but bottom of the league, and a goal blitz might have been expected!


Ji-sung Park replaced Ronaldo on the right, and it was he who fittingly put his side in front after 24 minutes. The little man with the big heart, out jumped Ben Thatcher, to head in United's first. After that the home side did not really come up to expectations to press home their obvious superiority. In fact, they got a scare in the 76th minute when Rommedahl dispatched a free kick from the left to Michael Bent. However, the timely intervention of Gary Neville was just enough to ensure the ball went wide.


The league leaders left it until the 82nd minute, before they put the game beyond dispute. Wayne Rooney's close range shot was blocked by Scott Carson’s legs, but only to finish up back with the England forward, who lost no time in accurately finding Fletcher, who headed home to secure the points.


Although, at the end United won comfortably, this was not one of their better performances. For all that they remain six points clear at the top of the Premiership, with seemingly only Chelsea with any real chance of toppling them!


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Chelsea Goal Machine Piles on the Pressure

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Chelsea 3 - 0 Middlesboro'


Middlesboro may well have reflected on what might have been, as the Chelsea goal machine was late getting started. In fact the visitors should have gone ahead, after 12 minutes, from a great cross by Stewart Downing, but Mark Viduka missed a sitter. Almost inevitably, it was the mighty Drogba who put Chelsea ahead, practically on the stroke of half time, when he thumped a free kick through a wall of players, to put his side in front at a crucial moment.


Robben came on for Diarra after 65 minutes, and made his presence felt immediately by pressurising Middlesboro's Xaviar into turning the ball into his own net. That stifled any feint chance of recovery the home side harboured.


The superb Robben was again involved when Chelsea got their third goal in the 83rd minute. He won a free kick, when Jason Evell fouled him. Drogbas long-range drive went in off the head of Andrew Davies to give the Ivorian hotshot two more, in his quest to be the Premiership's top goal scorer. More significantly he ensured that his side remain in striking distance of United at the top!


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Monday, February 05, 2007

United F-awesome

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Spurs 0 - 4 Man Utd


It was unfortunate for Spurs that they caught United at the top of their game, and playing with the precision of a programmed machine! Ronaldo, who later courted controversy, had the first real chance for United but uncharacteristically blasted it over. He made amends just on half time, when he was brought down in the box, and competently scored from the penalty spot. However, replays showed that he was barely touched when he went down, and he was subsequently heckled by the home supporters. Nevertheless, United were one up at half time and it could not be denied that they were on top.


Immediately after the restart, Robinson made good saves from Vidic and Carrick. They would not be denied though, and combined again for Vidic to head in his side’s second goal in less than five minutes play. Shortly afterwards, in the 53rd minute the visitors went three up as Scholes scrambled in Ronaldo's cross. Berbatov nearly got one back for Spurs, but Van der Sar was as brilliant in goal as his team mates on the field. Almost inevitably United went even further ahead when Saha, who substituted the yellow-carded Rooney, fed the ball through to Giggs. The Welsh Wizard 'eyed' Robinson, and gave him no chance when he thumped the ball home. Again Berbatov threatened for Spurs but Van der Sar would not be beaten.


Van der Sar was injured late in the game when United had used all their subs. O'Shea went in goal for the last five minutes and saved a shot that might have given Spurs a little consolation. However, United are enjoying a rich vein of form, and this display was football of the highest order. If they continue to play at this level, it is difficult to see them anywhere but remaining at the top, dominating the Premiership!


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Sunday, February 04, 2007

Charlton Lampooned!

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Charlton 0 - 1 Chelsea


Frank Lampard's 18th minute rocket, whizzed past Charlton Goalkeeper Carson, and proved to be a match winner. Actually, it’s a good job that Frank had his scoring boots on, when Shevchenko was again a bit of a let down. He had his chances to make the game safe before half time, but still flatters to deceive. He might just not be getting the right breaks, but if a player is continuously unlucky, you begin to question his finishing ability. The time is getting slightly overdue for the Ukrainian to prove his worth. No prizes for guessing who might agree!


The Blues came away with another three points, to add to their Premiership tally, but they didn't have it all their own way. In fact, they will need to be much more convincing to shake United at the top. In the second half, Charlton were only thwarted by the brave and helmeted Petr Cech. He made great saves to deny Andy Faye, whose fierce shots would have beaten lesser keepers.


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This Derby Was No Classic

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Liverpool 0 - 0 Everton


As Derbies go this was no classic! Liverpool probably had the best chance of the game in the ninth minute when Crouch's scissor kick, was saved by Tim Howard. The Liverpool attacker is in danger of making this his own acrobatic speciality. It is an unlikely technique for the tallest of the tall, but worth the entrance money when he pulls it off! Not this time though! Bellamy was his usual energetic self, but was frustrated when ruled offside by one of those, is he, isn't he decisions.


On the hour, Andy Johnson went close for the visitors, but was denied by Reina. Crouch, for Liverpool, and Pennant for Everton both had late chances, but at the end it was all-square. That was a fitting end to an uninspiring game.


Derbies can be hard to win, so an away draw was a better result for Everton, than Liverpool just holding them at home!


Thierry Henry Gets Even!


Middlesboro 1 - 1 Arsenal


In a dull first half, Viduka collected a yellow card, for a foul on Toure, when he seemed to use his elbow. Boro' manager, Southgate, disputed that there was any intent by his Australian striker.


The game livened up in the second half. Perhaps too much, because on the hour Senderos was judged to have sent Yakubu sprawling in the box, and was red carded. The Nigerian then took the spot kick himself, and sent Lehmann the wrong way to put his side in front. However, replays seemed to confirm that the foul was outside the box and that Arsenal were harshly treated.


Viduka nearly put Boro' ahead but Lehmann produced a good save, before getting the ball to Toure, who then found Adebayor. He passed to Henry, who toed in past Brad Jones, to get his side even.


Arsenal are still in with a slight chance at the Premiership title, but their hopes are getting slimmer!


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Thursday, February 01, 2007

Chelsea Roast Blackburn

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Chelsea 3 – 0 Blackburn


While United were busy at Old Trafford, Chelsea were doing their stuff at Stamford Bridge. They went ahead after only six minutes when the mighty Drogba, put the ball past Brad Friedel. Amazingly it was his 23rd goal of the season, 15 of which have been scored in the Premiership


Chelsea didn’t get another goal until the 67th minute, when the tireless Frank Lampard, fired in a typical blockbuster, to put his side two up. Kalou was substituted to replace Shevchenko in the 84th minute, and he headed home from a Ballack cross in the 90th minute, to make it three for the home side. Prior to going off, Shevchenko had several good chances, but crucially he failed to put the ball away.


Blackburn thought they should have had a penalty, but Referee Poll did not agree. Chelsea seem to have got their act together, and they were impressive, but sadly Ashley Cole collapsed awkwardly, with no other player involved. It is to hoped that his injury is not as serious as it appeared.


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Wayne Rooney’s Had His Chips!

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Manchester Utd 4 – 0 Watford


Wayne Rooney has amazingly chipped the ball over opposition goalkeepers in his last two matches. Last night’s goal was not as spectacular, as the one he scored against Portsmouth on Saturday, nor was it as necessary as United were already three goals up. However, it showed yet again the class of the young Liverpudlian, just as if any proof was really needed.


The equally talented Ronaldo, fresh from a five-day break in Dubai, scored United’s first from the spot. Solksjaer was fouled by Watford defender Jay De Merrit and won the penalty. There are not many better penalty takers than Ronaldo. In fact there are not many, better at anything, than Ronaldo. He coolly sent the keeper the wrong way, and hammered the ball home to put his side in front in the 20th minute. Watford had a chance of equalising on the half hour, when Kuszczak fumbled the ball. However, at the interval the home side were one up, with their sights set on getting more.


United’s second goal came in the 61st minute, as Doyley headed into his own goal, trying to foil Ronaldo who was ready and waiting. Less than ten minutes later Laarson got his first League goal for his new paymasters to make it three. Rooney, who is anything but greedy, supplied a great pass for his strike partner to easily put away, Then came the icing on the cake with Rooney’s second successful chip in five days.


So United remain in front, and on this showing they will be difficult to get of their perch!


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