Liverpool destroyed Newcastle by five goals to one, and it could just have easily been ten, but for the goalkeeping of Shay Given. The home side were clearly outclassed as Liverpool maintained their deserved place at the head of the Premiership.
Steven Gerrard, who else, opened the scoring after 32 minutes and then Sami Hypia made it two up, five minutes later. However, when Newcastle levelled just before half time, it didn't seem that they were quite done with. At least not until Ryan Babel made it three five minutes after the interval, as it started to look as though there was no way back. Gerrard scored again after 66 minutes, and Alonso finished off a fine display when he scored from the spot after 77 minutes.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
It seemed that only goalkeeper Given was showing Liverpool any resistance, and when they are in this sort of form, one man simply isn't enough to stop the rot. He made some great saves, and kept the visitors at bay for the first half hour. But it was inevitable that Liverpool's dominance would eventually prove too much, and once they had scored the opposition really caved in!
Other than Given, Newcastle's defence was virtually non-existent, but it gave a confidant Liverpool some excellent shooting practice. Manager Rafael Benitez, must have been delighted on his return from a spell in hospital. It seemed strange that he left out Robbie Keane from the proceedings, as he was a two-goal hero on Boxing Day, but it's difficult to argue with success. However, the ex Spurs man would have welcomed the opportunity to shine again in the post Christmas activity.
At the end you would have to say that Newcastle were pretty appalling, and Liverpool will not always have this much of their own way. However, three points away from home are always worth having, and when presented with a walk in the park, they can save their energy for the greater challenges that are sure to come.
Tags:
Newcastle 1-5 Liverpool
soccer and football
Newcastle 1-5 Liverpool
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Manchester United Champions of the World
Liga De Quito 0-1 Manchester United
Manchester United return home tomorrow as football champions of the world., They beat Liga De Quito, fittingly with a Wayne Rooney goal, that was sufficient to secure victory.
This is just one more honour to a club that had already won just about everything else. There are many who will say that it doesn't matter, and is meaningless compared with victory in the English Premier League. But that would be churlish because the game has never been more international, and triumphs of this sort are like icing on the cake for United's 'all stars'.
It was pity that the performance was a little tarnished when Vidic was sent off shortly after the interval. The Serbian was guilty of interfering with Quito striker Claudio Bieler, with an elbow to the face, and must wait to hear what his punishment will be. It will be decided by UEFA, and not FIFA, because his side were in this competition as winners of the Champions League.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Things have been progressing at home, in the Premiership, whilst United have been doing their stuff elsewhere. Their next home fixture will be against Hull on Boxing Day, and their manager believes they will return, with some bounce after their success in faraway Japan. It may be a case of watch out Liverpool and Chelsea, as the Champions return to the fray.
It's early days yet, so it is still all to play for in the Premiership. The Christmas fixtures usually have a bearing on what happens thereafter, and it will be interesting to see who emerges with the best results over the festive period. Sir Alex believes his side will use their world success as a springboard for more glory at home, and there are few who would be prepared to argue with him at this stage of the proceedings.
Some United players seem to handle jet lag better than others. None more so than Wayne Rooney, who claims that this particular syndrome doesn't affect him at all. He is on a roll at the moment and was voted man of the tournament in Japan. He will want to emulate that success at home, and has said that when he returns he could easily be ready to play the next day. There is no doubting the confidence of this all-British striker, and Premiership defenders would be wise to take note.
Tags:
Manchester United Champions of the World
soccer and football
Manchester United Champions of the World
Manchester United return home tomorrow as football champions of the world., They beat Liga De Quito, fittingly with a Wayne Rooney goal, that was sufficient to secure victory.
This is just one more honour to a club that had already won just about everything else. There are many who will say that it doesn't matter, and is meaningless compared with victory in the English Premier League. But that would be churlish because the game has never been more international, and triumphs of this sort are like icing on the cake for United's 'all stars'.
It was pity that the performance was a little tarnished when Vidic was sent off shortly after the interval. The Serbian was guilty of interfering with Quito striker Claudio Bieler, with an elbow to the face, and must wait to hear what his punishment will be. It will be decided by UEFA, and not FIFA, because his side were in this competition as winners of the Champions League.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Things have been progressing at home, in the Premiership, whilst United have been doing their stuff elsewhere. Their next home fixture will be against Hull on Boxing Day, and their manager believes they will return, with some bounce after their success in faraway Japan. It may be a case of watch out Liverpool and Chelsea, as the Champions return to the fray.
It's early days yet, so it is still all to play for in the Premiership. The Christmas fixtures usually have a bearing on what happens thereafter, and it will be interesting to see who emerges with the best results over the festive period. Sir Alex believes his side will use their world success as a springboard for more glory at home, and there are few who would be prepared to argue with him at this stage of the proceedings.
Some United players seem to handle jet lag better than others. None more so than Wayne Rooney, who claims that this particular syndrome doesn't affect him at all. He is on a roll at the moment and was voted man of the tournament in Japan. He will want to emulate that success at home, and has said that when he returns he could easily be ready to play the next day. There is no doubting the confidence of this all-British striker, and Premiership defenders would be wise to take note.
Tags:
Manchester United Champions of the World
soccer and football
Manchester United Champions of the World
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Liverpool 2 - 2 Hull City
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was nearly made to eat his words, after declaring that if his side were still top after the Christmas fixtures, they would have an 80% chance of becoming Premiership champions! With Hull City going two up after 22 minutes, Liverpool started off looking anything but champions, and not for the first time it was left to captain, Steven Gerrard to steady the ship.
Gerrard grabbed a goal back after 24 minutes and six minutes later he fired in another, from about six yards out, to level the score. That was the way the match finished, and there was no doubt that newly promoted Hull, who are this season's great success story, deserved at least a draw. Their manager Phil Brown was adamant that the home side were getting away with blatant fouls in front of the Kop, and seemed to think that Alan Wiley was influenced not to blow his whistle by Liverpool supporters in full cry!
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Hull's first goal was a smart effort, when Paul McShane headed home a Marlon King cross. Liverpool had scarcely recovered from the shock when Carragher found his own goal in the face of another Hull attack. Then in strode the majestic Gerrard to stop the rot.
After the break Liverpool regained their confidence and started to assert their authority. Hypia was unlucky not to score, when a good header hit the post. Then the Hull keeper had all on to deny a fine shot from some distance by Riera.
Liverpool strived hard, but unsuccessfully, to get the elusive winning goal. They brought on El Zhar and Babel, but the £20 million Robbie Keane was conspicuous by his absence, and you would have to think that his game will not improve for being sidelined. He is a player of some talent, but if he doesn't fit in at Anfield, or at least with the manager's plans, it would not be that surprising to see him again being transferred.
Tags:
Liverpool 2-2 Hull City
soccer and football
Liverpool 2-2 Hull City
Gerrard grabbed a goal back after 24 minutes and six minutes later he fired in another, from about six yards out, to level the score. That was the way the match finished, and there was no doubt that newly promoted Hull, who are this season's great success story, deserved at least a draw. Their manager Phil Brown was adamant that the home side were getting away with blatant fouls in front of the Kop, and seemed to think that Alan Wiley was influenced not to blow his whistle by Liverpool supporters in full cry!
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Hull's first goal was a smart effort, when Paul McShane headed home a Marlon King cross. Liverpool had scarcely recovered from the shock when Carragher found his own goal in the face of another Hull attack. Then in strode the majestic Gerrard to stop the rot.
After the break Liverpool regained their confidence and started to assert their authority. Hypia was unlucky not to score, when a good header hit the post. Then the Hull keeper had all on to deny a fine shot from some distance by Riera.
Liverpool strived hard, but unsuccessfully, to get the elusive winning goal. They brought on El Zhar and Babel, but the £20 million Robbie Keane was conspicuous by his absence, and you would have to think that his game will not improve for being sidelined. He is a player of some talent, but if he doesn't fit in at Anfield, or at least with the manager's plans, it would not be that surprising to see him again being transferred.
Tags:
Liverpool 2-2 Hull City
soccer and football
Liverpool 2-2 Hull City
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Chelsea 2 - 1 Cluj
Chelsea did not have things all their own way, but they achieved their mission to reach the last sixteen in the Champions League.
There is no doubt that Luiz Felipe Scolari has a wealth of talent, at his disposal, like being able to introduce the likes of Didier Drogba from the bench, and field a successful team, without the significant skills of the suspended Frank Lampard.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Chelsea did plenty of attacking but seemed susceptible to probing counter attacks. However, their efforts were rewarded just before half time, when Kalou found space and slotted the ball home.
After the interval it became apparent that Cluj were not done with. In the 55th minute they equalized with what was probably the best attacking move of the game. An accurate pass from Panin, found Kone with time to spare at the far post, and his powerful header gave goalkeeper Petr Cech no chance. So it was still all to play for, with the visitors starting to look more menacing.
Chelsea were determined to recover and reassert their authority, and Joe Cole forced Claro to make a good save. It was not the first time the Cluj keeper had saved the day because he really was in sparkling form. Scolari is nothing if not a master technician, and after 71 minutes he substituted Kalou with the controversial but brilliant Drogba. It was not long before he scored the goal that was to prove to be the winner. He received a good pass from Joe Cole and expertly controlled the ball which he then prodded home with his other foot.
Now that Drogba has returned to form it will be interesting to see how he performs alongside Nicolas Anelka, who had been responsible for ten of fifteen Chelsea goals, before this game. They are both highly talented players, and if anyone can harmonize their skills to serve their brilliant team it must be Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The game was a credit to world soccer, with both sides providing their share of the thrills. Towards the end Chelsea stamped their authority on the match, but Cluj had come to win and for a time the result was in the balance.
Tags:
Chelsea 2-1 Cluj
soccer and football
Chelsea 2-1 Cluj
There is no doubt that Luiz Felipe Scolari has a wealth of talent, at his disposal, like being able to introduce the likes of Didier Drogba from the bench, and field a successful team, without the significant skills of the suspended Frank Lampard.
Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site
Chelsea did plenty of attacking but seemed susceptible to probing counter attacks. However, their efforts were rewarded just before half time, when Kalou found space and slotted the ball home.
After the interval it became apparent that Cluj were not done with. In the 55th minute they equalized with what was probably the best attacking move of the game. An accurate pass from Panin, found Kone with time to spare at the far post, and his powerful header gave goalkeeper Petr Cech no chance. So it was still all to play for, with the visitors starting to look more menacing.
Chelsea were determined to recover and reassert their authority, and Joe Cole forced Claro to make a good save. It was not the first time the Cluj keeper had saved the day because he really was in sparkling form. Scolari is nothing if not a master technician, and after 71 minutes he substituted Kalou with the controversial but brilliant Drogba. It was not long before he scored the goal that was to prove to be the winner. He received a good pass from Joe Cole and expertly controlled the ball which he then prodded home with his other foot.
Now that Drogba has returned to form it will be interesting to see how he performs alongside Nicolas Anelka, who had been responsible for ten of fifteen Chelsea goals, before this game. They are both highly talented players, and if anyone can harmonize their skills to serve their brilliant team it must be Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The game was a credit to world soccer, with both sides providing their share of the thrills. Towards the end Chelsea stamped their authority on the match, but Cluj had come to win and for a time the result was in the balance.
Tags:
Chelsea 2-1 Cluj
soccer and football
Chelsea 2-1 Cluj
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
