Premiership Review 09/10 (12/13 December)
Saturday 12th December
Birmingham 1-0 West Ham
Birmingham saw off the East Londoners to draw level with Liverpool on points in the table (before the Reds' game against Arsenal). Lee Bowyer scored against his former team, in the 2nd half, after a communication meltdown between the West Ham defenders. Bowyer, in respect for West Ham, chose not to celebrate the goal. Birmingham were probably deserved winners, as they dominated much of the opening half, but West Ham countered this with Diamanti having some good opportunities. Mark Noble was sent off in his 100th game for the Hammers, and West Ham's fustrations were shown by Diamanti ripping his own shirt... Jerome mised a late chance at St. Andrews', but Birmingham held on in what has turned out to be an excellent start to the season.
Bolton 3-3 Man City
The Citizens were back to non-wining ways, with another draw, now their 8th in 9 games (following on from the win against Chelsea last week). It was left to Carlos "I Want To Retire" Tevez to snatch a late equaliser. Ivan Klasnic opened the scoring for the home team, controversial as he looked offside when receiving the ball. Tevez scored his first of the game via a defelction off Cohen in the 28th minute, but the visitors fell behind again in the 43rd minute, when Gary Cahill scored a screamer, taking the ball and then smashing it in left-footed. But Man City didn't give up, and in stoppage time, Micah Richards slotted past Jaaskelainen after some good work by Craig Bellamy. Bolton got over this setback however, and Klasnic scored his second of the game, with a good turn-and-finish. Bellamy was given his marching orders for an apparent dive (second yellow), but Tevez managed to seal a point in the late stages of the game, with a thrilling 25-yarder beating Jaaskelainen.
Burnley 1-1 Fulham
Bobby Zamora scored! Again :o. Despite this, it wasn't enough for Fulham, who were denied their first win at Turf Moor in 58 years. Fulham had several chances in the first 45 minutes, Damien Duff and Erik Nevland missing with shots in particular. Chris Eagles looked threatening with a mazy run, and then a shot nearer the end of the first half, but it truth, it was a rather scrappy start to the game. Zamora scored the first goal in the 50th minute, with a good show of strength, holding off Gary Caldwell's challenge, and then shwoing composure as he slotted in past the 'keeper. It was Elliot that scored the equaliser for Burnely, just 10 minutes after falling behind. Fulham will be disappointed to not have been able to close the game out after carving out a much-deserved lead, they were leapfrogged in the table by Birmingham.
Chelsea 3-3 Everton
Jav's GAME OF THE WEEKEND
Chelsea quadrupled the amount of goals they had conceded at Stamford Bridge in the Premiership this season, with the Blues dropping points for the second successive game. Everton took a fortunate lead, as a Saha header deflected off both Terry, and then Cech as he scrambled across to try and save the ball. Cech was credited with the own goal. Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka turned the game around , with excellent finished, Drogba with his left foot, after a good surge upfield by Carvlaho, Anelka taking advantage of a poor clearance from Saha. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Yakubu (who had replaced the injured Jo just two minutes before) scoring from 6 yards out after Fellaini's good header (and no doubt with his elbow out). The home team took the lead again in the second half, Drogba again with a good finish, scoring his 18th goal of the season after a cross by Ivanovic. Drogba was at fault for Everton's equaliser, heading the ball into Saha after calls from Cech to leave it, the Czech helpless as the ball ricocheted over his head. Neither team could snatch a late winner.
Hull 0-0 Blackburn
Hull were the better team at the KC Stadium, but they could not force the one goal that would have given them the three points, in a rather quiet game. Hull are only 3 points clear of the relegation zone, with all three teams currently situated there having at least one game in hand over them. The Tigers have further reason to worry, with a difficult upcoming festive fixture list. Blackburn remain in 12th, although they themselves are only 5 points clear of 18th place.
Man United 0-1 Aston Villa
Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the sole goal of the encounter, as Manchester United crashed to their first defeat at the hands of the Villans since 1983. The Red Devils failed to take advantage of a Chelsea slip-up earlier in the afternoon, all the pressure the champions putting in not being enough to break through an Aston Villa rearguard. Agbonlahor's goal was a result of a link-up between him and England colleague Ashley Young. Interestingly, Agbonlahor has scored in the last four seasons against United. Ryan Giggs was taken off for Owen in the second half to join Rooney, and they changed to three up front as the game entered its latter stages with Dimitar Berbatov. None of them could conjure up a late leveller, in an end to the game that saw Sir Alex Ferguson claiming that his side were not given enough added time at the end of the game, and suggesting that this matter should be taken out of the ref's hands. Strange that he wasn't complaining after the Manchester Derby in September...
Stoke 2-2 Wigan
Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen saved a controversially-given penalty from Hugo Rodallega late on in the game to keep the scores level and earn a point. Emmerson Boyce put Wigan ahead after a Sorensen only being able to flick the ball up into the air, a simple finish being required. Tuncay Sanli equalised with a good finish from a difficult angle, but the game will be made memorable by Maynor Figueroa, who became the fourth man to score from his own half in the Premiership. After winning a freekick, the Wigan man took it quickly, sailing over the head of an unfortunate Sorensen, who joins the famous goalkeepers before him (Neil Sullivan, Steve Harper and Ben Foster) who have let in a goal from the wrong end of the pitch. It was left to Ryan Shawcross to earn Stoke a point, one of seven stalemates in the Premiership on Saturday.
Sunderland 1-1 Portsmouth
Younes Kaboul ended up being sent off for his overzealous celebrations, but he wouldn't have been too bothered at the time, with his late goal giving Portsmouth a point. Darren Bent scored the first goal at the Stadium of Light, further showing England boss Fabio Capello the qualities he would bring to the England side, his 10th Premiership goal of the season. Pompey were unthreatening throughout the game, the five men in midfield being ineffective. But the final result did not reflect this, as Kaboul poked home the ball after Sunderland were too slow to react, but the former Tottenham man received his second booking of the match after taking his shirt off and running into the crowd. Portsmouth are still bottom of the table however.
Tottenham 0-1 Wolves
Tottenham's campaign for fourth place took another blow as they slumped to a defeat against Wolves, who were in the relegation zone before this game. Kevin Doyle scored the only goal of the game in the 3rd minute, his thin touch on the ball being enough to beat Gomes. Wolves chose to close out their lead after this, a risky strategy, but an ultimately successful one, absorbing the Tottenham attacks comfortably, surprising as the Whites had scored 13 goals in their last 3 games. Doyle is now the joint-top scorer with 4, equal with Jody Craddock... a defender. Wolves have got two successive victories in the top flight for the first time since 1983 and are out of the relegation zone.
Sunday 13th December
Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Andrey Arshavin hauled Arsenal back into the title race as Liverpool slipped up yet again in the Premiership. Liverpool dominated the first half without creating too many chances, a penalty appeal from Gerrard being turned down by Howard Webb (it was a very good shout, after a clumsy challenge from Gallas). The Reds took the lead in the 41st minute, with a Fabio Aurelio freekick being parried by Almunia, and Dirk Kuyt poking the ball into an empty net. In the second half, Arsenal stunned Liverpool with two goals out of nothing - the first in the 50th minute, after Samir Nasri's cross deflected off both Aurelio and Carragher, before running into the feet of Glen Johnson and into the net for an unfortunate own goal. Arshavin, then scored his 5th goal in 2 games at Anfield with an absolute stunner. It drew comparisons (from me) with Torres' goal in the Champions League against the Gunners a few seasons back - controlled the ball, turned the defender (in this case, Glen Johnson, who was involved in both Arsenal goals
) and smashed the shot into the top corner that defied Arshavin's small build, leaving the keeper helpless. Aquilani came on for Javier Mascherano and Ngog for Benayoun, but Arsenal countered these by changing to a slightly more defensive line-up with their changes. Aquilani, Torres nor Gerrard could conjure up some last-minute magic, and Liverpool have slumped to their umpteenth defeat of the season, and their first in the league at Anfield where they have taken the lead since 2003... the team that beat them then? Arsenal.
Player of the Weekend: Drogba can have it for his two goals.
Birmingham 1-0 West Ham
Birmingham saw off the East Londoners to draw level with Liverpool on points in the table (before the Reds' game against Arsenal). Lee Bowyer scored against his former team, in the 2nd half, after a communication meltdown between the West Ham defenders. Bowyer, in respect for West Ham, chose not to celebrate the goal. Birmingham were probably deserved winners, as they dominated much of the opening half, but West Ham countered this with Diamanti having some good opportunities. Mark Noble was sent off in his 100th game for the Hammers, and West Ham's fustrations were shown by Diamanti ripping his own shirt... Jerome mised a late chance at St. Andrews', but Birmingham held on in what has turned out to be an excellent start to the season.
Bolton 3-3 Man City
The Citizens were back to non-wining ways, with another draw, now their 8th in 9 games (following on from the win against Chelsea last week). It was left to Carlos "I Want To Retire" Tevez to snatch a late equaliser. Ivan Klasnic opened the scoring for the home team, controversial as he looked offside when receiving the ball. Tevez scored his first of the game via a defelction off Cohen in the 28th minute, but the visitors fell behind again in the 43rd minute, when Gary Cahill scored a screamer, taking the ball and then smashing it in left-footed. But Man City didn't give up, and in stoppage time, Micah Richards slotted past Jaaskelainen after some good work by Craig Bellamy. Bolton got over this setback however, and Klasnic scored his second of the game, with a good turn-and-finish. Bellamy was given his marching orders for an apparent dive (second yellow), but Tevez managed to seal a point in the late stages of the game, with a thrilling 25-yarder beating Jaaskelainen.
Burnley 1-1 Fulham
Bobby Zamora scored! Again :o. Despite this, it wasn't enough for Fulham, who were denied their first win at Turf Moor in 58 years. Fulham had several chances in the first 45 minutes, Damien Duff and Erik Nevland missing with shots in particular. Chris Eagles looked threatening with a mazy run, and then a shot nearer the end of the first half, but it truth, it was a rather scrappy start to the game. Zamora scored the first goal in the 50th minute, with a good show of strength, holding off Gary Caldwell's challenge, and then shwoing composure as he slotted in past the 'keeper. It was Elliot that scored the equaliser for Burnely, just 10 minutes after falling behind. Fulham will be disappointed to not have been able to close the game out after carving out a much-deserved lead, they were leapfrogged in the table by Birmingham.
Chelsea 3-3 Everton
Jav's GAME OF THE WEEKEND
Chelsea quadrupled the amount of goals they had conceded at Stamford Bridge in the Premiership this season, with the Blues dropping points for the second successive game. Everton took a fortunate lead, as a Saha header deflected off both Terry, and then Cech as he scrambled across to try and save the ball. Cech was credited with the own goal. Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka turned the game around , with excellent finished, Drogba with his left foot, after a good surge upfield by Carvlaho, Anelka taking advantage of a poor clearance from Saha. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Yakubu (who had replaced the injured Jo just two minutes before) scoring from 6 yards out after Fellaini's good header (and no doubt with his elbow out). The home team took the lead again in the second half, Drogba again with a good finish, scoring his 18th goal of the season after a cross by Ivanovic. Drogba was at fault for Everton's equaliser, heading the ball into Saha after calls from Cech to leave it, the Czech helpless as the ball ricocheted over his head. Neither team could snatch a late winner.
Hull 0-0 Blackburn
Hull were the better team at the KC Stadium, but they could not force the one goal that would have given them the three points, in a rather quiet game. Hull are only 3 points clear of the relegation zone, with all three teams currently situated there having at least one game in hand over them. The Tigers have further reason to worry, with a difficult upcoming festive fixture list. Blackburn remain in 12th, although they themselves are only 5 points clear of 18th place.
Man United 0-1 Aston Villa
Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the sole goal of the encounter, as Manchester United crashed to their first defeat at the hands of the Villans since 1983. The Red Devils failed to take advantage of a Chelsea slip-up earlier in the afternoon, all the pressure the champions putting in not being enough to break through an Aston Villa rearguard. Agbonlahor's goal was a result of a link-up between him and England colleague Ashley Young. Interestingly, Agbonlahor has scored in the last four seasons against United. Ryan Giggs was taken off for Owen in the second half to join Rooney, and they changed to three up front as the game entered its latter stages with Dimitar Berbatov. None of them could conjure up a late leveller, in an end to the game that saw Sir Alex Ferguson claiming that his side were not given enough added time at the end of the game, and suggesting that this matter should be taken out of the ref's hands. Strange that he wasn't complaining after the Manchester Derby in September...
Stoke 2-2 Wigan
Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen saved a controversially-given penalty from Hugo Rodallega late on in the game to keep the scores level and earn a point. Emmerson Boyce put Wigan ahead after a Sorensen only being able to flick the ball up into the air, a simple finish being required. Tuncay Sanli equalised with a good finish from a difficult angle, but the game will be made memorable by Maynor Figueroa, who became the fourth man to score from his own half in the Premiership. After winning a freekick, the Wigan man took it quickly, sailing over the head of an unfortunate Sorensen, who joins the famous goalkeepers before him (Neil Sullivan, Steve Harper and Ben Foster) who have let in a goal from the wrong end of the pitch. It was left to Ryan Shawcross to earn Stoke a point, one of seven stalemates in the Premiership on Saturday.
Sunderland 1-1 Portsmouth
Younes Kaboul ended up being sent off for his overzealous celebrations, but he wouldn't have been too bothered at the time, with his late goal giving Portsmouth a point. Darren Bent scored the first goal at the Stadium of Light, further showing England boss Fabio Capello the qualities he would bring to the England side, his 10th Premiership goal of the season. Pompey were unthreatening throughout the game, the five men in midfield being ineffective. But the final result did not reflect this, as Kaboul poked home the ball after Sunderland were too slow to react, but the former Tottenham man received his second booking of the match after taking his shirt off and running into the crowd. Portsmouth are still bottom of the table however.
Tottenham 0-1 Wolves
Tottenham's campaign for fourth place took another blow as they slumped to a defeat against Wolves, who were in the relegation zone before this game. Kevin Doyle scored the only goal of the game in the 3rd minute, his thin touch on the ball being enough to beat Gomes. Wolves chose to close out their lead after this, a risky strategy, but an ultimately successful one, absorbing the Tottenham attacks comfortably, surprising as the Whites had scored 13 goals in their last 3 games. Doyle is now the joint-top scorer with 4, equal with Jody Craddock... a defender. Wolves have got two successive victories in the top flight for the first time since 1983 and are out of the relegation zone.
Sunday 13th December
Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Andrey Arshavin hauled Arsenal back into the title race as Liverpool slipped up yet again in the Premiership. Liverpool dominated the first half without creating too many chances, a penalty appeal from Gerrard being turned down by Howard Webb (it was a very good shout, after a clumsy challenge from Gallas). The Reds took the lead in the 41st minute, with a Fabio Aurelio freekick being parried by Almunia, and Dirk Kuyt poking the ball into an empty net. In the second half, Arsenal stunned Liverpool with two goals out of nothing - the first in the 50th minute, after Samir Nasri's cross deflected off both Aurelio and Carragher, before running into the feet of Glen Johnson and into the net for an unfortunate own goal. Arshavin, then scored his 5th goal in 2 games at Anfield with an absolute stunner. It drew comparisons (from me) with Torres' goal in the Champions League against the Gunners a few seasons back - controlled the ball, turned the defender (in this case, Glen Johnson, who was involved in both Arsenal goals
) and smashed the shot into the top corner that defied Arshavin's small build, leaving the keeper helpless. Aquilani came on for Javier Mascherano and Ngog for Benayoun, but Arsenal countered these by changing to a slightly more defensive line-up with their changes. Aquilani, Torres nor Gerrard could conjure up some last-minute magic, and Liverpool have slumped to their umpteenth defeat of the season, and their first in the league at Anfield where they have taken the lead since 2003... the team that beat them then? Arsenal.Player of the Weekend: Drogba can have it for his two goals.
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