Arsenal 3 (3) Ipswich 0 (1)
The Gunners booked their place at Wembley for the League Cup final after coming from a goal down from the first leg to defeat Paul Jewell’s tractor boys thanks to three second half goals. Nicklas Bendtner, Laurent Koscielny and Cesc Fabregas all netted in a fifteen minute spell just after the hour to set up an encounter on 27 February with either London rivals West Ham or Birmingham who will conclude the other semi-final tonight.
Very few clear cut openings were created in a nervy opening forty-five which is so often the case in such a fixture. After a clash fifteen minutes in with his own keeper Bacary Sagna could no longer continue and was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue. The Ipswich defence was almost undone moments later when the in-form Robin Van Persie headed a Bendtner cross against the woodwork. Marton Fulop came off his line superbly on the half hour to deny the Dutchman again, this time with him racing through on goal.
After the break the pressure was cranked up on the visitors and their resistance broke. An inspired long ball over the top from Jack Wilshere was taken down wonderfully by Bendtner, who then cut inside and placed it beyond the Ipswich goalkeeper. Three minutes later the Gunners took the lead in the tie in uncharacteristic fashion from a set piece. Koscielny headed in Andrey Arshavin’s corner at the near post, but Fulop will feel he should have done better as the Hungarian failed to get there off his line and claim the ball. Darren O’Dea, on loan at Portman Road from Celtic, did not exactly cover himself in glory either, losing his man and Ipswich paid the penalty.
Thirteen minutes from time Fabregas put the tie to bed after exchanging passes with Arshavin and slotted home from the edge of the six-yard box. The quality of the home side's movement and passing told as it so often does in the end. Arsene Wenger’s side are now firm favourites to lift their first silverwear since the 2005 FA Cup.
Jewell’s men gave a good account of themselves, but some of the tactics he employed during this game may be brought into question. Mark Kennedy never has and never will be a holding midfielder; the Irishman occupying that berth did not prevent Fabregas from influencing the game. This was not helped by the middle of the park for the visitors lacking an attacking thrust. Moreover Carlos Edwards has played his best football in attacking position, being used at full back will now ultimately seem like an unnecessary risk.
Arshavin has been getting a lot of criticism recently for being absent in games and showing little presence or looking ineffective. The facts however are that he notched two assists in this match, bringing his number of contributions for setting up goals to nearly twenty for the season. Surely this is more than satisfactory from the Russian who after all is playing on the flanks.
Ipswich now must focus on moving away from the relegation places in the Championship, whilst the Gunners are still in the Premier League title race, the FA Cup and the Champions League. You still can’t help but feel the League Cup is where their best opportunity of adding something to the trophy cabinet lies, but McLeish’s blues or the Hammers will not be a pushover in the final.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Routledge Return Revitalizes Rangers
QPR 2 Coventry 1
Neil Warnock’s Hoops moved five points clear of the chasing pack in the race for automatic promotion at the top of the Championship registering their first victory of 2011, completing the league double over mid-table Coventry. Goals from influential captain Adel Taarabt and the on-loan Wayne Routledge sealed the win after the visitors had led through the much maligned Marlon King.
Rangers did business in the transfer market midweek to replace injured pair Jamie Mackie and Patrick Agyemang as well as Kyle Walker who was lost by the lure of Premier League football at Aston Villa. Warnock brought Routledge back to the club he left this time last year for Newcastle along with frontman Ishmael Miller on loan from West Brom and former Blackburn defender Pascal Chimbonda to bolster their promotion push. The ex-Palace winger had a second debut to remember as he and Taarabt linked up time and again tearing apart Aidy Boothroyd’s defence.
Right from the start the pace of Routledge gave Coventry problems as he romped down the right. Crosses and through-balls were fired into the box at every opportunity, but the first real test for Kieren Westwood came from Taarabt. The Moroccan hit at a shot from the edge of the area that was parried by the Irish goalkeeper, but his subsequent fingertip save from Shaun Derry’s twenty five yarder highlights exactly why he is so highly rated.
The Loftus Road faithful cried for a penalty when Heidar Helguson’s header from Tommy Smith’s cross struck the arm of Martin Cranie, but referee Mark Haywood deemed it accidental. Earlier on the Icelandic centre forward had wasted a glorious chance to give QPR the lead when he headed a Routledge cross into the ground and it bounced over the bar.
For all this pressure from Rangers, the visitors found themselves in the lead with twenty five minutes played. A long kick up field got Freddy Eastwood in behind, who played it back for Gary McSheffrey to shape a ball into the six yard box where King tapped home. Neither Gorkss nor Connolly in the Hoops’ defence had the wherewithal to cut out the cross. Boothroyd’s men had a great chance to increase their lead ten minutrs before the break, but Eastwood scuffed his shot as he dribbled inside the area.
Taarabt continues to both simultaneously sparkle and make poor decisions. On the half hour he got in behind Richard Keogh brilliantly and came in from the by-line, but rather than square to give Routledge a tap in he chose to try and beat Westwood from an impossible angle. This sometimes maverick attitude he seems to have places a question mark over his leadership of the team and certainly frustrates fans as much as the positive aspects of his play delights them.
This is further evidenced by his stunning equaliser in first half stoppage time. Paddy Kenny took a long free kick which the Moroccan took down, went inside onto his stronger foot, beating two defenders before firing in over the keeper from fifteen yards. QPR could even have gone in with a lead had Clint Hill’s volley been kept down.
Coventry swapped Eastwood for Jutkiewicz at half time and the ex-Everton striker was inches away from connecting with McSheffrey’s crosshot just a few minutes after the restart. Alejandro Faurlin was desperately unlucky not to give the home side the lead moments later when his wonderful curling free kick came back off the post. Just after the hour mark the visitors came close with a dead ball of their own, with King firing at Kenny who spilled, but recover to save at the feet of Jutkiewicz.
Westwood produced another outstanding save at the other end tipping Ishmael Miller’s shot round the post after the substitute worked an opening. Rangers’ winner came eleven minute from time when Routledge took down Taarabt’s audacious ball over the top with the outside of the boot and slotted past the Coventry stopper.
The difference between the two sides was the superior guile and creativity of QPR. Marlon King did a super job of holding the ball up and bringing his teammates into play for the visitors. He played the target man role a great deal better than Helguson at the other end. This is an encouraging sign for Boothroyd, but his forwards need to start scoring more regularly. The profligacy of Eastwood who netted so frequently in the lower leagues is a worry if Coventry are looking to kick on towards the playoff places.
Rangers and Warnock go marching on towards the Championship title and the daylight they have between themselves and the rest of the top six could be vital at the business end of the season.
Neil Warnock’s Hoops moved five points clear of the chasing pack in the race for automatic promotion at the top of the Championship registering their first victory of 2011, completing the league double over mid-table Coventry. Goals from influential captain Adel Taarabt and the on-loan Wayne Routledge sealed the win after the visitors had led through the much maligned Marlon King.
Rangers did business in the transfer market midweek to replace injured pair Jamie Mackie and Patrick Agyemang as well as Kyle Walker who was lost by the lure of Premier League football at Aston Villa. Warnock brought Routledge back to the club he left this time last year for Newcastle along with frontman Ishmael Miller on loan from West Brom and former Blackburn defender Pascal Chimbonda to bolster their promotion push. The ex-Palace winger had a second debut to remember as he and Taarabt linked up time and again tearing apart Aidy Boothroyd’s defence.
Right from the start the pace of Routledge gave Coventry problems as he romped down the right. Crosses and through-balls were fired into the box at every opportunity, but the first real test for Kieren Westwood came from Taarabt. The Moroccan hit at a shot from the edge of the area that was parried by the Irish goalkeeper, but his subsequent fingertip save from Shaun Derry’s twenty five yarder highlights exactly why he is so highly rated.
The Loftus Road faithful cried for a penalty when Heidar Helguson’s header from Tommy Smith’s cross struck the arm of Martin Cranie, but referee Mark Haywood deemed it accidental. Earlier on the Icelandic centre forward had wasted a glorious chance to give QPR the lead when he headed a Routledge cross into the ground and it bounced over the bar.
For all this pressure from Rangers, the visitors found themselves in the lead with twenty five minutes played. A long kick up field got Freddy Eastwood in behind, who played it back for Gary McSheffrey to shape a ball into the six yard box where King tapped home. Neither Gorkss nor Connolly in the Hoops’ defence had the wherewithal to cut out the cross. Boothroyd’s men had a great chance to increase their lead ten minutrs before the break, but Eastwood scuffed his shot as he dribbled inside the area.
Taarabt continues to both simultaneously sparkle and make poor decisions. On the half hour he got in behind Richard Keogh brilliantly and came in from the by-line, but rather than square to give Routledge a tap in he chose to try and beat Westwood from an impossible angle. This sometimes maverick attitude he seems to have places a question mark over his leadership of the team and certainly frustrates fans as much as the positive aspects of his play delights them.
This is further evidenced by his stunning equaliser in first half stoppage time. Paddy Kenny took a long free kick which the Moroccan took down, went inside onto his stronger foot, beating two defenders before firing in over the keeper from fifteen yards. QPR could even have gone in with a lead had Clint Hill’s volley been kept down.
Coventry swapped Eastwood for Jutkiewicz at half time and the ex-Everton striker was inches away from connecting with McSheffrey’s crosshot just a few minutes after the restart. Alejandro Faurlin was desperately unlucky not to give the home side the lead moments later when his wonderful curling free kick came back off the post. Just after the hour mark the visitors came close with a dead ball of their own, with King firing at Kenny who spilled, but recover to save at the feet of Jutkiewicz.
Westwood produced another outstanding save at the other end tipping Ishmael Miller’s shot round the post after the substitute worked an opening. Rangers’ winner came eleven minute from time when Routledge took down Taarabt’s audacious ball over the top with the outside of the boot and slotted past the Coventry stopper.
The difference between the two sides was the superior guile and creativity of QPR. Marlon King did a super job of holding the ball up and bringing his teammates into play for the visitors. He played the target man role a great deal better than Helguson at the other end. This is an encouraging sign for Boothroyd, but his forwards need to start scoring more regularly. The profligacy of Eastwood who netted so frequently in the lower leagues is a worry if Coventry are looking to kick on towards the playoff places.
Rangers and Warnock go marching on towards the Championship title and the daylight they have between themselves and the rest of the top six could be vital at the business end of the season.
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Bent Breaks Duck on Debut
Aston Villa 1 Manchester City 0
A poacher’s goal from record signing Darren Bent was enough to consign Roberto Mancini’s men to their fifth defeat of the season. The England striker, signed from Sunderland for an initial fee of £18 million midweek, reacted first when Joe Hart parried an Ashley Young effort from the edge of the area to get a tap in and relieve some of the pressure at Villa Park.
Gerard Houllier had put out what seemed on paper a very attacking XI; but the home side showed remarkable discipline with forward-thinking quartet Young, Stewart Downing, Marc Albrighton and Gabriel Agbonlahor all on the pitch. City played some attractive approach play, but lacked penetrations and width at times.
Villa’s backline, made up entirely of centre halves, were outstanding as a unit to shut out the talismanic Carlos Tevez and the Citizens’ new signing Edin Dzeko. The clean sheet was the home side’s first since the goalless draw in the Midlands derby against Birmingham in October.
Aleksandar Kolarov provided quality with dead balls for the visitors, but Brad Friedel was never sternly tested in the Villa goal. The American was only called upon twice to tip over a Vincent Kompany header in the first half and a Jerome Boateng shot from the edge of the box on the hour mark which he parried before it was cleared. City seemed intent on breaking their hosts down through the centre.
The closest the Citizens came to scoring was five minutes from time when Nigel de Jong’s shot from range deflected off Ciaran Clark and came back off the base of the post. Other chances were spurned by Dzeko who failed to hit the target. The defeat leaves Mancini’s side three points behind leaders Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title.
A poacher’s goal from record signing Darren Bent was enough to consign Roberto Mancini’s men to their fifth defeat of the season. The England striker, signed from Sunderland for an initial fee of £18 million midweek, reacted first when Joe Hart parried an Ashley Young effort from the edge of the area to get a tap in and relieve some of the pressure at Villa Park.
Gerard Houllier had put out what seemed on paper a very attacking XI; but the home side showed remarkable discipline with forward-thinking quartet Young, Stewart Downing, Marc Albrighton and Gabriel Agbonlahor all on the pitch. City played some attractive approach play, but lacked penetrations and width at times.
Villa’s backline, made up entirely of centre halves, were outstanding as a unit to shut out the talismanic Carlos Tevez and the Citizens’ new signing Edin Dzeko. The clean sheet was the home side’s first since the goalless draw in the Midlands derby against Birmingham in October.
Aleksandar Kolarov provided quality with dead balls for the visitors, but Brad Friedel was never sternly tested in the Villa goal. The American was only called upon twice to tip over a Vincent Kompany header in the first half and a Jerome Boateng shot from the edge of the box on the hour mark which he parried before it was cleared. City seemed intent on breaking their hosts down through the centre.
The closest the Citizens came to scoring was five minutes from time when Nigel de Jong’s shot from range deflected off Ciaran Clark and came back off the base of the post. Other chances were spurned by Dzeko who failed to hit the target. The defeat leaves Mancini’s side three points behind leaders Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Wenger Keeps Third Round Record Intact
Leeds United 1 Arsenal 3
The Gunners outclassed their hosts to set up a tie with another Yorkshire outfit, Huddersfield Town, in the last 32 of the FA Cup. An early goal from Samir Nasri was added to by Bakari Sagna ten minutes before half time, but the visitors’ lead was not so comfortable as a superb strike from Bradley Johnson pulled one back for United before the break. Both sides had chances after the interval, but substitute Robin Van Persie put the tie to bed with a header fifteen minutes from time.
Already this season the world’s oldest knockout football competition has produced some memorable games and the replay of what had been essential Saturday lunchtime viewing last weekend certainly lived up to that original tie. Arsenal started the match really well, crafting a typically wonderful team goal that Nasri finished off. Kieran Gibbs came storming forward from left back and played it up to Marouane Chamakh, who exchanged passes with Andrey Arshavin before teeing up the French midfielder to open the scoring.
Moments later Leeds were indebted to their keeper Kasper Schmeichel who pulled off a remarkable save plunging to his right to keep out Chamakh’s downward header from a free kick. The Moroccan striker found himself completely unmarked and surely thought he had scored. The home side’s Danish stopper was called into action again when Nasri’s surging run at the defence set up Arshavin to drive the ball goalwards from the edge of the area. Again Scmeichel proved equal to it, tipping it round the post to keep United in it.
Left back Ben Parker was struggling to deal with anything as the visitors attacked mercilessly with the pace of Sagna down the right. His foray to the by-line from a sprayed ball out of defence by Laurent Koscielny set up a clear sight of goal for Nicklas Bendtner, but in typicl fashion he couldn’t make anything of it. The cross from the French right back just eluded the Dane.
With Leeds under such intense pressure they needed to make their own opportunities count, but Robert Snodgrass chose to shoot from a tight angle when a cross was needed after Jonny Howson found him from a free kick. The home side’s defence was breached again shortly afterwards when Andy O’Brien’s clearance went straight to Sagna who blasted it past Schmeichel from just inside the area. The United keeper got a hand to it and if you were hypercritical you might feel he should’ve done better, but such was the power on the shot from the Arsenal full back that it’s doubtful anyone would’ve saved it.
Simon Grayson’s men didn’t let their heads and drop and pulled one back with the goal of the night. Snodgrass showed tenacity on the right flank and found Max Gradel whose attempted centre came back off the Gunners defence to Howson. He rolled it to Johnson who rifled the ball into the roof of the net over Szczesny. Leeds might’ve added to this just before the half time whistle, but Snodgrass wasted a free kick again choosing to shoot rather than cross from a set piece.
United did not start the second half as the first had ended. Just thirty seconds after the restart Nasri ran at their defence again, slipping in Alex Song to shoot from a tight angle, but Schmeichel was always favourite. The French midfielder’s influence continued as he was involved in the build-up to another chance for Arshavin, denied only by a sublime tackle and tracking back by Snodgrass.
Arsenal did not have it all their own way as just after the hour a Gradel cross was just inches away from Billy Paynter playing up top for Leeds in place of the injured Luciano Becchio. Another glorious chance for the home side was spurned by substitute Davide Somma. With his first touch the South African striker made a poor connection from close range after Paul Connolly played a one-two with Snodgrass and the right back whipped in a cross.
Wenger brought Cesc Fabregas and Van Persie off the bench with twenty minutes to go and within five minute the latter put the tie to bed. Bendtner crossed deep from the right and the Dutchman peeled off his marker at the back post to head past Schmeichel. United’s defence had been disrupted when O’Brien had to go off with what seemed to be a hamstring problem. That third goal for the Gunners was enough to see out the tie, but again Leeds’s exploits in the FA Cup have been both noteworthy and enjoyable for the neutral.
They missed Becchio today because of his holdup play and work rate. Paynter has been struggling with an injury picked up in pre-season and although there is definitely more to come from him the calibre of the opposition was too much for a player returning from spell on the sidelines. Out wide United have a real threat and will be a handful for anyone in the play-offs, provided their annual slump is not too severe. As for Arsenal they are still fighting on four fronts and look almost certain to end their six years without a trophy if they can win against Ipswich at the Emirates in next week’s League Cup semi final second leg.
The Gunners outclassed their hosts to set up a tie with another Yorkshire outfit, Huddersfield Town, in the last 32 of the FA Cup. An early goal from Samir Nasri was added to by Bakari Sagna ten minutes before half time, but the visitors’ lead was not so comfortable as a superb strike from Bradley Johnson pulled one back for United before the break. Both sides had chances after the interval, but substitute Robin Van Persie put the tie to bed with a header fifteen minutes from time.
Already this season the world’s oldest knockout football competition has produced some memorable games and the replay of what had been essential Saturday lunchtime viewing last weekend certainly lived up to that original tie. Arsenal started the match really well, crafting a typically wonderful team goal that Nasri finished off. Kieran Gibbs came storming forward from left back and played it up to Marouane Chamakh, who exchanged passes with Andrey Arshavin before teeing up the French midfielder to open the scoring.
Moments later Leeds were indebted to their keeper Kasper Schmeichel who pulled off a remarkable save plunging to his right to keep out Chamakh’s downward header from a free kick. The Moroccan striker found himself completely unmarked and surely thought he had scored. The home side’s Danish stopper was called into action again when Nasri’s surging run at the defence set up Arshavin to drive the ball goalwards from the edge of the area. Again Scmeichel proved equal to it, tipping it round the post to keep United in it.
Left back Ben Parker was struggling to deal with anything as the visitors attacked mercilessly with the pace of Sagna down the right. His foray to the by-line from a sprayed ball out of defence by Laurent Koscielny set up a clear sight of goal for Nicklas Bendtner, but in typicl fashion he couldn’t make anything of it. The cross from the French right back just eluded the Dane.
With Leeds under such intense pressure they needed to make their own opportunities count, but Robert Snodgrass chose to shoot from a tight angle when a cross was needed after Jonny Howson found him from a free kick. The home side’s defence was breached again shortly afterwards when Andy O’Brien’s clearance went straight to Sagna who blasted it past Schmeichel from just inside the area. The United keeper got a hand to it and if you were hypercritical you might feel he should’ve done better, but such was the power on the shot from the Arsenal full back that it’s doubtful anyone would’ve saved it.
Simon Grayson’s men didn’t let their heads and drop and pulled one back with the goal of the night. Snodgrass showed tenacity on the right flank and found Max Gradel whose attempted centre came back off the Gunners defence to Howson. He rolled it to Johnson who rifled the ball into the roof of the net over Szczesny. Leeds might’ve added to this just before the half time whistle, but Snodgrass wasted a free kick again choosing to shoot rather than cross from a set piece.
United did not start the second half as the first had ended. Just thirty seconds after the restart Nasri ran at their defence again, slipping in Alex Song to shoot from a tight angle, but Schmeichel was always favourite. The French midfielder’s influence continued as he was involved in the build-up to another chance for Arshavin, denied only by a sublime tackle and tracking back by Snodgrass.
Arsenal did not have it all their own way as just after the hour a Gradel cross was just inches away from Billy Paynter playing up top for Leeds in place of the injured Luciano Becchio. Another glorious chance for the home side was spurned by substitute Davide Somma. With his first touch the South African striker made a poor connection from close range after Paul Connolly played a one-two with Snodgrass and the right back whipped in a cross.
Wenger brought Cesc Fabregas and Van Persie off the bench with twenty minutes to go and within five minute the latter put the tie to bed. Bendtner crossed deep from the right and the Dutchman peeled off his marker at the back post to head past Schmeichel. United’s defence had been disrupted when O’Brien had to go off with what seemed to be a hamstring problem. That third goal for the Gunners was enough to see out the tie, but again Leeds’s exploits in the FA Cup have been both noteworthy and enjoyable for the neutral.
They missed Becchio today because of his holdup play and work rate. Paynter has been struggling with an injury picked up in pre-season and although there is definitely more to come from him the calibre of the opposition was too much for a player returning from spell on the sidelines. Out wide United have a real threat and will be a handful for anyone in the play-offs, provided their annual slump is not too severe. As for Arsenal they are still fighting on four fronts and look almost certain to end their six years without a trophy if they can win against Ipswich at the Emirates in next week’s League Cup semi final second leg.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Mancini's Men Claim Fourth Round Place
Manchester City 4 Leicester City 2
Notts County await the Citizens in round four after an absorbing replay which was as pleasing to the eye as the original tie last weekend. Two goals in the space of a minute late in the first half did for Leicester. The Foxes had been level with a Paul Gallagher penalty after Carlos Tevez opened the scoring for the home side, but strikes from Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson put Man City in a commanding position at the interval.
After the break the home side spurned the chance to increase their lead when the in-form captain put a spot kick straight down the middle making it easy for Chris Weale to save. A lucky break of the ball off referee Mark Halsey led to Lloyd Dyer pulling one back for Leicester and whilst it could’ve been an uncomfortable last five minutes for the Citizens they countered and Aleksandar Kolarov eventually put the tie to bed.
The Foxes’ wide men impressed again and it was a great shame when Gallagher limped off with only half an hour played. Lloyd Dyer was a constant thorn in Man City’s side First blood went to the home side though after a quarter of an hour when Tevez raced through the Leicester defence receiving the ball from a Pablo Zabaleta throw in, rode a poor challenge from Yuki Abe and smashed the ball past Weale. A few minutes later and the visitors were handed a way back into the match thanks to a foolish trip just inside the box by Vieira on Dyer and Gallagher dispatched from twelve yards.
Tevez was involved in Man City’s second. A great ball by the Argentine found Zabaleta who squared to David Silva. His shot was kept out by a combination of Weale’s palm and Sol Bamba’s clearance which fell straight to Vieira for a tap in. Leicester lost the ball from the restart and Silva slipped a defence splitting pass through to the onside Johnson to place into the net.
Just more than ten minutes into the second half Jack Hobbs brought down Tevez in the area. Clearly the last man referee Halsey felt the penalty award was punishment enough, the Eastlands crowd chanting for the Foxes centre half to be sent off. In an otherwise top display from the Argentine however his spot kick was poor. The match official had shown leniency, but when Dyer and Vieira and squared up to one another after the former felt he had been fouled the coming together resulted in both players going into the notebook.
Seven minutes from time the ball broke off Mark Halsey to Abe in centre field whose pass was found by the marginally offside Dyer, but the flag stayed down and he slotted it past Joe Hart to set up a tense ending at Eastlands. Leicester overcommitted in search of an equaliser and were duly picked off as the Citizens countered. After taking some time to work an opening, despite the home side having a five on three advantage early in the break Kolarov hammered the ball home from the edge of the area to seal the win.
Richie Wellens and Andy King did not perform as well as they did in the original tie, the former being subbed for Matt Oakley at half time. The Foxes remain a threat in wide areas and from set pieces although the examination they gave Man City this time round was one they dealt with far better.
Quality told in the end, but don’t be surprised if Leicester push on towards the play-off places under Sven. They are playing some attractive football and the calibre of the opposition in the Championship is nothing like what they have faced over these two cup matches. Mancini’s men will go marching on still in three competitions, but must remain second favourites to United in the Premier League title race because of the Red Devils’ games in hand.
Notts County await the Citizens in round four after an absorbing replay which was as pleasing to the eye as the original tie last weekend. Two goals in the space of a minute late in the first half did for Leicester. The Foxes had been level with a Paul Gallagher penalty after Carlos Tevez opened the scoring for the home side, but strikes from Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson put Man City in a commanding position at the interval.
After the break the home side spurned the chance to increase their lead when the in-form captain put a spot kick straight down the middle making it easy for Chris Weale to save. A lucky break of the ball off referee Mark Halsey led to Lloyd Dyer pulling one back for Leicester and whilst it could’ve been an uncomfortable last five minutes for the Citizens they countered and Aleksandar Kolarov eventually put the tie to bed.
The Foxes’ wide men impressed again and it was a great shame when Gallagher limped off with only half an hour played. Lloyd Dyer was a constant thorn in Man City’s side First blood went to the home side though after a quarter of an hour when Tevez raced through the Leicester defence receiving the ball from a Pablo Zabaleta throw in, rode a poor challenge from Yuki Abe and smashed the ball past Weale. A few minutes later and the visitors were handed a way back into the match thanks to a foolish trip just inside the box by Vieira on Dyer and Gallagher dispatched from twelve yards.
Tevez was involved in Man City’s second. A great ball by the Argentine found Zabaleta who squared to David Silva. His shot was kept out by a combination of Weale’s palm and Sol Bamba’s clearance which fell straight to Vieira for a tap in. Leicester lost the ball from the restart and Silva slipped a defence splitting pass through to the onside Johnson to place into the net.
Just more than ten minutes into the second half Jack Hobbs brought down Tevez in the area. Clearly the last man referee Halsey felt the penalty award was punishment enough, the Eastlands crowd chanting for the Foxes centre half to be sent off. In an otherwise top display from the Argentine however his spot kick was poor. The match official had shown leniency, but when Dyer and Vieira and squared up to one another after the former felt he had been fouled the coming together resulted in both players going into the notebook.
Seven minutes from time the ball broke off Mark Halsey to Abe in centre field whose pass was found by the marginally offside Dyer, but the flag stayed down and he slotted it past Joe Hart to set up a tense ending at Eastlands. Leicester overcommitted in search of an equaliser and were duly picked off as the Citizens countered. After taking some time to work an opening, despite the home side having a five on three advantage early in the break Kolarov hammered the ball home from the edge of the area to seal the win.
Richie Wellens and Andy King did not perform as well as they did in the original tie, the former being subbed for Matt Oakley at half time. The Foxes remain a threat in wide areas and from set pieces although the examination they gave Man City this time round was one they dealt with far better.
Quality told in the end, but don’t be surprised if Leicester push on towards the play-off places under Sven. They are playing some attractive football and the calibre of the opposition in the Championship is nothing like what they have faced over these two cup matches. Mancini’s men will go marching on still in three competitions, but must remain second favourites to United in the Premier League title race because of the Red Devils’ games in hand.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Draws are the order of Derby day
Three pairs of local rivals clashed in the Premier League this afternoon with different agendas to compete for and yet not a single match produced a decisive winner. The Tyne-Wear derby saw two of the top flight’s high flyers come up against one another with both clubs harbouring European ambitions. At the same time in the West Midlands, Birmingham and Aston Villa fought it out in a relegation battle. Following this, completing the hat-trick of derby games, Everton and Liverpool looked to kick on from poor starts as Kenny Dalglish had his homecoming at Anfield.
Sunderland were out to ensure a repeat of the drubbing they received at St. James’s Park earlier in the season did not occur again. The Magpies were still without top scorer Andy Carroll, missing through injury. Despite this captain Kevin Nolan gave the visitors the lead in seven minutes into the second half when he back-heeled a Shola Ameobi header past Craig Gordon. The Mackems levelled with a last gasp strike from Asamoah Gyan deep into stoppage time. The result sees Steve Bruce’s side remain sixth whilst Newcastle slip to ninth, a point behind Stoke and Bolton.
At St. Andrews the priority was staying in the Premier League. Birmingham had lost the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final to struggling West Ham thanks to the goalkeeping blunders of Ben Foster. Alex McLeish stuck with the England stopper and after a shaky first half he produced a superb fingertip save five minutes from the end which denied substitute Nathan Delfouneso a winner.
Loan signing David Bentley had an impressive debut for the blue that could have only been capped if his free kick had been on target. He was a genuine threat down the right all afternoon and showed no signs of tiredness despite his lack of match fitness. On the other flank full back David Murphy was left exposed with no out and out left-sided player in front of him. This attracted the attentions of Kyle Walker and Marc Albrighton who did their level best to exploit the situation.
Craig Gardner provided some assistance to his teammate, but would have been better utilised centrally which is where he has played his best football. McLeish’s tactic of using Aliaksandr Hleb there instead is rather unusual considering he occupied a wide berth with great success when he plied his trade at Arsenal. Both Birmingham and Villa’s strikers continue to struggle in front of goal. Matt Derbyshire completely missed the ball from a couple of yards out having been presented with a glorious chance. Gabby Agbonlahor blazed over inside the first thirty seconds when it was easier to hit the target and the returning John Carew didn’t really do much either.
It fell to defenders to involve themselves in the goalscoring, with fortune playing a big part in both sides scoring. Not long after the break a Gardner free kick deflected off Villa defenders and broke to the prone Murphy who knocked into the path of Roger Johnson up from the back to sweep it home. With just over fifteen minutes to go the Villa right combined well and Albrighton’s cross with headed down by Agbonlahor and James Collins’s shot went in off Liam Ridgewell. Whilst the visitors have lifted themselves out of the bottom three it remains extremely tight at the foot of the table with just three points separating West Ham and fifteenth placed Fulham.
The Merseyside derby saw Kenny Dalglish lead Liverpool at home for the first time in twenty years. At last the Anfield crowd had something to cheer about as their side performed excellently in the first half. Fernando Torres looked sharp and was desperately unlucky to see his run inside beating two and shot come back off the post just after the quarter hour. Raul Meireles, charged with supporting the Spanish striker from midfield, broke his duck for the club putting the ball in at the third attempt after a Dirt Kuyt header and follow up were parried by Toffees keeper Tim Howard.
Daniel Agger went off with an injury during the interval and it disrupted the home side. The defensive change was capitalised on immediately by Everton who equalised from a corner straight away thanks to Sylvain Distin’s header. Five minutes later the visitors found themselves in front as Victor Anichebe won a long ball from Martin Kelly and Leon Osman slipped it to Jermaine Beckford for a tap in. The Toffees threw away their lead when Howard bundled Maxi Rodriguez over from behind and Dirk Kuyt calmly dispatched the penalty to level the scores and ensure honours were even.
These three draws were all fair results, but have changed very little in the fight for survival, done nothing to relieve relegation fears or propel sides into the promised land of UEFA continental football. Even the fourth and final match of the day which saw Tottenham host Manchester United ended without a winner and goalless, Spurs unable to capitalise on Rafael’s dismissal for two bookings. The Premier League remains an enthralling prospect week-in week-out no matter what clubs’ goals are!
Sunderland were out to ensure a repeat of the drubbing they received at St. James’s Park earlier in the season did not occur again. The Magpies were still without top scorer Andy Carroll, missing through injury. Despite this captain Kevin Nolan gave the visitors the lead in seven minutes into the second half when he back-heeled a Shola Ameobi header past Craig Gordon. The Mackems levelled with a last gasp strike from Asamoah Gyan deep into stoppage time. The result sees Steve Bruce’s side remain sixth whilst Newcastle slip to ninth, a point behind Stoke and Bolton.
At St. Andrews the priority was staying in the Premier League. Birmingham had lost the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final to struggling West Ham thanks to the goalkeeping blunders of Ben Foster. Alex McLeish stuck with the England stopper and after a shaky first half he produced a superb fingertip save five minutes from the end which denied substitute Nathan Delfouneso a winner.
Loan signing David Bentley had an impressive debut for the blue that could have only been capped if his free kick had been on target. He was a genuine threat down the right all afternoon and showed no signs of tiredness despite his lack of match fitness. On the other flank full back David Murphy was left exposed with no out and out left-sided player in front of him. This attracted the attentions of Kyle Walker and Marc Albrighton who did their level best to exploit the situation.
Craig Gardner provided some assistance to his teammate, but would have been better utilised centrally which is where he has played his best football. McLeish’s tactic of using Aliaksandr Hleb there instead is rather unusual considering he occupied a wide berth with great success when he plied his trade at Arsenal. Both Birmingham and Villa’s strikers continue to struggle in front of goal. Matt Derbyshire completely missed the ball from a couple of yards out having been presented with a glorious chance. Gabby Agbonlahor blazed over inside the first thirty seconds when it was easier to hit the target and the returning John Carew didn’t really do much either.
It fell to defenders to involve themselves in the goalscoring, with fortune playing a big part in both sides scoring. Not long after the break a Gardner free kick deflected off Villa defenders and broke to the prone Murphy who knocked into the path of Roger Johnson up from the back to sweep it home. With just over fifteen minutes to go the Villa right combined well and Albrighton’s cross with headed down by Agbonlahor and James Collins’s shot went in off Liam Ridgewell. Whilst the visitors have lifted themselves out of the bottom three it remains extremely tight at the foot of the table with just three points separating West Ham and fifteenth placed Fulham.
The Merseyside derby saw Kenny Dalglish lead Liverpool at home for the first time in twenty years. At last the Anfield crowd had something to cheer about as their side performed excellently in the first half. Fernando Torres looked sharp and was desperately unlucky to see his run inside beating two and shot come back off the post just after the quarter hour. Raul Meireles, charged with supporting the Spanish striker from midfield, broke his duck for the club putting the ball in at the third attempt after a Dirt Kuyt header and follow up were parried by Toffees keeper Tim Howard.
Daniel Agger went off with an injury during the interval and it disrupted the home side. The defensive change was capitalised on immediately by Everton who equalised from a corner straight away thanks to Sylvain Distin’s header. Five minutes later the visitors found themselves in front as Victor Anichebe won a long ball from Martin Kelly and Leon Osman slipped it to Jermaine Beckford for a tap in. The Toffees threw away their lead when Howard bundled Maxi Rodriguez over from behind and Dirk Kuyt calmly dispatched the penalty to level the scores and ensure honours were even.
These three draws were all fair results, but have changed very little in the fight for survival, done nothing to relieve relegation fears or propel sides into the promised land of UEFA continental football. Even the fourth and final match of the day which saw Tottenham host Manchester United ended without a winner and goalless, Spurs unable to capitalise on Rafael’s dismissal for two bookings. The Premier League remains an enthralling prospect week-in week-out no matter what clubs’ goals are!
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Awful Bridge is Avram's Epitaph
West Ham 0 Arsenal 3
Rumours have been rife of Martin O’Neill’s imminent arrival at Upton Park no matter what the outcome of tonight’s Premier League encounter was, but surely now Avram Grant will be getting his marching orders. A brace from Robin Van Persie, including a penalty and a Theo Walcott strike consigned the Hammers to their eleventh defeat of the season.
As dominant in possession as the Gunners were, West Ham lacked belief and confidence. The loss of Mark Noble to a calf problem after twenty minutes compounded the absence of Scott Parker and left the midfield lacking a crunch. Arsenal profited by monopolising the ball, their passing going largely unopposed.
New signing Wayne Bridge on loan in East London from Manchester City was thrown in at the deep end despite his lack of match time and that decision is almost certain to have been one of the final ones Grant makes in his job. He was at fault in some way for all the goals the Hammers conceded and yet he was supposed to sure things up at the back. Bridge couldn’t handle Walcott’s pace down the right, evidenced by him giving away the penalty that sealed the win for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Van Persie was finally starting to look sharp after his spell on the sidelines and his opener was superbly taken. Samir Nasri played his part too, dummying Walcott’s low cross before the clinical finish from the Dutchman. Although the visitors took the lead inside fifteen minute, the Hammers showed some signs of responding with Zavon Hines shooting over and across goal from a tight angle.
Arsenal’s number ten turned provided for the second, pulling the ball back from the by-line and Walcott finished into the roof of the net to give them a two goal cushion at the break. In the second half Szczesny in the visitors’ goal had little to do again, but was nearly caught out by a cross-shot from Freddie Sears before the Gunners sealed the win thirteen minutes from time with Van Persie scoring from the spot.
Rumours have been rife of Martin O’Neill’s imminent arrival at Upton Park no matter what the outcome of tonight’s Premier League encounter was, but surely now Avram Grant will be getting his marching orders. A brace from Robin Van Persie, including a penalty and a Theo Walcott strike consigned the Hammers to their eleventh defeat of the season.
As dominant in possession as the Gunners were, West Ham lacked belief and confidence. The loss of Mark Noble to a calf problem after twenty minutes compounded the absence of Scott Parker and left the midfield lacking a crunch. Arsenal profited by monopolising the ball, their passing going largely unopposed.
New signing Wayne Bridge on loan in East London from Manchester City was thrown in at the deep end despite his lack of match time and that decision is almost certain to have been one of the final ones Grant makes in his job. He was at fault in some way for all the goals the Hammers conceded and yet he was supposed to sure things up at the back. Bridge couldn’t handle Walcott’s pace down the right, evidenced by him giving away the penalty that sealed the win for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Van Persie was finally starting to look sharp after his spell on the sidelines and his opener was superbly taken. Samir Nasri played his part too, dummying Walcott’s low cross before the clinical finish from the Dutchman. Although the visitors took the lead inside fifteen minute, the Hammers showed some signs of responding with Zavon Hines shooting over and across goal from a tight angle.
Arsenal’s number ten turned provided for the second, pulling the ball back from the by-line and Walcott finished into the roof of the net to give them a two goal cushion at the break. In the second half Szczesny in the visitors’ goal had little to do again, but was nearly caught out by a cross-shot from Freddie Sears before the Gunners sealed the win thirteen minutes from time with Van Persie scoring from the spot.
Swans Slam Eagles in Striker Shortage Showdown
At the time of writing Brendan Rodgers’s side have gone second in the Championship table after a comfortable victory over struggling Palace. New Eagles boss Dougie Freedman has got some real problems scrapping for survival at the other end. In many ways though these two clubs may have contrasting fortunes but they are suffering from one similar problem - a goalscoring centre forward.
The good form of former Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair, coupled with the Swans’ excellent defensive record has offset the lack of firepower from strikers. Rodgers’s lads have become the experts at winning matches by a single goal, playing expansive football in a 4-3-3 system that dates back to the days of two promotions under ex-manager Roberto Martinez.
With two widemen in the kind of form they showed today you would think Swansea would have a centre forward who could bag some goals from all the chances they create, but the latest to try Luke Moore couldn’t find the net. Of the permanently contracted players Rodgers has at his disposal the two strikers Craig Beattie and Stephen Dobbie have contributed just seven goals between them this season and that’s in all competitions. The latter was signed from the Scottish league to replace Jason Scotland who was prolific for the Swans, but lightning did not strike twice.
This has placed a burden on the midfield three to contribute and the box-to-box Darren Pratley has stepped up to net five league goals, as well as finding the net in both domestic cups. He broke into the box only once during the Palace, albeit with the desired effect of giving Swansea the lead before half time, but he needs to do more of it. Young Joe Allen lacks his maturity and experience and Mark Gower who completes this trio has netted only once for his current club.
You can’t help but feel the addition of someone who can repeat Scotland’s twenty-plus goals is the final piece of the puzzle for the nearly team of the Championship. This is the Swans’ third attempt at promotion after just missing out on the play-offs by a single point last season after successive top eight finishes. It would be a real achievement as many squad members have had to step up time and again as the Liberty Stadium outfit climbed the leagues. For the likes of club captain Garry Monk playing Premier League football would be a dream come true.
As for Palace they have problems throughout the team with the notable exception of goalkeeper and cult hero Julian Speroni. In defence they lack pace at centre half and depth at full-back. Luke Moore might not have found the net, but he did come close by playing of the shoulder of Paddy McCarthy and looked a threat. Highly rated Nathaniel Clyne had kept Sinclair quiet for the entire first half until the goal. Whilst he has a fantastic engine, positioning is something he still learning. Clyne was equal to the man he marked in a foot race, but when he was caught square Swansea punished the Eagles.
In midfield Dougie Freedman needs to do something George Burley didn’t and replace Shaun Derry. Palace lack a defensively minded midfielder; if Owen Garvan continues to play it is not getting the best out of him and in all likelihood he will be sent off again. Andy Dorman was anonymous from the left and whilst Wilfred Zaha is undoubtedly a talent his clever flicks and touches are meaningless unless he can get the basics right.
Losing James Vaughan back to parent club Everton to cover the absence of Tim Cahill, away with Australia at the Asian Cup, has hit Palace hard up front. Pablo Counago looks to have had his day and the signing of 34-year old Steffen Iversen can only work out if the Norwegian can get the right service that he depends on. Calvin Andrew has nothing short of an abysmal goalscoring record for a target man. All of these issues have combined to result in the Eagles being third bottom.
The good form of former Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair, coupled with the Swans’ excellent defensive record has offset the lack of firepower from strikers. Rodgers’s lads have become the experts at winning matches by a single goal, playing expansive football in a 4-3-3 system that dates back to the days of two promotions under ex-manager Roberto Martinez.
With two widemen in the kind of form they showed today you would think Swansea would have a centre forward who could bag some goals from all the chances they create, but the latest to try Luke Moore couldn’t find the net. Of the permanently contracted players Rodgers has at his disposal the two strikers Craig Beattie and Stephen Dobbie have contributed just seven goals between them this season and that’s in all competitions. The latter was signed from the Scottish league to replace Jason Scotland who was prolific for the Swans, but lightning did not strike twice.
This has placed a burden on the midfield three to contribute and the box-to-box Darren Pratley has stepped up to net five league goals, as well as finding the net in both domestic cups. He broke into the box only once during the Palace, albeit with the desired effect of giving Swansea the lead before half time, but he needs to do more of it. Young Joe Allen lacks his maturity and experience and Mark Gower who completes this trio has netted only once for his current club.
You can’t help but feel the addition of someone who can repeat Scotland’s twenty-plus goals is the final piece of the puzzle for the nearly team of the Championship. This is the Swans’ third attempt at promotion after just missing out on the play-offs by a single point last season after successive top eight finishes. It would be a real achievement as many squad members have had to step up time and again as the Liberty Stadium outfit climbed the leagues. For the likes of club captain Garry Monk playing Premier League football would be a dream come true.
As for Palace they have problems throughout the team with the notable exception of goalkeeper and cult hero Julian Speroni. In defence they lack pace at centre half and depth at full-back. Luke Moore might not have found the net, but he did come close by playing of the shoulder of Paddy McCarthy and looked a threat. Highly rated Nathaniel Clyne had kept Sinclair quiet for the entire first half until the goal. Whilst he has a fantastic engine, positioning is something he still learning. Clyne was equal to the man he marked in a foot race, but when he was caught square Swansea punished the Eagles.
In midfield Dougie Freedman needs to do something George Burley didn’t and replace Shaun Derry. Palace lack a defensively minded midfielder; if Owen Garvan continues to play it is not getting the best out of him and in all likelihood he will be sent off again. Andy Dorman was anonymous from the left and whilst Wilfred Zaha is undoubtedly a talent his clever flicks and touches are meaningless unless he can get the basics right.
Losing James Vaughan back to parent club Everton to cover the absence of Tim Cahill, away with Australia at the Asian Cup, has hit Palace hard up front. Pablo Counago looks to have had his day and the signing of 34-year old Steffen Iversen can only work out if the Norwegian can get the right service that he depends on. Calvin Andrew has nothing short of an abysmal goalscoring record for a target man. All of these issues have combined to result in the Eagles being third bottom.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Masters Snooker: Dragon Dismantles Dynamo
Graeme Dott 2 Ding Junhui 6
Three consecutive centuries before the mid-session interval paved the way for China’s best export to reach his second Masters semi final. Two breaks of 124 either side of a contribution of 108 put Ding 3-1 up at the break. The Pocket Dynamo failed to reproduce the gutsy display that saw him eliminate world number one John Higgins in the first round.
Mistakes cost Dott dear, letting his opponent run away with the match. A missed yellow in frame seven left the Scotsman facing an insurmountable lead as the Dragon took full advantage to lead 5-2. A 52 break was all Ding needed in the eighth to run out a comfortable winner.
Dott edged the scrappier frames, but the Chinese sensation was unstoppable when let in amongst the balls. The Dragon will now face the winner of Jamie Cope and Mark King in the semi finals.
Three consecutive centuries before the mid-session interval paved the way for China’s best export to reach his second Masters semi final. Two breaks of 124 either side of a contribution of 108 put Ding 3-1 up at the break. The Pocket Dynamo failed to reproduce the gutsy display that saw him eliminate world number one John Higgins in the first round.
Mistakes cost Dott dear, letting his opponent run away with the match. A missed yellow in frame seven left the Scotsman facing an insurmountable lead as the Dragon took full advantage to lead 5-2. A 52 break was all Ding needed in the eighth to run out a comfortable winner.
Dott edged the scrappier frames, but the Chinese sensation was unstoppable when let in amongst the balls. The Dragon will now face the winner of Jamie Cope and Mark King in the semi finals.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Masters Snooker: Pistol shoots down misfiring Rocket
Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-6 Mark Allen
The former four-time Masters champion and local favourite exited the competition in the first round as the genius of the baize lost to the man from Antrim.
O’Sullivan struggled with his concentration, playing a series of poor break-off shots which time and again allowed his Northern Irish opponent in. Contributions of 38 and 34 were enough to give Allen the first frame, but the Rocket responded with an 86 clearance to level the match.
A scrappy third frame went the way of the Pistol after Ronnie missed three blacks off the spot and after a break of 88 in the fourth O’Sullivan’s opponent found himself 3-1 up at the mid-session interval.
When the players returned the Rocket won three of the next four to again even the score. A 64 clearance in the fifth, edging a scrappy seventh and knocks of 66 and 41 in the eighth frame highlighted Ronnie’s ability to capitalise on Allen’s mistakes. The Northern Irish player seemed to be feeling the pressure of leading the Wembley favourite.
Carelessness at the business end of the match did for O’Sullivan though, whilst Allen showed character and determination. An 87 break and victory in a scrappy final frame took the man from Antrim over the line and put out the Rocket. An attempt at a long yellow when safety looked the better option summed up Ronnie’s day.
This contest, touted as the tie of the first round, perhaps fell slightly short of living up to the hype. Question marks continue over O’Sullivans’s attitude. Geniuses should always be up for the fight. There can be no doubt Allen has taken a scalp, but the tendency to over-hit positional shots needs to be addressed. The Northern Irishman will face either Stephen Hendry or reigning World champion Neil Robertson in the Quarter Finals.
The former four-time Masters champion and local favourite exited the competition in the first round as the genius of the baize lost to the man from Antrim.
O’Sullivan struggled with his concentration, playing a series of poor break-off shots which time and again allowed his Northern Irish opponent in. Contributions of 38 and 34 were enough to give Allen the first frame, but the Rocket responded with an 86 clearance to level the match.
A scrappy third frame went the way of the Pistol after Ronnie missed three blacks off the spot and after a break of 88 in the fourth O’Sullivan’s opponent found himself 3-1 up at the mid-session interval.
When the players returned the Rocket won three of the next four to again even the score. A 64 clearance in the fifth, edging a scrappy seventh and knocks of 66 and 41 in the eighth frame highlighted Ronnie’s ability to capitalise on Allen’s mistakes. The Northern Irish player seemed to be feeling the pressure of leading the Wembley favourite.
Carelessness at the business end of the match did for O’Sullivan though, whilst Allen showed character and determination. An 87 break and victory in a scrappy final frame took the man from Antrim over the line and put out the Rocket. An attempt at a long yellow when safety looked the better option summed up Ronnie’s day.
This contest, touted as the tie of the first round, perhaps fell slightly short of living up to the hype. Question marks continue over O’Sullivans’s attitude. Geniuses should always be up for the fight. There can be no doubt Allen has taken a scalp, but the tendency to over-hit positional shots needs to be addressed. The Northern Irishman will face either Stephen Hendry or reigning World champion Neil Robertson in the Quarter Finals.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Third Round Weekend: Foxes Earn Eastlands Replay
Leicester City 2 Manchester City 2
Strikes from debutant Sol Bamba and captain Andy King were enough for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side to ensure another encounter with the Citizens will take place in ten days time. In between Leicester’s goals Roberto Mancini’s men came from a goal down to lead 2-1 before being pegged back. James Milner netted from the edge of the area and some fancy footwork from talisman Carlos Tevez put them in front before the break.
Manchester City had started poorly, not alert to a first minute short corner with Paul Gallagher’s ball in glancing off King before Bamba stuck out a leg to put it into the back of the net. Critics of zonal marking will pick up on the static nature of the Citizens’ defence and Kolo Toure’s poor positioning, yet all day long the visitors struggled to deal with their opponents’ aerial threat. Bamba would get a further five free headers from dead ball situations after his opener but could neither find the target nor beat Joe Hart again.
A change of formation by Roberto Mancini raised a few eyebrows before the game, but his side were level after twenty two minutes. Milner latched onto Tevez’s reverse pass, he dummied and wrong-footed the debutant Bamba in the Leicester defence before coming inside and sweeping the ball past Chris Weale from twenty yards. The first half was not a one-sided affair though as the Foxes continued to pose problems from set pieces thanks to Jerome Boateng’s inability to mark. Just after the half hour Japanese midfielder Yuki Abe had a twenty five yard thunderbolt pushed out for a corner by the sprawling Hart.
Adam Johnson spurned a guilt edge chance with five minutes to go before the break, pulling wide after Tevez’s vision had found Boateng in an advanced position on the right flank. Moments later Man City did what their hosts had done to them in the opening seconds. A short corner saw Johnson and Milner interchange passes and the latter’s low cross was flicked in by the Citizens captain.
From the restart the visitors looked shaky with Leicester coming out the traps strongly as they did in the first half. Corners were no better dealt with after the break than before, but a mistake from Joe Hart gifted the Foxes their equaliser. A Paul Gallagher cross from the left past the hour bounced off the England goalkeeper’s chest giving home skipper King a tap in. He redeemed himself slightly later on, coming sharply off his line to stop Richie Wellens’ ball over the top from reaching its target. Leicester deserved a replay after their positive display of attacking intent.
The Foxes midfield three should get great praise. Abe, King and Wellens at one time or another joined in their attacks and the captain led by example. He was always popping up on the flanks or in an advanced position to supplement the forwards. Gallagher is a real handful and looked far better than the level he currently plays at. Perhaps former club Blackburn could use his dynamism now.
Tevez showed great guile today for the visitors and it was one of Milner’s better performances in a Manchester City shirt. Jo and Shaun Wright-Phillips did very little to impress. The latter has certainly failed to recapture the form he showed during his first speall at Eastlands. There is certainly a good deal of work to be done on the training ground defensively for Mancini’s side as subsequent opponents will view the Citizens as a soft touch from dead balls.
Strikes from debutant Sol Bamba and captain Andy King were enough for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side to ensure another encounter with the Citizens will take place in ten days time. In between Leicester’s goals Roberto Mancini’s men came from a goal down to lead 2-1 before being pegged back. James Milner netted from the edge of the area and some fancy footwork from talisman Carlos Tevez put them in front before the break.
Manchester City had started poorly, not alert to a first minute short corner with Paul Gallagher’s ball in glancing off King before Bamba stuck out a leg to put it into the back of the net. Critics of zonal marking will pick up on the static nature of the Citizens’ defence and Kolo Toure’s poor positioning, yet all day long the visitors struggled to deal with their opponents’ aerial threat. Bamba would get a further five free headers from dead ball situations after his opener but could neither find the target nor beat Joe Hart again.
A change of formation by Roberto Mancini raised a few eyebrows before the game, but his side were level after twenty two minutes. Milner latched onto Tevez’s reverse pass, he dummied and wrong-footed the debutant Bamba in the Leicester defence before coming inside and sweeping the ball past Chris Weale from twenty yards. The first half was not a one-sided affair though as the Foxes continued to pose problems from set pieces thanks to Jerome Boateng’s inability to mark. Just after the half hour Japanese midfielder Yuki Abe had a twenty five yard thunderbolt pushed out for a corner by the sprawling Hart.
Adam Johnson spurned a guilt edge chance with five minutes to go before the break, pulling wide after Tevez’s vision had found Boateng in an advanced position on the right flank. Moments later Man City did what their hosts had done to them in the opening seconds. A short corner saw Johnson and Milner interchange passes and the latter’s low cross was flicked in by the Citizens captain.
From the restart the visitors looked shaky with Leicester coming out the traps strongly as they did in the first half. Corners were no better dealt with after the break than before, but a mistake from Joe Hart gifted the Foxes their equaliser. A Paul Gallagher cross from the left past the hour bounced off the England goalkeeper’s chest giving home skipper King a tap in. He redeemed himself slightly later on, coming sharply off his line to stop Richie Wellens’ ball over the top from reaching its target. Leicester deserved a replay after their positive display of attacking intent.
The Foxes midfield three should get great praise. Abe, King and Wellens at one time or another joined in their attacks and the captain led by example. He was always popping up on the flanks or in an advanced position to supplement the forwards. Gallagher is a real handful and looked far better than the level he currently plays at. Perhaps former club Blackburn could use his dynamism now.
Tevez showed great guile today for the visitors and it was one of Milner’s better performances in a Manchester City shirt. Jo and Shaun Wright-Phillips did very little to impress. The latter has certainly failed to recapture the form he showed during his first speall at Eastlands. There is certainly a good deal of work to be done on the training ground defensively for Mancini’s side as subsequent opponents will view the Citizens as a soft touch from dead balls.
Third Round Weekend: Red Devils Dispel King Kenny's Fairytale Start
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 0
Any delusions the Anfield faithful might have that club legend Kenny Dalglish can just wave a magic wand and turn around the Merseysiders’ season in an instant have quickly evaporated after defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals.
Two major first half decisions went against Liverpool and knocked them out. After just thirty seconds Dimitar Berbatov won United a controversial penalty. The Bulgarian made the most of minimal contact from visiting defender Daniel Agger, delaying going down, but referee Howard Webb pointed the spot, despite the linesman not flagging. Veteran Ryan Giggs dispatched from twelve yards expertly with just a minute and a half on the clock.
Just after the half hour the visitors’ captain Steven Gerrard saw red for an off the ground lunge on Michael Carrick. There can be little argument about this latter decision as players are inviting a dismissal when they jump in the modern game. It could have been even worse for the visitors, but Johnny Evans’ header from a corner in stoppage time before the break came back off the post.
There can be little doubt the sending off of the Liverpool skipper damaged the contest. United wasted numerous half chances in the second half to increase their lead, but were also happy to sit back and let the visitors have the ball. Daglish’s ten men improved slightly after the hour when he sent on Ryan Babel and Jonjo Shelvey. Both goalkeepers remained on top for the rest of the match.
Pepe Reina made a superb string of quick succession saves in a goalmouth scramble around the seventy minute mark. Liverpool eventually tired being a man light, but few if any edge guilt edge chances were created by the Red Devils. Ultimately football is a results-based business but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side could have shown a little more ambition to put the tie to bed.
Whilst Gerrard will miss the Merseyside derby next weekend through suspension, it’s not all bad news for Dalglish. Martin Kelly was outstanding both defensively and going forward from right back today. Glen Johnson certainly should not walk straight back into the team after such an impressive display from the local lad. Reina could do with improving his distribution.
Any delusions the Anfield faithful might have that club legend Kenny Dalglish can just wave a magic wand and turn around the Merseysiders’ season in an instant have quickly evaporated after defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals.
Two major first half decisions went against Liverpool and knocked them out. After just thirty seconds Dimitar Berbatov won United a controversial penalty. The Bulgarian made the most of minimal contact from visiting defender Daniel Agger, delaying going down, but referee Howard Webb pointed the spot, despite the linesman not flagging. Veteran Ryan Giggs dispatched from twelve yards expertly with just a minute and a half on the clock.
Just after the half hour the visitors’ captain Steven Gerrard saw red for an off the ground lunge on Michael Carrick. There can be little argument about this latter decision as players are inviting a dismissal when they jump in the modern game. It could have been even worse for the visitors, but Johnny Evans’ header from a corner in stoppage time before the break came back off the post.
There can be little doubt the sending off of the Liverpool skipper damaged the contest. United wasted numerous half chances in the second half to increase their lead, but were also happy to sit back and let the visitors have the ball. Daglish’s ten men improved slightly after the hour when he sent on Ryan Babel and Jonjo Shelvey. Both goalkeepers remained on top for the rest of the match.
Pepe Reina made a superb string of quick succession saves in a goalmouth scramble around the seventy minute mark. Liverpool eventually tired being a man light, but few if any edge guilt edge chances were created by the Red Devils. Ultimately football is a results-based business but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side could have shown a little more ambition to put the tie to bed.
Whilst Gerrard will miss the Merseyside derby next weekend through suspension, it’s not all bad news for Dalglish. Martin Kelly was outstanding both defensively and going forward from right back today. Glen Johnson certainly should not walk straight back into the team after such an impressive display from the local lad. Reina could do with improving his distribution.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Third Round Weekend: Dismal Toon’s Defeat Compounds Northeast Cup Misery
Stevenage Borough 3 Newcastle United 1
The Ronnie Radford award for giant-killing will surely be winging its way to Graham Westley and the Lamex Stadium as the League Two outfit ensured that fans on Tyneside joined those on Teesside and Wearside in finding their respective clubs out the competition all at the hands of lower league opposition. Second half strikes from Michael Bostwick and Peter Winn after a Mike Williamson own goal sent the home side through to the Fourth Round. Joey Barton netted what was to prove only a consolation for Newcastle from distance.
Stevenage were thoroughly the better side against a team more than seventy places higher up England’s football league pyramid. The Toon players with the exception of the much maligned Barton lacked any sort of motivation or enthusiasm for the tie. This attitude ultimately embarrassed both themselves and the club. Whilst the visitors weren’t up for it, Borough profited to achieve a famous victory and right the perceived wrongs of their encounters in the competition thirteen years ago.
Alan Pardew made a number of changes including playing utility man James Perch at left back, a position in which he has little experience. During a first half largely devoid of action Stevenage had the best of what little there was; captain Mark Roberts’s header from Winn’s corner and a twenty five yarder from Bostwick both being kept out by Tim Krul.
The tie burst into life after the break on fifty minutes when wide player Stacy Long’s shot took a huge deflection off the head of Williamson that gave the Magpies keeper no chance. Newcastle showed some signs of responding to going behind, but Kevin Nolan’s shot was tipped over by Chris Day.
Less than a minute later Borough were two up. John Mousinho’s run was charged down only for the ball to break to Bostwick on the edge of the area whose precise shot went in off the post. Cheik Tiote was brought on by the visitors to shore things up in midfield, but he got himself sent off just over ten minutes after coming onto the field. The Ivorian did make some contact on the ball, but it was a reckless lunge on Jon Ashrton. Nonetheless the decision by referee to Andre Mariner to brandish red will be questioned by Toon supporters and fans of the physical side of the game.
Barton tinged an otherwise encouraging display by throwing the ball at the head of a Stevenage player as frustration threatened to boil over amongst the visitors. In stoppage time the controversial midfielder cracked a thirty yard shot into the roof of the net to pull one back, but the Magpies completely switched off from the restart. Mousinho again dribbled his way into the final third, slipping a delightful diagonal ball through for Winn who placed it past the onrushing Krul to put the match to bed.
Newcastle’s defeat completes a hat-trick of Third Round exits for the Northeast’s top clubs. Middlesbrough were knocked out 2-1 losing away at League Two Burton Albion, whilst Sunderland slumped to a home defeat by the same scoreline at the hands of League One strugglers Notts County. They’ll be precious little cheer for Boro who now must focus on maintaining their Championship status under Tony Mowbray. Optimists will say at least there are no more distractions for the Teessiders.
As for both Tyne and Wear much of the disappointment will be forgotten as next weekend the second derby of the Premier League season takes place. The Mackems will be out to prevent the Toon from doing the double over them. That said defeats of this nature are not exactly ideal preparation and Pardew particularly should be concerned after such a poor display by his players tonight as they lacked commitment.
The Ronnie Radford award for giant-killing will surely be winging its way to Graham Westley and the Lamex Stadium as the League Two outfit ensured that fans on Tyneside joined those on Teesside and Wearside in finding their respective clubs out the competition all at the hands of lower league opposition. Second half strikes from Michael Bostwick and Peter Winn after a Mike Williamson own goal sent the home side through to the Fourth Round. Joey Barton netted what was to prove only a consolation for Newcastle from distance.
Stevenage were thoroughly the better side against a team more than seventy places higher up England’s football league pyramid. The Toon players with the exception of the much maligned Barton lacked any sort of motivation or enthusiasm for the tie. This attitude ultimately embarrassed both themselves and the club. Whilst the visitors weren’t up for it, Borough profited to achieve a famous victory and right the perceived wrongs of their encounters in the competition thirteen years ago.
Alan Pardew made a number of changes including playing utility man James Perch at left back, a position in which he has little experience. During a first half largely devoid of action Stevenage had the best of what little there was; captain Mark Roberts’s header from Winn’s corner and a twenty five yarder from Bostwick both being kept out by Tim Krul.
The tie burst into life after the break on fifty minutes when wide player Stacy Long’s shot took a huge deflection off the head of Williamson that gave the Magpies keeper no chance. Newcastle showed some signs of responding to going behind, but Kevin Nolan’s shot was tipped over by Chris Day.
Less than a minute later Borough were two up. John Mousinho’s run was charged down only for the ball to break to Bostwick on the edge of the area whose precise shot went in off the post. Cheik Tiote was brought on by the visitors to shore things up in midfield, but he got himself sent off just over ten minutes after coming onto the field. The Ivorian did make some contact on the ball, but it was a reckless lunge on Jon Ashrton. Nonetheless the decision by referee to Andre Mariner to brandish red will be questioned by Toon supporters and fans of the physical side of the game.
Barton tinged an otherwise encouraging display by throwing the ball at the head of a Stevenage player as frustration threatened to boil over amongst the visitors. In stoppage time the controversial midfielder cracked a thirty yard shot into the roof of the net to pull one back, but the Magpies completely switched off from the restart. Mousinho again dribbled his way into the final third, slipping a delightful diagonal ball through for Winn who placed it past the onrushing Krul to put the match to bed.
Newcastle’s defeat completes a hat-trick of Third Round exits for the Northeast’s top clubs. Middlesbrough were knocked out 2-1 losing away at League Two Burton Albion, whilst Sunderland slumped to a home defeat by the same scoreline at the hands of League One strugglers Notts County. They’ll be precious little cheer for Boro who now must focus on maintaining their Championship status under Tony Mowbray. Optimists will say at least there are no more distractions for the Teessiders.
As for both Tyne and Wear much of the disappointment will be forgotten as next weekend the second derby of the Premier League season takes place. The Mackems will be out to prevent the Toon from doing the double over them. That said defeats of this nature are not exactly ideal preparation and Pardew particularly should be concerned after such a poor display by his players tonight as they lacked commitment.
FA Cup Third Round Weekend: Lightning Nearly Strikes Twice for Leeds
Arsenal 1 Leeds United 1
A tale of two penalties, one for either side, means Simon Grayson and Arsene Wenger will have to do battle again at Elland Road on Tuesday week. Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring from the spot less than ten minutes after half time when Denilson foolishly stuck out a leg to halt Max Gradel’s progress.
Arsenal responded by bringing talisman Cesc Fabregas and the pacey Theo Walcott off the bench and Leeds just couldn’t handle the England winger’s relentless running down the right. In the last minute before stoppage time Whites full back Ben Parker pulled him back giving referee Phil Dowd no option but to point to the spot again. Fabregas dispatched the equaliser calmly from twelve yards.
Moments earlier there had been controversy when Walcott and Alex Bruce tangled over the ball in the United penalty area with the official ready to award a spot kick for the challenge. The linesman flagged the active Nicklas Bendtner offside however as the ball broke to him and he curled an effort wide.
The first half had a single clear cut opening spurned by the home side. With ten minutes played Andrei Arshavin was put through on goal by the vision of Tomas Rosicky but shot straight at the keeper. Goal line clearances from Whites captain Johnny Howson and lone frontman Luciano Becchio kept the visitors in it. The Gunners were certainly on top for the opening forty five, worried only once by an incisive ball from Snodgrass but Wojciech Szczesny came off his line to smother the danger.
Leeds have both centre halves Bruce and Andy O’Brien to thank for earning them a replay besides an inspired goalkeeping performance from Kasper Schmeichel. The Dane twice denied long range efforts from Denilson superbly, the second a world class finger tips stop late in second half stoppage time.
Arsenal owe a debt to their own keeper Szczesny for keeping them in the match when they were a goal down. Just after the hour mark the Polish custodian plunged to his right to parry a powerful Becchio header from a Snodgrass corner. The introductions of Fabregas and Walcott intensified the pressure on the Leeds goal as the visitors continued to drop deep.
This wasn’t helped by the negative tactics of Grayson swapping on-loan Gunner Sanchez Watt for Leigh Bromby, going five at the back. Nonetheless the visitors deserved a replay and held their own against a strong team put out by Wenger. The Frenchmen retains his undefeated managerial record on Third Round weekend, whilst his counterpart further adds to his reputation, Leeds having knocked out Manchester United at this stage of the FA Cup last season.
Bendtner continues to forge a career for himself as a waster of chances his teammates work extremely hard to make. He is particularly profligate in the air and if the Dane could just improve his finishing then he has the potential to become a real force in English football. Arshavin has been very hot and cold since joining Arsenal and this season it’s more often than not been the latter. You could tell fellow forward Marouane Chakmakh had never played in the cup and the Moroccan has now failed to find the net in six matches.
More encouraging were the displays of Rosicky in an advanced central position and Walcott’s terrifying speed on the wing. The Czech Republic national captain has struggled to recapture the form he showed before his length spell on the sidelines, but today particularly in the first half his distribution going forwards and guile were notable.
For the visitors Becchio has to be commended for the shift he puts in up front on his own. The work rate of the Argentine forward makes him almost like a lower league version of Carlos Tevez, always willing to chase down lost causes until he runs himself into the ground. At the back there can’t be high enough praise for Bruce and O’Brien. The pair both put in tremendous last ditch tackles to keep Leeds in the match. The replay should be a real treat!
A tale of two penalties, one for either side, means Simon Grayson and Arsene Wenger will have to do battle again at Elland Road on Tuesday week. Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring from the spot less than ten minutes after half time when Denilson foolishly stuck out a leg to halt Max Gradel’s progress.
Arsenal responded by bringing talisman Cesc Fabregas and the pacey Theo Walcott off the bench and Leeds just couldn’t handle the England winger’s relentless running down the right. In the last minute before stoppage time Whites full back Ben Parker pulled him back giving referee Phil Dowd no option but to point to the spot again. Fabregas dispatched the equaliser calmly from twelve yards.
Moments earlier there had been controversy when Walcott and Alex Bruce tangled over the ball in the United penalty area with the official ready to award a spot kick for the challenge. The linesman flagged the active Nicklas Bendtner offside however as the ball broke to him and he curled an effort wide.
The first half had a single clear cut opening spurned by the home side. With ten minutes played Andrei Arshavin was put through on goal by the vision of Tomas Rosicky but shot straight at the keeper. Goal line clearances from Whites captain Johnny Howson and lone frontman Luciano Becchio kept the visitors in it. The Gunners were certainly on top for the opening forty five, worried only once by an incisive ball from Snodgrass but Wojciech Szczesny came off his line to smother the danger.
Leeds have both centre halves Bruce and Andy O’Brien to thank for earning them a replay besides an inspired goalkeeping performance from Kasper Schmeichel. The Dane twice denied long range efforts from Denilson superbly, the second a world class finger tips stop late in second half stoppage time.
Arsenal owe a debt to their own keeper Szczesny for keeping them in the match when they were a goal down. Just after the hour mark the Polish custodian plunged to his right to parry a powerful Becchio header from a Snodgrass corner. The introductions of Fabregas and Walcott intensified the pressure on the Leeds goal as the visitors continued to drop deep.
This wasn’t helped by the negative tactics of Grayson swapping on-loan Gunner Sanchez Watt for Leigh Bromby, going five at the back. Nonetheless the visitors deserved a replay and held their own against a strong team put out by Wenger. The Frenchmen retains his undefeated managerial record on Third Round weekend, whilst his counterpart further adds to his reputation, Leeds having knocked out Manchester United at this stage of the FA Cup last season.
Bendtner continues to forge a career for himself as a waster of chances his teammates work extremely hard to make. He is particularly profligate in the air and if the Dane could just improve his finishing then he has the potential to become a real force in English football. Arshavin has been very hot and cold since joining Arsenal and this season it’s more often than not been the latter. You could tell fellow forward Marouane Chakmakh had never played in the cup and the Moroccan has now failed to find the net in six matches.
More encouraging were the displays of Rosicky in an advanced central position and Walcott’s terrifying speed on the wing. The Czech Republic national captain has struggled to recapture the form he showed before his length spell on the sidelines, but today particularly in the first half his distribution going forwards and guile were notable.
For the visitors Becchio has to be commended for the shift he puts in up front on his own. The work rate of the Argentine forward makes him almost like a lower league version of Carlos Tevez, always willing to chase down lost causes until he runs himself into the ground. At the back there can’t be high enough praise for Bruce and O’Brien. The pair both put in tremendous last ditch tackles to keep Leeds in the match. The replay should be a real treat!
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Premier League Survival Tighter Than Ever
After this midweek round of matches in England’s top flight just two points separate bottom side West Ham, humiliated by an emphatic 5-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle, and fourteenth placed Fulham who propelled themselves out of the relegation zone with a comfortable victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Even the other sides which make up the bottom half must be looking nervously over their shoulders, not least Liverpool after winning only twice since the start of December. Manager Roy Hodgson’s future at Anfield is hanging by a thread and the American owners may wield the axe. That said he is not the only Premier League boss with concerns about the sack.
Hammers coach Avram Grant must be worried how chairmen Sullivan and Gold might react to such a heavy defeat as all thoughts that they might have turned a corner thanks to previous upturn in form evaporated. Despite their slide into the bottom three Aston Villa have assured Gerard Houllier that he will be given time to turn things around, but how long will he get?
Wigan Athletic are struggling to score goals. Talented wide man Charles N’Zogbia wants away from the DW Stadium, his cap for France earlier in the season and allegedly interest from Marseille having gone to his head. Without him Hugo Rodallega is relying on young Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley to create chances for him with Victor Moses out injured. Argentine forward Mauro Boselli has flopped and there is always the feeling with compatriot Franco di Santo that there is more come.
Roberto di Matteo needs some luck on the injury front if Albion’s fortunes are to be turned around. The 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage on Tuesday was the club’s fifth success league defeat. Their time in the top four after an excellent start to the season is now a distant memory for Baggies fans. Four full backs played in defence at Fulham and it didn’t half show. The way West Brom handled the home side’s set pieces was abysmal, evidenced by the two second half goals they conceded coming from corners.
Both Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland got free headers with marking from the visitors distinct by its absence. Mark Hughes’s side will not always have it so easy and their persistence with a long ball tactic whilst Bobby Zamora remains on the treatment table is worrying. They will always carry an aerial threat from set plays regardless, but their attack really lacks a fulcrum without the England international. Andy Johnson has never been one to play up front by himself, whilst Diomansy Kamara showed a willingness to run in behind he never made a clear opening for himself.
Turning our attention back to the West Midlands, Wolves were always going to be a side who struggled this season. They stayed up during the last campaign but the fabled second season syndrome is something which should concern Mick McCarthy. Goalscoring is again the issue. Kevin Doyle has one league goal and neither Steven Fletcher nor Sylvain Ebanks-Blake has hit five yet.
It is hard to believe this is virtually the same Villa team that played with such confidence under Martin O’Neill. They showed real character in 3-3 draw with Chelsea at the weekend, but followed it up with an abject home display against Sunderland that saw Emile Heskey sent off. They are also lacking a goal threat and it’s fair to say they have been relying too much on goals from midfield.
A change of shape with Lee Bowyer suspended seemed to do Birmingham some good, after all playing a 4-4-2 resulted in their first away victory of the season. Much the same as Villa the forwards need to chip in with contributions, but Alex McLeish’s men should be buoyed by the win over Blackpool.
If goal difference is a factor in who stays up, and at this stage it looks likely to play a decisive part, then that is in the favour of both Birmingham and Fulham. The other Midlands clubs will have to try and improve theirs. Albion will hopefully be able to welcome some of their missing players back and Houllier will no doubt be given financial backing in the January transfer window in light of the Villa board giving him time.
Wigan, West Ham and Wolves are clubs that should fear the most. Who can Roberto Martinez attract? With so many other clubs in the northwest, with high flying Bolton and billionaire owners at Blackburn particularly close by what would make a player move to the DW Stadium over the Reebok or Ewood Park?
The Hammers have fallen into the same trap they always do. Offer big wages to players high on potential who come to the capital but then never show a return on the investment and the club ends up in a relegation scrap. Scott Parker stands almost alone in the Upton Park dressing room as someone who plays with the appropriate level of passion and commitment.
Wolves have much the same problem as Wigan; if a player is going to sign for a West Midlands outfit why not Albion, Birmingham or Villa? Attracting quality with so much competition on your doorstep, let alone the rest of the league, is a genuine problem.
Whoever does go down at the minute it’s too close to call and there will no doubt be a number of twists and turns along the way before it’s all said and done. This weekend provides a break from all these worries as the magic of the FA Cup lights up football grounds the length and breadth England. JC Football will be providing full coverage!
Even the other sides which make up the bottom half must be looking nervously over their shoulders, not least Liverpool after winning only twice since the start of December. Manager Roy Hodgson’s future at Anfield is hanging by a thread and the American owners may wield the axe. That said he is not the only Premier League boss with concerns about the sack.
Hammers coach Avram Grant must be worried how chairmen Sullivan and Gold might react to such a heavy defeat as all thoughts that they might have turned a corner thanks to previous upturn in form evaporated. Despite their slide into the bottom three Aston Villa have assured Gerard Houllier that he will be given time to turn things around, but how long will he get?
Wigan Athletic are struggling to score goals. Talented wide man Charles N’Zogbia wants away from the DW Stadium, his cap for France earlier in the season and allegedly interest from Marseille having gone to his head. Without him Hugo Rodallega is relying on young Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley to create chances for him with Victor Moses out injured. Argentine forward Mauro Boselli has flopped and there is always the feeling with compatriot Franco di Santo that there is more come.
Roberto di Matteo needs some luck on the injury front if Albion’s fortunes are to be turned around. The 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage on Tuesday was the club’s fifth success league defeat. Their time in the top four after an excellent start to the season is now a distant memory for Baggies fans. Four full backs played in defence at Fulham and it didn’t half show. The way West Brom handled the home side’s set pieces was abysmal, evidenced by the two second half goals they conceded coming from corners.
Both Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland got free headers with marking from the visitors distinct by its absence. Mark Hughes’s side will not always have it so easy and their persistence with a long ball tactic whilst Bobby Zamora remains on the treatment table is worrying. They will always carry an aerial threat from set plays regardless, but their attack really lacks a fulcrum without the England international. Andy Johnson has never been one to play up front by himself, whilst Diomansy Kamara showed a willingness to run in behind he never made a clear opening for himself.
Turning our attention back to the West Midlands, Wolves were always going to be a side who struggled this season. They stayed up during the last campaign but the fabled second season syndrome is something which should concern Mick McCarthy. Goalscoring is again the issue. Kevin Doyle has one league goal and neither Steven Fletcher nor Sylvain Ebanks-Blake has hit five yet.
It is hard to believe this is virtually the same Villa team that played with such confidence under Martin O’Neill. They showed real character in 3-3 draw with Chelsea at the weekend, but followed it up with an abject home display against Sunderland that saw Emile Heskey sent off. They are also lacking a goal threat and it’s fair to say they have been relying too much on goals from midfield.
A change of shape with Lee Bowyer suspended seemed to do Birmingham some good, after all playing a 4-4-2 resulted in their first away victory of the season. Much the same as Villa the forwards need to chip in with contributions, but Alex McLeish’s men should be buoyed by the win over Blackpool.
If goal difference is a factor in who stays up, and at this stage it looks likely to play a decisive part, then that is in the favour of both Birmingham and Fulham. The other Midlands clubs will have to try and improve theirs. Albion will hopefully be able to welcome some of their missing players back and Houllier will no doubt be given financial backing in the January transfer window in light of the Villa board giving him time.
Wigan, West Ham and Wolves are clubs that should fear the most. Who can Roberto Martinez attract? With so many other clubs in the northwest, with high flying Bolton and billionaire owners at Blackburn particularly close by what would make a player move to the DW Stadium over the Reebok or Ewood Park?
The Hammers have fallen into the same trap they always do. Offer big wages to players high on potential who come to the capital but then never show a return on the investment and the club ends up in a relegation scrap. Scott Parker stands almost alone in the Upton Park dressing room as someone who plays with the appropriate level of passion and commitment.
Wolves have much the same problem as Wigan; if a player is going to sign for a West Midlands outfit why not Albion, Birmingham or Villa? Attracting quality with so much competition on your doorstep, let alone the rest of the league, is a genuine problem.
Whoever does go down at the minute it’s too close to call and there will no doubt be a number of twists and turns along the way before it’s all said and done. This weekend provides a break from all these worries as the magic of the FA Cup lights up football grounds the length and breadth England. JC Football will be providing full coverage!
Monday, 3 January 2011
Terries Take Yorkshire Derby Spoils
Huddersfield Town 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0
Another wonder strike from Anthony Pilkington was enough to guide Lee Clark’s side into the automatic promotion places in League One with the rest of this round of matches to be played later in the day. In a first half that was a joy to watch and a fantastic advert for league football outside the top flight both keepers showed real class.
Wednesday’s Nicky Weaver and Huddersfield’s highly rated young stopper Alex Smithies were regularly called into action during an end to end opening forty five. The latter, who is thought to be being tracked by Premier League sides, showed bravery in coming off his line and getting it right every time, whilst the Owls keeper looks finally to have overcome the horrific knee injury that so very nearly cut short his career.
The home side should have been awarded a very early penalty after Wednesday forward Clinton Morrison blatantly handled from a Huddersfield corner, but referee Michael Oliver waved away the appeal. The match official also seemed reluctant to get out his cards during the game, but a couple of challengers and incidents from both sides merited more severe punishments than just handing the opposition an advantage. Antony Kay’s second half shove on Neil Mellor definitely deserved a booking.
Pilkington who popped up on both flanks throughout came inside from the left around ten minutes in and drew a fine save from Weaver before his winner which came from the opposite side. With less than half an hour played he drifted in from the right, was allowed the opportunity to shoot and curled a left foot shot that dipped over the keeper. Wednesday left back Tommy Spur did not track his man and it cost them dear.
The visitors also pressured early with defender Mark Beevers hitting the post with a header from a corner. Neil Mellor seems revitalised in an Owls shirt, showing a willingness to drift into wide areas and were it not for the inspired Smithies between the home side’s sticks he may well have capped an encouraging display with a goal. Clinton Morrison remains a sharp striker and had he timed his runs just marginally better Wednesday could have rescued a point at least. You would’ve thought the visitors might have exploited the inexperienced Liam Ridehalgh who lined up at left back for the Terriers, but they didn’t.
On loan Kevin Kilbane added a real touch of quality to the middle of the park for Huddersfield. A central midfield birth has not been a position he has found himself in much during recent years, but his distribution remains top draw. The passing from Ireland’s most capped outfield player was a cut above League One and he certainly looks as though he can add extra impetus to the Terriers’ title push. The string of saves made by Smithies in goal will cause his stock to rise further and Clark certainly has his young keeper to thank for his part in the win.
Lee Novak game a master class in centre forward hold up play today. His lay-offs led to a number of home side chances for Scott Arfield and Kilbane breaking from midfield. Perhaps he is learning from experienced campaigner Alan Lee who made an appearance from the bench. The openness and tempo of the first half could not be matched after the break when the game became a feistier affair with both managers clearly impressing upon their players the need to close down.
The Terriers held on and continued their excellent record of taking points off their fellow title contenders with today’s victory. In light of this there is absolutely no guarantee that the biggest three clubs in the division, namely the Owls, Southampton and Charlton, will seal a return to the Championship. The emergence of Brighton as a force under Gus Poyet also makes this promotion race a thoroughly exciting and dynamic story that will play itself out over the next five months.
Another wonder strike from Anthony Pilkington was enough to guide Lee Clark’s side into the automatic promotion places in League One with the rest of this round of matches to be played later in the day. In a first half that was a joy to watch and a fantastic advert for league football outside the top flight both keepers showed real class.
Wednesday’s Nicky Weaver and Huddersfield’s highly rated young stopper Alex Smithies were regularly called into action during an end to end opening forty five. The latter, who is thought to be being tracked by Premier League sides, showed bravery in coming off his line and getting it right every time, whilst the Owls keeper looks finally to have overcome the horrific knee injury that so very nearly cut short his career.
The home side should have been awarded a very early penalty after Wednesday forward Clinton Morrison blatantly handled from a Huddersfield corner, but referee Michael Oliver waved away the appeal. The match official also seemed reluctant to get out his cards during the game, but a couple of challengers and incidents from both sides merited more severe punishments than just handing the opposition an advantage. Antony Kay’s second half shove on Neil Mellor definitely deserved a booking.
Pilkington who popped up on both flanks throughout came inside from the left around ten minutes in and drew a fine save from Weaver before his winner which came from the opposite side. With less than half an hour played he drifted in from the right, was allowed the opportunity to shoot and curled a left foot shot that dipped over the keeper. Wednesday left back Tommy Spur did not track his man and it cost them dear.
The visitors also pressured early with defender Mark Beevers hitting the post with a header from a corner. Neil Mellor seems revitalised in an Owls shirt, showing a willingness to drift into wide areas and were it not for the inspired Smithies between the home side’s sticks he may well have capped an encouraging display with a goal. Clinton Morrison remains a sharp striker and had he timed his runs just marginally better Wednesday could have rescued a point at least. You would’ve thought the visitors might have exploited the inexperienced Liam Ridehalgh who lined up at left back for the Terriers, but they didn’t.
On loan Kevin Kilbane added a real touch of quality to the middle of the park for Huddersfield. A central midfield birth has not been a position he has found himself in much during recent years, but his distribution remains top draw. The passing from Ireland’s most capped outfield player was a cut above League One and he certainly looks as though he can add extra impetus to the Terriers’ title push. The string of saves made by Smithies in goal will cause his stock to rise further and Clark certainly has his young keeper to thank for his part in the win.
Lee Novak game a master class in centre forward hold up play today. His lay-offs led to a number of home side chances for Scott Arfield and Kilbane breaking from midfield. Perhaps he is learning from experienced campaigner Alan Lee who made an appearance from the bench. The openness and tempo of the first half could not be matched after the break when the game became a feistier affair with both managers clearly impressing upon their players the need to close down.
The Terriers held on and continued their excellent record of taking points off their fellow title contenders with today’s victory. In light of this there is absolutely no guarantee that the biggest three clubs in the division, namely the Owls, Southampton and Charlton, will seal a return to the Championship. The emergence of Brighton as a force under Gus Poyet also makes this promotion race a thoroughly exciting and dynamic story that will play itself out over the next five months.
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Chelsea Celebrate too soon
Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 3
As the players surrounded Carlo Ancelotti, enraptured by John Terry’s eighty ninth minute strike, we were all thinking this is the moment the blues had turned their season and Premier League title defence around. And yet we were all wrong! Coming from 2-1 down to lead 3-2 with only stoppage time to play yet another defeat for Gerard Houllier’s side looked on the cards. Villa had absorbed incessant pressure from the home side ever since Emile Heskey’s early second half header put them in front; repelling wave after wave had tired them and in the last ten minutes they finally gave way. Goals from Didier Drogba and the captain put a different complexion on the afternoon.
But Chelsea fell foul of one of the deadliest sins in football, they switched off. Just the manner in which they celebrated their third goal told you they thought they had won the clash with the struggling West Midlands outfit. Five minutes were shown by the fourth official for stoppages and Villa rallied to snatch what in the end looked an unlikely point. Substitute Marc Albrighton provided a delicious cross for defender Ciaran Clark to head home. Ashley Cole stood static opting fatally not to track the Irish youngster’s run. Silence befell the Bridge, Chelsea’s hard work and second half industry undone in an instant.
The first forty five was a completely different story to all that followed. For all the world it looked as if the visitors would not get to the break with a full compliment of players on the pitch as the yellow cards totted up. Six Villa players went into referee Lee Mason’s notebook who also awarded both sides a penalty. A clumsy piece of defending by James Collins was all the encouragement Florent Malouda needed to go to ground and the official bought it. Frank Lampard put his foot through the ball to net his first spot kick in four attempts with twenty three minutes played.
Michael Essien’s lunge that caught Nigel Reo-Coker five minutes before the break gave Villa a way back and Ashley Young obliged. With honours even after the opening forty-five the visitors were probably edging it, Chelsea having offered little. The home side were given no time to settle as just two minutes after the break Young tossed forward a free kick, Stewart Downing took it down superbly, came inside, worked the space for a cross and Heskey headed Villa in front.
The turning point for Ancelotti’s men came when Paulo Ferrieria was taken off for the more attack-minded Jose Bosingwa just before the hour mark. With an increased threat from the right flank Chelsea forced the issue, drawing three inspired saves out of Brad Friedel in the visiting goal. A last ditch intervention from Richard Dunne denied Salomon Kalou another chance to test the American who also kept out efforts from Lampard and Ramires.
Talisman Drogba finally found the breakthrough on eighty four minutes when he picked up a loose ball that Friedel had parried from Kalou’s shot, rounded the keeper and powered the ball over the line, squeezing it past the covering defenders. The Ivorian was involved again when his header from Essien’s cross was saved only for blues captain Terry to put in the rebound with a minute of the ninety to go. Clark’s leveller though saw Chelsea drop another two points which further hinders their push to defend the Premier League crown.
Houllier, in a throwback to his days as Liverpool manager, played four centre halves across the defence. Whilst this tactic obviously did not work (after all they did concede three times) it certainly worried the home side from set pieces. All that height troubled Terry and company, particularly because the inexperienced Jeffrey Bruma partnered him in their own back line today. The Villa boss also selected the most experienced line up available to him perhaps in light of the fact his recent tendency to blood youngsters had brought little success.
Seeing Frank Lampard playing again is most welcome. Without him Chelsea looked so one dimensional in the middle of park as there’s nobody else on their books who breaks forward centrally to support the front three. The England international put some wonderful through balls and forward passing in besides his contribution from twelve yards. Were it not for the awesome Friedel he may have added some assists to his performance.
The blues have now drawn as many games as they did during last season’s march to the league championship and stand six points behind current leaders Manchester United who have a game in hand. If Chelsea are to retain their Premier League title you can’t help feel that they cannot afford to make another mistake unless both Mancunian clubs and London rivals Arsenal and Spurs do.
As the players surrounded Carlo Ancelotti, enraptured by John Terry’s eighty ninth minute strike, we were all thinking this is the moment the blues had turned their season and Premier League title defence around. And yet we were all wrong! Coming from 2-1 down to lead 3-2 with only stoppage time to play yet another defeat for Gerard Houllier’s side looked on the cards. Villa had absorbed incessant pressure from the home side ever since Emile Heskey’s early second half header put them in front; repelling wave after wave had tired them and in the last ten minutes they finally gave way. Goals from Didier Drogba and the captain put a different complexion on the afternoon.
But Chelsea fell foul of one of the deadliest sins in football, they switched off. Just the manner in which they celebrated their third goal told you they thought they had won the clash with the struggling West Midlands outfit. Five minutes were shown by the fourth official for stoppages and Villa rallied to snatch what in the end looked an unlikely point. Substitute Marc Albrighton provided a delicious cross for defender Ciaran Clark to head home. Ashley Cole stood static opting fatally not to track the Irish youngster’s run. Silence befell the Bridge, Chelsea’s hard work and second half industry undone in an instant.
The first forty five was a completely different story to all that followed. For all the world it looked as if the visitors would not get to the break with a full compliment of players on the pitch as the yellow cards totted up. Six Villa players went into referee Lee Mason’s notebook who also awarded both sides a penalty. A clumsy piece of defending by James Collins was all the encouragement Florent Malouda needed to go to ground and the official bought it. Frank Lampard put his foot through the ball to net his first spot kick in four attempts with twenty three minutes played.
Michael Essien’s lunge that caught Nigel Reo-Coker five minutes before the break gave Villa a way back and Ashley Young obliged. With honours even after the opening forty-five the visitors were probably edging it, Chelsea having offered little. The home side were given no time to settle as just two minutes after the break Young tossed forward a free kick, Stewart Downing took it down superbly, came inside, worked the space for a cross and Heskey headed Villa in front.
The turning point for Ancelotti’s men came when Paulo Ferrieria was taken off for the more attack-minded Jose Bosingwa just before the hour mark. With an increased threat from the right flank Chelsea forced the issue, drawing three inspired saves out of Brad Friedel in the visiting goal. A last ditch intervention from Richard Dunne denied Salomon Kalou another chance to test the American who also kept out efforts from Lampard and Ramires.
Talisman Drogba finally found the breakthrough on eighty four minutes when he picked up a loose ball that Friedel had parried from Kalou’s shot, rounded the keeper and powered the ball over the line, squeezing it past the covering defenders. The Ivorian was involved again when his header from Essien’s cross was saved only for blues captain Terry to put in the rebound with a minute of the ninety to go. Clark’s leveller though saw Chelsea drop another two points which further hinders their push to defend the Premier League crown.
Houllier, in a throwback to his days as Liverpool manager, played four centre halves across the defence. Whilst this tactic obviously did not work (after all they did concede three times) it certainly worried the home side from set pieces. All that height troubled Terry and company, particularly because the inexperienced Jeffrey Bruma partnered him in their own back line today. The Villa boss also selected the most experienced line up available to him perhaps in light of the fact his recent tendency to blood youngsters had brought little success.
Seeing Frank Lampard playing again is most welcome. Without him Chelsea looked so one dimensional in the middle of park as there’s nobody else on their books who breaks forward centrally to support the front three. The England international put some wonderful through balls and forward passing in besides his contribution from twelve yards. Were it not for the awesome Friedel he may have added some assists to his performance.
The blues have now drawn as many games as they did during last season’s march to the league championship and stand six points behind current leaders Manchester United who have a game in hand. If Chelsea are to retain their Premier League title you can’t help feel that they cannot afford to make another mistake unless both Mancunian clubs and London rivals Arsenal and Spurs do.
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