Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Week 15: Premier League Tops & Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

WOW! & OMG!

Wayne Rooney (right) scores past Adam FedericiManchester United went behind for the 14th time in 22 games at the Madejski stadium in a thriller of a game or shall I rather say thriller of a first half! It was a smacking opening goal for Reading after Patrice Evra's giveaway. Anderson found the leveller, a let-down by keeper Adam Federici. Following a Wayne Rooney corner, Jonny Evans was inexplicably bundled over by Reading's number 16 Jay Tabb and a penalty was given. Rooney netted from the spot to turnaround the scoreline from 1-0 to 1-2 within three minutes!

Robin van Persie: Grabbed the winner for Man UnitedIt was once again a typical United turnaround and comeback. Reading made it four goals at 2-2 inside 19 minutes after Adam Le Fondre headed in a corner with all the space in the world, another defensive nightmare. And the total was five goals in 23 minutes after Sean Morrison headed one in to make it 3-2. Rooney, with time and space after some great pace and delivery by Ashley Young and Evra, completed an easy finish to make it all square again at 3-3 after half an hour. Rafael was taken off after being booked and tormented by Reading and Sir Alex brought on Chris Smalling to replace the young Brazilian on 31 minutes.

Sir Alex Ferguson: Not happy with defending at ReadingRobin van Persie walked the fourth goal in for United on 35. And the ball looked over the line on 40 after RVP smacked in the rebound off a fine save but the officials thought it was blocked by Shaun Cummings. However, replays showed the ball was over a yard over the line and the scoreline should have been 3-5! It was only the third time in Premier League history that there have been seven goals in the first half! United only had one substitution left shortly before the break after Anderson had to go off injured with Phil Jones replacing him. It was 3-4 at half time and full time, both teams unable to recreate the thrills and spills of the first 45 minutes.

TOP!

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger (left) heads in a goal against SouthamptonAfter Jonjo Shelvey's whacking strike had hit the post and Luis Suarez's free kick came off the cross bar after a tremendous hit and bend, it looked like it was not going to be Liverpool's afternoon against Southampton. But Daniel Agger rewarded his side's play when he headed in Glen Johnson's cross and earned his side a well deserved win.
The Manchester Derby is going to be a cracker next weekend with three points on the line and three points being the gap between the two local rivals at the top of the table after City drew at home against Everton!

FLOP!

West Ham celebrateRafa Benitez's misery continues at Chelsea after a fine start and goal by Juan Mata was followed by a second half turnaround from the Hammers. The super subs made the difference for West Ham at Upton Park and Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga took Roman Abramovich's Blues apart in the second half!
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill will know the feeling too well as the pressure increased on him after his side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Norwich and were left just one point safe the Premier League relegation zone.

HERO!

Michu celebrates his second goal against ArsenalTwo late Miguel Michu goals sank Arsenal at the Emirates and left the Gunners down in tenth position of the Premier League table after their worst start to a season under Arsene Wenger. The Swans meanwhile can be more than happy with their third win out of four, unbeaten since end of October (1-0 at City) and in seventh position..
Jermain Defoe was the hero for Spurs, with his left-foot 2-0, then right-foot 3-0, thank you very much and say no more.
Carlos Tevez saved City a point against battling Everton with his spot kick, see if he can do the same against his former side and local rivals United next Sunday! Their unbeaten run is on the line too!

ZERO!

Jermain DefoeTottenham's Gareth Bale was booked for diving, against Fulham's Steve Sidwell, for the second consecutive game. There was a tackle but the forward did perform a scene of a drama queen, which made me cringe. Sandro opened the score for Spurs, through Mark Schwarzer's gloves and in. It was a goal the American goalkeeper would like to forget but will most probably find again and again under one of those blooper lists and clips!

My Predictions => Actual Results
West Ham 1-1 Chelsea => 3-1
Arsenal 1-1 Swansea => 0-2
Fulham 1-2 Tottenham => 0-3
Liverpool 3-0 Southampton => 1-0
Man City 2-0 Everton => 1-1
QPR 0-0 Aston Villa => 1-1
West Brom 2-2 Stoke => 0-1
Reading 0-2 Man United => 3-4
Norwich 2-1 Sunderland => 2-1
Newcastle 2-2 Wigan => 3-0

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