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Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week
WOW!
Southampton kept possession and pressure high against Manchester United, the stats were stunning! Even Sir Alex Ferguson knew his side were fortunate to escape with three points! That doesn't happen all too often at Old Trafford! Saints opened the scoring and made it 0-1 after just two minutes when Jay Rodriguez got the better of David De Gea after Michael Carrick's screwed-up pass back. Wayne Rooney equalised soon after off a nice loft in by Shinji Kagawa who hit woodwork minutes later. The former Evertonian then tapped in Patrice Evra's header off Robin van Persie's free kick to make it 2-1, United's 1600th Premier League goal. Both goalkeepers were kept busy till the end. De Gea spilled Rickie Lambert's free kick after Adam Lallana was fowled by Carrick, but the keeper reacted nice and quick after that to avoid the worst. Artur Boruc blocked a couple of chances aswell, including a great save off RVP, who also had a goal disallowed for offside. Rodriguez was blocked by Nemanja Vidic and De Gea got across to save Lambert's free kick to deny Saints a single point.
OMG!
The Emirates saw great chances for both sides and a great comeback by Arsenal. With the defensive shambles of the Gunners, it could have been 3 or 4-0 to Liverpool! But the visitors stayed too deep and eventually lost their lead. We certainly saw the best and worst by both. Luis Suarez scored the opener finishing the job after slips and mess ups all over the place by the Arsene Wenger's men. Suarez and Daniel Sturridge were both far and fast ahead. Pepe Reina had to produce a couple of splendid saves against Theo Walcott at the other end too. But sloppy play ended up costing Arsenal again. Daniel Agger's header off a corner was cleared off the line before Jordan Henderson saw his shot high, Wojciech Szczesny was very lucky as he was off his line. Henderson's next shot was half-blocked by sub Andre Santos before it ricochet in to make it 0-2. But it took the Gunners only three minutes to come back into the game, Olivier Giroud heading in Jack Wilshere's free kick, unmarked, 1-2 and Walcott smashing in the equaliser from the right. Late action included Giroud's booking for simulation, messing up a walk-in chance and Suarez pulling a last-minute save out of Szczesny, both sides ending up dropping two points rather than winning one!
TOP!
It was a huge win for Fulham against West Ham at Craven Cottage! Dimitar Berbatov was brilliant and could have had a hat-trick!!! Damien Duff's free kick was squeezed in by the the Czech striker with a fine header from a very tight angle, 1-0. The goal looked offside, even he himself looked over to the linesman! Kevin Nolan put the Hammers level from a quickly taken free kick, Fulham were caught napping, 1-1. Seconds later, Hugo Rodallega headed in Duff's cross beating three defenders, 2-1. Berbatov saw a couple of chances go wide before Andy Carroll pulled a block-save out of Mark Schwarzer. At the other end, Rodallega pulled save out of Jussi Jaaskelainen before Mladen Petric hit the post off the rebound and Joey O'Brien eventually saw it into the back of his own net, JUST over the line to make it 3-1 and three points to Fulham!
FLOP!
Norwich were much better than the side that flopped against Liverpool and Luton, whilst Tottenham disappointed until Andre Villas-Boas got his changes, notes and influence going. Wesley Hoolahan stroked the ball into an empty unguarded net after a fine one-two, one-touch build-up, to make it 1-0. Tottenham were nowhere. A handball appeal against Jan Vertonghen was not given. Norwich were on top before Spurs sub Lewis Holtby came on with a couple of notes for the team. The notes worked their magic, Gareth Bale equalising with a top-draw left-foot smacker after a fine run ten minutes from time. Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled brilliant last-minute save out of Mark Bunn, keeping one point for Norwich, dropping two for Spurs.
HERO!
With five late goals in last three games, 10 in 13, Adam Le Fondre has been stunning for Reading once again! He pulled the first goal back against Chelsea with a sweet finish off a beautiful ball in to make it 1-2 three minutes from time. Adam Federici produced a fine leap-save off Ramires before taking late free kick deep into injury time for Le Fondre to curl in the equaliser after a couple of headers across the box. Super sub, or what?! It seemed like same old, same old for Chelsea, dropping goals and points late on, just like against the Saints the other week. And the Blues made such a strong start when Juan Mata was in off Fernando Torres, 0-1, showing off some top-class one-touch football! Frank Lampard claimed the second, seeing his header deflect in off a corner to double the lead. Oscar missed some golden chances, it could have been 3 or 4-0! Interim boss Rafael Benitez will be left scratching his head and wondering...
ZERO!
Brilliant saves by both keepers denied both QPR and Manchester City to alter the scoreboard, the prior being the happier winning the point whilst the latter will see it as two crucial points dropped in the title race. This clash was very different to the other goalless draw of the week between Sunderland and Swansea, the Welsh visitors creating more, but the whole game not having much to write home about.
My Predictions => Actual Results
Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle => 1-2
QPR 1-2 Man City => 0-0
Stoke 2-1 Wigan => 2-2
Sunderland 2-0 Swansea => 0-0
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool => 2-2
Everton 2-0 West Brom => 2-1
Norwich 2-3 Tottenham => 1-1
Fulham 2-2 West Hame => 3-1
Man United 4-3 Southampton => 2-1
Reading 1-2 Chelsea => 2-2
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend
WOW!
Sir Alex Ferguson can rant on as much as he likes about referee Chris Foy denying Wayne Rooney a penalty after the striker was clipped by Steven Caulker. The Red Devils had run out of steam and luck when Clint Dempsey levelled the score deep into injury time. The Spurs forward cancelled out Robin van Persie's first-half goal, after the visitors looked like they had survived the hosts bombardment in the second half. Andre Villas-Boas summarised it the best: His side dominated the whole game, played well and deserved to win. His side had 23 chances against United's six, 18 on target against four! Say no more!
OMG!
Rafael Benitez can be a very relieved and happy man after grabbing three points and his side's first home win of 2013 at the fourth attempt and expense of Arsenal. Juan Mata's drive-shot six minutes into the game came after Ramires brought down Francis Coquelin in the build-up and right in front of the referee. But referee Martin Atkinson gave the goal. Arsene Wenger cannot ignore his side's poor display though. Ten minutes later, the Gunners where two goals down thanks to Frank Lampard's on target spot kick after Ramires was brought down by keeper Wojciech Szczesny and the referee this time not denying the fowl. Arsenal did get one back thanks to Theo Walcott and showed much better interaction and determination in the second half. But unlike against Southampton earlier in the week, the Blues did not let their two-goal lead and game slip away and enjoyed only their second win in the last six games under their Spanish interim manager.
TOP!
Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of Norwich must have been a delight for Brendan Rodgers, finally seeing his side flourishing, especially after their defeat against bitter rivals Manchester United. It was the first time top scorer Luis Suarez and home debutant Daniel Sturridge started together and they more than clicked, each scoring one. Jordan Henderson had an outstanding game too, also adding a classy strike onto the scoreboard. Steven Gerrard's 25-yard smacker off Stewart Downing's cross and Ryan Bennett's own goal off Raheem Sterling's cross made it five goals and three points for the Reds, making it only one point out of the last 18 for Norwich.
FLOP!
Should've, could've, would've... Paul Lambert was left wondering again how his Villa side let a two-goal lead slip at West Brom. Chris Benteke opened the scoring for the visitors with a fine turn and shot from outside the box. Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled the lead with a composed finish just past the half-hour mark. But the Baggies had a different idea and turned the game on its head with a perfect comeback in the second half thanks to Chris Brunt's 20-yard effort and Peter Odemwingie dramatic 83rd-minute equaliser. It was an all too familiar drop for Villa, who hover just one point over the relegation zone, with a dreadful goal difference.
HERO!
Adam Le Fondre and Adam Federici were Reading's two life lines against Newcastle and in their battle to climb out of the relegation zone. The prior came off the bench to score two goals in six minutes, turning the game around and St James' Park on its head after the hosts had dominated the game and taken a first-half lead thanks to Yohan Cabaye's fine curled-in free-kick. The latter produced some gobsmacking and breathtaking saves, denying Papiss Cisse one-handed and Cabaye in a stubborn and solid fashion and display. This was the Royals' first ever win at Newcastle in eight attempts since 1900.
ZERO!
Following the surprise sacking of Nigel Adkins, new Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino's reign got off to a promising start, after being greeted warmly by the Saints fans and holding out Everton for a point. It was not exactly a mouthwatering or breathtaking game, goalless games rarely are, but the hosts will be glad to have won a point against David Moyes' top-five side and it was an encouraging and heart-warming performance. But it was all overshadowed by the long line of photographers at the dugout and the home fans chants recognising their former managers achievements. No pressure on Pochettino, then. After Adkins took the Saints from League One to the Premier League within two and a half years, so, I wonder, what will Pochettino have to achieve to avoid the sack?! Again, no pressure, then!
My Predictions => Actual Results:
Liverpool 3-1 Norwich => 5-0
Man City 3-0 Fulham => 2-0
Newcastle 2-0 Reading => 1-2
Swansea 2-1 Stoke => 3-1
West Ham 2-1 QPR => 1-1
Wigan 0-1 Sunderland => 2-3
West Brom 1-2 Aston Villa => 2-2
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal => 2-1
Tottenham 1-1 Man United => 1-1
Southampton 1-1 Everton => 0-0
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend
SUPER SUNDAY!
Manchester United held on to their 2-1 lead against bitter rivals Liverpool in the early match at Old Trafford, the win keeping Sir Alex Ferguson's men ten points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool showed much more spirit in the second half after a disappointing start to the game. Robin van Persie put the home side ahead comfortably after 19 minutes and the game looked all over when Patrice Evra's header off RVP's free kick deflected in off Nemanja Vidic thanks to some sloppy defending to make it 2-0 early on in the second half.
But Brendan Rodgers' changes soon payed off when a couple of minutes later Steven Gerrard saw his shot saved by David De Gea for Daniel Sturridge to net the rebound, scoring his first Premier League goal on his league debut for the Merseysiders to start the fight back for Liverpool at 2-1. Sturridge and Luis Suarez created much more of a threat together with some fine one-twos and close shaves, the prior hitting one chance into the side-netting, the latter heading another into De Gea's gloves, but it stayed 2-1.
This was the seventh defeat of the season for Liverpool and saw them stay in eighth place, two points behind West Brom in seventh and nine points behind Tottenham in fourth, the last Champions League qualification spot. United will be chuffed to bits after doing the double over their rivals and staying way ahead of their local rivals in the process too.
The afternoon kick-off was a blast at the Emirates. With just ten minutes gone, Laurent Koscielny was sent off for wrapping himself around Edin Dzeko, but the penalty was saved by Wojciech Szczesny, the ball coming off the post, rolling along the line and back into the goalkeeper's gloves! Lucky so-and-so! But a nice finish by James Milner eventually opened the score for City, 0-1, Arsenal caught sleeping, still feeling sorry for themselves. A tap-in by Dzeko off the keeper doubled the lead for the visitors. Silly Thomas Vermaelen then got booked for a stupid fowl just before half time, it was just a dreadful half for Arsenal, and they were in danger of going down to nine. It looked like a training game for City at that point.
But the home crowd saw a spirited response from Arsenal at the start of the second half. Most of the second half actually, the Gunners held up and kept on pressing and going strongly. Vincent Kompany then saw red for a two-footed challenge on Jack Wilshere. The dismissal looked harsh as he won the ball, but both teams were reduced to ten. Arsenal kept the pressure up, Joleon Lescott coming to the rescue late on for City clearing Theo Walcott's shot. But all came to nothing in the end for the Gunners. Arsene Wenger should be pleased, even though his side did not get a result in the end. Arsenal stayed stuck at the task, giving City a game-and-a-half in the second half.
WOW!
It was an mazing turnaround at the Madejski stadium! One sensational performance by West Brom's Romelu Lukaku was nullified by a revolutionary comeback from Reading and Pavel Pogrebnyak's late winner! Lukaku netted James Morrison's pass, knowing exactly where he wanted that and what he was doing, lethal, 0-1. The same duo were at it in again in the second half, Lukaku having a goal disallowed for offside. Lukaku then saw more chances coming and going, one off the post and another off the cross bar after pressure by Reading was blocked. He could easily have had a hat-trick! Reading pressure was repelled again before Lukaku got his second goal. It was a great counter, left footer into the near corner of the net, 0-2. Jimmy Kebe then started the comeback with a header in to make it 1-2. After Jonas Olsson's challenge on Kebe was penalised, Adam Le Fondre sent the keeper the wrong way with a cool kick to level the score, 2-2. And then Pogrebnyak made it 3-2 to complete the perfect comeback. The home side looked dead and buried! But three goals/eight minutes later, they had turned the game on its head! Awesome to watch!
OMG!
Everton had so many misses against Swansea, it was unbelievable. David Moyes' boys have only lost three in 31 games and are only four points behind Chelsea in third. It was all Everton at Goodison Park, Swans keeper Michel Vorm spared his side from defeat more then once, joined by Miguel Michu and Ashley Williams off the line! Michu hit the bar too, thanks to Tim Howard's touch, but that was the first and only real chance for the visitors! Even Phil Neville had a chance Vorms had to save! Leighton Baines produced some great corners but Everton kept on missing! It was more two points lost than one point gained for the Blues, but Moyes can be more than happy with his side's form, display and position.
TOP!
Eden Hazard's strike was a scorcher, 25-30 yards from goal, a beautiful left-foot hit, to make it 0-4 to Chelsea and game over for Stoke!
Sebastian Larsson's left-footed curl-opener for Sunderland against West Ham was a screamer! The Swede's side went on to make the most of the Hammers' poor defending, taking three goals and points against the Londoners.
Giorgos Karagounis took the lead for Fulham against Wigan with a sweet diagonal strike off the post and into the back of the net, 1-0. Franco Di Santo missed a chance on the stretch, right in front of goal, it was Wigan's best chance in the first half. Shaun Maloney's effort found Mark Schwarzer's finger tips, a great save over the top. Di Santo followed a quickly taken free kick with a piece of magic, cutting across, dropping the shoulder and drilling the ball into the back of the net. It was a fantastic finish, sweet equaliser, just what Wigan needed, 1-1. Di Santo then took on Brede Hangeland and won with a shot but Schwarzer saved it. Maynor Figueroa saved his team late on, off the line, winning the point for Wigan! Two brilliant goals made the game and result, controversial in the build-up, where they came from, but not how! It was a fair result in the end.
FLOP!
QPR's Harry Redknapp faced his former employers Tottenham for the first time after beating Chelsea, where Andre Villas-Boas took over, winning nine of the last 11. It was not nice to watch, but productive play by QPR, Redknapp finally getting something out of his boys. Shaun Wright-Phillips put loads of chances wide, skipping through Spurs. Spurs dominated seeing Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe denied by Soares Julio Cesar, but QPR kept solid and ground out a good result and point for them in the end.
Norwich went into their game against Newcastle following four successive defeats over the festive period, whilst the visitors were still looking for their first away win. The goalless result reflected both side's form and the game. There was not much to write about, it was a poor game allround.
HERO!
It's 31 out of 31 penalty kicks for Rickie Lambert, what a Saint! It was a controversial penalty for Southampton at Villa Park though, which looked more like a Jay Rodriguez dive as replays showed no contact was made. But Villa's goalkeeper Bradley Guzan to escape a booking when he made his save clashing into another Saint player. Lambert sent Guzan the wrong way, 0-1, controversial. Enda Stevens saw his shot saved, Villa's late onslaught coming to nothing in the end. It was not Villa's but Lambert's day.
ZERO!
It was not Jonathan Walters' day! The Stoke man should have known what day it was going to be after kicking the ball into his own face and out of play early on in the match against Chelsea! The Ireland striker went on to score two own goals and miss a penalty, seeing the Potters thrashed and sunk 4-0. Asmir Begovic made one great save after another, but saw all his good work undone when Frank Lampard won Chelsea a throw-in and Walters eventually turned the ball into his own once and then again off a Chelsea corner to make it 0-2 and mar his 100th Premier League appearance. Lampard then netted the spot kick conceded by Ryan Shawcross for sliding in on Juan Mata, taking him onto 194 goals and Chelsea 0-3 up. It took the Chelsea number 8 up to number two on the Blues' all-time scorers list. Begovic denied Lampard again, one-on-one, leaving him waiting for his 195th! Without Begovic this game would have been 0-10! Stoke then won a soft penalty for John Terry's challenge on Walters, but Walters went on to hit the cross bar. Stoke's unbeaten home record was long out the window by then and Walters' day with it.
My Predictions => Actual Results
QPR 0-2 Tottenham => 0-0
Aston Villa 1-2 Southampton => 0-1
Everton 2-1 Swansea => 0-0
Fulham 2-0 Wigan => 1-1
Norwich 3-2 Newcastle => 0-0
Reading 0-1 West Brom => 3-2
Stoke 2-1 Chelsea => 0-4
Sunderland 1-1 West Ham => 3-0
Man United 3-2 Liverpool => 2-1
Arsenal 4-3 Man City => 0-2
Sports - Football - Premier League - Man United 2:1 Liverpool
Manchester United held on to their 2-1 lead against bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, the win keeping Sir Alex Ferguson's men ten points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool showed much more spirit in the second half after a disappointing start to the game. Robin van Persie put the home side ahead comfortably after 19 minutes and could have added another goal to his United account before half time but slashed the chance high.
The visitors created no real threat, lacking in the final third and looking too careful at times, leaving United in total control.
The game looked all over when Patrice Evra's header off RVP's free kick deflected in off Nemanja Vidic thanks to some sloppy defending to make it 2-0 early on in the second half.
But Brendan Rodgers' changes soon payed off when a couple of minutes later Steven Gerrard saw his shot saved by David De Gea for Daniel Sturridge to net the rebound, scoring his first Premier League goal on his league debut for the Merseysiders to start the fight back for Liverpool at 2-1.
Sturridge and Luis Suarez created much more of a threat together with some fine one-twos and close shaves, the prior hitting one chance into the side-netting, the latter heading another into De Gea's gloves.
This was the seventh defeat of the season for Liverpool and saw them stay in eighth place, two points behind West Brom in seventh and nine points behind Tottenham in fourth, the last Champions League qualification spot.
United will be chuffed to bits after doing the double over their rivals and staying way ahead of their local rivals in the process too. But just like after the reverse fixture defeat, the Reds can take a lot from the game, no points, but a lot of heart and spirit (in the second half) and with it hope. Hope that the January transfer window can back them up and finally solidify their fine interplays and displays with more players, especially in the final third, and get them more goals, results and points.
Man United Goals: 1.: 18:16 min RVP (20), 2.: 53:36 min Nemanja Vidic (15).
Liverpool Goal: 1.: 56:50 min Daniel Sturridge (15).
Man United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra (booked 73), 15 Vidic (12 Smalling 79), 5 Ferdinand, 2 Da Silva; 26 Kagawa (4 Jones 77), 23 Cleverley, 16 Carrick, 18 Young (7 Valencia HT); 20 RVP, 19 Welbeck. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 40 Amos, 8 Anderson, 11 Giggs, 14 Hernandez.
LFC: 25 Reina; 2 Johnson (booked 76), 5 Agger (booked 94), 37 Skrtel (booked 53), 47 Wisdom; 21 Lucas (booked 45+4, 15 Sturridge HT), 24 Allen (14 Henderson 80), 8 Gerrard; 31 Sterling (29 Borini 62); 7 Suarez, 19 Downing. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 23 Carragher, 33 Shelvey, 49 Robinson.
1st & 2nd half Stats: UTD-LFC
Attempts: 5-1 & 7-8
On target: 2-0 & 4-3
Offsides: 0-0 & 1-1
Corners: 1-1 & 2-0
Free kicks: 6-7 & 11-7
Possession:
57%-43% (15.min)
52.4%-47.6% (HT)
48%- 52% (2nd half - 69.min)
30%-70% (82.-87.min)
46%-54% (FT)
Action Areas:
UTD 10%-65%-25% LFC (27.min)
Passes: 404-487
Pass Success:
86%-81.74% (HT)
82%-85.01% (FT)
Shot Accuracy: 50%-30%
Crosses: 15-11
Cross Accuracy: 26.7%-0%
Tackles: 25-31
Tackles won: 60%-83.9%
Referee: Howard Webb
MOTM: Danny Welbeck
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week
WOW!
It was only the second time this season Liverpool have won two games on the trot with their 3-0 home win against Sunderland. Raheem Sterling got things going with a nice finish off Luis Suarez, lobbing the ball over Simon Mignolet with loads of time and space, 1-0. Suarez doubled the score after advantage was played well from the right, the Uruguayan with a diagonal shot in, 2-0. Steven Gerrard then picked up Suarez with a peach of a pass, the Red number seven finishing off with one touch, two touch, into the back of the Sunderland net, 3-0. Gerrard saw his shot deflected off Glen Johnson and well saved by Mignolet, it could have easily been four! Suarez and Joe Allen saw their shots blocked too and Stewart Downing had his goal disallowed for offside. Poor Allen, no first goal for him! It could and should have been a much worse thrashing for Sunderland. Suarez scored more goals this season already than all of last season! Gerrard was magnificent, Jordan Henderson also impressed with some great awareness and a brilliant game!
Newcastle had SO many chances, but Everton took theirs alright! Demba Ba was a very noticeable absentee at St James' Park. The home side took the lead though after Tim Krul's kick was headed in by Papiss Cisse after one bounce, looping the ball over Tim Howard, I'm sure David Moyes was furious! Leighton Baines was denied a couple of times by a stubborn Krul, but the Toons were the more rampant! James Perch saw his header come off the post before Steven Pienaar was denied by Krul. Baines then levelled the score 1-1 with a smacker, like a rocket, a blast from over 30 yards out! After Shola Ameobi saw his chip go wide, Nikica Jelavic set up Victor Anichebe to give Moyes' Men the lead, a crucial change for Everton to make it 1-2. Both goalkeepers were kept busy till the end. Gabriel Obertan's shot was brilliantly saved by Howard on his near post. It was a crunch of a match!
OMG!
It was a happy New Year for QPR indeed! You just never know what's around the corner! Rafael Benitez's first home defeat at Chelsea was a surprise-and-a-half! The Rangers definitely showed they learnt from Sunday's defeat against Liverpool! It was like their New Year's Revolution was complete when Shaun Wright-Phillips beat second-choice keeper Ross Turnbull from range, taking advantage of massive gap with a good finish off Adel Taarabt, 0-1 after all the Chelsea pressure and chances! Marko Marin was very lucky just to see yellow for his high kick! And Ryan Bertrand looked like a fool falling over his own feet! QPR kept out Chelsea and Frank Lampard had his record goal chalked off eventhough he looked nowhere near offside! It was just not Chelsea's day and it was Harry Redknapp who ended up a very happy man.
TOP!
It could have been a four/five goal thrash after all of Tottenham's dominance! But Reading held solid and worked Andre Villas-Boas' side hard! Gareth Bale was suspended. Pavel Pogrebnyak tested Spurs defence, hitting the bar after winning a free kick, then heading in the rebound to make it 0-1. It was the earliest goal Spurs have conceded this season. Defender Michael Dawson headed in a corner at the near post, to level the score bang, 1-1 after nine minutes! Mousa Dembele wide and Jermain Defoe saw their chances go wide! Sandro's shot from outside the box, was deflected and saved by Adam Federici. Aaron Lennon banged the ball in from right creating nice cross for Emmanuel Adebayor to head it in to take the lead, 2-1. Lennon had another shot deflected and Jermain Defoe saw one go wide. After a fine run by Pogrebnyak, the Russian forward saw his shot saved and the header off the rebound went just wide. Jimmy Kebe created a fine break going wide. The following corner was cleared eventually, but the Spurs third-choice keeper Hugo Lloris was in trouble there! The game ended 3-1 thanks to a deflected shot by Clint Dempsey saw the ball fly over the keeper and in. This win takes Tottenham up to third, so, so far so good for AVB!
FLOP!
Saints 1-1 draw against Arsenal felt like a League Two game! Both sides produced and showed chaotic play, no coordination or organisation, just misses, slips and bloopers. Artur Boruc had a very disappointing game with slippery gloves! The Polish KEEPER did not seem to know he has to KEEP the ball! He is the Saints' 6th keeper this season! Gaston Ramirez took advantage of Arsenal's defensive mess to open the scoring, 1-0, after they were unable to clear the ball! Arsenal then saw their free kick netted by Guly do Prado, an own goal to level the score 1-1. Saints have only taken two points in nine games, but this was a fair result for a shambles of a game in the end! Saints should have been given the second goal which was disallowed for offside and/or a fowl, both looked rather dodgy! The Gunners were very disappointing after last week's 11 goal thrash against Newcastle! But the Saints can be more than happy and chuffed with their performance, the result and point.
TOP & FLOP!
It was all Machester United at Wigan. After Patrice Evra saw his shot saved, Javier Hernandez netted the rebound, 0-1. Robin van Persie's right-foot curl doubled the score, 0-2. It was all too easy for the visitors. Arouane Kone had a goal disallowed offside, JUST, before Hernandez headed another chance over the bar. After Rafael was caught by Gary Caldwell, RVP took the resulting free kick and after a double-deflection, Hernandez banged the ball into the back of the net, 0-3. RVP put another chance just over the top of the bar. When Kone was brought down by Chris Smalling, it looked like he was the last man but referee Andrew Marriner only pulled a yellow and the free kick by Jordi Gomez ended up just wide. Danny Welbeck found RVP who added another gift of a goal thanks to a defensive mess, 0-4, the 19th goal for the Dutchman, netting one goal after the other, bagging one win after another for United, still seven points clear of City at the top.
Swansea were on top early on at home against Aston Villa and took the lead thanks to Wayne Routledge's fine run and right-foot shot. Miguel Michu saw his shot come off the right post. After Pablo Hernandez's fine run and cross, Danny Graham's shot somehow ended up off target. Michu saw another chance comeoff the post again and Hernandez put one wide. Villa's equaliser came against the run of play, Christian Benteke with the through-ball to put Andreas Weimann in. Joe Bennett was caught out with with handball and it should have been a penalty, but nothing was given! Villa were finally pushing more, Weimann on the attack again. Villa were awarded a penalty for a tangle/fowl on Weimann by Nathan Dyer. It looked soft but those kind of fowls have been given in the past. Benteke netted the spot kick, 1-2. But only six minutes later, Graham smashed in the rebound after some ping pong in the box, a superb equaliser with the right foot, somehow found its way trough the crowded box. Poor defending cost Villa in the end, dropping two points and keeping them only one point away from the relegation zone.
HERO!
Sergio Aguero produced chance after chance, miss after miss, save after save for Manchester City against Stoke. In the end it was Pablo Zabaleta who opened the scoring with an easy tap-in after Asmir Begovic's short clearance, 1-0. Edin Dzeko put one chance high before the Bosnian saw Aguero's shot come out of Begovic's gloves and caught the Stoke defence napping to tap the ball in, too easy, 2-0, his tenth of the season, making him the top scorer for City. Jonathan Walters put Stoke's high before Steven Nzonzi fowled David Silva on the edge of the box. It was very much a scene of a drama queen by the Spaniard, but a penalty was given and the game ended 3-0 thanks to Aguero's spot kick. James Milner hit the post before Aguero had to go off injured with a hamstring. City will hope the injury won't keep the Argentine out for too long, because he has been the top performer for City in their chase against their local rivals United for the top spot. Stoke were stubborn and City had to be patient, but it was a comfortable win in the end.
ZERO!
Decisions went against Norwich but West Ham dominated the game. It was definitely not a good game for Mark Clattenburg! After a penalty was given against Norwich defender Ryan Bennett on Winston Reid, Mark Noble netted the spot kick for West Ham sending the keeper Mark Bunn the wrong way, 1-0. Robert Snodgrass saw his free kick come off the post before handball appeals by Norwich against Reid were completely ignored by Clattenburg. Bunn created a brilliant save against Jack Collison, a terrific reflex save from close range. Joey O'Brien doubled the score then though after a fine move by Noble. Norwich were not happy as their midfielder Alexander Tettey was off the pitch thanks to a head wound inflicted by Carlton Cole. The Weat Ham number nine missed a golden chance before Norwich had another penalty appeal after Harry Kane was brought down on the shoulder of James Tomkins, but Clattenburg gave nothing again. Ricardo Vaz Te headed one chance wide for the Hammers before Russell Martin pulled one back for the Canaries with a right-footer into the right corner to make it 1-2 after a patient buildup. All the controversial decisions aside, the Hammers deserved the win with all their dominance seeing them up to eleventh place in the table, three points behind Stoke in tenth.
HERO & ZERO!
Romelu Lukaku's top performance for West Brom was all to no avail in the end! The Belgian striker was on Fulham's case constantly. Dimitar Berbatov on the other hand wasted chance after chance, but created a fine one-two with Ashkan Dejagha to net the ball bang in the middle, 0-1. The leveller looked offside when Billy Jones crossed the ball from the right to Lukaku who found the bottom right-hand corner from close range, 1-1. Fulham just couldn't handle Lukaku and he hit the post shortly after the equaliser. West Brom were much better after the break, seeing chances saved, one hit the bar and another lastly blocked out. It was an onslaught, before Fulham came back out of nothing! Alexander Kacaniklic produced Fulham's second with a fine touch, turn and then pass under the goalkeeper Ben Foster with just over half an hour to go! Lukaku put another header wide before Berbatov missed one too, yet again! Eventhough he was on the scoreboard, I feel Berbatov's attitude keeps letting him down!
My Predictions => Actual Results
West Brom 0-0 Fulham => 1-2
Man City 1-1 Stoke => 3-0
Swansea 0-0 Aston Villa => 2-2
Tottenham 3-0 Reading => 3-1
West Ham 1-1 Norwich => 2-1
Wigan 0-4 Man United => 0-4
Southampton 1-5 Arsenal => 1-1
Chelsea 5-1 QPR => 0-1
Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland => 3-0
Newcastle 1-2 Everton => 1-2
