Sports - Football - Premier League - HUDLIV
Pre-match notes:
14th Huddersfield's league run:
D D L L L
4th Liverpool's league run:
W W W W L
Six changes for Liverpool after their FA Cup defeat against West Brom, keeper, three in defence, two in midfield. Not really surprising after the last couple of results and Jürgen Klopp's general rotation policy and rhythm this season.
David Wagner made seven changes from his side's 1-1 FA Cup draw against Birmingham, a long injury list not helping the German, but a bold move with just three at the back, a clear message to his best mate, no favours tonight!
I'm expecting the worst, but hoping for the best, don't have a clue what to expect after the last few matches... #LIVMCI #SWALIV #LIVWBA 💩🙈🙏🏻🙈💩
My (optimistic) prediction: 1-2 (cursing myself) #jinx? #COYR ⚽️👊🏻👏🏻👊🏻⚽️
Match notes:
1' Kick-off by the Reds, the ground bouncing, echoing, mad, the French commentators not knowing what hit them. Love it.
3' Mané messes up collecting a fine cross, fails to break past the last two in the process, Firmino picks the ball up, shoots from afar, Lössl has it, easy. First attempt on target though.
6' Chaotic start, neither side settling, the ball bouncing and falling here, there and everywhere, the fans still dominating every and all attention and focus! Awesome!
8' Can loses the ball just as Liverpool looked like dominating and pressing, the home side hit back with some lovely interplay, keeping the ball well.
9' Karius collects. And breath. Robertson breaks on the other side, right side of the box, wins a throw, comes to nothing.
11' Free kick to the Terriers near the centre circle, they're taking it slow.
12' Neither side able to keep the ball atm, give, take, shake, make, break, leak...
13' Milner puts the ball out for a goal kick, no threat by the visitors there.
14' Robertson smashes the ball out for another goal kick, I think that was supposed to be a cross...
15' Huddersfield threat cleared, the only thing Liverpool are dominating at the moment is possession, nearly 80%!
17' KARIUS SAVE! Van La Parra cross from the left met by Depoitre free in the box, right-foot shot is kept out nicely, strong save, the Red defence just watching again, where was the cover? I think I've scribbled and questioned that plenty of times before in much frustration...
20' Lössl collects, after Salah surrounded by Huddersfield players was unable to do much with the ball.
22' First corner for the Reds, Salah won it and takes it, punched away by Lössl, another Liverpool corner on the other side eventually.
23' Milner takes the second corner, cleared, the Reds keep the ball and the home side back, on guard.
24' CAN SHOT curled to the left corner, Lössl dives to his right, keeps it out. Strong performance by the stopper so far.
Over halfway through the half, Huddersfield can be happy the way they have kept Liverpool out and frustrated - CAN SCORES WHILST I WRITE THAT!!! 0-1 deflected right-footed low volley from outside the box into the bottom right-hand corner, a smacker, no chance for Lössl. 26' #BOOM
30' Liverpool with 90% possession over the last 10ish minutes, a couple of chances blocked, I wouldn't say they are bossing it just one goal ahead, but will be very happy having finally broken down the Terriers! The Red fans are now the louder ones, just. Hardly.
35' Lössl collects, most of the play has been around the centre circle, neither side pushing for much, the Reds dominating possession still.
37' Kongolo clears another Liverpool threat, Salah behind him in the box, not far, well played.
39' Mané concedes a free kick, Hogg falling all over him, a couple of yards outside the box...
40' Ref Friend is taking his time, making the marks, whistles, nice curled shot by Löwe but wide, not far off though. The crowd is on fire.
42' BALL IN THE NET FOR HUDDERSFIELD but the ref had already blown the whistle, flag up against Mooy, calm down (talking to myself).
43' Firmino flagged offside as Lössl blocks his shot away with his gloves.
45' Liverpool pouncing around the Huddersfield box again and again, the home side blocking and defending for their lives.
FIRMINO MAKES IT TWOOOOO as the announcement of one minute added on is made. From the tightest of tight angles on the left, right-footed sneaky low shot in past Lössl, squeezed between keeper and post, 0-2.
And that is half time, 0-2. #WOOHOOOOO
HT Stats: HUD 0-2 LIV
Possession: 23%-77%
Shots: 2-7
On target: 1-4
Corners: 0-3
Fouls: 2-4
The Terriers looked to frustrate their visitors, but the Reds are on top at the break thanks to Can and Firmino.
46' Huddersfield restart the game, no changes made by either side during the interval.
Just read LFC have scored most away goals in the PL this season = 30, two ahead of league leaders MCFC (28), followed by CFC (24) and MUFC (22).
53' Browsing through all the tweets, loving it, Swansea have taken the lead against Arsenal, Twitter going mad, not much happening here, Liverpool with most of the ball, not much in and around the box though. Can hear the fans chant Mo Salah, Mo Salah, Mo Salah.
54' Mané header straight to Lössl who only has to make half a dive to his left, Liverpool with 89% possession since the break. Comfy?
58' Milner slashes one shot in from outside the box with his right foot, not bad, Lössl punches it up and out for a corner, which is cleared.
59' Huddersfield are looking tired now, lucky Mané slips in the box and the ball goes out for a goal kick, Liverpool were all over them then.
63' The Terriers with the ball for a change but Robertson coped and clears.
64' First change made by Wagner, Quaner replaces Mounié.
183-704 passes made, says it all.
66' Can cross from the right, Schindler clears for a throw on the right.
69' MANÉ HEADER wide. Not. His. Night. It was a nice diagonal cross by Can though.
73' PENALTY APPEAL by the Terriers, the ref waves play on. Robertson v sub Quaner in the box, high boot by the defender, towards the ball, not the player, would have been very very harsh, right call.
73' Salah run, beats Lössl storming towards him, with a cheeky left-footer from the outside of the boot, into the side-netting. Shame. Would have been a nice one.
Just read the Swans have gone 3-1 up against Arsenal, my boyfriend next to me swearing his face off (a Gunner in case you didn't guess). Oh how I know how he feels. BUT NOT TODAY!
77' PENALTY TO LFC Can brought down by Hogg in the box!
78' SALAH NETS IT TO MAKE IT 0-3 easy to the keeper's left after he jumped the other way. That surely seals the three points for the Reds! ⚽️👊🏻⚽️👊🏻⚽️
81' Firmino on the left, left-legs the ball into nowhere, out for a goal kick, laughs all round. Looking at the scoreboard, okay, I will lay off him...
82' LFC double- substitution, Salah is replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum comes on for skipper Henderson, who will be happy with this game after a long time out.
85' Karius kicks the ball away for a Huddersfield throw, no threat whatsoever, his team mates looking at him bewildered.
86' Flag up against the Terriers, Liverpool take their time to take the kick.
87' Ince with a low shot out for a throw, and I just realised I completely missed the home side's double-substitution shortly after the third goal... *quickly*editing*and*correcting*below*
89' Firmino comes off for Solanke, last change for the Reds.
Three minutes added on. YNWA echoes in the background.
The FT whistle blows, three goals and three points for the Reds thanks to Can, Firmino and Salah. THREE POINTS! BOOM!
That's more I like it! Dominance from start to finish, some threats, but nothing to break Liverpool for a change. A CLEAN SHEET!!!
FT Stats: HUD 0-3 LIV
Possession: 25%-75%
Shots: 5-14
On target: 1-7
Corners: 1-4
Free kicks: 8-8
This is exactly what the red doctor ordered, especially ahead of the clash against Tottenham on Sunday.
Here are a few facts and stats to finish with:
Liverpool have lost just once in their past 16 Premier League games, winning 11 and drawing four.
This was the 58th ground at which Liverpool have played in the Premier League - they've won at more stadiums than any other side in the competition (54).
Huddersfield are without a win in their past seven Premier League games (three draws followed by four losses) and have enjoyed just two wins in their past 14 in the competition (D3 L9).
Mohamed Salah has had a hand in 25 Premier League goals this season, the most of any player in the competition (19 goals, 6 assists).
More on the BBC website.
Liverpool Goals: Can 26', Firmino 45'+1 & Salah pen 78'.
Huddersfield Team: 1 Lössl; 5 Löwe (22 Ince 79'), 25 Jorgensen, 26 Schindler, 5 Kongolo, 33 Hadergjonaj; 8 Billing, 6 Hogg (c), 10 Mooy (17 van La Parra 79'); 20 Depoitre, 24 Mounié (23 Quaner 64'). 5-3-2 (not 3-5-2 as first thought)
Subs not used: 2 Smith, 13 Coleman, 21 Pritchard, 44 Hefele.
Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 6 Gomez; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c) (5 Wijnaldum 82'), 23 Can; 19 Mané, 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 89'), 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 82'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 4 van Dijk, 22 Mignolet, 28 Ings, 66 Alexander-Arnold.
Referee: Kevin Friend
Man of the match: Emre Can
Ground: The John Smith's Stadium
Attendance: 24,121
Click here for my last LFC match report.
All facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR coverage.
Tuesday, 30 January 2018
HT Notes: Huddersfield 0-2 Liverpool
Sports - Football - Premier League - HUDLIV
Pre-match notes:
14th Huddersfield's league run:
D D L L L
4th Liverpool's league run:
W W W W L
Six changes for Liverpool after their FA Cup defeat against West Brom, keeper, three in defence, two in midfield. Not really surprising after the last couple of results and Jürgen Klopp's general rotation policy and rhythm this season.
David Wagner made seven changes from his side's 1-1 FA Cup draw against Birmingham, a long injury list not helping the German, but a bold move with just three at the back, a clear message to his best mate, no favours tonight!
I'm expecting the worst, but hoping for the best, don't have a clue what to expect after the last few matches... #LIVMCI #SWALIV #LIVWBA 💩🙈🙏🏻🙈💩
My (optimistic) prediction: 1-2 (cursing myself) #jinx? #COYR ⚽️👊🏻👏🏻👊🏻⚽️
Match notes:
1' Kick-off by the Reds, the ground bouncing, echoing, mad, the French commentators not knowing what hit them. Love it.
3' Mané messes up collecting a fine cross, fails to break past the last two in the process, Firmino picks the ball up, shoots from afar, Lössl has it, easy. First attempt on target though.
6' Chaotic start, neither side settling, the ball bouncing and falling here, there and everywhere, the fans still dominating every and all attention and focus! Awesome!
8' Can loses the ball just as Liverpool looked like dominating and pressing, the home side hit back with some lovely interplay, keeping the ball well.
9' Karius collects. And breath. Robertson breaks on the other side, right side of the box, wins a throw, comes to nothing.
11' Free kick to the Terriers near the centre circle, they're taking it slow.
12' Neither side able to keep the ball atm, give, take, shake, make, break, leak...
13' Milner puts the ball out for a goal kick, no threat by the visitors there.
14' Robertson smashes the ball out for another goal kick, I think that was supposed to be a cross...
15' Huddersfield threat cleared, the only thing Liverpool are dominating at the moment is possession, nearly 80%!
17' KARIUS SAVE! Van La Parra cross from the left met by Depoitre free in the box, right-foot shot is kept out nicely, strong save, the Red defence just watching again, where was the cover? I think I've scribbled and questioned that plenty of times before in much frustration...
20' Lössl collects, after Salah surrounded by Huddersfield players was unable to do much with the ball.
22' First corner for the Reds, Salah won it and takes it, punched away by Lössl, another Liverpool corner on the other side eventually.
23' Milner takes the second corner, cleared, the Reds keep the ball and the home side back, on guard.
24' CAN SHOT curled to the left corner, Lössl dives to his right, keeps it out. Strong performance by the stopper so far.
Over halfway through the half, Huddersfield can be happy the way they have kept Liverpool out and frustrated - CAN SCORES WHILST I WRITE THAT!!! 0-1 deflected right-footed low volley from outside the box into the bottom right-hand corner, a smacker, no chance for Lössl. 26' #BOOM
30' Liverpool with 90% possession over the last 10ish minutes, a couple of chances blocked, I wouldn't say they are bossing it just one goal ahead, but will be very happy having finally broken down the Terriers! The Red fans are now the louder ones, just. Hardly.
35' Lössl collects, most of the play has been around the centre circle, neither side pushing for much, the Reds dominating possession still.
37' Kongolo clears another Liverpool threat, Salah behind him in the box, not far, well played.
39' Mané concedes a free kick, Hogg falling all over him, a couple of yards outside the box...
40' Ref Friend is taking his time, making the marks, whistles, nice curled shot by Löwe but wide, not far off though. The crowd is on fire.
42' BALL IN THE NET FOR HUDDERSFIELD but the ref had already blown the whistle, flag up against Mooy, calm down (talking to myself).
43' Firmino flagged offside as Lössl blocks his shot away with his gloves.
45' Liverpool pouncing around the Huddersfield box again and again, the home side blocking and defending for their lives.
FIRMINO MAKES IT TWOOOOO as the announcement of one minute added on is made. From the tightest of tight angles on the left, right-footed sneaky low shot in past Lössl, squeezed between keeper and post, 0-2.
And that is half time, 0-2. #WOOHOOOOO
HT Stats: HUD 0-2 LIV
Possession: 23%-77%
Shots: 2-7
On target: 1-4
Corners: 0-3
Fouls: 2-4
The Terriers looked to frustrate their visitors, but the Reds are on top at the break thanks to Can and Firmino.
Liverpool Goals: Can 26' & Firmino 45'+1.
Huddersfield Team: 1 Lössl; 5 Löwe, 25 Jorgensen, 26 Schindler, 5 Kongolo, 33 Hadergjonaj; 8 Billing, 6 Hogg (c), 10 Mooy; 20 Depoitre, 24 Mounié. 5-3-2 (not 3-5-2 as first thought)
Subs not used: 2 Smith, 13 Coleman, 17 van La Parra, 21 Pritchard, 22 Ince, 23 Quaner, 44 Hefele.
Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 6 Gomez; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 19 Mané, 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 4 van Dijk, 5 Wijnaldum, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke, Ings, 66 Alexander-Arnold.
Referee: Kevin Friend
Ground: The John Smith's Stadium
Click here for my last LFC match report.
All facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR coverage.
Pre-match notes:
14th Huddersfield's league run:
D D L L L
4th Liverpool's league run:
W W W W L
Six changes for Liverpool after their FA Cup defeat against West Brom, keeper, three in defence, two in midfield. Not really surprising after the last couple of results and Jürgen Klopp's general rotation policy and rhythm this season.
David Wagner made seven changes from his side's 1-1 FA Cup draw against Birmingham, a long injury list not helping the German, but a bold move with just three at the back, a clear message to his best mate, no favours tonight!
I'm expecting the worst, but hoping for the best, don't have a clue what to expect after the last few matches... #LIVMCI #SWALIV #LIVWBA 💩🙈🙏🏻🙈💩
My (optimistic) prediction: 1-2 (cursing myself) #jinx? #COYR ⚽️👊🏻👏🏻👊🏻⚽️
Match notes:
1' Kick-off by the Reds, the ground bouncing, echoing, mad, the French commentators not knowing what hit them. Love it.
3' Mané messes up collecting a fine cross, fails to break past the last two in the process, Firmino picks the ball up, shoots from afar, Lössl has it, easy. First attempt on target though.
6' Chaotic start, neither side settling, the ball bouncing and falling here, there and everywhere, the fans still dominating every and all attention and focus! Awesome!
8' Can loses the ball just as Liverpool looked like dominating and pressing, the home side hit back with some lovely interplay, keeping the ball well.
9' Karius collects. And breath. Robertson breaks on the other side, right side of the box, wins a throw, comes to nothing.
11' Free kick to the Terriers near the centre circle, they're taking it slow.
12' Neither side able to keep the ball atm, give, take, shake, make, break, leak...
13' Milner puts the ball out for a goal kick, no threat by the visitors there.
14' Robertson smashes the ball out for another goal kick, I think that was supposed to be a cross...
15' Huddersfield threat cleared, the only thing Liverpool are dominating at the moment is possession, nearly 80%!
17' KARIUS SAVE! Van La Parra cross from the left met by Depoitre free in the box, right-foot shot is kept out nicely, strong save, the Red defence just watching again, where was the cover? I think I've scribbled and questioned that plenty of times before in much frustration...
20' Lössl collects, after Salah surrounded by Huddersfield players was unable to do much with the ball.
22' First corner for the Reds, Salah won it and takes it, punched away by Lössl, another Liverpool corner on the other side eventually.
23' Milner takes the second corner, cleared, the Reds keep the ball and the home side back, on guard.
24' CAN SHOT curled to the left corner, Lössl dives to his right, keeps it out. Strong performance by the stopper so far.
Over halfway through the half, Huddersfield can be happy the way they have kept Liverpool out and frustrated - CAN SCORES WHILST I WRITE THAT!!! 0-1 deflected right-footed low volley from outside the box into the bottom right-hand corner, a smacker, no chance for Lössl. 26' #BOOM
30' Liverpool with 90% possession over the last 10ish minutes, a couple of chances blocked, I wouldn't say they are bossing it just one goal ahead, but will be very happy having finally broken down the Terriers! The Red fans are now the louder ones, just. Hardly.
35' Lössl collects, most of the play has been around the centre circle, neither side pushing for much, the Reds dominating possession still.
37' Kongolo clears another Liverpool threat, Salah behind him in the box, not far, well played.
39' Mané concedes a free kick, Hogg falling all over him, a couple of yards outside the box...
40' Ref Friend is taking his time, making the marks, whistles, nice curled shot by Löwe but wide, not far off though. The crowd is on fire.
42' BALL IN THE NET FOR HUDDERSFIELD but the ref had already blown the whistle, flag up against Mooy, calm down (talking to myself).
43' Firmino flagged offside as Lössl blocks his shot away with his gloves.
45' Liverpool pouncing around the Huddersfield box again and again, the home side blocking and defending for their lives.
FIRMINO MAKES IT TWOOOOO as the announcement of one minute added on is made. From the tightest of tight angles on the left, right-footed sneaky low shot in past Lössl, squeezed between keeper and post, 0-2.
And that is half time, 0-2. #WOOHOOOOO
HT Stats: HUD 0-2 LIV
Possession: 23%-77%
Shots: 2-7
On target: 1-4
Corners: 0-3
Fouls: 2-4
The Terriers looked to frustrate their visitors, but the Reds are on top at the break thanks to Can and Firmino.
Liverpool Goals: Can 26' & Firmino 45'+1.
Huddersfield Team: 1 Lössl; 5 Löwe, 25 Jorgensen, 26 Schindler, 5 Kongolo, 33 Hadergjonaj; 8 Billing, 6 Hogg (c), 10 Mooy; 20 Depoitre, 24 Mounié. 5-3-2 (not 3-5-2 as first thought)
Subs not used: 2 Smith, 13 Coleman, 17 van La Parra, 21 Pritchard, 22 Ince, 23 Quaner, 44 Hefele.
Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 6 Gomez; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 19 Mané, 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 4 van Dijk, 5 Wijnaldum, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke, Ings, 66 Alexander-Arnold.
Referee: Kevin Friend
Ground: The John Smith's Stadium
Click here for my last LFC match report.
All facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter and SFR coverage.
Monday, 29 January 2018
LFC Crash Out Of FA Cup 2-3 Against WBA
Sports - Football - FA Cup - LFC 2:3 WBA
Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup falling 2-3 against West Brom and ending their 19-game unbeaten run at Anfield with the video assistant referee (VAR) at the centre of the attention in the late kick-off Saturday evening.
It was a frantic first half, Roberto Firmino chipping in the opener for the Reds from close range after just five minutes, before Jay Rodriguez thumped in the equaliser just 71 seconds later.
Four minutes after that, the visitors were ahead thanks to Rodriguez again, the former Burnley forward slotting home and Albion 1-2 up, Liverpool just watching. What is defending again?
With just under twenty minutes gone, Gareth Barry thought he had made it 1-3 off Craig Dawson's through-ball, only to be disallowed eventually for offside confirmed by the VAR Andre Marriner. Close call.
Halfway through the first half, Mohamed Salah was brought down in the box by Jake Livermore, referee Craig Pawson ignored the appeal, for the VAR to cancel his decision. Another close call but correct.
It was the first time a referee had referred to the new technology to make a final decision correcting the official's first call, it took over four minutes, Barry was booked in the process for his protests.
And after all that, Firmino missed the spot kick, his right-footed shot hitting the cross-bar.
Alan Pardew was forced to make two changes before the break due to injury, losing Kieran Gibbs and Hal Robson-Kanu, replacing them with Ahmed Hegazi and Matt Phillips respectively.
But the changes did not deplete the Baggies' game, quite the opposite, they stayed on top, confusing and destroying any kind of organisation and threat by the home side.
The VAR was called for a third time before the break, Rodriguez in an offside position when Dawson's cross-shot went in off Joel Matip, but was deemed not to be interfering with play, the own goal stood, 1-3.
It was a weird back-heel clearance attempt by the Red defender, keeper Simon Mignolet not exactly strengthening his case of his position in the team with an oblivious display, his defensive colleagues not much better though.
Liverpool conceded three goals in consecutive home games for the first time since January 2007, West Brom the first away team to score three first half goals at Anfield since Real Madrid in October 2014.
Jürgen Klopp looked surprisingly calm.
The second half was less frantic, more settled, Liverpool dominating with chances and possession, but West Brom never out of control.
The visitors' stopper Ben Foster kept strong, denying substitutes James Milner and Danny Ings and defender Virgil van Dijk late on.
The stats show who was doing their job: Mignolet 0-6 Foster in saves made.
Salah did pull one back for the home side with just over ten minutes to go, becoming only the fourth LFC player this Millenium to hit 25 goals after Michael Owen, Fernando Torres and Luis Suárez. Even in Daniel Sturridge's best season, he only scored 24. And it's only January.
That's the only positive-ish stat of the match, even Klopp conceded the Reds were just not good enough and West Brom deserved to win, not blaming the referee nor VAR as other managers would have loved to place the blame, that's for sure.
How quick the form has crumbled to bits for the German's side, after the ultimate high of beating the league leaders Manchester City, to losing against the bottom side Swansea and then this, another chance of silverware out of the window.
Next, the Reds travel to Huddersfield on Tuesday, who will dare to predict the result? How good or how bad can it get for the board to make changes? To buy? To invest more? What is consistency?!
If you want more, you have to do more!!!
Liverpool Goals: Firmino 5' & Salah 78'.
West Brom Goals: Rodriguez 7' & 11' & Matip OG 45'+2'.
Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 18 Moreno, 4 van Dijk, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can (booked 61') (7 Milner 65'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (28 Ings 65'); 19 Mané (14 Henderson 65'), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez, 29 Solanke, 52 Ward.
West Brom Team: 1 Foster; 3 Gibbs (26 Hegazi 37' (booked 85')), 6 Evans, 25 Dawson (booked 83'), 2 Nyom; 11 Brunt, 20 Krychowiak, 18 Barry (booked 26') (5 Yacob 71'), 8 Livermore; 19 Rodriguez, 4 Robson-Kanu (10 Phillips 39'). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 9 Rondón, 13 Myhill, 14 McClean, 17 Burke.
HT Stats: LFC 1-3 WBA
Possession: 65%-35%
Shots: 12-5
On target: 3-2
Corners: 2-1
Fouls: 2-4
Yellow cards: 0-1
FT Stats: LFC 2-3 WBA
Possession: 69%-31%
Shots: 23-8
On target: 8-3
Corners: 6-2
Fouls: 5-9
Yellow cards: 1-3
Referee: Craig Pawson
Man of the match: Jay Rodriguez
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,342
Click here for my previous LFC match report.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app, Twitter and beIN sport live match coverage.
Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup falling 2-3 against West Brom and ending their 19-game unbeaten run at Anfield with the video assistant referee (VAR) at the centre of the attention in the late kick-off Saturday evening.
It was a frantic first half, Roberto Firmino chipping in the opener for the Reds from close range after just five minutes, before Jay Rodriguez thumped in the equaliser just 71 seconds later.
Four minutes after that, the visitors were ahead thanks to Rodriguez again, the former Burnley forward slotting home and Albion 1-2 up, Liverpool just watching. What is defending again?
With just under twenty minutes gone, Gareth Barry thought he had made it 1-3 off Craig Dawson's through-ball, only to be disallowed eventually for offside confirmed by the VAR Andre Marriner. Close call.
Halfway through the first half, Mohamed Salah was brought down in the box by Jake Livermore, referee Craig Pawson ignored the appeal, for the VAR to cancel his decision. Another close call but correct.
It was the first time a referee had referred to the new technology to make a final decision correcting the official's first call, it took over four minutes, Barry was booked in the process for his protests.
And after all that, Firmino missed the spot kick, his right-footed shot hitting the cross-bar.
Alan Pardew was forced to make two changes before the break due to injury, losing Kieran Gibbs and Hal Robson-Kanu, replacing them with Ahmed Hegazi and Matt Phillips respectively.
The VAR was called for a third time before the break, Rodriguez in an offside position when Dawson's cross-shot went in off Joel Matip, but was deemed not to be interfering with play, the own goal stood, 1-3.
It was a weird back-heel clearance attempt by the Red defender, keeper Simon Mignolet not exactly strengthening his case of his position in the team with an oblivious display, his defensive colleagues not much better though.
Liverpool conceded three goals in consecutive home games for the first time since January 2007, West Brom the first away team to score three first half goals at Anfield since Real Madrid in October 2014.
Jürgen Klopp looked surprisingly calm.
The second half was less frantic, more settled, Liverpool dominating with chances and possession, but West Brom never out of control.
The visitors' stopper Ben Foster kept strong, denying substitutes James Milner and Danny Ings and defender Virgil van Dijk late on.
The stats show who was doing their job: Mignolet 0-6 Foster in saves made.
Salah did pull one back for the home side with just over ten minutes to go, becoming only the fourth LFC player this Millenium to hit 25 goals after Michael Owen, Fernando Torres and Luis Suárez. Even in Daniel Sturridge's best season, he only scored 24. And it's only January.
How quick the form has crumbled to bits for the German's side, after the ultimate high of beating the league leaders Manchester City, to losing against the bottom side Swansea and then this, another chance of silverware out of the window.
Next, the Reds travel to Huddersfield on Tuesday, who will dare to predict the result? How good or how bad can it get for the board to make changes? To buy? To invest more? What is consistency?!
If you want more, you have to do more!!!
Liverpool Goals: Firmino 5' & Salah 78'.
West Brom Goals: Rodriguez 7' & 11' & Matip OG 45'+2'.
Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 18 Moreno, 4 van Dijk, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum, 23 Can (booked 61') (7 Milner 65'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (28 Ings 65'); 19 Mané (14 Henderson 65'), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez, 29 Solanke, 52 Ward.
West Brom Team: 1 Foster; 3 Gibbs (26 Hegazi 37' (booked 85')), 6 Evans, 25 Dawson (booked 83'), 2 Nyom; 11 Brunt, 20 Krychowiak, 18 Barry (booked 26') (5 Yacob 71'), 8 Livermore; 19 Rodriguez, 4 Robson-Kanu (10 Phillips 39'). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 9 Rondón, 13 Myhill, 14 McClean, 17 Burke.
HT Stats: LFC 1-3 WBA
Possession: 65%-35%
Shots: 12-5
On target: 3-2
Corners: 2-1
Fouls: 2-4
Yellow cards: 0-1
FT Stats: LFC 2-3 WBA
Possession: 69%-31%
Shots: 23-8
On target: 8-3
Corners: 6-2
Fouls: 5-9
Yellow cards: 1-3
Referee: Craig Pawson
Man of the match: Jay Rodriguez
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,342
Click here for my previous LFC match report.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app, Twitter and beIN sport live match coverage.
Wednesday, 24 January 2018
Premier League Picks Of The Week 24
Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 24
The 24th week of the Premier League action saw:
25 goals - most by Chelsea & Arsenal = 4 each
233 shots - most by Man City & Liverpool = 21 each
90 on target - most by Arsenal & Chelsea = 10 each
99 corners - most by Man City = 18
194 fouls - most by Stoke City = 18
26 yellow cards - most by Brighton, Burnley, Man United, West Ham & Tottenham = 3 each
0 red cards
2 penalties - 2 scored (Agüero for Man City, Vardy for Leicester)
What a game! Arsenal proved like Liverpool did last week, it's all about the team, not the player, life goes on without them. With Alexis Sánchez omitted and Manchester United bound, the Gunners hit four goals in the opening 22 minutes, absolutely stunning and thrashing Crystal Palace 4-1 at the Emirates. A free Nacho Monreal headed in the opener (6') and provided the next two, Alex Iwobi doubling the lead (10') and Laurent Koscielny tapping in the third (13'). Alexandre Lacazette made it four with a beautiful team goal and finish (22') to complete an abysmal start for Roy Hodgson's side. Luka Milivojević did pull one back late on with a nice turn and shot, denying Petr Čech his 200th clean sheet, keeping the stopper stuck on 199. It was Palace's only defeat in the last 12 league games against the Gunners. Arsène Wenger couldn't have been happier with his team's blistering display, but they won't have it that easy every week!
What a team! Manchester City recovered from their first league defeat of the season against Liverpool with a dominant 3-1 win against Newcastle at the Etihad, Sergio Agüero starring with a hat-trick, his 11th for Pep Guardiola's side. Jacob Murphy did cause a little scare when he made it 2-1 with his first goal for the club in his 19th appearance. Rafael Benítez praised his side's reaction and effort, but after only six goals in the last eight games, the Magpies are 15th in the table, just one point away from 18th-placed Southampton. With the takeover talks halted and off the table, the chances of adding to the squad are close to none. At the top of the table meanwhile, City's lead remains 12 points, which takes me to this interesting stat I read, which irritated me at the same time... City aren't Newcastle and United are nowhere near Fergie's greats, I dare say!!!
Here are my match notes of a very frustrating display and rare defeat for Liverpool, suffering against stubborn Swansea, losing 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night, ending the Reds' unbeaten run after 18 games. It was such a disappointment after their breathtaking performance against the league leaders last week, but somewhat expected as the Reds like to let it slip against the lower sides, especially the Welsh side as past results show: Their German boss Jürgen Klopp seems to dislike the Swans, having lost three Premier League games against them, more than against any other opponent in the competition.
What a man! New Stoke City manager Paul Lambert started his reign with a win, his side beating Huddersfield 2-0 thanks to Joe Allen (53') and Mame Biram Diouf (69'), taking them out of the relegation zone, a step in the right direction. The new boss enjoyed and celebrated both goals full-heartedly and made sure all players stayed back to thank the fans for their support. The Terriers meanwhile are winless in the last six league games, having lost three in a row, David Wagner accepting their dire form and position and conceding they have to do more to get out of it, just one point separating them from the drop zone.
Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez impressed with startling displays, the prior's penalty and the latter's smooth goal were enough to beat Watford, Marco Silva's side continuing their slump with just one win in the last 11 league matches. The dire run saw the Portuguese sacked on Sunday, the board blaming Everton's approach in November for it! Harsh!!! They quickly appointed a new boss later that day, Spaniard Javi Gracia, the 10th manager to work under the Pozzo family at Vicarage Road since 2012! Something tells me the 18-month contract won't be seen through at this rate! 7 of the bottom 12 have sacked their managers this season and I've got the feeling it's not gonna stay at that...
Both David Moyes and Sam Allardyce drew more frustrated figures this week, not happy men, both West Ham and Everton dropping two points drawing 1-1 against Bournemouth and West Brom respectively, home games they should have or were expected to win. None of the sides will be happy with dropping points. Again. But for the Hammers it continued their unbeaten run in the league (DWDWD), whilst the blue Merseysiders have been sliding a bit longer without a win (DDLLLD). It could have been worse for the Toffees if it would not have been for super-sub's Oumar Niasse's equaliser just 56 seconds after coming on. More to that game below. And the Hammers had Javier Hernández to thank for the point equalising 65 seconds after falling behind, their manager crying out for the former United man to stay. It was Eddie Howe's 100th league game in charge, the third youngest English manager to achieve this, at the age of 40 years and 52 days, the draw extending the Cherries' unbeaten run to five games (DWDWD).
What a goal! Chelsea stunned Brighton with two splendid goals in the opening six minutes at the Falmer Stadium. Eden Hazard opened the scoring with a neat finish from inside the box (3') and Willian doubled the score after some beautiful team and one-touch play in the buildup (6'). The Seagulls did fight back, Ezequiel Schelotto was denied a penalty after being brought down by keeper Willy Caballero who kept out former Citizen Tomer Hemed before Davy Pröpper headed against the post. Hazard sealed the win eventually (77') and Victor Moses added to the total late on to make it 0-4 and three points for the Blues (89'), their first league win in 2018. But as manager Antonio Conte pointed out, his side are unbeaten in 12 games now. Brighton boss Chris Hughton was right, the scoreline was harsh, but the visitors did make it very difficult.
In the only Super Sunday match Davinson Sánchez's awesome own goal put Southampton ahead at St Mary's, sliding and turning in Ryan Bertrand's low cross, before non-other than Harry Kane levelled the score for Tottenham, easy 99th Premier League goal for the England striker. Despite continuing their longest winless streak in nearly two decades, Saints will be happy with the point, the fans were great, Mauricio Pellegrino grateful but realistic (loved his electric chair metaphor about his position), whilst Spurs will be gutted to have dropped two points in the race for the top four.
What the hell?! All the best wishes went to Toffee James McCarthy of course after manager Big Sam confirmed his very nasty injury, a double-fracture! Albion Salomón Rondón was in tears after waving frantically for the referee to stop play and get the medical assistance. No one likes to see anything like that... #goosebumps
Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to eight games in the league, Anthony Martial's second-half strike enough to beat Burnley. But the Red Devils didn't give their fans much to cheer and watch, keeper David de Gea mainly to thank with his 14th clean sheet, more than any other in Europe's big five leagues this season. Sean Dyche's side fought hard, but were condemned to their fourth defeat on the trot for the first time since May 2015. The manager was understandably gutted as they were the only side making a real game out of it, no matter how José Mourinho tried to put it, having a clear dig at them after the match, complimenting the referee. Yep, you read right. The Portuguese was all positive, especially about the officials, of course, looking at the scoreline, but nothing else. Pf.
My Predictions - Actual Results
Brighton 1:1 Chelsea - 0:4
Arsenal 1:1 Crystal Palace - 4:1
Burnley 1:2 Man United - 0:1
Everton 2:1 West Brom - 1:1
Leicester 3:0 Watford - 2:0
Stoke City 2:2 Huddersfield - 2:0
West Ham 3:2 Bournemouth - 1:1
Man City 4:1 Newcastle - 3:1
Southampton 1:3 Tottenham - 1:1
Swansea 1:5 Liverpool - 1:0 or my match report
Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.
The 24th week of the Premier League action saw:
25 goals - most by Chelsea & Arsenal = 4 each
233 shots - most by Man City & Liverpool = 21 each
90 on target - most by Arsenal & Chelsea = 10 each
99 corners - most by Man City = 18
194 fouls - most by Stoke City = 18
26 yellow cards - most by Brighton, Burnley, Man United, West Ham & Tottenham = 3 each
0 red cards
2 penalties - 2 scored (Agüero for Man City, Vardy for Leicester)
Here are my match notes of a very frustrating display and rare defeat for Liverpool, suffering against stubborn Swansea, losing 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night, ending the Reds' unbeaten run after 18 games. It was such a disappointment after their breathtaking performance against the league leaders last week, but somewhat expected as the Reds like to let it slip against the lower sides, especially the Welsh side as past results show: Their German boss Jürgen Klopp seems to dislike the Swans, having lost three Premier League games against them, more than against any other opponent in the competition.
Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez impressed with startling displays, the prior's penalty and the latter's smooth goal were enough to beat Watford, Marco Silva's side continuing their slump with just one win in the last 11 league matches. The dire run saw the Portuguese sacked on Sunday, the board blaming Everton's approach in November for it! Harsh!!! They quickly appointed a new boss later that day, Spaniard Javi Gracia, the 10th manager to work under the Pozzo family at Vicarage Road since 2012! Something tells me the 18-month contract won't be seen through at this rate! 7 of the bottom 12 have sacked their managers this season and I've got the feeling it's not gonna stay at that...
Both David Moyes and Sam Allardyce drew more frustrated figures this week, not happy men, both West Ham and Everton dropping two points drawing 1-1 against Bournemouth and West Brom respectively, home games they should have or were expected to win. None of the sides will be happy with dropping points. Again. But for the Hammers it continued their unbeaten run in the league (DWDWD), whilst the blue Merseysiders have been sliding a bit longer without a win (DDLLLD). It could have been worse for the Toffees if it would not have been for super-sub's Oumar Niasse's equaliser just 56 seconds after coming on. More to that game below. And the Hammers had Javier Hernández to thank for the point equalising 65 seconds after falling behind, their manager crying out for the former United man to stay. It was Eddie Howe's 100th league game in charge, the third youngest English manager to achieve this, at the age of 40 years and 52 days, the draw extending the Cherries' unbeaten run to five games (DWDWD).
In the only Super Sunday match Davinson Sánchez's awesome own goal put Southampton ahead at St Mary's, sliding and turning in Ryan Bertrand's low cross, before non-other than Harry Kane levelled the score for Tottenham, easy 99th Premier League goal for the England striker. Despite continuing their longest winless streak in nearly two decades, Saints will be happy with the point, the fans were great, Mauricio Pellegrino grateful but realistic (loved his electric chair metaphor about his position), whilst Spurs will be gutted to have dropped two points in the race for the top four.
Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to eight games in the league, Anthony Martial's second-half strike enough to beat Burnley. But the Red Devils didn't give their fans much to cheer and watch, keeper David de Gea mainly to thank with his 14th clean sheet, more than any other in Europe's big five leagues this season. Sean Dyche's side fought hard, but were condemned to their fourth defeat on the trot for the first time since May 2015. The manager was understandably gutted as they were the only side making a real game out of it, no matter how José Mourinho tried to put it, having a clear dig at them after the match, complimenting the referee. Yep, you read right. The Portuguese was all positive, especially about the officials, of course, looking at the scoreline, but nothing else. Pf.
My Predictions - Actual Results
Brighton 1:1 Chelsea - 0:4
Arsenal 1:1 Crystal Palace - 4:1
Burnley 1:2 Man United - 0:1
Everton 2:1 West Brom - 1:1
Leicester 3:0 Watford - 2:0
Stoke City 2:2 Huddersfield - 2:0
West Ham 3:2 Bournemouth - 1:1
Man City 4:1 Newcastle - 3:1
Southampton 1:3 Tottenham - 1:1
Swansea 1:5 Liverpool - 1:0 or my match report
Click here for last week's Premier League Picks.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.
Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Swans End Reds Unbeaten Run
Sports - Football - Premier League - SWA 1:0 LIV
Here are my match notes of a very frustrating display and rare defeat for Liverpool, suffering against stubborn Swansea, losing 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night, ending the Reds' unbeaten run after 18 games.
The first half an hour just saw one shot, way off target high over the bar by Mohamed Salah. That's it.
Swansea kept Liverpool quiet staying in their own half after creating one or two threats themselves with Jordan Ayew the main producer and danger, but nothing close.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain produced the first shot on target after 33 minutes, straight to the Swans keeper Lukasz Fabiański.
Defender Kyle Naughton volleyed way over after the home side's free kick on the right was headed away by Virgil van Dijk.
There were some shaky moments for Joe Gomez. The home side ended the first half on top, corner after corner... AND GOAL! Their first shot on target and it's in, five minutes before the break!
A corner was not cleared, van Dijk headed the ball down straight to Federico Fernandez who provided Alfie Mawson with an easy finish from close range, 1-0! The defenders did it all for the Welsh side!
Again, Liverpool showed how weak they are at the back! Yes, van Dijk didn't help the Reds there either! Jürgen Klopp must have been fuming!!!
Andy Robertson and Ayew clashed, the Red got booked for it despite his protest, not happy, a minute left in this dreadful half.
Joel Matip was the next one in the book for a nasty challenge against midfielder Sam Clucas, frustrations showed on the visitors at the end of the first half...
One minute was added on, Salah on the left, to Sadio Mané, who put it wide! Right-footed, falling, wasted chance.
HT 1-0, as always, Liverpool didn't make it easy for themselves, Swansea holding and then taking advantage well thanks to Mawson. Klopp will have been fuming and wanting to wake the Reds up!!!
The home side could be and probably were very happy at the break. No changes were made by either side.
And the second half mirrored the first, Liverpool nowhere, Salah with another miss well wide, frustrated, Swansea in control, the fans loud and happy.
Robertson was there but not really, in and around the box, but kept missing and messing up chances, passes and crosses. Argh.
Just under an hour gone, Fabianski tapped over Salah's free-kick for a corner, Swansea cleared the threat.
Liverpool were still surrounded and denied by the Swans, every move ending nowhere. Complete opposite to the last match!
The first substitution was made by the home side, 64', Tom Carroll replacing Nathan Dyer.
Liverpool brought on Adam Lallana for the Ox, 68', Klopp looking like he's pulling himself together...
Danny Ings came on for Georginio Wijnaldum who looked disappointed, 73', Klopp giving out instructions... Hands, arms, shouts, all waving and echoing around... There was not much else happening of note.
Ings got a shot off Salah eventually, but Fabianski held on, Liverpool getting closer but still looking shaky, the home side holding firm.
The Swans made their second change, 79', slowly but surely Ayew walked off, Wilfried Bony on, applause all round, deserved.
Gomez put a shot wide, summarising his useless/helpless/poor game.
Salah created another chance after a short corner to van Dijk who directed a soft header to Fabiański, who collected it easily.
Pf. I think all the Reds put in against City looked lost and lacking on Monday night. Who was I being optimistic and thinking we would thrash the Welsh side?! Apologies and applause to Swansea!
Four minutes were added on, the Swans still fighting, Liverpool still missing. Salah put another one wide, nowhere near.
Last minute, the Liberty Stadium was echoing louder than loud. Liverpool on the attack again, Fabianski collected again.
Roberto Firmino headed against the post late on, Lallana unable to make much of the rebound. Fabianski punched the following corner clear... And that was full time.
There was some late drama but the Reds just couldn't give enough, Swansea took it, easy, and topped it, three crucial points in their battle for safety. Deserved.
Swans manager Carlos Carvalhal was understandably over the moon with Swansea's first home win under him and the Portuguese boss summarised the game brilliantly with the quote of the season:
"They (Liverpool) are like a Formula 1 car. But at 4pm in London it will be difficult to speed, they would be a car like any other.
"We (Swansea) needed to make sure there was traffic, we could not let them have open roads to drive in."
Swansea have earned seven points in their four Premier League games under Carvalhal (W2 D1 L1), two more than they'd picked up in their 12 before his arrival (W1 D2 L9).
On the other side, Klopp admitted defeat, feeling like it was pretty much a giveaway:
"I am more frustrated about the performance than the result. We didn't play how we wanted to play.
"We gave them the opportunity to score and then we did exactly what Swansea wanted. Swansea knew that to win they needed our help, and unfortunately we gave it to them."
This was Liverpool's first defeat in 15 Premier League games (W10 D4), and just their third of this season.
But the German boss seems to dislike this Welsh side, having lost three Premier League games against Swansea, more than against any other opponent in the competition.
What a difference a week makes. Next on the list are West Brom in the FA Cup at the weekend, and then Huddersfield in the league next week.
It can only get better, right?
Swansea Goal: Mawson 40'.
Swansea Team: 1 Fabianski; 16 Olssen, 6 Mawson, 33 Fernandez (c), 5 van der Hoorn, 26 Naughton; 17 Clucas, 4 Ki, 8 Fer, 12 Dyer (15 Carroll 64'); 18 Ayew (2 Bony 79'). 5-4-1
Subs not used: 11 Narsingh, 13 Nordfeldt, 27 Bartley, 51 Mesa, 62 McBurnie.
Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson (booked 44'), 4 van Dijk, 32 Matip (booked 45'), 12 Gomez; 5 Wijnaldum (28 Ings 73'), 23 Can (c); 18 Mané, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (20 Lallana 68'), 11 Salah; 9 Firmino. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.
HT Stats: SWA 1-0 LIV
Possession: 35%-65%
Shots: 2-4
On target: 1-1
Corners: 3-2
Fouls: 4-6
Yellow cards: 0-2
FT Stats: SWA 1-0 LIV
Possession: 28%-72%
Shots: 3-21
On target: 2-4
Corners: 3-9
Fouls: 5-9
Yellow cards: 0-2
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Man of the match: Alfie Mawson
Ground: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 20,886
Click here for my previous LFC match report.
All pictures, quotes, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app, Twitter and SFR match coverage.
Here are my match notes of a very frustrating display and rare defeat for Liverpool, suffering against stubborn Swansea, losing 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night, ending the Reds' unbeaten run after 18 games.
The first half an hour just saw one shot, way off target high over the bar by Mohamed Salah. That's it.
Swansea kept Liverpool quiet staying in their own half after creating one or two threats themselves with Jordan Ayew the main producer and danger, but nothing close.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain produced the first shot on target after 33 minutes, straight to the Swans keeper Lukasz Fabiański.
Defender Kyle Naughton volleyed way over after the home side's free kick on the right was headed away by Virgil van Dijk.
There were some shaky moments for Joe Gomez. The home side ended the first half on top, corner after corner... AND GOAL! Their first shot on target and it's in, five minutes before the break!
Again, Liverpool showed how weak they are at the back! Yes, van Dijk didn't help the Reds there either! Jürgen Klopp must have been fuming!!!
Andy Robertson and Ayew clashed, the Red got booked for it despite his protest, not happy, a minute left in this dreadful half.
Joel Matip was the next one in the book for a nasty challenge against midfielder Sam Clucas, frustrations showed on the visitors at the end of the first half...
One minute was added on, Salah on the left, to Sadio Mané, who put it wide! Right-footed, falling, wasted chance.
HT 1-0, as always, Liverpool didn't make it easy for themselves, Swansea holding and then taking advantage well thanks to Mawson. Klopp will have been fuming and wanting to wake the Reds up!!!
And the second half mirrored the first, Liverpool nowhere, Salah with another miss well wide, frustrated, Swansea in control, the fans loud and happy.
Robertson was there but not really, in and around the box, but kept missing and messing up chances, passes and crosses. Argh.
Just under an hour gone, Fabianski tapped over Salah's free-kick for a corner, Swansea cleared the threat.
Liverpool were still surrounded and denied by the Swans, every move ending nowhere. Complete opposite to the last match!
The first substitution was made by the home side, 64', Tom Carroll replacing Nathan Dyer.
Liverpool brought on Adam Lallana for the Ox, 68', Klopp looking like he's pulling himself together...
Danny Ings came on for Georginio Wijnaldum who looked disappointed, 73', Klopp giving out instructions... Hands, arms, shouts, all waving and echoing around... There was not much else happening of note.
The Swans made their second change, 79', slowly but surely Ayew walked off, Wilfried Bony on, applause all round, deserved.
Gomez put a shot wide, summarising his useless/helpless/poor game.
Salah created another chance after a short corner to van Dijk who directed a soft header to Fabiański, who collected it easily.
Pf. I think all the Reds put in against City looked lost and lacking on Monday night. Who was I being optimistic and thinking we would thrash the Welsh side?! Apologies and applause to Swansea!
Four minutes were added on, the Swans still fighting, Liverpool still missing. Salah put another one wide, nowhere near.
Last minute, the Liberty Stadium was echoing louder than loud. Liverpool on the attack again, Fabianski collected again.
Roberto Firmino headed against the post late on, Lallana unable to make much of the rebound. Fabianski punched the following corner clear... And that was full time.
Swans manager Carlos Carvalhal was understandably over the moon with Swansea's first home win under him and the Portuguese boss summarised the game brilliantly with the quote of the season:
"They (Liverpool) are like a Formula 1 car. But at 4pm in London it will be difficult to speed, they would be a car like any other.
"We (Swansea) needed to make sure there was traffic, we could not let them have open roads to drive in."
Swansea have earned seven points in their four Premier League games under Carvalhal (W2 D1 L1), two more than they'd picked up in their 12 before his arrival (W1 D2 L9).
On the other side, Klopp admitted defeat, feeling like it was pretty much a giveaway:
"I am more frustrated about the performance than the result. We didn't play how we wanted to play.
"We gave them the opportunity to score and then we did exactly what Swansea wanted. Swansea knew that to win they needed our help, and unfortunately we gave it to them."
But the German boss seems to dislike this Welsh side, having lost three Premier League games against Swansea, more than against any other opponent in the competition.
What a difference a week makes. Next on the list are West Brom in the FA Cup at the weekend, and then Huddersfield in the league next week.
It can only get better, right?
Swansea Goal: Mawson 40'.
Swansea Team: 1 Fabianski; 16 Olssen, 6 Mawson, 33 Fernandez (c), 5 van der Hoorn, 26 Naughton; 17 Clucas, 4 Ki, 8 Fer, 12 Dyer (15 Carroll 64'); 18 Ayew (2 Bony 79'). 5-4-1
Subs not used: 11 Narsingh, 13 Nordfeldt, 27 Bartley, 51 Mesa, 62 McBurnie.
Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson (booked 44'), 4 van Dijk, 32 Matip (booked 45'), 12 Gomez; 5 Wijnaldum (28 Ings 73'), 23 Can (c); 18 Mané, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (20 Lallana 68'), 11 Salah; 9 Firmino. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 22 Mignolet, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.
HT Stats: SWA 1-0 LIV
Possession: 35%-65%
Shots: 2-4
On target: 1-1
Corners: 3-2
Fouls: 4-6
Yellow cards: 0-2
FT Stats: SWA 1-0 LIV
Possession: 28%-72%
Shots: 3-21
On target: 2-4
Corners: 3-9
Fouls: 5-9
Yellow cards: 0-2
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Man of the match: Alfie Mawson
Ground: Liberty Stadium
Attendance: 20,886
Click here for my previous LFC match report.
All pictures, quotes, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app, Twitter and SFR match coverage.
Thursday, 18 January 2018
My Ashes Cricket Verdict/Rant
Sports - Cricket - Ashes - AUS 4:0 ENG
I realised I haven't done a cricket blog in yonks, so, here we go, here is my little opinion/rant about the last couple of miserable months for England Down Under. (I'm not on about the ODI series that started last weekend obviously, but good old test match cricket.)
Yep, Australia thrashed England to regain the Ashes, and they did so in style, 4-0, whilst the visitors just crumbled to bits again and again, the one draw being the only thing/straws they can clutch onto.
It surprised everyone, despite England not being anywhere near their best, but before the tour Australia looked nowhere near quality and experienced enough to win as strong, confident and comfortable as they did:
Here are factors I blame most for this:
The captain
Joe Root is just not good enough. Or rather, he is just too nice/naive. Not ruthless and decisive enough. The skipper just gets starts but no breakthroughs and most of the time it is too late by the time he gets on, the hole is too deep for him to dig England out of alone. The calls he makes in general fielding and other decisions like bowlers, nightwatchmen and follow-ons have just been blatantly and utterly wrong. Clueless. Shambles. All of us ending up scratching our heads.
The coach
The way players fell and fell again, not learning from their mistakes, you know something is wrong, not just with them, but their teachers/instructors/trainers as well. Trevor Bayliss has announced he will step down as England coach next year... 2019?! Too little too late! It's odd to give such long notice, leaving everything and everyone in a bit of a limbo. And what about a bowling coach??? That position's vacant since Ottis Gibson left last summer. If changes are not made where changes are needed, or holes are left, how can one expect improvement?! (And as I was writing and editing this article, Chris Silverwood has taken over and started his job as bowling coach this week. Good luck!!! He'll need it, plus a lot of patience!)
The selectors
Why do they always stick to the same line-up, when they are clearly/obviously/surely past their best and there are better/more in form/confident players out there?! Alastair Cook as an opener fell cheaply too many times, his double century in Melbourne was too little too late. James Anderson is the oldest but was the only bowler who really turned up and made a fight out of it, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes proving expensive at 50 runs per wicket and Moeen Ali just useless with both bat and ball. It was painful to watch at times.
The general mentality
From the start, England made all the wrong headlines, distracting and destroying any kind of team confidence and spirit. From Ben Stokes' Bristol nightclub brawl that saw him excluded from the tour, Ben Duckett's drink pouring episode over/with Anderson, to the Jonny Bairstow headbutt saga, England have been just all over the place, in bits, shattered it seemed. No discipline. No respect. Something I thought cricket always prided itself with over other sports like football where those kind of problems have been/are more common.
Team and man of the tournament
Australia just showed England how it's done, Pat Cummins (23 wickets), Mitchell Starc (my personal pick after taking 22 wickets despite missing the fourth test due to injury) and Josh Hazlewood (21 wickets) with the ball, man of the series Steve Smith with the bat and decisive captaincy. Exemplary. Consistent. Bang on. When it mattered most. Legendary? Only time will tell. But the Aussies can be very happy with themselves after this tournament.
With the ODI tournament England can and have hit out and get a bit of revenge. But it's the test match cricket they are not allowed to neglect and forget as they seemed to have done over the last months. I am worried. Very worried.
Click here for my previous cricket blog - yep, 2011, that's how long ago that was! Told ye! A wonderful year, the one where we won Down Under!!! #Memories
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC website, their Ashes and general cricket news and coverage.
I realised I haven't done a cricket blog in yonks, so, here we go, here is my little opinion/rant about the last couple of miserable months for England Down Under. (I'm not on about the ODI series that started last weekend obviously, but good old test match cricket.)
Yep, Australia thrashed England to regain the Ashes, and they did so in style, 4-0, whilst the visitors just crumbled to bits again and again, the one draw being the only thing/straws they can clutch onto.
It surprised everyone, despite England not being anywhere near their best, but before the tour Australia looked nowhere near quality and experienced enough to win as strong, confident and comfortable as they did:
| First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets |
| Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs |
| Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs |
| Fourth Test, Melbourne: Draw |
| Fifth Test, Sydney: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs |
Here are factors I blame most for this:
The captain
The coach
The selectors
The general mentality
Team and man of the tournament
With the ODI tournament England can and have hit out and get a bit of revenge. But it's the test match cricket they are not allowed to neglect and forget as they seemed to have done over the last months. I am worried. Very worried.
Click here for my previous cricket blog - yep, 2011, that's how long ago that was! Told ye! A wonderful year, the one where we won Down Under!!! #Memories
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC website, their Ashes and general cricket news and coverage.
Premier League Picks Of The Week 23
Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 23
The 23rd week of the Premier League football action saw:
31 goals - most by West Ham, Tottenham & Liverpool = 4 each
256 shots - most by Tottenham & Man United = 20 each
85 on target - most by Tottenham = 10
90 corners - most by West Brom = 9
222 fouls - most by Crystal Palace = 16
31 yellow cards - most by Southampton = 5
1 red card - Chilwell for Leicester
0 penalties
What a game! What a Super Sunday it was! Liverpool outplayed and -scored league leaders Manchester City, 4-3 at Anfield. Yes, you read right, the unbeatables were beaten for the first time in the league this season. And what a belter of a game it was, the Reds shocking the Sky Blues riding high on top 4-1, before nervously tumbling over the finishing line 4-3, what a game it was, click here for my full match report.
How annoying was the early kick-off at Dean Court in contrast to the Merseyside showpiece?! Alex Iwobi elbowed the ball away in the box for Arsenal against Bournemouth a few minutes before the break, nothing given. Rob Holding with a cheeky shoulder as well, not as obvious, but oh so cheeky, shortly before Arsène Wenger's men took the lead after the break thanks to Héctor Bellerín. Man of the match Callum Wilson levelled the score for the home side and just a couple of minutes later (283 seconds to be exact) Jordon Ibe slashed a low shot under Petr Čech to turn the game on its head and the young Gunners with it. It was the first ever Premier League win for the Cherries against the red London side, red full of embarrassment!
What a team! Leicester were outstanding, Chelsea were nowhere. It ended 0-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Ben Chilwell's two stupid yellow cards in the space of five second-half minutes, giving the Blues some glimmer of hope, but the Foxes held on to the point in the end. It's the first time in the Blues' history they have recorded three consecutive goalless draws. Tired? Antonio Conte has enough players to choose from, I'm not too sure whether it's them or the Italian who are more tired of their job.
Stoke City announced Paul Lambert as their new boss hours before their match at Old Trafford and the fans' reaction wasn't exactly grateful. The Potters' struggle continued as the Red Devils cruised to a 3-0 win, thanks to some quality saves by David de Gea and play by Paul Pogba setting up scorers Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial before Romelu Lukaku completed the scoreline. Good luck Paul. You'll need it. Lots of it.
What a man! David Moyes and Roy Hodgson continued their magic, enjoying life in London. West Ham thrashed Huddersfield 1-4 at the Kirklees Stadium, Mark Noble pouncing on keeper Jonas Lössl's messed-up pass to Joe Lolley, Marko Arnautović and Manuel Lanzini's double completing the onslaught after the break. This Hammers win made Moyes just the fourth boss to win 200 Premier League matches after Sir Alex Ferguson (528), Wenger (468) and Harry Redknapp (236). Bakary Sako's powerful cut and drill over Nick Pope's outstretched leg was enough for Crystal Palace to beat Burnley at Selhurst Park, continuing their revival under the former England boss.
Alan Pardew recorded his first win as West Brom manager, ending Albion's 20-game winless run, beating Brighton 2-0 thanks to goals from defenders Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson.
What a goal! Substitute Joselu equalised through defender Alfie Mawson's legs within four minutes of coming on for Newcastle against Swansea, heartbreak for the bottom side after they were leading thanks to Jordan Ayew's header and denied a penalty for an obvious handball, Mohamed Diamé elbowing the ball away from goal. More to the flop quality refereeing below.
Tottenham's 4-0 thrashing of Everton showed individual as well as team brilliance. Son Heung-min opened the scoring finishing off Serge Aurier's cross nicely. The South Korean set up Harry Kane with a fine run to double Spurs' lead, before the record-breaker made it three, converting Eric Dier's pass to take his Premier League total to 98 goals overtaking Teddy Sheringham's club tally. And last but definitely not least Christian Eriksen smashed in Dele Alli's cheeky back-heel pass to make it 4-0. The visitors never got a look into the game, 10-0 shots on target says it all, Big Sam's face and Sammy Lee's antiques on the sideline said it all, not happy.
As little as it counted in the end as detailed above, Lolley's equaliser for Huddersfield against West Ham was a beauty, the run, the take, the curl, the back of the net.
What the hell?! Similar to the denied Swansea and Bournemouth penalties mentioned above, Abdoulaye Doucouré's last-minute leveller for Watford to make it 2-2 against Southampton was an obvious handball. Maradona-esque. How did the referee(s) not see that?! The visitors led comfortably at Vicarage Road thanks to James Ward-Prowse's double in the first half, great team play, great goals, utter dominance. Marco Silva's men fought back after the break, Andre Gray heading one in before the late drama and controversy. Cruel cruel cruel for Mauricio Pellegrino and his men, who are now 10 league games without a win, the Argentine's days numbered as Saints boss.
My Predictions - Actual Results
Chelsea 2:1 Leicester - 0:0
Crystal Palace 1:1 Burnley - 1:0
Huddersfield 2:2 West Ham - 1:4
Newcastle 3:2 Swansea - 1:1
Watford 2:1 Southampton - 2:2
West Brom 0:0 Brighton - 2:0
Tottenham 1:1 Everton - 4:0
Bournemouth 1:3 Arsenal - 2:1
Liverpool 1:1 Man City - 4:3 or my match report
Man United 3:1 Stoke City - 3:0
Click here for my previous Picks Of The Week.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.
The 23rd week of the Premier League football action saw:
31 goals - most by West Ham, Tottenham & Liverpool = 4 each
256 shots - most by Tottenham & Man United = 20 each
85 on target - most by Tottenham = 10
90 corners - most by West Brom = 9
222 fouls - most by Crystal Palace = 16
31 yellow cards - most by Southampton = 5
1 red card - Chilwell for Leicester
0 penalties
How annoying was the early kick-off at Dean Court in contrast to the Merseyside showpiece?! Alex Iwobi elbowed the ball away in the box for Arsenal against Bournemouth a few minutes before the break, nothing given. Rob Holding with a cheeky shoulder as well, not as obvious, but oh so cheeky, shortly before Arsène Wenger's men took the lead after the break thanks to Héctor Bellerín. Man of the match Callum Wilson levelled the score for the home side and just a couple of minutes later (283 seconds to be exact) Jordon Ibe slashed a low shot under Petr Čech to turn the game on its head and the young Gunners with it. It was the first ever Premier League win for the Cherries against the red London side, red full of embarrassment!
Stoke City announced Paul Lambert as their new boss hours before their match at Old Trafford and the fans' reaction wasn't exactly grateful. The Potters' struggle continued as the Red Devils cruised to a 3-0 win, thanks to some quality saves by David de Gea and play by Paul Pogba setting up scorers Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial before Romelu Lukaku completed the scoreline. Good luck Paul. You'll need it. Lots of it.
Alan Pardew recorded his first win as West Brom manager, ending Albion's 20-game winless run, beating Brighton 2-0 thanks to goals from defenders Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson.
Tottenham's 4-0 thrashing of Everton showed individual as well as team brilliance. Son Heung-min opened the scoring finishing off Serge Aurier's cross nicely. The South Korean set up Harry Kane with a fine run to double Spurs' lead, before the record-breaker made it three, converting Eric Dier's pass to take his Premier League total to 98 goals overtaking Teddy Sheringham's club tally. And last but definitely not least Christian Eriksen smashed in Dele Alli's cheeky back-heel pass to make it 4-0. The visitors never got a look into the game, 10-0 shots on target says it all, Big Sam's face and Sammy Lee's antiques on the sideline said it all, not happy.
As little as it counted in the end as detailed above, Lolley's equaliser for Huddersfield against West Ham was a beauty, the run, the take, the curl, the back of the net.
My Predictions - Actual Results
Chelsea 2:1 Leicester - 0:0
Crystal Palace 1:1 Burnley - 1:0
Huddersfield 2:2 West Ham - 1:4
Newcastle 3:2 Swansea - 1:1
Watford 2:1 Southampton - 2:2
West Brom 0:0 Brighton - 2:0
Tottenham 1:1 Everton - 4:0
Bournemouth 1:3 Arsenal - 2:1
Liverpool 1:1 Man City - 4:3 or my match report
Man United 3:1 Stoke City - 3:0
Click here for my previous Picks Of The Week.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.
Reds End City Run In 7-Goal Thriller
Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 4:3 MCFC
Liverpool ended Manchester City's Premier League unbeaten run in shocking style, gob-smacking and handing Pep Guardiola's men their first league defeat of the season in a seven-goal Super Sunday showpiece-thriller at Anfield.
Former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave the Reds the lead with a smacker after just 8:47 minutes, a nice long strike 45 yards from goal between four defenders, across the keeper Ederson and in, boom!
The visitors were stunned, the Kop loud, but five minutes before the break City replied, Leroy Sané smashing in the equaliser past Loris Karius' bottom right, his near-post, not good for Simon Mignolet's replacement.
Up until then, Jürgen Klopp's men were all over their opponents, chasing, tracking and closing down every ball, thrilling to watch, hell to play against. Or pressing, pressing, pressing as others put it.
Liverpool continued the high-powered, energised and full-on style after the break, Man City dominating possession but not play.
And just before the hour-mark, the Red storm of three goals in nine minutes commenced:
Roberto Firmino with a brilliant individual goal, stayed up, kept the ball, and shooooooot, 2-1. The shirt went off. Yep, and Anfield exploded.
Seconds later, Sadio Mané hit the post, a minute before his left-footer into the top left corner made it 3-1, even Martin Tyler got loud!!!
And that wasn't all, not even six minutes later, Mohamed Salah clipped the ball over Ederson and in, after the keeper made an error of a clearance/pass/cross/whatever it was supposed to be, 4-1, vielen Dank!
Rache ist süüüüüß! (= revenge is sweeeeet! In case you're wondering what I'm on about, here's my report on the last time these two sides met.)
But it would have been too good to be true. It cannot be Liverpool FC without a hick-up (or two) and more drama drama drama!
Sub Bernardo Silva (84') and Ilkay Gündogan (91') pulled two late goals back to make it 4-3 and hand the Citizens a glimmer of hope of avoiding defeat and the Reds that all too familiar horrifying feeling of "NOT AGAIN".
GULP. I couldn't watch...
But it was not to be for the league leaders and record-breakers, the home side held onto the lead and bagged the three precious, unexpected, awesome points.
Only two teams have gone longer unbeaten than City's run of 22 matches from the start of the season in Premier League history - Arsenal in 2003-04 (38 games) and Manchester United in 2010-11 (24).
And Guardiola doesn't seem to like Klopp, having lost five times against the German, more than against any other manager.
Andy Robertson was outstanding at the back for the Reds, controlling and frustrating the Citizens, including former Red Raheem Sterling, which was inspiring especially after all the Reds were so worried about being without injured Virgil van Dijk! And Coutinwho?! Life goes on and looks pretty rosy without the Brazilian!
Emre Can's substitution changed the game and showed how much Liverpool relied on him as City came back into the game minutes after he was replaced by James Milner.
And many were surprised to see under-fire defender Dejan Lovren start and given the captain's armband.
But who cares?! WE WON AND SHOWED EVERYONE YES WE CAN! JAWOHL!!!
Liverpool Goals: Oxlade-Chamberlain 9', Firmino 59', Mané 61', Salah 68'.
Man City Goals: Sané 40', Bernardo Silva 84', Gündogan 90'+1'.
Liverpool Team: 1 Karius, 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 26 Robertson, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23 Can (7 Milner 79', booked), 5 Wijnaldum, 11 Salah (20 Lallana 88'), 9 Firmino (booked), 19 Mané (17 Klavan 90'+4').
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 28 Ings, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.
Man City Team: 31 Ederson, 2 Walker, 5 Stones, 30 Otamendi (booked), 18 Delph (3 Danilo 31'), 17 De Bruyne, 25 Fernandinho (booked), 8 Gündogan, 7 Sterling (booked, 20 Bernardo Silva 71'), 10 Agüero, 19 Sané.
Subs not used: 1 Bravo, 15 Mangala, 21 Silva, 35 Zinchenko, 55 Diaz.
FT Stats: LFC 4-3 MCFC
Possession: 36%-64%
Shots: 16-11
On target: 7-4
Corners: 5-6
Fouls: 10-7
Yellow cards: 2-3
Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,285
Click here for my previous LFC match report.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, MOTD2, Twitter and Sky Sports match coverage.
Liverpool ended Manchester City's Premier League unbeaten run in shocking style, gob-smacking and handing Pep Guardiola's men their first league defeat of the season in a seven-goal Super Sunday showpiece-thriller at Anfield.
Former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave the Reds the lead with a smacker after just 8:47 minutes, a nice long strike 45 yards from goal between four defenders, across the keeper Ederson and in, boom!
The visitors were stunned, the Kop loud, but five minutes before the break City replied, Leroy Sané smashing in the equaliser past Loris Karius' bottom right, his near-post, not good for Simon Mignolet's replacement.
Up until then, Jürgen Klopp's men were all over their opponents, chasing, tracking and closing down every ball, thrilling to watch, hell to play against. Or pressing, pressing, pressing as others put it.
Liverpool continued the high-powered, energised and full-on style after the break, Man City dominating possession but not play.And just before the hour-mark, the Red storm of three goals in nine minutes commenced:
Roberto Firmino with a brilliant individual goal, stayed up, kept the ball, and shooooooot, 2-1. The shirt went off. Yep, and Anfield exploded.
Seconds later, Sadio Mané hit the post, a minute before his left-footer into the top left corner made it 3-1, even Martin Tyler got loud!!!
And that wasn't all, not even six minutes later, Mohamed Salah clipped the ball over Ederson and in, after the keeper made an error of a clearance/pass/cross/whatever it was supposed to be, 4-1, vielen Dank!
Rache ist süüüüüß! (= revenge is sweeeeet! In case you're wondering what I'm on about, here's my report on the last time these two sides met.)
But it would have been too good to be true. It cannot be Liverpool FC without a hick-up (or two) and more drama drama drama!Sub Bernardo Silva (84') and Ilkay Gündogan (91') pulled two late goals back to make it 4-3 and hand the Citizens a glimmer of hope of avoiding defeat and the Reds that all too familiar horrifying feeling of "NOT AGAIN".
GULP. I couldn't watch...
But it was not to be for the league leaders and record-breakers, the home side held onto the lead and bagged the three precious, unexpected, awesome points.
Only two teams have gone longer unbeaten than City's run of 22 matches from the start of the season in Premier League history - Arsenal in 2003-04 (38 games) and Manchester United in 2010-11 (24).
And Guardiola doesn't seem to like Klopp, having lost five times against the German, more than against any other manager.
Andy Robertson was outstanding at the back for the Reds, controlling and frustrating the Citizens, including former Red Raheem Sterling, which was inspiring especially after all the Reds were so worried about being without injured Virgil van Dijk! And Coutinwho?! Life goes on and looks pretty rosy without the Brazilian!Emre Can's substitution changed the game and showed how much Liverpool relied on him as City came back into the game minutes after he was replaced by James Milner.
And many were surprised to see under-fire defender Dejan Lovren start and given the captain's armband.
But who cares?! WE WON AND SHOWED EVERYONE YES WE CAN! JAWOHL!!!
Liverpool Goals: Oxlade-Chamberlain 9', Firmino 59', Mané 61', Salah 68'.
Man City Goals: Sané 40', Bernardo Silva 84', Gündogan 90'+1'.
Liverpool Team: 1 Karius, 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 26 Robertson, 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23 Can (7 Milner 79', booked), 5 Wijnaldum, 11 Salah (20 Lallana 88'), 9 Firmino (booked), 19 Mané (17 Klavan 90'+4').
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 28 Ings, 29 Solanke, 66 Alexander-Arnold.
Man City Team: 31 Ederson, 2 Walker, 5 Stones, 30 Otamendi (booked), 18 Delph (3 Danilo 31'), 17 De Bruyne, 25 Fernandinho (booked), 8 Gündogan, 7 Sterling (booked, 20 Bernardo Silva 71'), 10 Agüero, 19 Sané.
Subs not used: 1 Bravo, 15 Mangala, 21 Silva, 35 Zinchenko, 55 Diaz.
FT Stats: LFC 4-3 MCFC
Possession: 36%-64%
Shots: 16-11
On target: 7-4
Corners: 5-6
Fouls: 10-7
Yellow cards: 2-3
Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,285
Click here for my previous LFC match report.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, MOTD2, Twitter and Sky Sports match coverage.
Monday, 8 January 2018
Premier League Picks Of The Week 22
Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 22
The 22nd week of the Premier League action saw:
29 goals - most by Leicester & Man City = 3 each
269 shots - most by Bournemouth = 26
89 on target - most by Bournemouth = 8
118 corners - most by Bournemouth = 12
202 fouls - most by Brighton = 13
28 yellow cards - most by West Ham, Stoke & Arsenal = 3 each
0 red cards
0 penalties
What a game! I got out of breath watching Brighton against Bournemouth on New Year's Monday lunch time, neither side holding back, end-to-end stuff, brilliant to watch, 41 shots attempted between the two, the most in a single Premier League match so far this season. It ended 2-2 at the Falmer Stadium, a couple of beautiful team goals by the home side, Anthony Knockaert converting José Izquierdo's unselfish pass nicely and Glenn Murray with a smashing shot, Steve Cook heading in the equaliser in-between, lots of close chances for both sides and a scruffy second leveller by Callum Wilson to finish it off for the visitors. Great entertainment, the sides finishing 12th and 13th respectively.
Wednesday night's London derby was a thriller-and-a-half too at the Emirates, it all happened in the second half. Arsenal and Chelsea shared out 33 chances between each other, but it was Héctor Bellerin's injury-time strike that decided the result, a 2-2 draw, a point each. Gunners boss Arsène Wenger was not happy with the Blues' penalty that got them back into the match, Eden Hazard with the spot-kick a couple of minutes after Jack Wilshere had given his side the lead with a stunning high-fired strike. Antonio Conte's men must have thought they had nicked the perfect comeback when Marcos Alonso netted Davide Zappacosta's low cross to make it 1-2 in the 84th minute. But Bellerin spoilt that show with a superb half-volley to grab a point for the home side. Zappacosta saw a shot bang off the crossbar in the dying seconds, but it stayed 2-2. Breathtaking end.
What a team! 38 seconds into the game, Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock unmarked. After the fastest goal in the Premier League this season, Watford had no chance at Manchester City! Marco Silva's side have lost four out of the last five, whilst Pep Guardiola's men made it 20 wins out of 22 league games, 15 points clear at at the top. End of the crises after last week's dip.
At the other end of the table, West Brom are now 20 games without a win as Andy Carroll's double, his first two goals of the season, including the last-minute winner completed a dramatic turnaround for West Ham. Hammers boss David Moyes went mad celebrating the escape out of the drop zone. Baggies manager Alan Pardew was heart-broken by another late defeat, blaming his side's tired minds after only two days rest compared to the opposition's week off. That does not excuse their long miserable run though, which sees them drop down to 19th, level on points with bottom side Swansea.
What a man! Mark Hughes saved some of his players in the thrash against Chelsea on Saturday, to then go on and lose at home against Newcastle a couple of days later, thanks to Ayose Pérez's goal, and their keeper Karl Darlow with some spectacular saves. How much longer will he be Stoke manager as they are sliding down further and further with their worst run in over three decades?! And this result could have been even worse if Ciaran Clark wouldn't have missed a sitter from a couple of yards out... (And as I am editing and publishing this belatedly, my question was answered and the inevitable happened, Hughes sacked after Potters got kicked out of the FA Cup third round at League Two side Coventry City.)
And Crystal Palace are in form with only one loss in the last 11 after they made a great comeback at St Mary's beating Southampton 1-2. Shane Long's first goal in 11 months was not enough as James McArthur and Luka Milivojević replied to turn the game around with a gutsy response and performance. Saints slip down to 17th after nine games without a win whilst Palace are booming. Is Mauricio Pellegrino the right man for the Saints? Roy Hodgson certainly is for Palace! Wow!
What a goal! It was a great right-footed take by Riyad Mahrez to give Leicester the lead against Huddersfield, some sloppy defending beforehand helped though, too. Islam Slimani doubled the lead for the Foxes with his first goal for the club. And Marc Albrighton made it three goals and three points for Claude Puel's men.
Liverpool's Sadio Mané broke the deadlock at Burnley with a smacker from the edge of the box, left-footer on the turn, after a very frustrating hour of football in the pouring rain. There was some late drama with two goals in the last few minutes, but the German boss Jürgen Klopp ended up all smiles. Click here for my full match report.
Antony Martial's opener for Manchester United at Everton was also a great individual unstoppable hit from the edge of the box. Jesse Lingard doubled the Red Devils' lead with a similar smacker into the right top corner of the net. Two great goals, three points for José Mourinho's side, leaving Big Sam loud and fuming, his side not even recording a shot on target, his record against the Red Devils remaining miserable with only one win in the last 22 meetings.
What the hell?! The linesman at Swansea must have his eyes and/or football knowledge tested. Spurs took the lead thanks to Fernando Llorente - who was clearly offside. The visitors had another chance, headed high - with a group of Mauricio Pochettino's men offside! But no flag was in sight. It didn't get any better after the break. Dele Alli, who doubled Tottenham's lead and sealed the three points late on, should have been booked for diving. Davinson Sánchez should have been sent off for a second bookable offence. Referee Bobby Madley and his colleagues had a stinker!!! What a nice welcome to the Premier League it was for new Swans boss Carlos Carvahal in his first home game in charge!!! The pouring rain certainly fit the mood in Wales!!!
My Predictions - Actual Results
Brighton 1:0 Bournemouth - 2:2
Burnley 0:1 Liverpool - 1:2 or my match report
Leicester 2:1 Huddersfield - 3:0
Stoke City 1:0 Newcastle - 0:1
Everton 0:1 Man United - 0:2
Southampton 2:1 Crystal Palace - 1:2
Swansea 0:2 Tottenham - 0:2
West Ham 2:0 West Brom - 2:1
Man City 3:1 Watford - 3:1
Arsenal 0:0 Chelsea - 2:2
Tottenham 2:1 West Ham - 1:1 postponed from week 21, Son Heung-min and Pedro Obiang with two stunning long-range strikes. 31-3 shots, 8-1 on target, 7-1 corners, 10-6 fouls, 0-2 yellow cards, Spurs will have been left wondering how the hell they did not get more out of that game!!!
Click here for my previous Picks Of The Week.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.
The 22nd week of the Premier League action saw:
29 goals - most by Leicester & Man City = 3 each
269 shots - most by Bournemouth = 26
89 on target - most by Bournemouth = 8
118 corners - most by Bournemouth = 12
202 fouls - most by Brighton = 13
28 yellow cards - most by West Ham, Stoke & Arsenal = 3 each
0 red cards
0 penalties
Wednesday night's London derby was a thriller-and-a-half too at the Emirates, it all happened in the second half. Arsenal and Chelsea shared out 33 chances between each other, but it was Héctor Bellerin's injury-time strike that decided the result, a 2-2 draw, a point each. Gunners boss Arsène Wenger was not happy with the Blues' penalty that got them back into the match, Eden Hazard with the spot-kick a couple of minutes after Jack Wilshere had given his side the lead with a stunning high-fired strike. Antonio Conte's men must have thought they had nicked the perfect comeback when Marcos Alonso netted Davide Zappacosta's low cross to make it 1-2 in the 84th minute. But Bellerin spoilt that show with a superb half-volley to grab a point for the home side. Zappacosta saw a shot bang off the crossbar in the dying seconds, but it stayed 2-2. Breathtaking end.
At the other end of the table, West Brom are now 20 games without a win as Andy Carroll's double, his first two goals of the season, including the last-minute winner completed a dramatic turnaround for West Ham. Hammers boss David Moyes went mad celebrating the escape out of the drop zone. Baggies manager Alan Pardew was heart-broken by another late defeat, blaming his side's tired minds after only two days rest compared to the opposition's week off. That does not excuse their long miserable run though, which sees them drop down to 19th, level on points with bottom side Swansea.
And Crystal Palace are in form with only one loss in the last 11 after they made a great comeback at St Mary's beating Southampton 1-2. Shane Long's first goal in 11 months was not enough as James McArthur and Luka Milivojević replied to turn the game around with a gutsy response and performance. Saints slip down to 17th after nine games without a win whilst Palace are booming. Is Mauricio Pellegrino the right man for the Saints? Roy Hodgson certainly is for Palace! Wow!
Liverpool's Sadio Mané broke the deadlock at Burnley with a smacker from the edge of the box, left-footer on the turn, after a very frustrating hour of football in the pouring rain. There was some late drama with two goals in the last few minutes, but the German boss Jürgen Klopp ended up all smiles. Click here for my full match report.
Antony Martial's opener for Manchester United at Everton was also a great individual unstoppable hit from the edge of the box. Jesse Lingard doubled the Red Devils' lead with a similar smacker into the right top corner of the net. Two great goals, three points for José Mourinho's side, leaving Big Sam loud and fuming, his side not even recording a shot on target, his record against the Red Devils remaining miserable with only one win in the last 22 meetings.
My Predictions - Actual Results
Brighton 1:0 Bournemouth - 2:2
Burnley 0:1 Liverpool - 1:2 or my match report
Leicester 2:1 Huddersfield - 3:0
Stoke City 1:0 Newcastle - 0:1
Everton 0:1 Man United - 0:2
Southampton 2:1 Crystal Palace - 1:2
Swansea 0:2 Tottenham - 0:2
West Ham 2:0 West Brom - 2:1
Man City 3:1 Watford - 3:1
Arsenal 0:0 Chelsea - 2:2
Tottenham 2:1 West Ham - 1:1 postponed from week 21, Son Heung-min and Pedro Obiang with two stunning long-range strikes. 31-3 shots, 8-1 on target, 7-1 corners, 10-6 fouls, 0-2 yellow cards, Spurs will have been left wondering how the hell they did not get more out of that game!!!
Click here for my previous Picks Of The Week.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR coverage.
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