Premier League Notes - Week 5

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 5

The fifth week of the 2019-2020 Premier League season saw: 

32 goals - most by Chelsea = 5

267 shots - most by Watford = 31

98 on target - most by Watford = 10

116 corners - most by Man City = 16

200 fouls - most by Tottenham = 19

32 bookings - most by Tottenham and Everton = 4

2 red cards - Sharp for Sheff United and Masuaku for West Ham

2 penalties - 2 scored (Rashford for Man United, Pereyra for Watford)

#LIVNEW

Liverpool set a new club record of 22 consecutive Premier League matches unbeaten (W18, D4, L0), after coming back from behind at St. James' Park. This is also the Reds’ longest top-flight unbeaten streak since March to November 1990 (23). Newcastle’s shock lead came thanks to Jetro Willems’ (7’), the first goal for the Eintracht Frankfurt loanee. Jürgen Klopp’s men are the first team in PL history to win 14 consecutive matches while scoring more than once. Sadio Mané is the first player to play 50 PL games at Anfield without losing a single one. The Senegalese’s brace (28’, 40’) was helped by sub Roberto Firmino’s masterclass! Mohamed Salah was also part of the dance (72’) to make it 3-1 and a jolly front trio! Class, class and class, three goals and three points, helping LFC stay at the top with five wins out of five. In the last 16 months, the Reds have had more CL finals than PL defeats!!! BOOM!!!

#BRIBUR

Substitute Jeff Hendrick fired in an injury-time equaliser from 20 yards out to earn Burnley a point with their only shot on target, denying Brighton their first home win since 2 March and keeping the Clarets' unbeaten run down South going, not having lost in their last seven Premier League games on the South coast (W4 D3).

#MUNLEI

David de Gea made a great save against James Maddison early on! The penalty that was given after not even eight minutes, really? Marcus Rashford ran across and fell, the Leicester defender Çağlar Söyüncü didn’t have much say or play in it! Pf! The early goal spoilt the encounter straight away. De Gea saved and Maddison was close again after the break. Manchester United held on and scraped through, ending Leicester's unbeaten start to the season and bagging three points for the first time since the opening day. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men have had 40% of the penalties in the Premier League so far this season. The Foxes have lost nine of their last ten league matches at Old Trafford (W0 D1 L9). Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has conceded more goals from penalties (16) in the Premier League in 176 appearances than his dad former United stopper Peter Schmeichel conceded in 310 appearances (15).

#SHUSOU

Southampton’s summer signing Moussa Djenepo scored the deciding goal beating Sheffield United’s defence with a brilliant move and take (66’). The Blades had a goal ruled out for offside by the VAR when Oliver McBurnie thought he had put them in front shortly after the break. Chris Wilder was not happy with a handball decision given against his side, who have now won just one of their opening five games on their Premier League return. Tough luck.

#TOTCRY

Son Heung-Min has scored in all four of his Premier League home games against Crystal Palace (four goals), with Tottenham going on to win each of the previous three. The South Korean's brace (10’, 23’) helped Mauricio Pochettino’s men thrash Crystal Palace 4-0 and take them back into the top four. It’s their biggest league victory over the Eagles, as well as their joint-biggest against them across all competitions (also 4-0 in January 1987 in the FA Cup fourth round).

#WOLCHE

Stunning skill from Tammy Abraham on the edge of the box, to drive the ball in past Rui Patrício for a superb hat-trick (34', 41', 55'). The 21-year-old England striker is now the Premier League‘s leading goalscorer, the youngest ever Chelsea player to score a PL hat-trick, and the youngest Englishman to do so in the competition since Raheem Sterling (v Bournemouth) in October 2015. He joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Dele Alli in becoming only the third PL player aged 21 or younger to score two or more goals in three consecutive appearances. Outstanding, oh, and he is the first player in PL history to score a hat-trick and an own goal in the same game. It ended Wolves 2-5 Chelsea btw. Goals and action galore in the Wanderers' boss Nuno Espírito Santo's 300th match as a manager.

#NORMCI

ELEVEN players out injured vs ONE, newly promoted against defending champions, it ended 3-2! How many millions of pounds worth of difference between the two as well?! Good old footy won! Daniel Farke’s men kept marking, pressure on the ball, running, surrounding, pushing non-stop, both ends of the pitch and match! Thrilling win! Shocker for Manchester City! Especially playing from the back, the Citizens were absolute shambles! Hopefully everyone watched and learned! The rare defeat, their first since January, leaves Pep Guardiola's side five points behind Liverpool. The Canaries registered only their second win in their last 15 Premier League meetings with the reigning champions (W2 D1 L12) - their other win was also against the Citizens in May 2013.

#BOUEVE

It was too easy for Bournemouth, defensive shambles by Everton, no discrediting Callum Wilson’s brace (23’, 72’), his first Premier League goals since January. Having lost their previous two league home games, against Leicester and Manchester City, the Cherries kick-started their campaign with a thoroughly deserved first home league win, lifting them to eighth in the table. The Toffees meanwhile, were left reeling, having conceded seven goals in their past three league games, as many as they had in their previous 13 Premier League fixtures, and dropping down to 11th. 

#WATARS

It was a game of two halves at Vicarage Road. All started so well for Arsenal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace (21’, 32’), but bottom-side Watford took over after the break, Tom Cleverley (53’) and Roberto Pereyra (pen 81’) hitting back to make it 2-2. The Gunners faced 31 shots, a club record for the home side and the most their opponents have ever faced in a Premier League fixture since Opta began collecting such data in the division in 2003-04. Unai Emery’s men also hold the record of most errors leading to goals since the start of last season = 14, and failed to win seven of the last ten league games across two seasons. This was the first time in 22 meetings across all competitions that the Hornets and Arsenal have drawn against each other, having last done so in December 1984 (1-1). New Watford manager Quique Sánchez Flores has only lost one of his eight managerial meetings with Emery in all competitions (W3 D4 L1).

#ASTWHU

Eight of the 41 Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and West Ham have ended goalless, the highest proportion (19.5%) of any fixture in the competition that's been played 30-plus times. So what did we expect? It was a physical but disappointing encounter, the final touch missing, so bad, that even team mates clashed in frustration.

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Liverpool 3:0 Newcastle - 3:1

Brighton 1:1 Burnley - 1:1

Man United 1:1 Leicester - 1:0

Sheff United 1:2 Southampton - 0:1

Tottenham 1:0 Crystal Palace - 4:0

Wolves 1:2 Chelsea - 2:5

Norwich 1:4 Man City - 3:2

Bournemouth 1:1 Everton - 3:1

Watford 0:2 Arsenal - 2:2

Aston Villa 1:2 West Ham - 0:0

Click here for last week's Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, Twitter, Sky Sports and RMC Sport coverage. 

Premier League Picks Of The Week 15

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 15

The 15th week of the Premier League action saw:

27 goals - most by Liverpool = 5
257 shots - most by Arsenal = 33
91 on target - most by Arsenal = 16
106 corners - most by Arsenal = 12
189 fouls - most by Watford = 16
30 yellow cards - most by Watford = 4
2 red cards - Sanchez for Tottenham, Pogba for United
2 penalties - 2 scored (Hazard for Chelsea, Murray for Brighton)

What a game! Arsenal suffered their first home defeat at the Emirates since January, losing 1-3 against 10-man Manchester United. The Gunners fell two goals behind after 11 minutes and couldn't recover after those errors, no matter what they threw at the Red Devils. The defeat sees Arsène Wenger's men drop out of the Champions League qualification places to fifth. More to the fiery encounter below.
Watford were unlucky just to get a point against Tottenham, referee Martin Atkinson not making (m)any friends at Vicarage Road. Less than a minute after the home side felt Richarlison was fouled, but nothing was given, Son Heung-min levelled the score from the counter. Christian Kabasele had headed the Hornets ahead from a corner and the home side fought hard to stay in the match. Too hard and physical according to some, but the officials ignored all appeals and calls on both sides. Mauricio Pochettino felt it was long overdue for some decisions to go his side's way, avoiding any further word about Davinson Sánchez's red card for an elbow. Spurs have now gone four league matches without a win, unable to deal with Marco Silva's side's fighting spirit.

What a team! Man City are still topping the lot with an eight-point cushion - next weekend's derby is going to be interesting! The odds on an 8-0 win to the league leaders against West Ham were lower than the visitors nicking a 0-1 win at the Etihad, which said it all!!! But the Hammers started so well and worked so hard though and got a surprise lead in the first half thanks to Angelo Ogbonna's header. However, it was no surprise they got knackered and leaked the goals in the end, Nicolás Otamendi (57') and David Silva (83') handing the Citizens their record-equalling 13th PL win in a row in Pep time.
Crystal Palace have moved off the bottom of the table for the first time this season and have been replaced by Swansea after the Welsh side's 2-1 defeat at Stoke. Mark Hughes was a very relieved man seeing his side showing much more "courage and character" as he put it after the Potters recorded their first win since October, first home win since September. The pressure is up and going more and more against Paul Clement. Despite failing to score for the 10th away game in a row for the first time since Manchester City in 1950, the Eagles were happy with the point at West Brom, Alan Pardew full of praise for his side too.
Huddersfield are sliding down the table, Everton making it two wins and six goals in two games and Big Sam very happy after his first match in charge beating the Tigers 2-0 at Goodison Park.

What a man! Man of the match at the Emirates David de Gea made the most saves in a single match in Premier League history = 14, including a breathtaking double-save against Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sánchez. 33 attempts made by the home side, 16 on target, but just one goal to show for on the scoreboard. José Mourinho's side produced just 8 shots, 4 on target, but 3 goals meant 3 points. It was a thriller and a very harsh lesson to the London side, despite having the extra man for the last 15ish minutes after Paul Pogba was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Man of the Match at Stamford Bridge Eden Hazard made a big difference for Chelsea as the Blues came back from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. The former Premier League Player of the Year levelled the score with an angled strike and sealed the win from the spot after striker Álvaro Morata had given the Blues the lead. This result made it ten wins for Antonio Conte's side in the league, whilst Rafael Benítez's Magpies have seen no wins in the last six and been dragged down to 15th, 5 points from the drop zone.

What a goal! All FIVE Liverpool goals just over-rolled Brighton... Great team play, counter attacking, running, passing, smashing. Mohamed Salah wasn't on the scoreboard for a change but was more than involved. The Egyptian has played part in 15 goals in the first 15 PL games for Liverpool, more than any other player for the club (12 goals, 3 assists). Man of the match Philippe Coutinho's cheeky low free kick that went under the wall made it four and settled any nerves and fears of a comeback like Sevilla in the Champions League. And unlucky Lewis Dunk put the ball into his own net it sealed the deal 1-5 at the Amex Stadium. The Brighton defender is only one away from Martin Škrtel's record for the season (= 4 in 2013/14). The Reds meanwhile have moved into the top four of the Premier League for the first time since August after scoring 15 goals in their past four away games in all competitions. BOOM!

What the hell?! There were lots of questionable refereeing decisions once again, as (some) mentioned above... Penalties... Bookings... Red cards... The inconsistencies are just mad! I could fill books with all the errors (and arguments FOR video reviews and WHY THE HELL they still haven't been introduced)! Bournemouth defender Adam Smith said in the post-match interview referee Jonathan Moss admitted his booking for diving was a mistake instead of a giving a penalty - too little too late as the game against Southampton ended 1-1!!! And as it is Cherry's fifth yellow card of the season he will be suspended for the next game. It's ridiculous that it cannot be retracted. It is rare an official so openly concedes a mistake, so, something should be done!!!
And a little LOL to cheer up and finish things off: I loved Gary Lineker's MOTD running order prank on Twitter, LMAO!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Chelsea 4:1 Newcastle - 3:1
Brighton 1:3 Liverpool - 1:5
Everton 3:0 Huddersfield - 2:0
Leicester 1:1 Burnley - 1:0
Stoke City 2:1 Swansea - 2:1
Watford 2:1 Tottenham - 1:1
West Brom 0:0 Crystal Palace - 0:0
Arsenal 2:1 Man United - 1:3
Bournemouth 2:1 Southampton - 1:1
Man City 6:0 West Ham - 2:1

Click here for my previous Premier League Picks.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, MOTD, Twitter and SFR live match coverage.

MUFC Parked Bus Gets Point At Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 0:0 MUFC

Liverpool were once again unable to capitalize on their dominance, handing bitter rivals Manchester United a point at Anfield in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.

Click here for my live match notes.

The goalless draw was not as boring as last season's, but José Mourinho will be just as satisfied with his bus parked at the back getting him another point, again.

The Reds were on top, from start to finish, chance after chance, the Red Devils just had star keeper David de Gea to thank for keeping a clean sheet.

On the other side, Simon Mignolet did not have much to do, but the couple of times the Belgian stopper was called upon, he kept solid.

Jürgen Klopp's side coped much better at the back in general, covering, marking, challenging, which was missing a lot in previous matches.

Romelu Lukaku, who scored in every league game before this meeting, created most and pulled one save out of Mignolet in the first half for the visitors.

But in the second half, there was no sign of him. The home side took over completely.

Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah worked most and hardest to push and produce something for the Reds, but the final edge, inch, push was missing.

So many misses, close calls, 10-0 shots in the second half, but none on target, just showed once again, stats don't count, goals do!

Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum missed sitters, even Joel Matip came close, keeping de Gea on his toes, literally (making a crucial save with the tip of his boot earlier in the first half).

All those misses and frustrations aside, Liverpool can take some encouragement out of this point though too.

Klopp has just lost once against Mourinho in seven meetings (W3 D3).

The Reds have kept their first clean sheet in the league since the 27th August, when they thrashed Arsenal 4-0.

The fact that Mourinho is happy with the point shows how times and forces have changed.

The draw keeps United unbeaten in second place on 20 points, two points and six goals behind high hitters City, whilst the Merseysiders are down to eighth, but level on 13 points with Burnley, Arsenal and Chelsea above them.

Next weekend LFC will be heading to Wembley to face 3rd placed Tottenham, who scraped and scratched out a 1-0 win against Bournemouth who are 19th.

Fingers crossed, the Reds can jump on Spurs' weaknesses at home and it will finally work and click for them. At some point, eventually, it just has to. It's their best chance to close the gap to the teams above, gain confidence and start a run.

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LFC team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno; 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 78'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87'), 10 Coutinho (15 Sturridge 78'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

MUFC team: 1 De Gea; 25 Valencia (c), 12 Smalling (booked 74'), 4 Jones, 36 Darmian; 21 Herrera, 31 Matic; 18 Young (booked 87') (2 Lindelof 92'), 22 Mkhitaryan (14 Lingard 63'), 11 Martial (19 Rashford 66'); 9 Lukaku. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 8 Mata, 17 Blind, 20 Romero, 38 Tuanzebe.

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 MUFC
Possession: 63.4%-36.6%
Shots: 9-6
On target: 5-1
Corners: 1-3
Offsides: 2-1
Fouls: 2-6
Yellow cards: 0-0
Red cards: 0-0

FT Stats: LFC 0-0 MUFC
Possession: 62.2%-37.8%
Shots: 19-6
On target: 5-1
Corners: 7-3
Offsides: 3-1
Fouls: 7-13
Yellow cards: 0-2
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: David de Gea
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,912

Click here for me previous LFC match report.

All images, facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports and BBC match reports and coverage.

FT Notes: LFC 0-0 MUFC

Sports - Football - Premier League - FT LFC 0:0 MUFC

LFC have made 24 starting XI changes in the opening 7 PL games, more than any other side.

The Reds have conceded 12 goals in the last 7 games, their joint worst.

Klopp just lost once against Mourinho in 7 meetings (W3 D3).

2' Conceded two early corners... Gulp...

5' First free kick goes to LFC, 21 Herrera v 10 Coutinho.

13' Another free kick for LFC, in their own half, Young fouled Moreno.

15' Wijnaldum first shot on target, soft, slow, curl, into de Gea's gloves. 70%-30% possession!

17' Foul by Young, another free kick for the home side, Mourinho fuming to the fourth official. Salah goes down too easily, looking for contact, nothing given.

20' Liverpool on top, pushing, pressing, Salah omnipresent in around the box, but missing that final touch/inch/boom.

22' First free kick for the Red Devils, Martial fouled. A couple of yards outside the left corner of the box. Cleared, LFC counter, offside?!

24' Lukaku cross from the right finds no one, out wide for a throw-in.

26' Young fuming, free kick not given, Liverpool offside again.

27' Emre Can wins a free kick in his own half.

30' Matic shot high, but not far. Closest United have come so far. 5-3 shots, 3-0 on target.

34' Coutinho shot deflects out for a corner. De Gea kicks one chance away with his left boot stretched out, Matip's shot, Salah puts rebound just wide.

36' Ref has a word with Henderson & Lukaku, prior not happy with latter's felling down of his team mate. Tempers rising.

38' Free kick given against Salah, looked like a nice dive to me... Cleared.

40' Young wins a corner on the right. Cleared. Free kick to LFC. Offside? Foul.

41' Salah shot inside the box straight to de Gea.

42' Firmino wins a free kick just inside his own half. Coutinho with some lovely footwork through into the box, shoots to de Gea, who collects comfortably.

43' MIGNOLET SAVE punches away Lukaku's left-footed attempt. Closest United have come.

44' Lovren down, LFC kick ball out... Replays show Lukaku is just bigger, stronger... But did his foot kick/lash out afterwards?!

1 minute added on. HT 0-0, Possession: 63.4%-36.6%, Shots: 9-6, On target: 5-1, Corners: 1-3, Offsides: 2-1, Fouls: 2-6, Yellow cards: 0-0, Red cards: 0-0.

Liverpool on top, chance after chance, but as always, stats don't count, goalless at the break, 0-0.

46' United kick off the second half, conceding a free kick.

47' Liverpool creating again, Can from the left, Firmino in the middle but de Gea collects again. Flag was up anyway for offside.

49' One half of Anfield cheered but the ball came off the outside of the net for a Liverpool corner. Coutinho with the chance.

50' Liverpool free kick on the left, conceded by Young.

53' Coutinho again with a great break and cross, but flag goes up again, way offside.

55' Wijnaldum right-footed shot high. Goal kick.

57' Can misses a sitter! How did he head that wide so close to the goal line?!

60' Strong run by Salah on the right, wins a corner.

61' Coutinho takes the corner, poor, clear. The Brazilian goes down too easily on the edge of the box, nothing given.

63' First change for United: 22 Mkhtaryan off, 14 Lingard on.

65' Another Liverpool corner cleared.

66' Second substitution for the visitors, Rashford replaces Martial.

67' 16-6 shots, 5-1 on target after Salah missed another chance, shooting off target from the edge of the box. Will the stats count for nothing once again come the FT whistle?! The Reds' dominance is just unreal!!! But it's the goal(s) that count(s)!!!

69' Herrera's gone down, Wijnaldum late on him, United free kick in their own half.

71' Coutinho cross from the left, great run by Salah, but can't quite get there to head it in. Inches away. So close. But yet so far.

73' United free kick, Firmino foul on Smalling, wasted wide and away, not much threat there.

74' YELLOW for Smalling, free kick to Liverpool near the halfway line.

76' Another chance wasted for the Reds, 8-0 attempts this half!!!

77' Free kick to United in the centre of the pitch. Sturridge is getting ready to come on.

78' Double LFC change, Salah replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge on for Coutinho. Like-for-like the commentator says, I don't quite agree.

81' Liverpool pushing, subs making first impact. United clear the threat, win a throw-in in the opposition's half.

82' Emre Can wins a free kick against Darmian, replays show a dangerous high boot. Whistle goes a again, another free kick closer to the box...

83' Headed out for a goal kick. Disappointing.

84' Emre Can with an urgent, aggressive run from the left, shot doesn't quite create the threat he was looking for, de Gea collects.

87' YELLOW Young sees yellow for a dangerous challenge. Last change for Liverpool, Firmino is replaced by Solanke.

88' Jones down, United free kick, Liverpool threat stopped, Klopp not happy. De Gea takes it.

89' Mignolet catches, Liverpool with the ball again, get a throw-in.

90' The Ox gets a cross in, blocked out, Gomez takes the throw, ball defended out for a corner.

3 minutes added on, the Ox takes the corner, blocked by Lukaku, another corner comes from it eventually. The Ox again, headed high & away for a goal kick by Lovren. Another chance. Another miss. 2 minutes to go...

92' Last United substitution, Lindelof comes on for Young. Mourinho killing more time.

94' Corner for the Reds. Headed high once again. How many chances! How many misses! The FT whistle blows, 0-0! Possession: 62.2%-37.8%, Shots: 19-6, On target: 5-1, Corners: 7-3, Offsides: 3-1, Fouls: 7-13, Yellow cards: 0-2, Red cards: 0-0.

LFC team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno; 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 23 Can; 11 Salah (21 Oxlade-Chamberlain 78'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87'), 10 Coutinho (15 Sturridge 78'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

MUFC team: 1 De Gea; 25 Valencia (c), 12 Smalling (booked 74'), 4 Jones, 36 Darmian; 21 Herrera, 31 Matic; 18 Young (booked 87') (2 Lindelof 92'), 22 Mkhitaryan (14 Lingard 63'), 11 Martial (19 Rashford 66'); 9 Lukaku. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 8 Mata, 17 Blind, 20 Romero, 38 Tuanzebe.

All facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports website and match coverage.

First European blood goes to Liverpool

Sports – Football – Europa League – Liverpool 2:0 Man United

Liverpool could not have asked for a better set-up, beating bitter rivals Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield in their first ever European meeting, which was the first leg of the Europa League Last 16.

And it could, should and would have been a much worse thrashing and thorough beating if it were not for the Red Devils’ star keeper David De Gea.

The Spanish stopper denied Philippe Countinho, DanielSturridge, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne with world-class saves, breath-taking athleticism, great reflexes and just brilliant reactions in an explosive atmosphere.

Jürgen Klopp’s men took the lead thanks to a Sturridge 20^th minute spot kick, after Memphis Depay fouled Clyne in the box, and it was more than deserved with the Reds having outplayed and outclassed LVG’s eleven by far.

The visitors did not create a single chance with Liverpool giving them no time on the ball, surrounding them at every chance, and can only thank de Gea’s brilliance for keeping them in the tie with a hint of a shout. Marouane Fellaini was lucky to stay on the pitch with a very clumsily dirty displace.

Roberto Firmino did double the score in the 73^rd minute, scoring in three consecutive LFC games for the first time, making it three consecutive wins for the Reds in all competitions.

This impressive win ended United’s run of four consecutive victories in the two sides’ meetings. The only disappointment for the Reds was that they did not score more. An away goal at Old Trafford in the second leg should do it. If it’s not already done.

United’s only shot on target came in the 51^st minute, a tame low effort my Morgan Schneiderlin, not much to do for Simon Mignolet. The Red Devils will have to dig so much deeper if they want to come back from this one.

With the FA Cup giving Liverpool a break this weekend, whilst United face West Ham in the quarter final, the power and score advantage stays with the Reds from Merseyside. Only time will tell and we’ll know come Thursday night whether they will bounce and pounce, or slip and trip, with for and consistency being neither sides’ main feature or strength this season.

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge pen 20’ & Firmino 73’.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 18 Moreno, 17 Sakho, 6 Lovren (booked 43’), 2 Clyne; 10 Coutinho (booked 49’), 23 Can, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 2’), 20 Lallana; 11 Firmino (27 Origi 84’); 15 Sturridge (24 Allen 64’). 4-4-1-1

Subs not used: 4 Toure, 9 Benteke, 44 Smith, 52 Ward & 54 Ojo.

Man United Team: 1 De Gea; 5 Rojo, 17 Blind, 12 Smalling, 30 Varela; 27 Fellaini (booked 60’), 28 Schneiderlin (31 Schweinsteiger 79’), 7 Memphis Depay (booked 19’), 8 Mata (c) (21 Herrera 79’), 39 Rashferd (booked 45’) (16 Carrick 45’); 9 Martial. 4-2-3-1

Subs not used: 20 Romero, 36 Darmian, 47 Weir & 49 Riley.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo

Man of the match: David De Gea

Attendance: 43,228

Match Stats: Liverpool-Man United

Possession: 56%-44%

Shots: 13-5

On target: 8-1

Corners: 7-0

Fouls: 15-16

Moyes' revenge as United kick LFC out of Cup

Sports - Football - League Cup - Man United 1-0 Liverpool 

Manchester United put Sunday's league thrashing by Manchester City behind them by beating rivals Liverpool 1-0 at Old Trafford to eliminate them from the League Cup. 

New boss David Moyes will be happy to have avenged the defeat Brendan Rodgers' men inflicted on his side when the two teams met at Anfield earlier this month. 

The visitors were unlucky not to find themselves on the scoresheet after dominating most of play and seeing the return of Luis Suarez after his 10-match bite ban. 

The controversial Uruguayan partnered well with Daniel Sturridge, both forwards working well together and creating plenty of opportunities, the latter hitting the bar in the second half. 

Moyes wanted a reaction from United after their derby defeat and made eight changes to the side thrashed at the Etihad. 

The former Everton boss certainly saw an improvement after the restart - skipper Wayne Rooney's corner fired home by an unmarked Javier Hernandez to give United the lead 40 seconds into the second half after they were pinned back and played around for most of the match up until then. 

But the rustiness showed in Suarez and Sturridge after they missed some sitters although United keeper David De Gea did have his say in that too with some splendid saves. 

What a difference a game makes, the victory for Moyes making it the best start for a new United boss since legend Matt Busby in 1945 and extended his side's run to six successive home wins against the Reds, whilst Rodgers' side are now without a win in three games. 

Manchester United Goals: 1.: 45:40min Javier Hernandez (14). 

Manchester United Team: 1 De Gea; 28 Buttner, 6 Evans, 12 Smalling, 2 Rafael; 11 Giggs (booked 41), 4 Jones (booked 71); 26 Kagawa (44 Januzaj - 73.), 10 Rooney, 17 Nani (19 Welbeck - 90.); 14 Hernandez (16 Carrick - 74.). 4-2-3-1 
Subs not used: 8 Anderson, 22 Fabio, 29 Zaha, 40 Amos. 

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 17 Sakho, 37 Skrtel, 4 Toure (booked 51.); 3 Jose Enrique, 21 Lucas (booked 39.) (34 Kelly - 67.), 12 Moses (31 Sterling - 82.), 8 Gerrard, 14 Henderson (booked 75.); 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge. 3-5-2 
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 6 Luis Alberto, 9 Aspas, 33 Ibe, 47 Wisdom. 

BBC Match Stats: Manchester United-Liverpool 
Possession: 47%-53% 
Shots: 18-17 
On target: 4-3 
Corners: 7-11 
Fouls: 12-9 

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Cup double over Manchester: Kuyt k.o. United

Sports - Football - FA Cup - Liverpool 2:1 Man Utd

Liverpool did the double over Manchester, beating United 2:1 to eliminate them from the FA Cup after they had battled out a 3:2 aggregate win over their City rivals to reach the Carling Cup final earlier in the week.

It was not a quite as feisty affair at Anfield, roaring boos against Patrice Evra being the only dark clowd and reminder of the Luis Suarez racism row of the last meeting between the two rivals.

Liverpool had the upper hand early on with more chance before taking the lead accordingly thanks to a Daniel Agger header off a corner with United's goalkeeper David De Gea too busy pushing away Andy Carroll rather than covering his line and goal.

But the trend soon shifted with United pulling back possession, territory, chances and in the end a goal when Ji-Sung Park poked in the equaliser. 

It ended a fascinating first half which saw United's growing hold on the game reflected by the score line. But the second half panned out less fascinating but more hard work as both sides pressed but did not get much in the opposition's box. Liverpool looked more attacking, the changes reflecting that and showing clear intentions.

Both sides saw two penalty shouts denied by the officials, fair dues, both hand balls but inadvertent, impossible to get away from, good refereeing at both ends. 

The game continued frustrating, with more pressure by Liverpool, but all attacks dell to bits in the box, no close shouts or shots by either side.

With minutes left, Dirk Kuyt smacked in Carroll's cross-header off Pepe Reina's goalkick, giving De Gea no chance and Liverpool the lead. Kuyt's 50th goal for the club saw the Reds through to the next round of the FA Cup and deservedly so, King Kenny can be more than proud of his club's display and achievements over the last week.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 20:04 min Daniel Agger (5), 2.: 87:20 min Dirk Kuyt (18).

Liverpool: Reina; Skrtel, Carragher (Kuyt 63), Agger; Kelly, Gerrard (Bellamy 72), Henderson, Enrique; Downing, Carroll, Maxi (Adam 63). (3-4-3)
Subs not used: Doni, Johnson, Coates, Shelvey.

Man United Goals: 1.: 38:38 min Ji-Sung Park (13).

Man United: De Gea; Rafael (booked 66), Smalling, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Scholes (Hernandez 76), Giggs (Berbatov 90); Valencia, Welbeck, Park. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, da Silva, Keane, Pogba.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man United
Attempts: 5-3 & 9-5
On target: 3-2 & 4-0
Offsides: 1-0 & 1-0
Corners: 3-0 & 2-1
Free kicks: 6-5 & 5-4
Possession: 38%-62% (37.min), 43%-57% (FT)

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Man of the match: Dirk Kuyt

Week 3: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week

Manchester highs, London lows, goals galore, penalties missed, ... Just loads to choose from this weekend gone, unbelievable scores, scenes, action, teams, players and goals! That is the Premier League at its most shocking best!!!

Top game: All Manchester, 16 goals in their two games, 13 goals between the two Mancunian rivals on the day, both topping the Premier League table, United just beating City to the top by one goal more in their goal difference. Mark the 23rd October in your football diary - the first Manchester derby of the season! What are the odds on a 0-0 in that match, I wonder?


Top team: All Manchester again, both sides riding high over everyone at the moment, although Liverpool would want a shout here too with a beautiful display and strong play in their 3-1 win against Bolton. Luis Suarez was crucial and controversial as always, the ref did well though and kept control.


Top player: Scoring the first City hat-trick since 1962, Edin Dzeko is on fire fire fire! Wayne Rooney scored his 102nd United league goal, top notch Premier League record for United, to make it 4:1 against Arsenal. The former Evertonian then completed his 6th career hat-trick with a penalty to make it 7:2, his 151st for the club overtaking Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes in the process! And that still wasn't the end of that game!!!


Top goal: Jose Bosingwa's bullett against Norwich to make it 1-0 to Chelsea,was a brilliant strike from outside the box, over 20m away! Grant Holt's equaliser was a cheeky breathtaker too, with his back to the goal, hurling it over the keeper, although it came from Chelsea nr 3 Ashley Cole's mistake/backpass, stunning play.


Top news: Transfer madness to end the transfer window! Arsenal finally having a shout, too, very late on...


Flop game: There was not much happening at Villa Park, 0-0 and yawns against Wolves. It just wasn't meant to be at Swansea, 0-0, Sunderland were saved by woodwork though. Swansea were good up front but showed too many gaps at the back, to be punished against stronger side unless they learn and tighten up. QPR will be wondering what they are doing wrong after hitting the bar three times and still going home without any points! There was very little in the game, mm and a little bit of luck the difference between them.


Flop team: Tottenham once again, showed a strong start, but didn't take their chances, ended up falling to pieces against a strong attack and were thrashed for all their (lack of) effort. The Gunners certainly got their gobs smacked! Another missed penalty for Robin van Persie v David De Gea for Ashley Young to make it 2:0 seconds later with a stunner... But no one could have foreseen the downfall and whipping, hitting, thrashing torture that followed! Unbelievable!


Flop player: When Didier Drogba was knocked out cold, the players showed good reaction, character and attitude, the Norwich keeper John Ruddy especially, he could have just ignored it but realised straight away how serious it was! Respect. But then: Ruddy got himself sent off for felling Ramires in the box, shame but good refereeing after everything, contact was made, risky tackle. Frank Lampard was relieved to net it too, bang straight down the middle. With 11 minutes added time, the third goal came in the 11th minute, good refereeing all round I would say after the Drogba delay. Don't know what the Norwich manager Lambert was on about...


Flop goal: Missed penalties! It was just not meant to be for Blackburn, missing two of them!!! Then a penalty came for Everton, after Chris Samba jumped onto and over Marouane Fellaini, caught him in a sandwich, Mikel Arteta showed Blackburn how it's done and netted the spot kick easy, 0-1, on 90+2! Cruel, cruel, cruel! Of 9 penalties so far this season, 6 have been missed! I think all penalties were correct according to the rule book, harsh but right! (This was before the flood of goals on Sunday, I may note- Rooney netting one penalty and van Persie missing his one makes it 7 misses out of 12 penalties in total so far this season, if I haven't missed anything that is... :-P)

Flop news: Man City's chief executive Garry Cook's resignation over mocking email - rightly so, heartless b....... 

My predictions - Actual results

Aston Villa 1:1 Wolves - 0:0

Blackburn 1:2 Everton - 0:1

Chelsea 2:1 Norwich - 3:1

Swansea 0:0 Sunderland - 0:0

Wigan 0:1 QPR - 2:0

Liverpool 3:0 Bolton - 3:1

Newcastle 2:0 Fulham - 2:1

Tottenham 2:3 Man City - 1:5

West Brom 1:2 Stoke - 0:1

Man Utd 3:1 Arsenal - 8:2

Week 1: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week

It wasn't the most riveting opening weekend in Premier League history with only 11 goals on the opening day, but it was certainly not the most boring with a lot of controversy as always, here are my picks of the week:

Top team: Without a doubt Manchester City run away with this award with the most convincing result and win after thrashing Swansea 4-0. But their rivals United impressed and showed why they are champions as always with their team performance although they needed that bit of luck to get the winner in the end, thanks to a Steven Reid who deflected Ashley Young's shot into goal.

Top player: Wayne Rooney - everything and everyone is revolving around him at United. Apart from his new hairdo, he is taking over the game and headlines for all the right reasons, dominating possession, walking all over the opposition and providing his team with crosses, chances, goals and with it wins and points. Champion indeed.

Top goal: Sebastian Larsson's stunner and equaliser against Liverpool. Ahmed Elmohamady's corking cross found Larsson, who was waiting and watching patiently before smashing the ball in with his right foot to make it 1-1 and let Sunderland grab a point at Anfield.

Top news: Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the successful takeover of Malaysian business tycoon Tony Fernandes.


Flop game: Obviously it was sad to see the Tottenham-Everton game having to be postponed due to safety reasons after the London riots, but, hey, rather safe than sorry. The most disappointing encounter after their 4-4 drama of last season was the 0-0 between Arsenal and Newcastle. They just didn't live up to last season's action-packed clash... Shame.

Flop team: Things could not have gone worse for QPR. After impressing so much in the first half, it all went downhill from there, from bad to worse to just embarrassing, especially the sending off of Clint Hill was the most stupid icing on the already horrible cake. QPR were certainly taught a hard lesson on Premier League football.

Flop player: Alex Song! The way he stamped on Joey Barton is unacceptable, no matter what his excuse is of what Barton might have done or said. It is not what I call sportsmanship! Good on the Premier League for acting fast and penalising and banning him accordingly and appropriately to show other players to not even think about spitting out with any kind of similar disgusting attitudes!

Flop goal: New United keeper David De Gea has enough pressure on him to fill Edwin van der Sar's shoes, but after he let Long's shot sneak under him which should have been an easy stop, all eyes will be on him even more. Every keepers nightmare. And can someone tell me why Andy Carroll's goal was disallowed, exactly? If that minute physical contact is deemed  to be a fowl, then there should be about 22 red cards in every game!

Flop news: Arsene Wenger, just stop denying and refusing to stand up and come out with it! Your main players ARE GONE (or in the process of leaving)!

My predictions - Actual results

Blackburn 3:1 Wolves - 1:2

Fulham 2:1 Aston Villa - 0:0

Liverpool 3:0 Sunderland - 1:1

QPR 1:1 Bolton - 0:4

Wigan 1:0 Norwich - 1:1

Newcastle 2:2 Arsenal - 0:0

Stoke 1:2 Chelsea - 0:0

West Brom 0:4 Man Utd - 1:2

Man City 4:0 Swansea - 4:1