Premier League Picks Of The Week 1

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 1

The first week of Premier League action saw:

255 Shots - most by Saints = 24

28 Goals - most by Liverpool = 4

256 Fouls - most by Boro = 18

41 Bookings - most by Stoke = 5

1 Red Card - Watson for Watford

4 Penalties - 3 scored, 1 missed

Jürgen Klopp going mental and dropping his glasses (again)!

Gary Lineker in his underpants/shorts on MOTD!

Gary Neville back on Sky Sports with Jamie Carragher on his case, any chance, every chance, lol!
(And I saw this on Twitter the other day, omg!!! => What a prank!!! <= Unbelievable!!!)

What a game! Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool! Disappointing first half, surprising second half. Here is my full report... A lot of eyes and boos are on Arsène Wenger, again, in his 21st season at Arsenal, last year of his contract, more and more fans cannot wait to see the back of him. But there are still plenty who back him, too. It will be interesting to see how his final season (of his current contract) at the London club unfolds and turns out.

What a team! No one really jumped out and shone, all teams lacked and leaked somehow, somewhat, apart from Hull City, beating the champions, what a start for them in the top flight! Leicester just confirmed the doubts surrounding them repeating anything anywhere near last season's unique historical glory, but I would not read too much into it. It's only the first of many games (38 to be exact). Wait and see...

What a goal! Adama Diomande's spectacular overhead kick for Hull City! And Philippe Coutinho's free kick equaliser, sweet and crucial when his side looked like non-existent just before the break at Arsenal.

What a man! I love Jürgen Klopp and his antiques on the touchline! It's not just me as a Liverpool fan, right?! He's just hilarious! Although Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is competing very well for the Crazy Man On The Touchline title as well! Makes a certain Portuguese manager seem less special me thinks...

What the hell?! Diego Costa was a very lucky man to remain on the pitch for the full time and be able to grab a late winner for the Blues. The 27-year-old had already been booked for remonstrating with the referee when he caught West Ham keeper Adrián very late. And the diving antiques in general annoyed me again, especially by Chelsea! They're on camera for goodness sake! And I like the new rule to get booked for contesting against the ref, but then please enforce it, too! The players still got away with too much, I feel!

My predictions - Actual results

Hull City 0:1 Leicester City - 2:1

Burnley 0:1 Swansea - 0:1

Crystal Palace 1:2 West Brom - 0:1

Everton 1:2 Tottenham - 1:1

Middlesbrough 1:1 Stoke City - 1:1

Southampton 2:0 Watford - 1:1

Man City 3:1 Sunderland - 2:1

Bournemouth 2:2 Man United - 1:3

Arsenal 2:2 Liverpool - 3:4 - click here for my match report 

Chelsea 1:1 West Ham - 2:1

Click here for my season preview

Pictures taken from the BBC match reports

Gerrard completes Reds comeback against Spurs

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3:2 Tottenham

A late winner from the spot by skipper Steven Gerrard kept Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification alive as they beat Tottenham 3-2 in a topsy-turvy Premier League affair at Anfield.

The Reds took the lead halfway through the first half thanks to a nicely worked goal with Phillippe Coutinho producing a skillful set-up from the left wing before combining with Jose Enrique who slipped a lovely pass through for Luis Suarez to stab in the opener neatly inside keeper Hugo Lloris' near post with the outside of his boot.

Spurs hit back with a Jan Vertonghen header just before the break and the Belgian then fired the visitors ahead eight minutes into the second half striking the bouncing ball clearly past replacement keeper Brad Jones from 15 yards out.

At that point the visitors looked in total control, but Kyle Walker's horrendous back pass left Lloris stranded, only able to to kick the ball into Stewart Downing's path who coolly converted the chance presented to him on a silver plate firing the ball into the back of the net through Vertonghen's legs on the line to make it all square at 2-2.

And the turnaround was comeplete when Jermain Defoe's clumsy back pass found Suarez who was brought down in the box by Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Gerrard converted the resulting penalty sending Lloris the wrong way to bag three goals and points for Brendan Rodgers' men.

Suarez has now scored nine goals in the Premier League 2013, two more than any other player, whilst Jamie Carragher made his 500th league appearance for Liverpool. And the Reds have won three games in a row (in all competitions) for the first time this season. Rodgers can only hope his side can pick up a nice, longer winning run from this, improving their chances of European football next season!

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 20:41min Luis Suarez (7), 2.: 65:31min Stewart Downing (19), 3.: 81:47min Steven Gerrard (8) penalty.

Tottenham Goals: 1. & 2.: 44:52min & 52:39min Jan Vertonghen (5).

Liverpool: 1 Jones; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 23 Carragher (booked 83.), 2 Johnson; 10 Coutinho (24 Allen - 59.), 8 Gerrard, 21 Lucas, 19 Downing; 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (14 Henderson - 88.). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 42 Gulacsi, 37 Skrtel, 33 Shelvey, 31 Sterling, 47 Wisdom.

Tottenham: 25 Lloris; 32 Assou-Ekotto (46 Carroll - 90.), 5 Vertonghen (booked 57.), 20 Dawson, 28 Walker; 22 Sigurdsson, 8 Parker, 29 Livermore (23 Holtby - 84.), 19 Dembele; 18 Defoe, 11 Bale. 4-4-2 
Subs not used: 24 Friedel, 6 Huddlestone, 16 Naughton, 33 Caulker, 41 Coutlhirst.

Sky Stats: Liverpool-Tottenham 
Attempts: 12-16 
On target: 4-7
Offsides: 6-0
Corners: 1-4
Free kicks: 9-9
Possession: 46.5%-53.5% 
Tackles/Success: 27-33/77.8%-72.7%
Passes/Success: 397-452/75.1%-79,6%
Crosses/Success: 10-19/20%-15.8%

Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the match: Luis Suarez

Spirited Reds lose Europa League fight

Sports - Football - Europa League Last 32 - Liverpool 3:1 Zenit

Liverpool are knocked out of the Europa League on away goals after a spirited second-leg fight back against Zenit St Petersburg.

The breathtaking last-32 tie looked all over after 19 minutes when Jamie Carragher's giveaway handed Givaldinho Hulk the ball and the Russian side a vital away goal to make it 3-0 on aggregate.

But the Reds and the roaring Kop had a different idea. On 27, Luis Suarez thumped in a free kick through the Zenit wall which spurred on an already hyped Anfield.

A couple of minutes before the break, Joe Allen's header was saved before the Welshman netted the rebound after a nice one-two with Jose Enrique to make it 2-1 at the break, 2-3 on aggregate and game on for the second half.

The atmosphere and tempo remained loud, lively and high throughout and after Suarez scored another smacker of a free kick to make it 3-1 (3-3 on aggregate) with just over half an hour to go, the game and ground went from full to overload with chance after chance, attack after attack by the Reds and the visitors snapping back with some strong counters.

Skipper Steven Gerrard pulled a brilliant double-save from keeper Vyacheslov Malafeev at one end, before Pepe Reina produced a top save of his against Hulk on the other end.

Sub Jonjo Shelvey put one golden chance into the side-netting seconds later.

The fans tried to back and push their side on at the death, but all to no avail as Liverpool crashed out and Zenit progressed to the last 16 thanks to the away goal.

The Russians will meet Swiss side FC Basel whilst Liverpool have the league left as their last and only focus, where they sit in seventh, five points from the Europa League qualification spot and nine points outside the Champions League qualification places.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 27:01 min Luis Suarez (7), 2.: 42:41 min Joe Allen (24), 3.: 58.06 min Luis Suarez (7.).

Zenit Goals: 1.: 18:14 min Givaldinho Hulk (29).

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 23 Carragher, 2 Johnson; 24 Allen (33 Shelvey - 55., booked 66.), 21 Lucas; 14 Henderson (11 Assaidi - 59.), 8 Gerrard, 19 Downing (31 Sterling - 84.); 7 Suarez. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 42 Gulacsi, 16 Coates, 30 Suso, 47 Wisdom.

Zenit: 16 Malafeev; 14 Hubocan, 6 Lombaerts (4 Criscito - HT), 13 Neto, 2 Anyukov; 15 Shirokov, 27 Denisov (booked 27.), 28 Witsel; 25 Semak (21 Rodic - 84.), 29 Hulk, 10 Danny (20 Fayzulin - HT). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 30 Zhemov, 3 Alves, 9 Bukharov, 11 Kerzhakov.

BBC Stats: Liverpool-Zenit
Attempts: 18-10
On target: 12-5
Corners: 11-2
Free kicks: 13-11
Possession: 51%-49% (1st half), 56%-44% (FT)

Referee: Björn Kuipers
Man of the match: Luis Suarez

Reina hands Arsenal a point

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 1:1 Arsenal

I think both sides will be glad and disappointed with the result, feeling they could have/should have got more out of the match, but it could have been worse, too.

For Liverpool, debutant Joe Cole and star keeper Pepe Reina both had moments of horror: The prior saw red for a reckless and dangerous tackle on new Arsenal full-back Laurent Koscielny just before the end of a quite uneventful and all-evens first half. The latter saw Arsenal new-boy Marouane Chamakh's shot deflect off the post, onto him, into the back of the net, to give the Gunners a lucky late goal and point.

Moments after that late equaliser, Arsenal were down to the men themselves after Koscielny turned from victim into offender, conceding two quick consecutive bookings, first for a fowl, second and off for a handball. Both looked harsh in hindsight, compared to similar offenses of David Ngog earlier in the match.

The young Frenchman had a mixed match, off(side) most of the time but on (target) at the start of the second half, after Arsenal lost possession clumsily just outside the box for Inter-bound Javier Mascherano to connect and cross to Ngog, who put it into the top right-hand corner, over and past a very insecure and fragile looking Manuel Almunia.

The early lead in the second half made Liverpool look stronger, safer and more confident even though they were down to ten men. Arsenal enjoyed more possession and kept Liverpool back. But the Reds defended well, their man-to-man marking system paying off with Arsenal more and more frustrated and Jamie Carragher not earning the MOTM award for nothing.

The late twists and turns made the match much juicier than the first half led to believe. In the end, both teams got away with a point down to ten men, so, should not have anything to complain about really.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger; Kuyt, Gerrard (booked 72.), Cole (s.o. 46.), Mascherano (Lucas, 79.), Jovanovic (Rodriguez 66.); Ngog (Torres, 74.). 4-5-1

Subs not used: Cavalier, Aurelio, Babel, Kelly.

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Koscielny (booked 92., s.o. 95.), Vermaelen, Clichy; Eboue (Walcott, 59.), Diaby (van Persie, 76.), Nasri, Wilshere (booked 41.; Rosicky 59. booked 85.), Arshavin; Chamakh. 4-5-1

Subs not used: Fabianski, Vela, Song, Gibbs.

1st half Stats

Liverpool-Arsenal

Attempts: 3-3

On target: 1-1

Offsides: 4-1

Corners: 2-4

Free kicks: 6-9

Possession: 43%-57%

2nd half Stats:

Liverpool-Arsenal

Attempts: 4-7

On target: 2-2

Offsides: 0-0

Corners: 5-8

Free kicks: 9-5

Possession: 36%-64%

Sky Stats:

Liverpool-Arsenal

Passing Success: 73.8%-85.8%

Tackles/Success: 33/69.7%-20/70%

Territorial Advantage: 37.2%-62.8%

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Man of the match: Jamie Carragher

Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

The 2009-2010 season kicked off with a couple of surprises, a collection of beautiful goals, Arsenal topping both lists:

Top Game: Everton 1-6 Arsenal - I still cannot believe the score when I read and see it now, unfeasible for anyone to have predicted that one right! Goals, goals, goals and beauties they all were, every football fan's phantasy - apart from Evertonians of course.

Top Team: Arsenal will be the side with the biggest smiles on their faces, laughing back nice and loud at all of their critics who predicted doom and gloom for the young side, after they had lost their main players Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure in the transfer window. Again, all the goals were quality and joyful to watch - unless you are a Toffee.

Top Player: Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas defied all his doubters and shone as provider and scorer in the 6-1 romping of Everton at Goodison Park. Many thought he will be the next player to leave the club for a nice lump of cash, but he proved he wants and is worth the shirt and arm band, for keeps.

Top Goal: There are many goals to choose from, most of them from Arsenal, one beauty after another. But my vote goes to Hugo Rodallega's wonderful 25-yard volley over Brad Friedel. Wigan stunned many with a shiny dominant display, Aston Villa especially.

Top Save: There have been a number top-draw saves, but Pepe Reina and Man Utd's Ben Foster lead the list for me. They took most of the breath away and made the heart stop for that split-second of thought and uncertainty, if the ball has gone in or not, on a couple of occasions. Liverpool could have been thrashed by three or four goals, if Pepe would not have made those crucial stops, from sublime to subliminal, denying Robbie Keane to score against his former side and get his sweet revenge.

Flop Game: For the first time, the Premier League has seen the season start without any draws, every game and crowd enjoying/cursing goals, so, no complaints here.

Flop Team: Everton could not have feared or even dreamt up a worse start to a season, a nightmare-disintegration it was. It is their worst home defeat since 1980, say no more. They cannot keep on blaming it on the Joleon Lescott-fiasco, will he stay or will he go. There are eleven players per side and none of them turned up for the Toffees on Saturday.

Flop Player: Jamie Carragher was a shadow of his usual solid self, leaving Sebastien Bassong free to head in Luka Modric's spot-on free kick. He took a knock early in the game when he collided with Martin Skrtel, who required stitches and was taken off eventually. That could explain him being off the pace and less able to cope and cover but cannot be an excuse or make up for his side's sorry display and deserved defeat against a refreshing and promising Tottenham side.

Flop Goal: Stephen Jordan put the ball into the net from a trademark Rory Delap throw-in, could not have been more perfect connection-goal - if only it was not his own net. Those are the moments you just want the ground to swallow you... Stoke 2-0 Burnley...

Flop Manager: Rafael Benitez has been ranting once again, this time against the referee for not giving the away side more than one penalty. He seemed to have forgotten his team were shambles for most of the match and were well and truly and fairly beaten. With all the ifs and buts about the penalties, Tottenham could have had three or four goals anyway if it were not for Pepe, but Rafa obviously forgot or missed that. Think before you rant Rafa!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Aston Villa 1:0 Wigan - 0:2

Blackburn 1:1 Man City - 0:2

Bolton 0:0 Sunderland - 0:1

Chelsea 1:0 Hull City - 2:1

Everton 1:1 Arsenal - 1:6

Man Utd 2:0 Birmingham - 1:0

Portsmouth 0:1 Fulham - 0:1

Stoke City 1:1 Burnley - 2:0

Tottenham 1:2 Liverpool - 2:1

Wolves 0:1 West Ham - 0:2