Premier League Picks Of The Week 12

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 12

The 12th week of Premier League action saw:

205 shots - most by Hull City = 17

24 goals - most by West Brom = 4

226 fouls - most by Leicester = 18

44 bookings - most by Everton = 5

2 red cards - Djilobodji for Sunderland, Reid for West Ham

5 penalties - 4 scored (Sigurdsson for Swansea, Mahrez for Leicester, Kane for Spurs, Lanzini for West Ham), 1 missed (Krkic for Stoke)

What a game! The London derby was a juicy one, it had everything in it. The Hammers were 2-1 up thanks to Michail Antonio's first-half header and Manuel Lanzini's penalty and looked on course for only their fourth league win of the season. But Harry Kane had a different idea and turned the game on its head with two late strikes, first from close range off a nice buildup by substitute Son Heung-Min, second from the spot after the South Korean was brought down in the box by Havard Nordtveit. The perfect comeback saw Spurs extend their unbeaten run to 12 games, the last time they managed that in 1960-61, the North Londoners won the league and cup double!

What a team! Antonio Conte's master 3-4-3 stroke prevailed again, serving the Blues their sixth win on the trot, beating Middlesbrough 0-1 at the Riverside Stadium. Diego Costa's strong drill and 10th goal of the season decided a quite even contest, disappointing for Boro, rewarding for Roman Abramovich's side as they move top of the table, one point ahead of Liverpool after their less inspiring goalless draw at Southampton. Tony Pulis' West Brom impressed smashing Burnley 4-0 and David Moyes' Sunderland are starting a run with their second successive win beating a dire Hull City 3-0.

What a man! Yaya Touré marked his shock return for Man City with two decisive goals, grabbing a dramatic late win for the Blues at Crystal Palace. The Ivory Coast midfielder made his first Premier League appearance for Pep Guardiola's side after a long-ongoing dispute with his agent, combining well with Nolito to fire City ahead at the end of the first half. Palace were level thanks to substitute Connor Wickham's smash second half equaliser. But Touré spoilt the show for the home side, heading home a late winner off Kevin De Bruyne's corner from close range, moving City up to third in the table, level on points with Liverpool. And Jermain Defoe deserves a shoutout after netting his 150th Premier League goal in the Black Cats' comfortable 3-0 home win against the Tigers.

What a goal! You were not allowed to blink at Vicarage Road! It took Etienne Capoue only 33 seconds to give Watford the lead against falling champions Leicester, their fastest Premier League goal. Roberto Pereyra curled in a second before the Foxes pulled one back from the spot. The champions weren't able to turn it around, the 2-1 result making them only the third reigning champions, after Leeds in 1992 and Blackburn in 1995, to start the Premier League season without a win from their opening six away games.

What the hell?! Arsenal's late equaliser at Old Trafford was their first goal against José Mourinho in nearly a decade (since May 2007 to be exact)! Arsène Wenger's smirky grin sealed the Red Devil's misery, who were especially frustrated after being denied a spot kick by referee Andre Marriner when Nacho Monreal's arm crossed and brought down Antonio Valencia on the edge of the box. However, Mourinho's protests were over-the-top and cannot cover up the fact that this match was nowhere near as mouthwateringly bombastic, top quality nor title-decisive as it has been in the past, United rusting in 6th on 19 points and the Gunners losing pace to the top in 4th on 25 points, the gap growing to five points between the top five and the rest.

My Predictions - Actual Results
Man United 1:1 Arsenal - 1:1
Crystal Palace 1:2 Man City - 1:2
Everton 2:1 Swansea - 1:1
Southampton 2:3 Liverpool - 0:0
Stoke City 1:1 Bournemouth - 0:1
Sunderland 2:3 Hull City - 3:0
Watford 1:2 Leicester - 2:1
Tottenham 4:2 West Ham - 3:2
Middlesbrough 0-4 Chelsea - 0:1
West Brom 0:0 Burnley - 4:0

Click here to read last week's Premier League Picks

Pictures taken from the BBC match reports 

Premier League Picks Of The Week 8

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 8

The 8th week of Premier League action saw:

256 shots - most by Southampton = 34!

27 goals - most by Bournemouth = 6!

200 fouls - most by Man United = 20

30 bookings - most by Middlesbrough = 5

2 red cards - Xhaka for Arsenal and Creswell for West Ham - both harsh!

6 penalties - 2 saved, 4 scored

Danny Murphy did not get it quite right, but still an interesting read ahead of LFC v MUFC

The clash ended up disappointingly goalless, but looking back at some memorable moments will definitely keep you more entertained!

Despite all mind games and point gained apparently, Mourinwho?

What a game! Saturday had everything in it! In contrast to Super Sunday/Red Monday, it did not disappoint! All games had chances, goals, controversies and heroics left, right and centre! Although, Southampton top the list of chances with 34 shots, which is a record this season so far! They will be disappointed they beat Burnley only 3-1! But all games were smashing and MOTD was epic on Saturday. And the top scorers of the day came first in the highlights show...

What a team! Bournemouth absolutely smothered Hull City, it could have been even worse than 6-1! Eddie Howe's men made it three home wins in a row with that thrash, taking them up to ninth, whilst the Tigers' defensive woes continue, dragging Mike Phelan's side down to 16th the week after he was finally made permanent. Not a good start.
Liverpool could not often say this in the past, but they were disappointed to leave Anfield with just a point against bitter rivals Man United thanks to a great couple of saves by David de Gea. It just shows how much progress they have made under Jürgen Klopp and the more promising the future looks for the Reds.

What a man! Maarten Stekelenburg deserves the knighthood as far as Everton are concerned (or whatever the Dutch equivalent is)! Stopping two spot kicks and making crucial and breathtaking saves during the match, the keeper denied Man City three crucial points in the title race and made Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero look amateur. The Dutch stopper did not help neither's men confidence with penalties, much to team mate Phil Jagielka's relief after he conceded both spot kicks. Legendary performance!

What a goal! Romelu Lukaku's opener for the Toffees against Pep Guardiola's side was a great finish to a counter, some poor defending helped along the way. Mesut Özil's magnificent volley into the roof of the net gets my vote too, completing a lovely team goal off a deliciously chipped cross by Alexis Sanchez to make it 3-1 to the Gunners against Swansea.

What the hell?! How the hell Granit Xhaka and Aaron Creswell can be sent off when Antonio Barragan stayed on the pitch for Middlesbrough?! Already on a yellow, the defender kept bullying and fouling the opposition without any further consequences, much to Watford's dismay, but Isaac Success and co stayed and ended on top, bagging the three points. The inconsistencies of the officials are gob-smacking! And if the FA let managers like José Mourinho get away with the pre-match comments and then the gestures the Portuguese made on the sideline during the match, how can they expect less pressure and more respect for the referees?! Ridiculous!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Chelsea 2:1 Leicester - 3:0
Arsenal 1:1 Swansea - 3:2
Bournemouth 3:1 Hull City - 6:1
Man City 3:1 Everton - 1:1
Stoke 1:1 Sunderland - 2:0
West Brom 2:2 Tottenham - 1:1
Crystal Palace 3:2 West Ham - 0:1
Middlesbrough 1:1 Watford - 0:1
Southampton 1:0 Burnley - 3:1
Liverpool 1:1 Man United - 0:0

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks

All pictures takes from the BBC match reports 

Premier League Picks Of The Week 7

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 7

The seventh week of the Premier League action saw

227 shots - most by Man United = 24

20 goals - most by Chelsea, Everton and Spurs = 2 each

198 fouls - most by Spurs = 20

32 bookings - most by Bournemouth = 4

0 red cards

2 penalties - 1 scored, 1 saved

What a game! Watford came back from behind twice in a four-goal thriller against Bournemouth at Vicarage Road, after the visitors had hit the woodwork three times in the second half. Captain Troy Deeney's 99th goal for the club had levelled Callum Wilson's headed opener, before substitute Isaac Success secured the point for the home side, levelling out substitute Joshua King's long-range deflected effort with just three minutes between the two goals.

What a team! Chelsea ended their slump of a run after two successive league defeats, beating Hull City in a hard-earned 2-0 win at the KCOM Stadium, thanks to Willian and Diego Costa.
James Milner's late penalty gave Liverpool a hard-fought win at Swansea, making the Reds the most prolific away side this season.
And last but definitely not least, vibrant Spurs impressed most with their thrilling 2-0 victory against City, outplaying Pep Guardiola's side throughout, making an early but clear statement regarding their challenge for the title.

What a man! After another defeat, all eyes and pressure are on Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin and whether he will keep his job past the international break. Despite a spirited performance against high-flying Liverpool, no points were recorded for the Swans, once again, leaving them hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference, having not won in the league since the opening day of the season. The owners did state before the match that the manner of the performances would have as much of a bearing on Guidolin's future as the results, so, there is still some hope for the Swansea boss.

What a goal! Dimitri Payet's wonderful equaliser for West Ham against Middlesbrough not only ended the Hammers' dreadful run of four successive league defeats and gave the Frenchman his first league goal of the season, but also showed an exemplary piece of individual play, beating five players on his way. Substitute Anthony Martial's fine sweep and curled shot which gave United the lead was a skillful effort, too. However, David de Gea's giveaway which led to Joe Allen poking in an equaliser, handed Stoke a point and spoiled the show for the Red Devils at Old Trafford.

What the hell?! Arsenal left it very late at Burnley, indeed, and how Laurent Koscielny's goal counted, I cannot and do not fathom. Theo Walcott had headed the ball towards Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose effort went in off Koscielny's elbow, standing on the goal-line. So, not only was it a handball, but also offside could have been argued to chalk off that goal. Even Mister "I have not seen it" Arsène Wenger looked bemused and admitted the Gunners were lucky to have been given that goal.

My predictions - Actual results
Everton 1:0 Crystal Palace - 1:1
Swansea 0:2 Liverpool - 1:2
Hull City 1:2 Chelsea - 0:2
Sunderland 0:0 West Brom - 1:1
Watford 1:1 Bournemouth - 2:2
West Ham 2:0 Middlesbrough - 1:1
Man United 3:1 Stoke - 1:1
Leicester 2:0 Southampton - 0:0
Tottenham 0:1 Man City - 2:0
Burnley 0:1 Arsenal - 0:1

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks

All images taken from the BBC match reports

Premier League Picks Of The Week 3

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 3

The third week of the Premier League saw:

270 Shots - most by Man United = 29 

22 Goals - most by Arsenal & Chelsea = 3 each

227 Fouls - most by Watford = 18

46 Bookings - most by Watford = 6

0 Reds Cards

6 Penalties - 3 scored, 3 missed

ByTheMinute coverage at its best, even when the match has not got much to write about...

And the ByTheMinute team are also keeping track of all the transfer gossip and news, deadline day tomorrow!

First international break with Big Sam, here is who the new England boss picked and what he had to say.

What a game! The goalless game between West Brom and Middlesbrough did not have much to watch, report or cheer about. I feel with the fans, who should receive a refund for the ordeal. The fans reacted accordingly, calling for Tony Pulis' head. The pressure is already on, just three games into the season, after the side have only recorded one win in the last 13 games and averaging less than a goal a game since Pulis took over in January 2015. Dire.

What a team! Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United form a quite familiar top three, the only sides left with a 100% winning record in the Premier League after three games. Is this how the season will finish, I hear and read many ask. Wait out! Three new managers, 35 games to go... I think it is very premature to crown the champions already!

What a man(ager)! As mentioned above, the top three unbeaten teams, their three new managers, none other than Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho and Antonio Conte, are untouchable and you cannot get away from them. It seems like none of them can do anything wrong at the moment and could not have asked for a better start to the season. Or could they? Guardiola has been the most honest and realistic, seeing and pointing out where his side is lacking and needs improving... Early days!

What a goal! Star striker Jamie Vardy finally kicked off his season for defending champions Leicester (in case you needed reminding who the actual champions are at the moment after all the hu ha and bla bla about the current top three). And it was a fine finish off Danny Drinkwater's pass, a delicious goal we were used to be fed on a regular basis last season. And surprise surprise, long lost Raheem Sterling also shone with two goals for City. Reborn? Or just an exception? We will see.

What the hell?! Again, the referees are under fire. This time they missed Sergio Agüero's blatant elbow into West Ham defender Winston Reid's throat. I hope and think a ban will take him out of the Manc derby on the 10th September. On the other hand, Arthur Masuaku got away with a late tackle on John Stones when he was already cautioned, so could and should have been sent off, too. So, both sides got away with it, hence you could say justice was evened out. But I wish the referees could use replays, as it is ridiculous to see what players get cautioned for in contrast to what they then get away with! I've ranted enough about that plenty of times, so, to quote a Hammer friend of mine...

"Do referees have a Premier League directive in not sending off the top team's best players? Two weeks ago it was Costa and a blatant hack on Adrian, today its Aguero and a clear elbow in the throat of Reid...if the officials are not seeing these incidents then they are not doing their job, and if the officials are seeing these and taking no action, then they are not just incompetent, but corrupt...no complaints about the result, got beaten by the superior team (just), but something's rotten in the state of Denmark, and its called the FA..."

My predictions - Actual results

Tottenham 2:1 Liverpool - 1:1 - click here for my match report and here for my bythemin coverage
Chelsea 2:1 Burnley - 3:0
Crystal Palace 0:0 Bournemouth - 1:1
Everton 1:0 Stoke - 1:0
Leicester 2:1 Swansea - 2:1
Southampton 4:1 Sunderland - 1:1
Watford 1:2 Arsenal - 1:3
Hull City 2:3 Man United - 0:1
West Brom 1:1 Middlesbrough - 0:0
Man City 2:2 West Ham - 3:1

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks

Pictures taken from Bing search, BBC match reports & another Bing search

Premier League Picks Of The Week 2

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 2

The second week of Premier League action saw:

253 Shots - most by Liverpool = 26

22 Goals - most by Man City = 4

237 Fouls - most by Watford = 20

34 Bookings - most by Man City & Watford = 4

1 Red Card - 2nd yellow for Arter for Bournemouth

3 Penalties - 3 scored, 0 missed

Paul Merson's rant about Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's team selection and choices

Jeff Stelling promoting Hartlepool to the Premier League and Iain Dowie losing track of the score

David Moyes being blunt about Sunderland's chances

What a game! Burnley's win against Liverpool after their seven-goal thriller-victory against Arsenal last week was impressive but less surprising looking at the Reds' mixed form of last season. Jürgen Klopp's men proved once again possession and stats in general don't mean anything and everything. The Reds have created the most chances in the Premier League so far this season (34), but not converting near enough. From top to flop within days and you don't know which one will turn up next. We will wait and see which one will turn up against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup and then at Tottenham in the next Premier League clash (which I will be covering live on ByTheMinute.co).

What a team! Hull City proved all doubters wrong again after beating Swansea 0-2 at the Liberty Stadium. If caretaker manager Mike Phelan doesn't get the job permanently, then fool them. The relegation favourites could not have wished for a better start to the season, flying high in the top four.

What a goal! Cristhian Stuani's opener for Middlesbrough at Sunderland was a stunner. The Uruguayan opened his account for Boro and the Premier League with an unstoppable long-range smacker against the run of play after 13 minutes at the Stadium of Light. He doubled David Moyes' men's misery just before half time and the home side got a goal back in the second half but were not able to recover. Aitor Karanka's side recorded their first win of the season whilst Moyes' account at the Black Cats is still blank, looking more and more difficult and hopeless.

What a man! Zlatan Ibrahimovic can't do anything wrong at the moment. The 34-year old has scored in both opening games to feed United six point out of six and José Mourinho's ego and big mouth. As if the latter needed that! But it's still early days, LVG won the first two games last season as well and we know what happened next...

What the hell?! Diego Costa got away with it once again!!! Manager Antonio Conte's changes did work the magic and got his side back late on after falling behind at Watford. Second sub Michy Batshuayi pulled a goal with ten minutes left before third sub Cesc Fabregas set up Costa for the winner just before the end. But like last week, Costa got away with it! The 27-year-old should have not been on the field after appearing to dive to try and win a second-half penalty, when he had already been in referee Jon Moss' book. The rules are there for a reason, new and old, so please enforce them!!!

My predictions - Actual results

Man United 1:1 Southampton - 2:0
Stoke City 0:1 Man City - 1:4
Burnley 0:3 Liverpool - 2:0
Swansea 2:2 Hull City - 0:2
Tottenham 2:0 Crystal Palace - 1:0
Watford 1:2 Chelsea - 1:2
West Brom 1:1 Everton - 1:2
Leicester City 1:1 Arsenal - 0:0
Sunderland 0:0 Middlesbrough - 1:2
West Ham 2:1 Bournemouth - 1:0

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks

Pictures taken from BBC match reports (top picture montage taken from Bing Search)

Premier League Tops and Flops: Picks of the Weekend

Sports - Football - Premier League

This week has seen just one part of the relegation battle decided with West Brom losing out and the crown once again going to the kings Manchester United. The last week of the season will not lose out on tention and excitement though, with Newcastle, Hull City and Sunderland still to fight it out who will stay up and who will go down.

Top Game: Although there were not any goals to cheer about, I think both Manchester United and Arsenal were able to be happy about the 0:0 draw, United because it won them the title, Arsenal because they were spared from yet another thrashing.

Top Goal: Gretar Steinsson's far range goal for Boltons impressive, but Tuncay Sanli's overhead kick was breathtaking and and the more crucial for Middlesbrough's relegation battle. Fulham's goal was good team work and cool and calm completion by Clint Dempsey and Diomansy Kamara, the more painful for Newcastle though.

Top Save: Jussi Jaaskelainen made some great saves for Bolton, denying Hull City three crucial points. Pepe Reina did the same to West Brom and Jonathan Greening with a brilliant double save at the end of the match. It seemed to be a weekend of too-good-too-cruel goalkeepers, Fulham's Mark Schwarzer also palming away fine attempts from struggling Newcastle's Nicky Butt.

Top Team Fans: Again, I laud West Brom - to say they have been doomed for months, they still fought on and their fans cheered and sung them on. Great to see, shame to be relegated.

Flop Game: Portsmouth's comfortable 3:1 win against strugglers Sunderland increased the worry about survival for the Black Cats looking at the last weekend of the season when they have to face Chelsea. Of course it depends on how fellow strugglers Newcastle and Hull City play against Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively, too, but regarding all three opositions and their mindset and probable team lineup, I think Sunderland will not or should not be the most optimistic, that is for sure.

Flop Goal: Hull were maybe denied a win by Jaaskelainen but were given a goal by Trotters defender Danny Shittu who failed to clear the ball and gave Craig Fagan an easy chance to slide in and equalise. Steven Gerrard's march past Shelton Martis and through to West Brom's goal was heartbreaking to watch, especially after the urge to fight back West Brom have shown lately with hardly any hope left.

Flop Teams and Refs: Both Middlesbrough and Newcastle were the unlucky ones this weekend. Both teams have been on the wrong side of referees' decision too often this season. Injuries have not helped them in their quest either. This week, I just cannot see why Mark Viduka's goal was not given. There was no foul. It is just unrealistic to expect goalkeepers to stay untouched. They are just as much a player as the other ten men of their team are, so why can they not get covered or touched at all?

Flop Players: Jamie Carragher clashing with Alvaro Arbeloa is understandable looking at Carra's heart and desire for his team and their clean sheet but is everything else but productive and impressive. He had a point against Arbeloa, who was rarely in his cover position, too often too far forward, giving bottom-of-the-table West Brom too many too good chances in attack and to advance. But, the last thing any team needs is a feud on the pitch.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Bolton 1:1 Hull City - 1:1
Chelsea 3:0 Blackburn - 2:0
Everton 1:1 West Ham - 3:1
Man Utd 2:0 Arsenal - 0:0
Middlesbrough 2:1 Aston Villa - 1:1
Newcastle 2:1 Fulham - 0:1
Portsmouth 2:0 Sunderland - 3:1
Stoke 1:0 Wigan - 2:0
Tottenham 1:0 Man City - 2:1
West Brom 0:3 Liverpool - 0:2

Premier League Tops and Flops: Picks of the Weekend

Sports - Football - Premier League

With 40 goals, this weekend's action proved the Premier League's worth in the football world. Manchester United and Chelsea looked shivery at times but got the results and three points they need, that is the only thing that matters end of the season. Liverpool netted four goals as if it was the usual procedure, showing no lack of confidence nor form.

The relegation battle got a couple of more twists and turns. Already-considered-down-and-out Wets Brom showed guts against Portsmouth and were rewared with a point. Newcastle also got their first point under Alan Shearer against Stoke City and Middlesbrough recorded a solid and promising 3:1 win oagainst Hull City which improved their chance of survival. Aston Villa and Everton fought out a belter of a match but both had to separate with only a point each in the end, which more or less saved Arsenal the 4th and final Champions League qualification place, who thrashed Wigan comfortably 4:1.

Game: How Chelsea nearly gave away a 4-goal lead is shocking. After a superb and overall-dominant 1st half, with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard back to their usual outstanding selves, Chelsea relaxed and took off their two talismen after netting the fourth and no one would blame them. But then eight crazy minutes passed, where Chelsea's vulnerability and leaks showed. And it could have been worse when deep into stoppage time Gary Cahill's shot deflected here, there and everywhere between a huddle of bodies to go just wide. It will also serve Liverpool's confidence to know it is not impossible to pass three over Chelsea's goal line and get their best result at Stamford Bridge in 19 years to be able to progress when they meet on Tuesday in the Champions League Quarter Final second leg.

Goal: Fernando Torres' first goal was a beauty, controlling a Carragher-cross with his first touch and turning a right-footed shot up and over Paul Robinson. Not many would have been able to score from that position, but Torres has proven his quality and class once again.

Team: Liverpool have come back strong after their Champions League defeat against Chelsea, what one should expect against struggling Blackburn and are keeping the title race hot and juicy. Even without captain Steven Gerrard the likes of Javier Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and - 0f course - Fernando Torres proved that they can reach peak without their skipper.

Player: Federico Macheda again for Manchester United has saved the points and title spot for the Red Devils again - although I am not too sure he knew much about his goal. How crucial will his gials prove to be end of the season?

Manager: Finally Gareth Southgate got something to smile about again. After the match, he put what the win ment to him short and sweet, honest, blunt and obvious: With a sigh of relief. Cut him some slack, this result could prove vital. You never know, maybe this is a start of a great survival comeback. Then Boro will maybe be lauded to have stuck with him. Too many clubs sack manager too soon too often...

My Predictions - Actual Results

Aston Villa 2:2 Everton - 3:3
Chelsea 1:1 Bolton - 4:3
Liverpool 3:1 Blackburn - 4:0
Man City 2:0 Fulham - 1:3
Middlesbrough 0:0 Hull City - 3:1
Portsmouth 2:0 West Brom - 2:2
Stoke 1:0 Newcastle - 1:1
Sunderland 0:4 Man Utd - 1:2
Tottenham 2:1 West Ham - 1:0
Wigan 1:3 Arsenal - 1:4

Football Feature: Match Report

Middlesbrough 1 : 1 Arsenal

Arsene Wenger's record-700th match at Arsenal ended up a disappointment as too many matches have already this season.

Middlesbrough started the brighter of the two, enjoying more possession and creating more chances. They were strong winds in Arsenal's back in the opening ten minutes until - against run of play - Arsenal warned Boro with a good chance in the 11th minute.

Soon after that Diaby went close again from the left, winning a corner for the Gunners. From that set-piece, Middlesbrough showed some disappointing defending, Robert Huth being drawn away by Diaby leaving Adebayor free to score an easy goal from a Fabregas cross (see picture, right).


Both clubs enjoyed good chances after that but not challenging the goalkeepers too much and Arsenal the more dominant of the two - until an equaliser came like out of the blue. Arsenal seemed settled 1:0 in the lead until they gave away the ball near the box to Tuncay Sanli who crossed it to ex-Gunner Aliadiere who smashed it into the net giving Almunia no chance to stop it (see picture, below left).

The equaliser transformed the atmosphere and run of the match with Middlesbrough keeping the pressure on Arsenal and having a penalty appeal denied just minutes later. Clichy looked guilty fowling Johnson and putting his hands up immediately, but the referee showed no interest.

Moments later, van Persie, who had a quiet match, missed a golden chance to take the lead back just before half time, letting the ball drift through his legs to go out for a goal kick.

At half time, Middlesbrough had to be the happier with Arsenal looking more and more frustrated. This hardly changed in the second half. Middlesbrough learnt from the defensive snooze that gave away the goal in the first half and stayed solid in the back, blocking shot after shot that came from the Gunners. Downing pulled a great save out of Almunia on the hour mark but apart from that most of the chances fell to Arsenal - with no prevail.

It stayed 1 : 1 which was a fair result in the end after Middlesbrough's defence didn't falter and fail against all the late pressure Arsenal put them under. With only three wins in the last eight games, the Gunners stay 4th - but Aston Villa can overtake them if they win against Bolton later this afternoon. Boro go up one spot for the time-being to 11th, but haven't won in the last five matches.

Both teams will have enough to contemplate about what has to be done to change their forms.

(pictures taken from News of the World)

Football Feature: Match Summary

Result: Middlesbrough 1 : 1 Arsenal (HT 1 : 1)

My Prediction: 1 : 1

Middlesbrough Goals: 1: 28:17 min Jeremie Aliadiere (10)

Arsenal Goals: 1: 16:16 min Emmanuel Adebayor (25)

Middlesbrough Bookings: -

Arsenal Bookings: 47. min Vassiriki Diaby (2)

Middlesbrough Changes: 1. 90.min: On: Mohamed Shawky (15) Off: Didier Digard (8)

2. 93.min: On: Marvin Emnes (11) Off: Adam Johnson (28)

Arsenal Changes: 1. 82.min: On: Nicklas Bendtner (26) Off: Abou Diaby (2)

1st half + 2nd half stats = total

Middlesbrough Attempts: 4 + 2 = 6

Arsenal Attempts: 6 + 6 = 12

Middlesbrough On target: 2 + 1 = 3

Arsenal On target: 3 + 2 = 5

Middlesbrough Offsides: 0 + 1 = 1

Arsenal Offsides: 2 + 0 = 2

Middlesbrough Corners: 2 + 1 = 3

Arsenal Corners: 3 + 5 = 8

Middlesbrough Free kicks: 2 + 7 = 9

Arsenal Free kicks: 3 + 3 = 6

*Possession:

Middlesbrough 55% + 41% = 48%

Arsenal 45% + 59% = 52%

(*taken from BBC Live match stats)

**Passing Success: Middlesbrough 71.3% : 81.5% Arsenal

**Tackles/Success: Middlesbrough 19/89.5% : 21/90.5% Arsenal

**Territorial Advantage: Middlesbrough 48.3% : 51.7% Arsenal

(**taken from Sky Sports' match report)

Middlesbrough Lineup: 21 Ross Turnbull, 29 Tony McMahon, 5 Chris Riggott, 4 Robert Huth, 6 Emanuel Pogatetz, 28 Adam Johnson, 8 Didier Digard, 20 Julio Arca, 19 Stewart Downing, 17 Tuncay Sanli, 10 Jeremie Aliadiere

Arsenal Lineup: 1 Manuel Almunia, 3 Bacary Sagna, 10 William Gallas, 20 Johan Djourou, 22 Gael Clichy, 15 Neves Denilson, 17 Alexandre Billong Song, 4 Francesc Fabregas, 11 Robin van Persie, 25 Emmanuel Adebayor

Man of the Match: Jeremie Aliadiere

Referee: Peter Walton