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Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend
WOW!
The scoreline finally reflected the game for Liverpool with their dominance in possession and chances paying off against Fulham. Everyone contributed, Martin Skrtel with a right-foot smacker, Steven Gerrard after a nice lead-up and trademark run, Stewart Downing cutting in past former Red John Arne Riise and producing a nice left-footer and Luis Suarez off Jose Enrique to make it 4-0. And it could have been double the scoreline with all the misses! Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers will hope to see more of this in the coming weeks and months!
OMG!
The eight-goal thrashing Chelsea took out on Aston Villa was unbelievable! How could the same side beat Liverpool the one week and then get thrashed, roasted, toasted and fried the next! Fernando Torres seems to like the system more and finally have clicked under old Spanish pal Rafael Benitez. Merry Christmas and-a-half for Roman Abramovich and Co, headache for Villa.
TOP!
The Newcastle fans were not happy to see Papiss Cisse taken off early against QPR, so was the striker himself, but it payed off in the end. Shola Ameobi created that bit of magic the game was crying out for, scoring the winning goal nine minutes from time, well taken with his left foot past two defenders in the box. That is exactly what you need from a sub, especially after a not-so-popular change! Manager Alan Pardew will have been chuffed to bits!
FLOP!
There were a lot of controversial decisions by the officials again this week. Arsenal's late penalty winner against Wigan looked very soft whilst their number five Thomas Vermaelen's handball got completely overlooked. City's late goal stood eventhough it looked like a fowl. On the other side, Reading had a couple of penalty shouts ignored and were cruelly denied a deserved point. David Moyes was also unhappy after seeing Leon Osman's goal disallowed harshly for a fowl on West Ham's goalkeeper Jussi Jasskelainen. And everyone was even more shocked when Carlton Cole was sent off. He saw red for a high foot, but was the intention really there? Referee Anthony Taylor at least stayed consistent when he sent Darren Gibson for another high-footed challenge. But it did not make either decision more right or less wrong! Decisions, decision, decisions... Disappointment, disappointment, disappointment...
HERO!
Miguel Michu cancelled out Patrice Evra's goal in the 1-1 draw between Swansea and Manchester United, the visitors' first draw of the season. United threw everything at the Swans, but the Welsh side held stern and left their home ground with a point against the league leaders, the first time Sir Alex Ferguson's side dropped pointed since their 1-0 defeat at Norwich over a month ago.
ZERO!
Tottenham's goalless draw against Stoke was not much to miss. The scoreline reflected the game, the London side frustrated by Stoke's rock-solid defence.
Man of the match Ashley Williams was rock solid in the centre of the Swans defence but caused havoc when he kicked the ball into Robin van Persie's head after the referee had blown the whilste! What was he thinking?! Ok, he explained he cleared the ball and inadvertently hit the Dutchman on the way, but it did look cynical. There was still no need for Sir Alex Ferguson's post-match comments, adding more spin and controversy to the incident than necessary. I think he is just trying to distract everyone from his side's weaknesses...
My Predictions => Actual Results:
Wigan 1-3 Arsenal => 0-1
Man City 4-1 Reading => 1-0
Newcastle 3-1 QPR => 1-0
Southampton 2-2 Sunderland => 0-1
Tottenham 2-1 Stoke => 0-0
West Brom 1-1 Norwich => 2-1
West Ham 1-1 Everton => 1-2
Liverpool 3-1 Fulham => 4-0
Swansea 1-3 Man United => 1-1
Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa => 8-0
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend
WOW! & OMG!
Manchester United went behind for the 14th time in 22 games at the Madejski stadium in a thriller of a game or shall I rather say thriller of a first half! It was a smacking opening goal for Reading after Patrice Evra's giveaway. Anderson found the leveller, a let-down by keeper Adam Federici. Following a Wayne Rooney corner, Jonny Evans was inexplicably bundled over by Reading's number 16 Jay Tabb and a penalty was given. Rooney netted from the spot to turnaround the scoreline from 1-0 to 1-2 within three minutes!
It was once again a typical United turnaround and comeback. Reading made it four goals at 2-2 inside 19 minutes after Adam Le Fondre headed in a corner with all the space in the world, another defensive nightmare. And the total was five goals in 23 minutes after Sean Morrison headed one in to make it 3-2. Rooney, with time and space after some great pace and delivery by Ashley Young and Evra, completed an easy finish to make it all square again at 3-3 after half an hour. Rafael was taken off after being booked and tormented by Reading and Sir Alex brought on Chris Smalling to replace the young Brazilian on 31 minutes.
Robin van Persie walked the fourth goal in for United on 35. And the ball looked over the line on 40 after RVP smacked in the rebound off a fine save but the officials thought it was blocked by Shaun Cummings. However, replays showed the ball was over a yard over the line and the scoreline should have been 3-5! It was only the third time in Premier League history that there have been seven goals in the first half! United only had one substitution left shortly before the break after Anderson had to go off injured with Phil Jones replacing him. It was 3-4 at half time and full time, both teams unable to recreate the thrills and spills of the first 45 minutes.
TOP!
After Jonjo Shelvey's whacking strike had hit the post and Luis Suarez's free kick came off the cross bar after a tremendous hit and bend, it looked like it was not going to be Liverpool's afternoon against Southampton. But Daniel Agger rewarded his side's play when he headed in Glen Johnson's cross and earned his side a well deserved win.
The Manchester Derby is going to be a cracker next weekend with three points on the line and three points being the gap between the two local rivals at the top of the table after City drew at home against Everton!
FLOP!
Rafa Benitez's misery continues at Chelsea after a fine start and goal by Juan Mata was followed by a second half turnaround from the Hammers. The super subs made the difference for West Ham at Upton Park and Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga took Roman Abramovich's Blues apart in the second half!
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill will know the feeling too well as the pressure increased on him after his side fell to a 2-1 defeat at Norwich and were left just one point safe the Premier League relegation zone.
HERO!
Two late Miguel Michu goals sank Arsenal at the Emirates and left the Gunners down in tenth position of the Premier League table after their worst start to a season under Arsene Wenger. The Swans meanwhile can be more than happy with their third win out of four, unbeaten since end of October (1-0 at City) and in seventh position..
Jermain Defoe was the hero for Spurs, with his left-foot 2-0, then right-foot 3-0, thank you very much and say no more.
Carlos Tevez saved City a point against battling Everton with his spot kick, see if he can do the same against his former side and local rivals United next Sunday! Their unbeaten run is on the line too!
ZERO!
Tottenham's Gareth Bale was booked for diving, against Fulham's Steve Sidwell, for the second consecutive game. There was a tackle but the forward did perform a scene of a drama queen, which made me cringe. Sandro opened the score for Spurs, through Mark Schwarzer's gloves and in. It was a goal the American goalkeeper would like to forget but will most probably find again and again under one of those blooper lists and clips!
My Predictions => Actual Results
West Ham 1-1 Chelsea => 3-1
Arsenal 1-1 Swansea => 0-2
Fulham 1-2 Tottenham => 0-3
Liverpool 3-0 Southampton => 1-0
Man City 2-0 Everton => 1-1
QPR 0-0 Aston Villa => 1-1
West Brom 2-2 Stoke => 0-1
Reading 0-2 Man United => 3-4
Norwich 2-1 Sunderland => 2-1
Newcastle 2-2 Wigan => 3-0
