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Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend
SUPER SUNDAY!
Manchester United held on to their 2-1 lead against bitter rivals Liverpool in the early match at Old Trafford, the win keeping Sir Alex Ferguson's men ten points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool showed much more spirit in the second half after a disappointing start to the game. Robin van Persie put the home side ahead comfortably after 19 minutes and the game looked all over when Patrice Evra's header off RVP's free kick deflected in off Nemanja Vidic thanks to some sloppy defending to make it 2-0 early on in the second half.
But Brendan Rodgers' changes soon payed off when a couple of minutes later Steven Gerrard saw his shot saved by David De Gea for Daniel Sturridge to net the rebound, scoring his first Premier League goal on his league debut for the Merseysiders to start the fight back for Liverpool at 2-1. Sturridge and Luis Suarez created much more of a threat together with some fine one-twos and close shaves, the prior hitting one chance into the side-netting, the latter heading another into De Gea's gloves, but it stayed 2-1.
This was the seventh defeat of the season for Liverpool and saw them stay in eighth place, two points behind West Brom in seventh and nine points behind Tottenham in fourth, the last Champions League qualification spot. United will be chuffed to bits after doing the double over their rivals and staying way ahead of their local rivals in the process too.
The afternoon kick-off was a blast at the Emirates. With just ten minutes gone, Laurent Koscielny was sent off for wrapping himself around Edin Dzeko, but the penalty was saved by Wojciech Szczesny, the ball coming off the post, rolling along the line and back into the goalkeeper's gloves! Lucky so-and-so! But a nice finish by James Milner eventually opened the score for City, 0-1, Arsenal caught sleeping, still feeling sorry for themselves. A tap-in by Dzeko off the keeper doubled the lead for the visitors. Silly Thomas Vermaelen then got booked for a stupid fowl just before half time, it was just a dreadful half for Arsenal, and they were in danger of going down to nine. It looked like a training game for City at that point.
But the home crowd saw a spirited response from Arsenal at the start of the second half. Most of the second half actually, the Gunners held up and kept on pressing and going strongly. Vincent Kompany then saw red for a two-footed challenge on Jack Wilshere. The dismissal looked harsh as he won the ball, but both teams were reduced to ten. Arsenal kept the pressure up, Joleon Lescott coming to the rescue late on for City clearing Theo Walcott's shot. But all came to nothing in the end for the Gunners. Arsene Wenger should be pleased, even though his side did not get a result in the end. Arsenal stayed stuck at the task, giving City a game-and-a-half in the second half.
WOW!
It was an mazing turnaround at the Madejski stadium! One sensational performance by West Brom's Romelu Lukaku was nullified by a revolutionary comeback from Reading and Pavel Pogrebnyak's late winner! Lukaku netted James Morrison's pass, knowing exactly where he wanted that and what he was doing, lethal, 0-1. The same duo were at it in again in the second half, Lukaku having a goal disallowed for offside. Lukaku then saw more chances coming and going, one off the post and another off the cross bar after pressure by Reading was blocked. He could easily have had a hat-trick! Reading pressure was repelled again before Lukaku got his second goal. It was a great counter, left footer into the near corner of the net, 0-2. Jimmy Kebe then started the comeback with a header in to make it 1-2. After Jonas Olsson's challenge on Kebe was penalised, Adam Le Fondre sent the keeper the wrong way with a cool kick to level the score, 2-2. And then Pogrebnyak made it 3-2 to complete the perfect comeback. The home side looked dead and buried! But three goals/eight minutes later, they had turned the game on its head! Awesome to watch!
OMG!
Everton had so many misses against Swansea, it was unbelievable. David Moyes' boys have only lost three in 31 games and are only four points behind Chelsea in third. It was all Everton at Goodison Park, Swans keeper Michel Vorm spared his side from defeat more then once, joined by Miguel Michu and Ashley Williams off the line! Michu hit the bar too, thanks to Tim Howard's touch, but that was the first and only real chance for the visitors! Even Phil Neville had a chance Vorms had to save! Leighton Baines produced some great corners but Everton kept on missing! It was more two points lost than one point gained for the Blues, but Moyes can be more than happy with his side's form, display and position.
TOP!
Eden Hazard's strike was a scorcher, 25-30 yards from goal, a beautiful left-foot hit, to make it 0-4 to Chelsea and game over for Stoke!
Sebastian Larsson's left-footed curl-opener for Sunderland against West Ham was a screamer! The Swede's side went on to make the most of the Hammers' poor defending, taking three goals and points against the Londoners.
Giorgos Karagounis took the lead for Fulham against Wigan with a sweet diagonal strike off the post and into the back of the net, 1-0. Franco Di Santo missed a chance on the stretch, right in front of goal, it was Wigan's best chance in the first half. Shaun Maloney's effort found Mark Schwarzer's finger tips, a great save over the top. Di Santo followed a quickly taken free kick with a piece of magic, cutting across, dropping the shoulder and drilling the ball into the back of the net. It was a fantastic finish, sweet equaliser, just what Wigan needed, 1-1. Di Santo then took on Brede Hangeland and won with a shot but Schwarzer saved it. Maynor Figueroa saved his team late on, off the line, winning the point for Wigan! Two brilliant goals made the game and result, controversial in the build-up, where they came from, but not how! It was a fair result in the end.
FLOP!
QPR's Harry Redknapp faced his former employers Tottenham for the first time after beating Chelsea, where Andre Villas-Boas took over, winning nine of the last 11. It was not nice to watch, but productive play by QPR, Redknapp finally getting something out of his boys. Shaun Wright-Phillips put loads of chances wide, skipping through Spurs. Spurs dominated seeing Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe denied by Soares Julio Cesar, but QPR kept solid and ground out a good result and point for them in the end.
Norwich went into their game against Newcastle following four successive defeats over the festive period, whilst the visitors were still looking for their first away win. The goalless result reflected both side's form and the game. There was not much to write about, it was a poor game allround.
HERO!
It's 31 out of 31 penalty kicks for Rickie Lambert, what a Saint! It was a controversial penalty for Southampton at Villa Park though, which looked more like a Jay Rodriguez dive as replays showed no contact was made. But Villa's goalkeeper Bradley Guzan to escape a booking when he made his save clashing into another Saint player. Lambert sent Guzan the wrong way, 0-1, controversial. Enda Stevens saw his shot saved, Villa's late onslaught coming to nothing in the end. It was not Villa's but Lambert's day.
ZERO!
It was not Jonathan Walters' day! The Stoke man should have known what day it was going to be after kicking the ball into his own face and out of play early on in the match against Chelsea! The Ireland striker went on to score two own goals and miss a penalty, seeing the Potters thrashed and sunk 4-0. Asmir Begovic made one great save after another, but saw all his good work undone when Frank Lampard won Chelsea a throw-in and Walters eventually turned the ball into his own once and then again off a Chelsea corner to make it 0-2 and mar his 100th Premier League appearance. Lampard then netted the spot kick conceded by Ryan Shawcross for sliding in on Juan Mata, taking him onto 194 goals and Chelsea 0-3 up. It took the Chelsea number 8 up to number two on the Blues' all-time scorers list. Begovic denied Lampard again, one-on-one, leaving him waiting for his 195th! Without Begovic this game would have been 0-10! Stoke then won a soft penalty for John Terry's challenge on Walters, but Walters went on to hit the cross bar. Stoke's unbeaten home record was long out the window by then and Walters' day with it.
My Predictions => Actual Results
QPR 0-2 Tottenham => 0-0
Aston Villa 1-2 Southampton => 0-1
Everton 2-1 Swansea => 0-0
Fulham 2-0 Wigan => 1-1
Norwich 3-2 Newcastle => 0-0
Reading 0-1 West Brom => 3-2
Stoke 2-1 Chelsea => 0-4
Sunderland 1-1 West Ham => 3-0
Man United 3-2 Liverpool => 2-1
Arsenal 4-3 Man City => 0-2
Sports - Football - Premier League - Man United 2:1 Liverpool
Manchester United held on to their 2-1 lead against bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, the win keeping Sir Alex Ferguson's men ten points clear of City at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool showed much more spirit in the second half after a disappointing start to the game. Robin van Persie put the home side ahead comfortably after 19 minutes and could have added another goal to his United account before half time but slashed the chance high.
The visitors created no real threat, lacking in the final third and looking too careful at times, leaving United in total control.
The game looked all over when Patrice Evra's header off RVP's free kick deflected in off Nemanja Vidic thanks to some sloppy defending to make it 2-0 early on in the second half.
But Brendan Rodgers' changes soon payed off when a couple of minutes later Steven Gerrard saw his shot saved by David De Gea for Daniel Sturridge to net the rebound, scoring his first Premier League goal on his league debut for the Merseysiders to start the fight back for Liverpool at 2-1.
Sturridge and Luis Suarez created much more of a threat together with some fine one-twos and close shaves, the prior hitting one chance into the side-netting, the latter heading another into De Gea's gloves.
This was the seventh defeat of the season for Liverpool and saw them stay in eighth place, two points behind West Brom in seventh and nine points behind Tottenham in fourth, the last Champions League qualification spot.
United will be chuffed to bits after doing the double over their rivals and staying way ahead of their local rivals in the process too. But just like after the reverse fixture defeat, the Reds can take a lot from the game, no points, but a lot of heart and spirit (in the second half) and with it hope. Hope that the January transfer window can back them up and finally solidify their fine interplays and displays with more players, especially in the final third, and get them more goals, results and points.
Man United Goals: 1.: 18:16 min RVP (20), 2.: 53:36 min Nemanja Vidic (15).
Liverpool Goal: 1.: 56:50 min Daniel Sturridge (15).
Man United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra (booked 73), 15 Vidic (12 Smalling 79), 5 Ferdinand, 2 Da Silva; 26 Kagawa (4 Jones 77), 23 Cleverley, 16 Carrick, 18 Young (7 Valencia HT); 20 RVP, 19 Welbeck. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 40 Amos, 8 Anderson, 11 Giggs, 14 Hernandez.
LFC: 25 Reina; 2 Johnson (booked 76), 5 Agger (booked 94), 37 Skrtel (booked 53), 47 Wisdom; 21 Lucas (booked 45+4, 15 Sturridge HT), 24 Allen (14 Henderson 80), 8 Gerrard; 31 Sterling (29 Borini 62); 7 Suarez, 19 Downing. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 23 Carragher, 33 Shelvey, 49 Robinson.
1st & 2nd half Stats: UTD-LFC
Attempts: 5-1 & 7-8
On target: 2-0 & 4-3
Offsides: 0-0 & 1-1
Corners: 1-1 & 2-0
Free kicks: 6-7 & 11-7
Possession:
57%-43% (15.min)
52.4%-47.6% (HT)
48%- 52% (2nd half - 69.min)
30%-70% (82.-87.min)
46%-54% (FT)
Action Areas:
UTD 10%-65%-25% LFC (27.min)
Passes: 404-487
Pass Success:
86%-81.74% (HT)
82%-85.01% (FT)
Shot Accuracy: 50%-30%
Crosses: 15-11
Cross Accuracy: 26.7%-0%
Tackles: 25-31
Tackles won: 60%-83.9%
Referee: Howard Webb
MOTM: Danny Welbeck
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend
WOW!
It was a Super-Sunday-and-a-half! First one the list was the big title clash, the Manchester derby. The first half wasn't too riveting, Fergie's men were all over City after the home side did not take advantage of their early dominance and fell two goals behind thanks to their sketchy and leaky defence. But in the second half, Roberto Mancini's side made a comeback and looked like they would grab a point. However, Robin van Persie had a different idea and netted a free kick deep into injury time, a typical United winner, 2-3, in Fergie time.
The Sunday afternoon kick-offs did not lack any of the excitement either. Everton never gave up and made a great comeback of their own against Tottenham to beat them 2-1 at Goodison Park. And former West Ham players Glen Johnson and Joe Cole returned to Upton Park to haunt their former employers, scoring one each to make it 2-3 to Liverpool and add the Reds to the comeback list of this Sensational-Sunday!
OMG!
I couldn't believe it when I saw Rio Ferdinand hit by a coin, one in a rain of coins I may like to note! I thought those times of abuse and hooliganism were long gone! Fool me! I hope the FA will act promptly and accordingly, banning those idiots from football, for good! What do they think they are doing? It won't change their side or the scoreboard. If anything, it will only change the attendance, minus them hopefully!!!
TOP!
Liverpool were without any senior striker for their clash against West Ham. With Luis Suarez suspended thanks to his five bookings accumulated, it was questionable where the goals might come from for the Reds. Glen Johnson answered that question with a boom-and-a-half! The former Hammer created an unstoppable right-foot blockbuster smacker cracker to open the scoring and mute the home fans and any of his mockers and critics.
Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was finally on the scoresheet and his compatriot interim manager Rafael Benitez will be more than happy and relieved by that and the first three points he has bagged for Roman Abramovich and Chelsea, who are now third, then points behind league leaders United.
FLOP!
The only disappointment of the weekend was Aston Villa's goalless home draw against Stoke. Both sides created nothing and cancelled each other out through fowls and more fowls. It was not nice to watch and no surprise when Stoke's Ryan Shotton saw red. It maybe was harsh on him as the second tackle did not look like much of a contact, but in this kind of game, it was more of a surprise not more players were cautioned or sent off, such was the physical and abusive style and action.
HERO!
RVP won the game and saved the day for the red side of Manchester, eventhough his free kick did take a big deflection off Samir Nasri. Wayne Rooney was in the right spot at the right time twice for United and made it look all to easy for the Red Devils. But Ashley Young should have been on the scoresheet aswell before half time after he was nowhere near offside when Antonio Valencia created a fine advance and cross from the right. But it all came well for United in the end, at the very end that is, thanks to RVP and the red side of Manchester now sits at the top of the table, six points ahead of their blue rivals.
ZERO!
Mario Balotelli was a waster and Joe Hart a sleeper at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The feisty Italian misfired anything and everything that came his way before he was rightly taken off by Mancini and the England goalkeeper seemed unmoved for the first and half-asleep by the second United goal. It was cringing to watch. And to top it off, the third and winning goal for United was... Ok, it was a wicked deflection off Nasri, but still! It was on the side the goalkeeper should have and keep covered! But it just didn't seem his day! To avoid such mishaps from happening again, it seems Hart will need an extra cup of coffee or to take a Dextro energy tablet before the next game at Newcastle!
My Predictions => Actual Results
Arsenal 3-1 West Brom => 2-0
Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke => 0-0
Southampton 2-2 Reading => 1-0
Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea => 1-3
Swansea 2-1 Norwich => 3-4
Wigan 2-0 QPR => 2-2
Man City 1-0 Man United => 2-3
Everton 2-1 Tottenham => 2-1
West Ham 1-3 Liverpool => 2-3
Fulham 2-2 Newcastle => 2-1
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
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week
WOW!
Tottenham came out all guns blazing at White Hart Lane, man of the match Gareth Bale turning from provider to scorer to own-goal scorer/conceder. The Welshman's runs against Liverpool were extraordinary, no one could keep up with him when he found Aaron Lennon in the box for an easy tap-in opener. And the midfielder's free-kick completely deceived Pepe Reina to make it 2-0. The Reds were awoken, finding and keeping the pressure up after a difficult start in an entertaining encounter, but Spurs' back line kept solid and earned them the win and deservedly so.
OMG!
The Swans certainly shocked West Brom scoring three goals inside 39 minutes! Man of the match Pablo Hernandez was a force on the left wing and set up the first two goals. In the ninth minute, Miguel Michu slotted home Pablo's low cross from the left and not even two minutes later Pablo's nice cross found Wayne Routledge and was turned in off Jonas Olsson to make it 2-0. And Routledge made it three for the Welsh club six minutes before the break after Nathan Dyer and Hernandez helped setting up Ben Davies for his left-wing cross across the face of the goal that Routledge fired home with ease. West Brom started the second half brighter but were unable to recover from the early onslaught.
TOP!
It was all calamity for Ali Al Habsi again conceding two goals in three minutes at the DW Stadium. Mario Balotelli opened his Premier League account for the season for City seizing on Al Habsi's fumble following Gareth Barry's shot. But James Milner created an unstoppable smasher from outside the area, a top quality curler into the top corner of the net! It made all the difference and Wigan's fight was flawed! City ended up with the three points and still unbeaten, keeping United on their toes at the top of the table.
FLOP!
Mark Clattenburg returned to work at Southampton in their 1-1 draw against Norwich. A dreadful goalkeeping error by Paulo Gazzaniga lead to the equaliser! The first goal by Rickie Lambert was scruffy too and it looked as though there was a handball in the buildup to it. This draw stretched the Canaraies' unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven matches, leaving them in 13th position on 16 points, level with Liverpool in 12th and four points ahead of the Saints and the relegation zone in 18th.
HERO!
It took Robin van Persie 31 seconds to break Kevin Nolan's Premier League record of 56 seconds, opening the score with a deflection off James Collins and winning the game for United against the Hammers.
Theo Walcott took 52 seconds to whack it in for Arsenal against Everton and what a goal it was! Or maybe it was a lucky deflection as well, after it looked to have clipped Tony Hibbert on the way in leaving Tim Howard stranded. But a fine finish from Marouane Fellaini denied the Gunners a win yet again and the Toffees shared the spoils at Goodison Park.
ZERO!
Rafael Benitez and Fernando Torres were under fire again at Stamford Bridge, the fans making themselves and their discontent heard to Roman Abramovich after Chelsea's goalless home draw against Fulham. Dimitar Berbatov totally outshone his Spanish rival, producing great attacks and counter-attacks with his control and ability, something Rafa and Fernando (and Roman) are still searching for... I wonder how long the Russian's shopping list will be in January, in sales as well as purchases...
My Predictions => Actual Results
Sunderland 2-1 QPR => 0-0
Aston Villa 2-1 Reading => 1-0
Chelsea 2-1 Fulham => 0-0
Everton 2-1 Arsenal => 1-1
Southampton 2-1 Norwich => 1-1
Stoke 2-1 Newcastle => 2-1
Swansea 2-1 West Brom => 3-1
Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool => 2-1
Man United 2-1 West Ham => 1-0
Wigan 2-1 Man City => 0-2
Guess what?! Once again, the auto-predictor has set all my predictions to 2-1, because I'm too useless to remember to log in and enter my own predictions!!!
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend
WOW!
Everton dropped two goals and points late on at Fulham, David Moyes ruing missed chances and giveaways. However, I think he can be more than chuffed when he looks at the table, the Toffees sitting in fourth and Champions League qualification whilst the red side of Merseyside stay stuck in 12th. Ok, it is their fourth draw in a row, so, the local rivals are both struggling to find their winning ways. However, as long as they keep creating and dominating the way they do, I don't think there is too much to worry about (yet). They just need to learn to kill a game off. Yeh, I don't think that is the first time and they are the only sides that have heard that!
OMG!
Spurs fell hard to defeat against Wigan. They have enjoyed their fair share of success on the road under Andre Villas-Boas, including at Old Trafford in September, but at home they have looked second best, chasing the game and relying too much on counter attacks. Wigan exceeded on that and well done to Roberto Martinez's men for doing so!
TOP!
Swansea fought hard to draw against Chelsea. The Mark Clattenburg allegations made by the Blues were hanging over them like a dark cloud, which did not help them. But no discrediting the Swans. Miguel Michu and Pablo Hernandez were the top performers for the Welsh side and Michael Laudrup can be more than proud. After inheriting Brendan Rodgers' squad, the pressure was all-on the new manager. I don't think there is any doubt about the improvement Laudrup has made and the quality he has added to the side. Good on him.
FLOP!
The Gunners saw Jack Wilshere sent off whilst Sir Alex Ferguson's men were lucky to keep all eleven on the pitch. Arsene Wenger was on the referee's case straight away accusing Patrice Evra of conning an "unbelievably naive" Mike Dean and also claimed RVP should have been sent off for a reckless challenge on Bacary Sagna in the second half. The Frenchman has a case with both arguments, however, it cannot cover up his side's shambolic performance and poor defending (Andre Santos and Thomas Vermaelen especially). It was only thanks to United's wastefulness in front of goal that the game did not end up like last season's epic 8-2 thrashing inflicted upon Arsenal.
HERO!
Luis Suarez was the saviour once again for Liverpool after hitting the equaliser against Newcastle. It was a fantastic goal indeed, the control the Uruguayan displayed followed by some exquisite touches concluding a sublime goal which spared his side another defeat. The more interesting it was then to hear Rodgers in the post-match press conference saying that will soon change. Is he hinting about the January transfer window? Rumour has it, Theo Walcott is one of the names at the top of the Reds manager's most wanted list. And if Wenger keeps denying his forward a place in the team, I think it would come as no surprise for him to leave and that would not be bad news at all for Liverpool fans.
ZERO!
Only 158 seconds into the game, RVP scored against his former side in United's controversial win against Arsenal and then gave away his shirt to Santos at half time. To make things worse, he then, tellingly, did not take the Arsenal left back's jersey in return. First of all, since when do players swap shirts before full time?! And secondly, the Dutchman is not allowed to forget what the Gunners and Wenger (should) mean to him as it is the London club that established him as a top striker and made him what he is. He should respect that and show his respect rather than disowning them and living in denial.
*All images taken from the Sky Sports website's match reports
My Predictions => Actual Results:
Man United 2-1 Arsenal => 2-1
Fulham 2-1 Everton => 2-2
Norwich 2-1 Stoke => 1-0
Sunderland 2-1 Aston Villa => 0-1
Swansea 2-1 Chelsea => 1-1
Tottenham 2-1 Wigan => 0-1
West Ham 2-1 Man City => 0-0
QPR 2-1 Reading => 1-1
Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle => 1-1
West Brom 2-1 Southampton => 2-0
In case you noticed and wondered, I once again forgot to put through my predictions, hence, all games were set to 2-1 automatically...
Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 1:2 Man United
Ten-man Liverpool let the game slip away as Robin van Persie's second half penalty handed Manchester United a 2-1 victory on an emotionally charged afternoon at Anfield.
The two rival sides showed unity before the match in remembering the Hillsborough victims and families.
The fans held up "The Truth", "Justice" and "96" mosaics on three sides of Anfield for the first minute of the match whilst all players shook hands before kick-off, including Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra.
So, both the fans and the players spared themselves from any kind of abuse and distasteful acts or chants as they were renowned for in the past.
But from kick-off, the two great rivals produced a typically competitive and contentious encounter.
Liverpool dominated possession and play giving United hardly any look into the game. Even after being reduced to ten men, the home side did not give up or way that easily.
The sending off incident was controversial when after Jonjo Shelvey and Jonny Evans both went for the ball, clattering into each other, the prior seeing red for it whilst the latter played the victim and got away.
The 20-year old Liverpool midfielder showed his discontent with the decision to the referee and Sir Alex Ferguson on his way down the tunnel.
The Reds held their heads up high and skipper Steven Gerrard volleyed them ahead second after the restart.
But only five minutes later, Rafael Da Silva smashed in a spectacular equaliser with a sweet left-footed curler over Pepe Reina and in off the far post.
United took over the last 20 minuted and when Antonio Valencia raced clear 50 yards into the area after Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson collided, the Ecuadorian made the most of the latter's comeback challenge, the referee pointing to the spot.
It was clear, luck/justice/goals/points were not on Liverpool's side that afternoon.
From the spot, RVP drilled home the winner even though Reina was oh so close.
It was a much more encouraging display by the Reds, hopefully the results will and must follow, eventually!
Liverpool Goals: 45:49min Steven Gerrard (8).
Man United Goals: 50:29min Rafael Da Silva (2), 80:11min Robin van Persie (20).
Liverpool: 25 Reina (bkd 77.); 2 Johnson, 5 Agger (23 Carragher - 80.), 37 Skrtel, 34 Kelly; 33 Shelvey (s.o. 39.), 24 Allen, 8 Gerrard; 31 Sterling (14 Henderson - 66.), 7 Suarez, 29 Borini (30 Suso - HT). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 3 Jose Enrique, 4 Sahin, 11 Assaidi.
Man United: 13 Lindegaard; 3 Evra, 6 Evans, 5 Ferdinand, 2 da Silva (19 Welbeck - 89.); 11 Giggs, 16 Carrick; 17 Nani (22 Scholes - HT, bkd 58.), 26 Kagawi (14 Hernandez - 81.), 7 Valenica; 20 van Persie (bkd 84.). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 De Gea, 8 Anderson, 23 Cleverly, 28 Buttner.
Sky Stats: Liverpool-Man United
Attempts: 14-8
On target: 6-3
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 7-3
Free kicks: 7-14
1st half Possession: 63.1%-36.9%
2nd half Possession: 41.2%-58.8%
Possession: 52%-48%
Passes: 459 - 420
Passing Success: 84.7%-85%
Tackles: 23 - 29
Tackling Success: 69.6%-72.4%
Referee: Mark Halsey
Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard
Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week
And the second week of the 2012-13 Premier League season did not disappoint either! We saw 24 goals, 183 attempts, 78 on target, 105 off target, 197 fouls, 17 yellow cards, one sending off, two penalties, countless rain and one game postponed due to the beautiful English weather. Here are my best and worst picks of the weekend:
OUCH!
Wayne Rooney's deep cut over the knee did not look nice! The former Everton striker was dropped from Manchester United's starting lineup by Sir Alex Ferguson but came on as a substitute in the second half replacing Shinji Kagawa. Deep into injury time he suffered the large gash to his right leg after he attempted to charge down Hugo Rodallega's shot and the Fulham forward's studs inadvertently came down onto his leg. Straight away it was clear how serious the injury was and the England striker was stretchered off. Rooney is expected to be out for at least four weeks, missing England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers and United's league clash against rivals Liverpool at Anfield. This gives Robin van Persie more than a golden chance to shine over the next weeks!
WOW!
It has been a terrific start to the season for Roberto Di Matteo's Blues! After three games and three wins, Chelsea are now looking forward to the UEFA Super Cup clash against Atletico Madrid on Friday. With Fernando Torres finally shining and seemingly back to his best and new star man Juan Mata showing pace, tenacity and an eye for a pass, this duo have the potential of making (or breaking) Roman Abramovich's season over the next weeks and months. The Russian tycoon will be hoping the London club will be title contenders once again after finally tasting European success last season.
Everton and Swansea have also impressed with their starts to the season, two wins out of two and twelve goals between them! Obviously it is still too early to tell, but from what we have seen so far, David Moyes and his boys can gain confidence and focus on a top four spot after beating United and Aston Villa. Michael Laudrup will be more than happy with the start to the season by his Swans, but with the wins coming against newly promoted West Ham and relegation battlers of last season QPR, the Dane will know to compose himself and his side for more and harder times to come! But after this weekend, even Cesc Fabregas tweeted his appreciation of and admiration for the Swans!
TOP!
The Belgian playmaker Mata produced a superb flick to set up Torres to make it 2-0 to Chelsea against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard's powerful strike made this his sixth goals in nine games for club and country.
RvP's left-footer against the angle was a stunner sending Patrice Evra's cross into the back of the net to make it 1-1 and equalise for Manchester United after Damien Duff had shocked Old Trafford and opened the scoring for Fulham converting a well-worked free kick. The Dutchman will be glad to have found his opener for United so early on in the season and hoping he can add plenty more over the coming weeks with Rooney missing out due to injury.
Luis Suarez' free kick for Liverpool was unstoppable! The Argentine forward curled the ball around and past the wall, well out of the City keeper Joe Hart's reach, to make it 2-1 seconds after Yaya Toure tapped in Pepe Reina's giveaway to equalise for City. Breathtaking goal in a brilliant game!
FLOP!
So far, it has not been a good weekend or season for defenders and goalkeepers, with a hand full of nightmare rebounds and back passes!
After Norwich debutant Sebastien Bassong was debatably penalised for pulling down QPR forward Djibril Cisse, keeper John Ruddy did a great job of saving the spot kick, but the rebound found Bobby Zamora who made no mistake of netting it to equalise and make it 1-1. The keeper was not happy with that and replays showed the players were inside the box when the spot kick was taken which means the penalty should have been retaken!
Angel Rangel's shot-cum-pass from the right went under goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to give the Swans the lead against the Hammers. The Spanish defender claimed it of course eventhough it was more luck than shine. Miguel Michu took advantage of a short backpass by James Collins and punished the defender for his mistake nipping the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 and complete the WHam nightmare!
Keeper David De Gea's punch deflected in off defender Nemanja Vidic to make it 3-2 and a nervy finish for United against Fulham at Old Trafford.
Red defender Martin Skrtel's back pass to Reina which found Carlos Tevez for the second equaliser will have made Anfield cringe after they played so well against the defending champions. The Slovak's mistake gave the Argentine his 100th goal in English football and City one point.
HERO!
The youngsters were the best this weekend!
Raheem Sterling and Jonjo Shelvey impressed for Liverpool, staying on the ball and frustrating the opposition in a nailbiter of a game against defending champions Manchester City.
Eden Hazard and Mata were scorer and provider in Chelsea's stroll to their third win in a row.
But as mentioned above, the "old boys" impressed too with Torres and RVP shining on the pitch and coreboard once again.
ZZZERO!
Arsenal disappointed again with a goalless draw at Stoke. It was a game with not much to write about as both sides cancelled each other out. Stoke kept a back line of ten players which frustrated and kept Arsenal out and left no form or space for any kind of attack on neither side which voided any form or chance of a competition. I hope and think that things will be very different for the Gunners next weekend, beware, as Arsene Wenger's men will be heading to Anfield, where they have yet to see a goalless game in the Premier League era!
My Predictions => Actual Results
Swansea 2-1 West Ham => 3-0
Aston Villa 0-1 Everton => 1-3
Man United 3-1 Fulham => 3-2
Norwich 0-0 QPR => 1-1
Southampton 2-0 Wigan => 0-2
Sunderland P-P Reading => postponed due to waterlogged pitch
Tottenham 2-0 West Brom => 1-1
Chelsea 3-2 Newcastle => 2-0
Stoke 1-1 Arsenal => 0-0
Liverpool 2-3 Man City => 2-2
