Week 15: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week:

Top game: Chelsea's home win against Manchester City was a pulsating match where both teams went at it and there could have been more red cards than just the one! It was a feisty clash where the home side's top quality, team work and spirit beat City's snorty arrogance. All games had plenty of goals, action and refereeing controversy once again, but Norwich's home win against Newcastle tops the lot! Six goals, five bookings, one red card - it was a cracking game and result, for Norwich anyway.

Top team: Even after their first defeat of the season, City are still 12 points better off than they were at this stage last season and remain top of the Premier League table, two points clear of local rivals United. It will take more than one defeat to sink that massive ship! The promoted teams Norwich and Swansea are flying high mid-table, in 10th and 11th spot, on 19 and 17 points, after enjoying impressive home wins against Newcastle and Fulham respectively.

Top player: Nani and Antonio Valencia impressed me most at Old Trafford. Their runs left everyone far behind, so too their top quality passes, crosses and shots. The Portuguese midfielder scored two whilst his Ecuadorian provided two, Nani's cheeky right-foot opener running past all defenders along the box setting the tone of the match. Maxi Rodriguez showed similar pace and resilience at Anfield but was not rewarded with his name on the scoresheet thanks to some brilliant saves by QPR's Czech goalkeeper Radek Cerny.

Top goal: The opening Chelsea goal by former Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles was a smacker-and-a-half after a beautiful build up run clear and cross by once-again-impressive Daniel Sturridge. Of course Robin Van Persie's left-foot touch off Alex Song's wonderful diagonal pass and unstoppable shot and winning goal against Everton is impossible to overlook. The one goal Wolves got against United is also worth a note as Liverpool fan Steven Fletcher will never forget how wonderful he headed and curled the ball over everyone and into the back of the net.

Top news: I loved this little quote on BBC's Sportsday Live: Qatar's Al Sadd want Fifa to let them field a team of 16 players when they face European champions Barcelona in Thursday's Club World Cup semi-final in Japan. "I've got a plan," Al Sadd's Uruguayan coach Jorge Fossati joked. "If they agree to my request we are allowed 15 or 16 players on the field, I think we have a chance!" Nothing's impossible, right?

Flop game: Tottenham's defeat at Stoke was a strong win for them home side with a solid and resilient performance, especially by the back line, however, for Spurs it was a weak performance, by the referee especially. Yes, Chris Foy had a day to forget. I don't know how Emmanuel Adebayor's goal was offside and why Peter Crouch's handball in the build-up to Matthew Etherington's opener was conveniently overlooked, well, convenient for Stoke of course. In this day and age it is an impertinence that there is no back-up system, i.e. video ref to correct all this humbug!!!

Flop team: Bolton worried me sick this weekend! They gave Aston Villa no worries and a too easy win! There was no tracking, lack of defending which left Villa with too much time and space to push forward too freely and easily. Owen Coyle must have said something right at half time because they came out firing in the second half but it did not last long. The Wanderers are bottom of the league with only nine points, 14 points and 14 places worse off than at the same stage last season! Chris Kamara may not agree with me on his blog, but I am really worried for Bolton if they continue like this!

Flop player: There were three red cards this weekend, which could not have painted a bigger contrast: City's Gael Clichy painted a frustrated picture against the pace of Chelsea's Sturridge and saw a second yellow for tripping Ramires; Spurs' Younes Kaboul was harshly dismissed for a challenge on Stoke's Jonathan Walters by an imcompetent Foy who should not have stayed on the pitch himself; and last but not least Dan Gosling was Newcastle's main villain in their defeat with some miserable defending and fouling which lead to his sending off and his depleted side's defeat. How come the referees are not picked up, assessed and/or dropped according to their performances and consistency as the players and teams are?!

Flop goal: As mentioned above, this week there were a bunch of all-too-familiar cases of goals and penalties that should have or should not have been, but thanks to the mood swings and dazzling minds of the referees and their decisions, the goals, penalties and results stand as they are. I know, that gives us the spice to the food we eat, the words to the blogs, reports and articles we right, and the action and controversy to the matches and sport we follow and so thoroughly enjoy but damn! All action and entertainment would not be lost if all the lies, deceit and utter incompetence would be taken out of the game by modern technology! FULL STOP! I think this and could right this EVERY WEEK!!!!!!! The only one left jumping for joy this weekend, was new Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill after his side recorded only their third win of the season, his first match in charge, against Blackburn.

Flop news: Sad news about Darren Fletcher as it looks like we've seen the last of him in the game. Wish him all the best in his recovery, eventhough he plays for United... ;-P

My predictions - Actual results:

Arsenal 3:1 Everton - 1:0

Bolton 1:1 Aston Villa - 1:2

Liverpool 3:1 QPR - 1:0

Man Utd 3:0 Wolves - 4:1

Norwich 1:2 Newcastle - 4:2

Swansea 0:0 Fulham - 2:0

West Brom 3:1 Wigan - 1:2

Sunderland 3:0 Blackburn - 2:1

Stoke 1:2 Tottenham - 2:1

Chelsea 2:5 Man City - 2:1

Reds spoil Fernando's first Blues show

Sports - Football - Premier League - Chelsea 0:1 Liverpool

Fernando Torres' debut for bitter rivals Chelsea proved fruitless as his former side took all three points at Stamford Bridge, continuing the revival under King Kenny and taking the Reds up to sixth for the first time this season after their fourth consecutive win and clean sheet, whilst Chelsea hover in fourth spot, 10 points behind United at the top, whilst Spurs are creeping up on them behind only on goal difference in fifth.

The Spaniard nearly got a dream start when Maxi Rodriguez passed the ball back to his former team mate a couple of minutes into the game, however, he ended up mishitting the ball over the goal creating no worries for Pepe Reina.

The only other chance for £50m-star-striker, the most expensive player in British football, was blocked off by Jamie Carragher later on in the first half, the Liverpool defender putting his body on the line as always, although just making a comeback from a long term injury (shoulder surgery).

After only 66 minutes Fernando's first blue stint ended disappointing for Carlo Ancelotti when he came off for Ivorian forward Salomon Kalou. 

However, things went from bad to worse for the Blues just minutes later when Raul Meireles latched onto Steven Gerrard's cross and put it into the back of the net past Branislav Ivanovic and Petr Cech after the two had clashed and caused confusion not for the first time in the match giving both a game they would like to forget very quickly.

Maxi must have been a very relieved man after he had missed a sitter earlier in the first half, hitting a Gerrard cross against the crossbar, not even six yards outside an open goal.

In the end, Liverpool's organisation, resilience and determination paid off, going without new signing Luis Suarez who stayed unused on the bench, making Chelsea's normally all-too-threatening-and-intimidating-looking front trio of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Torres look all-too-ordinary, the home side lacking options in width and creativity.

"He Who Betrays Will Walk Alone" said one of the Liverpool fans' banners and it looked pretty much like that for the 66 minutes Torres was on the pitch.

"We have to give Fernando time to adjust to the shape but I think that he will do it quickly," said Ancelotti. "I took him off as, after 66 minutes and a very busy week, it was good for him to come off," he said on the BBC website.

"Fernando has experience, he has confidence and didn't show problems before the game. He was enthusiastic to play, excited, and it didn't show a problem," added the 51-year-old.

Dalglish's take on the Spaniard was to the point, showing he is in the past as the Reds are concerned: "As this football club has always said, the most important people are the people who are at Liverpool Football Club and that is the way it will always be."

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa (David Luiz 73), Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel (booked 1, Malouda 72), Lampard; Anelka; Torres (Kalou 66), Drogba.
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, McEachran, Sala.

Liverpool: Reina; Carragher, Skrtel, Agger; Kelly, Johnson, Gerrard, Lucas (booked 74), Maxi (Aurelio 75); Meireles (scored 68:26, Poulsen 84), Kuyt.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Suarez, Jovanovic, Kyrgiakos, Ngog.

1st half stats:
Chelsea-Liverpool
Attempts: 5-2
On target: 0-1
Offsides: 3-1
Corners: 2-2
Free kicks: 3-3
Possession:
59%-41% (20)
51%-49% (HT)

2nd half stats:
Chelsea-Liverpool
Attempts: 10-2
On target: 1-2
Offsides: 2-0
Corners: 2-0
Free kicks: 3-5
Possession:
49%-51% (80)
52%-48% (FT)

Sky Sports Stats:
Chelsea-Liverpool
Possession: 57.4%-42.6%
Passing Success: 83.7%-78.4%
Tackles/Success: 16/62.5%-21/76.2%
Territorial Advantage: 53.7%-46.3%

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Raul Meireles

Liverpool get sweet revenge over Wolves

Sports - Football - Premier League - Wolves 0-3 Liverpool

Raul Meireles' breathtaking strike and Fernando Torres' double earned King Kenny his first win since taking over from Roy Hodgson and returning to his managerial throne at Liverpool as his Reds beat Wolves in an intense encounter at Molineux.

It was sweet revenge over Mick McCarthy's men, after they had beaten a sorry Liverpool side 1-0 at Anfield and ultimately cost Hodgson his job end of December.

Portuguese midfielder Meireles set the tone and mood for the Reds, making run after run, putting Wolves under pressure and turned from provider after 36 minutes with Torres tapping in his pass, to scorer with an impressive stunner, dipping 25-yard volley into the top corner of the net in the 50th minute, leaving Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey help- and hopelessly stranded.

Torres completed the trio of goals and points, smashing the ball into an empty Wolves net after a fine run and cross by Dirk Kuyt.

It was a hard-fought, well-deserved and overdue win for Liverpool which takes them to the top half of the table - at least for the night.

Wolves didn't go down easy. they tried to adopt the same positive anddedicated work and play from their Anfield win, to keep as much of and Liverpool off the ball.

But it didn't work this time round as the Reds seemed to have a different jump or flare about them, hopefully an indication of better mind, form and times ahead!

Wolves: Hennessey; Stearman, Ward, Berra, Zubar; Henry, Hunt (Hammill 72), Jarvis, Milijas; Fletcher, Doyle.
Subs not used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Mouyokolo, Jones, Davis, Vokes.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Kelly, Skrtel; Meireles (booked 85), Maxi (Aurelio 81), Lucas, Poulsen (booked 4, Shelvey 73); Torres (booked 47), Kuyt.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Cole, Spearing, Pacheco.

BBC stats:
Wolves-Liverpool
Attempts: 12-15
On target: 5-10
Corners: 5-4
Free kicks: 17-6
Possession: 49%-51%

Sky Sports stats:
Wolves-Liverpool
Attempts: 11-14
On target: 3-9
Offsides: 3-2
Corners: 5-4
Free kicks: 18-6
Possession: 59.2%-40.8%
Passing Success: 70.1%-67.7%
Tackles/Success: 19/63.2%-21/76.2%
Territorial Advantage: 66%-34%

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Raul Meireles

Merseyside derby ends all evens at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:2 Everton

Honours ended up all even at Merseyside after Dirk Kuyt's penalty earned King Kenny's men a draw in the derby with Everton, leaving both sides on 26 points, only four points clear of the relegation zone in 13th and 12th place respectively.

Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles took the lead for Liverpool on 29, driving the ball from 18 yards after Kuyt pulled a double save out of Tim Howard.

It was a deserved lead as Liverpool enjoyed most possession and chances, Dalglish coule be a happy man at half time onhis return to Anfield for the 215th Merseyside derby.

All the optimism changed for the Reds with the kick-off of the second half: Within 43 seconds Sylvain Distin headed in Mikel Arteta's corner at the back post, over Martin Skrtel and past Pepe Reina to make it 1-1.

Just over five minutes later, Jermaine Bedford completed the turnaround, smashing in Leon Osman's pass from close range and making Kuyt's and Fernando Torres' earlier close chances, including a crash against the post, count for nothing and seem meeningless as they weree to the scoreboard.

The guests looked well on top after that, Liverpool's play looking less organised and confident, more disrupted, making David Moyes the much happier since half time.

However, there was another twist in the tale: After all his saves, Howard turned from hero to villain when he clipped the legs of Maxi Rodriguez to bring the Argentine down and concede the penalty which Kuyt converted with cool composure to make the last 20-ish minutes the more interesting, tense and gripping.

Both sides pushed on, sharing chances, shouts and pressure, the result reföecting this fair and square.

Liverpool: Reina (booked 53); Kelly, Skrtel, Agger (Kyrgiakos 46), Johnson; Meireles (scored 28:24, Shelvey 81), Spearing, Lucas, Kuyt (booked 89) (scored penalty 67:21); Torres (booked 63), Maxi.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Aurelio, Cole, Pacheco, Babel.

Everton: Howard; Neville, Heitinga, Distin (scored 45:38), Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Arteta, Osman (Rodwell 78); Beckford (scored 51:34, Vaughan 74), Anichebe (Bilyaletdinov 82).
Subs not used: Mucha, Hibbert, Gueye, Baxter.

1st half stats:
Liverpool-Everton
Attempts: 10-4
On target: 6-1
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 6-4
Free kicks: 7-9
Possession:
65%-35% (20-30 min)
53%-47% (HT)

2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Everton
Attempts: 3-2
On target: 2-2
Offsides: 3-0
Corners: 4-2
Free kicks: 9-9
Possession:
51%-49% (FT)

Sky Sports Stats:
Liverpool-Everton
Passing Success: 77.5%-73.4%
Tackles/Success: 20/90%-25/72%
Territorial Advantage: 48%-52%

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Fernando Torres

Reds beat the Hammers without their skipper

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3:0 West Ham

And it could have been more! 4, 5, 6... What a difference a week makes!

Okay, this was a home game, against a dire and under-fire Hammers side where Avram Grant is walking on very thin, melting ice down at the bottom of the Premier League table.

It all happened in the first half: Criticised by his manager, Glen Johnson made it 1-0 when he chested Raul Meireles' corner before drilling a low shot straight down the middle of the goal (18), making a clear point to Roy Hodgson.

Dirk Kuyt netted the 27th minute penalty, after Fernando Torres' shot chipped over Matthew Upson's foot onto Danny Gabbidon's hand.

Maxi Rodriguez headed headed in an easy simple third before half time.

It could have been 4, 5 or 6 at the interval with Rodriguez, Meireles and David Ngog all denied in one way or the other.

The second half was less spectacular, Liverpool sitting comfortably on their three-goal advantage and West Ham getting nowhere with the ball.

After the recent (lack of) form and results for the Reds, you would have through they would have pushed on for a thrashing of West Ham. But having to cope without their talisman skipper, they were obviously happy with the way things stood.

It just shows, there is always worse - ask the Hammers' fans - and their co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold. Grant will be counting his days...

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson (scored 18), Konchesky, Carragher, Skrtel; Meireles (Shelvey 83), Maxi (scored 38), Poulsen, Kuyt (scored pen 27); Torres (Babel 84), Ngog (Aurelio 73).
Subs not used: Jones, Kyrgiakos, Kelly, Eccleston.

West Ham: Green; Gabbidon, Upson, Ilunga (Tomkins 76), Jacobsen; Boa Morte, Kovac, Noble (booked 73), Cole (McCarthy 69); Piquionne, Obinna (Barrera 46).
Subs not used: Stech, Reid, Spector, Nouble.

BBC Stats:
Liverpool-West Ham
Attempts: 19-6
On target: 11-1
Corners: 10-2
Free kicks: 8-8
Possession: 62%-38%

Sky Sports Stats:
Liverpool-West Ham
Attempts: 16-6
On target: 8-1
Offsides: 2-1
Corners: 10-2
Free kicks: 11-7
Possession: 53.8%-46.2%
Passing Success: 82.8%-78.5%
Tackles/Success: 26/76.8%-28/71.4%
Territorial Advantage: 49%-51%

Referee: Lee Probert
Man of the match: Raul Meireles