Ibrahimovic saves point for United

Sports - Football - Premier League - MUFC 1:1 LFC

Zlatan Ibrahimovic extended United's unbeaten run to twelve league games (5D, 7W) as he levelled the score late on against bitter rivals Liverpool making it 1:1 and a point each at Old Trafford.

Jürgen Klopp and his men will see it more as two points dropped than one point won after showing great control and sternness.

They had taken the lead in the 27th minute thanks to James Milner's spot kick, given against an embarrassingly obvious handball by Paul Pogba, and the visitors controlled the game from then.

The £89m-striker was lucky to stay on the pitch after wrestling Jordan Henderson to the ground, his arm around the Red skipper's throat.

Keeper Simon Mignolet impressed with a strong display, denying Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the first half.

Red Devils' boss José Mourinho had seen enough and left the dugout for the break before time was added on.

Wayne Rooney came on after the interval, replacing Michael Carrick, looking to break Liverpool and the club record.

The Scouser did bring more confidence and threat to the Red Devils, but Klopp knew how to deal with that, bringing on Philippe Coutinho and more stability with it.

The German's face and voice said it all just seconds before the leveller, loud, angry, devilish...

Ibrahimovic equalised in the 84th minute off the rebound after Antonio Valencia powered it in off the post. Replays showed a United player was offside in the build-up.

It's the Swede's 14th goal in his first 20 Premier League matches, equalling Alan Shearer's and Sergio Agüero's records.

And it didn't finish there. Ander Herrera was cautioned in the dying minutes for pulling Roberto Firmino's shirt. Both managers clashed on the touchline as both felt the opponent should have a man sent off.

The Portuguese manager calmed his players down in the final minutes, Sir Alex Ferguson smiling in the stands.

Liverpool felt robbed. Klopp had to breath in and out before answering any post-match questions, clear signs of frustration.

The draw does mean Milner is still unbeaten in the 46 games where he has scored and Liverpool have recorded least defeats of all Premier League teams (two, same as Tottenham).

But every goal and point dropped will hurt as Chelsea are now seven points clear at the top with 17 games to go.

Liverpool Goal: Milner pen 26:37min.

Manchester United Goal: Ibrahimovic 83:09min.

Manchester United Team: 1 De Gea; 36 Darmian (27 Fellaini 76'), 5 Marcos Rojo, 4 Jones, 25 Valencia; 11 Martial (8 Mata 65'), 21 Ander Herrera (booked 90'), 16 Carrick (10 Rooney 46'); 9 Ibrahimovic, 22 Mkhitaryan, 6 Pogba. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 20 S Romero, 17 Blind, 12 Smalling & Rashford.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner, 17 Klavan, 6 Lovren (booked 31'), 66 Alexander-Arnold; 5 Wijnaldum (booked 61'), 14 Henderson, 23 Can; 27 Origi (10 Coutinho 61'), 11 Firmino (booked 90'), 20 Lallana. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 11 Gomez, 18 Moreno, 34 Stewart, 53 Ejaria & 15 Sturridge.

HT & FT stats: MUFC-LFC
Possession: 52%-48% & 55%-45%
Attempts: 4-5 & 9-13
On target: 2-1 & 3-4
Corners: 3-5 & 5-7
Fouls: 9-8 & 17-13
Bookings: 0-1 & 1-3

Referee: Michael Oliver
Ground: Old Trafford
Attendance: 75,276

Pictures and stats taken from the BBC match report. 

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Premier League 2013-14 Season Preview

Sports - Football - Premier League - 2013-14 Season Preview

 

With the new season just a week away, here is a look at the 20 teams that will fight it out in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, the return of the Special One, big spenders and will-he-stay-or-will-he-go transfer dramas of you-know-who promise more unpredictable twists and turns at the top, whilst newly promoted Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Hull City will be making sure to mix up the rest:

 

Part One: Summary, facts, stats and transfers of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Chelsea and Crystal Palace =>  http://thefootballgene.com/2013/08/premier-league-preview-part-1/

 

Part Two: Summary, facts, stats and transfers of Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Liverpool and Manchester City => http://thefootballgene.com/2013/08/premier-league-preview-part-2/

 

Part Three: Summary, facts, stats and transfers of Manchester United, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton and Stoke City => http://thefootballgene.com/2013/08/premier-league-preview-part-3/

 

Part Four: Summary,  facts,  stats and transfers of Sunderland, Swansea, Tottenham, West Brom and West Ham => http://thefootballgene.com/2013/08/premier-league-preview-part-4/

 

Sources: Sky Sports website (for transfers), BBC Football & Wikipedia websites & FourFourTwo Season Preview magazine (for stats & facts).

United beat Liverpool resistance at Old Trafford

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

Week 19: Premier League Tops & Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week

WOW! OMG!

Manchester United's home win against Newcastle was a seven-goal thriller-and-a-half! So much happened, so much to talk and write about, you could not blink! Newcastle took the shock lead four minutes into the game thanks to James Perch, but Jonny Evans levelled things for United. Then came the controversy, Evans saw the ball into his own net but was relieved to see the flag up, Papiss Cisse given offside and the goal disallowed. But referee Mike Dean overruled his assistant and the goal stood as Cisse did not interefere with play before Evans netted the ball. Sir Alex Ferguson did not agree and was fuming on the side line even after the break.
 
But Evra soon equalised for the home side arrowing the ball past Tim Krul after a poor clearance to make it 2-2. Cisse then put the visitors back ahead thanks to a smart finish with his left and the United defence limping behind the Toons. RVP netted the third equaliser before United were denied a penalty for Toon skipper Fabricio Coloccini's handball. But after all frustration and aggravation, Javier Hernandez was once again the last-minute hero guiding the ball past Krul after a fine cross by Michael Carrick to make it 4-3 on the 90th minute mark.

Fergie turned from mad at half time to more than glad at full time. The Scotsman certainly put the pressure on the officials. After this game, he should be worried about United's defence more than anything else. But their outstanding attack spared them from disappointment, even without their main striker Wayne Rooney, who was out injured, and are now seven points clear at the top. Happy Christmas indeed, for one side of Manchester at least...

TOP!

The game at Villa Park could not have been more one-sided. Tottenham were all over Villa who kept giving away the ball. With all the space in the world, Jermain Defoe opened the scoring by nut-megging the Villa goalkeeper. Gareth Bale then calmly took advantage of the Villa mess up with the outside of his left foot and produced a nice chip-in to make it 2-0. With loads of space again, Aaron Lennon found Bale, who staged a left-foot Waltz, once, 0-3, and then a second time, this time off number 22 for the hat-trick to make it 0-4. Tottenham climbed up to fourth postion and Champions League qualification whilst Villa are hovering of the relegation zone just three points clear of the drop.

FLOP!

It was a shakey performance by Liverpool and exactly what they did not need or expect after their confidence-boosting 4-0 win against Fulham just a couple of ago! No discrediting Stoke for their performance and great response and stubbornness, they deserved the win. The only goal for the home side came thanks to a penalty, their first of this season! But Stoke were level seconds later after Robert Huth hooved the ball forward for Jonathan Walters to burry the ball past Pepe Reina. The visitors then took the lead thanks to Kenwyne Jones' header off a corner. Liverpool's defence was nowhere on both occasions, same goes for the final and winning goal. Reina could only help the ball in off Walter's fine left-foot strike and seal the dead deal for the Reds who dropped down to tenth in the table, eight points away from Champions League qualification.

HERO! and ZERO!

Adam Johnson scored the winning goal for Sunderland against Manchester City without realising. City protested, they wanted a free kick for a fowl against Pablo Zabaleta, but the defence was nowhere when Johnson's left-foot shot from the right squeezed past Joe Hart. Ambitious and productive, but Hart should have saved that one! I guess the England goalkeeper expected a cross rather than a shot but it ended up a Boxing Day delight for the home side at the Stadium of Light.

QPR's Rob Green will know the embarrassing feeling after tapping the ball into his own net against West Brom. Harry Redknapp was not happy with that goal as it looked like Marc-Antoine Fortune was backing into the goalkeeper. However, I feel he just stood his ground and the goalkeeper had no reason to backup so far! He was too soft and in the wrong position to start off with. It is all always relative, isn't it? Although Liam Ridgewell was very lucky not to concede a penalty for handling the ball. In the end, either way, this defeat saw QPR back to the bottom of the table.

My Predictions => Actual Results:
Everton 2-1 Wigan => 2-1
Fulham 0-0 Southampton  => 1-1
Man United 2-1 Newcastle => 4-3
Norwich 1-1 Chelsea => 0-1
QPR 0-2 West Brom => 1-2
Reading 0-0 Swansea => 0-0
Sunderland 0-3 Man City => 1-0
Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham => 0-4
Stoke 1-0 Liverpool => 3-1

Liverpool's worst run continues against United

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

Tevez steals the show & point for City at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:2 Manchester City

Carlos Tevez spoilt the show at Anfield with his 100th goal in the English game. The Argentine took advantage of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel's mistake, a poor backpass, when he netted Manchester City's second of the day to make it all sqare, 2-2.

Liverpool were defiant and intent to perform and come back strong after their dire 3-0 defeat at West Brom last weekend and the Reds did so from the start.

Having lost Lucas Leiva early on in the match due to injury (5.), substitute Jonjo Shelvey and youngster Raheem Sterling impressed with their resilience and stubbornness throughout the match.

New signing Joe Allen showed some great creativity and productive passing play and the two Martins at the back, Skrtel and Kelly, kept City's front force of Mario Balotelli and Tevez stumm for most of the game, too.

So, the home side looked dominant and in firm control when Skrtel banged in a header off skipper Steven Gerrard's corner just past the half-hour mark and Liverpool took the 1-0 lead into the break.

However, with just under half an hour to go, Pepe Reina gave away the ball to Yaya Toure who just had to tap it in to level the score 1-1 for City.

Exactly three minutes later, Luis Suarez saw his brilliant free kick from just out side the boxc curl around and over the wall into the top right corner of the net, Joe Hart left stranded and City 2-1 behind.

But with City being the new and proven late comeback kings, Tevez made sure the champions would not go back home empty handed turning Skrtel from hero to zero and making Liverpool pay with his equaliser.

Brendan Rodgers brought on Andy Carroll late on to see if the out-of-favour striker could make another comeback out of the comeback, but to no avail. Shelvey came closest to a late winner when he saw his strong drive from 25-yards just clearing the bar.

But the Reds can draw strength and confidence from this impressive performance. After making the champions shake and trail as they did, I am sure the (young) Reds can set up a good and strong run and side from here.

FT Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City (HT 1-0)

Liverpool Goals: 1: 33:37min Martin Skrtel (37), 2: 65:54min Luis Suarez (7).

Man City Goals: 1: 62:54min Yaya Toure (42), 2: 79:19min Carlos Tevez (32).

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 2 Johnson, 16 Coates, 37 Skrtel, 34 Kelly (3 Jose Enrique - 66.); 24 Allen, 21 Lucas (33 Shelvey - 5.); 31 Sterling, 8 Gerrard, 29 Borini (9 Carroll - 83.); 7 Suarez (bkd 94.). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 14 Henderson, 19 Downing, 23 Carragher.

Man City: 1 Hart; 13 Kolarov, 28 Toure, 4 Kompany, 5 Zabaleta; 34 de Jong, 42 Toure; 8 Nasri (17 Rodwell - 59.), 32 Tevez, 7 Milner (21 Silva - 76.); 45 Balotelli (10 Dzeko - 62.). 4-2-3-1.
Subs not used: 30 Pantilimon, 6 Lescott, 15 Savic, 62 Razak.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Man City
Attempts: 17-11
On target: 3-3
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 4-4
Free kicks: 8-10
Possession: 48.7%-51.3%
Tackles: 18-26
Tackles Success: 77.8%-76.9%
Passes: 462-484
Passes Success: 80.5%-84.1%
Crosses: 18-22
Crosses Success: 33.3%-9.1%
Territorial Advantage: 50.5%-49.5%

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Raheem Sterling (31)

Week 38: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

This weekend was the grand finale weekend of the season and it was the first time ever the title was decided on the last day, in the last match/half/minute/second of the season! After 1,066 goals were scored in total in the Premier League this season, Manchester City ended up top scorer and title winner. But it was not just Manchester that was sweating, screaming, crying, laughing, dancing. The relegation battle, Champions League spot(s) and a hell lot of honour were still left to play for:

Top game: The title deciders at the Stadium of Light and Etihad stadium had EVERYTHING! All the thrills, spills, cheers, tears and drama the game and sport can bring! Manchester United and Wayne Rooney could have bagged 4/5/6/7 goals against Sunderland but in the end it didn't matter. City had fought back late and won the game against relegation-battlers QPR and the title with two goals in the last three minutes of time added on.
United did not know where they were at after their full-time whistle had gone. The suspense was like there to grasp, close to edible in the air. Sergio Aguero will never forbet the moment he scored and won the title for City, their first after 44 years, 22 managers, five relegations, five promotions and right out of their local rivals' laps! Un-be-lievable climax to and unforgettable season! Martin Tyler's and Guy Mowbray's loss of voice control as well as the fans' and team's reactions, faces and body language, covered and summarised that moment and the whole occasion brilliantly!!!

Top team: City ended up on top in the end and were rewarded and celebrated for not giving up the game, match and title. It is not over until the final whistle! United know that the best! Now City know it better! But the juicier next season will be, United's fight-back! As Sir Alex Ferguson said with a smile on his face, he is not going anywhere. And hats off to him, respect to Fergie for congratulating City and saying they deserve the title as the league is the long haul and not just won by accident or some good fortune (after having a dig at the fact that five minutes were added on for City to come back. Sir Alex obviously did not see or watch all highlights and action of the match at the Etihad, with the whole Joey Barton malarkey... More an that below...).

Top player: Rooney could have scored a hat-trick with all the chances he missed and saw saved. Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was on top of his game and did brilliantly to bounce back onto his feet after stopping Paul Scholes' shot to also deny none other than Ryan Giggs parrying the latter's shot over the crossbar. Brad Friedel also showed he still has what it takes for Tottenham against Fulham, his terrific stop against Moussa Dembele in the first half proving his awareness and actions/reactions are still up to speed.

Top goal: AGUERRROOOOOOOOOOO!!! Need I say more? More? More? Wigan's third and Emmerson Boyce's second of the match against Wolves at the DW Stadium was outstanding! With a wonderful right-foot swerving volley from the edge of the box, the Carribean defender smashed in Hugo Rodallega's header into the back of the net to make it three goals and three points for the Latics, ending their season on a high at home.

Top news: New England manager Roy Hodgson has announced the full 23-man England squad for Euro 2012, leaving out Rio Ferdinand and naming Steven Gerrard as the England captain. Full England Squad for Euro 2012

Flop game and team: Swansea's home win summed up Liverpool's season. With chances galore, in an otherwise mediocre game, the Reds ended up pointless, miserable and frustrated. This season in 11th place, seven points clear of the relegation zone, it has been Swansea's best and highest finish in 30 years. In 8th place, 37 points behind the champions, this has been Liverpool's worst finish in nearly 50 years! Carling Cup win aside, King Kenny had a lot of soal- and fault-searching, explaining and changing to do in order to keep his crown and throne at Anfield. And as we all know since yesterday, he has failed in doing so and succumbed to the Amercian owners and their demands. This may be an understandable decision and action after this season, but that does not mean it is the right thing to do to make things better in the long run. I just wonder how John Henry and Co will come up with anything and anyone more successful and profiting LONG TERM if they make cuts and changes every year! It took even Sir Alex four years to win his first trophy with United (the FA Cup 1989-90) and seven years for the first league title (1992-93)! It shows, time and patience is of virtue and essence for success and with that comes all the money and profit the owners are looking for and not vice versa. But as long as there are teams like Chelsea and City, I guess owners like Henry will always plead their cases on those examples (and not the others, i.e. Leeds, Newcastle, Blackburn, ...). Only time will tell what all this will mean for Liverpool... I am not too optimistic though! :-(

Flop player: Barton, what were you thinking?! First you elbow Carlos Tevez. Then, whilst arguing your case with the referee and after handing over your CAPTAIN'S ARMBAND, you follow on to your idiotic act with an even more moronic act by kicking into the back of Aguero. I don't know how you can explain your way out of this one!!! = LOOOOOOOONG ban will hopefully follow! Shame on you! DISGRACE!

Flop goal: Marton Fulop had an absolute nightmare against Arsenal! In his league debut for West Brom, the Hungarian goalkeeper first produced a terrible error, letting Yossi Benayoun pass him and score with ease after failing to claim the ball in his own box. Then he punched the ball back to Laurent Koscielny and into the back of his own net. After a fine fight-back by West Brom, giving their England-bound manager Hodgson a good send-off, Fulop flopped and held his head in shame after throwing these three points out the window and into the back of the net with the ball(s) and goal(s) he gave away.
And I don't know how both goals for Stoke against Bolton were given. The first was a fowl on goalkeeper Adam Bogdan with Jon Walters tumbling all over him and the ball over the line with him. The second was a very soft penalty with Peter Crouch going down with hardly any contact made with Bogdan. The game ended up 2-2 and the Wanderers religated. Heart-break after everything that has happened to Bolton this season and especially unfair after their brilliant comebacks and fightbacks of late and it looked like they had this match in the bag too. QPR are very lucky!

Flop news: The first boss on the end-of-the-season hanger was Aston Villa's Alex McLeish after only 11 months in the job. Kenny Dalglish followed soon after with only four months longer under his belt this time round. The big question is, who is next? Betting odds

My predictions - Actual results

Chelsea 2:1 Blackburn - 2:1
Everton 2:0 Newcastle - 3:1
Man City 4:0  QPR - 3:2
Man City are champions
Norwich City 2:2 Aston Villa - 2:0
Stoke City 1:2 Bolton - 2:2
Bolton are relegated
Sunderland 1:2 Man United - 0:1
Swansea City 0:2 Liverpool - 1:0
Tottenham 3:0 Fulham - 2:0
West Brom 1:2 Arsenal - 2:3
Wigan 1:1 Wolves - 3:2

Match Report: Rooney double beats Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League - Man United 2:1 Liverpool

Man of the match Wayne Rooney stole the show with two goals at the start of the second half which saw Manchester United beat Liverpool 2:1 at Old Trafford and return to the top of the Premier League table (for the night).

There were some ugly scenes at the end of both halves, with the saga between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra hanging over the teams after the Urugayan striker had refused to shake the United defender's hand before the match and clashes continuing into the tunnels. Shame on the players, forgetting the meaning of the word respect, you would have thought the managers would have had a word!

Moving on (as I hoped the teams would and going by their statements, they finally have), the game was more ill-spirited than tempered with only two bookings and both teams cancelling each other out, leaving the main action and possession in the centre of the field.

United bossed the game throughout but Liverpool stayed solid at the back and stubborn in the centre looking like they would not give up that easily and break and get something out of the game.

However, Rio Ferdinand's giveaway to Suarez ended up to be just a consolation goal. It spiced up the end of a game which United controlled and Liverpool held onto as much and long as they could.

But a certain former Evertonian striker had made sure the visitors would not get much out of the match, doubling his tally against the Merseysiders, smashing in a Ryan Giggs corner on 47 and tapping in an easy chance from a fine Antonio Valencia cross three minutes later after Jay Spearing lost the ball to the Ecuadorian winger.

It was not a match to write much about, if it weren't for all the ill temper of certain players, Evra's OTT-celebrations after the match right in front of Suarez not helping the matter much.

I hope now both players and managers had a chance to look back, consider and apologise their actions, we can move on and come back to what it is all about, the game and not a couple of idiots/idiotic actions that are taken out of all proportions and try to spoil and destroy the team spirit of it!

As John Barnes put it best on BBC: "...We are making a mountain out of a molehill. There are worse things happening in the world."

United: De Gea; Evra, Evans, Ferdinand, Rafael da Silva; Giggs, Scholes, Carrick (booked 80), Valencia; Welbeck, Rooney (scored 46:17 & 49:04). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Amos, Fabio da Silva, Park Ji-sung, Cleverley, Pogba, Berbatov, Hernandez.

Liverpool: Reina; Jose Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson; Downing (booked 45, Bellamy 61), Gerrard,  Spearing (Carroll 61), Kuyt (Adam 75), Henderson; Suarez (scored 79:55). 4-5-1
Subs not used: Doni, Carragher, Kelly, Shelvey.

1st & 2nd half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4 & 5-3
On target: 3-2 & 3-2
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-3
Corners: 2-2 & 1-1
Free kicks: 5-4 & 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 55.9%-44.1% (1st half, Sky), 52%-48% (BBC, 67 mins), 54.1%-45.9% (Sky, 67 mins), 47%-53% (2nd half possession up to 76. minute, Sky) , 54.6%-45.4% (2nd half, Sky), 54%-46% (FT, Sky), 47%-53% (FT, BBC).

Sky Stats:
United-Liverpool
Passing Success: 87.9%-81.7%
Tackles/Success: 23/78.3%-21/76.2%
Territorial Advantage: 50.1%-49.9%
Action Areas: United 13%-74%-13% Liverpool

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

2nd half notes: Rooney double beats Liverpool

2nd half notes:
United kick off the second half and win an early corner.

46:17 Rooney smashes in Giggs' corner, right footer, close enough to give Reina no chance, caught Liverpool cold, what a start to the second half! 1-0

49:04 Spearing loses the ball against Valencia who rolls it into the path of Rooney, easy finish, 2-0. The former Evertonian is running riot! Liverpool must be thinking they are in a nightmare second half! Half time team talk out the window!

56. Soft free kick by Downing, easily cleared by United. Carroll is warming up on the sideline.

58. Rooney blasts one in but the referee had already blown the whistle for a Liverpool free kick for Carrick's tackle on Downing, although it looked like he got the ball cleanly.

59. Rooney in the box, chance for a hat-trick with a challenge coming in from his left, the striker puts it wide to the right.

61. Gerrard cross into the box, Downing chests ball out, wastes chance, his last touch of the game.

Double change for Liverpool: Carroll on for Spearing, Bellamy on for Downing.

64. Rafael cross from right picked up by Reina. Nothing coming from or for Liverpool, the visitors keep on losing the ball.

65. Johnson gives the ball away to Welbeck on the left, pass to Giggs, ball cleared by Spearing.

67. Gerrard kicks Rooney's back legs and gives away a free kick.

73. Liverpool building up a little bit more pressure with Bellamy on the left, but keep losing the ball when it matters. Manchester United looking comfortable, Rooney looking for his hat-trick.

74. Welbeck shot deflected by Henderson, Reina gets his gloves on it.

75. Agger has a go, high and wide.
Last change for Liverpool: Adam on for Kuyt.

77. Carroll gives away a free kick, looking very frustrated indeed.

80. Suarez gets his body across and is brought down by Carrick, the latter sees yellow for it.

79:55 What a gift for Suarez of all people! Adam takes the free kick, Ferdinand gives the ball to the controversial Uruguayan who thankfully puts it into the back of the net. 2-1, this should make the last 10 minutes more interesting, although United are the team who have scored most goals in this late period of the game.

82. Welbeck puts a shot high in the sky, Rooney not happy.

87. Liverpool heading the ball around the United box, eventually Carroll flicks the ball on to Suarez who is flagged offside, harsh, on the line.

Liverpool not making much of the momentum of the Suarez goal.

3 minutes added on.

Bellamy takes free kick on the left, Johnson shot saved well by De Gea, finger tip save of a fine left-foot shot, corner for Liverpool, cleared. Finally some urgency by the Reds.

Suarez header! High and wide. Flagged offside anyway.

Wayne Rooney easy pick for man of the match, his two goals early in the second half the difference between the two sides.

United win a free kick in the corner with only seconds to go, win a corner, teasing Liverpool in the final seconds.

FT: 2-1 Man of the match Wayne Rooney stole the show with two goals at the start of the second half which saw United beat Liverpool at Old Trafford and return to the top of the Premier League table. There were ugly scenes at the end of both halves, with the Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra saga hanging over the teams and continuing into the tunnels. Shame on the players, forgetting the meaning of the word respect, you would have thought the managers would have had a word.
Moving on (as the teams hopefully will from here), Suarez' goal ended up to be just a consolation goal but it spiced up the end of a game which United controlled and Liverpool held onto as much and long as they could. But former Evertonian Rooney made sure the visitors would not get much out of it, doubling his tally against the Merseysiders.

1st & 2nd half stats:
United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4 & 5-3
On target: 3-2 & 3-2
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-3
Corners: 2-2 & 1-1
Free kicks: 5-4 & 5-4
Possession: 62%-38% (BBC, 22 mins), 57.8%-42.2% (Sky, 23 mins), 52%-48% (BBC, 67 mins), 54.1%-45.9% (Sky, 67 mins), 47%-53% (2nd half possession up to 76. minute, Sky) , 54%-46% (FT, Sky), 47%-53% (FT, BBC).
Action Areas: United 13%-74%-13% Liverpool

United: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra, 6 Evans, 5 Ferdinand, 21 Rafael da Silva; 11 Giggs, 22 Scholes, 16 Carrick (booked 80), 25 Valencia; 19 Welbeck, 10 Rooney (scored 46:17 & 49:04). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 40 Amos, 20 Fabio da Silva, 13 Park Ji-sung, 23 Cleverley, 42 Pogba, 9 Berbatov, 14 Hernandez.

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 19 Downing (booked 45, 30 Bellamy 61), 8 Gerrard, 20 Spearing (9 Carroll 61), 18 Kuyt (26 Adam 75), 14 Henderson; 7 Suarez (scored 79:55). 4-5-1
Subs not used: 32 Doni, 23 Carragher, 34 Kelly, 33 Shelvey.

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney

Week 11: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week

Top game: Both Man City and Tottenham were made to work very hard for their wins at QPR and Fulham respectively. The goalkeepers had plenty to do, Fulham keeping Brad Friedel the busiest with 20 attempts! All the action and scrambles ended up with Tottenham (and City) on top and a fully entertained crowd on all sides, everyone definitely getting their money's worth.

Top team: Owen Coyle's Bolton shut up the critics this weekend with their 5-0 smashing thrashing of Stoke. Tony Pulis' side obviously have too much on their plate at the moment with the Europa League, so the Potters were literally just brushed away by the Wanderers, who recorded their first home win of the season. I feel sorry for the one but relieved for the other manager, as both are doing their job to the point and very well.

Top player: Aston Villa's Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor were in top form, the prior scoring two and the latter scoring one and providing one in Villa's delightful 3:2 win against Norwich, a perfect watch for England manager Fabio Capello before making his mind up who to pick for the England friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

Top goal: Newcastle right back Ryan Taylor's 25-yard smash against Everton was a sweet one for the born and bread Red from Liverpool. The strike looked to go over but dipped and beat Tim Howard and crashed into the top right-hand corner. It ended up being the decisive difference between the two, the Toons won 2:1 after they got a lucky escape as Everton should have been given a second-half penalty for Dan Gosling's obvious handball.

Top news: International break coming up - England facing World Champions Spain and thorn-in-the-eye Sweden.

Flop game: Apart from the 25th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign and the renaming of the North Stand in his honour, there was not much more to report from Old Trafford in their unusually quiet and unspectacular 1-0 win against Sunderland. Well, still three points in the bag either way, unlike Liverpool...

Flop team: Liverpool's goalless draw against Swansea was frustrating to watch, not just as a Liverpool fan, but as a football fan. It just showed, it doesn't matter how many chances you have or how close you get, if the ball doesn't cross the line you get nothing from it. I'm taking nothing away from Swansea, goalkeeper Michel Vorm especially after his late spectacular save of Glen Johnson's shot, but it is getting more and more frustrating for the Reds!


Flop goal: A couple of own goals to write about this week, Wes Brown netting one for his former employers United, costing his current employers Sunderland two points and Everton defender Johnny Heitinga turning in Danny Simpson's cross to gift Newcastle a goal, both incidents ending up being crucial to the games and results and with it the points. That is the cruel world of football.

Flop news: Sepp Blatter is a joke! And he is (still) FIFA president!!!???!!! And on a different note, Man City have recorded a record loss of nearly £200m! Who ever thought it was all cash sweet and easy nowadays... It's only a matter of time until the sweet bubble will burst and they will all come crashing down HARD!

My predictions - Actual results

Newcastle 2:1 Everton - 2:1

Arsenal 3:1 West Brom - 3:0

Aston Villa 2:1 Norwich - 3:2

Blackburn 1:1 Chelsea - 0:1

Liverpool 2:1 Swansea - 0:0

Man Utd 2:1 Sunderland - 1:0

QPR 1:2 Man City - 2:3

Wolves 2:1 Wigan - 3:1

Bolton 1:2 Stoke - 5:0

Fulham 1:2 Tottenham - 1:3

Kuyt hat-trick sinks United at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd

Dirk Kuyt's first hat-trick for Liverpool helped his side to a 3-1 win against bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield.

The homes side dominated from kick-off with an outstanding Luis Suarez showing off some brilliant skill and trickery and breaking through the United defence again and again which eventually lead to the breakthrough.

The Uruguayan striker squiggled and smuggled his way through the United box to put the ball across goal from the left and provide Kuyt with an easy tap in.

Five minutes later the Dutchman was able to pounce again, this time Nani headed back the ball to the striker who made no mistake of netting it.

Then, just before half time, all hell broke out: First Nani was fouled by Jamie Carragher and was up to make himself heard to referee Phil Dowd before going to the ground again in dramatic fashion bemoaning injury.

He was taken off eventually for Javier Hernandez to replace him, but not before goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar also saw yellow for running down the pitch making trouble.

Minutes later another fight broke out after Rafael da Silva fouled Lucas Leiva, ending up booked plus Marting Skrtel for all the trouble.

The half time whistle came just in time to calm tempers down and for everyone to get their breaths back.

The second half saw no more bookings or bust-ups but that was no sign of lack of intention or intensity.

Dimitar Berbatov had a couple of shouts and chances - Raul Meireles had to clear his header off the line for the Bulgarian striker to appeal for handball, but it clearly came off the Portuguese midfielder's chest. 

United had a couple more chances but it just didn't seem to be their day, both Berbatov and Ryan Giggs putting chances wide without worrying Pepe Reina any further.

It was United's Dutch keeper who ended up eating sour grapes, spilling the ball out parrying a Suarez free kick for Kuyt to follow up on it and net it thankfully for his first hat-trick for the Reds.

Hernandez headed in a consolation goal off Giggs in injury time, too little too late.

After losing defender Fabio Aurelio early on in the match due to hamstring injury, Liverpool had to change and adjust their back line with Carragher moving to the right, Glen Johnson to the left and Skrtel and sub Sotirios Kyrgiakos in central defense. 

Normally that could have shaken Liverpool up and given United something to pounce on and take advantage of, but not today.

King Kenny's men showed their strength, heat, stamina and stubbornness against a less crispy and more crumbling United side - missing an injured Rio Ferdinand.

This win puts Liverpool up to 6th in the Premier League, on 42 points, 5 behind Spurs and 6 behind Chelsea in 5th and 6th place respectively (two games in hand each as things stood at the end of this game), whilst United stay top but only 3 points separating them from Arsenal (who also have one game in hand on United). It just shows, this season is far from over and King Kenny rules!

Bad losers: Meanwhile, United have imposed a media blackout after the defeat meaning no comments or interviews by Fergie and co.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher (booked 45), Skrtel (booked 46), Aurelio (Kyrgiakos 23); Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt (scored 33:08, 38:31 & 64:14min), Meireles (Carroll 74); Maxi, Suarez (Cole 74).
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Ngog, Spearing, Poulsen.

Man Utd: Van der Sar (booked 46); Rafael Da Silva (booked 49; O'Shea 76), Smalling, Brown, Evra; Nani (Hernandez 47), Carrick, Scholes (booked 83; Fletcher 84), Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Obertan, Gibson.

1st half stats
Liverpool-Man Utd
Attempts: 8-4
On target: 4-2
Offsides: 0-2
Corners: 6-1
Free kicks: 7-6
Possession:
47%-53% (after 20 min, Sky Sports)
52%-48% (after 25 min, BBC)

2nd half stats
Liverpool-Man Utd
Attempts: 7-7
On target: 3-3
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 2-2
Free kicks: 5-6
Possession:
41%-59% (45.-55. min, Sky Sports)
53%-47% (FT, BBC)

Sky Sports Stats
Liverpool-Man Utd
Passing Success: 73.5%-81.6%
Tackles/Success: 24/41.7%-20/75%
Territorial Advantage: 50.6%-49.4%

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez