First European blood goes to Liverpool

Sports – Football – Europa League – Liverpool 2:0 Man United

Liverpool could not have asked for a better set-up, beating bitter rivals Manchester United 2-0 at Anfield in their first ever European meeting, which was the first leg of the Europa League Last 16.

And it could, should and would have been a much worse thrashing and thorough beating if it were not for the Red Devils’ star keeper David De Gea.

The Spanish stopper denied Philippe Countinho, DanielSturridge, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne with world-class saves, breath-taking athleticism, great reflexes and just brilliant reactions in an explosive atmosphere.

Jürgen Klopp’s men took the lead thanks to a Sturridge 20^th minute spot kick, after Memphis Depay fouled Clyne in the box, and it was more than deserved with the Reds having outplayed and outclassed LVG’s eleven by far.

The visitors did not create a single chance with Liverpool giving them no time on the ball, surrounding them at every chance, and can only thank de Gea’s brilliance for keeping them in the tie with a hint of a shout. Marouane Fellaini was lucky to stay on the pitch with a very clumsily dirty displace.

Roberto Firmino did double the score in the 73^rd minute, scoring in three consecutive LFC games for the first time, making it three consecutive wins for the Reds in all competitions.

This impressive win ended United’s run of four consecutive victories in the two sides’ meetings. The only disappointment for the Reds was that they did not score more. An away goal at Old Trafford in the second leg should do it. If it’s not already done.

United’s only shot on target came in the 51^st minute, a tame low effort my Morgan Schneiderlin, not much to do for Simon Mignolet. The Red Devils will have to dig so much deeper if they want to come back from this one.

With the FA Cup giving Liverpool a break this weekend, whilst United face West Ham in the quarter final, the power and score advantage stays with the Reds from Merseyside. Only time will tell and we’ll know come Thursday night whether they will bounce and pounce, or slip and trip, with for and consistency being neither sides’ main feature or strength this season.

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge pen 20’ & Firmino 73’.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 18 Moreno, 17 Sakho, 6 Lovren (booked 43’), 2 Clyne; 10 Coutinho (booked 49’), 23 Can, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 2’), 20 Lallana; 11 Firmino (27 Origi 84’); 15 Sturridge (24 Allen 64’). 4-4-1-1

Subs not used: 4 Toure, 9 Benteke, 44 Smith, 52 Ward & 54 Ojo.

Man United Team: 1 De Gea; 5 Rojo, 17 Blind, 12 Smalling, 30 Varela; 27 Fellaini (booked 60’), 28 Schneiderlin (31 Schweinsteiger 79’), 7 Memphis Depay (booked 19’), 8 Mata (c) (21 Herrera 79’), 39 Rashferd (booked 45’) (16 Carrick 45’); 9 Martial. 4-2-3-1

Subs not used: 20 Romero, 36 Darmian, 47 Weir & 49 Riley.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo

Man of the match: David De Gea

Attendance: 43,228

Match Stats: Liverpool-Man United

Possession: 56%-44%

Shots: 13-5

On target: 8-1

Corners: 7-0

Fouls: 15-16

HT: Premier League Season Review

Sports - Football - Premier League - HT Season Review

It's been a while since my last sports blog, and with half of the Premier League season gone already, I thought it's about time to write up a little review of the season so far, looking at the winners and losers, and what it could entail and mean for the rest of the season. A lot has changed (or not really).

Main Gainers: 
Southampton and West Ham.

The Liebherr era has seen the Saints climb up the leagues and tables constantly since the lows of 2009 which saw them go into administration and relegated to League One. Two consecutive promotions and four managers later, Southampton are enjoying their third season in the top flight. Flirting with the Champions League qualification places, they have gained most points over the last couple of seasons (16), and their defence has improved most (22 less goals conceded). The question is, whether Ronald Koeman's men can continue the march up the table, or whether/when they reach their peak.

Meanwhile, the Hammers have jumped up a record 16 points compared to this point last season, and 8 points to the season before. Under Sam Allardyce, the Londoners have seen promotion back into the Premier League after just one season out. The bubbles flew much higher than expected, ending their first season back in 10th position, before dropping down three places last season, inviting the critics over Big Sam's tactics and choices. The more surprising it has been how they have bounced back and up again this season, also pushing for the European football qualification places.

Main Losers: 

Everton and West Brom.

Everyone expected the worst for the Toffees after David Moyes' departure ending his 11-year tenure at the club. But the blue side of the Mersey finished one place and nine points better off under Roberto Martinez. The former Wigan Athletic manager surprised most of us and proved he could cope and prove himself in the top half of the table. But the Spaniard definitely seems overloaded this season, his side crashing down 16 points compared to this point last season, 12 to the season before. Doubts have spread over the Spaniard's future, making the January transfer window vital to add to his squad and change the trend.

Compared to last season the Baggies haven't dropped that much, just one point, however, they ended that season 17th, one spot off the drop, and have a massive 16 points less than the season before. So, they don't want to see a repeat of the struggles of last season and it didn't come as a surprise when Alan Irvine received the marching orders this week. Former Stoke and Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis has been confirmed to take over the honours and has past and proven experience in Premier League survival and progress. 

Notable Changes (or not really): 

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

It's been all too familiar for the Gunners: long injury list, lack of signings, Arsene Wenger under fire for his complacency. However, the red Londoners are nine points worse off compared to last season and that cannot be ignored. On the other hand, they had the exact same number of points at this stage the season before and still ended up in the top four. So, same old, it seems.

Meanwhile Chelsea have been growing constantly in points and confidence, making progress season by season under Jose Mourinho, sitting comfortably at the top at the moment, six points better off than last season, and being favourites to take the crown at the end of this season. It all depends whether defending champions Manchester City can keep up with them, being two points better off than at this point last season shows they are more than up for it. It will be a close call.

After coming so close last season, Liverpool were expected to compete at the top again this season. But so much has been put and blown into Luis Suarez's exit and Daniel Sturridge's injury, with captain Steven Gerrard under fire, the Reds have been struggling, eight points and 18 goals worse off than at this stage last season. However, looking at the season before, where the SAS were part of the team as well, the Scousers are actually three points better and only two goals worse off. So, it seems to be a bit over-doom-and-gloom and hard on Brendan Rodgers.

And last but not least, Manchester United seem to be the high-flyers and main progress makers compared to last season's misery. Sitting up in third at this season's halfway point, Louis van Gaal has seemingly turned the corner for the Red Devils. But compared to last season at this point, they are only two points better off and 13 goals worse off than David Moyes' men (ten points and 15 goals worse 
than Sir Alex Ferguson's men the season before), which puts a very different spin on things. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's the full list of all the Premier League teams, in alphabetical order, comparing points and goals of the last couple of seasons after 19 games to now = how much better or worse they are off at the halfway point of this season compared to the couple of seasons before. 

So, if you read -1, that means that team is 1 point or goal worse off now this season than that season. If you read +2, that means that team is 2 points better off now this season than that season. And so forth. Same principle with goals scored and conceded. If you read 0, that means no difference, they totalled the exact same amount of points or goals both seasons.

And I've added my little prediction how this season will end for each team...

Arsenal:
2012-13: 0 points, -5 goals, +2 conceded, ended 4th on 73 points.
2013-14: -9 points, -3 goals, +5 conceded, ended 4th on 79 points.
2014-15: 4th

Aston Villa:
2012-13: +3 points, -4 goals, -14 conceded, ended 15th on 41 points.
2013-14: +1 point, -7 goals, +3 conceded, ended 15th on 38 points.
2014-15: 15th

Burnley:
2012-13: Championship.
2013.14: Championship.
2014-15: 19th

Chelsea: 
2012-13: +8 points, +2 goals, -4 conceded, ended 3rd on 75 points.
2013-14: +6 points, +6 goals, -5 conceded, ended 3rd on 82 points.
2014:15: 1st

Crystal Palace:
2012-13: Championship.
2013-14: 0 points, +8 goals, +2 conceded, ended 11th on 45 points.
2014-15: 14th

Everton:
2012-13: -12 points, -3 goals, +8 conceded, ended 6th on 63 points.
2013-14: -16 points, -2 goals, +13 conceded, ended 5th on 72 points.
2014-15: 9th

Hull City:
2012-13: Championship.
2013-14: -7 points, -4 goals, +3 conceded, ended 16th on 37 points.
2014-15: 16th

Leicester:
2012-13: Championship.
2013-14: Championship.
2014-15: 20th

Liverpool:
2012-13: +3 points, -2 goals, -1 conceded, ended 7th on 61 points.
2013-14: -8 points, -18 goals, +2 conceded, ended 2nd on 84 points.
2014-15: 6th

Manchester City: 
2012-13: -3 points, +7 goals, +1 conceded, ended 2nd on 78 points.
2013-14: +2 points, -13 goals, -4 conceded, ended 1st on 86 points.
2014-15: 2nd

Manchester United:
2012-13: -10 points, -15 goals, -9 conceded, ended 1st on 89 points.
2013-14: +2 points, -13 goals, -3 conceded, ended 7th on 64 points.
2014-15: 3rd

Newcastle:
2012-13: +6 points, -1 goals, -2 conceded, ended 16th on 41 points.
2013-14: -7 points, -7 goals, +4 conceded, ended 10th on 49 points.
2014-15: 12th

QPR:
2012-13: +8 points, +5 goals, +1 conceded, ended 20th on 25 points.
2013-14: Championship,
2014-15: 13th

Southampton:
2012-13: +16 points, +6 goals, -22 conceded, ended 14th on 41 points.
2013-14: +6 points, +6 goals, -5 conceded, ended 8th on 56 points.
2014-15: 5th

Stoke City:
2012-13: -3 points, +3 goals, +9 conceded, ended 13th on 42 points.
2013-14: +4 points, +3 goals, -6 conceded, ended 9th on 50 points.
2014-15: 10th

Sunderland:
2012-13: -2 points, -4 goals, +3 conceded, ended 17th on 39 points.
2013-14: +6 points, +1 goal, -5 conceded, ended 14th on 38 points.
2014-15: 17th

Swansea:
2012-13: +3 points, -3 goals, 0 conceded, ended 9th on 46 points.
2013-14: +7 points, 0 goals, -2 conceded, ended 12th on 42 points.
2014-15: 11th

Tottenham:
2012-13: -2 points, -10 goals, -1 conceded, ended 5th on 72 points.
2013-14: -3 points, +2 goals, 0 conceded, ended 6th on 69 points.
2014-15: 8th

West Brom: 
2012-13: -16 points, -10 goals, +5 conceded, ended 8th on 49 points.
2013-14: -1 point, -4 goals, +1 conceded, ended 17th on 36 points.
2014-15: 18th

West Ham:
2012-13: +8 points, +8 goals, 0 conceded, ended 10th on 46 points.
2013-14: +16 points, +12 goals, -5 conceded, ended 13th on 49 points.
2014-15: 7th