Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

The 2009-2010 season kicked off with a couple of surprises, a collection of beautiful goals, Arsenal topping both lists:

Top Game: Everton 1-6 Arsenal - I still cannot believe the score when I read and see it now, unfeasible for anyone to have predicted that one right! Goals, goals, goals and beauties they all were, every football fan's phantasy - apart from Evertonians of course.

Top Team: Arsenal will be the side with the biggest smiles on their faces, laughing back nice and loud at all of their critics who predicted doom and gloom for the young side, after they had lost their main players Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure in the transfer window. Again, all the goals were quality and joyful to watch - unless you are a Toffee.

Top Player: Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas defied all his doubters and shone as provider and scorer in the 6-1 romping of Everton at Goodison Park. Many thought he will be the next player to leave the club for a nice lump of cash, but he proved he wants and is worth the shirt and arm band, for keeps.

Top Goal: There are many goals to choose from, most of them from Arsenal, one beauty after another. But my vote goes to Hugo Rodallega's wonderful 25-yard volley over Brad Friedel. Wigan stunned many with a shiny dominant display, Aston Villa especially.

Top Save: There have been a number top-draw saves, but Pepe Reina and Man Utd's Ben Foster lead the list for me. They took most of the breath away and made the heart stop for that split-second of thought and uncertainty, if the ball has gone in or not, on a couple of occasions. Liverpool could have been thrashed by three or four goals, if Pepe would not have made those crucial stops, from sublime to subliminal, denying Robbie Keane to score against his former side and get his sweet revenge.

Flop Game: For the first time, the Premier League has seen the season start without any draws, every game and crowd enjoying/cursing goals, so, no complaints here.

Flop Team: Everton could not have feared or even dreamt up a worse start to a season, a nightmare-disintegration it was. It is their worst home defeat since 1980, say no more. They cannot keep on blaming it on the Joleon Lescott-fiasco, will he stay or will he go. There are eleven players per side and none of them turned up for the Toffees on Saturday.

Flop Player: Jamie Carragher was a shadow of his usual solid self, leaving Sebastien Bassong free to head in Luka Modric's spot-on free kick. He took a knock early in the game when he collided with Martin Skrtel, who required stitches and was taken off eventually. That could explain him being off the pace and less able to cope and cover but cannot be an excuse or make up for his side's sorry display and deserved defeat against a refreshing and promising Tottenham side.

Flop Goal: Stephen Jordan put the ball into the net from a trademark Rory Delap throw-in, could not have been more perfect connection-goal - if only it was not his own net. Those are the moments you just want the ground to swallow you... Stoke 2-0 Burnley...

Flop Manager: Rafael Benitez has been ranting once again, this time against the referee for not giving the away side more than one penalty. He seemed to have forgotten his team were shambles for most of the match and were well and truly and fairly beaten. With all the ifs and buts about the penalties, Tottenham could have had three or four goals anyway if it were not for Pepe, but Rafa obviously forgot or missed that. Think before you rant Rafa!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Aston Villa 1:0 Wigan - 0:2

Blackburn 1:1 Man City - 0:2

Bolton 0:0 Sunderland - 0:1

Chelsea 1:0 Hull City - 2:1

Everton 1:1 Arsenal - 1:6

Man Utd 2:0 Birmingham - 1:0

Portsmouth 0:1 Fulham - 0:1

Stoke City 1:1 Burnley - 2:0

Tottenham 1:2 Liverpool - 2:1

Wolves 0:1 West Ham - 0:2

Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley, Day Three

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the third day:

England survived until lunch thanks to an impressive batting innings and partnership by Stuart Broad (61) and Graeme Swann (62). But the inevitable defeat came shortly after lunch, Mitchell Johnson completing the third five wicket haul of his career and finishing off England, who were well and truly beaten by an innings and 80 runs.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 245 for 8 (200 behind) at lunch: Australia, as the only "worry" for them was if England could avoid an innings-defeat.

2nd session, England 263 all out, Australia beat England by an innings and 80 runs: Australia for dashing even that little hope, thrashing England by over an innings.

Partnerships: 108 runs between Stuart Broad (61) and Graeme Swann (46): A little spree of just 78 balls - 73 runs of the partnership coming from just 5.3 overs - added at least a bit of fun and smiles to the English faces, even if the result was clear and inevitable, one way or the other. After James Anderson and Matt Prior fell early to Ben Hilfenhaus, caught at slip and behind respectively, the match could have ended within the opening hour.

Bowling: Johnson got the five-wicket haul Peter Siddle denied Hilfenhaus, who ended up with four. Siddle knicked a wicket, having Broad caught at backward square-leg and ending an entertaining, but in the big picture, meaningless partnership. Johnson then finished England off having Swann caught behind and Graham Onions bowled, knocking the off-stump over and England out. The Aussies were the stars, Johnson and Hilfenhaus especially, without a doubt, dazzling England out of the park. 

Ups: The England fans got to see more batting and entertainment from the England bowlers than from the top order on the previous day. At least a little bit entertainment during the great depression - the fourth Ashes test.

Downs: Will England be able to get back from this? I know, it is only 1-1, but with the Aussies on fire and England in the dumps, I am not to sure they will be able to get the win they require to regain the Ashes.

Hero to zero: Everyone keeps saying this could not and would not have happened if Kevin Pietersen and/or Andrew Flintoff would have been fit to play, but I do not think so. Stop moaning and start looking: These Aussies, on fire the way they were in this test, would have wiped out KP and Freddie just alike - especially because both have been and shown only a fraction of their best over the last year-or-so.

Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley, Day Two

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the second day:

Australia comfortably added 249 runs to their total for their last six wickets on day two of the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley, Stuart Broad finishing off the lower order with four wickets on the day. That left England trailing by 343 runs and reeling once again after they ended the day five wickets down for only 82 runs, leaving no doubt whatsoever, they will be heading to the Oval needing to win the final test if they want to regain the Ashes, unless a miracle can happen.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 306 for 5 (204 ahead) at lunch: Australia after enjoying a comfortable morning, no threat whatsoever.

2nd session, Australia 445 all out (343 ahead) at tea: Australia after losing their last five wickets for "only" 142 runs but still being on top.

3rd session, England 82 for 5 (261 behind) at the end of day two: Australia after shattering any hopes for England of producing a miracle-saviour innings.

Partnerships: 

- 152 runs between Michael Clarke (93) and Marcus North (52): England once again could not get the line and length right, giving Clarke and North enough space to place their strokes and proceed play as comfortably as they had the day before. Clarke eventually fell lbw to a Graham Onions' yorker after achieving a marvelous 96 from 138 deliveries. 

- 70 runs between Marcus North (37) and Mitchell Johnson (27): After Brad Haddin got caught out with a premeditated shot for only 14, North and Johnson brought more frustration to and runs against the home side. The short pitch finally paid off against Johnson, who put the ball down Ravi Bopara's throat and was caught for 27 off 53 deliveries. North completed his second century of the series in style, smacking the ball for six and capitalizing of a wary England attack like he had enjoyed all day. He fell for 110, giving Anderson an easy catch and Broad his sixth wicket with Australia finishing the innings 445 all out. 

- 58 runs between Andrew Strauss (17) and Alastair Cook (32): Coming out after tea trailing by 343 runs, it left England with more than just a mountain to climb. Australia started too straight, giving Strauss and Cook a start and creating a glimmmer of hope that England would at least not get thrashed by an innings - but that was not of long last after the skipper fell lbw to a terrific length delivery by Ben Hilfenhaus. One can always dream - all nightmares for England in this test match though with the Aussies on fire.

Bowling: Stuart Broad will have hopefully shut up all the critics who were calling for his head after he completed a five-wicket haul and was the only bowler to create a threat with figures of 91 runs off 25.1 overs with six maidens and 6 wickets. James Anderson looked the most vulnerable, uncomfortable and was the most expensive at 5.5 runs per over. Steve Harmison stayed out of line, length and sorts. Hilfenhaus and Johnson showed them up again, taking five wickets between them by the end of the day - the two completing in not even a couple of hours what took the five England bowlers over a day's play!

Ups: Broad's 5er - would have obviously been celebrated more and louder under different circumstances. But I was still happy and cheering for him, have to grant him that much, especially after all the criticism, threats and calls for his place he had to take lately.

Downs: The poor lbw decision against Bopara just reflected and completed England abysmal couple of days. Made me think of the Dr Pepper advert, "What's the worst that could happen?" - my answer to that: just look at England the last couple of days!

Hero to zero: England - I do not want to pick on an individual because I feel the whole side was a letdown. They will have to dig deep if they want to escape from this with the Ashes urn.

Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley, Day One

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the first day:

Australia could not have dreamt up a better start on the first day of the fourth Ashes test at Headingley. After losing the toss and being put out to field, the Aussies ripped England into bits getting them six wickets down by lunch and eventually all out for only 102, Peter Siddle crowning the bowling lineup with five wickets for just 21 runs. England recovered somewhat by getting four wickets by the end of the day, but will need a nigh-on miraculous session on day two, to stay in the match.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 76 for 6 at lunch: Australia for shattering chaotic England to bits, they could not have dreamt of a better start after losing the toss.

2nd session, England 102 all out, Australia 69 for 1 (33 behind) at tea: Australia for ending England's misery quickly and smashing any hopes away of similar bowling success for the home side.

3rd session, Australia 196 for 4 (94 lead) at the end of day one: England will be a little bit happier after taking much-needed and crucial wickets, overall-advantage still goes to Australia though.

Partnership: 119 runs between Shane Watson (51) and Ricky Ponting (78): They played with England, boundary, after boundary, after boundary, whilst the home side looked like amateurs, not knowing where to put or do what, bat and ball. No question, England were outplayed and can be happy the Aussie captain had an absent moment and gave away an lbw after narrowly getting away from a run out the previous ball. Andrew Strauss showed his frustration and aggrevation, stomping across the field, telling off his bowlers and pointing them out the obvious, they have been disastrous, positioning his fielders like a net around them to avoid a total thrash-bash.

Bowling: Every bowler starred for Australia, chipping in with wickets: Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson with one each and Stuart Clark with three before lunch before Siddle swept the England tailend off the field with four more, to complete the high-five for the fast-medium bowler. All ten wickets were caught, reflecting England' insecurity and shambles with the bat, going for every ball, falling for every trap and Australia's dominance with the ball, getting most out of the swing and bounce and placing the balls spot-on.

The opposite applied for the England bowlers. They seemed to have learnt nothing from their downfall, bowling too short and giving the Aussie batsmen plenty of food to chew on and enjoy and get boundary after boundary after boundary. Steve Harmison and James Anderson were the most expensive and ineffective bowlers at a run rate of around 4.5, the prior disappointing most after a promising start when he started aggressively and got Simon Katich caught out on his third ball making it 14 for 1.

Stuart Broad formed the biggest and nearly only threat after that, getting the ball spot-on, snatching a couple of lbws which finally saw captain Ricky Ponting out for 78, 140 for 3, and Mike Hussey for a spicy 10, leaving Australia at 151 for 4. That was after Graham Onions had got the breakthrough and Watson out lbw after he had reached his half-century, the second wicket for 133, which broke the flourishing partnership and left England hoping that will be the last one for Australia.

Ups: That the horror-day has finally found an end for England at stumps. All joy for Australia, even if England got a couple of wickets in the end, thehome side were made to look like total amateurs, not having a clue where is what and how. Thank god, the day has ended!

Downs: Everything, England's batting - if you can call it that, England's bowling and even England's fielding at times, leaking runs and letting Australia off because they feared to be thrashed. This has been the worst day for England these Ashes so far, like the second day of the last test was for Australia.

Hero to zero: After all the hype and calls for Harmison's recall, he utterly disappointed, groping for consistency, to no avail, bowling some horrific deliveries and expensive overs. Apart from his early wicket, I could not stop shaking my head, although he was not the only disappointment of England's bowling lineup.

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston, Day Five

Sports – Cricket – Ashes

My picks of the fifth day:

Michael Clarke and Marcus North got Australia through the day and sealed the draw of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. After the Aussies lost a couple of wickets before lunch, their record-partnership of 185 runs carried Australia past tea and safely to the draw. England were left frustrated after pouncing on their extraordinary 1st innings but getting nothing likewise out of the pitch or ball on the last day, leaving their advantage at 1-0 with two tests to go.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 172 for 4 (60 lead) at lunch: England for taking a couple of wickets, leaving the pressure on Australia and looking for another collapse.

2nd session, Australia 293 for 4 (181 lead) at tea: Australia for holding through brilliantly, strongly and not looking threatened or uncomfortable at all.

3rd session, Australia 375 for 5 (263 lead), match drawn: Australia for getting the draw, frustrating England for the last day, thanks to Clarke and North.

Partnerships:

- 84 runs between Shane Watson and Mike Hussey: There was no swing on offer for England on the last day, so, the Aussies were able to begin the day in comfortable and assured fashion.

- 185 runs between Michael Clarke (89) and Marcus North (96): Clarke and North rode the show after lunch with hardly any threat or danger on offer from the other side. A pain and torture to watch for the England fans, who were hoping for and expecting another blast like on day two, but got none-the-like. The sweeter the taste of the record-partnership was for Australia and their fans.

Bowlers: Graham Onions and Andrew Flintoff started the day, to no avail. They were replaced by Graeme Swann and James Anderson, who also got aggrieved by the state of the pitch and play that came from it – but not for long. Watson tried to drive Anderson on his front foot after he was worked over by some Flintoff brutes, ending up feathering the ball to be caught behind and ending his partnership with Hussey. Stuart Broad removed Mike Hussey on 64 just before lunch, capping a fine over by drawing the left-hander forward, leaving the wicket keeper Matt Prior with an easy, simple catch behind. But that was the best the bowlers could get out of the day, North the only other wicket to fall at the end of the day, unlucky not to have reached a century to cap off his fantastic innings and partnership with Clarke after he was caught in gully for 96. At that stage, the Aussies knew, they had escaped defeat comfortably, leaving Clarke on to reach his century before they waved him off, happy with the record and draw.

Ups: The lunch break – it left the hopes high and the mouths watering, Australia could have another major collapse after lunch like in the first session on day two and give England a chance to win the match. Juicy visions, possibilities and predictions were discussed...

Downs: It was never meant to be, England's bowlers got nothing and nowhere after lunch, similar to the shortened play on the first day. It made the day a long torture for the bowlers, team and fans – not on the Aussie side of course. They will be delighted and deserve to be after holding through strongly.

Hero to zero: Why was James Anderson left out for most of the day's play after his superb 1st innings haul?! What was Andrew Strauss thinking?! I am totally lost trying to find an explanation to the bowling line-up that started the day and that started after lunch, if England really wanted to make an attempt of winning the match.

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston, Day Four

Sports – Cricket – Ashes

My picks of the fourth day:

Andrew Flintoff was back to his old batting self on day four of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. He scored strongly and beautifully, proving his worth and class with the bat, what he could not do with the ball earlier in the match. He pulled the advantage back for England after the Aussies took crucial wickets, forming a strong lead under the timely shortened and restricted circumstances of 113 runs. With the Aussies a couple of wickets down at the end of the day, it leaves the match tight and tense and promising for the last day of play.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 159 for 4 (104 behind) at lunch: Australia taking crucial wickets quickly, not giving England a chance to get too comfortable.

2nd session, England 316 for 7 (53 lead) at tea: England pulling the advantage back thanks to a long-missed dominant innings by Freddie.

3rd session, England 376 all out (113 lead), Australia 88 for 2 (25 behind) at the end of day four: England having formed a lead of over 100 and taking a couple of early wickets.

Partnership: 89 runs between Matt Prior (40) and Andrew Flintoff (41): After a late start left little play before lunch, England lost a couple of wickets in that short period with captain Andrew Strauss ending his splendid innings disappointingly, nicking Ben Hilfenhaus's delivery behind to wicket keeper Mike Hussey replacement Graham Manou and Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting catching Paul Collingwood's edged drive off Hilfenhaus over his left shoulder at second slip.

In the afternoon session, Ian Bell fell eventually after more controversial decisions had gone his way, but this time the lbw was given to Mitchell Johnson, bang in front with the inswinger. It left England looking less likely to get any compatible lead established and a chance of getting anything out of the match, until Prior and Flintoff formed a beautiful partnership. Flintoff showed some of his good-old and long missed class, ticking and smacking, including many sweet fours and a couple of smashing sixes.

Freddie got caught out by Michael Clarke at slip just before tea, making it 309 for 7, but the tail-end contributed well and added 67 runs to the total, the main contributor being Stuart Broad with his much-needed half-century since his place in the team is under threat. That left the Aussies trailing 113, and after losing opener Simon Katich for 26 to a straight ball by Onions caught behind and captain Ricky Ponting for 5 to a perfect delivery by Graeme Swann, a shattering quality off-spin, Australia will have to work hard to survive the last day of play and get something out of the match.

Bowlers: Mitchell Johnson showed a better and more dangerous overall-display, confident as always, but still showed weaknesses. Ben Hilfenhaus was the strongest of the day, as always, Peter Siddle adding to the strong character of the bowling team, but not much more. It was an overall better display by the bowling, but the frustration still showed, especially when decisions went against them and the scoreboard kept ticking with Flintoff heading the torment.

Ups: Freddie back to his old class, at least for a bit, beautiful to watch. Also good to see Broad finally getting something from his bat. It was a pleasure to see nearly every player enjoying and contributing their part.

Downs: The Aussies attitude, like holding sour grapes, spoiled the match a bit, especially Siddle and Johnson mouthing it off, plus the skipper Ponting. I lost count how many time Jonhson and Siddle were mouthing off about something or another. Obviously no surprise with the umpire regularly going against them, it makes that encounter more juicy, but it is still not nice for the game.

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston, Day Three

Sports – Cricket – Ashes

My picks of the third day:

No play due to a wet outfield! :-(

It leaves England 116 for 2 in their first innings, 117 behind Australia, with two days of play to go.