ITV v Sky: How different a match can be

Sports - Football - International Friendly - News Coverage

England's 2-1 win against Slovenia at Wembley yesterday:

The ITV highlights showed chance after chance for the home side, indicating persistance and dominance from England. The host and guest of the highlights show were full of praise and optimism, too.

Sky Sports News framed the summary of the match showing England's weaknesses, pointing out how lucky they were to win the penalty and "scrape through" to a win.

The online reports and summaries of the match turned out more similar, neutral and optimistic:

Sky Sports:

"Three Lions warm up with win"
"Lampard and Defoe secure friendly victory for Capello's men"

"England defeated Slovenia 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley to boost their preparations for crucial World Cup qualifying."

BBC:

"England 2-1 Slovenia"

"England warmed up for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday with victory over Slovenia at Wembley."

ITV:

"England achieved a 2-1 victory against Slovenia at Wembley with the opener from a [controversial Lampard penalty]."

It proves, you have to see the match for yourself to be able to make your own picture of it, to get your own impression of the teams, players and their display. Take the reports and comments with a pinch of salt, according to and depending on the source.

I felt, and agree with Sky Sports News, England were lucky to win the penalty as Wayne Rooney was more the offender himself than the victim. But England hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions, had many chances, dominated the possession and opposition and it would have been unfair and undeserved and would not have reflected the match if Slovenia would have gotten anything out of it.

They showed defensive weaknesses, which led to the late goal and panic. No question, there is room for improvement. But that is what friendlies are there for, to prepare and improve the side for competitive matches.

Jermain Defoe's impressive, impossible looking goal, he squeezed and deflected between two defenders from a blind-looking, difficult angle, summed it up: England had the edge - hopefully Fabio Capello saw the same and can keep the edge and players for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia next Wednesday.

England fall short and hand first win to Australia

Sports - Cricket - NatWest Series - 1st ODI

Australia took a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series against England with a tense win at the Oval. After losing the toss, being put out to bat and a restricted start against some strong England bowling, Callum Ferguson's spectacular 71 helped his side to establish a respectable score of 260 for 5. The home side's batting in reply was a let-down. England scored slowly and left the lower order with too much to do, falling four runs short in the chase.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

Australia:

41 for 1 after 10 overs: England - The home side held back the Aussies nicely, Tim Paine foolishly running himself out for a duck.

94 for 2 after 20 overs: Australia - After building up a good foundation to make a fine partnership and progress, Shane Watson gave away an easy return catch, a present to Paul Collingwood, out for 46. But that was all England had to cheer about really.

134 for 3 after 30 overs: England - Michael Clarke and Cameron White both reached their half centuries, the latter was run out for 53 soon after. The scoreboard ticked at a very slow rate, leaving the Aussies frustrated and England hoping...

178 for 3 after 40 overs: Australia - Callum Ferguson and Clarke both made fine contributions, looking comfortable.

260 for 5 after 50 overs: Australia - What a blast at the end, Ferguson reached his fourth one-day half-century in the process, using the batting powerplay well, producing over 40 runs. Clarke's miscue went straight to Owais Shah at cover seeing him out for 45 shortly before and Michael Hussey fell at the end of the powerplay, bowled by Ryan Sidebottom for 20. They made over 20 more runs from the last couple of overs to reach a fine, defendable total. The Aussies will definitely be the happier with their finish.

England:

45 for 1 after 10 overs: Australia - The Aussies have done their homework on Matt Prior, keeping him restrained and under pressure after skipper Andrew Strauss fell riding his luck and placing a big heave straight to White at slip after hitting a similar ball for four the previous delivery.

83 for 1 after 20 overs: Australia - And they keep bowling wide, frustrating England. There have been only few boundary cuts, nothing else worth mentioning.

126 for 3 after 30 overs: Australia - The control stays on the bowling side. Prior was caught out for 38 with a bizarre reverse sweep that sailed straight to Mitchell Johnson at short third-man. Ravi Bopara was stumped by Paine for 49 as he could not slide back in time to make it to his half-century, very frustrating for him.

168 for 5 after 40 overs: Australia - Johnson beat Owais Shah with pure speed sending him back onto his own stumps, out for 40. Collingwood followed him to the stands soon after, beaten by a stunning catch in the air by Watson as England need boundaries desperately!

256 for 8 after 50 overs: England - At least the lower order made a fight of it! Adil Rashid and Luke Wright were bashing it in after Stuart Broad spooned a catch to Clarke at backward point and fell for just two runs. After some brilliant boundaries, powerful and with speed, Wright (38) fell at the end of the last powerplay trying another paddle at a no ball, which ended up rolling onto his stumps. Graeme Swann followed soon after caught behind for just four. England ran out of batsmen in the end, leaving the rush of runs too late and missing out by five runs. But at least made a bit of a match and nailbiter of it at the bitter end.

Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

Adrenaline was running high at Old Trafford, nerves were pumping wild at the Reebok Stadium and Stamford Bridge had plenty of reasons to cheer and jeer:

Top game: An intense encounter between bitter rivals made the match at Old Trafford the one worth watching most. Especially after all the furore Arsenal caused midweek in the Champions League qualifier against Celtic, all the eyes were on the players' and referee's actions and reactions. Everything and everyone was put under scrutiny.

Top team: Chelsea looked unstoppable with some beautiful fluent and fast play. It is only thanks to exemplary goalkeeping, Burnley did not end up thrashed by six, seven or even more. And this is the same confident and competent team that came to Stamford Bridge after they had beaten Manchester United and Everton.

Top player: It was a weekend of super-subs at White Hart Lane. Birmingham's Christian Benitez created most pressure and served for the equalizer. He was a livewire for his side. Peter Crouch was the same for the home side. He came on for an injured Luka Modric, who suffered a fracture to his leg. After missing a set of chances, the striker headed a free kick into the right corner of the net. Both players were crucial for their sides and the run of play, the home side ending up on top.

Top goal: Andrey Arshavin's super strike, a wonderful right-foot belter, which took the lead at Old Trafford, was the most crucial and decisive after just moments before that the Russian striker was brought down by Darren Fletcher and denied a penalty. Great statement to make and way to react and reply to that letdown by the referee. Steven Gerrard's bullet-volley from the edge of the box was just as breathtaking and opposition-silencing.


Top save: Burnley could have conceded dozens of goals if it were not for their goalkeeper Brian Jensen. Chelsea had 25 attempts, with over half on target, it could have ended up in a gate-crashing thrash, if the goalkeeper would not have been omnipresent and the top stopper he was on the day.

Top manager: Alex Ferguson must have said something right at half time, because United were a different side in the second half. They started the match holding off Arsenal, being chased around and laboured, not creating anything themselves. The second half, they put on the pressure and thereby made Arsenal slip up and give the match away. It was not the best and most convincing way of winning, but in the end, Ferguson got three points out of it and that is the main thing, especially against thier main rivals.

Flop game: Blackburn's goalless draw against West Ham was a wretched match, but the only disappointment of the weekend.

Flop team: Arsenal could not have been more hypocritical. They were the side on top, dominating the home side. Then they started to slip and give the match away with an own goal out of nowhere and stupid, stupid, stupid fowling, diving and whining.

Flop player: Emmanuel Eboue's dive, after everything that has happened in the last week, discredited and disrespected him and his side in my eyes. It was just plainly stupid and it has nothing to do in football, a supposed man's game.

Flop goal: Abou Diaby's own goal off a United counter attack started off the crumbling of Arsenal's cookie. The class performance and dominance could have hardly ended more ugly and stupid, with not much influence of the opposition.

Flop manager: Arsene Wenger and his antiques for the press and opposing fans to thrive on, just summed up the day for Arsenal. His and his side's childish actions and reactions look everything else but professional and will hardly make them champions or even win a case like the one against Eduardo. They have drawn a contrasting sad picture of themselves after starting the season with some beautiful football.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Blackburn 0:1 West Ham - 0:0

Bolton 0:2 Liverpool - 2:3

Chelsea 2:1 Burnley - 3:0

Man Utd 1:2 Arsenal - 2:1

Stoke 3:0 Sunderland - 1:0

Tottenham 2:0 Birmingham - 2:1

Wolves 0:1 Hull City - 1:1

Aston Villa 0:1 Fulham - 2:0

Everton 0:2 Wigan -2:1

Portsmouth 0:1 Man City - 0:1

Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

This weekend once again saw twists and turns, delights and outrages, quality and embarrassments:

Top Game: Sunderland's win over Blackburn was the most contrasting result in relation to the actual match. How the ball did not end up in the net more than once for Blackburn and how they ended up on the losing side is inexplicable looking at the chances and dominance they had. They were on top and Sunderland struggling until the visitors fell asleep and gave away the match. Similar to Liverpool's defeat - just examples of when the scores do not reflect the match in the slightest. Seemed to be the theme of the week...

Top Team: Manchester United got back on track this week thumping Wigan. Arsenal served a quality match with plenty quality goals. And Burnley continued their high ride start to their Premier League campaign with a win against a struggling Everton side. But Blackburn and Wigan impressed me most. Both were on the losing side this week but created chance after chance and great entertainment and competitive football.

Top Player: Wayne Rooney scored his 100th and 101st goal for United, stealing the goals, match and show and making him the 21st centurian goal scorer for United. Michael Owen scored his first Premier League goal for the side, hoping to reach similar peaks as his Scouser colleague - which made me grin thinking back to the period he scored over a century of goals for their main rivals. How times have changed.

Top Goal: Carlton Cole's top-draw left-footed turn-strike for West Ham against Tottenham was a beauty. He created a lot of chances for his side, shame he also served Spurs one on a plate, giving the ball away to Jermain Defoe, who did not waste the present to equalise.

Top Save: Brad Friedel did a brilliant job for Aston Villa, making numerous stops and saves for his side. And if it were not for the saves Ben Foster made for Man Utd, the game could have developed very differently, the score not reflecting the threat Wigan were at times.

Flop Team: Liverpool created enough pressure from loads of possession but looked chaotic and clumsy at times, slipping up and losing the ball at crucial times. Man Utd did not look much better in the first half against Wigan, but certainly turned that around in the second half, making the defeat against Burnley fall into oblivion.

Flop Player: If Andriy Voronin or Ryan Babel were supposed to be match-saving subs and are the best Liverpool have on the bench, it indicates very much what they are lacking: resources, backup, alternatives. As I wrote in my season preview, they will need THAT player that can turn up when the team is disappointing and turn the game around. So far, not good and no one spotted.

Flop Goals: Lucas Leiva's own goal crowned and Steven Gerrard conceding a penalty just minutes after his side finally scored peaked the frustration and misery for Liverpool.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Arsenal 3:0 Portsmouth - 4:1

Birmingham 2:0 Stoke - 0:0

Hull City 0:0 Bolton - 1:0

Man City 2:0 Wolves - 1:0

Sunderland 0:1 Blackburn - 2:1

Wigan 1:3 Man Utd - 0:5

Burnley 2:0 Everton - 1:0

Fulham 1:1 Chelsea - 0:2

West Ham 1:3 Tottenham - 1:2

Liverpool 2:0 Aston Villa - 1:3

Aston Villa end Liverpool's unbeaten run at home

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa

Liverpool experienced a frustrating defeat against Aston Villa at Anfield, ending their unbeaten run at home of over 30 matches.

The Reds dictated most of the match with over two thirds of the possession, over twenty attempts, half of which were on target. Aston Villa were kept more than busy and pushed back into their territory for most of the match.

A mis-hit by Fernando Torres led to a scramble in the Villa box, Yossi Benayoun ending up being denied and so too Steven Gerrard, foiled by Brad Friedel's feet. That was just one of many scrambles and misses for Liverpool, chance after chance they scrapped, slipped and looked clumsy at times.

Villa played a classic counter attacking game, their goalkeeper Friedel and defence, Curtis Davies especially, starring most and shining solid. When they won a free kick left wide outside Liverpool's box just part the half-hour mark, they made use of that rare chance of pressure and attack. Lucas Leiva headed the ball into his own net, changing the score against the run of play.

Just before halt time, the game turned even further on its head and more misery was piled onto the Reds. Liverpool's zonal marking strategy failed once again when Davies headed Nicky Shorey's corner into the right corner of the net, past Torres and Jamie Carragher. That made it 0-2 to Aston Villa at half time and left Anfield stunned, in disbelief after all their side's dominance and chances.

In the second half, Liverpool kept the upper hand, control and dominance of the game and play but not of the score line. Torres finally got a goal back, a free hit for the home side with just under 20 minutes to go.

But just minutes later, the game saw another twist, with an unlikely villain, Gerrard conceding a penalty after he brought down Nigel Reo-Coker inside the box. Ashley Young converted from the spot, sending Pepe Reina the wrong way and Liverpool onto the wrong side of the scoreboard and into turmoil after their second defeat out of just three games played so far in the new season.

Liverpool Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua; Mascherano, Lucas (65 Voronin), Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun (74 Babel); Torres. Subs not used Cavalieri, Riera, Kelly, Dossena, Ayala. Bookings 47 Reina, 77 Torres, 88 Skrtel.

Aston Villa Friedel; Beye, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey; Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Reo-Coker; Young (79 Heskey), Agbonlahor. Subs not used Guzan, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Delph, Gardner, Lowry. Bookings 12 Young, 57 Reo-Coker.

1st half stats: Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 9-5
On target: 5-3
Offsides: 0-2
Corners: 2-3
Free kicks: 5-7

2nd half stats: Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 14-1
On target: 7-1
Offsides: 1-1
Corners: 5-1
Free kicks: 4-5

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Fifth Ashes Test, Oval, Day Four

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the fourth day:

Australia were crushed to a 197-run defeat and 2-1 series loss on the fourth day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Kennington Oval. After the Aussies had built up a productive and solid partnership past lunch, they gave away their wickets in extraordinary fashion. The last five wickets fell for only 21 runs, putting a sparkling glorious end to the series for England, who thereby regained the Ashes.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 171 for 2 (375 behind) at lunch: England for striking when Australia started to look comfortable and showed signs of consistency.

2nd session, Australia 265 for 5 (281 behind) at tea: England for once again seizing the opportunities when Australia were starting to build on their innings.

3rd session, Australia 348 all out, England win by 197 runs and regain the Ashes: England for well and truely outplaying Australia in this match, regaining the Ashes and deservedly so.

Partnerships:

- 127 runs between Ricky Ponting (66) and Mike Hussey (54): After two wickets in consecutive overs before lunch, Ponting and Hussey batted past lunch and into the afternoon. Their partnership actually got the "could-it-be-possible-for-the-Aussies" thoughts and discussions going, until a brilliant move and direct hit by Andrew Flintoff run out Ponting. That turned the tide again - if it was ever gone from England in the first place. Four balls after their captain's exit, Michael Clarke was run out, too, and not long after that, Marcus North followed him after being stumped by some sharp work from Matt Prior. "Stupid clowns" is what the commentators chose to call the batsmen and summarize the Aussie players' display and how they passed that test of stamina at the most crucial of times and tests. Extraordinary moments.

- 91 runs between Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin (34): Hussey and Haddin held Australia past tea, until the inevitable collapse came- the last five wickets falling for just 21 runs, all edged and caught off some fine, slick and smart bowling. They just avoided an even worse defeat, nothing more.

Bowling: Graeme Swann and Steve Harmison picked Australia apart. Stuart Broad, Flintoff and James Anderson were also effective but less lethal this time around - Flintoff's only wicket contribution was a superb throw smashing into the middle stump to run out none-other than Ricky Ponting. In the end, they all contributed in one way or the other; ball, field and/or atmosphere.

Ups: All the players that have been doubted and criticised most have risen and flourished to the occasion: Man of the Match Stuart Broad tops the English wicket taking list of the tournament with 18. He is the only bowler to have achieved the five-wicket hawl twice in the series and is followed by Swann with 14 wickets. Both of them won the last deciding test match with their wickets; not to forget Anderson and Graham Onions with their vital series contributions of 12 and 10 wickets though.

And last but everything else but least Man of the Series skipper Andrew Strauss, who led his side in exemplary fashion and tops the runs list with 474 runs, one century (the highest individual score of the series with 161 runs) and 3 half centuries. He beat Michael Clarke with 448 (2 centuries, 2 half centuries) and Ricky Ponting with 385 (1 century, 2 half). Hopefully, all those stats and facts are examples England can buils on and indications for a glorious future, even without top men like Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

The Australian bowlers and Ashes debutants starred for their side, Ben Hilfenhaus with 22 wickets, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson with 20, but with their lack of variety, they lost out to the English variety of weather, pitches and bowlers.

Downs: Not all players shone, some disappointing continuously and should maybe be worried and made to fight for their positions: Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell. Nine out of ten occasions, they all failed to impress and make the most out of bat and ball and thrive in their position. Even the lower order were able to make a better job of it, a couple of times. I am not saying they should be withdrawn and cut off straight away, but just indicating where I think improvements have to be made and who needs wake-up calls.

Hero to zero: Ricky Ponting, the legend of a captain he is, has not achieved a series win on English soil so far. The Australian fans and media layed the blame firmly on their skipper after another deafeat - but this side is in the rebuilding process and has a long way to fill their legends' shoes, the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh et al.

Fifth Ashes Test, Oval, Day Three

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the third day:

Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott lead an entertaining batting display by England with his debut century on day three of the final Ashes Test at the Kennington Oval. With their lack of spin, Australia were unable to get an early breakthrough, Trott and his captain batting patiently and defiantly to a century partnership. When the wickets started to fall, the lower order added entertainment, flamboyancy and plenty of runs and boundaries, giving the Aussies a record total of 546 to win the match and retain the Ashes.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 157 for 4 (329 ahead) at lunch: England for some defiant cricket, making the Aussies look unimposing and unperilous.

2nd session, England 290 for 7 (462 ahead) at tea: England for smashing away any glimmer of hope for Australia, even after losing wickets.

3rd session, England declared 373 for 9 (546 lead), Australia 80 for 0 (466 behind) at the end of day three: England for setting Australia an impossible task, needing to break all records to retain the Ashes.

Partnerships:

- 118 runs between Andrew Strauss (48) and Jonathan Trott (50): Both dominated the Australian bowlers with patience and defiance, nothing extravangant, no flash and bang, just quality test match cricket. They confidently walked down the pitch against Stuart Clark, hitting fours down extra cover, square, backward point, all over the ground. Strauss obviously cursed himself after he gave away his wicket, a lovely little edge for a bowler, caught by Michael Clarke for 75 off 191. Trott stayed on more of a background player, watching the others bash and smash whilst he contributed with some beauties and plotted on.

Matt Prior's bad judgement led to him being run out for just four, a direct hit by a brilliant throw from Simon Katich. Andrew Flintoff fired 22 off 17, his last contribution as a England test batsman. He tried to play a lofted shot to Marcus North, over deep long on, when he was caught by Peter Siddle. Stuart Broad continued the flash, 29 off 35, with some beautiful drives and graceful boundaries, dismissing the Aussie bowlers. After consecutive boundaries, Broad spooned one in the air, caught by Ricky Ponting. But England had already extended the lead to over 400.

- 90 runs between Jonathan Trott (20) and Graeme Swann (63): The entertainment continued with Swann joining the party, coming down the pitch against North with some lovely reverse sweeps. He was eventually caught behind when he tried to hook the shot but it spooned off the slice of the bat to Brad Haddin. James Anderson came on to watch Trott finally pass the 100 mark, a committed, clynical, solid innings with drives, cuts and pull shots, making Australia look woeful. The declaration came as soon as the centurian fell, caught by North for 119 off 193, England 333 for 8, leaving Australia chasing a massive 546. Australia started strong on 80 for 0 at stumps, but will need a miraculous innings and partnership if they want to stay in the match and Ashes with a shout.

Bowling: Australia's lack of spin has cost them dearly. North was the most effective with four wickets, Mitchell Johnson contributing with two, Clark and Ben Hilfenhaus more anonymous but one wicket each. None of them was a constant threat though, each conceding a bulk of runs and boundaries, Siddle and Clarke ditto. In the end, it was England's smashing and bashing batting that led to the wickets and catches, less the bowling, Strauss' wicket the exception, lovely little edge for North.

Ups: Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries in many beautiful varieties and ways - Trott leading the lot with his debut century.

Downs: Captain Strauss could have reached the sky if only he had not given away his wicket just before lunch. He is still the leading run scorer of the series though.

Hero to zero: After the fourth Ashes Test, everyone was on about the Aussies being a threat and in form, a big threat. I have seen nothing of that in this test. Shocking.