There's some great fixtures in the Premiership this English Bonfire Night weekend, starting with a bang in the Saturday lunchtime fixture when Aston Villa, whose midterm fadeout has started early this season, entertain a resurgent Liverpool.
The traditional three o'clock kickoffs feature some real firecrackers, not least when Arsenal host the demoralised Sunderland for what should be an easy win, however Blackburn versus Charlton looks a bit of a possible damp squib and a probable 0-0 draw.
On the other hand, Fulham v Manchester City looks a real sparkler and could go either way; Newcastle should rocket against a struggling Birmingham; and West Ham should have too much gunpowder for those other Westies, West Brom.
The late afternoon fixture will be played after dark, so expect Portsmouth to be outshone by the high flying rocket that is Wigan Athletic.
The biggest explosions are reserved for Sunday when the twisted firestarters of Middlesbrough head for the obstinately soggy fuse we know as Everton. Literally anything could happen with these two unpredictable shooting stars in this late lunchtime game.
Without a doubt, the biggest bangs of all will emanate from Old Trafford, when the unpredictable catherine wheel that is Manchester United will be hoping to raise their game for the visit of the giant roman candle that is league leaders Chelsea at 4pm.
The week winds down with a Monday night barbecue when the crackers at Bolton Wanderers are visited by the giant thunderflash of Tottenham Hotspur. Stand well back for your own safety - sparks are surely going to fly between two ambitious teams currently locked together in joint third place.
Due to technical problems on the part of the hugely inept Telefonica of Spain, this article could not be cross-posted here on BlogCritics until Monday 7th November.
Saturday, 5 November 2005
Wednesday, 2 November 2005
Lille 1 Manchester United 0
With Saturday's humiliating thrashing at Middlesbrough still hurting, Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United have a lot to prove in their UEFA Champions League fixture in Paris tonight.
Yes, that's right, Paris; opponents LOSC Lille Métropole's stadium needs upgrading so tonight they call the Stade de France home. The giant stadium at St-Denis near Paris played host to the 1998 FIFA World Cup final and will also play host to this season's Champions League Final on July 13th next year.
Paul Scholes was sent off in the corresponding fixture a fortnight ago so misses the game along with the continuing long list of injury victims Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Gabriel Heinze, Gary Neville, Quinton Fortune, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United line up with a cautious 4-5-1 with Edwin van der Sar looking nervous in goal; another new back four of of club captain Roy Keane favourites John O'Shea and Rio Ferdinand with fit again Wes Brown easing Mikael Silvestre out to left back. The five chosen to establish some degree of midfield control are Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson down the wings with Fletcher and Smith as the holding men behind Wayne Rooney, back from his ban, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will captain Manchester United for the first time.
Manchester United captain for the night Ruud van Nistelrooy
Lille, who lie sixth in the French league, are still without injured captain Stephane Dumont but otherwise have a full squad to choose from and are playing a more positive 4-4-2. Lille coach Claude Puel has opted for stability in his team selection, keeping faith with ten of the players who drew against Olympique de Marseille at the weekend.
United get the match started in the pouring Parisian rain, knowing only a victory will do against a team that have yet to score in the group stage but it's Lille that make the first tentative attacking moves, albeit to no avail.
Twenty minutes in and United are really struggling to get through a very comfortable looking home defence whilst Lille just look happy to counter so it's all dancing but precious little singing in the packed arena. There's so little ambition on display here Donald Trump would sack the lot of them.
Suddenly, out of nowhere in this sodden snoozefest, a sharp forward run in the 38th minute by Lille left back Gregory Tafforeau catches the Reds' defence sleeping and a pass across the park is met by Slovenian striker Milenko Acimovic and, with no sign of opposition, he has all the time in the world to slam the ball into the roof of the net and it's the first European GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL this season for Lille who lead 1-0.
...............Lille goal scorer Milenki Acimovic
The French team have already proven their deep defensive skills and that's all we see for the rest of the first half. United are clearly bewildered and don't seem to have any idea beyond sheer persistence as to how to crack the code and the German referee Markus Merk brings a depressing first half to a soggy end.
Fifteen minutes later Lille get the second half started, knowing that another unlikely defeat of the increasingly shambolic Manchester United is on the cards. Amazingly though, it is the home side that goes on the offensive, the half time break only seems to have given United more time to rot, so poorly are they playing.
The most positive thing Sir Alex comes up with is to replace the largely ineffective Richardson with the bustle of the Korean midfielder Ji-sung Park but even his energy fails to lift the team. Little Lille are playing out of their skins, creating more chances and, in the 70th minute have the best chance of the match yet, but somehow striker Matt Moussilou sends a free header over the bar.
There's precious little else to report; Lille had a couple more half chances whereas United only produced two shots on goal in the whole match, a sad statistic that reveals the truly devastatingly poor grasp of football basics on display by Manchester United these days.
Mercifully the referee only adds two minutes of injury time and the suffering is over, leaving Lille delighted with their famous victory and the once mighty United as flat and ragged as a burst balloon, in serious danger of failing to even qualify out of the group stages again.
This review is cross-posted here at BlogCritics.
Yes, that's right, Paris; opponents LOSC Lille Métropole's stadium needs upgrading so tonight they call the Stade de France home. The giant stadium at St-Denis near Paris played host to the 1998 FIFA World Cup final and will also play host to this season's Champions League Final on July 13th next year.
Paul Scholes was sent off in the corresponding fixture a fortnight ago so misses the game along with the continuing long list of injury victims Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Gabriel Heinze, Gary Neville, Quinton Fortune, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United line up with a cautious 4-5-1 with Edwin van der Sar looking nervous in goal; another new back four of of club captain Roy Keane favourites John O'Shea and Rio Ferdinand with fit again Wes Brown easing Mikael Silvestre out to left back. The five chosen to establish some degree of midfield control are Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson down the wings with Fletcher and Smith as the holding men behind Wayne Rooney, back from his ban, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will captain Manchester United for the first time.
Manchester United captain for the night Ruud van NistelrooyLille, who lie sixth in the French league, are still without injured captain Stephane Dumont but otherwise have a full squad to choose from and are playing a more positive 4-4-2. Lille coach Claude Puel has opted for stability in his team selection, keeping faith with ten of the players who drew against Olympique de Marseille at the weekend.
United get the match started in the pouring Parisian rain, knowing only a victory will do against a team that have yet to score in the group stage but it's Lille that make the first tentative attacking moves, albeit to no avail.
Twenty minutes in and United are really struggling to get through a very comfortable looking home defence whilst Lille just look happy to counter so it's all dancing but precious little singing in the packed arena. There's so little ambition on display here Donald Trump would sack the lot of them.
Suddenly, out of nowhere in this sodden snoozefest, a sharp forward run in the 38th minute by Lille left back Gregory Tafforeau catches the Reds' defence sleeping and a pass across the park is met by Slovenian striker Milenko Acimovic and, with no sign of opposition, he has all the time in the world to slam the ball into the roof of the net and it's the first European GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL this season for Lille who lead 1-0.
...............Lille goal scorer Milenki Acimovic
The French team have already proven their deep defensive skills and that's all we see for the rest of the first half. United are clearly bewildered and don't seem to have any idea beyond sheer persistence as to how to crack the code and the German referee Markus Merk brings a depressing first half to a soggy end.
Fifteen minutes later Lille get the second half started, knowing that another unlikely defeat of the increasingly shambolic Manchester United is on the cards. Amazingly though, it is the home side that goes on the offensive, the half time break only seems to have given United more time to rot, so poorly are they playing.
The most positive thing Sir Alex comes up with is to replace the largely ineffective Richardson with the bustle of the Korean midfielder Ji-sung Park but even his energy fails to lift the team. Little Lille are playing out of their skins, creating more chances and, in the 70th minute have the best chance of the match yet, but somehow striker Matt Moussilou sends a free header over the bar.
There's precious little else to report; Lille had a couple more half chances whereas United only produced two shots on goal in the whole match, a sad statistic that reveals the truly devastatingly poor grasp of football basics on display by Manchester United these days.
Mercifully the referee only adds two minutes of injury time and the suffering is over, leaving Lille delighted with their famous victory and the once mighty United as flat and ragged as a burst balloon, in serious danger of failing to even qualify out of the group stages again.
This review is cross-posted here at BlogCritics.
Monday, 31 October 2005
Premiership Roundup Week 11
This week's Premiership fixtures kicked off with Wigan Athletic proving just too strong for the improving Fulham but only just, leaving it until the 90th minute to edge it 1-0. The weekend's big fixture saw the strutting Tottenham Hotspur just fail to beat bitter rivals Arsenal, ending 1-all after Spurs had dominated the match but failed to finish off the opposition.
The three o'clock games saw Chelsea extend their control of the Premiership, running out easy 4-2 victors over an initially hard to break down Blackburn Rovers, thanks to great performances by lethal striker Didier Drogba and the best player in Britain today, Frank Lampard in midfield.
..............Chelsea's Didier Drogba
Elsewhere, Bolton Wanderers proved just too strong for hosts Charlton Athletic, stealing a vital 0-1 away win thanks to another crucial goal from captain Kevin Nolan and going above the East Londoners in the table, whilst Liverpool returned to winning ways with a steadying 2-0 victory over the original East Enders West Ham United.
..........Bolton's inspirational captain Kevin Nolan
The two basement battles were decisive, the previously rooted to the bottom Everton leapfrogging over the increasingly vulnerable Steve Bruce's Birmingham City to 18th place, their second away victory coming due to the first of the day's crucial goalkeeping errors. Over on the East Coast, sad strugglers Sunderland confirmed the mammoth task facing them as they are already looking like relegation fodder, going down 1-4 to fellow minnows Portsmouth.
The same score at Middlesborough sounds unremarkable until one realises that it's 4-1 to the home team over a truly dire Manchester United, who were inept in defence and clueless in front of goal. Apparently billionaire American owner Malcolm Glazer is prepared to give Sir Alex Ferguson a blank cheque to make the team competitive with rouble-rich Chelski, news which can't come soon enough for the bewildered fans.
............Sir Alex Ferguson on a happier day
Sunday saw the heretofore underperforming Newcastle United return to winning ways, slamming West Bromwich Albion 0-3, thanks to a brace from the now fit Michael Owen and a late goal from supersub Alan Shearer, a result which takes the Geordies back into the top half of the table but leaves the generally impressive Brummies right on the edge of the drop zone.
............Michael Owen of Newcastle United and England
Week 11 draws to a close with the Monday night victory of Manchester City over up for sale Aston Villa 3-1 with former Villa striker Darius Vassell scoring twice as the Sky Blues soar to fourth place.
The current English Premiership Football league table is here.
This article is cross-posted here on BlogCritics.
The three o'clock games saw Chelsea extend their control of the Premiership, running out easy 4-2 victors over an initially hard to break down Blackburn Rovers, thanks to great performances by lethal striker Didier Drogba and the best player in Britain today, Frank Lampard in midfield.
..............Chelsea's Didier DrogbaElsewhere, Bolton Wanderers proved just too strong for hosts Charlton Athletic, stealing a vital 0-1 away win thanks to another crucial goal from captain Kevin Nolan and going above the East Londoners in the table, whilst Liverpool returned to winning ways with a steadying 2-0 victory over the original East Enders West Ham United.
..........Bolton's inspirational captain Kevin NolanThe two basement battles were decisive, the previously rooted to the bottom Everton leapfrogging over the increasingly vulnerable Steve Bruce's Birmingham City to 18th place, their second away victory coming due to the first of the day's crucial goalkeeping errors. Over on the East Coast, sad strugglers Sunderland confirmed the mammoth task facing them as they are already looking like relegation fodder, going down 1-4 to fellow minnows Portsmouth.
The same score at Middlesborough sounds unremarkable until one realises that it's 4-1 to the home team over a truly dire Manchester United, who were inept in defence and clueless in front of goal. Apparently billionaire American owner Malcolm Glazer is prepared to give Sir Alex Ferguson a blank cheque to make the team competitive with rouble-rich Chelski, news which can't come soon enough for the bewildered fans.
............Sir Alex Ferguson on a happier daySunday saw the heretofore underperforming Newcastle United return to winning ways, slamming West Bromwich Albion 0-3, thanks to a brace from the now fit Michael Owen and a late goal from supersub Alan Shearer, a result which takes the Geordies back into the top half of the table but leaves the generally impressive Brummies right on the edge of the drop zone.
............Michael Owen of Newcastle United and EnglandWeek 11 draws to a close with the Monday night victory of Manchester City over up for sale Aston Villa 3-1 with former Villa striker Darius Vassell scoring twice as the Sky Blues soar to fourth place.
The current English Premiership Football league table is here.
This article is cross-posted here on BlogCritics.
Saturday, 29 October 2005
Middlesbrough 4 Manchester United 1
It's a full house at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium as former Alex Ferguson assistant Steve McClaren, now in charge here in the North East for four years, hopes to continue Middlesbrough's good run of results against his former boss. Sir Alex in turn will be hoping Manchester United start a good run of form, knowing that his season, and possibly his career, depend on the next nine days.
Middlesbrough centre-backs Gareth Southgate (groin) and Ugo Ehiogu (knee) are both out injured but Franck Queudrue, Emanuel Pogagtetz and Matthew Bates all return to the team. Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Bates, Riggott, Queudrue, Parnaby, Boateng, Mendieta, Rochemback, Pogatetz, Hasselbaink, Yakubu. Subs: Jones, Nemeth, Doriva, Morrison, Viduka
Manchester United's Wes Brown and Kieran Richardson return to the squad but Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Gabriel Heinze, Quinton Fortune, Gary Neville and Louis Saha are all still unfit. Man Utd : Van der Sar, Bardsley, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Silvestre, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Park, Rooney, van Nistelrooy. Subs: Howard, Brown, Ronaldo, Richardson, Rossi.
Middlesbrough get things going and it's hammer blows to the United heart straightaway as Gaizka Mendieta collects a long crossfield ball outside the Reds' penalty area and with barely a glance slams a rocket into the back of the net, it's GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLL and 1-0 to Middlesbrough with only two minutes gone. Game on!
.......................................Middlesbrough's Gaizka Mendieta
Unfortunately for United, the home side are now filled with self belief and contesting every ball. Sir Alex' cautious 4-4-1-1 formation isn't built for buccaneering and with Park as the only real wide player, the Red Devils are finding midfield control impossible.
Suddenly, in the 24th minute, it gets worse; Mendieta, helping out in defence, sends a long visionary pass deep into United territory where Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink makes no mistake from close range and it's GOOOOOOAAAALLL and 2-0 to Middlesbrough.
It's bedlam in the Riverside and things are looking grim for the Manchester men. There seems scant prospect of one of those miraculous comebacks which the United fans once took for granted as Middlesbrough seem to have total control and Mendieta is proving the master of midfield.
It's almost half time, offering a chance to re-group for United, when events take a turn for the even worse. Kieron Richardson, on as a tactical change for Bardsley, brings down Stuart Parnaby in the United area and Aiyegbeni Yakubu makes easy work of the penalty, sending Van der Sar the wrong way, so it's another GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL and now 3-0 to Middlesbrough.
As the referee mercifully brings the first half to a close, the words "Sir Alex" and "hairdryer treatment" spring to mind as the United players trudge towards the dressing room.
Fifteen minutes later, United get the second half started playing 4-3-3 now but there's still no sign of winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who would surely help unlock this tight defensive unit. Middlesbrough look determined to continue their good work and not simply defend the lead.
For all their good passing and not for want of trying to get forward, United are getting nothing but scrappy little chances with little real threat to Mark Schwarzer in the 'Boro goal and the danger of a swift counter attack is continuous and real as the home team grow in confidence.
Ronaldo comes on for Manchester with only thirty minutes remaining, but replaces Park, still leaving United with only one wide guy. Predictably, this proves too little and further hurt is caused in the 77th minute when Yakuba brushes past the ineffectual Ferdinand and squares the ball to that man Mendieta who shoots rightfooted into the bottom corner for another easy GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAL and 4-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo, scorer of Manchester United's 1000th Premiership goal
Just before the end of this shoddy performance by the team expected to lead the Chelsea chase, the hugely disappointing Rio Ferdinand is taken off by Ferguson and replaced by the welcome return of long term injury victim Wes Brown. Then, in the second minute of added time, a further crumb of comfort comes Manchester's way when they become the first ever team to score one thousand Premiership goals as a Paul Scholes corner is met by a bullet header from Cristiano Ronaldo who scores a great consolation GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAL to make the final score a well-deserved 4-1 to Middlesbrough.
Cross-posted here at BlogCritics.
Middlesbrough centre-backs Gareth Southgate (groin) and Ugo Ehiogu (knee) are both out injured but Franck Queudrue, Emanuel Pogagtetz and Matthew Bates all return to the team. Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Bates, Riggott, Queudrue, Parnaby, Boateng, Mendieta, Rochemback, Pogatetz, Hasselbaink, Yakubu. Subs: Jones, Nemeth, Doriva, Morrison, Viduka
Manchester United's Wes Brown and Kieran Richardson return to the squad but Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Gabriel Heinze, Quinton Fortune, Gary Neville and Louis Saha are all still unfit. Man Utd : Van der Sar, Bardsley, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Silvestre, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Park, Rooney, van Nistelrooy. Subs: Howard, Brown, Ronaldo, Richardson, Rossi.
Middlesbrough get things going and it's hammer blows to the United heart straightaway as Gaizka Mendieta collects a long crossfield ball outside the Reds' penalty area and with barely a glance slams a rocket into the back of the net, it's GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLL and 1-0 to Middlesbrough with only two minutes gone. Game on!
.......................................Middlesbrough's Gaizka MendietaUnfortunately for United, the home side are now filled with self belief and contesting every ball. Sir Alex' cautious 4-4-1-1 formation isn't built for buccaneering and with Park as the only real wide player, the Red Devils are finding midfield control impossible.
Suddenly, in the 24th minute, it gets worse; Mendieta, helping out in defence, sends a long visionary pass deep into United territory where Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink makes no mistake from close range and it's GOOOOOOAAAALLL and 2-0 to Middlesbrough.
It's bedlam in the Riverside and things are looking grim for the Manchester men. There seems scant prospect of one of those miraculous comebacks which the United fans once took for granted as Middlesbrough seem to have total control and Mendieta is proving the master of midfield.
It's almost half time, offering a chance to re-group for United, when events take a turn for the even worse. Kieron Richardson, on as a tactical change for Bardsley, brings down Stuart Parnaby in the United area and Aiyegbeni Yakubu makes easy work of the penalty, sending Van der Sar the wrong way, so it's another GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL and now 3-0 to Middlesbrough.
As the referee mercifully brings the first half to a close, the words "Sir Alex" and "hairdryer treatment" spring to mind as the United players trudge towards the dressing room.
Fifteen minutes later, United get the second half started playing 4-3-3 now but there's still no sign of winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who would surely help unlock this tight defensive unit. Middlesbrough look determined to continue their good work and not simply defend the lead.
For all their good passing and not for want of trying to get forward, United are getting nothing but scrappy little chances with little real threat to Mark Schwarzer in the 'Boro goal and the danger of a swift counter attack is continuous and real as the home team grow in confidence.
Ronaldo comes on for Manchester with only thirty minutes remaining, but replaces Park, still leaving United with only one wide guy. Predictably, this proves too little and further hurt is caused in the 77th minute when Yakuba brushes past the ineffectual Ferdinand and squares the ball to that man Mendieta who shoots rightfooted into the bottom corner for another easy GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAL and 4-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo, scorer of Manchester United's 1000th Premiership goalJust before the end of this shoddy performance by the team expected to lead the Chelsea chase, the hugely disappointing Rio Ferdinand is taken off by Ferguson and replaced by the welcome return of long term injury victim Wes Brown. Then, in the second minute of added time, a further crumb of comfort comes Manchester's way when they become the first ever team to score one thousand Premiership goals as a Paul Scholes corner is met by a bullet header from Cristiano Ronaldo who scores a great consolation GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAL to make the final score a well-deserved 4-1 to Middlesbrough.
Cross-posted here at BlogCritics.
Friday, 28 October 2005
Premiership Preview Week 11
The dramatic tension of the Premiership is really starting to build now as the heady outlines of glory and failure begin to take shape for all twenty teams.
The fever starts to build with the two lunchtime fixtures where high flying debutantes Wigan Athletic should prove too strong for struggling visitors Fulham. Meanwhile in the match of the day, Spurs entertain Arsenal with their best chance for years of winning the at times heated North London derby. Arsenal's heart, in the shape of
Thierry Henry, misses the game due to injury so the likelihood of Wenger's boys taking advantage of the chance to catch the newly confident Tottendam (sic) looks slim.
In the five three o'clock kickoffs, there's an into-the-valley-of-relegation battle between two seriously underperforming teams as Birmingham host Everton; it's second versus seventh as Charlton hope to resist the attacking verve of Bolton Wanderers; whilst the leaders Chelsea will be hoping both to recover momentum against Blackburn Rovers and that there's no re-run of the pitched battle between the two teams we saw last season. Liverpool will be hoping to avoid further embarrassment against the improving West Ham and in the other basement battle two teams struggle desperately for air as Sunderland face Portsmouth.
The late afternoon match sees the unpredictable Middlesboro host the so far inconsistent Manchester United in a game in which literally anything can happen but, as United keeper
Edwin van der Sar says: "The season is going to stand or fall on our two results this week. There is already a gap between ourselves and Chelsea [who we play on November 6th], so that will only be an important game if we win on Saturday".
Sunday sees West Brom looking to keep their recent good run going against the dangerously wounded beast that is Newcastle United but I expect the Toon Army to prevail and the month of October and this week's round of matches is brought to a close on Monday night as the high-flying Sky Blues of Manchester City will look to take advantage of a struggling Aston Villa.
This article cross-posted here at BlogCritics.
The fever starts to build with the two lunchtime fixtures where high flying debutantes Wigan Athletic should prove too strong for struggling visitors Fulham. Meanwhile in the match of the day, Spurs entertain Arsenal with their best chance for years of winning the at times heated North London derby. Arsenal's heart, in the shape of
Thierry Henry, misses the game due to injury so the likelihood of Wenger's boys taking advantage of the chance to catch the newly confident Tottendam (sic) looks slim.In the five three o'clock kickoffs, there's an into-the-valley-of-relegation battle between two seriously underperforming teams as Birmingham host Everton; it's second versus seventh as Charlton hope to resist the attacking verve of Bolton Wanderers; whilst the leaders Chelsea will be hoping both to recover momentum against Blackburn Rovers and that there's no re-run of the pitched battle between the two teams we saw last season. Liverpool will be hoping to avoid further embarrassment against the improving West Ham and in the other basement battle two teams struggle desperately for air as Sunderland face Portsmouth.
The late afternoon match sees the unpredictable Middlesboro host the so far inconsistent Manchester United in a game in which literally anything can happen but, as United keeper
Edwin van der Sar says: "The season is going to stand or fall on our two results this week. There is already a gap between ourselves and Chelsea [who we play on November 6th], so that will only be an important game if we win on Saturday".Sunday sees West Brom looking to keep their recent good run going against the dangerously wounded beast that is Newcastle United but I expect the Toon Army to prevail and the month of October and this week's round of matches is brought to a close on Monday night as the high-flying Sky Blues of Manchester City will look to take advantage of a struggling Aston Villa.
This article cross-posted here at BlogCritics.
Tuesday, 25 October 2005
Manchester United 4 Barnet 1
Manchester United continue their recent custom of using the Carling Cup to develop younger squad players, tonight against Barnet, a team currently enjoying their first season of Football League.
Obviously I wasn't able to see the match but the worst moment was obviously the totally unnecessary sending off of Barnet's goalkeeper in the second minute whilst the best was the confident performance of a weird mixture of rusty first teamers and a handful of kids making their United debuts.
The bare stats of the match are:-
Man Utd Howard, Bardsley, Brown, Pique, Eckersley, Martin (Gibson 75), Miller, Jones, Richardson, Ebanks-Blake, Rossi.
Subs Not Used: Park, Smith, Silvestre, Steele.
Booked: Miller, Jones, Eckersley.
Goals: Miller 4, Richardson 19, Rossi 51, Ebanks-Blake 89.
Barnet Flitney, Hendon, Yakubu, King, Gross, Soares (Tynan 3), Lee (Batt 87), Sinclair, Bailey, Strevens, Grazioli (Hatch 75).
Subs Not Used: Charles, Graham.
Sent Off: Flitney (2).
Booked: Yakubu.
Goals: Sinclair 74.
Att: 43,673
Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).
Sunday, 23 October 2005
Premiership Roundup Week 10
This week's Premiership fixtures kicked off with the Saturday lunchtime game between Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers and Steve Bruce's Birmingham City; the striker's team beat the defender's side and Birmingham went home empty-handed after losing 2-0.
In the main group of Saturday afternoon matches, the standout game was a bit of a letdown for both sets of fans as Manchester United were held to a draw by Tottenham Hotspur, which can only have pleased Chelsea fans. Elsewhere Arsenal bested the continuingly impressive Manchester City thanks to a Robert Pires penalty but the former kings of the capital ended the day as they started, only the fourth best team in London.
Perennial strugglers Aston Villa were unable to raise their game for the visit of this season's surprise package Wigan Athletic, who surge to an unprecedented fourth place in their first ever Premiership season, whilst Fulham played above themselves to beat the moody men of Merseyside that are Liverpool.
The late afternoon match saw strugglers Portsmouth entertain high flyers Charlton Athletic down on the South Coast of England - and down is where they stayed as the Londoners came from behind to leap into second place.
The four Sunday matches started with a cracking North East derby as Newcastle United hosted an increasingly desperate Sunderland. The final 15 minutes of the first half produced a flurry of four goals but Newcastle nicked the victory thanks to a stunning second half Belozoglu Emre free kick, his first goal for the club since joining them from Inter Milan.
................................................Belozoglu Emre
Later, Bolton Wanderers continued their good season with a routine 2-0 victory against promoted West Bromwich Albion, which takes them to 7th, whilst West Ham United bounced back from last week's defeat, beating Middlesborough 2-1.
.................................................Everton's James Beattie
This week's fixtures were brought to a thrilling close with this season's surprise whipping boys Everton, currently propping up the table, hosting runaway leaders Chelsea. All non-Chelsea fans will join in congratulating The Toffees as the first team this season to avoid defeat against the reigning champions. The Merseysiders held on for the draw after going ahead through a first half James Beattie penalty and it took another stunning Frank Lampard goal in the second half to bring Chelski back into it. He truly is the best footballer in the Premiership right now.
..............................................Frank Lampard
The current Premiership League table is here.
This article is cross-posted here on BlogCritics.
In the main group of Saturday afternoon matches, the standout game was a bit of a letdown for both sets of fans as Manchester United were held to a draw by Tottenham Hotspur, which can only have pleased Chelsea fans. Elsewhere Arsenal bested the continuingly impressive Manchester City thanks to a Robert Pires penalty but the former kings of the capital ended the day as they started, only the fourth best team in London.
Perennial strugglers Aston Villa were unable to raise their game for the visit of this season's surprise package Wigan Athletic, who surge to an unprecedented fourth place in their first ever Premiership season, whilst Fulham played above themselves to beat the moody men of Merseyside that are Liverpool.
The late afternoon match saw strugglers Portsmouth entertain high flyers Charlton Athletic down on the South Coast of England - and down is where they stayed as the Londoners came from behind to leap into second place.
The four Sunday matches started with a cracking North East derby as Newcastle United hosted an increasingly desperate Sunderland. The final 15 minutes of the first half produced a flurry of four goals but Newcastle nicked the victory thanks to a stunning second half Belozoglu Emre free kick, his first goal for the club since joining them from Inter Milan.
................................................Belozoglu EmreLater, Bolton Wanderers continued their good season with a routine 2-0 victory against promoted West Bromwich Albion, which takes them to 7th, whilst West Ham United bounced back from last week's defeat, beating Middlesborough 2-1.
.................................................Everton's James BeattieThis week's fixtures were brought to a thrilling close with this season's surprise whipping boys Everton, currently propping up the table, hosting runaway leaders Chelsea. All non-Chelsea fans will join in congratulating The Toffees as the first team this season to avoid defeat against the reigning champions. The Merseysiders held on for the draw after going ahead through a first half James Beattie penalty and it took another stunning Frank Lampard goal in the second half to bring Chelski back into it. He truly is the best footballer in the Premiership right now.
..............................................Frank LampardThe current Premiership League table is here.
This article is cross-posted here on BlogCritics.
Saturday, 22 October 2005
Manchester United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1
After the disappointing Old Trafford performance in mid-week, when Manchester United really should have consolidated the control of their Champions League group but managed only a 0-0 draw against a stubborn but outclassed Lille, everybody from the owners to the cleaners must be hoping for a much better performance against the team between them and leaders Chelsea.
For this week's team, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's job has been made even more difficult by the ongoing injury-crisis at the club. With only a threadbare squad to work with, Sir Alex has selected what looks like a 4-3-3 formation with Edwin Van der Sar in goal, a makeshift back four of Phil Bardsley, Rio Ferdinand, Mikael Silvestre, and John O'Shea, a cautious midfield of Darren Fletcher, Alan Smith, and Paul Scholes, with Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park playing either side of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The increasingly thin subs bench today seats Tim Howard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Liam Miller, Gerard Pique, and Guiseppe Rossi.
Tottenham are totally pumped for this fixture and keep to the same team that beat Everton last week, lining up with goalie Paul Robinson behind Paul Stalteri, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Young-pyo Lee; a positive looking midfield of Aaron Lennon, Michael Carrick, Edgar Davids and Jermaine Jenas; and upfront Hossan Ahmed Mido and Jermain Defoe.
.................................Hossan Ahmed Mido
We are looking at what promises to be a very open attacking match with United's still experimental 4-3-3 formation ranged against Tottenham's more familiar 4-4-2.
Wayne Rooney kicks off for United and straightaway United, looking very positive, surge forward towards the Tottenham defence, who just manage to tidy up. The Red Devils are clearly determined to be more assertive than in midweek and are immediately driving forward again and again.
With only six minutes gone, an innocuous looking free kick taken by Paul Scholes wide on the left brings an awkward downward header from Ruud van Nistelrooy which Spurs keeper Paul Robinson somehow fumbles and the ball falls to Mikael Silvestre who stabs it into the corner of the net and it's GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL for United and it's 1-0.
................................ Mikael Silvestre
The first half continues as almost one way traffic as United, playing full of confidence and self-belief, continue striding forward at every opportunity and stretching the Tottenham defence almost to breaking point. Almost but not quite and Spurs hold on, resisting attack after attack and being limited to barely three unproductive counterattacks. Before we know it, top referee Uriah Rennie blows his whistle and it's half time. Whew!
Fifteen minutes later the London boys get the second half underway, both sides unchanged. Tottenham have obviously decided to come out attacking and lay siege to the United goal, with at least three clear goal opportunities in the first five minutes, but the United defenders stand firm and goalie van der Sar is as solid as a rock.
Tottenham's determination to get something from the game keeps United pinned back in defence and more than ten minutes of the second half have passed before the home team have an attacking opportunity but van Nistelrooy shoots high over the goal from almost thirty metres out.
After sixty-four minutes Tottenham's clever Dutch manager Martin Jol brings on striker Robbie Keane for midfielder Lennon, as he looks for a way to turn Spurs' territorial dominance into goals, whilst Jenas is booked for clattering into Park, the third Spur to be booked in the space of five minutes.
The change pays off for the Londoners when Rio Ferdinand is falsely judged to have fouled Mido just outside the penalty area. Jenas strolls up to the dead ball and effortlessly lifts it over the wall and direct into the corner of the net. It's a surprise but deserved GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL to Tottenham and the score is 1-1.
.......................................Jermaine Jenas
United respond by bringing on Cristiano Ronaldo for Fletcher so it's obviously going to be a hot final twenty minutes as both teams battle for victory. United are storming forward down both flanks now in search of that crucial goal but in the 79th minute it's Spurs turn to threaten as they get another free kick outside the United box. This time it's taken by the impressive Michael Carrick who floats it into the goal mouth where it suddenly dips and van der Sar has to leap to prevent an almost identical goal, the ball slamming into the crossbar.
Two minutes later, United up the stakes, taking off impressive young fullback Bardsley and bringing on the equally impressive and even younger striker Guiseppe Rossi. Clearly, a draw won't do!
However, despite a bundle of half chances, a draw is what we get as the Tottenham defence battle manfully to hold back a desperate United. The match ends 1-1, a result which only Chelsea fans can be happy about.
This match review is cross-posted here at the mighty BlogCritics.
For this week's team, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's job has been made even more difficult by the ongoing injury-crisis at the club. With only a threadbare squad to work with, Sir Alex has selected what looks like a 4-3-3 formation with Edwin Van der Sar in goal, a makeshift back four of Phil Bardsley, Rio Ferdinand, Mikael Silvestre, and John O'Shea, a cautious midfield of Darren Fletcher, Alan Smith, and Paul Scholes, with Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park playing either side of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The increasingly thin subs bench today seats Tim Howard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Liam Miller, Gerard Pique, and Guiseppe Rossi.
Tottenham are totally pumped for this fixture and keep to the same team that beat Everton last week, lining up with goalie Paul Robinson behind Paul Stalteri, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Young-pyo Lee; a positive looking midfield of Aaron Lennon, Michael Carrick, Edgar Davids and Jermaine Jenas; and upfront Hossan Ahmed Mido and Jermain Defoe.
.................................Hossan Ahmed MidoWe are looking at what promises to be a very open attacking match with United's still experimental 4-3-3 formation ranged against Tottenham's more familiar 4-4-2.
Wayne Rooney kicks off for United and straightaway United, looking very positive, surge forward towards the Tottenham defence, who just manage to tidy up. The Red Devils are clearly determined to be more assertive than in midweek and are immediately driving forward again and again.
With only six minutes gone, an innocuous looking free kick taken by Paul Scholes wide on the left brings an awkward downward header from Ruud van Nistelrooy which Spurs keeper Paul Robinson somehow fumbles and the ball falls to Mikael Silvestre who stabs it into the corner of the net and it's GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL for United and it's 1-0.
................................ Mikael SilvestreThe first half continues as almost one way traffic as United, playing full of confidence and self-belief, continue striding forward at every opportunity and stretching the Tottenham defence almost to breaking point. Almost but not quite and Spurs hold on, resisting attack after attack and being limited to barely three unproductive counterattacks. Before we know it, top referee Uriah Rennie blows his whistle and it's half time. Whew!
Fifteen minutes later the London boys get the second half underway, both sides unchanged. Tottenham have obviously decided to come out attacking and lay siege to the United goal, with at least three clear goal opportunities in the first five minutes, but the United defenders stand firm and goalie van der Sar is as solid as a rock.
Tottenham's determination to get something from the game keeps United pinned back in defence and more than ten minutes of the second half have passed before the home team have an attacking opportunity but van Nistelrooy shoots high over the goal from almost thirty metres out.
After sixty-four minutes Tottenham's clever Dutch manager Martin Jol brings on striker Robbie Keane for midfielder Lennon, as he looks for a way to turn Spurs' territorial dominance into goals, whilst Jenas is booked for clattering into Park, the third Spur to be booked in the space of five minutes.
The change pays off for the Londoners when Rio Ferdinand is falsely judged to have fouled Mido just outside the penalty area. Jenas strolls up to the dead ball and effortlessly lifts it over the wall and direct into the corner of the net. It's a surprise but deserved GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL to Tottenham and the score is 1-1.
.......................................Jermaine JenasUnited respond by bringing on Cristiano Ronaldo for Fletcher so it's obviously going to be a hot final twenty minutes as both teams battle for victory. United are storming forward down both flanks now in search of that crucial goal but in the 79th minute it's Spurs turn to threaten as they get another free kick outside the United box. This time it's taken by the impressive Michael Carrick who floats it into the goal mouth where it suddenly dips and van der Sar has to leap to prevent an almost identical goal, the ball slamming into the crossbar.
Two minutes later, United up the stakes, taking off impressive young fullback Bardsley and bringing on the equally impressive and even younger striker Guiseppe Rossi. Clearly, a draw won't do!
However, despite a bundle of half chances, a draw is what we get as the Tottenham defence battle manfully to hold back a desperate United. The match ends 1-1, a result which only Chelsea fans can be happy about.
This match review is cross-posted here at the mighty BlogCritics.
Premiership Football Preview Week 10
This week's Premiership fixtures kick off with the Saturday lunchtime game between Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers and Steve Bruce's Birmingham City, as the two former Manchester United players, now rival managers, compete for vital points.
Birmingham need the points more as they look to get a so far disappointing season turned around but Blackburn are becoming hard to beat; probably a draw waiting to happen but, if there is a winner, it's more likely to be the Rovers.
In the main group of Saturday afternoon matches, the standout game is obviously at Old Trafford as third placed Manchester United host the much improved Tottenham Hotspur who are currently lying in a well-deserved second spot. United have been stuttering a lot recently due to a bloated injury list, now even longer due to the mid-week fracture of Welsh winger Ryan Giggs' cheekbone by a French elbow, and will be desperate for a victory over the new second best team in London.
Elsewhere, the former second best team in London, Arsenal, host the continuingly impressive Manchester City, who will be looking to maintain their good start. Perennial strugglers Aston Villa host this season's surprise package Wigan Athletic, currently flying high in sixth place in their first ever Premiership season, whilst Fulham will hope to get at least a draw against a Liverpool side boosted by the return of Steve Gerrard.
The late afternoon match sees strugglers Portsmouth entertain high flyers Charlton Athletic down on the South Coast of England - and down is likely where they are going to remain against the well-organized Londoners.
The four Sunday matches start with the prospect of a cracking North East derby as two teams with a lot to prove go for it as Newcastle United host Sunderland. It could get hot in St James Park at lunchtime...
Later, Bolton Wanderers are having another good season so far and will be looking to consolidate against promoted West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United will be looking to bounce back from last week's defeat for the visit of Middlesborough, one place below them.
This week's fixtures are brought to a close with the 4 pm kickoff of this season's surprise whipping boys Everton, currently propping up the table, having to face the runaway leaders Chelsea. All non-Chelsea fans will doubtless be hoping to see The Toffees end the Londoners' perfect start, probably in vain.
Current League Table
This football preview is cross-posted here at the mighty BlogCritics.
Birmingham need the points more as they look to get a so far disappointing season turned around but Blackburn are becoming hard to beat; probably a draw waiting to happen but, if there is a winner, it's more likely to be the Rovers.
In the main group of Saturday afternoon matches, the standout game is obviously at Old Trafford as third placed Manchester United host the much improved Tottenham Hotspur who are currently lying in a well-deserved second spot. United have been stuttering a lot recently due to a bloated injury list, now even longer due to the mid-week fracture of Welsh winger Ryan Giggs' cheekbone by a French elbow, and will be desperate for a victory over the new second best team in London.
Elsewhere, the former second best team in London, Arsenal, host the continuingly impressive Manchester City, who will be looking to maintain their good start. Perennial strugglers Aston Villa host this season's surprise package Wigan Athletic, currently flying high in sixth place in their first ever Premiership season, whilst Fulham will hope to get at least a draw against a Liverpool side boosted by the return of Steve Gerrard.
The late afternoon match sees strugglers Portsmouth entertain high flyers Charlton Athletic down on the South Coast of England - and down is likely where they are going to remain against the well-organized Londoners.
The four Sunday matches start with the prospect of a cracking North East derby as two teams with a lot to prove go for it as Newcastle United host Sunderland. It could get hot in St James Park at lunchtime...
Later, Bolton Wanderers are having another good season so far and will be looking to consolidate against promoted West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United will be looking to bounce back from last week's defeat for the visit of Middlesborough, one place below them.
This week's fixtures are brought to a close with the 4 pm kickoff of this season's surprise whipping boys Everton, currently propping up the table, having to face the runaway leaders Chelsea. All non-Chelsea fans will doubtless be hoping to see The Toffees end the Londoners' perfect start, probably in vain.
Current League Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Chelsea | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 20 | 27 |
| 2 | Tottenham | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 | Man Utd | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| 4 | Man City | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 17 |
| 5 | Charlton | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 16 |
| 6 | Wigan | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 16 |
| 7 | Bolton | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 10 | -1 | 14 |
| 8 | Arsenal | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| 9 | West Ham | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 9 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | -2 | 12 |
| 11 | Blackburn | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 11 |
| 12 | Liverpool | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 10 |
| 13 | Newcastle | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -3 | 9 |
| 14 | Aston Villa | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 9 |
| 15 | West Brom | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -7 | 8 |
| 16 | Portsmouth | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -4 | 7 |
| 17 | Fulham | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | -6 | 6 |
| 18 | Birmingham | 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | -6 | 6 |
| 19 | Sunderland | 9 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | -7 | 5 |
| 20 | Everton | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | -10 | 3 |
This football preview is cross-posted here at the mighty BlogCritics.
Tuesday, 18 October 2005
Manchester United 0 Lille 0
I was unable to see this game due to real life stuff but by all accounts I didn't miss much as Manchester United were pretty uninspired and uninspiring in this Group Stage match against Lille in the UEFA Champions League.
Paul Scholes is facing a ban after harshly being sent off for two debatable yellow cards and, adding injury to insult, Ryan Giggs will be out for a couple of months after one of the French team broke his cheekbone in three places, deepening the already grave injury crisis at Old Trafford.
....................Captain Giggs Talks As Paul Scholes Walks
The only good news is that Villarreal and Benfica also drew, maintaining United's narrow lead at the head of the group.
In case you're interested, here's some info about France, the city of Lille and, for our American readers, Football. These are links to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
Paul Scholes is facing a ban after harshly being sent off for two debatable yellow cards and, adding injury to insult, Ryan Giggs will be out for a couple of months after one of the French team broke his cheekbone in three places, deepening the already grave injury crisis at Old Trafford.
....................Captain Giggs Talks As Paul Scholes WalksThe only good news is that Villarreal and Benfica also drew, maintaining United's narrow lead at the head of the group.
In case you're interested, here's some info about France, the city of Lille and, for our American readers, Football. These are links to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
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