KEEP LIFE SIMPLE

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Results of Round 9

BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 1
The visitors dominated the match, but were guilty of not taking their chances. They were duly punished for their profligacy in front of goal when super-sub Matt Derbyshire prodded a low cross into goal in the 75th minute to rescue the hosts. Blackburn were lucky to get a point here. (Both predictions incorrect)

FULHAM 0 ARSENAL 3
The hosts were completely dominated in this London derby. The Gunners raced to a 2-0 lead against the Cottagers before half-time, and completed the scoring when Tomasz Rosicky tapped in a cross from Eduardo da Silva. Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has started his reign with 4 defeats out of 4, including an embarassing exit in the FA Cup against lower league opposition. He needs some wins now before the fans turn against him. (1 prediction correct)

PORTSMOUTH 3 DERBY COUNTY 1
Portsmouth finally ended an abysmal goalless and winless run at Fratton Town stretching back to nearly 10 games. Derby drew first blood and took a shock lead when they scored from a close range tap-in after barely 6 minutes. Portsmouth's current top scorer Benjani however finally broke the host's frustrating goal drought at home with 2 goals in 4 minutes before half-time to send Pompey 2-1 up. The African striker then completed his hat trick in the second half to hand Pompey a long-awaited 3 points at Fratton Park. (1 prediction correct)

READING 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Doughty Reading, for long periods of this match, looked like they would limit the Red Devils to a deflating goalless draw. However, a moment of magic in the 77th minute from Rooney put the league leaders crucially infront. Reading nearly equalised when a stunning run from midfielder James Harper ended with a cracking shot, that swerved barely centimetres wide of the far post, with United keeper van der Sar well beaten. Reading pushed on and attacked in numbers, but were duly caught on the break by a classic Manchester United counter-attack. A cross into United's penalty box was cut out by Darren Fletcher, and the loose ball fell straight to Ronaldo. The Portuguese winger then dribbled the ball for nearly 70 yards before unleashing a low shot into the Reading goal to secure 3 points for the Red Devils. A nervous win for the league leaders, but a crucial one. (Both predictions correct)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 SUNDERLAND 0
Robbie Keane celebrated his 100th goal for Spurs as his side defeated Sunderland 2-0 to continue their charge up the table. Aaron Lennon added a second in stoppage time to condemn the Black Cats to yet another miserable away defeat. Sunderland have had decent results at home, but their poor away form could be a catalyst for relegation. (1 prediction correct)

BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 CHELSEA 1
Lucky Chelsea grabbed a late winner to earn themselves a rather undeserved victory at St Andrews. The Brums hassled the Blues all the way and could easily have earned themselves a creditable draw. Instead, Claudio Pizarro struck with a header in the 79th minute and the hapless hosts ended the match with nothing to show for their efforts. (Both predictions incorrect)

NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 BOLTON WANDERERS 0
Kevin Keegan's 2nd spell in charge of the Tynesiders began with a drab goalless draw at home to the Trotters. It was a frustrating first half for both sides as neither could carve out a decent opening. Newcastle had a few half-chances in the second half, but arguably Bolton could have grabbed all three points in stoppage time. Jlloyd Samuel struck the ball towards goal from 6 yards after the ball had broke to him, but much to the relief of Newcastle, goalkeeper Shay Given produced a reaction save to push it away. (Both predictions incorrect)

WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 EVERTON 2
The calamitous defender Titus Bramble allowed Everton to grab all three points in this tight encounter. The match looked to be heading towards a goalless 1st half in the 40th minute. However, a minute later, a trademark laughable error from the Wigan defender put Andy Johnson through on goal, and he gratefully accepted the wrapped present by slotting it into the back of the net. Barely 3 minutes later, with the Latics still shocked, Everton grabbed a second, Joleon Lescott putting the ball across the goalline after he had been left totally unmarked. Wigan grabbed a lucky goal in the second half to ignite hopes of a comeback, but Everton stood firm for 3 points. (Both predictions incorrect)

MANCHESTER CITY 1 WEST HAM UNITED 1
City were lucky to escape with a draw, with a controversial equaliser from Darius Vassell. The City striker was offside when the ball was played into the Hammer's penalty box. However, the linesman did not flag for offside, and the striker put City on level terms, after Carlton Cole had given the visitors the lead with a brilliant overhead kick. The scoreline stayed the same all the way till the final whistle, and the hosts remain outside the top 6 positions.

LIVERPOOL 2 ASTON VILLA 2
Liverpool's league woes continued as they were held to a fourth consecutive league draw. Played in the backdrop of a rift between management, manager and player, Liverpool took the lead through Israeli winger Yossi Benayoun. Posters demanding the club's American owners to leave could be seen all over the stadium as the fans made their support for beleaguered manager Rafael Benitez known. The Reds were then undone by 2 goals in 4 minutes in the second half, one of them an own goal by Arbeloa. However, forgotten striker Peter Crouch came off the bench to equalise 2 minutes from time and grab a draw for the Reds. However, it must be said that a draw is hardly enough, and Liverpool's wait for their 1st Premier League title since 1990 must be stalled for another year. (Both predictions incorrect)

Round 1- 8/10, 2/10
Round 2- 5/10, 2/10
Round 3- 4/10, 0/10
Round 4- 4/10, 2/10
Round 5- 6/10, 1/10
Round 6- 7/10, 2/10
Round 7- 4/10, 1/10
Round 8- 5/10, 1/10
Round 9- 5/10, 1/10

Other headlines:
Arsenal thrashed!
-Arsenal's youngsters were handed a footballing lesson by Tottenham Hotspur, as they crashed out of the League Cup semifinals 2-6 on aggregate, following a 5-1 thrashing by the Lilywhites at White Hart Lane. It was a first Spurs victory over Arsenal in 23 matches, following years of misery for their fans. The first leg ended 1-1, with Arsenal managing a fortuitous equaliser from Theo Walcott. There was no such luck this time round, as Jenas gave the hosts a dream start, finding the back of the net after only 3 minutes. Nicklas Bendtner made it 2-0 for Spurs with an own goal in the 26th minute. 3 minutes into the second half and Robbie Keane made it 3-0 with a quickfire counter-attack, before Aaron Lennon made it 4-0 with yet another counter-attack. Adebayor came on for the Gunners and scored a consolation goal, but sparks were flying among the Arsenal players, as the Togolese international had a quarrel with teammate Bendtner, before appearing to headbutt him. The two had to be separated by team captain William Gallas. Steed Malbranque capped the scoring for Spurs with a stoppage time tap-in, in a truly special night for all the fans of the London side.

Chelsea through to Wembley
-The Blues defeated Everton 1-0 to defeat the Liverpudlians 3-1 on aggregate, reaching their 3rd League Cup final in 4 years. Joe Cole's goal in the 69th minute was enough to see off the Toffees, but the visitors required several important saves from Petr Cech to keep the scoreline that way. The result means that there will be a London derby in the League Cup final at Wembley, between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

And this weekend sees action from the 4th Round of the English FA Cup! Interesting fixtures include non-league side Havant and Waterlooville's dream trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, as well as an intriguing fixture at Old Trafford, with Manchester United taking on Tottenham Hotspur, 3 days after the London side smashed Arsenal 5-1.

Joel at 1/26/2008 02:24:00 PM :: link