Premiership greatest goals (Part 3)

THIS third part of a special selection and another ten goals that show just how many quality we have seen in the last 20 years of FA Premier League football;

Didier Drogba - Everton V CHELSEA (December 2006)

WAS this the goal of the season in 2006/07, well it's a contender.  For me, this was Didier Drogba's best season in England and the mercurial Ivorian struck in such stunning fashion against Everton to seal a brilliant comeback win for Mourinho's men.  A magnificent finish and the celebration across the Goodison turf wasn't half bad either.

Thierry Henry - ARSENAL v Tottenham (November 2002)

NORTH London derbies have seen their fair share of spectacular goals.  This was a remarkable solo effort from Thierry Henry, as he ran away from Tottenham's startled defence, finishing supremely, then went off on a long-distance celebration.  Happy days at Highbury for Henry and co, who was never empty on magic and class.  This goal was voted the Goal of the Season by viewers of ITV and it's hard to not to disagree.  Sit back and watch Henry literally go Va Va Voom!

Luc Nillis - ASTON VILLA v Chelsea (August 2000)

ASTON Villa paid big money for tall, Belgian Luc Nillis in the summer of 2000.  On his home debut against Chelsea, he hit a thunderbolt of a goal.  Sadly, an unfortunate collision with Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright in Villa's next match would tragically end Nillis's promising career.  Both incidents are on the video, enjoy the brief moment we saw of Luc in the FA Premier League.

Matt Taylor - Sunderland v PORTSMOUTH (October 2005)

POMPEY's 4-1 win at Sunderland highlighted the gulfing class between the two sides in the top division on this particular season.  The pick of the goals was this sensational strike from long-range specialist, Matt Taylor, from around 45 yards out. 

Juliano Belletti - Middlesbrough v CHELSEA (October 2008)

JULIANO Belletti broke Arsenal hearts in the Champions League final when playing for Barcelona.  He had a tricky spell at Chelsea, but did have a habit of coming up with a special strike from absolutely nowhere.  Here is the best of the bunch; a cracking drive in a 5-0 rout of Middlesbrough, one of the West London's stronger performance in the unhappy reign of Luis Felipe Scolari.

Erik Edman - Liverpool v TOTTENHAM (April 2005)
DOES this goal haunt me?  No, it doesn't, but the scorer really surprises me.  Erik Edman didn't do much in the Premiership for either Tottenham or Wigan.  However, this was a goal in a million, becuase he probably wouldn't be able to do it again if he tried it a hundred times.  From distance, he took aim, fired and left Jerzy Dudek staring into the net wondering; 'How did he do that?'  I think everyone at Anfield that afternoon thought exactly that too.  Stunning from the under-rated Swedish international.


Fernando Torres - LIVERPOOL v Sunderland (March 2010)
MANY Kopites don't appreciate Fernando Torres's decision to leave Liverpool in January for Chelsea but he did provide our fans with some moments of sheer quality and breathtaking genius.  This is my favourite goal he scored for the club; against Sunderland.  It is moments like these that made Roman Abramovich pay £50million for his services.


Wayne Rooney - EVERTON v Arsenal (October 2002)
HE WAS 16 years of age, earning £90 a week and not even a full-time professional when he did this.  Not only did it end Arsenal's ten month unbeaten run in the Premiership, it introduced England and the world to the 'The Next Big Thing.'  As commentator Rob Palmer says; 'Ladies and gentleman, introducing 16-year old Wayne Rooney!'


Gary Cahill - ASTON VILLA v Birmingham City (April 2006)
BOTH sides were in desperate relegation trouble, but this goal would have massive implications for the Second City.  Gary Cahill, an unknown central defender at the time, produced something quite amazing out of nothing.  His bicycle kick won Villa the derby and kept them afloat in the top flight.  Two weeks later, Birmingham were relegated.  Their defence was to blame for some suicidal moments during the season, but no backline stood a chance with this finish.


Daniel Agger - LIVERPOOL v West Ham United (August 2006)
ON THE Kop's 100th birthday, what a way to mark a memorable anniversary.  Daniel Agger's thunderbolt was a special goal on a special day.  The Dane revealing to the Premiership what power he has in his shots.  It certainly wasn't his last goal for Liverpool, but he will do very well to score another just as specatcular for the rest of his career.

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals, 2nd leg review - No Miracles

IF A miracle worker is present in the world today, it didn’t turn up last week, as the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals turned out into nothing more than dull formalities.

CATCH ME: Rooney chases after Hernandez, as he breaks the deadlock

     The only quarter-final of interest that had something to play for was the all-English clash between Manchester United and Chelsea.  Ultimately, it was the Red Devils who comfortably prevailed in the tie; winning 2-1 on the night at Old Trafford and 3-1 on aggregate.  Carlo Ancelotti’s appaling tactical gamble in playing a totally new formation confused many Chelsea fans, and the West London club can have no complaints about their elimination this season.  Ancelotti might as well prepare to pick up his P45 at the end of the season, because surely Roman Abramovich will not accept a trophy less season at Stamford Bridge.  Javier Hernandez put the home side infront and only when Ramires was sent off for two clumsy challenges did Chelsea ever look like scoring.  Fernando Torres’s selection ahead of Didier Drogba was startling, and Drogba made his point by equalising in the 73^rd minute and giving the visitors some faint hope.  That disappeared less than a minute later, as United went up the other end and replied in kind through Ji-Sung Park.  The treble dream may be over now, after the weekend events in the FA Cup, but a rich double still awaits Sir Alex Ferguson this season.  Schalke 04 stand in the way of Ferguson and Wembley, after winning 2-1 against Inter Milan in Gelsenkirchen, to complete a highly impressive 7-3 win on aggregate against the defending champions.  There was another goal for the evergreen Raul, who now has 71 goals in UEFA Champions League history.  Thiago Motta was dismissed for two yellow cards, completing a miserable fortnight for Inter, who have also seen their chances of retaining their Serie A title going up in smoke.  Leonardo is an adequate replacement for the unpopular Rafa Benitez, but he’s no Jose Mourinho!

OH DEAR: Another clanger from unreliable Gomes finished off Spurs

     Meanwhile, Mourinho seemed delighted to be back in England and returned to Spain, having guided Real Madrid to their first semi-final in the competition since 2002.  Madrid beat Tottenham 1-0 at White Hart Lane last Wednesday to seal an ‘El Classico’ semi-final with Barcelona.  The previous evening, Barcelona had won by the same scoreline against a hard-working Shakhtar Donetsk side, with Lionel Messi on target.  In North London, Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal was the difference.  However, his shot was horribly dropped into his own net by bumbling Hereulho Gomes.  Gomes has cost his side three goals in this quarter-final showdown and I’m afraid to say, doesn’t cut it at this level for me.  If he can’t catch a football, then he has no hope!  Despite the damp exit, Tottenham have captivated everyone in Europe this season and I hope we will see them again next season, because the Champions League needs sides like Harry Redknapp’s.

     Next week sees the first leg of the semi-finals and now just four teams remain.  Can Schalke 04 cause a shock against Manchester United and will the Mourinho magic shine again against Barcelona?  Posing questions, but the final four all deserve to be here and have shown a lot of quality and mental strength in getting to this stage.  Bring on the semis! 

FA Barclays Premiership Report (22nd - 24th January)

WHILST Richard Keys and Andy Gray have made the headlines of all the wrong making in the past 72 hours, other go on about their business quietly.  Manchester United remain unbeaten, some top class strikers returned to form and other ridiculous rules saw refs on the run from furious bosses, AGAIN!  Here’s the round-up of the weekend’s action in the Barclays Premiership.

Saturday 22^nd January: Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City

PRICELESS: Darren Bent made a dream debut for Aston Villa

RANDY Learner splashed the cash in midweek to bring Darren Bent in from Sunderland for £18million and he scored on his debut for struggling Villa, earning them a priceless victory.  His first involvement in the game was to score the solitary goal in the 18^th minute, tapping in from close range after Joe Hart let slip a tame Ashley Young shot.  City looked poor all night and although Nigel de Jong hit the post in the closing stages, it was a very happy evening for the home side and their new star striker.

Monday 24^th January: Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Chelsea

ON A night where Bolton paid tribute to the legendary Nat Lofthouse, Owen Coyle’s side continued their poor run of form, as they were easily brushed aside by a Chelsea team, that look back to form.  Once Didier Drogba found the back of the net in sensational fashion on eleven minutes, the game was the visitors for the taking.  Florent Malouda doubled the lead in the dying stages of the first half from a narrow angle and Nicholas Anelka also netted on his return to the Reebok in the second half.  Brazilian Ramires completed the rout with twenty minutes to go, his first goal for Chelsea, who consolidate their place in the top four.  Bolton slide down to tenth on the back of this battering.

Saturday 22^nd January: Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham City  

TREBLE: Berbatov starred again

THIS was the best performance of the season from Manchester United, as they outplayed and outclassed a very poor Birmingham side.  Dimitar Berbatov’s golden touch continued, as the Bulgarian turned in his third hat-trick of the season.  The first was a tap-in inside of 90 seconds and a second on the half hour with another basic finish.  The lethal striker completed his treble in the second half, with Ryan Giggs and Nani also getting onto the scoresheet in this riot.  With Giggs instrumental and Wayne Rooney near his best, it will be difficult to see anyone stopping the leaders.

Sunday 23^rd January: Blackburn Rovers 2-0 West Brom

STEVE Kean’s first match in permanent charge as Rovers boss bought a comfortable win, as West Brom lost their seventh away match in a row in all competitions.  In an even first half, it was Blackburn who broke the deadlock on 41 minutes.  David Dunn’s dangerous cross was steered into his own net by the uncertain Gabriel Tamas.  Rovers doubled their lead soon after the restart; David Hoillett’s swerving shot viciously beat Boaz Myhill to seal the match for the home side.  Paul Robinson produced two good save to deny the threatening Jerome Thomas in the second half, as Blackburn move into a solid seventh in the table.  Once again, defensive errors cost Albion dear.

Saturday 22^nd January: Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic

FIRST: Hat-trick in the Premiership for Robin Van Persie

DAVID Beckham was an interested spectator as Arsenal produced a home masterclass against a Wigan team that look more Championship material with every passing week.  Robin Van Persie scored a hat-trick; his first came on 21 minutes from an Alex Song pass.  The second was a picture book pass from Fabregas that was accurately put in by the Dutchman.  Van Persie went on to horribly miss a penalty, after Steven Caldwell was sent off for bringing down Fabregas.  However, the rocking Dutchman made up for it, by squeezing the ball past Ali Al-Habsi’s near post to complete his first Premier League hat-trick and move the Gunners into second spot in the table.

Saturday 22^nd January: Everton 2-2 West Ham United

NOBODY expected Avram Grant to be in charge of this match, probably even Avram himself.  However, his side showed a load of character at Goodison and should have won, had it not been for a ridiculous regulation in the laws that need urgent attention.  The Hammers took the lead on 26 minutes; Luis Boa Morte pulling the ball back for Jonathan Spector to score his first goal in the Premiership.  They then proceeded to miss a hatful of chances and substitute Diniyar Bilyadetinov made them pay with a nice finish from the edge of the area.  West Ham looked to have won it, when Frenchman Frederic Piquionne headed home from Wayne Bridge’s terrific cross.  Piquionne’s celebration for jumping into the travelling supporters saw him sent off for two yellow cards.  Grant called the red card a ‘joke’ and few could disagree with him.  Everton made the extra man count, as Maroualine Fellani popped up to break West Ham’s hearts in stoppage time to rescue a point for the home side.

Saturday 22^nd January: Wolves 0-3 Liverpool

SMILE: Kenny Dalglish could look on with satisfaction at victory

WHILST Richard Keys and Andy Gray were showing how unprofessional they really were, Liverpool showed real professionalism in seeing off Wolves, leaving the home club in low spirits and giving a happy Kenny Dalglish his first win back in caretaker charge.  Fernando Torres was back in the goals, with a double.  Both of his goals were tap-ins, in the first half from Raul Meireles pass, after line official Sian Massey made a correct borderline call and the second from Dirk Kuyt’s usual persistence.  This brace came either side of a Portuguese pile driver from Meireles, with a superb strike as Liverpool dominated throughout, and move seven points clear of the dreaded drop zone.

Saturday 22^nd January: Fulham 2-0 Stoke City

THINGS are beginning to look up for Fulham, as they continued their march up the table.  Clint Dempsey had the Cottagers infront on 33 minutes, finishing inside the six yard box after Andy Johnson had skimmed Ryan Shawcross.  Shawcross miserable day continued, as he saw red for hauling Dempsey to the ground in the second half.  The American converted the penalty with glee.

Saturday 22^nd January: Newcastle United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

ANOTHER week and another two points squandered by Newcastle United.  Fabricio Coloccini scored a rare goal on 59 minutes, producing control that Alan Shearer would have been proud of.  Carlo Cudicini should have done better, but the Argentine’s lovely skill deserved a bit of luck in the finish.  In an entertaining match, the Magpies were on top for most of the match, but conceded again in injury time, as Aaron Lennon’s shot beat the despairing Steve Harper.

Saturday 22^nd January: Blackpool 1-2 Sunderland

LIFE after Darren Bent started well enough for Sunderland, as Kieran Richardson stepped upto the plate at Bloomfield Road.  Richardson scored a double in the first half, his first Premiership goals since October 2009.  Blackpool bombed forward and as ever, gave the opposition goalkeeper plenty to do, but Charlie Adam’s late penalty counted for little for the Seasiders.  Blackpool’s next test will be to keep hold of Adam, who has handed in a transfer request and is under close scrutiny from the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (11th - 13th December)

TWO weeks to go until Christmas and it was another dramatic weekend of top flight action.  Manchester United remained unbeaten, Newcastle made a winning start to a management change and Blackburn Rovers bid farewell to Sam Allardyce.

Monday 13^th December: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

WINNER: Park scored the decisive goal at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER United charged back to the top of the Premiership table last night, after a deserved victory over title contenders Arsenal.  United were far from their best, but didn’t need to be, against a Gunners side that lacked the ambition needed to sustain a proper challenge.  Ji-Sung Park scored the only goal, with a looping header eight minutes from half-time.  In the second half, Gael Clichy blocked Nani’s cross with his hand, only for Wayne Rooney to smash the spot kick over the crossbar.

Sunday 12^th December: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

GET IN THERE: Fabrice Muamba is congratulated on his goal

SAM Allardyce was harshly sacked as Blackburn manager yesterday after losing late on at his former club, Bolton.  These Lancashire teams shared a dreadful first half, but the second half livened up with Mark Davies was given a second yellow card for leaning his arm into the back of Phil Jones head.  Ten men Bolton then took the lead, when Fabrice Muamba showed good footwork to leave Ryan Nelsen for dead, before burying his effort past Paul Robinson.  With three minutes to, Mame Diouf seemed to have rescued a point for Rovers, a lovely clip over Juusi Jaaskelainen.  However, Stuart Holden snatched it straight back for Bolton, with a good finish to win the match and keep Wanderers in the top six.

Sunday 12^th December: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Chelsea

REDEMPTION: Gomes kept out Drogba's penalty

ANOTHER sensational Sunday at White Hart Lane saw Didier Drogba waste a glorious chance for Chelsea to return to winning ways.  Roman Pavyluchenko had Spurs infront on 15 minutes, converting Jermain Defoe’s square ball.  Drogba, who started on the bench, did equalise.  The Ivorian reacted quicker than Michael Dawson to a long ball and got lucky, when Hereulho Gomes made a meal of Drogba’s shot.  Gomes miserable second half continued, when he clumsily took out Ramires in stoppage time and conceded a penalty.  However, he redeemed himself, by saving Drogba’s very average penalty.

Saturday 11^th December: Newcastle United 3-1 Liverpool

EXAMPLE: Kevin Nolan got Newcastle off to a flying start

ANOTHER dramatic week at St. James Park, and the fans displeasure at Mike Ashley was evidently shown by protests outside the ground before the match.  However, the players reacted well and gave the new gaffer Alan Pardew the dream start.  Skipper Kevin Nolan led by example, opening the scoring.  Dirk Kuyt equalised for Liverpool, gaining a massive slice of fortune, as his shot took a deflection off Steven Taylor.  Once again, Liverpool’s miserable away day blues continued in the last ten minutes.  Joey Barton capitalised on indecision from Martin Skrtel to hammer the Geordies back infront again.  Andy Carroll consigned Roy Hodgson to another shambolic defeat, finding the bottom corner from long range in stoppage time.

Saturday 11^th December: West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City

ON TOP: David Silva holds off Scott Parker in City's win

YAYA Toure piled on the agony for West Ham United with two goals, lifting Manchester City into the top three.  His first was a screaming strike, which Robert Green didn’t even see.  Toure’s second was a squeezed effort past Green at his near post.  As it came off the goalkeeper’s back, it will probably go down as an own goal, but I’d credit the goal to Toure.  In between these moments of magic from the holding midfielder, Mario Balotelli showed a childish act of dissent, got booked, subbed and went straight down the tunnel without even looking at Roberto Mancini.  Substitute Adam Johnson made it 3-0 and although James Tomkins managed a late consolation, it did very little to ease Avram Grant’s pain.

Sunday 12^th December: Wolves 1-0 Birmingham City

WINNER: Stephen Hunt got the winning goal at Molineux

WOLVES bullied Birmingham and fully deserved the three points in this local derby, moving them three points clear of basement team West Ham United in the process.  The winner came right on the stroke of half-time, courtesy of Stephen Hunt, sweeping a shot past Ben Foster at the near post.  Foster was terrific all game and prevented the scoreline from being a landslide.  It is Wolves first clean sheet of the season, Birmingham continue to look for their first away win since March.

Saturday 11^th December: Stoke City 0-1 Blackpool

TWO teams who share an affection of the late Sir Stanley Matthews played out an entertaining clash at the Britannia Stadium.  Tony Pulis will be wondering just how Stoke didn’t get anything from this match.  Rory Delap had a goal disallowed and both Ricardo Fuller and Matthew Etherington had shots that hit the woodwork.  DJ Campbell scored the decisive goal and dogged defending from the visitors secured another fighting victory for Ian Holloway’s side.

Saturday 11^th December: Aston Villa 2-1 West Brom

THERE seemed to be a massive feeling of relief for Aston Villa on Saturday, inflicting defeat on local rivals West Brom.  Stewart Downing scored the first and Emile Heskey the second, after James Collins made a nuisance of himself in the box.  West Brom’s winless run at Villa Park continued, and although Paul Scharner made it a twitchy last few minutes, Villa held on for a priceless victory.

Saturday 11^th December: Everton 0-0 Wigan Athletic

STRUGGLING: Louis Saha's lack of goals highlights Everton's problems

EVERTON could have had a hatful, but someone got none against Wigan Athletic.  Ronnie Stam had one shot saved brilliantly by Tim Howard, but it was the Toffees who were well on top.  Tim Cahill came the closest, hitting the post with goalkeeper Scott Carson beaten.  Maroualine Fellani, Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell and Steven Pienaar on three separate occasions all wasted golden opportunities for the home side.

Saturday 11^th December: Fulham 0-0 Sunderland

THIS game was an absolute stinker.  In fact, it was so bad that it doesn’t even deserve reporting on.  The highlight came when Bolo Zenden got knocked out by a football!

UEFA Champions League Matchday 6 - Arsenal finish the English job

ARSENAL required a win last night and finished the English job of ensuring all four sides qualified for the knockout stages.  As the UEFA Champions League heads into its winter hibernation, the Gunners recorded a 3-1 win over the whipping boys of Group H, Partizan Belgrade, without being anywhere near their best.

BATTLE: Samir Nasri showed his class again last night

A tetchy first half hour was eased when Robin Van Persie went over and got a very fortunate penalty.  There seemed to very minimal contact from Marko Jovanovic, but the makeshift Arsenal captain couldn’t care less, as he confidently powered the penalty away, his first goal of any description since May.  If anyone thought that the floodgates would open, then they were to be seriously mistaken as the Brazilian Cleo bought the Serbians level, with a shot that took a wicked deflection off Sebastian Squillaci and looped over Lukasz Fabianski into the net.  A pin drop could be felt around the Emirates, as Arsene Wenger’s side looked on the edge.  Those growing fears were ultimately eased by substitute Theo Walcott, who took advantage of a poor cleared header from Jovanovic to produce an instinctive shot that Vladimir Stojkovic never saw.  Qualification for the next round was secure as Samir Nasri scored his 12^th goal of an impeccable season for the Frenchman, rounding off a brilliant team move, something the Gunners lacked all night.  Bakary Sagna was dismissed for clipping one of the Partizan strikers, when the last defender with four minutes to go.  It could be a costly dismissal, depending on who Arsenal ends up getting in the next round, but they dragged their way through for the eleventh year in a row.  The news was good elsewhere, as Sporting Braga’s dream was dismissed, seen off 2-0 in a tame affair by the group winners Shakhtar Donetsk.

TROUBLES: Salomon Kalou couldn't find a way through

Didier Drogba made an emotional return to the Stade Velodrome, but Chelsea continued their miserable record of late, beaten 1-0 in France by Marseille.  All the early threat came from Marseille, with Mathieu Balbuena hitting the frame of the goal in the first half and Gabriel Heinze having a flashing header ruled out for offside. However, Soulyemane Diawara was lucky to get away with two dodgy challenges in the box, one which was initially penalised by the referee, only to be over-ruled by the extra official behind the goal.  The only goal came with ten minutes remaining; Taye Taiwo’s shot was deflected, but fell perfectly for Brandau, who rolled the ball past Petr Cech.  Chelsea’s first slip-up in Europe this season, but how long has Carlo Ancelotti got left in the West London dugout.  Elsewhere in Group F, UEFA are bound to investigate the distasteful crowd scenes in the dead rubber between MSK Zilina and Spartak Moscow.  Play was held up for twenty minutes, with flares being thrown onto the field.  For the record, the Russians came from behind to win 2-1.

On Tuesday night, a far from clinical Manchester United got the point they required to top Group C. They fell behind to their rivals, Valencia; Pablo Hernandez put the Spaniards infront after a glaring error from Michael Carrick.  It was the first goal that United have conceded in Europe this season.  Anderson levelled the match, following up the quickest from Ji-Sung Park’s shot, which had been excellently stopped.  The major positive for Sir Alex Ferguson will be the return to top form of Wayne Rooney, who looked evidently dangerous all night for the first time in a long while.

CONFIDENT: Jermain Defoe looks back to his best

Spurs spectacular campaign continued, with another special match in Holland, but their 3-3 draw against FC Twente was enough to top Group A.  Tottenham took the lead three times in the game, the first coming when 40-year old goalkeeper Sander Boschker made a calamitous attempt to clear a Peter Wisgerhof back pass and the ball trickled in on 12 minutes.  It was a goal that would be perfect to grace any Christmas blooper DVD.  Denny Landzaat scored a retaken penalty to make it 1-1 at half-time, but two confident finishes from Jermain Defoe, either side of a good header from right-back Roberto Rosales had the visitors infront again.  Nacer Chadli drew the Dutch champions’ level again with a near-perfect free-kick, securing European football after Christmas for FC Twente.

RARE: Miller's first CL strike in four years wasn't enough

Rangers were already out of the qualification race in Group C, but they earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Turkey against Buraspor.  Kenny Miller scored his first Champions League goal in four years, but the hopeless Turks earned their first and only point of the group stage courtesy of a Sercan Yildiram effort.  Elsewhere in Europe and AS Roma’s 1-1 draw in Romania against CFR Cluj, good enough to qualify in Group E.  Marco Borriello’s early goal made it a comfortable night for Claudio Ranieri’s side, but it was a miserable week for the Italian sides.  AC Milan were shocking at home to Ajax and lost 2-0 in the San Siro in Group G, a perfect start to Frank de Boer’s caretaker reign after Martin Jol’s resignation on Monday.  Meantime, the job prospects are far from good for Rafa Benitez, after his witnessed his Inter side suffer an embarrassing 3-0 loss in Germany to Werder Bremen.  Ten points off the pace in Serie A, Rafa’s position is in severe jeopardy, especially if Inter don’t win the under-strength FIFA World Club Championship in Abu Dhabi later this month.  Finally, congratulations to FC Copenhagen, whose 3-1 win over Panathinaikos in Group D was enough for them to become the first Danish side to escape the group stages.  The Greeks miserable campaign was sealed by a stunning header for ex-Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse.  Just a shame that it was in the wrong net!

Sixteen gone, sixteen remain and a quarter of the sides remaining are English.  Can Tottenham continue their fairytale?  Will Arsenal improve?  Can Chelsea hold it together?  Or have Manchester United got something in the tank?  We will find out more in February.  Happy Christmas from UEFA! 

FA Barclays Premiership Report (4th - 6th December)

DESPITE the cold chill, nine out of ten Premiership fixtures beat the weather.  Not quite the action of the previous weekend, but with Manchester United’s game at Blackpool frozen off, new league leaders were found and we have now seen the first managerial casualty of the season.

Sunday 5^th December: West Brom 3-1 Newcastle United

KNELL: Peter Odemwingie sealed Chris Hughton's fate

CHRIS Hughton was sacked as Newcastle United manager, after being comfortably seen off at the Hawthorns.  Salmon Choi put West Brom infront with a precise shot on 32 minutes.  Peter Odemwingie doubled Albion’s lead when he got the better of the Magpies defence, after Danny Guthrie got his foot trapped in the turf.  With three minutes to go, Odemwingie got round Tim Krul to help himself to a second, and to seal the Baggies first win in the league over Newcastle since 1984.  Newcastle scored in added time through substitute Peter Lovenkrands, but they looked a pale shadow of the side that drew with champions Chelsea last week.  Despite not winning in five games, Hughton’s dismissal is another piece of lunatic actions from owner Mike Ashley.  Alan Pardew is set to be announced tomorrow as successor and he will have a tough job on his hands on Tyneside.

Saturday 4^th December: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

MOVING: Samir Nasri's brilliance took the Gunners top

ARSENAL were very twitchy again at the Emirates, but held off a brave Fulham challenge to claim the three points and go top of the league.  Samir Nasri fired Arsenal to the top with two more goals, both pieces of individual brilliance.  The first came when he stepped inside two defenders, before finishing from Andrei Arshavin’s delayed pass.  A collision between Sebastian Squillaci and Laurent Koscieny allowed Diomansy Kamara in for the equaliser.  Koscieny had a head injury and Arsene Wenger had every right to be unhappy that play wasn’t stopped.  A beautifully balanced Nasri waltzed into the penalty box to seal the match with fifteen minutes to go.

Saturday 4^th December: Manchester City 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

CARLOS Tevez’s 50^th Premiership appearance for the home side ended in disgust, when the Argentine was replaced by James Milner is stoppage time.  The captain was seen to have a rather distasteful and animated argument with Roberto Mancini afterwards.  Tevez had settled the match with the only goal early on as City dominated throughout.  Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off late on for two yellow cards, but Bolton couldn’t find a way through.

Monday 6^th December: Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa

STRIKE: N'Gog fired Liverpool up to eighth in the table

GERARD Houillier experienced a miserable return to Anfield as his Aston Villa side were soundly beaten by Liverpool on Monday night.  The match was over as a contest within of fifteen minutes, with the Reds 2-0 up through goal from makeshift front pairing David N’Gog and Ryan Babel.  Missing Steven Gerrard through injury and Fernando Torres away in Spain, with his wife expecting their second child, Roy Hodgson will be delighted with this convincing performance, sealed by Maxi Rodriguez second-half strike.  Villa looked devoid of confidence and the club are now in a serious relegation battle.

Saturday 4^th December: Chelsea 1-1 Everton

SMASH: Drogba's penalty wasn't enough for Chelsea

YET again, Chelsea failed to pick up three points at home to their new bogey side, Everton.  Didier Drogba scored in the Premiership for the first time since October, smashing home a penalty after Phil Neville’s poor back pass allowed Nicholas Anelka to be clattered by Tim Howard in the area.  Everton rapidly improved in the second half and Leighton Baines in particular caused havoc.  One of his crosses found the head of Tim Cahill, who nodded it back across the box for Jermaine Beckford to equalise.  Chelsea’s dismal form continues, now only have won one of their last six Premiership games.

Saturday 4^th December: Wigan Athletic 2-2 Stoke City

HUDDLE: Wigan fought back to draw

THE honours were shared at the DW Stadium with four first-half goals and hardly a goal straightforward between Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.  Robert Hutch opened the scoring for the visitors, with a deflected free-kick.  Danny Collins put the ball into his own net to make it 1-1, but Stoke soon went back infront, Matthew Etherington scoring for the second successive match.  Tom Cleverly’s mishit strike then came off the luckless Rory Delap to earn Wigan a point, but not enough to take Roberto Martinez’s team out of the bottom three.

Sunday 5^th December: Sunderland 1-0 West Ham United

WEST Ham’s mini revival came to an abrupt end in a game where both teams looked devoid of ideas and creativity.  The only goal of a very scrappy encounter came from Jordan Henderson.  Asamoah Gyan’s clever pullback found Henderson, who crowned his 50^th appearance in the Premiership with his first goal of the season.

Saturday 4^th December: Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Wolves

HAPPY: Blackburn were in cheery mood at the weekend

SAM Allardyce’s two-day rest he gave his players after the mauling in Manchester seemed to reinvigorate Blackburn, who produced a glorious display of purposeful finishing against struggling Wolves.  David Dunn had Rovers infront, heading in from close range and Brett Emerton smashed in a second before half-time, after being teed up by the dangerous Jason Roberson.  Mortem Gamst Pedersen’s free-kick was floated into the net by Ryan Nelsen to wrap the game up.

Saturday 4^th December: Birmingham City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

IT WAS a missed opportunity for the visitors, as Birmingham deserved their point against Champions League contenders Spurs.  Once again, Gareth Bale was involved in the build-up for a Tottenham goal.  His free-kick was dealt with by Ben Foster and allowed Sebastian Bassong to take full advantage and poke home the first goal.  Birmingham looked much better in the second half and got a credited leveller through Craig Gardner.

  

FA Barclays Premiership Report (14th - 16th August 2010)

In a new feature, I will be rounding up the Premiership action on this website every single weekend, with brief reports of each game.  This first weekend of the season bought twenty-six goals, a fairytale start for one of the new boys, a farewell goal from an England international and horror goalkeeping blunders from some of the Premier League’s best.

Saturday 14^th August – Wigan Athletic 0-4 Blackpool

Blackpool fans saw their players make a dream start to their maiden Premiership campaign, with a convincing 4-0 away day result at a dreary and awful Wigan.  Gary Taylor-Fletcher opened the scoring and Marlon Harewood added another two goals before half-time, to give the Tangerines an unforgettable first 40 minutes.  Wigan barely improved after the interval, and luckily, only conceded one more goal, when Chris Kirkland made a meal of Alex-John Baptiste’s cross and palmed the ball into the net.  This was the sort of day that Blackpool fans could only dream about, but the pressure will be already on Roberto Martinez, otherwise he could become a very early Premiership casualty. 

Saturday 14^th August – Chelsea 6-0 West Brom

Chelsea started this season as they finished last season, as the defending champions ripped newly promoted West Brom apart at Stamford Bridge.  After a dismal pre-season, Carlo Ancelotti’s champions made short work of the Baggies, who wilted once Florent Malouda put the Blues ahead on six minutes.  Didier Drogba earned himself a deserved hat-trick, whilst Malouda scored another late effort and Frank Lampard added a sixth.  This was a big warning of intent from the champions, ‘catch us if you can.’  For West Brom, their season effectively begins against Sunderland this Saturday.

Sunday 15^th August – Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

A nightmare moment for Pepe Reina in the last minute cost Liverpool a deserved three points against Arsenal in a hard-fought clash at Anfield.  A poor first half came to life when Reds debutant Joe Cole was dismissed by Martin Atkinson for an unnecessary challenge on Laurent Koscieny.  Moments into the second half, David N’Gog capitalised on some slack Arsenal defending to smash Roy Hodgson’s side infront, beating the under-fire Manuel Almunia at his near post.  Reina was on top form to deny Thomas Vermaelen and Tomas Rosicky during the match, but made a hash of a simple cross from Rosicky, being beaten in the air by Marouane Chamakh and off-balance, palming the ball into his own net for an unfortunate own goal.  Koscieny were sent off for two silly yellow cards in stoppage time, but Liverpool will wonder how two points got away, whilst Arsenal will be the happier of the two sides, after a timid opening display.

Monday 16^th August – Manchester United 3-0 Newcastle United

Manchester United made a masterful start to their campaign, kicking off with an easy 3-0 win over Premier League returnees, Newcastle United.  Although the Magpies kept Sir Alex Ferguson’s side contained for the first half hour, they were broken down by Dimitar Berbatov cool finish, then a second on the stroke of half-time from Scot Darren Fletcher.  Substitute Ryan Giggs added a late third, keeping his record going as the only player to score in all 19 Premiership seasons.  There was also a wonderful display from Paul Scholes and although Wayne Rooney’s goal drought continued, this was a near-perfect start for the Red Devils.

Saturday 14^th August – Aston Villa 3-0 West Ham United

It was a strange atmosphere around Villa Park at the weekend, especially after the shock departure of Martin O’Neill from Aston Villa just five days before the start of the season.  However, his ex-players responded in superb fashion, comfortably getting the better of a very limp West Ham unit.  Stewart Downing opened the scoring, taking advantage of some dodgy goalkeeping from England reject Robert Green.  Stilian Petrov headed in a second, before James Milner, on his farewell appearance for the Villains before joining Manchester City smashed in a Marc Albrighton low cross.  West Ham will need to improve on this dismal display, but it was the perfect tonic for reserve team coach and caretaker boss, Kevin McDonald.

 

Saturday 14^th August – Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester City

Joe Hart proved his worth to Roberto Mancini with a breathtaking goalkeeping display to keep Tottenham at bay in the first game of the new season.  Picked over Shay Given, the recently appointed England No.1 produced a number of quality stops to deny Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and co from a winning start.  Tottenham’s performance was impressive, bar the result.  For City’s big spenders, they were battered and lucky to leave White Hart Lane with a goalless draw.

Saturday 14^th August – Sunderland 2-2 Birmingham City

Sunderland threw away a two-goal lead infront of their home fans on a day when the skippers had a day to forget.  After deliberately elbowing Garry O’Connor, Lee Cattermole was lucky to stay on the field for longer than 40 minutes.  He did commit two yellow card challenges and quite rightly, got his marching orders.  Birmingham captain Stephen Carr conceded a penalty converted by Darren Bent and then, looped a header over a bemused Ben Foster early in the second half.  Dreadful Sunderland defending led to a spirited fightback from Birmingham, with scrappy goals from Scott Dann and Liam Ridgewell. 

Saturday 14^th August – Wolves 2-1 Stoke City

Wolves came out on top of an entertaining opening clash at Molineux with Stoke City, inspired by a brilliant free-kick from David Jones.  Having lost new record signing Kenwyne Jones to an ankle injury early on, Stoke lost their way and conceded twice in three minutes.  First, to a 20-yard volley from Jones’s free-kick, teed up by Karl Henry, then to a simple header from new Wolves signing Steven Fletcher.  Although Abdoulaye Faye headed in a consolation, Wolves deserved to shade this match and continued their momentum from the end of last season in fine style.

 

Saturday 14^th August – Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Everton

Tim Howard gifted Blackburn a deserved opening day success, by dropping a simple ball forward from Steven N’Zonzi.  His glaring error allowed Nikola Kallinic the chance to slot the ball into an unguarded net and hand Rovers a day one win for the first time in seven years.  Everton, playing in absolutely disgusting pink away shirts huffed and puffed, but lacked the creativity required to beat Paul Robinson.

Saturday 14^th August – Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Fulham

This game had a 0-0 draw written all over it and sure enough, Bolton Wanderers and Fulham lived up to expectations.  Mark Hughes’s first game back in football management since his achromous departure from Manchester City last Christmas turned into a damp squib, as his side looked happy with a point.  Bolton forced the best of the action, but they were denied by fine goalkeeping.