FA Barclays Premiership Report (5th - 6th February)

THIS weekend’s Premiership action was quite possibly the best in its 19-year era.  A staggering 43 goals hit the back of the net, with some all-time classic matches amongst them.  Records were smashed, unbeaten runs ended and cracking comebacks all over the place, this was the perfect weekend.  With Match of the Day pulling in 5million viewers on Saturday night, you can see the appeal it would have had, even to the casual football acquaintance.

BLOCKED: Jamie Carragher frustrated Torres all day on his debut

The big build-up was for the match at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea locked horns with Liverpool, only days after Fernando Torres had completed a £50million move from Anfield to West London.  For Torres, the day was a dud, as was the match in truth, failing to live up to its great billing.  El Nino looked out of sorts all afternoon and was replaced by Salomon Kalou on 66 minutes.  Three minutes later, Chelsea’s title dreams were smashed into pieces by Raul Meireles.  Frank Lampard failed to close down Steven Gerrard and once the Englishman crossed and Dirk Kuyt caused more miscommunication between Petr Cech and Branislav Ivanovic (they clashed heads in the first half), Meireles arrived at the back post and smashed the ball into the corner of the net.  It was the Portuguese’s midfielder’s fourth goal in five matches and earnt a deserved 1-0 victory for the visitors.  Kenny Dalglish has now steered Liverpool into the top six, after their fourth win in a row.  For Chelsea, this was a massive opportunity spurned and Torres was probably wondering; why did I move?

The game of the weekend, decade and possibly of all time came at St. James Park.  Arsenal threw away a 4-0 lead at half-time, to end up drawing 4-4 with Newcastle United.  Still reeling from Andy Carroll’s defection to Liverpool, Newcastle looked like a team of hedgehogs in the first half, conceding four goals in the first 23 minutes.  Theo Walcott ghosted past Fabricio Coloccini to have Arsenal infront after 40 seconds.  Less than three minutes later, Johan Djourou headed in from a free-kick for his first ever Gunners goal.  Robin Van Persie completed Newcastle’s catastrophic first half, with two goals which were so easy, Bart Simpson could have scored them.  The game changed when Abou Diaby lost the plot completely four minutes into the second half.  The Frenchman was incensed by a fair challenge from Joey Barton and went onto push both Kevin Nolan and Barton.  He was rightfully dismissed and with it, Arsenal’s composure went.  Barton began the fightback on 68 minutes, with a penalty and Leon Best pulled the scoreline back to 4-2, after he had a goal wrongly chalked off for offside.  With seven minutes to go, Newcastle got a second penalty, which looked very harsh as Mike Williamson went down softly under pressure from Tomas Rosicky.  Barton converted his second penalty, then Chiok Tiote produced a stunning volley with two minutes to play to make it 4-4.  It was the greatest comeback in Premiership history in a quite extraordinary match.

HEADER: George Elokobi powered Wolves on their way to a famous win

The drama continued on Saturday evening, as Manchester United’s unbeaten run, lasting 30 games and stretching back to April last year, was ended at Molineux by Wolves.  The league’s bottom side won 2-1 to add United to a list of scalps that includes Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea already this season.  Nani had the leaders infront on three minutes, finding the tightest of gaps at Wayne Hennessey’s near post but it was a frustrating night for Man United, struggling badly with set-pieces and missing Rio Ferdinand, due to a late injury in the warm-up.  George Elokobi, found wanting by Nani for the goal, produced a lovely header on ten minutes, when Nemanja Vidic failed to pick him up from a corner.  Five minutes before half-time, Kevin Doyle flicked in Jamie O’Hara’s free-kick to win it for the sensational Wolves.  Doyle was magnificent and with this, Arsenal 2003/04 unbeaten season remains intact as the only one in Premiership history.

While Wolves were claiming another big boy, Black Country rivals West Brom hit the panic button.  13 defeats in 18 games have cost Roberto di Matteo his job.  Despite the poor run of form, it is another example of chairman simply taking desperate measures at a time of crisis.  Di Matteo’s final game in charge came at Manchester City, as West Brom folded to a 3-0 loss on Saturday.  Birthday boy Carlos Tevez scored a first half hat-trick, including two penalties, as the Albion defence was left exposed by Tevez’s creative movements.  The Argentine has now scored 49 goals in 71 games for Manchester City.  It was an emotional day at Eastlands, as the club paid tribute to Neil Young.  Young scored the winner for the club in the 1969 FA Cup final.  He passed away last Thursday, following a long battle with cancer.

MOBBED: Nikola Zigic is congratulated after his winner

After the fillip of a massive win in midweek at Bloomfield Road, West Ham returned to their traditional best.  Another flat performance infront of their home supporters saw the Hammers lose 1-0 at home to relegation rivals Birmingham City and leave them in their customary position of bottom in the table.  The much criticised Nikola Zigic headed the only goal of the game midway through the second half to lift Birmingham out of the bottom three, their first win at Upton Park since October 2002.  Having just been dumped out of the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage by Birmingham, Avram Grant must be sick of the sight of the Midlands team.

There was another classic encounter between two North-West sides desperate for points.  Everton and Blackpool went goals galore at Goodison Park, sharing eight goals in a 5-3 win for the home side.  Louis Saha scored four goals, his first came on 20 minutes, lashing home a cutback from Diniyar Bilyadetinov.  Alex-John Baptiste claimed the equaliser eight minutes before half-time, but the Toffees were back infront within 100 seconds of the restart.  Leighton Baines crossed and Saha finished from close range.  In this remarkable match, Blackpool recovered to hit the front.  Deadline day signing Jason Puncheon levelled, finishing off a wonderful pullback from fellow new signing James Beattie.  Just two minutes later, Ian Holloway’s men completed their fabulous response when DJ Campbell rattled the crossbar on the counter-attack, only for Charlie Adam to head the rebound in.  Saha got his hat-trick, heading in from close range as Blackpool failed to deal with a routine corner and Everton grabbed the lead back as Jermaine Beckford made a great run and converted Baines’s majestic ball over the top of Blackpool’s square defence.  As the Tangerines pushed forward for another equaliser, Saha settled the match on a great Toffees counter-attack, coaxing in his fourth of the afternoon.  This is Blackpool’s fifth successive Premiership defeat, and they are plummeting down the table as quick as a shattered fruit machine.

STAR: Ben Watson celebrates with James McCarthy after he scores his second

Wigan are still in the bottom three, but they recorded their first home win since mid-November in another entertaining game, beating Blackburn Rovers 4-3 at the DW Stadium.  Ex-Wigan striker Jason Roberts had the visitors infront, tucking in Brett Emerton’s ball, but James McCarthy equalised, reacting quickest to Paul Robinson’s spill from a Charles N’Zogbia drive.  Hugo Rodallega made it 2-1, getting in behind Christopher Samba and beat the stranded Robinson to guide the ball into the empty Blackburn net.  An outstanding individual goal from McCarthy increased Wigan’s lead, needing one touch to control and another to finish.  On a pitch more accustomed to the Six Nations, Blackburn responded well when the powerful Samba beat Ali Al-Habsi to a cross.  Ben Watson scored a penalty to restore Wigan’s two goal advantage, before David Dunn tumbled under Emerson Boyce’s challenge and converted his own spot kick.  Wigan’s first win in eight games was well deserved.

In the other matches, Stoke City beat Sunderland 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium.  In another frantic game, Kieran Richardson and Asamoah Gyan had Sunderland in the lead twice.  John Carew scored a scruffy goal and Robert Huth scored twice for the home side, his second in the third minute of injury time.  Craig Gordon made a meal of the match, as the Scot failed to deal with Stoke’s physical prowess.  Niko Kranjcar made a point to Harry Redknapp, as he hit a rasping left foot drive in stoppage time to see off Bolton Wanderers.  Tottenham won 2-1, to keep pace with the top four.  Aston Villa and Fulham drew 2-2 at Villa Park, with Clint Dempsey earning the away side a valuable point.  Kyle Walker scored the goal of the match, on the night he was called into the England squad for the first time by Fabio Capello.

It was an amazing weekend of gripping Premiership action; totally breathless and captivating.  After a pointless international set of friendlies in midweek, bring on next weekend!  We only have a Manchester derby to look forward to.  

FA Barclays Premiership Report (9th - 10th November)

NOTHING beats a full set of FA Premier League midweek action, infront of packed crowds and floodlit stadiums.  Here is a round-up of the midweek fixtures, which saw Chelsea reaffirm their grip on the title race.

Wednesday 10^th November: Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United

AFTER all the build-up, this was a total non-event.  A very scrappy and cagey affair, both sides seemed fearful of losing the game rather than trying to win it.  Carlos Tevez had the only meaningful effort in the match, with his curling free-kick pushing Edwin Van der Sar to full stretch in the first half.  Other than that and some feisty tackling, the entertainment value was nil in a terrible game.

Wednesday 10^th November: Chelsea 1-0 Fulham

DELIGHT: Michael Essien happy with his winner

FULHAM haven’t won an away game in the Premiership in 15 months and that sorry record continued at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea went four points clear at the top.  It was a mixed evening for Michael Essien, who scored the winner.  Essien converting another header on his return to the side, creeping in unnoticed and unmarked from Salomon Kalou’s cross.  Essien was then controversially dismissed in the final minute for a two-footed challenge on Clint Dempsey.  Although it was a tough challenge, it didn’t look malicious, with Chelsea considering a possible appeal.

Wednesday 10^th November: Aston Villa 3-2 Blackpool

MOBBED: Aston Villa enjoyed James Collins late header

IAN Holloway made ten changes to his starting line-up from Saturday’s draw with Everton and his gamble nearly paid off, as Blackpool impressed many with their commitment and competitiveness at Villa Park.  Sadly, they got no points for their efforts.  Stewart Downing gave Villa the lead, although via a deflection for his fifth goal of the season.  Marlon Harewood equalised on his return to Villa Park, with a clean finish on the stroke of half-time.  Youngster Nathan Delfouneso was denied a goal early in the second half, but he buried another chance on the hour.  Blackpool looked to have salvaged a point when DJ Campbell bought the visitors level in the 87^th minute, his shot deflecting off James Collins, which took it past Brad Friedel’s despairing dive.  Two minutes later, Collins made up for his misfortune with a bullet header that gave Villa their first win in six games.

Wednesday 10^th November: Newcastle United 1-2 Blackburn Rovers

PUNCH: Joey Barton faces further action for this punch

BLACKBURN Rovers continued their brilliant record at St. James Park, winning for the fifth consecutive occasion on Sam Allardyce’s first return to Tyneside since his sacking as Toon boss in January 2008.  Blackburn were ahead early on, Chiok Tiote couldn’t get the ball out of his feet, allowing Mortem Gamst Pedersen to get in and rifling a shot past Tim Krul.  Andy Carroll equalised with a trademark header as couple of minutes into the start of the second half.  Joey Barton may face sanctions from the FA, after he had an altercation with Pedersen and punched him in the mid-drift.  It was a punch that Audley Harrison would be proud of!  With eight minutes to go, a lapse of concentration at the back of the home side’s defence allowed Jason Roberts, who couldn’t miss to seal back-to-back wins for Rovers.

Tuesday 9^th November: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Sunderland

CONFRONTATION: Spurs angered by Cattermole's tackle

TOTTENHAM put in a dominant first-half display, but failed to convert their chances into goals against Sunderland.  The second half started controversially when Bolo Zenden bought down David Bentley in the penalty area, yet Howard Webb booked Bentley for diving!  Spurs opened the scoring on 55 minutes, when Gareth Bale crossed for Peter Crouch, who laid a chance on for Rafael van der Vaart to convert.  Asamoah Gyan equalised for the Black Cats two minutes later, but they should have been reduced to ten men by the end, when Lee Cattermole should have been sent off for a disgusting foul on Luka Modric.

Wednesday 10^th November: Wolves 0-2 Arsenal

POWER: Chamakh heads Arsenal into a first minute lead

A TERRIFIC game at Molineux saw Arsenal continue their domination over Wolves in the league.  It has been 31 years since Wolves beat the Gunners in the league and that record never looked like changing once Marouane Chamakh scored after only 38 seconds, a perfect header from Alex Song’s beautiful cross.  Wolves had their chances and were probably the better side, despite Andrei Arshavin hitting the post for the visitors in the second half.  Chamakh closed the game down in the last minute, when Arsenal broke quickly after Lukasz Fabianski (who had a great game) made a smart save from Kevin Doyle.  The Moroccan has now scored eight goals for Arsenal and is becoming a real goal scoring threat that Ian Wright and Thierry Henry have produced down the years for the Gunners.

Tuesday 9^th November: Stoke City 3-2 Birmingham City

LATE: Dean Whitehead scrambles a dramatic winner in

THE stalemate at the Britannia was broken just before half-time, when Ricardo Fuller’s shot was blocked, and the follow-up fell to Robert Huth, who powered a shot past Ben Foster.  A breathtaking second half followed, with Fuller doubling the lead – launching an unstoppable shot past Foster on 71 minutes.  For the second successive match, Birmingham launched an impressive comeback, with goals from Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome’s header.  The scoreline went from 1-0 on 70 minutes, to 2-2 in 76 minutes.  Doubtful defending from Barry Ferguson set-up Dean Whitehead to win it for the Potters with four minutes to go, Stoke’s first win in five Premiership matches.

Wednesday 10^th November: West Ham United 2-2 West Brom

PENALTY: Odemwingie strikes West Brom infront

WEST HAM stay bottom after throwing away another winning advantage.  A very questionable decision in a corner melee saw West Brom get a penalty that was calmly converted by Peter Odemwingie.  Scott Parker launched a brilliant equaliser in his 100^th Hammers appearance, and then West Ham got their own penalty when Kieron Dyer was pushed in the penalty area by Gabriel Tamas.  Frederic Piquionne scored the penalty, but on 71 minutes, Pablo Ibanez met Chris Brunt’s curling cross to rescue a point for Albion.

Wednesday 10^th November: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Liverpool

CLASS: Torres celebrates his early opener at the DW

LIVERPOOL stretched their unbeaten run to four games, though Roy Hodgson will be disappointed that his side didn’t convert on their bright start at the DW Stadium.  There was just seven minutes on the clock when Steven Gerrard’s neat pass found Fernando Torres, who provided a superb finish for his third goal in four days.  Wigan fought back and deserved their equaliser, coming when Ronnie Stam’s testing cross was parried by Pepe Reina, but only straight into the path of Hugo Rodallega, who drilled in the equaliser.  Despite the draw, the bottom three still has Wigan’s name in it.

Wednesday 10^th November: Everton 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

JERMAINE Beckford scored with the very last kick of the game to rescue a point for the Toffees.  It was his first Premiership goal for the club, after Ivan Klasnic had broken through on the counter attack, tapping in Matt Taylor’s magnificent cross.  Maroualine Fellani was sent off for Everton after kicking out at Paul Robinson with four minutes to go.