Adam Bailey
DeanoHarmoEPL Wrap - Round 8
October 22nd 2008 11:04
Category: EPL Wrap-ups
Welcome to Ronal-Deano’s EPL wrap. This is my first effort at summing up all that the weekend had to offer. With what I hope will become a weekly report, delivering all the scores, stats, news and gossip, I hope you enjoy the read.
MIDDLESBOROUGH 0 – 5 CHELSEA
Wow, what a way to start off the weekend. The early game from Riverside Stadium, hosting some 29,000 Boro fans looked set to be a competitive match against the injury ravaged blues. Without the likes of Cech, Drogba and both Cole boys, one of the league favourites would have their work cut out for them. Chelsea boss Scolari must have put a bee up their bonnet this week however, as they proved what they are capable of, even without a full strength side.
Kalou put the visitors in front after only 14minutes as the blues continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the half, finding that elusive 2nd goal hard to come by. Boro went in at the break only 1 down and would have considered themselves quite lucky and still in with a great chance of salvaging something from the game.
Chelsea started the 2nd half as they had finished the first and only 6 minutes in, Belletti cracks a 35 yard strike that left Boro players and fans alike gobsmacked. Kalou (53), Lampard (63) and Malouda (67) wrapped up the remaining goals, with some poor moments of goal keeping after a deflected shot of Anelka’s, slipping out of the keepers grasp allowing the alert Malouda the simplest of tap-ins.
Boro Manager Gareth Southgate had the following to say about their demoralising home defeat. “There's a danger when you play a side of Chelsea's class that that can happen, but I don't think they had to be at their best, and yet they annihilated us. It's a lonely place when you are standing on the touchline and your own fans are very disgruntled with things, and understandably so.”
ARSENAL 3 – 1 EVERTON
60,000 Gunners greeted the boys from the blue half of Merseyside at the Emirates. 60,000 speechless fans as Osman combined well with Pienaar to net the first goal for Everton after only 9 minutes. Arsenal, who have only lost twice at the Emirates, were quick to up the tempo, but were unable to convert on the scoreboard, even with a dominance of possession and flashes of brilliance from a Fabregas free kick which only narrowly missed. It wasn’t until the 48th minute when young superstar talent Samir Nasri pounced upon a poorly cleared corner to drill one past Howard, the Evertonian keeper. Arsenal continued to dominate possession, yet the scoreboard still showed 1-1.
It wasn’t until the 70th minute Adebayor went into the left side of the box, before setting up Fabregas. His strike was parried by Howard and Van Persie was on hand to head the ball in as the Everton defenders last ditch efforts were in vein. Everton was unable to mount any sort of pressure to clinch an equaliser in the dying moments. However, substitute Theo Walcott, rubbed further salt into the wound as he scored a well executed goal in stoppage time.
“It was vital for us to win today, that we stay in the championship race” Wenger commented after the game.
ASTON VILLA 0 – 0 PORTSMOUTH
Villa and Portsmouth cemented their places in the top half of the Premier League table after a hard-fought draw at Villa Park. The visitors started well with Jermain Defoe (The little Judas, for all you West Ham fans out there) missing a sitter after Armand Traore had hit the post. The game was fraught with missed opportunities as just about every bit of timber work was tested. Villa looked more lively early in the second half but, after Petrov drifted a clever cross-field ball into the heart of Pompey's retreating defence, Young with time and space to spare could only drag a low shot well wide. Portsmouth midfielder Davis, provided the only challenge for the referee during the game, after receiving 2 yellows he was given his marching orders in the 81st minute. Perhaps the only downside of this relatively entertaining game was when a referee's assistant appeared to be struck by a missile in the closing seconds of game. Villa may be in hot water, as an inquiry will follow.
BOLTON 0 – 0 BLACKBURN
The local derby of the round, Bolton hosting Blackburn at the Reebok. Conditions were less than perfect with the rain teaming down upon the pitch. Bolton, yet to beat their local rivals at home, were out to prove a point from the start when Johan Elmander picked out Fabrice Muamba with a neat ball. Muamba clipped in a shot that was cleared at the back post by Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen. Blackburn had picked up the pace a little and EPL stalwart, Robbie Fowler, making his first league start for the club, flicked the ball into the path of Roberts but he strayed marginally offside. Villanueva almost made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when he took a pass from Brett Emerton in his stride. He cracked in a sweet shot that beat goalkeeper Jaaskelainen but struck the corner of the bar. Again after some brilliance from Emerton, Roberts headed wide right on the stroke of half time. The remainder of the game was evenly contested, with Blackburn marginally gaining the better of the possession stats.
Blackburn manager Paul Ince reflected on a glaring miss by Jason Roberts and claimed the blunder cost them two points at Bolton. Roberts somehow managed to head wide in front of the posts following a cross by Brett Emerton a minute before half-time.
FULHAM 0 – 0 SUNDERLAND
Fulham were looking to end their run of 4 straight defeats, taking on Sunderland at Craven Cottage. The game proved a tale of missed opportunities, as strikers from both teams failed to finish. Kieran Richardson provided the most entertainment of the match, with a free kick in the 41st minute hitting both uprights, and then again for a 3rd time after being palmed away by Australian keeper, Mark Schwarzer.
The most dubious moment of the game came about from another Richardson free kick taken from just outside the 18 yard box, found its way past Schwarzer, only to be disallowed by young referee Stroud (only presiding over his 2nd EPL game), as he saw some pushing by Blackcat’s defender, Chimbonda, in the wall. Keane, Sunderland manager insisted: "The official got it wrong, no doubt about it, but there is no point in me ranting and raving and swearing about it because it wouldn't do me any good and might get me into trouble.” Keane also went on to say "It was a game of chances and yet no goals. That's why top strikers are paid so much money to put the ball in the net. But to be honest Fulham had chances as well and perhaps a draw was a fair result. No... change that, we edged it.''
LIVERPOOL 3 – 2 WIGAN
Wigan travelled to a Torres free Anfield, looking to be the first team of the 08/09 season to defeat Liverpool at their home fortress. Inspired Wigan signing, Egyptian striker Zaki. Looked to make Liverpool pay. Netting the opening goal in the 29th minute. Zaki provides a great target up front, and has settled well into the english competition this year. Liverpool seemed disjointed and unable to create meaningful opportunites without the strike power of Torres. However, hardworking, dutch striker Dirk Kuyt put home an equaliser 8 minutes from the half. All was set for a 1-1 scoreline at half time, Zaki however, would beg to differ. His constant aggression and ball movement, had centre half Carragher on the back foot all game. Zaki scored his second goal in the 45th minute after magnificintly volleying Valencia’s cross and beating keeper Pepe Reiner. Wigan went into the break much to the amazement of the Anfield faithful, 2-1 up.
After half time Liverpool began strongly. Gerrard, in good position, side-footed a free-kick wide after a Wigan wall had failed to retreat far enough, and Valencia was booked. Wigan were furious as they believed that Xabi Alonso's touch sideways of about a yard meant the kick had been taken. Bad went to Worse for Wigan. As soon after Valencia was in trouble again for a foul on Alonso, and referee Alan Wiley showed a yellow and then a red card to the Wigan man. This inspired Liverpool to launch a new wave of late stage attacks and after 79 minutes, Riera lashed home his first goal for the club. With five minutes to go, the
speedy Pennant crossed from the right to Kuyt who lept and volleyed superbly, claiming his second of the game. Wigan were unlucky not to claim at least a point here, as they will feel hard done by being reduced to only 10 men.
A bitter Wigan manager Steve Bruce had the following to say about his opinon on the referee. "When you are at Anfield you need some things to go for you. I keep hearing the word 'respect' but I did not think we got that from the referee's performance today.''
MANCHESTER UTD 4 – 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Wayne Rooney continued his scoring spree to inspire Manchester United to a clinical 4-0 victory over West Brom. Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov also found the net during a devastating 15-minute period for the Barclays Premier League champions, with Nani completing the scoring in the last minute. Carson, the West Brom keeper, proved the only difference between a somewhat more demoralising scoreline. Saving a good half dozen shots off the boot of Rooney and Berbatov. Utd cemented their spot in the top four and with the current form of England striker Wayne Rooney, look set to challenge for top spot yet again.
Rooney, jubilent after helping his team secure victory had the following to say about his recent good touch. "This is possibly the best form of my career. Everything is going well for me at the moment. Hopefully that can continue and I can help this team win even more trophies.''
HULL 1 – 0 WEST HAM
As a West ham fan, i choose to only touch on this game.
Londoner Michael Turner emerged as the latest hero of Hull's remarkable Premier League season as his 51st-minute header at the KC Stadium proved enough to inflict more capital carnage. Following stunning wins at Arsenal and Tottenham, the Lewisham-born Turner struck to sink Gianfranco Zola's ailing West Ham 1-0 and send the Tigers roaring back up to third place.
Confidence oozing from every pore, the home side deserved their latest win for their attacking intent and Phil Brown's men looked dangerous on the counter-attack right up to the final whistle. All i can say here is...Carlton Cole, SCORE A GOAL and Dangerous play?????? When noones around????? Goal disallowed...Thank you very much referee.
STOKE 2 – 1 TOTTENHAM
It was the worst of matches for Tottenham and Ramos - a bitter defeat, two red cards and, not least, Croatian defender Vedran Corluka suffering a serious-looking head injury. It started badly and rarely looked up for the visitors: Gareth Bale conceded a penalty and was red-carded 17 minutes into the game. Danny Higginbotham scored from the spot and although Darren Bent equalised, Rory Delap grabbed the winner to leave Tottenham with two points from eight matches, their worst ever start to a season - worse still than 1912, the year the Titanic sunk, when they at least had three points from the opening eight games. Bale made a complete hash of clearing Higginbotham's free-kick, Soares was onto him in a trice and took possession. The young Welshman lunged desperately to stop him but only succeeded in taking his legs. Referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot, and produced the red card - and Spurs could have little complaint about either decision. Higginbotham stepped up to take the penalty - several times as it turned out, because the buffeting wind kept moving the ball off the spot - and kept his composure to beat the diving Gomes low to the keeper's left. Tottenham salvaged a goal through Bent, but the damage had already been done. ''You're going to be sacked in the morning,'' sang the Stoke supporters as the spurs left the field, dishevelled.
- Dean Harmston
Boofhead Sports
This Weekends Fixtures Were
Saturday, 18th October
Middlesborough V Chelsea
Arsenal V Everton
Aston Villa V Portsmouth
Bolton V Blackburn
Fulham V Sunderland
Liverpool V Wigan
Manchester Utd V West Brom
Saturday, 18th October
Middlesborough V Chelsea
Arsenal V Everton
Aston Villa V Portsmouth
Bolton V Blackburn
Fulham V Sunderland
Liverpool V Wigan
Manchester Utd V West Brom
Sunday, 19th October
Hull V West Ham Utd
Stoke V Tottenham
Monday, 20th October
Newcastle V Manchester City
Hull V West Ham Utd
Monday, 20th October
Newcastle V Manchester City
MIDDLESBOROUGH 0 – 5 CHELSEA
Wow, what a way to start off the weekend. The early game from Riverside Stadium, hosting some 29,000 Boro fans looked set to be a competitive match against the injury ravaged blues. Without the likes of Cech, Drogba and both Cole boys, one of the league favourites would have their work cut out for them. Chelsea boss Scolari must have put a bee up their bonnet this week however, as they proved what they are capable of, even without a full strength side.
Kalou put the visitors in front after only 14minutes as the blues continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the half, finding that elusive 2nd goal hard to come by. Boro went in at the break only 1 down and would have considered themselves quite lucky and still in with a great chance of salvaging something from the game.
Lampard with a rare headed goal
Boro Manager Gareth Southgate had the following to say about their demoralising home defeat. “There's a danger when you play a side of Chelsea's class that that can happen, but I don't think they had to be at their best, and yet they annihilated us. It's a lonely place when you are standing on the touchline and your own fans are very disgruntled with things, and understandably so.”
ARSENAL 3 – 1 EVERTON
60,000 Gunners greeted the boys from the blue half of Merseyside at the Emirates. 60,000 speechless fans as Osman combined well with Pienaar to net the first goal for Everton after only 9 minutes. Arsenal, who have only lost twice at the Emirates, were quick to up the tempo, but were unable to convert on the scoreboard, even with a dominance of possession and flashes of brilliance from a Fabregas free kick which only narrowly missed. It wasn’t until the 48th minute when young superstar talent Samir Nasri pounced upon a poorly cleared corner to drill one past Howard, the Evertonian keeper. Arsenal continued to dominate possession, yet the scoreboard still showed 1-1.
Van Persie clinches victory for the Gunners at the Emirates
“It was vital for us to win today, that we stay in the championship race” Wenger commented after the game.
ASTON VILLA 0 – 0 PORTSMOUTH
Villa and Portsmouth cemented their places in the top half of the Premier League table after a hard-fought draw at Villa Park. The visitors started well with Jermain Defoe (The little Judas, for all you West Ham fans out there) missing a sitter after Armand Traore had hit the post. The game was fraught with missed opportunities as just about every bit of timber work was tested. Villa looked more lively early in the second half but, after Petrov drifted a clever cross-field ball into the heart of Pompey's retreating defence, Young with time and space to spare could only drag a low shot well wide. Portsmouth midfielder Davis, provided the only challenge for the referee during the game, after receiving 2 yellows he was given his marching orders in the 81st minute. Perhaps the only downside of this relatively entertaining game was when a referee's assistant appeared to be struck by a missile in the closing seconds of game. Villa may be in hot water, as an inquiry will follow.
BOLTON 0 – 0 BLACKBURN
The local derby of the round, Bolton hosting Blackburn at the Reebok. Conditions were less than perfect with the rain teaming down upon the pitch. Bolton, yet to beat their local rivals at home, were out to prove a point from the start when Johan Elmander picked out Fabrice Muamba with a neat ball. Muamba clipped in a shot that was cleared at the back post by Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen. Blackburn had picked up the pace a little and EPL stalwart, Robbie Fowler, making his first league start for the club, flicked the ball into the path of Roberts but he strayed marginally offside. Villanueva almost made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when he took a pass from Brett Emerton in his stride. He cracked in a sweet shot that beat goalkeeper Jaaskelainen but struck the corner of the bar. Again after some brilliance from Emerton, Roberts headed wide right on the stroke of half time. The remainder of the game was evenly contested, with Blackburn marginally gaining the better of the possession stats.
Some aggressive defence in the local derby between Bolton and Blackburn
FULHAM 0 – 0 SUNDERLAND
Fulham were looking to end their run of 4 straight defeats, taking on Sunderland at Craven Cottage. The game proved a tale of missed opportunities, as strikers from both teams failed to finish. Kieran Richardson provided the most entertainment of the match, with a free kick in the 41st minute hitting both uprights, and then again for a 3rd time after being palmed away by Australian keeper, Mark Schwarzer.
Richardson's free kick was disallowed after some pushing in the wall
LIVERPOOL 3 – 2 WIGAN
Wigan travelled to a Torres free Anfield, looking to be the first team of the 08/09 season to defeat Liverpool at their home fortress. Inspired Wigan signing, Egyptian striker Zaki. Looked to make Liverpool pay. Netting the opening goal in the 29th minute. Zaki provides a great target up front, and has settled well into the english competition this year. Liverpool seemed disjointed and unable to create meaningful opportunites without the strike power of Torres. However, hardworking, dutch striker Dirk Kuyt put home an equaliser 8 minutes from the half. All was set for a 1-1 scoreline at half time, Zaki however, would beg to differ. His constant aggression and ball movement, had centre half Carragher on the back foot all game. Zaki scored his second goal in the 45th minute after magnificintly volleying Valencia’s cross and beating keeper Pepe Reiner. Wigan went into the break much to the amazement of the Anfield faithful, 2-1 up.
After half time Liverpool began strongly. Gerrard, in good position, side-footed a free-kick wide after a Wigan wall had failed to retreat far enough, and Valencia was booked. Wigan were furious as they believed that Xabi Alonso's touch sideways of about a yard meant the kick had been taken. Bad went to Worse for Wigan. As soon after Valencia was in trouble again for a foul on Alonso, and referee Alan Wiley showed a yellow and then a red card to the Wigan man. This inspired Liverpool to launch a new wave of late stage attacks and after 79 minutes, Riera lashed home his first goal for the club. With five minutes to go, the
Dirk Kuyt's leaping volley to claim victory for Liverpool in the 85th minute
A bitter Wigan manager Steve Bruce had the following to say about his opinon on the referee. "When you are at Anfield you need some things to go for you. I keep hearing the word 'respect' but I did not think we got that from the referee's performance today.''
MANCHESTER UTD 4 – 0 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Wayne Rooney continued his scoring spree to inspire Manchester United to a clinical 4-0 victory over West Brom. Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov also found the net during a devastating 15-minute period for the Barclays Premier League champions, with Nani completing the scoring in the last minute. Carson, the West Brom keeper, proved the only difference between a somewhat more demoralising scoreline. Saving a good half dozen shots off the boot of Rooney and Berbatov. Utd cemented their spot in the top four and with the current form of England striker Wayne Rooney, look set to challenge for top spot yet again.
Rooney blasts one home, 5 goals from 5 games
HULL 1 – 0 WEST HAM
As a West ham fan, i choose to only touch on this game.
Londoner Michael Turner emerged as the latest hero of Hull's remarkable Premier League season as his 51st-minute header at the KC Stadium proved enough to inflict more capital carnage. Following stunning wins at Arsenal and Tottenham, the Lewisham-born Turner struck to sink Gianfranco Zola's ailing West Ham 1-0 and send the Tigers roaring back up to third place.
Confidence oozing from every pore, the home side deserved their latest win for their attacking intent and Phil Brown's men looked dangerous on the counter-attack right up to the final whistle. All i can say here is...Carlton Cole, SCORE A GOAL and Dangerous play?????? When noones around????? Goal disallowed...Thank you very much referee.
STOKE 2 – 1 TOTTENHAM
Michael Dawson shown a straight red for a poor challenge
- Dean Harmston
Boofhead Sports
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