Barclays Premier League gameweek 10

Right it has become apparent over the last couple of weeks that I am not very good at predicting. So you can include your predictions by writing them in the Facebook page. The winner who gets the most correct scores will be included on next week’s blog. Good luck, I’m sure you will be better than me

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Chelsea v Arsenal: 3-5

AARRRRGHHHH. We are in a crisis! We cannot afford to lose our ground like we did last season, when Ray Wilkins left. John Terry, whose racist remark at Anton Ferdinand is still being investigated by FA and the police, went from Hero to Zero in 45 minutes. His goal on the stroke of half time, gave Chelsea a 2-1 lead but he fell flat on his face in the second half and gifted a goal to Van Persie. If Chelsea do not win next week, then the title will be handed to one of the Manchester clubs, in my opinion, Manchester City.

My main worry with Chelsea is the defence. We haven’t kept a clean sheet since the opening game of the season (and even that ended in a draw). Luiz is just a liability, Terry is being affected by the Media, Bosingwa is half decent but where was he for Van Persie first goal; the other side of the pitch to where he should have been and Cech is struggling all by himself. Not a very good time, again, to be a Chelsea fan.  

Summed up in 10 words (or less):

Everton v Manchester United: 0-1 – Everton were unlucky not to score but United won... just

Manchester City v Wolves: 3-1 – Manchester City ease past Wolves once again, just like Wednesday

Norwich v Blackburn: 3-3 – Blackburn throw away a 3-1 lead to draw at Norwich

Sunderland v Aston Villa: 2-2 – No dream comeback for Bent as the point were shared

Swansea v Bolton: 3-1 – Graham scores at both ends but Swansea’s impressive start continues

West Brom v Liverpool: 0-2 – Comfortable win for Liverpool, but must stop hitting the post

Wigan v Fulham: 0-2 - Wigan are bottom after losing at home to Fulham

Simply the Best:

Player of the Weekend: Robin Van Persie – well taken hat-trick and a player who can’t stop scoring. Arsenal’s heavily rely on him but he doesn’t seem to be pressurised to much

Game of the Weekend: Chelsea v Arsenal – end to end and with both lots of defenders looking shaky, no wonder there was 8 goals.

Goal of the Weekend: Steve Morison – very close call between this and Bale second today but I went with the former Stevenage man. It was a well taken volley

Stat of the Weekend: Bolton have not drawn for 20 league matches, equalling the Premier League record

What an atmosphere at the first ever Indian Grand Prix. It was a very exciting race, right from the opening lap but once again Vettel lead right from the start. Button and Alonso finished 2^nd and 3^rd respectively meaning the race for second place is still on with two races to go. It was nice to see a very fitting and moving tribute to, not only Dan Wheldon, but Italian biker Marco Simoncelli, who also lost his life doing what he loved. It is also very exciting to hear that F1 is likely to move to the USA but we will have to wait for a couple of years.

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 10

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So who should I start with? Man City, Manchester United, Chelsea perhaps? No it’s the game at St James Park

Stoke v Newcastle: 1-1

He wasn’t the fans choice, when he joined in December last year, but what a job Alan Pardew is doing to Newcastle United. They are unbeaten in the league and are currently in a Champions League place. Not bad for a team that lost to Stevenage at the beginning of the season. Stoke, on the other hand, are going strong in the league considering they are participating in their first Europa League. They lost to Liverpool mid-week despite taking a first half lead but didn’t go into extra time like their opponents, Newcastle. Fatigue could be the biggest factor in this game but I think it would be a draw.

One to watch: Jonathan Woodgate – back in the stoke team to face his former club

Manchester City v Wolves: 4-1

I think Wolves are going to be sick of playing Man City by the weekend. They met in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, with City comfortably winning 5-2. City are playing different football to everyone else and showed that by scoring 11 goals in 4 days. Wolves need to be confident and must not fall apart like they did on Wednesday, when they conceded 3 goals in 7 minutes. However the stats say that Wolves have a better head-to-head. So it could be a close game but I can’t see any other result than a Manchester City win (but who trusts my word after the predictions over the last two weeks).

One to Watch: David Silva – 3 goals, 6 assists in the league and also doing well for his country, Spain

Other games

Everton v Manchester United: 0-4

One to watch: Wayne Rooney

Chelsea v Arsenal: 2-0

One to watch: Fernando Torres

Norwich v Blackburn: 1-0

One to watch: Grant Holt

Sunderland v Aston Villa: 1-1

One to watch: Nicklas Bendtner

Swansea v Bolton: 0-2

One to watch: Kevin Davies

Wigan v Fulham: 0-0

One to watch: Bryan Ruiz

West Brom v Liverpool: 1-0

One to watch: Chris Brunt

Tottenham v QPR: 3-1

One to watch: Luka Modric

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 9

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What a weekend of football, well Sunday at least. Today had 5 games, 19 goals, 27 yellow cards and 3 reds. Oh and not forgetting the games on Saturday. Still not improving on my predictions but there is always next week (I will keep on telling myself that)

QPR v Chelsea: 1-0

Chelsea missed the opportunity of going second, after they lost to a first half penalty, at Loftus road. Helguson scored from the spot, after being brought down by a clumsy tackle by Luiz. Chelsea then went on to lose two of their players. Bosingwa, shown a straight red after bringing down Wright-Phillips, just outside the box. Then, less than 10 minutes later, Drogba launched himself at Taarabt but got none of the ball and deserved to go. QPR didn’t use their two man advantage and despite chances late on, from Anelka and Luiz, they held on for their first home win. Chelsea are still waiting for their 6000^th league goal but I’m sure with Torres back from suspension, we wouldn’t have to wait too long.

Manchester United v Manchester City: 1-6

I can’t believe I missed one of the biggest games in recent premier league history, due to work. Then to be told it finished 6-1, completely surprised me (check predictions from last week). Balotelli seems to be proving himself to the City fans and he is now on fire (including his house, which he set alight after letting off two fireworks, inside his bathroom). I think that the sending off played a huge part in the result and if you are against a top club like Manchester City, they will soon break you down.

Summed up in 10 words (or less):

Arsenal v Stoke: 3-1 – Van Persie comes off the bench to score double

Blackburn v Tottenham: 2-1 – Van der Vaart scores either side of Formica’s equaliser

Fulham v Everton: 1-3 – Late strikes punish Fulham, who are still hungover from Europe

Aston Villa v West Brom: 1-2 – Herd wrongly sent off, so Villa struggled to maintain lead

Bolton v Sunderland: 0-2 – Reverse of my prediction, Sunderland come away with 3 points

Liverpool v Norwich: 1-1 – Ruddy hell! Norwich keeper earns them a point at Anfield

Newcastle v Wigan: 1-0 – Cabaye’s stunning strike leaves unbeaten Newcastle in Champions League place

Wolves v Swansea: Two goals in two minutes cancels out Swansea’s dream start

Simply the Best:

Player of the weekend: I can’t choose a player so I will go for the whole of the Man City team. The east side of Manchester will never forget this date.

Game of the Weekend: Manchester derby. 6-1. Incredible

Goal of the Weekend: Yohan Cabaye stunning strike against Wigan was top class

Stat of the Weekend: It would have been the odds on the Manchester derby result but I couldn’t find it (If anyone can let me know). So instead, my stat of the weekend is... Malcolm Glazer saw his side lose 6-1 today then went on to see his NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose at Wembley to Chicago Bears. Not a great day for the family.

New Zealand are Rugby World champions after beating France 8-7. New Zealand went 8-0 up but France, nearly caused an upset after scoring a try mid-way through the second half. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and New Zealand win the World cup, 24 years after their previous one.

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 9

Hey again, ready for another weekend of football, thought so. Let’s just hope my predictions are better than last weeks. I usually do about 4-5 previews but my internet is being annoying. Sorry it would have been last night but the internet was being annoying

Manchester United v Manchester City: 4-2

Games don’t get much better than this, does it? Both clubs have started strongly this season and neither team have lost a league game. But after United’s draw, last weekend against Liverpool, it is the blue side of Manchester which lead the Barclays Premier League. Make sure that you watch this game right to the end as four out of the last five games have been one by United in stoppage time (the most recent, by Nani, in the Community Shield). Rooney is likely to start after being on the bench last week at Liverpool and I am sure his bicycle kick last year has been going through his mind (surely he can’t do it again). This game is likely to produce goals as City have scored at least two in every league game this season.   

One to watch: hmm... not really sure. If I had to choose one it would be Mario Balotelli. 3 in 3 league games, can he handle the crowd and will he keep his temper.

Bolton v Sunderland: 2-0

From the title decided to the other end of the table. Both sides have struggled to find form this season and find themselves floating around the relegation zone. Bolton should be in high confidence after their win last week against Wigan, their first since the opening day of the season, and Sunderland welcome back Bendtner, who was ineligible to play against former club, Arsenal, in their 2-1 defeat. He should provide them with the attack that they have been lacking in recent weeks. Both teams are desperate for the win but I think that Bolton have the confidence from last weekend and should win this one comfortably.

One to watch: Chris Eagles – having a decent time at Bolton and providing goals as well as assists. 

Blackburn v Tottenham: 1-0

Sorry if I upset any of my Spurs fans out there but I can see Blackburn winning this one. Both sides drew last week and both need the win for two completely different reasons. Blackburn are desperate for some more points and Steve Kean, in my opinion, is lucky to still be running the club. They need to forget about where they are in the league and play with confidence, that they lack.  Tottenham have won their last 5 games including that impressive 4-0 win against Liverpool, and this current form gave Harry Redknapp his 7^th Manager of the Month award and leaves Tottenham 5^th in the league.

One to watch: Morten Gamst Pedersen – back from injury and ready to play

Other games:

Wolves v Swansea: 0-0

One to watch: Micel Vorm

Aston Villa v West Brom: 2-1

One to watch: Darren Bent

Newcastle v Wigan: 3-0

One to watch: Demba Ba (again)

Liverpool v Norwich: 5-1

One to watch: Andy Carroll

Arsenal v Stoke: 1-1

One to watch: Ryan Shawcross

Fulham v Everton: 1-1

One to watch: Clint Dempsey

QPR v Chelsea: 0-3

One to watch: Ramires Santos do Nascimento (a.k.a Ramires)

On a sadder note,

R.I.P Dan Wheldon

1978-2011

Although I am not a great fan of the sport, the impact of his death and the lives he has touched and influenced, shows that he will be sorely missed. I hope his death shows how unsafe the sport is, as the statistics shows that since Ayrton Senna death in the 1994 F1, 4 people have died in Indycar racing.

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Gameweek 8 results

Hey, well as you have probably guessed, I’m not the best predictor in the world (although I am glad that Steven Gerrard and Van Persie showed up)

Liverpool v Manchester United: 1-1

Liverpool welcomed back Steven Gerrard from injury, 7 months after his last start for the club. After a first half of little opportunities, it was Liverpool who started off the second half better. It was Steven Gerrard that gave Liverpool an advantage.  Rio Ferdinand just clipping Charlie Adam outside the box and the resulting free kick caught out De Gea in the United goal, although most of the blame had to go to Ryan Giggs, who moved out of the way.

Without Rooney or Nani for most of the game, Manchester United struggled in attack but got their goal  9 minutes from time; Welbeck flicking on Nani’s corner onto Hernandez, who couldn’t miss from 5 yards out. Liverpool had two good chances to regain the lead but it finished 1-1 and it was probably deserved by both.

Manchester City v Aston Villa: 4-1

It was a Blues cruise at Eastlands, with four different scorers getting on the score sheet. Mario Balotelli’s overhead kick started things off, before goals from Johnson, Kompany and Milner moved them top of the Barclays Premier League. They took advantage of the points that United dropped at Anfield earlier and are now two points clear of them. The result also was my worst prediction of the week (oh well it can only get better)

Norwich v Swansea: 3-1

Anthony Pilkington’s double kept Norwich in the top half of the table as they beat the Swans 3-1 at Carrow Road. It only took them only 49 seconds to score and was the quickest goal of the season so far. Russell Martin doubled their lead nine minutes later, before Danny Graham pulled a goal back (All of this in the opening 15 minutes). The only other goal came midway through the second-half, Swansea could not defend a corner and the ball eventually fell to Pilkington who scored again. Norwich move up to ninth and have picked up nine points out of their last four games.  

Summed up in 10 words (or less):

Chelsea v Everton: 3-1 – Sturridge scoring again, in easy win for Chelsea  

QPR v Blackburn: 1-1 – Points shared, but Blackburn still look shaky in defence  

Stoke v Fulham: 2-0 – Stoke proving that being in Europe are not affecting them

Wigan v Bolton: 1-3 – Bolton move off bottom with an easy win against Wigan

Newcastle v Tottenham: 2-2 – Late goal by Ameobi denies Tottenham moving up to 4^th

West Brom v Wolves: 2-0 - It’s the Baggies having the bragging rights in this one

Arsenal v Sunderland: 2-1 – RVP quick goal helps Arsenal move up to 10^th  

Simply the Best:

Player of the Weekend: Steven Gerrard (it had to be) – couldn’t have hoped for a quicker comeback and although it wasn’t his best free kick, it went in and that’s all that matters.

Game of the Weekend: Has to be the game at Anfield. It had it all drama, controversy, goals, comeback, oh and in case I forgot it was contested by the two biggest clubs in England

Goal of the Weekend: Mario Balotelli – very creative and well taken overhead kick.

Stat of the Weekend: 90% of Arsenals points have been earned at home.

So there we are another weekend of football over and the premier league table is starting to take shape. Next week is the big one, the Manchester derby. Could it be the title decider? or could it help out the teams close to them? I guess we will have to find out.

If there are any games that you want me to review next week, contact me somehow or leave a comment!

Also well done to Sebastian Vettel and Red bull, who retain the Formula 1 championship and construction championship. Vettel is now the youngest ever back-to-back winner in history and beats the former record (set by Fernando Alonso) by more than a year. I can see him winning plenty more and might be the one to break Schumacher record.

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 8

Hey just a quick blog. Not going to do every game but make sure you look back on Sunday or Monday to see how my predictions went.

Liverpool v Manchester United: 2-2

This fixture last year finished 3-1, with Dirk Kuyt scoring a hat trick, that total 7 yards. Manchester United are still unbeaten and have scored 24 goals in 7 league games so Liverpool will be happy to have their strongest defence possible. They also welcome back Steven Gerrard who will provide much needed help for Suarez and Carroll. Chris Smalling is back for Manchester United but Tom Cleverly and Rafael Da Silva are still unavailable. Rooney will be hoping that the news on Thursday of his ban won’t affect him on the pitch.

One to watch: Steven Gerrard – an Anfield legend hoping for a dream comeback

Manchester City v Aston Villa: 1-2

I think that Aston Villa could cause the upset of the week. Their last victory, at the newly name Etihad Stadium, was in 2007 but the in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor could propse the biggest threat to City. The City players went goal crazy mid-week with Silva, Dzeko, Nasri, Kompany, Yaya and Kolo Toure scoring for their Countries. 

One to watch: Gabriel Agbonlahor – great game last week, hoping for the same again

Chelsea v Everton: 1-1

I could be slightly biased in this one but although I wish for 4-0 as we need the goals, to catch up with the Manchester clubs and to reach 6000 league goals, i don't think that we will break down Everton enough to get the win.  Everton’s draw last year was the first points that Chelsea dropped and without Torres they could struggle in attack. Jack Rodwell is back from his suspension, that he picked up in the Merseyside derby, so is set to play his 100^th game for Everton.

One to watch: Daniel Sturridge – not letting this opportunity to go to waste.

Stoke v Fulham: 1-0

This game will be Fulham’s 20^th so far this season. Both clubs are going well in Europe but it seems to be affecting Fulham the most in the premier league. Fulham should be very confident after the 6-0 win last week against QPR, but Stoke have the stronger side and have the home advantage.

One to Watch: Peter Crouch – Dream start since joining from Tottenham

Other games:

West Brom v Wolves: 3-2

One to watch – Shane Long

QPR v Blackburn: 3-1

One to watch – Joey Barton

Arsenal v Sunderland: 2-0

One to watch – Robin Van Persie

Wigan v Bolton: 1-0

One to watch – Franco di Santo

Newcastle v Tottenham: 2-2

One to watch – Demba Ba

Norwich v Swansea: 2-0

One to watch – Leon Barnett

Job Done ... just!

It was at this stage of the competition that England were knocked out of Euro 2008 costing Steve McClaren his job. Four years on and with McClaren still getting the sack, the focus was with England needing one point to secure top place. With 11 new players, from those that started the game in Croatia, and a debut for Manchester united’s, Phil Jones, the word defeat never really crossed the mind of any Englishman.

It was a very lively start from England with an early chance from debutant Phil Jones. But it was in the tenth minute that England put one foot into the next round. A great move, which started with Wayne Rooney whose pass down the right wing, found Walcott. With time and space he picked out an inch-perfect cross finding Ashley Young who couldn’t miss from three yards out.

England maintained to build on their lead, and it paid off on the half hour mark. Ashley Young hitting a ball across the Montenegro goal that found Darren Bent four yards out, who tapped the ball into the empty net. England were not playing for the draw, they were out there to win.

But it was Montenegro that reacted most from going two-nil down. A loss today for them would mean results elsewhere might help them out, if not they would have to pick up a result at Switzerland. Their pressure soon turned into a goal with the last kick of the half. After England lost possession on the half way line, Montenegro ran down the right wing and Elsad Zverotic got to the ball and on the turn, he hit the ball creeping past Joe Harts near post. At lot for England to think about during the half time break.

Montenegro continued their pace and attack into the second half and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. Phil Jones challenging Stevan Jovetic in the box, but after time to think about it the referee continued play, much to the relief of Phil Jones, who looked very worried after making the tackle.

England never settled into the second half and things got even worse for the Three Lions. Wayne Rooney received red, after retaliating badly when he lost the ball to Miodrag Dzudovic. Whether affected by things happening off field or the frustration of the lack of possession, it was reckless and deserved the red card. He joins David Beckham in being sent off for England twice, in that game that marked 900 internationals for England and it was the first red card since Robert Green was sent off during the world cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Montenegro made most of the extra man and very nearly made England pay. The ball dropping to Dejan Demjanovic whose shot narrowly went over, the linesman flag was raised. England were holding on. But I guess we are all used to - these nail biting moments. Steven Jovetic, was booked, for diving in the penalty box in the hope of getting a penalty, he thought he should have got earlier.

But England were eventually broken down and Andrija Delibasic equalised with a headed goal from the far post, much to the delight of every single Montenegro fan in the stadium. Amazing scenes in Montenegro as are through, an incredible achievement for a country of their size. For England, the result was overshadowed by Rooney’s sending off, who is going to at least miss one games when the tournament starts next June.

And so it finished 2-2 on the night. England qualify as group winners and Montenegro are also through. The game, a prime example of a game of two half’s. There is a lot of improvement needed by England but we were unbeaten in the group and let’s hope the players see that as a boost for June and in the near future, the friendly against world champions, Spain.