Barclays Premier League Gameweek 13 Results

It was a close fought contest but Carl and Matt correctly predicted 2 scores as well as 4 results. Well done!!! As for me, I got no exact scores so it is only up from here. Right let's go

Manchester United v Newcastle: 1-1

Manchester United dropped points in what was a very controversial game. They took the lead shortly after the break when Newcastle failed to clear the ball and it ricocheted off Hernandez, much to his surprise. Then for the pivotal moment, when referee Mike Jones appeared to give a corner to Newcastle but after consulting the linesman changed his mind to award a penalty. After watching it I could only laugh (I’m sure Ferguson didn’t). It was mad really and now Mike Jones is going to get stick when he rightfully awarded a corner, because there was no way that was a penalty. United went close on several occasions and would have scored if it wasn’t for Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal. Ashley young hit the post late on in what was a crazy 10 minutes at Old Trafford. United fans thought they won it late on but Hernandez last minute goal was ruled offside.      

Chelsea v Wolves: 3-0

Sorry to keep writing about Chelsea recently but most other Chelsea fans are delighted by their performance on Saturday, me included. Not only did we win, we won comfortably and played football like we used to. Juan Mata proved what a fantastic signing he is by scoring Chelsea’s third and setting up the other two. Not only that, but Chelsea kept a clean sheet for only the third time this season, a statistic that must improve on next season because unfortunately I have given up with the league. It was good to see Sturridge have another good game for us. I feel that once (if) Torres gets his form back, he and Sturridge will form a good partnership.  The result sees wolves fall down to 17^th and they are two points off Bolton and the relegation zone.

West Brom v Tottenham: 1-3

Tottenham continued their league form with a comfortable 3-1 win against West Brom. It was West Brom who took the lead after Mulumbu’s strike but Adebayor’s second double in 5 days, and one from Defoe sealed Spurs 9^th victory in 10. It looked like Tottenham struggled without the creativity of Van der Vaart and it showed in the first half, but West Brom shut down in the second half which allowed Spurs to get all three points. I might have to admit that Tottenham could finish above Chelsea in the league which I’m sure will either please Spurs fans or annoy them because my predictions never turn out right. Either way Spurs are showing the characteristics of champions with their style of play and their consistency.

Summed up in 10 words (or less):

Stoke v Blackburn: 3-1 – Blackburn fall to bottom after being outplayed by Stoke

Bolton v Everton: 0-2 – Wheater’s 20^th minute red card made it difficult for Bolton

Norwich v QPR: 2-1 – Holt scored 3 minutes after coming on to defeat QPR

Sunderland v Wigan: 1-2 – Wigan picked up a much need win thanks to Di Santo

Swansea v Aston Villa: 0-0 – A game of few chances but overshadowed by Speed’s death

Arsenal v Fulham: 1-1 – Van Persie was very quiet but Vermalean scored for both

Liverpool v Man City: 1-1 – Lescott’s strange own goal proved costly as City drop points

Nail-biting finish at the Impact Arena

Tributes have been coming in over the shocking news of the death of Wales’ manager, Gary Speed. Speed, 42, died in the early hours of Sunday, at his home. He enjoyed an incredible career that spanned over 20 years in which he made over 650 appearances for Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United. He recently took the role of Wales' manager and in my opinion he was doing pretty well. Everybody that I have spoken to and the tributes that I have read on numerous websites are shocked by the news. He was one of the first players that I recognised, many years ago and a respected player and manager.

R.I.P GARY SPEED (8^th September  1969 – 27 November 2011)

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 13

Chelsea v Wolves: 0-0

YES! I got a prediction right. Unfortunately it was in the Bayern Leverkusen game and Chelsea lost 2-1. Yes, once again, we concede a goal in the last couple of minutes; just like the game against Liverpool. It is becoming a habit and increasingly annoying now. However, with my moan over, I am still optimistic that we will finish 3^rd (for now at least). I have barely mention Wolves in my blog. They started off in some fashion and were in contention for the title. However their current form has seen them pick up 4 points since September. The stats are against Wolves, but despite their last away win coming in the opening week, I’m sure they are very confident giving Chelsea’s current form.        

One to watch: Juan Mata – been fairly quiet recently so is due a good game and a time to shine

Arsenal v Fulham: 2-0

Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry stand in the way of Robin van Persie setting a new Premier League record. That is scoring the most league goals in a calendar year. He needs 6 goals to surpass Shearer’s record of 36 and has 7 games left of the year. I’m sure he will get that on his current scoring rate that sees him scoring 13 in the first 12 matches of the season. An amazing stat shows that Fulham have won 12 of their last 101 away matches and at the Emirates they have never won. Doesn’t look good does it? Mark Schwarzer currently shares the golden glove with Micael Vorm of Swansea (who would have predicted that). For me I cannot see any other result than an Arsenal win, but who listens to my predictions.   

One to watch: Robin van Persie – player of the season for me and where will Arsenal be without him

Liverpool v Manchester City: 0-3

One of England’s most successful team are up against one of England’s new stars which has the potential to be a great game, when they play on Sunday. City will be aiming for a club record 8^th victory in a row and go into the game with no fresh new injuries, apart from Carlos Tevez who has been linked with a move AC Milan in order to end his Eastland nightmare. Liverpool are now level on points with Chelsea after their 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to continue their incredible home form, with Kenny Dagliesh, in which they have only lost once in 17 games at Anfield.  

One to watch: Luis Suarez – he is due a goal as he hasn’t scored a league goal since October 15^th in the Merseyside derby

Other games

Stoke V Blackburn:2-0

One to watch: Jonathan Walters

Bolton v Everton: 1-1

One to watch: Gary Cahill

Manchester United v Newcastle: 3-2

One to watch: Javier Hernandez

Norwich v QPR: 1-0

Steve Morison

Sunderland v Wigan: 1-1

One to watch: Jack Colback

West Brom v Tottenham: 1-4

One to watch: Scott Parker

Swansea v Aston Villa: 1-0

One to watch: Richard Dunne

It has scenes compared with winning the World Cup and for the team; the feeling was probably the same. In case you missed the story American Samoa, the team that is ranked 204^th (in other words last) and the team who lost 31-0 to Australia, won their first ever international match against Tonga. It was a very close game but in the end it finished 2-1 to Samoa. A well deserved victory for them. Well done!

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 12 results

Relegation Special

If anything my predictions are a jinx to the team I am backing. I still don’t know what I am doing wrong. Any ideas?

Thought I would do something different this week by ignoring the top end of the table and focus on clubs that I very rarely write about. It has nothing to do with the Chelsea result... honest

Sunderland v Fulham: 0-0

Both teams shared the points at the Stadium of Light in what was a very scrappy game of very few chances. It was Sunderland who came nearest, hitting the woodwork twice in the first half, first from Kieran Richardson header then a stunning strike from Jack Colback. The second half didn’t improve and Sunderland were unlucky not to snatch the victory when Sessegnon deflected shot was saved by Mark Schwarzer’s reflexes. The result helped neither team as both are still floating above the relegation zone. Fulham’s Europa league campaign must not get in the way of their premier league games like it did last time as they could find themselves near the relegation zone for a while. In my opinion these teams will not get relegated but it won’t be easy for either of them.

Wigan v Blackburn: 3-3

It’s not easy being a manager, especially when your fans hate you. But Kean is trying his hardest and Blackburn showed a lot of courage to come back. Wigan thought they had won it when Crusat scored 2 minutes before time for them to take a 3-2 lead but the equalising goal came 9 minutes into injury time when Paul Robinson (yes you read correctly) was fouled in the area and the resulting penalty was comfortably converted by Yakubu, who scored his second of the afternoon. Blackburn played the second half with 10 men after David Dunn was sent off for a second bookable offence. Like I said in the Sunderland review this result helped neither and in my honest opinion I think that both are to go down (but who listens to my predictions). It is nice to see, however, that Robinson didn’t give up and he took one for the team by being kicked in the head; it just shows how determined Blackburn are in getting out of this form.

West Brom v Bolton: 2-1

Shane Long second half goal secured all three points for Albion, who move up to 10^th. In a game of many chances, it was Albion who took the lead when Thomas rounded Jaaskelainen and slotted the ball home. It was Thomas who played a role in the Bolton goal. It was his clumsy challenge that brought down Muamba in the area and Klasnic scored his 6^th goal of the season from the spot. Both sides played for the win right from the first whistle but it was West Brom who came with the points and leave Bolton in the relegation zone again.

Summed up in 10 words (or less):

Everton v Wolves: 2-1 – Everton scrap a win with Baines 83^rd minute penalty

Manchester City v Newcastle: 3-1 – City remain the only unbeaten team after their comfortable win

Norwich v Arsenal: 1-2 – Van Persie shows Arsenal why he must sign a contract

Stoke v QPR: 2-3 – QPR’s impressive away form continues with their 3^rd away win

Swansea v Manchester United: 0-1 – This result is Manchester United 3^rd on the trot. Boring!

Chelsea v Liverpool: 1-2 – Johnson’s late goal wins it. Ok let’s move on quickly

Simply the Best:

Player of the Weekend: Paul Robinson –some might disagree but his bravery meant that his side went home with a draw

Game of the Weekend: Wigan v Blackburn – Best from a bad bunch really. 6 goal thriller again for Blackburn

Goal of the Weekend: Helgusons second for QPR – a great example of a team goal

Stat of the Weekend: Robin van Persie scores his 30^th and 31^st premier league goal in 2011. Not bad eh

Did anyone else see how much Eddie Jordan shirt went for on eBay. It had been signed by all the F1 drivers and people associated with the sport and also Rory McIlroy, Caroline Wozniacki and Sir Paul McCartney. £107,100. INCREDIBLE but it is all for a good cause as it went to Children in Need

Well done to Haz who got the most predictions right – if you want to be mentioned in next week’s blog then submit your predictions in the Facebook page (the link is above)

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 11

Chelsea v Liverpool: 2-0

Liverpool have the chance of going level on points with Chelsea with a win at Stamford Bridge. But despite Suarez scoring four goals in Uruguay’s 4-0 win over Chile, he picked up a knock and it is still uncertain he will play. Chelsea attack is resting on Fernando Torres, who is hoping to improve on his current form and improve on what was a dreadful debut, when the two teams met in February. Both teams a week on Wednesday in the Carling Cup quarter finals.

One to watch: Frank Lampard – Led England to a 1-0 win over Spain and is the top scoring midfielder in the Barclays Premier League  

Tottenham v Aston Villa: 2-0

What a season Spurs are having! They are currently 5^th in the league with a game in hand due to the London riots. They are unbeaten in 8 league games and have won 7 of them including their 3-1 win against Fulham. Redknapp has been reported to be back in the dug-out for Spurs, which is good to see him make a full recovery from heart surgery. In form striker Darren Bent is playing his former club that he made 60 appearances for. I reckon this one would be very close, with either team capable of winning it on the day, but as you can see from above, I’m going for a Tottenham win.

One to watch: Brad Friedel – only let in one goal from over 30 shots in the Fulham game. Not bad for someone who is 40 year old

Other games

Norwich v Arsenal: 0-3

One to watch: Robin Van Persie

Everton v Wolverhampton: 2-0

One to watch: Marouane Fellaini

Manchester City v Newcastle: 2-1

One to watch: Sergio Aguero

Stoke v QPR: 0-0

One to watch: Asmir Begovic

Sunderland v Fulham: 1-2

One to watch: Clint Dempsey  

West Brom v Bolton: 1-1

One to watch: Kevin Davies

Wigan v Blackburn: 1-3

One to watch: Mauro Formica

Swansea v Manchester United: 0-3

One to watch: Nani

North Korea are world Champions, well unofficially. No you are not reading this wrong, it’s true. After beating Japan 1-0 in a World cup qualifier match, they claim the crown. For those unfamiliar with this competition (if it is classed as that), from the first ever international match that England won in 1872, however beat the holders got the title.

Next up for North Korea – Tajikistan, who are currently ranked 6 places below North Korea in 130^th.

England v Spain

Hey people, my plans of getting more people viewing my blog don’t seem to be working but it is still early days. Here is the Facebook page if you want to join it.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/That-Saturday Feeling/181588638591040?sk=wall

Right no Premier league football for us this weekend so it is going to be a short blog

England v Spain: 0-2

Someone ask me today that if you were going to Wembley which team would you be more excited to see. Tough one eh. Spain are undoubtedly the best team in the world and their players have been on top form with their domestic teams.

England gave a surprise call-up to Jack Rodwell, Daniel Sturridge and Kyle Walker. However there is hope for the future, with 10 players that could play for the under 21’s in the squad.

There is a lot of pressure on England as this game is a warm-up for the European Championship, next year, and without Terry and Gerrard; the captaincy goes to Frank Lampard. To be honest he is in good form with 6 league goal already (including a hat-trick against Bolton). I bet you that Torres will shine (for once) against England. I hope so for the sake of Chelsea.

Good luck to them... but it is England, so they will probably be booed off after the first half.

One to watch:

 

Darren Bent - found his scoring boots again but will he step up to the occasion






P.S Good luck to Ireland in their European Championship qualifier against Estonia. As i write they are 1-0 up thanks to a goal from Keith Andrews and are playing against 10 men.