Monday, November 3, 2008

Weekend Review

Both Arsenal and my fantasy(more like nightmare) football(soccer) team suffered horribly this weekend. When one of your strikers is only used as a sub and then proceeds to get a straight red card for a challenge on a ref, it's not going to go well. Also thanks to Man U's defense, dams in New Orleans leak less.

Saturday started off with Everton defeating Fulham 1-0. Fulham deserved a result, but could only find the posts and crossbar. Everton left it late, but again used their heads as Saha headed home an 87th minute winner. Their defense is starting to approve, but Arteta has not done a great job of creating from the midfield and they'll need Pienaar, Cahill and Osman to step up their game. Manchester United defeated Hull 4-3, in a game that showcased Hull's fighting spirit. Man U was up 4-1 after an hour, but poor marking and a Rio penalty made for an edgy finish. Hull do a good job of getting stuck in a game, and they always seem a threat to score. Based on this performance, I'd put money(if it were legal) on them staying up. Middlesbrough and West Ham tied 1-1, in a game the Hammers should have won. After leading for the better part of an hour, Mido sizzled in a free kick. Boro nearly won it after that, and the honeymoon for Zola is definitely over. Wigan defeated Portsmouth 2-1, and Tony Adams is encountering problems early. Fratton Park had been a fortress for Pompey, but suddenly the moat is drained and the drawbridge is up. With 7th and 20th place only separated by six points, no team can afford a bad run of games right now.

Stoke defeated Arsenal 2-1, as they have turned Britannia stadium into a fortress of their own. Gael Clichy scored his first senior goal for the Gunners, but Rory DeLap's long throws helped create two Gunners goals. Song, Diaby, Denilson and Fabregas could not deliver a final pass to toothless combo of Adebayor and Bendtner. Van Persie's red card means he will miss the next three matches, and Arsenal are in a three-way tie for 4th. Chelsea dismantled Sunderland 5-0, as Nicolas Anelka scored a hat trick. One of those goals was definitely off side, but given that Sunderland didn't register a shot on goal there can't be too many complaints. Questions are now being asked about Roy Keane's future at the club. Blackburn tied WBA 2-2, thanks to a late goal from Keith Andrews. Benny McCarthy put them ahead with a penalty, but was sent off in the 36th minute for his second yellow. Bednar and Miller looked strong up top for the baggies, who will regret not taking all three points.


'Ansome 'Arry stole some of that Northwest magic, as Tottenham defeated Liverpool 2-1. Kuyt fired Liverpool ahead early from an incredible angle, and Gerrard hit the crossbar and post. Those misses were huge, when Carragher nodded in an own goal from a corner, and Roman Pavlyuchenko put in the injury time winner. Redknapp's halftime decisions worked well, and the team's performance from the back to the front looked more like a European side rather than their position at the bottom of the table. Bolton defeated Man City, as the Wanderers scored for the first time in nearly six hours. Gardner finished off a cross in the 76th, and Richard Dunne's own goal put the game away. City have yet to get into a rhythm, and the Brazilians seem to run hot and cold. Newcastle defeated Aston Villa 2-0, to lift the Geordies out of a tie for last place. Villa had the best chances in the first place, and a win would have put them in third place, but could not convert their chances. Martins hit a brace for Newcastle, which was enough.

One Liners
  • Aidy Boothroyd leaves Watford, they say it's mutual but I hear Watford's been cheating on him for some time
  • Ashley Cole out for 10 days, fans have to decide on new player to boo in the mean time
  • Chelsea sack 15 scouts, anyone can watch the Champions League and decide who they'll buy next
  • Rafa says Torres will decide whether he plays against Atletico, very smart to leave the decision to an injured 24 year old
  • Sagna says Arsenal needs to beat Man U on Saturday, no shit