Sunday, November 16, 2008

Weekend Review

No, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are not celebrating the legalization of gay marriage(Is it legal in England?). Rather Aston Villa showed that they can do it when it counts(look at the sad people in the background).

Liverpool defeated Bolton 2-0, in a game that had more bars hit than a Dublin pub crawl. Bolton had an equalizer disallowed, even though Pepe Reina seemed to be the one doing the fouling. Gerrard, Torres, Keane and Kuyt all squandered chances, while Ricardo Gardner should have bagged a couple for Bolton. Liverpool are playing like title contenders, and Bolton are playing like they should be in the Championship. Fulham defeated Tottenham 2-1, as 'Ansome 'Arry 'Oudini failed to produce magic. Fulham have secured all their points save one at Craven Cottage, and this seems them tenth in the table. AJ and Bobby Zamora are doing a good job up front, and with Bullard pulling the strings they look like they'll be able to stay up. Fraizer Campbell got his first Premiership goal, but Gomes continues to look lost in goal. Luckily they have Blackburn next, and that should be an easy three. Aston Villa defeated Arsenal 2-0, and the Emirates has gone from a fortress to a hotel for visiting teams. Villa dominated possession, and even squandered a pk before finally scoring. With Rosicky and Eduardo out, RVP suspended and Adebayor coming back to fitness, Arsenal are lack their usual attacking threat. Sagna went out with an injury, and with Denilson not providing the defensive cover of Gilberto or Flamini, they are also lacking at the back. Unless they make some serious movies, or their youngster age overnight, they don't look like a title contender. Villa look like they'll be nipping at the Gunners' heels all season for the fourth Champions League spot.

Manchester United crushed Stoke 5-0, in a game that saw 17 year old Danny Welbeck score his first Premiership goal. Welbeck impressed in the Carling Cup as a sub, and has now been called up to the U-19 squad for England. Ronaldo put in a couple on free kicks, and the only thing that swerves more than his free kicks are the heads of women when he walks by. Man U are currently off the pace, but will be waiting for Liverpool or Chelsea to slip up. Newcastle and Wigan drew 2-2, in a wild game. Ryan Taylor gave Wigan the lead after three minutes, but Emerson Boyce was given a second yellow for a Fugitive foul(a foul he didn't commit), and Wigan had to play the last 35 minutes with ten men. In the last ten minutes Owen and Martins scored for Newcastle, before a Titus Bramble tied up the game in the 89th minute. Both teams have 13 points from 13 games, and will feel aggrieved that they didn't get all three points.

Sunderland defeated Blackburn 2-1, in a reversal of Wednesday's scoreline. Cisse and Jones look a good partnership, with Jones providing the strength and Cisse the speed. Paul Robinson has played his way out of the England squad, and after an impressive start Blackburn find themselves in the drop zone thanks to their terrible goal differential. It would be interesting to see where the team would be under Mark Hughes, and Paul Ince may not be there much longer. Portsmouth and West Ham drew 0-0, as Zola's smile begins to fade. The good news was the Hammers keeping a clean sheet for the first time in ages, as Robert Green tried impress Capello and play his way into the Germany game(didn't work). Jermain Defoe should have scored for Pompey, but Green was up to the challenge. Chelsea defeated WBA 3-0, to keep Chelsea top and Albion bottom. West Brom played well, and were undone by a wunderstrike from Bosingwa(fantasy points). Anelka added a brace before the half, and that was enough to effectively end the game. West Brom face Stoke, Wigan, Portsmouth and Sunderland in their next four matches, and will need to grab some points from these games.

Man City and Hull tied 2-2, and Mark Hughes may not have a chance to spend that oil money in January. Joe Hart went off early with an injury, and Ben-Haim and Zayate each gifted the other team a goal. Ireland used his skill to score his second, curling a beauty past Boaz Myhill. Geovanni had a number of bites at the cherry(chances) in the second half, and his deflected free kick grabbed a point for Hull. Robinho was wearing the captain's armband with Dunne out, but was unable to work his magic. Elano was absent, which is not surprising given his recent comments about the manager. Everton and Middlesbrough tied 1-1, as both teams continued their unbeaten run. Yakubu finally scored for Everton(fantasy points), and should have had another. Boro squandered a couple of chances, so the tie was a fair result. Everton are now in seventh place, and with gravity(reality) pulling Hull back down, they should take up their position outside the Big 4 shortly. 

One Liners
  • Capello names young squad for Germany match, asks to see Gerrard's groin(scan)
  • Barca win and Real lose, the Catalans are not missing Ronaldinho's two front teeth
  • Almunia calls for changes in squad, even Wenger cannot explain poor form and he has a whole bag full of explanations
  • Tony Adams says he'll walk away if best players are sold at Portsmouth, I hope he owns a good pair of hiking boots
  • Kaka penalty brings AC Milan to within a point of Inter, be prepared for Mourinho rant