The Mid-week Review
by Danny Wright
Hull dumped Premiership Wigan out of the League Cup 2nd Round thanks to Stuart Elliot’s 20 yard lob that left Mike Pollitt stranded, with an entertaining game witnessed by just 5440 dedicated souls. In other shocks, league new-comers Morecambe continued their giant killing exploits by felling Wolves 3-1 at Molineux, meanwhile Blackpool beat Derby 7-6 on penalties.
Southend defeated Watford 2-0 at Roots Hall; with League One compatriots Leeds defeated 3-0 at Portsmouth. Oldham, Leyton Orient, Hartlepool Swansea, Doncaster and Carlisle were all defeated by superior opposition.
Luton faired much better though - beating 10-man Sunderland 3-0 at Kenilworth Road – with Paul Furlong rolling back the years with a vintage display. It’s been a bad to start to his Sunderland career for full-back Greg Halford, the bungling defender looking hap-hazard in his last two starts and getting sent off in his third, trouble definitely coming in three’s for the former Reading man.
It was also a bad night for Kieron Dyer at the Memorial Ground, the West Ham freshman breaking his leg in two-places in their 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers. Alan Curbishley was understandably unhappy about the incident, saying "The player (Rovers’ Joe Jacobson) has got to be disappointed with his tackle. As far as I could see, he lashed out after losing the ball."
The League Two representatives didn’t fair much better than the string of defeated League One sides - plucky MK Dons, Rochdale, Shrewsbury and Wrexham all beaten. Sir Alex Ferguson was the guest at London Road as he watched son Darren’s Peterborough lose to West Brom.
Undoubtedly the tie of the round was at Charlton, who survived a big scare from Stockport, beating the Hatters 4-3 at The Valley. Birmingham avoided a shock as they stumbled past Hereford, the game finishing 2-1 at St Andrews despite a late rally from the Bulls.
Leicester defender Clive Clarke collapsed in the Midlands derby clash against Nottingham Forest, the game abandoned at half time following the frightening incident. Clarke was kept in hospital overnight and his condition is said to be stable, which is more than can be said for his side - Leicester were losing 1-0 at the interval thanks to Junior Agogo’s strike.
On Wednesday, Man City and Newcastle fended off scares, beating Bristol City 2-1 and Barnsley 2-0 respectively in potentially tricky ties. Middlesborough beat Northampton 2-0 at the Riverside.
Liverpool enter the Champions League phase thanks to a 5-0 aggregate win over Toulouse, the game 4-0 on the night. Anfield paid tribute to recently murdered 11-year-old Everton fan Rhys Jones, playing the Toffee’s theme song Z-Cars before a moving rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in memoriam of the football-mad youngster. His family were guests of honour for the match, the homage a refreshing subversion to the stereotype of arrogance and alienation in the world of football.
Arsenal overcame Sparta Prague 3-0 at the Emirates, with Rangers draw at Red Star Belgrade enough to give them an aggregate win. Arthur Boruc saved two penalties in Celtic’s 4-3 penalty shootout win over Spartak Moscow, the game going the full length with both teams tied 2-2 after extra time. Celtic could have won the tie in the additional 30 minutes but Roman Pavluchenko fluffed his lines from twelve yards.
In transfer news, Aston Villa sign defender Zat Knight and Kenwyne Jones joins Sunderland from Southampton for £6m. Everton completed the signing of Yakubu following trouble with the Nigerian’s work permit as West Ham make a £5m bid for England and Reading left-back Nicky Shorey.
Hull dumped Premiership Wigan out of the League Cup 2nd Round thanks to Stuart Elliot’s 20 yard lob that left Mike Pollitt stranded, with an entertaining game witnessed by just 5440 dedicated souls. In other shocks, league new-comers Morecambe continued their giant killing exploits by felling Wolves 3-1 at Molineux, meanwhile Blackpool beat Derby 7-6 on penalties.
Southend defeated Watford 2-0 at Roots Hall; with League One compatriots Leeds defeated 3-0 at Portsmouth. Oldham, Leyton Orient, Hartlepool Swansea, Doncaster and Carlisle were all defeated by superior opposition.
Luton faired much better though - beating 10-man Sunderland 3-0 at Kenilworth Road – with Paul Furlong rolling back the years with a vintage display. It’s been a bad to start to his Sunderland career for full-back Greg Halford, the bungling defender looking hap-hazard in his last two starts and getting sent off in his third, trouble definitely coming in three’s for the former Reading man.
It was also a bad night for Kieron Dyer at the Memorial Ground, the West Ham freshman breaking his leg in two-places in their 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers. Alan Curbishley was understandably unhappy about the incident, saying "The player (Rovers’ Joe Jacobson) has got to be disappointed with his tackle. As far as I could see, he lashed out after losing the ball."
The League Two representatives didn’t fair much better than the string of defeated League One sides - plucky MK Dons, Rochdale, Shrewsbury and Wrexham all beaten. Sir Alex Ferguson was the guest at London Road as he watched son Darren’s Peterborough lose to West Brom.
Undoubtedly the tie of the round was at Charlton, who survived a big scare from Stockport, beating the Hatters 4-3 at The Valley. Birmingham avoided a shock as they stumbled past Hereford, the game finishing 2-1 at St Andrews despite a late rally from the Bulls.
Leicester defender Clive Clarke collapsed in the Midlands derby clash against Nottingham Forest, the game abandoned at half time following the frightening incident. Clarke was kept in hospital overnight and his condition is said to be stable, which is more than can be said for his side - Leicester were losing 1-0 at the interval thanks to Junior Agogo’s strike.
On Wednesday, Man City and Newcastle fended off scares, beating Bristol City 2-1 and Barnsley 2-0 respectively in potentially tricky ties. Middlesborough beat Northampton 2-0 at the Riverside.
Liverpool enter the Champions League phase thanks to a 5-0 aggregate win over Toulouse, the game 4-0 on the night. Anfield paid tribute to recently murdered 11-year-old Everton fan Rhys Jones, playing the Toffee’s theme song Z-Cars before a moving rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in memoriam of the football-mad youngster. His family were guests of honour for the match, the homage a refreshing subversion to the stereotype of arrogance and alienation in the world of football.
Arsenal overcame Sparta Prague 3-0 at the Emirates, with Rangers draw at Red Star Belgrade enough to give them an aggregate win. Arthur Boruc saved two penalties in Celtic’s 4-3 penalty shootout win over Spartak Moscow, the game going the full length with both teams tied 2-2 after extra time. Celtic could have won the tie in the additional 30 minutes but Roman Pavluchenko fluffed his lines from twelve yards.
In transfer news, Aston Villa sign defender Zat Knight and Kenwyne Jones joins Sunderland from Southampton for £6m. Everton completed the signing of Yakubu following trouble with the Nigerian’s work permit as West Ham make a £5m bid for England and Reading left-back Nicky Shorey.
images - Stuart Elliot - ambernectar.org
Dyer & Jones' parents - bbc.co.uk/sport
posted by Danny @ 11:35 pm
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1 Comments:
great report danny another top read!
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