The Weekend Round-up
by Danny WrightMiddlesborough and Sunderland clashed in an entertaining Tees-Wear derby at the Riverside. In a hard fought affair, Grant Leadbitter opened the scoring for the Black Cats after 75 seconds but former Sunderland man Julio Arca hit back for Boro to level things up, the Argentineans’ subdued celebration a mark of respect to his former employers. Both sides had strong penalty appeals turned down before Stuart Downing unleashed a 25-yard peach, but his spectacular effort was outdone by Liam Miller’s last-gasp 20-yard volley which left Mark Schwarzer with no chance. Leadbitter and Boro’s Lee Cattermole clashed - the pair lucky to remain on the pitch after an ugly scuffle as they game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Derby were crushed by an imperious Arsenal side at the Emirates, the Gunners putting home no fewer than five goals to Derby’s zero as Emmanuel Adebayor ran riot with a hat-trick. Abou Diaby hammered home the opener with a thunderous drive, meanwhile the awesome Cesc Fabregas chipped in with a goal, but it was Adebayor who stole the show as his side hit the top of the league. Arsenal look like surprising title challengers, with sorry Derby looking like unsurprising whipping boys, rest assured it will be a long campaign for Rams supporters.
Avram Grant’s reign as Chelsea boss got off to a losing start at rivals Manchester United, the Blues falling 2-0 at Old Trafford. Carlos Tevez fired United head on 45 minutes as Jon Obi Mikel contrived to get himself sent off for a lunge on Patrice Evra. Louis Saha sealed the win late on with a penalty after he was fouled by Tal Ben Haim, the defeat leaving Chelsea five points off the pace in sixth. Who needs Mourinho, eh?
It was a case of ‘Same Old Rafa, always tinkering’ at Anfield as Liverpool stuttered to a 0-0 draw against battling Birmingham, the Spaniard tactical genius leaving out hit-man Fernando Torres as the Reds fired blanks against an outstanding Blues defence, marshalled by the impressive Liam Ridgewell. Merseyside rivals Everton capped off a miserable week as they were defeated 2-0 by Aston Villa, goals from John Carew and strike partner Gabriel Agbonlahor doing the damage.
Strugglers Bolton and Tottenham couldn’t lift themselves as they cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw at the Reebok. Both sides were in European action in mid-week but desperately required Premiership solace but neither could take control in a nervy affair; Jussi Jaaskelainen provided the only moments of quality as he kept Tottenham out, with Ivan Campo and Robbie Keane grabbing the goals.
Portsmouth ended their away day hoodoo as they felled Blackburn 1-0 at Ewood, Kanu scoring the all important goal meanwhile Newcastle were indebted to Mark Viduka’s brace as he helped the Magpies beat West Ham 3-1, Charles N’Zogbia sealing the win as Dean Ashton got on the score sheet for the Hammers.
Man City and Fulham shared six goals in a thrilling encounter at Craven Cottage. Simon Davies put the hosts ahead only for Martin Petrov to level. Hameur Bouazza smashed home a free-kick to put his side ahead, but again City hit back through Emile Mpenza and then took the lead as Petrov scored again to make it 3-2, only for Danny Murphy to come off the bench and level things to earn Fulham a point.
Reading lifted their woes as they beat Wigan at the Madejski. The hosts could have won the game by half time but were wasteful in front of goal, despite strikes from Dave Kitson and James Harper giving them the advantage. Marcus Bent gave the Royals a scare with a headed equaliser, but it wasn’t enough for Chris Hutchins men.
Kasper Schmeichel’s fine start to the season has been rewarded with a new deal at Manchester City, Sven Goran Eriksson rewarding the youngster with a four-year contract. Injuries to Andreas Isaksson and Joe Hart gave Schmeichel his berth, and he has not missed a game under the management of Old Blue Eyes.
Another keeper making a good start to the season is Craig Gordon, who has won praise from manager Roy Keane. The Sunderland record buy moved to Wearside from Hearts for a £9m fee and Keane has cited Gordon as a potential folk hero, telling the Daily Mirror: "Craig can become a real hero at Sunderland. He has certainly endeared himself to the fans with the start he has made here,”
Derby were crushed by an imperious Arsenal side at the Emirates, the Gunners putting home no fewer than five goals to Derby’s zero as Emmanuel Adebayor ran riot with a hat-trick. Abou Diaby hammered home the opener with a thunderous drive, meanwhile the awesome Cesc Fabregas chipped in with a goal, but it was Adebayor who stole the show as his side hit the top of the league. Arsenal look like surprising title challengers, with sorry Derby looking like unsurprising whipping boys, rest assured it will be a long campaign for Rams supporters.
Avram Grant’s reign as Chelsea boss got off to a losing start at rivals Manchester United, the Blues falling 2-0 at Old Trafford. Carlos Tevez fired United head on 45 minutes as Jon Obi Mikel contrived to get himself sent off for a lunge on Patrice Evra. Louis Saha sealed the win late on with a penalty after he was fouled by Tal Ben Haim, the defeat leaving Chelsea five points off the pace in sixth. Who needs Mourinho, eh?
It was a case of ‘Same Old Rafa, always tinkering’ at Anfield as Liverpool stuttered to a 0-0 draw against battling Birmingham, the Spaniard tactical genius leaving out hit-man Fernando Torres as the Reds fired blanks against an outstanding Blues defence, marshalled by the impressive Liam Ridgewell. Merseyside rivals Everton capped off a miserable week as they were defeated 2-0 by Aston Villa, goals from John Carew and strike partner Gabriel Agbonlahor doing the damage.
Strugglers Bolton and Tottenham couldn’t lift themselves as they cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw at the Reebok. Both sides were in European action in mid-week but desperately required Premiership solace but neither could take control in a nervy affair; Jussi Jaaskelainen provided the only moments of quality as he kept Tottenham out, with Ivan Campo and Robbie Keane grabbing the goals.
Portsmouth ended their away day hoodoo as they felled Blackburn 1-0 at Ewood, Kanu scoring the all important goal meanwhile Newcastle were indebted to Mark Viduka’s brace as he helped the Magpies beat West Ham 3-1, Charles N’Zogbia sealing the win as Dean Ashton got on the score sheet for the Hammers.Man City and Fulham shared six goals in a thrilling encounter at Craven Cottage. Simon Davies put the hosts ahead only for Martin Petrov to level. Hameur Bouazza smashed home a free-kick to put his side ahead, but again City hit back through Emile Mpenza and then took the lead as Petrov scored again to make it 3-2, only for Danny Murphy to come off the bench and level things to earn Fulham a point.
Reading lifted their woes as they beat Wigan at the Madejski. The hosts could have won the game by half time but were wasteful in front of goal, despite strikes from Dave Kitson and James Harper giving them the advantage. Marcus Bent gave the Royals a scare with a headed equaliser, but it wasn’t enough for Chris Hutchins men.
Kasper Schmeichel’s fine start to the season has been rewarded with a new deal at Manchester City, Sven Goran Eriksson rewarding the youngster with a four-year contract. Injuries to Andreas Isaksson and Joe Hart gave Schmeichel his berth, and he has not missed a game under the management of Old Blue Eyes.
Another keeper making a good start to the season is Craig Gordon, who has won praise from manager Roy Keane. The Sunderland record buy moved to Wearside from Hearts for a £9m fee and Keane has cited Gordon as a potential folk hero, telling the Daily Mirror: "Craig can become a real hero at Sunderland. He has certainly endeared himself to the fans with the start he has made here,”
“Our fans throughout the years have always loved a striker or a goalscorer and hopefully that will never change. But you can love keepers as well as strikers.” Keane added.
images - bbc.co.uk/sport
posted by Danny @ 11:08 pm
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