The Weekend Round-up
by Danny Wright
Liverpool were upset by a buoyant Reading side at the Madejski. With one eye on Tuesday’s crunch clash with Marseille, Liverpool were all at sea as a much changed side – fielding youngster Jack Hobbs at centre half – slumped to defeat. It was Hobbs’ experienced partner Jamie Carragher who was found wanting at the early stages though as he karate-kicked Brynjar Gunnarsson to give Reading a penalty. There were questions as to whether the foul take place in or outside the box, but Stephen Hunt had no such qualms about dispatching the resultant spot-kick, the Liverpool players looking very non-plussed indeed. Steven Gerrard hauled the Reds level but the Royals seized the initiative in the second half with Kevin Doyle glancing past Pepe Reina, and James Harper rounding the beleaguered keeper to add a fine third. Gerrard almost burst into tears when he was substituted for Ryan Babel late in the day, the ‘world class’ midfielder seemingly thinking he is too good to be brought off; although Rafa Benetiz’s decision did seem a bizarre one when they were trying to get back into the game.
Newcastle picked up a much needed and a much deserved win over Birmingham. The Blues thought their dream start under the management of Alex McLeish was going to continue when a long ball forward was dispatched by Cameron Jerome, who caught out a flat footed David Rozehnal to take the lead. Newcastle weren’t deterred though, and, spurred on by boisterous (non-violent) support and Sam Allardyce’s funky head-gear; they chalked up an equaliser from Obefami Martins’ fortunate spot kick. The Magpies plugged away and it looked like their luck was out when James Milner rattled the cross bar, but they persevered and were rewarded in the final minute when Habib Beye nodded home from an Emre corner. The win comes as a big boost to Newcastle, who now have four points from two on the back of a useful draw against Arsenal.
Manchester United cruised past sorry Derby with a 4-1 win at a rainy Old Trafford. Ryan Giggs scored his 100th league goal to get the ball rolling; meanwhile Carlos Tevez hit a handy double to put the result beyond all doubt. Derby powerhouse Steve Howard bundled home his first Premiership goal, their first away from Pride Park this season but Ronaldo was on hand to dispatch a spot kick he won for himself with a dive. Chelsea cruised past Sunderland 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to keep up the pressure on United and leaders Arsenal, Andriy Shevchenko and Frank Lampard on hand to complete the win. The Black Cats had Liam Miller sent off and left record buy Craig Gordon on the bench in favour of 33-year-old veteran Darren Ward, with manager Roy Keane telling Gordon he is happy for the keeper to have a mid-season holiday – “as long as he doesn't go out in a canoe.”
Everton demolished sorry Fulham 3-0 at Goodinson Park to continue the Cottagers away day woes, the run extended to 25-games without a win. The classy Toffees carried on where they left off from Wednesday’s win over Zenit St Petersburg and put Fulham under lots of early pressure, forcing Anti Niemi into some outstanding saves to keep the scores level. The break through came in the second half though, Yakubu scoring his first of three goals with a tepid left foot effort that crawled over the line. The Nigerian hit man then struck again with a glancing header and the £11m buy completed his ‘perfect’ hat-trick with a text book finish. Lawrie Sanchez’s men seldom troubled the Everton goal, their only real chance coming from Danny Murphy whose shot was saved well by Tim Howard.
Aston Villa were defeated 3-1 by Portsmouth at Villa Park, but Martin O’Neil’s men can feel aggrieved that they didn’t get anything out of the game. Villa fell behind when Craig Gardner prodded past a beleaguered Scott Carson, who was no doubt going into cold sweats at the sight of Croat Niko Kranjcar. Martin Laursen must have also been feeling uneasy as he inexplicably headed wide two glorious chances to turn the game, as Sully Muntari thumped Pompey ahead with a delicious left footed strike. In fairness Villa dominated but couldn’t convert as Muntari struck again in the second half, a terrific hit finishing off a fine passing move to seal the game for Harry Redknapp and his men. Papa Bouba Diop entered the Miss of the Season competition as he failed to convert with the goal at his mercy; meanwhile Gareth Barry notched a late consolation with a belated penalty kick.
Arsenal went down to their first defeat of the season at Middlesborough, 2-1 the final score at the Riverside. The home side were in need of a win and they got just that when Gareth Southgate’s strugglers raised their game to stun a lacklustre Arsenal. Kolo Toure tripped Jermaine Aliadiere to give Boro a penalty, which Stuart Downing tucked home to send his side on their way. Tuncay grabbed his second goal in as many goals to hand Boro the fire, his shot finding the roof of the net as Tomas Rosicky notched a late consolation.
Bolton thrashed fellow strugglers Wigan at the Reebok 4-1 to lift Gary Megon’s men out of the bottom three. Paul Scharner gifted Lancashire rivals Bolton an early goal, the home side thinking Christmas had come very early indeed. Denny Landzaat looked to give the Latics a reprieve with an equaliser however the visitors soon capitulated in a scruffy game as Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davies and Nicolas Anelka killed the hand Megson a priceless three points.
And finally, Tottenham bounced back from their defeat to Birmingham by beating a descending Man City 2-1 and Dean Ashton’s tap in was enough for West Ham to beat Blackburn 1-0 at Ewood.
images - bbc.co.uk/sport
Liverpool were upset by a buoyant Reading side at the Madejski. With one eye on Tuesday’s crunch clash with Marseille, Liverpool were all at sea as a much changed side – fielding youngster Jack Hobbs at centre half – slumped to defeat. It was Hobbs’ experienced partner Jamie Carragher who was found wanting at the early stages though as he karate-kicked Brynjar Gunnarsson to give Reading a penalty. There were questions as to whether the foul take place in or outside the box, but Stephen Hunt had no such qualms about dispatching the resultant spot-kick, the Liverpool players looking very non-plussed indeed. Steven Gerrard hauled the Reds level but the Royals seized the initiative in the second half with Kevin Doyle glancing past Pepe Reina, and James Harper rounding the beleaguered keeper to add a fine third. Gerrard almost burst into tears when he was substituted for Ryan Babel late in the day, the ‘world class’ midfielder seemingly thinking he is too good to be brought off; although Rafa Benetiz’s decision did seem a bizarre one when they were trying to get back into the game.
Newcastle picked up a much needed and a much deserved win over Birmingham. The Blues thought their dream start under the management of Alex McLeish was going to continue when a long ball forward was dispatched by Cameron Jerome, who caught out a flat footed David Rozehnal to take the lead. Newcastle weren’t deterred though, and, spurred on by boisterous (non-violent) support and Sam Allardyce’s funky head-gear; they chalked up an equaliser from Obefami Martins’ fortunate spot kick. The Magpies plugged away and it looked like their luck was out when James Milner rattled the cross bar, but they persevered and were rewarded in the final minute when Habib Beye nodded home from an Emre corner. The win comes as a big boost to Newcastle, who now have four points from two on the back of a useful draw against Arsenal.
Manchester United cruised past sorry Derby with a 4-1 win at a rainy Old Trafford. Ryan Giggs scored his 100th league goal to get the ball rolling; meanwhile Carlos Tevez hit a handy double to put the result beyond all doubt. Derby powerhouse Steve Howard bundled home his first Premiership goal, their first away from Pride Park this season but Ronaldo was on hand to dispatch a spot kick he won for himself with a dive. Chelsea cruised past Sunderland 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to keep up the pressure on United and leaders Arsenal, Andriy Shevchenko and Frank Lampard on hand to complete the win. The Black Cats had Liam Miller sent off and left record buy Craig Gordon on the bench in favour of 33-year-old veteran Darren Ward, with manager Roy Keane telling Gordon he is happy for the keeper to have a mid-season holiday – “as long as he doesn't go out in a canoe.”
Everton demolished sorry Fulham 3-0 at Goodinson Park to continue the Cottagers away day woes, the run extended to 25-games without a win. The classy Toffees carried on where they left off from Wednesday’s win over Zenit St Petersburg and put Fulham under lots of early pressure, forcing Anti Niemi into some outstanding saves to keep the scores level. The break through came in the second half though, Yakubu scoring his first of three goals with a tepid left foot effort that crawled over the line. The Nigerian hit man then struck again with a glancing header and the £11m buy completed his ‘perfect’ hat-trick with a text book finish. Lawrie Sanchez’s men seldom troubled the Everton goal, their only real chance coming from Danny Murphy whose shot was saved well by Tim Howard.
Aston Villa were defeated 3-1 by Portsmouth at Villa Park, but Martin O’Neil’s men can feel aggrieved that they didn’t get anything out of the game. Villa fell behind when Craig Gardner prodded past a beleaguered Scott Carson, who was no doubt going into cold sweats at the sight of Croat Niko Kranjcar. Martin Laursen must have also been feeling uneasy as he inexplicably headed wide two glorious chances to turn the game, as Sully Muntari thumped Pompey ahead with a delicious left footed strike. In fairness Villa dominated but couldn’t convert as Muntari struck again in the second half, a terrific hit finishing off a fine passing move to seal the game for Harry Redknapp and his men. Papa Bouba Diop entered the Miss of the Season competition as he failed to convert with the goal at his mercy; meanwhile Gareth Barry notched a late consolation with a belated penalty kick.
Arsenal went down to their first defeat of the season at Middlesborough, 2-1 the final score at the Riverside. The home side were in need of a win and they got just that when Gareth Southgate’s strugglers raised their game to stun a lacklustre Arsenal. Kolo Toure tripped Jermaine Aliadiere to give Boro a penalty, which Stuart Downing tucked home to send his side on their way. Tuncay grabbed his second goal in as many goals to hand Boro the fire, his shot finding the roof of the net as Tomas Rosicky notched a late consolation.
Bolton thrashed fellow strugglers Wigan at the Reebok 4-1 to lift Gary Megon’s men out of the bottom three. Paul Scharner gifted Lancashire rivals Bolton an early goal, the home side thinking Christmas had come very early indeed. Denny Landzaat looked to give the Latics a reprieve with an equaliser however the visitors soon capitulated in a scruffy game as Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davies and Nicolas Anelka killed the hand Megson a priceless three points.
And finally, Tottenham bounced back from their defeat to Birmingham by beating a descending Man City 2-1 and Dean Ashton’s tap in was enough for West Ham to beat Blackburn 1-0 at Ewood.
images - bbc.co.uk/sport
posted by Danny @ 10:17 pm
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