Well here they are, the last ten round-ups of the season. A pretty good day to finish on, with the title at least still in doubt (although not for long).
Chelsea v Wigan - 8:0 - Chelsea looked a little nervous from the off, but Anelka settled his side with a well-taken shot into the ground from Malouda’s chest, although Malouda may have been offside (6). Shortly after Lampard went down in the box and scored the resulting penalty (32). Caldwell, who had fouled Lampard, was sent off. Drogba, in competition with Rooney for top scorer, was miffed that he was not allowed to take the penalty but Ancelotti had decided that Lampard should take the first one, the win being more important than Drogba’s seasonal total. Kalou scored Chelsea’s third with a nifty bit of footwork after a good one-two with Lampard (54). Anelka got the next with a great volley that looked very similar to his first goal (57). Drogba nearly scored a goal but then got his first with a great header off Lampard’s cross (63). His second came from a penalty after Cole slipped over and was deemed to have been fouled (68) and his third by being in the right place at the right time to poke it in (80). A good save by Cech kept Chelsea’s slate clean and finally a superb volley from Cole ended the game (90). So, Chelsea steal seal the title with a crushing victory by eight. It seems almost churlish to point out they only needed one!
Man United v Stoke - 4:0 - Fletcher put United ahead after 31 minutes with a competent opportunistic strike against poor defending and Giggs doubled the score with a simple tap-in off a strong run and cross by Berbatov (38), all to muted applause as the news over the mobile networks confirmed Chelsea’s growing lead at the Bridge. Higginbotham scored an unfortunate own goal when Rooney drove the ball hard across the goal-mouth (54). Van de Saar hardly had any work to do but made a great save to keep Stoke out. Park got the score to four with a good header near the end of the game (84). Rooney tweaked his groin and came off at his own request but his manager said England need not fear for his summer fitness. Phew! A good season for United but obviously not the one they were hoping for. So, selling Ronaldo (in Your Ear’s view) might have gained them £70m, but cost them the title. And then there was the tale and sale of Tevez…
Burnley v Tottenham - 4:2 - Bale had plenty of time and space to pick his spot and hammer the ball away from just inside the box (3). Modric scored an even better goal after a neat step-over (32) and Spurs seemed to be in complete control of the game. But football is a… well, we know what football is, and from then on it was all Burnley. First Elliott retrieved a goal just before half time with a well-taken chance from a back-heel (42). Cork equalized with an excellent header following a good build-up (54). So, two-all, but Burnley got their noses in front when Paterson coolly smacked the ball in from a wide angle on the edge of the box (71) . Then Burnley got another through substitute Thompson’s delicate touch (88), forcing Spurs to settle for 4th place overall. If only Burnley could have delivered this sort of performance during the last few months. And how can Spurs beat the likes of Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea, as they have recently, and then lose to poor old Burnley? St Hal was not available for comment.
Arsenal v Fulham - 4:0 - A complete cods-up in the Fulham defence with an unnecessary back-pass led to a mistake by Schwarzer, who lost control of the ball. Arshavin made no mistake, rounding the keeper twice and scoring from a narrow angle (21). Shortly after Van Persie scored from a Walcott pass (26), taking two goes to punt the ball in. This was followed by more disaster for Fulham, an own goal by Baird, who sliced a cross into his own net (37). Finally, Vela chipped the goalkeeper for Arsenal’s fourth (84). He may have been offside, but the result was beyond doubt by then. Wenger was happy with qualifying for Europe but generally unhappy with Arsenal’s season. Your Ear thinks more players/strength in depth is required at the Emirates.
Aston Villa v Blackburn - 0:1- In a tight game Milner might have scored from a free kick but his tricky little shot was saved. Villa were rightly denied a couple of penalties and it was Blackburn who broke the deadlock (and achieved the double over Villa) when Hoilett appeared to have scored with a good header but in fact forced an own goal by Dunne (84). Allardyce - ‘A very satisfying 1:0 win.’ O’Neill - ‘I think if I filibuster long enough you could just disappear.’
Hull v Liverpool - 0:0 - Liverpool have not looked their old selves this season and their final game was no exception against a relegated Hull. Both sides should have scored but missed good, if not golden, opportunities. One of the few notable spots in the game was when 16 year old Jack Robinson came on as Liverpool’s youngest ever player. A win would have taken Liverpool to sixth place in the league - nevertheless, the unmemorable game ended in a goal-less draw, resulting in Liverpool’s worst finish in 11 seasons. Could his 350th game in charge of Liverpool be the last one for Benitez? He still has four years left on his contract, so it would be an expensive payoff for a club looking for new financiers.
West Ham v Man City - 1:1 - Boa Morte got West Ham off to a good start off Diamanti’s superb stabbed pass (17). Wright-Phillips equalized with what the trade call a ‘cushioned header’, showing great control (21). Throughout the rest of the game West Ham seemed the more likely side, and Diamanti hit the post, although City also had chances and Tevez was prevented from scoring near the end of the match. After the game Zola and Mancini sang each other’s praises at length, bolstering the English League’s IMC (Italian Managers’ Club). But the word on the day was that Zola’s days were numbered, and he is now sacked. He might well be grateful, in the long run. Owners, what do they know?
Wolves v Sunderland - 2:1 - Jones was a little fortunate (8) to see the ball bounce off a defender’s foot to lob the keeper and then go in-off the post. A minute or so later Doyle restored parity after Wolves were awarded a penalty (10). Wolves were lucky to survive a Sunderland onslaught, including an athletic scissors kick by Malbranque, but they weathered the storm, got the lead and won the game through a fine strike by Guedioura (78). Turner was dismissed for a second bookable (for what in the olden days would have been deemed a fair shoulder challenge), reducing Sunderland to ten men. Then Colback was dismissed (on his debut game) for a more dangerous-looking challenge in the last minute. Bruce - ‘Second half I was totally disappointed with the way we codsed-up ourselves, in terms of being sloppy and giving the ball away.’ McCarthy - ‘Steve will be disappointed with his, I’m delighted with mine. We’ve had a great season.’
Bolton v Birmingham - 2:1 - Bolton gained the lead through a fine header by Davies (33). McFadden thought he had scored but it was disallowed for handball and he was quite rightly cautioned. Jaaskelainen kept Birmingham out with at least two good saves and Bolton got their second with a well placed shot by a totally unmarked Klasnic (60). McFadden finally got one back after Benitez, who had been shut down and fouled in the box by Robinson, took a penalty that was saved once, then twice by Jaaskelainen before Birmingham finally got the ball into the net (76).
Everton v Portsmouth - 1:0 - After much mayhem in the Everton box Portsmouth scored a good goal which was wrongly disallowed, Piquionne almost scored and O’Hara did score a goal which was totally on-side (but given off) before Bilyaletdinov rounded off a miserable season for Portsmouth when he stroked in a very good first time effort to gain the winner for Everton in the last minute of the game (90+4). Grant - ‘This has happened to us many times in the season.’ Will Grant be the next manager of the Hammers? Only time will tell.
Here ends the season.
The Ear - all the news that's fit to spout.
Friday 14 May 2010
Thursday 6 May 2010
Premiership round up - Week 37
Man City v Aston Villa - 3:1 - City nearly got an early lead with a deflected cross but it was saved. Villa took the lead through Carew with a short run and simple pass into the net, making the City defence look foolish (16). City applied a tourniquet on Villa but Villa are a hard side to break down and nearly went two up but their shot was saved. City players went down in Villa’s box a couple of times and the referee rightly saw no infringements until the third time, when Warnock slipped and clipped Johnson. Tevez converted from the spot and levelled the game (41). Carew almost got the lead back immediately but hit the post and City responded with a slightly lucky combination of circumstances (and passes) to end the half ahead (Adebayor, 43). Villa are a great second half side and came out with all guns firing. Bellamy had a good chance, nevertheless, but his shot was saved and in the 89th minute his fine strike into the top right hand corner of the net secured City’s victory.
Spurs v Bolton - 1:0 - Spurs needed this victory to remain in the driving seat in contention for fourth place. Bale looked threatening, as usual, but it was Huddlestone who hammered home a stupendous strike to get the first and only goal from 25 yards (38, Huddlestone’s second in the league this season). Huddlestone and Defoe both had subsequent good looking shots which went wide and Pavlyuchenko had a good opportunity for a header but missed. At the other end Spurs had to hang on grimly against a couple of Bolton attempts whilst Crouch nearly put the result beyond Bolton’s reach near the end of the game. Bolton pressed for three minutes of extra time but failed to score. Owen; ‘It was a wonder goal that separated the teams.’ Harry (regarding a late injury to Gomes); ‘Well, he felt his groin go a little bit.’ All eyes on Spurs v Man City mid-week for the fourth place spot.
Portsmouth v Wolves - 3:1 - James, sporting an even more elaborate hair-do than usual (mock-Elizabethan, Your Ear thinks), saved a good Wolves’ free kick before Dindane put Portsmouth ahead with a simple header (20). Piquionne nearly got a second goal soon after, but Doyle equalized after James saved two headers in quick succession with a tap-in (35). Utaka regained Portsmouth’s lead soon after (39) and despite valiant Wolves’ attempts Brown got another (67). McCarthy - ‘We need more players.’
Everton v Stoke - 0:0 - Cahill won an early corner as Everton started brightly. Fuller might have scored at the other end but Everton always looked stronger and more aggressive. Having said that Delap missed an easy opportunity for Stoke. Everton finally scored but, Anichebe was ruled offside. Everton fans were not best pleased and further clarification of the offside rule is required if there is to be any consistency in decisions.
Birmingham v Burnley - 2:1 - If Fulham win the Europa Cup final Burnley (despite their relegation) will play in Europe next year due to their ‘fair play’ record. Blimey, Your Ear is sure the rest of Europe is quaking in its collective football boots. Birmingham might have conceded an early penalty, but got away with it and pushed up-field. Birmingham finally squeaked ahead before half time when the ball went in-off Jensen (o/g, 30). Birmingham got their second when Johnson strained every sinew to head a cross and Chucho Benitez chested it in (41). Both Benitez and Larsson might have had another and Burnley had chances until Thompson got one back (87).
Liverpool v Chelsea - 0:2 - As the game progressed Liverpool appeared to have the upper hand at home and were more frequently on the offence until a simple misplaced back pass by Gerrard was pounced on and put away by Drogba (33). Lampard might have doubled Chelsea’s tally but his shot was saved. And a good shout for a Chelsea penalty was denied, all in the first half. Nine minutes into the second half Anelka put in a perfect cross which Lampard slid in and Chelsea celebrated as though the season was ended, and they had won it. And they might have.
Sunderland v Man United - 0:1 - Sunderland looked as though they were well in the game until ManU started playing ‘pass the parcel’ in Sunderland’s box and Nani scored with an easy shot (28). Berbatov, a player who looks good but sometimes fails to deliver (he should have stayed at Spurs where that sort of thing is more easily forgiven) should have taken at least one of three almost cast iron opportunities, but missed again and again (and again) from point-blank range. Berbatov was substituted and ManU came on strongly, but the score remained the same.
Fulham v West Ham - 3:2 - Having hit the bar and been kept out once or twice Davis put Dempsey through for a good first half goal (45). A freak in-off Carlton Cole gifted Fulham their second (59). Cole redeemed himself two minutes later with a glancing header (61). Fulham restored their two goal advantage after another West Ham defensive error (Okaka, 80) and Franco took it away again with a simple goal in extra time (90+2). Zola - ‘I don’t want to make any comments any more…’
Wigan v Hull - 2:2 - Wigan were on top for the opening half-hour but failed to take advantage until Moses put them ahead, running in from the left flank (30). Atkinson equalized on his debut, heading in Kilbane's cross (42, the Wigan defence had hesitated when the linesman flagged for offside). Cullen headed in Boateng's cross to give Hull the lead (64), but Gohouri cracked in an acrobatic overhead kick from close range to make it a draw (90+3). The result confirms Hull's relegation and there are rumours that the club’s estimated debts of about £35m may force them into administration. Dowie's future as Hull manager is also uncertain. Martinez - ‘It's a performance which leaves me with mixed feelings. They were well-organised and working hard and I thought for spells, we showed very good moments. I felt we would kick on after scoring first but we conceded two soft goals and that is a clear area that we have to improve for next season. But what we don't lack is character and the desire to carry on doing the right things until the end. The second goal was the reward we deserved.’ Wigan, who travel to the Bridge on Saturday, now hold ManU’s only hope of denying Chelsea the league title.
Blackburn v Arsenal - 2:1 - Blackburn came from behind to beat Arsenal, whose third place in the Premiership is looking more shaky by the day. Van Persie put Arsenal ahead with a header from six yards (13) but Blackburn drew level when Dunn tapped home after a corner was poorly defended (44). Fabianski saved from Pedersen and Hoilett, but Blackburn continuously challenged Arsenal’s keeper with high balls, and Samba headed the winner from a corner (68). While it was a frustrating afternoon for Wenger, who had his normal problems in coming to terms with the refereeing decisions, the win lifts Blackburn from 13th to 10th in the table.
Fulham v Stoke - 0:1 - Not an exciting match throughout, and Etherington's fine strike was one of few Stoke shots on target (83). As a result Stoke overtake Fulham, moving into the top half of the table. Hodgson (on his side's injury problems) - ‘We think one of Damien Duff's muscles was cramping up. That was a blow of course. We hope it's not too serious. I hope he'll be fit for the final. The medical staff don't think it's a muscle tear or anything like that. Bobby Zamora stands a chance of making it but he's not making vast amounts of progress on a daily basis so it could be touch and go. It's very disappointing to lose, especially seeing as the evidence showed it was handball which deflected the ball over for the goal.’ Pulis (on Stoke beating last season's points total) - ‘We're only the second club to have beaten their points tally in their second season, so so much for second-season syndrome. That's a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club. We got beaten 7-0 at Chelsea two games ago and we have played a top team in Everton and we have won here tonight. We have had two clean sheets now so that shows our spirit of togetherness. Roy picked his best side tonight but we showed great resilience and spirit. I think it's been a great response from the players.’
Manchester City v Spurs - 0:1 - What can one say? As a Spurs supporter Your Ear has generally been happy if, over the past few seasons, Spurs finished higher than Newcastle. Then The Magpies were relegated (good job Spurs finished higher than them last year) and Your Ear had to look for another candidate. This season Man City filled the spot and Your Ear is delighted, from a number of standpoints, that Spurs have now vanquished City, at the same time ensuring Champions’ League football at White Hart Lane next season. Deep, deep joy. As for the match - In brief, City were the more dangerous in the goal-less first half but Spurs were clearly the better side in the second half and Crouch squandered a few chances before he finally headed the winner late in the game (82). The result is a very ‘appy, ‘Arry whilst Mancini left the field to stony owners’ faces. Could Hughes have done as well? Who knows (and many would say, who cares?) but Your Ear thinks that the squad Mancini inherited has a lot to do with it. A big summer clear-out is now forecast. Meanwhile St Hal needs only tweak his side a little here and there to push for greater glory next year (if he buys Berbatov back from United, at a reduced price, of course, you read it here first). On the other had Adebayor is unlikely to return to Arsenal, despite the fans (all two of them) who want him back.
The Ear - all the news that's fit to spout.
Spurs v Bolton - 1:0 - Spurs needed this victory to remain in the driving seat in contention for fourth place. Bale looked threatening, as usual, but it was Huddlestone who hammered home a stupendous strike to get the first and only goal from 25 yards (38, Huddlestone’s second in the league this season). Huddlestone and Defoe both had subsequent good looking shots which went wide and Pavlyuchenko had a good opportunity for a header but missed. At the other end Spurs had to hang on grimly against a couple of Bolton attempts whilst Crouch nearly put the result beyond Bolton’s reach near the end of the game. Bolton pressed for three minutes of extra time but failed to score. Owen; ‘It was a wonder goal that separated the teams.’ Harry (regarding a late injury to Gomes); ‘Well, he felt his groin go a little bit.’ All eyes on Spurs v Man City mid-week for the fourth place spot.
Portsmouth v Wolves - 3:1 - James, sporting an even more elaborate hair-do than usual (mock-Elizabethan, Your Ear thinks), saved a good Wolves’ free kick before Dindane put Portsmouth ahead with a simple header (20). Piquionne nearly got a second goal soon after, but Doyle equalized after James saved two headers in quick succession with a tap-in (35). Utaka regained Portsmouth’s lead soon after (39) and despite valiant Wolves’ attempts Brown got another (67). McCarthy - ‘We need more players.’
Everton v Stoke - 0:0 - Cahill won an early corner as Everton started brightly. Fuller might have scored at the other end but Everton always looked stronger and more aggressive. Having said that Delap missed an easy opportunity for Stoke. Everton finally scored but, Anichebe was ruled offside. Everton fans were not best pleased and further clarification of the offside rule is required if there is to be any consistency in decisions.
Birmingham v Burnley - 2:1 - If Fulham win the Europa Cup final Burnley (despite their relegation) will play in Europe next year due to their ‘fair play’ record. Blimey, Your Ear is sure the rest of Europe is quaking in its collective football boots. Birmingham might have conceded an early penalty, but got away with it and pushed up-field. Birmingham finally squeaked ahead before half time when the ball went in-off Jensen (o/g, 30). Birmingham got their second when Johnson strained every sinew to head a cross and Chucho Benitez chested it in (41). Both Benitez and Larsson might have had another and Burnley had chances until Thompson got one back (87).
Liverpool v Chelsea - 0:2 - As the game progressed Liverpool appeared to have the upper hand at home and were more frequently on the offence until a simple misplaced back pass by Gerrard was pounced on and put away by Drogba (33). Lampard might have doubled Chelsea’s tally but his shot was saved. And a good shout for a Chelsea penalty was denied, all in the first half. Nine minutes into the second half Anelka put in a perfect cross which Lampard slid in and Chelsea celebrated as though the season was ended, and they had won it. And they might have.
Sunderland v Man United - 0:1 - Sunderland looked as though they were well in the game until ManU started playing ‘pass the parcel’ in Sunderland’s box and Nani scored with an easy shot (28). Berbatov, a player who looks good but sometimes fails to deliver (he should have stayed at Spurs where that sort of thing is more easily forgiven) should have taken at least one of three almost cast iron opportunities, but missed again and again (and again) from point-blank range. Berbatov was substituted and ManU came on strongly, but the score remained the same.
Fulham v West Ham - 3:2 - Having hit the bar and been kept out once or twice Davis put Dempsey through for a good first half goal (45). A freak in-off Carlton Cole gifted Fulham their second (59). Cole redeemed himself two minutes later with a glancing header (61). Fulham restored their two goal advantage after another West Ham defensive error (Okaka, 80) and Franco took it away again with a simple goal in extra time (90+2). Zola - ‘I don’t want to make any comments any more…’
Wigan v Hull - 2:2 - Wigan were on top for the opening half-hour but failed to take advantage until Moses put them ahead, running in from the left flank (30). Atkinson equalized on his debut, heading in Kilbane's cross (42, the Wigan defence had hesitated when the linesman flagged for offside). Cullen headed in Boateng's cross to give Hull the lead (64), but Gohouri cracked in an acrobatic overhead kick from close range to make it a draw (90+3). The result confirms Hull's relegation and there are rumours that the club’s estimated debts of about £35m may force them into administration. Dowie's future as Hull manager is also uncertain. Martinez - ‘It's a performance which leaves me with mixed feelings. They were well-organised and working hard and I thought for spells, we showed very good moments. I felt we would kick on after scoring first but we conceded two soft goals and that is a clear area that we have to improve for next season. But what we don't lack is character and the desire to carry on doing the right things until the end. The second goal was the reward we deserved.’ Wigan, who travel to the Bridge on Saturday, now hold ManU’s only hope of denying Chelsea the league title.
Blackburn v Arsenal - 2:1 - Blackburn came from behind to beat Arsenal, whose third place in the Premiership is looking more shaky by the day. Van Persie put Arsenal ahead with a header from six yards (13) but Blackburn drew level when Dunn tapped home after a corner was poorly defended (44). Fabianski saved from Pedersen and Hoilett, but Blackburn continuously challenged Arsenal’s keeper with high balls, and Samba headed the winner from a corner (68). While it was a frustrating afternoon for Wenger, who had his normal problems in coming to terms with the refereeing decisions, the win lifts Blackburn from 13th to 10th in the table.
Fulham v Stoke - 0:1 - Not an exciting match throughout, and Etherington's fine strike was one of few Stoke shots on target (83). As a result Stoke overtake Fulham, moving into the top half of the table. Hodgson (on his side's injury problems) - ‘We think one of Damien Duff's muscles was cramping up. That was a blow of course. We hope it's not too serious. I hope he'll be fit for the final. The medical staff don't think it's a muscle tear or anything like that. Bobby Zamora stands a chance of making it but he's not making vast amounts of progress on a daily basis so it could be touch and go. It's very disappointing to lose, especially seeing as the evidence showed it was handball which deflected the ball over for the goal.’ Pulis (on Stoke beating last season's points total) - ‘We're only the second club to have beaten their points tally in their second season, so so much for second-season syndrome. That's a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club. We got beaten 7-0 at Chelsea two games ago and we have played a top team in Everton and we have won here tonight. We have had two clean sheets now so that shows our spirit of togetherness. Roy picked his best side tonight but we showed great resilience and spirit. I think it's been a great response from the players.’
Manchester City v Spurs - 0:1 - What can one say? As a Spurs supporter Your Ear has generally been happy if, over the past few seasons, Spurs finished higher than Newcastle. Then The Magpies were relegated (good job Spurs finished higher than them last year) and Your Ear had to look for another candidate. This season Man City filled the spot and Your Ear is delighted, from a number of standpoints, that Spurs have now vanquished City, at the same time ensuring Champions’ League football at White Hart Lane next season. Deep, deep joy. As for the match - In brief, City were the more dangerous in the goal-less first half but Spurs were clearly the better side in the second half and Crouch squandered a few chances before he finally headed the winner late in the game (82). The result is a very ‘appy, ‘Arry whilst Mancini left the field to stony owners’ faces. Could Hughes have done as well? Who knows (and many would say, who cares?) but Your Ear thinks that the squad Mancini inherited has a lot to do with it. A big summer clear-out is now forecast. Meanwhile St Hal needs only tweak his side a little here and there to push for greater glory next year (if he buys Berbatov back from United, at a reduced price, of course, you read it here first). On the other had Adebayor is unlikely to return to Arsenal, despite the fans (all two of them) who want him back.
The Ear - all the news that's fit to spout.
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