Boxing Day Results December 26, 2007

 Classic Clash at Stamford Bridge. Whether you are a fan of either of these teams or not, you had to appreciate the match that they put on. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young started in on Chelsea early with blistering pace and great crosses in the box. John Carew’s size and strength in front made things dicey for the Blue’s back four. Two goals by Shaun Maloney gave the travelling fans reason to hope for the double over the London giants. Then Phil Dowd sent off Zat Knight after Michael Ballack put in his nomination for an Oscar with one of the most obvious dives I’ve seen in awhile. Andriy Shevchenko converted Dowd’s gift to cut the lead in half at the end of the first half. Shevchenko tied the match in the 50th minute with a beautiful strike from outside of the box. Alex and Martin Laursen traded goals to keep everyone on the edge of their seats at 3-3. The Chelsea faithful were chilling the bubbly when Ballack slipped a free kick into the Villa goal with two minutes to go in the game. But Ashley Cole was able to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory as he handled the ball on his own line giving Villa an opportunity to get a well deserved point from the penalty spot. Gareth Barry converted to finish off the match. The Villans played a fabulous game, and I think that Martin O’Neill has a side that has shown that they can make a run at the title next season. Chelsea 4-4 Aston Villa.

 

Roy sees red at Stadium of Light. His team held Manchester United to one goal earlier this year. Roy Keane would probably have given anything for that result today. But, Sir Alex had a different idea as Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo scored first half goals to put this match to bed early. Ross Wallace gave the Black Cats their only real chance of the first half only to watch Tomasz Kuszczak tip the ball away. Keane put out a more defensive formation in the second half to try and staunch the bleeding, but it was very clear that United could score when they wanted to. And when Danny Collins brought down Nani in the box Saha sunk the shot into the net and drove the stake deeper into the Sunderland heart. Manchester United moved into 1st position while Sunderland dropped to 19th. Sunderland 0-4 Manchester United.

                                     

Gunners fumble at Fratton Park. Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal knew what they had to do before kickoff. Unfortunately for them so did Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth. Pompey had been embarrassed on the weekend by Liverpool and this was their chance to show that they were not that bad. Sol Campbell dug his heels in and led his defenders to a display of defense that kept his former team off of the scoreboard. David James was called into action occasionally and he showed why many are calling for him to be recalled for the national side. Tomas Rosicky challenged James with a shot to the top right of the frame only to see the Pompey keeper save with a leaping catch. Portsmouth had their chances to win, but at the end of the game they resolutely held on to their point under a desperate attack by Arsenal. Portsmouth 0-0 Arsenal.

 

Derby show heart of a lion. The Rams had looked like a Conference side the first time these teams met. Not today. After giving up a goal to Fernando Torres, Derby hardened up and played like a team that had new found confidence. Jay McEveley levelled for Paul Jewell’s boys in the 67th minute and Pride Park went crazy. The Reds had chances to salt away a go ahead goal, however some manic defending and some great saves by the rookie keeper Lewis Price. Steven Gerrard started and finished the attack that finally broke the home fans’ hearts in the 90th minute. I’ve never bought into the Gerrard mystique as he has a habit of not showing up for big games for club and country more often than when he comes up big. Derby can walk tall after this game. They showed that they just may belong on the same field as the big boys. Derby County 1-2 Liverpool.

                                        

Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 Fulham; West Ham 1-1 Reading; Birmingham 3-0 Middlesbrough; Everton 2-0 Bolton; Wigan 1-0 Newcastle