Sunday Wrap Up February 10, 2008

City shows class in the stands and on the pitch. It’s ironic that the match that paid tribute to the great Busby Babes that perished 50 years ago in Munich, could be the match that handed the Premiership title to Arsenal. The build up for this match was too much in my opinion. You can’t sustain that much emotion for two weeks it’s draining. United had their chances throughout the match as Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez were all left wanting as their efforts failed to find the net. Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra were both suspended for this game, and I think Rooney especially was missed. Tevez put in a solid performance up front, but he needed a strike partner to open things up. Klaas Jan Huntelaar would have been a good signing Sir Alex. Just a thought.

City deserved their victory and I salute them. Micah Richards led the back line in a stalwart defense that gave the hosts all they could handle. Darius Vassell pounced on a ball that had ricocheted off of Edwin Van Der Sar twice and made the Dutchman sorry by burying it in the net 25 minutes into the match. New man Benjani Mwaruwari paid off  twenty minutes later with a flicked header that was just placed perfectly. Michael Carrick saved a little pride with his stoppage time strike, though this day was City’s. Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City.

Kudos to the supporters on both sides who showed that they had more class than many (even their own clubs) didn’t give them credit for.

  

         

Defense rules Stamford Bridge. Any match between Chelsea and Liverpool is always filled with the potential to be a classic. Not this time. While there were some good chances for both sides the majority of the match was sloppy and unimaginative. Ricardo Carvalho showed why he is one the best defenders in the league by using his unflappable style to great effect. The Blues lacked the killer instinct and although Nicolas Anelka was able to slip free in the box a few times, he just didn’t show the danger that he is known for.

Steven Gerrard got himself in the positions in which he is usually most effective. He just never really did much with the ball. He wasn’t to blame for the lack of inspiration in today’s game, as the Liverpool front line were as useless as a hat-rack today. The Reds will have to consider themselves lucky if they pull out a Champions League spot at seasons end if they continue to play like they did today. Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool.

                            

                           

Saturday Wrap Up February 9, 2008

With twelve weeks left in the Premiership season things are going to get dicey for those in the Relegation Race. Every match is another step closer to making the rounds of the Championship grounds next season. Let’s look at the results from those lurking at the bottom of the table.

Spurs cruise at Pride Park. Paul Jewell tried his best to help the Rams avoid the drop in January when he brought in a seasoned group to help shore up all areas of their game (see January 10th posting). Even with the new arrivals Derby have only 9 points in 26 matches this season. Tottenham didn’t give the home side a chance to move off of the bottom of the League. The first half held some opportunities for Derby as they hassled the Spurs enough to provide some chances for themselves. Giles Barnes came close a couple of times and could have given Jewell his first win since taking the helm.

The second half saw Juande Ramos adjusting early to counter a very game Rams attack and was rewarded by Robbie Keane’s 68th minute cleanup of a Roy Carroll rebound. Younes Kaboul and Dimitar Berbatov drove the point home with late goals for the visitors. Jewell has to be proud of the effort put forth by the lads today. I am concerned for his ability to hold onto players like Barnes and Kenny Miller when they go down. Tottenham 3-0 Derby County.

Fulham falls at the Riverside. Gareth Southgate trotted out new signing Afonso Alves early in the second half, but Boro’s record signing was overshadowed by Jeremie Aliadiere’s early goal. The Teesiders three points gave them a little room for themselves from the drop zone while the Cottagers supporters are already getting the train schedule for Hull City pinned to the fridge. The early goal put Fulham on their back foot for much of the game until Clint Dempsey and Leon Andreasen gave the home supporters a couple of moments on edge. In the end Roy Hodgson might be available for Finland again this summer. Middlesbrough 1-0 Fulham.

Toffees unimpressive at Goodison. Everton looked like anything but a Champions League hopeful as they downed a scrappy Reading side through Phil Jagielka’s header in the 62nd. David Moyes’ boys had some unbelievable chances to put the wood to the Royals, they just couldn’t find the net. What happened to Andy Johnson by they way? The man will run all day and his tenacity is unquestionable, BUT when the keeper is out of the goal and nothing is stopping you how can you miss that badly???? In the end Everton did just enough to pull this game out, Reading should have probably gotten a draw though.

Stephan Hunt could have given the Royals a very early lead with a 25 yard free kick that gave Everton keeper Tim Howard fits. Nicky Shorey also had a good opportunity to get the visitors ahead when he found David Kitson for a header that sailed over the bar. Steve Coppell likes an ugly match and this one was ugleee. Everton 1-0 Reading.

Elsewhere: Sunderland helped their cause as they dumped Wigan Athletic at the Stadium of Light 2-0. Bolton couldn’t find the net at the Reebok, but Portsmouth did 0-1. West Ham hosted Birmingham City to a draw 1-1. Aston Villa watched Michael Owen put Newcastle ahead, then thumped the travelling Toon 4-1.