The pundits say that it is going to be the closest season ever with anything up to seven clubs in the frame fpr top three in the Premier League. And all the talent bought in the summer...
Sorry - but it is same old, same old. Chelsea's demolition of West Brom with top scorer Drogba bagging a hat-trick and Manchester Utd's cruise past Newcastle through a brilliant display from Paul Scholes, who set up teammate Ryan Giggs for the third, show the top two are still the teams to beat.
Arsenal's draw at Anfield without star midfielder Fabregas suggests they will be one of the teams who can possibly challenge; Liverpool on the other hand were less than convincing.
Both Manchester City and Tottenham could have got the win but have a long way to go to mount a serious challenge despite substantial spending - Spurs may find their first venture into the Champions League an additional stretch. Martin O'Neill's departure from Aston Villa also puts a questionmark over Villa's challenge - especially if they entertain the services of a certain Swede.
The only surprise was Blackpool's brilliant 4-0 thrashing of Wigan away from home - it could have been double that! Wigan's Martinez suddenly finds himself in the managerial chair nearest the door...
Monday 16 August 2010
Friday 2 July 2010
Golden Boot chase hots up
The race for the World Cup top goalscorer hotted up with Wesly Sneijder getting into the top group. Watch for the Uruguayans to make a move this evening.
Here's the table:
Here's the table:
- Higuain (Argentina) 4
- Villa (Spain) 4
- Vittek (Slovakia) 4
- Gyan (Ghana) 3
- Muller (Germany) 3
- Sneijder (Netherlands) 3
- Suarez (Uruguay) 3
Thursday 24 June 2010
More like opera from Italy
Italy are out, losing 3-2 - Slovakia giving them a lesson on finishing with the winner being scored by debutant Kamil Kopunek with his first touch of the ball.
Latest disgraceful bit of playacting is Italy's Fabio Quagliarella who, following his side's goal, then went in and mugged the Slovak goalkeeper. When a defender moved in to protect Jan Mucha, Quagliarella fell poleaxed clutching his face - I saw nothing near his face. Still, the linesman then disallowed a Quagliarella goal, so what goes around come around...
Latest disgraceful bit of playacting is Italy's Fabio Quagliarella who, following his side's goal, then went in and mugged the Slovak goalkeeper. When a defender moved in to protect Jan Mucha, Quagliarella fell poleaxed clutching his face - I saw nothing near his face. Still, the linesman then disallowed a Quagliarella goal, so what goes around come around...
Monday 21 June 2010
Name and shame the play-actors
You are always going to get a bit of injustice in the football. But the thing that needs stamping out is the shameful play-acting that's been going on.
So, I say name and shame them. First up in the match against Chile was Steve von Bergen of Switzerland, who was pushed in the upper chest and went down clutching his face. Chile's Gary Medel deserved a yellow for pushing him but could have got sent off - especially with the ridiculous card-happy Saudi referee.
Kaka's red card was ludicrous in Brazil's game against Ivory Coast, after shameful play-acting from Kader Keita, who was responsbile for the whole incident by barging into the Brazilian. I trust Fifa will take action.
On a lighter note, it's great to see a European team play some flowing football and stamp their authority on the competititon - Portugal's 7-0 demolition of North Korea was impressive.
So, I say name and shame them. First up in the match against Chile was Steve von Bergen of Switzerland, who was pushed in the upper chest and went down clutching his face. Chile's Gary Medel deserved a yellow for pushing him but could have got sent off - especially with the ridiculous card-happy Saudi referee.
Kaka's red card was ludicrous in Brazil's game against Ivory Coast, after shameful play-acting from Kader Keita, who was responsbile for the whole incident by barging into the Brazilian. I trust Fifa will take action.
On a lighter note, it's great to see a European team play some flowing football and stamp their authority on the competititon - Portugal's 7-0 demolition of North Korea was impressive.
Sunday 20 June 2010
French crisis deepens
If you thought things were going bad for England, then take a look at the latest from the French camp.
Hot on the heels of Nicholas Anelka being sent home by coach Raymond Domenech after a dressing room bust-up, the team refused to continue training today after another heated discussion, this time between fitness coach Robert Duverne and Domenech.
To add to the disarray, team director Jean-Louis Valentin then resigned from the French football federation.
Hot on the heels of Nicholas Anelka being sent home by coach Raymond Domenech after a dressing room bust-up, the team refused to continue training today after another heated discussion, this time between fitness coach Robert Duverne and Domenech.
To add to the disarray, team director Jean-Louis Valentin then resigned from the French football federation.
European underachievers
It's the last chance saloon for a number of underachievers at this World Cup. The European teams, in particular, are the ones who have found the tournament rather more difficult than the on-paper predictions suggested.
France's involvement hangs by a thread after a draw and a loss, their destiny reliant on them beating South Africa by multiple goals and a Uruguayan win over the Mexicans in the final games. England and Germany still control their destinies but both were shaken by poor results and will have to lift themselves with wins over Slovenia and Ghana respectively to continue.
Greece improved their chances by beating Nigeria but face group favourites Argentina in their final match. Italy play their second game today against New Zealand and will hope for better than the 0-0 draw they registered in their first match against Paraguay.
Monday is crunch day for both Portugal and Spain, the former must best North Korea to have any chance of qualifying for the latter stages in their "group of death" while Spain's shock loss to Switzerland must be quickly forgotten as they take on Honduras.
France's involvement hangs by a thread after a draw and a loss, their destiny reliant on them beating South Africa by multiple goals and a Uruguayan win over the Mexicans in the final games. England and Germany still control their destinies but both were shaken by poor results and will have to lift themselves with wins over Slovenia and Ghana respectively to continue.
Greece improved their chances by beating Nigeria but face group favourites Argentina in their final match. Italy play their second game today against New Zealand and will hope for better than the 0-0 draw they registered in their first match against Paraguay.
Monday is crunch day for both Portugal and Spain, the former must best North Korea to have any chance of qualifying for the latter stages in their "group of death" while Spain's shock loss to Switzerland must be quickly forgotten as they take on Honduras.
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Forlan stars as hosts falter
With the first round of World Cup matches nw complete, who has shone in the South African sun?
For me, most impressive has been Diego Forlan. He ran the show in the first game for Uruguay and then topped that with a super show against the hosts, scoring two goals.
In other games, Robinho was instrumental in Brazil's win, Carlos Tevez outshone teammate Lionel Messi for Argentina, Mesut Ozil was the force behind Germany's 4-0 drubbing of Australia together with a good showing from Thomas Muller. Wesley Sneijder provided the guile and the work-rate for Netherlands 2-0 victory and Steven Gerrard had a rare good game for England.
For me, most impressive has been Diego Forlan. He ran the show in the first game for Uruguay and then topped that with a super show against the hosts, scoring two goals.
In other games, Robinho was instrumental in Brazil's win, Carlos Tevez outshone teammate Lionel Messi for Argentina, Mesut Ozil was the force behind Germany's 4-0 drubbing of Australia together with a good showing from Thomas Muller. Wesley Sneijder provided the guile and the work-rate for Netherlands 2-0 victory and Steven Gerrard had a rare good game for England.
Swiss shock Spain
It's something when the tournament favourites get mugged 1-0 by a team that they would have expected to best. A scrambled goal by Fernandes plus resolute defending from a defensive Swiss side was enough to take them past a Spanish team packed full of world-class players.
Even new talent Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres, thrown on in the second half by coach Vicente del Bosque, couldn't make a difference, Torres looking only about 70 per cent fit, struggling with pace and control.
Also today, Chile were less than convincing with their 1-0 defeat of Honduras, so it would appear that it's all to play for in Group H.
Even new talent Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres, thrown on in the second half by coach Vicente del Bosque, couldn't make a difference, Torres looking only about 70 per cent fit, struggling with pace and control.
Also today, Chile were less than convincing with their 1-0 defeat of Honduras, so it would appear that it's all to play for in Group H.
Monday 14 June 2010
Far East shines as Africans disappoint
The Asian teams are showing the African sides what tournament football is all about. First it was South Korea giving the Greeks a lesson; today it was Japan, who looked comfortable against a disappointing Cameroon.
The other African teams, with the exception of Ghana, have fared little better, hosts South Africa hauled back by an unimpressive Mexican team, Nigeria limiting Argentina to a single goal and Algeria toothless against Slovenia.
Tomorrow it will be the turn of North Korea who have a mammoth task of stopping Brazil; similarly, Ivory Coast will find Portugal a stern opening test - but funny things happen in the World Cup, especially with that ball!
The other African teams, with the exception of Ghana, have fared little better, hosts South Africa hauled back by an unimpressive Mexican team, Nigeria limiting Argentina to a single goal and Algeria toothless against Slovenia.
Tomorrow it will be the turn of North Korea who have a mammoth task of stopping Brazil; similarly, Ivory Coast will find Portugal a stern opening test - but funny things happen in the World Cup, especially with that ball!
Saturday 12 June 2010
Ones to watch at the World Cup
With the opening salvos fired at the 2010 World Cup, here is my Top 5 players expected to make an impact at the tournament and whom the world's top clubs will be looking out for:
Jesus Navas (Spain) - A winger who can play on either side of the park but will need his coach to give him game time.
Simon Kjaer (Denmark) - A centre back who plys his trade with Italian side Palermo. He just needs the rest of his team to keep him in the competition long enough to attract interest
Mesut Ozil (Germany) - Left-footed midfielder of Turkish descent who has brought creativity to his national side
Marek Hamsik (Slovakia) - A midfielder who loves to score goals and who finished as his club side's (Napoli) top scorer two seasons running
Angel di María (Argentina) - A winger who operates on the left-hand side, Di Maria has attracted much interest since signing for Benfica
Jesus Navas (Spain) - A winger who can play on either side of the park but will need his coach to give him game time.
Simon Kjaer (Denmark) - A centre back who plys his trade with Italian side Palermo. He just needs the rest of his team to keep him in the competition long enough to attract interest
Mesut Ozil (Germany) - Left-footed midfielder of Turkish descent who has brought creativity to his national side
Marek Hamsik (Slovakia) - A midfielder who loves to score goals and who finished as his club side's (Napoli) top scorer two seasons running
Angel di María (Argentina) - A winger who operates on the left-hand side, Di Maria has attracted much interest since signing for Benfica
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
