Liverpool Vs Man City

Martin Skrtel giveth and Martin Skrtel taketh away

Hands on head -  Skrtel went from hero to zero as a misplaced back pass resulted in Manchester City earning an undeserved point at Anfield. 

Written by Yani Ourad

Liverpool were on course to winning their first home league game of the season, before Martin Skrtel’s only error of the game gave Carlos Tevez his 100th goal in Premier League football, guaranteeing Man City claimed a fortunate point at Anfield.

Liverpool started off the better with 17-year old Raheem Sterling – chosen ahead of £20 million England international Stewart Downing – causing problems for Kolo Toure with his skilful movements on the right flank, before crossing the ball for new signing Borini to head narrowly wide. However, Man City immediately responded via Carlos Tevez, who almost scored from an acute angle after Reina could only parry his shot onto the post and back to safety.

Sterling vs Sterling -  Raheem Sterling was a constant threat to the wealthy giants in blue

End to end stuff for the fans and the Kop end was roaring as Liverpool mounted more pressure on City, this time Gerrard’s pinpoint cross nearly causing an own goal by Belgium international Kompany. Who will break the deadlock? Thirty-four minutes in and finally Rodger’s team found their breakthrough with Skrtel the goalscorer. The Slovakian defender pushed his way past Zabaleta to powerfully header home. Cue jubilant celebrations. Liverpool carried their momentum forward and they nearly doubled their lead after Suarez fumbled his shot wide from a cleverly disguised pass by new-signing Joe Allen.

Half time came, leaving Mancini food for thought as his boys looked as though they had no desire to win this game as statistics proved City had only 2 shots in the first half, no indication of their 93 goal haul last season. Brendan Rodgers however, had plenty to smile about following his team’s impressive first-half display as his £15 million signing Joe Allen, made 24 passes with a 100% completion rate showing signs that Rodgers’ philosophy that he has brought to Liverpool is taking effect.

Liverpool started the second half as they did the first, tormenting City’s defence, proving unbearable for Kolo Toure whose mistake was latched on to by Fabio Borini to thread the ball through to teammate Suarez to waste yet another opportunity, frustrating not just the supporters and his manager, but himself. Soon however, the game drastically changed and City punished Liverpool for their wasteful chances, as so often seen last season, as Yaya Toure drew City level from poor control, 2 yards from the goal line, by Martin Kelly, making the game more exhilarating for the neutrals.

ThankYa very much-  Kelly fails to clear the ball as Toure pounces to equalise

Three minutes later, Jack Rodwell handled Gerrard’s effort on goal resulting in a free kick, 25-yards out. Up stepped Suarez to beautifully curl the ball round the wall to duly give Liverpool a deservedly lead for the second time. Let’s hope Liverpool could hang on to their lead this time. Realising his team are on the verge of their first loss of the season, Mancini, made his last substitution of the game in attempt to galvanise his team with David Silva coming on for James Milner. Nonetheless, Liverpool stayed resilient with 52% possession in their favour, much to the annoyance of City fans as time was ticking fast.

'Why are we standing here?' - Suarez curls a classy freekick past an odd looking wall

Just as Liverpool looked comfortable, Skrtel went from hero to zero after he gifted Tevez the ball, from a calamitous back pass, for only the Argentinean to make it a century of goals in English football. Liverpool fans devastated, after two amateur mistakes by their defenders meant that

Liverpool had to settle for a draw instead which, come the end of the season, could be two vital points lost? Mancini on the other hand, will be thankful his team came away with a point at least; as his team managed to avoid defeat by drawing upon the fortune, rather than the performance, of champions.

                     Mancini looks on as his team fail to accomplish 3 points at Anfield

Although Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed at missing out on all three points, The Reds are starting to show signs of quality from their players with an impressive performance by both Raheem Sterling and Joe Allen, who duly deserved his man of the match performance as he pulled all the strings in midfield.

As for Man City, luck won’t always be on their side.

Manchester United vs Fulham Review

BRAVE FULHAM GO FOR GOLD BUT END UP TAKING DA SILVA 

New boys Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa both score on home debuts to Rain on Fulham’s parade, inflicting them with an ‘undeserved’ defeat

Written by  Stavros Constantinou

If Manchester United ever had a bogey team it would certainly be Fulham and based on their performance on Saturday, you can tell why.  Fulham took the lead within 3 minutes at Old Trafford with a clever free kick on the edge of the box.  Damien Duff ran onto a ball assisted by Bryan Ruiz to calmly slot passed David De Gea at his near post. 

The early goal was very much a ‘wake up call’ for United as they equalised 7 minutes later with a piece of nonchalant brilliance by Robin Van Persie. If you think the Vesuvius was loud you should have heard Old Trafford erupt!  The technique and execution shows just why united paid £24m for the 29 year old, silencing any critics who claim he would not be as prolific at United as he was at Arsenal.  United later made it 2-1 with a simple tap in by Kagawa as Schwarzer spilled a long range shot by Tom Cleverly. 

Welcoming present - Van Persie curls in a classic half volley to the delight of the Utd fans

Rampant Rafael! Full back or striker? Based on his performance on the weekend, he can play everywhere; he was simply nothing less than fantastic. His efforts were then rewarded with the 3rd United goal in their 3-2 victory over Fulham after heading in at the back post from a cross by Ashley Young. Sir Alex Ferguson will be very excited to have him back as his game had look to have matured and developed after returning from injury.  

Superman stances? - Petric pressure results in clumsy Vidic own goal

David De Gea: United’s Jackal and Hyde! At 3-1 United looked to be cruising but in a moment of pure nonsense and confusion, Fulham find themselves right back in the game which at the time looked unlikely. De Gea was found picking the ball out his own net for the second time in the game after he and Nemanja Vidic had got in each other’s way after being put under great pressure by Petric, epitomizing United’s defensive frailties. United in the second half were very much up against it as Fulham unleashed an onslaught of attacks forcing De Gea into action once again, saving from a long range attempt from Dembele which was safely tipped over the bar. The Bombardment continued as Fulham hurled the ball into the box and had a header saved once again from De Gea  as Ruiz connected with a cross from Dembele, luckily it was right at the keeper and proved to be a clear cut save in the end. United characteristically held on and walked away with all the points which in football, regardless of how well you play is the main objective.  

Wayne Rooney looked to have suffered a very bad gash on his right thigh after it had looked like Hugo Rodallega had accidently landed on him. Hopefully not much damage has been done but the injury means that Rooney will be out of action for up to 4 weeks, however with United’s striking options and with Van Persie proving that form is temporary but class is permanent you would think that United will have no problems but who knows?

Rooney blow - Rooney desperately holds leg after a collision with Rodallega 

Based on United’s first two performances do they look like winning the title back? No!... it is early days yet and with the new boys Kagawa and Van Persie who have evidently looked to have found their feet and comfort in the team , Sir Alex will not be worried.  It is not how you start the season but how you finish it and United will want to reclaim 1st place and take the gold.

Chelsea Vs Newcastle Review

Chelsea contentions clear as Newcastle are brushed aside

Rain no Hazard- Eden Hazard tucks his spot kick away after Torres is brought down by Anita.

Written by Aodhan Kinsella

Two first half goals from Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres moved Chelsea back to the top of the table this evening.

The fixture was a tough one to predict for all pundits, but after watching the game pundits will feel very foolish to have doubted a Chelsea victory against Pardew's Newcastle. Although the second half lacked the excitement of the first, Di Matteo has many positives to take out of the game.

Having been Chelsea's most productive player in the first two games of the season, Hazard was eager to impress in his debut at the Bridge, and didn't he indeed. Hazard showed why the 35 million pounds Chelsea paid for him will not be wasted. The elegant touches, the awareness,  the balance and the composure he has whilst on the ball is extraordinary. For such a young professional, it seems that Hazard has already established himself as a wonderful play maker. Make no mistake; the Premier League is the best league in the world, and the most challenging for any professional. For Hazard to walk in to Chelsea's first team from Ligue 1 is again breathtaking to see, to see the Belgium read the game with ease. The bonus with such a talent like Hazard is that his performances can enhance other Chelsea players around him. Fernando Torres who has looked admirably hungry since his arrival is now building with more and more confidence game after game. Evident to the build up for Chelsea's first goal, Torres urged past Santon into the penalty area and brought an unnecessary foul from Anita to leave Phil Dowd with no choice but to award a penalty kick. Apart from the departed Drogba and the veteran Lampard, no other players have tucked penalties away in a live game for Chelsea for quite some time, Hazard changed that statistic with a determined finish into the left side netting. 

It's working -Torres shows appreciation playing among side the Belgium star 

As Chelsea proceeded to dominate it wasn't long until the game would see it's second goal through Fernando Torres. Having been angered from receiving a booking minutes before, it looked as if Torres was having everything against him, but the Spaniard generated the anger and aggression into productivity. Having spotted Hazard moving ahead of him, Torres linked up with the youngster to receive a perfect ball on the edge of the box awaiting an outside of the boot curler from Torres into the top corner of the net. Even the promising Krul looked in hopelessness of the fine finish from Fernando. 

Newcastle, who 48 hours earlier were in Athens for Europa League football, seemed  to lack energy in the game. Their best hope was through the highly rated Hatem Ben Arfa, who always looked to take a man on and make something happen. However, having Pardew channel Arfa down the right wing it was always going to be difficult for the Frenchman to play against two left sided defenders; Bertrand as left wing today and of course Ashley Cole. Personally i feel that Ben Arfa would relish at the chance of having a free role behind Ba and Cisse to attack and torment  opposition defenses, because players like Arfa were not designed to be back defending.  

Tough tight week leaves Toon tired -  Pardew upset with lack of rest for his players 

As Chelsea looked to slow the tempo and see out the game, Newcastle pushed for a goal to change the balance of things, but they failed to finish critical chances. The best chance fell to Demba Ba who uncharacteristically missed a clear open chance in the box as he passed the ball into Cech's hands.

Newcastle will be frustrated to have not been able to take any of their chances, but will feel that they were second best to a very promising Chelsea team tonight.

Di Matteo will be very pleased with his team sealing another a third successive victory early on this season, and other team's should make no mistake that this Chelsea side is competing for the title. Having being able to build on a side that now hold the Champions League trophy, Di Matteo now has a squad that can compete for all trophies this year. Breezing past a challenging side like Newcastle with players like Terry,Lampard and Oscar not playing shows that the Chelsea side is now forming a squad whom which all players compete for places, this can only mean positive things for all people around Chelsea. 

Have any thoughts on the game? Express your feelings in the comments. 

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