ROUND UP OF EPL WEEK 9

At the start of week 9 matches , West Ham took on Manchester City in a game were many expected Manchester City to pick up 3 points , but Sam Allaydce had other plans for the champions. In the first half Amalfitano got the opening goal in the 21^st minute , the other goals came in the75th minute through Sakho to give the host the cushion they needed. Man City’s consolation came in real quick in the  76^th minute   through Silva’s individual effort. Manchester City there on mounted pressure on West Ham but it was to no avail , as the game ended 2-1 in favor of the Hammers.

                                          SAKHO CELEBRATES WITH A DASH

Next of was a goalless draw between Liverpool and Hull City , Liverpool however were coming from a heavy defeat during Mid week in the Champions league. A win would have been a real moral booster at Merseyside but things didn’t go as planned for the men in Red. Hull City on the other hand played well and deserved the points the got out of the game it was rather disappointing on the path of Liverpool.

                                             BALOTELLI FRUSTRATED 

Southampton also took on Stoke City , and the Saints kept on the high spirit as they came away with three points at Home. The only goal of the game came through Mane in the 33^rd minute , Stoke City on the other hand were poor on the day and really couldn’t create enough chances.

                                           MANE CELEBRATES HIS GOAL

Arsenal on the other hand ended their draw streak with a win over Sunderland , Arsenal scored two goals in the game with all of these goals coming in each half.In the first 45 Sanchez got the opener in the 30^th minute , he later got his second in the 90^th minute after a defensive error on the  path of the Black Cats.

                                               SANCHEZ CELEBRATES BRACE

Next of West Bromich Albion faced Crystal Palace in a 4 goal thriller  with two goals coming in every half.

Hangeland  got the opener in the 16^th minute for the visitors and later Jedinak took the tally to two goals in the 45^th minute with a penalty kick.  At the start of the second half Anichebe got a goal for the home side in the 51^st minute , Berahino then scored the equalizer from the penalty spot to ensure West Brom shared the points a piece.

                                             BERAHINO PENALTY SECURES A POINT

Swansea City took on Leicester City and picked up three points which they so dearly needed after a poor  run of matches. Bony got all two goals for the Swans in the 34^th minute and  54^th minute , this took him on an overall of 20 goals level with Michu as Swansea’s all time top scorer in the Premiership.

                                               BONY SET FOR HALL OF FAME

  

On Sunday Tottenham took on Newcastle , it was a game many expected Spurs to run away with the three points but were handed a shocking 1-2 defeat by Pardew’s men.  Adebayor got the opening goal with a sweet header in the 18^th minute. At the start of the second half Ameobi got the equalizer for Newcastle in the 46^th minute , later Perez got the winner in the 58^th minute to help take Newcastle out of the relegation zone.

                                                   PEREZ GETS THE WINNER

Later on Burnley hosted Everton who were coming of a win from last weeks matches , Martinez men were finally getting some wins and it continued for them as they put three pass Burnley. Eto got the visitors underway in the 4^th minute  later Burnley got their equalizer through Ings in the 20^th minute. Lukaku later put the visitors infront again in the 29^th minute. In the second half Eto gave Everton the final cushion the needed in the 86^th minute thus putting the game beyond reach.

                                              ETO'O CELEBRATES WITH TEAMMATES

 

Finally Manchester United took on Chelsea at Old Trafford, as the Master came face to face with his apprentice for the first time this season. The first half ended goalless as both teams were really well organized at the back and in attack , closes chances in the first 45 came from Van Persie and Drogba both testing their keepers.

                                                KING DROGBA IS BACK

In the second half however the King Drogba opened the score sheet with header from a corner in the 53^rd minute  , Man United pulled back in the 90^th  minute as Di Maria’s free kick was parried away by Courtois which fell for Fellaini who made things easier for Van Persie to fire home. 

                                             VAN PERSIE GOES ECSTATIC


On Monday night Queens Park Rangers took on Aston Villa in a game that  proved crucial to both teams.Queens park Rangers bounced back after their disappointing loss to Liverpool and  made away with all three points , two goals from Charlie Austin in the 17th minute and the 69th minute helped power his club to victory and move them from the bottom of the league.
Aston Villa on the other hand tasted their fifth straight defeat this season and things have really taking a different turn for Villa as they now hover two points above relegation zone.

                                             AUSTIN SECURES  VITAL VICTORY

ROUND UP OF UCL GROUP STAGE WEEK 3

Group A

Olympiacos vs. Juventus 1-0

Only one goal from Kasami 36^th minute was enough to get three points in the bag for the Greeks. Roberto however kept Olympiacos at bay after he forced Morata’s header to the bar. This means Olympiacos go top with Athletico in

Athletico Madrid vs. Malmo 5-0

Athletico continued their fine form by beating Malmo five goals to nil. Koke opened the game with his goal in the 48^th minute  and  in the second half Mandzukic  scored in the 61^st minute followed by Greizmman’s goal in the 63^rd minute . Godin also took the tally to  four in the 87^th minute. Cerci later made it five in injury time. 

Group B

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid 0-3

Liverpool hosted Real Madrid at Anfield  a ground were Ronaldo has never scored , and they were also looking get a win against Liverpool , something they haven’t done in along time. Liverpool’s defence frailities were exposed after Ronaldo scored in the 23^rd minute to silence Anfield . Later on Liverpool allowed in easy goals as Benzema scored a brace the first from a poorly defended corner and a sweety lob header to put the game to rest. By second half Madrid had taking their feet of the pedal as they substituted players ahead of the El – Classico , it was that obvious that Liverpool weren’t going to be a threat to them. Now Madrid sit pretty on top of the Group B with six points and a great start to their title defense.

Ludagorets vs. Basel 1-0

The only goal of the game came in  injury time when Minev scored. Basel however played 72 minutes with ten men after Serey Die received a red early in the game. This meant Ludogorets became the first Bulgarian team to earn points in the Champions League. This takes them on level points with Liverpool and Basel in Group B.

Group C
Bayern Leverkusen vs. Zenit Saint Petersburg 2-0

Leverkusen beat Zenit at home to ensure they keep their hopes alive in qualifying to the next stage. Donati opened the game in the 58^th minute and Papadopoulas scored in the 63^rd minute to put the game to bed. Leverkusen now top Group C with 2 straight home wins and could be well into the next stage.

Monaco Vs Benefica 0-0

Monaco dropped to second after the draw against Benefica. Danijel Subasic kept Benefica at bay with four saves to Arthurs one save for Monaco. This showed Benefica were more of a threat than Monaco after creating more chances in the game. Whiles Lucas Ocampos missed on open goal for the host earlier on in the game.

Group D

Galatasary vs. Dortmund 0-4

Galatasary lost at home to Dortmund who seem to be in fine Champions League form other than how they are fairing in the Bundasliga. In the first half Aubameyang  scored the first goal in the 6^th minute and his second in the 18^th minute. Later Reus scored in the 41^st minute with a long range chip to take the tally to three , finally Ramos put the game to bed when he scored in the 83^rd minute after coming of the bench. This ensured Dortmund maintained their 100% record.

Anderlecht vs. Arsenal 1-2

Wenger got a great birthday gift   after Arsenal managed to still three points from Anderlecht in the dying embers of the game.  Najar opened the game with his goal in the 71^st minute putting the host in front . In the 89^th minute when Anderlecht thought they would make away with three points , Gibbs pulled parry for Arsenal and finally Podolski scored in the 90^th minute to rescue three points for the gunners. This means Arsenal go second in Group D.

Group E

CSKA Moscow vs. Manchester City 2-2

Manchester City travelled to Russia to face Moscow , two goals were produced in each half of game. Aguero opened the game with a goal in the 29^th minute and Milner made it two to the visitors in the 38^th minute. At the start of the second half  Moscow pulled one back through Doumbia in the 65^th minute. Later Natcho got the equalizer with a penalty in the 86^th minute to put the host level leaving Moscow on 1 point and Manchester City on 2 points.

AS Roma vs. Bayern Munich 1-7

This game really didn’t go according to the scripts as many expected the game to be tough one it ended up being a blood bath. Robben opened the match with his goal in the 9^th minute and later Gotze made it two to the visitors in the 23^rd minute   Lewandoski followed with his in the 25^th minute , Robben also scored again to make it  three  in the 30^th minute. To make things more miserable for the Italian giants Muller scored a penalty in the 36^th minute.

At the start of the second half  Gervinho pulled one back in the 66^th minute but that didn’t stop Bayern from scoring as Ribery scored in the 78^th minute and Shaqiri scoring in the 80^th minute. The game ended 1-7 in favor of Bayern.  

Group F

Barcalona vs. Ajax 3-1

Barcalona hosted Ajax in a very entertaining game , 4 goals were produced in the game with two goals coming in each half. Neymar opened the game with his goal in the 7^th minute , later Messi made it two in the 24^th minute. At the start of the second half  Ajax mounted a lot of pressure and pulled one back in the 88^th minute , and from that point Barcalona were living on the edge of their seats since their key players were substituted early in the game. Finally new boy Ramirez put the game to bed with his goal in injury time.

APOEL vs. Paris –Saint Germain 0-1

This game produced only one goal which came late in the game in the 87^th minute through Cavani. It was APOEL’s first home defeat of the season even with their spirited display . PSG came out tops in possession with 62% but failed to break through early. Thanks to PSG influential defender David Luiz who made two goal line clearances in the second half to help PSG hold on to 3 points.

Group G

Schalke 04 vs Sporting 4-3

Sporting travelled to Schalke with the aim of causing an upset which they so nearly did. The game produced seven goals , Nani open the score with his goal in the 16^th minute , but his goal was cancelled in the 34^th minute to put the host level. At the start of the second half Huntelaar got the host infront in the 51^st minute with Howedes later making it three for the host in the 60^th minute.  Sporting however were quick with a responds in the 64^th minute  after Silva scored his penalty to ensure they still had a chance to ruin the party. Silva later leveled the visitors in the 78^th minute to put Schalke coach Di Matteo under pressure. Schalke were saved with a late penalty awarded and Choupo- Moting scored to ensure Schalke got maximum 3 points.

Chelsea vs. Maribor 6-0

Else were Chelsea took Maribor to school at Stamford Bridge in a six goal thriller. Remy opened the game with his goal in the 13^th minute  but later got injured in the processes forcing an early substitution for Mourinho’s side. Drogba also continued to increase his Champions League goals after converting a penalty in the 23^rd minute. Captain John Terry also got his goal in the 31^st minute . In the second half  things got worse as Viler scored an own goal in the 54th minute , Hazard later made it five in the 77^th  minute with a sweetly converted penalty and later put the game to bed in the 90^th minute.

Group H

BATE vs. Shakhtar Donetsk  0-7

BATE were completely white washed by Shakhtar  as the game was full of goals and was very one sided.

Teixeira opened the game with a goal in the 11^th minute  , later Adriano scored a penalty in the 28^th minute , Douglas Costa scored in the 35^th minute to make it three for the vistors. Adriano  continued with more goals scoring in the 36^th , 40^th , 44^th and  another penalty in the 82^nd  to complete his milestone . What a way to make history in the night of Champions League highest scoring week.

Porto FC. vs. Athletic Bilbao 2-1

Herrera opened the game in the 45^th minute putting the host in front. Athletic pulled one back in the 58^th minute through Fernandez bringing the visitors on level terms. In the 75^th minute Quaresma got the host infront again to finally put the game to bed and finish the hero for Porto FC.

ROUND UP OF EPL WEEK 8

After the international break most teams were replenished with fit players whiles others lot players due to injury. At the start of this weeks matches Tottenham travelled to face Manchester City , five goals were produced in that game with three coming in the first half and two in the second.

The opening goal came from Aguero in the 13^th minute to put City in the driving seat but his goal was short lived as Eriksen cancelled the lead in the 15^th minute. More drama was produced as Aguero scored from the spot in the 20^th minute and later missed a penalty in the 32^nd minute. During the second half more penalties were award put it seemed the keepers were poised for action, Soldado missed his penalty in the 62^nd minute and Fazio was given a straight red two minutes later.  Aguero stepped up to take the penalty and scored in the 68^th minute. Aguero finally got his fourth of the game  in the 75^th minute to put the game to bed. 4-1 the final score esuring Manchester City maintained the pressure on Chelsea.

                                                    FOUR FOR AGUERO

Next was Arsenal vs Hull City and Steve Bruce’s side were looking to cause an upset which they so nearly did. Four goals were produced in this game with two coming at each half. Arsenal humbly took the lead through Sanchez in the 13^th minute but his goal was cancelled by in form Diame in the 17^th minute.  At the start of the second half however Hernandez got Hull City in front in the 46^th minute , this was followed by some fine defensive work from Hull  City to hold onto the lead. 

                                              HERNANDEZ CELEBRATES LIKE BOLT

They would have got away with 3 points if it wasn’t for Arsenals new signing Danny Welbeck who got the equalizer on the stoke of injury time and had Arsenal fans punching their fits in the air.

Later in the day Everton took on Aston Villa , three goals were produced in that game. In the first half Jagielka opened the game with his goal in the 18^th minute. In the second half lukaku made it two to the host in the 48^th minute. Coleman then put the game to bed in the 76^th minute , it was 3 points in the bag for the Toffees an CoachMartinez was happy with his sides performance.

                                              LUKAKU CELEBRATES GOAL

Another week of premier league action meant another stressful week for Alan Pardew, but this time he didn’t make the front page because of management issues  with the club, he made it because he had finally recorded his first win of the season given the fans something to be happy about. Newcastle only goal of the game against Leicester City came in the 71^st minute from Obertan and it was a well deserved goal. Hopefully the team would get better as per Alan Pardew.

                                           OBERTAN AFFORDS A SMILE

What a week it was as the 2014/2015 season got another  high scoring game between Southampton and Sunderland. Eight goals were produced in that game but it was a one sided affair , three goals were scored in the first half and five more in the second half.

                                                 DEMOLISHING SQUAD

The game was opened with an own goal from Vergini in the 12^th minute , Pelle later got his goal in the 18^th minute. Cork later scored in the 37^th minute to give Southampton a resounding first half lead. In the second half Bridcutt conceded an own goal in the 63^rd minute , Pelle also got a brace in the 69^th minute , followed by Tadic in the 78^th minute , Wanyama in the 79^th minute and finally Mane in the 86^th minute to put Sunderland's misery to an end.

                                               PELLE HELPS ROUT SUNDERLAND

 Next Crystal Palace hosted Chelsea at Selhurst Park , the first goal of the game came in the 6^th minute through Oscar , it was the only goal of the first half.

At the start of the second half Fabregas scored  his first  goal of thew season in the 51^st minute after some well worked passing from his teammates Hazard and Oscar to put him through for an easy placement. Campbell finally got a consolation in the 90^th minute to put a smile on the faces of the home fans.

                                                FABREGAS CELEBRATES FIRST GOAL

The final game on Saturday was Burnley vs West Ham with all four goals coming in the second half of the game.

West Ham scored broke the dead lock  in the 49^th minute  through Sakho , Valencia then made it two in the 54^th minute. In the 60^th minute Boyd pulled on back for Burnley to give the host a life line. Cole finally put the game beyond reach in the 70^th minute which ensured West Ham got the three points in the bag.

                                             VALENCIA CELEBRATES GOAL

On Sunday Liverpool travelled to Queens Park Rangers  , the first half ended in a goalless with QPR controlling most parts of the game winning most of the battles on the pitch they were rather unlucky not to have taking the lead. The game really came to life in the second half producing five goals , the opening goal came in the 67^th minute through Dunne’s own goal but QPR got level in the 87^th minute through Vargas. Late Coutinho restored the lead for the reds in the 90^th minute but his goal was short lived as Vargas put the host on level terms again. To end the game in dramatic fashion QPR shot themselves in the foot as  Caulker conceded the final own goal of the game to restore the Reds lead in injury time. 

                                           LIVERPOOL CELEBRATE IN DESPERATION 

Liverpool didn’t play well , it was all QPR throughout the game but teams must manage to win even when they don’t play well and that’s exactly what Liverpool did.

In the final game on Sunday Stoke City hosted Swansea City, two goals were produced in the first half and one was scored in the second.  In the 34^th minute Bony opened his account for the season by scoring from the spot kick after returning fully fit after the international break. Stoke City however got back in the 43^rd minute through Adam who also scored from the spot kick. In the second half Stoke City finally took the lead through Walters in the 76^th minute to ensure Stoke got the maximum points. 

                                               ADAMS CELEBRATES HIS GOAL

In the final game of week 8 Manchester United travelled to the Hawthrons to face West Bromich Albion on Monday Night. Four goals were produced in the game with two coming in each half of the game. West Brom took the lead through Sessegnon in the 8th minute , it took a while before Fellaini got the equalizer in the 48th minute after coming of the bench. In the second things took a different turn again as Berahino scored to put the host in front in the 66th minute. Just three minutes to end the game Blind scored to level things up and rescue a point for his side.

                                              COOL FINISH FROM BERAHINO