ROUND UP OF WEEK 3

On Saturday 30^th , Burnley took on Manchester United and again the red devils failed to impress as the game ended in a goalless draw. Manchester United gained a lot of possession but failed to produce goals, Burnley on the other hand had more shots on target. New signing  for Manchester United Di Maria made his debut for the club and really added more quality to Louis Van Gaal’s side but it still wasn’t enough to get them a win away from home. Its obvious  Di Maria is not the solution to all their problems  and Van Gaal would definetly  have to clean up the team.

At the Eithad Manchester City were stunned as they lost 0-1 to Stoke City from a Diouf goal in the 58^th minute. City were quiet in the first half due to some great defending from Stoke City , Stoke had the most chances and looked the more dangerous side. In the Second half Manchester City stepped up and tried to penetrate but got pecked back after Diouf scored from a swift  counter attack. City had 73% possession  whiles Stoke had 27%. At the end of the day Stoke City proved that Manchester City could be beaten. Well earned points for Stoke City as they look forward to their next game.

Of at St. James Park Newcastle were looking to secure their first win against Crystal Palace and indeed almost got away with all 3 points. It was Gayle who opened the score sheet in the 1^st minute, later Janmaat got an equalizer in the 41^st minute  to end the first half . In the second half  Puncheon gave Crystal palace the lead again , it took Aarons to get the equalizer again for Newcastle in the 73^rd minute. The lead for Newcastle finally came in the 88^th minute through  Williamson. Fortunatly or unfortunately Crystal Palace had the last laugh after Zaha got the equalizer in injury time to send Newcastle hopes crushing. 

At Upton Park West Ham took on Southampton , in a game which produced four goals. Noble got the opener in the 27^th minute and Schneiderlin made it two in the 45^th minute to end the first half. In the second half Schneiderlin made it three in the 68^th minute. Southampton got their consolation through Pelle in the 83^rd minute to end the game. 

On lotus Road Queens Park Rangers took on Sunderland , a goal from Austin  in the 45^th minute was enough to give QPR their first home win. Sunderland had 58% of possession as against QPR 42%. 

At the liberty Stadium Swansea played West Brom as the Swans were looking to continue their unbeaten run. In the first half Dyer made it one in the 2^nd minute followed by Routledge who made it two in the 24^th minute to end the first 45. In the second half Dyer made it three in the 71^st minute.  To seal all three points for Swansea.

At Goodison Park Everton failed to clinch a win at their home ground as they conceded six goals due to some terrible defending. Deigo Costa got Chelsea of the mark after a brilliant move saw him put the ball at the back of the net just 36 seconds into the first half. Ivanovic then made it two in the 3^rd minute. Just before half time Mirallas got a goal back in the 45^th minute as it looked like  Everton were going to fight back.  In the second half Coleman made it three for Chelsea in the 67^th minute after an own goal. Naismith then made it 3-2 in the 69^th minute. Matic followed in the 74^th minute to make it 4-2 , Eto made it 4-3 in the 76^th minute  on his debut  game for Everton. Ramires later took it to 5-3 in the 77^th minute , and finally Costa ended the game with his second of the game in the 90^th minute. 

On Sunday the first game was Aston villa taking on Hull City at Villa Park, the game ended 2-1 to the host. Goals came in from Agbonlahor in the 14^th minute for Vila and then later Weimann made it two in the 36^th minute. In the second half Hull pulled one through Jelavic. 

Around that sametime Liverpool were up against Tottenham  at White Hart lane. The Reds took the lead through Sterling in the 8^th minute , it was the only goal of the first half. In the second half Captain Steven Gerard score from the spot kick in the 49^th minute. Later Moreno impressed with a run across half the pitch to put the ball in the net in the 60^th minute to make it 0-3 , his first goal of the premier league and what a way to score.

Arsenal ended the day with a 1-1 draw with Leicester city at King Power Stadium. The gunners looked bright at the start as they got a goal from Sanchez in the 20^th minute , arsenal fans didn’t celebrate that long as 2 minutes later Ulloa scored to level terms in the first half.

ROUND UP OF WEEK 2

Match Day 2 commenced  with Aston villa taking on Newcastle, prior to the match pundits had hoped that after Newcastle display against Manchester City would improve but that wasn’t so as the game ended in a goaless draw. Newcastle proved the better side with more possession and more shots on goal but none were turned into goalless. On the bright side its still early days for Newcastle as they can only improve more and try to win their next game.
 Here are the stats on the game.

Chelsea took on Leicester city at Stamford bridge as they looked to gain 3 points , but didn’t get it on a silver platter. The first half saw no goals as Leicester city held their own against the Chelsea attack , Leicester looked the more dangerous side and you could tell the Chelsea fans and coach were frustrated. In the second half  Leicester city  came close to scoring twice but  their forward Nugenet failed to punish Chelsea on both occasions with Courtois proving why he is number 1 for Chelsea. In the 70 minute Diego Costa scored after a great run from Ivanovic and  some poor defending on the path of Leicester city. Hazard then made it 2 in the 80 minute after his shot in the box went through Schmeichel's arms.

Later in an interview Mourinho stated why courtois was number 1 but took nothing away from Peter Cech who might be seeking a move from the bridge.
 Heres what Mourinho had to say in his  interview.

Southampton also took on West bromich Albion in a game that ended goalless. Southampton had more possession in the game but failed to turn it into chances to get goals. In their next game they would have to improve in the final third  as it was obvious the were missing the likes of lambert and lallana or they would have problems this season.

Next of was a game between Crystal Palace and West Ham , Crystal Palace were still without a coach but were using a side that played well under  Tony Pulis. As the game progressed it was that obvious they needed a coach and they needed one fast. In the first half the Hammers took the lead through Zarate in the 34th minute , and  just 3 minute later Downing scored in the 37^th minute. The second half produced 2 goals with West Ham having better possession of the ball. Chamakh who had a wonderful season last time around was struggling in the game , probably missed the influence of his formal coach. Chamakh still managed to pull one back in the 48^th minute but there wasn’t going to be an equalizer for them as Calton Cole scored in the 62^nd minute to make sure the 3 points were in the bag.   

At the liberty stadium Swansea hosted Burnley, as  expected by the pundits it was always going to be an intense game which many predicted a win for the Swans after beating Louis Van Gaals Manchester United on opening day . We all know how the league can be sometimes be  unpredictable and the match was a perfect example as the match proved to be somewhat evenly matched at some point . Swansea got the only  goal through Dyer in the 23^rd minute and it was enough to see the Swans bag 3 points.

In the other game Everton took on Arsenal at the Goodison Park and really gave Wenger’s side a run for their money. In recent times Arsenal have struggled against Everton and it looked to continue after Coleman scored for the Toffees in the 19^th minute and just on the struck of halft time Naismith made it two . The first half experience was a wake up call for Wenger and his boys ,it was also clear Wenger needed a striker in the person of Giroud  and not Sanchez who looked lost in the first half.

So in the second half Wenger being a great coach made the switch and brought Giroud on for Sanchez. Almost immediately there was a change in the tide for Arsenal who looked more menacing , but it wasn’t until the 83^rd minute before Ramsey pulled one back.  Time was clearly running out and luckily for them Giroud got the equalizer in the 90^th minute to  level things up. A real heart break for Everton fans who almost thought they had their first home win.

On Sunday Tottenham faced QPR at home as they were looking to go on top of the league for the meantime on 6 points. In the first half we saw three goals produced , Chadli scoring in the 12 minute , new sensational defener Dier scoring the second in the 30^th minute and Chadli getting his brace in the 37^th minute. 

In the second half adebayor made it four in the 65^th minute and QPR failing to give a response. Lots of positives can be taking from the game as the new Tottenham under pocchetino would look to challenge for a Champions league spot this time around.

Adebayor really enjoyed himself as he entertained the fans to some dance moves.

Later that day , Hull City took on Stoke City  which proved to be an intense and well balanced game. The first half produced one goal in the 42^nd minute by Jelavic for Hull City. As the game progressed into the second half the Tigers hearts were broking as Shawcross got an equalizer for Stoke City in the 83^rd minute . It could have been a well deserved victory for Hull City but Stoke City had other ideas as the stats showed they created more chances than Hull City and truly worked hard for their equalizer.

Here are the stats for the game.

In  Sundays final game Van Gaal had another go at it with his 3-5-2 formation away to the Black Cats.  In the first half after Mata scored in the 17^th minute everyone thought it was going to be a routine win for Manchester United but they were pecked back on level terms after a Rodwell put his header pass De Gea from a corner kick in the 30^th minute. The second half saw no goals as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Though the Red Devils had better possession and to the view of the most pundits calling it an improvement on the Swansea game. Louis Van Gaal thought other wise as he stated this in his post match interview. See video ,

And on Monday night Manchester City played against Liverpool at the Eithad , last season both teams went head to head for the league title  and both teams were the highest scoring in the league, so it proved that the game was going to be full of goals. Liverpool haven’t won at the Eithad since 2008 through a Dirk Kuyt goal. The first half saw Liverpool look the more promising with sturridge and sterling combining well and asking questions of the City defense. City then took the lead after Moreno failed to clear a loss ball in the 18 box giving Jovetic to space to put his shot through Mignolet’s legs in the 41^st minute . In the second half we saw more goals as Jovetic scored his brace in the 55^th minute  from a swift move he began , Later Aguero was brought on and and in the 69^th minute he scored just 5 seconds after coming on after some poor marking from Lovern. However Liverpool pulled one back after Sturridges cross fell sweetly for Lambert who’s header was saved by Hart but Zabaleta forced it in for and own goal.

A lot of positives can be taking from the game as Rodgers new signings will look to improve after they were welcomed humbly into the Premier League by City.

ROUND UP OF EPL WEEK 1

To start the season campaign, on saturday 16 July, 2014 Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United faced Swansea at old Trafford. Louis Van Gaal didn’t get the exact opening every new manager was looking for as his side lost 2-1 to   the Swans, goals came from Ki in the 28th minute , Rooney in the 53th minute and Sirgurdsson in the 72nd minute . Van Gaal used a 3 back line as his defense , they played well completing a lot of passes in the game but the swans managed to keep up their tempo and took their chances. 

Van Gaal in his interview stated that he was disappointed in his squad.

Newly promoted side Leicester City took on Everton which ended in a 2-2 draw , goals came from McGeady in the 20^th minute and Naismith in the 45^th minute for Everton. For Leicester their goals came from Ulloa in the 22^nd minute and Wood in the 86^th minute. It was a farely balanced game with end to end action Leicester however proved themselves by coming from behind on 2 occasions.

 Both coaches had to something to  say about their teams .

West Ham also took on Tottenham on open day and it ended 0-1 in favor of Tottenham, West Ham looked the more dangerous as they had more shots than Tottenham. Both teams ended the game with 10 men but Tottenham proved the more compact as their  premier league debutant Dier got the only goal in the 90^th minute , what a way to start his campaign winning the London durby in the dying embers of the game.

 Stats from the game.

Queens Park Rangers also took on Hull City as they looked to secure a vital home win , things didn’t go as planned as the lost at home 0-1.  The goal came from Chester in the 52^nd minute but the game was well balanced with both teams sharing 50 a piece on ball possession , and with shots   QPR having the most shots.

 Stats from the game

West Brom took on Sunderland which produced 4 goals, the game ended 2-2 with goals coming from Cattermole  in the 5th minute for Sunderland and Berahino scoring from the spot kick  in the 42^nd minute for  West Brom in the first half. In the second half Berahino scored in the 74^th minute giving West Brom the lead but Sunderland came level in the 85^th minute through Larsson.

It was a fairly entertaining game but the penalty decision from the referee caused  a lot controversy in the game.

 Stats from the game

Stoke City took on Aston Villa  and it ended 0-1 in favor of Aston Villa . The only goal of the game came in the second half through Weimann in the 50^th minute. Stoke City played well creating chances and having 12 shot at goal as to Aston Villa’s 7. Stoke City also had 64% of possession as to Aston Villa’s 36%.

 Stats from the game

Arsenal took on Crystal Palace and won 2-1 at the Emirates, during the first half the goals came from Hangeland in the 35^th minute for Crystal Palace and an equalizer from Koscielny in the 45^th minute.

The winner for Arsenal finally came in the 90^th minute through Ramsey, at the end of the day Arsenal proved they were once again ready to challenge for the title as the manage to get the 3 points when needed.

On Sunday Liverpool got their campaign to a bright start with a 2-1 win over Southampton, Southampton who before coming into the game had lost a lot of vital players in their previous starting line up to Liverpool and Manchester United. They  proved the still had quality players to bring into the set up and didn’t look short on quality at all.  Goals came from sterling in the 23^rd minute for Liverpool ending the first half. In the second half Clyne pulled even for the saints in the 56^th minute. Liverpool then got the winner through Sturridge in the 79^th minute. Overall shots saw both teams level as Liverpool seemed to have taking their foot of the gas a bit in the second half. But a positive Liverpool could take out of the game was that they had more possession and completed a lot of passes.

In the other game   Newcastle took on the champions Manchester City  in a highly entertaining game with Alan Pardew using 7 debutants who impressed in the beginning of their campaign. Newcastle team showed a lot of promise from attack to defense and it’s a positive the fans can take home. The first goal came from Silva in the 38^th minute and that ended the first half. The second goal came in the second half from Aguero in the 90^th minute and that put the game to rest.

On Monday night newly promoted Burnley faced Chelsea and the blues made sure to get their 3 points. Burnley took the lead through Arfield in the 14^th minute but his  celebration was short lived  as debutant Costa scored in the 17^th minute for Chelsea , Schurrle then made it 2nd in the 21^st minute and it was later followed by a 3^rd from Ivanovic in the 34^th minute , all goals scored in the first half. Chelsea by far proved they were a better side with the likes of Fabregas and Matic taking control of the midfield.

      

Manchester United transfer news

 

 

 

 

United ready to make £15m bid for Thomas Vermaelen in effort to beat Barcelona to Arsenal captain.Vermaelen rejected the chance to extend his contract at the Emirates, and with United’s central defence the main area for concern heading into the new season, Louis van Gaal is expected to re-launch the move that was halted by Arsene Wenger earlier this summer. 

Ajax wing-back Daley Blind is also on Van Gaal’s wish list, with the former Netherlands manager looking to bring in players that will fit into his plans to play a 3-5-2 formation that puts the emphasis on the two wide players to shift from defence to attack.

Concern over Tiger Woods decline in golf

Tiger Woods injury will leave golf struggling to gain its appeal
The 38-year-old inspired a generation but as he slips back from the frontline fewer people are taking up the game.For now, Woods is not going to admit that he is no longer up to dominating golf. However, there have been more public hints in recent months than ever before that there is an inner acknowledgment his body’s ability matches that of his mind. Players who didn’t compete against Tiger in his prime won’t be intimidated by him now, as is clearly the case. There is a clear correlation between iconic figures such as Woods and youngsters taking up a certain sport. Tournaments feel markedly different when Woods is on the scene, as Martin Kaymer acknowledged on Tuesday.

ALL- AFRICAN STUDENTS UNION : SPORTS DAY

                           

After days of dissecting issues of terrorism among youth and trips to the Cape Coast for site seeing, the discussions had to be taking to the football pitch. It was a tense game between delegates from West Africa and delegates from East Africa. The West African side consisted of countries like Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Togo and Ghana. The East Africans also consisted of Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda.
First half highly entertaining game and was well balanced with end to end action with goals from each side and it ended 2-2 apiece.

 

The players refreshed and danced to same music for a while, after which they began the second half. To our surprise the players didn’t lose their edge as five more goals were scored in the second 45. The game ended 5-4 in favor of the West African delegates but neither the less everyone emerged a victor to bring all delegates closer.



Images during the match.

                                               Delegates before the game.

                                                    Blast of the whistle

                                              East African delegates in attacking mode.

                                             Second half break.

                                            Free kick against East African delegates.

                                                       After the game