Man City 1 – 3 Arsenal

Arsenal started well but almost found themselves behind after 5mins when Elano sent a dinked ball over the defence that was only inches from being put away by Ireland.
It wasn’t long before the visitors were in front. Sang made an incisive run into the box pulling back the ball to Adebayor who scrambled the ball home to make it 0-1 after 8mins.
City didn’t really respond and stuck to their counter-attacking gameplan as Arsenal continues to dominate. Petrov, on 24mins, with their most attacking move as he marauded down the left, past two Arsenal players but couldn’t find a finish.
A minute later Arsenal doubled there lead when Adebayor nodded down to Eduardo for the in-form striker to control on his chest and volley into the back of the net form 8 yards.
Still without much effort the home side responded when on 27mins Clichy failed to deal with a long ball and let Corluka in who set up Fernandes to pass the ball past Lehmann to make it 1-2.
Arsenal really looked in the mood for the remainder of the half and had several chances to extend their lead. Adebayor coming closest on 43mins when his headed effort was cleared off the line following a corner kick.
The home side continued to sit back in the second half with the visitors looking rampant. Twice City were lucky to stay in the game when, firstly on 57mins, Adebayor tee’d up Fabregas but the Spaniard’s normally reliable shooting let him down as he blazed over . And then on 63mins Adebayor was though and went down under pressure from Richards but rightly no penalty was awarded.
With three quarters of the game gone City finally began to step it up as the game got alot more physical. Both sides were looking to score and the game didn’t lack excitement but it was the visitors who were always the more likely to score. Adebayor and Fabregas both came close before, on 87mins, a clinical break put the match to bed. Several one-twos between Fabreas and Hleb opened up the space for Adebayor who slotted home from 12 yards out.
It’s hard to criticise City for their lack of ambition as they were up against a really flowing and in-form Arsenal side.

Everton 0 – 1 Chelsea

After the cracking first leg this promised to be a real barn-stormer of a match.

The game began as intense as you’d expect with both sides looking set for a battle. The pace of the game led to some chances early on, Wright-Philip’s with a shot blocked by Jagielka followed by Belletti’s curling effort that wasn’t far away. Everton too had a good chance when Lescott was unmarked form a corner only for his header to be saved on the line by Cech on 9mins.

The early end-to-end action was followed by a solid period of pressure from the home side but Chelsea were about their business and limited the space to play brilliantly. Everton’s passing and movement was sharp and crisp as they really looked to get the upperhand but all they had to show for their efforts was Johnson’s shot form distance that never troubled Cech.

Having stifled their hosts sufficiently Chelsea began to come out more and were dominating possession themselves on the half hour with both Anelka and Malouda having chances.

The home side made another push again in an exciting end to the half. Johnson again with their only real chance whose shot was deflected wide. The Everton players left the field looking thoroughly frustrated.

It might have been expected for the Merseysiders to come out fired up for the second half but it was Chelsea who looked to have the bit between their teeth. With the half only seconds old Anelka saw his shot form the edge of the area hit the bar. Everton tried to get forward but Chelsea were holding on to the ball extremely well and wee very much on top.

It took two chances from set-pieces just before the hour to stir the Toffees back in to life. Neville fired the ball across the goal mouth, following a clever short corner, but none of the men in blue managed to connect. A minute later a free-kick came to Jagielka who’s flicked shot was blocked on the line.

Everton were on the front foot and were sure they had a goal, on 66mins, when Cech spilled a ball from a free kick but the whistle went for an inexplicable free out as Lescott was about to tap the ball home!

A goal did come but it was for the visitors and it was against the run of play. On 68mins, Malouda played a ball over the Everton defence which Joe Cole latched on and clinically dispatched.

This knocked the home side and crowd for six and despite throwing on extra attackers they never really got at a tight Chelsea defence.The high balls began raining in but they were easily dealt with.

It was Chelsea who looked the more likely to get a goal as they were continually breaking as Everton pushed everyone up late on with Lescott being used as an auxiliary centre forward! Pizarro had two good chances at the death but failed to convert either.

A brave performance by Everton but the gap between the top clubs and the rest was again highlighted in this match as Chelsea were thoroughly professional in defence and oozed class going forward.

Wigan 1 – 2 Everton

This was a game in which the soggy pitch contributed to the pace of the game as much as the efforts of the teams.

The early stages saw a lot of tentative long balls as no one wanted to risk taking the ball down on a surface that was already beginning to cut up. Wigan had most of the early play and were winning the physical battles around the pitch with Everton pinned in their own half for most of the opening quarter hour.

Palacios was doing particularly well for the home side, making space and shooting in the opening minutes. He was again active down the Wigan right on 7mins only for Heskey to head his cross well wide.

Everton enjoyed a good spell following the early Wigan pressure, earning some free kicks in dangerous positions. On 16mins a good move saw Johnson pull back for Arteta only for the Spaniard to shoot straight at Kirkland. However this was a rare instance when Johnson saw some support up front as Wigan were back on top again.

Bents header form a corner, on 21mins, was the closest the home side came in the first half but that effort was clawed onto the bar by Howard. Minutes later Valencia had a dangerous looking shot from the edge of the area only for Cahill to get him body in the way.

Wigan were dominating possession but Johnson was as busy as ever for Everton and fashioned a chance on 33mins as he got on the end of a long punt only to flash a shot across the goal and wide.

5 minutes later a slip from Bramble let the Toffee’s striker in and he made no mistake as he went one-on-one and coolly slotted between Kirkland’s legs to give Everton the lead.

The visitors played even deeper following this as Wigan had all the play but on 41mins a breakout earned Everton a corner. Wigan failed to clear and the ball came to Lescott on the back post who directed it home to give the Merseysiders an unlikely tow goal advantage going into the break.

Steve Bruce brought on Koumas and Sibierski at half time and the changes had an impact. Despite soaking up much of the pressure, on 53mins a Koumas free-kick was put into his own net by Jaglielka to give the home side some hope.

What followed was sustained attacking by Wigan, with Valencia seeing a lot of the ball, and Everton almost losing their composure at times. The away side weathered the storm and indeed it was they who came closest to scoring, on 66mins, as Arteta’s cross found Osman who’s half-volley went just wide.

Johnson was still doing a great job up o his own as Everton began to look more and more comfortable as the game went on. On 75mins the visitors went 4-4-2 with the introduction of the teenager James Vaughan and with that they began looking dangerous on the break.

The home side tried to build a head of steam on the closing stages and brought on another forward in the shape of Aghahowa. They came the closest when Kilbane got on the end of a free kick but his shot was well wide.

In the end it was a professional away performance by Everton but Wigan can take heart form their application and the spirit they showed.

Arsenal 2 – 1 Spurs

It was unsurprisingly all Arsenal from the off with Flamini and Toure both having half chances that they didn’t take within the opening 5mins. It was an open game though and Spurs did gradually begin to have some attacking spells of their own.

It was at these times when Arsenal looked like they may create something on the break as Spurs were looking unusually sturdy and hard to breakdown otherwise.

A rare penetrative move, on 33mins, saw Eboue draw a save from Robinson at his near post but it was hardly vintage Arsenal.

Spurs enjoyed a good spell of possession before the break with Boateng’s dipping shot going just over the bar. Toure’s header form a corner, on 42mins, was the closest either team came to breaking the deadlock in what was a disappointing first half.

Arsenal began the second half with much greater intensity and after just two minutes they had the lead. Fabregas was at the helm of a move that tore the visitors apart and it was his back-heel that found Adebayor in the box for the Togolese striker to coolly slot home.

Arsenal didn’t really push on for a second but looked comfortable until the 64^th minute when Keane got in behind only to volley over. A minute later Spurs had an equaliser when Berbatov blasted into the roof of the net form a tight angle following some slack defending form the hosts.

Spurs were looking in confident mood following this and on 71mins they had a penalty after Toure dived in on Berbatov in the box. The resulting penalty was to change the game as Almunia denied Keane from the spot.

Just 3mins later Arsenal had a goal of their own. Bendtner, just on the pitch, rose to meet a corner kick and with his first touch powers a header past Robinson.

The home side, perhaps sensing they were riding their luck, began to play deeper following this but all Spurs could muster of note was a long range effort form Huddlestone on 84mins as they tried to go for one last push.

It wasn’t a classic but it does show that Arsenal can win whilst not at their best and that Spurs are definitely improving under Ramos

Liverpool 0 – 1 Man Utd

There was an unbelievable pace to the opening period as Liverpool started the way they normally try to – at 100mph. The home side were pressing high up the pitch and really trying to impose themselves. This led to a few half chances, Kuyt with a flicked shot that went over and a long range effort from Hyppia, but nothing substantial.

The game had just settled down after the 25mins when Torres’ header was cleared off the line form a Liverpool corner. United were hardly on the ropes but were cagey in attack, leaving few holes for Liverpool to exploit.

Liverpool again saw the ball cleared off the line on 30mins when Van Der Saar came for a high ball but badly misjudged it and luckily for him Evra was quick to recover.

It wasn’t a game for the forwards as Rooney, Ronaldo and Torres were hardly involved as the congested, midfield battle carried on.

Liverpool were looking the better as the half drew to a close but United, being United!, managed to nick one on 42mins. A well-worked corner saw Rooney’s shot come across Tevez who poked it over a helpless Reina and give an undeserved lead to the visitors.

The home side looked to right this wrong immediately after the break as they started on the front foot with shots on goal from Gerrard and Torres within minutes of the re-start.

There was a lot more room in the second half as Liverpool really pressed for an equaliser but a conservative-looking United refused to commit men forward.

The closest Liverpool came was when Babel (on for Kewell) went just wide from 20 yards on 75mins. United followed that with the best move of the game as Ronaldo broke and picked out Rooney in the box only for the England striker to hit wide.

Untied’s organisation and defending was commendable as Liverpool threw bodies forward. But the visitors signalled their intent on 82mins when they brought Carrick on for Tevez and they stubbornly held on to their lead from there.

You could say United did “A Liverpool” to Liverpool. Sir Alex backed up his statement that this year’s league could be decided by such meetings of the top four by making sure his side definitely didn’t lose.

Man of the Match: Owen Hargreaves – a great defensive midfield performance with crucial interceptions, well timed tackles and an excellent work-rate.

Aston Villa 1 – 3 Portsmouth

Two teams with high ambitions this year following their very respectable starts to the season clashed in a game that could be considered a six pointer in terms of the race for European places.

Neither team had yet gotten a grip on the game when on 8mins Pompey got a fortuitous lead. The ball came out to Pamarot, following a corner, whose deflected shot landed at the feet of Benjani who then in turn was tackled by Gardener only to see the ball roll into the net.

Villa pressed for the equaliser only for Laursen to waste their two best chances with tame headers from set-pieces that saw the big Dane take advantage of slack defending by Portsmouth,

Pompey weren’t on their game at all and could barley hold on to the ball as they looked a shadow of their usually solid selves. Both Agbonlahor and Carew had shots saved and blocked respectively before Muntari got the visitors the most unlikely and undeserved of second goals on 39mins

The Ghanain made room for himself before unleashing a beautifully bent left-foot shot from 20 yards that made it 2-0. James further frustrated Villa by making two great saves before the break.

The home side were required to chase the game in the second half which left a lot of room for Pompy on the break. Villa showed great urgency but ironically the visitors began to play for the first time in the match.

Carew had a header just wide on 55 mins but really Villa didn’t threaten a Portsmouth side that were getting better as the game wound on.

On 61mins Muntari put the game out of sight with another great solo effort, this time dispossessing Reo-Coker, nutmegging Knight and cooly slotting home a low driven effort.

Villa were given some hope when Young was tripped in the box and Barry smashed home the resulting penalty on 10mins. But the energy they displayed in the final 20mins was to account for nothing against an increasingly stubborn Portsmouth.

Indeed it was the visitors who looked the more likely to score as they caught Villa on the break several times. The best of these chances falling to Diop, who having being played in by Mendes managed to miss from 5 yards!

Perhaps an undeserved victory but it only highlighted the gap between Villa and the UEFA cup-spot chasers.

Spurs 2 – 3 Birmingham

This was a typical Spurs game and they started in typical Spurs manner with Muamba being found unmarked from a free-kick after 3mins but fortunately for them it was just inches over his head.

This didn’t dent their confidence though as they piled forward. Berbatov had just tested Taylor when moments later Keane’s one-two off Bent saw him through on goal but he scooped his shot over. Minutes later the Bulgarian was twice close with headed efforts in what was looking like only a matter of time before the visitor’s defence was breached.

Birmingham’s lone striker and long ball game didn’t look to be paying off but on 22mins they were gifted a penalty when McSheffrey went down following minimal contact with Kaboul. McSheffrey made no mistake with spot kick to give his side the most undeserved of leads.

Spurs pinned Birmingham in their own half following this, with Dawson coming closest on 28mins following a corner. Despite tearing their opponents apart in the early stages with their superior pace and movement Spurs began hurling high balls into the box in a desperate attempt to get an equaliser.

Bale’s free kick brought a good save from Taylor on 36mins but Birmingham weathered the storm and saw the home side look deflated coming up to half time.

The second half had just begun when Spurs were handed a lifeline as Djorou clashed with Berbatov in the box. Keane’s penalty was hard and high and acted as a much needed confidence boost for his team-mates.

It wasn’t long before they were ahead. Birmingham had just cleared their lines following a free-kick, on 52mins, when Huddlestone ( on as a second half substitute) played a lovely ball over the top to find Keane’s well timed run and the Irishman’s first time shot was scuffed but found the top corner.

Birmingham were rocked by this and almost conceded again a minute later but Berbatov’s shot came back off the upright. The visitors got their composure back as Spurs continued to apply pressure.

Spurs were their own worst enemy again as Jerome was allowed to run at their defence on 61mins. The awkward looking striker twice got some luck with ricochets as both Tottenham defenders failed to make a convincing tackle. The resulting shot from 20yards was a superbly accurate daisy-cutter that found its way past Robinson and into the corner of the goal.

Berbatov almost restored Spurs’ lead on 64mins but saw his header cleared off the line. Things went form bad to worse when Robbie Keane was given a straight red after a fairly innocuous looking tackle on Muamba.

This seemed to invigorate Spurs as they laid siege to the visitors’ goal. Birmingham couldn’t make their numerical advantage pay off as they continued to give the ball back to Spurs.

It was Birmingham though who made the final push in the closing stages. Kapo, having come on as a substitute, gave them a new outlet and it was his cross, on 87mins, that Forsell directed on to the bar from 6 yards.

It looked to be a draw following Robinson’s injury-time save form Kapo but on 91mins Sebastian Larsson hit a wonder shot from 30 yards that bent into the top corner to give Birmingham the points.

Portsmouth 0 – 0 Everton

A dull, cautious match that barely deserves to be typed up, read the next match review it’s bound to be more interesting!

Everton began by playing particularly deep, inviting Portsmouth on in a manner that was indicative of both teams’ attitudes. Pompey’s forwards were only too willing to accept this invitation and shoot from long range (albeit inaccurately). Benjani did get in the once but Nuno Valente covered Yobo’s error well.

It took a quarter of the match for the visitors to get going but even when Everton were on top the likes of Arteta and Pienaar weren’t seeing enough of the ball to worry Pompey.

The closest it came to a goal was when Muntari whipped in a free kick just on the stroke of half time. The in-swinging ball missed everyone and forced Howard to tip it over.

The home side looked like they might be willing to take the initiative at the beginning of the second half with both Mendes and Kranjar having half chances just after the break.

Everton threw on another forward and switched to 4-4-2 just before the hour in an attempt to nick something. Osman had a chance almost immediately but he missed controlled with only the keeper to beat.

When either side did commit men to attack they found the opposition more than a match for them in what was a tight game between two very hardworking sides.

Benjani saw an effort flash wide on 61mins and Arteta had a couple of well delivered free kicks but bar that there was little action at either end.

Pompey gave their supporters something to cheer when they felt obliged to give it a go for the last few minutes but ultimately it was a game that typified the phrases “stalemate” and “deadlock.”

Chelsea 1 – 0 West Ham

There wasn’t much to note in the first half of this game bar the unexpected resilience of West Ham as they denied a lethargic Chelsea time on the ball which made for a very tight first 45mins.

The best chance fell to Drogba after 8mins during a spell where the home side had their opponents pinned back. The Chelsea striker bent his shot just wide of the top corner though. From then Chelsea were reduced to long range efforts as West Hams game plan looked to be working nicely.

West Ham became more settled as the half wore on and on 31mins almost had a goal of their own with Solano’s cheeky lob almost catching Cudicini out.

It wasn’t a great spectacle but there was s sparkling piece of play just before the break. After a good move down the right, Drogba dummied a cross at the front post only for Belletti to arrive just too late to provide the finishing touch.

Chelsea stepped it up a gear for the second half and from the off they were causing the Hammers more problems.

The higher tempo saw more space open up with Lampard, Joe Cole and Kalou all finding room to shoot.

It turned into a completely different match to the first half but West Ham were equally as resolute. They never really threatened Chelsea despite the room created for the counter.

Chelsea were looking like they might be frustrated when on 72mins the goal came. A flick on form Drogba found Kalou who headed on for the overlapping Cole who rounded the keeper and found the top corner form a tight angle.

They almost doubled there tally minutes later when Drogba’s diving header went just wide following a great ball in form Wright-Philips.

Chelsea took command of the remaining time, retained possession and killed off the game like any top side showing that their certainly not out of the title race.

West Ham can take something from the game as their performance showed a great work ethic and new level of organisation.

West Ham 1 – 1 Spurs

Allegedly this fixture had “goals galore” written all over it, well perhaps “poor defending ahoy” would have been more accurate.

It was a confident start for Spurs as they looked to get on the front foot early with both Keane and Berbatov busy. They almost got off to the best of starts when Jenas’ shot form 20yards could only be parried by Green and Lennon punced on the rebound and slotted home only to be given offside.

An open, high tempo game was in the offing but the flow was sadly not helped by numerous, needless fouls. The game had just settled when on 19mins, Kaboul gifted the ball to Boa Morte who subsequently drove into the box and picked out the unmarked Carlton Cole to tap home and make it 1-0 (against the run of play it has to be said)

The goal gave a slightly struggling West Ham a new lease of life and they pushed on for a second with Boa Morte twice coming close.

Spurs too had their chance with Berbatov on 26mins, but the Bulgarian unusually mis-controlled and sent a looping shot over.

It was an entertaining, end-to-end first 45mins with both defences looking vulnerable.

On 40mins, Robbie Keane found himself in acres from a through ball and knocked it over the onrushing Green only to be brought down in what looked like a penalty.

Spurs too had a let-off when Mullins’ diving header went just over after poor marking form a corner on 44mins.

The second half saw Spurs try to take it up a gear as the game continued with the energy (and bad temper) of the first half. Twice Malbranque came close for the visitors before, on 55mins, Ramos threw on Darren Bent for Kaboul and went 3-4-3!

West Ham were wary but Spurs new shape didn’t really look like working but fortunately for them they had a stroke of luck on 66mins when Green rushed out to punch a swung in free-kick only to completely miss and leave Dawson to rise highest and head into an empty net.

The game fulfilled it’s promise following that as both sides went for the win. Spurs took the reins after their equaliser with Malbranque having their best effort during this period, but the mercurial midfielder hit Bale’s cutback straight down the throat of Green.

West Ham then had their best period late on as Spurs looked to be fading (perhaps due to Ramos’ allegedly gruelling new fitness regime). Both Parker and Ashton forced good saves from a resilient looking Robinson. Jenas too was called into action as he headed McCartney’s effort off the line on 88mins.

There was almost a sickener for West Ham in injury time when Spurs were awarded a soft penalty following a tangle between Neill and Defoe. But justice prevailed as the arrogant Defoe saw his strike saved much to the delight of the home supporters.

It was a game without a dull moment and a draw was a fair result but both sides will have their work cut out keeping clean sheets.

Newcastle 0 – 3 Liverpool

Two teams whose style of play could hardly be called inspiring made for a match I wasn’t looking forward to watching.

Newcastle began like the away side, conceding ground and adopting a 5-3-2 formation at times. It took the whole of 10 minutes for them to begin venturing forward but when they did they came across a Liverpool side equally willing to get men behind the ball.

Liverpool however maintained their momentum, largely due to the home side’s inability to keep possession, and continued to tenuously probe a nervous Newcastle back line.

Torres, who was looking lively, won a free kick within shooting range on 27mins which Gerrard duly sent arrowing into the top corner of the net.

It was a regular day at the office for Liverpool following this as they hung back and rarely got numbers forward. Newcastle had little response as they struggled to get their front men involved and on the one occasion they did on 37mins they saw Viduka’s lay off to Smith produce a speculative volley which was well wide.

The visitors looked to catch the Geordies on the break and just before half time they almost did so perfectly. A through ball found Torres 40 yards from goal but clear through but his shot was blocked by a quick-to-react Given. The ball came back to the Spaniard who saw his attempt to pass it into an empty net come off the post.

Newcastle needed a big change for the second half as it really wasn’t working for them. But in less than a minute they were further behind. Gerrard swung in a low corner came though to ricochet off Kuyt’s shin and into the back of the Newcastle net.

There wasn’t much of a response from a truly clueless looking Newcastle with their fans not given much hope bar the introduction of Milner on 55mins.

Liverpool were in cruise control with Torres occupying the home side’s defence, twice showing his close control as he drove in to the box only to be let down by poor finishing.

It had already looked like game over for Newcastle before they were caught on the counter by Babel’s pace. The Dutch winger played a one-two off Gerrard in the box before smashing the ball home to put the final nail in Newcastle’s coffin.

It could have been worse shortly after as twice Torres was played through but again was found wanting in front of goal.

A completely dispirited Newcastle saw the visitors dominate the end stages as the home fans deserted St.James’ Park.

Liverpool’s economical brand of football serves them well again and leaves Newcastle on the brink of (yet another) crisis.

Premiership Round Up - November

This month I'm going to post my team of the season so far:

Premiership XI (as of end Nov07)

-----------Agbonlahor(AV)----------Anelka(Bolton)----------
---------------------Elano(ManC) ----------------------------
M.Petrov(ManC)----------------------------Arteta(Everton)
---------------------Fabgregas(Arsenal----------------------
Evra(ManU)-----------------------------------Sagna(Arsenal)
-------------Dunne(ManC)--------Vidic(ManU)--------------
------------------------Friedel(BB)---------------------------

You might wonder where the likes of Gerrard, Rooney, Lampard etc are but these, I feel, are the individuals who have contributed the most to their teams efforts this season as opposed to the outright best players.

Birmingham 1 - 2 Aston Villa

Another local derby and another excuse for primitive, ugly football in the name of “getting stuck in” and “keeping it tight” under the guise of there being “pride at stake” etc??? Not really, it has to be said.

There was a surprisingly open beginning to the game with Birmingham looking to exert some early pressure. In an answer to this Villa were getting the ball to Carew early in a bid to counter. The Norwegian giant fluffed his first proper chance on 8mins but the resulting corner saw the ball bounce off a flat-footed Ridgewell’s knee and into his own net.

What followed was a period of typically tenacious midfield battling. From one of these scuffles saw Barry come away, on 16misn, to set up Carew but his close range effort was well saved.

Birmingham began to get some joy once the game settled and they got their widemen more involved. Both DeRidder and Kapo got chances but their finishing let them down. Indeed DeRidder may well have had a penalty on 31mins when he was tripped as he dashed into the box but instead he was booked for diving!

Villa had the better of the chances in the first half with Carew blasting over form 20 yards after a mix up in the Birmingham defence and late on when Agbonlahor beat the offside trap with his pace only to see his low drive saved by Taylors feet.

Birmingham looked like they could do with someone in midfield to get on the ball and supply their talented wingers and able front-man.

The second half saw the home team go to 4-4-2 with Forsell coming on to partner Jerome. The half began at a good tempo with both defences stretched and it looked like only a matter of time before a match-changing goal would be scored.

Forsell looked like the most likely to do so and came close with two effort close to the hour. On 61mins, DeRidder in space down the right swung in a great ball which Forsell duly obliged with a bullet header from 7yards to make it 1-1.

Birmingham seemed to find an extra level of determination following the equaliser and came close to going ahead 5mins later. Jerome latched onto a long ball to cut inside from the left and force a magnificent save from Carson.

The home side were certainly on the front foot at this time but Reo-Coker could’ve restored Villa’s lead, against the run of play, but he skied his volley form 7 yards on 69mins.

Birmingham seemed to run out of steam as the game became very stretched with defences getting ever deeper. Indeed it was Villa who were making the push for a winner in the closing stages of the match.

They did have a scare though as Ridgewell almost made up for his own-goal on 84mins when he connected well with a corner kick but Agbonlahor on the post to clear off the line.

2 minutes later it was roles reversed as the young Villa forward lost the Birmingham centre-back at the back post to send a well directed header back across goal and past Taylor to make it 2-1. Villa played out the remaining 7 minutes in Birmingham’s half as the home side looked a spent force.

It was a game where neither side’s defence looked rock-solid but Birmingham in particular looked like they’ll continue to struggle to keep clean sheets. Villa still didn’t look like they’ve made the step up to be genuine contenders for a European place but all that could change come the January transfer window.

Sunderland 1 - 1 Newcastle

The match began with the intensity expected of a local derby which also unfortunately made for very little football being played. Long balls and hopeful set-pieces were standard fare for the opening stages.

The first notable move (I don’t count head tennis!) led to a decent chance, as on 14mins the ball found Wallace free at the back post only for the full-back to volley over.

When the game did finally settle down the home team had the best of the play. Newcastle’s narrow midfield wasn’t effective going forward leaving the strikers to fend for themselves. Owen and Viduka both created half-chances but never really got the support they deserved as Sunderland began to press for a goal.

The best chance of the half fell to Grant Ledbitter on 33mins. Having just shot wide from Sunderland’s earlier move, he again was off target with a header from 6 yards.

For sides who might become reliant on set pieces they were both guilty of poor delivery time after time.

The half ended with a great turn and shot by Chopra on the edge of the Newcastle box but his shot drew a good save from a full-stretch Harper.

Newcastle stuck with their negative looking 4-1-2-3 for the second half and it was same again as Sunderland looked likeliest to break the deadlock.

On 51mins, a quick corner played in Leadbitter and his superb cross found Higginbottom arriving late at the far post to nod home and give the home side a deserved lead.

Newcastle woke up somewhat after this and as their midfielders were allowed more freedom they began to knock the ball about better. This opened the game up but only as much as the persistent fouling permitted.

On 64mins, Milner found some space on the left to whip a low ball into the box that somehow crept past Gordon and into the corner of the net. It was an equaliser Newcaslte hardly deserved.

Finally it looked as though we had a match on our hands as things went end to end. Jones had a chance to retake the lead moments after the goal but he blasted wide after making room on the edge of the box. A minute later Owen got on the end of a long kick-out, managed to fashion a chance against 2 defenders but his shot was straight at Gordon.

Both sides gave it a go with little success and in the closing stages it was really only Sunderland who remained hungry as the visitors settled for a draw.

Liverpool 1 – 1 Arsenal

Clashes between title contenders are usually tight, tactical games but this had plenty for the spectator in terms of quality and incident.

Liverpool set their stall out early, biting at the heels of the Arsenal players and denying them the room to play. They did have a scare early on as after 2mins Adebayor marauded through the Liverpool half only to be saved by a last ditch intervention from Carragher, but otherwise the initiative was with the home side early on.

After 5mins Gerrard showed he was in shooting form as he latched onto Finnan’s ball to blast a shot from 20 yards that had Almunia stretching to save. A minute later they had a free kick within shooting range, the ball was rolled to Gerrard who smashed the ball through the wall and past a helpless Almunia to make it one nil.

Liverpool’s ambition seemed to desert them having taken the lead as they dropped off Arsenal inviting the visitors to play in front of them. Arsenal duly obliged and began knocking the ball around with their usual flair.

On 16mins Fabregas played Adebayor into the inside left channel but Reina was quickly out to block the flicked effort from the Togolese forward. A similar ball, 4 minutes later, had Reina in no man’s land as he rushed out only to see a cross whipped in from Clichy go past him. The resulting effort form Eboue was cleared off the line and the keeper’s blushes were spared.

By the quarter-way mark Arsenal were thoroughly on top with the home side resorting to long hoofs up the pitch to relieve the pressure. Even Kolo Toure took advantage of Arsenal’s domination as he surged forward form the back on 24mins. The attempted one-two off Adebayor saw a poor return ball going too close to Reina with the Arsenal centre back through.

Liverpool’s first attack since the goal came on 26mins which saw them earn successive corners. It looked like it was going to be the “Stevie G Show” when the ball came to the Liverpool captain on the edge of the area but his powerful shot forced a great save form Almunia.

The home side kept a less dominant Arsenal at bay for the rest of the half while themselves still being reduced to long balls. The visitors began to look frustrated and it was to be Liverpool who were to come closest to scoring before the break.

Gerrards whipped in free kick on 42mins narrowly missed a host of Liverpool heads as Arsenal’s set piece defending looked ropey. All Arsenal mustered in response was a deflected shot by Adebayor which trickled to Reina.

The beginning of the second half saw Crouch replace a struggling Torres and it wasn’t long before the lanky forward was making an impression. On 51mins he had a great effort from 20yards which required an excellent save from the Arsenal keeper.

Minutes later Arsenal should have equalised. Eboue hit the upright from inside the area with the rebound falling kindly for Fabgregas but the Spaniard unbelievably blazed wide with the goal at his mercy!

Liverpool looked more positive in the second half but still defending stoutly when required. Crouch came close twice before, on 64mins, Gerrard’s free kick into the box saw Arsenal look less than convincing in defending set pieces again with Toure required to clear off the line.

Shortly after that the home side began sitting back again, devoid of ambition but looking comfortable as the pressure from Arsenal wasn’t anything like it was in the first half.

On 75mins Liverpool came close to wrapping up the match but Riise’s volley from the edge of the area was just over.

However Arsenal got what they deserved on 79mins when Hleb played a lovely dinked ball over the top to find the run of Fabregas, beating the offside trap and toe-poking the ball past Reina at his near post.

An end to end finale ensued as both sides looked for a winner. And Arsenal should have had one, as on 86mins Fabregas hit the near post from 25yards out, the ball fell to Bendtner but the Dane lashed his shot high and wide with the goal gaping in front of him.

Liverpool too had their chance, on 89mins, Crouch layed it off to Gerrard inside the box but Gallas slid to block the close range shot.

At the death Toure and Gallas almost combined form a free kick but it wasn’t to be. Honours even in an entertaining match that had both teams playing to their strengths.

Man of the Match: Almunia – made some crucial saves to keep his side in the game

Everton 1 – 2 Liverpool

It was the usual hell for leather start you’d expect from a Merseyside derby with the tempo ridiculously high. Liverpool started the better and on 2min Gerrard made an ominous run in to the Everton box only to run the ball out of play. 2 minutes later Voronin had a great chance to put the visitors ahead, after a ball over the top found Benayoun to play him in, but shot straight at Howard from 10 yards.

Liverpool dominated early possession but Everton’s scrapping eventually got them back into the game as they began winning free kicks and corners. Indeed the home side were on top with a quarter of the game played as things began to settle down in the middle of the park.

Osman and Lescott were doing well in wide areas for the home side, consistently getting in to dangerous areas. It was Osman who came closest to scoring during this period of pressure when on 29mins he volleyed over after the ball came to him on the edge of the box from a long throw. A moment later Lescott set up Yakubu only for the Nigerian to swing at air from 8 yards out. His strike partner, Anichebe, came close on 32mins with his header just going over from Arteta’s free kick.

The goal came on 37mins after Liverpool failed to clear a corner only for Stubbs to knock it back into the mix fro Hyppia to miscue in to his own net. The half ended with the home team looking comfortable with only a long range effort from Gerrard on 43mins the closest the visitors came to an equaliser.

The second half began with Everton on the front foot again with Liverpool’s forwards not linking up the play at all in the final third. Arteta began to get more involved after an unusually quiet first half for the Spanish playmaker.

Against the run of play Liverpool broke, having cleared a corner, with Gerrard surging into the Everton box only to go down after a clash with Hibbert. A penalty was given and seemingly a yellow card was about to be brandished to the Everton defender until Gerrard’s intervention which bizarrely saw the referee return the card to his pocket only to replace it with a red! Kuyt duly put the penalty away to make it one all on 52mins.

It wasn’t long before Everton were again incensed by dubious refereeing when on 56mins Lescott was wrestled in the Liverpool box but the Everton player obviously lacked the guile of Gerrard to win a penalty. From that incident Liverpool broke with Kuyt down the right and into the box, pulling back for Riise to blast over.

Liverpool were staring to see more of the ball but the home side continued to take the game to the visitors at every opportunity.

The forward on both sides were getting more involved as the game became more stretched. On 59mins Anichebe flicked on for Yakubu but his Overhead kcik lacked the power to trouble Reina.

On the hour there was a scramble in the Everton box following a Liverpool corner. Kuyt’s initial shot was blocked, the ball came to Voronin who saw his strike well saved and the resulting rebound fell to Kuyt who headed over.

Everton fans were again up in arms when on 64mins Kuyt’s two footed, knee-high lunge on Neville only saw yellow.

Yakubu then struck a powerful shot from 25 yards that was just wide of the post on 65mins. That was to be the closest Everton were to come as being down to ten men began to take its toll and the Everton backline got deeper and deeper.

Liverpool began to push for a winner. On 76mins, Voronin drove into the Everton box only to skew a shot well wide with Kuyt open for a tap in. Minutes later Sissoko dragged a shot wide of the near post.

Their best chance came on 81mins when Finnan delivered a great cross to Voronin who headed over from 10 yards.

Everton looked to have weathered the storm and stifled their rivals for the remainder of the match until in the 90^th minute Phil Neville used his arm to block Lucas’ shot on the line after Howard parried straight to the Brazilian youngster.

Kuyt again dispatched the penalty to earn Liverpool the points but the controversy was far from over. In the 93^rd minute Lescott was floored from behind in the box by Carragher in a move akin to a judo throw. Again the referee failed to make the call in favour of the blues in what was to be a red day on Merseyside.

Reading 1 – 0 Derby County

With both teams’ “against columns” hardly looking flattering it was a game were both sides were looking to keep it tight.

Reading were looking anxious top get off to a good start in the early stages and created a great opening after 3 mins. Doyle and Kitson linked up well to see Hunt come inside from the left to get on the end of a chance he ballooned over. Derby were unable to get any sort of foothold in what was a messy opening period.

On 20mins, Hunt had another chance to open the Reading’s account but glanced his header wide after a perfect cross from Doyle. The home fans started to get behind their team having been noticeably anxious for the first quarter of the game as it became a more evenly contested affair.

It was Doyle who was to have the best chance of the half, on 28mins, only to head over from close range. The visitor’s best effort came soon after, Griffin cutting in from the left to unleash a dangerous looking shot across the face of goal and wide with the keeper beaten.

The most noteworthy incident of the match came after 36mins when a Reading corner failed to be cleared and Murty’s resulting shot was clearly blocked by McEverley’s arm. The only man on the park who failed to notice was the referee however.

The second half was thankfully more entertaining than the first. Reading applied the early pressure but it was Derby who began to look the more likely to break the deadlock. On 50mins Oakely’s half-volley curled just wide of the Reading goal. 6 minutes later another volleyed effort, this time from Pearson, followed from some good work by Mears down the right, but it too was wide of the mark.

Derby’s good spell seemed to stir the home side into life and just after the hour they had the lead, Doyle getting on the end of Murty’s cross to head the ball back across the face of goal and into the bottom corner.

What followed was the most exciting spell of an otherwise lacklustre game. Derby made some positive substitutions bringing on Earnshaw, Barnes and Lewis to bolster the attack and were soon seeing a noticeable improvement. Reading began looking nervous of their slim lead which only spurred the visitors on.

Derby repeatedly looked to spring Earnshaw who injected some much needed pace into the side. It was he who had their best attempt when on 76mins he turned well on the edge of the box only to shoot just wide of the right hand post.

Derby piled men forward in the closing stages with Pearson getting on the edge of a cross only to volley well wide on 84mins.

The home side began to look more comfortable after that as it appeared Derby had run out of steam, Doyle getting a chance on 86mins but shooting straight at Bywater. But the visitors should’ve equalised at the death when, following an incisive move on the left, the ball was swung in for Miller but the Scot badly miscued his header and saw it cleared.

A poor match featuring two sides displaying a lot of effort and hard work but minimal creative ability. Whether that will be enough come the end of the season I can only speculate it will not.

Man of the Match: Graeme Murty – typified Readings work ethic and got involved in most attacks

Premiership Round up #2 - September

There has been a lot of talk this season about the Premiership being comprised of 3 mini-leagues, one vying for the title, another for UEFA cup spots and a third fighting for survival. It’s hard to argue with such reasoning as just 2 months in we can see where the battle-lines have been drawn.

At the top only Arsenal have been convincing with their band of mercurial players on the crest of a wave. Many people had written them off due to a poor last season and the loss of Henry but the attacking talent they have only relies on one of their match winners to be on song to turn any match (which last season none of them, when fit, did). However with waves come troughs as well as crests and I would have to be concerned regarding the mentality of the squad. 2 years ago they looked the best team in Europe by miles and then a strange Gallic complacency took over and they faded badly. Whether this psychological weakness still exists remains to be seen.

Liverpool, and in particular Torres, have impressed but only on occasion with their inconsistency usually blamed on the “squad-rotation” policy of their manager. The “resting” of players so early in a season is indeed questionable but I think there’s more to it than that. The signing of some exciting attacking players was meant to address the overly defensive nature of the team but there still seems to be a dearth of creative players at the club.

Liverpool may have a lack of creativity but the club at the top of the second grouping, their neighbours Everton, have almost none. The fact that such a dour team lie in 5^th at the end of September speaks volumes about the quality of the league.

Other supposed contenders for that position, namely the likes of Aston Villa, West Ham and (oh dear) Spurs, may have more flair and ingenuity but it goes to show that its good old fashioned slog-work that prevails in the, alleged, “Best League in the World”.

The masters of ugly football, Chelsea, have suffered under the weight of the promise of attractive, flowing play as their current position testifies. But all is not lost for the type of play everyone likes to see, Man City and their Brazilian playmaker Elano have been scintillating at times whilst also finding the right balance with the likes of Dunne, Richards and Hamann providing the steel.

At the bottom, Derby find themselves looking as out of place as Sunderland (05/06) and Wolves (03/04) before them. Derby aside, it is the hardest of the 3 “battles” to call as so few points can make such a big difference. The likes of the currently struggling Bolton are easily able to swap places with the on-form and battling Wigan in only a matter of weeks.

I think it goes back to what I was saying in the August round-up - about form being temporary and class being permanent – but in a league so bereft of class it’s hard to know what to expect. Perhaps it is this unpredictability that earns the Premiership it’s plaudits.

Everton 2 – 0 Middlesbrough

Two sides lacking in form met in what on paper should be a home banker.

It was a disjointed start to the game with neither side getting the ball down and playing, Everton in particular guilty of lumping the ball upfield.

The home side had a scare on 5mins when Lee played in Boateng only for him to hit an easy chance, from 10 yards out, wide.

A minute later and there was slack defending at the other end as there was chaos in the Boro box form a corner with the resulting poor clearance finding Lescott free 5 yards out to duly nod home.

The goal failed to settle Everton and Boro continued to apply pressure, O’Neil coming closest on 11mins after a knock down by Mido only for his weak shot to be easily saved.

It took until the 13^th minute for the hoem side to have some meaningful possession as Arteta began to dictate proceeding in the middle of the park.

On 18mins, Everton should have had a second as Baines’ cross found Yakubu unmarked and 6 yards from goal but the 11 million pound striker headed over.

With a quarter of the game gone neither side were looking comfortable in possession as both sets of players were quick to close down.

The crowd were quite subdued and nervous as the home side failed to hold onto the ball and Boro looked to take the initiative.

There was a third missed sitter on 24mins when Lee rose to meet the ball 5 yards from goal only to hit the bar as Boro continued to hold Everton back.

The home side weathered the storm and came back to life on 32mins when Arteta jinked inside the Boro box to unleash a good effort which Schwarzer was equal to.

There was a rare good move, in what was a bitty and tight affair, on 39mins when Pienaar got on the end of a swept in cross from Hibbert only to head over.

Everton eventually got the game by the scruff of the neck late in the half with Pienaar and McFadden coming into it more. Their best effort coming for the talismanic Arteta on 44mins with his powerful shot hit straight at Schwarzer.

The second half continued where the first left off as Everton looked more assured in possession. On 50mins some great link up play saw Pienaar in room on the left only for the South African to hit a poor cross with 4 blue shirts in the box.

Boro were edging back into the match on 53mins when the out-of-his-depth Lee volleyed well wide. Indeed Everton’s second came against the run of play, Arteta and Pienaar linking up well with the Spaniards deft ball across the box steered into the net by the former Ajax man.

The home sides confidence was renewed and they seemed happy to take whatever Boro could throw at them having gone two up. They finally shut up shop on 73mins when they went to a 4-5-1 formation.

It was a comfortable end to the game for Everton and although it wasn;t one for the spectator it was a particularly solid looking defensive display for the closing 10mins, Boro’s only chance a tame Craddock header.

Man of the Match: Mikel Arteta – carried his team for the best part of an hour and always looked positive in possession

Man city 3 -1 Newcastle

At kick off it was 3^rd plays 5^th so a decent match was in prospect and it didn’t fail to entertain.

It was a bright opening period with City shading it but the visitors were having the better chances with both Rozenhal and Viduka on target in the first 10mins.

City’s first chance fell to Elano as he hit an excellent half-volley from outside the penalty area but Given was equal to it and pulled off a superb save to deny the Brazilian.

The home side were slick in possession, passing the ball with skilful assurance. Elano’s vision linking up attacks with the willing runners of Petrov and MPenza.

In contrast, Newcastle were struggling to get a move together, relying on their front three for inspiration.

City were beginning to dictate when Ireland’s cross hit the bar on 25mins but hey were to find themselves behind just 3 minutes later. Geremi knocked a ball over the top which was controlled magnificently by Martins whose controlled finish beat the onrushing Hart in the City goal.

Things almost got worse for the City keeper when on 31mins he miss-controlled a back pass forcing him to a hasty clearance off his goal line.

City were again knocking the ball around well but they seemed to lack the presence up front to get the equaliser they were after. Petrov’s effort on 34mins, following a great through ball, was all they had to show.

But Newcastle’s ridiculously high backline was to offer the home side a chance they didn’t pass up. On 37mins a great move saw Elano put Ireland through into acres of space on the right for the Irishman to play a lovely weighted ball across goal for Petrov to finish.

City finished the half the stronger with Elano again putting Ireland through on goal only for Given to close down his compatriot quickly and block the shot.

The second half had just begun when Newcastle’s high line had them in trouble again. They failed to clear a ball which resulted in Petrov storming down the left to supply the cross for Mpenzas headed finish to make it 2-1 on 46mins.

The game became more end to end after that as Newcastle pushed for the equaliser but it took until the 66^th minute for them to create a clear cut opening which saw Martins smash wide form a tight angle.

The visitors were on top for a period after that with a succession of set pieces keeping City at bay. On 71mins, Geremi saw his free kick abley tipped over by Hart and a minute later their was indecision in the City box as they failed repeatedly to clear from a corner but Newcastle couldn’t capitalise.

City’s passing became sloppy as they looked increasingly nervous. They did manage to spring a break on 79mins after some more jittery defending in the box. Richards and Ireland combining only for the powerful defender to hit a weak shot on goal.

Newcastle went to 4-4-2 but in all honesty never looked like scoring and it as City began to break with more efficiency it was the home side who looked like they might nick another.

On 82mins Petrov made an excellent foray down the left only to see MPenza hit his cross over from 10 yards. The Belgian got another chance a minute later as again City broke but his shot was eventually blocked.

On 86mins Elano made the points safe for City as his bullet of a free kick went straight into the top left hand corner form 25 yards.

It was a well deserved win for the home side as Newcastle looked uninspired and lacking a spark in midfield

Man of the Match: Elano – again City’s best player, at the centre of all their attacks and came up with a fantastic free-kick