EPL Today
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Chelsea- West Bromwich Albion
Didier Drogba made sure that this season would start in similar manner to the ending to last season. Drogba scored a hat trick with Florent Malouda added two goals in the 6-0 rout of the newly promoted West Bromwich. The full match report is not availiable at this time but will be added as soon as it is availiable.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City
David Jones and newly acquired Steven Flecter scored first half goals withing two minutes of one another allowing the Wanderers to begin the season on a high note with a 2-1 victory. For the full match report... http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52670,00.html
Wigan Athletic v Blackpool
In the shocker of the day, newly promoted Blackpool completely dominted the side from Wigan securing the 3 points with a 4-0 rout. For the full match report... http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52663,00.html
Sunderland v Birmingham City
For 77 minutes, Stephen Carr was looking to be the difference in this match, in a very bad way. Carr fouled Frazier Campbell allowing Darren Bent to capitalize on the penalty shot giving Sunderland a 1-0 lead. Then in the 55th minute, Carr headed the ball over his own keeper gifting Sunderland another goal. Alas, his teammates put on a furious rally that resulted in two goals, including the game winner, in the final 12 minutes allowing Birmingham City to escape opening day with a draw. For a full match report... http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52668,00.html
Bolton Wanderers v Fulham
An american had the best shot to win this match... just not the one any expected. Stuart Holden still flying high after his successful trial with Bolton earning him a full season contract, hit the post in the 78th minute in what could have been a perfect debut. For the full match report... http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52664,00.html
Blackburn Rovers v Everton
Dressed in pink, Tim Howard an early mistake very similar to the ones made by his national team throughout the World Cup. Nikola Kalinic scored the only goal of the match taking advantage of a maitake by Howard. For the full match report... http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52662,00.html
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Aston Villa easily handled West Ham 3-0 on opening day of the EPL. Man of the match Stewart Downing started the scoring 14 minutes in followed by by Petrov (39') and Milner (65'). For the full match report go to... www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52661,00.html
Tottenham v Manchester City
Tottenham and Manchester City played today to a thrilling 0-0 draw. For a full match report...
http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52669,00.html
http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchReports/0,,12306~52669,00.html
Friday, August 13, 2010
Mario is here...
Manchester City has officially announced the transfer of former Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. This has been expected for weeks from the free spenders from Abu Dhabi. Mario is an incredibly talented player that could end up as one of the top 5 players in the world or could self destruct and bring everyone down with him. Is the otherworldly talent worth the headaches of a persona of Balotelli's caliber?
City already has Santa Cruz, Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy, and for now, Robinho on the roster as fowards. Where will Balotelli fit in and will he have enough composure to wait his turn in musical strikers at City.
On a personal tangent, will the new 25 player list be a problem for any teams other than City. It seems as though City has close to 40 players that are EPL caliber players on their roster. If all are not loaned or transferred in time, how can City's hoarding of talent be a good thing. I am happy that the EPL has instituted the 25 player policy and left a loophole of the 21 and under age rule, but I personally hope that these decisions by City to add more players the the point of being just flat out ridiculous, bites them in the ass.
City already has Santa Cruz, Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy, and for now, Robinho on the roster as fowards. Where will Balotelli fit in and will he have enough composure to wait his turn in musical strikers at City.
On a personal tangent, will the new 25 player list be a problem for any teams other than City. It seems as though City has close to 40 players that are EPL caliber players on their roster. If all are not loaned or transferred in time, how can City's hoarding of talent be a good thing. I am happy that the EPL has instituted the 25 player policy and left a loophole of the 21 and under age rule, but I personally hope that these decisions by City to add more players the the point of being just flat out ridiculous, bites them in the ass.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Promotion
The English League Championship season was dominated by Newcastle United (102 points) and West Bromwich Albion (91 points). They were guaranteed promotion due to their outstanding seasons.
Blackpool finished the season in 6th position barely making it into the four team playoff for the third and final promotion spot. In the playoff, Blackpool defeated Cardiff City 3-2 in front of over 82,000 people sealing their promotion to the EPL.
Newcastle United is the best bet to survive relegation with West Bromwich Albion having a pretty good chance as well. Blackpool, on the other hand, would need a miracle of sorts to not be one of the bottom three teams in the EPL this year.
The one huge positive for this season that Blackpool has is that they start their season against Wigan, a squad that was defeated by Blackpool last season. Newcastle United gets to start their premiership versus the Red Devils of Manchester United. West Bromwich gets last year's EPl winner, Chelsea, in their opening match.
I welcome all three clubs to the EPL and can't wait to see how these squads match up against the giants of soccer in the EPL.
Blackpool finished the season in 6th position barely making it into the four team playoff for the third and final promotion spot. In the playoff, Blackpool defeated Cardiff City 3-2 in front of over 82,000 people sealing their promotion to the EPL.
Newcastle United is the best bet to survive relegation with West Bromwich Albion having a pretty good chance as well. Blackpool, on the other hand, would need a miracle of sorts to not be one of the bottom three teams in the EPL this year.
The one huge positive for this season that Blackpool has is that they start their season against Wigan, a squad that was defeated by Blackpool last season. Newcastle United gets to start their premiership versus the Red Devils of Manchester United. West Bromwich gets last year's EPl winner, Chelsea, in their opening match.
I welcome all three clubs to the EPL and can't wait to see how these squads match up against the giants of soccer in the EPL.
Relegation
After last year's long season, the bottom three teams in the EPL were relegated to the English League Championship. Burnley, Hull City, and Portsmouth will have to work their way back up to earn a spot back in the EPL next season.
-Burnley finished last season with 8 wins 24 losses and 6 draws finishing with 30 points, losing out to relegation by a mere 5 points. They will be one of the favorites to get promoted next season and return to the EPL.
-Hull City finished last season with 6 wins 20 losses and 12 draws also finishing with 30 points missing out to relegation by 5 points. Hull City had American Jozy Altidore on loan from Villereal but Altidore had a very disappointing season which sealed the relegation for Hull.
-Portsmouth finished last season with 7 wins 24 losses and 7 draws finishing with 19 points. The squad was beset by financial problems that are still ever present and may send Portsmouth spiraling down the English leagues until the financial issues can be resolved.
-Burnley finished last season with 8 wins 24 losses and 6 draws finishing with 30 points, losing out to relegation by a mere 5 points. They will be one of the favorites to get promoted next season and return to the EPL.
-Hull City finished last season with 6 wins 20 losses and 12 draws also finishing with 30 points missing out to relegation by 5 points. Hull City had American Jozy Altidore on loan from Villereal but Altidore had a very disappointing season which sealed the relegation for Hull.
-Portsmouth finished last season with 7 wins 24 losses and 7 draws finishing with 19 points. The squad was beset by financial problems that are still ever present and may send Portsmouth spiraling down the English leagues until the financial issues can be resolved.
Europa Legaue
English Premier League teams: Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Liverpool will be competing in the Europa League this season after finishing fifth, sixth and seventh last season. The qualifying procedure is a home and away series in which the aggregate goal total will qualify for the Europa League.
-Manchester City will begin their attempt at attaining the hardware visiting Romanian Futbol squad FC Timisoara. The first game will be on August 19th at 1:45 PM CST. With the rubber match on August 26 at 1:45 PM CST as well.
-Aston Villa will attempt to secure the hardware with a qualifying match versus Austrian Bundesliga squad Rapid Vienna. The first match will be on August 19th at 11:45 AM CST with the follow up being on August 26th at 1:45 PM CST.
-Liverpool attempts to bring the Europa League Cup home to the Reds with a qualifying match versus Turkish Super League Squad Trabzonspor. The first match will be on August 19th at 1:45 PM CST with the follow up being on August 26th at 1:45 PM CST.
-Manchester City will begin their attempt at attaining the hardware visiting Romanian Futbol squad FC Timisoara. The first game will be on August 19th at 1:45 PM CST. With the rubber match on August 26 at 1:45 PM CST as well.
-Aston Villa will attempt to secure the hardware with a qualifying match versus Austrian Bundesliga squad Rapid Vienna. The first match will be on August 19th at 11:45 AM CST with the follow up being on August 26th at 1:45 PM CST.
-Liverpool attempts to bring the Europa League Cup home to the Reds with a qualifying match versus Turkish Super League Squad Trabzonspor. The first match will be on August 19th at 1:45 PM CST with the follow up being on August 26th at 1:45 PM CST.
Champions League Participants
After a hard fought EPL season won by Chelsea, the EPL's top four teams will compete in the Champions League this year. The Champions League is a tournament of sorts of the top teams in the top leagues of all of Europe. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal are guaranteed particiapnts with the Tottenham Hotspurs needing to qualify to participate.
Tottenham plays the Young Boys, a squad from the Swiss Super League, Thursday, August 17 at 1:45 PM CST at the Wankdorf Stadium in Switzerland for a spot in the Champions League. As of right now, there is no television coverage but I will keep updated if things change.
Tottenham plays the Young Boys, a squad from the Swiss Super League, Thursday, August 17 at 1:45 PM CST at the Wankdorf Stadium in Switzerland for a spot in the Champions League. As of right now, there is no television coverage but I will keep updated if things change.
Week One Games
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City 6:45 AM CST ESPN2/ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes/ESPN Mobile TV
Sunderland v Birmingham 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv
Aston Villa v West Ham United 9:00 AM CST Fox Soccer Channel
Wigan Athletic v Blackpool 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv
Blackburn Rovers v Everton 9:00 AM CST Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv Bolton Wanderers v Fulham 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion 11:30 AM CST Fox Soccer Channel
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Liverpool v Arsenal 10:00 AM CST Fox Soccer Channel
Monday, August 16, 2010
Manchester United v Newcastle 2:00 PM CST ESPN2/ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes/ESPN Mobile TV
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City 6:45 AM CST ESPN2/ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes/ESPN Mobile TV
Sunderland v Birmingham 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv
Aston Villa v West Ham United 9:00 AM CST Fox Soccer Channel
Wigan Athletic v Blackpool 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv
Blackburn Rovers v Everton 9:00 AM CST Fox Soccer Plus (and FoxSoccer.tv)
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Stoke City 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv Bolton Wanderers v Fulham 9:00 AM CST FoxSoccer.tv
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion 11:30 AM CST Fox Soccer Channel
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Liverpool v Arsenal 10:00 AM CST Fox Soccer Channel
Monday, August 16, 2010
Manchester United v Newcastle 2:00 PM CST ESPN2/ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes/ESPN Mobile TV
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)