Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin were on target as Arsenal battled to a 2-1 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park.
Walcott fired a stunning 19th minute opener as the Gunners worked hard for the points. He was sent scampering clear down the right flank by a fine ball from Robin van Persie before cutting inside and ramming a low shot past Paul Robinson.
Wenger's dislike of the home side's qualities are well known and he insisted his side had approached the game with concerns after a bruising battle in the equivalent fixture last season.
Wenger said: "We had a good start but in my opinion we were too nervous dealing with the game of Blackburn. Who would not be unsettled by the kind of game Blackburn gave us today? Last year we had bad memories here and because we knew they would play the kind of game we don't like we had not enough confidence to deal with that.
"In the second half I felt we were calmer. We put the ball well on the ground and controlled it better and it was just a question of time. We had the right resilience and commitment."
And Wenger is adamant the way his side shrugged off those nerves to take the points sent a strong signal that they will not be found wanting in the title chase this season.
"If you have ambition in this league you have got to win at Blackburn," Wenger added. "If you fail to win at Blackburn - if you go to clubs like that and you don't win - your ambition will not be respected by the other teams so it was an important test for us. The players are committed and we had that little bit more experience today, even if on just one or two occasions we were a bit lucky."
Scoring Summary:
Blackburn
Mame Biram Diouf 27'
Arsenal
Theo Walcott 20'
Andrei Arshavin 51'
EPL Today
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Blackpool 2 - 2 Fulham
Blackpool played their first quality match since opening day versus Wigan getting a draw versus Fulham today. Since that opening match, Blackpool got drubbed by Arsenal and lost their opening match in the Carling Cup tournament.
They were able to play even and at certain points even outplay Fulham in the second half. It ended up taking a late rare score from Dickson Etuhu for the Cottagers to salvage a point.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes thought they suffered when Zamora went to the dressing room but was with pleased with the team's character.
He said: ''We haven't picked up that many points on the road over the years. It is something we hope to improve on. It is key to whether we have a decent season.
''In the second half we didn't play as well as we normally can, made a couple of mistakes and let them get back into the game.
''It is good to see Dickson Etuhu getting on the end of something. He has not scored many goals in his career. We are trying to get him forward more. We lost a little bit of our focus when Bobby went off. That disrupted us somewhat. But we are pleased with an away point and will build on that.''
Scoring Summary:
Blackpool
John Pantsil own goal 71'
Luke Varney 76'
Fulham
Bobby Zamora 35'
Dickson Etuhu 87'
They were able to play even and at certain points even outplay Fulham in the second half. It ended up taking a late rare score from Dickson Etuhu for the Cottagers to salvage a point.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes thought they suffered when Zamora went to the dressing room but was with pleased with the team's character.
He said: ''We haven't picked up that many points on the road over the years. It is something we hope to improve on. It is key to whether we have a decent season.
''In the second half we didn't play as well as we normally can, made a couple of mistakes and let them get back into the game.
''It is good to see Dickson Etuhu getting on the end of something. He has not scored many goals in his career. We are trying to get him forward more. We lost a little bit of our focus when Bobby went off. That disrupted us somewhat. But we are pleased with an away point and will build on that.''
Scoring Summary:
Blackpool
John Pantsil own goal 71'
Luke Varney 76'
Fulham
Bobby Zamora 35'
Dickson Etuhu 87'
Chelsea 2 - 0 Stoke City
Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba kept up their scoring ways in the 2-0 victory over Stoke City. Frank Lampard missed a penalty kick in the 11th minute allowing the goal differential to only be two today.
While it was not the goal rout of recent weeks, Chelsea were by far the classier side, giving warning of what was to come within five minutes when Michael Essien split the Stoke defence with a pass into the path of Ashley Cole to set up a chance the England fullback pulled wide.
Stoke also had their chances early on, Dean Whitehead bringing a sharp save from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with a snap shot following a neat one-two with Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters lifting a lob on to the top of the Chelsea net.
Scoring Summary:
Chelsea
Frank Lampard Penalty miss 11'
Florent Malouda 32'
Didier Drogba Penalty 77'
While it was not the goal rout of recent weeks, Chelsea were by far the classier side, giving warning of what was to come within five minutes when Michael Essien split the Stoke defence with a pass into the path of Ashley Cole to set up a chance the England fullback pulled wide.
Stoke also had their chances early on, Dean Whitehead bringing a sharp save from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with a snap shot following a neat one-two with Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters lifting a lob on to the top of the Chelsea net.
Scoring Summary:
Chelsea
Frank Lampard Penalty miss 11'
Florent Malouda 32'
Didier Drogba Penalty 77'
Tottenham Hotspurs 0 Wigan Athletic 1
Hugo Rodallega scored the winner 10 minutes from full-time after Carlo Cudicini allowed the winger's tame shot to squirm past him in what was the goalkeeper's first start since his horrific motorcycle accident.
It was a remarkable result for a Latics side who had conceded 10 goals in their opening two Premier League games and nine in the corresponding fixture last season.
It also cast doubt on Spurs boss Harry Redknapp's claim he has a squad capable of competing both domestically and in the Champions League.
Indeed, Redknapp's fears about complacency following last season's goal glut against the Latics and Wednesday night's historic European victory against Young Boys appeared to have been realised.
On a personal note, this is the squad I am supporting and does not put me in a good mood today.
It was a remarkable result for a Latics side who had conceded 10 goals in their opening two Premier League games and nine in the corresponding fixture last season.
It also cast doubt on Spurs boss Harry Redknapp's claim he has a squad capable of competing both domestically and in the Champions League.
Indeed, Redknapp's fears about complacency following last season's goal glut against the Latics and Wednesday night's historic European victory against Young Boys appeared to have been realised.
On a personal note, this is the squad I am supporting and does not put me in a good mood today.
Manchester United 3 - 0 West Ham United
Wayne Rooney finally got onto the scoring board after his long drought scoring the first of three goals versus woeful West Ham. Rooney's 33rd-minute penalty after Jonathan Spector had fouled Ryan Giggs will hardly enter his personal haul of fame. But it ends the talk of his scoring drought and should go some way to easing the 24-year-old back to top form after a slow start to the season.
Second-half efforts from Nani and Dimitar Berbatov, who took his tally to three in four games, sealed victory to keep United in touch with early pace-setters Chelsea. But for West Ham, the international break only provides further opportunity to worry.
Without a point under Avram Grant's stewardship and unconvincing in Carling Cup triumph against lowly Oxford at Upton Park on Tuesday, the Hammers are now bottom of the table and facing a fight to preserve their top-flight status.
Scoring Summary:
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney penalty shot 33'
Nani 50'
Dimitar Berbatov 69'
Second-half efforts from Nani and Dimitar Berbatov, who took his tally to three in four games, sealed victory to keep United in touch with early pace-setters Chelsea. But for West Ham, the international break only provides further opportunity to worry.
Without a point under Avram Grant's stewardship and unconvincing in Carling Cup triumph against lowly Oxford at Upton Park on Tuesday, the Hammers are now bottom of the table and facing a fight to preserve their top-flight status.
Scoring Summary:
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney penalty shot 33'
Nani 50'
Dimitar Berbatov 69'
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - 1 Newcastle United
This was an old-fashioned blood and thunder type of game with the tackles flying in from both sides throughout the 90 minutes. Wolves had seven players booked and Newcastle five.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake put one away for the Wolves in the 43rd minute getting his second goal of the season, equaling his tally for the previous campaign. Andy Carroll punched back with his 4th goal in the last two games tying the match in the 62nd minute.
Scoring Summary
Wolverhampton:
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake 43'
Newcastle
Andrew Carroll 62'
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake put one away for the Wolves in the 43rd minute getting his second goal of the season, equaling his tally for the previous campaign. Andy Carroll punched back with his 4th goal in the last two games tying the match in the 62nd minute.
Scoring Summary
Wolverhampton:
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake 43'
Newcastle
Andrew Carroll 62'
Friday, August 27, 2010
Program note
After much thought, I have decided to support the...... Tottenham Hotspurs in the EPL. I believe that with their roster, their style of play and all the other countless qualities, they fit best as the team for me. I look forward to debates in the future about teams and the balance of power in the EPL. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Europa League Draw
Group A
Juventus
Manchester City
Salzburg
Lech Poznan
Group B
Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen
Rosenborg
Aris Thessaloniki
Group C
Sporting
Lille
Levski Sofia
Gent
Group D
Villarreal
Club Brugge
Dinamo Zagreb
PAOK
Group E
AZ Alkmaar
Dynamo Kiev
BATE Borisov
FC Sheriff
Group F
CSKA Moscow
Palermo
Sparta Prague
Lausanne Sports
Group G
Zenit St Petersburg
Anderlecht
AEK Athens
Hadjuk Split
Group H
Stuttgart
Getafe
Odense
Young Boys
Group I
PSV Eindhoven
Sampdoria
Metalist Kharkiv
Debreceni
Group J
Sevilla
Paris Saint Germain
Borussia Dortmund
Karpaty
Group K
Liverpool
Steaua Bucharest
Napoli
Utrecht
Group L
Porto
Besiktas
CSKA Sofia
Rapid Vienna
Juventus
Manchester City
Salzburg
Lech Poznan
Group B
Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen
Rosenborg
Aris Thessaloniki
Group C
Sporting
Lille
Levski Sofia
Gent
Group D
Villarreal
Club Brugge
Dinamo Zagreb
PAOK
Group E
AZ Alkmaar
Dynamo Kiev
BATE Borisov
FC Sheriff
Group F
CSKA Moscow
Palermo
Sparta Prague
Lausanne Sports
Group G
Zenit St Petersburg
Anderlecht
AEK Athens
Hadjuk Split
Group H
Stuttgart
Getafe
Odense
Young Boys
Group I
PSV Eindhoven
Sampdoria
Metalist Kharkiv
Debreceni
Group J
Sevilla
Paris Saint Germain
Borussia Dortmund
Karpaty
Group K
Liverpool
Steaua Bucharest
Napoli
Utrecht
Group L
Porto
Besiktas
CSKA Sofia
Rapid Vienna
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Transfer Update
With less than a week till the transfer deadline, here are the deals from the 20th till the 26th in the EPL.
Aug 20
Matthew Doherty
From: Bohemians
To: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Compensation: Undisclosed
Somen Tchoyi
From: SV Salzburg
To: West Bromwich Albion
Compensation: Undisclosed
Peter Odemwingie
From: Lokomotiv Moscow
To: West Bromwich Albion
Compensation: Undisclosed
Aug 22
William Gallas
From: Unattached
To: Tottenham Hotspur
Compensation: Free
Aug 23
Steven Caldwell
From: Unattached
To: Wigan Athletic
Compensation: Free
Aug 24
Rafik Halliche
From: Benfica
To: Fulham
Compensation: Undisclosed
Aug 26
Michael Mancienne
From: Chelsea
To: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Compensation: Loan
Aug 20
Matthew Doherty
From: Bohemians
To: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Compensation: Undisclosed
Somen Tchoyi
From: SV Salzburg
To: West Bromwich Albion
Compensation: Undisclosed
Peter Odemwingie
From: Lokomotiv Moscow
To: West Bromwich Albion
Compensation: Undisclosed
Aug 22
William Gallas
From: Unattached
To: Tottenham Hotspur
Compensation: Free
Aug 23
Steven Caldwell
From: Unattached
To: Wigan Athletic
Compensation: Free
Aug 24
Rafik Halliche
From: Benfica
To: Fulham
Compensation: Undisclosed
Aug 26
Michael Mancienne
From: Chelsea
To: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Compensation: Loan
Matches Today
Europa League Qualifiers 2nd Leg
Aston Villa v Rapid Vienna
Manchester City v FC Timisoara
Trabzonspor v Liverpool
Carling Cup 2nd Round
Birmingham v Rochdale
Aston Villa v Rapid Vienna
Manchester City v FC Timisoara
Trabzonspor v Liverpool
Carling Cup 2nd Round
Birmingham v Rochdale
Champions league draw
With Tottenham making the 4th EPL team to qualify for the Champions League, the clubs found out today who they will play in group stages...
Group A
Inter Milan
Werder Bremen
Tottenham
FC Twente
Group B
Lyon
Benfica
Schalke
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Group C
Manchester United
Valencia
Rangers
Bursaspor
Group D
Barcelona
Panathinaikos
Copenhagen
Rubin Kazan
Group E
Bayern Munich
Roma
Basel
CFR Cluj
Group F
Chelsea
Marseille
Spartak Moscow
MSK Zilina
Group G
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Ajax
Auxerre
Group H
Arsenal
Shakhtar Donetsk
Braga
Partizan
Group A
Inter Milan
Werder Bremen
Tottenham
FC Twente
Group B
Lyon
Benfica
Schalke
Hapoel Tel Aviv
Group C
Manchester United
Valencia
Rangers
Bursaspor
Group D
Barcelona
Panathinaikos
Copenhagen
Rubin Kazan
Group E
Bayern Munich
Roma
Basel
CFR Cluj
Group F
Chelsea
Marseille
Spartak Moscow
MSK Zilina
Group G
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Ajax
Auxerre
Group H
Arsenal
Shakhtar Donetsk
Braga
Partizan
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Carling Cup Round 2 Day 2
Accrington Stanley 2 Newcastle United 3
Accrington Stanley:
Ray Putterill 45'
Sean Hessey 90'
Newcastle United:
Ryan Taylor 36'
Shola Ameobi 48'
Peter Lovenkrands 67'
Everton 5 Huddersfield Town 1
Everton:
Marouane Fellaini 7'
Jack Rodwell 14'
Jermaine Beckford Penalty 50'
John Heitinga Pen miss 72'
Louis Saha 77'
Leon Osman 85'
Huddersfield Town:
John Heitinga og 40'
Fulham 6 Port Vale 0
Fulham:
Zoltan Gera 10', 45'
Moussa Dembele 26'
Bobby Zamora 36', 66'
Clint Dempsey 70'
Accrington Stanley:
Ray Putterill 45'
Sean Hessey 90'
Newcastle United:
Ryan Taylor 36'
Shola Ameobi 48'
Peter Lovenkrands 67'
Everton 5 Huddersfield Town 1
Everton:
Marouane Fellaini 7'
Jack Rodwell 14'
Jermaine Beckford Penalty 50'
John Heitinga Pen miss 72'
Louis Saha 77'
Leon Osman 85'
Huddersfield Town:
John Heitinga og 40'
Fulham 6 Port Vale 0
Fulham:
Zoltan Gera 10', 45'
Moussa Dembele 26'
Bobby Zamora 36', 66'
Clint Dempsey 70'
Champions League Qualifier
All the worry for Spurs fans has turned to excitement in a dominating home performance versus Young Boys. Whether it was arrogance or overlooking the opponent or whatever it was in the first leg's defeat, Tottenham put all that behind them in a 4-nil victory.
Peter Crouch got things going early for the Spurs with the first of his 3 goals in the 5th minute. Injured Jermain Defoe put one past the keeper in the 32nd minute allowing a comfortable margin of two goals at that point. By the penalty goal by Crouch in the 78th minute, it was celebration time at White Hart Lane.
In a dominating performance, the only blemish was an injury to Brazilian keeper, Gomes. He was removed one minute into the 2nd half. It is speculated that he was injured clearing the ball midway through the first half and asked for a substitution then. He was left in by manager Redknapp later and will be observed.
Scoring Summary:
Tottenham
Peter Crouch 5', 61', pen 78'
Jermain Defoe 32'
Peter Crouch got things going early for the Spurs with the first of his 3 goals in the 5th minute. Injured Jermain Defoe put one past the keeper in the 32nd minute allowing a comfortable margin of two goals at that point. By the penalty goal by Crouch in the 78th minute, it was celebration time at White Hart Lane.
In a dominating performance, the only blemish was an injury to Brazilian keeper, Gomes. He was removed one minute into the 2nd half. It is speculated that he was injured clearing the ball midway through the first half and asked for a substitution then. He was left in by manager Redknapp later and will be observed.
Scoring Summary:
Tottenham
Peter Crouch 5', 61', pen 78'
Jermain Defoe 32'
Tottenham v Young Boys: The Return Match
Tottenham gets its chance at redemption today in facing the Young Boys in a home match to decide who moves on to champions league group play. Young Boys secured a suprise 3-2 victory at home in the first match. Tottenham did get two away goals which will be very important in case of an aggregate tie.
Strikers Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavyluchenko and midfielder Giovani dos Santos are all expected to be available after missing Saturday's Barclays Premier League win at Stoke.
Manager Redknapp was confident they would do so but said: "Listen, if we can't win on Wednesday, then we don't deserve to be in the competition.
"If we can't win, what chance have we got anyway? "So, we find out how good we are on Wednesday.''
Strikers Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavyluchenko and midfielder Giovani dos Santos are all expected to be available after missing Saturday's Barclays Premier League win at Stoke.
Manager Redknapp was confident they would do so but said: "Listen, if we can't win on Wednesday, then we don't deserve to be in the competition.
"If we can't win, what chance have we got anyway? "So, we find out how good we are on Wednesday.''
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Carling Cup Results Round 2 Day 1
Hartlepool United 0 Wigan Athletic 3
Wigan:
Sam Collins 3' own goal
Garcia-Penche Jordi Gomez 76'
Victor Moses
Leyton Orient 0 West Bromwich Albion 2
West Brom:
Pablo Ibanez 29'
Chris Woods 90'
Southampton 0 Bolton Wanderers 1
Bolton:
Ivan Klasnic 31'
Stoke City 2 Shrewsbury Town 1
Stoke:
Jonathan Walters 26'
Tuncay Sanli 37'
Shrewsbury:
Steven Leslie 79'
Sunderland 2 Colchester United 0
Sunderland:
Darren Bent 19', 37'
West Ham United 1 Oxford United 0
West Ham:
Scott Parker 90'
Blackburn Rovers 3 Norwich City 1
Blackburn:
Mame Diouf 29' 80' 84'
Norwich City:
Jens Berthel Askou 90'
Milton Keynes Dons 4 Blackpool 3
Milton:
Sam Baldock 1'
Jermaine Easter 55', 57'
Lewis Guy 110'
Blackpool:
Brett Ormerod 52'
Ludovic Sylvestre 58'
Charlie Adam 82' Penalty Kick
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Southend United 1
Wolves:
Nenad Milijas 27' Penalty Kick
Richard Stearman 120'
Southend:
Craig Easton 80'
Wigan:
Sam Collins 3' own goal
Garcia-Penche Jordi Gomez 76'
Victor Moses
Leyton Orient 0 West Bromwich Albion 2
West Brom:
Pablo Ibanez 29'
Chris Woods 90'
Southampton 0 Bolton Wanderers 1
Bolton:
Ivan Klasnic 31'
Stoke City 2 Shrewsbury Town 1
Stoke:
Jonathan Walters 26'
Tuncay Sanli 37'
Shrewsbury:
Steven Leslie 79'
Sunderland 2 Colchester United 0
Sunderland:
Darren Bent 19', 37'
West Ham United 1 Oxford United 0
West Ham:
Scott Parker 90'
Blackburn Rovers 3 Norwich City 1
Blackburn:
Mame Diouf 29' 80' 84'
Norwich City:
Jens Berthel Askou 90'
Milton Keynes Dons 4 Blackpool 3
Milton:
Sam Baldock 1'
Jermaine Easter 55', 57'
Lewis Guy 110'
Blackpool:
Brett Ormerod 52'
Ludovic Sylvestre 58'
Charlie Adam 82' Penalty Kick
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Southend United 1
Wolves:
Nenad Milijas 27' Penalty Kick
Richard Stearman 120'
Southend:
Craig Easton 80'
Carling Cup Round 2 Matches
Round 2 of the Carling Cup gets underway today with the first matches involving EPL squads. Bolton, Stoke, Wigan, Sunderland, West Brom, West Ham, Blackpool, Wolverhampton, and Blackburn all play today.
14:45 ET- Southampton v Bolton Wanderers
14:45 ET- Stoke City v Shrewsbury Town
14:45 ET- Hartlepool United v Wigan Athletic
14:45 ET- Sunderland v Colchester United
14:45 ET- Leyton Orient v West Bromwich Albion
14:45 ET- West Ham United v Oxford United
14:45 ET- Milton Keynes Dons v Blackpool
14:45 ET- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southend United
15:00 ET- Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City
Newcastle United, Fulahm and Everton play the following day in their matches.
14:45 ET- Accrington Stanley v Newcastle United
15:00 ET- Fulham v Port Vale
15:00 ET- Everton v Huddersfield Town
And Birmingham ends the second round of the Carling Cup with a match versus Rochdale on Thrusday.
14:45 ET- Birmingham v Rochdale
14:45 ET- Southampton v Bolton Wanderers
14:45 ET- Stoke City v Shrewsbury Town
14:45 ET- Hartlepool United v Wigan Athletic
14:45 ET- Sunderland v Colchester United
14:45 ET- Leyton Orient v West Bromwich Albion
14:45 ET- West Ham United v Oxford United
14:45 ET- Milton Keynes Dons v Blackpool
14:45 ET- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southend United
15:00 ET- Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City
Newcastle United, Fulahm and Everton play the following day in their matches.
14:45 ET- Accrington Stanley v Newcastle United
15:00 ET- Fulham v Port Vale
15:00 ET- Everton v Huddersfield Town
And Birmingham ends the second round of the Carling Cup with a match versus Rochdale on Thrusday.
14:45 ET- Birmingham v Rochdale
Transfer rumors via Soccernet
Ian Holloway is targeting Newcastle's Leon Best and Swansea's Stephen Dobbie to help bolster Blackpool's squad; Alessandro Diamanti will quit West Ham for Brescia after holding talks with the Serie A club.
Chelsea have been priced out of a move for Benfica's £27 million-rated defender David Luiz and will turn their attention to Inter Milan's Nicolas Burdisso; Sunderland want West Ham striker Carlton Cole after failing to bring Ghana's Asamoah Gyan to Wearside from Rennes.
Everton boss David Moyes is leading the chase for Peter Crouch and is willing to let Steven Pienaar move in the other direction in order to seal the deal; that could leave Tottenham with a veritable smorgasbord of midfielders, as they will also sign out of favour Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson insists the club will not be held to ransom over Javier Mascherano's departure from Anfield. Barcelons have reportedly already had a £12 million plus Alenader Hleb offer turned down by the Reds.
The Sun is reporting that West Ham have made an £8 million bid for Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro, who scored 17 Ligue 1 goals last season.
Benfica have confirmed that Algerian centre-back Rafik Halliche has joined Fulahm. He has ragreed a three-year contract and becomes manager Mark Hughes second signing.
Liverpool are preparing to swoop for Lille's versatile defender/midfielder Mathieu Debuchy, according to L’Equipe.
Birmingham City are set to make a bid for Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia, according the Birmingham Mail. But La Nazione claim that Serie A side Fiorentina are tracking the Frenchman.
Inter Milan are offering Liverpool a choice of several players - Sulley Muntari, Nelson Rivas, Amantino Mancini, Nicolas Burdisso and David Suazo -in a cash plus player deal for £14 million-rated Dutchman Drik Kuyt, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Chelsea have been priced out of a move for Benfica's £27 million-rated defender David Luiz and will turn their attention to Inter Milan's Nicolas Burdisso; Sunderland want West Ham striker Carlton Cole after failing to bring Ghana's Asamoah Gyan to Wearside from Rennes.
Everton boss David Moyes is leading the chase for Peter Crouch and is willing to let Steven Pienaar move in the other direction in order to seal the deal; that could leave Tottenham with a veritable smorgasbord of midfielders, as they will also sign out of favour Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson insists the club will not be held to ransom over Javier Mascherano's departure from Anfield. Barcelons have reportedly already had a £12 million plus Alenader Hleb offer turned down by the Reds.
The Sun is reporting that West Ham have made an £8 million bid for Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro, who scored 17 Ligue 1 goals last season.
Benfica have confirmed that Algerian centre-back Rafik Halliche has joined Fulahm. He has ragreed a three-year contract and becomes manager Mark Hughes second signing.
Liverpool are preparing to swoop for Lille's versatile defender/midfielder Mathieu Debuchy, according to L’Equipe.
Birmingham City are set to make a bid for Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia, according the Birmingham Mail. But La Nazione claim that Serie A side Fiorentina are tracking the Frenchman.
Inter Milan are offering Liverpool a choice of several players - Sulley Muntari, Nelson Rivas, Amantino Mancini, Nicolas Burdisso and David Suazo -in a cash plus player deal for £14 million-rated Dutchman Drik Kuyt, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Manchester City v Liverpool
In what turned out to be a one sided affair, Man City won 3-0 over Liverpool. It also happened to be the first time Sheikh Mansour, who has spent over £1 billion on, for the first time in league play.
English national team member Gareth Barry scored 13 minutes into play and was aided by Carlos Tevez's two second half goals in the victory. Liverpool never really had an advantage in the match other than about a 10 minute period in the second half.
Yet again, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looked slow and out of place on the pitch. It continued the trend of Torres' bad play starting with late last season and moving into the World Cup. This could be a constant problem with Liverpool depending on Torres' scoring touch.
Scoring Summary:
Manchester City
Gareth Barry 13'
Carlos Tévez 52', pen 67'
English national team member Gareth Barry scored 13 minutes into play and was aided by Carlos Tevez's two second half goals in the victory. Liverpool never really had an advantage in the match other than about a 10 minute period in the second half.
Yet again, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looked slow and out of place on the pitch. It continued the trend of Torres' bad play starting with late last season and moving into the World Cup. This could be a constant problem with Liverpool depending on Torres' scoring touch.
Scoring Summary:
Manchester City
Gareth Barry 13'
Carlos Tévez 52', pen 67'
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Fulham v Manchester United
Brede Hangeland headed a last-minute equaliser to deny Manchester United victory in a gripping Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.
A fine start from United was rewarded in the 11th minute when the influential Paul Scholes powered home a low 25-yard drive to register his 150th goal for the club.
But Fulham, who dominated lengthy spells after the interval, showed resolve to claw back the deficit with an emphatic strike from midfielder Simon Davies.
It was a thrilling way for Mark Hughes to mark his first home match as Fulham manager while Ferguson will know his side deserved no more than a point
Scoring Summary:
Fulham
Simon Daives 57'
Brede Hangeland 89'
Manchester United
Paul Scholes 11'
Brede Hangeland own goal 84'
Nani pen miss 87'
A fine start from United was rewarded in the 11th minute when the influential Paul Scholes powered home a low 25-yard drive to register his 150th goal for the club.
But Fulham, who dominated lengthy spells after the interval, showed resolve to claw back the deficit with an emphatic strike from midfielder Simon Davies.
It was a thrilling way for Mark Hughes to mark his first home match as Fulham manager while Ferguson will know his side deserved no more than a point
Scoring Summary:
Fulham
Simon Daives 57'
Brede Hangeland 89'
Manchester United
Paul Scholes 11'
Brede Hangeland own goal 84'
Nani pen miss 87'
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
In what is quickly becoming the year of the hat trick, Newcastle's Andrew Carroll got one today. He was backed up by Kevin Nolan's two goals in the 6-0 rout of hapless Aston Villa.
Aston Villa did not get a recorded shot on goal compared to 11 shots on goal from Newcastle. It was borderline sad to watch a historically relevant team such as Aston Villa get hammered in such a manner. The only real chance at goal was a missed penalty by John Carew that was well over the crossbar.
Scoring Summary:
Newcastle United
Joey Barton 12'
Kevin Nolan 31', 87'
Andrew Carroll 34', 67', 90'
Aston Villa
John Carew pen miss 10
Aston Villa did not get a recorded shot on goal compared to 11 shots on goal from Newcastle. It was borderline sad to watch a historically relevant team such as Aston Villa get hammered in such a manner. The only real chance at goal was a missed penalty by John Carew that was well over the crossbar.
Scoring Summary:
Newcastle United
Joey Barton 12'
Kevin Nolan 31', 87'
Andrew Carroll 34', 67', 90'
Aston Villa
John Carew pen miss 10
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