Kenwyne Jones netted his second goal in two matches as Stoke drew with West Ham at the Britannia Stadium.
The visitors, whose manager Avram Grant was observing Yom Kippur and not present at the game, took the lead in the first half thanks to Scott Parker's close-range finish.
Stoke came back strongly after the break, with Jones following up his goal at Aston Villa on Monday by heading home in the 48th minute after connecting with a cross from the impressive Jermaine Pennant.
Scoring Summary:
Stoke City:
Kenwyne Jones 48'
West Ham:
Scott Parker 32'
EPL Today
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Aston Villa 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers
Gerard Houllier witnessed at first hand Aston Villa's strengths and weaknesses after they failed to provide caretaker-manager Kevin MacDonald with the perfect send off.
New Villa boss Houllier, with assistant Gary McAllister joining him in the directors' box after the Scot was confirmed in the role just before kick off, will believe he has plenty of talent to work with, although it only showed itself in patches today.
With MacDonald taking charge of his final game, Ashley Young scored in his fifth successive match against Bolton to give Villa an early lead, only for captain Kevin Davies to net a worthy equaliser for the visitors.
Houllier officially takes up the reins on Monday, with his first match in charge a home Carling Cup tie with Blackburn just 48 hours later.
The Frenchman will have little time to impose his own ideas on the side for that game, but at least he does not inherit a squad low on confidence as Villa could easily be heading into that match on the back of successive defeats after Monday's loss at Stoke.
Scoring Summary:
Aston Villa:
Ashley Young 13'
Bolton:
Kevin Davies 35'
New Villa boss Houllier, with assistant Gary McAllister joining him in the directors' box after the Scot was confirmed in the role just before kick off, will believe he has plenty of talent to work with, although it only showed itself in patches today.
With MacDonald taking charge of his final game, Ashley Young scored in his fifth successive match against Bolton to give Villa an early lead, only for captain Kevin Davies to net a worthy equaliser for the visitors.
Houllier officially takes up the reins on Monday, with his first match in charge a home Carling Cup tie with Blackburn just 48 hours later.
The Frenchman will have little time to impose his own ideas on the side for that game, but at least he does not inherit a squad low on confidence as Villa could easily be heading into that match on the back of successive defeats after Monday's loss at Stoke.
Scoring Summary:
Aston Villa:
Ashley Young 13'
Bolton:
Kevin Davies 35'
Blackburn Rovers 1 - 1 Fulham
Clint Dempsey ensured Fulham maintained their unbeaten start to the Barclays Premier League season after Blackburn had threatened to overwhelm Mark Hughes' side on his return to Ewood Park.
Chris Samba had given Sam Allardyce's Rovers the half-time lead in controversial circumstances while Fulham had barely had a sniff of goal.
The second half was a different story, however, as Hughes' men had much the better of the match and secured a scoreline that was on balance a fair result.
Blackburn were unchanged with 18-year-old Phil Jones, who played with distinction as the holding midfield player against Manchester City, impressing again in a different role to his usual position in central defence.
Scoring Summary:
Blackburn:
Christopher Samba 30'
Fulham:
Clint Dempsey 56'
Chris Samba had given Sam Allardyce's Rovers the half-time lead in controversial circumstances while Fulham had barely had a sniff of goal.
The second half was a different story, however, as Hughes' men had much the better of the match and secured a scoreline that was on balance a fair result.
Blackburn were unchanged with 18-year-old Phil Jones, who played with distinction as the holding midfield player against Manchester City, impressing again in a different role to his usual position in central defence.
Scoring Summary:
Blackburn:
Christopher Samba 30'
Fulham:
Clint Dempsey 56'
Everton 0 - 1 Newcastle United
Hatem Ben Arfa marked his full debut for Newcastle with the winner at Goodison Park as the Magpies picked up their first away win of the season and ensured Everton's miserable start continued.
David Moyes' team were looking to build on last week's incredible comeback against Manchester United but the visitors fully deserved their three points, secured when winger Ben Arfa drilled an unstoppable shot into the top corner just before half-time.
The only sour note of a great afternoon for the Magpies was an injury to goalkeeper Steve Harper, who fell heavily on his left shoulder and was carried off on a stretcher.
Scoring Summary:
Newcastle:
Hatem Ben Afra 45'
David Moyes' team were looking to build on last week's incredible comeback against Manchester United but the visitors fully deserved their three points, secured when winger Ben Arfa drilled an unstoppable shot into the top corner just before half-time.
The only sour note of a great afternoon for the Magpies was an injury to goalkeeper Steve Harper, who fell heavily on his left shoulder and was carried off on a stretcher.
Scoring Summary:
Newcastle:
Hatem Ben Afra 45'
Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal
It was only fair for Darren Bent to tie things up at the end after the odd goal scored by Fabregas in the 12th minute. Fabregas was attempting to block a clear attempt from about 30 yards out and when he blocked it, it shot back towards the goal over the keeper giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead.
Arsenal had the chance to take a 2-0 lead but Tomas Rosicky miss a penalty kick giving Sunderland life. Well, Darren Bent took 94 1/ 2 but he put it away giving Sunderland a tie.
Scoring Summary:
Sunderland:
Darren Bent 90'
Arsenal:
Cesc Fabregas 13'
Tomas Rosicky 74' Penalty Miss
Arsenal had the chance to take a 2-0 lead but Tomas Rosicky miss a penalty kick giving Sunderland life. Well, Darren Bent took 94 1/ 2 but he put it away giving Sunderland a tie.
Scoring Summary:
Sunderland:
Darren Bent 90'
Arsenal:
Cesc Fabregas 13'
Tomas Rosicky 74' Penalty Miss
West Bromwich Albion 3 - 1 Birmingham
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish signed a new three-year contract - then saw his side overwhelmed by West Brom who came from behind to win a pulsating derby clash at The Hawthorns.
Blues controlled the first half and deservedly led at the interval through Cameron Jerome's first goal of the campaign.
But the Baggies were transformed after the break with Peter Odemwingie, Jonas Olsson and an own goal from Scott Dann dooming City to their first defeat of the season.
Scoring Summary:
West Brom:
Scott Dann 51' Own Goal
Peter Odemwingie 59'
Jonas Olsson 69'
Birmingham:
Cameron Jerome 15'
Blues controlled the first half and deservedly led at the interval through Cameron Jerome's first goal of the campaign.
But the Baggies were transformed after the break with Peter Odemwingie, Jonas Olsson and an own goal from Scott Dann dooming City to their first defeat of the season.
Scoring Summary:
West Brom:
Scott Dann 51' Own Goal
Peter Odemwingie 59'
Jonas Olsson 69'
Birmingham:
Cameron Jerome 15'
Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
You keep creating scoring chances, sooner or later things will happen and a goal will be scored. For 75 minutes, the Spurs were beginning to question that. Finally, in the 75th minute, Alan Hutton was taken down in the penalty area giving new acquisition Raphael Van Der Vaart a penalty kick which he put in giving Tottenham a 1-1 tie. The floodgates then opened with Roman Pavlyuchenko and Alan Hutton scoring in the final 13 minutes giving the Spurs a 3-1 win.
Scoring Summary:
Tottenham:
Raphael Van Der Vaart Penalty Kick 76'
Roman Pavlyuchenko 87'
Alan Hutton 90'
Wolverhampton:
Steven Fletcher 45'
Scoring Summary:
Tottenham:
Raphael Van Der Vaart Penalty Kick 76'
Roman Pavlyuchenko 87'
Alan Hutton 90'
Wolverhampton:
Steven Fletcher 45'
Friday, September 17, 2010
Another one bites the dust
GettyImages
Birmingham forward James McFadden will be out of action "for the foreseeable future" after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in training on Friday.
The 27-year-old Scotland international will see a specialist on Monday with a view to unfergoing surgery on the injury.
A club statement read: "Birmingham City can confirm that James McFadden sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage to his left knee in training today.
"McFadden will see a specialist on Monday with a view to surgery and will be out of action for the foreseeable future."
McFadden has featured in all four of Blues' Premier League games so far this season as well as Scotland's opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers earlier this month.
The former Motherwell and Everton striker's only goal of the campaign to date came in last month's Carling Cup victory over Rochdale.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Europa League Action
Manchester City and Liverpool both get their Europa League action underway with matches today.
Manchester City travels to Austria today to face Austrian Bundesliga opponent SV Salzburg in opening matches for the Europa League crown. Salzburg is led by 21 year old striker Jakob Jantscher who has 3 goals in 4 games in Austrian Bundesliga competition this year. He is also a member of the Austrian National Team.
City backup goaltender Shay Given may get the start today to give the amazing Joe Hart a day of rest after all the work he has had to do to keep City afloat as the new players try to gel with the club. Emmanuel Adebayor will sit out today with an injury. On the positive side, Wayne Bridge is expected to see his first action of the year after picking up an ankle injury during the tour of America.
Prediction: Manchester City 2 SV Salzburg 0
Liverpool gets a home match to start Europa League action with a matchup versus Romanian football squad Steaua Bucuresti.
Manchester City travels to Austria today to face Austrian Bundesliga opponent SV Salzburg in opening matches for the Europa League crown. Salzburg is led by 21 year old striker Jakob Jantscher who has 3 goals in 4 games in Austrian Bundesliga competition this year. He is also a member of the Austrian National Team.
City backup goaltender Shay Given may get the start today to give the amazing Joe Hart a day of rest after all the work he has had to do to keep City afloat as the new players try to gel with the club. Emmanuel Adebayor will sit out today with an injury. On the positive side, Wayne Bridge is expected to see his first action of the year after picking up an ankle injury during the tour of America.
Prediction: Manchester City 2 SV Salzburg 0
Liverpool gets a home match to start Europa League action with a matchup versus Romanian football squad Steaua Bucuresti.
Champions League Routs for the EPL
In what was not expected to be much of a challenge for either Arsenal or Chelsea, both dominated the action and won very easy matches in the opening days of Champions League play.
Arsenal 6 Braga 0
In the 6-0 rout over Braga, Cesc Febregas and Carlos Vela both found the back of the net twice accounting for 4 of the 6 goals for the Gunners. This was big for Febregas scoring for the first time for Arsenal since breaking his leg in a Champions League match versus rival Barcelona.
Chelsea 4 MSK Zilina 1
Chelsea, playing without suspended striker, Didier Drogba, was able to back Anelka's two goals with support from Eissen's goal and Sturridge's goal. On the positive side for Zilina, they were able to put one in goal versus Chelsea, as good as any EPL team has done so far versus Chelsea.
Arsenal 6 Braga 0
In the 6-0 rout over Braga, Cesc Febregas and Carlos Vela both found the back of the net twice accounting for 4 of the 6 goals for the Gunners. This was big for Febregas scoring for the first time for Arsenal since breaking his leg in a Champions League match versus rival Barcelona.
Chelsea 4 MSK Zilina 1
Chelsea, playing without suspended striker, Didier Drogba, was able to back Anelka's two goals with support from Eissen's goal and Sturridge's goal. On the positive side for Zilina, they were able to put one in goal versus Chelsea, as good as any EPL team has done so far versus Chelsea.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
A look at the groups after first matches
I will put up tomorrow, a breakdown of sorts of the opening matches of Champions League play. Who the frontrunners are, who the no chance teams are, and who the dark horses may be. Stay tuned, it will be an interesting year in Champions League play this year.
Manchester United 0 - 0 Rangers
In an interesting move, Sir Alex decided to start a group of players with mot much experience together. It turned out to be a bad move ending up with a 0-0 tie with Rangers.
Rangers decided from the beginning that they were happy with nothing but a draw. Their defense was like a brick wall for most of the game. The biggest problem for the Red Devils was that Berbatov was left off the roster for the first game to rest. He is their best player at dribbling in traffic in goal scoring opportunities. Hernandez did not look bad but is still learning to be the world class player that United need him to be in the future.
Rooney, was not able to get out of his scoring funk with the red of United on. The Devils shot 21 times in the game but only 3 were even on goal. It is the type of performance that United may live to regret on down the line with games versus Valencia coming up in the group stage. That first place position that is so important may be lost due to this conservative performance by the Devils.
Rangers decided from the beginning that they were happy with nothing but a draw. Their defense was like a brick wall for most of the game. The biggest problem for the Red Devils was that Berbatov was left off the roster for the first game to rest. He is their best player at dribbling in traffic in goal scoring opportunities. Hernandez did not look bad but is still learning to be the world class player that United need him to be in the future.
Rooney, was not able to get out of his scoring funk with the red of United on. The Devils shot 21 times in the game but only 3 were even on goal. It is the type of performance that United may live to regret on down the line with games versus Valencia coming up in the group stage. That first place position that is so important may be lost due to this conservative performance by the Devils.
Werder Bremen 2 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur
Things started about a perfect as possible for the Spurs in taking a 2-0 lead in the first half due to an own goal and a beauty from Peter Crouch. Things looked very well for them until the 43rd minute in which they gave up a goal to Portuguese National team member Hugo Almedia. Then 2 minutes after break, German National member Marko Marin put one away to tie things up.
Then things got ugly. Van Der Vaart had to be removed a couple minutes later due to injury and Tottenham lost all ability to attack on Bremen. Not until the final 5 minuites of the game were the Spurs able to muster a shot of any sort. They held on to a furious rally by Bremen in the second half and were able to secure 1 point from germany on a day that first looked like 3 in the bag and then seemed to be destined for none.
All in all, it was an uneven performance that Tottenham has been known to give so far in the early season. The first half is donminant and the second half is hanging on for their lives. It did not hurt having striker Jermain Defoe on the bench due to a nasty injury on national duty. They will not see him for up to 6 weeks which could be the most crucial part of the season for the Spurs.
Scoring Summary:
Tottenham:
Petri Pasanen Own Goal 12'
Peter Crouch 18'
Werder Bremen:
Hugo Almedia 43'
Marko Marin 47'
Then things got ugly. Van Der Vaart had to be removed a couple minutes later due to injury and Tottenham lost all ability to attack on Bremen. Not until the final 5 minuites of the game were the Spurs able to muster a shot of any sort. They held on to a furious rally by Bremen in the second half and were able to secure 1 point from germany on a day that first looked like 3 in the bag and then seemed to be destined for none.
All in all, it was an uneven performance that Tottenham has been known to give so far in the early season. The first half is donminant and the second half is hanging on for their lives. It did not hurt having striker Jermain Defoe on the bench due to a nasty injury on national duty. They will not see him for up to 6 weeks which could be the most crucial part of the season for the Spurs.
Scoring Summary:
Tottenham:
Petri Pasanen Own Goal 12'
Peter Crouch 18'
Werder Bremen:
Hugo Almedia 43'
Marko Marin 47'
Champions League 9-15-2010
In today's action, Chelsea and Arsenal both start up their road to the cup in the Champions League.
Chelsea takes on MSK Zilina, who had to get through three games just to get to this point.
Arsenal takes on Portuguese Liga mamber Braga in their opening match. Both EPL squads are much too much for the opponents to handle and will most likely have dominant wins today.
Chelsea takes on MSK Zilina, who had to get through three games just to get to this point.
Arsenal takes on Portuguese Liga mamber Braga in their opening match. Both EPL squads are much too much for the opponents to handle and will most likely have dominant wins today.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Predictions of the day
Manchester United versus Rangers
Even being the clear best team in Scotland, the Rangers cannot stand up to the sheer firepower from the Red Devils. Especially being played in Old Trafford, Man U will be able to dictate their will from the suddenly dangerous Berbatov. Look for the Devils to get Rooney into the action early and a possible goal or assist coming from him. Kenny Miller has been nothing short of scorching this season with 6 SPL goals in 4 games. I see two first half goals from Man U with Miller getting one for the Rangers in the second half before Berbatov plants one of his trademark late game finishers to put the game away.
Prediction: Manchester United 3 Rangers 1
Actual: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0
Tottenham versus Werder Bremen
The Spurs have drawn a very difficult opponent for their first Champions League match with the battle tested Werder Bremen. With Tottenham not playing up to form lately and the loss of Jermain Defoe for 6 weeks, Tottenham look to be playing for the tie in this early match of the Champions League group stage. Bremen are in a confident mood playing at home after going to 2009 Champions League runner up Bayern Munich and playing to a scoreless draw. Bremen are a much more formidable foe at home so look for them to steal the three points at home versus Tottenham. The biggest hope for the Spurs is to get Gareth Bale off to a hot start and get an early goal to take control. If Bremen gets the first goal, this game could end in a 4-1 type drubbing similar to the Young Boys first match versus Tottenham in the qualifier.
Prediction: Tottenham 1 Werder Breman 2
Actual: Tottenham 2 Werder Bremen 2
Even being the clear best team in Scotland, the Rangers cannot stand up to the sheer firepower from the Red Devils. Especially being played in Old Trafford, Man U will be able to dictate their will from the suddenly dangerous Berbatov. Look for the Devils to get Rooney into the action early and a possible goal or assist coming from him. Kenny Miller has been nothing short of scorching this season with 6 SPL goals in 4 games. I see two first half goals from Man U with Miller getting one for the Rangers in the second half before Berbatov plants one of his trademark late game finishers to put the game away.
Prediction: Manchester United 3 Rangers 1
Actual: Manchester United 0 Rangers 0
Tottenham versus Werder Bremen
The Spurs have drawn a very difficult opponent for their first Champions League match with the battle tested Werder Bremen. With Tottenham not playing up to form lately and the loss of Jermain Defoe for 6 weeks, Tottenham look to be playing for the tie in this early match of the Champions League group stage. Bremen are in a confident mood playing at home after going to 2009 Champions League runner up Bayern Munich and playing to a scoreless draw. Bremen are a much more formidable foe at home so look for them to steal the three points at home versus Tottenham. The biggest hope for the Spurs is to get Gareth Bale off to a hot start and get an early goal to take control. If Bremen gets the first goal, this game could end in a 4-1 type drubbing similar to the Young Boys first match versus Tottenham in the qualifier.
Prediction: Tottenham 1 Werder Breman 2
Actual: Tottenham 2 Werder Bremen 2
Stoke City 2 - 1 Aston Villa
Defender Robert Huth snatched an injury-time winner as Stoke came from behind to beat Aston Villa at the Britannia Stadium and get their season off and running.
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| PA PHOTOS |
Monday, September 13, 2010
Champions League
Champions League group stage matches start up tomorrow with Tottenham and Manchester United, while Arsenal and Chelsea begin their group play Wednesday. A more in depth look as well as a pre match scouting report will be availiable for Tottenham and Man U later today with the scouting reports for Arsenal and Chelsea being availiable tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tottenham @ Werder Bremen 14:45 ET
Rangers @ Manchester United 14:45 ET
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tottenham @ Werder Bremen 14:45 ET
Rangers @ Manchester United 14:45 ET
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Braga @ Arsenal 14:45 ET
Chelsea @ MSK Zilina 14:45 ET
Bolton appeal against Cahill's Arsenal dismissal
Bolton Wanderers have appealed against the red card shown to Gary Cahill in Saturday's game against Arsenal on the basis of "wrongful dismissal." More after the jump..
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| Getty Images |
Today's Match
Stoke will play host to Aston Villa who is without newly appointed manager Gerard Houllier to end the weekend for the EPL. Stoke is coming into tonight's match up losing the first three matches of their season to Wolverhampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea. Aston Villa reports to Stoke with shutout winners in two of their matches with a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle in between.
Villa is still looking for their first goal from a striker as the first ones of this season have come from a defender and two midfielders and cast away James Milner.
Villa is still looking for their first goal from a striker as the first ones of this season have come from a defender and two midfielders and cast away James Milner.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Luka Modric given all clear after broken leg fears
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed an unexpected boost with the news that Luka Modric has not broken his leg and will travel with the rest of the squad for Tuesday's Champions League game at Werder Bremen.
Luka Modric would have been sorely missed if he has suffered a serious injury. More after the jump...
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| PA Photos |
Birmingham 0 - 0 Liverpool
Pepe Reina made a couple of crucial saves for Liverpool. Match Report after the jump.
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| GettyImages |
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