EPL Today
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Fulham 2 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Clint Dempsey struck twice as Fulham avoided a third successive Premier League defeat to rocket up the table.
Dempsey, paired alongside Moussa Dembele in attack, took his tally for the season to five with both goals arriving in the first half of an encounter dominated by Mark Hughes' side.
The USA international's brace saw him take centre stage at Craven Cottage, but left-back Carlos Salcido was another outstanding performer.
Dempsey, paired alongside Moussa Dembele in attack, took his tally for the season to five with both goals arriving in the first half of an encounter dominated by Mark Hughes' side.
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Everton 1 - 0 Stoke City
Ayegbeni Yakubu struck his first goal since April to maintain Everton's Premier League revival at the expense of Stoke.
The Nigeria international, linked with West Ham in the summer and criticised for lacking match fitness early in the campaign, hit the only goal of a cagey Goodison Park encounter after 67 minutes.
Matthew Etherington had a late chance to equalise for Stoke but shot wide when well placed.
The game only came to life in the second half but Everton deserved their victory having dominated possession and created the better of the chances.
Yakubu showed a brilliant striker's instinct to snatch his chance after Tim Cahill had hit the post.
The Nigeria international, linked with West Ham in the summer and criticised for lacking match fitness early in the campaign, hit the only goal of a cagey Goodison Park encounter after 67 minutes.
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The game only came to life in the second half but Everton deserved their victory having dominated possession and created the better of the chances.
Yakubu showed a brilliant striker's instinct to snatch his chance after Tim Cahill had hit the post.
Upset Alert
72' in, Wolverhampton has a 2-1 lead over Manchester City. This would be an enormous upset as City is top three and Wolves are bottom three.
Matchups for Week 10
Saturday, October 30, 2010
West Ham @ Arsenal
Wigan @ Fulham
Chelsea @ Blackburn
Man City @ Wolverhampton
Stoke @ Everton
Tottenham @ Man United
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Birmingham @ Aston Villa
Sunderland @ Newcastle United
Liverpool @ Bolton
Monday, November 1, 2010
West Brom @ Blackpool
West Ham @ Arsenal
Wigan @ Fulham
Chelsea @ Blackburn
Man City @ Wolverhampton
Stoke @ Everton
Tottenham @ Man United
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Birmingham @ Aston Villa
Sunderland @ Newcastle United
Liverpool @ Bolton
Monday, November 1, 2010
West Brom @ Blackpool
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Injured Tevez flies home, Manchester derby doubt
Carlos Tevez has flown home to Argentina amid fears he could miss Manchester City's derby test against Manchester United because of the injury he picked up in his side's 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
GettyImages
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Theo Walcott is back
After being on the bench for the last few matches while getting his fitness back, Theo Walcott has been awaiting his chance to earn his spot back.
Walcott is getting his first significant action since the injury save a 5 minute spell versus Man City and an 18 minute spell versus Shakhtar.
Quotes of the Week via Sky Sports
"I am sure the fans have been upset over the last few days with everything they have heard in the media." Wayne Rooney blames the media for his massive pay hike at Manchester United.
"Whatever he gets, he deserves every single penny. Wayne is probably the best young player in the world." John Terry takes time out from counting his own cash to defend his pal.
"It was just a story that for me, from the start to the end, was completely out of interest. When I saw headlines I just turned the page." Arsene Wenger goes straight to page three.
"It was just a story that for me, from the start to the end, was completely out of interest. When I saw headlines I just turned the page." Arsene Wenger goes straight to page three.
Venky's to spend only 5 mn pound to buy new players
LONDON: Blackburn Rovers fans hoping to see their team splash money on new players in next year's transfer window are likely to be disappointed as the Indian company set to buy it is expected to spend only five million pounds for the purpose.
Indian poultry giant Venky's has agreed to pay 46 million pounds for the English Premier League club but company chairperson Anuradha J Desai said that lavish spending is not on the agenda.
Unlike big spending clubs owned by wealthy foreigners like Manchester City and Chelsea, Blackburn is likely to depend upon loan signings to strengthen a side that is just above the relegation zone at 17th.
"We won't need to buy expensive players, we can always lease them. We don't expect to be in the top five of the Premier League. We will be happy to be in the top 10 to 12," Desai was quoted as saying in newspaper reports.
That means Blackburn is unlikely to break its nine-year-old transfer record any time soon. Blackburn paid Manchester United eight million pounds for striker Andy Cole in December 2001, but has since spent more than 5 million pounds on a player only twice.
Desai said Venky's, the flagship firm of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group , was buying Rovers to raise its international profile.
"Football is a global craze and as the VH Group globalizes, setting up feed plants and hatcheries around the world, we believe we can benefit from being owners of a major football club. It will help build our brand," she said.
Indian poultry giant Venky's has agreed to pay 46 million pounds for the English Premier League club but company chairperson Anuradha J Desai said that lavish spending is not on the agenda.
Unlike big spending clubs owned by wealthy foreigners like Manchester City and Chelsea, Blackburn is likely to depend upon loan signings to strengthen a side that is just above the relegation zone at 17th.
"We won't need to buy expensive players, we can always lease them. We don't expect to be in the top five of the Premier League. We will be happy to be in the top 10 to 12," Desai was quoted as saying in newspaper reports.
That means Blackburn is unlikely to break its nine-year-old transfer record any time soon. Blackburn paid Manchester United eight million pounds for striker Andy Cole in December 2001, but has since spent more than 5 million pounds on a player only twice.
Desai said Venky's, the flagship firm of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group , was buying Rovers to raise its international profile.
"Football is a global craze and as the VH Group globalizes, setting up feed plants and hatcheries around the world, we believe we can benefit from being owners of a major football club. It will help build our brand," she said.
Owen out with another injury
In a similar fashion to Robin Van Persie of the Arsenal Gunners, Michael Owen cannot make do without injury. Just as he was recovering from a groin injury sustained in an October 2nd match, Owen suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for "a few weeks."
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Carling Cup Round of 16 Results
Manchester United 3 Wolverhampton 2-- Javier Hernandez scored the second game winning goal in less than a week as the Red Devils won in the final minute of regulation to move to the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup tournament. 7 million pound transfer Bebe scored his first goal of his English career with Park Ji-Sung scoring the other goal for Man U.
Ispwich Town 3 Northampton Town 1-- Cinderella's run finally came to an end with a 3-1 loss to Ispwich. Northampton scored the first goal but could not weather the storm as Ispwich scored the game winning goal right before the half with a 44' goal by Damien Delaney. Tamas Priskin put in the insurance goal in the 88th minute to send Ispwich to the quarterfinals.
Wigan Athletic 2 Swansea City 0-- Wigan was able to keep their streak of good play going with an easier than thought win versus Swansea. 6 million pound Argentian transfer Mauro Boselli scored in the 51st minute with an insurance goal in the 90' by Ben Watson.
West Bromwich 4 Leicester City 1-- West Brom steamed forward with a dominating 4-1 victory over Leicester City. All 5 goals were scored by Brom with an own goal scored by Nicky Shorey in the 53rd minute. Cox scored the opener and the final goal of the day with an impressive 2 goal game.
Birmingham 1 Brentford 1 Birmingham wins via PK 4-3-- In the most even match of the game, Birmingham slid by with a 4-3 PK win over Brentford. Brentford played an impressive match stonewalling the Blues every chance and almost pulling off the upset until Kevin Phillips scored at the very end of regulation to tie it up. No one really got the upper hand in the overtime sessions and the quality of Birmingham showed in winning the PK.
Ispwich Town 3 Northampton Town 1-- Cinderella's run finally came to an end with a 3-1 loss to Ispwich. Northampton scored the first goal but could not weather the storm as Ispwich scored the game winning goal right before the half with a 44' goal by Damien Delaney. Tamas Priskin put in the insurance goal in the 88th minute to send Ispwich to the quarterfinals.
Wigan Athletic 2 Swansea City 0-- Wigan was able to keep their streak of good play going with an easier than thought win versus Swansea. 6 million pound Argentian transfer Mauro Boselli scored in the 51st minute with an insurance goal in the 90' by Ben Watson.
West Bromwich 4 Leicester City 1-- West Brom steamed forward with a dominating 4-1 victory over Leicester City. All 5 goals were scored by Brom with an own goal scored by Nicky Shorey in the 53rd minute. Cox scored the opener and the final goal of the day with an impressive 2 goal game.
Birmingham 1 Brentford 1 Birmingham wins via PK 4-3-- In the most even match of the game, Birmingham slid by with a 4-3 PK win over Brentford. Brentford played an impressive match stonewalling the Blues every chance and almost pulling off the upset until Kevin Phillips scored at the very end of regulation to tie it up. No one really got the upper hand in the overtime sessions and the quality of Birmingham showed in winning the PK.
The inner circle behind Liverpool's takeover
No fans would have recognised him.
None would have known to thank him.
But as Philip Hall took his seat in the Anfield Directors' Box for the match against Blackburn, he allowed himself a smile of satisfaction.
As the man who brokered NESV's dramatic takeover of Liverpool, the Senior Partner of American investment bank Inner Circle Sports knows better than most what went in to the club's change of ownership. For months, Hall worked tirelessly, desperately scouring the world for somebody who would buy the club from Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Now, finally, he could reflect on the fruits of his labour.
For NESV chairman Tom Werner and the other new Anfield directors David Ginsberg and Michael Gordon, the match against Blackburn was their first experience of Anfield since the deal was completed 10 days ago, and for Hall it was extra special too.
"It felt like the end of a journey for me," the Harvard MBA graduate says in his soft Manhattan accent.
"It felt like the end of a journey for me," the Harvard MBA graduate says in his soft Manhattan accent.
Venky's close to Blackburn takeover
Monday, October 25, 2010
EPL Table for 10/25/2010
| October 25, 20102010/2011 English Premiership Table | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||||||
| RK | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GS | GA | W | D | L | GS | GA | W | D | L | GS | GA | GD | Pts | ||||
| 1 |  | Chelsea | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 23 | 22 | |||
| 2 |  | Arsenal | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 17 | |||
| 3 | | Manchester United | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 20 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 17 | |||
| 4 |  | Manchester City | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 17 | |||
| 5 | | Tottenham Hotspur | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 15 | |||
| 6 | | West Bromwich Albion | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | -2 | 15 | |||
| 7 | | Sunderland | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 12 | |||
| 8 | | Bolton Wanderers | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 12 | |||
| 9 | | Newcastle United | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 11 | |||
| 10 | | Aston Villa | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | -4 | 11 | |||
| 11 | | Everton | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | |||
| 12 | | Birmingham | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | -2 | 10 | |||
| 13 | | Stoke City | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 10 | |||
| 14 | | Blackpool | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 13 | -7 | 10 | |||
| 15 | | Wigan Athletic | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -9 | 10 | |||
| 16 | | Fulham | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 9 | |||
| 17 | | Blackburn Rovers | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 9 | |||
| 18 | | Liverpool | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -5 | 9 | |||
| 19 | | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 6 | |||
| 20 | | West Ham United | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | -10 | 6 | |||
Round 4 Carling Cup Previews
Brentford @ Birmingham City-- A bottom of the barrel League One team versus a mid level EPL team should be no struggle for Birmingham. Unless Birmingham struggles to put the ball in the net (which they have been known to do), this should be a stroll in the park for Birmingham.
Northampton Town @ Ispwich Town-- Coming off of an excellent win over Liverpool in round 3, League One side Northampton hope to take out mid Championship League squad Ispwich. This should be the most interesting and level match of the day and maybe Northampton can pull out another impressive win.
West Bromwich @ Leicester City-- West Brom gets to face former Championship rival Leicester in what looks to be a stroll for Brom. Leicester is barely staying over relegation 21st out of 24 squads. West Brom is riding a strong start to the EPL season tied with Tottenham for 5th in the table with Tottenham above due to goal differential. Expect Brom to win easily.
Swansea City @ Wigan Athletic-- Finally a good matchup between the 3rd ranked Championship squad and the 15th ranked EPL. Should be a fun and exciting match that may go the way of the Championship due to Wigan's season making or breaking point in the schedule. I see Swansea pulling the mild upset and moving on to the final 8.
Wolverhampton @ Manchester United-- Wolverhampton and Manchester United is a match up of the top and bottom of the EPL. Man U is a perennial top level team and the Wolves are struggling to try to stay out of relegation. The Wolves have looked very potent in the Carling Cup but have yet to meet a team on the level of the Red Devils.
Burnley @ Aston Villa-- Now that Villa has settled in to a mid pack team that was predicted at the beginning, it will be all the tougher for Burnley to take them by surprise. Villa has too many good young players for Burnley to overcome and Aston Villa should win, but it will not be easy.
Arsenal @ Newcastle United-- A meeting between the 2nd and 9th place teams in the EPL. Arsenal is known to play reserves and young players more in the Carling Cup. This match means much more to Newcastle so expect a stronger lineup from Newcastle in an attempt to get some hardware.
Stoke City @ West Ham United-- A meeting between the 13th and 20th place teams in the EPL. Stoke has the stronger squad as West Ham may be headed toward relegation. Expect Stoke to take this match with West Ham trying to regroup and rest players to pull out of relegation.
Northampton Town @ Ispwich Town-- Coming off of an excellent win over Liverpool in round 3, League One side Northampton hope to take out mid Championship League squad Ispwich. This should be the most interesting and level match of the day and maybe Northampton can pull out another impressive win.
West Bromwich @ Leicester City-- West Brom gets to face former Championship rival Leicester in what looks to be a stroll for Brom. Leicester is barely staying over relegation 21st out of 24 squads. West Brom is riding a strong start to the EPL season tied with Tottenham for 5th in the table with Tottenham above due to goal differential. Expect Brom to win easily.
Swansea City @ Wigan Athletic-- Finally a good matchup between the 3rd ranked Championship squad and the 15th ranked EPL. Should be a fun and exciting match that may go the way of the Championship due to Wigan's season making or breaking point in the schedule. I see Swansea pulling the mild upset and moving on to the final 8.
Wolverhampton @ Manchester United-- Wolverhampton and Manchester United is a match up of the top and bottom of the EPL. Man U is a perennial top level team and the Wolves are struggling to try to stay out of relegation. The Wolves have looked very potent in the Carling Cup but have yet to meet a team on the level of the Red Devils.
Burnley @ Aston Villa-- Now that Villa has settled in to a mid pack team that was predicted at the beginning, it will be all the tougher for Burnley to take them by surprise. Villa has too many good young players for Burnley to overcome and Aston Villa should win, but it will not be easy.
Arsenal @ Newcastle United-- A meeting between the 2nd and 9th place teams in the EPL. Arsenal is known to play reserves and young players more in the Carling Cup. This match means much more to Newcastle so expect a stronger lineup from Newcastle in an attempt to get some hardware.
Stoke City @ West Ham United-- A meeting between the 13th and 20th place teams in the EPL. Stoke has the stronger squad as West Ham may be headed toward relegation. Expect Stoke to take this match with West Ham trying to regroup and rest players to pull out of relegation.
Wigan goalkeeper Kirkland issues quit threat
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland says that he will quit the club in January if he continues to be left on the bench behind Oman international Ali Al-Habsi.
Kirkland, who has suffered with injury throughout his career, returned to the side against Bolton, but only because on-loan Al-Habsi was ineligible to play against his parent club. Now, the former England international is growing tired of warming the bench and is looking to force his way back into the No. 1 position.
"It's been a frustrating time for me. I will have to wait and see what happens. Ali has done really well, but I hope I can stay in,'' he told the Daily Mirror. ''I am happy here at Wigan and I have had a great time since I came. I am also happy to be fit again and I want to play now that I am.
"If I don't get too many games between now and Christmas I will have to look at the situation again." Wigan refused Steve Bruce's approach to take Kirkland to Sunderland last season, but may now be willing to let the goalkeeper depart for a fee upwards of £5 million.
via ESPN Soccernet
Empics
Kirkland, who has suffered with injury throughout his career, returned to the side against Bolton, but only because on-loan Al-Habsi was ineligible to play against his parent club. Now, the former England international is growing tired of warming the bench and is looking to force his way back into the No. 1 position.
"It's been a frustrating time for me. I will have to wait and see what happens. Ali has done really well, but I hope I can stay in,'' he told the Daily Mirror. ''I am happy here at Wigan and I have had a great time since I came. I am also happy to be fit again and I want to play now that I am.
"If I don't get too many games between now and Christmas I will have to look at the situation again." Wigan refused Steve Bruce's approach to take Kirkland to Sunderland last season, but may now be willing to let the goalkeeper depart for a fee upwards of £5 million.
via ESPN Soccernet
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Manchester City 0 - 3 Arsenal
Samir Nasri, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner were on target as Arsenal struck a blow for the old guard against 10-man Manchester City, triumphing 3-0 at Eastlands.
City had been looking to reclaim second place in the Premier League but hopes of a fifth successive win were all but dashed with the early sending off of Dedryck Boyata.
Nasri put the Gunners ahead 20 minutes into a fiery contest and although Joe Hart kept City in contention with a penalty save from Cesc Fabregas, Song and Bendtner finished them off.
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Nasri put the Gunners ahead 20 minutes into a fiery contest and although Joe Hart kept City in contention with a penalty save from Cesc Fabregas, Song and Bendtner finished them off.
Liverpool 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Striker Fernando Torres ended his six-match goal drought with the winner against Blackburn to provide a much-needed boost at Anfield.
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| AP |
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson had kept the Reds at bay until Sotirios Kyrgiakos' 48th-minute header and although a Jamie Carragher own goal quickly levelled things up Torres struck only his second of the season soon after.
It ended a run of seven matches without a victory in all competitions and although it was still not enough to lift Liverpool out of the bottom three the result came as a welcome relief.
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