Saturday, August 28, 2010

Premier League Rundown: 8/28

Arsenal-2 Blackburn-1: Today's early game pitted Arsenal against a physical Blackburn team at Ewood Park. Arsenal struck first in the game, with a 20th minute goal from Theo Walcott. Walcott great low strike settled into the side netting. Walcott has been great so far for the Gunners.

Blackburn equalized just seven minutes later. Mame Biram Diouf tapped the ball past Arsenal keeper Manuel Alumunia. Diouf did a great job finding open space in the box and seeking out the cross. Andrey Arshavin quieted the Rovers fans in the 51st minute with a goal off a deflection. Cesc Fabregas had a shot deflected, and it bounced right to Arshavin, who put it away. Arsenal wore down Blackburn with their passing and possession for the rest of the game.

Blackpool-2 Fulham-2: Very evenly matched game, each team getting their chances to score. Fulham forward Bobby Zamora capitalized on a chance in the 35th minute, when he leapt up to meat the ball with his head, and put it into the goal. Zamora did have to leave the game with an injury in the second half. Fulham was hit with more own-goal bad luck in the 71st minute, when a ball deflected into the net off defender John Pantsil.

The game swung dramatically late, starting with that own goal. Blackpool forward Luke Varney, who was involved in the own goal, put his team on top in the 76th minute. A complete turnaround now saw Fulham a goal down. Dickson Etuhu made sure Fulham could at least get a draw, when he chipped the ball over Blackpool keeper Matthew Gilks.

Chelsea-2 Stoke City-0: Although Chelsea only scored two goals this week against the Stoke City, make no mistake, they dominated this game. Florent Malouda, continuing his good form, opening the scoring in the 32nd minute. He was released by a pass from John Terry, and put the ball past the keeper.

Chelsea scored their second goal on a penalty in the 76th minute. Ironically, Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute, but keeper Thomas Sorensen saved the attempt. Didier Drogba buried the second penalty into the back of the net. While this win wasn't as dominant as Chelsea's recent performance, they still have 9 points in three games.

Wigan-1 Tottenham-0: This is the most shocking upset of the Premier League so far. Wigan, who were  utterly destroyed in their first two matches, edged out a win at White Hart Lane. Wigan were powered by an outstanding match from keeper Ali Al Habsi. The game remained scoreless until the 80th because of the many great saves made by Al Habsi.

Hugo Rodallega scored the game winner in the 80th minute. Rodallega found some space and fired the ball past Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini. This was an epic moment for Wigan, the first bright spot in their season. As for Tottenham, they should be deeply disappointed to have lost to such a team at home.

Wolves-1 Newcastle-1: Wolves have continued to play solid football, and as a result, have not lost a game yet. Even though they managed only one shot on goal (six total), they were able to work a draw out of Newcastle. Newcastle had many more chances to score, but were only able to cash in once.

Wolves opened the scoring late in the first half, when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake put one in on a volley. Newcastle rallied back and finally scored in the 62nd minute. Andrew Carroll headed home the equalizer off a set piece taken by Joey Barton.

Manchester United-3 West Ham-0: Man United dealt very easily with West Ham United today at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney ended his 13-match scoreless streak in the 33rd minute. Ryan Giggs was brought down in the box, and Rooney deposited the ball from the penalty spot. Nani, who had a terrific game, scored the second goal in the 50th when Man United blasted through the West Ham defense. Nani finished it off with a nice strike.

The third goal was one of the better goals of the Premier League season so far. Nani crossed the ball into the box and right to Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov performed a magnificent scissor-kick move and the ball whizzed into the net. West Ham better pick up the pace or we could see them down in the Championship this time next year.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Fulham Late Equalizer Stuns Man United

Manchester United and Fulham competed in a thrilling game contested at Craven Cottage. The game took two dramatic turns in the last ten minutes. The game ended in a 2-2 tie, a deserved point for each team. Fulham yet again has stymied Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

Manchester United jumped out to an early lead in the 11th minute, when Paul Scholes, from 30 yards out, drove a low strike into the corner of the net. Scholes received a perfect pass from Dimitar Berbatov, who had his back to the goal. Scholes has been terrific early on this season.

Fulham had some chances to score in the first half but failed to. United keeper Edwin Van der Saw made several key saves in the game, but Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale was just as good. Stockdale would make the most important save of the match late in the game.

Simon Davies tied the game for Fulham in the 57th minute. Damien Duff started the attack by beating Patrice Evra with a nice move, then gave the ball to Zamora, who fed Davies. Davies had a nice finish, securing the ball in the back of the net.

The two teams looked evenly matched until late in the game. United took the lead in the 84th minute, when a corner from Ryan Giggs defelcted off Brede Hangeland and into the back of the net. Horrible moment for Hangeland, scoring an own goal is the worst for a defender. He would get his revenge, however.

Manchester United blew a chance to go up two just two minutes later. A penalty was awarded to United, when Damien duff had a ball hit his thigh then deflect off his hand in the penalty area. It looked as though United would surely earn three points from this game. Nani was chosen to take the shot, and he hit a strike towards the goal post. Stockdale made a great save on the shot, but really Nani should have done better.

Fulham would make Manchester United pay for missing that chance to extend their lead. Duff again was involved in Fulham's equalizer in the 89th minute. Duff guided a corner into the heads, and Brede Hangeland put the header past Van der Sar. Fulham fans rejoiced as Brede Hangeland certainly redeemed himself from his mistake just five minutes earlier.

Fulham showed great resilience, coming back to tie the game twice. They showed they can really battle with the top clubs at home. Traveling to Craven Cottage is never an easy experience for any club and Fulham proved that today. As for Manchester United, this might be one of those games they look back on at the end of the season if they don't win the league.