Barclay Premier League Results Saturday 24/09/11

Manchester City – Everton    2-0

Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Nasri (Savic 83), Barry, Yaya Toure, Silva, Dzeko (Balotelli 60), Aguero (Milner 78).
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Tevez.
Yellow cards: Yaya Toure.
Scorers: Balotelli 68,Milner 89.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Neville (Drenthe 73), Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman, Coleman (Vellios 81), Cahill (Saha 66).
Subs not used: Mucha, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov, Stracqualursi.
Yellow cards: Rodwell, Neville, Osman, Cahill, Jagielka.
Attendance: 47,293.
Referee: Howard Webb.




Arsenal – Bolton     3-0

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta (Rosicky 81), Song, Ramsey, Gervinho (Arshavin 78), van Persie (Chamakh 85), Walcott.
Subs: Fabianski, Andre Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Frimpong.
Scorers: Van Persie 46, 71, Song 89.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Wheater, Robinson, Knight, Steinsson, Eagles (M Davies 71), Reo-Coker, Muamba (Boyata 56), Pratley, Petrov, Ngog (K Davies 20).
Subs: Bogdan, Sanli, Gardner, Kakuta.
Yellow card: Steinsson
Red card: Wheater.
Attendance: 59,727
Referee: Mark Clattenburg.




Liverpool – Wolverhampton     2-1

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Henderson (Kuyt 71), Lucas, Adam, Downing, Carroll, Suarez (Gerrard 81).
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Spearing, Flanagan, Bellamy.
Yellow cards: Kelly, Carroll.
Scorers: Johnson (og) 11, Suarez 39.
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Stearman (Doherty 46), Johnson, Berra, Ward, Henry, Hunt (Guedioura 81), Edwards (Fletcher 46), O'Hara, Jarvis, Doyle.
Subs not used: De Vries, Elokobi, Hammill, Milijas.
Yellow cards: Ward, Henry, Hunt, O'Hara.
Scorer: Fletcher 49.
Attendance: 44,922.
Referee: Kevin Friend.



Chelsea – Swansea     4-1

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Mata (Malouda 59 mins), Meireles (McEachran 83), Ramires, Torres, Anelka (Drogba 79).
Subs not used: Turnbull, Luiz, Lampard, Kalou.
Yellow cards: Cole, Mikel, Mata.
Red card: Torres.
Scorers: Torres (26), Ramires (36, 76), Drogba (90+4)
Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Taylor, Britton (Routledge 46), Gower, Allen, Dyer (Dobbie 71), Lita (Graham 59), Sinclair.
Subs not used: Tremmel, Moore, Bessone, Richards.
Booked: Taylor, Monk, Dyer.
Scorer: Williams 86.
Referee: Mike Dean.



Newcastle – Blackburn         3-1

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Obertan, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez (Marveaux 84), Ba (Ben Arfa 74), Best.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch, Sammy Ameobi.
Scorer: Ba 27, 30, 54.
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Givet, Dann (Rochina 63), Hoilett, Lowe, Nzonzi, Olsson, Formica (Roberts 63), Yakubu (Grella 79).
Subs Not Used: Bunn, Petrovic, Vukcevic, Hanley.
Yellow card: Olsson, Lowe, Nzonzi, Salgado.
Red card: Olsson (69).
Scorer: Hoilett 37.
Att: 46,236.
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).



Wigan – Tottenham     1-2

Wigan: Al Habsi, Gohouri, Caldwell, Figueroa, Van Aanholt, Diame, Watson (McArthur 73), McCarthy, Moses, Di Santo (Sammon 73), Gomez (Stam 46).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Crusat, Maloney, Jones.
Yellow cards: Gohouri, McCarthy, Sammon.
Red card: Gohouri (62).
Goals: Diame 50.
Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Parker, Sandro (Livermore 90), Bale, Van der Vaart (Giovani 78), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Townsend, Carroll.
Yellow card: Adebayor.
Scorers: Van der Vaart 3, Bale 23.
Attendance: 18,78.
Ref: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).



West Brom – Fulham     0-0

West Brom: Foster, Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Shorey, Dorrans (Morrison 78), Mulumbu, Brunt, Odemwingie, Long, Thomas (Tchoyi 82).
Subs not used: Fulop, Dawson, Jones, Cox, Scharner.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Grygera, Hangeland, John Arne Riise, Kasami (Ruiz 74), Sidwell, Murphy (Etuhu 88), Dempsey, Dembele, Orlando Sa.
Subs not used: Etheridge, Kelly, Senderos, Gecov, Briggs.
Booked: Hangeland, Baird, Grygera.
Attendance: 23,835.
Referee: Stuart Attwell.



Stoke City – Manchester United        1-1

Stoke: Begovic; Wilkinson (Huth 83 mins), Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson; Pennant (Jerome 90+2), Delap (Whitehead 85), Whelan, Etherington; Walters, Crouch.
Subs not used: Sorensen, Upson, Shotton, Palacios.
Yellow card: Whelan.
Scorer: Crouch 52.
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Young (Giggs 70); Hernandez (Owen 11), Berbatov (Welbeck 70).
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Fabio, Park, Macheda.
Scorer: Nani 27.

Preview of Barclays Premier League matches on Saturday 24. September:

Manchester City - Everton (12.45)     Home (3-1)
Manchester City disappointed away to Fulham last round. After leading the game 2-0 they gave away the match and drew 2-2 at Craven cottage. Of course it’s a difficult place to travel to but I think some of the reason for the draw was that Manchester City was tired after the champions league match in the midweek. Everton struggled at home to Wigan in the last match, but ended up winning 3-1 with two late goals. Everton have historical good statistic away to Manchester City. But I have a feeling that Manchester City wants to bounce back from the disappointing result away to Fulham.


Arsenal - Bolton (15.00)        Home (3-2)
Arsenal played an interesting game away to Blackburn last weekend. The Gunners were the strongest team, but threw away all 3 points on bad defending on set pieces. They could and should have won the game easily but let Everton trash them on set pieces and counter attack. Bolton have been a huge disappointment this season and it got worse in the last game when they lost to newcomers Norwich at Reebok stadium. This game could go anywhere in my opinion. But I will give Arsene Wenger the benefit of the doubt.

Chelsea – Swansea    Home (2-0)
Chelsea played a good game away to Manchester United in my opinion and where trashed bye the referees who gave United two offside goals. But I guess all teams have to expect such low level refereeing at Old Trafford? Back to Chelsea I felt Torres looked very sharp and it will be interesting to see if he can produce the same effort this weekend. Swansea played a strong home match last weekend and trashed West Brom 3-0. They have played many good games so far this season and I don’t think they will get hammered by Chelsea. But I think the blues will win this without a doubt.

Liverpool – Wolverhampton    Home (2-1)
Liverpool has looked very weak in the last two games and it’s time for the new players to shine. Too many of the new players have been performing at a high level so far. A big boost for the whole club is that their talisman and world class player Steven Gerrard played in the cup in midweek and is reported ready for duty. Wolverhampton got a flying start to the season and where like Liverpool unbeaten in the last three matches, but like the Anfield club they got two disappointing matches in the last weeks. Liverpool should win this game, but I’m not 100% sure they will.

Newcastle – Blackburn        Draw (2-2)
Newcastle is still unbeaten after 5 matches and has impressed me so far this season when it comes to results. I have watched most of their matches so far and they haven’t played that good, but still gotten point out of every game so far. That being said all honour to Pardew and his men for a strong opening to the season. Blackburn has had a tough start to the season and many supporters want both manager Steve Kean and the owners out of the club. Some of the critics might have given them a second chance now after the strong win at home to Arsenal last weekend. Newcastle should win a game like this at home, but I have a feeling that Blackburn might get something from the game.

West Bromwich – Fulham    Draw (0-0)
Roy Hodgsons men have for me looked to be one of the biggest disappointments so far this season. With only a win away to Norwich in 5 matches, they are dead last in the premiership. If one adds that the victory against Norwich was a lucky win they are looking even worse. I would say that if West Brom loses this game to a poor travelling Fulham team they are going down in my opinion. Fulham have like West Brom only 3 points in 5 matches so far. Only difference is that Fulham have still to win this season. The Cottagers are the only team left not to win a premiership game so far. Both teams have disappointed big so far, and none of them can afford to lose this game. If we get a loser here I’m sure that the losing team will be struggling to survive this season. I predict a draw in this game, most likely little or no goals.

Wigan – Tottenham        Home (2-1)
Wigan has had an easy start to the season so far, but only stands with 5 points so far. If they are to stay up I think they need to take points at home to teams like Tottenham. They lost a close game away to Everton last weekend and I think they will be looking to get something out of this game. Tottenham had a tough start to the season but have beaten both Wolves and Liverpool in the last two games. Adebayor looks like a good signing and happy Harry is looking to climb the table in the weeks to come. It’s typical Tottenham to play some good games and when people expect them to get a result they disappoint. This is a game that Tottenham should win, and I think they might be flying high after crushing a Liverpool team with only 9 men.

Stoke - Manchester United (17.30)        Draw (2-2)
Stoke have been looking strong so far and have already taken a top scalp at home to Liverpool. I don’t think any team in the premiership is looking forward to play at Britannia stadium. All managers and teams know the type of play they will meet at Stoke. The problem is that most teams can’t cope with their set pieces and I don’t think Manchester United and David De Gea are looking forward to this game. That being said, United have looked impressive so far this season. They have 15 points in 5 games and 17+ in goal difference so far. I won’t be surprised to see United winning this game, but I have a feeling that Stoke will get something out of a tight and close game.

Manchester United to much respect

After 5 matches Manchester United have looked impressing and stand with full pot and a positive 17 goals in goal difference.  I have seen all their matches this season and in most of the games they have been way better then the opponents, and looked superior all over the pitch. It’s easy for supporters to call out United as champions already. But for me it’s too early even though I predicted them to win before the season started.

My first reason is that we are only 5 games into the new season and even though they have beaten teams like Tottenham, Arsenal and now Chelsea it still a lot of games to play. And one must remember that all the games were played at home to the top opponents. Tottenham and Arsenal were trashed, but Chelsea actually played a good match and could have gotten a result from the game. First of all one could say that the referees gave United two offside goals and secondly Torres should have scored at least one more goal.

My second reason is that United will play in all the competitions and will be vulnerable to injuries. Even though they got a big squad they are still in need of players like Rooney, Young and Nani to stay fit for the top games if they are to come out of it on top. When Rooney played a poor match against Benfica, then of course United lost their only 2 points so far this season.

My third reason is my main reason. If the teams could learn to show less respect for the United and give a real effort in trying to win the game instead of playing defensively, they could actually win some points against them. Most teams that face last year’s champions have lost the game before it has started. This is not to take away the good attacking play that Untied have shown so far, because they have been brilliant so far this season. My point is that when Chelsea actually pressured United, one could see them lacking experience in defence. When both Vidic and Ferdinand are out and Ferguson decides to use De Gea in goal I don’t see United coping with real pressure in the games. But when you watch the games most teams focus on defence out of respect for United. And of course you need to respect a strong side like United, but when you have lost the game before you enter the pitch, it’s just pathetic.

I hope some teams can show a little less respect and a bit more attacking force against last year’s champions. Yes United have been impressing and yes they are one of the strongest teams in the world at the moment. But I still feel that most of the games that they have played so far have been too easy for Manchester United. United look very strong in the attacking part of the game, but the central line; going from goalkeeper, central defence and central midfield aren’t frightening. I hope to see a Stoke team this weekend that shows the power in the play that one know they can, and give it a real go in trying to win the game. If they can play at their strengths they should give the United defence something to chew on at Britannia stadium.

Liverpool's shaky defence

Kenny Dalglish

Dalglish must have a major headache after the previous two league games and it won’t get any better it seems. First it looks like Jamie Carragher’s time at top level is starting to run out. The defender has shown time and time again that he doesn’t have the pace that is needed at the top of the league. And Dalglish needs wake up and realize that Carragher can’t compensate the lack of pace with experience and smartness. The problem might be that without their talisman and captain Steven Gerrard he has lacked leaders in the side and therefore can’t bench Carragher? In my opinion Daglish needs to think further then just this season and start planning Liverpool without a Carragher. That being said I have the deepest respect for what Carragher have done for the club. He is a type of player that shows the dedication and effort that all the managers, supporters and clubs dream of. It’s like The Kop sings “We all dream of a team of Carraghers”.



Carragher is not the only problem in the Liverpool defence. Daniel Agger is a world class defender when he is fit. He is a playing defender that got the technique and skill run with the ball and support the midfield with threw balls. The problem with Agger is that he plays 10 or top 15 games in a season. Some might say he is unlucky but one starts to wonder if you look at the long list of injuries during his time at Anfield. But I guess Liverpool is stuck with Agger even if they wanted to sell him, because who would buy a player that is injuried 60-70% of the season? Latest news is two broken ribs after a fall against Tottenham in the last match.



Sebastian Coates looked like a good signing after winning Copa America with Uruguay. Some experts questioned his pace tough and wondering if the young defender could adapt from the slow play South-America to the fast playing style in England. I will be careful to slaughter him after the performance against Tottenham. Because to be fair to the young lad the team was poor and defending with 1 or 2 less players than the opponents are impossible. So I will give him more time, but to me he looked like some said, very slow. And if you don’t have pace you won’t be able to perform at a top team in Europe in my opinion. Then you at least need to have a fast companion besides you, and at the current time Liverpool don’t have a central defender with pace. But as I said, I will give the young talent more time to show what he is capable to do.


Now that was Liverpool’s problem in the central defence. Looking at their right back position the things aren’t looking much better. Both Glenn Johnson and Martin Kelly have been out with injuries. And even though they are both named in the national side when they are fit, it’s still a huge problem for Liverpool when they are injuried all the time. They have like Daniel Agger whey to many injuries during a whole season. This have left Daglish to experience on the right side after young John Flanagan lost 2 points to the club in the opening match against Sunderland it doesn’t look like Daglish have enough faith in him. This has left the manager with Martin Skrtel at right back which is ridicules at this level. Skrtel looked like a little boy against Tottenham. He didn’t know what to do or where to go, and rounded it up with getting a red card with an awful challenge on Bale.


Only thing that is looking good for Daglish at this time is that Enrique has looked very strong and Reina is still the best goalkeeper in the league in my opinion. But I think Dalglish is having a rollercoaster feeling ending up with a huge headache when it comes to his current Liverpool defence.

Premier League Results Sunday 18/09/11

Manchester United – Chelsea   3-1

Man Utd: De Gea,Smalling (Valencia 62), Jones, Evans, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson (Carrick 62),Young,Rooney, Hernandez (Berbatov 79). Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Giggs, Park, Fabio Da Silva. Booked: Valencia,Fletcher. Goals: Smalling 8,Nani 37,Rooney 45. Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Meireles (Mikel 79), Lampard (Anelka 46),Sturridge (Lukaku 68), Torres, Mata. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Luiz, Romeu, Malouda. Booked: Ramires,Terry,Cole. Goals: Torres 46. Att: 75,455 Ref: Phil

Tottenham – Liverpool     4-0

Tottenham (4-4-2): Friedel 6; Walker 7, Kaboul 7, King 8 (Bassong 83min), Assou-Ekotto 7; Kranjcar 6 (Van der Vaart 46, 6), Parker 8, Modric 8, Bale 7; Defoe 7 (Giovani 83), Adebayor 8. Subs (not used): Cudicini, Pavlyuchenko, Livermore, Corluka. Booked: Adebayor. Scorers: Modric 6, Defoe 65, Adebayor 67, 90+4. Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina 5; Skrtel 4, Carragher 5, Agger 4 (Coates 25, 5), Enrique 5; Henderson 5, Lucas 6, Adam 4, Downing 5 (Spearing 70, 4); Carroll 4, Suarez 5 (Bellamy 70, 4). Subs (not used): Doni, Maxi, Kuyt, Robinson. Booked: Coates, Suarez. Sent off: Adam, Skrtel. Man of the match: Luka Modric. Referee: Mike Jones 5. Attendance: 36,129

Fulham – Manchester City  2-2

Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Baird, Hangeland, John Arne Riise, Duff (Kasami 61), Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey, Zamora, Dembele (Ruiz 88). Subs not used: Etheridge, Orlando Sa, Senderos, Gecov, Grygera. Goals: Zamora, Murphy Booked: Sidwell Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, Toure Yaya, Nasri (Johnson 81), Aguero (Tevez 82), Silva (Zabaleta 69), Dzeko. Subs not used: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Toure, Balotelli. Goals: Aguero 2 Booked: Barry Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England) Attendance: 24,750

Sunderland – Stoke   3-0

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Bramble, Brown, Richardson, Elmohamady, Gardner, Vaughan, Larsson (Colback 63), Sessegnon (Ji 81), Bendtner (Wickham 85). Subs not used: Westwood, Turner, Cattermole, McClean. Booked: Larsson Scorers: Bramble 5, Woodgate (og) 11, Gardner 28, Larsson 58 Stoke: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson, Jerome (Jones 61), Delap (Palacios 71), Whitehead, Etherington (Pennant 65), Walters, Crouch. Subs not used: Sorensen, Whelan, Upson, Wilkinson. Booked: Huth, Crouch Referee: Kevin Friend

Preview of the English premiership matches on Sunday 18.september

Tottenham – Liverpool                Home (2-1)

Tottenham played a European match in Greece midweek. It was clear that manager Redknapp had the upcoming Liverpool game in his mind when he played with only 1 player named for a premiership match so far this season. Redknapp knows that they can’t afford to lose this match to Liverpool if they are to get into a champions league spot at the end of the season. So even though Tottenham have played in Europe midweek and have some major injuries they are looking to win this match at white hart lane. Liverpool have had an okay start to the season, but got their first defeat away to Stoke in the last match and need to get something out of this game if they want to be in top flight.

Fulham – Manchester City          Draw (2-2)

Fulham has been a disappointment so far this season and his in the bottom of the table before this match starts. They are always strong at home, but have yet to win a game and are desperate to get their first 3 points of the season. But I can’t see them winning this match against a strong going Manchester City team. Mancinis men have looked as strong as any team so far and I bet they are looking to bounce back from the poor results in the champion’s league in the midweek. The question is have the European play will affect the City players when they come back to play premiership football some days after.

Sunderland – Stoke       Home (1-0)

Sunderland has been one of the biggest disappointments this season in my opinion. Manager Steve Bruce has spent a lot of money during the summer as always, but has gotten little or nothing so far. I think Bruce is starting to feel some pressure from fans and the board now and is in desperate need of 3 points. Stoke have started the premiership brilliantly and beat Liverpool at home in the last match. They have also been out in European match midweek and it will be interesting to see how the club handles it going back to premiership football.

Manchester United – Chelsea   Draw(1-1)

It’s a quite an interesting Sunday in the premiership today. But this is the game that we all will be waiting for today. The two biggest teams in the premiership for the last season go up head to head in an early match this season. Who will be the team that goes out of the game with a positive result? Both team played in Europe midweek so they both stand on equal ground on that part. Manchester United has looked the strongest so far in both result and game play. But these matches live their own game. And sadly most of the top games that one looks forward to become a disappointment when the game start. Both teams know that this means more than just a win draw or lose. If the game gets a winner the team will get a boost going into the next 4-5 matches and will define a lot of the future. That’s why I believe that the game will disappoint and end up in a game with few or no goals and a draw, which means that both teams can go on without getting a blow to their belief or a new premiership title.