Stoke 1-1 Manchester City
The Britannia Stadium has long been seen as a fortress for Stoke and it once again as they surprisingly picked up point against the champions in a a game that proved Stoke can give anyone a tough match on their day.
Despite being tough to beat at home few expected Stoke to actually take the lead against Manchester City but that's exactly what they did around 15 minutes in thanks to a controversial Peter Crouch goal that Roberto Mancini later described as being like "basketball". Whilst the goal it's self was controversial it was yet more proof that Manchester City have genuine defensive issues this season and after 4 Premier League games they have yet to keep a clean sheet.
Despite falling behind Manchester City again showed their fighting spirit and just 20 minutes later they equalised thanks to deubtant Javi Garcia who netted past Asmir Begovic to draw level. From then on it was almost all City who repeatedly came close to taking the lead as Stoke were forced to hold on. Despite probably deserving all 3 points Manchester City couldn't muster a second and will likely be kicking themselves for missing some great chances.
Stoke haven't had an easy start to the season but will feel very happy that they've managed to pick up points against both Arsenal and Manchester City already this season, two games where they were perhaps not expected to get anything. Despite having not lost a game so far in the Premier League they've also not won any this season. perhaps showing their biggest issue, they are hard to beat, but they lack a game winning killer instinct that they may need if they will to finish in the top half.
This is certainly a case of 2 points lost rather than 1 point earned for Manchester City who have again conceded against a team who took a chance despite being dominated. Until City manage to sort themselves out at the back they will struggle. They are excellent going forward and have a huge number of threats but seem completely unable to stop opponents scoring, against the top teams they will be punished.
Showing posts with label Stoke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stoke. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Premier League Week 3-Write up Wigan v Stoke
Wigan 2-2 Stoke
Wigan's start to the season has been a bit weird. In their opening day fixture they were blown away 2-0 by Chelsea who took a very early lead and in their second fixture they beat Southampton 2-0 despite being out played. With 2 for and 2 against maybe it was obvious that there was going to be a 2 in the scoreline here...
The visitors to the DW stadium today were Stoke, who, like Wigan had had a unique start to the season with 2 draws in 2 games. Maybe it should have been obvious from Stoke's form that a draw was the likely outcome here...
The matched started quickly and inside just 5 minutes Wigan had earned a penalty as the ball bounced up and hit Robert Huth's hand. Shaun Maloney had little issue in putting away the spot kick to put the home side in the lead. Before the half however the fortunes had been reversed with Stoke also being given a penalty this time after a handball by Maynor Figueroa after some beautiful work in the penalty are by Peter Crouch. Jonathan Walters had no issues in repeating what Maloney had done at the other end as the sides went in equal with a goal a piece.
Wigan got off to a very quick start to open the second half with Franco Di Santo managing to put the Latics back in the lead inside the first 5 minutes of the second half. As in the first half however Stoke refused to be beaten and Peter Crouch managed to head in an equaliser with 15 minutes left as Stoke leveled at 2-2. Although Stoke did come close from a Charlie Adam free kick no one managed to bag a 3rd as Stoke bagged their 3rd successive draw of the campaign whilst Wigan continued their strange fixation with the #2 .
Wigan will likely be happier with the point from this match despite starting both halves very well thanks in part to seeing Ali Al Habsi again show his class as he saved Wigan a point late on. Although Wigan had their chances through out the game they just didn't seem to fall quite right for their attackers and instead it was their Midfield and defense who had to play out of their skin to secure the point.
Stoke weren't mind blowing but they did create the better chances and perhaps feel slightly aggrieved to have secured their 3rd draw of the season. Peter Crouch looked brilliant at times and was pivotal in both Stoke goals whilst the substitution that saw Charlie Adam brought on really changed the impetus for Stoke who had looked relatively average before then. It would appear that Adam is going to be a starter in Stoke's next league game due to his pull in the middle.
Wigan's start to the season has been a bit weird. In their opening day fixture they were blown away 2-0 by Chelsea who took a very early lead and in their second fixture they beat Southampton 2-0 despite being out played. With 2 for and 2 against maybe it was obvious that there was going to be a 2 in the scoreline here...
The visitors to the DW stadium today were Stoke, who, like Wigan had had a unique start to the season with 2 draws in 2 games. Maybe it should have been obvious from Stoke's form that a draw was the likely outcome here...
The matched started quickly and inside just 5 minutes Wigan had earned a penalty as the ball bounced up and hit Robert Huth's hand. Shaun Maloney had little issue in putting away the spot kick to put the home side in the lead. Before the half however the fortunes had been reversed with Stoke also being given a penalty this time after a handball by Maynor Figueroa after some beautiful work in the penalty are by Peter Crouch. Jonathan Walters had no issues in repeating what Maloney had done at the other end as the sides went in equal with a goal a piece.
Wigan got off to a very quick start to open the second half with Franco Di Santo managing to put the Latics back in the lead inside the first 5 minutes of the second half. As in the first half however Stoke refused to be beaten and Peter Crouch managed to head in an equaliser with 15 minutes left as Stoke leveled at 2-2. Although Stoke did come close from a Charlie Adam free kick no one managed to bag a 3rd as Stoke bagged their 3rd successive draw of the campaign whilst Wigan continued their strange fixation with the #2 .
Wigan will likely be happier with the point from this match despite starting both halves very well thanks in part to seeing Ali Al Habsi again show his class as he saved Wigan a point late on. Although Wigan had their chances through out the game they just didn't seem to fall quite right for their attackers and instead it was their Midfield and defense who had to play out of their skin to secure the point.
Stoke weren't mind blowing but they did create the better chances and perhaps feel slightly aggrieved to have secured their 3rd draw of the season. Peter Crouch looked brilliant at times and was pivotal in both Stoke goals whilst the substitution that saw Charlie Adam brought on really changed the impetus for Stoke who had looked relatively average before then. It would appear that Adam is going to be a starter in Stoke's next league game due to his pull in the middle.
Premier League Week 3-As it Happens (Saturday)
Full time
Manchester 3-1 QPRThe Champions were again forced to play incredibly hard to claim the 3 points and whilst 3-1 was perhaps reflective of City's domination they did still not look like a team who were comfortable of themselves.
Goal!
Carlos Tevez finally seals the points for Manchester City after Edin Dzeko completely mis-hits his shot.
Manchester City 3-1 QPR
Y.Toure (16)
Zamora (59)
Dzeko (61)
Tevez (90)
Manchester City Free KickCity have a free kick in a great position...and we have 5 minutes stoppage time to go.
Manchester City Substitution
Samir Nasri is replaced by Abdul Razak as we enter the final minute of normal time.
QPR Substitution
Djibril Cisse comes on to replace Esteban Granero with about 5 minutes left as QPR continue to seek an equaliser.
Yellow Card
Bobby Zamora is booked after a few nibbles at Carlos Tevez
Manchester City Substitution
David Silva is replaced by James Milner with around 10 minutes left to play
QPR Free Kick
QPR take a free kick that seems to go through everyone and Ryan Nelson gets a second great opportunity inside 5 minutes. Manchester City are looking garbage at the back.
QPR Corner
Despite being thoroughly outplayed QPR are only a goal down and Ryan Nelson almost draw QPR level. Squeaky bum time for Roberto Mancini?
Manchester City
Kolo Toure replaces Pablo Zabaleta
Yellow Card
Jack Rodwell picks up a harsh yellow card
QPR Substitution
Keiron Dyer comes on to replace Alejando Faurlin
QPR Substitution
Anton Ferdinand is replaced by Nedum Onuoha
Goal!
Well that didn't last long. Edin Dzeko puts Manchester City back in the lead just minutes after QPR's equaliser. Again it seems City's attack has bailed out their defense.
Manchester City 2-1 QPR
Y.Toure (16)
Zamora (59)
Dzeko (61)
Goal!
Well who'd have thunk it? QPR have managed to equalise thanks to a close range header by the heavily bandaged Bobby Zamora! Game on?
Manchester City 1-1 QPR
Y.Toure (16)
Zamora (59)
Wow!
Manchester City come as close as a team can with an excellent shot that hits the underside of the bar and comes out. Beautiful shot and my my are QPR lucky.
Manchester City Chance
It has taken next to no time for Manchester City to make an impact in the second half as Carlos Tevez swings his foot through the ball and really stings the hands of Robert Green.
And we are off for the second half at the Etihad stadium.
Half Time
Manchester City 1-0 QPR
How is this just 1-0? Manchester City have knocked at the door repeatedly but have only managed to bag themselves 1, which they really will be disappointed by.
Yellow Card
Aleksander Kolarov picks up the first booking of the match just before half time.
QPR Corner
QPR get a corner as we edge towards half time and despite it being solid it comes to nothing.
Penalty Appeal
Manchester City are looking for a second and appeal for a handball in the area, it's again waved away
QPR Free Kick
QPR get a free kick in a promising position but it's wasted and Manchester City counter and create a great chances that gets wasted.
Manchester City Corner
Manchester City come close once again though it gets turned behind for yet another corner.
Lovely!
Manchester City play the ball wonderfully into an excellent position but make a pass too many and QPR clear the danger.
Manchester City Free Kick
Manchester City look to double their lead but a free kick, from a promising position, is wasted.
Manchester City Corner and Goal!
The previous corner has lead us to another one...and that one has lead us to a Yaya Toure thunderbolt past Rob Green. The deadlock has been broken.
Manchester City 1-0 QPR.
Y.Toure (16)
Manchester City CornerNormality is resumed with Manchester City getting yet another corner.
QPR Corner
A challenge by Jack Rodwell sees the ball hurtling towards his own net from 40 yards and Joe Hart is called into action to tip it over his own bar. QPR's corner comes to nothing.
Manchester City Corner
...you guess it, another Manchester City corner. This one here doesn't have the same threat as the previous on. That's the FIFTH QPR corner in a little over 10 minutes.
Manchester City Corner
...and another City corner...this one comes close with QPR needing to clear off the line...
Manchester City Corner
We are still inside the first 8 minutes and City have had their 8th corner! It comes to little but further shows their dominance.
Penalty Appeal
QPR are seriously under the cosh here and a ball-hit-hand incident is appealed for by the blue, the referee doesn't give it but it looks like the 0-0 will not last long.
Manchester City Corner
We are only 4 minutes into the match but City have now had 2 corners, this one being a much better corner than the first one.
Manchester City Corner
We're only 90 seconds into the match and Manchester City already have their first corner of the match. It comes to nothing but they are showing their intentions from the off.
...and we're off at The Etihad!
Despite the 15:00 kick offs starting slowly they ended up being rather solid overall. We had a combined 12 goals shared between the 4 games, we also had 2 penalties and 2 red cards as well as a number of notable injuries. All in all there was enough entertainment there for the neutral.
Whilst the winning runs of both Swansea and Everton came to an end the nightmares for Andre Villas-Boas has continued with the fans at White Hart Lane booing loudly at the end of their draw. Spurs are really struggling with just 2 points from 3 and when you remember the fans never wanted Harry to go they are likely to make their feelings on AVB well known.
So far today we've had it all-Goals (15), Penalties (2), Red Cards (2), injuries (a very nasty one for Neil Taylor), an angry Irishman (Martin O'Neill), controversy and some excellent debut's (Andy Carroll and Steven Fletcher), will this continue in our late game? Stay here and find out as Manchester City host QPR. (Full match preview here)
Full time
Swansea 2-2 Sunderland
Full time
West Brom 2-0 Everton
Full time
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Norwich
Full time
Wigan 2-2 Stoke
RED CARD
Just minutes after Gareth Bale gets booked Tottenham go down to 10 with Tom Huddlestone being shown red.
Yellow Card
Gareth Bale becomes the first yellow card at the Tottenham v Norwich game
Goal!
Everton's excellent start to the season has come to a clear end with Gareth McAuley doubling West Brom's lead.
West Brom 2-0 Everton
Long (66)
McAuley (83)
Goal!
Tottenham lead lasted less than 20 minutes as Robert Snodgrass has equalised for Norwich. Pressure must surely be building on Andre Villas-Boas.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Norwich
Dembélé (69)
Snodgrass (85)
Goal!
Stoke will not be denied it seems as gentle giant Peter Crouch equalises for the second time against Wigan
Wigan 2-2 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Walters (40)-Pen
Di Santo (49)
Crouch (76)
RED CARD
Chico is very, very unfortunately sent off for a silly challenge on Louis Saha who really over-sold the challenge. Poor sportsmanship from Saha.
Yellow Card
Marouane Fellaini joins several team mates as he too is booked
Yellow Card
Phil Neville has his name taken by the referee
Sunderland Substitution
Steven Fletcher's hopes of a hat-trick are ended early and he is replaced by Louis Saha.
Goal!
Swansea's super signing Michu strikes again, scorin his 4th Premier League goal in just 3 matches as Swansea's relentless pressure pays off
Swansea 2-2 Sunderland
Fletcher (41, 45)
Routledge (45)
Michu (66)
Goal!
Moussa Dembélé gets his Tottenham career off to a great start putting his new team in the lead!
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Norwich
Dembélé (69)
Yellow Card
Everton's defender Sylvin Distin joins fellow Toffee's defender Tony Hibbert in the referees book.
Goal!
West Brom take an unexpected lead against Everton thanks to a Shane Long goal.
West Brom 1-0 Everton
Long (66)
Yellow Card
Swansea's Ashley Williams goes into the referee's book.
Angry Irishman!
Martin O'Neill is furious on the sideline feeling that his team deserved a free kick. Instead it's Swansea with a free kick at the other end.
Tottenham Substituion
Tottenham bring on Emmanuel Adebayor to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson as Spurs look to shake up their awfully toothless looking attacking.
West Brom Substitution
Steven Reid has picked up a booking just minutes ago though now has to be taken off with Billy Jones replacing him
Yellow Card
We are having a spate of activity in the Wigan v Stoke match with James McArthur now receiving a booking.
Yellow Card
Stoke pick up their second yellow card of the season as Dean Whitehead receieves a booking.
Goal!
Wigan reclaim the lead thanks to a Franco Di Santos goal early in the second half.
Wigan 2-1 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Walters (40)-Pen
Di Santo (49)
Yellow CardSteve Reid picks up West Brom's first yellow card of the day just after the restart against Everton.
We are now back under way at all the 15:00 kick offs, with the Swansea v Sunderland game the final one to restart.
Half Times
Swansea 1-2 Sunderland
Wigan 1-1 Stoke
Tottenham 0-0 Norwich
West Brom 0-0 Everton
Despite a VERY slow start to the 15:00 kick offs things ended with a flurry of activity. The first 30 minutes saw more injuries than goal line activity with Neil Taylor's injury at the Liberty Stadium being the worst. The final 10 or so minutes saw no less than 4 goals, 3 of those coming at the Liberty Stadium, as Sunderland twice took the lead against Swansea with the other goal being Stoke's equaliser from the spot against Wigan.
Goal!
Steven Fletcher bags his second of the game to put Sunderland in the lead deep in to stoppage time. A free kick is floated across and Fletcher sweeps up the pieces.
Swansea 1-2 Sunderland
Fletcher (41, 45)
Routledge (45)
Penalty Appeal
Sunderland go straight down the other end and appeal for a penalty themselves but again the rfeferee waves play on.
Penalty Appeal
Swansea appeal for a penalty for a handball but the referee waves play on.
Yellow Card
We have our first yellow card in the Wigan v Stoke game as Marc Wilson gets his name taken
Goal!
Swansea equalise as we head into 6 minutes of stoppage time. Wayne Routledge almost rips the net open after linking up well with Nathan Dyer and Michu.
Swansea 1-1 Sunderland
Fletcher (41)
Routledge (45)
Goal!
Swansea concede their first goal of the season as a defensive mistake lets Steven Fletcher in to open the scoring just 5 minutes before half time.
Swansea 0-1 Sunderland
Fletcher (41)
Goal!
Stoke get a penalty with just a few minutes left until the break and Jonathan Walters converts to level the scores.
Wigan 1-1 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Walters (40)-Pen
Sunderland Substitution
Lee Cattermole who took a knock a few minutes ago limps off to be replaced by David Naylor. Note-Cattermole suffered a dead leg.
Yellow Card!
Tony Hibbert is shown as yellow card in theWest Brom v Everton match
Wigan Substitution
Jean Beausejour limps off with David Jones replacing him. Starting to look like a painful set of games today.
So we are 30 minutes into the 15:00 kick offs and we've had 1 goal between the 4 matches, 1 yellow card and 2 notable injury based substitutions...not great so far.
Yellow Card!
Craig Gardner receives the first yellow card of the day in the Premier League.
Everton Substitution
Darron Gibson goes off after what appears to be a pulled hamstring. He is replaced by Tony Hibbert.
OUCH! and Swansea Substitution
Neil Taylor is in a lot of pain as Swansea host Sunderland and you knew from when he went down that he was in pure agony. He's being stretchered off and will, eventually, be replaced by Ben Davies. Don't expect to see Taylor back in a hurry, this is a bad one and he will almost certainly be out for several weeks, if not longer.
Penalty Appeal
Nikica Jelavic goes down under a challenge and Everton appeal for the penalty against West Brom. The referee just tells them to get on with it.
Goal!
Wigan take the lead against Stoke in the first goal of the early kick offs thanks to an early Shaun Maloney penalty.
Wigan 1-0 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Penalty Appeal
Swansea have a penalty appeal in the opening few minutes turned down as they host Sunderland.
And now we are off in the 15:00 kick offs!
Full Time
West Ham 3-0 Fulham
An excellent win for West Ham who not only managed to keep a clean sheet but also bag 3 goals in part thanks to the excellent Andy Carroll who single handedly gave Fulham's defense a nightmare before he was substituted off. Sam Allardyce has to be happy at not just the result but also the perfomance which was a massive improvement over what they've done in their preview Premier League games this season.
For Fulham it just seemed like they took a long, long time to get out of the blocks and although their was some positives, notably Keiran Richardson's performance before he was taken off, it was an awful performance for Fulham.
Woodwork
Fulham looking for a concellation goal and Hugo Rodellaga comes close as his shot hits the wood work.
West Ham Corner
Diamien Duff takes a shot that is turned behidn by Jussi Jääskeläinen as we head into the final minute of normal time.
Fulham Corner
Fulham come as close as they've come as James Tomkins has to turn the ball around his own net. The corn comes to nothing as West Ham break quickly.
West Ham Substitution
Guy Demel limps off with a little more than 10 minutes left and it replaced by Robert Hall.
LOVELY!
Fulham play some fantastic football before it ends with a soft shot that is easily saved by Jussi Jääskeläinen. Fulham now showing some promise but we have only got around 15 minutes left.
Fulham Corner
Dimitar Berbatov earns Fulham a corner. Fulham have some solid pressure but it's finally cleared.
West Ham Substitution
Andy Carroll isn't being risked and is taken off for treatment and an early shower with Carlton Cole replacing him.
West Ham Substiution
James Tomkins comes to replace James Collins
Injury Worry!
Andy Carroll is down and in pain
West Ham Corner
Andy Carroll earns West Ham a corner after again frustrating the Fulham defense. After some messy defending Carroll gives Fulham a free kick in their own area for them to clear.
Fulham Substitution
Keiran Richardson's Fulham debut comes to an early end as Alexander Kačaniklić comes on to replace him with around 30 minutes left.
West Ham Corner
West Ham get a corner following the the throw in (see below) and after rattling around the Fulham penalty area the visitors finally get a chance to clear it via a free kick.
West Ham Free Kick
West Ham get a free kick just off centre and just outside the D. Matt Taylor strikes it hard but it's saved for Mark Schwarzer who loses it for a second before it's cleared for a throw in.
Flag!
Dimitar Berbatov is found in space but the linesman flags him off side. Harsh decision.
Fulham Substutition
As expected Dimitar Berbatov comes on the start of the second half with the Bulgarian replacing Mladen Petric.
Half Time
West ham 3-0 Fulham
A dream start at Upton Park for Andy Carroll who not only created a goal inside a minute but has genuinely given the Fulham defense a real nightmare. Fulham have looked scared at the back and have been beaten every time the ball goes through the air. Even on the attack Fulham look poor with only a couple of half chances in the first half.
Big Sam will be the happiest man in London right now, not only has his pursuit of Andy Carroll proven to be successful and already paid off but his team finally seem capable of scoring goals, even if the likes of Winston Reid and Matt Taylor aren't there to score.
For Fulham's manager Martin Jol he'll be asking what's gone wrong since Damien Duff put his side 1-0 up against Manchester United last weeknd, in fact Fulham haven't scored a goal (barring Nemanja Vidic's own goal) since then whilst conceding 6. Fulham fans will be hoping that Jol brings on Dimitar Berbatov to change things up front as they need to change something drastically in the second half.
Fulham CornerFulham get a second successive corner, this one is countered quickly by West Ham but the attack goes over.
Fulham CornerFulham get their first corner just as we enter stoppage time, it's cleared behind.
GOAL!
West Ham effectively seal the points before half time as a poor clearance only goes to Matt Taylor who makes it 3.
West Ham 3-0 Fulham
Nolan (1)
Reid (29)
Taylor (41)
GOAL!
West Ham double their lead following the corner with Winston Reid nodding in the corner.
West Ham 2-0 Fulham
Nolan (1)
Reid (29)
West Ham Corner
Fulham are slowly starting to prevent the crosses that keep finding Andy Carroll sadly these only tend to go out for corners.
West Ham Corner
The corner by West Ham is swiftly cut off by Mark Schwarzer.
Penalty Appeal
Andy Carroll goes up...then down in the Fulham penalty area, the hitman appeals but gets nothing.
Ooops!
Just out side the Fulham penalty area Kevin Nolan swings...and he misses!
Fulham Chance
Brede Haangeland plays in a delightful long ball to Damien Duff in the West Ham penalty area but the Fulham attacker can't convert the chance.
West Ham Corner
West Ham seem intent to build on their good start but again their corner amounts to nothing.
Shot!
Ricardo Vaz Te attempts to beat Mark Schwarzer at his near post but the shot is saved.
West Ham Corner
West Ham get the first corner of the match but it's a poor one by Mark Noble.
Shot!
Mohamed Diame comes close to doubling the lead as Mark Schwarzer is called into action to tip it over the bar.
Shot!
Jussi Jääskeläinen is forced in to action as Keiran Richardson takes his first shot in a Fulham shirt. The keeper's handling skills were less than impressive as he let it slip away from him but no one in white was following in.
GOAL!
Andy Carroll has made an immediate impact at West Ham with a knock on going to Kevin Nolan who hits it across Mark Schwarzer and opens the scoring inside a minute!
West Ham 1-0 Fulham
Kevin Nolan (1)
..And we are off at Upton Park!
So we've finally seen off the dreaded transfer window and now we are back just to what happens on the pitch. We start today at Upton Park as West Ham, with Andy Carroll in tow, host Martin Jol's Fulham.
Whilst Andy Carroll is expected to start we're expecting Dimitar Berbatov to start on the bench however Kieran Richardson is expected to make his debut for Fulham having signed from Sunderland.
Manchester 3-1 QPRThe Champions were again forced to play incredibly hard to claim the 3 points and whilst 3-1 was perhaps reflective of City's domination they did still not look like a team who were comfortable of themselves.
Goal!
Carlos Tevez finally seals the points for Manchester City after Edin Dzeko completely mis-hits his shot.
Manchester City 3-1 QPR
Y.Toure (16)
Zamora (59)
Dzeko (61)
Tevez (90)
Manchester City Free KickCity have a free kick in a great position...and we have 5 minutes stoppage time to go.
Manchester City Substitution
Samir Nasri is replaced by Abdul Razak as we enter the final minute of normal time.
QPR Substitution
Djibril Cisse comes on to replace Esteban Granero with about 5 minutes left as QPR continue to seek an equaliser.
Yellow Card
Bobby Zamora is booked after a few nibbles at Carlos Tevez
Manchester City Substitution
David Silva is replaced by James Milner with around 10 minutes left to play
QPR Free Kick
QPR take a free kick that seems to go through everyone and Ryan Nelson gets a second great opportunity inside 5 minutes. Manchester City are looking garbage at the back.
QPR Corner
Despite being thoroughly outplayed QPR are only a goal down and Ryan Nelson almost draw QPR level. Squeaky bum time for Roberto Mancini?
Manchester City
Kolo Toure replaces Pablo Zabaleta
Yellow Card
Jack Rodwell picks up a harsh yellow card
QPR Substitution
Keiron Dyer comes on to replace Alejando Faurlin
QPR Substitution
Anton Ferdinand is replaced by Nedum Onuoha
Goal!
Well that didn't last long. Edin Dzeko puts Manchester City back in the lead just minutes after QPR's equaliser. Again it seems City's attack has bailed out their defense.
Manchester City 2-1 QPR
Y.Toure (16)
Zamora (59)
Dzeko (61)
Goal!
Well who'd have thunk it? QPR have managed to equalise thanks to a close range header by the heavily bandaged Bobby Zamora! Game on?
Manchester City 1-1 QPR
Y.Toure (16)
Zamora (59)
Wow!
Manchester City come as close as a team can with an excellent shot that hits the underside of the bar and comes out. Beautiful shot and my my are QPR lucky.
Manchester City Chance
It has taken next to no time for Manchester City to make an impact in the second half as Carlos Tevez swings his foot through the ball and really stings the hands of Robert Green.
And we are off for the second half at the Etihad stadium.
Half Time
Manchester City 1-0 QPR
How is this just 1-0? Manchester City have knocked at the door repeatedly but have only managed to bag themselves 1, which they really will be disappointed by.
Yellow Card
Aleksander Kolarov picks up the first booking of the match just before half time.
QPR Corner
QPR get a corner as we edge towards half time and despite it being solid it comes to nothing.
Penalty Appeal
Manchester City are looking for a second and appeal for a handball in the area, it's again waved away
QPR Free Kick
QPR get a free kick in a promising position but it's wasted and Manchester City counter and create a great chances that gets wasted.
Manchester City Corner
Manchester City come close once again though it gets turned behind for yet another corner.
Lovely!
Manchester City play the ball wonderfully into an excellent position but make a pass too many and QPR clear the danger.
Manchester City Free Kick
Manchester City look to double their lead but a free kick, from a promising position, is wasted.
Manchester City Corner and Goal!
The previous corner has lead us to another one...and that one has lead us to a Yaya Toure thunderbolt past Rob Green. The deadlock has been broken.
Manchester City 1-0 QPR.
Y.Toure (16)
Manchester City CornerNormality is resumed with Manchester City getting yet another corner.
QPR Corner
A challenge by Jack Rodwell sees the ball hurtling towards his own net from 40 yards and Joe Hart is called into action to tip it over his own bar. QPR's corner comes to nothing.
Manchester City Corner
...you guess it, another Manchester City corner. This one here doesn't have the same threat as the previous on. That's the FIFTH QPR corner in a little over 10 minutes.
Manchester City Corner
...and another City corner...this one comes close with QPR needing to clear off the line...
Manchester City Corner
We are still inside the first 8 minutes and City have had their 8th corner! It comes to little but further shows their dominance.
Penalty Appeal
QPR are seriously under the cosh here and a ball-hit-hand incident is appealed for by the blue, the referee doesn't give it but it looks like the 0-0 will not last long.
Manchester City Corner
We are only 4 minutes into the match but City have now had 2 corners, this one being a much better corner than the first one.
Manchester City Corner
We're only 90 seconds into the match and Manchester City already have their first corner of the match. It comes to nothing but they are showing their intentions from the off.
...and we're off at The Etihad!
Despite the 15:00 kick offs starting slowly they ended up being rather solid overall. We had a combined 12 goals shared between the 4 games, we also had 2 penalties and 2 red cards as well as a number of notable injuries. All in all there was enough entertainment there for the neutral.
Whilst the winning runs of both Swansea and Everton came to an end the nightmares for Andre Villas-Boas has continued with the fans at White Hart Lane booing loudly at the end of their draw. Spurs are really struggling with just 2 points from 3 and when you remember the fans never wanted Harry to go they are likely to make their feelings on AVB well known.
So far today we've had it all-Goals (15), Penalties (2), Red Cards (2), injuries (a very nasty one for Neil Taylor), an angry Irishman (Martin O'Neill), controversy and some excellent debut's (Andy Carroll and Steven Fletcher), will this continue in our late game? Stay here and find out as Manchester City host QPR. (Full match preview here)
Full time
Swansea 2-2 Sunderland
Full time
West Brom 2-0 Everton
Full time
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Norwich
Full time
Wigan 2-2 Stoke
RED CARD
Just minutes after Gareth Bale gets booked Tottenham go down to 10 with Tom Huddlestone being shown red.
Yellow Card
Gareth Bale becomes the first yellow card at the Tottenham v Norwich game
Goal!
Everton's excellent start to the season has come to a clear end with Gareth McAuley doubling West Brom's lead.
West Brom 2-0 Everton
Long (66)
McAuley (83)
Goal!
Tottenham lead lasted less than 20 minutes as Robert Snodgrass has equalised for Norwich. Pressure must surely be building on Andre Villas-Boas.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Norwich
Dembélé (69)
Snodgrass (85)
Goal!
Stoke will not be denied it seems as gentle giant Peter Crouch equalises for the second time against Wigan
Wigan 2-2 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Walters (40)-Pen
Di Santo (49)
Crouch (76)
RED CARD
Chico is very, very unfortunately sent off for a silly challenge on Louis Saha who really over-sold the challenge. Poor sportsmanship from Saha.
Yellow Card
Marouane Fellaini joins several team mates as he too is booked
Yellow Card
Phil Neville has his name taken by the referee
Sunderland Substitution
Steven Fletcher's hopes of a hat-trick are ended early and he is replaced by Louis Saha.
Goal!
Swansea's super signing Michu strikes again, scorin his 4th Premier League goal in just 3 matches as Swansea's relentless pressure pays off
Swansea 2-2 Sunderland
Fletcher (41, 45)
Routledge (45)
Michu (66)
Goal!
Moussa Dembélé gets his Tottenham career off to a great start putting his new team in the lead!
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Norwich
Dembélé (69)
Yellow Card
Everton's defender Sylvin Distin joins fellow Toffee's defender Tony Hibbert in the referees book.
Goal!
West Brom take an unexpected lead against Everton thanks to a Shane Long goal.
West Brom 1-0 Everton
Long (66)
Yellow Card
Swansea's Ashley Williams goes into the referee's book.
Angry Irishman!
Martin O'Neill is furious on the sideline feeling that his team deserved a free kick. Instead it's Swansea with a free kick at the other end.
Tottenham Substituion
Tottenham bring on Emmanuel Adebayor to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson as Spurs look to shake up their awfully toothless looking attacking.
West Brom Substitution
Steven Reid has picked up a booking just minutes ago though now has to be taken off with Billy Jones replacing him
Yellow Card
We are having a spate of activity in the Wigan v Stoke match with James McArthur now receiving a booking.
Yellow Card
Stoke pick up their second yellow card of the season as Dean Whitehead receieves a booking.
Goal!
Wigan reclaim the lead thanks to a Franco Di Santos goal early in the second half.
Wigan 2-1 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Walters (40)-Pen
Di Santo (49)
Yellow CardSteve Reid picks up West Brom's first yellow card of the day just after the restart against Everton.
We are now back under way at all the 15:00 kick offs, with the Swansea v Sunderland game the final one to restart.
Half Times
Swansea 1-2 Sunderland
Wigan 1-1 Stoke
Tottenham 0-0 Norwich
West Brom 0-0 Everton
Despite a VERY slow start to the 15:00 kick offs things ended with a flurry of activity. The first 30 minutes saw more injuries than goal line activity with Neil Taylor's injury at the Liberty Stadium being the worst. The final 10 or so minutes saw no less than 4 goals, 3 of those coming at the Liberty Stadium, as Sunderland twice took the lead against Swansea with the other goal being Stoke's equaliser from the spot against Wigan.
Goal!
Steven Fletcher bags his second of the game to put Sunderland in the lead deep in to stoppage time. A free kick is floated across and Fletcher sweeps up the pieces.
Swansea 1-2 Sunderland
Fletcher (41, 45)
Routledge (45)
Penalty Appeal
Sunderland go straight down the other end and appeal for a penalty themselves but again the rfeferee waves play on.
Penalty Appeal
Swansea appeal for a penalty for a handball but the referee waves play on.
Yellow Card
We have our first yellow card in the Wigan v Stoke game as Marc Wilson gets his name taken
Goal!
Swansea equalise as we head into 6 minutes of stoppage time. Wayne Routledge almost rips the net open after linking up well with Nathan Dyer and Michu.
Swansea 1-1 Sunderland
Fletcher (41)
Routledge (45)
Goal!
Swansea concede their first goal of the season as a defensive mistake lets Steven Fletcher in to open the scoring just 5 minutes before half time.
Swansea 0-1 Sunderland
Fletcher (41)
Goal!
Stoke get a penalty with just a few minutes left until the break and Jonathan Walters converts to level the scores.
Wigan 1-1 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Walters (40)-Pen
Sunderland Substitution
Lee Cattermole who took a knock a few minutes ago limps off to be replaced by David Naylor. Note-Cattermole suffered a dead leg.
Yellow Card!
Tony Hibbert is shown as yellow card in theWest Brom v Everton match
Wigan Substitution
Jean Beausejour limps off with David Jones replacing him. Starting to look like a painful set of games today.
So we are 30 minutes into the 15:00 kick offs and we've had 1 goal between the 4 matches, 1 yellow card and 2 notable injury based substitutions...not great so far.
Yellow Card!
Craig Gardner receives the first yellow card of the day in the Premier League.
Everton Substitution
Darron Gibson goes off after what appears to be a pulled hamstring. He is replaced by Tony Hibbert.
OUCH! and Swansea Substitution
Neil Taylor is in a lot of pain as Swansea host Sunderland and you knew from when he went down that he was in pure agony. He's being stretchered off and will, eventually, be replaced by Ben Davies. Don't expect to see Taylor back in a hurry, this is a bad one and he will almost certainly be out for several weeks, if not longer.
Penalty Appeal
Nikica Jelavic goes down under a challenge and Everton appeal for the penalty against West Brom. The referee just tells them to get on with it.
Goal!
Wigan take the lead against Stoke in the first goal of the early kick offs thanks to an early Shaun Maloney penalty.
Wigan 1-0 Stoke
Maloney (5)-Pen
Penalty Appeal
Swansea have a penalty appeal in the opening few minutes turned down as they host Sunderland.
And now we are off in the 15:00 kick offs!
Full Time
West Ham 3-0 Fulham
An excellent win for West Ham who not only managed to keep a clean sheet but also bag 3 goals in part thanks to the excellent Andy Carroll who single handedly gave Fulham's defense a nightmare before he was substituted off. Sam Allardyce has to be happy at not just the result but also the perfomance which was a massive improvement over what they've done in their preview Premier League games this season.
For Fulham it just seemed like they took a long, long time to get out of the blocks and although their was some positives, notably Keiran Richardson's performance before he was taken off, it was an awful performance for Fulham.
Woodwork
Fulham looking for a concellation goal and Hugo Rodellaga comes close as his shot hits the wood work.
West Ham Corner
Diamien Duff takes a shot that is turned behidn by Jussi Jääskeläinen as we head into the final minute of normal time.
Fulham Corner
Fulham come as close as they've come as James Tomkins has to turn the ball around his own net. The corn comes to nothing as West Ham break quickly.
West Ham Substitution
Guy Demel limps off with a little more than 10 minutes left and it replaced by Robert Hall.
LOVELY!
Fulham play some fantastic football before it ends with a soft shot that is easily saved by Jussi Jääskeläinen. Fulham now showing some promise but we have only got around 15 minutes left.
Fulham Corner
Dimitar Berbatov earns Fulham a corner. Fulham have some solid pressure but it's finally cleared.
West Ham Substitution
Andy Carroll isn't being risked and is taken off for treatment and an early shower with Carlton Cole replacing him.
West Ham Substiution
James Tomkins comes to replace James Collins
Injury Worry!
Andy Carroll is down and in pain
West Ham Corner
Andy Carroll earns West Ham a corner after again frustrating the Fulham defense. After some messy defending Carroll gives Fulham a free kick in their own area for them to clear.
Fulham Substitution
Keiran Richardson's Fulham debut comes to an early end as Alexander Kačaniklić comes on to replace him with around 30 minutes left.
West Ham Corner
West Ham get a corner following the the throw in (see below) and after rattling around the Fulham penalty area the visitors finally get a chance to clear it via a free kick.
West Ham Free Kick
West Ham get a free kick just off centre and just outside the D. Matt Taylor strikes it hard but it's saved for Mark Schwarzer who loses it for a second before it's cleared for a throw in.
Flag!
Dimitar Berbatov is found in space but the linesman flags him off side. Harsh decision.
Fulham Substutition
As expected Dimitar Berbatov comes on the start of the second half with the Bulgarian replacing Mladen Petric.
Half Time
West ham 3-0 Fulham
A dream start at Upton Park for Andy Carroll who not only created a goal inside a minute but has genuinely given the Fulham defense a real nightmare. Fulham have looked scared at the back and have been beaten every time the ball goes through the air. Even on the attack Fulham look poor with only a couple of half chances in the first half.
Big Sam will be the happiest man in London right now, not only has his pursuit of Andy Carroll proven to be successful and already paid off but his team finally seem capable of scoring goals, even if the likes of Winston Reid and Matt Taylor aren't there to score.
For Fulham's manager Martin Jol he'll be asking what's gone wrong since Damien Duff put his side 1-0 up against Manchester United last weeknd, in fact Fulham haven't scored a goal (barring Nemanja Vidic's own goal) since then whilst conceding 6. Fulham fans will be hoping that Jol brings on Dimitar Berbatov to change things up front as they need to change something drastically in the second half.
Fulham CornerFulham get a second successive corner, this one is countered quickly by West Ham but the attack goes over.
Fulham CornerFulham get their first corner just as we enter stoppage time, it's cleared behind.
GOAL!
West Ham effectively seal the points before half time as a poor clearance only goes to Matt Taylor who makes it 3.
West Ham 3-0 Fulham
Nolan (1)
Reid (29)
Taylor (41)
GOAL!
West Ham double their lead following the corner with Winston Reid nodding in the corner.
West Ham 2-0 Fulham
Nolan (1)
Reid (29)
West Ham Corner
Fulham are slowly starting to prevent the crosses that keep finding Andy Carroll sadly these only tend to go out for corners.
West Ham Corner
The corner by West Ham is swiftly cut off by Mark Schwarzer.
Penalty Appeal
Andy Carroll goes up...then down in the Fulham penalty area, the hitman appeals but gets nothing.
Ooops!
Just out side the Fulham penalty area Kevin Nolan swings...and he misses!
Fulham Chance
Brede Haangeland plays in a delightful long ball to Damien Duff in the West Ham penalty area but the Fulham attacker can't convert the chance.
West Ham Corner
West Ham seem intent to build on their good start but again their corner amounts to nothing.
Shot!
Ricardo Vaz Te attempts to beat Mark Schwarzer at his near post but the shot is saved.
West Ham Corner
West Ham get the first corner of the match but it's a poor one by Mark Noble.
Shot!
Mohamed Diame comes close to doubling the lead as Mark Schwarzer is called into action to tip it over the bar.
Shot!
Jussi Jääskeläinen is forced in to action as Keiran Richardson takes his first shot in a Fulham shirt. The keeper's handling skills were less than impressive as he let it slip away from him but no one in white was following in.
GOAL!
Andy Carroll has made an immediate impact at West Ham with a knock on going to Kevin Nolan who hits it across Mark Schwarzer and opens the scoring inside a minute!
West Ham 1-0 Fulham
Kevin Nolan (1)
..And we are off at Upton Park!
So we've finally seen off the dreaded transfer window and now we are back just to what happens on the pitch. We start today at Upton Park as West Ham, with Andy Carroll in tow, host Martin Jol's Fulham.
Whilst Andy Carroll is expected to start we're expecting Dimitar Berbatov to start on the bench however Kieran Richardson is expected to make his debut for Fulham having signed from Sunderland.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Premier League Week 2-Write up Stoke v Arsenal
Stoke 0-0 Arsenal
Everyone who watches the Premier League knows about the love-hate relationship between Arsene Wenger and Stoke City, it's fair to say that this match will not ease his dislike of a team that seem to have become his nemesis in recent years.
Stoke have made a habit of not losing games over the past few seasons and have an excellently drilled defense that often refuses to be breached and that's again what happened as they bent and buckled but refused to snap to relentless Arsenal pressure. In fact it was Arsenal's defense that seemed to be broken early in the game as Jonathan Walters put the ball in the Arsenal net inside the first 10 minutes before the goal was ruled out. It was as close as either team came to breaking the dead lock.
Arsenal, via Santi Cazorla and Mikael Arteta dominated the game with two Spaniards pulling all the strings in the middle though the organised Stoke back 4 managed to hold out and really limited the solid chances Arsenal had. Whilst at the other end Peter Crouch was effectively played out of the gme by Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen who seemed to show Steve Pulis' men that Arsenal had manned up this year.
For Steve Pulis this was a point well earned as his team were on the back foot for much of the game and they proved that they are defensively as sound as ever. Whilst they couldn't really get into the game going forward with only a handful of half chances they proved to be resolute and solid at the back. The Stoke fans may feel a slight aggreived not to have had a penalty in the second half but it would have been very soft to have awarded a penalty for the coming together in question and all in all they were lucky to get apoint.
Arsene Wenger hasn't tried to hide his dislike of Stoke over the years and he will again be seething whilst feeling that his team had enough chances to bag all 3 points. He knows Stoke are physical however he'll have been pleased by the fact that his players refused to be kicked off the pitch however the wasted chances will really annoying him, especially given how much of the game they bossed. Once again Santi Cazorla looked exceptional and controlled the game for the second match running however it was Mikael Arteta who perhaps deserved all the plaudits as he was the one who was fidning Cazorla in space.
Notes-
Arsenal have been involved in both of the 0-0's so far
Stoke failed to get a single corner whilst Arsenal had double figures.
Everyone who watches the Premier League knows about the love-hate relationship between Arsene Wenger and Stoke City, it's fair to say that this match will not ease his dislike of a team that seem to have become his nemesis in recent years.
Stoke have made a habit of not losing games over the past few seasons and have an excellently drilled defense that often refuses to be breached and that's again what happened as they bent and buckled but refused to snap to relentless Arsenal pressure. In fact it was Arsenal's defense that seemed to be broken early in the game as Jonathan Walters put the ball in the Arsenal net inside the first 10 minutes before the goal was ruled out. It was as close as either team came to breaking the dead lock.
Arsenal, via Santi Cazorla and Mikael Arteta dominated the game with two Spaniards pulling all the strings in the middle though the organised Stoke back 4 managed to hold out and really limited the solid chances Arsenal had. Whilst at the other end Peter Crouch was effectively played out of the gme by Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen who seemed to show Steve Pulis' men that Arsenal had manned up this year.
For Steve Pulis this was a point well earned as his team were on the back foot for much of the game and they proved that they are defensively as sound as ever. Whilst they couldn't really get into the game going forward with only a handful of half chances they proved to be resolute and solid at the back. The Stoke fans may feel a slight aggreived not to have had a penalty in the second half but it would have been very soft to have awarded a penalty for the coming together in question and all in all they were lucky to get apoint.
Arsene Wenger hasn't tried to hide his dislike of Stoke over the years and he will again be seething whilst feeling that his team had enough chances to bag all 3 points. He knows Stoke are physical however he'll have been pleased by the fact that his players refused to be kicked off the pitch however the wasted chances will really annoying him, especially given how much of the game they bossed. Once again Santi Cazorla looked exceptional and controlled the game for the second match running however it was Mikael Arteta who perhaps deserved all the plaudits as he was the one who was fidning Cazorla in space.
Notes-
Arsenal have been involved in both of the 0-0's so far
Stoke failed to get a single corner whilst Arsenal had double figures.
Premier League Week 2-As it Happens (Sunday)
Full-time
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
A much improved performance by Liverpool after the West Brom match last week and in fairness they will feel they deserved all 3 points. The huge blunder by Martin Skrtel saw him going from hero to zero and he was effectively the reaosn that Liverpool didn't claim all 3 points. Roberto Mancini really needs to see this as a point won and not 2 points lost but in all honesty he needs to worry. His defense has now let in 4 goals in 2 games and they cannot keep conceding goals like this if they are to repeat the succes of last year.
Yellow Card
Luis Suarez gets the first yellow card of the game for aguing with the referee.
Manchester City Corner
We are half way into stoppage time and Manchester City have a corner. It eventually falls for Carlos Tevez who hits his shot wide.
End to end action now as both teams go for the win, we have just a few minutes of stoppage time left but both teams seem to feel they can win it!
Liverpool Corner
Corner crossed in and rebounds around the around the area before it's hit on target, big appeal for hanball turned down by the referee. Liverpool really seeking a winner.
Liverpool Corner
Liverpool break and get a corner, it gets turned behind for another
Manchester City half chance
Edin Dzeko gets half a chance but hits his shot wide
Liverpool Substitution
Fabio Borini comes off and is replaced by Andy Carroll
Liverpool half chance
The homeside are trying to go back in the lead and play the ball around City's penalty area before a shot by Jonjo Shelby goes over the bar.
Goal!
What was Martin Skrtel doing? He calmly passes the ball to Carlos Tevez who cooly slows the ball past Pepe Reina as Liverpool fans ask what their defender was doing there.
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Skrtel (34)
Y. Toure (63)
Suarez (66)
Tvez (80)
Mancester City Substitute
David Silva comes on with about 15 minutes left as he replaces James Milner.
Penalty Appeal
Liverpool look almost certain to be given a penalty as Glen Johnson goes down but the referee doesn't blow the whistle.
Liverpool half chance
Fabio Borini breaks down the side and tries to lay in a cross but it's cut out as Liverpool look to kill off the game.
Liverpool free kick and Substitution
Martin Kelly goes off to be replaced by Jose Enrique as Liverpool prepare for a free kick following a handball. The free kick, taken by Luis Suarez is perfectly placed as Liverpool retake the lead.
Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City
Skrtel (34)
Y. Toure (63)
Suarez (66)
Goal!
The substitution of Edin Dzeko seems to have automatically revitalised the Manchester City attack and a cross from the left leaves the Liverpool defense looking clueless as Yaya Toure bangs in an equaliser
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City
Skrtel (34)
Y. Toure (63)
Manchester City Substitution
Edin Dzeko comes on to replace Mario Ballotelli
Manchester City Substitution
Jack Rodwell comes on for Samir Nasri who has been rather quiet today after being excellent last weekend.
Liverpool half Chance
Mario Ballotelli gives the ball away in a dangerous position but Luis Suarez makes the wrong decision.
Manchester City Corner
Mario Ballotelli was annoyed not to get a free kick but he did manage to earn a corner for his team whilst being angrily booed by the Kop faithful.
Manchester City Free kick
The visitors get a free kick from wide on the attack right but it goes over everyone and sails out for a goal kick.
...and we're back off for the second half at Anfield.
Half Time
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Brendon Rodgers will have to be a very, very happy man. His team were humiliated last weekend but came out firing today and made their intentions well known early on. Although they lost Lukas inside the first 5 minutes they had none stop desire all over the place. Really incredible performance as Liverpool show no signs of having played just a few days ago.
Manchester City do look like they have goals in them though with only 3 men at the back they do look defensively weak and perhaps feel a little unlucky not to have conceded more than just the 1. Whilst Carloz Tevez came incredibly close with a magical moment Liverpool's defense has stopped almost everything else without too many problems. Robert Mancini will be telling his players that they need to take the chances when they get them and if they do there will be no way that this ends 1-0
Manchester City Free kick
Manchester City get a free kick in a promising position but it goes straight in to the wall before the referee blows the whistle for half time.
Manchester City Corner
Manchester City are looking an equaliser before half time as hey get a second successive corner but it's easily defended by Liverpool
Manchester City Corner
City get a corner but it fails to beat the first man.
Liverpool Chance
Luis Suarez has half a chance but hits it over the bar as Liverpool push for a second goal before half time.
Liverpool Corner and Goal!
Liverpool were unlucky just seconds earlier as Vincent Kompany got lucky in front of his own goal, but the resulting corner was excellent and Martin Skrtel gets his head on it and gives Joe Hart no chance.
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Skrtel (35)
Lucky Boy!Vincent Kompany almost puts one into the back of his own net, though it goes behidn for a Liverpool corner.
Manchester City Chance
End to end action here with Liverpool feeling they deserve a free kick at one end before Mario Ballotelli gets a chance at the other end. Brilliant action at times with a much improved Liverpool to the one who were humiliated last weekend.
Liverpool Corner
Liverpool showing real desire and get a corner...which doesn't go how they want.
Manchester City Free kick
City get a freekick in an excellent position which is crossed but it goes out before anyone gets a touch.
Penalty Appeal
The Manchester City fans appeal for a handball against Martin Skrtel, referee has none of it.
How did that not go in?
Carlos Tevez hits a ball that literally goes along the Liverpool goal line before hitting the far post and rolling out as several City players watch idly. Should have been a Manchester City goal.
Liverpool Chance
Fabio Borini gets the first notable chance of the game but blasts wide as Liverpool open up the Manchester City back 3.
Penalty Appeal
The Liverpool fans appeal for a handball against Aleksandar Kolarov, nothing is given however.
Manchester City Free kick
A foul by Liverpool gives the visitors a free kick which is easily saved by Pepe Reina.
Liverpool Substitution
Lukas hobbles off inside the first 5 minutes and is replaced by Jonjo Shelvey
...and we have kick off in our 16:00 kick off!
With a 0-0 in the early kick off we are all expecting goals in the late kick off as we go to Anfield for Liverpool v Manchester City in what promises to be an excellent and enthralling match up.
Full Time
Stoke 0-0 Arsenal
Stoke Free Kick
We have 3 minutes of extra time and Stoke have another chance to launch a free kick in the penalty area. The set piece however is cleared with ease.
Arsenal Shot!
Oliver Giroud sees Asmir Begovic off his line and attempts and outrageous shot which only just misses the net. Probably as close as either team has come in the second half.
Stoke Free kickStoke get a free kick due to a foul by Mikael Arteta in a nice position, the ball is floated in but cleared easily by Per Mertesacker
Stoke Half Chance
Stoke break through the Arsenal defence but the shot is poor.
Just 5 minutes left at the Britannia Stadium with the scores still 0-0, will Arsenal have their second goalless draw of the season?
Arsenal Corner
This one is poor and misses everyone.
Arsenal Corner
Another Arsenal corner leads to yet another Arsenal corner.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get yet another corner, this one is threatening but Per Mertesacker's header goes well over.
Arsenal Substitution
Aaron Ramsey comes to replace Santi Corzola
Stoke Subsitition
Glenn Whelan goes off for Wilson Palacios as Stoke make their final change.
Penalty Appeal
The Stoke crowd appeal for a penalty against Carl Jenkinson
Stoke Substitution
Peter Crouch goes off for Ryan Shotton
Stoke Half Chance
Peter Crouch delivers a cross but the resulting header is disappointing. Stoke showing some belief now.
Arsenal Chance
Abou Diaby finds himself in the Stoke are with the ball at his feet but sadly he fails to get his shot on target. A great chance.
Arsenal Subsitutions
Gervinho and Lukas Podolski both go off to be replaced by Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Arsenal look in add some pace to their attack.
Arsenal Half Chance
Gervinho predicts and error but can't quite get to the ball befor Asmir Begovic.
Arsenal Corner
Yet another corner for Arsenal this one falls to Oliver Giroud in the penalty area but the Frenchman has to go for the spectacular and it sails over.
Stoke Half Chance
A Stoke cross finds Peter Crouch at the far post but the gentle giant can't pop in what was a very tough chance.
Stoke Substitution
Jermain Pennant off and Cameron Jerome on for the home side.
Arsenal Free kick and Yellow Card
Arsenal keep the pressure on the Stoke defense and Andy Wilkinson gets booked as he makes a very rash challenge inside the D. Very promising position for a free kick but Mikael Arteta's shot is straight into the wall.
Arsenal Free kick
A needlessly given away free kick ends a possible Stoke counter but Arsenal don't manage to do much with the free kick.
Arsenal Corner
Stoke have a chance but Arsenal quickly break and get themselves a corner. It's half cleared.
Stoke Half Chance
A long ball by Stoke seems to catch the Arsenal defense off guard but the eventual cross by Michaek Kightly is poor to say the least.
Penalty Appeal
Stoke appeal for a penalty after Jermain Pennant and Kieran Gibbs come close but the referee and linesman ignore the appeal. Stoke are starting to make their presence known once again.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get their first corner of the second half and despite having some serious height they fail make much of the corner.
Arsenal Chance
Gervinho gets himself into a great position but sadly his shot is lacking.
...And we're off for the second half at the Britannia Stadium for the second half.
Half time
Stoke 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal have been much the better side in the opening half but despite a number of half chances they've failed to break the deadlock. Stoke are the only seam so far to have the ball in the net though it was pretty clearly offside.
So far it's been Santi Carzola who has been pulling the strings and the Spaniard looks a class above everyone on the pitch controlling the pace of the game excellently though he will be wanting someone up front to finish off the chances he creates. Stoke are being physical but are lacking a serious threat and Peter Crouch has been all but played out of the match so far.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get a corner from the other side and this one comes to nothing as the whistle blows and that's half time.
Arsenal Corner
We enter stoppage time with an Arsenal corner after Gervinho is challenged. It goes into the area and out the other end for another corner.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal counter after a solid Stoke attack and get a corner after an excellent challenge on Kieran Gibbs.
Stoke Free kick
Stoke have a free kick in a promising position but it's headed straight out by the Arsenal defense. Stoke appear to be making their way into this game.
Arsenal Corner
The corner following Santi Carzola's shot comes to absolutely nothing as the referee notices an infringement by Arsenal.
SAVE!
Mikael Arteta is fouled not far from the half way line but the referee plays advantage and Santi Carzola takes a brilliant shot forcing Asmir Begović into action as he turns it behind for a corner.
Free kick
After having their best series of play Stoke are again on the back foot and Santi Carzola gets given a bit more of the Britannia treatment. The free kick is played short and the resulting shot goes out for a goal kick.
Stoke Chance
Michael Kightly, on his home debut for Stoke has a chance but smashes it straight at Vito Mannone.
Arsenal Chance
Only a half chance this time which Lukas Podolski whacks over from just outside the penalty area. This is starting to look like one way traffic so far with Diaby and Carzola being the bosses of the game up to now.
Arsenal Chance
The visitors split open Stoke's defense but the final pass is too hard and too high. Arsenal really are bossing this so far.
Freekick and Yellow Card
Lukas Podolski is driving towards the Stoke penalty area until Robert Huth takes him down and gets the first booking of the match. Arsenal fancy their chances from a very promising position but Santi Carzola's free kick hits the bottom of the wall.
Arsenal Chance
Arsenal bringing a lot of pressure to the Stoke defense with Santi Corzola pulling the strings already in and around the Stoke penalty area. A chance goes begging but it's looking like only a matter of time.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get there first chance to throw the big defenders up into the Stoke penalty area but nothing comes from the set piece.
Arsenal Chance
A slip in the Stoke defense lets Arsenal in and but Lukas Podolski's shot is blocked, looks to be a handball but only given as a corner.
Goal!...or not
Stoke have the ball in the Arsenal net but a flag is up and it's ruled out. That's been the first major goal mouth action from the opening 7 or 8 minutes.
Free kick
Less than 2 minutes into the game and we see Stoke's physicality coming into play already as Santi Carzola is given a Britannia Stadium welcome.
Kick off
13:30-And we have kick off in the battle some are dubbing as "Beauty against the Beast".
Our second Sunday of the Premier League season sees us beginning the day's at the Britannia Stadium as Stoke City host Arsenal. This well talked about styles clash is always engaging for the neutral fans who get to see the passing play of Arsenal set up against the physicality of Stoke. With both teams starting their season with a draw they will be hunting the 3 points here in what should be a key fixture for both as they seek their first win of the season.
Following the game at the Brittania we are off to Anfield as Brendon Rodgers looks for his first points as Liverpool manager following the humiliating 3-0 opening day defeat to West Brom. Sadly for Rodgers, and the Kop, Liverpool will be playing against the defending champions Manchester City who will look to put Liverpool to the sword and really raise the pressure on Rodgers.
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
A much improved performance by Liverpool after the West Brom match last week and in fairness they will feel they deserved all 3 points. The huge blunder by Martin Skrtel saw him going from hero to zero and he was effectively the reaosn that Liverpool didn't claim all 3 points. Roberto Mancini really needs to see this as a point won and not 2 points lost but in all honesty he needs to worry. His defense has now let in 4 goals in 2 games and they cannot keep conceding goals like this if they are to repeat the succes of last year.
Yellow Card
Luis Suarez gets the first yellow card of the game for aguing with the referee.
Manchester City Corner
We are half way into stoppage time and Manchester City have a corner. It eventually falls for Carlos Tevez who hits his shot wide.
End to end action now as both teams go for the win, we have just a few minutes of stoppage time left but both teams seem to feel they can win it!
Liverpool Corner
Corner crossed in and rebounds around the around the area before it's hit on target, big appeal for hanball turned down by the referee. Liverpool really seeking a winner.
Liverpool Corner
Liverpool break and get a corner, it gets turned behind for another
Manchester City half chance
Edin Dzeko gets half a chance but hits his shot wide
Liverpool Substitution
Fabio Borini comes off and is replaced by Andy Carroll
Liverpool half chance
The homeside are trying to go back in the lead and play the ball around City's penalty area before a shot by Jonjo Shelby goes over the bar.
Goal!
What was Martin Skrtel doing? He calmly passes the ball to Carlos Tevez who cooly slows the ball past Pepe Reina as Liverpool fans ask what their defender was doing there.
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Skrtel (34)
Y. Toure (63)
Suarez (66)
Tvez (80)
Mancester City Substitute
David Silva comes on with about 15 minutes left as he replaces James Milner.
Penalty Appeal
Liverpool look almost certain to be given a penalty as Glen Johnson goes down but the referee doesn't blow the whistle.
Liverpool half chance
Fabio Borini breaks down the side and tries to lay in a cross but it's cut out as Liverpool look to kill off the game.
Liverpool free kick and Substitution
Martin Kelly goes off to be replaced by Jose Enrique as Liverpool prepare for a free kick following a handball. The free kick, taken by Luis Suarez is perfectly placed as Liverpool retake the lead.
Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City
Skrtel (34)
Y. Toure (63)
Suarez (66)
Goal!
The substitution of Edin Dzeko seems to have automatically revitalised the Manchester City attack and a cross from the left leaves the Liverpool defense looking clueless as Yaya Toure bangs in an equaliser
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City
Skrtel (34)
Y. Toure (63)
Manchester City Substitution
Edin Dzeko comes on to replace Mario Ballotelli
Manchester City Substitution
Jack Rodwell comes on for Samir Nasri who has been rather quiet today after being excellent last weekend.
Liverpool half Chance
Mario Ballotelli gives the ball away in a dangerous position but Luis Suarez makes the wrong decision.
Manchester City Corner
Mario Ballotelli was annoyed not to get a free kick but he did manage to earn a corner for his team whilst being angrily booed by the Kop faithful.
Manchester City Free kick
The visitors get a free kick from wide on the attack right but it goes over everyone and sails out for a goal kick.
...and we're back off for the second half at Anfield.
Half Time
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Brendon Rodgers will have to be a very, very happy man. His team were humiliated last weekend but came out firing today and made their intentions well known early on. Although they lost Lukas inside the first 5 minutes they had none stop desire all over the place. Really incredible performance as Liverpool show no signs of having played just a few days ago.
Manchester City do look like they have goals in them though with only 3 men at the back they do look defensively weak and perhaps feel a little unlucky not to have conceded more than just the 1. Whilst Carloz Tevez came incredibly close with a magical moment Liverpool's defense has stopped almost everything else without too many problems. Robert Mancini will be telling his players that they need to take the chances when they get them and if they do there will be no way that this ends 1-0
Manchester City Free kick
Manchester City get a free kick in a promising position but it goes straight in to the wall before the referee blows the whistle for half time.
Manchester City Corner
Manchester City are looking an equaliser before half time as hey get a second successive corner but it's easily defended by Liverpool
Manchester City Corner
City get a corner but it fails to beat the first man.
Liverpool Chance
Luis Suarez has half a chance but hits it over the bar as Liverpool push for a second goal before half time.
Liverpool Corner and Goal!
Liverpool were unlucky just seconds earlier as Vincent Kompany got lucky in front of his own goal, but the resulting corner was excellent and Martin Skrtel gets his head on it and gives Joe Hart no chance.
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Skrtel (35)
Lucky Boy!Vincent Kompany almost puts one into the back of his own net, though it goes behidn for a Liverpool corner.
Manchester City Chance
End to end action here with Liverpool feeling they deserve a free kick at one end before Mario Ballotelli gets a chance at the other end. Brilliant action at times with a much improved Liverpool to the one who were humiliated last weekend.
Liverpool Corner
Liverpool showing real desire and get a corner...which doesn't go how they want.
Manchester City Free kick
City get a freekick in an excellent position which is crossed but it goes out before anyone gets a touch.
Penalty Appeal
The Manchester City fans appeal for a handball against Martin Skrtel, referee has none of it.
How did that not go in?
Carlos Tevez hits a ball that literally goes along the Liverpool goal line before hitting the far post and rolling out as several City players watch idly. Should have been a Manchester City goal.
Liverpool Chance
Fabio Borini gets the first notable chance of the game but blasts wide as Liverpool open up the Manchester City back 3.
Penalty Appeal
The Liverpool fans appeal for a handball against Aleksandar Kolarov, nothing is given however.
Manchester City Free kick
A foul by Liverpool gives the visitors a free kick which is easily saved by Pepe Reina.
Liverpool Substitution
Lukas hobbles off inside the first 5 minutes and is replaced by Jonjo Shelvey
...and we have kick off in our 16:00 kick off!
With a 0-0 in the early kick off we are all expecting goals in the late kick off as we go to Anfield for Liverpool v Manchester City in what promises to be an excellent and enthralling match up.
Full Time
Stoke 0-0 Arsenal
Stoke Free Kick
We have 3 minutes of extra time and Stoke have another chance to launch a free kick in the penalty area. The set piece however is cleared with ease.
Arsenal Shot!
Oliver Giroud sees Asmir Begovic off his line and attempts and outrageous shot which only just misses the net. Probably as close as either team has come in the second half.
Stoke Free kickStoke get a free kick due to a foul by Mikael Arteta in a nice position, the ball is floated in but cleared easily by Per Mertesacker
Stoke Half Chance
Stoke break through the Arsenal defence but the shot is poor.
Just 5 minutes left at the Britannia Stadium with the scores still 0-0, will Arsenal have their second goalless draw of the season?
Arsenal Corner
This one is poor and misses everyone.
Arsenal Corner
Another Arsenal corner leads to yet another Arsenal corner.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get yet another corner, this one is threatening but Per Mertesacker's header goes well over.
Arsenal Substitution
Aaron Ramsey comes to replace Santi Corzola
Stoke Subsitition
Glenn Whelan goes off for Wilson Palacios as Stoke make their final change.
Penalty Appeal
The Stoke crowd appeal for a penalty against Carl Jenkinson
Stoke Substitution
Peter Crouch goes off for Ryan Shotton
Stoke Half Chance
Peter Crouch delivers a cross but the resulting header is disappointing. Stoke showing some belief now.
Arsenal Chance
Abou Diaby finds himself in the Stoke are with the ball at his feet but sadly he fails to get his shot on target. A great chance.
Arsenal Subsitutions
Gervinho and Lukas Podolski both go off to be replaced by Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Arsenal look in add some pace to their attack.
Arsenal Half Chance
Gervinho predicts and error but can't quite get to the ball befor Asmir Begovic.
Arsenal Corner
Yet another corner for Arsenal this one falls to Oliver Giroud in the penalty area but the Frenchman has to go for the spectacular and it sails over.
Stoke Half Chance
A Stoke cross finds Peter Crouch at the far post but the gentle giant can't pop in what was a very tough chance.
Stoke Substitution
Jermain Pennant off and Cameron Jerome on for the home side.
Arsenal Free kick and Yellow Card
Arsenal keep the pressure on the Stoke defense and Andy Wilkinson gets booked as he makes a very rash challenge inside the D. Very promising position for a free kick but Mikael Arteta's shot is straight into the wall.
Arsenal Free kick
A needlessly given away free kick ends a possible Stoke counter but Arsenal don't manage to do much with the free kick.
Arsenal Corner
Stoke have a chance but Arsenal quickly break and get themselves a corner. It's half cleared.
Stoke Half Chance
A long ball by Stoke seems to catch the Arsenal defense off guard but the eventual cross by Michaek Kightly is poor to say the least.
Penalty Appeal
Stoke appeal for a penalty after Jermain Pennant and Kieran Gibbs come close but the referee and linesman ignore the appeal. Stoke are starting to make their presence known once again.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get their first corner of the second half and despite having some serious height they fail make much of the corner.
Arsenal Chance
Gervinho gets himself into a great position but sadly his shot is lacking.
...And we're off for the second half at the Britannia Stadium for the second half.
Half time
Stoke 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal have been much the better side in the opening half but despite a number of half chances they've failed to break the deadlock. Stoke are the only seam so far to have the ball in the net though it was pretty clearly offside.
So far it's been Santi Carzola who has been pulling the strings and the Spaniard looks a class above everyone on the pitch controlling the pace of the game excellently though he will be wanting someone up front to finish off the chances he creates. Stoke are being physical but are lacking a serious threat and Peter Crouch has been all but played out of the match so far.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get a corner from the other side and this one comes to nothing as the whistle blows and that's half time.
Arsenal Corner
We enter stoppage time with an Arsenal corner after Gervinho is challenged. It goes into the area and out the other end for another corner.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal counter after a solid Stoke attack and get a corner after an excellent challenge on Kieran Gibbs.
Stoke Free kick
Stoke have a free kick in a promising position but it's headed straight out by the Arsenal defense. Stoke appear to be making their way into this game.
Arsenal Corner
The corner following Santi Carzola's shot comes to absolutely nothing as the referee notices an infringement by Arsenal.
SAVE!
Mikael Arteta is fouled not far from the half way line but the referee plays advantage and Santi Carzola takes a brilliant shot forcing Asmir Begović into action as he turns it behind for a corner.
Free kick
After having their best series of play Stoke are again on the back foot and Santi Carzola gets given a bit more of the Britannia treatment. The free kick is played short and the resulting shot goes out for a goal kick.
Stoke Chance
Michael Kightly, on his home debut for Stoke has a chance but smashes it straight at Vito Mannone.
Arsenal Chance
Only a half chance this time which Lukas Podolski whacks over from just outside the penalty area. This is starting to look like one way traffic so far with Diaby and Carzola being the bosses of the game up to now.
Arsenal Chance
The visitors split open Stoke's defense but the final pass is too hard and too high. Arsenal really are bossing this so far.
Freekick and Yellow Card
Lukas Podolski is driving towards the Stoke penalty area until Robert Huth takes him down and gets the first booking of the match. Arsenal fancy their chances from a very promising position but Santi Carzola's free kick hits the bottom of the wall.
Arsenal Chance
Arsenal bringing a lot of pressure to the Stoke defense with Santi Corzola pulling the strings already in and around the Stoke penalty area. A chance goes begging but it's looking like only a matter of time.
Arsenal Corner
Arsenal get there first chance to throw the big defenders up into the Stoke penalty area but nothing comes from the set piece.
Arsenal Chance
A slip in the Stoke defense lets Arsenal in and but Lukas Podolski's shot is blocked, looks to be a handball but only given as a corner.
Goal!...or not
Stoke have the ball in the Arsenal net but a flag is up and it's ruled out. That's been the first major goal mouth action from the opening 7 or 8 minutes.
Free kick
Less than 2 minutes into the game and we see Stoke's physicality coming into play already as Santi Carzola is given a Britannia Stadium welcome.
Kick off
13:30-And we have kick off in the battle some are dubbing as "Beauty against the Beast".
Our second Sunday of the Premier League season sees us beginning the day's at the Britannia Stadium as Stoke City host Arsenal. This well talked about styles clash is always engaging for the neutral fans who get to see the passing play of Arsenal set up against the physicality of Stoke. With both teams starting their season with a draw they will be hunting the 3 points here in what should be a key fixture for both as they seek their first win of the season.
Following the game at the Brittania we are off to Anfield as Brendon Rodgers looks for his first points as Liverpool manager following the humiliating 3-0 opening day defeat to West Brom. Sadly for Rodgers, and the Kop, Liverpool will be playing against the defending champions Manchester City who will look to put Liverpool to the sword and really raise the pressure on Rodgers.
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Week 2-Predictions (Sunday)
Due to other commitments I've not managed to preview either of Sunday's games, I will however give a short preview of both games as well as a preview in here.
Stoke v Arsenal (13:30)
It's probably fair to say that Stoke v Arsenal is one of those weird games that draw the neutrals in due to the fact one of the managers (in this case Arsene Wenger) publicly hates the other teams. Stoke are a physical side and this has upset Wenger repeatedly in the past as he feels his players get given a particularly hard time by the Potters who often feel Wenger's men need to "man up". I have a feeling that this time around Wengers men will man up. I have a feeling Lukas Podolski will enjoy the physical match up and may even thrive in this fixture as Arsenal put the draw with Sunderland behind them and play catch up with Chelsea.
Whilst the Britannia Stadium may be seen as a fortress Wenger's men have a point to prove.
Prediction 2-0 Arsenal
Liverpool v Manchester City (16:00)
Losing isn't an option for Brendon Rodgers' team however Manchester City don't make a habit of dropping points. Rodgers will know that the everybody is watching his first game in charge at Anfield and he will also know that Liverpool need at least a point just to kick start their season after a horror show against West Brom. Sadly Rodgers doesn't appear to have added much to Liverpool yet and they looked decidedly disorganised against West Brom. Unless they tightened up considerably here they could be onto a hiding to nothing against a Manchester City team who love to score. Yes City looked poor against the Saints last weekend but they won, it's unlikely they will play that badly here.
Prediction 1-3 Manchester City
Stoke v Arsenal (13:30)
It's probably fair to say that Stoke v Arsenal is one of those weird games that draw the neutrals in due to the fact one of the managers (in this case Arsene Wenger) publicly hates the other teams. Stoke are a physical side and this has upset Wenger repeatedly in the past as he feels his players get given a particularly hard time by the Potters who often feel Wenger's men need to "man up". I have a feeling that this time around Wengers men will man up. I have a feeling Lukas Podolski will enjoy the physical match up and may even thrive in this fixture as Arsenal put the draw with Sunderland behind them and play catch up with Chelsea.
Whilst the Britannia Stadium may be seen as a fortress Wenger's men have a point to prove.
Prediction 2-0 Arsenal
Liverpool v Manchester City (16:00)
Losing isn't an option for Brendon Rodgers' team however Manchester City don't make a habit of dropping points. Rodgers will know that the everybody is watching his first game in charge at Anfield and he will also know that Liverpool need at least a point just to kick start their season after a horror show against West Brom. Sadly Rodgers doesn't appear to have added much to Liverpool yet and they looked decidedly disorganised against West Brom. Unless they tightened up considerably here they could be onto a hiding to nothing against a Manchester City team who love to score. Yes City looked poor against the Saints last weekend but they won, it's unlikely they will play that badly here.
Prediction 1-3 Manchester City
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Premier League Week 1-Write up Reading v Stoke City
Reading 1-1 Stoke City
Reading made their return to the Premier League thanks to winning automatic promotion last year with best defensive record in the Championship. Their first game back in the top flight saw them taking on a Stoke City side that had struggled to score through out the previous season (scoring just 36 goals in 38 games), it was perhaps obvious that this wasn't going to be a goal fest, though both teams had invested in quality attackers with Stoke signing Michael Knightly whilst Reading managed to pick up Pavel Pogrebnyak.
It was Stoke's Michael Kightly that opened the scoring with a fair amount of help from Reading keeper Adam Federici who really should have stopped Kightly's shot in the 34th minute which seemed to go through the keeper. Whilst Reading tried to get back in to the match they really struggled. With the clock ticking down Dean Whitehead was shown his second yellow card after fouling Garath McCleary in the penalty area. Up stepped Adam Le Forde who managed to draw Reading level with just minutes to play.
With 10 men Stoke struggled to hold on with an Ian Harte free-kick being the nearest either team got to scoring a late winner before the referee finally blew the whistle to bring the match to an end at 1-1.
Reading's manager Brian McDermott should be proud of his team who showed determination and managed to get a well deserved point by refusing to give up. Whilst Federici's blunder certainly hurt Reading's chances in the match they showed enough to be proud of and Federici is usually a reliable keeper, so I'm happy to just out this down to being a one off. Pogrebnyak is an excellent signing though they fail to really provide him with the service he needs, however as the team gels he'll be a very influential player. If they cannot open up defenses however Reading will be in the same position Stoke where they were closer to the drop zone than they would have liked.
For Tony Pulis he may well view the match as 2 points lost and not 1 point earned however he needs to be pleased at the fact Michael Kightly looked excellent today and Robert Huth, who had been an injury worry looked to be fully fit with an excellent performance. After last season's lowly goal target the addition of Kightly looks to have been an excellent bit of business who should help Stoke bang them in with more regularity. If Stoke can score more whilst keeping the likes of Huth fit they should be a secure mid table team.
Reading made their return to the Premier League thanks to winning automatic promotion last year with best defensive record in the Championship. Their first game back in the top flight saw them taking on a Stoke City side that had struggled to score through out the previous season (scoring just 36 goals in 38 games), it was perhaps obvious that this wasn't going to be a goal fest, though both teams had invested in quality attackers with Stoke signing Michael Knightly whilst Reading managed to pick up Pavel Pogrebnyak.
It was Stoke's Michael Kightly that opened the scoring with a fair amount of help from Reading keeper Adam Federici who really should have stopped Kightly's shot in the 34th minute which seemed to go through the keeper. Whilst Reading tried to get back in to the match they really struggled. With the clock ticking down Dean Whitehead was shown his second yellow card after fouling Garath McCleary in the penalty area. Up stepped Adam Le Forde who managed to draw Reading level with just minutes to play.
With 10 men Stoke struggled to hold on with an Ian Harte free-kick being the nearest either team got to scoring a late winner before the referee finally blew the whistle to bring the match to an end at 1-1.
Reading's manager Brian McDermott should be proud of his team who showed determination and managed to get a well deserved point by refusing to give up. Whilst Federici's blunder certainly hurt Reading's chances in the match they showed enough to be proud of and Federici is usually a reliable keeper, so I'm happy to just out this down to being a one off. Pogrebnyak is an excellent signing though they fail to really provide him with the service he needs, however as the team gels he'll be a very influential player. If they cannot open up defenses however Reading will be in the same position Stoke where they were closer to the drop zone than they would have liked.
For Tony Pulis he may well view the match as 2 points lost and not 1 point earned however he needs to be pleased at the fact Michael Kightly looked excellent today and Robert Huth, who had been an injury worry looked to be fully fit with an excellent performance. After last season's lowly goal target the addition of Kightly looks to have been an excellent bit of business who should help Stoke bang them in with more regularity. If Stoke can score more whilst keeping the likes of Huth fit they should be a secure mid table team.
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