Seven Premier League teams were in action in the FA Cup over the weekend leaving two games postponed on Saturday while the only game on Sunday features Everton facing Hull City. That makes it a total of four games on the weekend and Liverpool travel to Wigan Athletic’s JJB Stadium on Monday.
At the top of the charts, Arsenal and Manchester United were in action while Chelsea played Stoke in the FA Cup. Arsenal started the weekend off and if they scored more than four they could go to the top of the league for a few hours until United faced Wolves at the Molineux.
Performance of the Week – Everton
Everton were by far the best team over the matchday. The blue side of Merseyside put five past a helpless Hull City, who are still languishing at the bottom of the league table. Landon Donovan made the right mark in his loan period and left his mark with a goal. Yakubu squandered a woeful penalty but in the end it didn’t bother the outcome.
Worst Performance of the Week – Liverpool
Unlike Everton, the other half of Merseyside played disastrously against Wigan. Liverpool have now failed to score an away goal in 393 minutes or since January 16 against Stoke. Worse still, the Reds did not even test Kirkland in goal even once! This despite having Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt, Benayoun, Rodriguez starting the game. Wigan on the other hand got the sole goal via Rodallega. Things definitely need to improve for Liverpool to maintain their fourth place in the league.
Goal of the week – Diamanti
It was between Diamanti (West Ham v Bolton) and Cairney (Everton v Hull) for this weeks goal of the week. Picked the former because of the curl, bend and the angle that it was for the shot to be slotted in the goal. Not taking anything away with the Cairney goal which was fantastic as well to beat Tim Howard in goal and go past the array of defenders in the box.
Which is your pick?
Howler of the week – Sam Vokes
The miss by Sam Vokes which allowed Manchester United to take all three points from Wolves’ Molineux Stadium is the miss of the week. Well done by the Welshman to beat the offside trap but the effort was way over the bar when it should have been easily tucked into the goal. Could have proved decisive in Wolves’ relegation battle.
Shock of the week – Wigan win over Liverpool
This is Wigan’s first win over Liverpool EVER! Shock in terms of the history and the stature that both clubs hold along with both of the teams’ recent run of form. However, speaking in terms of the performance on the day then it won’t be counted as a shock at all. Well done by Wigan to get three points out of the game.
The weekend was extra special for Manchester City who were convincing winners at Stamford Bridge with a 4-2 win and humiliating the blues as they finished with 9 men at the end of the game. Yeah and Wayne Bridge didn’t shake hands with John Terry at the beginning of the game which well was expected.
Portsmouth despite their off the field issues tried to make do with whatever they could, on the pitch. Won 2-1 over fellow strugglers Burnley.
However, all the good things over the weekend were marred on Saturday night when Arsenal midfielder, Aaron Ramsey was rushed to hospital with a broken tibia and fibula on his right leg. The injury would keep him out for the rest of the season at least. Exact time period of his absence is still uncertain.
Performance of the week – Manchester City
Manchester City were by far the best team of the weekend. Despite being a goal down they were able to get themselves back and in fashion. Controlled the game in defence and were splendid when going forward. Did well in the midfield too but were helped by Chelsea who seemed like they had no plan whatsoever.
Worst Performance of the week – Chelsea
Like how Manchester City were the best of the weekend, their demolition of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge puts the Blues as the worst performers of the week for me. They barely created any chances for themselves and weren’t their attacking best for the whole game. Drogba was barely seen in the second half of the game. To lose two players as well just made things worse for the Londoners. Challenge by Ballack for the second yellow was ridiculously stupid to say the least.
Goal of the Week
Steven Gerrard goal would be the goal of the weekend for me. Not many spectacular goals to choose from over the two days. Neat inter-play between the Liverpool midfield and then Gerrard with a delicate touch went past the defense and chipped the ball over the Robinson to give Liverpool the lead over Blackburn Rovers.
Howler of the week
Hard to pick between Hilario’s bad goalkeeping skills which allowed Tevez to score the first for Manchester City and Landon Donovan missing a sitter against Spurs at White Hart Lane. Guess it has to be the latter, the United States national team player was all alone near the post and just had to tap the ball into the net. He did hit the net alright but the side netting. In his defense (I think!) he apologised to his team mates after the game for the miss. (Yes that makes it all better!)
Special Mention – Aaron Ramsey
I won’t be showing the horrific image of the Aaron Ramsey here or in any of the forthcoming posts. Am sure many of you would have seen the images/videos by now. Hope he is fine soon and fit to play for Arsenal soon. Pray for his speedy recovery to football.
Shock of the weekend
Portsmouth are going through the worst time possible for a Premier League team. Having financial issues going on for a long time thus making them the first team in Premier League history to go into administration and be docked nine points soon. Despite their problems off the field, they were not giving up on the pitch. An away win over Burnley who are good at home. 2-1 win after missing a penalty shows their never say die attitude.
Continuing with the January transfers , February 1, 5 P.M. marks the end of winter transfer activity in England. The top transfers in my view on the last day have been..
January transfer window has been pretty dull this time around with nothing major happening or any big money moves happening. The “big four” have stayed away from the splashing the cash. There have been many transfers in England but the notable transfers for me have been.. read more…
Its hard to have possession of the ball and then suddenly turn to lose your marker and create space for yourself to cross or shoot. Its much harder when you’re being marked excellently but that’s where your skills come to use. As this video compilation demonstrates Frank Ribery and Aiden Mcgeady are able to easily lose their defender. Fabulous watch!
(Credit : The Football Tube)
Stoke hosted Fulham at the Britannia Stadium on a day where half or more than half of Britain was engulfed in thick snow thus leading to cancellations of both Carling Cup games but luckily Premiership game went through. The first 45 minutes were superb for Stoke as they were rampant and killed Fulham but the game eventually finished 3-2. Five Conclusions from the game :
1. Stoke totally blasted Fulham in the first 45 minutes by putting three past Schwarzer. Fantastic play by Tuncay, Faye, Sidibe and more importanly Etherington with his curling set pieces.
2. Unusual to see the team with the least number of goals scored putting three past a team which has been performing well off late. Fair play to the Potters.
3. Quite expectedly, Fulham weren’t going to sit and let Stoke control the second half. Cottagers scored two goals in the second half to make an interesting final few minutes. Duff with a deflected/lucky goal and Dempsey with a beauty! (Video of the Dempsey goal)
4. Fulham lost Bobby Zamora with a dislocated shoulder after an awkward fall. That certainly sucks as the Englishman was going fantastically. It has been delcared that he would be out of action for eight weeks. 
5. Fulham’s woeful run away from home continues. They haven’t won a game outside Craven Cottage since the first day of the season. Fulham stay ninth while Stoke move up to tenth spot.
Update : Arsenal’s game against Bolton has been called off due to snowy conditions.
Valencia scores for Manchester United
United won at home to go joint top with Chelsea who have a superior goal difference and also play tonight versus Porstsmouth. The red devils ran out 3-0 winners with very little bother with the result never really in doubt. 5 conclusions from the game at Old Trafford :
- When was the last time Rooney was substituted before the 90 minutes and he didn’t look disappointed. Maybe a positive sign of his desire to play 90 minutes but just saying as a team player.
- Nani again didn’t feature. Looks like his days are numbered. Anyone interested in a Portuguese winger who is tempramental?
- Mr. Mick McCarthey what were you thinking by fielding what is clearly a second string Wolves side? We know your justifications of having Burnley on the weekend and saving your players for a crucial game but the way your second string side played (and how dodgy United defense is currently with the injuries) maybe the first side could have made a difference. (Would you reimburse the fans’ tickets if you happen to lose to Burnley too, yes?)
- Kuszczak still looks jittery at times. Van der Sar can’t rest now.
- Wolves’ Jarvis looked a threat to United. His crosses and pace was a little too much for Carrick. Someone to look out for the future.
P.S. Is it just me or does Rooney look calmer since Kai?
The live updates on “90 Minutes on The Pitch!” of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa brought together some very interesting groups and some rather disappointments in terms of the excitement that was built after Portugal and France were not seeded and therefore was the chance to have a group of death with another European giant. read more…
World Cup Draw – Live here at 90 Minutes on the Pitch!
