Arsenal on the verge to nowhere
Arsenal suffered their third defeat of the 2011/2012 English Premier League season with a hugely disappointing 4-3 loss to Blackburn at Ewood Park. It was a dream start turned to a war battle. The Gunners enjoyed a strong first half as they had a 2-1 advantage. Twice the visitors led, through Gervinho and Mikel Arteta. Twice their focus lapsed, allowing Aiyegbeni Yakubu to score, and twice they turned the ball into their own net.
In just 10 minutes from the kick off, Arsenal led with a cheeky run from Gervinho into the penalty area, making a quick shot into the back of the net, leaving Blackburn’s keeper to a standstill. Not long after that, Arsenal’s poor defending led to Yakubu opportunity to level the scores in the 25th minute. Arsene Wenger’s side went on to take the lead once again with a pass from Van Persie to Mikel Arteta to blast the ball into the top of the net in the 34th minute, leaving the keeper no chance at all.
Aiyegbeni Yakubu giving his best performance.
Disaster took place five minutes into the second half of the match when the Rovers had a corner kick resulted in an own goal by Alexandre Song, leaving Arsenal in disbelief. Blackburn scored their third goal from another corner kick in the 59th minute. This time, the scorer was on their team as Yakubu deflected the ball pass the keeper. He was in an offside position in the replays but was called good by the referee. 10 minutes after that, Arsenal were in despair with another own goal by Koscielny, making it 4-2. Yakubu, who performed stunningly, attempted to make a cross but the ball was deflected by Koscielny into the net. Arsenal then pushed harder to make it 4-3 with a solid header by Chamakh in the 85th minute but it was too late to even up the score.
Arsenal players react after Blackburn Rovers' Yakubu (unseen) scored during the match.
The struggling Rovers secured an unlikely victory and ensured that manager Steve Kean was able to handle the amount of imposing pressure. Wenger could not be anymore frustrated with their unlucky streak.
“It’s just not good enough and, of course, we are very frustrated. The spirit in the team is quite willing but if you look at the number of goals we have conceded it is just not good enough. You cannot come here and concede four goals the way we did today. On the other hand I believe that the group will take off but it is important that we can get results."
Arsenal had conceded 14 goals in 5 matches. That is already 50% of the amount they conceded in the last 2010/2011 season. Clearly, the Frenchman needs to make drastic changes to his squad or risk falling further in the league.
Under pressure: Arsene Wenger is feeling the strain after another poor defensive game against the Rovers.
Watch the match highlights.
Dreadful day for Liverpool
It was a suffering afternoon for the Reds as they were tormented 4-0 to the relentless Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane. Tottenham erased any memories of the drubbing to Manchester City as home debutants Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker started against a Reds side who never looked like winning. Spurs delivered to boost their morale for a first home win of the season and Adebayor scored a double on his home debut. Liverpool were as frustrated as the number of bookings given by referee Probert during the match, mostly to the Reds with four yellow cards and two of their players sent off.
Luka Modric provided the opening goal in the 7th minute with a fireball 20-yard strike into the top left-hand corner of the net. In the second half, Spurs almost scored within a minute when Kyle Walker crossed for Adebayor to Jermain Defoe but his poor shot was wide from six yards. Followed by a booking given to Charlie Adam by Probert for a foul on the goal scorer. He was then sent off in the 28th minute. Defoe calmly slotted a second goal for Spurs in the 66th minute just after Martin Skrtel was sent off thanks to Gareth Bale in the second half. Just two minutes passed, Adebayor scores a third for Tottenham after Reina spilled Defoe’s shot and the former Gunner’s man reacted quickly to lift the ball above the scrambled Spaniard to score. With Liverpool’s morale brought to an all time low, Adebayor took the advantage to make it 4-0 in the final seconds when he collected Assouto-Ekotto’s cross and calmly volley past Reina to seal the win in stoppage time.
Adebayor celebrates after scoring against Liverpool.
Liverpool's Charlie Adam takes out Scott Parker right in front of referee Michael Jones.
Liverpool were struggling to get in to the game and at times, their passing was poor. Tottenham looked unstoppable but their performance were also assisted by the two dismissals. Tottenham’s manager, Harry Redknapp now has something to be delighted about while Kenny Dalglish’s squad have got to bounce back when they take on the Wolves at home.
Watch the match highlights.
United celebrates 5th consecutive win at home side
It was the biggest match of the weekend and everyone were expecting a thrilling clash between the Devils and the Blues. However, it was Manchester United who were mostly expected to come on top in this match as they have been terrorizing every match they had played this season especially an 8-2 thrashing to Arsenal and 5-0 win against Bolton Wanderers last weekend. The expectations were true as United defeated Chelsea 3-1 at Old Trafford.
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| Sir Alex Ferguson. |
It was the battle between the oldest and youngest manager in the league as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side took on Andre Villas-Boas's side. Chelsea was the better side in terms of tactical gameplay. At halftime, one side had created 12 chances (5 on target) to other’s 4 (3 on target) and that side trailed 3-0. I suppose age does matters as Fergie’s side had a few wise tricks up their sleeves to fumble the young manager’s side who played every move by the book. At the end of the day, the team who made the most of their chances, finished as winners.
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| Andre Villas-Boas. |
The first goal was made from an excellent free kick by Ashley Young to a header by Chris Smalling in the 8th minute. However, the United right back was at an offside position to score but no player or referee were near him, it was definitely questionable if he would had been marked if he were onside. Then again, relying on the linesman to make the correct call when the margin of error is no longer than a foot is always a gamble. In the 37th minute, a well focused Nani drifted by Juan Mata to strike a beautiful shot into the top right corner to make it 2-0. What many viewers did not know was that Nani was coming back from an offside position to receive the long pass from Johnny Evans. Once again, it was a tight call for the linesman and a fortunate moment for United despite the brilliance of Nani. Not long after that, a fortunate Wayne Rooney scored the third goal to end the second half. The ball practically landed on Rooney’s foot when Chelsea skipper, John Terry attempted to clear the ball but knocked by his shins and allowed the Manchester United striker to tap it into the back of the net.
Manchester United's defender, Chris Smalling celebrates after scoring the opening goal.
Chelsea had to reformat their strategy to handle their invincible rival. Fernando Torres made a brilliant run forward to receive Anelka’s pass and maintained his composure and shot through the legs of David de Gea into the net in the 46th minute. It is only Torres’s second goal for Chelsea. To highlight the second half of the match, it was filled opportunities but they were all taken with mistakes by both sides, with Nani hitting the bar and Rooney hitting the post and missed a penalty. It was an embarrassing moment for Rooney as he stumbled upon striking the ball which went wide; the score could have easily been 4-1 up. To add in to the clumsiness of United, Dimitar Berbatov wasted a late sitter as well. Chelsea would have scored one or two more goals if Torres did not felt under pressured. Torres fired wide of a completely empty net after rounding David de Gea which was astonishing. Despite that, Torres was playing well throughout the match, in fact, he was the savior that had given a little faith to Chelsea to keep fighting. A poor challenge to Hernandez by Ashley Cole made the young United star hopping away in pain. Reports are still pending to know if he will be fit to play next weekend.
Wayne Rooney fumbles during a penalty kick.
Fernando Torres in dismay after striking wide to an empty net.
It was a hectic, exhilarating game to watch although the scores may had turn out differently. Sir Alex Ferguson had expected this match to be the toughest to date and it sure turned out to be so. Manchester United currently leads at the top of the table with City trailing 2 points behind. Could this season be a clear run to a 20th Premier League title for the Devils? Here are some facts that may answer that question,
Hernandez in pain after receiving a poor challenge from Ashley Cole.
Watch the match highlights.
Fixtures and Results by week
Saturday, 17th September 2011
Sunday, 18th September 2011
For official match statistics, log on to http://www.premierleague.com/
Reference links
http://www.eplmatches.com/2009/10/04/arsenal-vs-blackburn-highlights-2/
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/215614/20110917/soccer-football-premier-league-blackburn-arsenal-match-highlights-video-mertesacker-arteta-yakubu.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jonathan_wilson/09/18/united.chelsea/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deh36xoR64U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVEgUdukZBs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzhdoKWlyt4
Maverick Teh
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