Archive for December, 2005

Week 16 (games up to and including Mon 19th Dec)

Published by
simon
at December 21st 2005 17:11 Uncategorizedin . 0 Comments

Week 16 (games up to and including Mon 19th Dec)



This is the couple of weeks that really shape the season, both in the Premiership and in FFL. Not only will the first half winner be known, but four sets of matches will be played (give or take 1 or 2 fixtures )by the time we pull ourselves back to work on or around the 4th of January.  If want to make transfers now is the time, but be aware that injuries and squad rotation will have an impact on who plays.



The Games



Midweek



Man Utd 4 Wigan 0

The end of Wigan’s difficult fixture run and this was pretty much a formality. Rooney ran the show as ever although Ferdinand remembered how to score and Van Nistelrooy tucked away a penalty.



Goals: Ferdinand, Rooney 2, Van Nistelrooy

Assists: Giggs, Van Nistelrooy

YC: Ronaldo, Kavanagh

RC:

MoM: Rooney





Everton 1 West Ham 2

If Zamora keeps banging them in like this, he might just make the world cup squad - for Trinidad & Tobago that is, apparently Dwight Yorke needs a new partner……..Beattie combined with his current strike partner McFadden to net the opener but David Weir undid his good work with an own goal before Zamora scored the winner



Goals: Beattie.  o.g, Zamora

Assists: McFadden.  Repka, Etherington

YC: Hibbert, Osman. Fletcher

RC:

MoM: Zamora



Weekend



Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 2

Villa’s record against Man U is as horrible, no wins in 10 years to be precise and with the adventurous one up front policy employed by Villa, it was only a matter of time before they let one in.  They let in two and it could have been more - Van Nistelrooy and Rooney showing how dependent Utd are on them with the goals and although Baros hit the bar in the 2nd half, you got the feeling that Man U could have scored more.



Goals: Van Nistelrooy, Rooney

Assists: Park, Fletcher

YC: Angel

RC:

MoM: Rooney





Everton 0 Bolton 4

This looks like a helluva beating, and it was in the last 20 minutes anyway as Everton self-destructed.  Davies had spent the first half beating up their fragile defence and grabbed the first from a traditional Bolton aerial assault.  Giannokopolous scored with 2 nice finishes and Speed added a penalty.  Everton booed off and no wonder.  Good news is that Kroldrup may be ready return, bad news is that they need another 3 defenders to supplement him.



Goals: Giannokopolous 2, Davies, Speed

Assists: Nolan, Vaz Te

YC: Hibbert, Neville.  Faye, Davies

RC:

MoM: Davies





Fulham 2 Blackburn 1

A mid to low table clash that turned into a bit of a kicking match with 8 players booked.  Blackburn, in a kicking match surely not!  Man mountain Diop got the opener and Boa Morte the clincher.  And then in the last minute, Zat Knight does what he does best with an own goal, but surprisingly only his first of the season.  More own goals to come now that the hapless one is back in the first team and would you believe that Aston Villa see Zat as the man to cure their defensive ills…..



Goals: Diop, Boa Morte. o.g

Assists: Helguson, Boa Morte. Dickov

YC: McBride, Helguson, Knight, Radzinski. Neill, Tugay, Dickov, Bentley

RC:

MoM: Boa Morte



Man City 4 Birmingham 1

Birmingham are in a sorry state and while this season has been one of managers avoiding the sack, there is perhaps no other option.  Bruce has spent lots of money and yet Birmingham seemed to have regressed as a team.  After winning ugly this week, they found the other side of the ugly coin.  The rot started early with a Sommeil goal in the 1st minute and got worse with two further goals from Barton & Sibierski before half time.  The goals in the 2nd half were shared - Wright-Phillips the younger and Jarosik with the consolation.  The Birmingham keeper, Vaesen was sent off with a minute to go which had absolutely no effect on the scoreline whatsoever, merely making Brucey’s day even worse.



Goals: Sommeil, Barton, Sibierski, Wright-Phillips. Jarosik

Assists:

YC: Sinclair, Sun Jihai. Clemence

RC: Vaesen

MoM: Vassell





Portsmouth 1 West Brom 0

A first home win now he’s back on the manor and even Harry’s wife phoned to congratulate him, such was the enormity of this achievement.  It took a returning hero, Todorov, who having missed the best part of two seasons through injury scored the winner after coming on as a sub.  A valuable first step on Redknapp’s Road to Redemption



Goals: Todorov

Assists: Lua Lua

YC: Taylor, Wallwork

RC:

MoM: Stefanovic





West Ham 2 Newcastle 4

The second worst hat-trick of the day which by default means the best.  But still not a quality hat-trick in my book despite the classic left foot, right foot, header combo.  It was in fact a weak left shot that crept in, a ’shoulder’ and an open goal for Owen after Roy Carroll set up his own market stall just outside his penalty area to help him sell the jerseys - it is the east end after all.   It matters not, Owen also set one up for Shearer, got man of the match and 25 FFL points.  So who has him then?  Not too many FFL managers willing to take a chance on this prolific striker it would seem.  The Hammers were mightily unlucky not to pick up some points, although their goals came from an own goal and a penalty from Harewood.



Goals: Harewood, o.g. Owen 3, Shearer

Assists: Owen, Shearer, Faye, Solano

YC: Carroll, Ferdinand, Etherington. Bramble, Ameobi, Parker

RC:

MoM: Owen





Wigan 3 Charlton 0

The worst hat-trick in the world, ever?  Close perhaps, certainly the untidiest in recent memory as Camara bagged a treble with plaudits going to the comical Charlton defence and even himself despite some very average finishing.  Paul Jewell’s claim that Camara is as good as anyone on his day was as bold as it was untrue, unless the anyone he refers to is actually such luminaries as Wayne Biggins, Jason Lee or that bloke who pretended to be George Weah’s cousin to get a game at Southampton.



Goals: Camara 3

Assists: McCulloch, Baines, Roberts

YC: Spector

RC:

MoM: Camara





Middlesbrough 3 Tottenham 3

A real barnstormer of a game with quality and calamity served up in a below attendance crowd - the folk of Middlesbrough must have been enjoying the wide range of shopping delights that the town offers……The calamity came from Mark Schwarzer who fumbled a cross to let Keane score, the quality coming from Yakubu with a double, Queudrue, Jenas with a cute free kick and Mido with a strong header.  Spoils shared but look away if you have any of these club’s defenders in your side. Paul Robinson picked up the man of the match awarded despite letting in 3 which seems bizarre.



Goals: Yakubu 2, Queudrue. Keane, Jenas, Mido

Assists: Southgate, Queudrue, Morrison, Rochemback Lee, Carrick

YC: Doriva, Bates, Robinson, Davids, Dawson

RC:

MoM: Robinson





Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2

All the talk was about christmas cards and handshakes or the lack thereof.  Warning to Arsene & Jose if you’re not good boys Santa won’t come to your house at Christmas.  Jose could do with some humility for his Christmas and maybe a striker, while Arsene could do with half a team, if not more.  Could have all been different if Van Persie’s goal had stood or if Henry’s post-bound effort had gone in.  But they didn’t, and Chelsea eased home 2-0 with Robben and Cole the difference.  Michael Essien made his case to be public enemy number one with some suspect involvements but hasn’t yet had his first red card yet - might not be too long.



Goals: Robben, Joe Cole

Assists: Drogba

YC: Senderos, Henry, Van Persie. Lampard, Essien, Robben, Makelele

RC:

MoM: Joe Cole





The Points

Some massive points for the in-form strikers and Man U defenders and no Liverpool or Sunderland points this week





GK

12 Van der Sar

6 Ashdown, Jaaskelainen, Cech

-8 (yes minus 8) for Vaesen





DEF

14 Ferdinand

12 G Neville, O’Shea, Brown

11 Stefanovic

7  Queudrue, Baines

-5 Hibbert, Weir



MID

12 J Cole, Giannokopolous, Sibierski

10 Barton

7 Speed, Fletcher



STR

29 Rooney

25 Owen

23 Camara

17 Van Nistelrooy

14 Boa Morte

13 Zamora

12 Yakubu, Vassell

10 Davies, Shearer

9  Beattie, Harewood







The Table

The Christmas number 1 this year is Jack Bauer, holding off Ramitin with Shambollox closing in. Picked with a Pin make a welcome return to form to move into 6th and Jane’s Buddies move into the top ten.  Look out as well for Gerry’s Geriatrics, determined to become top Donohoe in 12th.



Top scorers for this week were Keane to Win, inspired by the sponsors recent glory move, with a huge 99 - largely because Man U hit the goal and clean sheet trail.  Others who would ordinarily have been top scorers or thereabouts were The Bhoys and last weeks top scorers Team Schneider (75), The Three Johnnies and Return of the Jhedi (73) with Picked with a Pin and Norfolk and Chance both on 72.  Elsewhere heading up were Spuds are dear for the time of year……, Chopra’s Choice, Faithmonsoon Allstars and GoodBadorUgly??



Worst this week were from the ex-pat community, new ex-pats Thierrys Fondant French Fancies picked up a poor 4 with experienced ex-pat Aotorea Thistle marginally better on 5.  Jammy Dodgers remain anchored, although have closed the gap on Rapid Vieira and Larsselona2, slightly.



The First Half

Still two sets of matches left until the halfway point in the premiership and therefore two matches until the first half prize.  This will now take in all matches up to and including 28th December.  Confusingly this will fall in between updates, but hey we have the technology now.  The winner will be revealed on Wednesday 4 January (or thereabouts…)





The Second Half

It follows then that the second half will kick off from the games on 31 December - so if you have chucked the first half but reckon you’ll do better in 2nd half, get your transfers in - this will appear as a regular slot in the weekly updates from 4 January onwards.





So all that remains to do is to wish you all a very happy and christmas  and enjoy your time off work (if you are so lucky) - hopefully we’ll have the mid-festive update done on or around 28/29 December.



Cheers

Simon

Week 15 (games up to and including Mon 12th Dec)

Published by
simon
at December 15th 2005 12:57 Uncategorizedin . 0 Comments

Week 15 (games up to and including Mon 12th Dec)

A busy time coming up with fixtures galore over the festive period which will really sort out the table. Forget ye not that Man U- Wigan and Everton-West Ham played on Wednesday are catch up games which may change the face of the table. Liverpool of course, too busy on their jollies to care, and really messing up my cup schedule to boot, have 2 catch up games to come. Bear this in mind for future transfer strategies…..

The Games

Birmingham 1 Fulham 0
The first half of this match was so bad that Match of the Day didn’t even bother showing it, preferring an extra two minutes of Lawrenson’s chat, which shows just how bad it must have been. The winner in a dogged affair came from midfield battler Butt who got himself on the end of a Heskey knock down from a big punt into the area, as Birmingham adhere to their manager’s instruction to ‘get ugly’.

Goals: Butt
Assists: Heskey, Clapham
YC:
RC:
MoM: Butt

Blackburn 3 West Ham 2
Nothing in the first half suggested that there would be a glut of goals in the second half. Nothing that is except Gabbidon’s injury which forced him leave the field. He has been West Ham’s best player in recent weeks, but it wasn’t so much his departure that cost his side, but his replacement. On came Dailly who showed a remarkably Christian attitude to allow his fellow Scot Dickov to double his tally (he had earlier scored a debatable penalty) and then continued the goodwill by dreaming about what Santa was bringing him to allow Kuqi to score the winner. West Ham’s attacking play never in doubt and their double act of Harewood and Zamora helped each other to their goals but the margin of defeat could have been greater if Savage hadn’t hit the bar twice, which was amusing, but not as amusing as Savage being hit by a bar, twice. Instead, he managed to get himself hit by a brick (sh.thouse) as he picked a fight with his own keeper, Brad Friedel - only one winner there Robbie.

Goals: Dickov 2, Kuqi. Zamora, Harewood
Assists:
YC: Dickov, Gray, Tugay, Konchesky, Harewood, Carroll, Repka, Ferdinand, Noble
RC:
MoM: Dickov

Bolton 1 Aston Villa 1
Villa scored a late and rare goal at the Reebok and what was even more surprising was that it was JP the Angel. More sinner than saint in the last two years, he popped up to tap in Luke Moore’s pass not long after Diouf had opened the scoring. This all happened in the last ten minutes but by all accounts Bolton had dominated the rest of the match.

Goals: Diouf. Angel
Assists: Vaz Te. Moore
YC: Ben Haim, Diouf, Milner, Baros, Bakke, McCann
RC:
MoM: Sorensen

Charlton 2 Sunderland 0
Just as well it was Sunderland who came to the Valley this week; it’s a guaranteed three points although it doesn’t necessarily mean that their fortunes have improved dramatically. Wigan will be hoping they have Sunderland soon to get their season back on track. Despite the two darrens, Bent and Ambrose scoring in a 2-0 win, big Mick still comes on cracking jokes at his own expense after each game. Maybe he is planning another career as a stand up comedian after he eventually receives the chop? Goodness knows some of his players, and especially defenders look as if they are already doing it.

Goals: Bent, Ambrose
Assists: Murphy
YC: Caldwell, Nosworthy
RC:
MoM: Kiely

Chelsea 1 Wigan 0
Remember last weeks chat? Replace Middlesbrough with Wigan and Lampard taking the corner instead of Duff. Terry scored with a headed winner again and another win was ground out. Biggest point of interest for at least 78 of you out there was that Cech was rested and Cudicini was brought in, so no clean sheet!

Goals: Terry
Assists: Lampard
YC: Carvalho, Roberts
RC:
MoM: Terry

Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 0
Another much maligned Liverpool striker redeemed with a double but this time there was no doubt about who the goals would be credited to. Middlesbrough took their Stamford Bridge tactics of last week to Anfield but Liverpool are in better recent form than Chelsea and it was only a matter of time before their resistance was broken. Riggott got himself a needless sending off late on but be clear that it had no impact on the result, despite McLaren’s moans.

Goals: Morientes 2
Assists: Garcia
YC: Sissoko, Bates
RC:
MoM: Gerrard

Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0
Newcastle gave Arsenal a good physical going over and were given enough grace by the referee to ensure they didn’t all get sent off. You could call it a good old fashioned rough-housing. Shearer was at the hub of it all, committing an awful foul on Campbell yet getting away scot-free which just encouraged him to do it all the more. Arsenal lost the plot with Fabregas getting himself a scolding from the ref, Gilberto receiving a harsh red card for two challenges and Lehmann ‘accidentally’ knocking Scott Parker flat on his back. I say ‘accidentally’ as it was as intentional as it was sly. Perhaps Jens fancies himself as the next Harald Schumacher? The goal when it came was a sweet strike from Solano, the one cultured moment in a real kicking match.

Goals: Solano
Assists: Shearer
YC: Shearer, Faye
RC: Gilberto
MoM: Shearer

West Brom 2 Man City 0
Same score as last year and West Brom deserved it despite City being a different proposition this year. Kamara was the star turn and opened the scoring while getting the better of Thatcher - any left wingers out there that’s your cue to get on the political soap box……Old stager Kevin Campbell got the clincher and another old stager Andy Cole saw red as he lost the plot which was a bit of a comedown from last week after scoring a double.

Goals: Kamara, Campbell
Assists: Robinson
YC: Wallwork, Barton, Dunne, Thatcher
RC: Cole
MoM: Robinson

Man Utd 1 Everton 1
Two of the older heads in the team combined for Man Utd to equalise after precocious Scottish youngster McFadden opened the scoring for Everton (you would have bet there and then for it to finish 1-0 Everton…). No more goals after the bright start but both teams had opportunities and Everton perhaps unlucky to leave with just a point.

Goals: Giggs. McFadden
Assists: Scholes, Osman
YC: Smith, Weir, Osman
RC:
MoM: Phil Neville, no really

Tottenham 3 Portsmouth 1
There was almost a smile on Harry’s face when Lua Lua opened the scoring with a long range effort in the first half. Almost. Maybe he knew what was coming as King nodded in a Carrick corner, Mido squeezed home a penalty and returning sub Defoe scored from a very acute angle. Hope though for Pompey, lots of spirit which will bode them well against less talented teams.

Goals: King, Mido, Defoe. Lua Lua
Assists: Carrick
YC:
RC:
MoM: Davids

The Points

GK
6 Reina, Cudicini, Sorensen, Given, Vaesen
-3 for Carroll

DEF
16 Terry
14 Robinson
-6 for Riggott, -3 for Repka, A Ferdinand, Konchesky

MID
12 Butt
7 Gerrard, Giggs, Davids, Ambrose, Neville
-4 for Gilberto

STR
15 Dickov
11 Morientes
9 Zamora
8 Harewood, Shearer
7 Mido
-4 for Andy Cole

The Table
Shock news, we have a new leader as Jack Bauer’s Testimonial 24 finally hunt down their man. A 2 point gap only though, but three other teams tucked in nicely waiting to pounce. Top scorers this week with a welcome 65 were Team Schneider and scores in the 60s also for Swiss Toni and Taxi for Strachan.

The next significant battle must be the ladies title with reigning champs That’s Amore (Lynsey I promise your prize is imminent-ish) and rookies Dynamo Flummery locked together in 6th with BBQ Spare Ribs 9th and Jane’s Buddies poised in 11th.

As it’s nearly Christmas I’ll be nice and mention lots of teams heading up the table. They include Bring Back the Caleygator, Artmedia Bratislava, Roman’s Return, Return of the Jhedi and International Football.

At the foot, after not listening to the Star Wars themed warning maybe we have to clearer to the Jammy Dodgers. A 5 point total for the week leaves them adrift and in need of a good shake-up.

The First Half
Remember there is a prize for first and second half leaders - the first half ends after teams play their 19th games, which looks like being Boxing Day. Prize to be paid at end of season of course.

The Cup and Plate
Only the 5 team groups involved and you’ll see the results here, but a quick results service below:

Cup
The Bolly Boys 27 Hope Not Toulouse 45
Billy Oceans Eleven 56 Jane’s Buddies 58

Tartan Teddy bears 46 Taxi for Strachan 60
Cream of the Crop 38 Pandora’s Boaks 32

Plate
Singtims 36 A Team Less Ordinary 28
Bjays mkII 51 Larsselona 23

That’s all this week

Cheers
Simon

Week 14 (including games from 30th Nov - 5th Dec)

Published by
simon
at December 7th 2005 21:58 Uncategorizedin . 0 Comments

Week 14 (including games from 30th Nov - 5th Dec)

A few weeks to go until Christmas but Santa came early this week in a number of Premiership defences as the goals flowed more freely than cheap free booze at an office party. No photocopiers involved mind…..

 

The Games

Midweek

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2

This was all about Xavi Alonso although he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, he left it to Gerrard and Garcia, but he was kind enough to set them both up and also picked up man of the match. Sissoko picked up a red card with 25 minutes to go but by then it was pretty much all over. A description of Sunderland ’s defeat? Inevitable.

Goals: Gerrard, Garcia

Assists: Alonso 2

YC: Finnan

RC: Sissoko
MoM: Alonso

 

Weekend

Blackburn 0 Everton 2

Although Everton took an early lead through a rare McFadden goal - rare in the sense that it wasn’t for Scotland - it took Andy Todd’s unusual sending off to turn this match. The sending off was unusual in the sense that it was for a handball rather than a forearm smash. Arteta curled in a beauty of a free kick just before half time and Everton had doubled their best win of the season…

 

Goals: McFadden, Arteta

Assists: Osman

YC: Bellamy. Arteta

RC: Todd

MoM: Arteta

 

 

Bolton 2 Arsenal 0

Bolton are often slated for being a long ball team but they played with a surprising amount of style in this match, with Giannokopolous a key influence with a goal and assist. Man of the match was given to Abedoulaye Faye who scored the first got booked for a pretty bad challenge, should then have been sent off for another bad challenge and then should have been sent off for punching the ball in the net in the ‘Hand of God’ style. All that and he also has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp. For Arsenal, Henry did his best but he had little support.

 

Goals: Faye, Giannokopolous

Assists: Giannokopolous, Davies
YC: Faye. Lauren, Cygan

RC:

MoM: Faye

 

 

Chelsea 1 Middlesbrough 0

The Smoggies can be a stubborn lot at times and it took a John Terry header to separate these sides as Boro battened down the hatches. A game devoid of significant chances was never going to improve with the introduction of Carlton Cole, but on he came and no, he didn’t score.

 

Goals: Terry

Assists: Duff
YC:

RC:

MoM: Southgate

 

 

Liverpool 3 Wigan 0

You’ll be able to buy the tshirt soon - “I saw Crouchy score his first goal for Liverpool ”. You wouldn’t if you left after the first goal as his looping, deflected effort which was palmed into the net by Pollitt was not credited to him. But not even an assist awarded? Surely shome mishtake. Buoyed with confidence he calmly netted a second (but really his first) and the game was well and truly over when Garcia chested in a Morientes header, which was inevitably going wide. Not much to say about Wigan other than they are in the middle of a tough fixture list and lost De Zeeuw (arguably their best and certainly oldest player) to injury.

 

Goals: O.G, Crouch, Garcia

Assists: Gerrard, Finnan, Morientes
YC: Hyypia. Henchoz, Chimbonda

RC:

MoM: Gerrard

 

 

Man Utd 3 Portsmouth 0

Its been a long time coming. Not Harry’s impending return to Fratton Park - he’s hardly away - but a goal from Scholes. A free header from a Giggs corner with the man who was supposed to be marking the post, posted missing. It wasn’t until much later in the game that Utd pressed home their advantage - Rooney and Van Nistelrooy giving the scoreline a deserved look.

 

Goals: Scholes, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy

Assists: Giggs, Ronaldo
YC: Griffin

RC:

MoM: Rooney - in a shock move

 

 

Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1

The game of the shoogly peg as each manager willed the other to get their coat. And if it wasn’t for a badly taken penalty by Barry (-5), I suspect Mr Souness may have already been on his way. Old man Shearer netted a penalty in the first half to get one nearer Jackie Milburn’s record,which was cancelled out by Gavin McCann. Long term prospects look dreary for both managers and teams.

 

Goals: Shearer. McCann

Assists: Hendrie
YC: Elliott. McCann, Hendrie

RC:

MoM: Shearer

 

 

Tottenham 3 Sunderland 2

Another penalty miss and another handball in this game, although separate incidents both involving Robbie Keane. His handball looked accidental but he did score with it, and then his penalty miss (-5) was in fact a save by the keeper. This happened after Whitehead had opened the scoring with a tremendous free kick, shocking everyone including his manager. Mido restored the balance of power with a tap in before Keane’s handball. Le Tallec drew Sunderland even again before Carrick settled things with a lovely finish to take the 3 points. And the style of defeat? Brave.

 

Goals: Mido, Keane, Carrick. Whitehead, Le Tallec

Assists: Keane, Stalteri, Tainio
YC: Breen, Nosworthy. Gray

RC:

MoM: Tainio

 

West Brom 0 Fulham 0

A real nothing game between two sides known to niggle each other. Nothing that is, apart from Boa Morte which if he didn’t get for nothing it was for not that much.

Goals: None

Assists:
YC: Watson. McBride, Diop

RC: Boa Morte

MoM: Goma

 

 

Charlton 2 Man City 5

How many column inches do we have here in which to describe just how poor Charlton have become? Particularly in defence. In fact there is no defence for their defence. To describe them as stationary ball-watchers would be generous. Add in the inability to track a run from midfield and suicidal back passes and you have the ingredients to lose 5 goals. Not that City weren’t good; they were very good but Cole and Vassell had the time of their lives sharing 3 goals and assists between them. Sinclair and Barton also scored, with Joey’s coming from a rebound from a Kiely penalty save. Bent and Bothroyd bagged Charlton’s consolations.

 

Goals: Bent, Bothroyd. Cole 2, Vassell, Sinclair, Barton

Assists: Young. Cole 2, Vassell, ?
YC: Young, Perry. Jihai, Reyna, Dunne

RC:

MoM: Vassell

 

 

Birmingham 1 West Ham 2

Call me a doubting Thomas, but I don’t think Birmingham scored in this match at all. Certainly sky didn’t show their goal in their post game wrap up and I only saw the 2 nd half. By that time the 3 goals had been scored, Birmingham ’s allegedly by Heskey (makes it more unbelievable) and the Hammers from Harewood and a terrific jinking run and nutmeg from Zamora .

Goals: Heskey. Zamora , Harewood

Assists: Dunn. Benayoun
YC: Heskey. Repka

RC:

MoM: Gabbidon

 

The Points

 

GK

12 Reina

6 Van der Sar, Cech, Jaaskelainen

 

DEF

13 Finnan

12 Carragher

11 Terry, Faye, Goma

10 Hyypia

 

MID

17 Gerrard,

14 Alonso, Garcia

10 Tainio

9 Arteta, Giannokopolous

7 Whitehead, Scholes, Carrick

 

STR

17 Cole

15 Vassell

12 Rooney, Shearer

7 Harewood, Bent, Mido, Van Nistelrooy

 

The Table

 

Now, when I tell you the points before you start saying that doesn’t match up, I know. The points for this week as you’ll see on the league table do not include the Liverpool - Sunderland points. However the points below do…..And remember although Liverpool have a couple of games in hand this wasn’t one of them - this game was played in advance to allow them to play their World Club Championship match.

 

Anyway, top of the pops this week with a terrific 88 was Gerry’s Geriatrics, also leading the way in the manager of month standings now. Also weighing in with big points were Shambollox Rovers (81 and up to 4 th ), Katsu Baby with 78 and Jack Bauer with 75 which takes them to within 2 points of the lead. Dynamo Flummery and Bainnie Boy’s Battlers both enter the unchartered waters of the top ten as one or two teams slip a bit.

 

At the foot? Its Larsselona 2 who have slipped all the way down, almost unnoticed as a few teams sort themselves out. And worst this week was Pandora’s Boaks who have lost their way a tad with a disappointing 15.

 

One more mention, for Norfolk an Way who as was pointed out to me last week “ Up to 49 after a credible 49 points scored this week. A big improvement on where I was about a month ago (89th). Second win in the cup (which should see me qualify for the next round). Tight match but the boays done good. And not a mention in site. Mmff!” Well Gregor, there’s your mention. Gregor also asked me to point out how far he is ahead of his local rivals Saint in the City who are towards the 100 mark - a clear indicator of the difference in their football knowledge. Apparently.

 

The Buying

Thanks to all so far who have been busy linking, keep it up!

 

Cheers

Simon

 

 

Week 13 (up to and including matchday 14 - games until 27 November)

Published by
simon
at December 1st 2005 08:19 Uncategorizedin . 0 Comments

Week 13 (up to and including matchday 14 - games until 27 November)

A week in which a footballer crossed the great divide into intelligent conversation
as Thierry appeared on Parkinson. Missing were the clichés and banality
that we normally witness from footballers although I’m certainly not sold on
the black tshirt under the white shirt manoeuvre that he pulled off. The missus,
needless to say, backed him up, misty-eyed as she drank her tea from her Thierry
mug. Hey, hang on just a minute - I can’t be happy with that surely. Drinking
tea on a Saturday night…….?

The Games

Arsenal 3 Blackburn 0

It is about time one particular pantomime villain was run out of town. After
picking up 7 yellow cards this season for fouls of varying crudeness and stupidity,
Savage has turned to his other vice of trying to get people into trouble. After
a hefty challenge on Reyes, which was designed to take ball and then man, he
raged at the Spaniard to get on his feet and then barged into him. When Reyes
wiped the girly one’s hair out of his eyes with a casual flick, our villain
held his face as if he had been hit by Ricky Hatton and then had the audacity
to check for blood! Blackburn may have lost by three, but they had a myriad
of chances, most of which fell to the game’s best player, Bellamy. Arsenal’s
goals came from Fabregas, Henry and supersub Van Persie as they were clinical
rather than dominating.

Goals: Fabregas, Henry, Van Persie

Assists: Pires

YC: Fabregas. Neill, Reid

RC:

MoM: Bellamy

Aston Villa 1 Charlton 0

It took a rocket from Steven Davis to split the teams as each seem destined
to settle in mid-table, having approached it from either ends of the table.
Charlton’s slide has been alarming and it may even force Curbs to abandon the
4-5-1 and give Darren Bent a help upfront. He might even see the light and get
rid of the Premierships least effective footballer, Kishishev.

Goals: Davis

Assists: None

YC: Baros, Milner. Kishishev, Powell, Andersen

RC:

MoM: McCann

Man City 0 Liverpool 1

Another game and another blank from Crouchy. Never mind Peter its Sunderland
next (wednesday night). And if he can’t score there, he’ll never score again.
This weeks Liverpool winner came from Riise with a powerful drive. City have
hit a bit of a sticky patch with injuries taking their toll.

Goals: Riise

Assists: Gerrard

YC: Crouch, Cisse

RC:

MoM: Hamann

Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 2

With Perrin gone, Portsmouth installed Joe Jor—–dan as the care—tak—er
man—a—ger. God only knows how long the team talk must have taken. The Pompey
team were stirred up from the off and set about Chelsea with aggression and
enthusiasm. Endeavour alone wasn’t enough, as Crespo used some of his legendary
poachers instincts to redirect a Ferreira strike. They continued with their
aggression but eventually paid the penalty as Joe Cole was brought down in the
box by Stefanovic. Lampard, 2-0. It happened again, but the ref didnt want to
risk a south coast lynching so opted for a free kick on the edge of the box.
Have spent the last couple of days trying to work out quite how Carvalho picked
up the man of the match award and I still can’t do it. If anyone can help, you
can get me at the usual address…..

Goals: Crespo, Lampard

Assists: Ferreira, Cole

YC: Stefanovic, Griffin, Hughes, Taylor, Diao

RC:

MoM: Carvalho

Sunderland 0 Birmingham 1

A vital win for Birmingham in a relegation battle. After a dour first half
it looked like a goal would never arrive but it did after some intervention
from a trio of subs - Pennant, Pandiani and Julian Gray with the goal. Mick
McCarthy tore into his troops after the game accusing them of not having enough
ability to play in the Premiership. The act of a desperate yet accurate man
it would seem.

Goals: Gray

Assists: Pennant, Pandiani

YC: None

RC:

MoM: Dunn

Wigan 1 Tottenham 2

Another home defeat for Wigan and individual errors are causing the problems,
the normally reliable De Zeeuw letting in Robbie Keane for the opener and replacement
keeper Pollitt allowing Davids to score his first Spurs goal. Lee McCulloch
scored late one to give Wigan some brief hope, and it was a brave performance.
With Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U to come in their next 3 games, there may be
more brave yet ‘no-point’ afternoons in the offing.

Goals: McCulloch. Keane, Davids

Assists: Camara

YC: Davids, Stalteri

RC:

MoM: Dawson

Everton 1 Newcastle 0

Old habits die hard and Everton returned to winning ways in the only way they
can, with a struggling 1-0 win from a header. This time, it was Yobo who made
the difference and as Owen wasn’t playing, Newcastle couldn’t muster a response.
One bright spot for Newcastle was the return from injury of Luque but their
defence still looks dodgy and now Titus has returned clean sheets may be as
rare as jackets on a Saturday night in Newcastle.

Goals: Yobo

Assists: Arteta

YC: Beattie. Babayaro, Bramble, Ramage, Parker, Nzogbia

RC:

MoM: Arteta

Fulham 2 Bolton 1

A double from US striker Brian McBride buckled Bolton who had no fewer than
6 players booked during this game. Sometimes their long ball tactics don’t
work and this was one occasion with only a Legwinski own goal in the last minute
to show for all their huffing and puffing. We hadn’t had a red card for a while
in the Premiership and if it wasn’t going to be Savage who obliged it was surely
going to be my other favourite Mr Diouf who now has almost as many court appearances
as he does league appearances.

Goals: McBride 2, o.g.

Assists: Crossley, Radzinski. Nolan

YC: Rosenior, Bocanegra. Speed, Nolan, Okocha, Davies, O’Brien, Ben Haim

RC: Diouf

MoM: McBride

Middlesbrough 2 West Brom 2

Robbo returned to the Riverside and threatened to rack up a win which was more
than he did as a Boro manager in the Premiership. He looks to have finally discovered
a first choice striker, Ellington scoring another, which was added to by Kanu.
Middlesbrough had taken the lead with a rare Viduka goal and it took a Yakubu
penalty to secure a point as they suffered from another european hangover.

Goals: Viduka, Yakubu. Ellington, Kanu

Assists: Nemeth. Kanu, Robinson

YC: Parnaby. Clement

RC:

MoM: Kuszczak

West Ham 1 Man Utd 2

No sooner had the fans taken their seat then West Ham were one-up, Harewood
scoring inside the first minute after Brown, Silvestre and Ferdinand all fell
asleep. If the Hammers had the best of the first minute, Man Utd certainly had
the best of the other 89 or so. In the first half it looked like, with massive
irony, that Roy Carroll may put up the shutters but boy wonder Rooney was not
to be denied as he scored the equaliser and delivered the winning corner for
O’Shea to bullet home as Carroll floundered. A welcome sign for Man Utd must
have been the return to form of Scholes who played like the complete midfielder
throughout. He might even score soon….

Goals: Harewood. Rooney, O’Shea

Assists: Etherington. Park, Rooney

YC: Noble, Sheringham. Rooney, Van Nistelrooy, Silvestre

RC:

MoM: Rooney

The Points

GK

6 Cech, Reina, Lehmann, Martyn, Sorensen

DEF

11 Carvalho, Yobo

9 Ferreira

8 Riise

-3 for Neill

MID

9 Arteta

7 Davis, McCann, Lampard, Hamann

STR

17 McBride

13 Rooney

10 Kanu

7 Harewood, Yakubu, Keane, Ellington, McCulloch, Henry, Bellamy

The Table

The flying machine that is Ramitin III responds to recent pressure to roar
further ahead at the top with this weeks top score of 58, although Jack Bauer
bravely hangs on to the undercarriage. Will Jack usurp the pilot of aforementioned
flying machine before flying to victory (and saving LA from yet another nuclear
threat)? He looks the most likely certainly as the rest of the top 10 tightens
up.

Other good scores this week from Bishops Bashers, Dynamo Flummery, Shambollox,
Janes Buddies and Taxi for Strachan. Lowest this week are the Jammy Dodgers
who are being sucked to the foot of the table like Boba Fett into the Pit of
Sarlaac. Time to switch on the rockets Elaine, or you could just make some transfers….

The Manager of the Month

A three week month again, but no less value to be placed on the award, with
the top 5 looking like:

5th BBQ Spare Ribs & Pro Evolution 142

4th Battered Lard 144

3rd Quinn of the North 145

2nd Billy Oceans Eleven 148 (I admit this wouldn’t have looked good!!!)

And the winner is, Batbox United so its congratulations to Andrew Bates who
is the final manager of the month of 2005 and picks up the £10 amazon
voucher as a pre-christmas bonus. Will be on its way to you very shortly Andrew.

Next month is a toughie with not only the busy festive programme but also wednesday
nights game between Sunderland and Liverpool included. Yes, yes I know its still
November but it makes it easier for me to include it in December……Anyway
a massive £10 on offer

The First Half

We’ll be declaring the first half winner at Christmas or thereabouts - looking
like Ramitin at the moment but it should be noted that last years winner of
the first half didnt even finish in the top 3 in the final table. There will
be of course be a 2nd half prize with both prizes looking like £25 a head.

The Cup

Check the cup section for results, fixtures and group standings - I’ll prepare a commentary for each group to accompany
but remember that if 2 teams should be level on points after all the matches
have played, the key differentiator will be the head to head record. The next
cup matchday is 17 December for the 5 team groups and not until 21 January for
the 4 team groups.

Some teams have qualified already for the latter stages including Wizards,
On me Head Shun and Middlesbrough Midtable Mediocrity – a cup special
to come next week.

Thats all - and keep up the amazon linking

Cheers

Simon