Weekend Premier League

[jonahjones]

Ashley Young gives Aston Villa an early lead at home to Bolton Wanderers.

[jonahjones]

Robbie Keane gives Tottenham Hotspur the lead at home to Sunderland.

[jonahjones]

Jamie O'Hara puts Portsmouth ahead against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

[jonahjones]

Graham Alexander scores from the penalty spot to give Burnley the lead away to Manchester City.

[jonahjones]

Steven Fletcher increases Burnley's lead at the City of Manchester Stadium.

[John]

Mine and a few other people's "HT/FT Home/Home" on Man City ain't looking great with 5 minutes to go until half time.

[jonahjones]

Gabriel Agbonlahor increases Aston Villa's advantage at home to Bolton Wanderers.

[jonahjones]

Shaun Wright-Phillips pulls a goal back for Manchester City at home to Burnley.

[jonahjones]

Johan Elmander pulls a goal back for Bolton at Villa Park.

[jonahjones]

Jason Roberts equalises for Blackburn at home to Portsmouth, John Carew puts Aston Villa 3-1 ahead at home to Bolton and Kolo Toure equalises for Manchester City at home to Burnley.

[jonahjones]

Craig Bellamy completes the comeback as Manchester City now lead 3-2 against Burnley.

[jonahjones]

Tom Huddlestone puts Spurs 2-0 up at home to Sunderland who have also missed a penalty through ex-Spurs player Darren Bent.

[jonahjones]

James Milner scores a fourth for Villa against Bolton and Ryan Nelsen puts Blackburn 2-1 ahead at home to Portsmouth.

[jonahjones]

Carlos Cuellar makes it Aston Villa 5 Bolton Wanderers 1.

[jonahjones]

Jason Roberts wraps up the points for Blackburn at home to Portsmouth. They now lead 3-1.

[jonahjones]

Kevin McDonald equalises for Burnley at the City of Manchester Stadium.

[jonahjones]

A Ronald Zubar own-goal gives Arsenal the lead away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

[jonahjones]

Eduardo scores a second for Arsenal at Molineux.

[jonahjones]

Cesc Fabregas ensures Arsenal are three-up before half-time.

[jonahjones]

Andreii Arshavin makes it Wolves 0 Arsenal 4.

[jonahjones]

Jody Craddock nets his third goal in two games as Wolves score a consolation.

[lowe1]

Andreii Arshavin makes it Wolves 0 Arsenal 4.


Arshavin is on fire lately i would even say one of the best players in the premier for his position

[MattR]

Yes, he's been superb hasn't he. He is almost a stereotype Arsenal player, vision, passing, pace, skill. All this from someone who looks like a 12 year old and is about as tall!

[jonahjones]

John Terry puts Chelsea ahead at home to Manchester United with just under fifteen minutes remaining.

[chancer]

Since Fergie gave out about the ref a few weeks ago, we can't get a decision. Today a clear penalty in the first half not given. Then a rediculous free kick results in a goal. The fact that drogba was offside and just missed flicking it but wasn't deemed interferring with play just tops things off. The sooner Fergie takes his ban, the better.;fire:headbange:headbange

[scoobydoo]

Last season Utd would've scored in a game like this, especially after dominating it so much. But the threat up front is much less this year and will cost them at the end of the season, whether that is Fergie's fault or the board for banking the money...who knows?? But it sure is frustrating.

[Win2Win]

Since Fergie gave out about the ref a few weeks ago, we can't get a decision. Today a clear penalty in the first half not given. Then a rediculous free kick results in a goal.
Never a pen, 50/50 :D

[piggy]

obviously chancer does not grasp the offside rule it's WHEN THE BALL IS PLAYED :ermmm c'mon you man u fans take on the chin as the teabagger said to the ladyboy :D

[mathare]

obviously chancer does not grasp the offside rule it's WHEN THE BALL IS PLAYEDActually Drogba was in an offside position but may not have committed an offside offence. There is a difference.

When Terry headed the ball, if Drogba was obstructing an opponent's line of vision or otherwise distracting or deceiving him then he is commiting an offence and Chelsea should have been penalised. I watched the match and the replays of the goal but I can't recall clearly enough now what Drogba was doing when Terry headed the ball goalwards. Drogba doesn't need to have touched the ball to have committed an offside offence though

[jonahjones]

Having had my son's tenth birthday yesterday, I had my daughter's sixth birthday today and so was out earlier.

For the sake of completeness, the other scores from today are as follows:-

Hull City 2 (Olofinjana 62, Vennegor of Hesselink 90) Stoke City 1 (Etherington 29, Faye sent-off 87)

Wigan Athletic 1 (Boyce 13) Fulham 1 (Dempsey (pen) 39)

West Ham United 1 (Hibbert (og) 65) Everton 2 (Saha 27, Gosling 64) :)

[chancer]

Its one thing when the occasional decision goes against a team but this has been happening in every game since Fergie's outburst. Its making me paranoid, god only knows what the players are feeling. United were good today but make many clear cut chances.

[Win2Win]

Its one thing when the occasional decision goes against a team but this has been happening in every game since Fergie's outburst.
Now you know what other supporters have had to put up with over the years when playing at ManU

[scoobydoo]

obviously chancer does not grasp the offside rule it's WHEN THE BALL IS PLAYED :ermmm c'mon you man u fans take on the chin as the teabagger said to the ladyboy :D


Actually Drogba was in an offside position but may not have committed an offside offence. There is a difference.

When Terry headed the ball, if Drogba was obstructing an opponent's line of vision or otherwise distracting or deceiving him then he is commiting an offence and Chelsea should have been penalised. I watched the match and the replays of the goal but I can't recall clearly enough now what Drogba was doing when Terry headed the ball goalwards. Drogba doesn't need to have touched the ball to have committed an offside offence though

It's a stupid rule now, you can be standing right in front of the goalkeeper and not touch it but go for the ball, and not be called offside. He missed the ball by about a toenail, in which case imho, he should be called offside.He is interfering when the goalkeeper is trying to save it which makes him active doesn't it? If they are not in front of the goalkeeper to the side, fair enough but if you are in front of the keeper and you attempt to get a nick on the ball, offside. Simple. :doh

[TooTall]

I thought the utd player led on the floor was playing Drogba onside?

[mathare]

It's a stupid rule now, you can be standing right in front of the goalkeeper and not touch it but go for the ball, and not be called offside. He missed the ball by about a toenail, in which case imho, he should be called offside.He is interfering when the goalkeeper is trying to save it which makes him active doesn't it? If they are not in front of the goalkeeper to the side, fair enough but if you are in front of the keeper and you attempt to get a nick on the ball, offside. Simple. :dohI think the rule is mis-applied in too many cases as officials (not to mention pundits, commentators etc) don't understand it as well as they should. Maybe FIFA need to make the rule clearer with more examples of what makes a player active or otherwise. But in the case you mention Scoobs, if the player makes the keeper believe the attacker MAY try to play the ball then the attacker is active as he is distracting an opponent from concentrating on players stood is onside positions.

I'd need to see the replay of the goal again, preferably in slo-mo and maybe even from a couple of angles, to be sure about Drogba. I seem to recall him being in an offside position which is not an offence in itself. A defender went with him so was obviously being distracted whch makes it an offence. Perhaps under the current wording of the rule defenders should let Drogba go in situations like this and if he gets a nick on the ball then he's active and offside but how many defenders can naturally do that in the heat of a game?

It's fair enough that being in an offside position isn't itself an offence if the offside player is far enough away from the action, or even the potential action zone to be ignored, e.g. the other side of the pitch, but the rule causes so much confusion and anger when mis-applied or mis-interpreted that I do think it needs changing.


I thought the utd player led on the floor was playing Drogba onside?That'll be the United player distracted by Drogba being in an offside position. The one that tangled with Drogba and came off worst. Arguably that makes Drogba active as he has taken a defender out of the game, one who may have got across and got something on the ball (as Drogba attempted) had he not been on the floor

[Win2Win]

Video replays shows Drogba was onside anyway.

ManU supporters have short memories, search Youtube for ManU offside goals :rolleyes:

[lowe1]

Was it just me or am i correct in that UTD were not wearing poppys yesterday on their shirts :yikes:

[mathare]

Was it just me or am i correct in that UTD were not wearing poppys yesterday on their shirts :yikes:I thought they were but having just looked at photos from yesterday I can't see any on their shirts when they lined up for the minute's silence

[peza2605]

no we were not wearing poppys on our shirts which probably fit in with everyones opinion we are satan in disguise :mover

[scoobydoo]

I think the rule is mis-applied in too many cases as officials (not to mention pundits, commentators etc) don't understand it as well as they should. Maybe FIFA need to make the rule clearer with more examples of what makes a player active or otherwise. But in the case you mention Scoobs, if the player makes the keeper believe the attacker MAY try to play the ball then the attacker is active as he is distracting an opponent from concentrating on players stood is onside positions.

I'd need to see the replay of the goal again, preferably in slo-mo and maybe even from a couple of angles, to be sure about Drogba. I seem to recall him being in an offside position which is not an offence in itself. A defender went with him so was obviously being distracted whch makes it an offence. Perhaps under the current wording of the rule defenders should let Drogba go in situations like this and if he gets a nick on the ball then he's active and offside but how many defenders can naturally do that in the heat of a game?

It's fair enough that being in an offside position isn't itself an offence if the offside player is far enough away from the action, or even the potential action zone to be ignored, e.g. the other side of the pitch, but the rule causes so much confusion and anger when mis-applied or mis-interpreted that I do think it needs changing.

That'll be the United player distracted by Drogba being in an offside position. The one that tangled with Drogba and came off worst. Arguably that makes Drogba active as he has taken a defender out of the game, one who may have got across and got something on the ball (as Drogba attempted) had he not been on the floor

As was said last night on MOTD2, Van Der Sar couldn't just concentrate on trying to save the ball as he didn't know if Drogba was going to get a touch on the ball, which makes him active.Utd were unlucky in that aspect. However, after seeing it again last night, the 'offside' is immaterial as Drogba fouled Wes Brown, clear as day.

[mathare]

It sounds like a bit of a strange thing to say but I don't see where the goals are going to come from in that United side they put out yesterday. Rooney isn't going to score huge numbers a season so you're relying on goals coming from the midfield. Giggs, Scholes and Valencia can all score goals but they won't score many so where was the goal threat yesterday? United still lack a major striker don't they?

[scoobydoo]

It sounds like a bit of a strange thing to say but I don't see where the goals are going to come from in that United side they put out yesterday. Rooney isn't going to score huge numbers a season so you're relying on goals coming from the midfield. Giggs, Scholes and Valencia can all score goals but they won't score many so where was the goal threat yesterday? United still lack a major striker don't they?

Absolutely....I don't know if he'll go and get someone in January as they are cup-tied normally and Ferguson often chooses to wait until the summer.He knows the cutting edge that Ronaldo gave them is missing but it is not easy to replace someone like him is it? There is so little between the 'top 4' teams that you just need that individual brilliance sometimes to win a game. That is not to say they would definitely have won with Ronaldo yesterday but the threat to their goal would've been much more I feel. The fact Utd have lost 3 games now is too many but this could be a weird year where 5 or 6 defeats could win the championship. But it also puts more pressure on them to beat Liverpool and Chelsea at home as well.

[MattR]

Meanwhile, Arsenal are sneaking up on the blindside. If they continue to sweep aside everyone outside of the other big 3 the results against those may be immaterial.

As Mat and Scooby were saying about the goal threat, Chelsea and Arsenal have plenty of players capable of scoring, where as this season Man Utd have very few outside of Rooney and Berbatov and the occasional Vidic set piece header. For Liverpool Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun score pretty much all their goals so any of those being out as has been the case recently means few goals.

Chelsea's stat they mentioned yesterday of 25 unanswered goals at stamford bridge is incredible.

[John]

Chelsea's stat they mentioned yesterday of 25 unanswered goals at stamford bridge is incredible.

Not sure I understand what you mean Matt. Unanswered?

Arsenal are on fire, clearly the best playing team in the league at the moment. Arshavin, Van Persie, Fabregas, all in tip top form and scoring goals. Arsene Wenger cannot surely be moaning at the moment, can he?

As for Man U, they lack quality, strength in the depth of the squad going forward simply because of the lack of midfield, and also as already mentioned an out-and-out goalscorer.

I really wouldn't be surprised if Man U don't win the league. I don't think they will this season if I'm honest.

[mathare]

Not sure I understand what you mean Matt. Unanswered?Without reply. Chelsea have scored 25 (I think it might be 26 with yesterday's) times without their opposition scoring.

[scoobydoo]

Not sure I understand what you mean Matt. Unanswered?


It means nobody has scored against them at home apart from Hull I think in the first game of this season.

[scoobydoo]

Without reply. Chelsea have scored 25 (I think it might be 26 with yesterday's) times without their opposition scoring.

It is 26 yes I think Mat, Hull took the lead didn't they. Amazing what a bit of luck does isn't it? :D

[John]

Very impressive. Anelka and Drogba partnership ever going to properly work...?

[MattR]

Very impressive. Anelka and Drogba partnership ever going to properly work...?


Let's hope not.


Personally I'd ike to see Arsenal win it it (as Pompey won't :laugh but hey it's not mathematically over yet). I could watch them play all day. All teams should be made to play that way, what a spectacle football would be then eh? No killing off of games allowed.

Despite the fact we got beaten 5-1 and were lucky it was that low, the FA Cup game a few years back when Arsenal destroyed us at home is still the best game of football I have ever seen. Henry was given a standing ovation when he was subbed near the end......by the Pompey fans :laugh Honestly, it was amazing, there we were getting thrashed and we didn't want the game to end. It's a day I'll never forget.

[scoobydoo]

Personally I'd ike to see Arsenal won it it (as Pompey won't :laugh but hey it's not mathematically over yet).

I definitely see you in the top 4 of some division next season Matt! :peeky :laugh

[mathare]

The thing with Arsenal is I still think they need a world class keeper. United need a striker. Only Chelsea seem to have the balance about right and even then I think they could probably do with another back-up striker

[scoobydoo]

The thing with Arsenal is I still think they need a world class keeper. United need a striker. Only Chelsea seem to have the balance about right and even then I think they could probably do with another back-up striker

If you look at the top 4, it's interesting that only Chelsea didn't sell over the summer, United, Liverpool and Arsenal are weaker to some degree, however Arsenal are doing much better than I thought they would. A couple of signings in January could change the whole title race, maybe David Villa for United. As Mat has said, Fergie needs that striker that will play in the big games-if you are being left out for big games then your relevance as a big player has to be questioned doesn't it?

[MattR]

I definitely see you in the top 4 of some division next season Matt! :peeky :laugh

I wouldn't bank on it. :laugh




The thing with Arsenal is I still think they need a world class keeper. United need a striker. Only Chelsea seem to have the balance about right and even then I think they could probably do with another back-up striker

Totally agree with that Mat. Imagine if they'd picked up Shay Given. What a difference someone like that would make. He could earn them the missing 5-10 points. How exactly did he stay at a very ordinary Newcastle team, so long without someone picking him up?



If you look at the top 4, it's interesting that only Chelsea didn't sell over the summer, United, Liverpool and Arsenal are weaker to some degree, however Arsenal are doing much better than I thought they would. A couple of signings in January could change the whole title race, maybe David Villa for United. As Mat has said, Fergie needs that striker that will play in the big games-if you are being left out for big games then your relevance as a big player has to be questioned doesn't it?


I think Arsenal are doing better than expected because they have so much young talent coming through. Also Vermeulen looks a very good signing. I would argue they have the best back up players bar Chelsea. As such their team is not as affected by injuries as much (although Centre back would be a massive blow for them)

[mathare]

Totally agree with that Mat. Imagine if they'd picked up Shay Given. What a difference someone like that would make. He could earn them the missing 5-10 points. How exactly did he stay at a very ordinary Newcastle team, so long without someone picking him up? I still don't rate him as world class (although he was at his peak before stagnating with an ordinary Newcastle side) but he would have been a good signing all the same.

Talking of dropped points - had Stoke clung on to the leads they have taken this season they would have 12 more points which would see them in second!

[scoobydoo]

I wouldn't bank on it. :laugh

Yeah you're probably right....I was just being sort of nice. :D

[MattR]

I still don't rate him as world class (although he was at his peak before stagnating with an ordinary Newcastle side) but he would have been a good signing all the same.

Really Mat? I've always thought he was an excellent keeper and the main reason Newcastle didn't disappear long ago. I think he is a superb shot stopper and very rarely makes mistakes.


Talking of dropped points - had Stoke clung on to the leads they have taken this season they would have 12 more points which would see them in second!

To be fair Mat, if they'd blown the final whistle one minute into our games we'd have been 5 points better off now :laugh




Yeah you're probably right....I was just being sort of nice. :D


:laugh After a brief foray with the Premier, we will return to perfecting the art of staying in the championship with a last day win.

[mathare]

Really Mat? I've always thought he was an excellent keeper and the main reason Newcastle didn't disappear long ago. I think he is a superb shot stopper and very rarely makes mistakes.I think he's a good Premiership keeper but not world class. Man City will replace him before he is no longer good enough for the Premiership, if you see what I mean. And ignoring who the big team have in goal at present I couldn't have seen him signing for Man Utd, Chelsea etc except possibly at his peak a few years back. At one stage he probably was world class but played in a mediocre Newcastle side for too long and lost some of his edge.

[chancer]

I think Chelsea have are the team to beat this year. What effect the african nations cup will have is another question. Arsenal are a joy to watch but still need a player to get stuck in when the pressure is on. United are a bit lost. They are changing their formation back to 442 but the players aren't adjusting. Yesterday they went back to 451 and played well but lacked a Ronaldo

[jonahjones]

David Ngog gives Liverpool the lead at home to Birmingham City.

[jonahjones]

Christian Benitez heads an equaliser for Birmingham.

[John]

David Villa for Man Utd would be an amazing coup. He'd be an absolute hero in my opinion, he's a class act.

Kaka for Man City, remember that? They only just beat Burnley. :laugh

My dad's taken some customers to Liverpool V Birmingham tonight. Should be a laugh for the Brum fans...

[jonahjones]

Cameron Jerome puts Birmingham City ahead with a fabulous strike from around forty yards out in first half injury-time.

[MattR]

My dad's taken some customers to Liverpool V Birmingham tonight. Should be a laugh for the Brum fans...


I'm sure they are smiling at the moment!

[scoobydoo]

what a goal from Jerome :)

[jonahjones]

Steven Gerrard equalises for Liverpool from the penalty spot following a blatant dive from David Ngog to win the spot-kick.

[lowe1]

Dirty cheating :censored::censored: Ngog he should be banned for that

[Win2Win]

Dirty cheating :censored::censored: Ngog he should be banned for that
:splapme Ya muppet. The FA OK'd that type of thing a few weeks back! Just ask Wenger!

[peza2605]

the next time united get a dodgy penalty to save a game just remember tonight liverpool fans. You get em as well NOT JUST UNITED.:wink

[John]

the next time united get a dodgy penalty to save a game just remember tonight liverpool fans. You get em as well NOT JUST UNITED.:wink

^ What he said. :D

[piggy]

to answer a few points chelsea had a big clearout during the summer and got rid of a lot of fringe players[13] and only brought in 4 they did try to buy a couple of others but got knocked back but now the transfer embargo has been lifted i'm sure they will bring in a couple in the january window.
one rumour is diego forlan could come in with some deal about athletico's tax bill debt even if only on loan until end of season, another one is beckham :omg: again a loan signing but with the chance of a summer transfer embargo if think it's more likely that it will be permanant signings they are after.
i must admit arsenal are looking very impressive and the game against them at the end of november could be massive but with joe cole getting fitter and fitter it will be like a new player for us and hopefully he ccan get back to where he was before the injury.

[scoobydoo]

Dirty cheating :censored::censored: Ngog he should be banned for that


:splapme Ya muppet. The FA OK'd that type of thing a few weeks back! Just ask Wenger!

From The Times write up:

Finally, with 20 minutes left, Liverpool’s luck changed for the better. Ngog’s run into the penalty area was twinkle-toed, but so was the way he dived to the ground when Lee Carsley tried to stop him with an admittedly desperate tackle. It was the kind of penalty that Arsène Wenger might call “Anfieldish”.

You're right Keith. :laugh

[MattR]

Got to say the 5th or 6th official would have seen it for what it was :D To be fair to the ref, from where he was it looked like a foul. Although if he didn't see it clearly can he give a penalty? Well, yes, cos he did! But can he really?

[scoobydoo]

Got to say the 5th or 6th official would have seen it for what it was :D To be fair to the ref, from where he was it looked like a foul. Although if he didn't see it clearly can he give a penalty? Well, yes, cos he did! But can he really?

It's Walton...he isnt fit enough to keep up. :D
You have to say that Gerrard is much better at it though...fine effort by N'gog though :wink

[piggy]

i didn't think liverpool had any swimming pools never mind diving boards :D

[Win2Win]

Carsley did touch Ngog though, the Scouse lawyers told me :wink

[MattR]

Yes, when he decked him in the tunnel later. :D