Chelsea keep the title alive beating Newcastle
May 5, 2008
After Manchester United resounding win yesterday Chelsea have keep up the heat at the top of the table beating Newcastle 2-0 this afternoon. The win puts Chelsea level on points with United with one game to go, at the moment United are top with a far superior goal difference.
The goals this afternoon came in the second half from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda. Newcastle could had led in the first half, Michael Owen having two good chances. Ballacks goal was a header from a Drogba free-kick and Malouda latched onto a Lampard pass to secure the win.
United face Wigan in the final game of the season who are in good form, meanwhile Chelsea will face Bolton at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool win the derby and the Toon start to hit form
March 30, 2008
Liverpool managed to pull away from Everton in the league with a win in the Merseyside derby beating Everton. After a first win in three months Newcastle thrashed Spurs at White Hart Lane and Chelsea grabbed a 1-0 win over Boro.
Liverpool 1 – 0 Everton
After losing Cahill for the season Everton had to make a few chances to the side where as Liverpool had to replace Mascherano with Lucas.
The only goal of the game came in the 7th minute. A corner wasn’t cleared properly by Everton and Alonso nicked the ball from Yakubu, Kuyt passed wide to Torres who slide the ball past Howard. Minutes later Lee Carsley could have been sent off for a high tackle on Torres on the edge of the area. Howard Webb who was always going to have a tough time only showed a yellow.
Liverpool went on to have good chances in the half with Bable, Kuyt and Gerrard having good changed, the Liverpool captain hitting the post.
In the second half Everton could have put themselves on level terms, Osman with a near post header put they looked tired and missed Tim Cahill in the attacking third. Gerrard nearly double the lead late on with a drive from the corner of the box, Howard tipped over. Liverpool now hold the double over their neighbors and five points clear in 4th.
Chelsea 1 – 0 Middlesborough
Like the Liverpool game the home side took the lead early on, a deep freekick from the touchline found Carvalho who looped a header from all of 14 yards. The home side only looked like grabbing an second late on with Wright-Phillips slotting wide once and thumping over after nice play from Kalou.
It was the away side that had the best chance, a ball over top started a 50-50 with Cudicini and Alves. The Brazilian took the ball round the Italian keeper and then shot from about 30 yards to the open goal. With Chelsea defender getting back on the line the were relieved to see the ball hit the post. That wasn’t Boro’s only chance with them hitting the bar twice at a corner, Alves and Wheater with the headers.
Tottenham 1 – 1 Newcastle United
The away side had a great opportunity to take the lead when Habib Beye smashed a shot against the bar. Spurs took the lead though Darren Bent his eighth goal of the season. Just before the break Nicky Butt grabbed the away sides first goal of the match sweeping in a shot into the far corner from 20 yards.
The game really kicked off in the second half, a foul on Martins resulted in a free kick on the edge of the area which Geremi fired in with a little help from Viduka who moved from the wall. The third from Owen came from a Martins run from the touch line and a flick from Viduka.
Before the fourth went in for the home side a Berbatov header was saved well on the line. The final goal came from Martin who took the ball round the last Tottenham man and slotted past Robinson. A great result for King Kev and his Newcastle team are starting show a little confidence.
Keegan finally get his first win
March 22, 2008
Kevin Keegan finally has seen his Newcastle team in his second spell in charge picking up a home win over fellow stragglers Fulham. Mark Viduka scored early on to take the lead of the home side. The game was sealed late on when Owen headed in in the 83rd minute. Manager Kevin Keegan was pleased with the result and the performance of his captain Owen.
“People keep questioning all sorts of things with these great players, but they can answer them
“Michael probably answered a few critics again today – there are plenty out there, from what I am seeing.
“He would certainly be in most people’s England side.”
Keegan still looking for first win as Toon draw at St Andrews
March 17, 2008
Kevin Keegan is still looking for his first win in his second spell at Newcastle after drawing with Birmingham tonight. The match billed as relegation six-pointer ended all square thanks to the first goal in four games for Michael Owen.
Birmingham took the lead in the first half when James McFadden headed in David Murphy’s cross, Faye at the time decided to switch off, something that too many Newcastle players have done too many times this season. Towards then end of the game Maik Taylor kept Birmingham in the match saving form Emre and Martins later on.
Times are getting tough for Newcastle with them only 4 points clear of Bolton who are in the third relegation spot and no wins in 15 matches.
Blackburn charged after “Battle of St James Park”
March 10, 2008
Blackburn Rovers have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players following a brawl during the victory at Newcastle United last weekend.
Central to the charge was Morten Gamst Pedersen’s altercation with Habib Beye which elicited a lengthy fracas which saw players and staff from both sides become involved.
Exciting viewing yes but the FA don’t like it so it is bad.
Rovers have until March 25th to respond to the charge and Winning is Everything understand that they are likely to appeal against it.
Boss Mark Hughes has stated –
“At the end of the day, it was our throw-in and we wanted to take it quickly, but the lad stopped us from doing that and then took exception to us trying to get the ball off him,”
Fair play Sparky – action surely should be taken against Newcastle as well as Blackburn for their part in the incident – it takes two to tango!
Winning is Everything will keep you informed of any further developments…..
Premiership Round Up
February 9, 2008
Another great Premiership Saturday, it was good to get back to watching football after the weeks major news of the announcement of the possibility of a 39th game to be played overseas. With the top 3 not playing the concentration was on the battle for 4th place and the battle of the bottom.
Aston Villa 4 – 1 Newcastle
Kevin Keegan is still without a win in his second spell at Newcastle. Micheal Owen had given the away side the lead in the first half. The second half with a few chances Villa came out on top, a deflected Bouma shot, two Carew headers and a Carew penalty sealed the match. Carew was awesome and fully deserves his hattrik
Everton 1 – 0 Reading
Yakubu was left out after coming back late from the African cup of Nations. The first half of the match was pretty quiet at Goodison Park. The addition of James Vaughan at half time helped, and Everton took the lead when a second ball from a corner found Phil Jageilka who looped in a header at the far post. That defeat for Reading and other results meant that the Royals moved into the bottom three for the first time this season.
Sunderland 2 – 0 Wigan
Sunderland recorded their fourth straight home win, and over fellow relegation rivals meant they moved out of the bottom three. Dickson Etuhu back from the African Cup of Nations grabbed a goal just before half time heading in from a free-kick. The Black Cats doubled the lead in the second half, this was after Wigan hit the woodwork twice, a cracking ball from Andy Reid found Daryl Murphy who thumped in a shot of the underside of the bar form all of 25 yards.
Middlesborough 1 – 0 Fulham
Afonso Alves who signed last week for £12 million started the game on the bench, it was another stirker who grabbed the only goal of the game in the frist half, Jeremie Aliadiere slotting in after breaking the offside trap. Alves came on the second half but was unable to make an impact.
Bolton 0 – 1 Portsmouth
The first half saw former Pompy player Matt Taylor miss a sitter, an open goal from all of 3 yards. The only goal came late in the game for the away side Lassana Diarra with his first goal in the Premiership. He did look offside which compounded the misery for the home side who had been the better side and had been denied by an inform David James on numerous occasions, no doubt that James is England’s number 1.
Derby 0 – 3 Tottenham
Well the Rams managed to hang on till the second half but then Spurs class shone. Robbie Keane tabbed in after Roy Carroll saved from Malbranque. The second from Kaboul when Derby couldn’t clear from a corner. The third form the spot for Berbatov after Stubbs handballed.
West Ham 1 – 1 Birmingham
James McFadden grabbed his first goal for Birmingham again West Ham, the Scot equalized from the spot after he was brought down in the box by Lucas Niell. West Ham had taken the lead in the first half, a long throw was flicked on by Cole and Ljungberg stole in at the far post to tap smash in the opener. Lee Bowyer decide to get himself sent off for a lunge on Johnson, bit of a shocker from Mr Battenburg.
Two games tomorrow complete the weekends football, and you don’t better than Liverpool Chelsea and the Manchester derby.
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea v Liverpool, 16:00
Man Utd v Man City, 13:30
winningiseverything Premiership round-up
February 4, 2008
The results are in for the weekends matches, the Premiership finished with for another week.
The big winners this weekend were those at the wrong end of the table really. Fulham, Wigan and Bolton all won their respective games against Villa (2-1), West Ham (1-0) and Reading (2-0) to leave Derby further adrift at the bottom and some worried faces at clubs such as Reading (who are in free-fall), Sunderland and Birmingham.
Arguably anyone up to Tottenham are still in the relegation fight, but with Spurs having an upturn in fortunes and a scoring record the envy of many European contenders they will be fine. After their perhaps surprising 1-1 draw with champions Manchester United they will be looking to move onward and upward toward top-half status.
Newcastle and Middlesbrough played out a dull 1-1 draw as did Derby and Birmingham.
Jermain Defoe will be pleased with his weekends work, as he scored on his debut for Portsmouth against Chelsea to push the London club further behind the leaders.
Speaking of which, Arsenal maintained their excellent form this season with a 3-1 win at Manchester City, with two goals form the superb Adebayor. Wenger just seems to have a knack of selling players when he sees that they are holding up the progression of others. He did it with Viera to allow Fabregas to progress and now he has done it this season, letting Henry go to give Adebayor room to shine. As for Manchester City, they suffered their first home defeat this season and will be hoping that the Benjani deal goes through so that they have a striker that can actually score.
European contenders Blackburn and Everton played out a 0-0 draw at Ewood, but the Toffees will be disappointed that Andy Johnson’s goal in the second half was ruled out by the officials.
Finally, Liverpool recaptured some form as they beat Sunderland 3-0 at home. With their game in hand they may now feel a little more confident for that fourth spot.
winningiseverything Premiership round-up
January 30, 2008
Tuesday night didn’t throw up many surprises as far as results go.
Arsenal beat Newcastle for the second time in 4 days to go top of the Premiership table, as least for 24 hours. The score was 3-0 again, leaving Newcastle in a state of deja-vu. It turned out to be an easy game for Arsenal, with goals coming from prolific Adebayor, industrias Flamini and the always impressive Fabregas.
Perhaps the most significant result of the night came at the Stadium of Light where Sunderland beat Birmingham 2-0 in a battle of the relegation strugglers. Goals from Murphy and the debutant Prica gave the Black Cats the vital victory, in what was essentially a committed and tense game with little quality.
Bolton failed to seize their opportunities at home to Fulham giving the London side their first point under Roy Hodgson. The drab 0-0 encounter leaves Fulham 4 points from safety and Bolton slipping to 16th.
Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere scored an excellent first-half strike and his team then held out for victory in a tight contest. It is Middlesbrough’s first win at home since December 9th against Arsenal. The loss sends Wigan into the bottom three.
As Avram Grant would say…style is nothing, winning is everything…Chelsea. (And if this reminds you of a little goblin like creature there’s a reason for that, and no it’s not Dennis Wise!).
Wise move for Newcastle
January 28, 2008
Winning is Everything understands that Leeds United boss Dennis Wise is set to be offered a coaching role at Newcastle.
The move comes days after Geordie hero Alan Shearer allegedly declined a move back to St James’ Park as Keegan’s number two.
The former Chelsea midfielder played for England under Keegan and has certainly boosted his managerial credentials by firing Leeds into automatic promotion contention despite having a fifteen point deduction imposed on them at the start of the season.
Despite the strong suggestions that Wise is on his way out of Elland Road, Leeds United have made no comment with regard to what they deem as pure “speculation”.
However, should Wise depart for Geordieland the Managerial hot seat at the Yorkshire giants will certainly arouse much interest. Should his rumoured move to Southampton fall through then Paul Ince will no doubt be in contention as he seems to be linked with every job in the country at the moment!
Woodgate likes it up north
January 26, 2008
Jonathan Woodgate has apparently rejected a move to Tottenham, not being able to agree how much money he deserved each week, and is now talking to Newcastle thanks to their £7m bid being accepted by Middlesbrough.
Woodgate, originally left Newcastle to join Real Madrid in 2004, and “Winning Is Everything” understands that he is set for a return to the club, although don’t discount Spurs yet.
Woodgate, reaching his peak at 28, was not included in Middlesbrough’s squad for their 2-0 FA Cup win at Mansfield Saturday lunchtime.
