Grit and Determination Beat Money Power in The FA Cup Final
May 13, 2013maxp
Tiny Wigan Defeat Big Spending Man City
It really was one up for the underdog in the FA Cup Final on Saturday evening. The tiny club, from the town more associated with Rugby League than Football, beat the enormous spending power of Manchester City.
City’s squad is valued at over $500 million while Wigan’s comes in at well under $100 million. City’s squad was built by a big foreign conglomerate, while Wigan’s was built by a man who was born and bred in the town and invests heavily in business and facilities there. For those reasons alone Wigan must have had every neutral fan on their side for the final.
Wigan Athletic FA Cup Winners 2013
As if that wasn’t enough to sway the neutrals, Wigan came out fighting, using attack as the best form of defence. Unlike many smaller sides when they face the big boys of the Premier League, who often stick nine or ten men behind the ball.
Phil McNulty at the BBC writes
Wigan Athletic claimed the first major trophy in their 81-year history when Ben Watson’s last-minute goal won the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.
Roberto Martinez’s side produced a performance full of attacking intent and verve to fully deserve this historic win against firm pre-match favourites City, who had Pablo Zabaleta sent off six minutes from time.
Substitute Watson, who has missed much of the season after breaking his leg in November, sent Wigan’s fans into ecstasy with a near-post header from Shaun Maloney’s corner at the very moment the board went up to signal three minutes of stoppage time.
The goal was just reward for Wigan, whose drive and intensity was in sharp contrast to the desperately lacklustre display served up by City as last season’s Premier League champions end this campaign empty-handed.
It completed a miserable day for manager Roberto Mancini, which began with reports that was about to be sacked and replaced by Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini and ended with a defeat that left City’s hierarchy looking on stone-faced from the Royal Box as Wigan celebrated.
Opposite number Martinez is also at the centre of speculation about his future as he has been linked with the forthcoming managerial vacancy at Everton – and his stock will have risen markedly now he has the FA Cup against his name.
Play mediaAnd when this final is remembered, the performance of Wigan’s Callum McManaman will be recalled alongside Watson’s goal after a magnificent, and close to unplayable, display of wing play which gave City defender Gael Clichy a harrowing afternoon.
It was also a moment of sheer joy for Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, who broke his leg playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolves at Wembley. He led the team out, then watched in delight as they lifted the treasured trophy.
Once the delight has died down, Wigan must focus on what Martinez insists has always been their main priority, ensuring they stay in the Premier League as they remain in the relegation zone with only two game remaining.
Mancini made one surprise selection decision as he replaced Romanian Costel Pantilimon – City’s FA Cup goalkeeper throughout their run to Wembley – with first choice Joe Hart.
It was his opposite number Joel Robles who was into the action first as he saved from Yaya Toure after Carlos Tevez’s poor free-kick had been charged down.
After this uncertain start, however, Wigan visibly grew in confidence and produced a first-half display of real composure and enterprise, exemplified by the excellence of McManaman and James McArthur.
McManaman had the opportunity to put Wigan ahead after only nine minutes but chose to cut inside when a first-time shot might have been the better option, curling a left-foot effort wide.
For all Wigan’s trademark comfort in possession, it was their keeper Robles who was busier in that first half. He used an outstretched leg to save Wigan as Tevez looked certain to score after he was set up by Samir Nasri and David Silva eight yards out.
Play mediaMcManaman was a threat once more as he evaded Hart and weaved his way around the area, only to see his goalbound effort blocked by Zabaleta.
City’s threat was sporadic but Robles was still being made to work and he saved from Gareth Barry and Nasri as an entertaining first 45 minutes came to a close.
The favourites had more of a spring in their step in the moments after half-time and it took a crucial touch from Latics defender Emmerson Boyce to divert Sergio Aguero’s glancing effort at the near post following good work by Tevez.
Mancini was visibly unhappy with some of City’s work and he wasted no time in making his first change, sending on James Milner for Nasri after 53 minutes.
The noise levels among the Wigan support rose every time the exciting McManaman got on the ball and it took a superb block from City captain Vincent Kompany to end another jinking run into the area.
Mancini made another, somewhat surprising, change with 21 minutes left when Jack Rodwell came on for Tevez and swiftly had a header that was clutched by Robles.
Wigan, to their immense credit, were refusing to take a backward step and gave City another anxious moment when Maloney’s angled free-kick glanced off the bar.
City, who had struggled for rhythm all afternoon, were reduced to 10 men with six minutes remaining when Zabaleta was dismissed. It was a simple decision for referee Andre Marriner when the Argentine, played into trouble by Barry’s careless pass, hauled down McManaman having earlier received a yellow card.
Then came the moment that will be recalled in Wigan forever. Watson escaped from Rodwell at the near post to meet Maloney’s corner and history was made.
More at FA Cup final: A tale of two Robertos.
Wigan now have to set their minds to retaining their place in the Premier League. They face Arsenal away on Tuesday which must be a do or die fixture, as they are now sitting 4 points behind their closest rivals for the drop.
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The Battle is on for the Premier League Final Placings
May 8, 2013maxp
Relegation and European Qualification Goes Down to the Wire.
It’s on for young and old in the final matches of the English Premier League.
Although the title has been decided, with Manchester United out of reach of the following pack. In theory Chelsea could still finish second. Man City have already guaranteed themselves European Champions League Football next season, as they can finish no lower than third.
The real battle is for the third and fourth places and the prize of Champions League Football that goes with that. It could go to any two of Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham.
Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal battle it out for European Champions League qualification
Man Utd made it easier for Chelsea with a with a rare loss at home on Sunday, giving Chelsea all three points.
Chelsea host Tottenham tonight in a match which could decide who plays European Football next season. If Tottenham lose or draw then Arsenal only need to win their remaining two fixtures to finish above them.
If Tottenham manage to beat Chelsea then everything rides on the results of everyone’s last two games. But Tottenham need to win more points than Chelsea or Arsenal with their much poorer goal difference record.
At the bottom of the table things are even more complicated.
QPR and Reading already face relegation but the final team for the drop could theoretically be any one of the sides currently sitting from 12th to 18th.
Wigan and Newcastle fight to avoid relegation
Wigan are of course most likely to go down, currently sitting 18th after losing to Swansea yesterday. But North East giants Newcastle are far from safe, with only a three point cushion and they are on the same goal difference as Wigan.
Newcastle started the season really well but fell away. They have some excellent players, but not really enough of them to compete with the big boys. Of course losing Demba Ba to Chelsea in January cannot have helped matters.
After tonight’s vital match at Stamford Bridge the games to look out for at the weekend will be:-
Chelsea away to Aston Villa could prove slippery for the current European Champions
Tottenham away to Stoke, they are always a tough side to beat.
QPR v Newcastle, a must win for the Toon.
Arsenal host Wigan on Tuesday and Wigan have perennially escaped relegation in recent years.
The FA Cup Final has been neatly tucked away at 5:15PM on Saturday so as not to disturb the league action too much, at least that’s what I think the plan is.
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FA Cup’s new kick-off time shows little thought for fans
April 19, 2013maxp
Football and Rugby Fans are not Considered by the Powers That Be
Jim White reports in The Telegraph that this year’s FA Cup Final has been moved to a 5:15PM Kick off with no thought for the travelling fans or Football tradition. Rugby is following close behind, including two Friday night fixtures for next year’s 6 Nations Tournament.
Please read Jim’s story below and our suggestion on what true fans of both sports should do after that.
Football the Working Man’s Pleasure
There is not much football and rugby fans agree on. The shape of the ball, the selection of chants, whether to stage a minute’s silence for a deceased former prime minister: the two tribes rarely see eye to eye. But this week, they have found common ground: they are united in a disdain for those who mess with their kick-off times.
Over the past few days, the news has been drearily predictable for traditionalists in both camps. First it was announced that the FA Cup final on May 11 would begin at 5.15pm. So the longstanding three o’clock start for the game’s showcase is now history.
Never mind that this year’s final features two clubs from the North West. Never mind that, in the event of extra-time and penalties, supporters of Wigan will have about 30 minutes to make it from Wembley to Euston station to catch the last train home and Manchester City fans all of half an hour longer.
Never mind that the Cup semi-final this year was besmirched by a bunch of meatheads who had taken advantage of a similarly late kick-off to spend the day marinating in lager. Never mind that nobody attending the match actually wants it; 5.15 it will be.
On Tuesday, the body coordinating the Six Nations revealed that two games in forthcoming championships would be staged on Friday evenings.
Rugby has been here before. Friday-night kick-offs were experimented with for two seasons. And it was thought the idea had been quietly binned after Wales played England in 2011 and Cardiff traffic was paralysed in Friday-night gridlock because no one could rely on public transport at that time.
There was a degree of rejoicing when common sense appeared to have won the day and no Fridays featured in the schedules for 2012 or 2013. After all, the Six Nations is as much a travel experience as a rugby one, an opportunity for the visiting fan to weekend in a rival capital, to absorb the local hospitality. It seemed as if this silly idea had been dispensed with. But it is back. And this time it is here to stay.
We know why. Television likes these evening contests. ITV, broadcaster of the FA Cup, enjoys the advertising-friendly manner in which a football audience carries through into an evening of talent show and chat. While the Six Nations organisers believe Friday night on the box exposes their game to a new, sizeable audience. The stadiums are already rammed, they argue, so how better to expand their fan base than proselytise to the sofa-bound?
In other words, the concerns, interests and ease of those actually turning up to watch the game in the flesh are secondary. As yet, neither the Football Association nor the Six Nations has acknowledged that their decision might dismay their long-term loyal customers.
More at FA Cup’s new kick-off time shows little thought for fans
If you believe that the travelling fans of both Football and Rugby should be given more consideration, that the games traditions should be upheld, indeed if you are one of those fans travelling down from the north west for the FA Cup Final, or travelling away to a 6 Nations game next year, then make your voice heard.
Post your thoughts on these Facebook pages
http://www.facebook.com/TheFACup
http://www.facebook.com/rbs6nations
On the RBS 6 Nations page you can not create a new post so I suggest that you lodge your complaints under the post with the fixtures for 2014.
Also spare a thought for the small contingent (that runs to several millions) who follow the FA Cup and RBS 6 Nations on the far side of the world. These late evening kick offs mean that we have to stay up well into the next day in order to see the games live.
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Sunderland 0 Arsenal 1
February 11, 2013maxp
Ten Man Arsenal Defeat Sunderland
Arsenal travelled to the wild north east on Saturday to take on Sunderland at home.
Arsenal were without their captain and mainstay of their defence Thomas Vermaelen. Things got worse during the warm up when Laurent Koscielny pulled out, after previously having passed a fitness test. The defence was reshuffled, bringing in Carl Jenkinson and moving Bacary Sagna to central defence alongside Mertesacker and the new boy Nacho Monreal.
In the mid-field Ramsey was given the nod ahead of Diaby, alongside Arteta and Wilshire. Cazorla, Walcott and Giroud completed the line up. On a cold afternoon, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski warmed the bench.
It’s always tough to play physical sides like Stoke and Sunderland, who seem to set themselves for a draw against sides like Arsenal and do whatever they can to stem their creativity. Saturday was no exception. Sunderland welcomed back captain Lee Cattermole from a knee injury for his first league start since November and the midfielder was cautioned inside two minutes for a late challenge on Aaron Ramsey. Other strong tackles steeled Arsenal for the fight and Carl Jenkinson was booked for a heavy challenge shortly after. Sunderland had some attacks, but eventually Arsenal took control of the midfield and bombarded the Sunderland goal. Only goalkeeper Simon Mignolet kept Arsenal out.
In the 35th minute some good work from Walcott provided Cazorla with the ball on the edge of the area. He fired through a sea of legs; the ball took a slight deflection and finally beat Mignolet.
Santi Cazorla broke the deadlock for Arsenal against Sunderland
For the latter part of the first half Arsenal played like the Arsenal of old; dominating possession, making fast accurate passes and constantly threatening the Sunderland goal. Surely it was only a matter of time before the second goal would come.
Arsenal came out for the second half full of confidence, but that took a battering very quickly. After only 5 minutes Jack Wilshire got a kick in the thigh and could not carry on. Until then Wilshire, along with Santi Cazorla, had had been directing play. Had Wilshire stayed on it would have been a toss up between them for man of the match.
Wilshire was replaced by Vassiriki Diaby. But only a few minutes later Carl Jenkinson picked up a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Sessegnon and was sent off. Both bookings were harsh. Sure they were fouls, but neither was vicious, cynical or dangerous. Ramsey slipped into the vacant right back position and no substitutions were made.
Sunderland had a period of dominance, but whenever they were on target Szczesny was there to deny them. He made a series of good saves. But it was not all one way and Arsenal continued to create chances too.
The ten men held out until the final whistle. Ramsey and Sagna both gave a good account of themselves while playing out of position. Cazorla had one of his best games and Szczesny was excellent when called upon, while there was plenty of talent on the bench that was not called upon. Bring on Blackburn as this could be a changing point for the season.
Meanwhile back at the Emirates Stadium Arsene Wenger is still making decisions that are baffling. Johan Djourou and Andre Santos have both been sent out on loan for the rest of the season. Nacho Monreal has been brought in at left back and so far has proved much more reliable than Santos. However there is still a shortage of cover at the back, especially considering how often Arsenal players seem to be injured. So why send these players away when Wenger refuses to buy in replacements when the opportunity arises?
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The Magic of the FA Cup.
January 30, 2013maxp
The World’s Oldest Knockout Football Competition Produces Surprising Results.
The magic of the FA Cup was well in evidence in the fourth round played at the weekend.
The round started on Friday night with Championship side Millwall hosting Premier League strugglers Aston Villa. Millwall made Villa’s plight even dimmer, handing them a 2-1 defeat to knock them out of their second cup competition in a week. Villa were knocked out of the Capital One Cup (League Cup) during the week by League Two side Bradford. Aston Villa took the lead through Darren Bent on 22 minutes, but Millwall evened the score only 5 minutes later with a Danny Shittu header. John Marquis claimed the winning goal for the Lions in the final minute of regular time.
John Marquis scores Millwall’s late winner
Fellow Premier League strugglers Queens Park Rangers fared even worse on Saturday, going down 4-2 to League One Milton Keynes Dons. QPR conceded an own goal inside four minutes and things got worse from there. The Dons were 4-0 up within the hour and two late goals for QPR proved no consolation.
Luton Town became the first non-league team to knock a top-flight side out of the FA Cup since 1989. A late strike from Scott Rendell saw Premier League Norwich City make an early exit from the competition.
Arsenal struggled against Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion. Despite taking the lead twice, with excellent goals from Olivier Giroud, Brighton were able to level the score after each of them. After Brighton equalised for the second time, Arsene Wenger sent on Jack Wilshire and Theo Walcott who had been rested on the bench. Keiran Gibbs was added 10 minutes later to aid the leaky defence. Those additions worked, with Walcott scoring in the 85th minute to see Arsenal through to the next round.
Olivier Giroud scores his second brace in a week against Brighton
The upsets continued into Sunday, with European Champions Chelsea and their multi-million dollar squad narrowly avoiding defeat at League One Brentford. An 83rd minute Fernando Torres goal earned Chelsea a replay.
Next up Tottenham, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League were knocked out by Championship side Leeds United. Luke Varney and Ross McCormack scored for Leeds and Tottenham were unable to add to a 58th minute goal from Clint Dempsey.
The final match of the round provided just as much drama, with Liverpool going down to League One Oldham. Matt Smith scored after 3 minutes for Oldham, but Luis Suarez equalised 15 minutes later. Smith was on target again in the shadow of half time to give Oldham a 2-1 lead at the break. Reece Wabara scored a delightful back-post header 3 minutes into the second half to give Oldham a 2 goal cushion. Joe Allen‘s volley on 80 minutes ensured a tense finish, but Oldham were able to hold on to go through to the 5th Round.
The giant killers had mixed fortunes in the draw for the 5th round. Luton will host Millwall, Leeds are drawn away to Manchester City, Milton Keynes Dons are at home to Barnsley and Oldham will host Everton. All of those matches will be played on Saturday 6th February, which should prove some interesting viewing.
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Tony Greig
December 31, 2012maxp
Farewell to one of Cricket’s Greats
It was sad to hear about the premature passing of Tony Greig, former England Cricket captain and Australia’s Channel 9 Cricket commentator.
Greigy, as he was affectionately known in Australia, was only 66 and we had heard recently that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. But it was a heart attack that took him from us, undoubtedly brought on by the rigours of battling cancer, although I am no doctor and I’ve heard no one else confirm that.
Tony Greig in his Sussex CCC playing days
Tony Greig was a true multinational. He was born in South Africa and had a Currie Cup debut for Border Province, but then emigrated to England and signed for Sussex County Cricket Club. He quickly became one of the leading county players with bat and ball and is rated by many as one of England’s all time best all rounders.
He qualified to play for England because of his Scottish father and made his test debut against Australia in 1972. He was appointed captain in 1975 and was sacked 2 years later under controversial circumstances. Controversy should have been Greig’s middle name, as it followed him all through his life, often intentionally on his behalf.
Tony Greig and Kerry Packer
Greig signed on with Australian multi-millionaire media magnet Kerry Packer, the owner of Channel 9 TV, to launch World Series Cricket. This was considered in many circles, especially England, to be treachery at the time, but in the long run it was for the benefit of the players and cricket in general. World Series Cricket brought in coloured clothing, white balls, floodlit night time Cricket and huge crowds. There is no doubt without it there would never have been 20/20 Cricket either.
Tony Greig was at the very centre of the launch of World Series Cricket. Apart from captaining the England side in the competition, he flew all around the world on Packer’s behalf recruiting the leading players of the international game.
As a result of his friendship with Packer and his love affair with Sydney in particular and Australia in general, Greigy emigrated again and was offered a “job for life” by Kerry Packer commentating for Channel 9 Australia.
Tony Greig took to Cricket commentating with all the professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication he had given to his playing career. But he never gave up being controversial, always backing England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and anyone but Australia in commentary, probably just to keep things interesting.
He would have running battles with co-commentator and former Australian captain Bill Lawrie, not only on the International level but also regional, with Greig singing the praises of Sydney and New South Wales while Lawrie is a dedicated Melbournite and Victorian.
Tony Greig, Ian Chappel and Bill Lawrie a pitch inspection without car keys
Greig was famous for his on field novelties, like the Weather Board. But the longest lasting of his tricks was to inspect any cracks in the pitch with his car keys, infamously dropping them into a cavernous crack at the WACA ground in Perth on one occasion.
Although he was always a controversial figure and the South African Pom that Aussies loved to hate, he was also a great nurturer of talent and many people have given affectionate eulogies for him, both cricketers and people that he worked with in television.
Tony Greig was a great player and one of the true characters of cricket and he will be sorely missed by all who follow the game all around the world.
Rest In Peace Mr Greig.
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Arsenal 2012 the Post Mortem
December 13, 2012maxp
Is The Changing of the Guards Upon Us?
OK it may be a little early, Arsenal are not dead yet and 2012 is not quite over, but the fat lady must have been warming up at Bradford the other night.
Arsenal were knocked out of the League Cup by a side from the fourth division. They may try and kid us and call it League Two, but we all know it is the fourth division of English football and that can not be acceptable, in anyone’s book.
Arsene Wenger has gone to the press and said that he is not embarrassed by the defeat, well he certainly should be and the players even more so. The average Arsenal player is paid more than the entire Bradford team and if they can not manage to put a couple of goals past them, then they really need to take a long hard look at them selves.
Believe it or not Gervinho missed from here
Number one culprit has got to be Gervinho, who managed to miss an open goal from inside the 6 yard box with the goalkeeper already beaten. That, together with his other misses in recent weeks, means to me he no longer qualifies as a Premier League striker, let alone an Arsenal striker.
I have long defended Wenger because of all the good things he has done for Arsenal and the number of times he has turned things around. That, together with the financial restraints that have been imposed on the club in recent years, has convinced me that he is still the right man for the job. But he continues to make these weak excuses for the side and the directors whenever the team puts in a bad performance, or the club loses a quality player.
It’s been said many times elsewhere that you can not win trophies if you keep losing your best players and that trend does not seem to be ending anytime soon. Losing two of our best players at the end of the season has now become an Arsenal tradition with Fabregas and Nasri going in 2011 Van Persie and Song in 2012 and we now look almost certain to lose Walcott and Sagna at the end of the current season.
It really is time for a clear out of the dead wood and to bring in some real quality, to give Arsenal any chance of re-establishing itself as the club it once was. There is no one of the quality of Henry, Viera and Bergkamp at the club now. The sort of players who can lead by example and inspire other players to their best.
As far as the dead wood is concerned, well we should start with Gervinho and Chamkh. Both of them started well at the club, but have not been able to establish them selves as quality Premier League players. Andrei Arshavin, who I have also defended for a long time, should also go for the same reason, although he was a quality player and did some good stuff for Arsenal for quite a while. I always hoped that his form would return, but I can not see that happening at this club.
At the back Squillaci should go, he has pretty much been a failure from day one and just takes up space on the player’s roster and valuable funds in the wage bill.
If those four were to go, Arsenal should then spend the money on a couple of real quality players, like the Arsenal old guard. It would be a great help if they were Premier League experienced, so that we do not have to waste time waiting for them to become acclimatised.
There is plenty of skill in the squad at the moment, but those that are there are not going to turn this situation around on their own. This season’s signings Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla all have the potential to be quality Premier League players, but I only see Cazorla as having that potential of the old guard that I spoke of. Unfortunately, like many of Arsenal’s overseas signings, his form has dropped off after good start at the club.
On the positive front Rosicky is fit again and should be starting more games and he can certainly fill Cazorla’s role, so that he can be rested when required, or dragged if not performing. Arsenal look more like Arsenal to me when Rosicky is on the field. Without him Arsenal’s passing game is too slow and you are not going to beat anyone passing the ball around the field in slow motion.
The English contingent at Arsenal all have great potential. Walcott is having a good season, when he is not injured. Gibbs has improved out of sight, but Oxlade-Chamberlain’s match winning starts seem to have curtailed. Maybe he needs someone to give him that inspiration to get back to his best. But that is the problem with young players, consistency comes with experience.
Jack Wilshire must lose his petulant streak
Many people see Jack Wilshire as the great white hope and he is very talented. Hopefully when he is fully fit he will be the type of world beater that Arsenal require, but he really needs to control that petulant streak, otherwise he is going to be unavailable for far too many games due to suspension. He could become an English Balotelli or Joey Barton, who must be counted as French now that he has developed that accent.
My hope for the New Year is that Wenger and the board at Arsenal see some sense and put some, if not all, of these ideas into action. But like many Arsenal fans I despair when I hear the manager say he is not embarrassed by the performance against Bradford and that he may not spend in January if all the squad are fit.
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Premier League Round up Week 12
November 19, 2012maxp
Upsets and Big Score lines at the Top of the Table
There were some major upsets in the 12th round of games in the Premier League at the weekend. Top sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton all lost, while Arsenal and Manchester City both scored 5 goals in their wins.
Chelsea’s match away at West Bromwich Albion was always going to be a difficult one, with WBA sitting just behind them on the table and on very good form. But most punters would have still believed that Abramovich’s multi million dollar squad would have had the upper hand. West Brom took the lead on 10 minutes through Shane Long. Eden Hazard pulled one back for Chelsea on 39 minutes, but Peter Odemwingie scored the deciding goal just after half time and West Brom held on for all three points.
Anthony Pilkington scored the winner for Norwich against Manchester United
An even bigger upset was table leaders Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat at Norwich, who were hovering near the bottom of the league before the game. Anthony Pilkington scored a brilliant headed goal on 30 mins for the home side, who then managed to hold on against a very flat United performance.
Manchester rivals City took the lead in the Premiership with a 5-0 win over Aston Villa. City’s goals included 2 penalties. Amazingly there were no goals until the 43rd minute of the match, when David Silva broke the deadlock. But the goals flowed in the second half with Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez both converting penalties as a result of handball decisions. Aguero was back on the scoreboard within minutes with a deflected shot and Tevez also scored a brace, tapping in a Samir Nasri cross. The first penalty was hotly disputed, replays showed Weimann made no contact with his hand and none of City‘s players appealed for a penalty.
Possibly the most exciting match of the round was the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs made a frenzied start and dominated the first 15 minutes. Former Arsenal man William Gallas netted for Spurs only to be ruled offside. But moments later Mertesacker and Sagna failed to spring the offside trap and Jermain Defoe was through on goal, his low hard drive was saved by Wojciech Szczesny but he was unable to hold onto the ball and another ex Arsenal man, Adebayor, was on hand to tap in the rebound. Adebayor once again showed his lack of class by leaping the advertising hoardings to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans.
But Adebayor and Tottenham’s worlds came undone only 8 minutes after the goal. Arsenal had started to settle and retain some possession of the ball when Adebayor went in with both feet raised high on Santi Cazorla. He was shown a red card and instantly dismissed; forcing Spurs to play 72 minutes with only 10 men.
Santi Cazorla recoverd to put in a man of the match performance
Australian TV commentator and former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said in his half time comments that he thought Adebayor was unlucky to be sent off and he was not that type of player. I don’t know what match he was watching, or what has happened to his memory. Adebayor was late and high with both feet, he hit Cazorla in the ankle despite the fact he was jumping in the air. If Santi had remained on the ground he would have caught him in the throat, he is barely 5 foot 5 (1.65M). Bosnich had also conveniently forgotten that Adebayor was retrospectively sent off for stamping on Robin Van Persie when he played for Man City. He always seems to lose it when he plays against Arsenal.
The sending off proved to be the turning point of the game. Cazorla recovered to put in a man of the match performance. Spurs reshaped but Arsenal dominated possession with Podolski, Walcott and Sagna putting in an endless stream of crosses into the Tottenham 6 yard box. Mertesacker headed in the equaliser on 24 minutes from a Walcott corner, his first goal for Arsenal. Podolski dribbled in from the left to put in a shot that deflected off of Gallas and trickled over the line and Olivier Giroud scored another as a result of some great set up work by Cazorla. It was 3-1 to the Arsenal at half time.
Spurs replaced both full-backs Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton with centre-back Michael Dawson and forward Clint Dempsey at half time and the changes were effective. They started the second half much better than the siege they were under at the end of the first. But Arsenal used their numerical advantage to good effect and Walcott and Podolski set up Cazorla for a great finish on the hour.
Only one man was looking dangerous for Spurs. Gareth Bale, who surely cannot have much time left at White Hart Lane, exploited some lax Arsenal defending and put the ball in the bottom corner of the goal 4-2. Bale narrowly missed moments later and then put in a corner that Defoe should have scored from, had he connected with the ball.
But as Spurs tired and as if to rub salt in Wenger introduced the pace of Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and he set up Theo Walcott for a deserved goal in the dying minutes. Final score, 5-2 to the Arsenal.
England Wingers Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chaberlain combined for the final goal
This same fixture finished with the same result last season and it was the match that turned Arsenal’s form around. If they can maintain this form it could do the same again. Cazorla was easily the man of the match with his touch, vision and creativity. But Walcott and Willshire were not far behind and Podolski, Giroud and Arteta were pretty awesome too. Roll on Wednesday, when Arsenal face Montpellier at home in the European Champions League.
In other results Liverpool beat Wigan 3-0. Newcastle lost 1-2 at home to Swansea, Fulham lost 1-3 against Sunderland and QPR went down by the same score line against Southampton. West Ham face Stoke at home on Monday night and could rise above Arsenal to 6th with a win, but I think a draw is more likely.
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Goal Fest in League Cup Fixture
November 1, 2012maxp
Reading and Arsenal Amass 12 Goals in Cup Match
Reading and Arsenal played the most amazing match in the history of the League Cup on Tuesday Night. After taking an astounding four goal lead over the club that Reading has never beaten, they were pulled back to a draw in the final minute of injury time, only to be beaten in extra time, after four more goals were scored.
Arsenal went into the game as favourites, despite changing all 11 starting players from the weekend win over QPR. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always used this competition to blood new talent, but Tuesday’s line up was slightly different, in that it was mostly an experienced side, despite still being youthful in the main. Players like Jenkinson, Djouruo, Koscielny, Coquelin, Arshavin, Frimpong and Chamakh have plenty of Premier League and even Champions League experience.
Theo Walcott scored a hat trick for Arsenal, once the officials opened their eyes
Despite all of that experience Reading started the match brightly and created the early chances. Arsenal gradually came into the game after about 10 minutes then Reading scored against that run of play. For the remainder of the first half Reading scored at will, with 4 goals in 35 minutes, aided by an own goal by Koscielny, a mistake by rookie goalkeeper Martinez and some sloppy defending all around.
On the brink of half time Andriy Arshavin put a through ball down the middle of the field that split the Reading defence and Theo Walcott collected it with only the goalkeeper to beat, which he did assuredly. Arsenal went in at half time 4-1 down and many Arsenal fair weather fans had already left for London at 4-0. But the faithful stayed and sung “We want our Arsenal back”.
Immediately after half time Reading started off on top again and looked like they could pick up a fifth goal any time. Arsenal gradually improved but continued to let themselves down in the last third of the pitch, at both ends.
On 62 minutes Wenger made a double substitution bringing on Giroud for Frimpong and 19 year old German, Thomas Eisfeld for his 17 year old compatriot Serge Gnabry. Now Wenger often seems to me to make substitutions based on factors other than tactics for the game. Frimpong certainly needed to go off, he had had an awful game, but Gnabry had created chances and was one of the players on the field more determined to attack. Whereas Chamakh had been the worst forward in my opinion and I certainly would have replaced him. But the substitutions proved fruitful and those fans that say ‘In Arsene we trust’ were proven right again. All though at times at does seem to require blind faith.
Olivier Giroud scored within 2 minutes of taking the field
Arsenal moved to a very aggressive 4-2-4 formation and Giroud got on the end of a Walcott corner, only 2 mins after coming onto the field and headed past Reading keeper Federici, who up until now had made some good saves to keep Reading well ahead. But the score remained at 4-2 in the 89th minute, when Koscielny repeated the feat, heading in another Walcott corner to compensate for the goal he had scored for Reading, but not all of his poor defending at the other end.
Four extra minutes of injury time were to be added, but it was in the 96th minute that Walcott scored another goal of his own. Nicky Shorey kicked the ball out of the goal from behind the line and neither the referee nor the linesman seemed to have seen that it had gone over. Fortunately Jenkinson was on hand to collect the rebound and fire it into the back of the net, to leave no doubt.
There was much complaining from Reading players and staff about the additional playing time, but they tended to ignore the fact that the referee had spent a long period giving a talking to two Reading players in the scheduled 4 minutes about their heavy challenges and that they escaped with only two yellow cards to Arsenal’s six, despite a deliberate handball and repeated industrial strength tackling.
A comical moment arose at the end of regular time. With Arsenal leveling the score at 4 – 4 Frenchmen Giroud and Coquelin believed it was all over, took off their shirts and threw them into the crowd. When they realised that they had to play extra time, they had to go to the Arsenal fans and ask for them back.
In the first period of extra time Arsenal took the lead through Marouane Chamakh who fired through the legs of Reading defender Kaspars Gorkss and beat the un-sighted goalkeeper. Good thing he wasn’t substituted!
But Reading‘s fight was not over, despite some of their fans leaving now. On 116 minutes of play Paval Pogrebnyak headed past the Arsenal keeper to level the scores again at 5 – 5. The game looked to be heading for a penalty shoot-out. But no, in this most remarkable of matches Theo Walcott scored another goal to complete his hat trick.
Andrei Arshavin set up many of Arsenal’s chances
Reading threw everything into attack to try to level again, but Arsenal cleared, Arshavin put another long ball into space for Chamakh to pick up and lob over the keeper for his second goal of the match. The final score Reading 5 Arsenal 7
What a match, what a comeback, what a result!
It could be just what Arsenal needed after being so lost since the International break a few weeks ago. Since then losing to cellar dwellers Norwich, Schalke 04 in the European Championship and an unconvincing 1 – 0 home win over QPR who are sitting firmly bottom of the Premier League.
Undoubtedly wholesale changes will be made for the side that faces Manchester United on Saturday. But this result can bring nothing but confidence to players like Walcott, Giroud, Chamakh and Arshavin, whether they start, or come on as substitutes in the next few fixtures.
Of course Saturday’s match will be the first time that Arsenal face their former captain Robin van Persie at his new club. No doubt Arsenal fans will give him the warm welcome that he deserves. But I hope that it does not persist throughout the game and those real traveling fans get behind their side like they did at Reading.
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Amazing Spate of Late Goals in World Cup Qualifiers
October 17, 2012maxp
Dramatic Last Minute Goals Change Fortunes
Late goals changed the result in an amazing number of World Cup qualifying matches yesterday. Australia and France both benefited from late goals, but the most incredible result of the night must have been the recovery by Sweden, who were 4-0 down to Germany with 30 minutes to play and managed to even the scores to go home with a point.
Per Mertesacker scores for Germany against Sweden
Germany had taken an early lead with two goals from Miroslav Klose. Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker added another before half time. Then Mesut Ozil put Germany four goals clear just after the break. But Sweden mounted an incredible comeback with goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mikael Lustig and Johan Elmander within 14 minutes. Finally Rasmus Elm scored in injury time to wild celebrations and left the Germans wondering what had happened. The German national side has never conceded a four goal lead before.
Australia fought out a dour 0-0 battle with Iraq in an almost empty stadium in Doha, until a slip up at the back allowed Iraq to score in the 72nd minute. Things were looking bad for Australia, if the game finished that way they would struggle to qualify for the finals in Brazil. But Tim Cahill was on hand to head home a Matt McKay corner in the 80th minute, to level the scores. Four minutes later super sub, Archie Thompson, repeated the process from a cross from fellow substitute Tommy Oar. Thompson has now scored as a substitute in his last three appearances for his country. The result elevated Australia to second spot in their table, 5 points behind Japan.
In Madrid, Spain took a 1-0 lead over France from a Sergio Ramos goal and held on through the entire game. Former Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas, failed to extend the lead when his penalty was saved by France captain Hugo Lloris, just before half time. But Arsenal striker, Olivier Giroud, came on as a substitute and scored in the very last minute of stoppage time, to claim a point for France. Prior to the match Spain had won a remarkable 24 consecutive qualifying games, but they may now have to win at Stade de France in March 2013 to avoid a play off to qualify for Brazil.
Olivier Giroud celebrates his last minute goal against Spain
England’s game against Poland was postponed late on, in farcical circumstances. Heavy rain left the pitch unplayable, despite the fact that the stadium in Warsaw has a roof. The roof was only closed at midnight, hours after the game was rearranged for Wednesday.
In other results, the USA beat Guatemala 3-1 with a brace of goals from former Fulham and now Tottenham star Clint Dempsey. Northern Ireland held Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw while the Republic of Ireland beat the Faroe Islands 4-1. Wales and Scotland both lost 2-0. Wales went down to the talented Croatians and Scotland lost to the Belgium side full of Premier League stars. The loss leaves Scotland bottom of their qualifying group after four matches and little to no chance of reaching Brazil.
England’s under 21 side played a qualifying game for the Euro 2013 tournament in Serbia. Serbian fans disgraced themselves with racist abuse of England’s black players and stones, coins and seats were thrown at them. Fans ran on to the pitch and scuffles broke out after England won 1-0. This type of racism was also seen in the senior European Championship held in Poland and the Ukraine earlier this year. If these former Eastern Bloc countries do not understand that this is not acceptable in 2012 then they should be banned from the competitions until they do.
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