Ultimate Sports Reviews

LIVERPOOL RECORD FIRST AWAY WIN OF THE SEASON WITH 2-0 VICTORY OVER ARSENAL

2011-08-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

Arsenal - with Samir Nasri in the line-up as his proposed move to Manchester City goes on hold - held their own until impressive youngster Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off with 20 minutes left.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish reacted by introducing Luis Suarez and Raul Meireles in what proved to be the decisive move, as the pair were involved in both goals.

They combined before youngster Ignasi Miquel, on for early injury victim Laurent Koscielny, saw a clearance deflect off Aaron Ramsey into his own net after 78 minutes and Suarez applied a simple finish from Meireles's pass in the dying seconds to wrap up Liverpool's first win of the season.

Wenger cut a frustrated figure as luck deserted an Arsenal side depleted by injuries and suspension, and one still recovering from the departure of captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

Arsenal applied plenty of effort but look desperately thin on rescources, something Wenger must address urgently, whereas Dalglish was able to bide his time before bringing on Suarez to make an emphatic impact.

Dalglish was ecstatic at the final whistle, whereas Wenger must now fear his defensive options will be reduced further by Koscielny's back problem ahead of Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Udinese in Italy.

Nasri received a mixed reception when his name was announced - but swiftly won over his detractors with an energetic and influential performance in the opening period, with youngster Frimpong also impressive.

Arsenal also had to regroup after the early loss of Koscielny with a back spasm. Young Spanish defender Miquel came on and Liverpool almost took advantage of the defensive readjustment as Andy Carroll rose to meet Stewart Downing's cross and produce an athletic save from Wojciech Szczesny.

Szczesny had an easier task to save from Jordan Henderson's header before Arsenal grew in confidence and started to threaten in the latter stages of the half.

Nasri demonstrated the verve that has made him such a coveted asset with a surging run from inside his own half that ended with him shooting just wide from 20 yards and Frimpong also forced a fine stop from Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina with a low drive.

As a downpour soaked The Emirates Arsenal almost made the breakthrough after 68 minutes when Andrey Arshavin found Van Persie in the area but Reina stuck out a leg to make a vital save.

Wenger rubbed his hands through his rain-soaked hair in sheer frustration, and he was not feeling any better two minutes later when Frimpong marred what had been a performance of real promise with a wild challenge on Lucas that earned him a second yellow card and dismissal.

Dalglish used Liverpool's numerical advantage to make a double substitution, sending on Suarez and Meireles for Carroll and Dirk Kuyt. Wenger's response was to replace Arshavin with Henri Lansbury.

When the deadlock was broken, it came in cruel fashion for Arsenal with 12 minutes left. Miquel, with Suarez in close attendance, attempted to clear only to see his attempt strike Ramsey and loop over the stranded Szczesny.

The energy visibly drained out of Arsenal and Suarez's late second only increased the pain for Wenger and Arsenal's increasingly frustrated fans.

Source: BBC Sport

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Author: BBC Sport

LIVERPOOL and ARSENAL held to draws, as Gervinho sees Red!

2011-08-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

it was a frustrating day at Anfield as Liverpool's defense again fell short. the highlights of the match were simple: Suarez missed from the spot. Suarez scored through a free kick header. Sunderland equalizes through a beautiful goal by Larson. The match ended a draw 1-1.

Arsenal at the other hand were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle, the highlight being a red card for Gervinho.

MATTERS ARISING:
LIVERPOOL 1 SUNDERLAND 1:
i was first and foremost surprised to find Flanagan starting ahead of kelly, in the Liverpool right back position. Flanagan is a rising talent, yes, but kelly is more physical and present especially against such a physical side like Sunderland. I blame the coach's decision for a useless 1-1 draw. These are the games that have to be won if Liverpool need a top four finish.

Secondly, i ask myself why Suarez had to take a penalty, when all through the pre-season, Adam took it. liverpool has to step up their game if they are to make an impact.

NEWCASTLE 0-ARSENAL 0

Arsene Wenger has to think about his midfield depth, now that Samir and Fabregas are pushing out. i think Gervinho was unfortunate in today's game.

FIFA U20 WORLD CUP: NIGERIA 1 ENGLAND 0.

2011-08-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

it was a very cracking battle as England took on Nigeria in the second round of the FIFA U20 world cup. the English played a very tight defensive game, with hopes of a counter attack at some point. Nigeria as usual came out an attacking side. The match was however decided by a sweet goal from Nigeria's Egbedi in the 52nd minute of the game. good job, boys

FIFA U20: The Flying Eagles Strike again. Dismantle Croatia 5-2

2011-08-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

A brace from Nwofor, as well as goals from kayode, Suswam and Musa ensured that Nigeria's flying Eagles booked their place in the FIFA U20 quarter finals by beating a hard fighting Croatia 5 goals to 2. Two well executed free kicks got two goals for the Croatians, but they were no match for the attacking ang passing prowess of the Boys from Nigeria. A final clash with Saudi Arabia will determine who wins the group.

SLAM! SLAM!! SERENA WILLIAMS BEATS MARIA BARTOLI AS SHE BEGINS HER CLIMB UP THE RANKINGS

2011-08-01T16:00:00.001-07:00

Serena Williams won her first tournament title since returning to competition, beating Marion Bartoli, 7-5, 6-1, to win the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Calif. Her appearance in a final was the first for Williams since she won Wimbledon in 2010, and it was her best showing since missing nearly a year because of injuries. Serena is on a mission to improve her ranking after she found herself well out side the top seeded 100 ranking.
With this victory, she comes up to 79 within the first 100. This still will not satify her as she has been used to hanging around the top 10. We wish her more victory campaigns on the road this year.

Montenegro International Mirko Vucinic joins Juventus for 15 million Euros.

2011-08-01T15:18:00.001-07:00

This news will come as a sweet relief for Juve fans who believe the club desperately needed more fire power upfront.
Recall that Juventus had spent most of the transfer period finalizing the permanent signings of Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella, Simone Pepe and Marco Motta, while they have also brought in Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Reto Ziegler.

Meanwhile Manchester United wrapped up a 4-year renewed contract for Antonio Valencia who put up a good performance for the club last season despite suffering a horrific leg injury. Manchester United has benefited much from the winger's ability to deliver killer balls into the opponent's 18-yard box.
(pics source: Man U fan pics)

FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP MEXICO RESULT: NIGERIA DESTROYS GUATEMALA 5-0

2011-07-31T17:58:00.000-07:00

Nigeria's U-20 team showed no mercy as they overwhelmed their Guatemalan counterparts in a one-sided 5-0 trashing. Goals from Edafe EGBEDI (8' 39'),Abdul AJAGUN (47'), Olarenwaju KAYODE (53',) Ahmed MUSA (76') ensured that the match went as expected. In another match, Spain flogged Costa Rica 4-1.
(PIC COURTESY FIFA)

Chelsea Preparing third Bid For Luka Modric, as Gervinho dazzles for Arsenal

2011-07-31T15:07:00.000-07:00

TRANSFER UPDATE:
Chelsea's bid to snatch in-form spurs midfielder Luka Modric is set to take another turn as Chelsea plan an improved offer for the midfield maestro.
Spurs Manager Harry Rednapp has tried all season to resist the temptation to sell the midfielder. Offers of 22 million pounds and 27 million pounds have been rejected by Rednapp from Chelsea. It is however looking likely that the blues will yet make a third offer. Chelsea does need a midfielder like Modric to marshall their midfield, and it will be a ver good signing if it goes through. we wait to see.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are enjoying their new signing Gervinho as he continues to blend seamlessly into the Gunners squad. It will be recalled that Gervinho made an instant statement by blasting two goals into the net on his debut for the London Club.

(IMAGE SOURCES: FOOTBALL 365, DAILY MAIL)

FIFA 2014 WORLD CUP DRAWS HOLD: Nigeria and England have relatively easy groups.Spain and France in same group.

2011-07-30T14:38:00.000-07:00

National teams can begin to prepare for their qualifiers with more targets as the Fifa 2014 world cup draws were held. The European region sees Spain share a group with France in what promises to be a sweet encounter. England is highly expected to qualify easily from its own group.

Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia, Wales
Group B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta
Group C: Germamy, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan
Group D: Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Andorra
Group E: Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Iceland
Group F: Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg
Group G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia, Lichtenstein
Group H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino
Group I: Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finland

Nigeria should have it relatively easy going by the Africa region groupings:

AFRICA REGION GROUPS
Ghana, zambia, sudan,Lesotho/Burundi

Ivory coast, Morocco, Gambia, Chad or Tanzania

South Africa, Botswana, Central Africa Republic, Somalia or Ethiopia

Nigeria, malawi, Seychelles or kenya and Djibouti or Namibia

Algeria, Mali, Benin, Eritrea or Rwanda

Cameroon,Libya, Guinea Bissau or Togo and Swaziland or The DR Congo

Egypt, Guinea, Zimbabwe and the Comoros Islands or Mozambique

Senegal, Uganda, Angola, Mauritius or Liberia

Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Sao Tome e Principe or Congo

Tunisia, Cape Verde Islands, sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea or Madagascar.

Torres Strikes as Chelsea win Barclay's Asia Cup

2011-07-30T14:05:00.002-07:00

It was not another goal as usual considering the fact that Torres has failed to live up to his 50 Million pound billing. Torres found the net within seconds of coming in from the substitute bench in a match that saw Chelsea claim the Barclay's Asia cup.
The relief of Chelsea fans and the delight on the face of his new coach Andres Villas- Boas was evident.
of course Chelsea fans all over are praying that the striker picks his form from this moment on.