World of Football

Wolverhampton 0-3 Manchester City (28/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:52:15 PST

Carlos Tevez scored twice as Manchester City eased to victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Two-goal Tevez and Javier Garrido earned Manchester City their first away win in four months - and their second in three days under new manager Roberto Mancini.

Tevez continued his hot scoring streak with his seventh and eighth goals in his last seven appearances and his 11th of the campaign to break the deadlock.

Substitute Garrido, frozen out of the first team picture by previous City manager Mark Hughes, netted the decisive second mid-way through the second period.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Stoke City 0 - 1 Birmingham City (28/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:49:29 PST

Birmingham City's excellent form continued with an away win at Stoke City.

Birmingham stretched their astonishing unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League to 11 matches as Stoke suffered another dose of the goal-shy blues.

Cameron Jerome's bundled 50th-minute effort was enough to separate the sides, and enough also to equal the club's longest stretch without defeat in the top flight going back 101 years to 1908.

Remarkably, on that occasion Birmingham were relegated, but there is surely no chance of that happening this time around after a run of seven wins and four draws to lift the Blues up to seventh with 32 points.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Everton 2 - 0 Burnley (28/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:46:04 PST

Everton scored late on to earn a vital win at Goodison Park against Burnley.

The Toffees eased their relegation fears and secured their first home league win since September.

Substitute James Vaughan grabbed the first, less than a minute after entering the action, and Steven Pienaar rifled home the second in injury time.

Burnley were reduced to ten men after an hour when Stephen Jordan was sent-off for a second bookable offence.
For an in-depth match report, click here.

Blackburn Rovers 2 - 2 Sunderland (28/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:42:03 PST

Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland shared the spoils at Ewood Park on Monday.

El-Hadji Diouf salvaged a point for Blackburn after Darren Bent's cool double looked set to send Sunderland on their way to a win.

Bent opened the scoring for the visitors in the 52nd minute only for Morten Gamst Pedersen to reply almost immediately with a drilled shot in off the post.

Bent restored Sunderland's lead on 65 before Diouf's header 13 minutes from time. Marton Fulop saved brilliantly to deny Nikola Kalinic at the death.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Chelsea 2-1 Fulham (28/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:32:03 PST

Chelsea came from behind to win and restore their five-point lead at the Barclays Premier League summit.

Zoltan Gera gave Roy Hodgson's side a fairytale start at Stamford Bridge when he struck after three minutes and Fulham looked comfortable for the first hour.

But then Chelsea moved through the gears and were rewarded with two goals in two minutes with Didier Drogba notching the equaliser before the pressure forced defender Chris Smalling to concede an own goal.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 West Ham United (28/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:26:54 PST

Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 West Ham United

Tottenham Hotspur came out on top in the London derby with West Ham United.

Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric scored on his return to the starting XI to help defeat West Ham at White Hart Lane.

Modric, with only two substitute appearances under his belt since fracturing a fibula in August, struck 11 minutes into the Barclays Premier League match after turning home Aaron Lennon's cross, with Scott Parker then limping off for the visitors shortly after.

To make matters worse, former Hammers striker Jermain Defoe added a second before the end.
For an in-depth match report, click here.

Birmingham City 0 - 0 Chelsea (26/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:08:57 PST

Birmingham City earned a 0-0 draw at home to 10-man Chelsea.

While Chelsea enjoyed the better chances at St Andrew's it was Birmingham who had the ball in the net, Christian Benitez poking it over the line, only to see the flag raised against him for offside.

The visitors, defending a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester United, had excellent chances to win it themselves as Branislav Ivanovic, Daniel Sturridge, Alex and Florent Malouda all went close. Malouda, meanwhile, was dismissed in the closing stages after receiving a second caution.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

West Ham United 2 - 0 Portsmouth (26/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 22:02:58 PST

West Ham United secured a vital three points against their relegation rivals.

Alessandro Diamanti scored his third goal in as many matches to maintain West Ham's hopes of survival and keep Portsmouth rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

The Italian struck from the penalty spot at Upton Park midway through the first half of a match short on clear-cut opportunities. Radoslav Kovac added the second just before the end.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Fulham 0 - 0 Tottenham (26/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:59:37 PST

Tottenham Hotspur escaped Craven Cottage with a point after Fulham failed to capitalise on their superiority.

Spurs had Heurelho Gomes to thank for keeping them in contention with the Brazilian keeper making a string of fine saves.

In the second half alone he kept out goalbound efforts from Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora, while Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera also went close.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Wigan 1 - 1 Blackburn (26/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:54:26 PST

Wigan Athletic hit back to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Wigan and Blackburn cancelled each other out in a draw at the DW Stadium which did little to improve either side's fortunes.

Benni McCarthy's first Barclays Premier League goal of the season put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute only for Hugo Rodallega's 53rd-minute header to level things up.

Wigan have now won just one of the last eight league matches, with Blackburn enjoying victory only once in seven.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Manchester City 2-0 Stoke City (26/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:47:57 PST

Roberto Mancini won his first match in charge of Manchester City as his team saw off Stoke City.

First half goals from Martin Petrov and Carlos Tevez earned Mancini maximum points on his bow at Eastlands.

It cemented City's position in the top six, while allowing the Blues to put a turbulent week behind them.

However, Mancini was also indebted to two superb saves from Shay Given.
For an in-depth match report, click here.

Sunderland 1-1 Everton (26/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:42:09 PST

Everton secured a fourth successive Barclays Premier League draw with a last-gasp equaliser at Sunderland.

Marouane Fellaini snatched a point with an emphatic 85th-minute finish to deny the Black Cats a first league victory in six attempts.

Darren Bent had put the home side in front when he headed home Kenwyne Jones' 17th-minute cross, but Steve Bruce's men were once again unable to hang on to a lead.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Liverpool 2 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (26/12/09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:31:30 PST

Liverpool secured a nervy victory only once Wolverhampton Wanderers had been reduced to 10 men.

Second-half goals from Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun ensured maximum points.
Wolves were reduced to 10 when Stephen Ward was eventually penalised for a second bookable offence.
For an in-depth match report, click here.

Arsenal 3-0 Hull City (19-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:57:24 PST

Arsenal 3-0 Hull City

Scorer:
Denilson (45)

Eduardo (59)

Diaby (80)

Arsenal moved back into third place thanks to a fine win over relegation-haunted Hull City.

The home side punished Hull when Denilson scored their opener from a free-kick in first half stoppage-time.

Manuel Almunia saved Geovanni's second half penalty to preserve Arsenal's lead and the home side added further goals from Eduardo and Abou Diaby to clinch victory.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Manchester City 4-3 Sunderland (19-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:52:21 PST

Manchester City 4-3 Sunderland

Scorer:

Santa Cruz (4, 69) Mensah (15), Henderson (24), Jones (62)

Tevez (12 pen.)

Bellamy (35)

Roque Santa Cruz scored twice for the hosts, with Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy also on target.

John Mensah, Jordan Henderson and substitute Kenwyne Jones netted for Sunderland.

For an in-depth match report, click here.

Blackburn Rovers 0 - Tottenham Hotspur 2 (19-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:48:39 PST

Blackburn Rovers 0 - Tottenham Hotspur 2

Match Scorer:
Crouch (45, 82)

England striker Peter Crouch improved Tottenham Hotspur's chances of a Champions League place with a brace at Ewood Park.

Crouch struck either side of half-time to make it a miserable first anniversary for Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce.

When Allardyce arrived the club were second bottom of the table but under his stewardship relegation was avoided. However, they could be in for another battle to beat the drop after the manner of this home defeat.

In contrast Tottenham are looking up and this was their second win in a week as they continue to recover following their shock loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Blackburn made a bright start, however, and Franco Di Santo had a half-chance in the ninth minute after Vince Grella and Benni McCarthy had linked up.

But Di Santo failed to get a decent touch and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was able to parry his effort to safety.

Blackburn almost took the lead five minutes later when a McCarthy free-kick took a deflection off Aaron Lennon and deceived Gomes, only to come back off the bar.

Tottenham hit back and Jermain Defoe should have added to his 14-goal tally after being released by Niko Kranjcar in the 23rd minute but dragged his shot wide of the post.

It was clear opening for the in-form striker and he expressed his frustration at seeing the chance go begging.

Blackburn carved out a good chance in the 30th minute after McCarthy delivered the ball to Di Santo.

The striker, on loan from Chelsea, took it on his chest and rattled in a shot that Gomes took at the second attempt.

Junior Hoilett was causing Vedran Corluka problems with his pace on the right flank and the Croatian was booked in the 35th minute after flooring his opponent.

McCarthy took the free-kick and Steven Nzonzi got a touch only to find the wrong side of the post with his flick.

McCarthy was looking bright and industrious and saw a dipping shot go over the top five minutes later.

Tottenham made the breakthrough in stoppage time after Corluka chased a lost cause.

The ball seemed to be drifting out of play but he managed to get in a cross and Crouch headed home off the underside of the bar.

Tottenham launched a swift counter in the 51st minute and Lennon cut into the area and tried to pick out Defoe. However the striker was unable to get a decent touch and the move broke down.

Back came Blackburn and they nearly equalised two minutes later only for McCarthy's shot to hit the post and Sebastien Bassong cleared the ball to safety.

It was a good chance for the South African striker, who has been struggling to nail down a place in the team.

This was better spell by the home side after the shock of finding themselves chasing the match.

Blackburn kept up the pressure and Hoilett skipped into the area but saw his effort blocked.

Then Steven Nzonzi tested Gomes with a shot and even though it arried little power the goalkeeper looked uncomfortable.

Crouch found the net again in the 79th minute following a cross from Lennon only to be adjudged offside.

Crouch was not to be denied and got his second goal of the matcg and his eighth of the season three minutes later with a cool finish after substitute Jermaine Jenas had created the opening.

Blackburn almost pulled a goal back a minute later but Gomes clawed McCarthy's effort around the post.

Link: http://www.premierleague.com

Portsmouth 2 - 0 Liverpool (19-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:39:14 PST

Portsmouth 2 - 0 Liverpool

Ten-man Liverpool's season of woe continued as they were beaten by bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth.

Nadir Belhadj screamed in a shot from an acute angle to put Pompey ahead after poor defending from the Reds.

The visitors had Javier Mascherano red carded for a nasty tackle on Tal Ben-Haim before an unmarked Daniel Agger headed high for Liverpool.

Tireless striker Frederic Piquionne's volley from a tight angle sealed the home side's victory.

Pompey manager Avram Grant had engineered a Champions League semi-final win over Liverpool in April 2008 during his time as Chelsea boss.

He was at it again for a Portsmouth side battling for survival as his team earned a victory over a beleaguered Liverpool outfit that did little to back up manager Rafael Benitez's guarantee that his side will finish in the top four this season.

Grant sent his team out with the task of frustrating and pressuring Liverpool and his Pompey players, as has been the case recently, were not lacking in effort and application right from the start.

The visitors had plenty of possession but struggled to find a way through a disciplined 4-5-1 formation.

Reds forward Dirk Kuyt did get an early sight of goal after Steven Gerrard had nodded on a Fernando Torres cross only for his first touch to escape him along with the chance to get in a close-range strike.

Torres sent a shot over as he tried to bend one into the top corner and, although the home side were passionately and purposefully keeping Liverpool at bay, they were lacking a threat in attack.

That all changed as a combination of a well-worked move, unconvincing defending from the Reds and a stunning Belhadj strike.

Liverpool's defence failed to deal with a low Hassan Yebda cross and Kevin Prince-Boateng powered in a shot which keeper Pepe Reina did well to block.

Glen Johnson could only find Belhadj with his tame headed clearance and Reina could do little to stop a thunderous strike from the Algerian which was with his weaker right foot and from the most narrow of angles.

The visitors should have equalised when Agger had a free header from a Gerrard free-kick only to put his effort high from six yards.

As if Liverpool did not have enough problems, the scale of their task increased when Mascherano was sent off.

The Argentine went in hard and with his studs showing on Ben-Haim and, despite needing treatment as he himself came off worst, Mascherano was dismissed by referee Lee Mason.

Benitez has regularly left onlookers puzzled with his team selection and with the creative spark of £20m summer signing Alberto Aquilani out with injury he again surprised many by giving Andreas Dossena a rare start on the left flank in place of Yossi Benayoun.

Benayoun eventually replaced the Italian, but Pompey looked the more likely to score, with Jamie Carragher - making his 600th Liverpool appearance - having to produce a lunging tackle to block a Piquionne strike.

When Liverpool belatedly threatened, Pompey keeper Aasmir Begovic pulled off a great save to claw away a Gerrard shot which took two deflections.

Piquionne should have sealed the win, but horribly mistimed a header from Boateng's cross, though he soon made up for the error by driving in a late volley after a neat turn.

Link:news.bbc.co.uk

Fulham 3 - Manchester United 0

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:46:18 PST

Fulham 3 - Manchester United 0

Murphy (22), Zamora (46), Duff (75)

There was little festive cheer for United fans at Fulham on Saturday afternoon as goals from Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff consigned the Reds to a fifth league defeat of the season.

Sir Alex’s men were under-strength yet again due to the club's ever-mounting injury crisis, but did themselves few favours on a ground that, before 2009, the Reds hadn’t lost at for 45 years.

Too often United were sloppy in possession and the makeshift backline struggled to find an answer to Bobby Zamora’s physical presence. Last weekend United lost to Aston Villa despite dominating much of the game. At Craven Cottage on Saturday, however, the opposition were good value for the three points.

The home side worked hard in midfield and restricted the Reds to optimistic pot-shots from long range. Meanwhile, Zamora and Zoltan Gera caused havoc against a makeshift Reds defence that included young Beligan Ritchie De Laet, making just his third league start at senior level.

Of course, this wasn't the first time Sir Alex has been forced to field a weakened side in recent weeks. For the most part, however, United have largely coped well with depleted resources. But at Fulham there was a feeling that this was one step too far, one game too many for players who have now been playing out of position for almost a month.

With seven defenders unavailable through injury, Michael Carrick was again utilised at the heart of the defence, alongside fellow midfielder Darren Fletcher and the young De Laet. And while Sir Alex’s men enjoyed plenty of the ball in the early

Link: http://www.manutd.com

Liverpool 2-1 Wigan Athletic (17-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:37:29 PST

Liverpool 2-1 Wigan Athletic

Liverpool picked up a vital three points with a win over Wigan Athletic at Anfield.

Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Wigan in the week of the 50th anniversary of Bill Shankly's first match at the club was a welcome relief for current manager Rafael Benitez.

Young French striker David N'Gog's 10th-minute glancing header from Fabio Aurelio's cross and Fernando Torres' second-half scrambled effort proved enough to see off a Latics side for whom Charles N'Zogbia scored an injury-time consolation.

Video

For an in-depth match report click here.

Chelsea 2 - 1 Portsmouth (17-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:23:15 PST

Chelsea 2 - 1 Portsmouth

Chelsea beat bottom club Portsmouth to stretch their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Nicolas Anelka fired the home side in front after 23 minutes but Frederic Piquionne shocked the leaders by thumping an equaliser six minutes after the break.

However Frank Lampard sealed a hard-fought victory with a penalty 11 minutes from time to move the Blues three points clear at the top of the table.

Video

For an in-depth match report click here.

Burnley 1 - 1 Arsenal (17-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:16:47 PST

Burnley 1 - 1 Arsenal

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw against a battling Burnley side at Turf Moor.

Graham Alexander levelled from the penalty spot as Burnley frustrated Arsenal in a compelling Barclays Premier League encounter.

Cesc Fabregas struck early as Arsenal started superbly at Turf Moor but Thomas Vermaelen's foul on the outstanding Andre Bikey allowed Alexander to equalise.

Both sides hit the woodwork - Burnley twice and Arsenal once - and enjoyed a glut of other chances but neither could find a winner.

Video

For an in-depth match report click here.

Tottenham 3 vs Manchester city 0 (17-12-09)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:08:40 PST

Tottenham 3 vs Manchester city 0

Manchester City suffered only their second Barclays Premier League defeat of the season.

Niko Kranjcar put Tottenham Hotspur in front with an opportunist close-range strike after 38 minutes. England winger Aaron Lennon set up the chance with his cross to the far post, with Kranjcar finishing after Peter Crouch had his header blocked.

Jermain Defoe thumped the second on 54 minutes, latching onto a flick on from Peter Crouch to volley home on the run.

Kranjcar rounded off a good night for the home side with a third two minutes into stoppage-time. He cut in sharply from the right following a short corner to prod home his second.

It was a wretched evening for Manchester City who are likely to be without England defender Joleon Lescott until the New Year after he underwent surgery on his knee.

The 27-year-old was understood to have gone under the knife to remove floating bone in the joint. He is expected to miss the next four or five weeks.

For an in-depth match report click here.

Malaysia 3 - Laos 1, SEA Games 2009 Laos

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:35:44 PST

Malaysia 3 - Laos 1

SEA Games 2009 Laos

Football Discipline.

Malaysia rallied to beat hosts Laos 3-1 in the second semi-final of the men's football event to book their place in the final against Vietnam which will be played at the same venue of the Main Stadium on Dec 17. The final appearance is the first for the Malaysians in eight years since 2001 when they lost to Thailand in Kuala Lumpur. And this evening with the expectant fans heavily backing the home team to make their debut in the final of the SEA Games, it was to be the Malaysians who pinned their opponents in their own half at the start of the game.

In the second minute, Abdul Manaf Mamat tested Laos keeper Souvanpheng Panthavong with a rifling shot from 20metre out while several minutes later, striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha's attempt with placing shot was parried. Laos put pressure in the midfield through the hard work of Lamnao Singto and Kampheng Sayyavuthi but they just could not get past the Malaysian backline marshalled by Zafuan Adha Abdul Razak.

In the 13th minute, a blanket of silence fell on the Laos fans when off a cross from Manaf Mamat on the right, Badrol Bakhtiar rose high for an overhead kick which went straight into goal. As the small Malaysian supporters began chanting, Laos came close with a free kick from Kaysone Soukhavong but his attempt was well received by Malaysian custodian Sharbinee Allawee.

Malaysia were a little slower going into the second half and as they laid back to protect their lead, a seemingly innocuous dipping shot from distance in the 72nd minute beat Sharbinee for the first time in the game - much to the jubilation of the home fans.

But in their eagerness to look for their second goal and the lead, Laos left gaps at the back and this allowed Malaysia to capitalise on in the 78th minute when Badrol picked a pass from S. Kunalan to blast home.

And sixth minutes later, Safiq Rahim made it beyond Laos' reach with the third goal from inside the penalty box to put Malaysia through. Malaysia's appearance in the final will allow them the chance for a re-match against Vietnam, whom they lost to in the group stage with a 3-1 score line.

Malaysia 2 - Thailand 1

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:28:06 PST

Finally, Malaysia go through Semi Final Football Sea Games after beating Thailand 2 - 1.

December 11, 2009.

VIENTIANE: Malaysia has qualified for the SEA Games football semi-finals after beating Thailand 2-1. Thailand scored first through Arthit Sunthornphit, seven minutes after half-time direct from a free-kick. Nine minutes from full-time, Nasriq Baharom scored at the far post after a fine cross from the left by Azmi Muslim to level the scores and give Malaysia hope. On 90 minutes Ahmad Fakri Saarani won the match for Malaysia, firing home a cross from the right by Norshahrul Idlan Talaha to make it 2-1 and spark wild scenes of celebration.

MALAYSIA: Mohd Sharbinee Allawee Ramli, Mohd Sabre Mat Abu (Mohamad Azmi Muslim), Mohd Nasriq Baharom, Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak, Norshahrul Idlan Talahan, Baddrol Bakhtial (Mohd Asraruddin Omar), Ahmad Fakri Saarani, Safiq Rahim, K.Gurusamy (Amar Rohidan), S.Kunanlan, Mohamad Muslim Mohamad.

THAILAND: Kawin Thamsatchanan, Ponlawat Wangkahad, Kiatprawutsawae, Suttinun Phukhom, Arthit Sunthorpit (Sumanya Purisay), Kirati Keawsombut, Piyachart Thamaphan, Khapfa Boonmatoon, Sompong Soleb, Anawin Jujeen (Apipoo Suntornpanavej), Adul Lahsoh.

Malaysia 4 - Cambodia 0 (Just 1 more win)

noreply@blogger.com (Info - Info) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:04:56 PST

Malaysia 4 - Cambodia 0

Update Football Sea Game

Just 1 more win then Malaysia will go through Semi Final Football Sea Games 2009 in Laos. Malaysia need to beat Thailand this Friday if they want to secure place at Semi Final. Yesterday match versus Cambodia ended with Malaysia Win 4 - 0 against Cambodia. The scorer for Malaysia were Abdul Manaf Mamat, Norshahrul Idlan Talah, S. Kunanlan and Safiq Rahim. Although Thailand is the strongest team in Sea Games, Malaysia should take positive minded if they want to beat Thailand. Malaysia now at third place with 6 point after beating Timor Leste 11 - 0 and Cambodia 4 - 0 and was beaten by Vietnam 1 - 3 at second game. While Thailand and Vietnam hold 1st n 2nd place with 7 point.