Birmingham City 1-0 West Ham
Shortly into the second half Lee Bowyer put Birmingham in the lead, which the Blues held onto until the final whistle.
Tottenham 0-1 Wolves
In the surprise result of the day the Wolves stunned Tottenham to pull themselves out of the relegation zone. The Wolves struck early and for parts of the match looked content to go into their shell and let the defense hold the result. The third minute header from Kevin Doyle denied Hotspur the chance to move to third in the table above their locals rivals, Arsenal.
Sunderland 1-1 Portsmouth
Sunderland looked to have three points wrapped up with Darren Bent’s finish from six yards on 23 minutes, but Portsmouth stole a point when Kaboul put in the equalizer on 90 minutes after Fulop parried a shot by Piquionne.
Hull City 0-0 Blackburn
A hard fought battle ended with both sides receiving a point, but no goals. The controversy of the game came after Jozy Altidore came on and looked to be clipped in the box by Samba. The penalty appeal was waived off and Altidore was booked for diving.
Chelsea 3-3 Everton
Chelsea was held at home as they could not handle set pieces. Drogba netted two and Anelka added another for the home side, while a Petr Cech own goal, Yakubu, and Saha saw it level.
Burlney 1-1 Fulham
An entertaining game that ended in a draw was highlighted by acrobatic and close chances for both sides. Clint Dempsey was close on multiple chances but was left wanting each time. Dempsey had a shot go inches over, a header cleared off the line by Clarke Carlisle, as well as an acrobatic strike blocked by Carlisle again. David Nugent had a chance to go ahead for Burnley, but his shot went straight at Schwarzer.
Bolton 3-3 Man City
Bolton started off well controlling the first 15 minutes which resulted in Klasnic putting the Wanderers ahead on a touch that looked to be an offsides play. Bolton took the lead three times in the game that saw City level each time. Tevez provided two while Micah Richards added one for City. Klasnic had two and Cahill added another for Bolton.
Stoke 2-2 Wigan
Wigan went ahead twice only to see Stoke level it both times. Tuncay and Shawcross converted for Stoke, while Boyce and Figueroa scored for Wigan. The game was in question when a spot kick was awarded to Stoke in the 90th minute, but Thomas Sorensen secured a point with a save.
Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa
United’s defensive injuries have been much publicized, but it was their inability to finish that lead to Villa’s first win at Old Trafford since 1983. It was also United’s 2nd loss in at home in 32 league games. Gabriel Agbonlahor put home a header on a beautiful Ashley Young cross on 21 minutes. That was all Villa would need to get the result they wanted. United had several opportunities that didn’t convert, including a Rooney shot that hit the crossbar. United put pressure on the Villa defense for the last 10 minutes, but the back line stayed strong to deny an equalizer.
Filed under: EPL, EPL Predictions, English Premier League, Manchester United | Tags: EPL Predictions, Soccer
Weekly Predictions by Idiots.
Week 5 is it? Seems like a pretty straightforward one to me. Here we go.
Aaron
Burnley v Sunderland (1 – 2) Bent may be out but I’m sure that someone else will stand up and shine for ol’ Sunderland this week. Lorik Cana maybe?
Arsenal v Wigan (3-0) Arsenal come back to their old ways. After the scare this week they’ll be looking to net some goals. I’ll bet we see Eduardo crack one in. Maybe we even get to see Walcott out there too.
Aston Villa v Portsmouth (1-0) What is up with Villa this year? Not very good. They still won’t lose to a poor Pompey side.
Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City (1-1) This one is a little tougher than the others because both are marginal teams. James Beattie is out so maybe Tuncay gets on and puts one through.
Hull City v Birmingham (2-1) Hull will ride the back of Stephen Hunt to victory. He’ll either net or orchestrate like he’s done thus far.
West Ham v Liverpool (1-3) Liverpool will show their dominance as they look like they’re regaining some form.
ManYoo v Man City (2-1) What’s that you’re missing? Adebayor, aye? Personally, I hope the Red Devils crush their rivals though I’m guessing they may just get by. Oops, are those my balls showing? Why yes they are and by the look of them you can tell I really don’t like Man City. Understatement of the year. Deal with it.
Wolves v Fulham (1-2) I really wish the Wolves had Ebanks-Blake. In tandem with Doyle, they could make for an entertaining attack force on any day. Who knows. Let’s see here. I like Dempsey to net one here. He’s barely existed this season so maybe this changes.
Everton v Blackburn Rovers (1-1) I’m sure Everton are ready to quit losing. So instead they draw. Baby steps fellas.
Chelsea v Tottenham (2-1) Said it last weekend and I’ll say it again. Tottenham will miss Modric. He may not score much but he makes a huge difference on the field with ball management skills. Ball management skills. I’ll probably never write those three words together again.
Ito
Burnley v Sunderland (1 – 2) Burnley will be reeling after their crushing defeat at the hands of Liverpool, but won’t be able to bounce back.
Arsenal v Wigan (3-1) Arsenal has looked good despite some disappointing results. The Gunners will be back on track after an easy game at the Emirates. Wigan get a parting gift in a late pity goal.
Aston Villa v Portsmouth (2-0) A woeful Pompey team are on the road. While Villa has looked less than spectacular, the road is a lonely place. I’m still waiting for Ashley Young to make an impact like he did last year.
Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City (1-2) My prediction is that unless you support one of these clubs you won’t care about this game.
Hull City v Birmingham (1-0) Both teams could use the points and will not look for just 1. This should be a close game with Hull coming out on top.
West Ham v Liverpool (1-2) Liverpool will continue to build their confidence.
United v City (2-1) City: Adebayor, out. Robinho, out. Roque Santa Cruz, out. Tevez, questionable. For the first time in 40 years this derby may be relevant to both sides. This is the match of the week. City have grabbed the maximum points in their four games this season. Both managers have lobbed insults the other way and it will continue after this game is over, no matter the outcome. Tevez will be booed. This is the game of money versus class.
Wolves v Fulham (1-2) Wolves may get Kightly and Ebanks-Blake back this week which would give them a nice boost to the squad, as both have played well before injuries. Even if both are back in action I still think Fulham gets the nod here.
Everton v Blackburn (2-1) Midweek signing Lucas Neil looks to make his debut for the Toffees while captain Phil Neville is out. Everton get by at home.
Chelsea v Tottenham (2-1) Chelsea has started well and have looked good throughout. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of the Blue Bullet Express. Tottenham will look to rebound from their collapse to United but in the end they are left with more questions than answers.
Filed under: Big Four, EPL, English Premier League, Everton, Lescott, Moyes, Rooney, Soccer | Tags: Big Four, Everton, Joleon Lescott, Moyes
The problem is they lack the ability to evolve with where the game is going. There are three things they have to do that they simply haven’t.
Get better results from their roster on and off the bench. The same players, the same ability, the same results. No one is performing for Everton. There’s no standout and there’s no one to worry about. Manyoo have Rooney and several others. Liverpool have Gerrard and Torres. Tottenham have Defoe. Even Aston Villa have Ashley Young. Who does Everton have now that Joleon “Commander Worf” Lescott is gone? And was anyone really even scared of him in the first place?
- Same faces except for Captain Forehead
Bring in impact players. Moyes complained about this during the transfer time, but you’d figure a team that made it near the top of the table would’ve made a move for somebody. I mean shit. Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, Chamakh. They may not be big names but they can make an impact and they’re not expensive. Even Hull picked up Altidore. Damn, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was available. I know it’s not an easy market but you at least have to be on the short list. Instead you pick up some unknown from a 3rd division farm team in a America. No wonder real players don’t take you seriously Moyes.
Build young talent. Who’s coming up through the ranks at Everton? Yea. That’s what I thought.
The game is evolving faster than ever and it’s very apparent the teams that will at least make a run for the top. This ain’t the age of the Big Four any longer and there are teams that look threatening. And considering the look of things, Everton aren’t one of them. I like Moyes. I like Everton. But something drastic is going to have to change or they’ll be left fighting for the bottom of the table instead of fighting to break into the top.
Filed under: Arsenal, EPL, Soccer, Tottenham | Tags: Arsenal, EPL, Soccer, Tottenham
If you’re a Gunners or Tottenham you fan you may hate one another most of the time, but on this weekend you have something in common: though you’ve lost the day, the season still looks bright.
For the Gunners.
It was a tough loss. Real tough. But one thing we’ve learned today is Rosicky is back and looking in good form. If you could pair Rosicky and Arshavin on the wings you have a potent one two. It’s safe to say, that if you can keep the right players healthy at the right time, Arsenal’s season looks bright even with today’s overcast.
And for the Hotspur.
Defoe continued his streak of good form and Crouch looked strong. All you need is someone who can support Modric when he’s healthy in the middle. Palacios isn’t it.
So cheer up buttercups. We’re only a few games in. The season has just begun.
Filed under: EPL, EPL Predictions, Soccer | Tags: EPL, EPL Predictions, Soccer
Well, hello. If you’ve found this page, thank you for sticking around. No, no wait, don’t leave yet. We’re working out the kinks and one day this site is going to be all spiffy and tricked out. Until then, stick with us and maybe we’ll have something way interesting to say from an American EPL fan point of view. Or maybe we’re blowing smoke and our POV only seems interesting because we’re drunk most of the time.
Anyhoo. Here are our predictions. Trust us, we’re very smart.
Aaron
Rovers v Wolves (1-1) Tough game, but probably boring to watch.
Liverpool v Burnley (3-0) Sorry Burnley, your glory days are over.
ManC v Arsenal (1-2) Adebayor scores but Arsenal and the currently reviled for no reason, Eduardo, go through.
Pompey v Bolton (1-2) New faces in Pompey can’t help a struggling Portsmouth away.
Stoke v Chelsea (0-3) Rough game but Chelsea wins easily. Perfect season bound?
Sunderland v Hull (1-0) Fulop and Gordon may be missing but Carson’s debut will be a success.
Wigan v West Ham (1-2) This is a tough one. Carlton Cole scores.
Tottenham v ManU (2-3) If the Hotspurs had Modric they could’ve done it. Rio is back probably.
Birmingham v Villa (0-2) Carew, Carew. He’s bigger than me and you. Warnock proves a perfect Villain.
Fulham v Everton (0-1) Everton will regain form.
Ito
Rovers v Wolves (1-0) Doesn’t sound exciting to me.
Liverpool v Burnley (2-0) Burnley’s tough schedule continues. Although they have stolen points from Everton and ManU, Pool know they need to turn the season around and get back to their winning ways. Look for a constant barrage from the Reds; goals from Torres and Gerrard.
ManC v Arsenal (1-2) This may be the fixture of the weekend. Arsenal lose Arshavin (knee), but gain Fabregas and Rosicky. While City will be without Tevez, Santa Cruz, and possibly Robinho. No wonder City bought a whole side of strikers. Don’t let the injuries fool you, this will still be a great match. Adebayor and Toure will look to validate themselves against their old squad.
Pompey v Bolton (0-0) Yawn-fest.
Stoke v Chelsea (1-3) No question about this one. Chelsea looks good, really good, and Stoke won’t have an answer. Stoke gets a late consolation gift for their efforts.
Sunderland v Hull (3-2) Turner takes on his former team, Bent and Jones are in form. Add in the fact that Turner was Hull’s defense and Sunderland takes the cake.
Wigan v West Ham (1-1) A draw, but could very easily go either way.
Tottenham v ManU (2-2) This is the second most interesting game of the week. Defoe and Lennon have been on fire. Both sides have a leaky defense and this could get out of hand. Look for United to score off a long ball counter attack over the top to Rooney running on.
Birmingham v Villa (1-1) I’ve got nothing here.
Fulham v Everton (1-2) Fulham may be without Dempsey due to midweek international duty, but don’t worry about the Toffees’ Howard who will start.
Filed under: Arsenal, EPL, Fixture Previews, Man City, Soccer | Tags: Arsenal, EPL, Fixture Previews, Manchester City, Soccer
Interlull over. It’s on to the real games.
One of those games could prove or disprove two colliding theories in the game as a whole: breed a team that grows up together or throw money at a motley crew of supposed galacticos? Arsenal and Man City.
This game is the biggest of the first half of the season for both clubs. And though it won’t truly quiet Arsene Wenger’s critics or Hughes and his band of money whores, it will set a tone for the rest of the season. The pressure is more on Arsenal than ever.. It’s a game where the very structure the club is built on under Wenger can crumble, a test of true good versus evil. Young bright talent bred to play together as the game intended. Or money hungry hippos.
It’s time for Arsenal to put their motto,Victoria Concordia Crescit (Victory Comes From Harmony), and test their mettle. Prepare for a rough affair and maybe even a rougher one without Arshavin. The tricky Russian yanked his groin so he’s probably out.
Even still, I look for Arsenal to pull this one out and chalk a win in the books. Begrudgingly, I predict Adebayor puts one past Almunia. But I also predict he later takes a Danish fist in the cakehole from Bendtner. Fingers crossed.
2 – 1 Arsenal
Filed under: Berbatov, EPL, EPL Live Updates, English Premier League, Manchester United, Nani, Owen, Rooney, Wigan | Tags: Berbatov, English Premier League, EPL, Football, Man Utd, Manchester United, ManU, Nani, Owen, Rooney, Soccer, Wigan
EPL on ESPN2. Thank you, ESPN. THANK YOU!
And we are underway at DW Stadium!
Manchester United look to bounce back after their upset loss to Burnley earlier this week.
Rooney is sitting on 99 goals for the Reds, can he make it 100?
Valencia returns to his old team.
4′ – Things are looking sloppy on both sides as the home crowd sings their hearts out.
5′ – Great through ball from Berbatov into the box. Nani with the touch inside to Fletcher with a shot on goal. He should have done better.
8′ – Beutiful back hell from Berbatov to leave it wide open for Scholes, but he sends it over!
9′ – United are looking dangerous. It only seems like a matter of time before they put something together. Wigan has not been a threat and look like they are resolved to play defense all day.
10′ – Wigan with the free kick, N’Zogbia sends it in, but it is easily cleared by Neville.
17′ – Rooney with a shot from 22 yards out. It is deflected for a corner.
18′ – Rooney with a close range shot that is easily saved. He had no angle to work with there.
19′ – Scholes gets a yellow for a poor tackle on Gomez.
20′ – Rooney gets played through and is wide open. But the flag goes up. Replay shows he left just a little early on his run.
22′ – Wigan is getting more active in their offensive third of the field. No dangerous chances yet.
25′ – Wigan with a chance, but nothing comes of it and their penalty appeals go unheard.
26′ – Koumas with a curling shot that tests Foster! Out for a corner.
30′ – United must realize their midfield is weak, as they are playing a lot of balls from the back over the top for Berbatov and Rooney to run on to.
32′ – Rooney gets a ball over the top and has a rip. Nice saveby Kirkland, and we stay all level.
38′ – United’s passing is not looking as crisp as it was earlier.
39′ – Scholes to Fletcher, who has a rip. Deflected for a corner. Corner is safely cleared away.
40′ – United’s offensive struggles continue. They have just one goal on the season playing two newly promoted teams.
42′ – Free kick for Wigan in the middle of the pitch, about 30 yards out. Thomas smashes is into the wall.
43′ – Berbatov is in! But Bramble sits on the ball – literally! And the attack is smothered.
45′ – One minute of extra time. Looks like we will be nill-nill at the half. And there is the whistle.
——————————————————————————————————–
49′ – Evra gets booked for a tackle on N’Zogbia
51′ – Rooney goes down in the box, but nothing comes of it.
55′ – N’Zogbia lets one fly. Deflected by Evra.
55′ – Rooney out to Valencia. Valencia crosses back to Rooney. Rooney with the glancing header. GOAL!!! Beautiful goal. You hear the weight being lifted off United’s shoulders.
57′ – Wigan immediately gets back Rodallega with a header that Foster barely saves off the line!
58′ – Berbatov dinks one over Kirkland, gets it back and puts it in the back of the net! Great play by Berbs.
59′ – WOW! What an action packed few minutes. We’ve gone from nill-nill to 2-0 in three minutes time.
61′ – Both teams are threatening again. The United fans continue the songs.
63′ – Wigan substitution. Sinclair on for Koumas.
65′ – Rooney dances with the ball in the box and takes a hopeless shot. But it goes off a Wigan player and into the net! Kirkland didn’t have much of a chance.
70′ – Vidic shuts down Diaby in the box to stop the Wigan attack.
71′ – Both sides have subs waiting in the wings.
72′ – Owen on for Rooney. Gibson on for Scholes. O’Shea on for Evans.
73′ – Wigan subs: N’Zogbia off, Scotland on. McCarthy off, Diame on (making his Premier League debut at 18 years of age.)
75′ – Gibson with a long range strike. Kirkland makes the routine save.
76′ – Rodallega gets a card for a careless slide into Foster. It didn’t look harmful.
77′ – Rodallega with a shot from the 18. Foster doesn’t have to move for that save.
79′ – Rodallega on the ground with an apparent blow to the face. He gets up and makes a bee line towards Vidic, shouting. The referee has to hold Rodallega back. The replay shows Vidic flicked him in mouth.
85′ – Owen opens his account in the regular season! Nani plays a great through ball with Owen putting a nice chip to the far post into the net. 4-0, United.
87′ – Wigan with a great opportunity, but Foster cuts the angle off and makes the save.
90′ – Figueroa is frustrated and puts an elbow into Valencia’s back. Dangerous free kick coming up. Nani to take.
90+’ – Nani is off target. Two minutes of extra time as the Wigan faithful head for the exits.
90+’ – Scharner carded for a two handed tackle on Berbatov. Nani to get a second chance on a dangerous free kick.
90+’ – Nani redeems himself! He puts a beautiful, curling free kick into the back of the net! It looks like United have found the answer to Ronaldo’s free kick taking.
90+’ – Final whistle. United bounce back from a disaster result at Burnley and smash Wigan on the road, 5-0.
