Inter draw in Russia
September 30, 2009
Italian champions Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw in their second Champions League group stage match at Russian champions Rubin Kazan on Tuesday.
Argentine striker Alejandro Dominguez scored a superb opener for the hosts, who chalked up their first point in the Champions League, while Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic was on target for Inter.
“I wish we could get more points from two matches but everything goes as it goes,” Inter manager Jose Mourinho said after his side were left on two points from two draws in Group F which also includes Barcelona and Dynamo Kiev.
“Kazan’s good playing was not a surprise for me. They performed very spectacular football in front of their home crowd.
“Rubin could win but we also had chances to clinch three points. In general I’m satisfied with the result.”
The hosts, playing their first ever Champions League game on home turf, made a lively start and Inter, who had three wins and one defeat in six previous matches against Russian opposition, were initially content to sit back.
Their cautiousness backfired in the 11th minute, when the mercurial Domeadinguez received a pass from Alexander Bukharov before dribbling past two Inter defenders and firing a rising shot into the roof of the net past Julio Cesar.
Jose Mourinho’s side responded positively, creating several scoring opportunities, but Kazan’s Spanish defender Cesar Navas spurned a clear-cut chance to extend his side’s lead when he headed Dominguez’s cross wide from close range.
Inter levelled after 25 minutes, with the unmarked Stankovic heading home Maicon’s precise centre from the right flank.
Roared on by a capacity 25,000 crowd, Kazan took the game to their illustrious opponents in the second period and their hopes of victory were boosted when Inter striker Mario Balotelli was sent off for a second bookable offence just after the hour-mark.
The Italian champions found themselves pinned back in the game’s last 10 minutes and Kazan skipper Sergei Semak came inches away from securing all three points when his right-footed effort from the edge of the six-yard box struck Julio Cesar’s left-hand post and rebounded to safety.
“We played with courage and discipline but unfortunately missed our chances in the second half,” Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev said. “I’m happy with my players’ creative performance tonight but a little bit upset with the result.
“We need to keep on working hard to keep alive our chances for a place in the play-offs.”
Sevilla brush aside Gers
September 30, 2009
Sevilla dumped Rangers with a stunning second-half goal blitz as they made it two wins out of two in their Champions League campaign following a controversial 4-1 success at Ibrox.
The Spanish side ran out easy winners thanks to goals from Abdoulay Konko, Adriano, Luis Fabiano and Frederic Kanoute but that doesn’t tell the full story of a fiery encounter, which saw Nacho Novo score a late consolation for the home side.
Konko may have opened the scoring on 50 minutes to set them on their way but he was lucky to still be on the pitch after he somehow avoided giving away a penalty and receiving a red card after a blatant last-man trip on Steven Naismith in the box.
Referee Jonas Eriksson turned away the home side’s appeals, which seemed justified, and the visitors never looked back after surviving that first-half scare.
They are now in pole position to reach the last 16, with Rangers likely to be scrapping for second place with Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni.
Home boss Walter Smith sprang something of a surprise before kick-off with his starting line-up. The 4-5-1 formation, his preferred in European competition, was expected but the inclusion of Steven Naismith as the lone striker, at the expense of Kenny Miller, raised a few eyebrows amongst the home support.
Manola Jimenez’s side arrived in Glasgow in sparkling form having won four of their opening five matches in La Liga, including a thumping 4-0 away win at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.
The visitors showed their class on 14 minutes following a swift break orchestrated and nearly finished by Kanoute.
He released Jesus Navas down the right flank and his low cross was perfectly weighted into the path of the former Tottenham striker, who had continued his run into the box.
The Mali international barely broke stride but his right-foot strike from eight yards was superbly parried by Allan McGregor. The Scottish champions seemed happy to contain but Lee McCulloch fired a dipping volley inches over to lift the home support after a frustrating opening quarter.
Rangers were growing into the match and posed another question of the visitors defence on 28 minutes, but McCulloch dragged an effort wide after he had been neatly picked out by Kevin Thomson.
And the match erupted on 36 minutes when Eriksson denied the home side what appeared a clear penalty when Konko tripped Naismith in the area.
The sense of injustice was nearly made worse on 42 minutes when the Spaniards almost grabbed the lead.
Madjid Bougherra, the goalscoring hero in the opening-round 1-1 draw at Stuttgart, got caught in possession inside his area and Adriano’s shot was brilliantly saved by McGregor, before Navas fired the rebound over.
The Swedish official left the field to a chorus of deafening boos as the half ended with honours even.
And the mood inside the stadium worsened on 50 minutes when the visitors took the lead with a neatly-worked free-kick.
Lolo looked like he was shaping to shoot but instead passed to Navas and his right-wing cross was headed home from six yards by that man Konko. Papac almost offered an instant equaliser but he was inches away from turning home Whittaker’s cross.
Thomson then saw his 25-yard effort tipped over by Andres Palop as Rangers showed spirit after going behind.
But Sevilla killed the match on 64 minutes after Kanoute teed up Konko on the right wing. His cut-back found Adriano and he sent a curling right-foot strike beyond McGregor’s despairing dive from 16 yards.
Things went from bad to worse on 72 minutes when Fabiano headed home Kanoute’s cross to make it three. And things got even more embarrassing 90 seconds later when Fabiano turned provider to set up Kanoute, who coolly slotted home his cross from four yards.
Sub Novo pulled one back one back on 88 minutes with a brilliant 25-yard strike but it was too little too late for the Glasgow outfit.
Keane Hits Four as Spurs Romp Burnley
September 29, 2009
Robbie Keane sunk the Championship side with a quadruple after Spurs’ fantastic performance in mid-week. Harry had difficulties with his squad selection ahead of Saturday’s clash. After impressing the manager with scoring a hat-trick in midweek, Peter Crouch merely started on the bench. The same went for Huerelho Gomes, who played a fine game in goal midweek. Harry opted for the Keane-Defoe partnership up front and Carlo Cudicini in goal instead. New singing, Niko Kranjčar featured in the starting lineup for the first time since his arrival at the Lane and played the entire game.
It was a lovely day for football and a fantastic day for a Spurs win. Harry Redknapp’s men put together great passes and wonderful plays as they created chance after chance on goal. The first goal came as Bikey slipped up in the box and Jermaine Defoe went down, earning Spurs a penalty. The 17th minute marked the start of Keane’s goal tally of the day. Before half time, Jermain Jenas netted one as well, giving the home side a 2-0 lead.
In the 73rd minute, Keane netted two goals within three minutes, providing a nice 4-0 cushion. Harry was forced to sub off Jermaine Defoe because he was holding his hand as if he had sustained a few broken fingers. Peter Crouch then featured in the game. Michael Dawson and Gareth Bale saw their first action of the Premier League in the new season after returning from injuries. One last burst by Tottenham sealed the deal and Spurs were off with the three points.
Harry said after the match that, “Overall it was a good performance and I was well pleased. It’s been a great week for us.” Now, with five wins out of seven games and 15 points, Spurs sit in fourth. Harry also complemented Keane by saying, “He’s been a top player for us and still is,” and reported on Defoe, “He dislocated his fingers and they couldn’t get it back. He did it when he went through on goal and fell over. It was painful for him.”
Keane was ecstatic after the match as he had just scored his third hat-trick and first quadruple for the club. He expressed his happiness after the match by saying, “It’s the first time in my career I’ve scored four goals and it’s a great feeling. I’m delighted with that and hopefully there are a few more goals to come. All strikers are judged on scoring goals, I’m always pleased when I score goals and to score four was fantastic.”
Spurs next take on Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.
Jill Guthrie
Wigan Fire Premiership Title Race Wide Open
September 29, 2009
It has been another great weekend of football in the Premier League. No fewer than 37 goals were scored in the ten matches while previously unbeaten Chelsea lost their position on the top of the table after a surprise loss. This is the week that was.
Let’s start with Chelsea. They went into the match at Wigan with a 100% record. Wigan had never beaten a ‘Big Four’ side in 34 attempts. It had to be a Chelsea victory. Well no. The beauty of football means there is no such thing as a gimme.
The Latics worked hard and played well to overcome the Blues, but they were helped somewhat by Petr Cech. The Czech goalkeeper brought down Hugo Rodellega to concede a penalty and saw red for his efforts. The converted spot kick gave Wigan the lead and they didn’t look back against their ten-men opposition to triumph 3-1.
Defeat for Chelsea meant Manchester United had the opportunity to head the table for the first time this season. And they took that opportunity with both hands with a Ryan Giggs-inspired United team scoring two second half goals to defeat Stoke at the Brittania.
Liverpool hit Hull for six at Anfield as Fernando Torres showed signs of hitting top form again. The Spanish striker hit a superb hat-trick as he tore the Hull rearguard apart single-handedly.
But goal of the game has to go to Ryan Babel. The Dutch forward has been criticised by many parts of the Anfield crowd recently, but he showed his excellence in front of goal when he got in the way of Albert Riera’s stinging shot and deflected it over Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal for Liverpool’s sixth. I’m certain it was deliberate, even though he wasn’t even looking.
Spurs also went goal crazy at White Hart Lane, beating Burnley 5-0. Robbie Keane has returned home to Tottenham following a disappointing failed move to Liverpool. The man who couldn’t a cow’s backside with a banjo at Anfield, hit four against the Clarets in a terrific display by the Irishman.
Arsenal had Vito Mannone to thank for victory at Fulham. The rookie Italian goalkeeper made some outstanding saves at Craven Cottage to help the Gunners on their way to a 1-0 win. If only the Match of the Day commentator could pronounce his name properly (it annoyed me as an Italian speaker as he anglo-cised Mann-one when it should be Ma-nno-ne, small things…).
Manchester City are proving that their big-spending is for a reason as they make a real push for the top honours in the Premier League. In a convincing 3-1 home win over West Ham, Carlos Tevez bagged a brace as City produced some sublime football to keep themselves within touching distance of their city rivals at the top of the table.
There was a cracking game at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland finally rolled over Wolves 5-2. It was a seven-goal thriller in the true sense of the word, with good attacking football and, let’s say, entertaining defending (dreadful in other words). Darren Bent is staking his place for a England recall as he scored twice for the Wearsiders.
Ten-man Blackburn got the better of Aston Villa at Ewood Park. After Vince Grella got his marching orders for two yellow cards, Rovers grabbed a winner via the penalty spot. Alan Hansen didn’t think it was worthy of a penalty award but Richard Dunne jumped with his arm stretched up in the air as the ball struck it. Great goalkeeping you might say. Yes it would have been, if he was indeed a goalkeeper. Definite penalty and David Dunn converted to give Rovers the precious three points.
Bolton also got an important win, on the road at Birmingham. Chung-Yong Lee struck his first goal in English football to win the game at the death. He had earlier missed an absolute sitter and for a moment it looked like he would make a mess of his second effort but he scrambled it home to give the Trotters a 2-1 win.
And finally, poor old Portsmouth. Paul Hart’s team dominated for large parts at Fratton Park against a resurgent Everton side but their pressure didn’t pay off with goals and so they lost 1-0. They are stuck to the bottom of the league with no points from their opening seven matches, but more displays like this one and that first point must surely be just around the corner.
Paul Harper
Tevez helps sink West Ham
September 29, 2009
Carlos Tevez refused to celebrate as his double-strike inspired Manchester City’s 3-1 win over his former club West Ham on Monday.
While Tevez won’t win any popularity contests at Manchester United after his acrimonious switch to City, he is fondly regarded at West Ham after almost single-handedly keeping them in the Premier League during a loan spell three years ago.
The Argentina striker acknowledged that the Hammers still have a place in his heart as well as he waved an apology to West Ham’s travelling supporters after opening the scoring at Eastlands.
Carlton Cole equalised for Gianfranco Zola’s team but Martin Petrov restored City’s lead before half-time and Tevez settled an entertaining encounter with his second goal after half-time.
Again he hardly acknowledged the goal that left West Ham stuck in the bottom three and lifted Mark Hughes’s side, who have won five of their six league matches, into fifth place.
Hughes handed Petrov his first start of the season after Stephen Ireland was ruled out with an illness.
Just as significant from West Ham’s point of view was Matthew Upson’s absence with a calf injury.
With their England centre-back out of action, West Ham were unable to stem City’s early onslaught and the hosts took the lead after five minutes.
Petrov was played in down the left wing and his low cross found Tevez in acres of space four yards from goal. Tevez easily converted the chance to claim his first league goal for City but there was no celebration in front of the West Ham fans at that end of the stadium.
Unlike his team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor, who had raced the length of the pitch to taunt Arsenal’s fans when he scored against his old club earlier this month, Tevez held out his arms in apology to the Hammers supporters and they responded by clapping their former idol.
City were rampant and Wayne Bridge forced a smart stop from Robert Green before Tevez turned onto a wayward effort from Gareth Barry and sent his shot narrowly wide.
Tevez threatened again as he fizzed his strike just past a post. He then picked out Petrov with a superb pass but Green was equal to the winger’s shot.
Remarkably, just as a second City goal seemed inevitable, West Ham punished slack defending from the hosts to snatch an equaliser in the 24th minute.
Alessandro Diamanti’s free-kick was only cleared to Radoslav Kovac and his shot was deftly flicked in by England striker Cole with his back to goal.
Parity for Zola’s team was short-lived however as Petrov marked his return to action with a clever strike eight minutes later.
Luis Jimenez fouled Nigel de Jong and Petrov stepped up to drive a low free-kick around the West Ham wall and past Green.
The Hammers had an equaliser ruled out when Cole barged Joleon Lescott before setting up Scott Parker for a tap-in, but Green had to be alert to keep out Craig Bellamy and Petrov before half-time.
But Tevev put the result beyond doubt in the 61st minute. Bellamy, another former Hammer, curled over a free-kick and Kovac played Tevez onside, allowing the Argentina star to head past Green.
There was still time for Barry to bring a fine save from Green before Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz came on for his City debut after a lengthy spell on the treatment table following his move from Blackburn.
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