Manchester City faced league leaders Arsenal at the Etihad in the early kick-off on Saturday hoping to prove to their critics that they were still in the title race. Meanwhile Arsenal were attempting to open up a five point lead at the top of the table.
The home side got off to a good start with Aguero putting them ahead after only a quarter of an hour. Arsenal responded quickly; Theo Walcott scored his first goal of the season to level the game at 1-1. The parity didn't last long however, Negredo getting on the score sheet for the seventh time in the league this year.
Laurent Koscielny had to be replaced by Thomas Vermaelen due to injury but Arsenal managed to see out the remainder of the first half without conceding another goal, going in at half time 2-1 behind.
City suffered a set back early in the second period when Sergio Aguero was forced to leave the game with injury. Jesus Navas came on to replace him and Man City got an almost immediate goal, Fernandinho scoring to put the Citizens 3-1 up.
Theo Walcott scored his and Arsenal's second to bring them back into contention but Manuel Pellegrini will have demanded a quick response and it's exactly what he got; David Silva restored their two goal cushion and looked to have finished off the game.
And they did finish off the game with two minutes of normal time left. Fernandinho scored his second goal of the game to put Man City 5-2 up and move them to two points behind the gunners, but the scoring still wasn't over.
Metesacker scored in the third minute of added time before Yaya Toure scored a penalty in the ninety-fifth minute to wrap up a 6-3 victory for Man City, closing the gap at the top of the league.
Monday 16 December 2013
Sunday 8 December 2013
Premier League Week 15 Review
It's been an interesting weekend in the Premier League. Today I'm going to take a look back at some of the headlines from the nine completed games.
Chelsea travelled to the Britannia to face Stoke City expecting a fairly easy three points, but they were in for a surprise. Schurrle got the visitors in their way but Stoke fought back and drew level then took the lead thanks to goals from Crouch and Ireland respectively. Shurrle scored his and Chelsea's second to tie the game. However Assaidi completed a memorable day for himself and Stoke scoring his first Premier League goal in the ninetieth minute to beat title contenders Chelsea 3-2.
In the early kick-off on Saturday, Manchester United hosted Newcastle, the home side hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Everton last time out. Newcastle upset the current Champions, winning 1-0, with a goal from their in form French midfielder Yohan Cabaye. The win leaves the Magpies above Manchester United with the Red Devils languishing in ninth.
Another title contender, Manchester City, dropped points in a horrible weekend for the sides at the top. A stunning goal from Osvaldo cancelled out Aguero's opener leaving City disappointed not to capitalise on their title opposition's misfortune.
Liverpool were the only side in the top four to win, moving back up to second with a 4-1 win over West Ham. They closed Arsenal's lead to five points after the Gunners drew 1-1 with Everton.
We've reached the Christmas period now so the games are coming thick and fast, I know I can't wait!
Chelsea travelled to the Britannia to face Stoke City expecting a fairly easy three points, but they were in for a surprise. Schurrle got the visitors in their way but Stoke fought back and drew level then took the lead thanks to goals from Crouch and Ireland respectively. Shurrle scored his and Chelsea's second to tie the game. However Assaidi completed a memorable day for himself and Stoke scoring his first Premier League goal in the ninetieth minute to beat title contenders Chelsea 3-2.
In the early kick-off on Saturday, Manchester United hosted Newcastle, the home side hoping to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Everton last time out. Newcastle upset the current Champions, winning 1-0, with a goal from their in form French midfielder Yohan Cabaye. The win leaves the Magpies above Manchester United with the Red Devils languishing in ninth.
Another title contender, Manchester City, dropped points in a horrible weekend for the sides at the top. A stunning goal from Osvaldo cancelled out Aguero's opener leaving City disappointed not to capitalise on their title opposition's misfortune.
Liverpool were the only side in the top four to win, moving back up to second with a 4-1 win over West Ham. They closed Arsenal's lead to five points after the Gunners drew 1-1 with Everton.
We've reached the Christmas period now so the games are coming thick and fast, I know I can't wait!
Monday 2 December 2013
Hull City Stun Liverpool
It's now December and Christmas is fast approaching. Hull City fans are getting into the festive mood earlier than some after a fantastic 3-1 win over Premier League big guns Liverpool, for the first time in a competitive match.
The home side started strong putting a lot of pressure on Liverpool, bossing the midfield and forcing some mistakes from the Red's defence. Their bright start paid off when, after 20 minutes, Tottenham loanee Jake Livermore's shot took a deflection off Martin Skrtel and ended up looping past Mignolet and into the Liverpool goal, sending the Black and Amber army of Hull fans into raptures.
After the early setback Liverpool picked up the pace a bit. Whilst still not reaching anywhere near their best, they managed to score an equaliser. Steven Gerrard curling a beautiful free kick into the bottom corner. Alan McGregor, the Hull City goalkeeper, didn't stand a chance.
That's the way it stayed until half time: Hull City still putting a lot of pressure on the visitors and Liverpool struggling to create any chances. Hull City had the best chances in the first half but couldn't make any more of them count.
At the start of the second period, Liverpool brought on Coutinho to replace the disappointing Sterling, hoping to get a foothold in the game and take the three points. The Tigers defended resolutely and limited Liverpool to very few chances. Suarez barely had a shot all game.
The home side's best chances were coming on the break and they took the lead again when David Meyler powered a low shot into the bottom corner of the net with only twenty minutes left to play. His first goal of the season. The away team tried desperately to draw themselves back level but Hull City scrapped to stay in front.
Then Hull City scored again. On another break away Tom Huddlestone poked the ball towards goal however it was spinning wide until Skrtel headed it past the stranded Mignolet and into the back of the net. The goal sealed the victory for Hull City who had been the better side all match and deserved to win, if only for their grit and determination.
The result moves Hull back up into the top half, seven points above the relegation zone but leaves Liverpool seven points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.
The home side started strong putting a lot of pressure on Liverpool, bossing the midfield and forcing some mistakes from the Red's defence. Their bright start paid off when, after 20 minutes, Tottenham loanee Jake Livermore's shot took a deflection off Martin Skrtel and ended up looping past Mignolet and into the Liverpool goal, sending the Black and Amber army of Hull fans into raptures.
After the early setback Liverpool picked up the pace a bit. Whilst still not reaching anywhere near their best, they managed to score an equaliser. Steven Gerrard curling a beautiful free kick into the bottom corner. Alan McGregor, the Hull City goalkeeper, didn't stand a chance.
That's the way it stayed until half time: Hull City still putting a lot of pressure on the visitors and Liverpool struggling to create any chances. Hull City had the best chances in the first half but couldn't make any more of them count.
At the start of the second period, Liverpool brought on Coutinho to replace the disappointing Sterling, hoping to get a foothold in the game and take the three points. The Tigers defended resolutely and limited Liverpool to very few chances. Suarez barely had a shot all game.
The home side's best chances were coming on the break and they took the lead again when David Meyler powered a low shot into the bottom corner of the net with only twenty minutes left to play. His first goal of the season. The away team tried desperately to draw themselves back level but Hull City scrapped to stay in front.
Then Hull City scored again. On another break away Tom Huddlestone poked the ball towards goal however it was spinning wide until Skrtel headed it past the stranded Mignolet and into the back of the net. The goal sealed the victory for Hull City who had been the better side all match and deserved to win, if only for their grit and determination.
The result moves Hull back up into the top half, seven points above the relegation zone but leaves Liverpool seven points behind Arsenal at the top of the table.
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