The weekend matches was amazing. By the time the Liverpool game ended, I hardly had any more finger nails left to chew though I thought Pepe Reina, Daniel Agger (who?) or (Bobby Zamora and Lee Bowyer), whichever side YOU support , could have messed up the script on the nite when over 45,000 at Anfield was celebrating their 100 years of the Kop's existence!
As usual there was plenty of energy and promise from the early stages of the game and if ever there was a repeat of that FA Cup final performance with this 2 fine sides, this was it! Liverpool for a start was attacking the wrong end in the first half after the toss of the coin piss-up and when Bobby Zamora got that 12 th min Ronaldinho or Konchesky like goal against the ooops, codn't catch a cold Pepe Reina, you would have feared the worse.
Things didn't get any better with Bellamy upfront pulling what's left of his hair apart after getting caught in a no-go zone once too many times. And then a blinder from rookie Agger the Dane, after stinging a 30 metre yarder into the Kop net when, if I was honest, was destined to end up in row Z!! The bean pole came up next and what a marvelous effort to get his side 2-1 up in 3 minutes and thus, ending a miserable week for Crouch after he and his other half got caught up in a lovers tiff!
The second half was a tad bit shaded and it was clear that the Liverpool engine room were running out of ideas. Even after the introduction of new aqquisition Kuyt, the Reds were holding on for dear life. And it should have been level for the Hammers when Bowyer messed up from just 3 yards when it really seemed easier to score!
Elsewhere, Manchester United made it 3 wins on the trot after a less then convincing performance at Vicarage Road . Clearly missing Scholes and Rooney upfront and with Michael Carrick making his debut, it was left to Silvestre and Giggs to do the damage. Mikael Silvestre had earlier finished off a brilliant move involving Giggs and Louis Saha to put United in front in the 13th minute, but Watford possessing an unquenchable competitive spirit, baffled the men in Red to equalise through Damien Francis midway through the first half. Saha should have wrapped up the game with the 3 rd goal with just 2 mins remaining but clearly leaving his shooting boots at home, it made United work harder to maintain possession and see the off the remaining minutes!
Shock of the week came from the blue half of Manchester when City hosted the Arsenal and took 3 precious points away courtesy from a Joey Barton penalty. It was a horrendous week for Pearcie and his boys after Ben Thatchers disgraceful conduct. But Arsene Wengers Gunners were just a pale shadow of themselves. New signing Tomas Rosicky not clearly doing the business up front, it was left to Theo Walcott to come in and inflict some damage but it wasn't to be.
At the lane, who would have thought when the Blue of Everton came visiting, they will travel back to the Northwest with 3 points in the bag even when playing with 10 men after Kevin Kilbane was rightly sent-off for picking up 2 yellow vouchers to have himself an early tea date!
Andrew Johnson after getting a called up to don the 3-Lions shirt again found the net and if you have thought Alan Pardew can do the jig on the tochlines, think again, because David Moyes could do even better after seeing AJ find the net!
At the JJB, Heskey scored to provide the Latics with the all important 3 points while Charlton bounced back from their United defeat when Bent got a brace over the trotters with poor El Hadji Diouf missing a spot kick from just 12 yards! Jimmy Bullard also re-discovering some form and a comeback for the Cottagers when they got all 3 poinst against the Blades.
Sunday kick-off saw Aston Villa getting off to a fine home win against Roeder's Toon Army. Newcastle , boasting their debutant Martins could not do the business at Villa Park and the Villains feeling rejunevated under the shrewd leadership of Martin O'Neill simply outclassed Newcastle in every department.
At Ewood park saw off a nightmare debut for Ooijer who man-handled John Terry in the box in which the ref had no hesitation but to award the penalty. “It was dive” …said the bemused Mark Hughes but with Blackburn having themselves to blame after having much more of control and domination of the game finally crumbled and giving away the 2 goals to a Lamps penalty and Drogba. Shevy and Ballack couldn't gel in for Chelsea 's cause and maybe with time given will see these 2 a force to be reckon with. Blackburn on the other hand will be delighted to know that they won't have any broken ice chilled coolers to worry about!
This Friday onwards between 5.30-6.30pm , the Soccergurus will be helming the mics again on Red 104.9fm for the start of season 2 of the Toyota Football Fever show.
If you fancy a footie shout out to gloat or whinge, then do get into the action by calling us between show time at 03-40431049 or sms your thoughts by sending a text. Key in RED (space) (message) to 32733. For mail chats, just send it to us guruji@soccergurusasia.com
Till Friday then
