Blackburn 3, Portsmouth 0 (Premiership)
Internationally-retired Yank Brad Friedel was tested in this game and proved up to the challenge as he pretty much always is. Shabani Nonda had his way with the Portsmouth defense and barely missing a hat-trick by missing a PK near the end of the game. This is a good result to preserve the Premiership form after suffering a heart-breaking exit from the UEFA cup. Next up for the Rovers is Arsenal on Wednesday 2/28 in the FA cup. Rovers win is my guess.
Wigan 1, Newcastle 0 (Premiership)
A really physical game which is right up Oguchi Onyewu's alley. However, a missed penalty from Nolberto Solano and a foul committed by the Gooch led to a 1-0 Wigan win off of Ryan Taylor's free kick strike. MVP of the game however was the Latics reserve GK John Filan. He was a brick wall. Next up for the Magpies is Middlesbrough at the end of the week and then AZ in the UEFA Cup.
Chelsea 2, Arsenal 1 (Carling Cup Final)
Chelsea gets their first piece of hardware this season with a tough-played 2-1 victory over the Gunners. Drogba was unstoppable scoring two goals even after a Theo Walcott goal put the Gunners ahead in the first 20 minutes. All of this was nothing compared to the drama that ended up with 3 people being sent off. John Terry, injured and miraculously healthy again, proceeded to keep his string of bad luck running. Poor guy. He received a vicious kick to the head from Abou Diaby (albeit unintentional) which knocked him unconscious. According to soccernet.com, Terry swallowed his tongue and had to be stretchered off with an oxygen mask to support his breathing. The landscape of the game changed dramatically and near the end, a mass brawl ensued. Jon Obi Mikel, Kolo Toure, and Emmanuel Adebayor were all sent off. 7 others received yellows. This game will surely looked into, but the biggest thing is that we all hope John Terry is okay and can return quickly again.
Saturday, February 24th 2007
Manchester United 2, Fulham 1, Premiership
McBride loves to score against big teams. He did, putting Fulham up 1-0. Manchester United, however, with the form they're in would definitely find a way back in. In all honesty, though, Fulham should have won but they couldn't find the net again. Giggs equalized about 10 minutes later and Cristiano Ronaldo put the winner away in the 87th minute. Fulham has Aston Villa next Saturday.
Watford 0, Everton 3, Premiership
There were plenty of shots in this one, but none of them really bothered Timmy Howard. Watford's shots were either went awry, were blocked, shanked, or dribbled to a stop. Howard made a couple reflex saves but not too much of an effort to grab yet another clean sheet. Demerit's "bad tackle" led to an Andy Johnson penalty conversion. All in all, it seemed Demerit was always just a step behind. In that sense, we all have to remember how far he has come. The Championship however is definitely calling Watford's name. Johnson, Fernandes, and Leon Osman did the damage for the Toffees. MVP to Manuel Fernandes, agile, skilled, and fun to watch. Everton has an away match at Sheffield United next weekend. Could be another Howard shutout.
Middlesbrough 2, Reading 1, Premiership
In a relatively boring game, Reading broke their stretch of good form by dropping one to M'Bro. Hahnemann was tested and responded well, but the onslaught of shots was relentless. Reading had several attempts that should have finished, but as they're outperforming to date, I will not complain too much. Yakubu and Viduka scored the two for Boro and John Oster for Reading. Reading next has Man Utd in their FA Cup 5th replay this Tuesday.
IN OTHER GAMES I RANDOMLY COVERED:
Lyon 3, Sochaux 3, Ligue 1
All in all, Sochaux should have won this. Spirit and determination always seems to prevail though. Lyon in the 90th minute onwards was down 3-1. Wiltord scored on the 90th minute mark to make it 3-2 and then Juninho slotted home the penalty to tie it up one minute before time. That is pretty damn impressive. And you wonder why they have 5 Ligue 1 championships in their trophy case. Lyon will have rivals Saint Etienne next Saturday.
Injured Cory Gibbs' Charlton squad manhandled Jonathan Spector's troubled West Ham United, 4-0. Neither Americans played - Spector due to yellow-card accumulation. West Ham seems to be on their way down with that loss. In fact, it seems that 3 Americans will be relegated barring an amazing string of victories. In 2007-08, it very well maybe Gibbs, Spector, and Demerit in the Championship. Who knows where the hell Carlos Tevez will be though.
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