Showing posts with label Hatem Ben Arfa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hatem Ben Arfa. Show all posts

Sunday, 19 August 2012

EPL Super Sunday LIVE Commentary:

Hello, and welcome to my Super Sunday LIVE Commentary Double Bill.
Yesterday, after 93 days of waiting for it, the 2012-13 EPL season started with a bang. 

  • 5 star Fulham beat Norwich by 5 goals to nil
  • Swansea thrashed QPR 5-0
  • Reading drew 1-1 with Stoke
  • Arsenal started life without RVP with a 0- draw against Sunderland
  • Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-1
  • West Brom shocked Liverpool, winning 3-0 at home
  • West Ham beat Aston Villa 1-0.
I promised you that I would give you an update from Yesterday's match so hear it is:

Yesterday's Evening Match:

Newcastle United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

This match was played at The Sports Direct Arena, as Newcastle went head-to-head with Tottenham.

This was new Tottenham manager Andre Villas Boas' first match in charge and he wanted to start it off with a win.

Tottenham dominated the first half, with Bale and Defoe both hitting the post and the bar.
In the second half, Newcastle started to play better, and not let Tottenham have the ball. 

Striker Demba Ba scored his first goal for the club since February with a lovely curling swerving finesse shot from 22 yards out which curled over goalkeeper Brad Friedel into the net in the 56th minute. 


Today, there are two matches with Wigan vs Chelsea and Manchester City vs Southampton both in action.

Team Line-Ups:

Wigan Athletic v Chelsea:

Wigan: Al Habsi, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Ramis, Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Figueroa, Maloney, Di Santo, Moses.

Subs: Pollitt, Kone, Jones, Crusat, Ben Watson, Gomez, Boselli.

3-4-3 formation for Wigan, with Victor Moses starting in attack along with Franco Di Santo and Shaun Maloney despite all the transfer attention from Chelsea over the past few weeks.


Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Mikel, Eden Hazard, Mata, Bertrand, Torres.
Subs: Turnbull, Essien, Oscar, Ferreira, Meireles, Sturridge, Cahill.

4-2-3-1 formation for The Blues with Fernando Torres the lone man up-front with Mata, Eden Hazard and Ryan Bertrand behind him.

13:30: Wigan have kicked us off here at The DW Stadium.

1: Nice play by Chelsea before winger Eden Hazard turnes past a defender and plays a through ball towards defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Ivanovic runs into the box before keeping his head down and blasting the ball low in the corner of the net away from goalkeeeper Ali Al Habsi. 

1 minute, 1 goal: Defender Branislav Ivanovic finishes off a nice Chelsea move to give them the lead against Wigan.
Mobbed: Ivanovic is mobbed by his team-mates as he scores Chelsea's first goal of the new 2012-13 season.


GOAL!!! 
What a goal from Chelsea, nice build-up play with Ivanovic finishing the move off in style. 1 minute gone, 1 goal scored for Chelsea. 

5: Eden Hazard weaves in and out of two Wigan defenders before getting bodychecked by Evan Ramis inside the box... PENALTY!

Trouble: Chelsea new boy Hazard weaves past two defenders before being brought down by Ramis.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard steps up to take the penalty.... He shoots low and hard towards goal and SCORES! 2-0 to Chelsea, and Lampard scores yet another penalty for The Blues.

39 for Chelsea: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has now scored 39 penalties for Chelsea in the EPL.

A litle bit lucky because the keeper guessed the right way but it was too powerful a shot for him to save it.

10: Chelsea free-kick awarded after a late challenge on Eden Hazard by Wigan defender Gary Caldwell.
Yellow card after a poor challenge, in which he did not win the ball and had his studs showing.

12: Wigan pressing Chelsea, trying to get back into the match with Figueroa looking dangerous down the right wing.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech is equal to his cross and comfortably catches the ball.

15: Wigan corner, taken by Shaun Maloney into the box, but cleared away by Chelsea defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel.

16: Nice link-up play by Juan Mata and Eden Hazard down the wing before Mata gets taken out by McArthur. Chelsea free-kick taken quickly.

17: Good penalty shout by Chelsea, with striker Fernando Torres getting taken out just inside the box by defender Alcaraz.
Referee says it was a shoulder barge, and play on.

19: Wigan cross into the box by Victor Moses, for striker Franco Di Santo who heads towards goal..... OVER THE BAR!!

19: Moses with his quick feet sidesteps Chelsea defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole before getting taken out by Frank Lampard who sticks a leg out.


22: Chelsea on the ball, with Cole passing the ball to Lampard who finds Mata on the wing.
Mata passes the ball into the box for Torres, but goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi comfortably saves the ball and makes sure Torres does not have a chance to get a shot on goal.

24: Another Wigan corner comes of nothing, thanks to a block by Eden Hazard who has impressed for Chelsea so far in this match.

26: Mata finds Torres with a nice through ball but Torres takes to long to sort out whether he was going to take a shot or not, and gets swarmed by 4 Wigan defenders before losing the ball.

28: Nice patient build-up play by Wigan, but Chelsea's defence clear.
Captain John Terry looks to have a knock, and is limping uncomfortably here.

31: Eden Hazard goes down again, after getting tackled by Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. No card though for McCarthy.

34: Chelsea defender David Luiz goes in late on Wigan forward Shaun Maloney.
The referee pulls Luiz back for the foul before showing the yellow card.

He is a bit unlucky as he looked to play the ball but was late to it.

36: McCarthur is penalised for accidentally htting Hazard in the face with his arm while trying to balance with the ball.
Chelsea free-kick taken quickly by Mata to Torres, but the flag is up for offside.

37: Wigan forward Victor Moses zooms past Ashley Cole before letting a shot fly from 20 yards out towards goal... Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech gets a hand to the shot and now Wigan have a corner.

Moses has been a constant threat for Wigan oday to the Chelsea defenders. Unlucky not to score then.

39: Nothing comes of the resulting corner for Wigan again.

42: Victor Moses skills up Ashley Cole before crossing the ball into the box from the wing.. The cross is too powerful for any Wigan player to latch onto, and the ball goes out for a throw-in.

45: YET ANOTHER CORNER for Wigan, (and you know what I am going to say next don't you!) 
Nothing comes of it. 
The fourth official has signalled for two minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.

46: Nice through ball straight to Franco Di Santo, he only has Cech to beat!!!
He takes a first touch before chipping the ball over Cech.... Defender David Luiz clears the ball away.


Di Santo should have scored there but his first touch was too much.

45+2: The referee has blown the whistle to signal the end of the first half of play at The DW Stadium.
Chelsea lead by 2 goals to nil against a Wigan side who have been threatening to score, but have not really trouble Cech apart from Moses.
Chelsea have only had to play very well for the first ten minutes of the match, and the rest were in second gear.

14:30: The second half has started at the DW.

47: John Terry has been fouled by Franco Di Santo with his studs up into his ankle as he went to clear the ball away. Chelsea free-kick, but Santo is left with a warning.

48: Wigan SUB:
Shaun Maloney OFF
Jordi Gomez ON

Maloney seems to be struggling with a thigh injury, and comes off for striker Gomez.

56: Chelsea free-kick awarded after Wigan midfielder James McArthur catches Frank Lampard's leg dangerously, and it was nowhere near the ball.

59: Wigan find space with captain Gary Caldwell finding striker Di Santo with a long ball towards the wing.
He moves past Luiz inside the box before taking a shot towards goal... WIDE!

A weak, off target shot, and to be honest, Wigan should have equalised by now with the amount of chances that Di Santo has had. 

62: Manager Roberto Di Matteo is seen talking to £25million signing Oscar on the touchline. He should becoming on the pitch soon.

63: Nice skill by Bertrand before finding Torres inside the box.... he is fighting to keep his balance before he taps the ball past Al Habsi.
The ball trickles towards goal but defender Evan Ramis runs towards the ball... AND CLEARS THE BALL OFF THE LINE!!!

65: Chelsea SUB:
Eden Hazard OFF
Oscar ON

Hazard has been impressive today, and has been one to watch for Chelsea. Well played, and now we look at £25million signing Oscar from Internacional.

66: Wigan SUB:
Franco Di Santo OFF

Arouna Kone ON

Debut for new Wigan signing Arouna Kone.

68: Oscar on the ball... takes a shot from outside the box.... JUST PAST THE POST!!!
Close by Oscar, and he looks promising aswell...

74: Wigan free-kick, taken by Jordi Gomez towards goal.... SAVED by Petr Cech!
A good save by Cech, because the ball was swerving away from him, and he had to get his body behind the ball.

80: Wigan SUB:
James McArthur OFF
Ben Watson ON

82: Chelsea SUB:
Juan Mata OFF
Raul Meireles ON

Mata has played very well for Chelsea today, and along with Hazard my man of the match today.

83: This time, a Wigan corner is taken by Jordi Gomez into the box... for Aroune Kone who heads the ball towards goal... WIDE!

From that angle and the distance from the goal... he should have scored.

85: Gomez takes a spectacular overhead kick from 12 yards out... MISS!!
Just missed the target, unlucky.


87: A Chelsea free-kick just outside the box taken by Raul Meireles towards goal before Luiz heads the ball towards goal.. SAVED and held well by Ali Al Habsi.

90: The fourth official has signal for three minutes of stoppage time to be added on. 

Team Line-ups from Manchester City vs Southampton:

Manchester City:
Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Silva, Rodwell, Toure, Nasri, Aguero, Tevez.

Subs: Pantilimon, Milner, Dzeko, Kolarov, Savic, De Jong, Balotelli.

Strong Manchester City squad, with £15million signing Jack Rodwell starting on his debut for the club. 

BREAKING NEWS: Winger Adam Johnson has been left out of the City squad, and now surely he will leave the club?!

Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Schneiderlin, Puncheon, Rodriguez, Do Prado.
Subs: Gazzaniga, Lambert, Steven Davis, Sharp, Richardson, Shaw, Seaborne.


14:02: Tevez and Aguero kick City off at The Ethiad Stadium.

2: Southampton break before City new boy Jack Rodwell clears the danger for a corner. Corner comes off nothing though.

7: Clyne tackles Aguero on the run. He has gone down injured, and he is clutching his knee in pain.

He looks to have twisted his knee badly... 

10: He is limping off the pitch, while strikers Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko are both warming up on the touchline.

11: Aguero is being stretchered off now.
Southampton midfielder Schneiderlin has a shot missed wide from close range... 

14: Southampton have been taming the EPL Champions now, giving them trouble and dominating possession in City's own half.

Manchester City SUB: 

Sergio Aguero OFF (injury)
Edin Dzeko ON

Dzeko has a chance now... will he take it?

15: Manchester City are starting to get into the match, with David Silva and Samir Nasri linking up together to make good build-up player.

16: Tevez gets the ball from Nasri, before getting tripped by Jos Hooiveld..
David Silva steps up to take the penalty.... SAVE! by Kelvin Davis.
A weak and low shot from Silva is easily saved.


16:20: I am leaving now, but I will give you an update tomorrow.... I promise.

Sunday, 6 May 2012

Sunday EPL Special LIVE:

7 matches LIVE from the EPL today in the penultimate day of the season, including Manchester United vs Swansea, and City vs Newcastle.

Sunday EPL Special LIVE:


Newcastle vs Manchester City: LIVE at 13:30pm
 
Newcastle: Krul; Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez; Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba. Subs: Elliot, Gosling, Ryan Taylor, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Obertan, Ferguson.

In-form striker Papiss Cisse starts again today for Newcastle, along with strike partners Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa. 

FACT: Newcastle have not beaten Manchester City at home since the 24th of September 2005.


Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Clichy, Kompany, Lescott, Barry, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Tevez. Subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Milner, Dzeko, Johnson, Kolarov, De Jong.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart starts his 50th match of the season today.
Defensive powerhouse Micah Richards and Newcastle fan Adam Johnson among the substitutes for City today.


14:00:

Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur:

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Lichaj, Herd, Clark, N'Zogbia, Ireland, Heskey. 
Subs: Guzan, Collins, Delfouneso, Bannan, Weimann, Gardner, Carruthers.


Tottenham: Friedel, Dawson, Gallas, Kaboul, Rose, Lennon, Sandro, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart, Adebayor. 
Subs: Cudicini, Parker, Saha, Giovani, Defoe, Livermore, Nelsen.


QPR vs Stoke City:

QPR: Kenny, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Hill, Taiwo, Barton, Derry, Buzsaky, Mackie, Taarabt, Zamora. 
Subs: Cerny, Hall, Gabbidon, Bothroyd, Traore, Cisse, Wright-Phillips.

QPR will be desperate to bounce back from their 6-1 thrashing against West London rivals Chelsea last weekend. Dijrbil Cisse and Shaun Wright-Phillips are both on the subs bench.



Stoke: Sorensen, Huth, Shawcross, Upson, Wilson, Walters, Whelan, Delap, Jerome, Crouch, Fuller.
Subs: Begovic, Jones, Whitehead, Etherington, Shotton, Woodgate, Palacios.

Strong Stoke side, atlhough Ricardo Fuller starts ahead of Matthew Etheringotn. They could need Ryan Shotton later on, as he has lots of pace.

Bolton Wanderers vs West Bromwich Albion:

Bolton: Bogdan, Boyata, Wheater, Ream, Ricketts, Eagles, Reo-Coker, Mark Davies, Petrov, Kevin Davies, Ngog.
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Alonso, Knight, Klasnic, Lee, Miyaichi, Vela.

West Brom: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Brunt, Mulumbu, Andrews, Dorrans, Fortune, Long. 
Subs: Fulop, Morrison, Allan, Shorey, Dawson, Cox, Scharner.

Fulham vs Sunderland: 

Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, John Arne Riise, Duff, Murphy, Diarra, Dempsey, Dembele, Pogrebnyak. 
Subs: Stockdale, Baird, Kasami, Senderos, Frei, Kacaniklic, Trotta.

First team Fulham squad here with some attacking and defending options on the bench including Kerim Frei and Phillipe Senderos.


Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Turner, O'Shea, Kilgallon, McClean, Colback, Cattermole, Gardner, Sessegnon, Ji. 
Subs: Westwood, Bridge, Campbell, Meyler, Bramble, Elmohamady, Bendtner.

Striker Ji starts, ahead of on-loan Nicklas Bendtner.

Wayne Bridge and Fraizer Campbell among the subs on the bench for Sunderland.


Wolves vs Everton:

Wolves: De Vries, Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Ward, Kightly, Henry, Edwards, Hunt, Doyle, Fletcher.
Subs: Ikeme, Elokobi, Ebanks-Blake, Johnson, Milijas, Jonsson, Forde.

This is Wolves' last home match before they move back into the Champonship. They have all of their first team players including Stephen Fletcher.



Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, McFadden, Cahill, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic. 
Subs: Mucha, Stracqualursi, Gueye, Barkley, Coleman, Duffy, Baxter.

In-form Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar both start for the away side as they look to strenghen their hold on 7th place.






Newcastle vs Manchester City: LIVE

0: Referee Howard Webb blows the whistle to start this match at The Sports Direct Arena. 
Newcastle could move into 3rd place today, with a win while 1st placed City will tighten their grip of the title if they win, and move 3 points clear of rivals United with 1 match to play this season.

3: Newcastle trying to pass the ball well here, getting the ball moving and give the players confidence as they are playing against a tough City side.

6: Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye catches Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry with his feet in the face. Accidental foul. City free-kick.

9: City awarded a corner, with David Silva and Samir Nasri giving Newcastle trouble here.

10: Newcastle fans are really getting behind their team here.

10: Nasri with a trhoguh ball to playmaker David Silva who runs inside the box before unleashing a deadly shot.... GOOD SAVE!! by goalkeeper Tim Krul.

16: Manchester City move on the counter attack with striker Sergio Aguero who makes space for himself before hitting the ball hard and low towards goal.... SAVED!! (and held) by Tim Krul. 
Aguero did not hit the ball fast enough. 

18:
Last 10 minutes possession:

Newcastle: 23%, Manchester City: 77%

20: Full-back Gael Clichy takes a sbot from 30 yards out... WIDE!!

24: Nice footwork by City defender Vincent Kompany to skill to Newcastle defenders before playing a nice 1-2 with Gael Clichy, before slipping on the floor when he was about to cross the ball into the box.

26: Full-back Gael Clichy on the run for Manchester City, before getting tripped by Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa. Yellow card given, as it was in a dangerous and goalscoring position outside the box.
City free-kick from 30 yards out.

27: Striker Carlos Tevez takes a curling shot towards goal... SAVED! by Tim Krul.
It was close by Tevez but Krul had seen the ball coming after it moved over the wall.

29: Newcastle go on the counter attack with Hatem Ben Arfa and Jonas running past the City defence. Gareth Barry tackles Jonas outside the box and it was late. Yellow card given to Barry, right next to the referee.

31: Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote fouls playmaker David Silva from 28 yards out late, sticking both legs out, and gets a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
City free-kick, with Silva clipping the ball into the box for the midfielders but the ball is too powerful for the City players.

33: Demba Ba with a shot which is blocked by defender Gael Clichy towards winger Ben Arfa who powerfully volleys the ball towards goal... GREAT SAVE!!! by Joe Hart.

36: Newcastle full-back James Perch is given a yellow card after cliping David Silva. Unlucky, but it was late.

14:00: The five matches have all kicked off.

38: Yaya Toure is booked for a late challenge. Newcastle fans are going mad and are angry that he is not of the pitch now. Getting a bit hyper these last 10 minutes, and Newcastle have finally settled down.

39: Sergio Aguero with the ball at his feet. He is closed down well by Coloccini who clears the ball away to Jonas who finds Ben Arfa. Ben Arfa crosses the ball into the box for Demba Ba who heads the ball towards goal... OVER THE BAR!!
Nice play by Newcastle.


40: Drama.
Midfielder Gareth Barry with the ball at his feet from 20 yards out after David Silva's cross inside the box, and he hits the ball parried by Krul and on the rebound it goes past past Tim Krul, but the ball is cleared off the line by full-back Davide Santon. 
City try and score afterwards but Newcastle clear.

14:14:


Craven Cottage,
Fulham vs Sunderland:


Midfielder Clint Dempsey breaks the deadlock for the home side. 1-0 to Fulham, and Dempsey scores his 17th goal of the season from a long range effort. What a year for the American!

Deadlock is broken: Dempsey scores against Sunderland from a long range effort in the 14th minute.
In-form: Clint Dempsey celebrates his 50th goal for Fulham against Sunderland at Craven Cottage.


This is the first goal of the afternoon in the EPL, and probably not the last!



45: The fourth official signals just 1 minute of stoppage time to be added on here after this epic first half. 


45+1: Howard Webb blows the whistle to end this first half.

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Manchester City 0

No goals in this half, 5 yellow cards and lots of good shots and possession sells for both sides.
2nd placed United will be happy with the scoreline so far, along with Newcastle, but Roberto Mancini will be disappointed, that City have not been able to take their chances and turn them into goals.


The Reebok Stadium,
Bolton vs West Brom:

Big match here at Bolton, and a big goal for Bolton as midfielder Martin Petrov scores for the home side from the penalty spot. 
Bolton have a chance of staying in the EPL next season, as long as they keep this up and win today against 10th palced West Brom.

Craven Cottage,
Fulham vs Sunderland:

Defender Phil Bardsley equalises for Sunderland in the 34th minute. 1-1 now. 

Equaliser: Defender Phil Bardsley wheels away to celebrate his goal against Fulham with his team-mates.



GOAL


Fulham 2 Sunderland 1

Midfielder Moussa Dembele makes it 2-1 to the home side now!
Just after conceding! 2 goals in 2 minutes.

Quickfire time: Moussa Dembele is mobbed by his team-mates after making it 2-1 to Fulham against Sunderland.


45: Referee Howard Webb starts the second half here at The Sports Direct Arena. 


GOAL


Villa Park,
Aston Villa 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Defender Ciaran Clark breaks the deadlock for Aston Villa after 35 minutes gone here. Great news for us (Arsenal) and Newcastle!

Deadly strike: Defender Ciaran Clark unleashes a long range effort to give Aston Villa the lead against Tottenham.



50: Striker Carlos Tevez brings full-back James Perch into making a tackle. He clips Tevez and he gets a free-kick.

51: Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure takes the free-kick... OVER THE BAR!!!


53: Carlos Tevez takes a shot inside the box, but he messed the positioning up, and it went wild.
Yaya Toure is clutching his arm now, and looks in considerable pain.


54: City cranking up the pressure, with Toure finding Carlos Tevez who takes a shot from 25 yards out but Krul catches the ball and clears.


55: City are looking dangerous and are also dominating now.


HALF-TIMES:


Fulham 2 Sunderland 1

Bolton 1 West Brom 0

QPR 0 Stoke City 0

Wolves 0 Everton 0


Aston Villa 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0



60: MIdifelder Nigel De Jong is seen warming up on the touchline here. A change is imminent.

61: 
Manchester City SUB:
Nigel De Jong ON
Samir Nasri OFF


Newcastle are giving De Jong a bad reception, after the incident which happened two years ago, when he broke top midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa's leg.


62: Newcastle are trying to calm Manchester City, and are pressing them into passing in their own half.

64: Newcastle on the counter attack, with Ben Arfa cutting inside the box past Gael Clichy before unleashing a shot towards goal... CLOSE!!!
The ball skims the side netting as the ball goes out of play for a goal kick. 
Nice play by Newcastle who are very dangerous on the counter.


67: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is giving striker Ein Dzeko his orders, before he can come on the pitch.


70:
Manchester City SUB:
Edin Dzeko ON
Carlos Tevez OFF

70:
OH WHAT A GOAL!!
Nice play by Manchester City, and a 1-2 with Sergio Aguero to Yaya Toure who powefully places the ball into the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards out. 

Finally: Midfielder Yaya Toure shoots from 20 yards out to give City the lead against Newcastle after 70 minutes.


Beautiful goal by Yaya Toure, and this is his 8th goal of the season.
1-0 to Manchester City, and this could pave the way for City to win the EPL title for the first time since 1968. 

Delight: Toure celebrates his goal with Edin Dzeko and the City fans.



73: Foul by Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse on midfielder Gareth Barry. Free-kick given to City.


73: Nice cross to Edin Dzeko who jumps over his marked man to control the ball before pulling the ball to shoot.... WIDE!!!
Should have scored then.


Newcastle SUB:
Shane Ferguson ON
Shola Ameobi ON
James Perch OFF
Hatem Ben Arfa OFF


74: Nice ball by David Silva through to striker Sergio Aguero who places the ball past Tim Krul.... WHISTLES PAST THE POST! 
How did he miss that?!


15:05: The second halves in the 2pm kick-offs have all started.

Villa Park,
Aston Villa vs Tottenham: 

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Danny Rose is SENT OFF.
More news when I get it.


Arguments galore: The Tottenham players protest full-back Danny Rose's dismissal after he is sent off.




78: Cross into the box from Newcastle, to Papiss Cisse who heads the ball towards goal... MISS!!
Close by the Senegal International.


79: Foul by Pablo Zabaleta on Shane Ferguson who was running with pace towards the 18 yard box.
Newcastle free-kick taken by Yohan Cabaye but City clear the ball away from danger by David Silva who is caught by Ferguson. Yellow card given.


82:
Newcastle SUB:
Ryan Taylor ON
Cheick Tiote OFF

This was it: This late challenge on Alan Hutton gave Danny Rose a straight red card at Villa Park.



84:
Nice through ball, by striker Sergio Aguero towards Yaya Toure who burst forward past the defence before turning past the goalkeepr who clips him. Toure back flicks the ball towards Aguero who takes a shot from 20 yards out but it is parried by Tim Krul for a corner.


84: Nothing comes of the corner and the ball goes out for a goal kick.


85: Manchester City SUB:
Micah Richards ON
David Silva OFF


88: 
Nice quick passing by Manchester City with Aguero, De Jong and Clichy.
Clichy finds Toure inside the box who shoots the ball over Tim Krul's head into the net. GOAL!!!! 2 for Yaya Toure!

Double: Yaya Toure slots the ball over Tim Krul's head to give City a 2-0 win against Newcastle.
Pure relief: Yaya Toure celebrates scoring his 9th goal of the season.



90: The fourth official signals 3 minutes of stoppage time to be added on the electronic board, after Demba Ba's shot was brilliantly stopped by goalkeeper Joe Hart.


90+1:
Manchester City easily holding the ball up with nice two touch passing.


90+3:
Referee Howard Webb blows the whistle to end the match here at The Sports Direct Arena.
Manchester City are jubilant as they know that they are almost there, and they have one hand on the trophy.


Full-time:
Newcastle United 0 Manchester City 2
Manchester City are now three points clear of rivals United, with their goal difference being +10.


My Man Of The Match:
Yaya Toure
He was electric in defence and in the hub of midfield.
He passed well and lead the midfield throughout.
Not to mention, he scored twice today.


Special mentions to:

Joe Hart
Was not needed very often, but pulled off some great saves to deny Newcastle from scoring, and kept a clean sheet throughout which is not an easy thing to do at The Sports Direct Arena. 


Vincent Kompany
A great leader at the back for City. Made some great tackles and moved forward well. Ensured that Newcastle did not dominate and could have even scored a goal in the first half. 


David Silva
Was City's danger going forward, always making runs and through balls towards Aguero and Nasri. Looked dangerous throughout the match and played well.


Tim Krul
Kept his side in the match for 85 minutes, with some great saves and stops to deny City although they dominated for large periods of the match.
Made some mistakes in the match but the two goals conceded were unstoppable and he should not be too hard on himself.  


FULL-TIMES:


Bolton Wanderers 2 West Bromwich Albion 2

Aston Villa 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Tottenham slip up again and stay in 5th place, to gift Arsenal and Newcastle 3rd and 4th place (respectively)

Wolves 0 Everton 0

A goalless draw sends Molienuex (Wolves' home stadium) into the Championship against 7th placed Everton.

QPR 1 Stoke City 0

Striker Djibril Cisse gave the home side the three points at home from a late goal in the 90th minute. 


Pure relief: Cisse celebates his late goal for QPR against Stoke to give them faint hope of beating relegation this season.



Fulham 2 Newcastle United 1

The Fulham players enjoy their traditional 'lap of honour' at Craven Cottage after leapfrogging Liverpool into 8th place.



16:00


Manchester United 2 Swansea City 0 FT

Two goals from midfielder Paul Scholes and winger Ashley Young gave Manchester United hope of retaining their EPL title next Sunday.

Hardly a celebration is it? Paul Scholes walks away after breaking the deadlock at Old Trafford.
Bullet: Winger Ashley Young scores his 7th goal of the season to give United a 2-0 lead against Swansea.
Faint hope: Manchester United have to beat Sunderland and hope City fail to win against QPR next week to win the title.




NEXT WEEK:


Tomorrow:


Blackburn Rovers vs Wigan Athletic: LIVE from 20:00pm


Tuesday:


Chelsea vs Liverpool: LIVE from 20:00pm


Sunday:

All 10 EPL fixtures on the Last day of the Premier League 2011-12 season:

(All 15:00pm kick-offs:)


Sunderland vs Manchester United

Swansea City vs Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur vs Fulham

QPR vs Manchester City 

West Brom vs Arsenal

Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers

Everton vs Newcastle United

Wigan Athletic vs Wolves

Norwich City vs Aston Villa

Stoke City vs Bolton


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http://dansfootballmusings.blogspot.co.uk/

My other blog (which re-starts next week):

http://epltransferwindowlive.blogspot.co.uk/

See you later everyone.