Barclays Premier League Gameweek 23 Review
Kevin Keegan’s return to Newcastle failed to lift their fortunes and Newcastle had to settle for a draw at home against Bolton. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all won their away fixtures..
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Birmingham 0-1 Chelsea
Anelka started the game but it was Pizzaro who scored the only goal of the game to hand over a hard fought win for Chelsea. Birmingham held firm and were looking set for a draw, and even came close to scoring at times, but couldn’t keep it that way and Chelsea made sure that their title ambitions stayed intact. Birmingham had some pretty close chances with Jerome and Kapo coming close to scoring. New signing James McFadden came on as a substitute and had a immediate impact and had his shot saved by Cech.
Prediction: 1-2
Result: 0-1
Blackburn 1-1 Middlesbrough
Blackburn and Middlesbrough drew this one which could have been a Boro win had it not been the 75th minute equalizer from Derbyshire. Wheater put Boro in the lead in the 13th minute of the first half and had many shots but couldn’t capitalize much and eventually it ended in a draw. Blackburn lacked the sharpness they should have had and didn’t had the match in their hands for most of the time
Prediction: 2-0
Result: 1-1
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal kept the pressure on Manchester United by beating Fulham by three goals after a first half brace from Adebayor and a goal in the second half by Rosicky. Fulham did look like putting up a fight in the start, but Adebayor’s goal made sure the game was won by the second half and the Rosicky goal all but sealed the match for them.
Prediction: 0-2
Result: 0-3
Portsmouth 3-1 Derby
Pompey and Benjani finally found the net at home and beat Derby 3-1. Derby scored first again at Fratton Park but then Benjani’s impressive hat-trick sealed the match for Pompey. First win in the last six games at home, Pompey won it fairly easy after a good start by Derby which fielded their new signings in the game.
Prediction: 2-0
Result: 3-1
Reading 0-2 Man Utd
Manchester United won thanks to second half goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo after being kept at bay for most of the time by Reading. Reading played in inspiring fashion and denied Manchester United some real chance to score in the first half, but some good passing and attacking gameplay saw United breaking the deadlock with a superb outside foot finish from Wayne Rooney, and then a fiery counter-attack saw that boy Ronaldo equal his tally of previous season’s 23 goals.
Prediction: 0-3
Result: 0-2
Tottenham 2-0 Sunderland
Robbie Keane’s 100th goal for Tottenham, and a Lennon goal made it a fourth straight win at home for Spurs. Sunderland were spirited but Tottenham played well with constant attack on Sunderland goal and even after some heroic saves by Gordon, Spurs managed to score twice and take all 3 points.
Prediction: 2-1
Result: 2-0
Newcastle 0-0 Bolton
Keegan’s return failed to bring results at St. James’ Park, but still managed to draw after loosing last 4 of their games. Both teams lacked the force and it was Bolton who came very close to score late in the game, but eventually it all ended up in a draw.
Prediction: 2-0
Result: 0-0
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Wigan 1-2 Everton
Everton moved to fourth after beating Wigan at the JJB. The visitors went front after Johnson scored, and then immediately doubled their lead with a goal form Lescott. Wigan failed to capitalise on the chances they had and it was Everton who scored an own goal from Jagielka to spoil their clean-sheet .
Prediction: 0-2
Result: 1-2
Man City 1-1 West Ham
It was Manchester City’s third draw from as many matches at home after a good display from West Ham made sure that it all ended up all square. The visitors took at lead after a superb 8th minute acrobatic strike from Carlton Cole, but couldn’t hold it long and conceded just 8 minutes letter when Vassell brought the hosts level, and it stayed that way for the rest of the game with both the teams not creating enough chances to score.
Prediction: 2-0
Result: 1-1
Monday, 21 January 2008
Liverpool 2-2 Aston Villa
Liverpool only managed to draw after being matched by Aston Villa for most parts of the game and it was only substitute Crouch’s late equalizer which saw Liverpool draw for the fourth consecutive match. Benayoun got the hosts in front, but two quick goals saw Villans take lead after Harewood scored in the 69th minute and right after that an own goal from Aurelio in the 72nd minute.
Prediction: 1-1
Result: 2-2
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