Super Sunday Game Week 33

West Ham United 1 v 2 Liverpool Gerrard (44pen,71pen), Demel (45+2)
First Half: Suarez strikes a curling shot across goal against the bar. Suarez has a shot blocked. Penalty! Tomkins is adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Goal! 0-1, Liverpool take the lead as Gerrard scores from the spot with a low strike into the far side. Goal! 1-1, West Ham equalise as Mignolet fails to catch the ball from a corner which leaves Demel to prod home into the roof of the net.
Half Time: 1-1.
Second Half: Carroll heads against the bar at the back post. Penalty! Adrian fouls Flanagan inside the box. Goal! 1-2, Gerrard scores from the spot again after converting his spot kick over the keeper at the near side. West Ham escape a handball penalty appeal. Suarez strikes the ball with the outside of his foot across goal and against the bar. Suarez has a low effort saved. Downing blazes a chance over from close range over the far side. Sterling has a strike from the edge of the box parried behind at the near side.
Full Time: 1-2.
West Ham 11th, 37pts
Liverpool 1st, 71>74pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Gerrard. Liverpool stay on course for the title. West Ham will ultimately question both of the penalty decisions as they seemed a little soft. However, their goal came from fortunate circumstances as Mignolet, who is normally so adept, failed to catch the ball from the corner which left Demel an opportunity to prod home. The Hammers are safe from relegation for me and another point will pretty much guarantee another year of premier league football.
Liverpool were not at their free flowing best by any stretch of the imagination but managed to come through a potential slip up. Suarez was kept quiet throughout but Gerrard was on hand to slot two penalties away which provided Liverpool with three very vital points on the road. It could have ended differently after they conceded just before half time but they got the job done. With that victory, Liverpool remain at the top of the league and currently look good enough to go on and win it.

Everton 3 v 0 Arsenal Naismith (14), Lukaku (34), Arteta OG (61)
First Half: Osman fires a volley from the edge of the box just wide of the far post. Goal! 1-0, Everton take the lead through Naismith who scores from the rebound of Lukaku's parried shot with a low effort into the near bottom corner. Naismith has a close range effort saved. Giroud fires an effort across goal wide of the far post. Barkley has a low shot saved at the near post. Mirallas has a low shot parried away from the near post. Goal! 2-0, Lukaku cuts inside before scoring with a low strike into the far bottom corner to double Everton's lead. Podolski fires a shot into the ground from the edge of the box which is tipped over.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Giroud has an effort saved. Naismith has an effort smothered before Goal! 3-0, Arteta beats Mirallas on the stretch to the loose ball but it rolls into the net. Barkley has a low shot saved. Chamberlain has a long range driven shot tipped against the bar.
Full Time: 3-0.
Everton 5th, 60>63pts
Arsenal 4th, 64pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Naismith. Everton batter Arsenal at Goodison. In the battle for that last champions league spot, this game could prove crucial. Maybe surprisingly to most, Everton completely blew Arsenal off the park and looked like they had been used to playing a higher standard of football in Europe. Quite an amazing spectacle as Everton outplayed, outclassed and out-passed an Arsenal team. The scoreline fully reflected the balance of the game as Everton completely deserved to come out as strong winners. Those three points mean that Everton go just one point behind Arsenal in the race for 4th spot but the question will be if they can continue to keep on winning until the end of the season - I'm not so sure. 
Arsenal have been notoriously very poor against the top teams in the league this season and today was no different. They were just simply not good enough, once again. I'm not really too sure why they crumble in the big games but they have consistently lost the really meaningful matches which cost them their title credentials and at this rate could cost them qualification for the champions league. Ramsay and Chamberlain both came on during the latter stages of the game and definitely changed the way Arsenal were playing for the better but the damage had already been done and there was too much left to do. Thankfully, for Arsenal fans, they are still have their champions league fate in their own hands and I fully expect them to finish 4th due to having managed to qualify for the last 17 years. 

Best Goal: Lukaku

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott

Feel free to leave a comment below! 

Super Sunday Game Week 32

Liverpool 4 v 0 Tottenham Hotspur Kaboul OG (2), Suarez (25), Coutinho (55), Henderson (75)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Liverpool take the lead as a low cross from Johnson is bundled into the net by Kaboul from close range at the near side. Goal! 2-0, Suarez beats Kaboul to Dawson's backpass and scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Eriksen has a shot blocked before Sigurdsson has a header saved. Suarez has a header really well saved against the bar and bounces away off the line at the near side.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Henderson scuffs a a good chance over the bar. Goal! 3-0, Coutinho scores with a low shot from long range into the far bottom corner. Sturridge has a back heel effort block saved. Goal! 4-0, Henderson scores with a curling free kick across goal that goes untouched and in at the far side. Chadli has an effort that deflects over at the near side. Eriksen has a low shot from the edge of the box parried past the near post.
Full Time: 4-0.
Liverpool 2>1st, 68>71pts
Tottenham 6th, 56pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Suarez. Liverpool run riot over Spurs. It was another brilliant home performance from the reds who proved too much for Spurs with their pace and attack. A strong effort from the whole team led to four goals and a clean sheet which must have delighted the Kop. After taking an early lead, Liverpool eased themselves into the game and scored some more classy goals. Suarez was the main man and spearheaded the line from the front in his usual majestic style. That was a big win in terms of the title race as Liverpool move to the top of the league with that win and they look as though they could really win the title in this form.
Spurs started the game slowly and they failed to recover from it. They were outplayed for the majority of the game and conceded some sloppy goals through some average defending. Sherwood will be disappointed with his team today as they shot themselves in the foot for at least a couple of the goals. It looks like Spurs will need Arsenal to slip up a few times if they are to achieve 4th spot but I can't see them getting there with performance like today's. 

Fulham 1 v 3 Everton Stockdale OG (50), Dejagah (71), Mirallas (79), Naismith (87)
First Half: Holtby blazes a shot wide of the near post. Kasami heads wide of the near post. Richardson has a low shot saved at the near side. Deulofeu has a low shot saved at the near side. Holtby has a header back across goal tipped over the bar. Dembele has a header saved.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 0-1, Everton take the lead as Naismith has a low shot from the edge of the box that is going wide deflects in off Stockdale. Lukaku has a low block saved. Goal! 1-1, Fulham equalise through Dejagah who cuts inside and fires a fierce strike into the top near corner. Heitinga has a close range header parried away at the near side. Kasami has a volley parried away. Goal! 1-2, Everton go back in front as Mirallas is played through on goal and tucks neatly past the keeper at the near side. Naismith has an effort saved by the onrushing keeper. Goal! 1-3, Everton seal victory as Naismith taps in from close range a low Baines cross into the far bottom corner.
Full Time: 1-3.
Fulham 20th, 24pts
Everton 5th, 57>60pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Naismith. Everton march on at Craven Cottage. Fulham actually had the better of the first half but couldn't make it count as they went into half time level. They suffered an early setback in the second half and went behind via unlucky circumstances as the ball rebounded into the goal from Stockdale's attempted save. However, hopes were lifted after a thunderous strike from Dejagah saw them back on level terms but they just couldn't hang on as Everton's pressure eventually proved too much. Fulham may feel they could have taken a point but in the end that defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table. 
Everton started the game slowly and it took a while for them to get into their rhythm. They took the lead in the second half but were hanging on as Fulham threw everything at them which paid off thanks to Dejagah's equalizer. However, they soon turned the tables back in their favour thanks to two late goals from Mirallas and the very impressive substitute Naismith. It was clear for all to see that Naismith changed the game and looks set to start a few more games after a match winning performance. Everton keep their hopes of finishing 4th alive with that win and look set to push Arsenal all the way. 

Best Goal: Suarez, Coutinho, Dejagah, Mirallas. Winner: Dejagah.

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott

Feel free to leave a comment below! 

Midweek Football Game Week 31

Manchester United 0 v 3 Manchester City Dzeko (1,56), Yaya Toure (90)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, City take the lead in the opening minute as Nasri strikes against the near post with a low shot before Dzeko taps in the rebound from close range at the near side. Fellaini has a volley saved at the near side. Mata fires a shot over the bar.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Goal! 0-2, City double their lead as Dzeko volleys in from a corner at the near post. Goal! 0-3, Yaya Toure rounds off the night with a low shot into the far bottom corner.
Full Time: 0-3.
Man United 7th, 51pts
Man City 3rd, 63>66pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Dzeko. City too strong for United. It was a very poor performance from United who completely outclassed and outplayed. They really struggled to impose themselves in the game and never looked likely to score. It was another tough and embarrassing game to watch as United are clearly finding it difficult to play against the bigger and better teams this year. Bring on that transfer window!!
City started the game superbly and made the game extremely comfortable for themselves when they took the lead within the opening minute. It was pretty much a stroll in the park for City who were dominant, powerful and deserved to win. Another hammer blow to their local rivals and their title pursuit continues along strongly.

Arsenal 2 v 2 Swansea City Bony (11), Podolski (73), Giroud (74), Flamini OG (90)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Swansea take the lead as Bony scores with a powerful header at the near side.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Goal! 1-1, Arsenal equalise as Podolski scores with a volley at the near side following a Gibbs cross. Goal! 2-1, Arsenal turn the game around and take the lead as Giroud latches onto a low cross from Podolski to score from close range, slotting past the keeper at the near side. Goal! 2-2, Swansea get a dramatic late equaliser as Britton has a low shot saved before the ball rebounds off Flamini and into his own net.
Full Time: 2-2.
Arsenal 4th, 62>63pts
Swansea 15th, 29>30pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Podolski. Flamini own goal scuppers Arsenal. Overall, it was a poor display from Arsenal who struggled to get going until the final third of the game. They went behind early on and it seemed to unsettle their game. However, a brilliant two minute spell saw them turn the game around in their favour and all seemed well again. Unfortunately, Flamini couldn't get out of the way of the keeper's save in the 90th minute and the groans came back at the Emirates. A disappointing result for the Gunners which puts yet another dent into the title bid this year.
Swansea definitely deserved to take away a point from the game although in the end it came from rather fortunate circumstances. They were the better team in the first half but were sloppy in the second which saw them go behind. The Swans will be pleased they did actually take a point but it could have been more.

Newcastle 0 v 3 Everton Barkley (22), Lukaku (52), Osman (87)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Everton take the lead through a spectacular goal from Barkley who runs from the halfway line to the edge of the Newcastle box before cutting across goal and past the defence and firing a shot into the near top corner.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Goal! 0-2, Everton double their lead as a low Deulofeu cross finds Lukaku who scores with a sliding effort into the near top corner. Goal! 0-3, Everton round off a great night with another goal as Lukaku plays in Osman who rifles home a shot into the near top corner.
Full Time: 0-3.
Newcastle 8th, 46pts
Everton 6>5th, 54>57pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Barkley. Rampant Everton destroy Newcastle. It was a night to forget for the Toon army who had to witness yet another very poor performance from their team. Without Remy they are so so bad and they just can't find anything from anyone in their team. There is clearly no confidence or belief in any of their players and they are suffering terribly because of it. Luckily for Newcastle they are safe from relegation otherwise I would be very worried for them.
Everton were terrific and put in a very strong performance. It was a deserved resounding win whilst there were some huge displays from Barkley and co. Barkley's goal was simply incredible and is surely a contender for goal of the year. Amazing stuff and with that win, Everton move up one place into 5th.

Liverpool 2 v 1 Sunderland Gerrard (39), Sturridge (48), Ki (76)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Liverpool take the lead as Gerrard scores with a free kick into the far top corner.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Goal! 2-0, Liverpool double their lead as Sturridge cuts inside before firing a shot into the far top corner. Cattermole slices a shot that hits the crossbar. Sturridge strikes a shot from the edge of the box against the crossbar. Goal! 2-1, Sunderland half the deficit as Ki heads home at the far post from close range following a corner.
Full Time: 2-1.
Liverpool 2nd, 65>68pts
Sunderland 18th, 25pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Gerrard. Nervous Liverpool get job done. In the end Liverpool took those three points but it was not as easy as it may have seemed. Although they went 2-0 up, it was almost a case of hanging on to the lead, especially when Ki scored to make it 2-1. The crowd atmosphere got increasingly more tense and nervous which was echoed by the Liverpool players on the field. However, they held on and push ahead for that title.
Sunderland grew into the game as it went on but they were a completely different side when Poyet brought on both Ki and Johnson in the second half. Not sure why they didn't start but when they did come on Sunderland looked so much more threatening going forward. They got one goal back and looked like they might nick an equaliser but it was not to be. Poyet must be ruing his decision not to start them both as the match could have played out completely differently. That defeat means Sunderland are still in desperate times as they currently occupy that final relegation spot.

West Ham United 2 v 1 Hull City Noble (26pen), Jelavic (48), Chester OG (54)
First Half: Penalty! Diame is fouled inside the box by McGregor. OFF! McGregor is shown a straight red card for his foul. Goal! 1-0, West Ham take the lead as Noble slots the penalty home into the far side.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-1, Hull equalise as a Huddlestone driven free kick deflects off Jelavic and into the near side. Goal! 2-1, West Ham restore their lead as Chester slices into his own far top corner trying to clear a cross.
Full Time: 2-1.
West Ham 14>11th, 31>34pts
Hull 12>13th, 33pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Noble. West Ham win ugly. It looks like West Ham are going to be safe from relegation with that win and that was the most important thing. The fans may boo the way they played but it is a results business and they need results in the position they find themselves. It may not have been pretty football but Allardyce has time to work on that if they stay up. With the extra man, West Ham looked reasonably comfortable playing out the match but they got a rather fortunate winning goal when Chester sliced into his own net. With that win, West Ham move up three places into 11th.
Hull were not at their best and were in fact extremely average. Losing their keeper in the first half for a straight red card limited their offensive play and it ultimately cost them tonight. They equalised early in the second half but Chester scoring an own goal didn't help them in the slightest in the tough position they were in already. One to forget for Hull as they fall down one place into 13th with that defeat.

Best Goal: Yaya Toure, Barkley, Gerrard, Osman, Sturridge. Winner: Barkley

League Leaders
1. Chelsea 69pts
2. Liverpool 68pts
3. Man City 66pts
4. Arsenal 63pts
5. Everton 57pts

Relegation Battle
16. West Brom 28pts
17. Crystal Palace 28pts
18. Sunderland 25pts
19. Cardiff 25pts
20. Fulham 24pts

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott

Feel free to leave a comment below! 

Soccer Saturday Game Week 31

Chelsea 6 v 0 Arsenal Eto'o (5), Schurrle (7), Hazard (12pen), Oscar (42,66), Salah (71)
First Half: Rosicky plays in Giroud who has a low shot saved. Goal! 1-0, Chelsea take the lead as Schurrle plays the ball to Eto'o who cuts inside before scoring with a shot into the far corner. Goal! 2-0, Schurrle scores with a low shot from the edge of the box into the far bottom corner. Penalty! Hazard has a shot across goal that is handled by Oxlade-Chamberlain. OFF! Amazingly, the referee wrongly sends Gibbs off instead. Goal! 3-0, Hazard scores from the spot putting it straight down the middle. Luiz has a low, long range shot deflected and parried past the near post. Goal! 4-0, Torres finds Oscar with a low cross and the Brazilian converts into the roof of the net at the near side from close range.
Half Time: 4-0.
Second Half: Torres goes past two defenders before having a shot blocked whilst Luiz has the rebounded shot saved at the near side. Oscar has a shot tipped over the bar. Goal! 5-0, Oscar scores with a low shot from long range that gets parried into the far top corner. Goal! 6-0, Salah gets played through on goal by a long ball and casually slots a low shot past the keeper at the near side.
Full Time: 6-0.
Chelsea 1st, 66>69pts
Arsenal 3>4th, 62pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Oscar. Rampant Chelsea thrash sorry Arsenal. It was a great start to the game for Chelsea, going 3-0 up inside the first quarter of an hour. They were just too strong for Arsenal and it was extremely obvious to see. With the extra man over Arsenal for the majority of the game they controlled the match and expertly killed Arsenal off with six goals to rub it in. Impressive performance by Chelsea who reinforce their title credentials. 
Arsenal would have had some nightmarish flashbacks to their exploits at Anfield as they were similarly out of the game in the opening twenty minutes as they were today here at Stamford Bridge. It was such a sluggish start by the Gunners who just got demolished by Chelsea early on. Things went from bad to worse for them as Chamberlain made a diving save to give away a penalty but somehow and quite astonishingly the referee sent Gibbs off instead in what clearly was a major mistake. Gibbs will have that red card rescinded but in the meantime they were blown off the pitch and it didn't make the slightest of differences to the end result. Very poor display which surely takes them out of the title race as they move down one place into 4th after that defeat. 

Cardiff City 3 v 6 Liverpool Mutch (9,88), Suarez (16,60,90 Hat-Trick), Campbell (25), Skrtel (41,54), Sturridge (75),
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Cardiff take the lead as Mutch scores with a low shot from the edge of the box into the far bottom corner. Goal! 1-1, Liverpool equalise as Johnson has a low cross converted in by Suarez from close range at the near side. Goal! 2-1, Cardiff retake the lead as Campbell cuts inside and scores with shot into the far side. Goal! 2-2, Liverpool go back on level terms again as a Coutinho cross gets volleyed in by Skrtel from close range into the far side.
Half Time: 2-2.
Second Half: Goal! 2-3, Liverpool take the lead as a Coutinho corner gets headed in by Skrtel into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-4, Sturridge finds Suarez in the box with an audacious backheel who scores with a low shot into the near side. Goal! 2-5, Suarez finds Sturridge with a low cross and the Englishman scores with a low shot at the near side. Goal! 3-5, Jones heads the ball down to Mutch who heads into the far bottom corner. Goal! 3-6, A long ball finds Suarez who scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner from close range.
Full Time: 3-6.
Cardiff 19th, 25pts
Liverpool 2nd 62>65pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Suarez. Nine goal thriller at Cardiff. Cardiff actually took their chances well but conversely defended poorly which ultimately cost them anything from the game. I know Liverpool are very strong going forward but when you are fighting for survival, you just can't let in six goals at home. They were still in the game at half time at 2-2 but they couldn't cope with Liverpool's attacking prowess in the second half and paid for it big time. Not many people would have expected Cardiff to take anything from this game and they were proven right. Tough times ahead for Cardiff who look set to go down.
Liverpool were in a real dogfight in the first half and came out of it level. From then on though, there was only going to be one winner and they finished Cardiff off in real style. Suarez netted a hat-trick whilst Sturridge was pretty strong too. There are definitely some defensive areas where Liverpool need to work on but they are very much in contention for the title. 

Manchester City 5 v 0 Fulham Y. Toure (26pen,54pen,65 Hat-Trick), Fernandinho (84), Demichelis (88)
First Half: Milner has a driven shot across goal parried away. Woodrow has a low shot blocked before Richardson fires a low driven shot from the edge of the box just wide of the near post. Penalty! Negredo is fouled inside the box by Amorebieta. Goal! 1-0, City take the lead as Yaya Toure scores from the spot with a low penalty into the near side. Kolarov strikes the bar with a driven shot across goal.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Penalty! Silva is fouled inside the box by Amorebieta. OFF! Amorebieta is shown a straight red card for the foul. Goal! 2-0, Yaya Toure scores from the spot with a low penalty into the near side again. Goal! 3-0, Yaya Toure completes his hat-trick with a long range curling wonder strike into the far side. Goal! 4-0, Fernandinho scores a screamer with a fiercely struck driven shot into the near top corner. Milner has a low shot parried behind at the near side. Goal! 5-0, Jovetic has a shot across goal parried straight to Demichelis who simply taps in from close range. Negredo puts an effort from close range wide of the far post.
Full Time: 5-0.
Man City 4>3rd, 60>63pts
Fulham 20th, 24pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Y. Toure. City hit five past Fulham. It was a pretty rampant display from City who were just too good for Fulham. Yaya Toure was instrumental, scoring a hat-trick whilst his third goal was simply outstanding. Fernandinho wasn't half bad either alongside him and they eased past Fulham comfortably. With that win, City move up one place into 3rd. 
Fulham endured a torrid afternoon. They gave away two penalties which pretty much gave the game away. Both penalties could have been avoided as Amorebieta had a shocker and was duly sent off. How can you have a chance at the Etihad with 11 men never mind only 10. Silly from the defender who cost his team today. Nobody expected anything else from the result today but Fulham are now getting ever more desperate with games running out. 

West Ham United 0 v 2 Manchester United Rooney (7,33)
First Half: Fellaini has a header blocked on the line by Carroll. Goal! 0-1, Man United take the lead as Rooney scores quite a spectacular volley from just inside the halfway line past the keeper as the ball bounces into the roof of the net. Carroll has a header saved. Mata has an effort saved. Nolan has a penalty appeal turned down. Goal! 0-2, Young has a cross not cleared by Noble which leaves Rooney to convert from close range at the near side.
Half Time: 0-2.
Second Half: Young has a curling shot saved. Fellaini has a penalty appeal turned down.
Full Time: 0-2.
West Ham 12>14th, 31pts
Man United 7th, 48>51pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Rooney. Rooney at the double. West Ham were not at their best but they will not doubt argue that Rooney fouled their player for the first goal. I'm not convinced it was a foul but then again I'm bias towards United. Carroll was disappointing and didn't pose much of a threat up front which scuppered West Ham's chances of scoring. That defeat means the Hammers fall down two places into 14th and they still are not quite safe just yet.
That was a pretty solid performance from United who were defensively sound whilst Rooney was just on fire. The first goal he scored was quite simply incredible. To beat one man and volley the ball in from just inside the halfway line was quite spectacular to watch. I'm sure Beckham, who was in the crowd, was suitably impressed. I still preferred Beckham's halfway line goal just because it was so beautiful and majestic. 4th place still looks to far away but you never know and United just need to keep winning games. 

Norwich City 2 v 0 Sunderland Snodgrass (20), Tettey (32)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Norwich take the lead as Elmander lays the ball off to Snodgrass who scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Van Wolfswinkel spurns a decent chance from a low cross. Goal! 2-0, Tettey scores a long range wonder volley into the far side. Bardsley has a penalty appeal turned down before Borini has a low shot across goal saved.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Van Wolfswinkel heads down into the ground and against the bar. Brown has a header from close range denied by a great save on the line at the near side. OFF! Alonso is shown a second yellow card and sent off.
Full Time: 2-0.
Norwich 15>13th, 29>32pts
Sunderland 18th, 25pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Tettey. Norwich seal vital victory. I thought that Norwich were good value for their win today and it was a massive three points over relegation threatened Sunderland. They played some decent football and deserved to win but what a goal Tettey scored. An absolute screamer of a wonder volley from long range that would be a worthy winning goal in any match. With those valuable three points, Norwich move up two places into 13th. 
Sunderland were pretty poor and just didn't get going in a match they were looking to win. It was suitably capped by petulance of Alonso who was rightly sent off for a second yellow card late on. A chance to get out of the relegation zone missed today but Poyet really needs to get his team going soon otherwise trouble looms ahead. 

Everton 3 v 2 Swansea City Baines (20pen), Bony (33), Lukaku (53), Barkley (58), Williams (90)
First Half: Penalty! Barkley is fouled inside the box by Chico Flores. Goal! 1-0, Everton take the lead as Baines scores from the spot slotting the ball over the keeper into the far side. Goal! 1-1, Swansea equalise as a low cross from Rangel finds Bony who simply taps the ball in from close range at the near side. Hernandez has a deflected free kick go just wide of the far post.
Half Time: 1-1.
Second Half: Goal! 2-1, Everton go in front again as Mirallas puts a low cross in for Lukaku who taps in from close range at the near side. Goal! 3-1, Barkley heads in from a corner to the near bottom corner. Bony has a header parried away. Hernandez has a low shot saved. Goal! 3-2, Williams heads in from a corner to the far top corner.
Full Time: 3-2.
Everton 6th, 51>54pts
Swansea 14>15th, 29pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Barkley. Everton too good for Swansea. It was an impressive performance from Everton who looked dangerous every time they went forward. They took their chances and put themselves 3-1 ahead which pretty much sealed those three points. Martinez is doing a really good job with his Everton side and I think 4th place is achievable for them this year. 
For Swansea, it was a tale of five very disastrous minutes compared to a reasonable other 85. They were for large parts very much in the game but just lost their heads for five minutes after the break which cost them two very dear goals. They fought hard to get back in it and scored one late consolation goal but it just wasn't meant to be. With that defeat, Swansea fall one place to 15th.

Hull City 2 v 0 West Bromich Albion Rosenior (31), Long (38)
First Half: Dorrans has a volley across goal parried away. Penalty! Long is fouled inside the box by Dawson. Jelavic has his low penalty saved at the near side but Goal! 1-0, Hull take the lead as the rebound is headed in by Rosenior. Huddlestone has a driven shot from long range tipped over the bar. Goal! 2-0, Long scores with a tap in from close range into the far bottom corner.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Thievy heads wide of the near post. Anichebe has a header cleared off the line at the near side. Long strikes against the post with a curling shot from long range across goal. Morrison has a penalty appeal turned down.
Full Time: 2-0.
Hull 13>12th, 30>33pts
WBA 16th, 28pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Long. Hull too good for West Brom. It was a relatively easy game for Hull who were the better team today. They got off to a great start and deservedly scored twice before half time. Long was impressive and guided his team to victory by leading from the front. Three big points for Hull which moves them further away from the relegation zone and up one place into 12th.
West Brom had a poor first half but were much better in the second. The Baggies can feel disappointed that the referee Hull a penalty as it certainly looked like a dodgy decision to me. Nevertheless, the keeper made a top save to deny Jelavic from the spot but their defence wasn't quick enough to stop Rosenior reacting first to the rebound. Not the result they were hoping to come away with as the Baggies stay just above the drop in 16th.

Newcastle United 1 v 0 Crystal Palace Cisse (90)
First Half: Cisse has a volley parried away. Bolasie strikes a shot across goal just over the far top corner.
Half Time: 0-0
Second Half: Bolasie strikes a shot across goal against the top of the bar. Cisse has a low shot blocked by the keeper. Cisse heads over at the near side. Tiote has a blasted shot from long range parried against the bar. Goal! 1-0, Newcastle take the lead as Cisse heads in from a Ben Arfa cross into the near bottom corner.
Full Time: 1-0.
Newcastle 9>8th, 43>46pts
Palace 17th, 28pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Cisse. Cisse grabs late winner. It was a pretty typical performance from Newcastle who kept themselves in the game and scored a late winner to snatch all three points. Not sure the fans will be that happy with what they had to endure but three points is three points I suppose. With that win, Newcastle move up one place into 8th.
Palace created some chances but were just unable to take any of them. Bolasie was their best player and came closest a few times but not able to find the back of the net. Still, to come away with nothing must feel like absolute heartbreak. They deserved to take home a point from that game but were cruelly denied by Cisse's dramatic late winner. Disappointment for Palace who still lie just above the drop in 17th.

Best Goal: Eto'o, Schurrle, Suarez, Mutch, Y. Toure, Fernandinho, Rooney. Winner: Rooney.

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott

Feel free to leave a comment below! 

Super Sunday Game Week 30

Manchester United 0 v 3 Liverpool Gerrard (34pen,46pen), Suarez (84)
First Half: Sturridge fires a shot wide of the near post. Suarez has a penalty appeal turned down. Penalty! Rafael handles the ball inside the box. Goal! 0-1, Liverpool take the lead as Gerrard scores from the spot into the far side. Rooney has an effort really well parried away.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Penalty! Jones fouls Allen. Goal! 0-2, Gerrard scores from the spot again but this time with a low strike into the far bottom corner. United have a penalty appeal turned down following a Johnson handball. Rooney has a penalty appeal turned down. Penalty! Vidic fouls Sturridge. OFF! Vidic is consequently shown a second yellow card and sent off. Gerrard hits the near post with a low penalty effort. Sturridge has a penalty appeal turned down. Surez goes past Jones before having a sweetly struck volley saved by one of the best stops of the season. Goal! 0-3, A scuffed shot from Sturridge falls to Suarez who coolly slots past De Gea into the far side.
Full Time: 0-3.
Man United 6th>7th, 48pts
Liverpool 2nd, 59>62pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Gerrard. Liverpool thrash sorry United. That was completely woeful and embarrassing for anyone associated with Man United. They were defensively shocking and deserved their 3-0 crushing defeat to their fiercest rivals. As a United fan I found it tough to watch as United couldn't get much going up front whilst Liverpool looked so much more dangerous with the ball. It was an inevitable defeat with the form of the two teams coming into this match but it was the crazy defensive tackles inside the box that could so easily have been avoided. Another crushing blow for Moyes and United as they move down one place into 7th with that calamitous spectacle.
Liverpool were organised well and definitely played like the better team today. Despite the problems that United are facing, it should not be taken away from Liverpool that they outplayed and outclassed United at Old Trafford. Gerrard was as cool as ever taking the penalties up until he missed his third for what would have been an unforgettable hat-trick. Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling provided so much pace and dynamism up front for them that they looked like scoring every time they went forward. Very impressive performance and I'm beginning to believe more and more that Liverpool are becoming serious title contenders now. 

Tottenham Hotspur 0 v 1 Arsenal Rosicky (2)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Arsenal take the lead as Rosicky scores an absolute pearler into the far top corner. Chamberlain skips past the Spurs defence but puts his chip wide of the far post. Chamberlain fires a low shot from the edge of the box wide of the far post. Adebayor puts an effort from close range wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Chadli has an effort blocked by Koscielny. Adebayor heads wide of the near post. Koscielny has a penalty appeal turned down. Mertesacker has a low effort really well saved. Adebayor has a curling shot from the edge of the box across goal saved.
Full Time: 0-1.
Spurs 5th, 53pts
Arsenal 3rd, 59>62pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Rosicky. Rosicky wonder strike seals North London derby victory. Tottenham created plenty of chances in front of goal but were pretty poor when trying to convert them. Their players certainly didn't have their shooting boots on today in this massive match for them. They went behind early on and it seemed to rattle them a bit. On another day they may have won this match with the chances they had but today Piers Morgan will surely be gloating to the heavens whilst Alan Sugar will be as disappointed as the rest of the Spurs faithful. 
Arsenal were pretty solid today and defended pretty well which just as much won them the match as the stunning strike from Rosicky. It was a perfect start for the gunners who took an early lead as the ball fell kindly for Rosicky who blasted in a fine strike across goal into the far top corner. It was certainly a fitting winning goal to win any match. It will relieve some of the pressure on Wenger who has come under some fire in recent weeks and keeps their title hopes alive. 

Best Goal: Suarez, Rosicky. Winner: Rosicky

League Leaders
1. Chelsea 66pts
2. Liverpool 62pts
3. Arsenal 62pts
4. Man City 60pts
5. Tottenham 53pts

Relegation Battle
16. West Brom 28pts
17. Crystal Palace 28pts
18. Sunderland 25pts
19. Cardiff 25pts
20. Fulham 24pts

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott

Feel free to leave a comment below! 

Soccer Saturday Game Week 28

Hull City 1 v 4 Newcastle United Sissokho (10,55), Remy (42), Davies (46), Anita (90)
First Half: Bruce has a header from close range really well parried away following a free kick and has a close range rebound effort really well saved. Goal! 0-1, Newcastle take the lead as Sissokho strikes into the near top corner from a low Debuchy cross. Jelavic puts a header from close range wide of the near post. Jelavic has a free kick deflected off the top of the wall before it bounces back off the bar. El Mohammady puts a header from close range wide of the near post. Goal! 0-2, A Figueroa back pass is intercepted by Remy who neatly rounds the keeper before slotting into an empty net.
Half Time: 0-2.
Second Half: Goal! 1-2, Davies beats the keeper to the ball from a free kick and heads over Krul into an open goal. Goal! 1-3, Sissokho taps in from close range from the rebound of a Gouffran shot from long range which is parried. Remy has a shot from the edge of the box really well parried over the far top corner. Gouffran has an effort cleared off the line. Pardew is sent off for head-butting Meyler. Remy has a penalty appeal turned down. Goal! 1-4, Dummett has a shot across goal parried straight to Anita who simply taps in from the rebound.
Full Time: 1-4.
Hull 11th>12th 30pts
Newcastle 8th 40>43pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Sissokho. Rampant Newcastle hit four past Hull. Despite being thrashed, Hull actually created some decent chances. However, they were only able to convert one into a goal. Their downfall was their inability to defend Newcastle counter attacks. They left themselves far too open more often than not and got brutally punished by Newcastle's ability to break quickly. With that loss, Hull drop down one place into 12th. It was one of Newcastle's best performances of the season but it will not be remembered for that. The match was completely overshadowed by Pardew seemingly head-butting Hull player Meyler after a touchline incident. In what was a heated moment, Pardew stupidly got involved and temper's boiled over. It didn't look as bad as it was made out to be but you just can't have managers doing silly things like that without suffering huge consequences. A shame for Newcastle who actually played some brilliant football.   

Fulham 1 v 3 Chelsea Schurrle (52,65,68), Heitinga (74)
First Half: Dempsey misses with a glancing header wide of the far post. Torres has an effort across goal parried away. Kasami has a low free kick from long range saved. Torres has an acute volley across goal parried away.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 0-1, Chelsea take the lead as Hazard finds Schurrle with a long range ball over the top and the German heads his way past the defence before firing a low shot into the near side. Torres heads wide of the near post from a majestic cross from Hazard. Goal! 0-2, Hazard plays in Schurrle who scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 0-3, Torres plays in Schurrle who completes his hat-trick with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 1-3, Heitinga taps in at the near side from close range following a corner. Karagounis has a low shot from the edge of the box saved at the near side. Ba has a shot from the edge of the box parried away before Ramires fires over the bar.
Full Time: 1-3.
Fulham 20th 21pts
Chelsea 1st 60>63pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Schurrle. Schurrle hat-trick wins derby. Fulham played much better in the first half but faded away as the game went on. They looked to have Chelsea contained as they went into half time level at 0-0 but were undone by a brilliant hat-trick from hero of the day Andre Schurrle. They kept fighting until the end and got their consolation goal through Heitinga who tapped in from close range. However, another loss for Fulham sees them rooted to the bottom of the table for another week. Chelsea were pretty average in the first half as their only chances fell to Torres who who a couple of shots parried away. However, they looked much better in the second half and three goals from a terrific Schurrle saw the points go back to Stamford Bridge. With that win, Mourinho's men remain at the top of the table. 

Stoke City 1 v 0 Arsenal Walters (76pen)
First Half: Walters heads wide of the far post. Crouch puts an effort into the side-netting. Podolski fires a shot wide of the near post. Whelan has a long range shot parried away. Cazorla has a low shot from the edge of the box saved.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Crouch spurns a decent chance. Crouch has a glancing header parried past the near post. Cameron fires a driven shot wide of the far post. Adam gets away with a nasty stamp on Giroud as it goes unseen. Penalty! Koscielny handles the ball. Goal! 1-0, Stoke take the lead as Walters slots the penalty low into the far bottom corner. Ozil fires a shot wide across goal. Sanogo scuffs an effort over the bar.
Full Time: 1-0.
Stoke 15th>13th 27>30pts
Arsenal 2nd>3rd 59pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Walters. Stoke shock Arsenal with late penalty. On the whole, it seemed as though Stoke were good value for that much needed win. They managed to stop Arsenal from scoring and took the lead when the referee awarded them a soft penalty after ruling that Koscielny had handled the ball. Nevertheless, it was still a rare sight to see Walters slot the penalty home after all his troubles from the spot. They held on for the three points which pushes them further away from relegation and up two places into 13th. Arsenal were generally pretty poor today. They were out-muscled and beaten to the ball throughout the match by Stoke. They created a few chances during the game but didn't look at their best by a long shot. The penalty decision was a little harsh and it meant they came away with nothing. It's a result that will put question marks over their title bid for sure. With that loss, Arsenal fall one place to 3rd. 

Southampton 0 v 3 Liverpool Suarez (16), Sterling (58), Gerrard (90pen)
First Half: Lallana has a penalty appeal turned down. Goal! 0-1, Liverpool take the lead as the Saints defence fails to clear the ball away which allows Suarez to slot a low shot into the far bottom corner. Lallana hits the far post with a low shot. Rodriguez has a low shot really well saved.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Lallana has a shot from the edge of the box saved. Goal! 0-2, Suarez lays the ball off to Sterling who scores with a low shot at the near side. Sturridge misses from an acute angle with a shot across goal. Gerrard has a low shot from long range parried past the far post. Suarez goes for goal direct from a corner kick but it is parried behind. Suarez fires a low shot just wide of the far post. Penalty! Suarez is fouled by Fonte. Goal! 0-3, Gerrard scores from the spot with a finish into the far top corner.
Full Time: 0-3.
Saints 9th 39pts
Liverpool 4th>2nd 56>59pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Suarez. Liverpool storm past Saints. Southampton created some good chances and came close to scoring through Lallana and Rodriguez. However, they were unable to beat Mignolet and were soundly outplayed by a strong Liverpool performance. They remain in 9th but will have a lot more easier games to play than that before the end of the season. Liverpool were very strong and deserved to win today. It was a pretty comfortable game for them which was made possible by the brilliance of Suarez and Sterling. Both players had solid games whilst Gerrard was at ease in his holding position in midfield. An important win for Liverpool who now rise two places up to 2nd.    

Everton 1 v 0 West Ham United Lukaku (81)
First Half: Naismith has a shot parried past the near post. Deulofeu fires a low shot just wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Pienaar hits the far post with a low shot across goal before Deulofeu has the rebounded shot saved. Pienaar fires a shot over the bar. Carroll has a blast from long range parried over the bar. Nolan puts a curling shot just wide of the far post. Distin puts an effort wide of the near post. Goal! 1-0, Everton take the lead as Lukaku fires in from a low Baines cross. Lukaku volleys over the bar on the turn.
Full Time: 1-0.
Everton 7th>6th 45>48pts
West Ham 10th 31pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Lukaku. Lukaku strike earns Everton victory. Plenty of chances were created by Everton but they left it late before scoring the eventual winner. They looked the team more likely to break the deadlock but it seemed for a long time that it may not come. However, with nine minutes left on the clock, Lukaku was on hand to fire in the winning goal. With that win, Everton move up one place into 6th. West Ham were largely outplayed today but had a few chances in the second half before falling behind. I'm sure Allardyce will claim decisions went against his team today but a draw would have been the best they could have hoped for.  

Best Goal: Sissokho, Schurrle, Suarez. Winner: Schurrle.

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott

Super Sunday Game Week 27

Liverpool 4 v 3 Swansea City Sturridge (3,36), Henderson (20,74), Shelvey (23), Bony (27,47pen)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Liverpool take the lead as Sterling plays a through ball into the path of Sturridge who rounds the keeper and slots home. Sterling has a shot from long range parried round the near post. Goal! 2-0, Henderson scores with a shot from the edge of the box into the far top corner. Goal! 2-1, Shelvey scores with a strike from the edge of the box that goes in via the underside of the bar into the far top corner. Goal! 2-2, Swansea equalize as a header from Bony deflects past the keeper into the centre of goal. Goal! 3-2, Liverpool go back in front as Sturridge heads into the near side from a Suarez cross. Suarez puts an ambitious chip from long range wide of goal. Bony has a low shot from long range parried round the far post.
Half Time: 3-2.
Second Half: Penalty! Skrtel fouls Bony inside the box. Goal! 3-3, Swansea equalize again as Bony slots the ball low into the near bottom corner from the spot. Suarez has a low shot from an acute angle parried behind at the near post. De Guzman has a shot parried away from the near post. Sturridge puts a chip from the edge of the box wide of the far post. Suarez has a penalty appeal turned down. Goal! 4-3, Liverpool regain the lead as Suarez has a low shot from the edge of the box blocked before Henderson has a low shot parried but taps in the rebound from close range. Gerrard hits the inside of the far post with a low driven shot from long range.
Full Time: 4-3.
Liverpool (4th) 53>56pts
Swansea (10th>12th) 28>28pts



My Opinion:
My man of the match was Henderson. Liverpool overcome steely Swansea. It was a great game to watch with plenty of twists and turns. It was a strong performance in the end from Liverpool who I felt deserved the three points. They looked comfortable and took a 2-0 lead but were surprisingly pegged back to 2-2. They got themselves back in the lead before half time but a sloppy penalty to give away early in the second half saw them concede a third goal at home. Liverpool pushed hard for the winner and looked like they were going to achieve it and they did as Henderson forced home from close range. Another big three points for Liverpool who maintain their charge on the leaders. 
Swansea deserve a lot of praise after that game as they battled very hard and nearly held on for an impressive point. They showed great spirit and determination to get back into a game that looked like it had got away from them. Shelvey scored a cracker to get them back in the game before Bony headed in the equaliser. They conceded again before half time but levelled once more after being awarded a penalty in the second half. However, they were put under lots of pressure and finally succumbed in the 74th minute. With that loss, the Swans fall two places into 12th. 

Norwich City 1 v 0 Tottenham Hotspur Snodgrass (47)
First Half: Van Wolfswinkel has an effort saved. Johnson has a header parried behind at the near post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-0, Norwich take the lead as Snodgrass scores with a low shot from the edge of the box into the far bottom corner. Adebayor has an effort saved. Snodgrass has a blast from long range saved. Soldado blazes a shot wide of the near post. Soldado puts a glancing header wide of the far post. Snodgrass strikes a free kick just wide of the near post. Chadli has a low shot block saved at the near side. Johnson strikes the underside of the bar with a firebolt of a free kick and the ball bounces away off the line. Redmond has a shot parried away from the near side.
Full Time: 1-0.
Norwich (16th>14th) 25>28pts
Spurs (5th) 50>50pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Snodgrass. Norwich seal vital win over Spurs. What a win for Norwich who were desperate for three points today. It will ease some pressure on the manager who was in real trouble before the game but things seemed to have turned a corner. They defended well throughout the match, keeping the Spurs attack quiet. Norwich had the better of the first half but couldn't find an opener but they scored very early in the second via Snodgrass' well taken finish. They held on and could have even scored another as Johnson was unlucky to see his free kick bounce off the underside of the bar and onto the line. With that win, Norwich climb two places into 14th. 
Spurs were very disappointing and didn't turn up at the races today. It was a very poor first half from the team but they were still in the game at 0-0 going into half time. They conceded early in the second half and it shook them up even more. From that point onwards, they created more chances going forward and probably should have equalised. However, they spurned some decent chances and failed to level the match. That loss will hinder their hopes and chances of a top 4 place and Sherwood will need to inspire his team for a much better performance next week. 

Newcastle United 1 v 0 Aston Villa Remy (90)
First Half: Remy has a low shot long range across goal saved. Cisse has a low curling shot across goal parried away. Agbonlahor has a shot well parried away. Agbonlahor fires a long range strike just over the bar. Remy curls a free kick just wide of the far post. Cisse wastes a great chance, scuffing over the bar.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Gouffran fires a low shot across goal wide of the far post. Dummett fires a curling shot from the edge of the box just over the bar. Gouffran volleys over the bar. Remy has a low shot from the edge of the box parried past the near post. Sissokho blazes a shot over from the edge of the box. Remy hits the far post with a low shot. Goal! 1-0, Newcastle score a late winner as Remy fires past the keeper into the centre of the goal.
Full Time: 1-0.
Newcastle (9th>8th) 37>40pts
Villa (12th>13th) 28>28pts

My Opinion:
My man of the match was Remy. Remy seals dramatic late winner. Newcastle looked the more likely of the two teams to score but it took until the 90th minute for Remy to slot home the winner. The Toon created some good chances in the first half but Cisse spurned a couple of really good chances. It was more of the same in the second half as Newcastle kept threatening the Villa goal but being unable to break the deadlock. Remy got closer and closer during the final twenty minutes, hitting the far post before eventually sealing a late winner in injury time. With that win, Newcastle climb up one place into 8th.
Villa created some decent chances but were largely hanging on for most of the match. Agbonlahor had the best of the Villa chances in the first half but saw one effort parried away and another fly over the bar. There wasn't much of a threat from Villa in the second half but it looked like they were going to take a point from the game as Newcastle struggled to score. However, they were finally undone in the final few minutes as Remy denied them of a point. With that loss, Villa fall one place into 13th. 

Best Goal: Henderson, Shelvey, Snodgrass, Remy. Winner: Henderson.

League Leaders
1. Chelsea 60pts
2. Arsenal 59pts
3. Man City 57pts
4. Liverpool 56pts
5. Tottenham 50pts

Relegation Battle
16. Palace 26pts
17. West Brom 25pts
18. Sunderland 24pts
19. Cardiff 22pts
20. Fulham 21pts

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mattaylott