Soccer Buzz

What an exciting couple of days it has been for the ’soccer’ fans this weekend. We’ve seen a total of 25 goals, 35 bookings and 1 sending off! There have been some truly amazing games along the way too, here’s my run through of this weekends events and we’ll have a luck how my predictions went shall we?

Arsenal V Reading
As predicted a win for the Gunners. A penalty from stand-in skipper Gilberto Silva and a Julio Baptista drive in the 62nd minute were enough to make sure Arsenal sealed the win despite a late comeback attempt from Reading after Cesc Fabregas turned the ball into his own net three mintues from time.
My Prediction: 2 - 0
Actual Result: 2 - 1

Fulham V Aston Villa
Woo, I’m good! I didn’t expect anything else from the league’s draw specialists here. The visitors took the lead through new signing John Carew, however their lead was short lived when Fulham’s Bocanegra was on hand to poke the ball home two minutes later.
My Prediction: 1 - 1
Actual Result: 1 - 1 (WooHoo!)

Liverpool V Manchester United
A classic smash ‘n’ grab job from the Mancunians on Saturday saw United take all three points, when in fairness, they didn’t deserve it. In true championship-winning form United scored in the 90th minute for the second week running after the opposing team had outplayed them for most of the match. Liverpool missed a shed loads of chances and saw a goal chalked off for offside. United should have had a penalty in the second half when Louis Saha was felled in the Liverpool box while at the other end a fine save from dutchman Edwin Van der Sar thwarted Peter Crouch’s chance of breaking the deadlock. With one minute left United were awarded a free kick, Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina palmed Ronaldo’s shot cum cross into the path of John O’Shea where the Irishman was on hand to smash the ball home from 4 yards. Did that goal win United the title? Maybe..
My Prediction: 1 - 2
Actual Result: 0 - 1

Manchester City V Wigan Athletic
Another poor home performance by my team Manchester City saw Wigan Athletic take maximum points from this game. Sloppy defending allowed Wigan’s new signing Folan to nod the ball passed the flailing Nicky Weaver. City looked the better side in the second half as they introduced new signing Emile Mpenza but he couldn’t do anything on his debut to help the home team slump to yet another defeat at Eastlands!
My Prediction: 1 - 0
Actual Result: 0 - 1 (How wrong I was!)

Newcastle United V Middlesbrough
Nothing much to report here guys. A nil-nil stalement. Both sides were too scared to lose the bragging rights in their local towns, I guess!
My Prediction: 2 - 2
Actual Result: 0 - 0

Portsmouth V Chelsea
Another Chelsea win away at Portsmouth. The Londoners won by the same scoreline last season at Fratton Park and they were just as comfortable this time around. Two Andy Cole header’s were as near as Pompey got to the Chelsea goal, while up the other end Didier Drogba grabbed his 29th goal of the season with an expert volley passed the outstretched David James. Kalou’s 82nd minute strike ensured the Champions maintained the pressure on the current leaders, Manchester United.
My prediction: 0 - 2
Actual Result: 0 - 2 (WooHoo!)

Sheffield United V Everton
Both sides shared the points in this game as they drew 1 - 1. Both goals came in the second half with Rob Hulse scoring from close range to put the Blades in front. Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny brought Everton striker Andy Johnson down in the penalty area to conceed his 3rd penalty in 2 weeks. Mikel Arteta made no mistake from the spot, 18 mintues from time.
My Prediction: 0 - 1
Actual Result: 1 - 1

Watford V Charlton
Niether side could afford to lose this game and as it turns out, neither did! Watford stormed in to a two goal lead thanks to goals from Bouazza and Francis in the 15th and 21st minute, respectively. Watford manager Aidy Bothroyd must have thought his side had done enough at half time as it seemed the game was out of Charlton’s reach. A rousing second half performance by Alan Pardew’s Addicks (and in particular loanee Song) made sure the visitors were’t going home empty handed. They left it late but goals from Young and Ambrose ensured that Watford let another result slip away!
My Prediction: 1 - 1
Actual Result: 2 - 2

Bolton Wanderers V Blackburn Rovers
The first of Sunday’s fixtures. The game only came into life in the second half when Bolton conceeded TWO penalties within 10 minutes of each other! In-form striker Benni McCarthy duly obliged, converting both spot kicks. A late Nicolas Anelka strike was not enough to spare the home side’s blushes. The blagging rights lie in Blackburn, for now anyway.
My Prediction: 2 - 2
Actual Result: 1 - 2

West Ham United V Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday’s second game and tie of the weekend! Fans at Upton Park were treated to a 7 goal thriller. Here is a run through of the game’s happenings:-
16th Min: Noble scores for West Ham (1 - 0)
41st Min: Tevez makes it two nil to the home side (2 - 0)
51st Min: Defoe pulls one back for Spurs via the penalty spot (2 - 1)
63rd Min: Tainio equalises for Tottenham (2 - 2)
85th Min: Zamora comes off the bench and scores to restore West Ham’s lead (3 - 2)
89th Min: Tottenham equalise again! This time through Berbatov (3 - 3)
90th Min: Heartbreak at Upton Park as Stalteri scores the winner for Spurs (3-4)
Exciting, hey? Poor old West Ham, it’s going from bad to worse for them and in my humble opinion I can’t see them being a Premiership outfit next season

Check out my predictions! I got 7 CORRECT RESULTS and 3 PERFECT SCORES!

English Premiership, Premiership, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Reading, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Everton, Alan Curbishley, West Ham United, United, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Watford, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic, Fulham