Pride of place has to go to Barcelona and their 6-1 dismantling of Atletico Madrid. Atletico had a number of starters missing but I doubt it would have made much of a difference. Barcelona’s performance was clinical and totally overpowered the Madrid side.
St. Mirren beat Rangers and in the process both the top and bottom of the SPL changed. The 1-0 win moved St. Mirren of the last rung and up to tenth spot with Falkirk and Aberdeen dropping below them. Rangers loss combined with Celtic’s 4-0 win over Hamilton meant that the Celts now lead Rangers at the top on goal difference. The game marked Rangers last league visit to Love Street which has been the Buddies home since 1894. Come next season St. Mirren will be moving to new digs.
Sporting Gijon travelled to Mallorca and recorded a 2-0 win, their first win and first points of the season. The newly promoted side has undergone a baptism of fire over the first five games. The opening spell has included letting in seven goals to Real Madrid, six to Barcelona and four to Sevilla. This was also Gijon’s first clean sheet.
Aston Villa arrived at Stamford Bridge with pretensions of bringing Chelsea’s unbeaten streak of 85 games at Stamford Bridge to an end. Instead they were handed a lesson as Chelsea set about them with a display that Villa just could not match. Villa’s most potent attacking weapons of Carew, Young and Agbonlahor were neutralized as Chelsea dominated the midfield and final score line of 2-0 flattered Villa.
Best forgotten…..
With their play-off hopes hanging by a gossamer thin thread Los Angeles Galaxy picked a bad time to produce a display that was as toothless as a Wednesday night bingo audience. The Crew picked up the three points with the game’s only goal and hardly broke sweat doing it.
In May 2007 Atletico Madrid lost 6-0 at the Vicente Calderon Stadium to Barcelona. Nearly eighteen months on at least they scored a goal this time.
Best goals….
It could not be considered a crucial goal considering it was Barcelona’s sixth in their 6-1 thumping of Atletico Madrid. But nonetheless Thierry Henry’s strike was a cracker. The Frenchman started the move and then drilled home a shot from just outside the penalty box after an exchange of first time passes.
If it is not one of the goals of the season it will certainly be one of the cheekiest. A cross from Inter’s Adriano on the left was back-heeled into the Bologna goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Christian Träsch will never forget his first goal for Stuttgart and what is more it is highly unlikely that he will ever score a more spectacular one. The volley from outside the penalty box by the 21-year-old German was struck with incredible power and accuracy and whizzed past Bremen keeper Tim Wiese and into the Werder Bremen net.
On a terrible evening for Atletico Madrid, a powerful, bending shot from Maxi Rodriguez that found the back of the Barcelona net from 25 yards out was about the only high spot.
Best Players….
Eric Cantona once described Mickaël Pagis as the player who most closely resembled him in modern-day French football. On Sunday the thirty-five year old provided a glimpse of what Cantona meant in scoring all three goals in Rennes win over “perennial” French champions Lyon.
Frank Lampard was at the centre of Chelsea’s dominant display against Aston Villa. He helped set up both of the first half goals and was a constant threat throughout the match.
A Fernando Torres double made the difference in the Merseyside derby a week past Saturday. On Sunday another brace led Liverpool back from a two goal deficit at Eastlands and an eventual 3-2 win.
Goal feast……
Six goals in the first twenty-eight minutes of a match are pretty difficult to beat. The remainder of the game brought only one more goal in Barcelona’s 6-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
North Americans in Europe….
US international Clint Dempsey made his first Premiership start of the season for Fulham on Saturday. After a bright start during which Dempsey was repeatedly a source of problems for West Brom, the Baggies came to grips Dempsey and his influence faded as West Brom shaded Fulham by the only goal of the game.
Biggest Howlers……
Dimitar Berbatov has to thank Aalborg captain Thomas Augustinussen for his first goal for Manchester United. Augustinussen had dropped into the centre of the Aalborg defence after Australian central defender Michael Beauchamp was forced out of the game and misplaced a pass that had been squared to him. The result was a gift wrapped chance from the edge of the box that the Bulgarian striker promptly dispatched.
Juventus’ Mohamed Sissoko picked up two yellow cards in the first half against Palermo and conceded a free kick from which Palermo opened scoring on Sunday.
Brutal errors by two MLS goalkeepers cost their sides dearly on the opening goals. Against Chivas, DC United’s keeper Louis Crayton badly misplayed a pass back and the loose ball was picked by Dejair. Dejair found Alecko Eskandarian who slipped the ball into an empty net from 20 plus yards.
Colorado Rapid’s Preston Burpo was the goat when his attempted clearance rolled to Brian Ching early in the game against Houston Dynamo. Ching was able to gather the ball and chip it over the advancing keeper.
Stat facts…..
Last season after seven games Derby County had accumulated four of the total eleven points they were to collect over the entire season – at the same stage this season Tottenham Hotspur have two points.
Spurs and Grimsby are the only two teams without a win to date in the four English divisions.
Rangers’ loss to St. Mirren was their first to the Buddies for 17 years and their first at Love Street in 22 years.
Four clubs lost unbeaten league records this weekend. In Serie A the last two undefeated teams Juventus and Napoli capitulated, in Scotland Rangers’ streak ended after a run of seven games without as did Lyon’s in Ligue Une.
Serie A referees were handing out cards quicker than an overworked Vegas dealer this weekend. In ten games there were nine red and sixty yellow cards issued.
Before Saturday’s match against Hull, Spurs had made their worst start to a season since 55/56. David Lacey looks back to the changes that were made and the path to the the 1961 domestic Double.
Guy Adams produces a well researched and objective article on David Beckham’s move to MLS.
Patrick Barclay believes that the guardians of English football have failed to control spending and so it is time for the Government to step in.
Coming up this week…..
With a weekend of World Cup qualifiers set for next weekend about all that we have to look forward to are squads being named and players withdrawing because of injury.
Last weekend Arsenal dismantled Bolton at the Reebok and Arsene Wenger left some notes in a hotel room. The notes related to the importance of the team ethic. Perhaps Wenger should have had the Hull City hotel of choice searched on Sunday. Any any wisdom from Hull manager Phil Brown on the importance of taking chances when they are presented might be worthwhile. Hull City showed incredible resilience, took their opportunities when they arose and rode some breaks to pull off a win that will long be recounted.
Columbus Crew played like a team at the top of its game in beating nearest Eastern Conference rivals New England Revolution 1-0 on Saturday evening. The Crew did not allow the Revolution to settle and develop a rhythm to their game. The winner came from a well-rehearsed corner kick and even after Frankie Hejduk was sent off for incurring a second yellow card the Crew maintained a grip on the game.
The Crew now has an eight point lead with four games left in the race for the Supporters Shield which is awarded to the team with the best regular season record. Could we not just call them the League Champions?
Best forgotten…..
Arsenal should have had the game against Hull signed, sealed and delivered in the first half. But after failing to take their chances they paid a three point price for their lack of urgency and lost for only the second time at the Emirates.
Consecutive losses for Bayern Munich will increase the pressure on Jurgen Klinsmann at Bayern Munich. This weekend’s loss at Hannover was their first loss there since the spring of 1988. Klinsmann chose to rest a number of starters and faces a big match against Lyon in Champions League on Tuesday.
All you need to know about Spurs’ abysmal defending was clearly illustrated on the opening goal of the game against Portsmouth. A Pompey free kick was lazily handled by Jermaine Jenas in the penalty area and Jermain Defoe scored from the spot kick.
However, before the free kick Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O’Hara both had time to clear the ball (twice) and made a right dogs breakfast of it. The ball finally broke to a Portsmouth player who O’Hara needlessly fouled and that set up the free kick.
Inter Milan may have only lost 1-0 to city rivals Milan but for almost all the derby on Sunday they were second best and could have been third best if it was possible. Outplayed and outfought on the field and out-thought in the dugout.
Best goals….
Arsenal paid the price for backing off Geovanni and allowing a free shot from 25 yards out. The Brazilian hit the ball sweetly and with great power leaving Almunia absolutely helpless. He may not score at lot of goals but when he does they are generally in the memorable category.
Since signing for Fiorentina from Milan during the summer Alberto Gilardino has five goals with three coming in league play. All three goals have been clutch ones helping to deliver wins over Bologna, Genoa and a draw against Juventus. Saturday’s winner against Genoa was a classic piece of finishing with the Italian international striker creating half a yard of space so he could swivel and hook the ball into the far corner.
Luis Antonio Valencia does not get a lot of recognition playing in Wigan’s midfield. However, the Ecuador international rarely gives the ball up, he has good speed, is very comfortable on the ball and drops back when needed. And he has a terrific shot on him. The opening goal against City was a blistering drive that left City keeper Joe Hart rooted to the spot.
Best Players….
During his time in the Premiership George Boateng has had a habit of reserving his best performances for underdog and back-against-the-wall situations. He added another on Saturday for Hull against Arsenal at the Emirates. Now well into his 30s Boateng covered acres of space and was a constant barrier to Arsenal’s attacks.
A hat trick is always something to savor but when it comes when your team is in desperate need then it is even better. Colorado Rapids striker Conor Casey helped his team to only their third away win of the season and inflicted on New York Red Bulls their second home defeat. Casey scored twice in the first half – one a penalty kick – and with the score tied at 4-4 Casey notched a delightful and dramatic last minute winner.
On Sunday in the Milan derby the midfield trio of Ambrossini, Seedorf and Gattuso provided the platform for Milan’s best performance of the season to date (yes better than beating Lazio 4-1). The #### never allowed Inter to settle and Seedorf in particular was outstanding.
Goal feast……
Werder Bremen went nap for the second straight week – this time against newly promoted Hoffenheim. Last week Bremen beat Bayern Munich 5-2 but Saturday’s win was even more dramatic. Bremen led 4-1 but the visitors fought back to 4—4 and in the process Bremen’s centre back Mertesaker was sent off. Ten-man Bremen then got a late winner through Mesut Ozil.
Colorado Rapids and New York Red Bulls scored seven in a goal filled first half that saw the visiting Rapids holding a single goal edge after 45 minutes. The Red Bulls equalized with around fifteen minutes left only for the Rapids to score a 90th minute winner.
North Americans in Europe….
Canadian international Rhian Dodds moved from Kilmarnock to Dundee on loan late last week and made his debut in a 2-0 loss to St. Johnstone.
Celtic are ready to sign 6ft 6in American goalkeeper Dominic Cervi to a three year deal. Final paperwork is pending.
Biggest Howlers……
The award of a penalty to Manchester United by an ideally positioned Rob Styles was a real stunner. My first reaction was shock that he was going to book Ronaldo for “diving.” The penalty against Jlloyd Samuel (correction from originally named) Ricardo Gardner was an even bigger shock. It was a regular tackle with the defender playing the ball and the attacker falling over the out stretched leg of the defender.
A comment from Toronto FC GM Mo Johnston about signing a designated player ("preferably I'd like him to be Canadian") next season set off a flurry of Julian de Guzman to TFC from Deportivo La Coruna stories north of the border.
De Guzman is at the top of his game, playing regularly in midfield for Deportivo La Coruna and is surely drawing a sizeable wage packet each week. Although he has solid all round talent his strength is the defensive side of the game and goals have never come easily for him. Hardly the type of player you would sign to the designated category to start with. What’s more a move to TFC from Liga while in his prime would hardly constitute ambition.
Goodness knows who started the ludicrous rumour but it says a lot for the sorry state of the Canadian soccer media that the story grew legs rather than being dismissed with a chuckle.
Stat facts…..
Fernando Torres’ double on Saturday against Everton at Goodison was only his fifth and sixth Premiership goals scored away from Anfield out of his 27 goals in total. It also constituted his first Premiership double away from Anfield and gives him three goals in two appearances against Everton.
West Brom’s win at Boro was their first in over 56 years. During that spell Boro had recorded 14 wins and 6 draws.
Saturday’s win over Arsenal was not the first time that Hull have finished on top – but it has not happened for a while. The last time? It was April 2, 1915 in front of a crowd of 8,000 with Hull winning 1-0 in a Division 2 game. For Arsenal it was a third straight loss after losing to Grimsby Town (1-0) and Huddersfield Town (3-0). Arsenal finished in 5th spot that season. The game took place just two years after Arsenal opened Highbury and four years before the club was elected to the First Division ahead of Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City’s poor run of form against Wigan in the Premiership continued on Sunday. In seven Premiership encounters Wigan have won five and drawn the other two.
What was said….
David Conn believes that Premiership clubs can avoid the financial ill-effects of the current crisis because of the long-term television rights deals and season ticket money. We will see.
George Caulkin looks at the appointment of Joe Kinnear as “interim” Newcastle manager.
John Giles reckons that Roy Keane should look for other other work if abuse from fans is getting to him.
Simon Kuper tells us that thirty-two years ago and within seven days of each other four outstanding players came into the world.
News here that UEFA is taking the issue of gambling and match fixing more seriously by creating a monitoring unit. Has anyone read "The Fix" by Declan Hill yet?
Ian Plenderleith believes that MLS needs a team to dominate and therefore become truly detested.
Coming up this week…..
Match day 2 for the Champions League and the second leg of the UEFA Cup first round. Now with the arrival of the Europa Cup this is the last time you will get to enjoy a UEFA Cup first round. And to think that I have just stopped referring to it as the Fairs Cup.
It has been a very strange start to the Premiership season for Everton. Over the previous two seasons Goodison has provided a solid base for their 6th and 5th place finishes. In fact, with the exception of one more goal scored last season their home record has been identical – 11 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses, scored 33 (34) and conceded just 17. And that has meant that excluding the top four Goodison has been the least charitable venue for visiting sides in the last two seasons.
But with the new season only five games old Everton are the only side without a home point having lost both games so far and have already conceded six goals. A seven point haul from three away games so far points to skittish form until you realize that the opposition has comprised the promoted clubs – Stoke, West Brom and Hull City.
What’s more Saturday’s derby against Liverpool is the start of a particularly testing time with Premiership games against Arsenal and Manchester United coming up in the following three rounds of play. And there is the need to go to Belgium this coming week and more than likely they need to return with a win if they are to move on in the UEFA Cup.
Considering Liverpool’s record in this decade against Everton there is little cause for optimism from the home supporters – ten wins, five draws and two losses for Liverpool illustrates the Reds dominance. A win for Everton might just the lift they need – on the other hand a loss might just mean that by the end of October Everton’s focus will be to dig out of the bottom half of the table.
Manchester United v Bolton
There has been nothing so far to indicate that this season is going to be anything for Bolton Wanderers other than a constant battle to stay in 17th position or slightly above. Bolton’s first four games were not overly arduous but they ran into Arsenal last week and they follow it up with a visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.
One win in four games is hardly a stellar start for Manchester United either but that might only increase the chance that Bolton will fall victim to a pent up demand for goals and a big win from United fans and management.
Three wins in eighteen Premiership matches against United gives little encouragement particularly when the Trotters have only scored 12 goals and let in 42. In addition Bolton’s record in North-West derbies has been poor since their return to the Premiership in the 2001/02 season.
Their first season back brought a 50/50 split with two wins set off against two losses and the other four games finished drawn. Over the next six seasons Bolton have never come close to matching that performance.
Overall in seventy-four North-West derbies Bolton have won only twenty, drawn eighteen and lost thirty six – a strange record for a side that has enjoyed a number of top eight finishes during that time.
That means that games against local rivals have generated a little over a point a game while the return against others has averaged 1.38 – a case of feasting on the southern softies perhaps?
Chivas vs. Kansas City Wizards
With five rounds of play remaining (six for Houston and San Jose) the race for the seven remaining play-off spots is really heating up with “must-win” games coming one after another.
Kansas City Wizards are back in contention after successive 2-0 wins against LA Galaxy and Toronto FC. Two goals victories have not been a common occurrence (the only other was the opening game of the season against DC United) for the Wizards and could not have come at a better time.
The same could be said for Chivas who spoiled the bidding farewell to Rice-Eccles Stadium party by inflicting Real Salt Lake’s first home loss of the season last weekend. The win meant that Chivas leapfrogged over RSL in the western conference but things are so tight that come Monday morning the current standings will have a very different look.
Milan vs. Inter
Serie A went through a scheduling change this season and it has added considerable luster to the competition already. Before this season the “big-clubs” were kept apart over the first few weeks but that changed this season with a more all-in approach right from the opening kick-off.
The season has got off to a fantastic start with the likes of Lazio, Atalanta, Napoli, Catania, Genoa and Palermo all producing impressive performances during the first month of play. But this weekend it will be two of the usual suspects that will garner the majority of the attention. Milan and Inter clash in the San Siro derby and it will be Jose Mourinho’s first taste while for Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti it will be the latest of many.
So far Inter’s displays have provided intermittent shows of brilliance while Milan have recovered from two defeats in their opening two games. The last six Milan derbies have produced a healthy 22 goals with no game decided by more than a goal.
Fiorentina vs. Genoa
Genoa were outstanding in their win over Roma (even when you consider that they were fortunate that the assistant referee chalked off a perfectly legitimate Panucci goal) in midweek and now face a trip to Florence.
Genoa played an attacking 3-4-3 formation with the midfield and front three continually pressing the Roma defence. Diego Milito is receiving most of the credit with four goals in four games but the recognition should be shared with the likes of Gasbarroni and Sculli in attack and a midfield of Milanetto, Rossi, Palladino and Modesto. Fiorentina conceded all three goals to Lazio in a seven minute spell early in the second half and need to get back to winning ways.
Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla
This is the first in a run of big matches for Atletico. A fantastic away win against PSV in Champions league combined with three wins in the first four Liga games with 11 goals scored and only three against has meant expectations have risen rapidly.
Sevilla arrive unbeaten in league play and coming soon after are Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal as well as two Champions League games against Marseille and Liverpool.
The Spanish league’s top scorer is Florent Sinama-Pongolle with five goals. No doubt this will have some Liverpool fans reeling considering it took him 48 Premiership games to score as many for the Reds.
Austria found a way to build on a better than expected European Championship (competitive without being threatening) by beating France 3-1. Ironically their next match is on Wednesday against Lithuania who also pulled of a fantastic result by beating Romani 3-0 in Bucharest.
Lithuania had lost the previous seven international matches versus Romania and this win is arguably the biggest in the country’s history. Lithuania have one won away from home on numerous occasions but none of the wins have come against a country of Romania’s calibre.
A huge 1-0 away win for Uruguay against Colombia. The Villarreal midfielder Sebastian Eguren scored in first 15 minutes as Uruguay leapfrogged Colombia. The win put Uruguay third on Saturday evening pending the Sunday match between Chile and Brazil.
Andy Murray’s four set win over Rafael Nadal at the USA Open. A fantastic match and I am in total awe of how hard these players hit the ball and how well they get around the court. Tennis is a game in which if you are not mentally strong you are nothing. It puts into perspective some of John Terry's comments about England's millionaires lacking confidence. Confidence comes from knowing that you can execute under pressure and that comes from exceptional technical skills that have been honed over time and perfected.
Way back in my teenage years tennis was one of my summer sports and I played poorly in a number of junior tournaments around Scotland. It wasn't until a few months ago that I found out that Andy Murray's mum is Judy (then) Erskine whose name I remember from that time as she played in a number of the same competitions.
Best forgotten…..
Yes it was a win but by any criteria it was a labored and uninspired performance by England that needed two second half goals from Joe Cole to see off Andorra 2-0 in Barcelona.
The first forty five minutes of the home game against Paraguay was a nightmare for Argentina. Carlos Tevez picked up his second red card of World Cup qualifying but this only served to increase Argentina’s problems. Full back Gabriel Heinze had already put through his own goal and injured goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri in the process. The goalie had to be replaced and Heinze was substituted at the break. As it was a second half equalizer from Sergio Aguero salvaged a point.
Best goals….
Jason Garey had just set foot on the park and with his first touch he cushioned the ball and with his second he scored past Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis. It was the Columbus Crew’s third goal of the game in a match that would finish 4-0. It was the simplicity of the goal stood out. Chad Marshall broke up a Revolution attack in his own penalty area and played the ball forward. After a series of quick one touch passes the ball was played to the Crew’s Guillermo Barros Schelotto. As Schelotto attacked the Revolution defence Garey strayed offside forcing the Argentine to hold the ball. Eschewing an obvious pass out to the right Schelotto allowed Garey to get back onside before clipping a reverse pass to him. Garey did the rest.
A beautifully weighted pass from Cesc Fabregas was played through to Spain’s David Villa. His first touch took him wide and beyond the Bosnia goalkeeper but as the Valencia striker reached the ball it looked as if the final angle was too acute. Nevertheless despite being only a matter of inches from the byline Villa stroked the ball into the net to give Spain the win and to make up for a first half penalty that he had missed.
Best Players….
Antonio di Natale had a couple of goals on the opening day of Serie A last weekend and followed up with another pair, this time for Italy in a 2-1 away win to Cyprus. The second goal finished off a neat move involving Gilardino, Del Piero and Camoranesi and came in the 90th minute.
The Ramon Nunez playing for Honduras against Canada was unrecognizable as the player that formerly lined up for FC Dallas and Chivas USA in MLS. During the first hour Nunez was a bundle of energy, creativity and finishing. He was a source of discomfort to the Canadian midfield and scored twice in a ten minute period at the start of the second after Canada had led 1-0 at the break. The first goal he created from first running at the Canadian defence and moving the ball out to the left side. He then drifted towards the far post and unmarked gathered the return pass and slotted the ball home.
Austrian captain Andreas Ivanschitz set up the first two goals for his country through well delivered free kicks and he finished the job by scoring from the penalty spot to give Austria a 3-1 win over France.
Goal feast……
There were a total of twelve goals in the two CONCACAF Group 3 qualifying matches. Costa Rica thumped Suriname 7- 0 while El Salvador went nap on Haiti winning 5-0.
Biggest Howlers……
This one was not an on-field howler but well worth mentioning. Chivas goalkeeper Zack Thornton went down injured after a collision with Toronto FC’s Danny Dichio in the second half of Saturday’s MLS game. The referee called for the stretcher crew who then had to lift the 6’ 3” goalkeeper weighing a conservative 235 lbs. on to the carrier.
As the stretcher bearers turned at the corner flag it was patently obvious that Thornton’s attendants were struggling with their cargo. The camera then moved back to the action but only a few moments later CBC colour commentator and former Canadian captain Jas de Vos could not hold it in a moment longer.
Apparently the load had proved too much and the four man crew had dropped the Chivas keeper as they passed the bench area and it forced him to continue his trip to the dressing room under his own steam.
It was a miserable day for French central defender Philippe Mexes against Austria. France conceded two goals from free kicks played high into the penalty box and down the middle. The other came from a penalty conceded by Mexes as he dragged down Janko in full view of the referee. It was France’s first loss to Austria in nearly four decades.
New York Red Bulls’ Diego Jimenez sliced a clearance square across his own penalty area to a waiting Stephen King who scored the only goal of the game for Chicago Fire. I’m not sure what was more memorable – the awful clearance or match commentator Max Bretos who managed to work both “horror show” and “Stephen King” into the goal description.
Stat facts
Israel and Switzerland drew for the third straight game in World Cup qualifying. This time it was 2- 2 with Israel coming back from two goals down with 17 minutes to go. The Israeli fight back should have come as no surprise to the Swiss as four years ago Israel had to come from 2-1 down to draw. The Swiss also led 1-0 in the return game before giving up an equalizer.
It was France’s first loss to Austria in nearly 38 years.
WSC comments on this week's problems and departures at Newcastle and West Ham.
Simon Barnes tests his law – “anyone who buys a football club will end up looking an #### within a year and a bloody fool within two”.
Ian Plenderleithlooks at the opening of the NFL regular season and draws potential parallels with the Premiership.
Coming up this week…..
World Cup qualifiers continue with a more interesting schedule in Europe. Some of matches that catch the eye include: Portugal vs. Denmark; Russia vs. Wales (replay of Euro 2004 play off won by Russia); Turkey vs. Belgium; Croatia vs. England; France vs. Serbia; and surprisingly Lithuania vs. Austria.
In CONCACAF qualifying Mexico and the USA have a chance to all but wrap up a spot in the final round with Canada and Trinidad and Tobago providing the visiting opposition.
The most crucial game in South America might be Chile vs. Colombia.
Six goals, two red cards and seven yellow cards made for a typical Old Firm clash. In this edition Rangers came out on top and the win buys manager Walter Smith a few #### points as he rebuilds the Rangers midfield…..well at least until the next time the two teams face each other.
San Jose Earthquakes continue on their great run of late that now extends to an unbeaten streak of seven games. Their 2-1 win over Kansas City Wizards also meant that they have finally moved off the bottom of the Western Conference.
Bologna had a fantastic return to Serie A beating Milan 2-1. Former Parma and Juventus striker Marco Di Vaio gave the newly promoted team a surprise 1-0 first half lead before Ambrosini equalized before half time. The second forty-five minutes was almost completely dominated by Milan but for Bologna it was a case of bending but refusing to break. A magnificent 79th drive for Francesco Valiani gave Bologna the go-ahead goal and the winner. The 27-year-old midfielder was playing in his first ever Serie A match.
Numancia maintained the excellent early season record of promoted teams by shocking Barcelona 1-0. Last season’s Segunda champions scored in the first half and held on for a noteworthy win.
Best forgotten…..
Hull lost their unbeaten record and were hammered 5-0 by Wigan. Despite taking four points from their first three games there is a sense that there are a few more lopsided results in Hull’s future.
Everton’s midfield and defence was shredded by Portsmouth in a 3-0 home loss. It was their worst home loss in the Premiership since losing 4-0 to Bolton just prior to Christmas 2005.
The teams that finished in the top five positions last season in Serie A all failed to collect full points on opening day. Champions Inter were held at Sampdoria (1-1), Roma draw at home against 10-man Napoli (1-1), Fiorentina and Juventus the points and Milan stumbled to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of newly promoted Bologna.
Best goals….
Glen Johnson sliced through the Everton defence after an exchange of passes with Jermain Defoe and coolly slipped the ball past Tim Howard for Portsmouth second goal in a 3-0 rout of Everton.
Taylor Twellman may not have scored the best goal but arguably the bravest. Twellman was courageous enough to put his head where it was guaranteed to be thumped by LA Galaxy keeper Steve Cronin. Fortunately for the New England Revolution Twellman’s head also made contact with the ball and it landed in the net to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead in a game that finished 2-2. The Revolution’s Coach Steve Nicol was on camera and being interviewed in the seconds leading up to goal. The words “this isn’t working,” “we have to decide whether to make a change now or give it five minutes” were just out of the coach’s mouth when Twellman scored.
Antonio Di Natale’s second goal of the game for Udinese against Palermo was outstanding. One touch to kill a long pass into the penalty area; the second to lob the on-rushing goalkeeper - pure class.
A meandering solo run from Alexander Baumjohann that took him half the length of the field gave Borussia Mongengladbach a 3-0 lead and what turned out to be the winning goal in a 3-2 win over Werder Bremen.
Best Players….
In Portsmouth’s 3-0 away win at Everton David James pulled of a first half point-blank stop on Arteta and saved a Yakubu penalty – both efforts coming at key moments in the game.
Jermaine Defoe set about the Everton defence scoring the opening goal and helping to set up the two others in the same game.
Angelo Palombo was incredible in Sampdoria’s midfield against Inter. Whether it was making tackles, harrying the Inter players or pushing Sampdoria forward, Palombo was excellent.
Julian De Guzman was outstanding in Deportivo La Coruna’s win over Spanish champions Real Madrid - the best player on the park.
Goal feast……
There was no shortage of goals in the Bundesliga this weekend. Thirty-one goals in nine games including Bayer Leverkusen bringing Hoffenheim back down to earth (5-2), Hamburg winning 4-2 away to Arminia Bielefeld, newly promoted Borussia Monchengladbach beating winless Werder Bremen 3-2 and defending Champions Bayern Munich dispatching Hertha Berlin 4-1. These four game alone generated 23 of the goals.
North Americans in Europe….
Canadian Chris Pozniak scored his first goal for Dundee in the Scottish First Division but Queen of the South still won 3-1.
Biggest Howlers……
Penalty misses galore on Saturday in the Premiership with Yakubu (Everton), Roberts (Blackburn) and Downing (Middlesbrough) all failing to convert from 12 yards.
Toronto FC keeper Greg Sutton was heading towards a MLS Player of the Week nomination (from me anyway) after saving his team’s bacon on a number of occasions. That was until deep into added time when he allowed a tame effort from Atiba Harris trickle through his hands and it barely made it over the goal line. It gave Chivas a crucial 2-1 win and severely dented Toronto’s hope of making a play-off charge in MLS’s Eastern Conference.
Stat facts
Since beating Chelsea last spring to lift the Carling Cup Spurs have won just three Premiership games.
Wigan’s 5-0 win at Hull is the first time they have scored five goals away from home in a top flight match and only the second time that they have scored five goals in a top flight game. The other occasion came in a 5-3 win over Blackburn last December. The win is the largest margin of victory in Wigan’s 117 top flight matches.
All six matches in the Scottish Premier League this weekend were won by the away team.
Real Madrid has not beaten Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor since 1991 and hasn’t earned a point there since 2002.
What was said….
Oliver Kay and how Serie A is now a home for Europe’s ageing players.
Liverpool’s stadium delay is blamed on credit crunch. The “credit crunch” has become a convenient excuse but the truth is that if you have a solid business plan, acceptable collateral and are well funded banks will fall over themselves to lend you money. Only organizations and individuals that are highly leveraged are having trouble getting credit facilities.
A Rod Liddle column that is sure to rile some readers.
Patrick Barclay looks at the impact of money on the predictability of the Champions League group stage.
James Lawton questions the credentials of many Arsenal “fans”.
Jonathan Wilson looks at the frustration of Rafa Benitez.
Fulham’s win over Arsenal was no fluke. The Cottagers played high quality football and totally outplayed Arsenal in the midfield.
Stoke City took the lead twice against Aston Villa only to be pegged back each time. But they persevered and got a stoppage time winner from Mamady Sidibe in their first top flight game at home since 1985.
It may not have been pretty but that should not overshadow the fact that the USA got off to a great start to the semi-final round of World Cup qualifying with their first ever competitive win in Guatemala.
The New York Red Bulls are hitting their stride at the right time. A 3-0 win over Houston means that the Red Bulls are now unbeaten at home in their last six home games and have scored nine goals in their last three. Considering that the Houston Dynamo had been rattling up wins and goals the last few weeks it was an impressive outing for the Bulls.
Best forgotten…..
A little over two years ago Chelsea paid Milan a king’s ransom for the services of Andriy Shevchenko. To that point in his career Shevchenko has scored at a rate better than a goal every two games and although he scored on his debut for Chelsea only eight more goals were to follow over the next two seasons. It would be considered a poor return on a striker that cost $6M let alone $60M and no matter which way you look it the move failed miserably. The lesson – no transfer comes with a guarantee of success.
For most nations a bronze medal at the Olympic Games is more than a satisfactory return. But for Brazil’s men's soccer team and the fans back home it is nothing less than abject failure. Brazil has been become overly fixated on winning a men’s soccer gold at the Olympics – the one title that has eluded them over the years. Silver medals in 84 and 88 were followed by a bronze in Atlanta. This time it was another bronze and should Brazil stumble in their next World Cup qualifying match away to Chile in just under two weeks time it will be a coup de grace for coach Carlos Dunga.
Best goals…. There were a slew to choose from this week and here are my picks in no particular order.
Chad Barrett’s equalizer for Toronto against New England Revolution was his 7th goal of the season. It was a thunderous left foot strike that flew past the Revolution’s Doug Warren.
Liverpool’s winner against Boro might also be categorized as crime of the week. Nonetheless Steven Gerrard’s shot right on full time was not only beautifully struck but it was a clutch goal for the home side.
A very cute header from Hull’s Richard Garcia gave the away side a share of the points against Blackburn.
Jakub Blaszczykowski (Kuba to the fans and commentators) sent a swerving right footed drive from the edge of the penalty area into the roof of the Bayern Munich net for Borussia Dortmund.
Goal feast……
Not only goals galore but a few reds as well as Real Madrid beat Valencia 4-2 in the Spanish Super Cup second leg and took the trophy 6-5 on aggregate. When you consider that Real was down 4-2 on aggregate and down to 10-men by half time it was a remarkable result. But remarkable was to become extraordinary.
Ruud van Nistelrooy narrowed the gap to a single goal from the penalty spot only five minutes after the restart but then did his side no favours when he was sent off with 16 minutes to go. Playing nine against eleven and a goal down with a quarter of an hour left Real Madrid then stunned Valencia with three goals before Morientes scored a consolation goal for Valencia.
Sergio Ramos and substitutes Reuben de la Red (another red for Real Madrid?) and Higuaín all scored. It was all amazing stuff and a shot in the arm for Real Madrid who starts their title defense away to Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. Valencia is at home to Mallorca.
Best Howlers…… A badly misplayed corner by Pat Onstad gifted Jamaica an equalizer in midweek World Cup qualifying against Canada. Onstad who is normally so reliable for Houston punched an Andy Williams corner into his own net shortly after Julian de Guzman has given Canada a one goal lead.
Best Players…. The Fulham midfield of Davies, Bullard, Murphy and Gera was outstanding in Fulham’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Elano may have scored twice for Manchester City against West Ham United but it was Stephen Ireland that set both goals up. Ireland was irrepressible in midfield for City as they chalked up a much needed win.
Stat facts Middlesbrough last won at Anfield was on March 6, 1976 with goals from John Hickton and Terry Cooper. Since then Liverpool has won 19 and drawn 6 against Boro at home.
Michael Owen’s headed goal against Bolton was his 19th Premiership goal for Newcastle. Of the nineteen, nine have now come from his head. This is quite a contrast to Owen’s record of only seven headers out of 118 goals during his time with Liverpool in the Premiership.
Wigan boss Steve Bruce might want to be really clear about kick off time when his charges play at Hull next Saturday. In their two games so far Wigan has conceded three goals and they have all come in the first ten minutes.
What was said….
Jonathan Wilson with a remarkable story about Croatia’s Darijo Srna.
Marcela Mora y Araujo on Argentina’s performance at the Olympics.
Steve Tongue on the fall of the FA’s CEO Brian Barwick and the changes that have still to come.
Mike Ticher questions the purpose of the Men’s Olympic soccer tournament.
This is a meeting of two teams that won their opening fixtures. However, Boro has not found Anfield to be a good source of points over the years. In thirteen visits Liverpool has yet to lose to Middlesbrough. In the corresponding fixture last season Fernando Torres scored a hat trick and gave his team the win by the odd goal in five. It was only the fifth and six goals scored by Boro at Anfield in the Premiership.
Tottenham vs. Sunderland
Considering picking this game as a draw? You might want to think again based on only one draw in fourteen Premiership matches between the teams. Sunderland win? Probably not based on history. Seven Premiership visits to White Hart lane and seven losses.
Wigan v Chelsea (Sunday)
Chelsea has won on all three occasions they have visited the JJB but twice they have needed late winners.
Portsmouth v Man Utd (Monday)
The season is just underway and already this is the third meeting between these two. So far it has been a warm-up game win in Nigeria for United (2-1) followed by a scoreless Charity Shield season opener and a penalty kicks triumph for United.
However, Pompey has caused United more problems than they have been able to handle on their visits over the last five seasons. In fact there is no team that Portsmouth has taken more Premiership points from at Fratton Park than United (tied on 10 with Manchester City and Boro).
Toronto vs. New England Revolution
I hope that Toronto FC do take some of the money from the Maurice Edu to Rangers deal to replace the artificial surface at BMO Field with grass although GM Maurice Johnston did not actually say that.
They may also want to consider installing a revolving door in the home dressing room as it has been another week of comings and goings.
Laurent Robert exploded onto the TFC scene with a couple of performances that had fans and reporters purring with delight.
Robert may have shone brightly for a time but his twinkle faded quickly and his departure has been met with a stunning silence from those who were quick to heap praise on him such a short time ago.
Anyone who has tracked Robert’s career since leaving Newcastle would not be surprised and that includes TFC coach John Carver.
In his place (certainly not positional) comes Carlos Ruiz. Not a favourite of TFC supporters up to now (fair to say not a favourite of many fans) it will be interesting to see how they react (and some Canadian television commentators) to his ….let’s just say style.
Toronto has slipped seven points behind 3rd place Chicago and the season is now into the last third. To maintain play-off hopes some wins are required and quickly.
The Revolution is back atop the Eastern Conference and Michael Parkhurst and Shalrie Joseph both returned in the 2-1 midweek win over DC United.
However, Nyassi will sit this one out after maxing out on cards of the yellow variety. On Tuesday the Revs travel to Trinidad to play Joe Public in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Grenoble vs. Lyon
After an absence of forty-five Grenoble is back in the French top flight and is sitting top of the table and is the only side with two wins. Sochaux was beaten 2-1 in the opener and Rennes was toppled 1-0 last weekend.
This weekend they face champions Lyon who have sixteen of their nineteen matches against newly promoted sides over the years.
The last time these two sides faced each other was in 1963. Grenoble was relegated at the end of that season and never returned until this season.
Note: This article has also appeared on FoxSoccer.com but without the statistics on home advantage.
With a comfortable preliminary round win against St. Vincent and the Grenadines out of the way Canada gets down to the serious business of World Cup qualifying on Wednesday when they play Jamaica in Toronto.
Mexico and Honduras are the other two countries in Group B. Two countries will qualify for a final group of six. From the final group, the top three countries will qualify to play in South Africa in 2010 while the fourth-place team will have to play-off against the country finishing fifth in South American qualifying.
Last week Canadian coach Dale Mitchell stressed the importance of winning at home and trying to pick up a point or two on the road. “The last couple of times, the home teams have let us down a little bit,” he said.
One look at the history book will tell you that it wasn’t just the last couple of times and it wasn’t just by a little bit. Canada’s home form in World Cup qualifying since their one and only appearance in 1986 in Mexico has cost them any chance they might have have had of returning to the world stage.
Too many times Canada has been unable to turn home advantage into three points and without rock-solid home performances it is almost impossible to qualify from CONCACAF.
Canada has even found that winning at home sometimes hasn’t been enough. Back in the late 80s Canada beat Guatemala 3-2 in a preliminary round game but lost on the away goals rule. Four years later they beat Australia 2-1 in Edmonton in a playoff game but lost by a single goal in Sydney and then lost on penalty kicks.
All told Canada has won only twelve of the twenty-four home games they’ve played in World Cup qualifying since 1986. They’ve drawn another six, and lost six. In fact, it is over a decade since Canada won a make-or-break game on home soil. The last crucial win came in 1997 against Costa Rica when a goal from Eddy Berdusco gave Canada the win and what turned out to be a temporary lifeline. It was Canada’s only win in the final round and they finished bottom of the group.
A comparison to the home records of CONCACAF countries (see Home Advantage below?) who have qualified directly since 1990 makes it stunningly obvious how important it is to win at home. In the ninety-three games played by countries that have gone on to qualify for the World Cup Finals there have been only four losses against seventy-five wins.
Canada’s Gold Cup win in 2000 encouraged the notion that a trip to Japan and South Korea in 2002 was possible but they failed to even qualify from the preliminary group stage. A similar fate was in store four years later.
Will this time be different? Despite inflated and sometimes unrealistic expectations of previous squads there are a number of genuine reasons why this time it might be different. While many Canadian teams of the past have been able to defend, creating and taking chances has rarely been a strong point.
This team is different. For example in striker Rob Friend Canada has a player with size and strength who can play with his back to the goal, link the attack and score goals. Followers of MLS need no introduction to the talents of Dwayne De Rosario and Mitchell has shown a greater willingness to play Rosario in a more central role than others before him. Deportivo La Coruna’s Julian de Guzman and FC Copenhagen’s Atiba Hutchison are both top class midfielders who are comfortable at either end of the field.
With their first two games at home (Honduras September 6 in Montreal) Canada has a chance to get off to a roaring start and to show the rest on CONCACAF that this time it will be different. But anything less than six points and Canadian fans will be thinking that they have seen this picture too many times before. Home Advantage?
1986 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 2-0 Haiti Canada 2-1 Guatemala
Final Round - Home Record Canada 1-1 Costa Rica Canada 2-1 Honduras
1990 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 3-2 Guatemala (lost on away goals)
Final Round Did not qualify
Qualified Countries - Home Records Costa Rica 4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses. USA 3 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses.
1994 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 1-0 Jamaica Canada 2-3 El Salvador Canada 4-2 Bermuda
Final Round - Home Record Canada 2-0 El Salvador Canada 3-1 Honduras Canada 1-2 Mexico
Play Off - Home Record Canada 2-1 Australia (eventually lost on penalty kicks)
Qualified Countries - Home Records Mexico 6 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses.
1998 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 3-1 Panama Canada 2-0 Cuba Canada 1-0 El Salvador
Final Round - Home Record Canada 0-0 El Salvador Canada 0-0 Jamaica Canada 1-0 Costa Rica Canada 2-2 Mexico Canada 0-3 USA
Qualified Countries - Home Records Mexico 6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses. USA 6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses. Jamaica 8 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses.
2002 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 0-0 Cuba Canada 0-2 Trinidad and Tobago Canada 1-0 Panama (fate already sealed) Canada 0-0 Mexico
Final Round Did not qualify
Qualified Countries - Home Records Costa Rica 6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses. Mexico 7 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. USA 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss.
2006 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 4-0 Belize Canada 0-2 Guatemala Canada 1-1 Honduras Canada 1-3 Costa Rica
Final Round Did not qualify
Qualified Countries - Home Records USA 8 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses. Mexico 9 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses. Costa Rica 6 wins, 1 draws, 2 losses.
Summary CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying - Home records 1990-2006 Canada P 24, W 12, D 6, L 6. Qualifying Countries P 93, W 75, D 14, L 4. USA P 30, W 23, D 6, L 1.
I have to admit to be taken aback by some of the reactions to Claudio Reyna’s retirement announcement. Many of the comments have focused on him being “past it” and others to him being overrated.
Certainly the injuries problems he has suffered since signing for the New York Red Bulls have generated more headlines over the last two seasons than his on-field performances but retirement should be a time for a more balanced assessment of a career.
In terms of injuries Reyna is not unlike many other athletes before him. As the body begins to break down and a playing career begins to slip away the desire to eke out just one more season or even one more game can become all encompassing. To criticize a player for such human frailties is mean spirited and shows a particular lack of compassion – particularly given Reyna’s achievements.
We hear constantly that U.S. college soccer cannot produce top calibre players but Reyna proved that supposition to be faulty. An outstanding college player he opted to take his chances in Europe after missing the 1994 World Cup through injury. It might have only been a decade and a half ago but back then North American soccer players were about as highly rated in Europe as Welsh baseball players were in the USA.
American players were regarded as having big hearts and little technique and players like that were, and still are, a dime a dozen in Europe. Nevertheless Reyna was the player who broke that stereotype and he managed to establish himself as a sought after commodity in the cut throat world of European professional football.
First it was in Germany (Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg) before heading for Scotland to play for Rangers. From Rangers it was to the Premiership with Sunderland and then onto Manchester City. Throughout his career Reyna improved as he constantly added to his repertoire. As he matured the creative midfielder became a player who improved the defensive side his game to the point where he at times turned in excellent performances at right back.
His pinnacle came at the 2002 World Cup when all facets of his game came together and he helped take USA to the last eight of the competition. Reyna never enjoying blistering speed but his anticipation and reading of the game meant he was rarely caught out of position and he had an unerring ability to anticipate an opportunity or problem before it became obvious to others. He had the courage to make himself available for others in trouble and at his best he could dictate the rhythm and pace of a match.
Overrated? Only by those with hamster-like attention spans or with no understanding of what it takes to be a top class player for so many years. Three appearances at World Cups, two Olympic Games and successful stints in three different European leagues makes Reyna’s accomplishments unparalleled in US soccer history. Any other assessment at this time is simply churlish.
I am going to start working on a Euro 2008 preview and so their will be no formal Speakers' Corner. In the meantime here are some outstanding questions from the weekend preview blog.
Zuco2 - Could you please say a big "Thanks" to Machado and Peacock for mentioning the protests against the Bosnian football federation in Sarajevo, yesterday on the FSR. Being Bosnian, this news really affects me and I hope UEFA takes action against the people who sacked Bosnian coach : Meho Kodro.
Do you have any opinion on this story?
Bobby – The FSR crew read the blog from time to time so they will pick up your thanks. However, I would not hold my breath waiting for UEFA to intervene at take action against the Bosnian FA. That will not happen. The best that might happen is UEFA offering to help mediate but that would be as deep as they would get into it.
LosAngelesChelseaFan - I really enjoyed all the league playoffs. What a contrast between the teams and how great for the minnows to be at Wembley. Doncaster was a revelation and played some classy football in their win against Leeds. 5 years ago Leeds were 114 places ahead of them. Amazing. The Stockport County semi final on other hand was the most antiquated long ball garbage that would be beaten by any 10 or 9 kids from a Sao Paolo back street. 'ull really won against the run of play for me.
Bobby, others, did you watch? What did you make of it and the promoted teams?
Speaking of other channels... I was changing channels and hit the usually unwatchable Galaxy on HDNet (DirecTV) just as Xavier's usual garbage defending allowed the first goal. If you haven't seen it yet, Beckham scored the final goal from 60 yards into an empty net and generally played pretty well. The 16x9 format more than the quality HD makes such a difference to watching the play unfold. If only we had it for the European leagues.
Bobby – I watched both Saturday and Sunday play-off games. I thought it was great that after 30 minutes on Sunday the teams realized that they were also permitted to kick the spherical object that had found a way on to the field….not just the players who were wearing a different coloured shirt. Hull will struggle to survive unless a miracle happens. Doncaster has a better chance but will still need a few breaks. They might be the sort of team that get off to a flyer and then fall back.
As for the LAG –Wizards game I did watch it on Saturday night and thought the first half rarely rose above the level of putrid. The second half however was very entertaining. The LAG lifted the pace of their game (Donovan and Beckham worked very hard) and overall it was worthwhile sticking it out. The result was in doubt until the last minute. Watching the HD Net games on a Saturday night is something I look forward to.
Craigy_f –DC Utd and Moreno taking penalties.
Bobby - DC United. A very different style from last season and even ta difference from the start of this season. It looks to me that allowing Gomez to go has meant the close passing-constantly playing in little triangles all over the park style has gone and they are playing a more pressing game. If I had my life dependant on a penalty taker in MLS I would choose Jaime Moreno without a doubt.
gregZ - Just something that’s been bothering me a little Bobby. How do you rate the commentating styles of John Helm and Martin Tyler? I could have sworn Helm was the number 1 guy or something. He got to oversee the opening and closing games at WC 2006. Apparently Tyler is rated best though.
Bobby – I enjoy listening to both Tyler and Helm. I believe that Tyler has a deal with Sky but also freelances while I believe that John Helm (internationally anyway) is entirely freelance.
John Helm does a lot of host broadcaster work at the major tournaments. By that I mean he is the English play by play voice that the host broadcaster will provide to international rights holders who do not have their own play by play voice or want to have a voice from the stadium rather than someone sitting in the studio back home.
Tyler’s pacing of comments and knowledge is fantastic while I appreciate John Helm’s style that is often understated. Another voice I enjoy is Steve Barnyard who pops up covering various leagues and World Cups.
Wiscoleeds – Gutted about Leeds...the Donny end was very empty. But we will be back next season...no admin, no -15 points, a decent manager, a true pre-season to prepare, 28,000 supporters a week, look for Leeds to have the best record in the football league next year. Good luck to Doncaster and Hull...what a great strike from Windass.
Bobby - Another year may not be a bad thing. It will give Gary McAllister a full season to work with the team and I would not bet against successive promotions.
I will be back later this week with the first part of the Euro 2008 preview.
