season 9 - week 2 results

Wolverhampton 1-2 Portsmouth
A difficult first game on paper for new Wolves boss Gooner and it proved to be like that on the pitch as Portsmouth came out as winners, although there were plenty of positives for the home team who defended well for much of the game. The difference here was the effectiveness of the attacking talent, whilst Portsmouths attacking players, in particular their late second half trio of french subs provided a constant threat, Wolves’ front men often found themselves struggling to get into the game, well marshalled by Portsmouths midfield and defence. The opener went Portsmouths way when Lewandowski found space behind Sokratis and latched onto an Alves cross. Wolves equalised when Banega opened up the defence for Perisic to shoot across Neuer. Late in the second half the introduction of Martial, Coman and Payet behind Lewandowski really forced Wolves back and they couldn’t hold on, but it took a Payet free kick to win all 3 points.
Wolves Scorers: Perisic(Banega) 38
Portsmouth Scorers: Lewandowksi(Alves) 13, Payet(FK) 83
MOTM: Blaise Matuidi - he covered an incredible amount of ground at all ends of the field which was crucial to the way Portsmouth set up.


Liverpool 2-0 Stoke City
The class of the Liverpool team eventually shone through today, both teams lined up in similar formations today, pool playing more of a narrow style against a packed stoke midfield caused a lot of just running into traffic which the play. A lucky deflection from a Rakitic pass fell into the path of Lamela who was able to get it under control and slot under Rulli. After that, stoke started to get back into the game a bit more, with Liverpool content to sit back and launch counter attacks, this finallky put an end to the match when YFC was able to latch onto a long ball and finish it well.
Liverpool Scorers: Lamela(Rakitic) 57, Ferreira-Carrasco 88
Stoke Scorers: —

Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
Another game of firsts, this time Tino’s first official game as manager of Arsenal, having been sat in the stands in last weeks defeat. But the biggest first has to be the result as Chelsea suffered their first league defeat since Divok Origi’s goal secured Liverpools place in the top 4 two years ago, great memories for all…Anyway, this was a game in which Chelsea saw the most possession against an Arsenal side who looked to pack the midfield and did it well for the most part, although their FBs struggled today against Chelsea’s wingers and Aguero often got the better of their CBs so despite keeping Chelsea’s midfield relatively under wraps, they still looked vulnerable. It was lucky that Arsenal didn’t concede today and even more lucky when they scored the winner, substitutes Schweinsteiger and Berardi combing to put a ball across the box for Ronaldo who scored the winner.
Chelsea Scorers: —
Arsenal Scorers: C.Ronaldo(Berardi) 88
MOTM: Alexis Sanchez - Its not often the MOTM comes from the losing side but today Sanchez was everywhere, he was the main man unlocking Arsenal’s defence and unlucky none of the chances he created found the net.

Hull City 2-2 Newcastle
A very openly contested game between two sides that went all out for a win. Hull City caused their trouble by having two strikers, Janssen moving defenders around really well which opened up more space for Vietto who got in down the sides of defenders well. At the opposite end Newcastle saw more of the ball, dominating the midfield and looking more likely to win, Pjanic and Fabregas constantly creating chances, but the threat of going straight to the two strikers meant Hull always had hope and in the end they got a draw. The first goal went Newcastle’s way Pjanic unlocking the back line for Mane who got in behind Friend and smashed in a shot at the near post. Hull got one back when Janssen ran wide with the ball before switching it infield for Oliver Torres who slipped in Vietto to score. An unstoppable Suarez goal had Newcastle leading again but Janssen pounced for an equaliser when Vietto’s shot could only be parried to him.
Hull Scorers: Vietto(Oliver) 32, Janssen 89
Newcastle Scorers: Mane(Pjanic) 23, Suarez 66
MOTM: Vincent Janssen - Lead the Hull counter’s to excellent effect, looked a constant thorn with his strength and movement.

Manchester City 1-0 Manchester Utd
After good opening day results for both sides the Manchester derby provided the showcase for both sides to show their potential this season but in the end the result was due to the game becoming feisty and heads being lost. The game in general started well, both teams looking to attack but both sides having strong defences made it difficult as well as the work rate that both sides had all over the pitch. Whilst United were a bit more pretty in their approach play the directness of their local rivals caused just as many problems. In the end it was Diego Costa that would play the key role in deciding this game. Having bashed and bruised his way around the United defence for the whole game he chose to pick on his old team mate Willian in the 50th minute barging him over elbow in the face style. Willian got up and reacted with a kick to Costa’s shin, sending the striker down on to the ground, Willian was shown a straight red card for his involvement, Costa somehow getting away scot-free. It was he who scored the winning goal too, pushing Ginter off the ball before firing high into the roof of the net beyond Leno. 3 points City.
Man City scorers: Diego Costa 90+1
United Scorers:—
Red Cards: Willian 52
MOTM: Diego Costa - Involved in the good, the bad and the ugly today.

Leicester City 2-0 Birmingham City
What turned out to be a very difficult afternoon for Birmingham who despite their good start on the opening window, had little to offer against a team looking to challenge for the title. Leicester were better all over the park, and going forward dominated midfield and created gaps with Birmingham not knowing whether to stop Ibra or Hazard and leaving Vidal, Di Maria and Sane more room. These players getting more room just lead to the two key men getting more and more space as the game wore on and Birmingham tired. The opening goal came from Di Maria who collected a pass from Vidal and drove a shot into the top corner. In the second half Eden Hazard sealed the result when he played a one two with Ibrahimovic and drove the ball into the bottom corner.
Leicester Scorers: Di Maria(Vidal) 27, Hazard 71(Ibrahimovic)
Birmingham Scorers: —
MOTM: Angel Di Maria - took advantage of Birmingham being too scared of Ibra and Hazard to get into space and create chances.

Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
After their opening day draw, newly promoted Spurs couldn’t build on things as they fell to defeat away to an excellent Villa side. Despite being the home side, Villa were defending their half for more of the game, allowing Spurs possession but it was a tactic that worked well with Villa getting joy on the counter in the wide areas, negating the effectiveness of Kante and Mendy in defensive areas but also allowing them more of the ball in areas where neither player is really effective at hurting teams. The first gaol came when Xhaka played Robben into the open space and he left Shaw behind with a nice drop of the shoulder, Kante came in and made the tackle but Aurier smashed the loose ball into the top corner, a wonder strike to open the scoring. Villa doubled the lead early in the second half when Reus put the ball on a plate for Higuain to tap in between the two CBs. Spurs pulled a late goal back when Milik pounced on a defensive error from Benatia but it was little more than a consolation.
Villa Scorers: Aurier 32, Higuain(Reus) 51
Tottenham Scorers: Milik 88
MOTM: Granit Xhaka - Kept Hamsik relatively quiet throughout and instigated the attacks.