Newcastle v Wolves

An entertaining game at St James Park, the home side saw a lot of the ball in the opening stages but Wolves back 3/5 held strong, Navas pulling off a couple of good saves. The Wolves midfield struggled to get a foot hold of the game but the defence plugged away and restricted Newcastle to shots from distance. Wolves broke tho and scored just before half time, Gundogan breaking free then playing in Eriksen who had Hector for support, they got beyond Robertson and Hector drilled in a low cross which Aubameyang got to ahead of Koulibaly and stuck it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead at HT for the visitors. With heads up Wolves were in this game and played the ball about, however a slack pass from Jorginho allowed Casemiro to break play up and get Newcastle moving forward, Florenzi down the right played in Salah, he cut inside and played a lovely ball to Kane he took a touch and this was enough to get him free of his marker and he placed it passed Navas for 1-1, unlike the opening stage of the match Newcastle couldn't hold onto possession for any length of time, thus making it a fairly open second half, Wolves again struck on the counter Juanfran and Jorginho linking brilliantly down the right, Florenzi high up the pitch struggled to move as fast as the ball and they were open for attack, Juanfran played in Willian his quick touch allowed Aubameynag in again and he scored quite easily passed Lloris as he came rushing out. With the introduction of Firmino Newcastle started to push higher but again Wolves were standing firnm, however a really silly tackle on the edge of the box by Savic, it looked a tired challenge but it allowed Coutinho to go for goal, he didn't he played in a good cross and this was met by centre half Hummels who rose above all to header home the equaliser, not much happened after this as it was near the end

Newcastle 2 - 2 Wolves

Kane(Salah,50) Hummels(Coutinho,88)
Aubameyang 43, 59(Hector, Willian)
MOTM - K.Navas

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Chelsea came into the second leg with the slightest of advantages, neither side were full strength, but with that in mind Chelsea showed a bit more for me. Only real link was the raw-ness of their keeper for such a big tie.
I saw Chelsea’s front-three, really stretching the Liverpool defence and getting some joy, the midfield battle was much-muchness but again the chels had a little bit more quality in there. I liked LSTD’s idea of dropping his twin-tens into the midfield to create a 4, but felt it was more hindrance than help because it enabled Chelsea to get out wide and use the pace of their winger. But anyside featuring Dybala is impossible to write off.
Ultimately a close game but Chelsea’s extra experience made sure they had enough to get over the line.

Ps – LSTD I like the idea of trying to force them wide initially and trying to get behind the ball and suffocate the play, in theory it’d work but I just felt Fan’s side had the pace and directness to beat the press, if that makes sense?

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Mbappe (Rabiot)
Jesus (Rashford)

Dybala (freekick)

MOTM – Dybala, cause Chelsea problems, just left too isolated at times

Wolves vs Newcastle

A packed Molineux saw two lovely sides both going for the win, Wolves for me went more attacking than I’d have expected considering a 1-1 draw would have been enough to see them through.
Newcastle’s two wingers carry a real threat out-wide and I can see them causing Wolves real problems, which pushed the WB’s deeper than perhaps Marky would have liked.
I don’t rate Florenzi at all, offers nowhere enough in my opinion, which is a shame as I felt a Cahill and Bernat combo was there for the taking. Think Newcastle have a collection of lovely front players, they have Kane and Firmino on the bench, I’d have been tempted to start Bobby F for the built in chemistry. Just feel they’re lacking a spark across the middle-four.

The pace and runs in behind of PEA will cause any defence trouble, when you add in the creativity and movement of Pastore and Eriksen you have a nice trio, plus Gundo pulling (Ham)strings from deep.

Ultimately a pretty even game that Wolves just edged out by the skin of their teeth.

Wolves 2-1 Newcastle
Auba x2 (Eriksen) (Pastore)
Suarez (Mane)


MOTM – Mascherano, did a great job on keeping Suarez quiet, really did the business for his team today

League Cup Final

Chelsea 0 - 1 Wolves

“Defensive master class from Mascherano as Wolves take League Cup Glory”
Masherano rolled back the years to lead Wolves to Cup Victory!
Chelsea got into a monopoly of strong positions, but the veteran Argentine put in a superb display to deny a sparkling Chelsea front 3.
The game was won by a typically wonderful Christian Eriksen free kick!!
MOTM: Mascherano
Goal: Eriksen (FK)

Brighton 2-2 Liverpool
Willian 23 (Benzema)
Lemar 44 (Dybala)
Lingard 69 (Willian)
Dybala 87 (pen)
MOTM: Willian

Fairly even in slots, with Brighton going full strength and Liverpool making some changes, but Brighton were unable to make home advantage pay off as Liverpool force a replay back at Anfield

Leicester City 2-1 Stoke
Lukaku 17 (Keita)
Costa 79 (Asensio)
Ronaldo 84 (Hazard)

Stoke came to Leicester with a gameplan, and for a long time there was a chance it was going to reap dividends, but the late substitutions Rof made took hold of the game, and despite Stoke being very defensive, Leicester were able to force their way through, and once the equaliser was scored, the momentum swung Leicester's way and they managed to get the winner.

Spurs 3 - 2 Hull

A very entertaining game, a very attacking line up for the home side and a young Hull going at it, plenty goals in the first half, Sane creator for Spurs setting up Batshuayi and Balotelli for goals either side of a Milik header, Forsberg then equalising near the end of the first half. The second half was slightly less attacking with energy levels sapping but when Modric and Martial came on that made a difference as they linked well to score the winner for the home side to see them through

BAtshuayi(Sane, 19), Balotlelli(Sane, 44), Martial(Modric, 72)
Milik(Forsberg, 30), Forsberg(Rakitic, 56)

MOTM - Sane

Newcastle 1 - 1 Everton

A replay at Goodison on Weds night as these teams couldn't be separated, some fine play on both sides as Everton still improving A Pjanic freekick in the first half, then Lacazette equalising in the second after good play from Son saw these sides head for another 90 mins
Pjanic(FK, 19)
Lacazette(Son, 51)
MOTM - Vertonghen

Birmingham City 2-1 Chelsea
Vardy 34 (Matuidi)
Vardy 62 (Promes)
Mbappe 78 (Neymar)

MOTM: Vardy

A real FA Cup shock at St Andrews as unfancied Birmingham shocked favourites Chelsea on a cold, wet windy night in the midlands, the crowd were vociferous and right behind their side.

Chelsea dominated possession, but the pacy front three of Birmingham caused Chelsea problems on the break and the opener came as a long clearance from Matuidi was allowed to bounce by Mukiele and Vardy managed to get to the ball before De Gea, a toe poke diverting the ball past the Spaniard and trickle into the net.

The pattern continued of Chelsea dictating possession but they were caught out a second time, Quincy Promes bursting clear on the left, his cross was met with a diving header from Vardy to put Birmingham 2-0 up and into dreamland!

Naturally the changes came, Neymar and Mbappe came on for Chelsea who had to go for it, the substitutes linked up as Neymar's reverse pass found Mbappe who coolly slotted in past Lafont.

Chelsea continued to bombard Birmingham, with Davies on in midfield giving Matuidi some help, the chances came with Neymar himself missing a real sitter towards the end.

Jubilant scenes when the final whistle went, as Birmingham advanced to the quarter finals and Chelsea were somewhat harshly dumped out of the FA Cup.

Everton v Newcastle

After a draw at St James Park, Everton have a new confidence and this showed early with Raheem Sterling slotting home after some good work from Kovacic and Lacazette, the latter laying off for the winger as he burst in from the right hand side, they continued to press Newcastle as they had a good share of possession in the opening stages, they couldn't make it count however. Newcastle got the break they maybe deserved near the closing stages of the half when Pjanic played the ball out wide to Salah, he beat Kurzawa and placed it into the top corner beyond Buffon. Second half started at a decent pace, both Lacazette and Suarez had chances but neither could make a break through. Everton did succeed however, Wanyama putting in a crunching tackle on Coutinho, the ball broke for Dahoud who turned quickly and played in Lacazette, he rounded Alisson but hit the post, it fell kindly for Son who poked it home into an empty net. The game was to continue at a frantic pace and again Newcastle equalised, Salah becoming provider as he played in Suarez who took one touch to go passed Martinez and fire home. Fekir and Vecino came on with 20 odd mins to go, Fekir had an early chance but smacked it over and Everton also had a chance through Sterling but his shot was weak, However a winner did come and it was from a corner after a good block by Hummels. Kovacic fired it in, it was initially cleared but only to Sterling, he drilled it into the box and it was Vertonghen with the deftest of touches to wrong foot Alisson and into the back of the net. Newcastle pushed on to try and take this to ET but Everton held on for possibly another shock in this round.

Everton 3 - 2 Newcastle
Sterling(Lacazette,9). Son(Lacazette,52), Vertonghen(Sterling,80)
Salah(Pjanic,39), Suarez(Salah,67)

MOTM - Some fine performances from both sides but MOTM goes to Wanyama who kept Coutinho then Fekir out for most of the game

Liverpool 2 - 1 Brighton

Morata(Dybala, 17), Dybala(FK, 56)
Benzema(44, Rodriguez)
MOTM - Dybala

Aston Villa 0 - 2 Liverpool

Morata(Lemar, 22), Savic(Dybala,43)
MOTM - Savic

FA Cup Semi Finals

Leicester v Tottenham

A huge day for both clubs as they look to reach the Final, Leicester started brightly as always and were on top of Spurs straight away, but the Spurs defence held firm, first real chance was for Ronaldo but his shot was blocked by Boateng, he had another a few mins later but his shot went over, Spurs first real opportunity cam for Icardi but he was wasteful. Second half was a bit cagey as neither wanted to make a mistake, neat play from both sides but neither really dominating or making clear cut chances. However, nice play in the midfield by Modric and ex Leicester player Asensio allowed them to tee up Icardi, he turned Otamendi and smashed home to Neuer's left hand side to put Spurs 1-0 to the good. Rof immedietly brought on subs and changed it around and almost got the reward straight away as Costa hit the bar with a powerful header. This was enough for Tab to shut up shop as he brought on Hector and Rudiger. Leicester dominated possession after this but couldn't find a way to beat Navas and his defence who marshalled the likes of Ronaldo, Sane and Costa very well, and it became more and more frustrating for them, Spurs didn't offer much going forward in the closing stages and it was all Leicester they just couldn't find a way to the back of the net as Spurs held on for a fantastic victory

Leicester 0 - 1 Tottenham
Icardi(Modric,59)
MOTM - Boateng 10/10 for the big defender today

Liverpool v Birmingham

Our second semi final saw favourites Liverpool fall behind fairly early on as Brums attacking line up surprised them a little as Willian combined well with Rodrigo down the right and |Rodrigo was played in by the winger who beat Skiriniar and banged the ball into the back of the net, this got Liverpool's dander up and they took control of the game for a good period of time but they had to wait until the 36th minute to see their efforts rewarded as Brandt drove down the lefthe saw Savic bursting forward, he played a great pass into his feet as he beat the offside trap, Lafont off his line, Savic played it neatly round him and into the net for 1-1 at half time.
Second half was fairly even, Chances were limited for Brum even with 2 up top they just couldn't get it to them with Fabinho shielding the defence well but they were doing well to keep the ball for good periods of time, unfortunately they couldn't make it count, Liverpool when in possession were creating some chances but again wasteful, both teams changed things around the 70 mins mark and this is where it changed as Liverpool opted to go high and long to Morata, some just hopeful punts upto him but the one that counted was sweet, Conti played a long diagonal ball to Sisto, he controlled it well and crossed in to Morata, the challenge went up from Bailly but Morata got there first, all he could do was knock it down tho but Savic arrived just on cue to toe poke it passed Lafont to leave Brum in despair, they rallied quickly tho had a couple of decent chances but unfortunately it just wasn't to be

Liverpool 2 - 1 Birmingham
Savic(Brandt,36, Savic(Morata, 82)
Rodrigo(Willian,9)
MOTM - Savic

So there we have it Liverpool with face Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup Final, well done to both

FA Cup Final

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

A very even game on paper, contrasting styles but so much talent on the pitch, the crowd is full of voice at both ends..lets see

Starting very cagey both sides holding onto the ball when in possession, no clear cut chance for either as the back four and midfield of Spurs hounding down the Liverpool players however Icardi was an isolated figure up front and was easily picked off by the Liverpool back three. Van Dijk went on a run from the back but eventually Rodri picked the ball away from him, he played it wide to Conti whose drove up the right hand side, Torreira was there for support and was duly played in, he went for the drive but was blocked by Matuidi, the ball ricoched back to Rodri who quickly played in Savic, but Van Dijk was back to make a telling challenge. This was the only real chance in the first half.

The second half again started slowly with neither forward really get ting much of a chance due to tight defending from both sides, Matuidi in particular shielding the Spurs back four well to stop the threat of Dybala who just couldn't get into the game at all. Subs were being made around the 65/70 mins mark as Spurs changed there set up to go slightly more attacking with another striker on, this worked almost straight away, Pogba with a misplaced pass allowed Zaha to drive up the left and passed Conti who was on the back foot, he played in a great cross and fellow sub Batshuayi was there to smack the ball home with his head after a clever run getting him space in between Christensen and Upamecano, LSTD quickly brought to Phillip to push for goal and as hard as they tried they just couldn't break the Spurs back 4 especially Boateng and van Dijk who were both outstanding. The final chance, real chance of the game again went to Liverpool, Phillip in possession, driving forward, he played a great 1-2 with Pogba, his through ball to Dybala was inch perfect, he took it round van Dijk and it looked easier to score, but Courtois pulled of a miraculous save he touch it over the bar as it looked like it was heading into the top corner, unfortunately for Liverpool the corner came to nothing, Courtois kicked it up field and the final whistle went much to the jubilation of the Spurs players, fans and of course TAB

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 0 Liverpool
Batshuayi(Zaha,68)

MOTM - Jerome Boateng

Group A
Aston Villa
Portsmouth
Arsenal
Man City
Bournemouth

Group B
Liverpool
Chelsea
Hull
Newcastle
Everton

Group C
Spurs
Wolves
Birmingham
Leicester

Group A
Week 1
Man City v Arsenal
Bournemouth v Portsmouth

Week 2
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Portsmouth v Man City

Week 3
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Man City

Week 4
Man City v Bournemouth
Arsenal v Aston Villa

Week 5
Aston Villa v Portsmouth
Bournemouth v Arsenal

Group B

Week 1
Newcastle v Liverpool
Hull City v Everton

Week 2
Chelsea v Hull City
Everton v Newcastle

Week 3
Everton v Liverpool
Chelsea v Newcastle

Week 4
Newcastle v Hull City
Liverpool v Chelsea

Week 5
Chelsea v Everton
Hull City v Liverpool

Group C

Week 1
Leicester v Wolves
Birmingham v Tottenham

Week 3
Tottenham v Leicester
Birmingham v Wolves

Week 5
Leicester v Birmingham
Tottenham v Wolves

Group A
Man City 1 - 1 Arsenal
Mandzukic(Fekir, 31)
Costa(van Aanholt, 49)
MOTM - Matuidi

Bournemouth 2 - 0 Portsmouth
Gomezx2(Palaciosx2)
MOTM - Palacios

Group B
Newcastle 1 - 2 Liverpool
Lukaku(James, 60)
Kane(Sancho, 24), Dybala(Guedes, 91)
MOTM - Rudiger

Hull Cit 1 - 1 Everton
Jovic(Rebic, 9)
Lacazette(Son, 39)
MOTM - Milenkovic

Group C
Leicester 3 - 2 Wolves
D.Costa x 2 (Sane, 3, Coutinho, 22), Correa(Hazard, 81)
Perisic(Meyer, 51), Immobile(Hakimi, 87)
MOTM - D.Costa

Brum 2 - 1 Spurs
Higuain(Chilwell, 16), Zaha(83)
Aguero(Under, 77)
MOTM - Maguire

Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester City
Icardi 29 (Neves)
Richarlison 43 (Gelson)
Willian 58 (Free kick)
Barkley 83
Richarlison 84 (pen)

MOTM: Richarlison

Group A
Villa 2-1 Bournemouth
Willian, Icardi (Willian) ; Palacios (Paqueta)
MOTM: Willian

Pompey 0 -2 Man City
Alcacer (Bernadeschi), Alcacer (Bernadeschi)
MOTM: Bernadeschi


Group B

Chelsea 1-1 Hull
Lewandowski (Aouar) ; Jovic (Rebic)
MOTM: Milenkovic


Everton 1 - 2 Newcastle United
Inaki (Son) ; Lukaku (James), Suarez (Bobby)
MOTM: Son

Group A
Arsenal 2-0 Portsmouth (Villa Park)
Cavani (Malcom)
Ramsay(Fabregas)
MOTM: Malcom

Aston Villa 2-1 Man City (The Emirates)
Icardi (Neves), Icardi (Max); Alcacer

MOTM: Icardi

Group C

Birmingham 1 - 1 Wolves
Keita(Higuain, 22)
Immobile(Rakitic, 57)
MOTM - Ndidi

Spurs 1 - 2 Leicester
Werner(Eriksen, 13)
Ronaldo(Marcelo, 41), Hazard(Marcelo, 63)
MOTM - Marcelo

Group b

Liverpool 3 Everton 1
Dybala (Silva) 13 - Vertonghen (Locatelli) 21
Lozano 43
Kane (Silva) 85
MOTM Sancho

Newcastle 0 Chelsea 2
Lewandowski (Neymar) 32
Mbappe 59
MOTM Neymar

Man City 1-0 Bournemouth (The Emirates)
Costa (Brekalo) 61
MOTM: Axel Witsel

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa (Etihad Stadium)
Cavani (Fabregas) 7, Malcom (Cavani) 70; Icardi (Bellerin) 44

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea (St James)

Kane (Sancho), Sancho (Milinkovic)
Mbappe (Pogba)
MOTM - Sancho