Premier League review - 14/09/13

So after the international break the premier league was back yesterday. 

Man United beat newly promoted Crystal Palace two nil and to be fair, it was always going to be a challenge for Crystal Palace to win at Old Trafford.

However they did well and Man United had to work hard for this win. If Palace can keep this up they will do well this season.

 

Man City and Stoke City drew nil nil and this meant that Stoke maintained their proud record not losing to Man City at home. 

Tottenham Hotspurs beat Norwich City two nil. This was always going to be a challenge for Norwich.

I thought that with all the new players that Spurs bought it would take time for them to settle in. I guess that was not a problem for Spurs.

Everton beat Chelsea one nil and I was not too surprised by this result. Everton are a good hardworking team. 

Chelsea also bought some new players like Samuel Eto so it may take little while for him and the others to settle in.

Arsenal controversially beat Sunderland three goals to one. Arsenal where winning two goals to one when Sagna pulled back a Jozy Altidore and then Jozy scored a second goal. 

But referee claimed he had blown his whistle for Sagna's infringement on Jozy. So he disallowed the goal and give Sunderland a free kick instead which did not result in a goal. 

Arsenal then went on and scored a third goal and won the match. I have to say that we were a little fortunate, but these things tend to even themselves out over a course of a season.

Aaron Ramsey scored two goals for Arsenal which helped to seal the victory. I have to say that last season I was not impressed with Ramsey.

 So it is a big surprise to see him playing so well. Just as well Arsene Wenger stuck with him as he is now scoring amazing goals. 

Arsenal played well but I was concerned that defensively we looked a little vulnerable. 

Although Santi Carzola did not play and is an attacking midfielder. He  gives the team a little lift which was a little lacking today. Hopefully Arsenal will be  stronger and better in our next game.

Preview of the premiership games

So after the break for the World Cup qualifiers, the premiership resumes today.

Man United are at home to the newly promoted Crystal Palace. This could  be quite a tough match for Crystal Palace but who knows they might surprise us. 

Man City are away to Stoke City this will be a very competitive game. Which  to be fair could go either way.

Chelsea are away to Everton now this should be a good match and I would not be surprised if Everton won.

Tottenham are at home to Norwich this will probably be a very competitive match.

 Spurs new players are still to bed in with the rest of their players. So if Norwich where going to beat Spurs this would be a good time. 

On Monday Liverpool are away to Swansea this will be a competitive game that could go either way. 

However Liverpool  have started very well with three straight wins so maybe their winning streak might continue.

Arsenal are away to Sunderland and we always  struggle away from home to beat Sunderland. 

Arsenal normally comeback from  the international break and play sluggish football. 

I am hoping that our new signing Mesut Ozil might shake the team up and get us a win!

World Cup qualifiers- round up

This week's World Cup qualifiers had some interesting results. 

England drew with Ukraine but two other home nations suffered surprising defeats.

Northern Ireland lost to Luxembourg and Wales lost to Serbia. The manner in which both teams lost was surprising to say the least. 

Luxembourg is a lowly ranked team so for Northern Ireland to lose to them was a little embarrassing. 

Although Serbia have a  good team, for Wales to lose to Serbia was surprising. Especially has they have Gareth Bale the new Real Madrid striker in their team. 

Neither Wales or Northern Ireland can qualify for 2014 which must be galling for their supporters.

Other notable European countries to qualify for 2014 are Italy and Holland who can now book their tickets to Brazil. 

The USA have made it again to the World Cup which is always a little surprising as they are not known as a footballing  country. 

However I would that their last two World Cup outings their results have been very similar to England.

So those October qualifiers should be interesting some countries can play their B team. 

Some countries, who have little prospect of qualifying will be playing for pride. Some countries like England still have it all to do but it is in their hands.

 

England v Ukraine - review

England played a World Cup qualifier against Ukraine yesterday and it ended in a draw. 

England are still at the top of the table despite getting this draw and qualification to the World Cup is still very much in England's hands. 

This was always going to be tough away match for England. What doesn't help matters is the lack of strength and depth in the squad. 

Roy Hodgson chose to go with experience and some up and coming players like Rickie Lambert who plays for Southampton. 

It was a gamble that enabled England to get a draw over a much more established and experienced team like the Ukraine.

The England 's subs bench was also filled with lots  of up and coming players. There was only about two or three players on that subs bench that could have made a difference like Ashley Young , Jermaine Defoe and Michael Carrick. 

Roy Hodgson chose to bring  on Ashley Young who made little impact on the score line. 

The next two qualifiers in October are going to be huge for England. Hopefully Roy will have a better selection of players to pick from.

Although qualifying is still very much in England's hands  it is going to be a real challenge. I still wish Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were still playing for England.

 Yes qualification can be achieved with these current players but it going to require an amazing  effort from the eleven players picked.

I hope England qualifies as anybody who supports them desperately wants to see them at  Brazil 2014.

Review of the US Open

The US Open 2013 tournament was incredibly entertaining with some very high quality matches. 

My favourite match of the tournament was when Serena Williams played Sloane Stephens. It was good to see an up and coming player like Sloane push Serena to play her best tennis. 

From a British perspective it was nice that Dan Evans was able to make a name for himself by reaching the third round for the first time ever! 

I was disappointed that Andy Murray was unable to retain his title. However I am confident that he will bounce back at the Australian Open. 

Both Heather Watson and Laura Robson went into the open nursing injuries of some sort. Therefore we didn't get to see either of them play their best tennis. 

However Laura did manage to make it to the third round. So it was better tournament for Laura as Heather was knocked out in the first round. I am hoping that they will both come back healthier and fitter for the rest 2013. 

The biggest upset was when seventeen year old Victoria Duval beating former grand slam winner Sam Stosur. I am sure we will see and hear a lot more from Victoria in the years to come.

Overall it was a fun and riveting US Open to watch and I was pleased that both Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal won their respective titles.

US Open - Men's Final

US Open men's final took place yesterday between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. 

Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in four highly entertaining and competitive sets. It was match a battle of wills as well as  talent. 

Rafa played quite tentatively in the first three sets and in these first three sets he played to Novak strengths. 

It was only in the fourth set that Rafa was able to play his own game and win the match. 

I always thought this match was going to be  physically tough for Novak. He had to play a five set match against Stanislas Wawrinka to reach final. 

Novak played well in the first three sets then seem to lose his momentum in the fourth set. 

It was a good match and I thought that Rafa played key the points better than Novak. 

Rafa has now won thirteen grand slams and health permitting, there no reason why he cannot beat Roger Federer current record of seventeen grand slams in the next few years. 

US Open - Women's Final

The US Open women's final took place yesterday between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka and it was certainly an action packed match. 

Serena Williams beat Victoria Azarenka in three sets to retain her title. It wasn't the best final I have ever watched  but it was certainly the most gripping to say the least.

Serena came across as nervous and tentative in both the first and second set and she served about six double faults.

 In the third set, she was able to regroup and win the set and the match convincingly with a few more aces and winners.

This was always going to be a tough match for Victoria Azarenka and her serve do not help matters.

Victoria served about five double faults and in the third set she looked a little tired and was making more unforced errors. 

However there are many good things about Victoria's game like her coverage of the court was excellent.

If Victoria works on her serve and her fitness I'm sure she will win many more grand slams.

Alternatively  Serena  now has an  opportunity not only to establish her legacy but to make tennis history.

If she wins one more grand slam she will be tied with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova and I am confident that in the next year or so Serena will achieve this.