Champions League - 24/10/13

On Wednesday both Man United and Man City played their Champions League games. 

Man United beat Real Sociedad by a goal to nil and curtesy of an own goal. Although Man United fans will be grateful for the three points, this will not help the fans to get behind David Moyes. As Man United are used to more convincing wins.

Man City beat CSKA Moscow by two goals to one. However the main talking point of this game was the racist chants directed at Man City player Ya Ya Toure. 

Toure would like football governing bodies to take stronger stand against these clubs. Whilst Toure has a valid point getting the governing body to listen and act upon Toure's recommendations will be a challenge in its self. 

But from a footballing point of view both Man United and Man City had a good night and this takes them one step closer to qualifying for the knockout stages. 

WTA Championships - day one

WTA Championships started yesterday and Serena Williams beat Angelique Kerber in straight sets. 

Serena was in fine form and barely gave Angelique an opportunity to get into the match. 

Petra Kivitova beat Aga Radwanska in straight sets. Petra was also in fine form and kept her errors down. 

Aga was apparently in tears after match and took this loss pretty badly. 

Champions League - 22/10/13

The Champions League returned yesterday and Arsenal lost at home to Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal lost the game two goals to one and after dominating for long spells. 

It all went wrong withcentral defence pairing of Mertesacker and Koscielny who both seem to go missing. 

This is because Mertesacker lacks pace and Koscielny often makes tactical errors in the big matches. 

All is definitely not lost and we can still qualify for the knock out stages. Arsenal are away to Borussia Dortmund in the next match and ideally we need to get at least a draw out of that match.

Elsewhere Chelsea beat FC Schalke 04 by three goals to nil. It has put them top of the table and in a good position to qualify for knock out stages. 

WTA end of year tour championships - Podcast

Please click on the link below to listen to my preview of the end of year championship.

VR Online Service: 2013-10-21 15_00_32

Premiership round up

The premiership was back this weekend after the international games and for some teams like Arsenal they picked up where they left off. 

Arsenal beat Norwich City by four goals to one, at home and what made this victory even sweeter was the fact that Mesut Ozil scored his first home premiership goals. 

It was also nice to see Carzola back and Ramsey on the score sheet. In my opinion Arsenal don't have eleven world beaters. But what they do have is great team spirit and a never give up attitude. 

The test will really come for a Arsenal in November and that is historically for Arsenal a lean period. 

So if we can get a couple of wins and some draws then we will definitely be challenging for the title this season.

That win Against Norwich City put Arsenal top of the league and three points ahead of the chasing pack. 

Liverpool who where joint top with Arsenal drew two all against Newcastle and it was a good point for Liverpool. As they are going to mount a strong challenge for the title this season.

Man City beat a West Ham by three goals to one to keep them in the top four places. 

Tottenham beat Aston Villa by two goals to nil to keep them in fifth position. Chelsea beat Cardiff City by four goals to one and they are now second in the league behind Arsenal.

However the most unexpected result of the weekend was Man United drawing one all with Southampton. 

As I was listening to the match on the radio I didn't really see how Southampton where going to get back into the match. 

But low and behold a minute before the ninetieth minute Lallana scored the equaliser. It's the kind of result that would  have heaped more pressure on David Moyes's shoulders. 

But to be fair to Southampton they are currently top five for a reason. So there hard work in securing the draw should not be ignored. 

If I was a Man United fan I would be a little worried purely because I cannot remember the last time Man United where eighth in league. 

But at the same time the league does not get decided in October. So there is still lots to play for!

 

World Cup - round up

World Cup qualification matches took place on Tuesday and England beat Poland two goals to nil.

I was surprised with the ease in which England beat Poland. However England  have a long way to go to before they can convince me that they are potential champions.

Elsewhere the reigning World and European champions, Spain, qualified after beating Georgia by two goals to nil.

Spain's team is stronger than ever and they even recently gave the Swansea City player Michu his first international call up. To me they are one of the teams to beat.

In the African qualification section, Ghana beat Egypt by six goal to one. This was an outstanding performance by Ghana.

It is not often that Ghana wins game with such an emphatic scoreline. I think that Michael Essien return to the team has boosted the midfield and made them more clinical in front the goal.

 It should hopefully mean that the away leg in Egypt will be a is just a formality and Ghana would hopefully have qualified for their World Cup.

WTA - Luxembourg

WTA Luxembourg started this week and Heather Watson lost in three sets to Yanina Wickmayer. 

Yanina is good former top twenty player. Heather is not playing well and with little  confidence. 

Now that the tennis season is nearly over, it should give her time to regroup and play better. 

 

Sloane Stephens won her first round with relative ease. Sloane now faces Yvonne Meusburger in the second match tomorrow.

Sabine Liscki and Caroline Wozniacki are playing in this tournament. So the semi - finals and the finals should be good one.