Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa
The lunch time kick-off saw Fulham face Aston Villa, who had Christian Benteke back in their starting eleven. After a recent poor run of form Dimitar Berbatov had a point to prove to his doubters and Fulham’s new Boss Rene Meulensteen was looking to put an end to a run of six straight losses for “The Lilywhites”. Both sides came out in attacking mode and Villa’s goalkeeper, Brad Guzan, was forced into action early, producing a fine save from a Berbatov header who then had a penalty appeal turned down following a weak challenge from Ciaran Clark. Not to be outdone, Benteke, who looked desperate for a goal, forced Maarten Stekelenberg to parry an effort away. The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when former Villain Steve Sidwell squeezed in a fine effort following good work from Ashkan Dejagah. Fulham were now full of confidence and continued to press forward and the lead was doubled on 30 minutes when Alex Kacaniklic was brought down by Leandro Bacuna and the resulting penalty was nonchalantly dispatched by Berbatov. Following the re-start, Villa brought on Aleksandar Tonev for the disappointing Karim El Ahmadi, but Fulham continued to dominate the play with John-Arne Riise, Philippe Senderos and Scott Parker all stepping up to the plate and Riise was only denied when he sent a header crashing off the bar. Villa’s Chris Herd let the dominance of Fulham get to him with a reckless challenge that earned him a yellow card and manager Paul Lambert replaced him shortly afterwards, but Villa could just not break Fulham down and when the home supporters started chanting “How bad must you be, were winning at home” he knew it wasn’t going to be Villas day.
So this was a first win for Meulensteen, who was hugely respected when he was a member of the coaching staff at Old Trafford under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson and judging by today’s result, he might just be the man to turn Fulham’s season around. Todays result showed what confidence can do to a side – Fulham bossed the play but on the flip side Aston Villa looked devoid of ideas, hitting long balls to the out of sorts Benteke.
Bonus points: Sidwell (3) Riether (2) Berbatov & Senderos (1)
Arsenal 1-1 Everton
Next up was a trip to The Emirates as the league leaders entertained an Everton side who have been playing well under Roberto Martinez. Both sides had their young England midfield stars on display, namely Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley and both sets of players set about with a determination to take the three points. The first half was a frantic, high tempo battle. The Toffees started at pace with attacking moves down each flank with Seamus Coleman and Brian Oviedo testing the Gunners defence. Arsenal were sharp with their passing, aware that a win would take them seven points clear of their rivals. To their credit Everton were not in awe of their opponents and Kevin Mirallas fired high after great work from Barkley. It was Arsenal though that had some of the best chances of the half, Santi Cazorla played in a lovely driven cross for Kieran Gibbs which the Arsenal man just failed to connect with and Tim Howard produced two great saves at the feet of Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey. The second half was a feisty affair and Referee Howard Webb had to be on his toes. Everton’s James McCarthy went into the book following a high challenge on Ramsey and will miss GW16 through suspension. Arsene Wenger decided to ring in the changes on 67 minutes in an effort to win the game, when a triple substitution saw the arrival of Mathieu Flamini, Thomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott for Cazorla, Ramsey and Wilshere. Everton responded with the arrival of Leon Osman for Steven Pienaar and Gerard Deulofeu for Miralles. It was the Gunners though that struck first in the 80th minute when Mesut Ozil converted a Walcott assist, but just four minutes later Romelu Lukaku was adjudged to have got the slightest touch to an Oviedo cross and the ball ran onto Deulofeu, who was on hand to smash it into the net. The final few minutes were frantic and Olivier Giroud nearly won it for the Gunners with a rasping 30 yard effort that had Tim Howard well beaten, but not the crossbar. All in all this was a fantastic game of football and both sides will surely look back at it and agree that a draw was a fair result.
Predicted Bonus points: Ozil (3) Deulofeu (2) Jagielka (1), Distin (1), Oviedo (1)
This article was written by Eddy
I will just stick to being a C# Developer and leave the psychologists to do their jobs. Im not getting good remarks on my character analysis
Yeah and you offended me too! Everyone agrees with my comments except you!
Why? Tell me!!!
Maybe Idont know my footy very well and your prob doing better than I am in FPL (I was on 854 going into GW15 – Cant link my team coz of a stupid fone) but your always advising on players that I dont rate really like Gabbidon, Fer, Cabaye, Sessegnon and the 1 time you adviced me to play Nastasic ahead of Shaw, I listened to you and Man City went on to conceed 3 against Villa
I have never advised Gabbidon to anyone. My love remains for Ward only.
But yeah i get your point, logical suggestions dont always work out.
Difference in opinions I guess, its normal
Im getting hounded by Mito and Kop!
Slow Poison – I responded to your email once…how am I hounding you?
Hey. Quit the hounding, Kop!
You just hound and hound, don’t you, you big houndy hounder you!
Don’t worry Slopey. I got your back mate.
(AmIDoingItRight?)
Lol
Apparently a Silva setback. :sadface:
I take that back.. Hes just been included in the CL squad for City.
So he`s traveling to Munich? Hope he drops another .1 then I could afford him
I have 3 players playing In The City v Arsenal match and 3 players playing in the Tottenham v Liverpool match what do u think the score will be in these matches
City 3-2 Arsenal
Tottenham 1-0 LFC
I take that prediction back! GIVE IT BACK!
City 4-2 Arsenal
Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool
Don´t think there will be any clean sheets…. City v Arsenal should be a high scoring game
I don’t think the city game will high scoring game it always a tight affair maybe 1-0 or 2-1
Pottys latest business venture…
you interested????
Ahead of the forecasted snow i have 11 of the following for sale…
At £9.99 a piece and a perfect Xmas gift i give too you all.
Shiny Man Utd Sledges.
Once aboard you will never go Downhill so quickly again!
Potty
You always amuse me potty!
Your potty is amused?
:whatever:
Is this worth a ban Cookie?
:ban:
Floy, yes a ban, as cookie will testify, he laughed this morning at this gag.
Oy potty, go get your own gags, i told this one at 09-05 this morning ‘ sunday review, page 2 ‘
Evening people :beer:
Dr. Lecter just got back from the jym…
If there is anything important I have missed today – feel free to “enlighten” me about it
:satansmoking:
It’s “gym”. Enlightened.
It’s “biscuits”
…
Thanks for the heads up !
:finger:
LoL (Lots of Love ) ;)… (not “Laughing Out Loud” ) 😉 …
Could someone help me out with my team this week.
Mignolet, Boruc
Davies, Dawson, Shaw, Coleman, B.Turner
Wally, Hazard, Brady, Sessegnon, Ravel
Aguero, Suarez, Lukaku
How should I use my 2 FT? Would like to upgrade Sessegnon or Brady. Have 1 m in the bank.
Sessegnon was just unlucky this weekend, could have easily scored. I think Sessegnon is a must in upcoming 2 GWs. I have him too and ill replace him after 2 GWs, unless he goes crazy.
Ill suggest you replace Boruc with a playing keeper to cover Mig’s difficult fixtures (Spurs, Chelsea, City) and save a transfer.
Or if youre really motivated to use both, Fer/Shelvey could be good punts.
Thanks B. I didn´t watch the WBA game this weekend, I`m just scared he will be benched like he have been recently.. If he looked good and you think he will start again this weekend I think Ill hold on to him for one more week, gives me some time to see how Silva is doing as well.
Who should I get for Boruc? Is McGregor a good option? Looks like he and Mignolet rotates well away/home.
Maybe upgrade your goalkeeper Boruc I wouldn’t wanna play Mignolet against Tottenham
Downgrade Sessegnon for Fer good fixtures coming up
You guys think goal shy Spurs will score? I was thinking of saving my FT but might get a second ‘keeper.. Like Myhill or someone..
Mignolet will at least get some saves out of it though.. Might be as good a bet as Myhill for instance