It would be almost an understatement to call it an ignominious off-season for Newcastle United. Yet despite the departure of the captain and of arguably the best performer over the last two seasons (Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique respectively) – as well as the well-publicised social media shenanigans of creative spark Joey Barton – there was a definite air of optimism at St James’ Park yesterday evening when the Magpies welcomed Arsenal as the 2011-12 Premier League curtain was raised.
The visitors had also had a difficult summer, exacerbated in the days leading up to Saturday’s match, with the apparently imminent departure of the highly-prized midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri from the Emirates Stadium. For Arsene Wenger, so often viewed as one of the most astute managers in England, the desperation to end the Gunners’ trophy drought has sees him under more pressure than ever before.
With Jack Wilshere also missing through injury, Toon fans sensed that a midfield – in which the transfer-listed Barton was included, news that was greeted with a rapturous Geordie cheer – that has been bolstered by the signing of Yohan Cabaye from Lille, alongside Cheik Tiote – hero of the last outing between the sides, an incredible 4-4 draw – could outmuscle and even outplay Arsenal’s.
The match did not turn out in the way that many expected, however. ESPN, who moved the kick-off for broadcasting purposes, will have been disappointed with the offering. Tiote and Cabaye were relatively quiet, and the Arsenal midfield, particularly new signing, and former Newcastle target, Gervinho, demonstrated that they are far from pushovers.
It was Gunners fans, too, who were making all the noise. Attempts by the upper echelons at St James’ Park to relocate the ‘singing section’ away from their previous position, adjacent to the away end, proved not to have been fully effective, but did have a noticeably calming effect on that area of the ground. As Arsenal fans outsang their hosts, so their team outplayed the Magpies, but failed to have any real clearcut chances. Home keeper Tim Krul was bailed out by Danny Simpson, who hacked off the line after the young Dutchman flapped at a Tomas Rosicky corner, but other than that, Arsenal would come unstuck thanks to the dominant presence of new Toon captain Fabricio Coloccini.
It was painfully apparent for home fans, though, that what threat Arsenal did pose came nearly always down the visitors’ right flank. Gervinho simply outclassed stand-in left back Ryan Taylor, who was always going to find it difficult to replace new Anfield star Enrique. Jonas Gutierrez, too, looked somewhat clueless without Enrique; the two used to form a productive partnership on Newcastle’s left wing, and the frustrating Gutierrez looked unsure how to adjust to Enrique’s absence.
The second half – and particularly the introduction of United’s newest acquisition, Gabriel Obertan, who replaced fellow summer signing, the subdued Demba Ba – was slightly more positive for the hosts, but again Arsenal looked like the only team likely to make an impression on the scoresheet. Skipper Robin van Persie clipped the top of the net with a free-kick, but in truth the deadlock never truly threatened to be broken.
Only the incident that has got the Twitterati tongues wagging furiously caused any real excitement over the course of the ninety minutes. With fifteen minutes left on the clock (though St James’ Park has no longer got any – the digital corner timepieces having been replaced by an extension in electronic advertising hoardings – Gervinho fell to the floor dramatically inside the Newcastle penalty area. Replays suggested he may have been tripped by Tiote, but Barton had no doubts that Arsenal’s Ivorian had dived.
Dragging him from the floor, Barton proceeded to hurl himself to the turf after Gervinho gave him a slap to the face. Referee Peter Walton – much to Wenger’s chagrin – booked the former but dismissed the latter. There can be no doubt about the red card, but Wenger argued that Barton should have also been sent off for violent conduct when he pulled Gervinho forcefully to remonstrate with him.
Opinion will no doubt stay divided over that issue, but there should be no doubt that Arsenal’s Alex Song was fortunate to stay on the field after a deliberate stamp on Barton earlier in the half. As an aside, that clash provided an amusing indication as to the concern amongst the Toon Army about the future of Barton. As he walked over to the fourth official to complain, many fans who had, like Mr Walton, missed the Song stamp, seemed worried that Barton had snapped – had he gone over to shout at Alan Pardew, the Newcastle boss, about something? Had he simply had enough, and stalked off back to the dressing room? A paranoia gripped the Leazes Corner; spectators rose as one, and there was a palpable, sharp, collective intake of breath which accompanied it; this was followed by an audible sigh of relief as the fans took their seats once Barton re-emerged from the dugout.
The final whistle was greeted by dismay from the away fans. A chorus of boos rained down, aimed particularly at Wenger, who had had to endure numerous rounds of “spend some f****** money” as Gunners fans, frustrated by their team’s failure to convert possession into pressure, or pressure into chances, made clear their dissatisfaction with their manager’s transfer policy. By contrast, there was a general round of applause from the home fans, most of whom would certainly have been happy with a goalless draw before kick-off.
But as a spectacle, this game contrasted perfectly with that eight-goal thriller last season. Fans were delayed leaving the environs of the ground due to a burst drain, which was spewing its putrid contents into Gallowgate. Its contents, many fans pointed out, provided something of an apt metaphor for the ninety minutes of football they had just witnessed.
• At half time, Mark Allison, also known as Run Geordie Run, was introduced to the crowd after having run 3,100 miles – from California to New York – in 100 days in the name of The Children’s Foundation and St Benedict's Hospice. He has raised £81,000 and counting.
Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arsenal. Show all posts
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Premier League Preview Part One: The Title Contenders
The first week or two of August is traditionally time for widespread optimism amongst football fans. With the season a matter of days away, supporters believe that this is ‘their year’ for success, and with the addition of high-profile signings and the prospect of more to come, there is an almost tangible air of excitement.
For the English football powerhouses, such positivity is easy to come by. Last season’s champions Manchester United, who took the title – in the end relatively comfortably – despite being commonly regarded as something of a shadow of the team of a few seasons ago, have bolstered the squad with the additions of goalkeeper David de Gea, centre-back Phil Jones and winger Ashley Young. De Gea and Jones are just 20 and 19 years of age respectively, and their signings underline Sir Alex Ferguson’s desire to build his squad for long-term success. With last season’s breakthrough of Javier Hernandez – to the extent that he kept joint top goal-scorer Dimitar Berbatov on the bench towards the end of the season – as well as a host of other young players such as Chris Smalling, these remain exciting times for United fans (not that that can apply more particularly to this off-season than any other at Old Trafford). Dutch star Wesley Sneijder has proved elusive to United so far, but his addition remains on the radar, and would make the defence of the league title that much easier.
Chelsea have not added any players, but in appointing Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager created one of the first talking points of the summer. Villas-Boas, echoing his compatriot Jose Mourinho in arriving at Stamford Bridge from FC Porto and with the experience of having worked under Sir Bobby Robson, is the youngest manager in the Premier League at just 33. He will be under immediate pressure – although presumably less intense than that felt by his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti – to win trophies, but the lack of arrivals gives Villas-Boas a hard task in freshening up a team that, at times, looked stale and even predictable last season. Fernando Torres, after his frustrating goalless spell following his move from Liverpool, will be keen to justify his £50m price tag. Finally scoring at the end of last season will have eased the tension greatly, and it is not hard to see this being a relatively fruitful season for the Spaniard.
Torres’ quest for the golden boot, however, will be made all the more difficult by Manchester City’s signing of Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero, in probably the biggest transfer of the summer. City, who will grace the Champions League group stage this year, have been – admittedly, with some justification – accused of attempting to buy success. But whilst it is true that City have spent even more money than Chelsea since Roman Abramovich’s takeover, their signings have had much less of an effect, and a large transfer fee paid by the club is far from a guarantor of future productivity. The £27m paid for Edin Dzeko is yet to be justified; the £24m for Mario Balotelli has been little more than a waste. Yaya Toure, though, performed superbly last season, and this is no time to write Manchester City off, for as soon as the squad gels – the most significant missing ingredient over the last two seasons – success will surely follow. It is not difficult to envisage a Manchester double act atop the league by the end of May 2012.
Arsenal, by contrast, have avoided splashing out. The debacle towards the end of last season, when they took just 12 points from their last 11 league matches and were knocked out of three cups in less than a fortnight has led to a level of dissatisfaction with Arsene Wenger that is probably the most intense of his time in North London. The perennial goalkeeper problem continues to dog Arsenal, though Wojciech Szczeny appears to be a marked improvement on the likes of Manuel Alminua and Lucasz Fabianski. Two of the club’s top midfielders, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, have not guaranteed their return to the Emirates Stadium, and it would be a terrible blow to Arsenal’s fortunes if they cannot retain at least one of the two.
Wenger deserves praise for his thrift, but the patience of Gunners fans is wearing extremely thin, and if no trophy is forthcoming this season it will surely prove to be his last at the club. As always, it would be foolish to dismiss the Arsenal challenge completely, but their strength in depth is not enough to win the league. To extend his time with the Gunners, Wenger will probably have to overcome his traditional hostility to the League and FA Cups.
Arsenal’s problems, however, looked set to be overshadowed for much of last season by those at Anfield. As late as January this year, thousands of Facebook users cheekily anticipated a spontaneous party to celebrate what was apparently unthinkable – the relegation of Liverpool from the Premier League. Everton’s 2-0 derby victory put Liverpool into 19th place, and the club had barely recovered by the time manager Roy Hodgson left his post after just seven months in charge. Under new boss, and Reds legend, Kenny Dalglish, the side’s fortunes changed, and they finished sixth, only just missing out on European qualification. This season, with one of the top strike partnerships in the league, Liverpool will aim to break back into the top four. Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, both of whom joined in January, were the first fruits of last season’s takeover by the American Fenway Sports Group.
There has been plenty of transfer activity this summer, too. Dalglish has acquired Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, and is thus hardly short of midfielders. Although questions have been asked about the cost of Dalglish’s signings – Carroll, Downing and Henderson cost a combined £75m – if the Reds can build on the relative success of the second half of last season, a top-three finish is not inconceivable. Indeed, under Dalglish Liverpool triumphed over both Manchester teams and Chelsea, and snatched a dramatic draw at Arsenal. Liverpool’s problem has been their consistency against lesser teams, but it would be no great surprise if, in May 2012, Liverpool have achieved a Champions League spot – and have added to the Anfield trophy cabinet.
This article was originally published at The Vibe
For the English football powerhouses, such positivity is easy to come by. Last season’s champions Manchester United, who took the title – in the end relatively comfortably – despite being commonly regarded as something of a shadow of the team of a few seasons ago, have bolstered the squad with the additions of goalkeeper David de Gea, centre-back Phil Jones and winger Ashley Young. De Gea and Jones are just 20 and 19 years of age respectively, and their signings underline Sir Alex Ferguson’s desire to build his squad for long-term success. With last season’s breakthrough of Javier Hernandez – to the extent that he kept joint top goal-scorer Dimitar Berbatov on the bench towards the end of the season – as well as a host of other young players such as Chris Smalling, these remain exciting times for United fans (not that that can apply more particularly to this off-season than any other at Old Trafford). Dutch star Wesley Sneijder has proved elusive to United so far, but his addition remains on the radar, and would make the defence of the league title that much easier.
Chelsea have not added any players, but in appointing Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager created one of the first talking points of the summer. Villas-Boas, echoing his compatriot Jose Mourinho in arriving at Stamford Bridge from FC Porto and with the experience of having worked under Sir Bobby Robson, is the youngest manager in the Premier League at just 33. He will be under immediate pressure – although presumably less intense than that felt by his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti – to win trophies, but the lack of arrivals gives Villas-Boas a hard task in freshening up a team that, at times, looked stale and even predictable last season. Fernando Torres, after his frustrating goalless spell following his move from Liverpool, will be keen to justify his £50m price tag. Finally scoring at the end of last season will have eased the tension greatly, and it is not hard to see this being a relatively fruitful season for the Spaniard.
Torres’ quest for the golden boot, however, will be made all the more difficult by Manchester City’s signing of Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero, in probably the biggest transfer of the summer. City, who will grace the Champions League group stage this year, have been – admittedly, with some justification – accused of attempting to buy success. But whilst it is true that City have spent even more money than Chelsea since Roman Abramovich’s takeover, their signings have had much less of an effect, and a large transfer fee paid by the club is far from a guarantor of future productivity. The £27m paid for Edin Dzeko is yet to be justified; the £24m for Mario Balotelli has been little more than a waste. Yaya Toure, though, performed superbly last season, and this is no time to write Manchester City off, for as soon as the squad gels – the most significant missing ingredient over the last two seasons – success will surely follow. It is not difficult to envisage a Manchester double act atop the league by the end of May 2012.
Arsenal, by contrast, have avoided splashing out. The debacle towards the end of last season, when they took just 12 points from their last 11 league matches and were knocked out of three cups in less than a fortnight has led to a level of dissatisfaction with Arsene Wenger that is probably the most intense of his time in North London. The perennial goalkeeper problem continues to dog Arsenal, though Wojciech Szczeny appears to be a marked improvement on the likes of Manuel Alminua and Lucasz Fabianski. Two of the club’s top midfielders, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, have not guaranteed their return to the Emirates Stadium, and it would be a terrible blow to Arsenal’s fortunes if they cannot retain at least one of the two.
Wenger deserves praise for his thrift, but the patience of Gunners fans is wearing extremely thin, and if no trophy is forthcoming this season it will surely prove to be his last at the club. As always, it would be foolish to dismiss the Arsenal challenge completely, but their strength in depth is not enough to win the league. To extend his time with the Gunners, Wenger will probably have to overcome his traditional hostility to the League and FA Cups.
Arsenal’s problems, however, looked set to be overshadowed for much of last season by those at Anfield. As late as January this year, thousands of Facebook users cheekily anticipated a spontaneous party to celebrate what was apparently unthinkable – the relegation of Liverpool from the Premier League. Everton’s 2-0 derby victory put Liverpool into 19th place, and the club had barely recovered by the time manager Roy Hodgson left his post after just seven months in charge. Under new boss, and Reds legend, Kenny Dalglish, the side’s fortunes changed, and they finished sixth, only just missing out on European qualification. This season, with one of the top strike partnerships in the league, Liverpool will aim to break back into the top four. Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, both of whom joined in January, were the first fruits of last season’s takeover by the American Fenway Sports Group.
There has been plenty of transfer activity this summer, too. Dalglish has acquired Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, and is thus hardly short of midfielders. Although questions have been asked about the cost of Dalglish’s signings – Carroll, Downing and Henderson cost a combined £75m – if the Reds can build on the relative success of the second half of last season, a top-three finish is not inconceivable. Indeed, under Dalglish Liverpool triumphed over both Manchester teams and Chelsea, and snatched a dramatic draw at Arsenal. Liverpool’s problem has been their consistency against lesser teams, but it would be no great surprise if, in May 2012, Liverpool have achieved a Champions League spot – and have added to the Anfield trophy cabinet.
This article was originally published at The Vibe
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Football round-up, Sunday 17th April
Wow - two incredible stories in the big matches in England. My heart was thumping at what felt like 200 beats per minute at the end of the match at the Emirates, and I don't even support either of the teams. But first, a sensational result in today's second FA Cup semi:
Bolton 0-5 Stoke
Stoke ripped up the formbook with this win, a result I daresay you could have got 100/1 against before the start of play. Etherington and Huth put the Potters two up within the first twenty minutes leaving favourites Bolton rocked. One more goal before the break from Kenwyne Jones gave Tony Pulis' men a comfortable halftime lead, before a Jon Walters brace emphatically secured Stoke's place in the final.
They will meet yesterday's victors Manchester City, ensuring that the winner will be the first piece of silverware for either team in three decades: Manchester City's last trophy was the 1976 League Cup, while Stoke's was the same title four years before that.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
After 95 minutes, this match was typical of Arsenal's recent form: much possession, but precious little to show for it. Just as the Gunners were preparing to wave goodbye to any chance of a trophy this season, however, Liverpool's otherwise-excellent Jay Spearing blotted his copybook by tripping Cesc Fabregas in the penalty box. Robin van Persie sparked delirious scenes at the Emirates by coolly converting the resulting spotkick, and Arsenal looked, after an hour and a half of fruitless toil, to have secured three priceless points.
Following a lengthy period of treatment for Jamie Carragher earlier in the second half, however, still three minutes of additional time remained, and, extraordinarily, Liverpool struck back. A mindless shove in the area by Emmanuel Eboue gave Dirk Kuyt the chance to level the match, again from the spot, in the 112th minute. He converted with aplomb, blasting his penalty past the flying Wojciech Szczesny (incidentally, my favourite name in professional football, with the possible exception of Dudley 'DJ' Campbell).
The end of the match was marked by a spat by a disgusted Arsene Wenger and a jubilant Kenny Dalglish; Wenger could not argue the award of the penalty (although may have a case that the game should not have continued as long after the end of the eight minutes of added time signalled).
The managers' exchange of words merely added a final twist to a quite remarkable seven minutes in North London.
Bolton 0-5 Stoke
Stoke ripped up the formbook with this win, a result I daresay you could have got 100/1 against before the start of play. Etherington and Huth put the Potters two up within the first twenty minutes leaving favourites Bolton rocked. One more goal before the break from Kenwyne Jones gave Tony Pulis' men a comfortable halftime lead, before a Jon Walters brace emphatically secured Stoke's place in the final.
They will meet yesterday's victors Manchester City, ensuring that the winner will be the first piece of silverware for either team in three decades: Manchester City's last trophy was the 1976 League Cup, while Stoke's was the same title four years before that.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
After 95 minutes, this match was typical of Arsenal's recent form: much possession, but precious little to show for it. Just as the Gunners were preparing to wave goodbye to any chance of a trophy this season, however, Liverpool's otherwise-excellent Jay Spearing blotted his copybook by tripping Cesc Fabregas in the penalty box. Robin van Persie sparked delirious scenes at the Emirates by coolly converting the resulting spotkick, and Arsenal looked, after an hour and a half of fruitless toil, to have secured three priceless points.
Following a lengthy period of treatment for Jamie Carragher earlier in the second half, however, still three minutes of additional time remained, and, extraordinarily, Liverpool struck back. A mindless shove in the area by Emmanuel Eboue gave Dirk Kuyt the chance to level the match, again from the spot, in the 112th minute. He converted with aplomb, blasting his penalty past the flying Wojciech Szczesny (incidentally, my favourite name in professional football, with the possible exception of Dudley 'DJ' Campbell).
The end of the match was marked by a spat by a disgusted Arsene Wenger and a jubilant Kenny Dalglish; Wenger could not argue the award of the penalty (although may have a case that the game should not have continued as long after the end of the eight minutes of added time signalled).
The managers' exchange of words merely added a final twist to a quite remarkable seven minutes in North London.
Football preview – Sunday 17th April
Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City
With the first semi final witnessing a hard-fought Manchester derby, today’s fixture at the national stadium was bound not to enthuse neutral supporters to the same degree. Not that fans of the two teams will care. Stoke, whose crowd at the Britannia Stadium is consistently acknowledged as one of the best in the Premier League, will hope to replicate that atmosphere inside Wembley. The Potters, who have never won the FA Cup, are not 100 per cent safe from relegation, but it would take an exceptional set of results for them to miss out on top-flight football next year.
Bolton, meanwhile, are sitting pretty in eighth position in the table, and Owen Coyle’s first full season in charge could represent one of the most successful in recent years. They will be without cup-tied goal-scoring sensation Daniel Sturridge, who has scored six goals in his eight games for Wanderers. However, they have managed well without him in previous rounds, securing away wins against three Premier League opponents, Wigan (albeit a replay), Fulham and Birmingham.
Prediction: Bolton 2-1 Stoke
Arsenal v Liverpool
Liverpool fans will have noticed that Fernando Torres yesterday extended his run at Chelsea without scoring, something that was put into context by Reds’ striker Andy Carroll opening his account for the club with a brace against Manchester City on Monday. Liverpool were dominant in that fixture, taking a 3-0 lead into half-time and being able to take their collective foot off the gas. As unlikely as it seemed just three months ago, Liverpool have an outside chance securing an automatic Europa League spot – although city rivals Everton are breathing down their necks.
Liverpool’s hosts today, Arsenal, can afford nothing less than a win today to keep their stalling championship hopes alive. Three points at Blackpool last weekend was preceded by a dreadful five-week period, in which they were knocked out of all three cup competitions and managed just three draws in their three Premier League outings. Arsenal’s traditional problem – that they do not score enough goals, in spite of their typical midfield creativity – was exacerbated by the equally familiar goalkeeping problems. Being forced to bring Jens Lehmann back to the club does not bode well for a team chasing the title. Even so, I expect them to raise their game today, and sneak a win in what should be a cracking game of football.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
With the first semi final witnessing a hard-fought Manchester derby, today’s fixture at the national stadium was bound not to enthuse neutral supporters to the same degree. Not that fans of the two teams will care. Stoke, whose crowd at the Britannia Stadium is consistently acknowledged as one of the best in the Premier League, will hope to replicate that atmosphere inside Wembley. The Potters, who have never won the FA Cup, are not 100 per cent safe from relegation, but it would take an exceptional set of results for them to miss out on top-flight football next year.
Bolton, meanwhile, are sitting pretty in eighth position in the table, and Owen Coyle’s first full season in charge could represent one of the most successful in recent years. They will be without cup-tied goal-scoring sensation Daniel Sturridge, who has scored six goals in his eight games for Wanderers. However, they have managed well without him in previous rounds, securing away wins against three Premier League opponents, Wigan (albeit a replay), Fulham and Birmingham.
Prediction: Bolton 2-1 Stoke
Arsenal v Liverpool
Liverpool fans will have noticed that Fernando Torres yesterday extended his run at Chelsea without scoring, something that was put into context by Reds’ striker Andy Carroll opening his account for the club with a brace against Manchester City on Monday. Liverpool were dominant in that fixture, taking a 3-0 lead into half-time and being able to take their collective foot off the gas. As unlikely as it seemed just three months ago, Liverpool have an outside chance securing an automatic Europa League spot – although city rivals Everton are breathing down their necks.
Liverpool’s hosts today, Arsenal, can afford nothing less than a win today to keep their stalling championship hopes alive. Three points at Blackpool last weekend was preceded by a dreadful five-week period, in which they were knocked out of all three cup competitions and managed just three draws in their three Premier League outings. Arsenal’s traditional problem – that they do not score enough goals, in spite of their typical midfield creativity – was exacerbated by the equally familiar goalkeeping problems. Being forced to bring Jens Lehmann back to the club does not bode well for a team chasing the title. Even so, I expect them to raise their game today, and sneak a win in what should be a cracking game of football.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
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