Archive for the ‘Portsmouth’ category

Premier League, La Liga and Serie A updates

October 3rd, 2009

Manchester United faced their first draw this season at the hands of Sunderland at Old Trafford. Sunderland opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Bent amazed Foster with his one touch bolt into the bottom left corner of the goal post. Second half saw an attacking United side. In the 51st minute Nani’s cross was curled in by a Berbatov scissor kick. Jones scored in the 58th minute giving back Sunderland their lead.

The match could have easily ended as United’s second loss this season if it was not for Anton Ferdinand’s own goal in the injury time of second half. Portsmouth scored their first points this season with a 0-1 away win over Wolves.

Tottenham Hotspurs came from behind twice in  match against Bolton Wanderers to register a 2-2 away draw. Burnley defeated Birmingham 2-1 in a match where two newly promoted clubs contested. Hull City kept their last week’s 1-6 drubbing  at the hands of Liverpool aside by registering a 2-1 home win over Wigan Athletic.

I don’t remember when was the last time Barelona had a 1-0 win at Camp Nou. Tonight they registered a 1-0 victory over Almeria. Tenerife were defeated 0-1 at home at the hands of Deportivo La Coruna whereas Atletico Madrid registered a 2 – 1 home win against Zaragoza.

Inter Milan were saved from humiliation when Sneijder scored the winner in the last minute of the home match against Udinese and gave the angry fans something to cheer for. The win took Inter to the top of the table with 16 points and a point clear to second placed Sampdoria who play their game tomorrow against Parma at home. Bari drew 0-0 against Catania, much to the home fans frustration as their team was unable to take the maximum points.

Today in Premier League

September 26th, 2009

Cheslea faced defeat for the first time this season at the JJB stadium playing against Wigan Athletic. Wigan opened score in the 16th minute with a header from Bramble. Chelsea equalized two minutes into the second half with a goal from Drogba but Wigan’s attempt to score in the 52nd minute saw Petr Cech bringing Rodallega down in the box. Cech was shown a straight red card which left reserve keeper Hilario with the job of saving the penalty. Rodallega stepped up and took the penalty which he netted comfortably, making the score 2-1.

Chelsea tried attacking, but with a man down there was always a fear of counter attack. Chelsea did not capitalize on the opportunities that came their way and were punished again in 90+2 minutes when Paul Scharner scored, giving Wigan their first win ever against one of the top 4 English clubs.

Manchester United defeated Stoke City 0-2. First half saw United making sloppy passes but soon Ferguson replaced Nani with Giggs which proved to be a master stroke as Giggs helped United to score both the goals. With assists from Giggs in both united goals, Berbatov and O’Shea scored a goal each in the 62nd and 77th minute.

Liverpool defeated Hull at Anfield with a thumping 6-1 lead. Torres took 3, Babel 2 and a goal from Gerrard saw Anfield live with action. 4 goals from Keane saw Spurs defeating Burnley 5-0 at home. Portsmouth continued their losing run as they faced their seventh consecutive defeat this season, this time at the hands of Everton.

Blackburn won against Aston Villa 2-1 in front of home fans. Birmingham and Fulham were not able to capitalize on their home advantage and lost 1-2 to Bolton, and 0-1 to Arsenal respectively.

League Cup Updates

September 23rd, 2009

The third round of the League cup saw the big England teams, Arsenal, and Liverpool, going through to the next round. Arsenal defeated West Brom 2-0 at the Emirates stadium. Ex gunner, Jerome Thomas of West Brom was shown a red card by referee L Mason in the 37th minute for slapping Jack Wilshere of Arsenal. This left West Brom with 10 men to play the remaining 53 minutes.

The score at half time remained 0-0 but the outnumbered West Brom squad were not able to hold the gunners for long. A goal each from Sanchez Watt, and Carlos Vela made sure that Arsenal goes through the next round. Arsene Wenger had promised a young Arsenal team would start for the League cup encounter, and accordingly the average age of the team for the night was 20 years.

Elsewhere, Leeds United was hosting Liverpool. The match ended with a 0-1 win for Liverpool. 20 year old French striker David Ngog scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute. Newly demoted Newcastle United lost against Peterborough United 2-0. The Newcastle fans faced a big question of whether their side will again play in the Premier League next season. Sunderland defeated newly promoted side Birmingham City 2-0 in an encounter which saw two Premier League clubs clashing for a place in the next round. Elsewhere, Bolton Wanderers defeated West Ham 3-1.

Other matches of the night saw Barnsley defeating Burnley 3-2, Carlisle United losing 1-3 against Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest losing 0-1 against Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City defeating Blackpool 4-3, and Scunthorpe United winning 2-0 against Port Vale.

Portsmouth v Bolton Wanderers

September 10th, 2009

One thing is definite about Saturday’s encounter between Portsmouth and Bolton as the Premier League resumes after the international break – one, or both, of the teams will break their duck. The pair are stuck at the bottom of the league table as the only two teams that are pointless, but whereas hapless Portsmouth have played four games, Bolton have only played three.

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The way things have started for Portsmouth this season, both on and off the pitch, suggest that the team are going to struggle badly this term and will be facing a battle for their Premier League lives. All the off-field shenanigans over the ownership of the club, and the exodus of players during the wrangle, have seen the side decimated with manager’s Paul Hart’s hands well and truly tied.

With players of the calibre of Glenn Johnson, Peter Crouch, Sean Davis and Sylvan Distin all being allowed to leave over the summer, and the loss of Jermaine Defoe in last January’s transfer window, Portsmouth have had to make up the numbers with a rash of free signings and loans which have not gone down too well with the Pompey faithful.

Bolton have also started the season poorly and manager Gary Megson is already under early pressure. After losing the first two games of the current campaign 1-0 (to Sunderland at home and then Hull away), the team faced a Liverpool side at the Reebok last time out that was rumoured to be in turmoil, and these rumours looked well founded when Bolton took a 2-1 lead in the game. Nevertheless, Liverpool are renowned for their comebacks and eventually won the game 3-2, sending the Bolton fans home in despair.

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Updates from Premier League

September 2nd, 2009

On its last day, the transfer window saw Everton successfully sign 25 year old Dutch footballer John Heitinga. A regular in the Dutch national side, Heitinga signed a five year deal with the blue side of Merseyside on 1st September. He selected the no 5 jersey which was previously worn by Joleon Lescott who left the club last month and joined Manchester City. Everton Have reported paid £6.2m to Atletico Madrid for the Dutch defender.

Manchester United’s wonder kid, Macheda who rose to fame after his 93rd minute winner against Aston Villa in a league game has again expressed his desire to return to his home country Italy.

26 year old Swedish striker, David Elm has successfully signed a one year contract with Premier League old timers Fulham for a reported fee of £500,000.

It is still not clear whether Portsmouth have signed 28 year old Aston Villa left back Nicky Shorey. Though, sky sports claims that the deal has completed successfully before the transfer window closed.

Finnish footballer Teemu Tainio will play the new season with newly promoted Birmingham City. Teemu joined City from Sunderland on loan.

Newly signed Niko Kranjcar of Tottenham Hotspur has revealed that he was also approached by Everton, before signing for Spurs from Portsmouth for a reported fee of £2.5 million.

The summer transfers saw Manchester City as the biggest spender in England as they approximately spent £120 million after deducting the money gained from selling five of its players for a seven figure price tag. Manchester United were seen the biggest gainers as they sold their star player Ronaldo for £80 million.

Updates from Barclays Premier League

August 29th, 2009

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has accused Captain Steven Gerrard with not performing at his best level. The mersyside has already faced two defeats out of the three they played. Gerrard and Rafael know very well that losing points early in the league will only hamper their chances of winning the title.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that his team has not made any sort of attempt to bring French striker Franck Ribery to London. He also added that Andiry Shevchenko is all set to leave the club with mutual interest. Shevchenko failed to produce his magic which made him one of the most feared strikers in Europe. Though it’s not definite where Andiry will be heading this season but there are speculations about him joining his old club AC Milan where he spent the last season on loan.

Paul Hart has successfully made four new signings for his club Portsmouth. The new signings include 32 year old Michael Brown, an English midfielder from Wigan Athletic, 22 year old German midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng from Spurs, 28 year old Ivorian striker Aruna Dindane from Lens on loan and another 22 year old striker, Jamie O’Hara from Spurs on loan. Though the exact figures of the deals have not been made public yet but Hart said that the new signings were at the minimal possible rates.

Turkey‘s captain, and Middlesbrough star, Tuncay has left the red army to join Stoke city for a reported sum of £5 million. The 27 year old forward, winger and midfielder followed his red army mate 25 year old German Robert Huth, who too was reportedly signed for £5 million by Stoke.

Portsmouth Vs Manchester City: Pompey registers first win in three months

February 15th, 2009

Portsmouth thrashed Manchester City 2-0 in the Barclays Premier League at Fratton Park on Saturday, in spite of the club playing without a manager. This was Pompey’s first match since Tony Adams got sacked.

Goals from Glen Johnson & Hermann Hreidarsson eased the pressure on demotion doubts of the south coast club. They registered first three points since November.

A disappointed City boss Hughes confessed that, ‘Premier League is the hardest league in the world. To be in motion for a certain level, one has to hit a ground or you will be beaten.’

With Paul Hart in short-term charge of the club, Portsmouth moved four points adrift of the demotion zone.

Portsmouth keeper David James, who celebrated a record 536th appearance in the Premier League, was able to finish the game with a clean sheet. He even made an excellent save in the closing minutes.

Portsmouth did start well with Jermaine Pennant, on-loan winger, looking exceptional in terms of possession.

Johnson broke the deadlock through a brilliant finish in the 70th minute. Thumping header from Hreidarsson condemned added to the woes of the Eastlands club. City has only won once in 12 away matches in the Premier League this season.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will be looking forward to consolidate their position at the top, when they will next face Fulham at Old Trafford.

With their confidence soaring sky high and a 13-game clean sheet record in the Premier League, Red Devils will pose a tough challenge for Cottagers on Wednesday.

Portsmouth Vs Newcastle United: Owen gets Newcastle out of relegation zone

December 15th, 2008

Newcastle United’s Captain, Michael Owen, celebrated his 29th birthday in style with a goal.

The goal was his ninth of the season and proved to be imperative in his club’s 3-0 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park. This elusive away win got them past the relegation zone.

English Forward scored in the 52nd minute and created the ground for his teammates to latch upon. They completely rubbished the unpredictable Pompey’s defense.

Obafemi Martins and Danny Gutherie scored the other two goals for Magpies. They helped Kinnear win his first game away from St. James Park and end a horrendous run of his side at Fratton Park.

Another hero of the game was Shay Given. He kept his clean sheet alive and made some stupendous saves in the end to help Newcastle United keep their recent run in the league alive.

Meanwhile, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea failed to capitalize on the opportunity given to them by the draws involving Manchester United and Liverpool during the weekend.

The Blues drew 1-1 against West Ham United and continued their inconsistent run at Stamford Bridge.

Craig Bellamy stunned the home fans with the opening goal, as Hammers took the lead in the 33rd minute.

Tension was clearly visible on the faces of Chelsea players, as Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole received a yellow card in the first half.

However, the shot from Nicolas Anelka, top scorer for the Blues this season with 16 goals, helped his side to save their face in the end with a 1-1 draw.

Tony Adams named the new Portsmouth Boss

October 28th, 2008

Tony Adams, former defender from England, was today named the new Portsmouth Boss, after Harry Redknapp left for a stint with struggling Tottenham Hotspurs.

Adams along with Joe Jordan took the temporary charge of the club during a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday following Redknapp’s departure.

The 42-year-old has now been given Fratton Park’s top job and his first test will be against current Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Peter Storrie, who is currently the executive chairman in Fratton Park, gave the confirmation of his appointment. He revealed that Adams has been given a 2-year contract.

Storrie said ‘It has been a tough 48 hours for the club.’

‘We did say that we might take time for the decision on this important job. However, after having a chat with Tony, we felt that he’s perfect for the job. Even, his dedication for the club in the recent past has simplified our decision of selecting him.’

On being asked of his appointment as the new boss of Portsmouth, Adams said, ‘It’s a fantastic feeling. I’m honored!’

‘I’m excited for the task in hand. I cannot wait to start. It’s been more than 2 years for me at Fratton Park and this stint will help me in contributing more to the success of the club.’

‘We’ve got great talent at Portsmouth. I hope to nurture them in the same manner as Harry did when I was working under him.’

‘Harry did a great job for the clubs and its fans. He will be a touch act to follow. But, I’m sure I won’t let anyone down.’

Portsmouth Vs Tottenham Hotspurs: Spurs woeful run continues with 2-0 defeat

September 29th, 2008

After being on the receiving end of 10 goals in the previous two games that they played against Manchester City and Chelsea, Portsmouth defeated a hopeless Tottenham Hotspurs 2-0 to get back to winning ways.

Former Spurs forward Jermaine Defoe and England International Peter Crouch scored for the home side at Fratton Park, as Juande Ramos’ Spurs continued to stay at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League table.

With Spurs fans continuing to chant ‘You don’t know what you are doing’ in protest against Ramos’ decision to bring in Darren Bent in the final stages of the game when it was all lost, it was another dismal performance from the away side.

Defoe was on a mission in the game and could have scored during the first two minutes when he directed a Crouch’s through pass into the net only to be disallowed by an offside flag.

Former Spurs man finally scored in the 34th minute through a penalty given for a handball off Jermaine Jenas. After striking it past keeper Gomes, Defoe decided not to celebrate, as Milton End of Fratton Park had its share of the fans, which cheered for him in the past.

Former Liverpool star, Crouch scored the second goal through a header after Gomes parried a Traore shot in the way of the tall lanky.

Though Pompey came out victorious 2-0, it was tarnished by the exit of Frenchman Lassana Diarra. He got his second yellow card of the game just two minutes from time after tackling fellow countrymen Assou-Ekotto.

Meanwhile at JJB Stadium, Manchester City tasted a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wigan Athletic. A controversial decision coming from referee Steve Bernett resulted in a Wigan penalty, which proved to be the deciding factor in the game.