Premiership review 21st october, 2006

By tdf, October 22, 2006

Chelsea v Portsmouth

After an early half-chance for Kanu which he headed a few feet over Hilario’s bar, Chelsea quickly took this game by the scruff of the neck and the difference in class between these two teams, separated by only two places in the table, was apparent to all viewers. The triple horned strike force of Shevchenko, Drogba and Robben was simply too much for the flat back four of Portsmouth that has been so well drilled this season by ex-Arsenal and England stalwart, Tony Adams.
The flying Dutchman, Robben, was thwarted by the giant frame of David James who made himself big and narrowed the angle quickly when the winger thrust through the centre to find himself with only the keeper to beat. Soon after, Chelsea captain Terry had the ball in the net, but his effort was disallowed due to Drogba’s push on James. The Ukranian, Shevchenko was ultra eager to get his first premiership goal since his astronomical 30 million pound move from AC Milan and he almost got just that when he cut in from the left to curl a strike towards the top corner, but James timed his jump to perfection and pawed the ball away to safety. It could have been 2-0 to Chelsea by half time were it not for the outstanding form of David James who saved twice again from Robben. Still, when the ref blew his whistle, despite the savagely one-sided nature of the match, the teams went into the interval level.

After the restart the pattern of Chelsea dominance continued and on 55’ Andrei Shevchenko finally grabbed his first goal for the champs. Moments earlier Lampard had flashed a header just wide after arriving late in the box to get on the end of a well delivered Cole cross, but it was Robben who charged down the left wing, played a perfect ball across the box for the Ukranian to hit a first-time shot, which took a slight but influential deflection of sorry Sol Campbell, before passing James and nestling into the corner of the net for a thoroughly deserved 1-0 lead for Chelsea. Unfortunately the striker was so relieved and elated at breaking his goal scoring drought that he rushed to the crowd and gave a few lucky fans a warm embrace which resulted in a YELLOW card from the officious ref. Two minutes later, Ashley Cole produced a wonderful cross from the left which Drogba intelligently headed back across the face of goal to Ballack who powered a header beyond James into the roof of the net for 2-0. As with Shevchenko, it was the German’s first goal for the club, and he followed his team-mate into the book for ‘illegal’ celebrations involving the fans. Not long after the second goal flew in, Mourinho was in trouble for keeping the ball in play when it looked likely to go off for a throw. The Portugese man of war was warned for his mistake, and a drop-ball routine ensued to restart play.
Portsmouth did pull a goal back when Benjani pounced on a scramble in the Chelsea box to slam the ball past Hilario for 2-1 on 69’ but that was really a lot more than his team deserved. The belligerent Drogba almost added a third for the champs after masterfully bringing down a high pass then powering a screamer towards goal only to see the in-form James acrobatically push the ball away for a corner.

MOM– the much maligned David James. Saved his team from a serious drubbing.

The man of the match award must go to David James, and though I am extremely surprised to find myself typing these words, because I have long been one of the most feverish campaigners for ‘JAMES OUT THE ENGLAND SETUP’; on this kind of showing he still has much to offer his country. Simply put, without him, Chelsea would have won this by 5 or 6 goals. A very professional performance by the Blues with much to admire about their approach play and ability to control the match from start to finish.

Wigan v Man City

Though Man City had a few first teamers missing through injury, I doubt any of their players or supporters were expecting the drubbing their team received in this encounter with Paul Jewell’s well organized and highly determined warriors…
It was as early as the second minute when Emil Heskey blasted Wigan into the lead after swinging his right boot at a driven cross from the right, hitting an unstoppable shot into the net from 15 yards out for 1-0. On 4’ Skoko floated a free kick into the City area which Richard Dunne inexplicably headed past poor Nicky weaver into his own net for 2-0 Wigan. There was one half chance for Pearce’s pansies which Darius Vassel tamely placed well wide of the target. The third goal of the game came on XX after great work from Baines set up a chance for Cammara to capitalize on ponderous City defending and stab the ball home from 3 yards out.3-0. However the best strike of the match was supplied by the Ecuadorian international Valencia. Heskey, who won every aerial ball challenged for, jumped well to collect a high pass from defence before laying the ball succulently into the path of Valencia who took a few strides towards goal before blasting an delightful drive from 20 yards out, past an increasingly bemused Nicky Weaver for 4-0.
City were incredibly woeful; static in defence, absent minded in midfield and totally toothless in attack. Wigan, who were due a win after going 5 games without, were entertaining, adventurous and seemed hungrier than their opponents for victory in every contested tackle. Emile Heskey was in superb form, showing strength in the air and on the ground and it is the former Leicester and Liverpool striker who earns the Man of the Match award. After watching Stuart Downing’s lethargic, sub-standard showings for England against Macedonia and Croatia it is a wonder why Leighton Baines hasn’t been given a chance on the left wing while Joe Cole is recovering from injury. I guess the reason for that is that unlike Downing, Baines hasn’t played under Mclaren before.
A beautiful first goal in premiership for Valencia.
Wigan wonderful. City in relegation form. Stuart Pearce better bash some skulls sharpish or his team will find themselves in a dogfight with the other basement dwellers come what May.

Versatile and as strong as Rhino, Wigan’s Emile Heskey.

Everton V Sheffield United

After a minor slump in their recent form, David Moyes was looking to get his toffees back on track against one of the weaker sides in the Premiership.
In the 13th minute, Arteta strode purposefully forward, laid the ball off to the right flank where Phil Neville bulldozed towards the touchline before playing an inviting cross into the box which Arteta managed to get his head onto, confidently directing the ball into the corner of the goal for 1-0. The replay showed Andy Johnson has pushed Sheffield defender, Davis, as he was about to jump up to defend the cross. Thankfully for Everton the ref missed the infringement and let the goal stand. It was Arteta again who provided the guile to send Johnson into the area before the skinhead striker was bundled to the ground by Davis. The ref had no hesitation in awarding a harsh RED card to Davis and a penalty to Everton which James Beattie duly despatched with aplomb for 2-0 Everton on 33’. Rob Hulse had a great chance to pull one back for Sheffield United before half time but Toffees keeper, Howard, was alert to the close range header which he reacted to well, diverting the ball away from goal. Andy Johnson almost added to the home side’s lead when a deflected pass put him in one-on-one with the keeper but his shot struck the foot of the post before bouncing clear to safety.
The second half saw admirable effort from Sheffield United to get back into the game with Legerwood twice testing Howard but it was Mcfadden (of Everton) who came closest to adding to the score-line with a powerful header from close range which was well saved by Paddy Kenny in the Sheffield goal.

FT
Neil Warnock was understandably annoyed with referee Dermot Gallagher who missed Johnson’s blatant push on Davis for the first goal, and then awarded the penalty against Davis for minimal contact with Johnson, in the area soon after. Everton deserved the victory but were a little lucky with the manner in which they got the goals to win this one 2-0. Sheffield United could have earned a penalty but right back, Bromby, honrouably decided to stay on his feet after getting hacked in the area, and the resulting move broke down. I guess you can’t have it both ways, but if Bromby had gone down under the challenge it would have been a definite penalty and perhaps a lifeline back into the match for the blunt but honest Blades. Everton regain that winning mentality as their terrific home form continues. Warnock and his lads, lacking quality and sinking further down the table.

Everton’s Andy Johnson (left) who helped create the space for Everton’s first then engineered the killer second goal after falling over in the area.

Villa v Fulham

Still unbeaten Villa should have been presented with the opportunity to take the lead from the spot early on in this encounter when Fulham’s Rossinier, standing well inside his own 18 yard area, cushioned the ball down with his forearm. The ref missed it but then soon rebalanced the karma at Villa park by penalizing the same player, Rossinier for breathing on Petric near the by line, again in the Fulham box. Barry thundered the resulting penalty into the roof of the net to give his side a 1-0 lead on 25’. Deep into stoppage time, Radzinski created the yard on the left flank that he needed to send in a deep left footed cross which found team-mate Volz at the far post who placed his volley past the despairing figure of Sorensen. The sides went into the break level at 1-1.
Barry went close in the second half with a devilish free kick that only needed the slightest of touches to put Villa ahead but alas nobody was close enough to make contact. Fulham did seem the brighter team and more likely to grab the winner than their Midlands opponents, but this one ended 1-1.

Martin O’Neil admitted, after the game, that his Villa team hadn’t played well while Fulham boss Chris Coleman felt aggrieved at the penalty award asserting that his side did enough to merit a victory. Man of the match was Gareth Barry who, like Wigan’s Baines, must be knocking on the door of an international call up after maintaining his impressive form.

Improving with every match, the indefatigable Gareth Barry of Aston Villa. Surely pushing for consideration for the England set-up.

Charlton v Watford

Beleaguered, aesthetically challenged Charlton boss, Ian Dowie, was desperate for a victory in this 6 pointer after steering his side to 5 consecutive defeats. But Ade Bothryod’s gritty charges came to town looking to avoid the mire where Dowie has positioned his troops and snatch the elusive 3 points for themselves.
Right from the off both teams showed industry but lacked talent and ingenuity on the ball. The home crowd held their breath in anticipation of a penalty when Stewart was correctly adjudged to have handled the ball when standing a yard inside the Watford 18 yard box but bizarrely the referee gave a free kick just outside the area. Reid hit the free kick with venom but Foster saved well. The match was lively but the only real chance unfortunately fell to ex-Gills superstar, Darius Henderson, who skied his shot well over the bar from only 5 yards out after the chance had been set up on a plate by Ashley Young down the right flank. Before then whistle Tommy Smith went close for Watford with a speculative volley but the game ended scoreless.
FT
Charlton really should have had a penalty from the handball that everybody but the ref saw was in the area, but other than Andy Reid, both sets of players looked out of their depth in the Premiership and unlikely to produce much other than hot air and the kind of attacking endeavour seen at primary school football tournaments.
MOM: Reid

‘who wants some?’ roared Charlton boss, Iain Dowie after watching his side struggle to contain Watfor.