Prem Sat: Everton Romp, Man City steals one, Wigan
Tottenham 0-2 Everton
David Moyes has every reason to feel smug and self-satisfied tonight. He got it all right and his team played a nearly flawless road match.
That is everyone on Everton except Kevin Kilbane, who picked up two needless cards and was sent off in the 32nd minute. The match had been pretty dull up to that point, and I expected Tottenham to really seize control. Instead, it was 10 man Everton who dominated the action.
Everton has a formidable midfield with Cahill, Osman, Arteta, and Carsley. All offers something different and valuable to the side. The disparity between that unit and Tottenham's - who got nothing from the often invisible Jenas, little from Tainio, and a ton of turnovers from Davids - was enormous and negated the man advantage Tottenham held for the bulk of the match.
I think Davids really isn't working out - even when he wins balls, he usually turns it right back over. Also, at some point will people start holding Jermaine Jenas accountable for disappearing for 88 minutes during matches? Enough "potential" - if he doesn't start delivering the goods consistently he has to sit.
Martin Jol has some real work to do, as his side put in a demoralizing performance. Keane and Berbatov received almost no service and Lennon was repeatedly frustrated down the right; consequently, Tottenham produced little to trouble Tim Howard. I will even say they missed Michael Carrick to whip in some balls on set pieces.
Everton must be thrilled with Andy Johnson, who has looked fantastic. He set up the first goal with his tireless work in winning a ball (and free kick) he had no right to win. He then sealed the game with a lovely finish to a sweeping counter-attack that flowed through Osman, out to Neville on the flank, and into AJ. A beautful move, a great match for Everton. The only downside was that David Moyes busted out 2 of the least coordinated goal celebrations I have seen in a while.
Man City 1-0 Arsenal
Arsene Wenger and must be shaking his head after this match, wondering how the Gunners did not romp to their usual easy victory in this fixture. I don't even think City won the match as much as Arsenal blew it.
Thierry Henry suffered through the worst match I have ever seen him play: 1) he didn't seem to posess a 5th gear and seemed idling in 2nd gear for most of the match 2) he lacked his usual sublime touch evident in very substandard settling, passing, and 3) FINISHING. 2004 Henry would have scored about 5 goals today - no joke. Even 2005 would have had an easy 3. The announcers mentioned that Henry felt he was not yet in top form, so maybe there is no cause for concern. We'll see, but this again shows that for all the pretty passing Arsenal can do, they are very reliant on Henry for goals. It showed when he missed games last year and it showed today.
Arsenal again suffered again from overpassing in the attacking zone and wasted some glorious moves through the midfield, where they repeatedly sliced through City. Everyone says it and it is true - Arsenal needs to shoot more - its getting ridiculous. Even the departed Robert Pires occasionally used to check in off the left and bend in some shots.
Jens Lehman looked on the verge of a meltdown, one camera angle showing him yelling in Paul Dickov's ear as a corner was about to come in. A minute later he looked to give City's Corradi a cheap shot after gathering the ball. He is such a weird guy.
For Man City, I thought Sylvan Distin made a few nice plays in the back and had a solid match. And I'd give man of the match to keeper Nicky Weaver.
Wigan 1-0 Reading
I missed the first half of this match, so comments are from the 2nd half (apparently first half was much of the same). Sry.
Wigan really controlled things and really should have clinched the game with a deserved second. Reading looked sort of tired and aimless (and did not trouble Wigan until the 89th minute when Lita was sent in only to be denied by Kirkland) - they resorted to a lot of route 1 long balls but Wigan's back 4 just kept winning in the air and stopping most attacks for the Prem new boys. Outside of early season star Seol Hyeon, Reading looked physically outmatched - something to look for as the season progresses.
Heskey got his goal and should have had two more - hitting the crossbar on a header and lofting the keeper too heavily as he came in alone on goal in the 2nd half. I guess its a promising performance, but I need to see more - I'm still not a believer. The other negative was the first appearance of disgruntled Pascal Chimbonda, who came on as a 2nd half sub and, despite showing signs of his touch and speed, looked like he really didn't care at all. A far cry from the box-to-box ball-winning dynamo of last season.
David Moyes has every reason to feel smug and self-satisfied tonight. He got it all right and his team played a nearly flawless road match.
That is everyone on Everton except Kevin Kilbane, who picked up two needless cards and was sent off in the 32nd minute. The match had been pretty dull up to that point, and I expected Tottenham to really seize control. Instead, it was 10 man Everton who dominated the action.
Everton has a formidable midfield with Cahill, Osman, Arteta, and Carsley. All offers something different and valuable to the side. The disparity between that unit and Tottenham's - who got nothing from the often invisible Jenas, little from Tainio, and a ton of turnovers from Davids - was enormous and negated the man advantage Tottenham held for the bulk of the match.
I think Davids really isn't working out - even when he wins balls, he usually turns it right back over. Also, at some point will people start holding Jermaine Jenas accountable for disappearing for 88 minutes during matches? Enough "potential" - if he doesn't start delivering the goods consistently he has to sit.
Martin Jol has some real work to do, as his side put in a demoralizing performance. Keane and Berbatov received almost no service and Lennon was repeatedly frustrated down the right; consequently, Tottenham produced little to trouble Tim Howard. I will even say they missed Michael Carrick to whip in some balls on set pieces.
Everton must be thrilled with Andy Johnson, who has looked fantastic. He set up the first goal with his tireless work in winning a ball (and free kick) he had no right to win. He then sealed the game with a lovely finish to a sweeping counter-attack that flowed through Osman, out to Neville on the flank, and into AJ. A beautful move, a great match for Everton. The only downside was that David Moyes busted out 2 of the least coordinated goal celebrations I have seen in a while.
Man City 1-0 Arsenal
Arsene Wenger and must be shaking his head after this match, wondering how the Gunners did not romp to their usual easy victory in this fixture. I don't even think City won the match as much as Arsenal blew it.
Thierry Henry suffered through the worst match I have ever seen him play: 1) he didn't seem to posess a 5th gear and seemed idling in 2nd gear for most of the match 2) he lacked his usual sublime touch evident in very substandard settling, passing, and 3) FINISHING. 2004 Henry would have scored about 5 goals today - no joke. Even 2005 would have had an easy 3. The announcers mentioned that Henry felt he was not yet in top form, so maybe there is no cause for concern. We'll see, but this again shows that for all the pretty passing Arsenal can do, they are very reliant on Henry for goals. It showed when he missed games last year and it showed today.
Arsenal again suffered again from overpassing in the attacking zone and wasted some glorious moves through the midfield, where they repeatedly sliced through City. Everyone says it and it is true - Arsenal needs to shoot more - its getting ridiculous. Even the departed Robert Pires occasionally used to check in off the left and bend in some shots.
Jens Lehman looked on the verge of a meltdown, one camera angle showing him yelling in Paul Dickov's ear as a corner was about to come in. A minute later he looked to give City's Corradi a cheap shot after gathering the ball. He is such a weird guy.
For Man City, I thought Sylvan Distin made a few nice plays in the back and had a solid match. And I'd give man of the match to keeper Nicky Weaver.
Wigan 1-0 Reading
I missed the first half of this match, so comments are from the 2nd half (apparently first half was much of the same). Sry.
Wigan really controlled things and really should have clinched the game with a deserved second. Reading looked sort of tired and aimless (and did not trouble Wigan until the 89th minute when Lita was sent in only to be denied by Kirkland) - they resorted to a lot of route 1 long balls but Wigan's back 4 just kept winning in the air and stopping most attacks for the Prem new boys. Outside of early season star Seol Hyeon, Reading looked physically outmatched - something to look for as the season progresses.
Heskey got his goal and should have had two more - hitting the crossbar on a header and lofting the keeper too heavily as he came in alone on goal in the 2nd half. I guess its a promising performance, but I need to see more - I'm still not a believer. The other negative was the first appearance of disgruntled Pascal Chimbonda, who came on as a 2nd half sub and, despite showing signs of his touch and speed, looked like he really didn't care at all. A far cry from the box-to-box ball-winning dynamo of last season.
posted by the idiot at 6:40 PM
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