Dream League Season 2 - Week 5 results

Arsenal v Blyth

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Bravo; Jara, de Vrij, Fernandez, Adnan; Gago, Silva; El Haddadi, Sigurdsson, Perisic (Coman 75); Ibrahimovic

Blyth (3-4-1-2): Reina; Jagielka, Barzagli, Martins Indi; Maggio, Pienaar, Delph, Robertson; Menez; Morata (Bonaventura 65), Ba (Rodriguez 65)

MATCH REPORT

Two different styles on display here, Arsenal controlling possession for the most part and Blyth looking to cause problems on the counter. Blyth will consider themselves unlucky to have lost their midfield enforcers to injury as they weren't able to impose themselves on the match as they usually can, but they still caused problems with their dangerous forwards on the counter.

Arsenal controlled possession throughout with Gago looking particularly tidy but Blyth took a surprise lead in the 41st minute, Menez racing away through the inside right channel and being tripped in the box by Fernandez, who was perhaps a little unlucky as he looked to have got the slightest touch on the ball. Morata stepped up and slipped the pen into the corner.

Arsenal equalised shortly after half time, the pressure finally paying as Gago set Sigurdsson through to lash a cracking left-footer inside the near post. Eventually Arsenal got a second as Coman wriggled free soon after coming on, setting up a perfect floated cross to the far post where Munir el Haddadi bundled over the line with Martins Indi just unable to get a toe to the ball.

FINAL SCORE: Arsenal 2-1 Blyth


Arsenal: Sigurdsson (Gago), El Haddadi (Coman)
Blyth: Morata (pen)


Arsenal: Jara, Fernandez
Blyth: Delph, Rodriguez

Man of the Match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Arsenal) - took his goal well and combined well with Gago throughout on an off-day for Ibrahimovic.

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Fishguard v Andover

Fishguard(3-4-3): Ryan; Engels, Van Beek, Wimmer; Baselli (Gaudino 75), Biglia, Praet (Andersen 75), Klaasen; Bernardeschi, Vietto, Fischer

Andover (4-3-3): Darlow; Jenkinson, Fonte, Alderweireld, Dummett; Natcho, Henderson, de Jong; Honda, Austin, Cheryshev (Ronaldinho 65)

MATCH REPORT

This was an outstanding game, Welshy's unorthodox tactics freeing up space in all sorts of unusual positions and his quick-switching gameplan meaning that RAP's defence was never comfortable for a moment. Andover have an extremely strong spine though and it's fair to say de Jong and Henderson won this game for the away side - had they not been so tenacious in the tackle Fishguard might have had more time to score even more goals. As it was it was an open and exciting game which neither side deserved to lose, but the fruity had its way as ever.

Andover started like a house on fire and took the lead in the 8th minute through Cheryshev getting on the end of a stunning whipped crossfield pass from Honda and slotting into the corner. The lead was doubled soon enough, Henderson badgering Baselli off the ball in the 21st minute and slipping it through to Honda who had drifted inside his marker before whipping a shot off the post; Cheryshev was there again to tap in. Austin was getting no space from the Fishguard sweeper but he was doing well to keep him occupied and free up space for the Andover wide men.

Suddenly Fishguard sparked into life and they were level by half time, Baselli and Biglia combining to switch the ball to Fischer who bent a lovely finish into the corner in the 37th. Their second came almost immediately after, this time Klaasen switching it to Bernardeschi who squared for Vietto to tap home.

Andover took the lead again in the 63rd minute when Honda bent a free kick in off the bar. Stunning stuff from an in-form player. Fishguard were straight back at them though and carved them open again with a quick switch setting Fischer through in the 70th minute; he drew the keeper before pulling it back for Praet to slide home.

The game looked to be ending in a draw when Andover won a penalty in the 88th minute, Austin going down under pressure from Engels. Andersen and Gaudino were both booked for protesting before Natcho stepped up and dispatched it into the top corner.

FINAL SCORE: Fishguard 3-4 Andover


Fishguard: Fischer (Biglia), Vietto (Bernardeschi), Praet (Fischer)
Andover: Cheryshev x2 (Honda x2), Honda (free kick), Natcho (pen)


Fishguard: Andersen, Gaudino
Andover: Alderweireld, Jenkinson, Ronaldinho

Man of the Match: Keisuke Honda (Andover) - two assists and a goal for the wizard.

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Sekhukhune v Stockport

Lions (4-4-2): Lodygin; Danilo, Howedes, Otamendi, Ghoulam; Jorginho, Wanyama, Xhaka (Sinkgraven 75), Sterling; Locadia, Calhanoglu (Fekir 80)

Stockport (4-3-3): Forster; Clyne, Veltman, Ginter, Yedlin; Rakitic, Schneiderlin, Mandragora (Crouch 70); Weimann, Aguero, Draxler

MATCH REPORT

A close game with tons of quality in both midfields. The game was pretty congested with both teams playing 3 centre mids. The difference was that Yedlin at left back for Stockport was tasked with man-marking Sterling, who unfortunately was playing more centrally than I think Park expected. While this meant that Sterling's threat was nullified between Yedlin and Schneiderlin the holding midfielder, it left a lot of gaps along the Stockport back line.

In the 28th minute Danilo was able to exploit this gap, charging forwards and drilling a great low cross right across the 6-yard line. Calhanoglu was there to apply the finish.

The game continued in its tight manner - Sterling was unable to make an impact and Aguero was uncharacteristically quiet as Otamendi did a number on his compatriot with Howedes for backup. Both sides went close but Lions held out for a much-needed win.

FINAL SCORE: Lions 1-0 Stockport


Lions: Calhanoglu (Danilo)
Stockport: N/A


Lions: Ghoulam, Sterling, Calhanoglu, Danilo
Stockport: Ginter, Aguero, Yedlin

Man of the Match: Danilo (Sekhukhune Lions) - the marauding right back was the difference today, setting up the winner and generally owning his flank all match long.

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Southend v Basingstoke

Southend (4-3-3): Buffon; Wisdom, Mustafi, Lucarelli, Bijker; Geis, Strootman, Pjanic; Welbeck, Sturridge, Oxlade-Chamberlain

Basingstoke (4-2-3-1): Cesar; Carvajal, Marquez, Zouma, Kurzawa; Ramsey (Kramer 65), Carvalho; Chadli, Quintero, Boetius (Gnabry 65); Rossi (Milik 75)

MATCH REPORT

This match featured two sides I really like. Both have a lovely balance and plenty of star power. Southend have quality all over midfield and up front but potentially are a bit weaker at the back, whereas Basingstoke are solid throughout with few weaknesses although they could probably do better than Chadli on the wing.

Basingstoke took the lead midway through the second half, Rossi finding a good line to nip behind Lucarelli and convert Quintero's clever 62nd-minute reverse pass. Southend weren't to be denied though and they equalised in the 70th minute, Sturridge pulling Zouma out of position and Marquez had no hope of catching Welbeck as he steamed in off the flank. Welbeck's initial shot was straight at the keeper, but he kept his head and laid the rebound back to the onrushing Pjanic who nearly tore a hole in the net blasting home from 18 yards.

This game looked like a draw from the start and that's how it ended.

FINAL SCORE: Southend 1-1 Basingstoke


Southend: Pjanic (Welbeck)
Basingstoke: Rossi (Boetius)


Southend: Buffon (time-wasting), Lucarelli, Bijker
Basingstoke: Carvajal, Gnabry

Man of the Match: Juan Quintero (Basingstoke) - in a close game, his trickery and creativity was great to watch and he set up his side's goal.