LSTD League 2016/17 Week 12&13 Results

Newcastle 2-0 Portsmouth

Scorers: Suarez x2 (Mane, Pjanic)

MotM: Suarez

If I missed any tactics from Rooney then I apologise and will re-do this game.



Arsenal 2-1 Manchester Utd

Scorers: Ronaldo (Fabregas), Bacca (Di Maria); Cavani (Ozil)

MotM: Marchisio

In a game of high energy midfields and a never-say-die attitude from both managers, it was Claudio Marchisio that emerged the hero for the victors. His high-octane performance and great experience in tough midfield battles shone through and was the cornerstone for Arsenal prevailing. He came up against equally tough midfielders and showed his class, allowing Fabregas and friends to carve open the Man Utd defence.

Arsenal didn't have it all their own way, though. Following the departure of Bacca and Di Maria, and the introduction of Banega, Man Utd started to claw their way back in to the game and spent the last 20 minutes camped in Arsenal's half. Cavani managed to pull one back via an Ozil assist but squandered other clear cut chances that would have sealed some of the points for the visitors.


Wolverhampton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Scorers: Lukaku x 2 (Mata x 2); Dembele (Silva)

MotM: Mata

A game between two sides very similar both in terms of talent and in their set up today proved to be a very terse affair with plenty of action at both ends of the pitch. With both teams employing inverted wingers and marauding full backs, the game was played at 90 miles an hour for the majority of the game, only slowing as players tired and the game became sloppier. Both teams had enough chances to win and Tottenham will feel robbed to have come away with nothing.



Liverpool 0-0 Aston Villa

Scorers: N/A

MotM: Coquelin

This was a game that neither side could afford to lose and it showed, with both teams focusing on their defensive organisation and hoping for a lapse in concentration from the other side to be a catalyst in providing that game-winning opportunity. Unfortunately for the paying public, teams at this level seldom mess up monumentally and it left a tight game with neither team able to dominate or hit that counter that they were looking for. Special credit has to go to Francis Coquelin for his role in subduing a ridiculously talented Liverpool attacking trio.



Chelsea 3-2 Leicester City

Scorers: Aguero (Neymar), Neymar (Penalty), Dybala (Modric); Hazard (Costa), Vidal (Hazard)

MotM: Neymar

It may still be early in the season but this had all the build-up of a title defining match and with good reason. Both teams exhibit an array of talent from across the globe and both thoroughly believe that they have the beating of every other team in the league.

Mustafi was brutalised down the right flank by an on-form Hazard whereas, in the opposite corner, Neymar threw his hat in to the ring for the future best player in the world post-Messi and Ronaldo era.

It truly was the Hazard and Neymar show, which made it all the more fitting that it was Luka Modric, dropped from the starting line-up, who provided the game winning assist to fellow substitute Dybala. Sickening for Leicester, who deserved something from the game.



Hull City 0-1 Manchester City

Scorers: Iheanacho (Rabiot)

MotM: Butland

I’ll admit that this one surprised me a little. Both teams are fairly similar in terms of quality on paper but the Manchester City line up was a confusing one to say the least. Nevertheless, the gamble by the City boss paid off as a bit of trickery from young midfielder Rabiot released Iheanacho on the stroke of half time and his finish settled the game.