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Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham (Fratton Park)
Ronaldo(Di Maria); Lacazette(Fekir), Fekir(Lacazette)
MOTM: Van Dijk

Arsenal went out to outscore their opposition and it backfired massively, with Tottenham defending excellently throughout in a really compact block that kept Arsenal passing sideways. On the break Lacazette and Fekir saw a lot of joy, they were wasteful really, this game could have been a rout.

Portsmouth 1-0 Chelsea (Emirates)
Lewandowski(Costa)
MOTM: Douglas Costa.

Injuries to Chelsea in midfield caused them troubles today as they failed to have their usual grip on the game, Portsmouth certainly having the upper hand in possession. Portsmouth's trouble was that Chelsea proved stubborn defensively and the Portsmouth midfield failed to provide the killer passes, although their wingers more than made up for that. Chelsea struggled to break out as Matuidi and Gundogan dominated Lemina and Gomes, however Neymar was always a good outlet when Alves was caught up field, Lewandowski at his peak was the difference in this game.

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/354201

North Section
Newcastle 2 - 0 Man Utd
Kane(Pen), Dembele(Verratti)
MOTM - Verratti

Hull City 0 - 0 Liverpool
MOTM - Sule a top performance by the young CB to keep Liverpools dangerman out

Midlands Section
Stoke City 0 - 2 Aston Villa
Higuain(KDB), Coutinho(KDB)
MOTM - KDB

Wolves v Birmingham (tbd)

Wolves 2 - 2 Blues
Walcott (Cataldi) Hernandez (Walcott)
Hamsik (Florenzi) Vardy (Shaqiri)

North

Hull 1 – 1 Man City
Gnabry (Vietto) ; Icardi (Cuadrado)

City’s tactics worked well to make things difficult for the home side. It made for a scrappy game as neither side was able to take charge of the midfield. Both teams struggled to create as Hull defended down the wings well for the most part until Cuadrado’s cross found Icardi in the middle. At the other end, Hull’s creative outlets seemed more likely to create when they got up the park, Gnarby playing a clever one two with Vietto putting him through on goal and firing Hull level.

Newcastle 0 – 0 Liverpool

The home side dominated from the start. Their midfield had almost complete control of the game, but they couldn’t find a way to open up Liverpool’s compact defence. Going forward though Liverpool created just as many real chances. Towards the end of the game Liverpool’s subs swung the game in their favour, but it wasn’t enough for the win as the game finished goalless.

South

Chelsea 1 – 2 Arsenal
Gabigol (Benteke); Ronaldo 2 (di Maria, Cesc)

Two strong sides, and it was the away team that came out on top. The home side’s pace down the wings caused Arsenal problems at times, but with spare cbs to help the wbs overall their compact defence worked well and limited Chelsea’s clear cut chances. At the other end Arsenal’s two up top caused Chelsea more problems, their cms worked well to create for their willing runners ahead of them. Ronaldo as always looking to get shoot on sight and he bagged two goals in the end that saw Arsenal grab a very good victory in a tight match.

Portsmouth 2 – 1 Tottenham
Lewandoswki (Payet), Payet (Coman) ; Lacazette (Oscar)

Tottenham proved a tough nut to crack but Payet was at his majestic best, with the pace on either side of him creating space and options for him to thrive, any defence would struggle. The pace of El Haddadi and Lacazette always proved a threat for Spurs in their quick attacks, on the other side Benassi was solid and got up and down the wing well but didn’t offer the same outlet. The home side were strong in defence, and deserved their home victory overall.

Wolves 0-1 Leicester
Zlatan

Stoke 2-2 Brum
Ribery, Kos
Nolito, Vardy

Midlands Section:-

Stoke City 0-2 Wolves
Cazorla, Lukaku (Cazorla)

Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester
Robben (Zabaleta) Benatia (KDB); Ibra (Silva)

South Section:-

Arsenal 1-0 Portsmouth
Ronaldo

Tottenham 1-0 Chelsea
Mahrez (Lacazette)

Newcastle 2-1 Hull City
Lemar, Kane : Gnabry

Man Utd 1-0 Man City
Dembele

Arsenal 1-1 Pompey
Ronaldo; Khedira

Aston Villa v Liverpool @ St James Park

A right ding dong battle between these two title contenders, Villa started brightly and took the lead early after a clumsy Koulibaly challenge on Higuain allowed Reus to step up and convert. Back and forward the ball went but no real conviction from either so far. Villa went further ahead in the second half as a lovely Coutinho turn and pass got Higuain in 1v1 v the GK and he mad no mistake. Liverpool came at them as changes were made and it was Hernandez who pounced early after coming on as Rakitic found him in plenty of room for him to give Liverpool hope, however, its was too little too late as Villa held out for a good win.

Aston Villa 2 - 1 Liverpool
Reus (Pen17), Higuain(Coutinho52)
Hernandez(Rakitic71)
MOTM - Reus

Newcastle v Tottenham @ Villa Park

A confident Newcastle go in with a lot of first teamers staying at home, which gave an almost full strength Spurs side hope, this however did not last long as Newcastle came out quickly and Pjanic found a way to goal to smash home a great effort. This was the last time he got passed Matic and Kante tho as they got to grips with the midfield. They were winning everything in the centre of the park, stopping Newcastle from playing and creating chances. They got there reward in the second half as Kante breaking up play, Gotze picking up and playing the ball between the defenders, Turan got hold of the ball and crossed in for Lacazette to header home.Extra Time came and went, so did the chances but neither team managed to stick the ball in the back of the net.
Penalties it is

Newcastle 1 - 1 Spurs
Pjanic(9)
Lacazette(Turan, 63)
MOTM - Kante

Leicester v Arsenal @ Fratton Park

End to end stuff here between a solid and confident Leicester against the more flamboyant Arsenal, and boy did they start quickly, Cesc picking up early and finding Batshuayi who battled his way into the danger area as he slotted home the first goal of the day, it was soon to be two as again Cesc picked up this time a quick one two with El Shaawary saw him find room and to slot home and double their lead. It was 2-0 at half time and for early parts of the second half, but as Arsenal tired Leicester came into it, James, Costa and Hazard in particular and it was the latter two who combined to get them back in it as Costa chesting down for the on rushing Hazard to thunder home, they equalised soon after as this time James setting up Costa as he lost Chiellini and stroke the ball into the corner. As Correa came on tho this added fresh energy to Leicester and he drove them forward and the comeback was finally complete as Correa and Costa linked well and Costa unselfishly set the young lad up to score the winner near the end.

Leicester 3 - 2 Arsenal
Hazard(Costa, 52), Costa(James, 64), Correa(Costa, 81)
Batshuayi(Cesc, 14), Cesc (El Shaarawy,23)
MOTM - Diego Costa

Portsmouth 0 - 2 Wolves
Lukaku x 2 (Mata10, Schwein 37)
All over in the first half
MOTM - Mata


Newcastle v Spurs Penalties

Harry Kane - Scores - 1 - 0
Lacazetter - Scores - 1 - 1
S.Mane - Scores - 2 - 1
Arda Turan - Scores - 2 - 2
T.Lemar - Missed - 2 - 2
Kolarov - Scores - 2 - 3
Pjanic - Scores - 3 - 3
Mahrez - Missed - 3 - 3
Suarez - Missed - 3 - 3
Van Dijk - Scores - 3 - 4

Tottenham Win 4 - 3 On penaties


Draw for the Semi Finals of the League Cup

Out first

Tottenham Hotspur

They will play

Wolves

At home first in the big tie

Aston Villa

and they will obvisously play Leicester

Tottenham v Wolves
Aston Villa v Leicester

Spurs v Wolves

On paper this is a very tight game with both going fairly defensive. It proved to be so as neither set of forwards getting much of a break in front of goal. It was very much a midfield battle with some rather tasty challenges going in. Gelson was the first to break through as he got away from Rahman and fired in his cross, Lacazette's header was weak tho as he was challenged mid-air by Howedes. Lukaku went close for Wolves but van Dijk was there to clean up after a mistake from Forster, Lukaku only had to fire it in but he went to place it in and the centre half managed to clear off the line.
Second half much alike, a few breaks from both but nothing going for them in front of goal,, this was until Wolves had a corner, it was whipped in and collected by Forster, he released Gelson early and he sprinted away from Rahman, with Wolves pressing high for the corner they were lacking numbers, Gelson played in Gotze who in return played it back wide for Gelson who found room down the right, his low cross found Lacazette in the area and he smashed it into the back of the net to give Spurs the lead, with that subs were made, Wolves taking off both midfielders and Spurs going more defensive, it disrupted Wolves a bit taking off both central midfielders, however they pushed on, but Spurs did what they do best and held out out for a narrow 1-0 lead to take to Molineux

Spurs 1 - 0 Wolves
Lacazette (Gelson68)
MOTM - Gelson

Aston Villa v Leicester

At last Leicester show up after a two week absence, there whereabouts unknown and manager Renegade still missing from the sidelines, so bizarrely Stoke manager Ska was taking the team, Villa took the lead early as new signing Plea cut in from the right, did a little shimmie and hit a powerful shot passed Handanovic. Villa were on top for the majority of the first half but couldn't add to their account as Leicester held out till the whistle.
Villa came out the blocks quickly again with Reus and KDB causing havoc, but they couldnt add to their tally and this was to be their downfall as soon Leicester equalised, Kampl winning the ball in midfield, he pushed it out to Ronaldo, he made his way into the box and instead of playing in Costa he went himself, he did tho and rounded the keeper and made it 1 a piece. Villa looked annoyed with themselves and quite rightly, they had there chances to put this tie to bed and they didn't,, Leicester became more confident and in turn more dangerous, with wave aftrer wave of attack coming, but Villa and Alderweirald holding firm and staying tight kept them out. When Eriksen came on tho he was a game changer, it was he who set up the winner for Falcao, many say a strange signing for title chasers but he repayed the faith Ludy had in him by scoring with a deft touch after a nice cross from Reus. The game slowed down a little as Villa controlled possession after this and held on to that vital 1 goal lead to take to the King Power next week.

Aston Villa 2 - 1 Leicester

Plea (13), Falcao (Reus, 79)
Ronaldo (Kampl, 65)
MOTM - Reus

Stoke 0 - 2 Leicester
No Ska tactics

Portsmouth 2 - 1 Hull
Lewandowski X2 (Ousmane, Gundogan) ; Werner (Bailey)

The two teams lined up in similar fashion, and went toe to toe for the win. The home side enjoyed slightly more possession, but the away side had more than a few springs in their step and their great pace going forward caused Pompey plenty of problems. The home sides quality told in the end as Lewa put away his chances for a deserved home win.

Chelsea 2 - 1 Arsenal
Aguero (Neymar), Neymar ; Higuain (Wellbeck)

Arsenal sought to stop the supply to Chelsea's attacking trio, however it was a risk move going man for man with the front 3 as good as their defence is and although I think they wouldn't have got many chances, I think when the did get a chance they would take advantage. Going forward I thought the Arsenal side had everything they would've needed to make the formation work well and would've had good chances. In the end Chelsea had just enough but are maybe a bit lucky to snatch the home win.

Liverpool 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Griezmann (Coutinho), Coutinho (Koke) ; Benzema (Reus)

With the away side happy to play on the counter they certainly posed a threat when breaking. But by letting the home side have the majority of the play they invited too much pressure and didn't have their attacking players in dangerous positions as often as the home side, which told in the end. Another tight match with little between them but Liverpool edged out the win.

Manchester City 2 - 3 Brum

Balotelli (Perotti), Brozovic (Strootman); Vardy, Mertens (Nolito), Mertens (Rose)

An open game where the home side had more of the ball but Brum simply got the better of City's defence more times than City got the better of Brum's.

Spurs 0 - 0 Manchester United

The away side were fortunate to come away without a loss in this one. Utd made it very difficult for the home side who found it difficult to break them down, but had most joy getting at their wbs who the away side were asking an awful lot of. As always the Spurs defence was solid and Utd struggled to trouble them.

Manchester United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Closely fought match – with United taking the lead in the first half before Spurs levelled up 1 minute into injury time before the half time whistle. Spurs then scored early in the 2nd half, and despite United’s attempts to get back level, the away team clinched a place in the next round.
Goals: United – Kalinic (Milner); Spurs – Lacazette (Blind), Turan (Mahrez)
MOTM: Turan

Spurs 2 - 0 Portsmouth
Lukaku(Barkley,17)
Dembele(Barkley,43)

All over by half time

MOTM - Ross Barkley

Newcastle 1 - 1 Liverpool

Kane(Brandt,3)
Griezmann(Cesc, 53)

Well its back to Anfield midweek after a rather drab affair, Newcastle scored early then invited Liverpool to attack but there leader at the back Godin was immense, a lack of concentration by Hummels early in the second allowed Cesc to set Griezmann free to equalise, this was an Alan Hansen display from both sides as he would have enjoyed the displays by both back 4's throughout

Replay Weds Evening
MOTM - Godin

Birmingham 0 - 1 Wolves
Gameiro(Cazorla, 83)

Wolves subs made the difference today as neither creating much as they cancelled each other out for most of the game, the fresh legs of Gameiro near the end saw the winner come after a dink over by Cazorla put him in on goal and score what was the winner

Chelsea 2-1 Leicester City
Chelsea Goals: Aguero x 2 (Sanchez, Neymar)
Leicester Goal: Ronaldo (Hazard)
MOTM: Aguero

As one can imagine a closely competitive fixture between 2 of the heavyweights of the league.
Chelsea’s home advantage was always going to be a task to overcome, but Leicester gave them such a good run for their money.

Fa Cup Semi Finals

Chelsea vs Spurs

Spurs look much better for me in this system, may come into the game as underdogs and I think on paper Chelsea do have the stronger line-up and with Spurs going man for man it kinda gave Chelsea the initiative. Maybe a different formation (3-5-2) could have atleast won the midfield battle and given a foothold?

As it stands can only judge on whats in front of me and for me Chelsea saw the lion’s share of the ball but thwarted time and time again by a solid back line and the Duracell bunny Kante in front of it.
Close game in the end but Chelsea got the job done.

Chelsea 2-1 Spurs

Aguero (Alli) Neymar (Alli)
Lukaku (Willian)

MOTM – Kante



Wolves vs Liverpool

Two of my favourite managers, I like that they have different formations depending on the opponent rather than a stock and standard blue-print..shame they’re playing each other as that kudos then becomes void

I liked the Wolves set-up and think it looks well balanced, the Liverpool one I’m not so sure on to be honest, it’d probably work but I think the 4 Am’s of Wolves would stretch that back line and create some gaps for Lacazette to exploit.

Liverpool will always a threat on the break and I fancied them to get the job done, but today lady luck was against them

Wolves 1-0 Liverpool

Lacazette (Lallana)

MOTM - Lacazette

Group A
1. Liverpool
2. Tottenham
3. Portsmouth
4. Stoke City
5. Newcastle

Group B
1. Leicester
2. Aston Villa
3. W.B.A
4. Birmingham
5. Hull City

Group C
1. Everton
2. Wolves
3. Arsenal
4. Chelsea

Round 1
Newcastle v Stoke
Liverpool v Portsmouth

Round 2
Tottenham v Liverpool
Portsmouth v Newcastle

Round 3
Stoke v Portsmouth
Tottenham v Newcastle

Round 4
Newcastle v Liverpool
Stoke v Tottenham

Round 5
Portsmouth v Tottenham
Liverpool v Stoke