Posts Tagged ‘Paul Scholes’

The 2010/11 English Premier League football season officially kicked off on Sunday with Manchester United grabbing the first available piece of silverware on offer by beating Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley for the FA Charity Shield. A disappointing result for fans used to Chelsea football gifts of two trophies last season.

The football match started with a fast pace as both sides went out to win. We saw early chances come and go with no goals resulting. Paul Scholes may be getting old but he enjoyed a man of the match performance as he controlled the midfield and continually picked out passes with accuracy and preciseness. Manchester United gifts used the full width of the pitch through Antonio Valencia in attack while Chelsea’s Michael Essien and Florent Malouda were largely responsible for(p) for their positive forward moves.

Goals from Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia (41), Mexican Javier Hernandez (76) and Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov (90) secured the Community Shield for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester side, in front of 84,623 fans, with Chelsea getting a consolation goal scored by Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou. The Chelsea football score was disappointing.

A lot of substitutions were used throughout the match and Manchester fans got to see Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez make his competitive debut and score a quite unbelievable goal that actually went off his face and in. It is a goal worth watching in slow motion, you don’t often see a goal “faced” in.

It was noticeable that from the beginning of the match large sections of fans from both sides were booing the England players when they touched the ball. The idea of Chelsea and Manchester United fans specifically targeting only England players with booing again brings the club v country debate to the forefront of football.  First it was Ashley Cole, then John Terry, Wayne Rooney and even Fabio Capello as the crowd let the underachieving players who failed to show their England  gifts know exactly how they felt concerning England’s poor World Cup display over the summer. The lackluster effort from the fans in their displays of disapproval were in the end washed out by a sort of ‘call and response’ cheering from the opposition fans. When United would boo, Chelsea would cheer. The gesture, although passionate and honest, was a waste of time and had little long-lasting effect on the game itself as it progressed. All England football fans were pretty miffed by the players poor performance at the world cup, but I am not sure that the way to express this is by booing them at a club match, particularly as there is an international friendly against Hungary coming up to boo them at.

Bayern Munich are hoping that injuries do not scupper their chances of overcoming Manchester United when the pair meet against in the Champions League. There is a semi final place at stake in the competition that neither would want to give up. Both clubs are often guaged by the success they can achieve both at home and in Europe, thus the Champions League trophy will rank high on their priorities. On the table will be the German club’s desire to settle some old scores with the Red Devils that dates back 11 years ago. A late goal from Man Utd sunk Bayern Munich in the dying seconds of the Champions League final and snatched the trophy from their hands just when it looked more secure with them.

There has been bad news on the injury front for Bayern Munich as reports have surfaced that Dutchman Arjen Robben could miss out. A calf injury has laid the winger down as he continues to battle injuries while his team’s offense could suffer without him. Their season turned on its head earlier in the year after Robben’s arrival and the Dutchman’s precise passes and speed will weaken manager Louis Van Gaal’s hand if he is to miss the match. However, one can never fully trust what the Germans are up to each time as they may never reveal their hand right up to the start of each game. Robben could yet recover in time to feature against Man United.

There is no such concern for Manchester United as things are looking bright. Key players in attack and defence are Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand respectively and both will be fit to play for the club. The pair will be joined by old heads Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes who will be no strangers to their opponents and the occasion after their involvement in the past Champions League final. While they will definitely be included in the squad, Alex Ferguson might not choose to have them both start in the Manchester Utd vs Bayern Munchen online stream in order to pace them. Whatever the choice the manager makes, it would certainly provide for a spectacle when the clubs step onto the pitch.

On Saturday English Premier League leader Manchester United drew 1-1 during the 35th closing round allowing Chelsea to reduce the gap to only three points.

The points were scored by South American Roque Santa Cruz who opened the scoreboard in the 21st minute and Manchester’s goal came from the Argentinean Carlos Tevez in the 88th minute with a shooting to the net in combination with offensive midfielder Paul Scholes.

But the hero of the day was Chelsea’s goalkeeper Brad Friedel who played an exceptional game stopping some eminent goal shots above all when the visitors were hunting the draw desperately in the second half.

During the 79th minute Friedel stopped Tévez and later on Wayne Rooney as well as the Irish defense John O’Shea (86th) before the goal arrived. Before the 64th minute the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo threw a ball against a post. This unexpected result holds back Manchester’s run for the title, which previously seemed to be an easy task for the “Red Devils.”

On Thursday Chelsea won over Everton 0-1 and now had 78 points only three points shy of the current leader. The only goal of the game was that of Ghanaian Michael Essien during the first half of the game at the 41st minute.

On the other hand, Arsenal was left out of the competition for the title after being overrun by Reading 2-0. This game put an end to Arsenal’s five games without winning at the Emirates Stadium.

At last the Londoners managed to offer a victory to their supporters thanks to the good work of the Spaniard Cesc Fábregas who was defending the center of the field as well as Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor and of the Brazilian Gilberto; the ‘Gunners’, third in the general classification are situated seven points behind of the leader.

Liverpool achieved a new victory, this time against Fulham (0-2), with a total of eight points from Everton which is in fifth position in the battle for the title; situation which is not completely obscure as this allows them a pot for the next Champions League edition

Lastly; there is Bolton, which recently won over Middlesbrough 0-1 and was able to take a breath. Meantime, the Derby County continues in bad shape after losing to West Ham 2-1.

This Sunday, Aston Village sixth place of the classification board, sank even further down after losing to Birmingham (5-1), while Newcastle took air after winning 2-0 over Sunderland.

Paul Scholes is generally admired as a footballer, but rarely receives the recognition he deserves as a role model. When Paul was a ginger schoolboy, he didn’t wallow in self pity praying for baldness, he played football with the normal children until he reached a level where Manchester United were prepared to sign him.
Wayne Rooney has also struggled to overcome adversity; he was born in Liverpool. The Roonatic scored a spectacular hat-trick last weekend, which may explain why he’s been walking around with the match ball tucked under his shirt, or so it would appear. United are a shoo-in at 1/3 to see off Pompey at Old Trafford.
Claude Davis allegedly threatened Ade Akinbiyi with a razor this week; how on earth did he persuade Neil Ruddock to leave the pie shop? My mother always said, “Never trust a man whose eyebrows meet in the middle;” all she missed out was the word ‘tubby’. Sheff U have been tonked on their last four trips to Newcastle, back the Toon to dish out a fifth at 5/6.
Kieron Dyer is not a lucky man. After making his 49th comeback from injury, Dyer has been ruled out for another two weeks following a ‘freak’ injury, although the scale of Iain Dowie’s involvement remains unclear. Rossi looks the call at 9/2 to bang in the opener.
Stewart Downing believes he’s been made a scapegoat for England’s poor results. That’s unfair; a goat has a better first touch than the ineffectual Downing. Boro are the weekend nap at 15/8 to see off an outclassed Watford.
Jonathan Woodgate has surprisingly named ‘Grease’ as his favourite film. (I’m guessing Frank Lampard is also a huge fan.) For first goalscorer betting, I’m hopelessly devoted to Euell at 10/1.
Sure, Kieron Dyer is unlucky, but what about me? As a result of missing Match of the Day, I was forced to endure ‘Goals on Sunday’ with Beavis and Butthead. The Sky boys have an annoying habit of referring to Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt as ‘Kout’, which has wreaked havoc with my punning possibilities. I fancy Liverpool to see off Reading at 4/11, but I won’t be tipping a first goalscorer. Thanks Beavis.
When I heard that Rafa was approaching a ton, I assumed he was tapping up Frank Lampard. After tinkering with his team for 99 consecutive games, the Liverpool manager has finally embraced stability; I’ll be embracing the 11/2 about a 2-0 win to the Scousers.
Henri Camara remains steadfast in his belief that Wigan will avoid defeat at the Reebok, and the Camara never lies. Wigan were unbeaten in three games against Bolton last season, they can snatch a point at 12/5.
The Charlton board would be well advised to beg their former manager to return, there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of Curb crawling. Charlton v Man City is as close as you can get to a certain draw without moving to Italy. Get on at 9/4.
Stuart Pearce wants a ‘managerial sacking window’; that would be a pane. There’s been 20 goals in the last 4 matches between the Addicks and City, a small dabble on a 2-2 draw makes economic sense at 14/1.
It’s great to see Joe Cole back to full fitness, anything that moves Downing further from the England team can only be considered an encouraging development. Chelsea will beat up Tottenham at a ridiculous 8/11.
Jose Mourinho has accused Barcelona of promoting a diving culture; it’s great that the former Porto boss and current coach of Robben and Drogba is prepared to make such an honourable stand. Chelsea are available at 7/1 to win 2-0; dive in.
Robbie Savage always receives plenty of abuse when he plays at Villa Park, which is odd, as blondes who go down easily are normally warmly received. Villa have beaten Blackburn 1-0 at home for the past two seasons, there’s no reason why a hat-trick should be denied at 6/1.
Arsene Wenger believes that Theo Walcott is still two years away from being a top class striker. He resisted the temptation to add, “But he’s already better than Heskey.” You’ve got to fancy Arsenal at 8/13 to put an end to the mini Hammer revival.
The Fulham v Everton match is proving a tough nut to crack. Before last week’s fixtures, I’d have put my mortgage on the Coleman taking the points, but Everton’s draw at the Emirates coupled with Fulham’s dismal performance against Wigan has led me to flip like Naomi Campbell. Everton are the shout at 17/10.
I’ve heard it said that the reason why Tim Cahill is so adept at sneaking past defences is because he’s an Australian. Personally, I find that offensive. I’d like to say to all of my Aussie friends, “I’ll have a pint of lager please.” The magnificent Cahill is available at 45/1 to score the only goal of the game; get the drinks in.
This week’s accer is so mature; Alan Pardew is considering playing it up front against Arsenal. Man Utd, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea are the selections; the payout is a sweet 16/1.