Sunday 7 October 2012

GW7 Match Centre - Day Two



Pretty even-stevens at St.Mary's between two of the season's most attack-minded clubs outside the big boys, with both sides posting very similar number shot totals.  A lack of genuine quality finishing summed up both teams, with Lambert and Rodallega particular guilty of missing the target when given a chance.  Lallana was the most creative player for the hosts, whilst Richardson off the bench to replce Kacaniklic looked lively for Fulham who dearly missed the class of Berbatov.



A dominant attacking display by Tottenam against a Villa side yet to find their rhythm under Lambert.  Spurs did not really make their dominance count though, with a lot of wasted efforts, particular from Defoe on his 30th birthday, who's place you'd imagine is now under real threat from Adebayor.  Aaron Lennon continued to rack up key passes and bagged a goal too, something he doesn't do often enough.  Gareth Bale continues to provide a real threat from midfield and was unlucky today hitting the post in the final 10 minutes.  Surprisingly, Clint Dempsey playing in the support role behind Defoe did not get a shot off all game, you'd hope he could feed of Adebayor better than Defoe in future.



The Stoke players came out and did exactly what their manager wanted them to do, defend like hell, and go home with a point.  Liverpool fans and owners of Suarez in particular should not feel downhearted, this was never going to be an easy game.   After Arsenal, Stoke have conceded the fewest shots on target in the Premiership this season in a run of fixtures which included games against Chelsea, City and Arsenal.  Liverpool did get plenty of possession and chances of course, with Suarez being the main threat again.   Stoke really didn't muster enough of an attacking threat to deserve further mention. 

 
This was a really dominant display by United in both attack and defence and they were fully deserving of a three goal victory.  Rooney played a free role in midfield and was a force to be reckoned with, both in a creative sense and with his shooting.  His lack of shots in the box though does reflects his deeper role and the goals may not be so forthcoming this year as in season's past.  Van Persie had a quite game by his standards and owners of the £13.5m striker should start to worry how the fluidity in United's attack is going to impact on his goal threat.  For Newcastle, Demba Ba remains the chief threat, with the lion's share of the Magpies limited chances. 

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