This fixture has a real tendency to produce both shots and the goals. As elaborated on in the GW25 Top Players article, Sissoko really looks to be a player to watch with great penetration and shooting accuracy here. There's plenty to like about this Newcastle performance against a decent Chelsea team and Cisse really should have scored. Demba Ba owners will be very disappointed with their purchase after his rotation and his now broken nose. Otherwise though, it's Lampared stealing the show and Mata remains as irrepressible as ever.
I ventured before hand that QPR would try and win this game. You know, have some shots, score some goals. It looks like they tried, a little, managing an "average" number of total attempts for a home team against Norwich but, as is their style, they didn't get in the box enough and Taarabt, despite his ability, is again the main culprit - even more so not scoring his penalty. Just one of his shots was in the box (the penalty). Someone should tell him about this. Norwich were pretty productive for a change away from home, which probably tells you just how much trouble QPR are in. Hoolahan, Snodgrass and Holt were most like to grab an away goal.
Ian Harte's deliveries are always worth an assist every few games and Reading are now starting to score with some consistency. Kebe was on the score sheet a few times earlier in the season and is a worthy attacking player and will score a few more this season no doubt. Sunderland's new boy N'Diaye is certainly catching they eye on the left flank but this was a limited performance overall from O'Neils team.
Quite a reserved performance at the end of the day from Tottenham after West Brom were reduced to 10 men after Popov saw red for spitting. Spurs were content to keep the ball and pass it around for long stretches. They're a team that have really improved through the season and credit must be given to their manager AVB for bouncing back from his "Chelsea experiment". Defoe left the ground on crutches and his replacement here was new signing Lewis Holtby who played an advanced role. Bale too played pretty central at times and it's no surprise he nailed another beauty to seal the win. Lukaku and Long may be the front pairing now after Odemwingie's transfer-window antics, although the former was withdrawn after Popov's dismissal which perhaps gives you some idea of his place in the pecking order.
With Carroll back at the point of their attack West Ham were able to get to something like their early season attacking numbers, and the Nolan-Carroll partnership promises to be very fruitful for both parties. Mark Noble too, beneficiary of an assist here, should see some joy from his set-pieces with Carroll to aim for. I'm not all that sure Swansea are equipped for a visit to Allardyce's Upton Park, and I imagine too that this is a point Laudrup will concede - you can't win them all. Pablo Hernandez and Michu had the best chances for the Swans ahead of their DGW 26.
Despite how well you play, and just like last week at Old Trafford Southampton played well, you are always going to be vulnerable in English football to set pieces. Today, this was to Wigan's benefit as two Beausojour corners ended up in back of the net. They really didn't create much else to trouble Southampton who showed most threat through their front pair of Lambert and Rodriguez. Their best chances came on the break.
Excellent as always. Although Graham doesn't play for Swansea any more
ReplyDeleteYeah. I knew that :) Thanks.
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