Premier League Analysis - 19/20 Jan

Birmingham 0 Chelsea 1

New signing McFadden had to settle for a substitute appearance whilst new defender Murphy was still getting over a hamstring injury. Kapo kept his place and Jerome (limped off on 72 minutes) started with O’Connor up front. Having played United, Arsenal and Chelsea in succession the fixtures look a lot brighter for City now. I’d expect McFadden to be a regular starter from here in on.

Pizarro’s first goal in 23 appearances after he came on having been dropped for Anelka. Chelsea look very solid defensively and have only conceded two goals in their last four games. The signing of Ivanovic seems to have galvanised Alex and Carvalho. SWP went off with a nasty looking ankle injury. Rumours that Frank has suffered a setback in his recovery and might not make the England international on Feb 6th.

Blackburn 1 Middlesbrough 1

McCarthy dropped for the resurgent Roberts. Ooijer was selected ahead of Emerton and Pedersen passed a late fitness test to start. Blackburn remain in a bit of rut and were lucky to rescue a point thanks to super sub Matt Derbyshire. Samba picked up his ninth booking of the campaign.

Third Premier League goal of the season for David Wheater who also hit the post in the second half. He’s the new Martin Laursen! With Downing’s accurate deadball delivery the young England under 21 defender is a massive threat at set pieces. Arca went off injured at half time.

Fulham 0 Arsenal 3

King’s transfer was delayed by fitness test problems so Dempsey started on his own in attack. Fulham’s lack of height at the back was ruthlessly exposed. Expect giant new centre back Hangeland to go straight in to the team once his clearance comes through. Bullard replaced Davis at half time. Keep an eye on Jimmy as he can be a points machine.

Rosicky in for Walcott was Arsene’s only change. Adebayor becomes the first striker to break the 100 YTM points barrier. 15 goals in 20 starts is top notch. His height, power and pace have given Arsenal something extra since Henry’s departure to Barcelona. Clichy picked up his fourth booking.

Newcastle 0 Bolton 0

A clean sheet for Newcastle and they had no shots on target! Who would have thought? The squad was decimated by injury, suspension and the African Cup of Nations so Keegan was forced to play Rozehnal as a holding midfielder and Ameobi in attack after Viduka did his calf in training. Expect some transfer activity.

Megson handed debuts to Steinsson (right back) and Taylor (left midfield) who is listed as a defender and has a decent point scoring record so is worth consideration if Bolton can sign a decent striker to feed off the delivery. Guthrie and Joey O’Brien kept their starting places with Campo and Cohen dropping to the bench.

Portsmouth 3 Derby 1

A second hat-trick of the season for Benjani who now has 12 in 20 starts. It had been nine hours since Pompey last scored at home. Campbell had a sore back so Pamarot covered at centre back. Diarra came straight in for debut and Harry was raving about his quality. Nugent kept his place in a 4 4 2.

Barnes was surprisingly dropped by Paul Jewell. Nothing positive for Derby although they did lead for 34 minutes. They are already planning for life in the Championship.

Reading 0 Man Utd 2

Just one clean sheet in 20 for the Royals. Lita partnered Kitson in attack with Doyle pushed out to the right of midfield. Czech international Matejovsky came on for a debut last 10 minutes. They seem to be holding on to Hunt so far which has to be crucial for their well being.

Brown came immediately back in after his suspension. Anderson was dropped from the 16 with Hargreaves and Carrick playing in central midfield. Giggs started on the bench although he came on at half time for Park. It’s so normal for Ronaldo to score (17 in 18 Premier League starts) that it’s not really worth mentioning!

Tottenham 2 Sunderland 0

Lots of changes for Spurs with Defoe made captain up front with Berbatov, Huddlestone and Stalteri coming in at the back and O’Hara, Jenas and Boateng in midfield. Perhaps Ramos had half an eye on the Carling Cup semi. Cerny was solid. Robbie Keane came on to bag his 100th goal for Spurs. He’s the 15th player to achieve this and if anyone can list 10 of the other players (use the comment feature) I’ll give you a free team for the February £10,000 competition.

McShane was recalled with Whitehead pushing in to midfield as Ricardson missed out with a hamstring injury. Jones started on his own in attack although Roy quickly reverted to 4 4 2 as Chopra came on for Stokes on 39 minutes. Chopra went on to pick up his fifth booking of the season.

Man City 1 West Ham 1

With Castillo injured Bianchi came back in with Vassell pushed out wide. Darius has never lost a Premier League match for City in which he has scored - 43 games and counting. Petrov looked the star performer with Elano again disappointing. Corluka got the nod ahead of Onuoha at right back.

Ashton and Etherington missed out due to training ground injuries. Cole and Mullins came in. The Hammers were unlucky not to win this and with Faubert playing more of a role, Ljungberg fit and Bellamy on his way back they should puch on from here. Boa Morte picked up his fourth booking.

Wigan 1 Everton 2

Scharner in for Boyce was Steve Bruce’s only change as Taylor had not recovered enough to be considered. Koumas looked good when he came on and could well have played his way back into contention. The curse of Bramble struck again as one drop in concentration gifted Everton their opening goal. Big Emile injured his back and will have a scan today.

Competition for places is getting stronger at Everton with Fernandes, Stubbs and Vaughan only good enough for the bench. Johnson has bagged two in two and looks set to continue to make the most of Yakubu’s trip to Ghana. Lescott now has five Premier League goals and sits just four points behind Rio in the YTM defender charts.

That’s it for this week.

Cheers,
Tom

Tags (click to view more!): McFadden, Anelka, Ivanovic, Adebayor, Keegan, Benjani, Matejovsky, Giggs, Ronaldo, Robbie Keane, Petrov, Lescott