Premier League Analysis - 9/10 Feb

Aston Villa 4 Newcastle 1

Two half-time substitutes did the trick for Martin O’Neil. Mellberg and Petrov being replaced by Gardner and Harewood. Young was back from suspension but Agbonlahor missed out due to his hamstring strain. The brute force of Carew’s penalty to bag his hat trick was very impressive.

As Steven Taylor said - “We are in a bit of a hole now.” All four of Owen’s Premier League goals this season have been headers. Beye came straight back in after his return from ACN duty. Carr continued at left back with Enrique joining Faye and Viduka as unused subs. Given went off injured on 54 minutes.

Bolton 0 Portsmouth 1

New signings Cahill, Steinsson and Taylor all started with Rasiak coming on for the last 30 minutes. Bolton have taken only five points from a possible 36 against teams in the top half this season.

David James proved the difference with a string of top class saves. No Johnson for Pompey and Pamarot went off injured after just 26 minutes. Harry started with Baros and Defoe up front but he hauled Milan off at half time for Kanu. Diop (started) and Utaka (sub) both returned from ACN duty.

Derby 0 Tottenham 3

Derby did OK to hold out for 68 minutes. Then the inevitable happened.

Ramos sprung a surprise by starting with Bent and Keane. Berbatov replaced Bent after 57 minutes and scored Spurs’ third goal which was a penalty. Keane’s last six Premier League goals have come against teams in the bottom half. Dawson will be out for two to three weeks with a hamstring tear.

Everton 1 Reading 0

Everton have kept clean sheets in five of their last six league games and in nine of their last 12 matches. Yakubu was dropped from the squad after a late return from the ACN. Jagielka is cementing his place as Yobo’s partner at the heart of the defence.

Reading are the only Premier League team yet to register a point in 2008 and they are now in the bottom three. New signing Matejovsky started whilst Kebe was a late sub who but for a great tackle from Jagielka would have snatched an equaliser.

Middlesbrough 1 Fulham 0

Boro are on a decent run and can now boast to be the top team in the North East! Two goals in three games for Aliadiere. Brazilian hotshot Alves replaced Lee for the final half hour. Keep an eye on him as he’s been a goal scoring machine in Holland over the last couple of seasons.

More woe for Fulham as new boys Andreasen, Hangeland, Nevland and Stalteri all started. Dempsey replaced Kamara at half time and McBride made a welcome return on 64 minutes. If you’ve still got Healy get rid of him now. It’s now 30 Premier League away games without a win.

Sunderland 2 Wigan 0

Sunderland have won their last four home games by a two goal margin. Although they had Craig Gordon to thank for this win against an unlucky Wigan. Bardsley and Evans started in defence as Chopra partnered Jones in attack. Andy Reid came on to bag a KC for the second goal.

Wigan have won just one of thier last 14 Premier League away matches. Bent and Koumas started on the bench with King favoured to partner Heskey and Taylor chosen on the left of midfield. Derby at home is a must win next up for Wigan.

West Ham 1 Birmingam 1

It’s been 34 Premier League games since Freddie last hit the back of the net. Ashton (who did little to impress the watching Fabio Capello) partnered Cole in attack. Bellamy still out injured. The Hammers dominated (65.8% possession) but just couldn’t convert their chances.

Birmingham are unbeaten in London under Alex McLeish having picked up five points in three games. McFadden (scored the penalty) was up front with Forssell. McSheffrey started on the left of midfield whilst Jerome came on as a late sub. New boy Murphy started at left back.

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

Chelsea welcomed back Lampard who lasted 72 minutes alongside Michael Ballack. Alex was solid alongside Carvalho although JT is hoping to be back in time for the Carling Cup final. Be interesting to see how Avram Grant accommodates the returning Drogba, Essien and Kalou.

Skrtel replaced the injured Hyypia and looked comfortable. Torres missed out with a hamstring strain but hopes to be fit for the Cup game against Barnsley. Lucas got the nod in midfield alongside Babel, Gerrard and Mascherano. This was Benitez’s first away point against a big four team in ten attempts.

Man Utd 1 Man City 2

The first time in 22 games that Utd have conceded more than one goal at home. Queiroz said the players were fatigued after the international week but failed to mention the club’s trip to Saudi Arabia. Evra and Rooney were suspended and both were missed. O’Shea and Nani deputised.

Dunne and Hamann put in giant performances. Benjani scored on his debut and could well prove to be a steal. Onuoha and Ball were the full backs. Vassell has now scored in 44 Premier League games without finishing on the losing side.

That’s it for today.

Cheers,
Tom

Tags (click to view more!): Martin O’Neil, Agbonlahor, Viduka, David James, Pompey, Kanu, Berbatov, Alves, Craig Gordon, Heskey, Alex McLeish, Avram Grant, Drogba, Essien, Gerrard, Mascherano, Rooney, Benjani