Fixtures Liverpool vs Hull City Stoke City vs Manchester United Wigan vs Chelsea Tottenham Hotspurs vs Burnley Fulham vs Arsenal Blackburn Rovers vs Aston Villa Birmingham City vs Bolton Wanderers Sunderland vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Manchester City vs West Ham United
Free Highlights and Goals Of the Barclays Premier League Week 7
The news of Alberto Aquilani speeding his recovery could not have come at a better time for Liverpool. Benitez has been handed a major fitness boost by the news of Aquilani stepping up his rehabilitation campaign.
The Liverpool boss told their official website:
"He's going forward, progressing and today he started running. If that goes okay then everything will go a bit faster.
"We have not set a target or any time, but he's doing well."
Meanwhile, Benitez confirmed both Daniel Agger and Nabil El Zhar were close to first-team returns following respective back and knee problems.
"Both are very close," said the boss. "They're involved in full training sessions but still they'll need match fitness.
"They'll need time to play some games. Now we have some very important games, so we'll see - but both are very close."
Replacing Xabi Alonso was always going to be tough - Lucas has played upto his potential this month but frankly - Alonso's shoes were just too big for him to fill in the void. Moreover he can't add anything near what Aquilani has to offer. Just at a time when Liverpool are gaining momentum after a dismal start to the campaign, Aquilani would only add to their firepower upfront.
Off the field, Liverpool's American owners are making all the right moves. Carlsberg 18 year association with Liverpool is due to end as the season closes. They will be replaced by Standard Charted Bank. Liverpool's new managing director Christian Purslow has managed to secure the biggest deal in club's history - a staggering £80m deal over the period of 4 years.
At the same time, Hicks and Gillet had assured Liverpool's prolonged move to Stanley Park in the near future. Hicks had earlier confirmed that plans were in place and that the stadium would be built - assuring that the deal was only "delayed" and not cancelled.
Liverpool owners have until now continued to break the promised wonderland at Liverpool ever since they took over.However, the underfire owners have launched a serious charm to win back the trust of the supporters - recent progress have reduced debts, earned new shirt sponsors in a record deal and gradual progress to layout a 'New Anfield' are in place...
Arsenal 4 0 Wigan Vermaelen 25',47' Eboue 59' Fabregas 90'
After two consecutive losses to the Manchester clubs "The Gunners" gunned down Wigan Athletic F.C. by a margin of four goals. Before the match football pundits predicted a 2-0 victory but what happened at the Emirates Stadium was complete domination by ArseneWenger's boys. From the word go Arsenal dominated with loads of chances and Van Persie was in sublime touch with garnering loads of chances before he made an assist in the form of a corner and it was the £10m sole summer signing of Wenger - Vermaelen who netted twice.
Next came another sensational touch by Vermaelen. I guess Arsenal fans just love him for he has proved his critics wrong. What a goal this one was!
Eboue's Goal
A good day at the office for Wenger's side and he's young Arsenal side are back on track in the Title race.
There have been some great matches this season , and this one was certainly the best so far.The best Manchester derby I have ever witnessed !
There were clouds of doubt lingering over city's attacking duo with Tevez and Ireland doubtful but both of them were not only declared fit to play but started the match. And the hosts for the night were playing a strong side too with Ryan Giggs , Anderson , Fletcher & Park in midfield and Rooney up front!
The match was barely into its second minute when city failed to respond to a quick Ryan Giggs throw in and Patrice Evra assisting Wayne Rooney for a beautiful finish . But the game had just barely started to give us any hint about the result . The game was on and Tevez was desperate to score one against his former club . With the comfort blanket of a second minute goal United were in the drivers seat until a calamitous moment of indecision from keeper Benjamin Foster gifted city an equaliser . Foster came off his line to deal with a harmless ball but Tevez was putting him under a lot of pressure who won the possession before passing it on for Gareth Barry who in turn finished quite nicely scoring his first goal for city . The goal was just the catalyst city wanted and drained United off their early fervor and ensured that the rest of the first half was played with an equal strength .
The match was in 4th minute of second half when Fletcher headed one into the net from a beautiful ball in by Giggs . It should have been the end of it with the Outstanding-as-usual Darren Fletcher's goal . But City were not going to give it away easily . It was Bellamy's sublime finish that put the two teams square . It was Tevez who laid off the ball to Bellamy scoring a 20- yard screamer out of the reach of Fosters big hands.
Manchester United were gaining momentum after City's equaliser forcing Given to save two headers off Dimitar Berbatov and One Shot from Ryan Giggs from a very deadly range , But even Given couldn't save the perfect header from Fletcher . 3-2 was the scoreline and the game was over as it seemed . Just until a dreadful lob from Rio Ferdinand was intercepted by Martin Petrov and passed it on to Bellamy who covered half the length of the pitch and outrun Ferdinand to put the ball past Foster second time and on a very tight angle .
After all the Drama the game was over , or was it ? Micheal Owen a Late substitute for United scored the winner from a sublime ball provided by Giggs . And Finally The referee blew the Final Whistle and one of the best derby matches we have ever witnessed came to an overwhelming end for United fans .
We have analysed the Actual Added Time :
In the 2nd half till 90 minutes there were 3 substitutions, 2 from United and 1 from City.
So 3 x 30 seconds = 1 min 30 seconds
There were 3 goals scored till 90 minutes of the game and if you consider the goal celebrations it will come out to be around 45 seconds for each of the goal.So add that comes to 3 x 45 seconds = 2 mins 15 seconds.
Add this two times it comes to 3 mins and 45 seconds.
For the fouls also the game is stopped which was given by the ref as 15 seconds which is VERY LESS for a Derby game, I am sure it was more. It should be MORE.
So now we got the 4 minutes of stoppage time. But something changed here and the ref has to consider that.
Bellamy scored City's 3rd on 89:55 The game does not restart until 91:01. 1 minute and 6 seconds have been wasted and will be added onto the original four minutes of added time, taking it to at least 95:06 Michael Carrick was brought on to replace Anderson. All substitutions add 30 seconds onto added time, taking it to 95: 36 Owen scored the winner on 95:28, meaning the game was still 8 seconds within added time.
**Disclaimer: Absolutely no copyright infringement is intended. All images, audio, and video clips are the sole property of their respective owners.
Highlights + Goals Manchester United 4 - 3 Manchester City :
Sir Alex Ferguson Post Match Interview :
Mark Hughes, Michael Owen and Darren Fletcher Post Match Interview:
After his antics after the defeat against Barcelona, many speculated that Drogba's future at Stamford Bridge was soon to end. And he would prefer a move to Inter Milan to reunite with former coach Jose Mourinho.
But Chelsea, who have been most famous for changing their managers faster than clothes, again did the same. Guus Hiddink's tenure of 6 months came to an end after an impressive display and delivering FA Cup glory to Chelsea.
Then came Carlo Ancelotti, famous for his European records. The focus shifted from Drogba to Ancelotti as many considered him as the best summer signing for Chelsea. Soon, all was forgotten and Drogba was given the green light to perform.
And Drogba has certainly repaid the faith shown in him by Chelsea and Ancelotti or has he? To be honest, Chelsea's first 5 opponents have been quite moderate. Hull, Burnley, Fulham, Sunderland and Stoke City. These teams haven't provided the test for Chelsea. Actually, Chelsea have been quite lucky with their opening fixtures. So, to analyse Chelsea's title chances after the opening five wins is not right. So is the case with Didier Drogba.
"A team's title ambitions will be seen and proved only in the rough times."
Didier Drogba has scored or has had an assist in almost every Chelsea game this season. His performances have been match-winning and magical. It surely reminds us of the Drogba who blossomed under Mourinho and helped Chelsea win two back-to-back titles. But a question suddenly surfaces - Can he display the same performances against the stronger sides? And will he remain free of injuries?
If he can, I think Chelsea will win the EPL this year. If he can't, then this year's title race is gonna be more fun than ever.
You might just want to refresh some of those memories and be aware of what he was/is capable of doing..
The much awaited city derby is Finally here . After United have beaten Tottenham Hotspurs 100% record in the league , Manchester City is the team to beat . Standing third in the table with a match in Hand . The match will be played on " Theatre of Dreams " on this Super Sunday . It has been always tough Hard tackles , Red Cards and all the noise from the crowd .Surely Life will be hell for one person out there . The Ref . Our sources say that United and City have handed 10 k Pounds to police to prevent any trouble in the aftermath of the clash . And Adebayor been Handed over a Three Match ban for his stamp in Arsenal match !
Game will surely provide lots of firepower , End to end stuff . With Manchester city with its newly found confidence in attacking player Adebayor having scored in every match and Manchester United's attack in red hot form with Wayne the Man . City have a Gem of a Attacking Midfielder in Ireland whereas United's Darren Fletcher in Never before form and winning a place in all the Big one's united play these days . Both the Goalkeepers Shay and Ben will be overworked .
Manchester United :-
Last time when Manchester United faced Manchester City , Both the goals came from Tevez and C. Ronaldo , Both of them are gone now . But no need to worry as MUFC are still finding goals in the net with Wayne Rooney . Guessing the Midfield will be a very tough task to do.As far as I know Sir Alex , he will play experienced Giggs and Fletcher for sure . On the other wing , He has options in Park J.S. , Nani and Valencia . And with no Paul Scholes Anderson who scored his first BPL goal in last fixture could book his place alongside Fletcher .
Manchester United's Past Form :- WLWWW
Manchester United's Last Result :- Besiktas 0 -1 Manchester United
Manchester City :-
The man To watch will be Craig Bellamy with his supreme pace and Finishing . Everybody wrote Manchester City off even before the season started claiming that only buying Big names won't win you trophies , the squad has to gel well . And that has exactly what happened , Four wins out of Four is an enviable start to say the Least . Their injury list is as filled with star studded names as their squad is. With Robinho and Santa Cruz out till mid October and Tevez and Ireland very doubtful to play in this match. In addition to that with the latest news in hand Adebayor banned for three matches. But they don't seem to care at all . After all they have lots of backups who are not a reserve squad. And their confidence is sky high after the drubbing of Arsneal at City of manchester stadium last weekend.
Manchester City's Past Form :- WWWW
Manchester City's last Result :- Manchester City 4 -2 Arsenal
Some Quick Facts :-
Our Verdict : - Manchester United 2- 1 Manchester City
But certainly the match won't be a bore and scoreline would suggest nothing , It will be an equally contested match and Outcome would be much more than just the result . Enjoy the Super Sunday
