Hammers hammered again by United, Chelsea just a point away.

Manchester United closed the gap on current leaders Chelsea after they crushed visiting West Ham United at old Trafford on Tuesday with 3-0. With this Man United has completed their double victory over the hammers
this season. Earlier they thrashed them 4-0 at Opton Park.

It was again Wayne Rooney who scored in each half and Michael Owen’s goal in 79th min which sealed the fate for the hammers. After failing to convert some half chances by Dimitar
Berbatov in the initial minutes, the red devils finally got their first when
Antonio Valencia chipped a great ball in to Wayne Rooney who headed it cleanly
past the goal keeper. The lead could have been double in two minutes when Berbatov shot went over the net. The teams went into the break with 1-0 score
line.

 

Just at the hour mark Wayne Rooney got his second when Berbatov‘s sublime threaded pass released Valencia down the right, and he sped past marker Jonathan Spector before standing up a superb cross. Rooney, who had peeled away from Tomkins,
thumped another header past Green, despite the goalkeeper’s valiant attempt to
save. Finally Michael Owen wrapped up the third for the match when Owen shot past the left of the goal keeper to add salt to West Ham wounds.

 

Sir Alex was delighted after the win as he said “”We had to win and we did that. In the second half, especially, we played some really good football and it could have been more. But we’re happy with the three points. Wayne Rooney was magnificent again. They
were two excellent headers, although there was also some good play from Antonio
Valencia.”

Now the focus shifts to the final of the Carling Cup final at Wembley which will be on 28th Feb at Wembley Stadium against Aston Villa.

Picture source: www.manutd.com

Hammers hammered again by United, Chelsea just a point away.

Manchester United closed the gap on current leaders Chelsea after they crushed visiting West Ham United at old Trafford on Tuesday with 3-0. With this Man United has completed their double victory over the hammers
this season. Earlier they thrashed them 4-0 at Opton Park.

It was again Wayne Rooney who scored in each half and Michael Owen’s goal in 79th min which sealed the fate for the hammers. After failing to convert some half chances by Dimitar
Berbatov in the initial minutes, the red devils finally got their first when
Antonio Valencia chipped a great ball in to Wayne Rooney who headed it cleanly
past the goal keeper. The lead could have been double in two minutes when Berbatov shot went over the net. The teams went into the break with 1-0 score
line.

Just at the hour mark Wayne Rooney got his second when Berbatov‘s sublime threaded pass released Valencia down the right, and he sped past marker Jonathan Spector before standing up a superb cross. Rooney, who had peeled away from Tomkins,
thumped another header past Green, despite the goalkeeper’s valiant attempt to
save. Finally Michael Owen wrapped up the third for the match when Owen shot past the left of the goal keeper to add salt to West Ham wounds.

Sir Alex was delighted after the win as he said “”We had to win and we did that. In the second half, especially, we played some really good football and it could have been more. But we’re happy with the three points. Wayne Rooney was magnificent again. They
were two excellent headers, although there was also some good play from Antonio
Valencia.”

Now the focus shifts to the final of the Carling Cup final at Wembley which will be on 28th Feb at Wembley Stadium against Aston Villa.

Picture source: www.manutd.com

Ferdinand and Vidic return as United host Hammers.

After their shock defeat at Goodison Park, Manchester United will be back to Old Trafford and will be hosting West Ham United for a crucial match and a chance to narrow the lead to one point for the current leaders Chelsea. For the fact of the matter, this match was postponed due to snowfall and the league cup and finally a date was decided for the same on 23rd February.

 

Good news for the red devils is that Rio Ferdinand will be available after successfully completing his four match ban which happened due to violent conduct against Hull City. The other defender Namanja Vidic is also expected to start as he is fast recovering from the calf injury. The Serbian was on the bench for the match against Everton. It was visible that Unitedmissed Ryan Giggs on the wing. He is still out due to the arm injury. The Hammers remain just four points off the relegation zone, but their back to back wins over Birmingham City and Hull City have boosted confidence in Gianfranco Zola‘s squad. Nevertheless, they have struggled on their away fixtures this season, winning just one of 13 away games which is a huge cause of concern for the Hammers and the old Trafford tradition go against their wish to turn the tables.

 

With title for one and relegation scare for another at stake this will be an exciting contest to see who win. The odds favourManchester United, last time when they met at Opton Park the visitors thrashed them with four goals. Alan Wiley will be the referee for the night. He has handed 4 red cards 28 games overall and none for United.

The match will be starting at 2000 Hours GMT (i.e. 0130 Hours IST). Don’t miss the all important match.

Manchester United on visit to break Hammers. Blues meet Blues.

After their win in the recent league cup match, the red devils will be extend this winning run in the premier leagueagainst struggling West Ham United, who are just one place above the relegation zone. Leaders Chelsea will be visiting the City of Manchester Stadium to face Manchester City and a win for City will take them to 4th place in thepremiership.

From the home side the latest is that Zavon Hines will be ready to replace Charlton Cole who picked up a knee injury against Burnley last weekend. Gianfranco Zola’s men would be fired up for this match as they know that a defeat will further reduce their chances of staying in the top flight. While on the other hand Manchester United will be all fired up for Saturday’s match and with Park Ji Sung, Dimitar Berbatov back to the starting 11 a victory will be definitely on the cards. Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves are still out with their respective injuries. The match will be starting at 1500 Hours GMT (2030 Hours IST)
In the other big match Chelsea will be travelling to Manchester to face Kevin Keegen’s men who have put up a surprise performance this year and would be definitely eying the Champions league qualifying spot giving some tough time to Liverpool who have been regular in the top 4. Chelsea on the other hand will be eager to win this tie after their eye opening loss in the League cup last Wednesday.
Other matches during the weekend are:
Saturday
Portsmouth Vs Burnley
Arsenal Vs Stoke City
Aston Villa Vs Hull City
Blackburn Rovers Vs Liverpool FC
Wigan Athletic Vs Birmingham City
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Bolton Wanderers

Sunday
Fulham Vs Sunderland
Everton Vs Tottenham Hotspurs

3-0 in Manchester United’s favour is expected while Chelsea–City match may end up in 2-2 draw.

The bottom three in the premiership as of now.

When the champions are celebrating in the league, there is a section in which dark clouds loom large over some clubs placed 15th to 20th, being more precise the bottom three in the premier league. As everyone can’t be a winner and someone has to come last because this is all competition and it is the survival of the fittest. Coming to the current situation in the English premier league, the bottom three clubs after match week 12 are West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portsmouthwith 10,10 and 7 points respectively. It is interesting to see that the 3 teams promoted to the premier league included Burnley, Birmingham City and Wolves in which Burnley is comfortable at 10th position and is unlikely to be relegated back again for the next season. Birmingham City is at 15th position and has to win their upcoming matches so that the relegation lines are erased for them.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (or Wolves as popularly known as) are way down and need as A.S.A.P thinking on their strategies to avoid the demotion. Currently first from the bottom, Portsmouth is most likely on way to the first division losing 9 of the total 12 matches played so far and drawing one. A lot of work is left for the club and care taker come full time manager Paul Hart needs to gel in quickly.

The trouble for the port city club started when Harry Redknapp left the club in Oct’08 to become the manager ofTottenham Hotspurs and guiding the club 4th place currently. Tony Adams joined after than but was sacked after only 2 wins in 15 games. As the rich Al-Faraj family of Saudi Arabia, who are the owner of the club, must be looking at the January ’10 transfer window for a high return investment so that the club remains in the top league and aim higher the season thereafter. Last… and hopefully not the least the Hammers needs to start their work otherwise they will be crushed.

Zola needs to prove that he is a saviour when it comes to managing a team which he was like a player.