Week 13 (with one Week 12) Results

Upton Park played host to a delayed game today.

West Ham started off with a fire in there bellies today, and they took an early lead through the Croatian Niko Kranjcar who slotted home nicely from 10 yards out on 19 minutes. And West Ham continued to dominate the first half, with Theo Walcott testing Schwarzer’s reactions from close range, but the keeper kept it 1-0 at half time.

The second half however was a completely different game, with Fulham taking control, and the ever impressive Dembele created a great chance for Clint Dempsey who simply couldn’t miss on 55 minutes. Fulham seemed to take advantage of West Ham’s defensive structure, with Dembele in particular roaming free, and he set up the winner for Dimitar Berbatov on 81 minutes, as Fulham took home the 3 points.

The Expert’s Opinion (by Tony Cottee)

Fulham set up very well with the front 3 causing havoc, West Ham have improved but Fulham are just too strong.

Away win, zonal marking in open play is suicidal IMO.

How the votes were spread
0-0-3

West Ham 1-2 Fulham
Kranjcar; Dempsey, Berbatov

St Mary’s played host to League Leaders Spurs today.

The first half was a rather dire affair here, with neither side really getting into any rhythm, with lots of niggly fouls. Hazard missed the best chance of the half, but he couldn’t hit the target from 21 yards out.

Second half, the game became more dominated by the league leaders Spurs, with Modric pulling the strings from deep lovely. However Saints rattled the crossbar on 60 minutes when Suso let rip from 25 yards out. This however was the closest Saints got, and Spurs piled on the pressure in the closing stages, and they nicked a winner on 84 minutes when Fellaini headed home powerfully from a Dzagoev cross.

The Expert’s Opinion (by Sir Alex Ferguson)

Southampton made life very difficult for Tottenham in two rows of four, and Adam and Lallana putting balls in the box made things difficult for Caulker and Vertonghen. Fellaini playing upfront for Spurs was an interesting choice, but I would have preferred to see Guidetti given a run out, unless they signed him for no apparent reason? Shock win here.

Draw, Southampton well set up, spurs better players but no striker will cost them

Saints set up very nicely but at the end of the day Hazard is the difference and scores twice late on to break Southampton's hearts.

How the votes were spread
1-1-5

Southampton 0-1 Spurs
Fellaini

Goodison Park played host to resurgent West Brom today.

The match started off with neither team in the ascendancy, but West Brom went close through an Odemwingie shot, which was smartly saved by Vorm. Everton’s best chance of the half fell to Sinclair who should really have scored, but missed the target from 11 yards out. It was goalless at half time.

Everton came out in the second half much stronger, and it was they who took the lead on 54 minutes through the pacey Lennon, who beat his full back and slotted through the legs of Kameni in the West Brom goal. From here many expected Everton to push on, but this West Brom team are a much tougher proposition of late, and they got a much deserved equaliser on 78 minutes through debutant Thomas Ince, when he slotted home nicely to earn West Brom a point.

The Expert’s Opinion (by Gordon Strachan)

They tactically evened out with them both playing virtually the same gameplan. But Everton have the better players and more quality across the pitch to see them win this game.

Everton are and always will be a threat attacking, West Brom will find it hard to cope with attack after attack for 90 mins. However, West Brom have turned some good form as of it late, and will look to control the game in the centre of the park and offer some good attacking options too. Maybe slighty generious but a score draw here.

How the votes were spread
2-4-0

Everton 1-1 West Brom
Lennon; Ince

Craven Cottage played host to a London Derby between Fulham and Arsenal today.

The match started off with Fulham prepared to sit back and hit Arsenal on the break. And this tactic worked for most of the first half with Van Persie not able to find any room, and Arsenal being restricted to long shots. Fulham in fact had the best chance, but Defoe could only find the side netting.

Second half was much more of the same, except Arsenal just bought wave after wave of attacks. Oscar forced Schwarzer into a great save on 51 minutes, with an attempted lob. Fulham couldn’t get going at all, and eventually the pressure paid off for Arsenal, as talisman Robin Van Persie slotted home with ease after an Oscar through ball, to give Arsenal all three points.

The Expert’s Opinion (By Lawrie Sanchez)

Difficult game to decide, but Lucas man-marked Oscar out of the game and the back five made things very difficult for Arsenal. Playing Defoe upfront was a clever move as Arsenal couldn't play a high line. They tried to stick tight to him which was a mistake as it allowed Defoe to break away. But Arsenal have that little more quality. They do need to watch their word count though, it's 258 words.

I think Fulham have set up knowing that they've got a game on their hands. Reading the tactics though, it seems as if they're inviting the pressue. I think overall Arsenal will just be to much for them running out deserved winners. Fulham will make a game of it though.

Away win, fulham not set up well which is a pity as in a 433/451 I'd have given them the nod.

As much as Fulham tried to contain Arsenal in the end they couldn't quite, even though RVP had an off day

How the votes were spread
0-2-4

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
RVP

The Liberty played host to West Ham today.

This match started off at a great pace, with Swansea in charge early on. Adebayor forced a good save out of Paul Robinson after 24 minutes with a nice strike. They went close again, when Hoilett sprung the offside trap, only to see his effort slide inches by the post. West Ham didn’t really get into the game in the first half, but they went in level.

Second half started off rather scrappy, with West Ham making more of a game of it. As the half progressed, Theo Walcott jinxed past Fabio, however his shot was smartly saved by Howard. Swansea had the best chance of the game, as Hernandez played a delicious ball through for Adebayor, who inexplicably blasted his shot over the bar, when he really should have scored. The game ended goalless.

The Experts Opinion (By John Hartson)

Reading both set's of tactics, West Hame have played to their strenghts battling in the centre of the park. Although they do look vulanble when hit of the counter with the pace of Swansea's attack. A very exicting end to end game with neither team looking the clear winner here. Draw suites both teams.

Away win, swanseas fullbacks are going to get tortured for 90 mins

I can't seperate the two sides so a draw is the only score I could foreseably see

How the votes were spread
1-4-2

Swansea 0-0 West Ham

Villa Park played host to the Potters today.

First half in this match was frantic to say the least, as Villa took an early lead through Darren Bent, as he pounced on a lapse in concentration from Robert Huth on 10 minutes. Villa almost went two up through Petrov, but his 25 yarder just shaved the post as it went wide. As the half went on Villa did get there second goal, as Marko Marin cut inside his full back, and curled a pearl into the top corner. Villa looked in control. However Stoke managed to get a goal back against the run of play, as Michu jinxed past his marker and curled a lovely finish into the bottom corner from 18 yards out to end a great first half.

The second half started with Villa again on top, but Gabby Agbonlahor missed the best chance for them, as he headed into Sorenson’s hands from 6 yards out with a tame effort. And he was made to pay as Stoke piled on the pressure, with it paying off on 85 minutes when Peter Crouch scored a brilliant bicycle kick from 17 yards out, to give them a well deserved point.

The Experts Opinion (by Alex McLeish)

Two teams who seemed to cancel each other out. A very scrappy game going by the tactical instructions given out. Bent and Agbonlahor's pace was a problem for Huth and Shawcross, but they were instructed well to drop deep. Neither team really had the edge on the other, so a draw for me is the fairest result.

Draw, 2 well set up teams

A high scoring draw in my opinion, Young-Michu-Miralles is an awesome trio but Stoke are fragile at wing back. Villa took advantage of this but Stoke caught them off guard a few times

How the votes were spread
2-3-2

Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke
Bent, Marin; Michu, Crouch

Stamford Bridge played host to the Canaries today.

This game on paper, looked easy for Chelsea, but it was Norwich who made a brighter start, with Burke casuing problems down the flanks. But Chelsea grew into the game, and Torres latched onto a Mata through ball to slot past Ruddy on 24 minutes. And it was that man Torres again, this time with a wonderful volley from 25 yards, which flew into the top corner on 42 minutes to send Chelsea in comfortably ahead at half time.

The second half started, with Chelsea dominating possession, but Norwich nicked a goal back through talisman Grant Holt when he headed home a Snodgrass cross. This woke Chelsea up and they hit back immediately through the impressive Mata on 60 minutes, to kill off the game and take home the 3 points.

The Expert’s Opinion (by Nigel Worthington)

Norwich tried to slow the game right down playing possession football and I think it was the wrong way to approach this game. They should, for me, have looked to hit on the counter attack as Cahill and Mbiwa are vulnerable. Holt got on the end of chances nonetheless and Norwich played a good game, but Torres, Mata, Di Maria absolutely murdered the Norwich defense which seriously needs improving.

Simply put I think Chelsea will be to much for Norwich to cope with this week. Norwich have come with a plan and would frustrate Chelsea if they stop them playing through the middle. However as the game goes on I can see it being hard for Norwich to keep breaking down attacks rolling over to Chelsea.

Home win, better players, decent set up.

This Chelsea side needs Mata to move inside and drop Lampard deeper, both of these allowed Norwich to see far more of the game than they deserved to on paper. In the end Torres was the difference but by God was it close!

How the votes were spread
6-1-0

Chelsea 3-1 Norwich
Torres x2, Mata; Holt

Reading looked to stop the rot against Liverpool today.

And the match started off brightly for Reading, as they looked very energised, especially Drogba who blasted over from 15 yards, with the best chance for Reading in the 1st half. As the half went on, Liverpool began to dominate possession with Isco being particularly impressive. However they went into the break all square.

The second half started with Liverpool completely monopolising possession, and it was them who took the lead through talisman Luis Suarez, who broke the offside trap to chip cheekily over Federici. This was the catalyst for a Reading onslaught, however McAnuff wasted the best chance as he headed into Reina’s hands from a corner. Liverpool wrapped up the game on 87 minutes, when they caught Reading on the break, with a goal from Rossi. It ended in a win for Liverpool

The Experts Opinion (by Rafa Benitez)

Liverpool were better this week and they got a good win. Their midfield looks very strong and they powered through the Reading midfield. Rossi and Suarez's pace was a big problem for the Reading defense. Reading have gone way over the tactics limit, with 227 words.

Reading have set out to have a go and look to stop the rot. I just think if Reading are to sit back in the first half Liverpool do have the players to hurt you with this side. Reading will make a come-back late on as Drogba has proven to be a handfull this season. Narrow win for Liverpool

Away win, liverpool have a much better side

Drogba was the difference but Liverpool didn't help themselves by putting Isco out wide when he is far better through the centre. McAnuff destroyed VDW which allowed him to feed the Drog who was at his best.

How the votes were spread
1-1-5

Reading 0-2 Liverpool
Suarez, Rossi

Big game at Old Trafford today as Man Utd entertain Newcastle.

The match started off in a brisk manner, with Utd getting on the front foot, and Kagawa went close early on with a 20 yarder which went just over. And it was that man Kagawa who opened the scoring on 24 minutes, after a one two with Welbeck set him free to slot past Krul. Newcastle however responded well and struck the woodwork through the lively Remy as they went in with Utd ahead.

The second half started with Utd on top again, and the german Schurrle forced a top save from Krul on 56 minutes. And this proved to be a turning point, as Newcastle went straight up the other end with Sigurdsson, who played in Cisse to equalise. After this the match became frantic, as Newcastle took the lead on 76 minutes through a Mikel Arteta wonder strike. This seemed to be the match winner, until the 91st minute when Paul Scholes unleashed the krakin and smashed home from 30 yards to get a draw for Utd.

The Experts Opinion (by John Joe O’Toole)

Very tight game, but Man United won it by the skin of their teeth. Welbeck for me is a good player but better as part of a forward two as he doesn't have that clinical-finisher about him. Newcastle put in a good display and can take heart from it. They made things very difficult in midfield, but United got joy out wide from Schurrle and Valencia

Simply put as well as UTD look on papaer, I think they'll struggle to cope with the pace & height that Cisse & Remy offer stealing a late goal in the first half. UTD will come strong in the second half eventually breaking down Newcastle, perhaps a little generious but I'd back Newcastle to earn a point here!

Very tight game, gonna go for a draw here

Nothing but a draw in my mind, thats all that needs to be said

How the votes were spread
2-5-1

Man Utd 2-2 Newcastle
Kagawa, Scholes; Cisse, Arteta