Soccerfax 2009-10

Soccerfax
Premiership form guide for the 2009/10 season

The 2009/10 Soccerfax is in 2 parts…
The First Part is the team by team analysis…
The team by team section contain our exclusive ratings which are laid out in a
home and away grids. Here’s an example of such a grid:
Liverpool – Home 2008/9

Shots On Shots Off % SPG Possession Saves
Rating Rating Accuracy Rating Rating Rating
F A F A F A F A F A F A
Period 1 6.0 2.0 18.3 4.3 24.7% 31.6% 18.3 9.5 64.0 36.0 1.3 5.3
Period 2 6.3 1.8 16.8 4.5 27.2% 28.0% 15.3 8.3 62.8 37.3 1.0 5.0
Period 3 6.8 3.0 12.0 3.8 36.0% 44.4% 10.7 13.5 57.5 42.5 2.5 5.0
Period 4 6.4 2.6 15.8 3.8 28.8% 40.6% 13.9 16.0 63.6 36.4 2.4 4.8
Period 5 4.8 3.0 16.5 3.8 22.4% 44.4% 14.2 9.0 65.8 34.3 2.5 3.3
Period 6 4.7 3.7 14.3 4.7 24.6% 44.0% 14.3 12.5 55.7 44.3 3.3 3.3
Period 7 6.8 2.5 17.8 5.5 27.6% 31.3% 9.8 32.0 59.5 40.5 2.5 4.3
Period 8 9.8 3.8 15.0 4.5 39.4% 45.5% 6.6 8.3 61.5 38.5 2.8 6.0
Period 9 9.5 3.5 15.3 4.5 38.4% 43.8% 7.1 6.4 58.5 41.5 2.3 6.3
As you can see, it’s quite easy to track a team through a season – and it’s worth
remembering, that we dump ‘old form’ on a scheduled basis
So Period 2 isn’t lumbered with some of Period 1’s form – and Period 9 won’t
include form from P1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
The benefit of this is that a Period Rating is fresh, and reflects what each respective
team is achieving NOW rather than an accumulation of previous form ruining the
current picture
So straight away we can say with some conviction that Liverpool protected their
goalkeeper really well at home last season – a view generated by the above table
To give you an overall feel for a team we have also included a single page synopsis
that features end of season averages and % Over/Under totals. This page also
features Time of First goal percentages and Correct Score percentages
The second part is the match by match analysis
Here’s what one of our matches looks like...
Bolton 2 Stoke Match Commentary

14 Shots 8
8 Shots on 2 Premiership new boys Stoke conceded 3 goals in a
13 Fouls 12 disastrous 12-minute spell before half time, and were
4 Corners 3 never able to recover.
2 Offsides 1
58.0% Possess' 42.0% Stoke worked hard to find a way back, but Bolton
10 Cards 20 were able to play the second half on cruise control.
1 Saves 2
3 Goals 1 Stoke's consolation goal came in stoppage time
Ref: C.Foy
This is in our opinion the strongest part of Soccerfax – the ability to flick back
through the match by match section and find not only the stats for a certain match,
but also a commentary of how the match went
Take the example above – Stoke won just 3 corners that day – despite being
behind for over 50% of the match – and the fact that they allowed the home team
to “cruise” through the rest of the match is indicative of their potency at that time
You’ll notice a number in-between the two teams – we’ve highlighted this number
in yellow in the above example match. This is match number 2
This is the match number which we have used to reference from a teams’
Match Index
Here’s part of Arsenal’s Match Index (this is located at the end of each teams’
section)
SF NUMBERS
Arsenal
H Wbrom 1
A Ful 12
H New 26
A Bburn 30
A Bol 41
H Hull 50
A Sun 61
H Ev 70
A Wham 88
H Tot 93
A Stoke 105
H MU 110
The number after each fixture is the corresponding number of that match in the
match by match section.
So their opening 2008/9 match – at home to West Brom – was Match Number 1…
and here it is:
Arsenal 1 West Brom Match Commentary

24 Shots 5
14 Shots on 4
11 Fouls 8 Injury-hit Arsenal struck after only 4 minutes through
7 5 new signing Samir Nasri, and then went on to
Corners
dominate the rest of the first half, playing their
7 Offsides 7
trademark neat, attractive football. But it was a much
63.0% Possess' 37.0% more evenly balanced contest after the break as West
0 Cards 0 Brom settled down to try to find an equaliser. Not a
2 Saves 4 vintage Gunners performance
1 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
Looking at the index again we see that next up in the calendar was their Away
match against Fulham - Match Number 12 – here’s that match…
Fulham 12 Arsenal Match Commentary

5 Shots 15
2 Shots on 6 Fulham went ahead in the 21st minute through
14 Fouls 6 Norwegian defender Hangeland's header from a poorly
defended corner, and the toothless Gunners found
1 Corners 5
themselves unable to even pull level, let alone win the
8 Offsides 2
game. Arsenal had a first half to forget and Fulham
43.0% Possess' 57.0% could easily have scored a couple more before the
20 Cards 0 break - but in the second half Arsenal played rather
1 Saves 1 better, even though they could find nothing in front of
1 Goals 0 goal
Ref: M.Atkinson
After looking at the Index again we see that Arsenal play Newcastle at home –
Match Number 26 – flicking through the match by match section to the match
numbered 26 will bring you this match…
Arsenal 26 Newcastle Match Commentary

20 Shots 4
14 Shots on 2
12 Fouls 11 Robin Van Persie netted twice as Arsenal went some
12 1 way to silencing talk of a striker crisis at the club in a
Corners
3-goal romp over an outclassed Newcastle - the
6 Offsides 5
Gunners continuing where they had left off against FC
56.0% Possess' 44.0% Twente (won 4-0) in their midweek Champions League
20 Cards 20 qualifier. Newcastle created very few chances - though
2 Saves 9 a Nicky Butt header did hit the crossbar
3 Goals 0
Ref: R.Styles
And so on…
We have been compiling all of our prices on various football leagues using a
combination of the information above for a few years now and it has served us well
The only difference to our techniques this season is that we’re going to be covering
a wider number of statistical departments and that we’ve introduced a more
sensitive set of periods that drops matches one at a time
Now for a look at how to use the ratings…

How to use Soccerfax
There’s a wealth of information in Soccerfax – and at first glance it could all look
a bit daunting, however, as you’ll soon see, using our unique ratings to win on
football is as easy as 1,2,3 – literally.
Before we unveil that 3 step process, here’s a little commentary about the ratings
themselves.
After years of betting on football, we decided that simply forming an opinion of a

club’s winning (or losing) chances based on … well, just an opinion, simply wasn’t
good enough, not if consistent profits were to be made.
After researching various (hopeless) methods, systems and formulas it was

obvious that nothing in the marketplace could deliver the kind of results that we
wanted.
So it was time for a bit of DIY – and 4 years on, whilst the terminology has
changed, the ratings themselves are just as potent – and what separates them
from the field is that they are based on FACTS.
It doesn’t matter which market you are looking at betting on, Soccerfax has an
angle on it – the only prerequisite is that you choose a sensible market that
favours the punter rather than one built ‘by the bookmaker, for the bookmaker’ –
in other words we don’t cater for betting on Dick Turpin’s Scorecasts and the like.
In the Premiership, we analyse each and every element of a team’s make up –

from Possession to Saves forced – and assign to every one of them a
performance rating.
By using that specific rating – based on FACTS – we can form a very sharp
opinion about how a team will perform in the future in any area.
And the last step of our strategy is of course betting on that opinion – if the price
suits.
It’s worth mentioning at this stage that all of our ratings are expressed in a way
that is relevant to the area of performance we are rating – for example if Arsenal
are home rated as 7.5 in the shots ‘on target’ department then that would
intimate that the Gunners are ‘worth’ 7.5 shots on target per home match played.
3 steps to Football profits
It doesn’t matter what particular y market you are thinking of betting on, the
process of analysis will stay the same…
Identify teams >>>>>>>>>>> Rate the Match >>>>>>>>>>> Find the Value
Let’s take a look at the first step…
Identify teams…
Identifying the match that you’ll be betting on is a crucial step, and one that we
have to get right – the good news is that the ratings makes this process a whole
lot easier.
This is all about the teams…
There will be a batch of teams that are completely flavourless in some

departments, ‘average’ is the polite word. These are the teams that cost people
money – stay away from them, they are poison.
It’s not uncommon to find a team that are flavourless in all departments and
when two such teams go head to head, that match becomes a big no go area
despite what the tabloid papers may say.
It’s fair to say though, that the majority of teams in most leagues have some kind
of flavour, whether it’s a richness in the ‘corners for’ department or a sharp tang
in the ‘bookings against’ department.
It’s when we can compliment these flavours that we find the best betting
opportunities – for example a great defence against a poor scorer…
Let’s take a look at some real flavours using a ‘live’ set of ratings from Soccerfax
– Aston Villa at Home. We’ve highlighted a few of the significant ratings to show
you the kind of trends we are looking for…
Aston Villa – Home 2007/8

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners
Rating Rating Rating Rating per Point Rating
Period 1 4.0 0.8 1.8 0.8 25.0 18.8 15.5 10.5 1.6 1.8 6.0 5.3
Period 2 2.3 0.5 1.5 1.0 37.5 12.5 14.8 10.8 2.5 1.2 4.5 7.3
Period 3 2.0 0.3 1.3 1.3 33.3 23.3 10.7 13.3 3.1 1.8 5.7 5.7
Period 4 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.5 17.5 35.0 14.0 17.0 1.3 2.1 6.3 5.0
Period 5 2.3 1.3 1.5 1.5 11.7 30.0 13.8 15.0 0.8 2.0 6.8 5.3
Period 6 3.0 0.5 2.5 1.0 5.0 20.0 13.3 13.3 0.4 1.5 7.5 5.3
Period 7 3.0 1.3 1.7 1.0 6.7 23.3 14.3 14.3 0.5 1.6 5.0 4.3
Period 8 2.5 1.0 2.5 0.8 5.0 20.0 12.5 15.3 0.4 1.3 5.0 5.0
Period 9 2.0 0.0 3.0 1.0 6.7 10.0 11.0 12.3 0.6 0.8 6.7 4.3
You’ll note a consistently low offsides ‘against’ trend, an impressive sequence of

‘goals ‘for’ ratings, a low season end in the bookings ‘for’ department (with the
knock on of a low fouls per point sequence) and finally, and impressively high
series of corners ‘for’ ratings that spanned all 9 periods.
Rate the Match…
It’s now time for the simple process of cross matching the identified teams with
the fixture list - with a view to betting on those perfect matches…
It’s worth pointing out at this stage that you can instantly become a specialist in
any betting area in any league when you have the Soccerfax ratings at your
disposal.
You might want to specialise solely in match results during 2007/8 – if that’s your
choice then you’ll be looking at every department for every team every month.
On the other hand you might want to become a ‘corner specialist’ in which case
you’ll be zooming in on just the corners columns.
If you are really serious about generating betting profits you might want to take
on multiple betting areas – or there’s the opportunity to focus on just the
weekend’s LIVE matches.
Comparing a couple of teams can point up numerous betting opportunities –

sometimes 4 or more per match. It’s doubtful that we’ll get the value required to
strike bets on all of these, but we’ll never know unless we highlight the most
likely statistical trends.
Here are a couple of examples that illustrate how we turn numbers into bets – the
kind of mindset that uses these ratings to attack the most lucrative betting areas.
A Bookings example…
The Bookings category is one that interests thousands of punters, however it’s
fair to say that many are either following a guru of some kind or basing their
betting on recent patterns…
The data in Soccerfax allows you to take a wide view of a team’s performances,
which allows us to build a bookings bet on good solid foundations.
There are many patterns of data possible – a match up of two teams that both
own a high set of ‘for’ ratings (and a high set of ‘against’ ratings too) would
obviously present a possible bookings ‘buy’ or ‘over’ bet.
A set of ratings where we have a ‘high’ team and a low team could well present
an opportunity to strike a ‘First Card’ wager or a ‘buy’ (or ‘sell’) of a teams
bookings supremacy.
A corners example…
The main market that many corner punters attack is total corners, it’s both
reliable and profitable, and we expect that you’ll be striking plenty of bets there
over the coming months. However there are plenty more moneymaking avenues
to wander down and our ratings pinpoint these at a glance.
A fixture between two high corner winners (that are sufficient conceders also)
would immediately appeal as corners ‘buy,’ or an ‘over 11 corners’ bet, however
you can often maximise your return by investigating one of the more volatile
markets – the cross corners market is one, another would be the match multi
corners market.
The reverse of this would be a match between two low corner winners – an ‘under
11 corners’ bet or a ‘sell’ of the total match corners is one strategy (and it’s often
the best strategy) – however there also those more volatile markets to consider
that allow us to cash in on those really low match ups.
When one team has a stronger corner-winning trend than the other we would
immediately be drawn to the ‘Corner Handicap’ market (or ‘Corner Supremacy’
market.)
Last season, there were many opportunities to take advantage of ‘wrong’

handicaps with the most significant discrepancies offering up to 4 corners worth
of value (4 corners difference between our handicap and the one on offer.)
An offside example…
The fixed odds firms don’t always chalk this market up, but readers that bet with
the spread firms will be able to get on.
The most lucrative trends were hidden in amongst the main European leagues
last season with some teams making up most of the spread just with their
‘trapping’ abilities.
We only have one option with this betting market and that’s a straight forward
‘buy’ or ‘sell’, however as you’ll find out over the course of the 2008/9 season,
there’ll be some cracking opportunities in the domestic league, continental
leagues and European Cups
Find the Value…

Armed with our factual opinions surrounding the above 4 matches it’s now time to
scan the odds comparison sites for the best value – www.oddschecker.com or
www.bestbetting.com would be a couple worth visiting.
There’s no rigid rulebook where getting the value is concerned, however the one
thing that I would never do is betting long odds-on about any outcome in a
football match.
Taking 1/5 or 1/4 about an occurrence simply isn’t good business in the world of
football – no matter how one-sided the ratings may be.
Your main betting will be done in and around the 5/6 to 2/1 mark, with
investments on markets such as correct scores paying out much more.
Value is not all about the price – you’ll also get value in the shape of handicap
betting especially – corners betting is a fine example.
Stick to those 3 steps and you’ll be putting the odds firmly in your favour, and
after a very short time you’ll be an expert in your chosen field.
Arsenal – Home 2008/9
Period 1 11.0 3.7 18.3 3.0 37.5% 55.0% 17.6 10.0 60.3 39.7 2.3 5.7
Period 2 8.0 4.7 16.0 4.7 33.3% 50.0% 9.0 4.0 64.0 36.0 2.3 5.7
Period 3 7.5 5.3 11.8 7.8 39.0% 40.4% 8.6 6.5 60.8 39.3 3.5 5.3
Period 4 4.0 4.8 9.2 8.4 30.3% 36.4% 13.2 16.5 56.2 43.8 4.0 3.0
Period 5 3.6 3.2 11.8 4.2 23.4% 43.2% 19.3 37.0 61.4 38.6 2.8 2.8
Period 6 4.8 1.8 14.3 3.3 25.0% 35.0% 76.0 N/A 62.0 38.0 1.8 4.5
Period 7 6.7 1.3 12.0 5.7 35.7% 19.0% 14.0 N/A 55.7 44.3 1.3 5.7
Period 8 8.3 2.7 12.0 4.0 41.0% 40.0% 7.6 N/A 60.3 39.7 2.7 5.0
Period 9 7.8 3.5 13.8 5.8 36.0% 37.8% 9.6 7.4 60.8 39.3 2.5 5.0
2007/8 - The Gunners remained unbeaten at home in 2007/8, finishing with 15

home wins, 3 home draws 37 goals in the ‘for’ column and only 11 against.
2008/9 - In comparison, their 2008/9 season was a shadow of their previous

performance with their home form of 11-5-3 (together with just 27 goals scored
and 15 conceded) a full 10 points worse
As you can clearly see in the above table, Arsenal’s main shortfall was their poor
Accuracy, the knock on of which was felt in the SPG and Goals departments
A better hot rate would have seen Arsenal fair much better and the way they
finished the season defensively must be viewed as a positive

Period 1 6.0 6.7 1.7 0.7 13.3 10.0 11.3 10.3 1.2 1.0 11.3 3.3
Period 2 3.3 5.3 2.7 2.3 16.7 30.0 9.7 14.3 1.7 2.1 10.3 3.0
Period 3 2.0 3.0 2.3 2.0 20.0 35.0 11.8 16.0 1.7 2.2 7.3 4.0
Period 4 1.8 3.2 1.0 0.8 21.0 24.0 13.8 14.4 1.5 1.7 6.8 3.6
Period 5 2.2 3.8 0.8 0.2 19.0 20.0 14.0 14.0 1.4 1.4 7.8 2.0
Period 6 1.5 2.3 0.3 0.0 15.0 15.0 10.5 13.8 1.4 1.1 9.3 3.0
Period 7 1.7 1.3 1.3 0.0 6.7 20.0 7.7 14.3 0.9 1.4 8.7 4.3
Period 8 3.0 2.0 2.7 0.0 3.3 23.3 9.7 14.0 0.3 1.7 7.3 2.3
Period 9 1.8 2.0 2.3 1.3 7.5 7.5 12.0 12.5 0.6 0.6 6.8 1.3
In the Corners department Arsenal were – for 7 periods at least – a top

performer, and as you can see by their ‘Corners Against’ figures, their ‘Corner
Supremacy’ regularly checked in at around the 3.0/4.0 corner mark.
The Gunners managed to get themselves a bit of a ‘Bookings’ reputation a little

while back, however – barring the odd blip – their home figures in this
department prove they’ve made the transformation from ‘offender’ to ‘offended.’
The standout stats though have to be those in the goals column – they finished
the season brilliantly in defense but simply failed to consistently show the same
quality in attack
Arsenal – Away 2008/9
Period 1 5.3 3.7 14.3 7.0 27.1% 34.4% 8.4 16.0 61.7 38.3 3.0 3.0
Period 2 6.8 4.5 13.5 6.8 33.3% 40.0% 8.1 22.5 63.8 36.3 4.0 4.5
Period 3 5.4 4.2 10.8 7.4 33.3% 36.2% 13.5 8.3 60.8 39.2 3.0 4.4
Period 4 4.8 4.2 9.2 9.0 34.3% 31.8% 11.7 7.3 58.0 42.0 2.6 3.6
Period 5 4.5 3.3 8.8 7.8 34.0% 29.5% 7.6 8.8 55.3 44.8 2.0 2.8
Period 6 3.7 3.0 5.7 8.3 39.3% 26.5% 7.0 17.0 51.0 49.0 2.3 2.3
Period 7 6.0 4.3 8.0 9.0 42.9% 32.5% 7.0 20.0 51.3 48.7 3.7 4.0
Period 8 6.3 6.3 9.0 9.8 41.0% 39.1% 4.4 9.1 54.5 45.5 4.5 2.8
Period 9 5.0 5.3 8.5 10.5 37.0% 33.3% 4.9 12.6 58.0 42.0 4.0 2.3
What a contrast to their home figures – still not the kind of Accuracy figures they
would want, but barring a couple of rogue periods, their SPG data was in the main
quite classy
Arsenal dominated possession in 7 periods out of the 9 and protected their keeper
quite well on occasions
The Gunners finished off the season with a 9-7-3 WDL record with a goals
performance of 37 ‘For’ & 21 ‘Against’ – making them the Premiership’s leading
goal scorer.
All in all, some decent figures but not good enough to place them in anywhere
near first place

Period 1 3.7 4.3 2.3 0.7 10.0 16.7 8.3 13.3 1.2 1.3 9.0 4.3
Period 2 2.5 3.0 2.5 0.5 25.0 26.3 10.5 12.3 2.4 2.1 9.5 4.3
Period 3 1.2 4.4 1.2 1.4 25.0 27.0 12.2 14.6 2.0 1.8 5.2 2.8
Period 4 1.4 3.8 1.2 1.8 21.0 20.0 11.8 13.4 1.8 1.5 5.2 4.2
Period 5 2.0 3.8 1.8 1.3 20.0 17.5 13.5 10.0 1.5 1.8 6.5 5.8
Period 6 2.7 5.0 1.3 0.7 21.7 13.3 16.0 11.7 1.4 1.1 4.7 5.7
Period 7 1.3 2.7 2.0 0.7 15.0 16.7 13.7 15.3 1.1 1.1 4.0 5.7
Period 8 2.5 4.5 3.5 1.8 12.5 17.5 14.0 14.3 0.9 1.2 3.3 7.3
Period 9 2.5 4.8 2.8 1.3 25.0 21.3 15.0 12.0 1.7 1.8 5.5 6.3
Rarely did the bookmakers provide any corners value about Arsenal – their figures
finished near on 50/50 in the Under/Over department for the season with the
Gunners win rate falling away as the season progressed
Notice the correlation between their low end of season corner stats and their
strong goals ratings – something to watch out for
“Over 2.5 total goal” bettors had a much better time of it. Arsenal’s total goals
ratings settled over for 6 of the 9 periods with their end of season percentage of
63% in agreement. This is a trend we could well see repeated in 2008/9.
Arsenal were steady, if unspectacular, card earners – and they do get a fair
number of cards from their opponents too. No outstanding trend to latch on to.
Home Record Away Record
W11 D5 L3
F 31 – A 16 Arsenal W9 D7 L3
F 37 – A 21
Attack Ratings
Shots On Shots Off Accuracy Possession
Home Ratings Home Ratings Home Ratings Home Ratings
6.9 For 3.5 Ag' 13.3 For 5.3 Ag' 34.1% Shots on Target 60.10%
Away Ratings Away Ratings Away Ratings Away Ratings
Corner Ratings
Total Corners Corners 1st Half Corners 2nd Half O/U 10.5 Corners
Home Ratings Home Ratings Home Ratings O - Home STD - U
8.2 For 2.8 Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' 63.2%% 36.8%
Away Ratings Away Ratings Away Ratings O - Away STD - U
5.9 For 4.8 Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' 47.4% 52.6%%
Goal Ratings
Total Goals Shots per Goal Saves O/U 2.5 goals
1.6 For 0.8 Ag' 12.6 For 11.0 Ag' 2.6 For 4.7 Ag' 42.1% 57.9%
Officials Ratings
Bookings Fouls Fouls per Point Offsides
13.9 For 18.9 Ag' 11.7 For 13.6 Ag' 0.84 For 0.72 Ag' 2.6 For 3.3 Ag'
Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Home 1st Match Goal Time Away Home C/Score Away
16% 0-10 11% 21% 1-0 5% A beautiful game it may be but
21% 11-20 26% 11% 2-0 0% Arsenal still drop points away
21% 21-30 11% 5% 2-1 5%
from home – and they have yet to
0% 31-40 11% 0% 0-1 0%
0% 41-50 5% 5% 0-2 5% replace the legendary Henry
0% 51-60 11% 5% 1-2 5%
11% 61-70 5% 16% 0-0 11% To win the Premiership 9/1
5% 71-80 0% 5% 1-1 16% To be relegated 2500
11% 81-90+ 11% 0% 2-2 5%
16% No Goal 11% 32% Other 47%
SF NUMBERS
Arsenal
H Wbrom 1
A Ful 12
H New 26
A Bburn 30
A Bol 41
H Hull 50
A Sun 61
H Ev 70
A Wham 88
H Tot 93
A Stoke 105
H MU 110
H AV 120
A MC 133
A Chel 145
H Wig 150
A Boro 163
H Lp 175
A AV 179
H Ports 189
H Bol 199
A Hull 211
A Ev 224
H WH 228
A Tot 246
H Sun 250
H Ful 260
A WB 270
H Bburn 279
A New 291
H MC 299
A Wig 316
A Lp 326
H Boro 336
A Ports 342
H Chel 356
A MU 361
H Stoke 371
Aston Villa – Home 2008/9
Period 1 6.7 6.7 6.3 6.3 51.3% 51.3% 6.5 13.0 43.7 56.3 2.7 2.7
Period 2 3.7 3.0 8.3 7.3 30.6% 29.0% 7.2 10.3 46.0 54.0 2.0 1.7
Period 3 4.0 3.4 9.2 7.8 30.3% 30.4% 16.5 14.0 44.8 55.2 2.6 3.0
Period 4 5.0 3.2 10.2 7.8 32.9% 29.1% 10.9 9.2 46.2 53.8 2.0 3.8
Period 5 6.8 3.0 12.3 8.3 35.5% 26.7% 9.5 9.0 48.5 51.5 1.8 5.3
Period 6 6.7 4.3 12.3 10.0 35.1% 30.2% 28.5 21.5 44.3 55.7 3.7 6.3
Period 7 4.0 5.3 8.7 9.3 31.6% 36.4% 12.7 8.8 51.0 49.0 3.7 3.0
Period 8 4.5 5.0 10.0 9.0 31.0% 35.7% 8.3 7.0 51.0 49.0 3.0 2.8
Period 9 4.5 4.8 11.3 9.5 28.6% 33.3% 10.5 14.3 48.3 51.8 3.8 3.3
Our Premiership Match Ratings always questioned the quality of this Villa side and
the above figures support our fact based ratings model to the bitter end.
No good team will have a possession ratings like this, nor will they have such a
sporadic set of SPG figures and as far as wrong way traffic goes, Villa were high
for most of the season
As you can clearly see in the table, Villa simply didn’t dominate their opponents at
home and this is something that the possession, SPG, shots and saves figures
shout out loud. A team to oppose

Period 1 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 3.3 13.3 9.3 12.0 0.4 1.1 5.7 7.0
Period 2 2.3 1.3 1.7 1.0 6.7 21.7 11.3 16.3 0.6 1.3 6.7 4.0
Period 3 2.6 1.8 0.8 0.8 8.0 19.0 12.2 16.0 0.7 1.2 7.4 4.2
Period 4 3.0 1.6 1.4 1.2 14.0 18.0 10.8 13.4 1.3 1.3 7.8 4.6
Period 5 2.8 1.3 2.0 1.3 15.0 17.5 10.8 14.0 1.4 1.3 8.3 4.5
Period 6 1.0 1.7 0.7 0.7 10.0 16.7 11.3 14.0 0.9 1.2 7.3 7.0
Period 7 1.7 1.7 1.0 1.7 10.0 23.3 10.0 11.7 1.0 2.0 7.0 7.7
Period 8 2.3 1.3 1.8 2.0 10.0 22.5 10.0 13.5 1.0 1.7 9.5 7.3
Period 9 3.3 1.3 1.5 1.0 5.0 26.3 10.5 12.5 0.5 2.1 10.3 7.0
In the Corners department Villa were a really good performer and the good news
is, that their expected scoreboard struggles in 2009/10 should produce more of
the same
O’Neill has a great rapport with his players though, and he certainly has them
playing ‘clean’ with a succession of low card scores and low foul counts illustrating
this point well
Ultimately though, their 7-9-3 WDL season was poor and the bottom line of 6th
place in the Premier League was flattering
Aston Villa – Away 2008/9
Period 1 4.3 4.0 6.3 10.0 40.6% 28.6% 5.3 8.4 45.0 55.0 2.3 2.3
Period 2 4.8 7.0 6.8 15.0 41.3% 31.8% 5.8 22.0 39.5 60.5 6.0 2.8
Period 3 3.8 7.0 5.8 14.0 39.5% 33.3% 6.3 21.0 39.5 60.5 6.0 2.5
Period 4 3.0 4.8 5.4 8.6 35.7% 35.8% 6.0 16.8 40.8 59.2 4.0 2.2
Period 5 2.4 4.8 5.6 9.4 30.0% 33.8% 5.0 23.7 42.6 57.4 4.2 1.2
Period 6 2.7 3.7 8.7 13.0 23.5% 22.0% 6.8 50.0 43.0 57.0 3.3 1.0
Period 7 3.3 4.3 8.3 13.3 28.6% 24.5% 17.5 7.6 44.7 55.3 2.0 2.7
Period 8 3.8 5.8 6.8 9.8 35.7% 37.1% 14.0 5.6 44.8 55.3 3.0 3.0
Period 9 4.3 6.0 7.3 8.8 37.0% 40.7% 9.2 7.4 46.3 53.8 4.0 3.0
Their away return of 10-2-7 last season was a vast improvement on their 2007/8
performance of 6-9-4, but once again the figures are far from convincing
As you can see, Villa generated a low amount of ‘on target’ efforts but they
converted a high percentage of these efforts into goals – see SPG column
Their shots against data is another department where Villa performed poorly with
high figures in both the ‘on target’ and ‘off target’ departments.
Combining the two shots departments paints a grim picture for Villa this coming
season – a repeat of the above certainly wouldn’t generate 10 away wins that’s
for sure

Period 1 1.3 0.3 2.0 1.7 23.3 16.7 11.7 18.0 2.0 0.9 7.3 6.3
Period 2 2.8 0.8 2.0 1.0 30.0 12.5 13.8 16.8 2.2 0.7 4.8 8.3
Period 3 3.3 1.0 1.5 1.0 30.0 17.5 17.5 13.0 1.7 1.3 4.0 6.5
Period 4 1.2 0.8 1.4 0.8 22.0 22.0 16.6 12.4 1.3 1.8 5.6 7.2
Period 5 0.4 1.0 1.6 0.6 21.0 25.0 13.8 12.4 1.5 2.0 5.6 10.2
Period 6 1.0 1.0 1.7 0.3 21.7 31.7 13.3 11.7 1.6 2.7 8.0 9.7
Period 7 2.0 1.0 0.7 2.3 25.0 13.3 11.3 10.0 2.2 1.3 8.0 4.7
Period 8 3.5 0.8 0.8 2.8 26.3 7.5 13.3 11.5 2.0 0.7 5.0 5.8
Period 9 3.5 0.8 1.3 2.0 12.5 5.0 14.3 13.5 0.9 0.4 6.0 6.5
Home or away, Villa generated corners and their tendencies to concede a few
produced some big make ups.
“Over 2.5 total goal” bettors done well across the 19 match road season with 66%
of their matches settling with 3 or more goals – only midseason did Villa stem the
flow of goals against, the remaining 6 periods all settled above 1 goal
In the disciplinary department, Villa were rated highly throughout the season with
their season averages of 18.7 points ‘for’ and 21.7 points ‘against’ reflecting their
card potential
W7 D9 L3
F 27 – A 21 Aston Villa W10 D2 L7
F 27 – A 27
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
8.3 For 3.0 Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' 66.7% 33.3%
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

16% 0-10 11% 22% 1-0 6% Despite their lofty finishing
16% 11-20 28% 11% 2-0 0% position, Villa never really
22% 21-30 11% 6% 2-1 6%
impressed in the stats department.
0% 31-40 11% 0% 0-1 0%
0% 41-50 6% 6% 0-2 6% It will be interesting to see how
0% 51-60 11% 6% 1-2 6% they start the new season
11% 61-70 6% 17% 0-0 6%
11% 81-90+ 11% 0% 2-2 6% To be relegated 100
16% No Goal 6% 28% Other 50%
Aston Villa
H MC 8
A Stoke 15
H Lp 28
A Tot 39
A WH 49
H Sun 51
A Chel 65
H Ports 71
A Wig 87
H Bburn 95
A New 109
H Boro 117
A Arsnl 120
H MU 130
H Ev 140
A Ev 157
H Bol 160
A WH 174
H Lp 179
A Hull 198
H WB 200
A Sun 213
A Ports 218
H Wig 229
A Bburn 239
H Chel 251
H Stoke 264
A MC 273
H Tot 287
A Lp 298
A MU 308
H Ev 317
H WH 319
A Bol 329
H Hull 348
A Ful 352
A Boro 364
H New 372
Blackburn – Home 2008/9
Period 1 2.3 5.3 9.3 7.0 20.0% 43.2% 17.5 7.4 52.0 48.0 3.7 1.7
Period 2 2.8 4.8 8.5 9.0 24.4% 34.5% 22.5 7.9 48.8 51.3 3.0 2.3
Period 3 4.0 5.3 8.3 9.8 32.7% 35.0% 24.5 8.6 50.8 49.3 3.5 3.5
Period 4 5.0 5.2 7.2 8.6 41.0% 37.7% 8.7 7.7 48.2 51.8 3.4 3.6
Period 5 5.2 3.2 6.8 7.4 43.3% 30.2% 5.5 7.6 50.6 49.4 1.8 3.0
Period 6 4.3 3.0 10.3 9.3 29.5% 24.3% 8.8 9.3 56.7 43.3 1.7 2.7
Period 7 2.0 3.3 13.7 7.7 12.8% 30.3% 47.0 11.0 52.3 47.7 2.3 1.7
Period 8 3.5 3.8 9.8 8.8 26.4% 30.0% 10.6 25.0 49.0 51.0 3.3 2.3
Period 9 3.5 3.0 8.0 12.3 30.4% 19.7% 7.7 61.0 48.5 51.5 2.8 2.0
Make no mistake, these figures are poor – in almost every department
In the shots data department, their opponents were regularly rated to generate
more shots business than the visitor – even when it was situation critical at the
end of the season. Their accuracy of shot was also poor – the same can be said
about their SPG data which against saw their opponent often outplay Blackburn
In the possession department, their data was in the main poor with 4 of the 9
periods seeing Blackburn ‘out-possessed’ – it was the same story in the saves
department too where Rovers simply didn’t force enough shot stopping

Period 1 3.0 8.0 0.7 1.7 10.0 6.7 12.0 12.0 0.8 0.6 5.0 3.7
Period 2 3.5 5.0 0.5 1.8 20.0 7.5 13.5 10.8 1.5 0.7 5.3 3.5
Period 3 1.8 2.8 0.5 1.8 25.0 17.5 13.5 11.0 1.9 1.6 7.0 6.0
Period 4 2.0 2.0 1.4 1.8 18.0 20.0 12.8 11.2 1.4 1.8 5.6 6.8
Period 5 4.6 2.0 2.2 1.4 18.0 27.0 13.2 12.2 1.4 2.2 4.0 5.0
Period 6 4.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 23.3 28.3 12.7 12.0 1.8 2.4 4.0 7.3
Period 7 2.3 4.0 0.3 1.0 16.7 3.3 12.3 11.3 1.4 0.3 4.3 6.0
Period 8 4.8 4.3 1.3 0.5 10.0 8.8 13.0 11.5 0.8 0.8 4.5 5.3
Period 9 5.3 2.5 1.5 0.3 13.8 11.3 15.3 11.5 0.9 1.0 4.3 7.0
The rot continues with most of the above categories well below par
During only the final 2 periods of the 2008/9 did Rovers manage to keep their
goals against rating below 1.0 goal and to make matters worse, only 5 of the 9
ratings saw Rovers rated higher than 1.0 in the goals for column
Their corner forcing is indicative of their failing territorial dominance on the park –
only 1 of the 9 periods saw Blackburn rated above the Premiership corners won
average, with the final 5 periods of the season particularly disappointing
Once again Blackburn were rated high in the Bookings department with only 1
period settling on 1 card or less
Blackburn – Away 2008/9
Period 1 9.3 6.0 6.3 4.7 59.6% 56.3% 7.8 4.6 50.3 49.7 1.3 4.0
Period 2 3.3 2.3 7.3 6.0 31.3% 28.0% 8.0 6.3 55.3 44.7 1.0 2.0
Period 3 2.8 4.0 8.2 9.6 25.5% 29.4% 9.2 7.6 47.2 52.8 2.2 1.6
Period 4 3.0 4.2 8.4 11.0 26.3% 27.6% 14.3 8.4 44.2 55.8 2.4 2.2
Period 5 4.7 2.3 9.3 10.0 33.3% 18.9% N/A 12.3 51.7 48.3 1.3 4.7
Period 6 6.0 2.0 10.5 10.0 36.4% 16.7% 33.0 12.0 45.0 55.0 1.0 5.5
Period 7 4.3 4.8 8.0 10.0 34.7% 32.2% 9.8 7.4 42.8 57.3 3.0 3.0
Period 8 4.0 5.6 6.4 9.4 38.5% 37.3% 13.0 6.8 44.0 56.0 3.6 3.2
Period 9 3.8 5.8 7.3 11.0 34.1% 34.3% 44.0 6.7 44.0 56.0 3.3 3.5
Blackburn’s poor 4-4-11 road season is supported by some pretty dismal stats
Their possession performance once again verges on the a league worst – only 3
periods of 50%+ is countered by 6 periods of < 47%
Their SPG stats are probably the most damning though – the against column is
lettered with low numbers which basically states they were selling goal at too
cheap a price, and their struggles in the for column are made worse by the fact
that Blackburn often struggled to create a decent shooting chance

Period 1 1.3 2.7 2.0 2.3 36.7 10.0 18.3 11.0 2.0 0.9 4.7 6.0
Period 2 2.7 3.7 1.3 1.3 26.7 3.3 18.7 10.3 1.4 0.3 6.0 6.7
Period 3 3.6 3.4 1.2 1.8 26.0 12.0 16.4 12.0 1.6 1.0 6.4 6.2
Period 4 3.0 4.0 0.8 1.8 26.0 12.0 15.0 10.4 1.7 1.2 6.0 5.4
Period 5 3.0 5.3 0.0 1.0 26.7 3.3 15.7 8.0 1.7 0.4 6.7 4.7
Period 6 2.5 2.5 0.5 1.0 30.0 10.0 20.0 8.5 1.5 1.2 7.5 3.5
Period 7 3.8 2.5 1.3 2.0 28.8 18.8 17.0 11.5 1.7 1.6 5.8 6.5
Period 8 3.6 2.0 0.8 2.2 23.0 21.0 14.2 12.2 1.6 1.7 5.0 6.6
Period 9 1.8 1.0 0.3 2.5 17.5 20.0 11.3 10.3 1.6 2.0 4.5 5.0
Blackburn’s major weakness was their defence and whilst it wasn’t one of the very
worst in the league, the way they finished the season has to be a worry.
Big numbers in the bookings for column matched up with some of the highest
fouls per point numbers in the Premiership and under Allardyce we can expect
this level of discipline to continue throughout 2009/10
Blackburn were an eye catching corner conceder at times last year and they
proved they could win a few too – an ‘over’ team for the season
W6 D7 L6
F 22 – A 23 Blackburn W4 D4 L11
F 18 – A 37
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

11% 0-10 26% 5% 1-0 11% Blackburn were rated poorly in a
5% 11-20 5% 11% 2-0 5% number of vital areas last season,
11% 21-30 21% 5% 2-1 5%
and look a team with a lot to do in
26% 31-40 11% 0% 0-1 0%
16% 41-50 5% 16% 0-2 0% 2009/10
0% 51-60 5% 5% 1-2 16%
11% 61-70 5% 11% 0-0 16% To win the Premiership 3000
5% 71-80 5% 16% 1-1 0% To be relegated 9/1
5% 81-90+ 0% 11% 2-2 5%
11% No Goal 16% 21% Other 42%
Blackburn
A Ev 3
H Hull 11
A WH 25
H Arsnl 30
H Ful 40
A New 56
H MU 60
A Bol 72
H Boro 80
A AV 95
A WB 107
H Chel 116
H Sun 121
A Tot 137
A Ports 147
H Lp 151
A Wig 167
H Bburn 170
A Sun 186
H MC 190
H New 208
H Bol 222
A Boro 234
H AV 239
A MU 253
A Hull 266
H Ev 271
A Arsnl 279
H WH 289
H Tot 300
A Lp 310
A Stoke 322
H Wig 337
A MC 340
H Ports 349
A Ful 360
A Chel 369
H WB 373
Bolton – Home 2008/9
Period 1 10.0 7.3 7.0 8.3 58.8% 46.8% 12.8 11.8 44.0 56.0 2.3 3.7
Period 2 5.0 3.7 9.0 9.3 35.7% 28.2% 42.0 9.8 39.3 60.7 2.3 4.7
Period 3 4.8 3.5 12.3 8.8 27.9% 28.6% 34.0 16.3 43.5 56.5 2.8 4.5
Period 4 5.0 4.2 14.4 9.0 25.8% 31.8% 24.3 11.0 43.8 56.2 3.0 4.4
Period 5 4.4 5.8 11.6 8.4 27.5% 40.8% 16.0 10.1 43.6 56.4 4.4 3.4
Period 6 3.7 8.7 7.3 11.0 33.3% 44.1% 6.6 14.8 40.7 59.3 7.3 2.0
Period 7 4.3 6.3 7.3 14.3 37.1% 30.6% 8.8 15.5 43.0 57.0 5.0 3.0
Period 8 5.8 4.0 6.3 14.8 47.9% 21.3% 6.9 15.0 45.0 55.0 2.8 4.0
Period 9 5.0 3.5 6.8 15.0 42.6% 18.9% 7.8 24.7 43.8 56.3 2.8 3.5
Wanderer’s home season of 7-5-7 could have been a lot worse if some of their
worst performance levels had their own way – the possession department for
example maintained that relegation look for each and every one of the nine
2008/9 periods
As far as shot generation goes, Bolton didn’t perform that badly, but as you can
see by their level of off target efforts, they did struggle at times to produce a
quality shooting chance
The one ray of light here has to be Bolton’s SPG data. Their ‘against’ numbers are
not that bad and kept them in the Premier League last term

Period 1 2.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 16.7 20.0 17.0 15.0 1.0 1.3 6.0 8.3
Period 2 1.3 2.7 0.3 1.3 16.7 23.3 16.0 12.7 1.0 1.8 7.7 9.3
Period 3 2.0 3.5 0.5 0.8 12.5 17.5 14.3 14.5 0.9 1.2 7.3 3.8
Period 4 2.8 4.0 0.8 1.2 14.0 14.0 13.4 15.2 1.0 0.9 7.6 3.2
Period 5 2.4 3.8 1.0 1.4 12.0 14.0 13.6 12.8 0.9 1.1 5.6 5.6
Period 6 1.0 4.7 1.7 1.3 3.3 13.3 14.7 11.0 0.2 1.2 2.3 9.7
Period 7 1.3 3.7 1.3 1.3 6.7 16.7 15.0 11.0 0.4 1.5 3.0 9.3
Period 8 1.8 2.8 1.8 1.3 10.0 12.5 15.3 10.5 0.7 1.2 4.3 6.3
Period 9 1.5 3.0 1.5 0.8 15.0 10.0 15.5 9.5 1.0 1.1 6.8 5.0
As you can see, Bolton were an erratic performer for quite a bit of the season, but
they didn’t finish of the season badly with a good level of goals superiority in the
3 of the last 4 periods
In the corners department Bolton blew red hot and stone cold with highs of 7.6,
7.7 and 7.3 matched with lows of 2.3, 3.0 and 4.3…. In the corners against
department it was a similar story with highs of 9.3, 9.7 and 9.3 countered with
lows of 3.2 and 3.8. A team to be wary of
Bolton’s offside data is interesting with some reasonably high figures in the
‘against’ column that might match up ok if they face up to a team that suits
Bolton – Away 2008/9
Period 1 3.3 6.7 7.3 16.7 31.3% 28.6% 32.0 14.0 33.0 67.0 5.0 2.7
Period 2 4.5 7.5 8.8 15.8 34.0% 32.3% 13.3 13.3 33.3 66.8 5.5 3.3
Period 3 4.6 5.8 9.4 13.8 32.9% 29.6% 6.4 19.6 35.6 64.4 4.6 2.4
Period 4 3.6 5.6 7.2 14.4 33.3% 28.0% 5.4 11.1 36.0 64.0 4.0 1.6
Period 5 2.3 5.8 4.3 12.5 34.6% 31.5% 6.5 7.3 32.3 67.8 3.5 1.3
Period 6 2.7 6.7 4.3 13.0 38.1% 33.9% 10.5 9.8 31.3 68.7 4.7 2.0
Period 7 5.3 3.7 10.0 11.7 34.8% 23.9% 46.0 7.7 46.0 54.0 2.0 5.0
Period 8 4.8 5.3 11.0 12.8 30.2% 29.2% 15.8 9.0 43.5 56.5 3.5 3.8
Period 9 2.0 8.8 9.3 17.5 17.8% 33.3% 15.0 17.5 38.3 61.8 7.3 1.3
4-3-12 is a miserable return for your mileage and once again these poor numbers
are the product of a similar set of weaknesses
Their possession reached the critical stage on the road last season – only Stoke
performed worse – although they did improve their level as the season
progressed
Their shot production wasn’t too bad but as you can see quite clearly, most of
their action was of poor quality. They finished ranked in the both third of the
division in this department and they’ll need to improve in 2009/10
In the other direction, Bolton allow far too much shot traffic and this is reflected in
their goals figures

Period 1 3.0 1.7 0.3 1.7 20.0 6.7 11.0 12.7 1.8 0.5 5.3 10.7
Period 2 2.0 3.0 1.0 1.8 31.3 12.5 11.0 12.5 2.8 1.0 5.3 9.5
Period 3 1.2 4.4 2.2 1.0 31.0 22.0 12.0 12.2 2.6 1.8 5.0 5.8
Period 4 1.4 4.6 2.0 1.8 22.0 16.0 13.2 10.8 1.7 1.5 4.0 9.0
Period 5 1.5 4.0 1.0 2.5 25.0 15.0 15.0 11.3 1.7 1.3 2.5 9.3
Period 6 2.0 2.7 0.7 2.0 23.3 20.0 16.7 12.3 1.4 1.6 2.7 6.3
Period 7 1.0 3.7 0.3 2.0 10.0 16.7 15.0 12.3 0.7 1.4 5.0 7.3
Period 8 1.5 3.5 1.0 2.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 12.5 1.0 1.2 5.3 7.0
Period 9 2.5 2.8 0.8 1.5 17.5 10.0 14.3 11.0 1.2 0.9 6.3 9.5
There are some big numbers in here – none more so than their corners data
which maintained a high level throughout the season – in fact only Hull conceded
more over the course of the season
In the corners ‘for’ department Bolton were in the upper 33% - there were a
couple of poor periods but in the main they performed well. This combination
pushed their Over 10.5 corner percentage over 70%
Their offsides data also makes interesting reading – once again they set a decent
trap and against a suitable team a low downside buy of the total would look on
the cards
W7 D5 L7
F 21 – A 21 Bolton W4 D3 L12
F 20 – A 32
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

21% 0-10 11% 5% 1-0 21% The Trotters struggled in most
5% 11-20 32% 5% 2-0 16% departments last season and look
11% 21-30 11% 11% 2-1 5%
another team with plenty on their
11% 31-40 11% 16% 0-1 5%
21% 41-50 5% 11% 0-2 0% plate this coming season.
0% 51-60 5% 0% 1-2 0%
5% 71-80 11% 11% 1-1 5% To be relegated 7/1
11% 81-90+ 5% 0% 2-2 5% W/O Big 4 100/1
16% No Goal 5% 26% Other 37%
Bolton
H Stoke 2
A New 14
H WB 21
A Ful 31
H Ars 41
A MU 54
A WH 64
H Bburn 72
A Tot 85
H Ev 97
H MC 108
A Hull 112
H Lp 122
A Boro 134
A Sun 143
H Chel 152
A AV 160
H Ports 171
A Lp 181
H Wig 191
A Arsnl 199
H MU 209
A Bburn 222
H Tot 230
A Ev 241
H WH 252
H New 265
A Stoke 275
H Ful 280
A WB 295
H Boro 301
A Chel 309
A Ports 321
H AV 329
A Wig 345
H Sun 350
H Hull 362
A MC 377
Chelsea – Home 2008/9
Period 1 10.7 4.3 10.3 7.0 50.8% 38.2% 10.5 17.0 63.3 36.7 2.3 4.0
Period 2 7.7 2.7 18.0 10.3 29.9% 20.5% 25.7 19.5 60.7 39.3 2.0 6.7
Period 3 7.2 2.4 17.6 5.0 29.0% 32.4% 15.5 12.3 64.4 35.6 1.6 5.8
Period 4 8.0 2.4 17.6 4.0 31.3% 37.5% 14.2 10.7 64.8 35.2 1.6 6.4
Period 5 10.0 1.5 20.5 5.8 32.8% 20.7% 17.4 14.5 65.3 34.8 1.0 8.3
Period 6 7.8 1.8 19.0 8.8 29.0% 16.7% 17.8 21.0 65.5 34.5 1.3 6.3
Period 7 4.7 2.0 17.0 10.0 21.5% 16.7% 21.7 36.0 59.7 40.3 1.7 3.7
Period 8 5.7 3.3 19.0 10.3 23.0% 24.4% 14.8 13.7 61.7 38.3 2.3 4.0
Period 9 6.3 3.5 15.8 10.3 28.4% 25.5% 9.8 13.8 62.0 38.0 2.5 4.0
11-6-2 wasn’t the home return they banked on – previous returns of 12-7-0
(2007/8) 12-7-0 (2006/7) and their exceptional 17-1-0 of 2005/6
– and it cost them the title
The reason for their failings could be attributed almost exclusively to their shots
data where they struggled to convert a high enough percentage of their shooting
efforts to on target efforts. Their SPG data is about as conclusive as you could
hope for
In the possession and saves departments Chelsea faired as well as any team
although their scoreboard woes pushed these numbers high

Period 1 3.0 1.3 2.0 0.7 13.3 26.7 13.3 14.3 1.0 1.9 6.7 5.0
Period 2 2.3 1.7 1.0 0.7 13.3 43.3 16.0 17.3 0.8 2.5 6.0 2.3
Period 3 3.6 1.8 1.6 0.6 10.0 18.0 13.4 14.2 0.7 1.3 5.2 1.2
Period 4 3.6 2.2 1.8 0.6 12.0 10.0 11.4 14.2 1.1 0.7 6.2 2.4
Period 5 1.8 2.8 1.8 0.5 10.0 17.5 8.8 16.3 1.1 1.1 8.8 4.0
Period 6 1.8 2.0 1.5 0.5 10.0 22.5 10.8 17.8 0.9 1.3 11.0 4.5
Period 7 4.0 1.7 1.0 0.3 13.3 20.0 12.0 15.0 1.1 1.3 10.0 4.3
Period 8 5.0 2.0 1.7 1.0 0.0 10.0 9.7 12.7 0.0 0.8 5.7 4.3
Period 9 3.0 1.5 2.3 1.0 2.5 10.0 8.8 10.5 0.3 1.0 4.8 4.8
More highs with only their goals superiority disappointing
Chelsea only scored 33 home goals (the lowest of the Top 3 teams) and it was the
performances during P2 and P7 that ended any title hopes they may have
conjured. This has to improve during the 2009/10 season if they are to stand a
chance of taking the title
Chelsea were a fabulous corner winner though – but as is often the case, their
very best figures came when they underperformed in the goals department
As far as their bookings ratings were concerned, Chelsea turned out pretty much
immaculately for the entire season with only Aston Villa performing lower (160
bookings points for the season against Chelsea’s 180)
Chelsea – Away 2008/9
Period 1 5.3 3.3 11.0 8.7 32.7% 27.8% 8.2 36.0 61.3 38.7 3.0 3.3
Period 2 7.3 2.5 15.0 8.3 32.6% 23.3% 6.8 43.0 63.3 36.8 2.3 4.0
Period 3 7.8 2.3 14.3 8.3 35.2% 21.4% 6.8 N/A 60.5 39.5 2.3 4.5
Period 4 6.0 3.2 10.8 9.2 35.7% 25.8% 9.3 31.0 57.0 43.0 2.8 4.2
Period 5 3.8 4.3 10.3 9.0 26.8% 32.1% 14.0 10.6 54.8 45.3 3.0 2.8
Period 6 3.3 6.0 9.3 11.7 26.3% 34.0% 38.0 10.6 52.3 47.7 4.3 3.0
Period 7 5.8 5.0 11.0 11.5 34.3% 30.3% 33.5 22.0 57.0 43.0 4.3 5.3
Period 8 7.3 3.5 12.5 8.0 36.7% 30.4% 19.8 46.0 61.0 39.0 2.8 5.8
Period 9 7.5 4.3 11.5 8.5 39.5% 33.3% 7.6 17.0 60.0 40.0 3.0 4.8
Their bottom line return of 14-2-3 was a Premier League high and one that really
should have won them the league.
As you can see, Chelsea consistently smothered the opposition with only scraps
offered to the hosts on a regular basis.
This factor seeps through their ratings in the shots, saves and accuracy
departments, however it’s their numbers in the SPG against column that really
hammer home Chelsea’s potency on the road last season
Their possession was a slight negative with those middle 3 ratings disappointing
for sure, but other than that, this was a perfect set of figures

Period 1 4.3 1.0 2.0 0.3 21.7 10.0 13.0 13.3 1.7 0.8 5.7 6.7
Period 2 3.8 1.8 3.3 0.3 16.3 10.0 11.5 12.8 1.4 0.8 5.8 5.8
Period 3 3.5 1.3 3.3 0.0 15.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 1.4 0.8 8.0 4.5
Period 4 3.8 0.8 1.8 0.4 25.0 10.0 11.4 13.0 2.2 0.8 6.6 5.0
Period 5 3.5 1.8 1.0 1.3 33.8 15.0 13.5 14.0 2.5 1.1 4.3 5.8
Period 6 1.7 1.3 0.3 1.7 45.0 26.7 15.0 16.7 3.0 1.6 5.3 8.0
Period 7 2.0 0.5 0.5 0.8 26.3 17.5 13.0 14.3 2.0 1.2 6.8 8.0
Period 8 2.0 1.3 1.0 0.3 10.0 7.5 13.3 10.0 0.8 0.8 6.3 5.3
Period 9 1.8 2.0 2.5 0.8 7.5 7.5 12.5 11.5 0.6 0.7 5.0 4.8
From Ancelotti’s perspective, there’s little to worry about here – he’ll not want to
see a repeat of those goal ratings posted during P6 and P7, but all in all a repeat
of this bottom line will be more than acceptable
Their corners figures were consistently high and pretty much match their level of
possession. The Blues finished off the 2nd highest corner winner – but the
conceded quite a few too
As far as their offsides data was concerned, Chelsea were evidently a little slack
when it came to staying ‘on’ – so much so that they were one of the leagues
worst in this department
W11 D6 L2
F 33 – A 12 Chelsea W14 D2 L3
F 35 – A 12
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

21% 0-10 21% 5% 1-0 5% A fantastic home season was
16% 11-20 16% 21% 2-0 5% marred by an awful set of road
21% 21-30 5% 11% 2-1 0%
performances last term. With
11% 31-40 16% 5% 0-1 21%
0% 41-50 16% 0% 0-2 21% Scolari gone though, we can expect
16% 51-60 11% 5% 1-2 0% a much tighter season in 2009/10
0% 61-70 0% 16% 0-0 5%
0% 81-90+ 5% 0% 2-2 5% To be relegated 5000
16% No Goal 5% 21% Other 37%
Chelsea
H Ports 9
A Wig 19
H Tot 27
A MC 33
H MU 45
A Stoke 57
H AV 65
A Boro 75
H Lp 84
A Hull 92
H Sun 100
A Bburn 116
A WB 126
H New 131
H Arsnl 145
A Bol 152
H WH 168
A Ev 178
H WB 180
A Ful 193
A MU 206
H Stoke 210
H Boro 223
A Lp 237
H Hull 240
A AV 251
H Wig 261
A Ports 269
H MC 286
A Tot 294
A New 304
H Bol 309
H Ev 327
A WH 335
H Ful 339
A Arsnl 356
H Bburn 369
A Sun 379
Everton – Home 2008/9
Period 1 7.7 6.7 6.7 9.0 53.5% 42.6% 21.5 5.9 49.0 51.0 3.7 2.7
Period 2 2.3 5.3 10.3 10.7 18.4% 33.3% 12.7 9.6 44.7 55.3 3.7 1.3
Period 3 3.3 4.0 11.3 10.8 22.4% 27.1% 11.6 14.8 53.5 46.5 3.0 2.0
Period 4 4.6 2.6 8.6 7.8 34.8% 25.0% 9.4 13.0 57.2 42.8 1.8 3.2
Period 5 4.2 2.0 7.4 5.8 36.2% 25.6% 7.3 9.8 54.2 45.8 1.2 2.6
Period 6 4.3 2.5 9.5 8.3 30.9% 23.3% 6.9 43.0 54.8 45.3 2.3 2.3
Period 7 7.0 3.3 11.3 10.3 38.2% 24.4% 6.9 41.0 59.3 40.7 3.0 4.3
Period 8 7.0 4.7 9.0 11.3 43.8% 29.2% 6.0 16.0 58.7 41.3 3.7 4.3
Period 9 5.0 4.0 11.3 9.0 30.8% 30.8% 8.1 17.3 57.5 42.5 3.3 3.0
Everton finished the season in 5th place last season and as you can see by their
end of season ratings, they improved markedly as the season progressed
Possession, saves forced, SPG and accuracy – all departments that showed
improvement that by the end of the season pitched them quite high in the class
department
Of the two areas – attack and defense – Everton were without doubt a better
defensive side than they were an attacking side and we can expect this to be the
case again in 2009/10

Period 1 2.3 2.7 0.7 2.7 28.3 16.7 12.7 14.7 2.2 1.1 4.7 4.0
Period 2 1.7 1.7 1.0 1.7 31.7 30.0 19.7 16.0 1.6 1.9 5.3 6.3
Period 3 2.3 2.0 1.3 1.0 10.0 20.0 14.8 13.8 0.7 1.5 6.5 5.3
Period 4 2.2 1.8 1.4 0.8 6.0 25.0 13.2 13.6 0.5 1.8 8.2 3.8
Period 5 2.6 2.6 1.6 0.8 14.0 35.0 13.6 16.0 1.0 2.2 7.2 4.4
Period 6 3.3 2.5 2.0 0.3 15.0 22.5 10.5 19.3 1.4 1.2 5.8 4.8
Period 7 1.7 1.3 2.7 0.3 6.7 10.0 8.3 17.0 0.8 0.6 5.0 6.3
Period 8 1.3 2.3 2.7 1.0 3.3 23.3 10.0 10.0 0.3 2.3 3.3 5.3
Period 9 1.8 2.5 2.0 0.8 10.0 33.8 13.8 10.8 0.7 3.1 4.0 3.8
Our match ratings (that we introduced late last season) illustrated Everton’s
improvement really well and it will be interesting to see if they can start the in the
same manner
After a heady start in the bookings department, Everton finished the last 7
periods a clean side that displayed a consistently good excellent level of discipline.
A couple of lows to note – the first being their offside data, the second being their
corners won data which for all bar 3 periods fell below the divisional average
Everton – Away 2008/9
Period 1 4.0 3.3 9.3 11.7 30.0% 22.2% 5.7 9.0 51.0 49.0 2.3 1.7
Period 2 4.0 6.3 8.0 11.0 33.3% 36.2% 6.9 9.9 51.5 48.5 5.0 2.3
Period 3 3.8 6.6 6.6 10.8 36.5% 37.9% 8.7 17.4 46.8 53.2 5.6 2.6
Period 4 3.8 4.0 8.4 8.6 31.1% 31.7% 10.2 31.5 49.0 51.0 3.6 2.6
Period 5 4.0 4.0 6.5 8.0 38.1% 33.3% 14.0 24.0 47.8 52.3 3.5 3.3
Period 6 4.7 3.3 6.0 8.0 43.8% 29.4% 32.0 17.0 48.3 51.7 2.7 4.3
Period 7 3.7 1.7 7.0 9.0 34.4% 15.6% 32.0 16.0 52.0 48.0 1.0 3.3
Period 8 3.8 3.8 6.3 13.3 37.5% 22.1% 10.0 13.6 48.3 51.8 2.5 2.8
Period 9 6.3 4.0 7.5 13.0 45.5% 23.5% 7.9 22.7 50.0 50.0 3.3 4.5
Teams that have problems scoring goals often find things tough away from home
– and to some extent, that sentiment applied to Everton
Defensively though, the Blues performed well for most of the road season –
especially during the latter third of 2008/9 where Everton maintained a
comfortable SPG level
Their possession wasn’t bad either – 4 of the 9 periods settled above 50% and
whilst that number is nowhere near the class of a genuine Top 4 side, it does put
them high in the best of the rest table

Period 1 2.3 1.7 2.3 1.7 10.0 16.7 15.3 13.0 0.7 1.3 6.3 7.0
Period 2 3.0 2.5 1.8 1.8 20.0 15.0 15.0 13.3 1.3 1.1 5.3 5.5
Period 3 1.6 1.6 1.2 1.0 20.0 12.0 12.6 11.0 1.6 1.1 3.0 5.8
Period 4 2.8 0.8 1.2 0.4 12.0 14.0 12.2 13.6 1.0 1.0 4.6 5.4
Period 5 4.8 1.8 0.8 0.5 10.0 12.5 15.3 18.5 0.7 0.7 5.3 5.0
Period 6 3.0 1.7 0.3 0.7 25.0 8.3 17.0 16.7 1.5 0.5 4.0 3.3
Period 7 3.0 1.3 0.3 0.7 21.7 18.3 13.7 15.3 1.6 1.2 4.7 3.0
Period 8 2.8 3.3 1.0 1.3 10.0 7.5 13.5 12.8 0.7 0.6 5.3 6.0
Period 9 4.0 3.3 1.8 0.8 17.5 7.5 13.8 13.0 1.3 0.6 4.5 6.5
Once again a good level of discipline jumps off of the page – just 305 points for
the season pitched them near the top of the away fair play league and the same
can be said about their fouls too
As was the case at home, Everton were a poor corner winner on the road and
finished in the bottom half of the table – after a good start they went on to hover
around the 3 – 4 corner mark for the rest of the season
In the goals department over 60% of their matches settled under 2.5 goals –
another factor of their efficient defence – and this is a trend we should look for in
2009/10
W8 D6 L5
F 31 – A 20 Everton W9 D6 L4
F 24 – A 17
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

16% 0-10 11% 5% 1-0 11% Everton ended up as best of the rest
21% 11-20 11% 11% 2-0 0% last season and you can clearly
21% 21-30 0% 0% 2-1 5%
see their strengths in the above
16% 31-40 0% 0% 0-1 21%
0% 41-50 21% 5% 0-2 11% table. The Europa Cup will no doubt
5% 51-60 16% 5% 1-2 5% hinder this small squad though
5% 61-70 16% 11% 0-0 16%
5% 81-90+ 11% 5% 2-2 5% To be relegated 100/1
11% No Goal 16% 42% Other 21%
Everton
H Bburn 3
A WB 17
H Ports 22
A Stoke 38
A Hull 46
H Lp 52
H New 66
A Arsnl 70
H MU 81
A Bol 97
H Ful 101
A WH 115
H Boro 128
A Wig 139
A Tot 148
H AV 157
A MC 162
H Chel 178
A Boro 183
H Sun 192
H Hull 201
A Lp 217
H Arsnl 224
A MU 233
H Bol 241
A New 258
H WB 262
A Bburn 271
H Stoke 281
A Ports 292
H Wig 307
A AV 317
A Chel 327
H MC 330
A Sun 347
H Tot 351
H WH 363
A Ful 374
Fulham – Home 2008/9
Period 1 3.3 5.0 12.7 12.0 20.8% 29.4% 12.0 17.0 51.3 48.7 3.7 2.0
Period 2 3.8 5.0 14.0 8.3 21.1% 37.7% 14.2 17.7 52.3 47.8 4.0 2.5
Period 3 6.0 3.0 9.8 9.3 38.1% 24.5% 10.5 24.5 48.3 51.8 2.5 4.5
Period 4 6.8 4.6 8.4 12.0 44.7% 27.7% 7.6 16.6 50.4 49.6 3.6 4.8
Period 5 5.3 5.5 7.3 12.5 42.0% 30.6% 5.6 18.0 51.0 49.0 4.5 3.0
Period 6 5.0 5.5 10.5 8.5 32.3% 39.3% 6.2 28.0 52.0 48.0 5.0 2.5
Period 7 5.8 6.3 13.8 9.8 29.5% 39.1% 15.6 21.3 55.5 44.5 5.3 4.5
Period 8 4.0 5.4 10.0 11.6 28.6% 31.8% 17.5 21.3 54.2 45.8 4.2 3.2
Period 9 4.0 5.3 8.0 10.3 33.3% 33.9% 12.0 15.5 52.3 47.8 4.0 3.0
Their 11-5-3 season elevated Fulham into the realms of UEFA Cup football and as
you can see with the above figures, they had a tidy season
The key to Fulham’s success is their defence which sustained a high level for the
whole season -= evidence of this includes an excellent string of SPG performances
(9/9 in double figures) a healthy level of possession and a satisfactory level of
shot production
The two criticisms I would have include not forcing enough saves out of the
opposition keeper and struggling to maintain their accuracy of shot

Period 1 4.0 3.7 1.3 1.0 28.3 6.7 15.7 11.3 1.8 0.6 5.0 5.0
Period 2 2.0 5.0 1.3 0.8 18.8 12.5 14.0 13.3 1.3 0.9 6.0 4.3
Period 3 2.0 4.5 1.5 0.5 10.0 12.5 12.3 12.0 0.8 1.0 6.5 2.8
Period 4 2.4 2.8 2.0 1.0 12.0 14.0 10.6 9.0 1.1 1.6 6.2 4.2
Period 5 4.0 2.8 2.3 1.0 7.5 15.0 9.5 7.5 0.8 2.0 5.0 6.3
Period 6 6.0 2.5 2.5 0.5 0.0 10.0 10.5 9.0 0.0 1.1 8.5 6.0
Period 7 2.3 3.0 1.3 0.8 15.0 27.5 12.8 11.5 1.2 2.4 9.3 5.5
Period 8 2.2 3.0 0.8 0.8 18.0 28.0 11.4 12.0 1.6 2.3 6.6 6.2
Period 9 2.0 2.8 1.0 1.0 10.0 10.0 11.5 11.8 0.9 0.9 4.3 5.3
Fulham done a lot of things well last season and the result is a very good bottom
line. Only 16 goals conceded in 19 games is an excellent return – but doing it
again with the added workload of the UEFA Cup will be a tough ask
In the corners department Fulham has their moments with big numbers attained
during P6 and P7 but as our ratings illustrate quite well they are in the main an
average corner winner
After a nippy start in the bookings department, Fulham cooled off quite quickly –
in the process finishing with one of the lowest home cards total in the division
Fulham – Away 2008/9
Period 1 3.5 3.5 10.0 7.5 25.9% 31.8% 27.0 7.3 52.0 48.0 2.0 3.0
Period 2 4.3 4.7 7.7 12.7 36.1% 26.9% 36.0 17.3 52.7 47.3 3.7 4.0
Period 3 3.8 4.4 6.4 14.0 37.3% 23.9% 51.0 30.7 50.2 49.8 3.8 3.6
Period 4 3.2 2.8 6.2 11.4 34.0% 19.7% N/A 71.0 50.0 50.0 2.6 3.2
Period 5 2.5 4.3 10.0 9.5 20.0% 30.9% 50.0 13.8 52.0 48.0 3.3 2.3
Period 6 2.8 5.2 10.2 11.4 21.5% 31.3% 65.0 11.9 49.4 50.6 3.8 1.2
Period 7 3.5 4.5 9.3 11.3 27.5% 28.6% 17.0 15.8 50.5 49.5 3.5 1.0
Period 8 4.0 5.3 11.0 12.7 26.7% 29.6% 7.5 27.0 52.0 48.0 4.7 2.0
Period 9 3.3 4.8 10.0 13.0 24.5% 26.8% 10.6 17.8 48.0 52.0 3.8 2.0
Fulham went 3-8-8 away from home last season and as those numbers suggest,
Fulham played their road matches tight
The fact that they managed to maintain their terrific SPG run for the entire season
speaks volumes for Hodgson’s tactical prowess – he clearly learned a heck of a lot
in Italy and he’s putting it to work
In the scoring department Fulham struggled for the season – only 18 goals scored
is a low checkout obviously – and this continues to be a worry with both Johnson
and Dempsey both far from scoring machines

Period 1 5.5 5.5 0.5 1.5 0.0 25.0 11.0 13.0 0.0 1.9 4.5 4.5
Period 2 3.3 3.3 0.3 1.0 3.3 13.3 11.0 12.0 0.3 1.1 5.0 6.7
Period 3 1.8 2.8 0.2 0.6 6.0 4.0 12.0 10.0 0.5 0.4 4.8 8.4
Period 4 1.8 2.6 0.0 0.2 8.0 2.0 12.0 10.8 0.7 0.2 4.0 7.0
Period 5 1.5 3.3 0.3 1.0 12.5 2.5 12.8 10.5 1.0 0.2 3.0 3.8
Period 6 1.4 3.0 0.2 1.4 12.0 4.0 14.2 8.0 0.8 0.5 4.0 6.4
Period 7 1.3 2.3 0.8 1.0 7.5 5.0 12.3 8.3 0.6 0.6 5.3 7.5
Period 8 1.7 2.7 2.0 0.7 6.7 10.0 10.3 10.3 0.6 1.0 3.0 7.0
Period 9 2.0 2.0 1.3 1.0 15.0 13.8 12.0 8.3 1.3 1.7 2.5 7.0
Fulham’s ‘goals for’ timeline is about as poor as you would ever find about a
Premier League club – only 2 periods (both at the end of the season) where the
Cottagers exceed a rating of 1-goal scored
They did keep things tight at the other end though and this combination of good
defending and poor scoring saw a massive 37% of their matches finish 0-0
Fulham were also a consistently poor corner winner – they managed a high of just
5.3 on their way to a season road corner haul of just 76
In the bookings department, Fulham finished the season as the clear lowest
offender with just 170 points ‘for’ spread thinly over their 19 away matches
W11 D3 L5
F 28 – A 16 Fulham W3 D8 L8
F 11 – A 18
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

21% 0-10 16% 11% 1-0 21% It was a defensive master class from
21% 11-20 5% 16% 2-0 0% Fulham last season with just 34
16% 21-30 5% 16% 2-1 5% goals conceded in 38 matches. Their
5% 31-40 0% 11% 0-1 5%
goals scoring has to be a worry
16% 41-50 11% 5% 0-2 0%
0% 51-60 5% 11% 1-2 0% though and the added burden of the
5% 61-70 11% 5% 0-0 37% Europa Cup won’t help
0% 71-80 0% 5% 1-1 5%
11% 81-90+ 11% 5% 2-2 0% To win the Premiership 2000/1
5% No Goal 37% 16% Other 26% To be relegated 12/1
Fulham
A Hull 4
H Arsnl 12
H Bol 31
A Bburn 40
H WH 53
A WB 62
H Sun 73
A Ports 89
H Wig 98
A Ev 101
H New 118
H Tot 123
A Lp 132
A AV 140
H MC 153
A Stoke 164
H Boro 172
A Tot 187
H Chel 193
A WH 215
A Sun 219
A Ports 231
A Wig 244
A MU 249
H WB 256
A Arsnl 260
H Hull 272
A Bol 280
H MU 290
H Lp 302
A MC 318
A Boro 320
H Stoke 331
A Chel 339
H AV 352
H Bburn 360
A New 365
H Ev 374
Hull – Home 2008/9
Period 1 6.0 5.3 6.0 9.0 50.0% 37.2% 9.0 5.4 46.7 53.3 1.7 2.7
Period 2 3.3 4.0 8.3 15.3 28.6% 20.7% 11.7 11.6 40.7 59.3 2.3 2.7
Period 3 4.3 3.0 9.3 14.3 31.5% 17.4% 18.0 11.5 46.8 53.3 1.5 3.5
Period 4 4.0 3.4 10.2 8.8 28.2% 27.9% 14.2 6.8 50.4 49.6 2.0 3.2
Period 5 4.0 5.0 9.4 7.6 29.9% 39.7% 11.2 5.7 47.0 53.0 3.2 3.0
Period 6 3.7 5.3 10.0 7.7 26.8% 41.0% 10.3 5.6 45.7 54.3 3.0 2.3
Period 7 2.0 3.0 9.3 8.0 17.6% 27.3% 11.3 6.6 47.0 53.0 1.3 1.0
Period 8 2.0 3.8 7.5 9.8 21.1% 27.8% 12.7 9.0 42.8 57.3 1.5 1.0
Period 9 4.0 3.8 7.5 9.8 34.8% 27.8% 23.0 9.0 43.8 56.3 1.5 3.3
As their home record of 3-5-11 suggests, it was a constant struggle for Hull last
season – but thanks to a decent start, they never really felt the pressure to
survive until late in the season
The above numbers are not great – in fact, some of them a near league lows.
They didn’t generate enough quality shots, nor did they keep possession of the
ball and they most certainly didn’t protect their keeper well enough
Just 18 goals scored and 36 conceded is a record that deserved relegation

Period 1 4.0 3.7 1.3 2.7 13.3 3.3 15.0 11.7 0.9 0.3 5.3 5.3
Period 2 2.0 2.3 1.0 1.7 6.7 13.3 12.7 12.7 0.5 1.1 4.0 5.3
Period 3 2.5 2.0 0.8 1.5 12.5 20.0 13.5 14.5 0.9 1.4 4.3 5.8
Period 4 3.4 1.6 1.0 1.8 19.0 23.0 15.0 12.0 1.3 1.9 6.4 6.0
Period 5 3.4 1.6 1.2 2.2 19.0 23.0 13.8 11.8 1.4 1.9 7.0 5.4
Period 6 3.7 3.0 1.3 2.3 16.7 20.0 13.3 13.3 1.3 1.5 7.7 7.7
Period 7 6.0 3.7 1.0 1.7 31.7 28.3 16.7 15.3 1.9 1.8 6.7 6.7
Period 8 5.0 3.3 0.8 1.5 32.5 30.0 16.0 16.3 2.0 1.8 3.3 4.8
Period 9 3.0 2.8 0.5 1.5 18.8 16.3 14.8 14.5 1.3 1.1 4.3 4.5
There are some aspects in the above table we should look to feed off in 2009/10
A steady stream of bookings and fouls is one department we should keep a very
close eye on – they finished the season strongly in this department and I could
quite easily see them start 2009/10 quite physically
Their corners won level wasn’t bad either but it’s worth keeping in mind that they
didn’t perform so well against the big guns
But the jewel could well be their offsides data which sees them set a decent trap –
but the fall foul themselves quite a bit too
Hull – Away 2008/9
Period 1 4.0 3.0 5.0 14.3 44.4% 17.3% 5.4 17.3 38.7 61.3 2.3 2.3
Period 2 5.8 5.5 5.8 17.3 50.0% 24.2% 5.8 45.5 38.8 61.3 5.0 3.8
Period 3 5.4 6.6 7.2 13.6 42.9% 32.7% 6.3 14.4 44.8 55.2 5.0 3.6
Period 4 4.6 6.4 8.6 14.0 34.8% 31.4% 7.3 7.3 45.6 54.4 3.6 3.2
Period 5 4.0 6.5 8.5 15.5 32.0% 29.5% 16.7 8.0 44.5 55.5 3.8 3.5
Period 6 2.3 5.0 9.0 15.0 20.6% 25.0% N/A 15.0 44.3 55.7 3.7 2.3
Period 7 1.3 4.7 10.3 16.0 11.4% 22.6% 35.0 62.0 40.7 59.3 4.3 1.0
Period 8 2.0 5.5 11.0 10.8 15.4% 33.8% 26.0 13.0 45.0 55.0 4.3 1.5
Period 9 4.3 5.5 12.5 8.8 25.4% 38.6% 33.5 9.5 48.8 51.3 4.0 3.8
Hull’s away record kept them in the Premiership – with their 5 away wins and 6
draws beating most of their lower table peers
That’s not to say their stats were any good though – their shot ratings had a
terminal look about them for most of the season and yet again we see them
struggling to keep hold of the ball
At the end of the day it was all about effort and scrapping for every point – and
whilst they’ll struggle to get close to 21 away points this season, they’ll no doubt
adopt the same level of effort

Period 1 7.0 2.0 1.7 1.0 13.3 15.0 14.7 11.3 0.9 1.3 3.3 8.7
Period 2 5.5 2.3 2.0 0.5 17.5 23.8 14.5 12.5 1.2 1.9 3.0 11.5
Period 3 4.0 1.6 2.0 1.4 20.0 20.0 14.8 14.0 1.4 1.4 3.2 9.4
Period 4 3.6 1.8 1.8 2.8 26.0 16.0 13.4 13.8 1.9 1.2 5.0 7.4
Period 5 3.5 2.8 0.8 2.8 32.5 12.5 15.8 13.0 2.1 1.0 5.5 8.0
Period 6 1.7 3.0 0.0 1.3 26.7 10.0 20.7 13.0 1.3 0.8 3.7 9.7
Period 7 1.3 2.0 0.3 0.3 20.0 16.7 16.3 13.7 1.2 1.2 4.0 10.3
Period 8 2.3 3.0 0.5 1.3 22.5 22.5 17.3 13.8 1.3 1.6 4.5 6.8
Period 9 3.3 4.3 0.5 1.5 22.5 17.5 14.8 13.8 1.5 1.3 5.8 6.8
Hull leaked lots of everything away from home last season and as you can see
quite graphically, they literally ran out of towards the end of 2008/9
After a nippy start to their goals timeline, they quickly fell away, in the process
failing to register a Goal For rating of 1 or more for the final 55 periods of the
season
In the corners department Hull were rated to gift the opposition at least 6 corners
a match with their end of season corners conceded tally of 136 a league high
W3 D5 L11
F 18 – A 36 Hull W5 D6 L8
F 21 – A 28
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings
Score Ratings
2009/10 Viewpoint
21% 0-10 16% 5% 1-0 16% Hull are in for a tough time of it this
21% 11-20 21% 0% 2-0 11%
season, and as you can see by the
11% 21-30 5% 11% 2-1 0%
5% 31-40 21% 16% 0-1 11%
above grid, they have significant
21% 41-50 16% 0% 0-2 0% work to do in most areas
5% 51-60 0% 16% 1-2 11%
5% 71-80 0% 5% 1-1 16% To be relegated Evens
0% 81-90+ 11% 16% 2-2 11%
11% No Goal 5% 26% Other 21%
Hull
H Ful 4
A Bburn 11
H Wig 23
A New 34
H Ev 46
A Arsnl 50
A Tot 69
H WH 77
A WB 83
H Chel 92
A MU 102
H Bol 112
H MC 129
A Ports 135
A Stoke 142
H Boro 154
A Lp 161
H Sun 173
A MC 182
H AV 198
A Ev 201
H Arsnl 211
A WH 226
H WB 232
A Chel 240
H Tot 259
H Bburn 266
A Ful 272
H New 282
A Wig 296
H Ports 303
A Boro 311
A Sun 323
H Lp 332
A AV 348
H Stoke 353
A Bol 362
H MU 375
Liverpool – Home 2008/9
Period 1 6.0 2.0 18.3 4.3 24.7% 31.6% 18.3 9.5 64.0 36.0 1.3 5.3
Period 2 6.3 1.8 16.8 4.5 27.2% 28.0% 15.3 8.3 62.8 37.3 1.0 5.0
Period 3 6.8 3.0 12.0 3.8 36.0% 44.4% 10.7 13.5 57.5 42.5 2.5 5.0
Period 4 6.4 2.6 15.8 3.8 28.8% 40.6% 13.9 16.0 63.6 36.4 2.4 4.8
Period 5 4.8 3.0 16.5 3.8 22.4% 44.4% 14.2 9.0 65.8 34.3 2.5 3.3
Period 6 4.7 3.7 14.3 4.7 24.6% 44.0% 14.3 12.5 55.7 44.3 3.3 3.3
Period 7 6.8 2.5 17.8 5.5 27.6% 31.3% 9.8 32.0 59.5 40.5 2.5 4.3
Period 8 9.8 3.8 15.0 4.5 39.4% 45.5% 6.6 8.3 61.5 38.5 2.8 6.0
Period 9 9.5 3.5 15.3 4.5 38.4% 43.8% 7.1 6.4 58.5 41.5 2.3 6.3
Liverpool continued to improve last season. They finished with a 12-7-0 home
record last term, narrowly beating the 12-6-1 they recorded in 2007/8
This is a classy grid for sure with great Possession, Saves and Shot Generation
figures – Benitez would have wished for a better quality of shot though which
would have also improved their SPG performance also
This was a classy performance though and above all else, they finished the season
strongly with an almost perfect level of performance from last years Premiership
Runners Up

Period 1 1.3 3.0 1.3 0.7 10.0 18.3 9.7 14.7 1.0 1.3 12.7 3.3
Period 2 2.5 3.3 1.5 0.8 5.0 25.0 10.5 14.3 0.5 1.8 9.0 2.5
Period 3 3.8 2.5 1.8 0.5 7.5 16.3 10.3 11.0 0.7 1.5 6.0 3.3
Period 4 3.4 2.6 1.6 0.4 14.0 16.0 8.4 9.2 1.7 1.7 10.6 4.4
Period 5 3.0 2.5 1.5 0.8 12.5 22.5 11.3 11.8 1.1 1.9 11.3 4.0
Period 6 1.3 1.3 1.3 0.7 16.7 31.7 18.7 15.7 0.9 2.0 7.3 3.0
Period 7 1.3 1.5 2.5 0.3 17.5 35.0 14.0 12.5 1.3 2.8 7.3 3.3
Period 8 2.0 3.0 3.8 1.0 10.0 21.3 9.8 11.3 1.0 1.9 7.5 2.5
Period 9 2.5 3.5 3.5 1.3 5.0 18.8 10.0 9.5 0.5 2.0 8.8 1.3
The quality jumps of the page here
Excellent numbers in the defensive department with a consistently good

performance in the superiority department
They defended their corner flags well too and finished as one of the lowest corner
conceders in the Premiership.
Another good aspect to these numbers is the level of discipline these guys are
running at – and with the volatile Arbeloa and Alonso out of the side they could
very well hit the same lows again this season
Liverpool – Away 2008/9
Period 1 6.0 3.7 8.0 4.0 42.9% 47.8% 14.0 N/A 58.7 41.3 1.7 2.0
Period 2 4.7 2.0 9.7 7.7 32.6% 20.7% 7.2 14.5 55.3 44.7 1.3 2.7
Period 3 4.3 3.8 11.5 8.8 27.0% 30.0% 9.0 12.5 55.0 45.0 3.0 2.3
Period 4 6.4 4.0 10.0 6.4 39.0% 38.5% 6.8 10.4 58.6 41.4 3.2 3.8
Period 5 5.8 2.6 8.2 4.8 41.4% 35.1% 7.0 9.3 61.2 38.8 1.8 3.8
Period 6 3.5 2.8 12.0 4.0 22.6% 40.7% 15.5 5.4 64.0 36.0 1.8 2.5
Period 7 4.7 4.0 11.3 6.7 29.2% 37.5% 6.9 6.4 58.0 42.0 2.7 2.3
Period 8 6.7 2.0 11.7 7.7 36.4% 20.7% 6.9 14.5 60.0 40.0 1.0 3.0
Period 9 7.5 2.0 13.5 6.5 35.7% 23.5% 9.3 34.0 61.8 38.3 1.5 4.5
Good figures again – and when you compare their shots business on the road with
the shots business at Anfield, it’s quite surprising to see the difference. Teams
visit Liverpool to spoil – and Benitez needs to find a way to counter that this
season
Of the remaining categories, it’s hard to fault the Reds with great performances in
every department – especially the all-important Possession department where
Liverpool bullied the opposition really well
If there was a negative here, it would be that they sold goals a little too cheaply
at times – but the way they finished the season will no doubt please Benitez

Period 1 1.0 1.7 1.0 0.0 23.3 18.3 15.0 14.7 1.6 1.3 6.7 4.3
Period 2 2.7 2.7 2.0 0.7 23.3 40.0 15.7 17.3 1.5 2.3 4.3 4.0
Period 3 4.0 1.8 1.8 1.0 17.5 21.3 12.0 13.8 1.5 1.5 4.0 4.0
Period 4 4.2 1.4 2.4 1.0 18.0 21.0 12.4 11.8 1.5 1.8 4.8 4.4
Period 5 3.6 1.6 2.0 0.8 16.0 23.0 14.0 11.4 1.1 2.0 4.8 3.4
Period 6 2.5 2.8 1.0 1.3 5.0 15.0 13.0 10.3 0.4 1.5 5.0 2.5
Period 7 2.0 3.7 2.3 1.7 10.0 25.0 12.7 10.7 0.8 2.3 5.3 4.7
Period 8 2.7 3.7 2.7 0.7 20.0 40.0 13.3 12.7 1.5 3.2 5.7 5.3
Period 9 2.3 3.8 2.3 0.3 12.5 31.3 11.5 12.3 1.1 2.6 5.8 4.8
Liverpool’s bottom line was fantastic last term, with every period seeing the Reds
scoring at a rate of 1.0 or more, and achieving a positive Goal Supremacy in all
bar 1 of the 9 periods
Once again their bookings were low and it will be interesting to see how they
perform in the department in the opening weeks of 2009/10
In the corners department, Liverpool regularly reduced the opposition to just

scraps and once again, we’ll be looking for a repeat performance this season
W12 D7 L0
F 41 – A 13 Liverpool W13 D4 L2
F 36 – A 14
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

16% 0-10 16% 5% 1-0 0% Liverpool had a great 2008/9 season
5% 11-20 5% 11% 2-0 5% registering one of the best sets of
21% 21-30 21% 11% 2-1 5%
stats in the Premiership. In all truth
11% 31-40 5% 0% 0-1 16%
0% 41-50 11% 0% 0-2 16% they done enough to win the title
5% 51-60 5% 0% 1-2 0% and at 7/2 they look a little value
11% 61-70 16% 16% 0-0 11%
5% 81-90+ 11% 5% 2-2 0% To be relegated 5000/1
16% No Goal 11% 42% Other 37%
Liverpool
A Sun 7
H Boro 13
A AV 28
H MU 32
H Stoke 42
A Ev 52
A MC 67
H Wig 74
A Chel 84
H Ports 91
A Tot 106
H WB 113
A Bol 122
H Ful 132
H WH 149
A Bburn 151
H Hull 161
A Arsnl 175
H Bol 181
A New 194
A Stoke 204
H Ev 217
A Wig 227
H Chel 237
A Ports 245
H MC 257
A Boro 263
H Sun 268
A MU 283
H AV 298
A Ful 302
H Bburn 310
H Arsnl 326
A Hull 332
H New 346
A WH 355
A WB 368
H Tot 376
Man City – Home 2008/9
Period 1 6.3 3.3 10.0 8.3 38.8% 28.6% 4.9 11.7 52.7 47.3 2.3 2.7
Period 2 6.8 5.5 7.8 9.3 46.6% 37.3% 4.8 9.8 48.3 51.8 4.0 3.5
Period 3 5.8 5.6 5.6 8.4 50.9% 40.0% 6.3 11.7 42.2 57.8 4.2 4.0
Period 4 5.4 5.4 7.8 9.4 40.9% 36.5% 7.3 14.8 45.0 55.0 4.2 3.6
Period 5 4.5 3.8 10.0 10.5 31.0% 26.3% 7.3 19.0 52.0 48.0 3.0 2.5
Period 6 4.3 2.7 11.3 9.3 27.7% 22.2% 11.8 36.0 54.7 45.3 2.3 3.0
Period 7 6.3 3.3 13.7 5.3 31.7% 38.5% 15.0 N/A 58.3 41.7 3.3 5.0
Period 8 6.5 5.5 11.3 10.0 36.6% 35.5% 8.9 12.4 54.3 45.8 4.3 4.5
Period 9 7.3 5.8 11.5 12.0 38.7% 32.4% 8.3 11.8 53.8 46.3 4.3 5.0
Bought by members of the Abu Dhabi ruling family before the start of the 2008-9
season – Man City have claims to be the richest football team in the world.
After the takeover City promptly signed Brazilian striker Robinho from Real Madrid
for a British over 32 million pounds.
City’s home performances last year were very strong – on a par with Chelsea and
Arsenal, and their record of 13 home wins was only bettered by Man United.
City have been quietly acquiring a number of talented and hard working types
recently, and seem intent on developing a strong ‘team’ ethic.

Period 1 2.0 4.0 3.3 1.0 0.0 26.7 14.0 14.3 0.0 1.9 7.3 4.3
Period 2 1.5 4.5 3.0 1.5 11.3 13.8 13.5 13.8 0.8 1.0 5.8 6.3
Period 3 2.2 3.4 1.8 1.2 23.0 24.0 14.4 14.2 1.6 1.7 3.4 6.2
Period 4 2.6 3.6 1.8 1.0 14.0 32.0 14.8 13.0 0.9 2.5 4.6 6.6
Period 5 2.8 3.8 2.0 0.8 11.3 27.5 11.5 13.5 1.0 2.0 5.5 7.0
Period 6 3.3 2.3 1.3 0.3 15.0 23.3 9.0 14.3 1.7 1.6 7.7 4.7
Period 7 2.3 2.0 1.3 0.0 13.3 35.0 11.3 12.3 1.2 2.8 9.0 5.3
Period 8 2.0 2.5 2.0 1.3 12.5 31.3 13.8 12.0 0.9 2.6 6.0 6.3
Period 9 2.0 2.3 2.3 1.5 7.5 15.0 12.3 12.0 0.6 1.3 8.3 6.8
City scored an excellent 40 goals at home – a total only bettered by Man United
(43) and Liverpool (41) with the fourth placed side in this table, Chelsea, scoring
only 33 – so City certainly put in a ‘big 4’ performance in this area.
Man City also developed into notable corner winners towards the end of the
season – and were good corner conceders too – we should certainly check this
trend out at the start of 2009-10 - this could prove to be an outstanding ‘Over 11
Corners’ team – with corner handicap bets also being of strong interest.
Man City – Away 2008/9
Period 1 7.7 7.7 8.3 6.0 47.9% 56.1% 8.0 6.8 58.3 41.7 2.3 3.3
Period 2 6.7 3.3 13.3 6.0 33.3% 35.7% 20.0 4.7 65.7 34.3 1.7 5.7
Period 3 6.0 3.5 12.3 8.8 32.9% 28.6% 18.3 6.1 59.0 41.0 2.0 5.0
Period 4 4.0 4.8 10.0 10.6 28.6% 31.2% 11.7 8.6 50.2 49.8 3.2 3.0
Period 5 3.5 5.0 11.3 8.3 23.7% 37.7% 14.8 8.8 55.3 44.8 3.5 2.8
Period 6 3.7 4.7 8.3 11.0 30.6% 29.8% 36.0 11.8 58.0 42.0 3.3 3.7
Period 7 2.8 4.8 7.5 14.0 26.8% 25.3% 41.0 15.0 50.0 50.0 3.5 2.8
Period 8 3.5 5.5 9.0 13.0 28.0% 29.7% 25.0 14.8 46.8 53.3 3.5 3.0
Period 9 4.5 6.0 9.0 11.5 33.3% 34.3% 18.0 10.0 46.8 53.3 3.5 3.8
Jekyll and Hyde had nothing on this side. Judged on ‘points earned’ City were the
third best home team in the Premiership – but away from home they were the
seventeenth best – or to put it another way – the fourth worst in the league.
City were often criticised for their ‘laid back’ attitude away from home – and there
were indisputably personnel problems at the club in early and mid season, with
manager Mark Hughes reportedly not seeing eye to eye with a group of players.
But Hughes’s recent purchases of hard working no nonsense players leads us to

believe that we’ll see a much more motivated City on the road in 2009-10

Period 1 1.3 3.3 2.0 2.0 20.0 23.3 15.0 14.7 1.3 1.6 4.7 5.0
Period 2 2.3 5.3 1.0 2.0 26.7 21.7 16.7 13.7 1.6 1.6 5.3 4.3
Period 3 3.0 4.3 1.0 2.0 22.5 16.3 17.8 15.0 1.3 1.1 5.0 4.3
Period 4 3.0 4.0 1.2 1.8 14.0 18.0 13.8 12.4 1.0 1.5 4.8 5.4
Period 5 2.3 3.5 1.0 1.5 10.0 23.8 9.5 10.3 1.1 2.3 5.8 6.3
Period 6 1.0 1.7 0.3 1.3 20.0 18.3 11.3 11.3 1.8 1.6 4.0 7.0
Period 7 1.0 3.5 0.3 1.3 22.5 10.0 13.5 12.3 1.7 0.8 3.8 5.8
Period 8 1.3 4.0 0.5 1.3 25.0 10.0 10.8 10.5 2.3 1.0 3.5 5.3
Period 9 1.8 2.8 0.8 1.8 20.0 7.5 8.8 8.0 2.3 0.9 4.8 6.0
The facts are that City’s talented side had an awful ‘away’ record for most of last
year – too few goals scored (18) and too many conceded (32) figures that are
barely above relegation class.
Nor did City show much inclination to earn corners or even commit fouls.
It is our feeling that these figures belong to a City we won’t be seeing in 2009-10,
and that we saw the first signs of a much more motivated and workmanlike team
in the last days of 2008-9, when they defeated Everton at Goodison and gave Man
United and the savvy Tottenham good runs for their money.
W13 D0 L6
F 40 – A 18 Man City W2 D5 L12
F 18 – A 32
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

11% 0-10 11% 21% 1-0 16% Man City are the best thing to
37% 11-20 26% 5% 2-0 26% happen to the Premiership since
16% 21-30 5% 5% 2-1 16%
Chelsea – Hughes will be under
0% 31-40 5% 11% 0-1 0%
11% 41-50 21% 0% 0-2 0% pressure to produce results, but he’s
16% 51-60 5% 5% 1-2 5% building a solid team
5% 61-70 11% 0% 0-0 0%
5% 81-90+ 0% 0% 2-2 16% To be relegated 300/1
0% No Goal 0% 53% Other 11%
Man City
A AV 8
H WH 18
A Sun 29
H Chel 33
H Ports 47
A Wig 59
H Lp 67
A New 79
H Stoke 86
A Boro 96
A Bol 108
H Tot 119
A Hull 129
H Arsnl 133
H MU 146
A Ful 153
H Ev 162
A WB 177
H Hull 182
A Bburn 190
H Wig 212
H New 225
A Stoke 235
H Boro 238
A Ports 248
A Lp 257
A WH 267
H AV 273
A Chel 286
H Sun 297
A Arsnl 299
H Ful 318
H WB 324
A Ev 330
H Bburn 340
A MU 357
A Tot 367
H Bol 377
Man Utd – Home 2008/9
Period 1 9.5 2.0 18.0 8.5 34.5% 19.0% 18.3 21.0 66.5 33.5 1.5 8.0
Period 2 10.0 2.0 16.3 5.3 38.0% 27.3% 9.9 N/A 63.0 37.0 2.0 7.3
Period 3 9.8 2.5 12.5 3.8 43.8% 40.0% 5.9 8.3 59.0 41.0 1.8 6.0
Period 4 9.3 1.5 18.0 4.8 33.9% 24.0% 9.9 8.3 64.0 36.0 0.8 6.5
Period 5 6.2 1.4 15.8 8.2 28.2% 14.6% 15.7 N/A 60.2 39.8 1.4 4.8
Period 6 5.0 2.0 11.0 9.4 31.3% 17.5% 8.0 57.0 58.8 41.2 1.8 3.0
Period 7 4.3 2.7 13.0 7.3 25.0% 26.7% 8.7 6.0 60.7 39.3 1.0 2.3
Period 8 8.8 4.0 11.3 3.3 43.8% 55.2% 7.3 3.6 58.5 41.5 2.0 6.0
Period 9 7.4 3.4 10.4 6.0 41.6% 36.2% 7.4 11.8 53.0 47.0 2.6 5.0
League champions Man United had excellent attacking figures for most of the
year, they had a string of ‘best in the league’ stats, including won more home
matches than any other team (16) scored more goals (43) and had the best goal
difference (30.) Their Possession and ‘Shots’ ratings were also noteworthy.
United have since seen their star player Cristiano Ronaldo move to Real Madrid
for a world record fee of 80 million pounds, and have also bid farewell to useful
striker and fan favourite Carlos Tevez.
We cannot assume that United will play at their 2008-9 level this year – and we
need to watch their early matches carefully.

Period 1 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 15.0 15.0 12.5 10.0 1.2 1.5 11.0 5.0
Period 2 2.3 3.0 2.7 0.0 3.3 20.0 10.3 12.7 0.3 1.6 11.7 2.0
Period 3 2.5 2.8 3.8 0.8 7.5 17.5 10.3 14.5 0.7 1.2 7.8 0.8
Period 4 1.3 1.3 2.8 0.8 12.5 10.0 10.3 14.5 1.2 0.7 7.5 1.5
Period 5 2.2 2.0 1.4 0.0 12.0 16.0 12.0 15.0 1.0 1.1 6.8 3.2
Period 6 3.6 2.2 2.0 0.2 12.0 22.0 10.6 16.4 1.1 1.3 6.2 3.8
Period 7 3.7 1.7 2.0 1.7 25.0 20.0 9.7 17.3 2.6 1.2 8.3 3.7
Period 8 3.0 2.5 2.8 2.0 23.8 20.0 14.0 13.8 1.7 1.5 7.5 2.8
Period 9 2.8 2.0 2.4 0.8 12.0 22.0 13.4 14.2 0.9 1.5 6.0 4.2
For much of the year United were a very solid side for ‘win to nil’ and ‘to keep a
clean sheet’ bets at home.
Sir Alex’s side invariably won the corners match bets at Old Trafford, and they
were reliably low card earners.
Plenty of ammunition there for backers – but we really do need to see the re-
vamped Red Devils in action in 2009-10 before we bet any of these trends.
Man Utd – Away 2008/9
Period 1 3.3 5.7 9.7 14.7 25.6% 27.9% 13.0 20.3 49.7 50.3 4.7 2.3
Period 2 4.0 4.8 12.0 13.0 25.0% 26.8% 12.8 17.8 51.8 48.3 4.0 2.8
Period 3 4.8 3.0 12.6 8.6 27.6% 25.9% 17.4 19.3 58.4 41.6 2.4 3.6
Period 4 5.0 3.0 12.2 7.4 29.1% 28.8% 28.7 26.0 62.2 37.8 2.6 4.2
Period 5 7.3 2.0 11.0 7.8 39.7% 20.5% 10.4 N/A 67.3 32.8 2.0 5.5
Period 6 7.0 2.0 11.7 9.7 37.5% 17.1% 8.0 N/A 60.7 39.3 2.0 4.7
Period 7 5.3 5.0 12.7 11.3 29.6% 30.6% 18.0 16.3 55.3 44.7 4.0 4.0
Period 8 5.3 5.3 12.7 12.7 29.6% 29.6% 13.5 13.5 59.3 40.7 4.0 3.7
Period 9 3.3 4.3 13.5 10.5 19.4% 28.8% 9.6 29.5 63.5 36.5 3.8 1.5
The United defence were the stars of the ‘away’ statistics, only conceding 11 goals
in their 19 ‘road’ matches – another Premiership ‘best’ achievement. For much of
the season they kept opponents shooting chances down to very low levels –
though we can see a drop-off in performance as the season drew towards its
close.
The United attack actually proved the bluntest of all the ‘big 4’ sides – netting just
25 times in contrast to Arsenal’s 37, Liverpool’s 36 and Chelsea’s 35. That’s quite
a significant difference and it will be one of United’s big tests to even maintain
that scoring level with Ronaldo and Tevez gone.

Period 1 3.3 2.0 1.0 1.0 41.7 10.0 17.7 13.0 2.4 0.8 3.7 5.3
Period 2 2.3 1.0 1.3 1.0 36.3 15.0 15.5 14.8 2.3 1.0 5.5 5.3
Period 3 2.2 1.2 1.0 0.6 25.0 22.0 12.4 15.4 2.0 1.4 6.8 4.0
Period 4 2.2 1.6 0.6 0.4 23.0 25.0 12.0 14.2 1.9 1.8 8.6 4.2
Period 5 3.3 1.8 1.8 0.0 15.0 37.5 8.3 12.5 1.8 3.0 8.8 4.0
Period 6 3.3 1.7 2.3 0.0 13.3 31.7 7.7 13.7 1.7 2.3 7.7 3.7
Period 7 3.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 36.7 16.7 10.7 13.7 3.4 1.2 8.3 3.7
Period 8 3.0 1.3 1.3 1.3 40.0 16.7 9.3 10.7 4.3 1.6 6.0 3.7
Period 9 2.0 1.3 1.8 0.5 10.0 10.0 7.8 11.3 1.3 0.9 3.5 5.3
As have we noted, United’s scoring level away from home as not exceptional – in
fact only one side in the top 6 in the Premiership table scored fewer goals
(Everton, 24.) But what we can see clearly from the goal ratings is the United
defence’s superb work in Periods 3, 4, 5 and 6.
We can also see United’s very solid corner winning away from home – they only
lost the corners ‘match bet’ in 2 Periods of the 9 – though Ronaldo’s absence may
change that this year.
Also worth noting are United’s quite high bookings figures on the road.
W16 D2 L1
F 43 – A 13 Man Utd W12 D4 L3
F 25 – A 11
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
7.5 For 3.2 Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' 47.4%% 52.6%
6.3 For 4.4 Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' X.X For X.X Ag' 31.6% 68.4%%
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

21% 0-10 11% 21% 1-0 0% United may well have finished on
21% 11-20 16% 21% 2-0 5% top of the pile, but the way they
21% 21-30 32% 5% 2-1 11%
ended last season wasn’t good and
0% 31-40 11% 0% 0-1 32%
11% 41-50 5% 0% 0-2 11% losing Tevez and Ronaldo won’t help
11% 51-60 0% 0% 1-2 16% matters
5% 61-70 5% 5% 0-0 11%
5% 81-90+ 11% 0% 2-2 0% To be relegated 7500/1
5% No Goal 11% 42% Other 5%
Man Utd
H New 10
A Ports 20
A Lp 32
A Chel 45
H Bol 54
A Bburn 60
H WB 76
A Ev 81
H WH 94
H Hull 102
A Arsnl 110
H Stoke 124
A AV 130
A MC 146
H Sun 155
A Tot 166
A Stoke 185
H Boro 197
H Chel 206
H Wig 207
A Bol 209
A WB 221
H Ev 233
A WH 247
H Ful 249
H Bburn 253
A New 274
H Lp 283
A Ful 290
H AV 308
A Sun 314
H Ports 328
H Tot 333
A Boro 341
H MC 357
A Wig 359
H Arsnl 361
A Hull 375
Portsmouth – Home 2008/9
Period 1 4.7 3.0 10.3 8.7 31.1% 25.7% 11.3 17.5 43.7 56.3 2.3 3.0
Period 2 6.8 3.5 12.3 7.5 35.5% 31.8% 10.9 14.7 52.8 47.3 2.8 5.0
Period 3 5.8 4.4 11.8 9.4 33.0% 31.9% 9.8 8.6 55.2 44.8 3.0 4.0
Period 4 5.2 5.0 11.6 9.6 31.0% 34.2% 12.0 5.6 54.4 45.6 2.4 3.0
Period 5 5.7 4.3 14.7 7.3 27.9% 37.1% 61.0 4.4 59.3 40.7 1.3 4.0
Period 6 5.3 4.0 9.7 7.7 35.6% 34.3% 11.3 8.8 49.7 50.3 2.7 4.0
Period 7 4.5 5.0 9.8 8.0 31.6% 38.5% 9.5 10.4 43.5 56.5 3.8 3.0
Period 8 4.5 4.3 13.0 7.0 25.7% 37.8% 14.0 11.3 48.8 51.3 3.3 3.3
Period 9 4.5 5.5 10.3 9.0 30.5% 37.9% 9.8 9.7 46.0 54.0 4.0 3.3
Portsmouth had a 3-manager season in 2008-9, so it’s not too surprising that
they finished well down the league in 14th place.
First Harry Redknapp departed to Spurs, then his replacement Tony Adams had a
short but unsatisfactory reign, to be followed by the appointment of Youth Team
coach Paul Hart. Portsmouth have recently been acquired by the very wealthy
businessman Sulaiman al-Fahim, and more changes can be expected.
Pompey were moderate performers wherever they played last season – and were
only marginally better at home than they were away, giving opponents too much
possession and allowing them to score goals too cheaply.

Period 1 5.7 3.7 1.3 0.7 31.7 20.0 13.0 11.7 2.4 1.7 3.3 3.7
Period 2 4.3 2.3 1.8 0.8 18.8 17.5 11.5 11.0 1.6 1.6 4.0 4.8
Period 3 1.8 2.8 1.8 1.6 2.0 16.0 10.2 12.0 0.2 1.3 6.8 6.8
Period 4 1.8 4.6 1.4 2.6 12.0 18.0 12.4 10.6 1.0 1.7 8.2 6.6
Period 5 1.3 4.3 0.3 2.7 28.3 20.0 13.0 9.0 2.2 2.2 11.3 5.0
Period 6 1.7 1.3 1.3 1.3 18.3 16.7 12.0 11.7 1.5 1.4 9.0 3.7
Period 7 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.3 10.0 10.0 13.0 12.0 0.8 0.8 5.8 4.0
Period 8 1.3 2.5 1.3 1.0 17.5 15.0 13.3 13.3 1.3 1.1 5.8 4.3
Period 9 1.3 2.5 1.5 1.5 28.8 15.0 11.8 11.8 2.4 1.3 5.0 6.0
Portsmouth’s home goals figures show their problem. 26 goals ‘for’ is just too few
goals scored, and 29 goals ‘against’ is just too many conceded – the result was an
unsatisfactory 8 wins, 8 losses and 3 draws.
Generally low to medium card earners, and towards the end of the season
Pompey settled down to being quite average corner earners and conceders too.
With the change of ownership and the likelihood of increased spending – this is a
club best judged by what they show us early next year.
Portsmouth – Away 2008/9
Period 1 5.0 13.0 7.3 8.3 40.5% 60.9% 12.3 6.4 38.3 61.7 5.0 3.7
Period 2 2.3 5.7 5.7 10.7 29.2% 34.7% N/A 7.0 44.3 55.7 2.7 2.3
Period 3 3.5 4.3 6.0 10.0 36.8% 29.8% 19.0 28.5 47.0 53.0 3.5 3.0
Period 4 3.0 4.8 7.2 10.4 29.4% 31.6% 12.8 15.2 49.2 50.8 3.8 2.2
Period 5 2.6 5.6 8.0 12.0 24.5% 31.8% 13.3 11.0 51.0 49.0 4.0 1.8
Period 6 3.7 5.3 8.7 9.7 29.7% 35.6% 9.3 7.5 56.3 43.7 3.3 2.7
Period 7 3.0 4.5 7.0 10.0 30.0% 31.0% 6.7 9.7 57.5 42.5 3.0 2.0
Period 8 2.0 6.0 7.3 10.5 21.6% 36.4% 37.0 22.0 47.5 52.5 5.3 1.8
Period 9 1.4 5.4 7.4 10.2 15.9% 34.6% N/A 15.6 46.8 53.2 4.4 1.4
Pompey won just two games on the road last year, a poor performance, the same
total as relegated Newcastle and Middlesboro and only one more away win than
stone-last West Brom.
Their ‘shots on target’ ratings were consistently low, as was their accuracy
percentage – so it was hardly surprising that they scored only 12 times in 19
games, one of the lowest totals in the league.

Period 1 3.0 3.3 1.0 3.3 6.7 3.3 11.7 10.0 0.6 0.3 3.7 6.7
Period 2 2.7 2.3 0.0 2.3 28.3 3.3 15.7 15.0 1.8 0.2 2.7 8.7
Period 3 2.3 3.0 0.5 0.5 23.8 7.5 13.8 12.5 1.7 0.6 3.5 8.5
Period 4 2.8 5.4 0.8 1.0 12.0 8.0 11.8 11.0 1.0 0.7 4.2 7.4
Period 5 2.8 6.0 0.8 1.6 14.0 4.0 11.0 10.4 1.3 0.4 4.4 6.8
Period 6 1.3 4.3 1.3 2.0 20.0 3.3 10.0 7.7 2.0 0.4 5.0 5.0
Period 7 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.5 30.0 17.5 11.0 10.0 2.7 1.8 3.5 7.0
Period 8 1.3 3.0 0.3 0.8 21.3 13.8 10.8 12.8 2.0 1.1 5.0 6.5
Period 9 1.0 3.4 0.0 1.0 21.0 10.0 13.8 13.8 1.5 0.7 4.2 5.2
Generally low corner winners on the road – and they need to be considered for
‘Under 11’ bets when meeting similar low earners. However Pompey were prone
to give up a fair number of flag kicks, and they were ones to oppose on the
corners handicaps.
Generally reliable ‘medium’ card earners away from home, they invariably picked
up more bookings than their opponents – and should be considered for ‘First Card’
bets.
W8 D3 L8
F 26 – A 29 Portsmouth W2 D8 L9
F 12 – A 28
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

11% 0-10 16% 5% 1-0 16% It’s hard to call Pompey’s potency at
11% 11-20 21% 11% 2-0 11% the moment – the rumours are the
16% 21-30 11% 16% 2-1 5%
buy out has gone through but with
11% 31-40 11% 16% 0-1 0%
11% 41-50 0% 0% 0-2 0% just weeks to go until the start of the
11% 51-60 5% 5% 1-2 5% season, is there really the time left to
16% 61-70 0% 0% 0-0 21% get a decent squad together
11% 71-80 11% 5% 1-1 16%
0% 81-90+ 5% 11% 2-2 5% To win the Premiership 1500/1
5% No Goal 21% 32% Other 21%
To be relegated 9/2
Portsmouth
A Chel 9
H MU 20
A Ev 22
H Boro 35
A MC 47
H Tot 58
H Stoke 68
A AV 71
H Ful 89
A Lp 91
H Wig 104
A Sun 114
A WH 127
H Hull 135
H Bburn 147
A WB 158
H New 169
A Bol 171
H WH 184
A Arsnl 189
A Tot 216
H AV 218
A Ful 231
H Lp 245
H MC 248
A Stoke 255
H Chel 269
A Boro 284
H Ev 292
A Hull 303
H WB 312
H Bol 321
A MU 328
A New 338
H Arsnl 342
A Bburn 349
H Sun 370
A Wig 380
Stoke – Home 2008/9
Period 1 2.7 4.3 8.3 9.0 24.2% 32.5% 6.6 5.7 38.7 61.3 2.0 1.3
Period 2 3.3 4.3 7.8 10.0 29.5% 29.8% 8.8 9.5 40.5 59.5 2.8 2.3
Period 3 4.6 2.6 6.0 8.2 43.4% 24.1% 7.6 18.0 41.0 59.0 2.0 3.2
Period 4 3.4 2.8 6.0 9.6 36.2% 22.6% 11.8 20.7 35.4 64.6 2.2 2.6
Period 5 1.5 2.8 5.8 11.8 20.7% 19.0% 29.0 58.0 29.5 70.5 2.5 1.3
Period 6 2.0 2.3 5.3 9.7 27.3% 19.4% 7.3 18.0 31.7 68.3 2.0 1.0
Period 7 2.7 3.3 7.0 10.0 27.6% 25.0% 5.8 20.0 35.7 64.3 3.0 1.0
Period 8 3.0 2.3 9.8 9.8 23.5% 18.8% 10.2 48.0 39.5 60.5 2.0 1.8
Period 9 3.5 1.5 11.3 7.3 23.7% 17.1% 14.8 17.5 43.0 57.0 1.0 2.5
Stoke were widely expected to spend one year in the Premiership and then go
straight back down to the Championship – but the Potters hadn’t read the script.
They shortened and narrowed their ground to spike other teams’ skill men –
brought in a long throw specialist to make their throws-in as dangerous as
corners – and decided to battle for every ball as though it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s
wallet. Their final position of 12th in the Premiership was a decent achievement.
That they accomplished this despite never once recording a Period ‘Possession’
rating of more than 43 percent at home is testament to their determination –
which we expect to see very much more of in the coming season.

Period 1 1.0 1.7 1.7 2.3 16.7 6.7 12.3 11.3 1.4 0.6 4.3 7.0
Period 2 1.3 1.5 1.3 1.5 17.5 25.0 12.5 12.8 1.4 2.0 5.5 4.3
Period 3 2.0 1.6 1.4 0.6 20.0 31.0 13.6 11.4 1.5 2.7 4.6 2.6
Period 4 2.0 1.6 0.8 0.6 27.0 21.0 14.2 10.4 1.9 2.0 4.6 4.8
Period 5 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.3 30.0 15.0 13.3 9.8 2.3 1.5 5.5 6.5
Period 6 1.0 0.3 1.0 0.7 21.7 20.0 10.0 11.0 2.2 1.8 4.3 4.7
Period 7 2.0 0.7 1.7 0.7 23.3 16.7 14.7 13.0 1.6 1.3 4.3 4.7
Period 8 1.5 0.8 1.3 0.3 32.5 12.5 16.0 11.8 2.0 1.1 6.0 5.0
Period 9 0.8 1.5 1.0 0.5 25.0 12.5 11.8 10.5 2.1 1.2 6.5 3.3
After settling into the Premiership in periods 1 and 2, Stoke then became a very
competent defender, allowing only 15 goals all season – an extremely
praiseworthy performance – even champs Man United let in 13.
Not prolific scorers themselves by any means – this throws up some interesting
trends for the 2009-10 season. ‘Under 2.5 Total Goals’ bets certainly look on the
cards –and it could well pay to check out Stoke’s odds on the Asian handicaps.
The Potters are not highly thought of by the bookies – but they often deliver
creditable results. We could well find some ‘Asian’ bargains.
Stoke – Away 2008/9
Period 1 3.3 11.0 3.3 13.3 50.0% 45.2% 10.0 14.6 32.7 67.3 4.0 0.7
Period 2 3.3 8.3 4.3 14.7 43.5% 36.2% 23.0 13.8 34.7 65.3 6.7 3.0
Period 3 2.8 9.3 3.5 12.3 44.0% 43.0% 25.0 8.6 37.0 63.3 6.8 2.5
Period 4 2.0 7.0 6.0 11.4 25.0% 38.0% 13.3 7.7 39.0 61.2 4.6 1.4
Period 5 2.6 7.4 7.0 14.4 27.1% 33.9% 9.6 9.1 38.2 61.8 5.0 1.6
Period 6 1.7 8.3 4.7 18.0 26.3% 31.6% 9.5 11.3 34.3 65.7 6.0 1.0
Period 7 1.7 5.3 8.3 9.3 16.7% 36.4% 10.0 6.3 37.0 63.0 3.0 0.7
Period 8 2.3 4.3 9.3 11.0 19.6% 27.9% 9.2 10.2 34.3 65.8 2.8 0.8
Period 9 2.3 5.0 7.0 12.8 24.3% 28.2% 7.4 11.8 32.5 67.5 3.8 0.8
There was no place like home for Stoke – once they left their cosily sized home
ground things began to fall apart.
In fact, with only 10 points earned ‘on the road’ from their 19 away games –
Stoke rate as the third worst ‘away’ side in the Premiership, only the relegated
duo of West Brom and Middlesboro were worse.
Having thumbed their noses at the critics last year by securing a mid-table
Premiership finish because they were tough-to-beat at home – it’s hard to see
Stoke abandoning that successful strategy and putting more emphasis on their
‘away’ games.
This could be a very decent side to oppose ‘on the road’ in the months to come.

Period 1 1.3 1.3 0.7 1.7 31.7 13.3 15.3 12.7 2.1 1.1 3.7 9.0
Period 2 2.7 1.0 0.3 1.7 13.3 6.7 14.0 9.7 1.0 0.7 5.3 9.0
Period 3 2.5 1.0 0.3 2.5 20.0 5.0 15.0 9.5 1.3 0.5 4.0 4.3
Period 4 2.0 2.0 0.6 2.4 27.0 8.0 14.6 10.6 1.8 0.8 3.4 5.2
Period 5 1.6 2.2 1.0 2.4 29.0 10.0 16.2 12.8 1.8 0.8 4.4 7.0
Period 6 1.3 1.3 0.7 2.3 31.7 13.3 15.3 11.7 2.1 1.1 3.7 7.0
Period 7 2.0 1.0 1.0 2.3 18.3 10.0 11.7 7.0 1.6 1.4 6.0 4.3
Period 8 2.8 1.3 1.3 1.5 12.5 10.0 12.5 8.5 1.0 1.2 6.3 5.3
Period 9 3.0 1.3 1.3 1.5 10.0 10.0 13.3 10.8 0.8 0.9 3.3 5.5
Stoke conceded a massive 40 goals in their 19 ‘’away’ matches – the highest total
of any side in the Premiership. Even allowing for the normal ‘home’ and ‘away’
disparity between goals conceded – that’s a very big difference indeed from their
‘home’ conceded total of 15.
We believe that this difference is partly due to the defensive advantage the
Potters have managed to build into their carefully engineered home stadium.
Away from the Britannia Stadium we expect Stoke to concede more high goals
totals this year – and we should be on the lookout to back opponents in the goal
superiority markets.
W10 D5 L4
F 22 – A 15 Stoke W2 D4 L13
F 16 – A 40
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

0% 0-10 32% 26% 1-0 5% Stoke done really well to stay up
16% 11-20 16% 11% 2-0 5% last term, but it’s going to be just as
5% 21-30 11% 11% 2-1 21%
tough if not tougher in 2009/10.
16% 31-40 11% 11% 0-1 0%
16% 41-50 11% 5% 0-2 5% Their shots figures were some of the
0% 51-60 5% 0% 1-2 5% worst in the league last term
5% 61-70 0% 11% 0-0 11%
16% 81-90+ 0% 5% 2-2 11% To be relegated 7/2
11% No Goal 11% 11% Other 37%
Stoke
A Bol 2
H AV 15
A Boro 24
H Ev 38
A Lp 42
H Chel 57
A Ports 68
H Tot 78
A MC 86
H Sun 99
H Arsnl 105
A Wig 111
A MU 124
H WB 136
H Hull 142
A New 156
H Ful 164
A Bburn 170
H MU 185
A WH 196
H Lp 204
A Chel 210
A Tot 220
H MC 235
A Sun 242
H Ports 255
A AV 264
H Bol 275
A Ev 281
H Boro 293
A WB 305
H New 313
H Bburn 322
A Ful 331
A WH 343
A Hull 353
H Wig 366
A Arsnl 371
Sunderland – Home 2008/9
Period 1 8.0 6.0 6.0 10.3 57.1% 36.7% 21.0 12.3 46.7 53.3 2.3 4.0
Period 2 5.7 4.0 8.7 12.0 39.5% 25.0% 8.6 24.0 46.3 53.7 3.3 4.0
Period 3 4.0 4.0 9.0 9.2 30.8% 30.3% 13.0 7.3 53.2 46.8 2.2 3.0
Period 4 5.0 3.4 10.8 8.8 31.6% 27.9% 13.2 8.7 56.0 44.0 2.0 3.8
Period 5 6.5 2.5 10.3 10.3 38.8% 19.6% 11.2 25.5 49.8 50.3 2.0 5.0
Period 6 6.0 2.0 9.3 9.0 39.1% 18.2% 11.5 16.5 52.7 47.3 1.3 4.7
Period 7 3.3 3.7 8.3 6.7 28.6% 35.5% 8.8 10.3 53.7 46.3 2.7 2.0
Period 8 3.0 3.8 9.3 11.3 24.5% 25.0% 12.3 12.0 47.5 52.5 2.5 2.0
Period 9 3.3 5.3 10.0 11.5 24.5% 31.3% 13.3 9.6 41.8 58.3 3.5 2.3
The Black Cats finished with a 6-3-10 record at home last season, but it could
have been worse if some of their worst stats had forced their way to the front
Sunderland paid too high a shot price for their goals with 7 of the 9 periods
settling in double figures – when you then consider how much they struggled in
the shots generation department these figures start to look serious
Their level of possession wasn’t too bad for 4 of the 9 periods, but it dropped
quite low for the remaining 4 periods and that’s another warning sign for them to
heed in 2009/10

Period 1 2.0 1.3 0.7 1.3 20.0 23.3 14.0 13.0 1.4 1.8 4.0 6.0
Period 2 2.3 1.0 1.7 0.7 20.0 30.0 11.3 15.3 1.8 2.0 3.7 6.0
Period 3 3.4 0.8 1.0 1.8 24.0 16.0 11.6 12.6 2.1 1.3 4.0 4.4
Period 4 4.4 1.4 1.2 1.4 18.0 14.0 9.6 12.6 1.9 1.1 4.6 4.8
Period 5 3.8 1.5 1.5 0.5 12.5 23.8 8.0 14.8 1.6 1.6 4.3 5.0
Period 6 2.0 1.0 1.3 0.7 20.0 26.7 8.0 12.7 2.5 2.1 4.7 3.3
Period 7 3.3 2.7 1.3 1.0 16.7 21.7 11.3 9.7 1.5 2.2 4.3 2.0
Period 8 3.8 2.5 1.0 1.3 15.0 20.0 11.5 12.3 1.3 1.6 5.3 3.3
Period 9 2.8 2.5 1.0 1.8 17.5 25.0 10.8 12.3 1.6 2.0 6.5 5.0
The good news is that they were rated at least 1.0 in the road department for 8 of
the 9 2008/9 periods – the bad news is that they were rated higher in the goals
against department for 5 periods also
In the corners department, Sunderland struggled for the whole season – they
were totally desperate at the end of the season and hence racked up a few but for
the most part they were poor corner forcers and were rated bottom of this table
On the bookings front Sunderland were consistently rated highly with a stream of
20’s for most of the season – the fact that they were ranked 2nd highest in the
home bookings table is reflected in the above table
Sunderland – Away 2008/9
Period 1 2.7 5.0 6.7 11.7 28.6% 30.0% 7.0 12.5 45.0 55.0 3.7 1.7
Period 2 2.5 4.5 7.5 9.8 25.0% 31.6% 20.0 14.3 50.8 49.3 3.5 2.3
Period 3 3.0 6.5 7.5 10.5 28.6% 38.2% 21.0 9.7 45.3 54.8 4.8 2.3
Period 4 2.8 7.0 6.4 13.8 30.4% 33.7% 7.7 9.5 39.2 60.8 4.8 1.6
Period 5 2.5 5.3 7.8 12.8 24.4% 29.2% 8.2 12.0 42.3 57.8 3.8 1.5
Period 6 3.0 4.7 7.3 9.0 29.0% 34.1% 15.5 20.5 44.7 55.3 4.0 2.3
Period 7 3.0 6.8 5.0 14.0 37.5% 32.5% 32.0 20.8 39.0 61.0 5.8 2.8
Period 8 4.0 6.5 6.0 15.0 40.0% 30.2% N/A 10.8 41.8 58.3 4.3 3.3
Period 9 4.5 3.3 12.5 9.5 26.5% 25.5% 68.0 6.4 54.0 46.0 1.3 3.5
Sunderland finished with a 3-6-10 season and the aspect that really killed them
was their levels of possession which, for 7 of the 9 periods, slumped down to the
low 40’s – it’s hard to get anything right when things are that bad
In the SPG department, Sunderland were an erratic performer but their bad form
easily outweighed the good with only 3 single figure periods. The rest were
footballing carnage with 5 of the 9 settling above 20.0 (there wasn’t a single
period where they were rated to generate 20.0+ shots)
Talking of shots, only 5 teams generated an average less than 3.3 ‘on target’
efforts per match – 2 of which were relegated

Period 1 2.7 0.3 1.3 1.3 13.3 15.0 11.3 10.7 1.2 1.4 5.7 8.3
Period 2 2.5 0.3 0.5 1.0 10.0 16.3 9.0 11.5 1.1 1.4 4.8 6.5
Period 3 2.8 1.3 0.5 1.8 17.5 15.0 9.8 10.8 1.8 1.4 4.3 7.0
Period 4 1.4 2.2 1.2 2.2 20.0 19.0 10.4 11.2 1.9 1.7 3.6 7.8
Period 5 2.0 2.8 1.3 1.5 22.5 16.3 10.8 12.5 2.1 1.3 4.0 6.5
Period 6 2.3 3.0 0.7 0.7 33.3 13.3 15.7 10.7 2.1 1.3 4.3 4.7
Period 7 1.0 2.3 0.3 1.0 36.3 20.0 13.8 12.0 2.6 1.7 4.0 6.5
Period 8 1.8 2.3 0.0 2.0 26.3 12.5 9.5 12.8 2.8 1.0 5.3 7.8
Period 9 1.8 1.5 0.3 2.0 5.0 10.0 7.3 11.8 0.7 0.9 5.0 8.0
We’ve already spoken about Sunderland’s poor shot generation and conversion
rates, and in the above table it’s clear just how bad that bottom line was. Only 3
periods of 1.0+ goals with the remaining 6 periods all settling below 1.0
Once again we have a high level of indiscipline with 5 of the 9 periods settling on
20 or more points.
There’s another repeat poor performance in the corners won department but it’s
the figures in the corners against department that look profit soaked. Sunderland
were the 4th highest corner conceder on the road last term and we should keep an
eye out for more exuberance next term
W6 D3 L10
F 21 – A 25 Sunderland W3 D6 L10
F 13 – A 29
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

11% 0-10 16% 11% 1-0 16% Despite an expensive squad
32% 11-20 0% 11% 2-0 11% Sunderland performed poorly for
5% 21-30 5% 5% 2-1 5%
most of last season and their figures
0% 31-40 11% 11% 0-1 0%
21% 41-50 16% 5% 0-2 0% above spell out numerous areas for
5% 51-60 21% 21% 1-2 11% improvement
0% 61-70 0% 5% 0-0 16%
16% 81-90+ 5% 0% 2-2 0% To be relegated 9/1
5% No Goal 16% 21% Other 26%
Sunderland
H Lp 7
A Tot 16
H MC 29
A Wig 37
H Boro 43
A AV 51
H Arsnl 61
A Ful 73
H New 82
A Stoke 99
A Chel 100
H Ports 114
A Bburn 121
H WH 138
H Bol 143
A MU 155
H WB 165
A Hull 173
H Bburn
A Ev 192
A Boro 202
A AV 213
H Ful 219
A New 236
H Stoke 242
A Arsnl 250
A Lp 268
H Tot 278
H Wig 285
A MC 297
A WH 306
H MU 314
H Hull 323
A WB 334
H Ev 347
A Bol 350
A Ports 370
H Chel 378
Tottenham – Home 2008/9
Period 1 4.7 5.3 13.7 9.3 25.5% 36.4% 27.5 11.0 60.0 40.0 4.0 4.0
Period 2 5.8 5.0 14.8 9.5 28.0% 34.5% 27.3 19.3 61.8 38.3 4.3 4.8
Period 3 4.8 4.0 13.0 8.8 27.0% 31.3% 17.8 21.3 57.6 42.4 3.2 3.8
Period 4 3.2 4.4 10.2 8.2 23.9% 34.9% 22.3 31.5 50.0 50.0 3.8 2.8
Period 5 6.3 4.0 12.5 7.5 33.3% 34.8% 18.8 23.0 51.3 48.8 3.5 5.3
Period 6 7.7 2.7 15.0 6.0 33.8% 30.8% 17.0 13.0 56.7 43.3 2.0 6.3
Period 7 5.0 4.0 9.0 8.7 35.7% 31.6% 8.4 N/A 48.7 51.3 4.0 3.3
Period 8 5.3 4.0 11.3 8.8 31.8% 31.4% 9.4 N/A 50.5 49.5 4.0 3.5
Period 9 5.5 3.5 14.0 7.0 28.2% 33.3% 15.6 42.0 54.3 45.8 3.3 4.3
Tottenham fans would have been mighty disappointed with their return last
season, however the upside of their miserable finish is that they less on their
plate in 2009/10 – no UEFA Cup
For the first time since the 2005/6 season (the season that featured the dodgy
lasagna) Spurs have a room in their diary to focus on the Premier League and we
should remember that when attacking the Ante Post markets
As far as the above figures go, scoring goals was a real puzzler for Spurs – but
they did defend well – especially after the departure of the home sick Ramos

Period 1 1.3 2.7 0.7 1.3 13.3 26.7 14.3 13.0 0.9 2.1 9.0 6.0
Period 2 1.8 2.8 0.8 0.8 17.5 33.8 14.0 13.8 1.3 2.5 7.5 4.0
Period 3 1.4 3.0 1.0 0.6 16.0 34.0 13.8 15.2 1.2 2.2 6.0 3.0
Period 4 2.2 2.6 0.6 0.4 10.0 23.0 12.4 13.8 0.8 1.7 4.6 5.4
Period 5 3.3 2.0 1.0 0.5 7.5 17.5 11.0 14.3 0.7 1.2 5.8 6.0
Period 6 3.0 1.3 1.3 0.7 10.0 28.3 13.3 16.0 0.8 1.8 7.0 4.0
Period 7 2.7 3.7 1.7 0.0 10.0 21.7 12.3 10.7 0.8 2.0 6.0 6.7
Period 8 1.5 3.5 1.8 0.0 10.0 22.5 11.5 12.5 0.9 1.8 6.5 6.0
Period 9 1.8 2.8 1.3 0.3 7.5 17.5 8.8 12.3 0.9 1.4 6.8 5.5
As the season progressed, Tottenham improved and as you can see by their
numbers during P6 onwards, the North Londoners had very few weak areas within
their home data
A reasonable/good level of goal scoring, excellent discipline and a consistent

corner winner are all Tottenham personalities carved by Redknapp and it will be
interesting to see whether the Spurs emit much of the same during the opening
weeks of 2009/10
In short, their 10-5-4 home season of 2008/9 was a disappointment for sure,
however it could well be the making of them
Tottenham – Away 2008/9
Period 1 3.7 9.3 6.3 5.0 36.7% 65.1% 15.0 8.6 57.0 43.0 3.0 2.0
Period 2 5.0 6.0 8.3 7.7 37.5% 43.9% 8.0 5.1 52.3 47.7 3.3 3.3
Period 3 4.8 8.3 8.0 7.8 37.3% 51.6% 6.4 7.1 50.5 49.5 6.0 2.8
Period 4 4.8 6.4 8.0 8.4 37.5% 43.2% 10.7 10.6 51.4 48.6 5.0 3.6
Period 5 5.0 4.0 7.0 9.8 41.7% 29.0% 12.0 8.6 49.0 51.0 2.4 4.0
Period 6 4.0 3.0 7.0 10.7 36.4% 22.0% 8.3 8.2 50.0 50.0 1.3 2.7
Period 7 5.0 2.7 7.3 10.0 40.5% 21.1% 7.4 12.7 52.7 47.3 1.7 3.3
Period 8 4.8 6.0 6.5 8.8 42.2% 40.7% 7.5 6.6 50.8 49.3 3.8 3.3
Period 9 2.8 5.0 4.8 12.8 36.7% 28.2% 7.5 7.1 47.3 52.8 2.8 1.8
There are some good figures tucked away in here – you wouldn’t believe this was
a team that went 4-4-11, however I would imagine quite a lot of the excess was
due to them chasing the scoreboard
Tottenham’s main problems are obviously in defence – they sold goals too cheap
too often and their SPG figures illustrate this excellently
Their levels of possession weren’t that bad but as we’ve already said, quite a bit
of this was due to their scoreboard struggles
One bright note would have to be their accuracy of shot – maintaining a 35%
percentage would normally be a trait of a very good side – that wasn’t the case
her though

Period 1 2.3 3.3 0.7 1.7 16.7 31.7 13.7 13.7 1.2 2.3 7.7 5.0
Period 2 2.3 2.7 1.7 2.7 46.7 25.0 15.0 15.0 3.1 1.7 2.7 6.0
Period 3 2.5 1.3 2.0 2.3 36.3 20.0 13.5 11.8 2.7 1.7 2.5 7.3
Period 4 2.8 1.8 1.2 1.4 20.0 28.0 12.6 12.6 1.6 2.2 5.0 6.6
Period 5 2.8 2.2 1.0 1.6 21.0 22.0 13.6 13.6 1.5 1.6 5.6 5.8
Period 6 3.7 3.0 1.3 1.7 16.7 16.7 12.3 13.7 1.4 1.2 8.0 7.0
Period 7 2.3 4.3 1.7 1.0 20.0 20.0 9.7 15.3 2.1 1.3 6.3 8.0
Period 8 2.5 4.5 1.5 2.3 26.3 20.0 10.8 16.0 2.4 1.3 3.8 6.0
Period 9 2.0 3.3 1.0 2.5 23.8 15.0 10.0 16.5 2.4 0.9 4.0 6.0
The one aspect that jumps out of this grid is Tottenham’s consistently high level
of corner conceding - only twice did it drop below 6.0 and the fact that they
finished in the upper portion of the corner bleeding league is understandable
In the bookings department Spurs were a totally different proposition with a

succession of high ratings in both the ‘for’ and ‘against’ columns – they finished
off the 2008/9 season as the 4th highest offender and the above numbers
illustrate the consistency of this trend
We’ve already discussed Tottenham’s woes in the defence department – the

above timeline shows just 1 period of 1.0 goal conceded or less. This has to
improve if they are to mount a serious challenge
W10 D5 L4
F 21 – A 10 Tottenham W4 D4 L11
F 24 – A 35
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

32% 0-10 11% 26% 1-0 5% The money seems to have dried up
5% 11-20 26% 5% 2-0 11% for signings – just when they
11% 21-30 16% 11% 2-1 26%
haven’t got the pointless distraction
0% 31-40 21% 11% 0-1 0%
11% 41-50 0% 0% 0-2 5% of the Europa Cup. A good season is
16% 51-60 0% 11% 1-2 11% in store – but not good enough
5% 61-70 5% 21% 0-0 5%
0% 81-90+ 11% 0% 2-2 0% To be relegated 100/1
21% No Goal 5% 11% Other 21%
Tottenham
A Boro 5
H Sun 16
A Chel 27
H AV 39
H Wig 48
A Ports 58
H Hull 69
A Stoke 78
H Bol 85
A Arsnl 93
H Lp 106
A MC 119
A Ful 123
H Bburn 137
H Ev 148
A WH 159
H MU 166
A New 176
H Ful 187
A WB 195
A Wig 205
H Ports 216
H Stoke 220
A Bol 230
H Arsnl 246
A Hull 259
H Boro 276
A Sun 278
A AV 287
H Chel 294
A Bburn 300
H WH 315
H New 325
A MU 333
H WB 344
A Ev 351
H MC 367
A Lp 376
West Ham – Home 2008/9
Period 1 8.0 7.7 8.7 13.3 48.0% 36.5% 5.6 21.0 49.7 50.3 3.3 2.3
Period 2 4.3 5.7 10.7 12.0 28.9% 32.1% 11.3 8.8 52.7 47.3 4.0 2.3
Period 3 4.5 5.8 10.8 11.5 29.5% 33.3% 30.5 8.6 54.8 45.3 4.0 3.8
Period 4 5.2 5.2 13.2 8.4 28.3% 38.2% 30.7 9.7 58.4 41.6 4.0 4.6
Period 5 6.2 4.6 14.2 8.0 30.4% 36.5% 14.6 12.6 57.0 43.0 3.8 4.8
Period 6 6.0 3.7 13.0 12.0 31.6% 23.4% 11.4 23.5 50.0 50.0 3.0 4.3
Period 7 3.3 1.7 8.7 13.0 27.8% 11.4% 36.0 44.0 48.0 52.0 1.3 3.0
Period 8 4.5 3.8 8.5 12.0 34.6% 23.8% 17.3 63.0 46.0 54.0 3.0 3.3
Period 9 4.3 6.3 9.3 12.8 31.5% 32.9% 13.5 15.2 47.8 52.3 4.5 2.8
West Ham’s home ratings were very middle-of-the-road throughout. Shots,

Accuracy and Possession figures were all unexceptional – and in fact the
Hammers finished bang in the middle of the Premiership ‘home’ table.
Their SPG ratings are interesting – their SPG’s ‘for’ were very moderate – but they
managed a couple of excellent SPG’s ‘against,’ charging opponents 44 and 63
shots for a goal in Periods 7 and 8. more of the same in 2009-10 would see them
climbing the table.

Period 1 1.3 2.0 3.0 1.0 13.3 26.7 13.0 18.3 1.0 1.5 6.0 6.7
Period 2 2.7 1.0 1.3 2.0 31.7 26.7 12.7 12.3 2.5 2.2 4.3 7.3
Period 3 2.5 0.8 0.5 2.0 23.8 20.0 11.5 10.0 2.1 2.0 7.0 7.0
Period 4 2.2 0.6 0.6 1.4 16.0 17.0 10.4 13.6 1.5 1.3 7.8 5.4
Period 5 3.2 0.2 1.4 1.0 14.0 21.0 12.2 16.0 1.1 1.3 7.2 4.6
Period 6 3.0 0.3 1.7 0.7 3.3 16.7 14.3 15.0 0.2 1.1 6.3 6.3
Period 7 3.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 13.3 13.3 15.0 14.7 0.9 0.9 4.0 7.3
Period 8 4.0 0.5 0.8 0.3 12.5 10.0 12.8 12.5 1.0 0.8 5.3 6.0
Period 9 3.8 0.8 1.0 1.3 12.5 10.0 12.3 11.0 1.0 0.9 5.0 5.5
Plenty more quite ‘grey’ figures here, with goals and corners ratings mainly
unexceptional – though the Hammers good defensive effort in Periods 6, 7 and 8
could be a foretaste of things to come.
West Ham kept opponents to much less than a goal a game in those Periods, and
if those sorts of figures are repeated at the start of next season we could have a
number of very sound trends to bet on.
West Ham – Away 2008/9
Period 1 5.0 4.7 9.7 12.3 34.1% 27.5% 11.0 7.3 47.3 52.7 2.3 3.7
Period 2 4.5 5.0 11.0 12.5 29.0% 28.6% 15.5 10.0 50.0 50.0 3.3 3.5
Period 3 2.3 4.8 9.3 12.0 19.6% 28.4% 23.0 16.8 49.0 51.0 3.8 1.8
Period 4 3.4 5.6 7.4 16.6 31.5% 25.2% 7.7 37.0 41.8 58.2 5.0 2.0
Period 5 4.4 5.4 4.8 19.6 47.8% 21.6% 6.6 31.3 40.0 60.0 4.6 3.0
Period 6 6.7 3.3 6.7 15.7 50.0% 17.5% 13.3 14.3 48.7 51.3 2.0 5.7
Period 7 4.7 4.0 7.3 12.0 38.9% 25.0% 12.0 16.0 53.0 47.0 3.0 3.7
Period 8 3.5 4.8 7.0 13.3 33.3% 26.4% 14.0 24.0 49.3 50.8 4.0 2.8
Period 9 4.0 5.0 8.0 11.5 33.3% 30.3% 16.0 13.2 48.8 51.3 3.8 3.3
West Ham had a reasonable set of ‘away’ results – with 5 wins and 7 draws in
their 19 matches.
A key factor in their successes were their solid SPG ‘against’ ratings for most of
the season – nobody ‘mugged’ them and their total ‘goals conceded’ of 23 on the
season was a decent if unspectacular effort.
Their Possession ratings in Periods 6, 6, 8 and 9 were solid – and if these are
repeated in 2009-10 they will be a good foundation for the improving defensive
play we’ve noted.

Period 1 3.3 2.0 1.3 2.3 18.3 21.7 17.0 12.3 1.1 1.8 5.0 5.3
Period 2 3.5 1.8 1.0 1.8 12.5 23.8 15.3 11.5 0.8 2.1 4.5 4.0
Period 3 2.8 2.3 0.5 1.0 20.0 20.0 14.8 11.5 1.4 1.7 3.0 3.8
Period 4 3.6 2.4 1.4 0.6 22.0 20.0 14.8 11.4 1.5 1.8 4.0 8.8
Period 5 5.2 1.4 1.4 0.8 16.0 16.0 14.4 11.4 1.1 1.4 4.0 11.2
Period 6 6.0 0.3 1.0 1.3 13.3 10.0 15.3 14.3 0.9 0.7 6.3 8.3
Period 7 5.7 2.0 1.0 1.0 31.7 21.7 12.0 14.3 2.6 1.5 5.0 6.3
Period 8 3.5 2.5 0.8 0.8 38.8 23.8 12.3 11.0 3.2 2.2 3.5 9.3
Period 9 2.5 1.5 0.8 1.3 36.3 17.5 13.5 10.8 2.7 1.6 4.0 8.8
West Ham were ‘medium’ card earners for most of the season – but the final
three Periods saw their card totals climb – at more or less the same time that we
saw their defensive improvements. A regular ’30 point’ card earner is a wonderful
thing for backers – and we’ll be following the Hammers early games with interest.
Not great corner winners themselves, West Ham allowed opponents some high
totals in the final five Periods – this is another trend very much worth bearing in
mind for next year for corners handicap bets.
W9 D2 L8
F 23 – A 22 West Ham W5 D7 L7
F 19 – A 23
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

26% 0-10 16% 5% 1-0 11% Good things are going on down at
5% 11-20 21% 11% 2-0 5% West Ham and with solely the
5% 21-30 11% 16% 2-1 5%
Premiership to focus on, this could
11% 31-40 21% 16% 0-1 16%
5% 41-50 5% 11% 0-2 0% well be the Hammers best season
5% 51-60 5% 0% 1-2 5% since their 5th placing in 98/99
16% 61-70 11% 11% 0-0 11%
5% 81-90+ 0% 0% 2-2 5% To be relegated 14/1
16% No Goal 11% 32% Other 21%
West Ham
H Wig 6
A MC 18
H Bburn 25
A WB 36
H New 44
A Ful 53
H Bol 64
A Hull 77
H Arsnl 88
A MU 94
A Boro 103
H Ev 115
H Ports 127
A Sun 138
A Lp 149
H Tot 159
A Chel 168
H AV 174
A Ports 184
H Stoke 196
A New 203
H Ful 215
H Hull 226
A Arsnl 228
H MU 247
A Bol 252
H MC 267
A Wig 277
H WB 288
A Bburn 289
H Sun 306
A Tot 315
A AV 319
A Chel 335
A Stoke 343
H Lp 355
A Ev 363
H Boro 379
Wigan – Home 2008/9
Period 1 4.3 2.7 9.3 7.0 31.7% 27.6% 13.7 9.7 44.3 55.7 2.0 3.3
Period 2 4.5 3.5 13.3 5.5 25.4% 38.9% 23.7 5.1 52.0 48.0 2.0 3.8
Period 3 5.2 3.0 13.8 6.2 27.4% 32.6% 31.7 7.7 53.0 47.2 1.8 4.6
Period 4 5.0 2.4 11.2 8.2 30.9% 22.6% 10.1 26.5 48.8 51.4 2.0 3.4
Period 5 3.5 2.5 8.3 7.8 29.8% 24.4% 6.7 20.5 46.3 53.8 2.0 1.8
Period 6 2.3 4.7 7.7 6.7 23.3% 41.2% 15.0 34.0 44.3 55.7 2.0 1.7
Period 7 4.3 4.3 11.7 6.0 27.1% 41.9% 48.0 31.0 48.3 51.7 1.7 4.0
Period 8 4.7 3.0 12.7 7.7 26.9% 28.1% 26.0 6.4 47.0 53.0 1.3 4.0
Period 9 4.8 2.8 13.3 11.3 26.4% 19.6% 24.0 9.3 45.5 54.5 1.3 4.0
Wigan’s 8-5-6 record wasn’t quite as good as they would have wanted at the
halfway stage, but as you can see by the above ratings, it was the quality of shot
that ended up being their downfall.
Period’s 7, 8 & 9 were gloomy times for Wigan and their SPG ratings flag this up
excellently. In fact only P4 and P5 were anywhere near the standard that Bruce
would have expected
On the possession front, Wigan were consistently poor with 7 of the 9 periods
falling below 50%

Period 1 2.0 3.3 1.0 1.0 21.7 20.0 13.0 15.3 1.7 1.3 6.7 5.3
Period 2 2.5 3.3 0.8 1.8 23.8 15.0 13.0 12.5 1.8 1.2 7.5 3.8
Period 3 2.0 3.0 0.6 1.2 10.0 14.0 11.6 10.2 0.9 1.4 6.4 4.0
Period 4 2.6 1.8 1.6 0.4 10.0 23.0 11.2 11.6 0.9 2.0 5.6 5.4
Period 5 3.3 3.5 1.8 0.5 20.0 23.8 12.5 15.3 1.6 1.6 5.8 4.5
Period 6 1.7 4.3 0.7 0.3 16.7 16.7 11.3 15.0 1.5 1.1 4.7 4.3
Period 7 0.7 2.7 0.3 0.3 21.7 38.3 12.0 12.0 1.8 3.2 5.7 4.3
Period 8 3.7 2.7 0.7 1.7 28.3 41.7 14.0 14.0 2.0 3.0 6.3 3.3
Period 9 3.3 2.8 0.8 1.5 12.5 25.0 12.8 14.3 1.0 1.8 7.0 4.3
We’ve already mentioned Wigan’s poor SPG stats, and the above goal ratings sum
up the severity of the problem – its one thing have a high SPG base if you’re a
high shot generator, however in Wigan’s case they were poor in both departments
One aspect that is worth a closer look in 2009/10 would have to be how the
bookmakers asses the total offsides. As you can see Wigan set quite a good
offside trap and if the visiting team suits then a low downside buy looks on the
cards
In the corners department Wigan performed quite well with only one
disappointing period
Wigan – Away 2008/9
Period 1 5.0 6.3 13.3 8.3 27.3% 43.2% 9.2 22.0 46.3 53.7 3.3 2.0
Period 2 3.3 4.0 8.0 12.7 29.4% 24.0% 17.0 10.0 44.0 56.0 2.3 2.7
Period 3 4.8 5.0 7.5 13.3 38.8% 27.4% 8.2 9.1 41.0 59.0 3.0 3.3
Period 4 5.8 4.8 8.8 12.5 39.7% 27.5% 11.6 17.3 40.5 59.5 3.8 4.3
Period 5 3.8 3.6 11.4 10.8 25.0% 25.0% 76.0 24.0 46.2 53.8 3.0 3.4
Period 6 3.2 4.0 13.0 9.0 19.8% 30.8% 81.0 16.3 45.6 54.4 3.2 3.0
Period 7 4.0 4.3 10.0 6.7 28.6% 39.4% 14.0 11.0 42.0 58.0 3.3 3.0
Period 8 5.0 6.0 12.3 6.0 28.8% 50.0% 26.0 5.1 45.7 54.3 3.7 4.3
Period 9 4.0 7.5 13.5 7.5 22.9% 50.0% 70.0 5.5 48.5 51.5 4.8 3.8
It’s no surprise to see many of the same home problems seeping into their away
form – their SPG ratings are sky high for near on half of the year with only P3 and
maybe 4 allowing Wigan to compete
Another poor succession of possession ratings will spell trouble for Wigan. As you
can see they had big problems keeping the ball last season and coupled with their
scoring woes, Athletic generated just 4 wins
Wigan’s accuracy of shot was awful with only 2 periods where they got anywhere
near the expected Premiership level - the question is, can they improve their
performance without a significant spend

Period 1 2.0 2.0 2.0 0.7 10.0 16.7 12.3 16.3 0.8 1.0 6.0 5.3
Period 2 3.0 3.3 0.7 1.7 21.7 10.0 14.3 12.0 1.5 0.8 2.7 3.3
Period 3 4.8 2.0 1.5 2.0 30.0 5.0 14.5 10.8 2.1 0.5 5.0 5.0
Period 4 4.5 1.0 1.3 1.0 31.3 10.0 14.0 12.3 2.2 0.8 6.5 7.3
Period 5 2.6 2.0 0.2 0.6 26.0 15.0 14.0 12.2 1.9 1.2 5.8 5.6
Period 6 2.6 2.4 0.2 0.8 28.0 19.0 14.2 11.2 2.0 1.7 5.6 5.8
Period 7 3.3 3.0 1.0 1.0 23.3 16.7 13.7 10.7 1.7 1.6 3.7 7.7
Period 8 2.7 3.7 0.7 2.3 13.3 0.0 11.7 13.0 1.1 0.0 5.0 3.7
Period 9 2.5 2.3 0.3 2.8 7.5 5.0 11.0 13.0 0.7 0.4 4.8 4.0
More decent corner totals from Wigan – they posted a few surprise hauls during
the 2008/9 season and given their expected scoreboard struggles, it wouldn’t be a
surprise to see them chasing the game quite a bit next season
These bookings ratings make interesting reading with quite a high level sustained
for over 70% of the season – in the against column the ratings were consistently
low, a nice contrast for First Card punters
In the all important goals columns Wigan were in the main a poor scorer (apart
from Zaki’s flying start) and for the most part they were a grim defender. This is a
team with problems
W8 D5 L6
F 17 – A 18 Wigan W4 D4 L11
F 17 – A 27
Attack Ratings
Corner Ratings
Goal Ratings
Officials Ratings

11% 0-10 21% 21% 1-0 16% Wigan looked like a team on the
11% 11-20 21% 0% 2-0 16% brink of better times last season, but
21% 21-30 16% 16% 2-1 11%
a poor finish to last term together
5% 31-40 0% 16% 0-1 5%
11% 41-50 16% 0% 0-2 0% with the loss of Paul Jewell (and
5% 51-60 5% 5% 1-2 11% funds) has put them up against it
0% 61-70 5% 16% 0-0 16%
16% 81-90+ 0% 0% 2-2 5% To be relegated 9/1
16% No Goal 16% 16% Other 21%
Wigan
A WH 6
H Chel 19
A Hull 23
H Sun 37
A Tot 48
H MC 59
H Boro 63
A Lp 74
H AV 87
A Ful 98
A Ports 104
H Stoke 111
A New 125
H Ev 139
H WB 144
A Arsnl 150
H Bburn 167
H New 188
A Bol 191
H Tot 205
A MU 207
A MC 212
H Lp 227
A AV 229
H Ful 244
A Boro 254
A Chel 261
H WH 277
A Sun 285
H Hull 296
A Ev 307
H Arsnl 316
A Bburn 337
H Bol 345
A WB 354
H MU 359
A Stoke 366
A Arsnl 371
Arsenal 1 West Brom Match Commentary
24 Shots 5
14 Shots on 4
11 Fouls 8 Injury-hit Arsenal struck after only 4 minutes through
7 5 new signing Samir Nasri, and then went on to
Corners
dominate the rest of the first half, playing their
7 Offsides 7
trademark neat, attractive football. But it was a much
63.0% Possess' 37.0% more evenly balanced contest after the break as West
0 Cards 0 Brom settled down to try to find an equaliser. Not a
2 Saves 4 vintage Gunners performance
1 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
Bolton 2 Stoke Match Commentary

14 Shots 8
8 Shots on 2
13 Fouls 12 Premiership new boys Stoke conceded 3 goals in a
4 Corners 3 disastrous 12-minute spell before half time, and were
2 Offsides 1 never able to recover. Stoke worked hard to find a
58.0% Possess' 42.0% way back, but Bolton were able to play the second half
10 Cards 20 on cruise control. Stoke's consolation goal came in
1 Saves 2 stoppage time
3 Goals 1
Ref: C.Foy
Everton 3 Blackburn Match Commentary

10 Shots 15
5 Shots on 11 A glut of injuries to their small squad meant that
11 Fouls 9 Everton had a makeshift look about them - they
3 5 played a 16-year old and a 17-year old and had
Corners
numerous youngsters on the bench. Both sides
3 Offsides 2
created chances and could have scored a goal or two
50.00% Possess' 50.00% more than they did. The game looked headed for a 2-
20 Cards 20 2 draw until Blackburn's Ooijer hit the winner 4
4 Saves 1 minutes into stoppage time - Everton boss was
2 Goals 3 annoyed calling the goal 'offside,' and he was right
Ref: A.Marriner
Hull 4 Fulham Match Commentary

11 Shots 12
6 Shots on 6 Substitute Caleb Folan hit the winner 9 minutes from
10 Fouls 9 the end as Hull came from behind to snatch victory in
5 Corners 6 their first ever match in the top flight of English
8 Offsides 5 football. Hull fell behind to Ki-Hyeon's header in the
44.0% Possess' 56.0% 8th minute - but hit back with a stunning Geovanni
30 Cards 0 equaliser 15 minutes later. Late on Hull's Craig Fagan
2 Saves 3 robbed Paul Konchensky to set up Folan's winning
2 Goals 1 strike
Ref: P.Walton
Boro 5 Spurs Match Commentary

14 Shots 8
10 Shots on 5 Spurs ace striker Dimitar Berbatov, who may shortly
11 Fouls 12 be on the move, sat out the first 65 minutes on the
7 Corners 9 bench - while manager Juande Ramos gave debuts to
3 Offsides 1 4 recently signed players. Tottenham had plenty of
35.0% Possess' 65.0% possession but failed to create many clear-cut
10 Cards 20 chances, while Boro looked lively on attack,
2 Saves 5 particularly on the break. Spurs well documented
2 Goals 1 defensive problems may not be over
Ref: M.Atkinson
West Ham 6 Wigan Match Commentary
15 Shots 22
8 Shots on 9 Two early goals gave the Hammers a flying start, and
14 Fouls 11 they had the best of the first half - but if the home
6 Corners 10 side thought that they were in for a stroll they had a
1 Offsides 2 surprise as gutsy Wigan fought back well after the
49.0% Possess' 51.0% break. In fact, new Wigan signing Egyptian
20 Cards 10 international Amr Zaki, though scoring just after half
2 Saves 4 time, missed a couple of chances to earn his side a
2 Goals 1 draw. In the end West Ham were back-pedalling
Ref: S.Bennett
Sunderland 7 Liverpool Match Commentary

6 Shots 14
3 Shots on 8
13 Fouls 12 Sunderland ran hard but Liverpool dominated this high
1 8 tempo match, particularly in the second half. The
Corners
visitors were unable to turn possession into points
2 Offsides 0
though until 7 minutes from the end when last
40.00% Possess' 60.00% season's top Liverpool goal scorer Fernando Torres
0 Cards 20 smashed home the winner from outside the penalty
2 Saves 3 area
0 Goals 1
Ref: A.Wiley
Aston Villa 8 Man City Match Commentary

14 Shots 13 Little went right for Man City here - they lost striker
10 Shots on 8 Bojinov to a pre-match warm up injury and he was
8 Fouls 11 replaced by 19-year old Ched Evans. Villa took a
7 Corners 8 deserved lead 2 minutes into the second period, only
3 Offsides 0 to see it cancelled out 17 minutes later when City
43.0% Possess' 57.0% scored from the penalty spot following a mix-up in the
0 Cards 10 Villa defence. And that was when Villa's Gabriel
5 Saves 3 Agbonlahor moved into top gear, scoring a hat trick in
4 Goals 2 7 minutes. City's second goal in the 89th minute came
when the match was far beyond saving
Ref: P.Dowd
Chelsea 9 Portsmouth Match Commentary

18 Shots 12 New manager Scolari got his Chelsea reign off to a
11 Shots on 8 great start with a crushing victory over Portsmouth,
10 Fouls 6 that sent out a clear message of his attacking intent to
8 Corners 3 the rest of the league. Joe Cole got the scoring
6 Offsides 1 underway in the 12th minute, but Chelsea weren't
69.0% Possess' 31.0% content and kept on pushing forward - to such effect
0 Cards 10 that they had the game won by half time when they
4 Saves 5 led 3-0. Scolari has promised Brazilian style football at
4 Goals 0 Stamford Bridge this year, and day one certainly
delivered.
Ref: M.Dean
Man Utd 10 Newcastle Match Commentary

18 Shots 11
12 Shots on 4
15 Fouls 11 United were short of strikers with Ronaldo injured and
6 Corners 6 Tevez absent because of a family bereavement. That
0 Offsides 0 lack of firepower showed, and United struggled in
58.0% Possess' 42.0% front of goal. Newcastle had to play defence for most
30 Cards 0 of the second half - but never looked out of their
1 Saves 6 depth
1 Goals 1
Ref: M.Riley
Blackburn 11 Hull Match Commentary
12 Shots 7
5 Shots on 4 An entertaining match in which a 39th-minute score
11 Fouls 15 from Rovers' striker Jason Roberts was immediately
cancelled out at the other end by Richard Garcia's
6 Corners 3
header. Neither team was able to find a winning goal
2 Offsides 9
despite both creating a number of decent
63.0% Possess' 37.0% opportunities. Moral victory goes to Hull though, as
0 Cards 10 the Premiership new boys defended well and showed
2 Saves 1 themselves well capable of taking a point away from
1 Goals 1 home
Ref: S.Attwell
Fulham 12 Arsenal Match Commentary

5 Shots 15
2 Shots on 6 Fulham went ahead in the 21st minute through
14 Fouls 6 Norwegian defender Hangeland's header from a poorly
defended corner, and the toothless Gunners found
1 Corners 5
themselves unable to even pull level, let alone win the
8 Offsides 2
game. Arsenal had a first half to forget and Fulham
43.0% Possess' 57.0% could easily have scored a couple more before the
20 Cards 0 break - but in the second half Arsenal played rather
1 Saves 1 better, even though they could find nothing in front of
1 Goals 0 goal
Ref: M.Atkinson
Liverpool 13 Boro Match Commentary

16 Shots 9
8 Shots on 4
10 Fouls 12 Steven Gerrard fired home a stunning stoppage-time
14 3 winner to deny Boro a deserved share of the points.
Corners
Middlesboro led 1-0 with 4 minutes to play, only to
2 Offsides 2
see Jamie Carragher's off-target 20 yard shot
62.00% Possess' 38.00% deflected into his own net by Boro's Pogatetz - and
20 Cards 10 then Gerrard snatched the points for the home side
3 Saves 4 deep in injury time
2 Goals 1
Ref: M.Riley
Newcastle 14 Bolton Match Commentary

10 Shots 9
8 Shots on 4 Michael Owen came off the bench to glance a header
8 Fouls 13 past the Bolton keeper and secure the points for the
4 Corners 6 Magpies - but the Newcastle keeper Shay Given was
2 Offsides 2 also hugely influential in this match - keeping out a
64.0% Possess' 36.0% penalty that had threatened to put the visitors in
10 Cards 20 front. Bolton were committed and well organised and
1 Saves 1 worked hard throughout to deny their hosts space - a
1 Goals 0 tactic that very nearly worked
Ref: S.Bennett
Stoke 15 Aston Villa Match Commentary

8 Shots 5
2 Shots on 2
15 Fouls 5
Sidibe netted in injury time as Stoke claimed a
2 Corners 8
dramatic 3-2 victory over Villa. Stoke's direct style
0 Offsides 1
proved highly effective, and their victory was a just
41.0% Possess' 59.0% reward for their battling performance over the side
10 Cards 0 that beat Man City 4-2 in the opening week
0 Saves 0
3 Goals 2
Ref: M.Halsey
Tottenham 16 Sunderland Match Commentary
18 Shots 12
11 Shots on 7 Striker Djibril Cisse came on as substitute to score the
12 Fouls 12 winner on his debut for Sunderland, as Dimitar
Berbatov's transfer saga threatened to undermine
12 Corners 6
Tottenham's start to the season. Berbatov was left out
1 Offsides 5
of the Spurs squad with Juande Ramos accusing his
62.0% Possess' 38.0% top hit-man of having a negative effect in on the
10 Cards 20 dressing room. Spurs played plenty of attractive,
2 Saves 5 effective football, but were ineffective in front of goal
1 Goals 2 with Berbatov dropped and Keane sold to Liverpool
Ref: M.Dean
West Brom 17 Everton Match Commentary

14 Shots 9
4 Shots on 7 Everton, still missing a number of key players through
11 Fouls 14 injury, had a dismal opening 45 minutes - while West
11 Corners 5 Brom, though playing the more fluent football, failed
1 Offsides 1 to find the net. Everton went ahead after 65 minutes
63.00% Possess' 37.00% with almost their first serious attempt at goal, and
30 Cards 10 that was against the run of play. Then a real mix up in
1 Saves 4 the Baggies defence allowed Everton's Yakubu to
1 Goals 2 sneak in and head a second goal for the visitors
Ref: R.Styles
Man City 18 West Ham Match Commentary

14 Shots 3
9 Shots on 0 City dominated this from the start and played with
12 Fouls 16 growing confidence. They went close to scoring
several times in the first half and it seemed only a
6 Corners 3
matter of time before they would break the deadlock.
2 Offsides 4
Three fine second half goals duly followed with striker
55.0% Possess' 45.0% Elano looking particularly sharp. New City signing
0 Cards 45 Kompany also had an excellent debut game and was
0 Saves 3 voted Man Of The Match - while West ham looked
3 Goals 0 sadly out of touch
Ref: H.Webb
Wigan 19 Chelsea Match Commentary

10 Shots 7
6 Shots on 3
13 Fouls 17
A full-blooded and entertaining encounter with Wigan
7 Corners 7
creating just as many chances as Chelsea - new
1 Offsides 6
Wigan striker Zaki looking more confident as the game
41.0% Possess' 59.0% went on. In the end Deco's 4th minute strike was all
10 Cards 20 that separated the two sides
1 Saves 5
0 Goals 1
Ref: A.Wiley
Portsmouth 20 Man Utd Match Commentary

13 Shots 12
6 Shots on 7
11 Fouls 11 Only one goal in it but United were in control
4 3 throughout, moving the ball around well, running
Corners
intelligently off the ball, and dominating possession. If
4 Offsides 5
you include the Community Shield, this is the third
36.0% Possess' 64.0% game in a row that Portsmouth have failed to score a
20 Cards 20 goal, and their strike partnership of Crouch and Defoe
3 Saves 2 will need to find some form soon
0 Goals 1
Ref: D.Fletcher
Bolton 21 West Brom Match Commentary
18 Shots 12
9 Shots on 7
18 Fouls 16
Top class saves by Jaaskelainen for Bolton and Carson
7 Corners 5
for West Brom helped ensure a goalless draw in a
4 Offsides 1
match that sprung to life after the break. Both sides
44.0% Possess' 56.0% created chances and both could have nicked a result
20 Cards 20 late on - but a draw was a fair result
3 Saves 4
0 Goals 0
Ref: K.Stroud
Everton 22 Portsmouth Match Commentary

16 Shots 6
7 Shots on 5
5 Fouls 11 Everton were handed their second home defeat in as
4 3 many games by a Portsmouth side that at last found
Corners
their scoring touch - having failed to score in their
1 Offsides 5
previous 528 minutes of football. Everton can consider
57.0% Possess' 43.0% themselves a little unlucky not to have scored three
10 Cards 0 themselves, hitting the post, having a shot cleared off
4 Saves 7 the line and having a penalty saved
0 Goals 3
Ref: M. Halsey
Hull 23 Wigan Match Commentary

10 Shots 8
5 Shots on 5
18 Fouls 12 Hull's fairytale start to life in the Premiership was
7 3 emphatically crushed as Wigan pounced on some
Corners
naive defending to claim their first win of the season
2 Offsides 2
in style. Wigan's new striker Zaki hit two goals and
56.00% Possess' 44.00% continues to look sharp. Hull never gave up though,
10 Cards 0 and created several decent chances of their own -
0 Saves 3 which they failed to convert into goals
0 Goals 5
Ref: M.Jones
Boro 24 Stoke Match Commentary

21 Shots 7
12 Shots on 2
14 Fouls 18 Sanli spared the blushes of wasteful 'Boro with a late
4 5 winner to finally see off 10-man Stoke. The home side
Corners
missed a number of gold plated scoring opportunities
1 Offsides 0
and could easily have scored 5 on another day. Stoke
68.0% Possess' 32.0% had Faye sent off 10 minutes before half time for a
20 Cards 65 rash tackle, but the Potters showed plenty of grit after
1 Saves 4 and came within 5 minutes of earning a draw
2 Goals 1
Ref: M.Dean
West Ham 25 Blackburn Match Commentary

11 Shots 12
6 Shots on 7
14 Fouls 21 West Ham were hanging on to a precarious 2-1
10 4 advantage as the clock reached full time - and then
Corners
scored 2 stoppage-time goals to shatter winless
3 Offsides 2
Blackburn, who had been giving as good as they got
50.0% Possess' 50.0% to that point. Blackburn's cause was not helped when
10 Cards 50 their star striker Santa Cruz limped off after just 29
4 Saves 2 minutes
4 Goals 1
Ref: M.Riley
Arsenal 26 Newcastle Match Commentary
20 Shots 4
14 Shots on 2
12 Fouls 11 Robin Van Persie netted twice as Arsenal went some
12 1 way to silencing talk of a striker crisis at the club in a
Corners
3-goal romp over an outclassed Newcastle - the
6 Offsides 5
Gunners continuing where they had left off against FC
56.0% Possess' 44.0% Twente (won 4-0) in their midweek Champions League
20 Cards 20 qualifier. Newcastle created very few chances - though
2 Saves 9 a Nicky Butt header did hit the crossbar
3 Goals 0
Ref: R.Styles
Chelsea 27 Tottenham Match Commentary

11 Shots 6 Chelsea's perfect start to the season by Berbatov-less
3 Shots on 6 Spurs, the strike expected to become a Manchester
10 Fouls 12 United player tomorrow. Chelsea took the lead in
5 Corners 8 bizarre fashion when Deco swung over a corner,
2 Offsides 1 Tottenham's Bent swung a leg and missed, and
59.00% Possess' 41.00% Belletti put the ball into the net with his thigh. Spurs
30 Cards 0 equaliser came on the stroke of half-time and had a
0 Saves 1 touch of the bizarre about it too - Lampard challenged
1 Goals 1 Modric, but the ball ran to Bent who slotted it under
Petr Cech.
Ref: H.Webb
Aston Villa 28 Liverpool Match Commentary

5 Shots 8
2 Shots on 3
9 Fouls 13 Liverpool were without Gerrard - recovering from
5 Corners 8 surgery - and they lost their top striker Torres to a
0 Offsides 2 hamstring problem after just 26 minutes. Not
43.0% Possess' 57.0% surprisingly Liverpool looked ineffective for long
0 Cards 20 periods in a scrappy game in which neither side
1 Saves 2 managed to create many worthwhile chances
0 Goals 0
Ref: M.Atkinson
Sunderland 29 Man City Match Commentary

10 Shots 9
4 Shots on 8 Shaun Wright-Phillips scored twice to launch his
20 Fouls 11 second spell as a City player in spectacular style. The
3 Corners 3 former Chelsea player was given too much space by
2 Offsides 2 the Sunderland defence and he scored 5 minutes after
49.0% Possess' 51.0% the break and again 8 minutes later. City had gone
40 Cards 20 ahead in first half injury time through Ireland - and
0 Saves 2 Wright-Phillips's second half strikes completely floored
0 Goals 3 the home side who wilted badly in the second period
Ref: C.Foy
Blackburn 30 Arsenal Match Commentary
10 Shots 17
3 Shots on 10
8 Fouls 8 Arsenal's Theo Walcott continued the fine form he
5 5 showed for England midweek (scored a hat trick
Corners
against Croatia) by setting up Van Persie's 8th minute
4 Offsides 7
goal. Though Blackburn had chances of their own,
42.0% Possess' 58.0% particularly in the first half, Adebayor struck just
10 Cards 10 before half time with the first goal of his hat trick -
5 Saves 3 and Arsenal never looked likely to be beaten after
0 Goals 4
Ref: M.Dean
Fulham 31 Bolton Match Commentary

20 Shots 8
13 Shots on 7
15 Fouls 11
Fulham were almost relegated last season, but there
12 Corners 6
was no fluke about their win here, they ran rings
2 Offsides 6
around Bolton who looked to lack both pace and
62.0% Possess' 38.0% mobility. Fulham scored twice but spurned several
10 Cards 10 excellent chances to bury the game
5 Saves 4
2 Goals 1
Ref: S.Tanner
Liverpool 32 Man Utd Match Commentary

16 Shots 7 Liverpool started with Gerrard and Torres on the
11 Shots on 3 bench, though Gerrard came on as substitute in the
10 Fouls 18 second half, and Berbatov made his debut for United.
5 Corners 4 Man United started very brightly and were a goal up in
1 4 3 minutes. Man U then conceded an own goal
Offsides
equaliser when keeper Van Der Sar made a hash of
54.00% Possess' 46.00%
collecting a shot from Alonso, and only succeeded in
0 Cards 55 pushing the ball onto Brown - the rebound finding the
1 Saves 6 net. From that point Liverpool began to assert
2 Goals 1 themselves - and in the second half were easily the
Ref: H.Webb better side
Man City 33 Chelsea Match Commentary

13 Shots 18
7 Shots on 8
14 Fouls 10 Man City found Chelsea's football far too rich for them
8 5 here! City introduced their new 30 million man
Corners
Robhino, and the Brazilian put them ahead with a
1 Offsides 5
superb 13th minute free kick. But thereafter City were
44.0% Possess' 56.0% second best to their visitors who played with flair and
0 Cards 35 purpose. John Terry was sent off for a professional
3 Saves 2 foul
1 Goals 3
Ref: M.Halsey
Newcastle 34 Hull Match Commentary

13 Shots 8
4 Shots on 4 Their were fan demonstrations before and during the
13 Fouls 17 game in favour of departed manager Kevin Keegan -
and the fans' mood will not have been improved by
5 Corners 3
seeing their side beaten by newly promoted Hull.
0 Offsides 2
Newcastle had their chances, but often looked
59.0% Possess' 41.0% laboured, and as well as conceding a first half penalty
25 Cards 20 their defence was in tatters when Hull hit them on the
2 Saves 2 counter to score a second 10 minutes into the second
1 Goals 2 period
Ref: A.Marriner
Portsmouth 35 Boro Match Commentary
21 Shots 7
12 Shots on 3 Defoe's two second half goals gave Portsmouth their
8 Fouls 6 first home win for 6 months - after Harry Redknapp
had dumped his new 3 - 5 - 2 system. Boro had a
3 Corners 2
number of key players missing through injury - but
8 Offsides 2
took the lead after 24 minutes against the run of play.
61.0% Possess' 39.0% However in the second half Portsmouth took control
20 Cards 10 and bombarded the Boro defence - Pompey could
0 Saves 4 easily have had another couple of goals with more
2 Goals 1 decisive finishing
Ref: S.Attwell
West Brom 36 West Ham Match Commentary

13 Shots 21
8 Shots on 13
9 Fouls 18 Gianfranco Zola who takes over as West Ham
8 8 manager on Monday - and he will need to address the
Corners
Hammers fragile defence. The West Brom defence
2 Offsides 3
looked suspect too, and as a result both sides had a
55.00% Possess' 45.00% string of scoring chances. West Brom just about
10 Cards 10 deserved their win - but they will need to tighten up to
6 Saves 3 make their Premiership status stick
3 Goals 2
Ref: L.Probert
Wigan 37 Sunderland Match Commentary

12 Shots 11
8 Shots on 5
10 Fouls 9 Amr Zaki continued his remarkable Premiership
8 6 scoring record by blasting his fourth goal of the
Corners
season - and rescued a point for Wigan after Titus
0 Offsides 2
Bramble had gifted the visitors an own goal. Wigan did
58.0% Possess' 42.0% most of the pressing in this match, but often found
35 Cards 10 themselves unable to deliver that final crucial ball into
2 Saves 3 the box against a hard working Sunderland defence
1 Goals 1
Ref:
Stoke 38 Everton Match Commentary

12 Shots 8
7 Shots on 5 Tim Cahill returned to the Everton side after a long
10 Fouls 19 metatarsal injury and headed home the winner in a
7 Corners 8 see-saw game. Everton led 2-0 after 51 minutes but
2 Offsides 1 then conceded twice - one goal being an 'own goal.'
43.0% Possess' 57.0% When the game was tied at 2 apiece Everton had a
20 Cards 10 clear penalty turned down by Alan Wiley - but justice
1 Saves 2 was done when Cahill score with a smart header from
2 Goals 3 a corner
Ref: A.Wiley
Tottenham 39 Aston Villa Match Commentary

17 Shots 17 Spurs made a number of changes to the team that
10 Shots on 13 drew with Chelsea - presumably with their UEFA Cup
15 Fouls 12 fixture in 3 day's time in mind. Villa showed plenty of
12 Corners 8 pace from the start and were 1-0 up after just 5
0 Offsides 1 minutes. The 'Spurs keeper has to take the blame for
63.0% Possess' 37.0% Villa's second goal - he allowed Young's shot to creep
10 Cards 40 under his body and into the net. Spurs got onto the
6 Saves 4 score sheet with just3 minutes to play - Bent failed to
1 Goals 2 get out of the way of team mate Jenas's shot, and the
ball was deflected into the Villa net
Ref:
Blackburn 40 Fulham Match Commentary
11 Shots 11
4 Shots on 5
13 Fouls 11
Local Blackburn boy Matt Derbyshire came on as
4 Corners 3
substitute with 15 minutes to go and grabbed the
3 Offsides 6
match-winning goal in a game the home side only
52.0% Possess' 48.0% looked like drawing. Derbyshire's strike was set up by
20 Cards 0 a superb pass from Chilean debutant Carlos Villanueva
4 Saves 1
1 Goals 0
Ref: L.Probert
Bolton 41 Arsenal Match Commentary

12 Shots 20
8 Shots on 9
12 Fouls 10 Arsenal moved to the top of the Premiership (for one
7 17 day at least) with a mixture of tremendous skill and
Corners
hard work. Bolton made a decent attempt to put the
1 Offsides 1
brakes on the Gunners and were first to score - but
29.0% Possess' 71.0% Arsenal turned the game on its head with 2 goals in 2
20 Cards 20 minutes, both of them fully deserved, as they had hit
2 Saves 5 the post twice before the double-strike
1 Goals 3
Ref: S.Bennett
Liverpool 42 Stoke Match Commentary

27 Shots 3
11 Shots on 2 Liverpool dominated throughout but could not find a
8 Fouls 10 way past the dogged Stoke defence. The home side
20 Corners 3 thought they'd scored after just 2 minutes when a
1 Offsides 3 Steven Gerrard free kick flew into the net - only for
76.00% Possess' 24.00% the 'goal' to be disallowed for an infringement. The
10 Cards 10 success of Stoke's negative defensive tactics will no
0 Saves 6 doubt encourage them to try the same strategy again
0 Goals 0 on their away trips
Ref: A.Marriner
Sunderland 43 Boro Match Commentary

17 Shots 14
11 Shots on 11
9 Fouls 16
With the game deadlocked at 0-0 in the 75th minute,
8 Corners 7
Boro's England international winger Stewart Downing
2 Offsides 2
blasted a penalty kick high over the crossbar. That
51.0% Possess' 49.0% seemed tp galvanise Sunderland who went ahead 6
20 Cards 30 minutes later and then added another in injury time
4 Saves 7
2 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
West Ham 44 Newcastle Match Commentary

12 Shots 11
6 Shots on 8
8 Fouls 21 Newcastle were 2 goals down at half time, and found
2 Corners 6 themselves with a mountain to climb afterwards. West
0 Offsides 2 Ham added a game-clinching third goal soon after the
50.0% Possess' 50.0% break, and though Newcastle played with spirit in the
10 Cards 20 second half, their 67th minute goal never looked likely
4 Saves 1 to be more than a consolation prize
3 Goals 0
Ref: P.Dowd
Chelsea 45 Man Utd Match Commentary
20 Shots 13 Just as they did against Liverpool in their previous
13 Shots on 8 away game, Man U got off to a whirlwind start and
15 Fouls 18 had a couple of good scoring chances before
7 Corners 4 converting one the 18th minute. But Chelsea
1 Offsides 1 responded well and both sides had opportunities to
60.0% Possess' 40.0% enhance the score sheet in an entertaining game.
10 Cards 70 Then 10 minutes from time Man U's Rooney chopped
3 Saves 5 down Ashley Cole, giving Obi the chance to float over
1 Goals 1 the free kick to the totally unmarked Kalou who
nodded home
Ref: M.Riley
Hull 46 Everton Match Commentary

9 Shots 17
5 Shots on 8 Everton showed lots of determination here to fight
11 Fouls 12 back from 2-0 down to grab a 2-2 draw. Hull had
looked like maintaining their excellent start to life in
4 Corners 6
the Premiership after scoring from corners through
1 Offsides 4
Michael Turner and a Phil Neville own goal. But
40.00% Possess' 60.00% Everton finished a lively match the stronger and were
0 Cards 10 awarded a goal when Cahill's bounced down off the
3 Saves 2 bar on 73 minutes, and Osman levelled the scores 5
2 Goals 2 minutes later
Ref: L.Meeson
Man City 47 Portsmouth Match Commentary

14 Shots 10
10 Shots on 4 City ripped Portsmouth apart with a scintillating 6-goal
13 Fouls 14 spectacular. It was a pretty humiliating day for
8 Corners 5 Pompey, and particularly for their goal keeper David
3 Offsides 3 James, who was to blame for several of the home
59.0% Possess' 41.0% side's goals. City had already gone close on two
0 Cards 10 occasions before their first goal arrived in the 13th
2 Saves 3 minute. Manchester City's new owners must have
6 Goals 0 been delighted
Ref: A.Wiley
Tottenham 48 Wigan Match Commentary

11 Shots 14 Wigan are playing decent football this season and are
4 Shots on 6 not underestimated, but Tottenham do seem to be
13 Fouls 12 struggling for firepower after the sale of Berbatov and
3 Corners 4 Keane. Spurs are convinced that they should have had
3 Offsides 2 a 64th minute penalty when Lennon appeared to have
57.0% Possess' 43.0% been tripped by Wigan defender Figueroa, but their
20 Cards 0 heartfelt appeals were dismissed by ref Tanner.
4 Saves 3 Tottenham rained shots at the Wigan goal as the
0 Goals 0 game drew to a close - but could not break the
stalemate
Ref: S.Tanner
West Brom 49 Aston Villa Match Commentary

10 Shots 10
6 Shots on 5 John Carew tormented the WBA defence as Villa
22 Fouls 16 notched a third away win in 6 days. Carew scored just
once - but could have had a hat trick after twice being
5 Corners 6
denied by the woodwork. Carew's strike, and that of
1 Offsides 2
Agbonlahor came in the space of 90 seconds midway
62.0% Possess' 38.0% through the first half, and hard though West Brom
30 Cards 30 tried to get back into the match - just lacked a
1 Saves 3 finishing touch. The Baggies goal followed a mistake
1 Goals 2 by Villa keeper Friedel
Ref: M.Dean
Arsenal 50 Hull Match Commentary
18 Shots 7
9 Shots on 5 Hull pulled off the shock of the season so far - ending
8 Fouls 7 Arsenal's long run of success at the Emirates Stadium
15 Corners 4 - 17 months without defeat - when they cashed in on
4 Offsides 8 the Gunners inability to turn possession and fancy
63.0% Possess' 37.0% passing into goals. Arsenal stepped up a gear after
20 Cards 10 going into arrears, but Hull showed plenty of skill and
3 Saves 4 determination themselves, and in Geovanni have a
1 Goals 2 resourceful and dangerous player
Ref: A.Wiley
Aston Villa 51 Sunderland Match Commentary

12 Shots 9 Villa's Ashley Young made Sunderland pay for
8 Shots on 3 conceding two free kicks in dangerous positions, as
8 Fouls 9 the home side came from behind to cement their place
5 Corners 5 in the Premiership's top four. Sunderland led through
0 1 Cisse after 10 minutes but Young retaliated from 20
Offsides
yards out after being brought down by Miller. Then
45.0% Possess' 55.0%
Sunderland's Ferdinand handled just outside the box
10 Cards 10 and Young's deflected free kick found John Carew who
1 Saves 3 grabbed the winner. A decent performance from
2 Goals 1 Sunderland though, who pressed hard throughout the
Ref: P.Walton second half
Everton 52 Liverpool Match Commentary

4 Shots 11
2 Shots on 6 After having scored only once previously this season,
17 Fouls 20 Liverpool's Torres netted twice in 3 minutes to earn
7 Corners 4 the points in a hard fought match. Everton should
3 Offsides 1 have been ahead after just 14 minutes when Cahill
40.00% Possess' 60.00% failed to get a decent contact on Arteta's corner from
55 Cards 30 just a few yards out, and then Everton had a strong
3 Saves 0 penalty appeal turned down. Cahill was sent off after
0 Goals 2 80 minutes for a late challenge on Alonso
Ref: M.Riley
Fulham 53 West Ham Match Commentary

18 Shots 16 The final three minutes of the first half proved to be
6 Shots on 10 decisive here - West Ham scored twice in 2 minutes,
15 Fouls 13 and Fulham's Andy Johnson was sent off for picking up
2 Corners 4 a second yellow card, just before the half time whistle.
2 Offsides 2 Fulham had opened well enough and had a number of
49.0% Possess' 51.0% decent first half chances which they spurned - and
65 Cards 10 then their keeper Schwarzer spilled a cross which Cole
4 Saves 1 only needed to tap home. Then the Hammers
1 Goals 2 Etherington picked up a pass from inside his own half,
and showed good pace to go on and beat Schwarzer
Ref: A.Marriner
Man United 54 Bolton Match Commentary

31 Shots 10
24 Shots on 5
8 Fouls 10 Bolton feel that they were very hard done by ref
16 4 Styles, who awarded Man U a penalty when Trotters
Corners
defender Samuel clearly played the ball when he slid
1 Offsides 1
into Ronaldo on the hour mark. Wayne Rooney then
75.0% Possess' 25.0% doubled the home side's margin when curling a ball
0 Cards 30 into the net superbly after an exchange of passes with
2 Saves 11 Ronaldo
2 Goals 0
Ref: R.Styles
Boro 55 West Brom Match Commentary
21 Shots 14
13 Shots on 9
14 Fouls 13 Jonas Olsson's second half winner gave West Brom
11 Corners 8 their first away win of the season. The visitors then
4 Offsides 1 had to withstand tremendous pressure - with the
52.0% Possess' 48.0% former Boro midfielder James Morrison twice booting
20 Cards 40 goal-bound shots off the line, and Baggies keeper
7 Saves 10 Carson making a string of fine saves
0 Goals 1
Ref: C.Foy
Newcastle 56 Blackburn Match Commentary

4 Shots 9
2 Shots on 8 Joe Kinnear's arrival as the new manager at St James'
6 Fouls 19 park failed to inspire Newcastle to end their losing run.
5 Corners 5 However, after a very poor first half display when
2 Offsides 0 Blackburn took a 2-goal lead, the Magpies did at least
49.00% Possess' 51.00% stage a comeback. Michael Own clipped in a 51st
0 Cards 40 minute penalty after he was tripped, and Newcastle
4 Saves 1 continued to press for an equaliser until the final
1 Goals 2 whistle
Ref: S.Tanner
Stoke 57 Chelsea Match Commentary

5 Shots 14
2 Shots on 9
9 Fouls 6 Stoke were dealt a blow before the game started
5 Corners 5 when their long throw specialist Rory Delap was ruled
1 Offsides 2 out through injury. Chelsea always looked in control
31.0% Possess' 69.0% and easily out-shot and out-possessed the home side
20 Cards 10 throughout - but Stoke put in a gritty performance -
5 Saves 2 particularly in the second half
0 Goals 2
Ref: M.Atkinson
Portsmouth 58 Tottenham Match Commentary

8 Shots 15
6 Shots on 8 For the second Sunday running Spurs can feel
18 Fouls 13 aggrieved that they were denied a clear penalty - this
time when Pompey's Diarra clearly handled inside the
3 Corners 6
penalty box. Defoe opened the scoring for Portsmouth
5 Offsides 4
in the 34th minute, but Tottenham were working their
34.0% Possess' 66.0% way back into the match when their keeper parried a
65 Cards 30 shot he might have caught, and Crouch was on the
4 Saves 3 premises to head the ball home for Portsmouth's
2 Goals 0 second.
Ref: M.Dean
Wigan 59 Man City Match Commentary

9 Shots 11
4 Shots on 6 Amr Zaki converted a debatable penalty to give Wigan
12 Fouls 21 a narrow victory over City. Referee Bennett gave the
spot kick after Garrido was deemed to have brought
5 Corners 3
down Palacios - but the contact looked minimal. City
5 Offsides 2
were then denied a penalty of their own just before
34.0% Possess' 66.0% half time when Dunne went down in the box under
30 Cards 40 pressure from Heskey. Hughes made a number of
3 Saves 2 second-half changes to try to get his team back into
2 Goals 1 the match - including substituting both Jo and Elano
Ref: S.Bennett
Blackburn 60 Man Utd Match Commentary
6 Shots 18
3 Shots on 9
11 Fouls 8 Blackburn opened brightly, but the longer the game
3 Corners 4 went on the more United asserted themselves -and in
1 Offsides 3 the end the visitors recorded a convincing win.
38.0% Possess' 62.0% Berbatov is fitting in well and was creative, Rooney
20 Cards 10 and Brown also played notably well and Man U were
2 Saves 2 looking something like their old selves
0 Goals 2
Ref: S.Bennett
Sunderland 61 Arsenal Match Commentary

8 Shots 13 Cesc Fabregas came to Arsenal's rescue with an injury
5 Shots on 7 time strike to deny Sunderland three points.
10 Fouls 11 Sunderland had been below par in their previous
1 Corners 7 home game against Middlesboro - but there was no
4 1 denying their effort and determination here - though
Offsides
Arsenal's class ensured that Sunderland had to play
32.0% Possess' 68.0%
second fiddle for much of the match. It looked as
30 Cards 40 though the Black Cats had nabbed the win when
5 Saves 4 Leadbitter fired home in the 86th minute- assisted by
1 Goals 1 the underside of the crossbar - but then Fabregas hit
Ref: L.Mason back with a late equaliser
West Brom 62 Fulham Match Commentary

13 Shots 14
8 Shots on 5
10 Fouls 13 Fulham were without suspended striker Andy Johnson
8 6 - and seldom looked dangerous in front of goal. West
Corners
Brom had several chances in the first half, but wound
4 Offsides 2
the pressure up after the break and were good value
37.00% Possess' 63.00% for their 1-0 victory. The Baggies new right back,
20 Cards 10 Dutch under-21 international Gianni Zuiverloon
4 Saves 4 created a good impression
1 Goals 0
Ref: P.Dowd
Wigan 63 Boro Match Commentary

21 Shots 6
9 Shots on 2 Boro looked distinctly second best for almost the
10 Fouls 13 entire match - but managed to steal the points here.
8 Corners 2 Middlesboro were under almost constant pressure and
5 Offsides 3 can thank their goal keeper Ross Turnbull for keeping
59.0% Possess' 41.0% them in the game - and then Aliadere, who had been
30 Cards 0 unconvincing for most of the first 88 minutes, drilled
0 Saves 4 home Stewart Downing's knock-down header in the
0 Goals 1 89th
Ref: M.Atkinson
West Ham 64 Bolton Match Commentary

13 Shots 12 England goal keeper Robert Green blundered badly
5 Shots on 6 half an hour into the first half to (literally) hand Bolton
15 Fouls 8 their first goal of the afternoon - the keeper dropped a
7 Corners 7 rain-soaked ball at the feet of Bolton's Davies, who
5 1 hooked into an empty net. Then keeper Green failed
Offsides
to push a low shot wide enough and Cahill bundled in
66.0% Possess' 34.0%
from close range - and Bolton were well on their way
40 Cards 30 to an upset victory. Though Bolton were rather
3 Saves 2 flattered by the final score line, they gave as good as
1 Goals 3 they got for much of the match and will be desperate
Ref: M.Dean to build on this
Chelsea 65 Aston Villa Match Commentary
27 Shots 8
15 Shots on 3
11 Fouls 13 Chelsea had a whole raft of key players missing
7 1 through injury - Drogba, Deco, Carvalho and Essien -
Corners
but two first half goals were enough to sweep away
2 Offsides 3
top-4 club Aston Villa. In fact, Chelsea delivered a
61.0% Possess' 39.0% masterclass in passing and movement, and Villa
0 Cards 30 keeper Friedel had his work cut out to keep Chelsea's
1 Saves 12 score down to two
2 Goals 0
Ref: C.Foy
Everton 66 Newcastle Match Commentary

13 Shots 11
5 Shots on 9 Joe Kinnear's Newcastle showed plenty of fight and
18 Fouls 15 spirit to come back from two goals down to earn a
deserved point. Everton had moved into the lead with
3 Corners 5
an Arteta penalty and new boy Fellaini's first for the
1 Offsides 3
club - but Newcastle never gave up and scored twice
54.00% Possess' 46.00% in two minutes either side of half time. And were it not
10 Cards 30 for two desperate goal-line clearances by Leighton
3 Saves 2 Baines Everton might have lost their fourth
2 Goals 2 consecutive home game.
Ref: H.Webb
Man City 67 Liverpool Match Commentary

7 Shots 14
5 Shots on 7 Dirk Kuyt scored his first Premiership goal since
11 Fouls 12 November to secure a dramatic win for Liverpool. City
1 Corners 7 opened up a two-goal lead in the first half, with
1 Offsides 6 Liverpool's Torres pulling one back before City's
34.0% Possess' 66.0% Zabaleta was sent off - and from then on the
35 Cards 10 momentum was with the visitors - with Kuyt hitting
3 Saves 2 the injury-time winner after having missed a sitter
2 Goals 3 earlier.
Ref:
Portsmouth 68 Stoke Match Commentary

17 Shots 8
11 Shots on 5 This was Portsmouth's 7th game in 22 days - and they
7 Fouls 15 had to work hard to see off battling Stoke. Pompey
2 Corners 5 dominated early and looked set for a comfortable win
1 Offsides 1 - but their visitors kept plugging away - Rory Delap's
64.0% Possess' 36.0% long throw-in's causing some consternation, and Stoke
0 Cards 30 had one strong and one 'possible' penalty appeals
3 Saves 7 turned down. In the end though, Stoke's persistence
2 Goals 1 was not enough.
Ref: A.Marriner
Tottenham 69 Hull Match Commentary

27 Shots 10
16 Shots on 6 Geovanni's brilliant first-half free kick was enough to
15 Fouls 15 earn Hull the points - and keep the newly promoted
Cinderella side in the top three in the table.
12 Corners 0
Tottenham are at the wrong end of the league right
0 Offsides 8
now, and to add to their woes new striker
66.0% Possess' 34.0% Pavlyuchenko limped off in the first half. Tottenham
40 Cards 20 poured forward in search of an equaliser, but it was
4 Saves 6 not effort and determination they lacked - it was
0 Goals 1 organisation and a striker
Ref: R.Styles
Arsenal 70 Everton Match Commentary
22 Shots 7
14 Shots on 3
8 Fouls 13 Arsenal, with a re-shuffled defence because of
7 4 injuries, went a goal down in 9 minutes, but re-
Corners
grouped to fight back for a deserved victory. Everton
5 Offsides 5
might have had a second goal 7 minutes before half-
64.0% Possess' 36.0% time when Lescott's header was cleared off the line by
20 Cards 40 Clichy - but Arsenal upped the tempo in the second
1 Saves 8 half and created a string of chances
3 Goals 1
Ref: P.Walton
Aston Villa 71 Portsmouth Match Commentary

10 Shots 8 Not much goal-mouth action in this rather tame affair,
3 Shots on 3 though Portsmouth's Defoe missed a sitter from just 4
18 Fouls 19 yards out. A measure of the lack of action can be
11 Corners 2 gauged from the fact that Pompey keeper David
0 Offsides 0 James never had to make a save until the 75th
51.0% Possess' 49.0% minute. Davis was sent off with 10 minutes remaining
10 Cards 55 for a second bookable offence, and referee M.Riley
3 Saves 1 was guilty of making a bad match worse with his
0 Goals 0 incessant whistle blowing for minor or imaginary
offences
Ref: M.Riley
Bolton 72 Blackburn Match Commentary

10 Shots 8
4 Shots on 1
16 Fouls 12
Bolton carved out a number of decent chances in this
11 Corners 8
gritty derby encounter - but failed to convert any of
2 Offsides 5
them. Bolton were almost made to pay dearly for their
43.00% Possess' 57.00% misses when Blackburn's Villanueva hit the bar and
10 Cards 30 then Roberts headed wide from close ra
0 Saves 1
0 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
Fulham 73 Sunderland Match Commentary

13 Shots 14 Fulham ended a run of 4 defeats by clinging on for a
9 Shots on 7 point - but they were let off the hook by referee
12 Fouls 8 Stroud's decision to disallow a cracking 52nd minute
8 Corners 5 free kick goal from Richardson - and then by the
1 5 woodwork. The free kick 'goal' was disallowed because
Offsides
of supposed interference by Chimbonda in the Fulham
51.0% Possess' 49.0%
wall - but TV replays showed that Chimbonda was
10 Cards 10 innocent. Before that Richardson had seen a shot hit
4 Saves 5 both posts, then strike the woodwork again via
0 Goals 0 Cottagers keeper Schwarzer, who eventually grabbed
Ref: K.Stroud hold of it
Liverpool 74 Wigan Match Commentary

17 Shots 7
7 Shots on 4
10 Fouls 13 Liverpool fell behind twice to strikes from Zaki, but
5 2 came back to maintain their unbeaten home record in
Corners
2008 - however Wigan made them fight all the way.
4 Offsides 1
Wigan battled for everything and the match turned on
64.0% Possess' 36.0% the red card for Valencia with 16 minutes left -
10 Cards 35 Liverpool took advantage to score twice when Wigan
2 Saves 4 were down to 10 men
3 Goals 2
Ref: A.Wiley
Boro 75 Chelsea Match Commentary
7 Shots 21
4 Shots on 14
13 Fouls 9
Chelsea were still without a number of their stars,
5 Corners 7
Drogba, Carvalho, Essien, Cech, Ashley and Joe Cole -
2 Offsides 7
but it didn't stop them ripping the 'Boro defence apart.
30.0% Possess' 70.0% This is Chelsea's second stunning league performance
20 Cards 0 in a row, and they are looking brilliant just now
4 Saves 1
0 Goals 5
Ref: P.Dowd
Man United 76 West Brom Match Commentary

18 Shots 6
14 Shots on 2
11 Fouls 14 Wayne Rooney continued his good recent goal scoring
15 Corners 1 form for club and country to inspire Man United to a
4 Offsides 2 clinical victory over West Brom. Ronaldo and Berbatov
57.00% Possess' 43.00% also found the net in a devastating 15-minute spell
0 Cards 10 and Nani concluded the scoring in the final minute.
2 Saves 5 But it was a struggle until Rooney's strike in the 56th
4 Goals 0
Ref: M.Halsey
Hull 77 West Ham Match Commentary

12 Shots 13 Hull may be Premiership new boys - but they oozed
4 Shots on 5 confidence as they defeated yet another big name
11 Fouls 11 team from London - and moved themselves into third
3 Corners 5 place in the league. Hull fully deserved their win for
1 Offsides 2 their attacking intent, and they looked dangerous right
40.0% Possess' 60.0% up to the final whistle. The Hammers created a couple
20 Cards 10 of decent chances, but ended the match looking short
1 Saves 2 of attacking ideas - and the home side had the luxury
1 Goals 0 of being able to knock the ball around in the final
stages
Ref: C.Foy
Stoke 78 Tottenham Match Commentary

7 Shots 11 This game started badly for Spurs and steadily got
3 Shots on 6 worse. Key player Ledley King was absent because of
12 Fouls 12 injury, and after just 17 minutes Bale conceded a
6 Corners 1 penalty and was red carded - then late on Dawson
2 0 also saw red for a foot-up challenge. As if all this
Offsides
weren't enough Spurs defender Corluka suffered a
44.0% Possess' 56.0%
serious looking head injury. Spurs equalised Stoke's
10 Cards 70 penalty goal within 6 minutes - but the 10-man side
3 Saves 2 were unable to find the net again - and a miserable
2 Goals 1 day was completed when Stoke hit the winner shortly
Ref: L.Mason after half time
Newcastle 79 Man City Match Commentary

6 Shots 20 Stephen Ireland hit a late equaliser to earn Man City a
2 Shots on 8 2-2 draw after 10-man Newcastle had looked likely to
15 Fouls 15 pull off a rare and welcome home win. City took the
5 Corners 10 lead in debateable circumstances when Newcastle's
5 0 Beye conceded a penalty though replays showed that
Offsides
he got a touch on the ball. Newcastle equalised after
28.0% Possess' 72.0%
City were guilty of some seriously sloppy goal mouth
25 Cards 20 defending - and then went ahead when Manchester
6 Saves 1 skipper Dunne managed to put a swinging corner into
2 Goals 2 his own net. City responded with 4 minutes remaining
Ref: R.Styles Ireland tucked away a deserved equaliser
Blackburn 80 Boro Match Commentary
13 Shots 5
5 Shots on 2 Blackburn substitute Benni McCarthy headed an
17 Fouls 11 equaliser in the 3rd minute of extra time to salvage a
9 Corners 2 draw for the home side. A share of the points was the
6 Offsides 4 least that Blackburn deserved after dominating
63.0% Possess' 37.0% throughout and hitting the post through Santa Cruz in
30 Cards 10 the first half – though ‘Boro’s Tuncay (against the run
1 Saves 3 of play) had a ‘goal’ wrongly disallowed for offside –
1 Goals 1 also in the first half
Ref: M.Dean
Everton 81 Man Utd Match Commentary

13 Shots 18
9 Shots on 14 A classic 'game of two halves,' with Man Utd in the
17 Fouls 11 ascendancy in the first 45 minutes, and fully deserving
of their half-time lead - and Everton taking the
5 Corners 9
honours with a fiercely determined effort after the
1 Offsides 1
break. The home side had looked outplayed and on
40.0% Possess' 60.0% their way to defeat in the first half, but when they
30 Cards 30 decided to make the game a Cup-tie style epic in the
5 Saves 2 second period they forced United onto the book foot
1 Goals 1 and were rewarded with a deserved
Ref: A.Wiley
Sunderland 82 Newcastle Match Commentary

14 Shots 10
3 Shots on 5 Keiran Richardson was Sunderland's hero, a week
11 Fouls 11 after he was denied two goals against Fulham from
2 Corners 4 free kicks (one mysteriously disallowed by the referee
1 Offsides 0 and the other hitting the wood work) he made no
56.0% Possess' 44.0% mistake here with a 75th minute dead ball match
10 Cards 20 winner. Cisse was also in great form for the Black Cats
1 Saves 1 as Sunderland thwarted Newcastle's brave efforts to
2 Goals 1 drag themselves clear of the relegation zone
Ref: M.Riley
West Brom 83 Hull Match Commentary

24 Shots 16
16 Shots on 10 Hull produced yet another stunning performance to
12 Fouls 13 take maximum points and claim joint top spot in the
Premiership table!! The newly promoted Tigers were
14 Corners 5
second best to West Brom for long periods, but hit
5 Offsides 4
their hosts with 3 goals in a 19-minute spell in the
58.0% Possess' 42.0% second half. West Brom had their chances - and plenty
10 Cards 10 of them - but failed to find the net once, and it is not
6 Saves 8 the first time that the Baggies have outplayed
0 Goals 3 opponents this year and failed to score
Ref: L.Probert
Chelsea 84 Liverpool Match Commentary

14 Shots 8 Xabi Alonso's deflected first half goal ended Chelsea's
5 Shots on 3 86-game unbeaten home league record, and sent
17 Fouls 13 Liverpool 3 points clear at the top of the Premiership.
4 Corners 2 This was a see-saw match in which first one side and
4 Offsides 1 then the other created chances, and there could easily
61.0% Possess' 39.0% have been several more goals. Though Chelsea
30 Cards 30 produced plenty of neat approach work their final ball
2 Saves 2 into the box often let them down - and Liverpool came
0 Goals 1 closest to adding to the score when an Alonso second
half shot rebounded to safety off the foot of a post
Ref: H.Webb
Tottenham 85 Bolton Match Commentary
19 Shots 10 Bolton, who had Gavin McCann sent off, gave Spurs
9 Shots on 3 some nervous moments, but Redknapp will have been
9 Fouls 16 encouraged by decent contributions from key players
3 Corners 4 who had struggled under ex-manager Ramos. David
4 Offsides 0 Bentley, dropped by Ramos for some outspoken
63.0% Possess' 37.0% comments, helped set up Spurs first goal - a header
0 Cards 55 from 12 yards by Pavlyuchenko that went in off a
3 Saves 6 post, and the home side were rightly awarded a
2 Goals 0 penalty 16 minutes from time when the Bolton keeper
felled Bent in the box.
Ref: A.Marriner
Man City 86 Stoke Match Commentary

18 Shots 9
12 Shots on 6 Robinho produced a touch of Brazilian magic to score
12 Fouls 16 his first Man city hat-trick. At 32 million pounds
6 Corners 8 Robinho did not come cheap, but his three clinical
1 Offsides 4 finishes showed why Mark Hughes smashed the British
56.0% Possess' 44.0% transfer record to get him. Stoke countered with a
10 Cards 0 strong physical display, but their creativity level could
6 Saves 7 not match that of their hosts, and they could not
3 Goals 0 complain about the decisive score l
Ref: S.Tanner
Wigan 87 Aston Villa Match Commentary

17 Shots 9
5 Shots on 7 Gabriel Agbonlahor had a fine game, creating two of
14 Fouls 8 Villa's goals and scoring another. Agbonlahor's pace
9 Corners 4 and skill were too much for Wigan as he won a first
0 Offsides 5 half penalty and stole the show in the second half with
57.0% Possess' 43.0% a predatory strike and a brilliant assist. Wigan never
10 Cards 20 gave up trying and had a number of half chances of
3 Saves 3 their own, but this was a day when their finishing
0 Goals 4 skills deserted them
Ref: M.Jones
West Ham 88 Arsenal Match Commentary

7 Shots 20 Arsenal capitalised on a poor weekend for title rivals
3 Shots on 10 Man U and Chelsea to secure maximum points from a
13 Fouls 9 hard-fought win over the Hammers. The Gunners,
4 Corners 9 fresh from a 5-2 Champions League mid-week win
3 Offsides 0 over Fenerbahce, had to dig deep for their win, which
42.0% Possess' 58.0% came courtesy of an own goal from Flaubert who
45 Cards 30 deflected a shot into his own net deep in the second
5 Saves 4 half - which was harsh on inspired Hammers keeper
0 Goals 2 Green, before Adebayor wrapped it up with a second
in stoppage time
Ref: P.Dowd
Portsmouth 89 Fulham Match Commentary

21 Shots 9 Peter Crouch fired Pompey ahead after 61 minutes
12 Shots on 5 from Jermain Defoe's pass, to raise hopes that
7 Fouls 7 Portsmouth's first match after the defection of
8 Corners 6 manager Harry Redknapp to Spurs would be a 3-
3 Offsides 2 pointer. However Fulham kept battling, even though
51.0% Possess' 49.0% they had lost 4 of their last 5 games, and managed to
0 Cards 0 snatch a late equaliser 3 minutes before the final
4 Saves 6 whistle. Portsmouth created enough chances to have
1 Goals 1 put this game to bed, and it took a sparkling display
from Fulham keeper Schwarzer to keep them out
Ref: M.Halsey
Newcastle 90 West Brom Match Commentary
10 Shots 14
5 Shots on 4 Newcastle got off to a bright start and had two scoring
13 Fouls 11 opportunities in the first 3 minutes - their pressure
brought a reward when Ameobi was brought down in
7 Corners 8
the box and Barton scored from the spot. West Brom
6 Offsides 2
regrouped and enjoyed plenty of possession without
38.0% Possess' 62.0% being able to find a goal - and paid the penalty for
0 Cards 40 their lack of finishing power when grabbed a second
2 Saves 3 before the break. From then on the visitors had an
2 Goals 1 uphill task
Ref: M.Dean
Liverpool 91 Portsmouth Match Commentary

21 Shots 4
10 Shots on 1 Tony Adams, in his first match in charge at Pompey
13 Fouls 22 after the departure of Harry Redknapp, saw his team
hold on until 14 minutes from the end. Liverpool
7 Corners 1
applied plenty of pressure right from the start - but
4 Offsides 5
the longer the game went on the more comfortable
57.0% Possess' 43.0% Portsmouth began to look - then after 76 minutes
0 Cards 30 Hypia's header appeared goal-bound until Diop threw
1 Saves 4 up his arms and connected with the ball - and Gerrard
1 Goals 0 slotted the penalty
Ref: S.Tanner
Hull 92 Chelsea Match Commentary

10 Shots 27
5 Shots on 11 Hull put high-flying Hull firmly in their place to get
11 Fouls 13 back to winning ways in the Premiership after their
home loss to Liverpool at the weekend. Hull went into
5 Corners 5
this match separated from Chelsea in the Premiership
3 Offsides 1
table only by goal difference - but a stunning strike
42.00% Possess' 58.00% from Lampard after just 2 minutes established the
0 Cards 20 Blues superiority. The Tigers then hit a post, but
3 Saves 4 Chelsea's Anelka pounced on a mistake and Malouda
0 Goals 3 struck from close range to settle the contest
Ref: A.Marriner
Arsenal 93 Tottenham Match Commentary

20 Shots 9 Tottenham's revival looks well under way, as Spurs
12 Shots on 6 grabbed a last gasp equaliser after being 4-2 down
8 Fouls 17 with just one minute to play. Trailing to Spurs
9 Corners 1 stunning opener from Bentley, Arsenal exposed their
1 3 neighbours' weakness at defending set-pieces to lead
Offsides
through Silvestre and Gallas. Adebayor added another
66.0% Possess' 34.0%
for the home side before Bent pulled one back - and
10 Cards 40 then Van Persie scored his 50th goal for the Gunners
2 Saves 5 to give them a 4-2 lead. But battling Spurs didn't give
4 Goals 4 up, and scored twice in the last 2 minutes to pull off
Ref: M.Atkinson an unlikely draw
Man United 94 West Ham Match Commentary

21 Shots 4
12 Shots on 1 Newly crowned world player of the year Cristaino
10 Fouls 9 Ronaldo produced a first half double to sink West Ham
3 Corners 1 - his first goal owing everything to some fine play
2 Offsides 5 from newly-arrived Berbatov. United dominated and
59.0% Possess' 41.0% could easily have had more than just 2 goals, with
10 Cards 20 Tevez and Rooney both going close - but in truth
2 Saves 7 United's 3 points were never in danger after Ronaldo's
2 Goals 0 first goal in the 14th minute
Ref: P.Walton
Aston Villa 95 Blackburn Match Commentary
8 Shots 11 Gareth Barry hit the target for the third successive
4 Shots on 5 match as Villa came from behind to sustain their
5 Fouls 17 challenge for a top-four place in the Premiership.
4 Corners 5 Visitors Blackburn had stunned their hosts when
7 3 taking a first-half lead, with Villa struggling to find
Offsides
their rhythm. Aston Villa have played a heavy
42.0% Possess' 58.0%
schedule recently, but they can now produce plenty of
0 Cards 10 fire-power from the middle of the park through
2 Saves 1 Agbonlahor, Carew, Young and Barry too - and once
3 Goals 2 they found their stride their numerous attacking
Ref: K.Stroud options became too much for Blackburn
Boro 96 Man City Match Commentary

5 Shots 13 Middlesboro put in a workmanlike performance here to
3 Shots on 8 frustrate City and claim all 3 points in a match they
10 Fouls 15 could easily have lost. Boro keeper Ross Turnbull
3 Corners 3 played his part with a series of fine saves to keep his
6 4 side in the game when City were threatening to
Offsides
dominate the contest. Boro sneaked into the lead after
41.00% Possess' 59.00%
being awarded a second half penalty - though City
10 Cards 30 players were adamant that the penalty incident
8 Saves 2 occurred outside the box. Boro added a clinching goal
2 Goals 0 5 minutes into stoppage time to leave City regretting
Ref: L.Mason their missed opportunities
Bolton 97 Everton Match Commentary

18 Shots 11 Marouane Fellaini headed home in the last minute to
12 Shots on 7 give Everton their first win in 9 games, and heap more
17 Fouls 12 misery on the shoulders of under-fire Bolton manager
5 Corners 3 Gary Megson. Everton's record 15 million signing from
1 Offsides 0 Standard Liege followed his equaliser last weekend
47.0% Possess' 53.0% against Man United by scoring from a Pienaar cross.
10 Cards 20 Pienaar and Fellaini both looked suspiciously offside,
2 Saves 6 but the goal was given and furious Trotters fans took
0 Goals 1 their frustration out on their team - who were booed
off
Ref: P.Dowd
Fulham 98 Wigan Match Commentary

7 Shots 5 Andy Johnson opened his goal-scoring account for
2 Shots on 2 Fulham with a double - and sent Wigan crashing to
9 Fouls 14 their fourth successive defeat. Johnson's opener,
2 Corners 2 looked a good yard offside, but his second was well
taken, with Bullard the provider. Wigan conceded
3 Offsides 6
plenty of possession early on, and offside or not,
48.0% Possess' 52.0%
Fulham were value for their 11th minute lead. The
0 Cards 20 quality of the game gradually deteriorated with both
2 Saves 0 sides giving the ball away too easily, and Wigan never
2 Goals 0 looked like getting back level after Johnson's second in
Ref: H.Webb the 60th minute
Stoke 99 Sunderland Match Commentary

9 Shots 9
6 Shots on 4 Ricardo Fuller's second half header gave Stoke all 3
10 Fouls 8 points against Sunderland - and lifted the Potters out
of the Premiership relegation zone. Rory Delap was
4 Corners 4
the architect of Stoke's goal with one of his trademark
0 Offsides 2
long throws - Fuller rising above the defence to nod
43.0% Possess' 57.0% home from 6 yards. Sunderland evidently targeted
20 Cards 10 this game as a possible 'away' win, and came with
2 Saves 3 plenty of attacking intentions, but failed to unlock a
1 Goals 0 determined Stoke defence
Ref: C.Foy
Chelsea 100 Sunderland Match Commentary
17 Shots 1
11 Shots on 0
5 Fouls 11
Sunderland boss Roy Keane made five changes to the
4 Corners 0
side that were beaten by Stoke midweek - but to no
4 Offsides 1
avail - the Black Cats produced virtually nothing of
71.0% Possess' 29.0% any worth as Chelsea strolled to a comprehensive
0 Cards 10 victory - practically unchallenged by their visitors
0 Saves 4
5 Goals 0
Ref: M.Atkinson
Everton 101 Fulham Match Commentary

9 Shots 15
4 Shots on 5 Ex Man United striker Louis Saha scored his first goal
11 Fouls 15 for Everton in the dying minutes of the match - and
6 Corners 5 secured all three points for the Goodison club. This
4 Offsides 2 was a low-key game from both sides, with few
55.0% Possess' 45.0% moments of goal mouth excitement, and Everton just
0 Cards 0 about deserved the win - particularly as they were
3 Saves 1 refused what appeared to be a clear penalty in the
1 Goals 0 first half.
Ref: L.Mason
Man United 102 Hull Match Commentary

20 Shots 11
11 Shots on 7
12 Fouls 13 They didn't win, but Hull's never-say-die attitude
9 1 when facing the Premiership's big guns won plenty of
Corners
new admirers in this pulsating clash. At 4-1 up just
2 Offsides 1
before the hour mark United might have been
54.00% Possess' 46.00% expected to cruise home - instead they were severely
20 Cards 20 rattled by Hull's battling fight back - and in the end
3 Saves 5 had to hang on for the points
4 Goals 3
Ref: M.Dean
Boro 103 West Ham Match Commentary

11 Shots 13
7 Shots on 8
10 Fouls 14 Mido came off the bench to help sluggish Boro claim a
5 4 share of the points. The visitors had dominated large
Corners
periods of the game and took a deserved lead in the
5 Offsides 3
21st minute when Mullins volleyed home. But second
49.0% Possess' 51.0% half substitute Mido, a replacement for lack-lustre
30 Cards 40 Alves, smashed an 83rd minute free kick past
4 Saves 4 Hammers keeper Green
1 Goals 1
Ref: A.Marriner
Portsmouth 104 Wigan Match Commentary

16 Shots 12
8 Shots on 8 Emile Heskey ended Wigan's miserable (and
9 Fouls 11 somewhat unlucky) run of four defeats with a late
9 Corners 6 winner. The scoring started when Pompey's Diop gave
1 Offsides 5 away his second penalty in four days, but Portsmouth
57.0% Possess' 43.0% fought back and looked to have secured a share of the
0 Cards 30 points when substitute Kranjcar equalised 8 minutes
4 Saves 3 from time - but Pompey lost discipline at the back in
1 Goals 2 the closing minutes and Heskey pounced
Ref: P.Walton
Stoke 105 Arsenal Match Commentary
7 Shots 13
5 Shots on 6 Long throw specialist Rory Delap continued his
11 Fouls 7 terrorisation of Premiership defences - setting up both
of Stoke's goals and sending Arsenal's season into
3 Corners 5
crisis. It was a case of things going from bad to worse
3 Offsides 0
for the Gunners after their dramatic 4-4 draw with
28.0% Possess' 72.0% Spurs 3 days ago - they had Van Persie sent off and
40 Cards 45 Walcott and Adebayor both took knocks. Stoke were
3 Saves 1 determined and physical in defence and Delap's efforts
2 Goals 1 caused their visitors much consternation
Ref: R.Styles
Tottenham 106 Liverpool Match Commentary

7 Shots 14 Roman Pavlyuchenko pounced on the stroke of full
3 Shots on 6 time to grab 3 points for Spurs and lift them off the
18 Fouls 13 foot of the Premiership table. Liverpool enjoyed long
4 Corners 4 spells of domination and should have added to Kuyt's
0 4 3rd minute sizzler, but Gerrard and Alonso in
Offsides
particular missed a couple of great chances - and then
44.00% Possess' 56.00%
Jamie Carragher rose high above the Spurs attackers
10 Cards 20 to nod into his own net. That was all the
2 Saves 1 encouragement Harry Redknapp's needed - and their
2 Goals 1 strong finish conjured up their second 90th minute
Ref: P.Dowd goal of the week.
West Brom 107 Blackburn Match Commentary

15 Shots 9 Blackburn took a 13th minute lead after West Brom's
8 Shots on 5 Ryan Donk needlessly gave away a penalty - the same
13 Fouls 18 player also gave away a spot kick at Newcastle
2 Corners 3 midweek. But the Baggies responded with 2 second
4 Offsides 4 half strikes in a match that they dominated for long
65.0% Possess' 35.0% periods - not difficult to do as Blackburn's McCarthy
30 Cards 20 was sent off 5 minutes before half time for a second
4 Saves 5 bookable offence. West Brom looked headed for a
2 Goals 2 deserved 3 points until Andrews angled strike found
them out in the dying seconds
Ref: M.Jones
Bolton 108 Man City Match Commentary

20 Shots 11
12 Shots on 6 Bolton substitute Ricardo Gardner eased the pressure
15 Fouls 20 on under-fire Bolton boss Gary Megson with a goal
6 Corners 1 and an assist to lift his side off the bottom of the
4 Offsides 3 league. This was no classic game but Bolton keeper
43.0% Possess' 57.0% Jaaskelainen did make 3 world class saves to keep
10 Cards 10 City off the score sheet - and Bolton's first goal when
5 Saves 3 it came was their first in 5 hours and 50 minutes of
2 Goals 0 football
Ref: M.Riley
Newcastle 109 Aston Villa Match Commentary

11 Shots 6 The relegation zone Magpies gave themselves a
7 Shots on 1 tremendous boost with a deserved win over high flying
13 Fouls 21 Aston Villa. Newcastle played with great determination
2 Corners 6 and their man of the match was undoubtedly Obafemi
1 Offsides 2 Martins who scored a cracking first goal from outside
58.0% Possess' 42.0% the box, and added a second courtesy of some
40 Cards 30 intelligent goal-mouth play. Aston Villa had goal
1 Saves 1 scoring chances, but they couldn't match Newcastle's
2 Goals 0 overall endeavour and can have no complaints about
the result
Ref: S.Bennett
Arsenal 110 Man United Match Commentary
11 Shots 17 This was Arsenal's first game of the season against
7 Shots on 9 one of their 'big four' rivals, and they came out on
16 Fouls 7 top. Arsenal's first goal had a touch of the fortunate
5 Corners 6 about it - Nasri's shot looked covered until it took a
1 2 wicked deflection and left Van der Sar stranded in the
Offsides
United goal. Narsr's second came shortly after half
46.0% Possess' 54.0%
time when Fabregas wriggled past Neville and saw
30 Cards 20 Nasri unmarked in the penalty area - the French
5 Saves 3 youngster had time and space to pick his spot. United
2 Goals 1 spurned a number of good chances until they finally
Ref: H.Webb netted in stoppage time
Wigan 111 Stoke Match Commentary

22 Shots 2
14 Shots on 1 Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen made a number of
10 Fouls 12 fine saves to secure the unambitious Potters another
6 Corners 3 valuable Premiership point. This game was far from
0 Offsides 3 being a classic, but the one-way traffic was all headed
66.0% Possess' 34.0% towards Stoke's penalty area, and Stoke never
10 Cards 30 managed a shot of their own until the 55th minute.
1 Saves 6 Wigan will be disappointed not to have picked up 3
0 Goals 0 points - Stoke were delighted with their haul of 1.
Ref: M.Riley
Hull 112 Bolton Match Commentary

16 Shots 10 Matt Taylor's 50th minute goal gave Bolton the points
11 Shots on 6 and sent Hull to their third successive defeat - but the
15 Fouls 10 real Bolton hero was their keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
6 Corners 7 After Bolton had taken the lead early in the second
4 Offsides 1 half, Jaaskelainen then had to produce a brilliant one-
52.00% Possess' 48.00% man show to keep Hull at bay and his side ahead. Hull
10 Cards 20 played well and with spirit for no reward - Bolton, re-
1 Saves 6 vitalised after beating Man City 2-0 last time did
0 Goals 1 enough to raise hopes of a future outside the
relegation zone
Ref: A.Wiley
Liverpool 113 West Brom Match Commentary

11 Shots 4 Keane, who had scored only twice previously since his
10 Shots on 2 move from Spurs in the summer (both goals in the
10 Fouls 8 Champions League) opened his Premiership account
3 Corners 7 when driving home a Steven Gerrard pass - and then
7 3 rounded Baggies keeper Scott Carson to slot his
Offsides
second - Arbeloa added gloss to the score sheet in
52.0% Possess' 48.0%
injury time. West Brom came with an attack-minded
20 Cards 10 game plan and opted for two strikers up front - and
2 Saves 6 they never stopped trying to create chances - but
3 Goals 0 Liverpool's defence proved more than a match for
Ref: P.Walton them.
Sunderland 114 Portsmouth Match Commentary

9 Shots 10 Jermaine Defoe struck an injury time penalty to claim
6 Shots on 5 the points - and give new Pompey boss Tony Adams
8 Fouls 10 his first win - after Sunderland had failed to convert a
8 Corners 3 number of solid scoring opportunities. To name three
of those chances - Cisse was twice denied by fine
7 Offsides 2
saves from David James, had a headed 'goal'
51.0% Possess' 49.0%
disallowed for offside, and Richardson hit a post with
20 Cards 10 the Pompey keeper beaten. Sunderland played well
2 Saves 4 without getting a point, and Portsmouth deserve credit
1 Goals 2 for their determination in coming back from an early
Ref: S.Bennett deficit.
West Ham 115 Everton Match Commentary
15 Shots 12 Everton produced a stunning fightback to crush the
13 Shots on 7 Hammers with three goals in an amazing 5 minutes
9 Fouls 10 near the end of the game. West Ham looked to be
9 Corners 4 cruising to three points when sub Jack Collison scored
1 Offsides 0 on his home debut - but an equaliser in the 83rd
57.0% Possess' 43.0% minute from Joleon Lescott was followed by a superb
10 Cards 10 double-strike from Louis Saha to crown a cracking
2 Saves 4 Everton revival. The Hammers created plenty of
1 Goals 3 chances but failed to put them away - unlike Saha
who has now scored three goals in his last two games
Ref: M.Halsey
Blackburn 116 Chelsea Match Commentary

8 Shots 18 Chelsea gave an assured and confident display to take
3 Shots on 13 the full three points - and hand manager Scolari a
14 Fouls 11 60th birthday present. Anelka scored both goals - one
5 Corners 9 by pure luck and the other courtesy of his striker's
0 Offsides 1 flair. Blackburn have not won now in 6 Premiership
48.00% Possess' 52.00% games, and never looked like winning this one - only
20 Cards 10 their keeper Paul Robinson kept the score respectable.
8 Saves 2 Chelsea ace Didier Drogba didn't play and wasn't even
0 Goals 2 on the bench - it seems clear that Anelka is Scolari's
favoured striking option.
Ref: C.Foy
Aston Villa 117 Boro Match Commentary

14 Shots 15 Boro's Tuncay Sanli capitalised on a dreadful mistake
9 Shots on 8 by Villa's Steve Sidwell with 2 minutes remaining to
13 Fouls 5 grab all 3 points for his side and end Villa's long
7 Corners 4 unbeaten home run. Sanli had opened the scoring on
1 Offsides 2 34 minutes - but Villa equalised almost immediately.
47.0% Possess' 53.0% Boro should have gone ahead again with 8 minutes
20 Cards 20 remaining, but Alves somehow produced one of the
4 Saves 7 misses of the season with the goal at his mercy. An
1 Goals 2 open and entertaining game, but Villa looked to be
missing Carew who failed a late fitness test
Ref: R.Styles
Fulham 118 Newcastle Match Commentary

11 Shots 13 Andy Johnson struck in the 23rd minute - a just
6 Shots on 7 reward for Fulham who dominated the first half.
13 Fouls 11 Newcastle looked much more purposeful after the
6 Corners 1 break (Joe Kinnear's team talk?) and Ameobi
3 Offsides 3 equalised from 3 yards out as the hour approached.
45.0% Possess' 55.0% The Magpies had several good chances to score again
20 Cards 20 but couldn't convert them - then against the run of
3 Saves 2 play Fulham moved back into the lead from the
2 Goals 1 penalty spot, when the lively Johnson was clipped
running into the area
Ref: M.Atkinson
Man City 119 Tottenham Match Commentary

9 Shots 14 City went into the lead after 16 minutes through
7 Shots on 9 Robhinho, but 10 minutes later had Fernandes sent off
12 Fouls 13 for a second bookable offence - and that was a
4 Corners 5 significant turning point. Just 3 minutes later Spurs
1 Offsides 3 equalised through Bent, and went on to take the lead
40.0% Possess' 60.0% half way through the second period through the same
60 Cards 45 player. Whatever slim chance City had of getting back
4 Saves 6 into the game evaporated when their captain Dunne
1 Goals 2 was also red-carded in the 83rd minute, for hauling
down the hat-trick seeking Bent.
Ref: M.Dean
Arsenal 120 Aston Villa Match Commentary
11 Shots 9 Arsenal suffered a major setback to their title
7 Shots on 6 campaign as Agbonlahor earned victory for Aston Villa.
9 Fouls 22 Ashley Young had a first-half penalty saved, but then
8 Corners 5 set up the opener with his cross to Agbonlahor -
1 Offsides 2 though it did appear that Arsenal's Clichy got the final
68.0% Possess' 32.0% touch before the ball went into the net. Agbonlahor
20 Cards 40 added a second goal 10 minutes from time. Villa
5 Saves 5 opened really well and should have led at the half,
0 Goals 2 even without the missed penalty, and they continued
to take the game to their hosts in the second period.
Ref: M.Riley
Blackburn 121 Sunderland Match Commentary

16 Shots 10 Dijbril Cisse helped Sunderland to a rousing comeback
8 Shots on 4 - the French striker scored the winner after 71
9 Fouls 9 minutes to end a run of 3 straight league defeats for
11 Corners 9 the Black Cats. Blackburn dominated the first half but
0 3 only had Samba's 45th minute strike to show for it,
Offsides
and have now won only 1 of 7 league games at home.
50.0% Possess' 50.0%
Sunderland came out in determined mood in the
30 Cards 40 second half and Jones scored the equaliser with a
3 Saves 6 clever overhead kick - that fired the visitors up - and
1 Goals 2 they took the lead when Cisse artfully chipped the
Ref: S.Tanner Blackburn keeper
Bolton 122 Liverpool Match Commentary

15 Shots 15 Liverpool survived some nervous moments - and
9 Shots on 6 Bolton's full-blooded approach - to eventually record a
7 Fouls 7 convincing victory. Torres, who started on the bench
7 Corners 3 after a lack-lustre mid-week Carling Cup performance,
1 Offsides 5 later came on and created Liverpool's second for
42.00% Possess' 58.00% Steven Gerrard - after Kuyt had scored with a fine
10 Cards 10 loping header. Referee Rob Styles, never far from
2 Saves 6 controversy these days, was booed off by home fans
0 Goals 2 at half time after disallowing a Bolton goal from Cahill
for an alleged infringement seconds earlier
Ref: R.Styles
Fulham 123 Tottenham Match Commentary

16 Shots 7 This was Spurs first defeat in 7 matches since Harry
14 Shots on 3 Redknapp took over as manager. Though Spurs
2 Fouls 10 keeper Gomes made several fine stops, he also made
10 Corners 3 (yet another) disastrous blunder to concede Spurs
1 Offsides 4 first goal, and was powerless to stop Andy Johnson's
50.0% Possess' 50.0% clinical finish with the second. Tottenham struggled to
10 Cards 0 impose themselves on the game against hard-working
1 Saves 9 Fulham, and the Spurs striker Bent was replaced late
2 Goals 1 on by rookie Campbell - who netted in the 81st minute
- too little and too late
Ref:
Man United 124 Stoke Match Commentary

21 Shots 3
15 Shots on 1
5 Fouls 15 Cristiano Ronaldo's 100th and 101st goals for Man U
3 0 made it a double cause for celebration, as United
Corners
marked 50 years in the game for Sir Alex Ferguson
2 Offsides 1
with a comfortable win over Stoke. Stoke were their
67.0% Possess' 33.0% usual robust selves, but United had all the class on the
10 Cards 20 field and the result was never in doubt United's first
0 Saves 7 goal after just 3 minutes.
5 Goals 0
Ref: P.Walton
Newcastle 125 Wigan Match Commentary
17 Shots 12
9 Shots on 7 Wigan were handicapped by having both first choice
9 Fouls 12 strikers, Zaki and Heskey, absent through injury, but
led after 3 minutes through Taylor's dipping 20-yard
4 Corners 10
volley. The Magpies were poor in the first half, and
0 Offsides 6
though they improved in the second period, Wigan
66.0% Possess' 34.0% were still creating chances. Newcastle thought they
10 Cards 55 had it won with 2 goals in the 80th and 87th minutes,
4 Saves 2 but Magpies old boy Bramble salvaged a well-deserved
2 Goals 2 point for Wigan in the dying seconds
Ref: A.Marriner
West Brom 126 Chelsea Match Commentary

13 Shots 15
3 Shots on 9
7 Fouls 10 Chelsea's win over the Baggies equalled Tottenham's
3 10 48-year old record of 10 successive 'away' wins in the
Corners
top flight. Chelsea's comfortable success came
0 Offsides 5
courtesy of 3 goals in just 12 minutes before half
38.00% Possess' 62.00% time, and though West Brom played some good
0 Cards 30 passing football they lacked a cutting edge up front
3 Saves 2 and are vulnerable in defence
0 Goals 3
Ref: S.Bennett
West Ham 127 Portsmouth Match Commentary

11 Shots 11 West Ham kept their first clean sheet in 25 matches,
5 Shots on 7 but it was of little consolation to manager Zola whose
6 Fouls 11 team were jeered off after their 7th consecutive game
8 Corners 7 without a win. Portsmouth looked the livelier side
1 Offsides 2 during the first half and went close to scoring on
53.0% Possess' 47.0% several occasions. Although the Hammers dominated
0 Cards 10 much of the second half Portsmouth remained a threat
6 Saves 5 -even without Diarra, who went off injured after 20
0 Goals 0 minutes, and Sol Campbell and Niko Kranjcar who
were on the bench injured throughout.
Ref: M.Atkinson
Everton 128 Boro Match Commentary

15 Shots 11
7 Shots on 3 Yakubu scored against his former club to earn a draw
11 Fouls 13 and stretch Everton's unbeaten run to five games.
Boro had taken an early lead through O'Neil's 12-yard
11 Corners 1
strike, and Everton pressed Boro for most of the
3 Offsides 2
remainder of the match, out-cornering their visitors
64.0% Possess' 36.0% 11-1. But this was a day when little seemed to go
0 Cards 20 right for the home side, and their equaliser even had a
1 Saves 3 touch of ineptitude about it - a free kick deflecting into
1 Goals 1 the net off Yakubu's back
Ref: H.Webb
Hull 129 Man City Match Commentary

11 Shots 12 Robhinho was lively - but was overshadowed by team-
6 Shots on 8 mate Stephen Ireland who grabbed both the visitor's
15 Fouls 16 goals. Hull's first score was the result of a terrible
3 Corners 6 defensive howler from Tal Ben Haim - City's Richards
2 4 rolled the ball to his defensive partner, and with only
Offsides
Cousin in attendance and minimal pressure on him,
52.0% Possess' 48.0%
Ben Haim inexplicably played the striker in 6 yards
20 Cards 30 from goal - gift gratefully accepted. City created more
1 Saves 2 chances than the home side, and could have won the
2 Goals 2 match in the final minute when Hull keeper Myhill had
Ref: P.Dowd to beat away a Vassell shot at his near post
Aston Villa 130 Man Utd Match Commentary
10 Shots 12
7 Shots on 7 Wayne Rooney was guilty of a glaring miss as Man U
12 Fouls 15 blew the opportunity to close the gap on Premiership
leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, who had both drawn
3 Corners 6
earlier. Rooney squandered United's best chance of
2 Offsides 2
the match when he blazed over the bar from close
37.0% Possess' 63.0% range in the second half. United were the better side
10 Cards 0 in the opening 45minutes but in the second half it was
2 Saves 4 Villa who looked more likely to grab the 3 points - in
0 Goals 0 the end a draw was not an unfair result
Ref: C.Foy
Chelsea 131 Newcastle Match Commentary

25 Shots 2
14 Shots on 0 Chelsea squandered a great chance to pull clear at the
12 Fouls 13 top of the Premiership as stubborn Newcastle
somehow held them to a goalless draw. Chelsea
8 Corners 1
completely dominated the game, but could not find a
3 Offsides 0
way of putting one of their numerous chances into the
70.0% Possess' 30.0% net. Chelsea spent most of the second half camped in
0 Cards 20 Newcastle territory, but lack of a final penetrating ball
0 Saves 9 reduced them to firing from distance in the closing
0 Goals 0 stage
Ref: P.Dowd
Liverpool 132 Fulham Match Commentary

18 Shots 6
7 Shots on 6 Fulham, who have never won at Anfield, rarely looked
7 Fouls 6 like doing so this time - but their dogged performance
9 Corners 3 won them only their second away point of the season.
0 Offsides 1 Liverpool, despite the return from injury of Torres,
57.00% Possess' 43.00% lacked ideas and inspiration, and Steven Gerrard
0 Cards 0 wasn't on hand to win the game for them on this
5 Saves 6 occasion, he was absent suffering the effects of a torn
0 Goals 0 groin muscle
Ref: M.Halsey
Man City 133 Arsenal Match Commentary

12 Shots 11 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sacked William
8 Shots on 5 Gallas from the captaincy for newspaper comments he
16 Fouls 9 had made, left the Frenchman out of the team - and
3 Corners 3 then saw the Gunners demolished by City. Stephen
7 1 Ireland scored first, a lead that City deserved on the
Offsides
balance of play, Robinho then struck a wonder goal,
34.0% Possess' 66.0%
and Sturridge added a third from the penalty spot in
0 Cards 10 injury time. As well as Gallas Arsenal were also
4 Saves 4 without Walcott, Fabregas, Toure and Adebayor - and
3 Goals 0 it showed. The Gunners still managed to create
Ref: A.Wiley several chances
Boro 134 Bolton Match Commentary

18 Shots 11 Bolton's record signing, the Swede Johan Elmander
5 Shots on 5 registered a stunning late strike to sink Boro 3-1.
10 Fouls 15 Elmander had been axed by his national side and
8 Corners 0 failed to score for Bolton since the opening day of the
5 Offsides 3 season. Boro never really deserved anything from this
70.0% Possess' 30.0% game, and found themselves 2 goals down after just
20 Cards 50 10 minutes. Though Boro played better as the game
2 Saves 5 went on, scoring in the 77th minute, their hopes were
1 Goals 3 crushed when Elmander crashed home a terrific left
foot drive a minute later
Ref: M.Atkinson
Portsmouth 135 Hull Match Commentary
14 Shots 13 Hull came from behind twice to pick up yet another
7 Shots on 6 Premier League point away from home. But Pompey
13 Fouls 13 must be regretting failing to convert some excellent
7 Corners 7 chances to bury the battling Tigers - and they could
1 3 certainly have used the services of striker Jermain
Offsides
Defoe, out injured. Portsmouth opened brightly and
51.0% Possess' 49.0%
were in front after 20 minutes, but this Hull side kept
20 Cards 10 on trying and found an equaliser 10 minutes into the
4 Saves 2 second half - which inspired the visitors to play some
2 Goals 2 solid football and cause Portsmouth problems - in the
Ref: S.Atwell end Hull deserved their point
Stoke 136 West Brom Match Commentary

9 Shots 10 Mamady Sidibe headed a late winner for Stoke, and
7 Shots on 2 sent West Brom to their third consecutive defeat. The
9 Fouls 7 re-match between the top two in last year's Coca Cola
4 Corners 1 Championship was less than enthralling for long
5 Offsides 2 periods, strong on work-rate but weak on inspiration.
42.00% Possess' 58.00% Stoke created most of the chances but lacked a
10 Cards 0 cutting edge - and their headed goal owed a lot to
1 Saves 6 West Brom's poor defending in the box - Sidibe being
1 Goals 0 unchallenged and unmarked as he rose to nod home a
Higginbotham cross
Ref: L.Mason
Tottenham 137 Blackburn Match Commentary

16 Shots 9 Pavlyuchenko's winner lifted Spurs out of the
7 Shots on 6 relegation zone, but left Blackburn with plenty to
15 Fouls 15 worry about as they have not won in their last 8
6 Corners 6 games. This was largely a scrappy game, not
1 Offsides 3 improved as a spectacle when Blackburn's Olsson was
61.0% Possess' 39.0% red carded in the 39th minute for two bookable
20 Cards 55 offences. That didn't help Blackburn's chances and
2 Saves 2 Spurs were the brighter more ambitious side - though
1 Goals 0 Tottenham's goal keeper Gomes continues to look far
from secure
Ref: H.Webb
Sunderland 138 West Ham Match Commentary

17 Shots 10 Valon Behrami's 20th minute goal gave Hammers
6 Shots on 5 manager Gianfranco Zola his first victory in 8 attempts
13 Fouls 16 - and sent Sunderland spinning to a third consecutive
4 Corners 2 home defeat. The Swiss international could have made
1 Offsides 0 things a lot more comfortable for his side had he
57.0% Possess' 43.0% slotted an easy looking chance from 6 yards instead of
20 Cards 10 hitting the crossbar. Sunderland created plenty of
0 Saves 2 chances and half chances and wasted them all, and
0 Goals 1 had their visitors on the back foot for long periods
without gaining any reward
Ref: M.Dean
Wigan 139 Everton Match Commentary

12 Shots 7
6 Shots on 2
8 Fouls 7 Henri Camara's first Premiership goal in almost two
3 3 years gave Wigan the 3 points, and lifted them out of
Corners
the relegation zone. Everton, who were unbeaten in
0 Offsides 2
their previous five games started brightly and carved
45.0% Possess' 55.0% out a number of chances and half chances - but the
0 Cards 0 Merseyside club faded badly as the game went on,
1 Saves 5 and battling Wigan deserved their win.
1 Goals 0
Ref: R.Styles
Aston Villa 140 Fulham Match Commentary
12 Shots 5
4 Shots on 2
9 Fouls 16 Villa's Gareth Barry squandered the chance to lift his
11 4 side into 3rd place in the Premiership table - he could
Corners
have had a hat-trick but his finishing touch deserted
3 Offsides 2
him. Villa were without leading scorer Carew, and not
47.0% Possess' 53.0% for the first time this season failed to produce a top
0 Cards 20 notch performance against a side well down the
2 Saves 2 league table
0 Goals 0
Ref: M.Jones
Middlesboro 141 Newcastle Match Commentary

14 Shots 10
7 Shots on 5
9 Fouls 7 Both sides missed good chances to score - Newcastle's
7 2 Martins hit the bar in the first half and Boro's Alves
Corners
missed a series of scoring chances - and then Martins
5 Offsides 1
also saw a long range effort in the second half clip a
46.0% Possess' 54.0% defender and fly just wide. Boro's Hoyte and
10 Cards 10 Newcastle's N'Zogbia can also go on the list of those
3 Saves 2 who missed opportunities to put the ball in the net.
0 Goals 0
Ref: A.Wiley
Stoke 142 Hull Match Commentary

10 Shots 6
5 Shots on 5 Premier League new-boy duo Stoke and hull emerged
17 Fouls 20 with a point apiece. King's curling shot put hull in front
5 Corners 3 on the stroke of half-time, and Fuller equalised from
0 Offsides 4 the spot in the 73rd minute after he had been brought
48.00% Possess' 52.00% down in the box. Stoke's Rory Delap's long throw-ins
20 Cards 30 were the home side's most potent weapon - and
1 Saves 4 probably the strongest attacking factor on show from
1 Goals 1 either side.
Ref: K.Stroud
Sunderland 143 Bolton Match Commentary

14 Shots 11
9 Shots on 6 Sunderland threw away an early lead and then
9 Fouls 6 pressed the self destruct button. Cisse finished an
11th minute lead neatly to give the Black Cats the
5 Corners 6
lead - but within 9 minutes Bolton were in front with
4 Offsides 1
goals from Taylor and Cahill, and then Bolton's
69.0% Possess' 31.0% Elmander capitalised on two horrendous defensive
40 Cards 0 blunders to give Sunderland no chance of getting back
3 Saves 4 into the game. Sunderland boss Roy Keane looked
1 Goals 4 justifiably grim faced.
Ref: C.Foy
Wigan 144 West Brom Match Commentary

17 Shots 17
9 Shots on 9 Emerson Boyce struck with 3 minutes remaining to
10 Fouls 7 give Wigan back to back wins for the first time this
6 Corners 8 season. The Boyce goal capped a good fightback after
5 Offsides 1 the visitors had opened the scoring just after the
39.0% Possess' 61.0% break. West Brom carved out a number of good
0 Cards 20 chances but put only one of them away - Wigan kept
4 Saves 2 on going forward and their better finishing won the
2 Goals 1 day.
Ref: P.Dowd
Chelsea 145 Arsenal Match Commentary
12 Shots 9
5 Shots on 6 Robin Van Persie scored a superb second half double
18 Fouls 16 in the space of 3 minutes in Arsenal's come from
3 Corners 2 behind victory. Chelsea took the lead on the half hour
5 Offsides 4 with a lucky Djourou own goal - and dominated most
60.0% Possess' 40.0% of the first period with some classy play. But the
20 Cards 0 Arsenal revival started when Van Persie scored the
5 Saves 2 equaliser when clearly yards offside, however his
1 Goals 2 second was sheer class -a brilliant shot on the turn.
Ref: M.Dean
Man City 146 Man Utd Match Commentary

9 Shots 12
0 Shots on 8
17 Fouls 15 Wayne Rooney's 100th club goal was enough for Man
3 8 U to confirm their superiority over local rivals City -
Corners
but Ronaldo put a damper on the afternoon for them
1 Offsides 3
by picking up a needless red card for a silly hand ball
46.00% Possess' 54.00% in the penalty box. United created and squandered an
20 Cards 75 alarming number of goal scoring chances and were
4 Saves 1 good value for their win.
0 Goals 1
Ref: H.Webb
Portsmouth 147 Blackburn Match Commentary

9 Shots 10
6 Shots on 2 Portsmouth blew a 2-0 lead against Italian giants AC
5 Fouls 12 Milan midweek - and it looked like happening again
here. Pompey slipped into a 2-goal lead through
8 Corners 10
strikes from Crouch and Defoe, only to see their lead
3 Offsides 3
evaporate with a simple header from Derbyshire and a
52.0% Possess' 48.0% strike from Tungay while the home side were ball
0 Cards 10 watching. Pompey substitute Davis tapped them back
0 Saves 2 ahead after the Blackburn keeper could only beat out
3 Goals 2 a Diop shot.
Ref: M.Halsey
Tottenham 148 Everton Match Commentary

14 Shots 8
6 Shots on 6 David Moyes marked his 300th game as Everton
9 Fouls 16 manager with a win, thanks to Steve Pienaar's
5 Corners 1 deflected winner - Pienaar's shot cannoned into the
1 Offsides 0 net off Spurs Vedran Corluka. This was a largely equal
53.0% Possess' 47.0% and mostly cagey contest with good chances hard to
10 Cards 30 come by. The bad news for Everton is that their striker
5 Saves 3 Yakubu hobbled off holding his right boot in his hand
0 Goals 1 and may be out for some time.
Ref: S.Bennett
Liverpool 149 West Ham Match Commentary

21 Shots 7
8 Shots on 3 Liverpool again wasted the chance to take a
5 Fouls 7 commanding lead in the Premiership table as the
battling Hammers stone-walled their way to their first
17 Corners 5
point at Anfield in 9 years. Liverpool dominated but
3 Offsides 5
the Hammers defence was heroic - though the
67.0% Possess' 33.0% absence of the injured Liverpool ace Torres helped
10 Cards 10 them. In the end West Ham nearly grabbed all 3
2 Saves 6 points - Bellamy's long range shot crashing against a
0 Goals 0 post.
Ref: P.Walton
Arsenal 150 Wigan Match Commentary
11 Shots 10
4 Shots on 4 Arsenal earned a battling win to stay in touch with the
13 Fouls 13 Premiership leaders. Adebayor, in his second game
8 Corners 3 back from an ankle injury, grabbed the winner after
1 Offsides 3 16 minutes - and was later denied further goals by a
65.0% Possess' 35.0% good display from the Wigan keeper and the
10 Cards 20 woodwork. Wigan worked hard too and had their
4 Saves 3 chances, and they had two penalty appeals turned
1 Goals 0 down
Ref: S.Bennett
Blackburn 151 Liverpool Match Commentary

7 Shots 10
3 Shots on 6 A superb effort from Yossi Benayoun helped keep
11 Fouls 9 Liverpool on top of the Premiership. The midfielder
latched onto a fine ball from Kuyt in the 79th minute,
5 Corners 6
skipped past Warnock and rifled home. That put
2 Offsides 2
Liverpool 2-0 up, and though Blackburn got one back
38.0% Possess' 62.0% 4 minutes from the end, Gerrard had the last word in
20 Cards 20 stoppage time. There was little to choose between the
3 Saves 1 two sides in the first half, though Liverpool asserted in
1 Goals 3 the second period and were value for their win.
Ref: A.Marriner
Bolton 152 Chelsea Match Commentary

21 Shots 11
11 Shots on 7 Chelsea set a new record here with 11 consecutive
14 Fouls 16 away wins, eclipsing the 10 victories by Spurs 48
10 Corners 2 years ago. Chelsea were dominant in the first half,
2 Offsides 6 scoring with an Anelka header and then a superb Deco
41.00% Possess' 59.00% scissor kick. But Bolton stuck to their task
20 Cards 10 determinedly and created a couple of decent chances
3 Saves 4 of their own - failing however to receive any reward
0 Goals 2 for their endeavours.
Ref: H.Webb
Fulham 153 Man City Match Commentary

12 Shots 15
8 Shots on 7 This promised to be a culture clash - only Chelsea had
6 Fouls 5 scored more goals than City going into this game, and
only West Brom had scored fewer than Fulham. City
9 Corners 7
were without top scorer Robinho - but they took the
1 Offsides 2
lead when Mwaruwari out jumped the Fulham defence
58.0% Possess' 42.0% to head home early - then Bullard smashed home the
20 Cards 10 equaliser 20 minutes later. City seldom looked
3 Saves 5 dangerous without Robinho, and Fulham missed a
1 Goals 1 couple of chances to grab all 3 points.
Ref: R.Styles
Hull 154 Middlesboro Match Commentary

17 Shots 9
7 Shots on 7 Hull staged a dramatic late comeback to snatch
10 Fouls 8 victory over 10-man Boro. Middlesboro looked set for
a win when Sanli flicked them into the lead 11
8 Corners 6
minutes from time, but Hull responded immediately
6 Offsides 1
with Mendy's drive hitting a post and rebounding in off
53.0% Possess' 47.0% Turnbull - and Marlon King scoring a penalty after
10 Cards 35 Wheater was sent off. Hull's Geovanni had earlier
4 Saves 3 missed two good headed chances, and Middlesboro
2 Goals 1 were without injured striker Mido.
Ref: S.Tanner
Man Utd 155 Sunderland Match Commentary
27 Shots 2
15 Shots on 2 Nemanja Vidic sunk stonewalling Sunderland with a
8 Fouls 8 last gasp winner. Three days after Roy Keane's
10 Corners 1 departure as manager it seemed as though the Black
0 Offsides 0 Cats safety-first rearguard game plan would earn
72.0% Possess' 28.0% them a share of the points - but United found the net
10 Cards 0 with their last attack of the game. Cristiano Ronaldo
0 Saves 7 went off after 68 minutes holding his hip after a clash
1 Goals 0 with Sunderland's Andy Reid.
Ref: M.Halsey
Newcastle 156 Stoke Match Commentary

9 Shots 12
6 Shots on 4
10 Fouls 17 Michael Owen struck twice in the first 24 minutes, but
6 3 former Magpie Abdoulaye Faye netted in stoppage
Corners
time to deny his old club the 3 points. Newcastle
3 Offsides 3
dominated the first half with Stoke threatening only
55.00% Possess' 45.00% now and then, however the visitors were much more
0 Cards 10 positive after the break and made life uncomfortable
1 Saves 2 for Newcastle in the second period.
2 Goals 2
Ref: M.Riley
Everton 157 Aston Villa Match Commentary

12 Shots 4 Two goals in injury time produced a barnstorming
7 Shots on 4 finish, with Villa coming out on top and moving into
18 Fouls 16 5th place in the Premiership table. Two minutes into
10 Corners 6 injury time it looked as though Lescott's goal to make
0 0 the score 2-2 had earned Everton a share of the
Offsides
points - but less than a minute later Villa's young
61.0% Possess' 39.0%
broke clear to restore his side's advantage. Villa had
20 Cards 10 opened the scoring after just 34 seconds, and then a
2 Saves 5 dreadful defensive error by Jagielka presented them
2 Goals 3 with their second. In their defence, Everton were
Ref: M.Atkinson beset by a string of injuries.
West Brom 158 Portsmouth Match Commentary

14 Shots 6
8 Shots on 3 Peter Crouch's second half equaliser for Pompey
11 Fouls 12 denied West Brom their first win in 9 games, and kept
the midland side rooted to the bottom of the
3 Corners 5
Premiership. Greening had given the Baggies a
8 Offsides 3
deserved first half lead - but just as against Wigan last
46.0% Possess' 54.0% weekend - the Baggies failed to make their superiority
10 Cards 20 count in goals. An improved showing after the break
0 Saves 3 from Portsmouth gave them a fully deserved share of
1 Goals 1 the points.
Ref: M.Dean
West Ham 159 Tottenham Match Commentary

11 Shots 17
4 Shots on 12 Ledley King scored his first goal in three years as
13 Fouls 16 Tottenham continued their Harry Redknapp led revival
7 Corners 5 - King met a cross from the lively Aaron Lennon, and
6 Offsides 1 then wrapped up victory in the last minute with a long
49.0% Possess' 51.0% range effort from Jamie O'Hara. West Ham had
20 Cards 0 slightly the better of the possession in the first half -
7 Saves 3 but Tottenham upped the tempo after the break,
0 Goals 2 created chances, and were value for their win.
Ref: C.Foy
Aston Villa 160 Bolton Match Commentary
16 Shots 9
7 Shots on 5
7 Fouls 16 Villa's 4-goal romp extended their unbeaten league
10 3 run to 5 games and moved them into fourth place in
Corners
the table. Aston Villa have had problems breaking
6 Offsides 2
down opponents in front of their own supporters - but
54.0% Possess' 46.0% when Bolton took a 17th minute lead that seemed to
0 Cards 10 light the home side's fuse, and they went on to
1 Saves 2 dominate the remaining three-quarters of the game.
4 Goals 2
Ref: L.Probert
Liverpool 161 Hull Match Commentary

22 Shots 9
10 Shots on 3 Liverpool recorded their 3rd consecutive home league
12 Fouls 8 draw as Hull put an admirable battling performance.
8 Corners 4 Hull were 2-0 up before Steven Gerrard scored twice
3 Offsides 4 in 8 minutes to preserve Liverpool's unbeaten home
67.0% Possess' 33.0% record. The first half was full of blood and thunder
30 Cards 30 football in which Hull held their own. The visitors
2 Saves 3 seemed more content to attack on the break after the
2 Goals 2 interval, but they certainly deserved their point.
Ref: A.Wiley
Man City 162 Everton Match Commentary

7 Shots 11
4 Shots on 4 Tim Cahill - drafted in as an emergency striker - gave
10 Fouls 7 Everton a dramatic last gasp win. Pushed up from the
midfield he grabbed the winning goal deep in injury
5 Corners 7
time. With Everton's number one striker Yakubu out
1 Offsides 5
for some time with an injury, Everton were dealt
53.00% Possess' 47.00% another blow when their only other hit-man Anichebe
0 Cards 10 failed a pre-match fitness test. Despite this Everton
3 Saves 3 created a number of good chances and hit the
0 Goals 1 woodwork twice before grabbing the winner.
Ref: M.Halsey
Middlesboro 163 Arsenal Match Commentary

8 Shots 17
3 Shots on 11 Former Arsenal man Jeremie Aladiere delivered
8 Fouls 11 another blow to the Gunners title hopes by denying
them 3 precious points. Aladiere produced a brilliant
5 Corners 10
glancing header in the 29th minute to cancel out
1 Offsides 2
arsenal's 17th minute opener - and ensure Boro a
42.0% Possess' 58.0% share of the points. Both sides had their chances, with
0 Cards 10 Arsenal becoming stronger as the game progressed -
5 Saves 2 but Boro had a strong penalty appeal turned down and
1 Goals 1 could have nicked all 3 points.
Ref:
Stoke 164 Fulham Match Commentary

6 Shots 9
2 Shots on 6
16 Fouls 2
5 Corners 6 A scrappy match and a goalless draw was a fitting
2 Offsides 0 result - both sides created a chance or two, with
33.0% Possess' 67.0% Fulham having the best of them, but neither team had
10 Cards 10 the cutting edge to put the ball in the net.
2 Saves 0
0 Goals 0
Ref: S.Attwell
Sunderland 165 West Brom Match Commentary
16 Shots 14
10 Shots on 6 these two sides were 18th and 20th in the table before
8 Fouls 14 kick off - and there was a lot riding on the result.
1 Corners 11 Sunderland triumphed in emphatic style, the Black
4 Offsides 1 Cats had a dominant first half and were leading 3-0 at
49.0% Possess' 51.0% the break, while West Brom mustered just 2 long
10 Cards 20 range efforts in the first 45 minutes. West Brom were
3 Saves 7 better in the scond period, but not for the first time
4 Goals 0 this season found goal scoring beyond them.
Ref: L.Mason
Tottenham 166 Man Utd Match Commentary

11 Shots 15 Spurs keeper Gomes, who has committed some awful
6 Shots on 12 blunders this season, left White Hart lane a hero this
10 Fouls 9 time following a brilliant full length save in the final
4 Corners 14 minute that denied Man U a win. The first half was
4 Offsides 2 fairly even with both sides creating chances - and
33.00% Possess' 67.00% though United upped the tempo in the second half the
10 Cards 10 Spurs defence and Gomes kept them at bay. A decent
6 Saves 3 defensive effort from Spurs who were without King
0 Goals 0 who didn't start, and Woodgate who went off injured
early.
Ref: M.Dean
Wigan 167 Blackburn Match Commentary

10 Shots 11
5 Shots on 4
9 Fouls 14 Wigan recorded a comprehensive victory - and sent
6 Corners 9 Blackburn spinning to their 11th Premiership game
6 Offsides 2 without a win. Wigan played well enough, but
46.0% Possess' 54.0% Blackburn made life easy for them - their midfield was
10 Cards 10 too pedestrian and their defence far too slow to react
3 Saves 1 when danger threatened.
3 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
Chelsea 168 West Ham Match Commentary

19 Shots 4
12 Shots on 2 Gianfranco Zola, manager of the Hammers, returned
13 Fouls 20 to Stamford bridge where he had played so well, and
managed to pick up a precious point as his side fight
9 Corners 4
to stay clear of the relegation zone. West Ham took
2 Offsides 3
the lead against the run of play, and in controversial
59.0% Possess' 41.0% circumstances, in the 33rd minute when Noble looked
30 Cards 20 to have used his arm before crossing for Bellamy to
1 Saves 7 fire home. it was all Chelsea after that but the home
1 Goals 1 side could do no better than equalise.
Ref: M.Riley
Portsmouth 169 Newcastle Match Commentary

18 Shots 10
6 Shots on 5
15 Fouls 5 Newcastle's win took them out of the relegation zone -
8 5 Portsmouth have now conceded 13 goal in their last 6
Corners
games (all competitions.) The first half was full of
3 Offsides 5
missed chances from both sides - Portsmouth in
54.0% Possess' 46.0% particular being wasteful, and Pompey were made to
40 Cards 10 pay by a side that found their scoring touch after the
2 Saves 3 break.
0 Goals 3
Ref: C.Foy
Blackburn 170 Stoke Match Commentary
10 Shots 14
9 Shots on 4 New Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce started with a
13 Fouls 11 resounding win. Benni McCarthy was recalled after
Santa Cruz had to pull out with injury, and Jason
3 Corners 7
Roberts also returned to the team - and both men
3 Offsides 2
scored to give Blackburn their first win in 11 games. A
52.0% Possess' 48.0% welcome change of fortunes for Blackburn - but it has
0 Cards 20 to be said that they were gifted their first 2 goals, and
2 Saves 5 that was always going to be enough to win against a
3 Goals 0 Stoke side who have been very poor away from home.
Ref: P.Walton
Bolton 171 Portsmouth Match Commentary

19 Shots 8
10 Shots on 5
14 Fouls 16 Bolton were 2 goals up inside the first 3 minutes - and
6 3 Portsmouth never looked like winning the match
Corners
thereafter. Even though they led 2-0 Bolton kept
5 Offsides 3
coming forward and frequently had the dysfunctional
44.0% Possess' 56.0% Portsmouth defence on the rack. Pompey need to do
10 Cards 10 better than this or they could find themselves in a
1 Saves 5 relegation dogfight.
2 Goals 1
Ref: M Atkinson
Fulham 172 Middlesboro Match Commentary

19 Shots 12
13 Shots on 5
12 Fouls 7 Last year Fulham were fighting relegation - this 3-goal
5 5 demolition of their visitors took them to the dizzy
Corners
heights of 8th in the Premiership table. Fulham started
6 Offsides 1
brightly and had missed 3 excellent scoring chances
59.00% Possess' 41.00% before netting in the 41st minute. Middlesboro kept
0 Cards 20 plugging away but were beaten by a better team on
5 Saves 6 the day.
3 Goals 0
Ref: K.Stroud
Hull 173 Sunderland Match Commentary

14 Shots 15
8 Shots on 6 Managerless Sunderland hit 3 late goals to continue
20 Fouls 10 their revival under caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia with a
4-1 win over 10-man Hull. Sunderland looked second
6 Corners 6
best in the first half after Nick Barmby cancelled out
4 Offsides 1
Steed Malbranque's excellent opener - but the Black
49.0% Possess' 51.0% Cats finished strongly to pull away in the final 13
55 Cards 10 minutes. Sam Ricketts 81st minute sending off
3 Saves 5 completed a bad day for Hull who deserved better
1 Goals 4 than a 3-goal beating.
Ref: M.Riley
West Ham 174 Aston Villa Match Commentary

17 Shots 10
13 Shots on 4 Villa moved into the top 3 in the Premiership table
7 Fouls 10 after this win - but they needed a slice of good fortune
to do it. The match winning goal came 12 minutes
7 Corners 6
from the end when James Milner's cross was deflected
1 Offsides 0
into the net off Lucas Neill. That was tough luck for
66.0% Possess' 34.0% West Ham who had dominated for long periods - and
20 Cards 10 it took a fine performance and a string of top class
2 Saves 8 saves from Villa keeper Friedel to keep the Hammers
0 Goals 1 out.
Ref: M. Halsey
Arsenal 175 Liverpool Match Commentary
6 Shots 10
3 Shots on 6 Arsenal took the lead through a fine 24th minute
14 Fouls 17 strike by Van Persie, but conceded the equaliser just
2 Corners 1 before half time when Robbie Keane latched onto a
0 Offsides 5 long ball upfield and scored with a thunderous shot.
42.0% Possess' 58.0% Arsenal were forced to play the last 30 minutes with
55 Cards 30 10 men after striker Adebayor was sent off for a
4 Saves 2 second bookable offence, and the Gunners failed to
1 Goals 1 create as many chances as their visitors.
Ref: H.Webb
Newcastle 176 Tottenham Match Commentary

7 Shots 11
4 Shots on 6 Damian Duff came off the bench to fire Newcastle to a
9 Fouls 7 2-1 win in a dramatic finish. It was hard luck on Spurs
4 Corners 7 who had played well and looked the more likely
1 Offsides 5 winners until Duff's last gasp winner. N'Zogbia opened
56.00% Possess' 44.00% the scoring for the Magpies in the 12th minute, but
30 Cards 20 Modric hit the equaliser for the visitors while
3 Saves 0 Newcastle defenders stood around appealing for an
2 Goals 1 offside flag.
Ref: A.Marriner
West Brom 177 Man City Match Commentary

12 Shots 11
7 Shots on 7 Bednar's injury time header earned bottom of the
10 Fouls 9 league West Brom their first win in 11 games - and
5 Corners 7 increased the pressure on City boss Mark Hughes,
8 Offsides 4 whose side are now in the relegation zone too. Both
47.0% Possess' 53.0% teams created a number of scoring chances in an
20 Cards 10 evenly balanced match - but just for one the Baggies
5 Saves 3 managed to turn their decent football and pressure
2 Goals 1 into a win.
Ref: C.Foy
Everton 178 Chelsea Match Commentary

10 Shots 6
8 Shots on 2 Chelsea were the bookies' odds on favourites to win at
16 Fouls 12 Goodison - but in the end Everton deserved their point
6 Corners 5 - and perhaps more - as they had the ball in the net
1 Offsides 3 near the end only to have the goal disallowed for
47.0% Possess' 53.0% offside. Chelsea's John Terry was sent off after little
0 Cards 55 more than half an hour for a high tackle - and
1 Saves 6 afterwards the London club scarcely produced a
0 Goals 0 worthwhile effort on goal.
Ref: P.Dowd
Aston Villa 179 Arsenal Match Commentary
13 Shots 8
9 Shots on 6 Villa's Zat Knight slotted an injury time equaliser to
10 Fouls 10 give his side a point in a game that they didn't
7 Corners 6 deserve to lose. Villa dominated most of the first half
3 Offsides 0 and hit the woodwork 3 times - and also had a ball
46.0% Possess' 54.0% miraculously scissor kicked off the line. The Gunners
40 Cards 40 went into a 2-0 lead against the run of play, but all
1 Saves 4 credit to Villa who kept on coming forward and were
2 Goals 2 rewarded with a share of the points.
Ref: L.Mason
Chelsea 180 West Brom Match Commentary

23 Shots 6
15 Shots on 2 This was a comfortable win for Chelsea over the
7 Fouls 7 Premiership's bottom club. The London club led after
7 Corners 5 just 3 minutes when Drogba headed home a cross
4 Offsides 3 from Joe Cole - Drogba's first league appearance since
64.0% Possess' 36.0% September. Chelsea striker Anelka was moved to the
10 Cards 0 flank for long periods to accommodate Drogba's return
2 Saves 10 - a position Anelka complained about last year when
2 Goals 0 Avram Grant was the manager.
Ref: R. Styles
Liverpool 181 Bolton Match Commentary

18 Shots 4
8 Shots on 2
7 Fouls 12
Liverpool maintained their title challenge with a
16 Corners 3
comprehensive home victory - this win ensuring that
4 Offsides 0
Liverpool completed 2008 undefeated at Anfield.
74.00% Possess' 26.00% Bolton, who have been playing well recently, were
10 Cards 30 beaten by an opponent in top form.
1 Saves 3
3 Goals 0
Ref: A.Wiley
Man City 182 Hull Match Commentary

23 Shots 15
16 Shots on 11 Man City produced a terrific first half performance the
15 Fouls 14 rocked Hull back on their feet -and went into the
8 Corners 10 break with the match won at 4-0. City set out to
3 Offsides 6 attack right from the start and some fine finishing
51.0% Possess' 49.0% from Robinho and Caicedo soon had them on easy
0 Cards 40 street. The home side were ablr to take it easy in the
6 Saves 4 second half - but were never seriously threatened by
5 Goals 1 shell shocked Hull.
Ref: A.Marriner
Middlesboro 183 Everton Match Commentary

7 Shots 11
5 Shots on 6
28 Fouls 14 Tim Cahill put the ball in the net at the third attempt
5 8 to give Everton all 3 points. Cahill needed three bites
Corners
at the cherry to force home his scrappy 51st minute
1 Offsides 7
goal, but it gave Everton the victory they deserved.
46.0% Possess' 54.0% Boro have not won at home now for almost 2 months,
50 Cards 10 and though they did create a chance or two, Everton
2 Saves 3 always looked the more likely winners.
0 Goals 1
Ref: M.Riley
Portsmouth 184 West Ham Match Commentary
21 Shots 16
14 Shots on 9 Pompey's Jermain Defoe missed a penalty against his
14 Fouls 9 old club - and it proved to be costly as west Ham went
9 Corners 5 on to gallop to a resounding win. Defoe missed from
1 Offsides 7 the spot on the stroke of half time - had he scored
58.0% Possess' 42.0% Pompey would have gone into the dressing rooms 2-1
10 Cards 30 up. Portsmouth have now lost their last 3 games - and
3 Saves 6 though they created plenty of scoring chances, took
1 Goals 4 only one.
Ref: S.Bennett
Stoke 185 Man United Match Commentary

6 Shots 17
3 Shots on 10 Stoke defended stoutly for most of the match, and
13 Fouls 7 United took 83 minutes to break down their stubborn
6 Corners 9 resistance. United looked a little jaded in the first half
0 Offsides 2 following their return from the Club World Cup in
26.00% Possess' 74.00% Japan a few days ago - though they gradually
65 Cards 20 increased the tempo as the game went on. Stoke's
4 Saves 2 Wilkinson was dismissed for a second bookable
0 Goals 1 offence 10 minutes before the end.
Ref:
Sunderland 186 Blackburn Match Commentary

13 Shots 7
8 Shots on 3 Blackburn striker Jason Roberts passed up a glorious
5 Fouls 11 chance to give new boss Sam Allardyce a second
5 Corners 2 successive win when he was guilty of a stunning last
6 Offsides 3 minute miss - putting the ball wide of an open goal
54.0% Possess' 46.0% with the Sunderland keeper beaten. This game was no
0 Cards 30 football classic, and though Sunderland looked the
2 Saves 2 better side, a scoreless draw looked on the cards for
0 Goals 0 most of the 90 minutes.
Ref:
Tottenham 187 Fulham Match Commentary

14 Shots 10
7 Shots on 7
7 Fouls 11 Fulham proved again how difficult they are to score
4 2 against these days, with what many will consider yet
Corners
another boringly negative away performance - this
4 Offsides 4
was their fourth successive 0-0 score line on the road.
58.0% Possess' 42.0% Spurs dominated possession, but found, as others had
0 Cards 10 done before them, that the 2009 Cottagers know all
4 Saves 4 about playing defence.
0 Goals 0
Ref: P.Walton
Wigan 188 Newcastle Match Commentary

11 Shots 5
5 Shots on 3 Wigan's Ryan Taylor has just been voted the best free
14 Fouls 11 kick taker in the club's history - and he showed here
7 Corners 4 why he is held in such high regard by Wigan fans -
2 Offsides 1 opening the scoring for his side with a 25-yard
49.0% Possess' 51.0% screamer. Amr Zaki added a confident penalty in the
20 Cards 55 second half and Wigan were good value for their win.
1 Saves 3 The Magpies created few chances against their
2 Goals 1 improving opponents.
Ref: M.Dean
Arsenal 189 Portsmouth Match Commentary
11 Shots 4
7 Shots on 3
9 Fouls 9 Arsenal had plenty of possession but were far from
11 Corners 2 impressive - toiling for long spells without looking
6 Offsides 4 likely to score - the injured Cesc Fabregas was sorely
60.0% Possess' 40.0% missed. Portsmouth were dogged in defence and
0 Cards 10 almost split the points. The Gunners should really be
2 Saves 2 able to do better against a team like Pompey.
1 Goals 0
Ref: A.Wiley
Blackburn 190 Man City Match Commentary

11 Shots 13
6 Shots on 3
14 Fouls 9 Robhino's injury time leveller saved City from a
4 3 second consecutive defeat at the hand's of the
Corners
league's bottom club (West Brom were bottom when
5 Offsides 2
they beat the Manchester side last week.) City didn't
49.0% Possess' 51.0% create nearly enough chances and their suspect
20 Cards 10 defence allowed lowly Blackburn to poach a 2-goal
1 Saves 3 lead.
2 Goals 2
Ref: H.Webb
Bolton 191 Wigan Match Commentary

14 Shots 10
8 Shots on 7 Wigan won despite injuries to a couple of key players -
14 Fouls 13 goal keeper Chris Kirkland was injured in the pre-
8 Corners 7 match warm up, and striker Emile Heskey limped off
0 Offsides 2 in the first half. Bolton looked a little jaded their effort
48.00% Possess' 52.00% against Liverpool on Boxing Day, and Wigan just
20 Cards 30 about deserved their victory - though Bolton's Shittu
4 Saves 1 almost equalised in stoppage time - his header hitting
0 Goals 1 the Wigan crossbar.
Ref: P.Dowd
Everton 192 Sunderland Match Commentary

10 Shots 8 Everton moved into the top 6 in the Premiership with
6 Shots on 5 only their second home win of the season. With their
6 Fouls 10 strike force decimated by injury it was midfielder Mikel
8 Corners 2 Arteta who set his side on the road to victory with 2
3 Offsides 2 first half strikes - youngster Dan Gosling added a third
58.0% Possess' 42.0% on his home debut. Sunderland were without
10 Cards 40 Ferdinand and Reid because of injury, but worked
2 Saves 1 hard to try to stay in the game, and created a couple
3 Goals 0 of decent chances - but Everton were always in charge
after their 2-goal first half.
Ref: R.Styles
Fulham 193 Chelsea Match Commentary

5 Shots 19
2 Shots on 14 Clint Dempsey's last minute header gave battling
9 Fouls 8 Fulham a share of the points against title challengers
1 Corners 7 Chelsea. Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has brought
1 Offsides 4 about a remarkable in the Cottagers in 12 months -
41.0% Possess' 59.0% taking them from a relegation threatened side to a
10 Cards 20 solid top half team. Chelsea can't complain - they had
6 Saves 0 enough possession and chances to score but came up
2 Goals 2 short.
Ref: A.Marriner
Newcastle 194 Liverpool Match Commentary
10 Shots 17
7 Shots on 12
7 Fouls 11 Man of the match Steven Gerrard hit a superb double
4 Corners 9 as Liverpool gave Newcastle a football lesson. The gulf
3 Offsides 5 between these two sides looked huge on this display,
41.0% Possess' 59.0% as Liverpool dominated every aspect of the game -
20 Cards 10 and they could easily have scored several more than
8 Saves 5 the 5 goals they finished with.
1 Goals 5
Ref: M.Halsey
West Brom 195 Tottenham Match Commentary

17 Shots 4
11 Shots on 3
13 Fouls 12 Late goals from Bednar and Beattie gave West Brom a
8 4 deserved victory over a misfiring Tottenham side who
Corners
had to play 55 minutes with only 10 men. The hosts
0 Offsides 1
dominated because of their numerical advantage, but
49.00% Possess' 51.00% failed to make a scoring breakthrough until 7 minutes
30 Cards 45 from the end. West Brom's striking problems are
3 Saves 5 certainly not behind them yet.
2 Goals 0
Ref: S.Tanner
West Ham 196 Stoke Match Commentary

15 Shots 8
7 Shots on 5 Stoke's miserable Christmas continues with a late 2-1
10 Fouls 13 defeat in a match that saw Ricardo Fuller sent off for
fighting with team mate Andy Griffin. Faye's 4th-
8 Corners 4
minute header put Stoke ahead early, but they were
2 Offsides 0
on the back foot for much of the game after. West
66.0% Possess' 34.0% Ham were without the suspended Craig Bellamy and
30 Cards 55 their attack looked less sharp than of late - but after
3 Saves 3 they hit a 51st minute equaliser always looked the
2 Goals 1 side more likely to go on and win the game.
Ref: M.Jones
Man Utd 197 Middlesboro Match Commentary

28 Shots 7
13 Shots on 2
10 Fouls 17
Man United dominated the game but made hard work
8 Corners 4
of scoring against mid-table Boro. Berbatov, Rooney,
1 Offsides 1
Ronaldo, Rafael, Vidic and Park all missed scoreable
66.0% Possess' 34.0% chances before Berbatov finally found a way through
20 Cards 0 the hard working Middlesboro defence.
0 Saves 7
1 Goals 0
Ref: M.Atkinson
Hull 198 Aston Villa Match Commentary

8 Shots 7
3 Shots on 3
11 Fouls 8 A late Zayatte own goal gave Villa a barely deserved
9 Corners 5 victory - though they had to sweat for their three
1 Offsides 1 points - Hull were awarded a last minute penalty, only
44.0% Possess' 56.0% for the referee to change his mind. Tough luck on Hull
10 Cards 20 who had as many scoring chances as Villa in a dour
1 Saves 0 encounter.
0 Goals 1
Ref: S.Bennett
Arsenal 199 Bolton Match Commentary
14 Shots 2
9 Shots on 2 Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner came off the bench to
13 Fouls 16 hit the winner as Arsenal finally ended Bolton's
5 Corners 0 stubborn resistance 6 minutes from time. Arsenal
3 Offsides 3 dominated possession and the goal scoring chances -
77.0% Possess' 23.0% but were unable to get past the sea of white shirts in
20 Cards 20 the Bolton penalty area. Such was the Gunners control
2 Saves 4 that it was 54 minutes before their goal keeper had a
1 Goals 0 save to make.
Ref: C.Foy
Aston Villa 200 West Brom Match Commentary

21 Shots 9
13 Shots on 6
12 Fouls 17 Former West Brom captain Curtis Davies hit Villa's
10 7 goal after just 19 minutes - and then Baggies keeper
Corners
Scott Carson made a disastrous mistake when he
1 Offsides 1
allowed Agbonlahor's shot to squirm under his body
46.0% Possess' 54.0% and roll into the net for Villa's second. West Brom
10 Cards 10 played some bright football and created several
2 Saves 8 chances - but converted only one.
2 Goals 1
Ref: S.Bennett
Everton 201 Hull Match Commentary

8 Shots 5
5 Shots on 0 In winning this Everton stretched their unbeaten run
14 Fouls 26 to 6 matches - all without conceding a goal. After
Fellaini netted early for the hosts Hull were seldom in
5 Corners 3
the game - and the match was virtually over as a
3 Offsides 4
contest when Mikel Arteta lashed home an excellent
52.00% Possess' 48.00% free kick for the Blues in first half injury time. Hull
20 Cards 50 must be glad of all the points they accumulated early
0 Saves 0 in the season - they have now won only 1 of their last
2 Goals 0 11 games.
Ref: M.Atkinson
Middlesboro 202 Sunderland Match Commentary

9 Shots 10
3 Shots on 5
11 Fouls 13 A mainly uneventful game enlivened by a flurry of late
2 7 activity. Boro took the lead in the last seconds of the
Corners
first half - and that was almost the first action of any
4 Offsides 5
note. It took Sunderland 82 minutes to find the net -
52.0% Possess' 48.0% and then they almost snatched all 3 points when
0 Cards 40 Edwards shot was cleared off the Boro line with just 3
1 Saves 2 minutes remaining.
1 Goals 1
Ref: P.Dowd
Newcastle 203 West Ham Match Commentary

21 Shots 12 Andy Carroll's late equaliser salvaged a point for the
12 Shots on 11 home side in an uneven Magpies performance.
10 Fouls 18 Newcastle started brightly and could have scored
8 Corners 3 more than Michael Owen's 19th minute opener in the
0 Offsides 7 early stages - but it didn't take long for gaps to
53.0% Possess' 47.0% appear in the Newcastle defence - allowing the
10 Cards 0 Hammers to surge into the lead. West Ham can feel a
7 Saves 1 bit hard done by here, as they were denied what
2 Goals 2 appeared to be a blatant penalty when Bassong
handled the ball in the penalty area.
Ref: A.Wiley
Stoke 204 Liverpool Match Commentary
5 Shots 7
0 Shots on 3
10 Fouls 10 Liverpool missed the chance to go 6 points clear at the
4 5 top of the table when they were held to a goalless
Corners
draw in an un-inspiring match. This has to go down as
1 Offsides 0
a missed opportunity for Liverpool - Stoke were
34.0% Possess' 66.0% winless in their previous 6 mtches. Steven Gerrard hit
20 Cards 20 the crossbar twice late on - but Liverpool should have
2 Saves 0 done better.
0 Goals 0
Ref: L.Mason
Wigan 205 Tottenham Match Commentary

13 Shots 6
5 Shots on 3 Jermain Defoe's return to Spurs from Pompey didn't
13 Fouls 13 get off to a good start - his side were beaten by a late
8 Corners 3 goal, and the returning striker failed to get a single
3 Offsides 5 shot on target. Heskey and Zaki who returned to the
51.00% Possess' 49.00% Wigan line-up after injuries both lacked a little
30 Cards 30 sharpness - and the match settled down to be a
2 Saves 2 contest of few scoring opportunities. On the balance of
1 Goals 0 the chances Wigan just about deserved their win.
Ref: A.Marriner
Man United 206 Chelsea Match Commentary

14 Shots 10
11 Shots on 6 A hard-fought top of the table game that Man United
14 Fouls 14 deserved to win. There was little between the sides in
the opening period and it wasn't until first half injury
6 Corners 3
time that Vidic opened the scoring for the home side.
3 Offsides 1
Rooney added another on the hour and Berbatov
52.0% Possess' 48.0% completed the victory 3 minutes from time. Chelsea's
30 Cards 50 finishing was nowhere near as sharp as United's, and
1 Saves 2 slack Chelsea defending was a contributory factor in
3 Goals 0 Rooney and Berbatov's goals.
Ref: H.Webb
Man United 207 Wigan Match Commentary

10 Shots 16
5 Shots on 3 Wayne Rooney's first minute tap-in and Man U's 9th
9 Fouls 12 sucessive clean sheet in the Premiership ensured
victory over gutsy Wigan. Sir Alex Ferguson
4 Corners 6
commented that Wigan gave United a tougher game
3 Offsides 1
than Chelsea a few days earlier - though United's well
59.0% Possess' 41.0% organised defence ensured that the visitors got few
0 Cards 30 chances on goal. The game was marred for United by
3 Saves 1 a hamstring injury to Wayne Rooney which is likely to
1 Goals 0 keep hime sidelined for a few weeks.
Ref: S.Bennett
Blackburn 208 Newcastle Match Commentary
9 Shots 10
4 Shots on 3 This was a mostly un-inspiring game from two
13 Fouls 10 struggling sides - but 2 goals for Blackburn in the
space of 5 minutes ensured they took the points. This
2 Corners 5
game was very much about result rather than
10 Offsides 3
performance - and neither side impressed - bu
48.0% Possess' 52.0% Blackburn took a couple of their chances and were
20 Cards 55 also awarded a penalty - while Newcastle failed to hit
2 Saves 1 the target. Newcastle's Butt was sent off 5 minutes
3 Goals 0 before the end.
Ref: R.Styles
Bolton 209 Man United Match Commentary

7 Shots 16 Dimitar Berbatov's last gasp winner sent Man united
2 Shots on 13 to the top of the Premiership table for the first time
8 Fouls 5 this season. Until Berbatov's strike it looked as though
1 Corners 8 Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen's superb display
2 Offsides 5 would deny the champions their win - he kept out 3
34.0% Possess' 66.0% Ronaldo free kicks and pulled off a number of top
10 Cards 10 class saves. United were not at their best in the first
9 Saves 2 half - too many passes went astray - but they
0 Goals 1 gradually asserted in the face of a Bolton defence
content to let them come forward.
Ref: A Marriner
Chelsea 210 Stoke Match Commentary

37 Shots 4
22 Shots on 1 Chelsea pulled off a sensational late victory to
6 Fouls 16 dumbfound their visitors - two last gasp goals turning
the game on its head. Chelsea dominated the match in
10 Corners 4
all areas and Stoke went into the lead totally against
1 Offsides 1
the run of play after 60 minutes. But for all their
71.00% Possess' 29.00% possession and the chances created Chelsea failed to
0 Cards 30 show a cutting edge until the last two minutes when
0 Saves 10 sub Belletti and then Frank Lampard conjured up an
2 Goals 1 unlikely win.
Ref: P.Walton
Hull 211 Arsenal Match Commentary

4 Shots 13
3 Shots on 9 Arsenal scored twice late in the game to beat battling
11 Fouls 19 Hull and stay in touch in the title race. Hull looked set
to frustrate the Gunners for the second time this
4 Corners 4
season when Daniel Cousin cancelled out Adebayor's
4 Offsides 2
opener in the 65th minute - but Arsenal finished
38.0% Possess' 62.0% strongly to grab a brace of goals in the final 8
10 Cards 10 minutes. Hull played well under pressure from a better
4 Saves 1 side - but couldn't hold out to the end, and have now
1 Goals 3 lost their last 5 league games.
Ref: A.Wiley
Man City 212 Wigan Match Commentary

10 Shots 15
3 Shots on 6 Man City dominated the first half - but failed to make
12 Fouls 16 a breakthrough despite Robinho going close twice.
They eventually got ahead when Zabaleta blasted
2 Corners 11
home from 20 yards - but almost immediately had
2 Offsides 4
Richard Dunne sent off for kicking out at Wigan striker
48.0% Possess' 52.0% Zaki - and City had to play the last half hour with 10
35 Cards 40 men. Wigan created several good chances after that,
3 Saves 0 and Zaki missed a gilt edged opportunity 5 minutes
1 Goals 0 from the end.
Ref: L.Mason
Sunderland 213 Aston Villa Match Commentary
9 Shots 4 Villa grabbed all 3 points with a late and controversial
6 Shots on 3 penalty. Villa were poor in the first half and
14 Fouls 7 Sunderland deservedly went in at the break in the
8 Corners 6 lead. Villa played with more purpose after a chat with
3 Offsides 0 Martin O'Neill and equalised on the hour. It looked as
49.0% Possess' 51.0% if 1 point was all they'd get after Ashley Young was
40 Cards 45 rightly sent off 18 minutes from the end - but Villa
1 Saves 4 were awarded a penalty when Agbonlahor ( who
1 Goals 2 started his run from an offside position) was adjudged
to have been brought down.
Ref: M.Dean
West Brom 214 Middlesboro Match Commentary

12 Shots 9
8 Shots on 3 Slovenian Robert Koren had a fine game for West
13 Fouls 4 Brom - scoring twice and giving the Boro defence
5 Corners 3 problems all afternoon. Chris Brunt opened the scoring
1 Offsides 5 after just 4 minutes and Boro were on the back foot
39.00% Possess' 61.00% for the rest of the game - creating few worthwhile
0 Cards 45 chances despite enjoying plenty of possession. Boros
1 Saves 4 task was made harder when Dier Digard was sent off
3 Goals 0 after 63 minutes.
Ref: M.Halsey
West Ham 215 Fulham Match Commentary

11 Shots 9 West Ham - without Craig Bellamy who is seeking a
7 Shots on 5 transfer - ended Fulham's 9-match unbeaten run.
13 Fouls 17 Bellamy's replacement Di Michele capitalised on a
3 Corners 3 defensive error to give the Hammers an early lead -
5 Offsides 0 only for Fulham's Konchesky to level the score with a
52.0% Possess' 48.0% superb 30-yard strike. Fulham were giving as good as
10 Cards 30 they got when Konchesky turned villain and gave
1 Saves 2 away a penalty, and Cole added a 3rd for West Ham
3 Goals 0 14 minutes from the end of a match that was not as
one-sided as the score line suggests.
Ref:
Tottenham 216 Portsmouth Match Commentary

26 Shots 11 Tottenham created most of the chances - but in the
15 Shots on 4 end had to fight back from a goal down to earn a
6 Fouls 10 draw. With Spurs manager Harry Redknapp and
8 Corners 4 striker Jermain Defoe recently arrived from Pompey
3 Offsides 0 this game was always going to have plenty of intensity
49.0% Possess' 51.0% about it. Portsmouth scored first when Nugent's shot
0 Cards 20 was deflected off Bale into the net - Spurs responding
2 Saves 9 10 minutes later through Defoe. Spurs could have
1 Goals 1 taken all 3 points - but the unmarked Bent's header
went horribly wide 4 minutes from time.
Ref: S.Bennett
Liverpool 217 Everton Match Commentary

9 Shots 7
5 Shots on 6 When Liverpool's Steven Gerrard smashed home a 25-
19 Fouls 15 yarder midway through the second half it looked as
4 4 though the home side were set for a victory that
Corners
would take them 2 points clear at the top of the table.
2 Offsides 1
But with 3 minutes remaining Everton danger man
54.0% Possess' 46.0% Tim Cahill flashed home an equalising header.
0 Cards 20 Liverpool's Torres missed a great chance in the first
5 Saves 1 half and both sides had vociferous penalty appeals
1 Goals 1 turned down - a draw was not an unfair result.
Ref: H.Webb
Portsmouth 218 Aston Villa Match Commentary
17 Shots 9
8 Shots on 2
9 Fouls 10 Emile Heskey, just arrived from Wigan, hit a debut
17 5 goal that gave Villa all 3 points. Luckless Portsmouth
Corners
dominated the match everywhere except on the
0 Offsides 1
scoreboard and wasted numerous chances and half
66.0% Possess' 34.0% chances to take the points - a decent effort as they
45 Cards 20 had Belhadj sent off 20 minutes from time. Villa are
0 Saves 4 becoming masters of stealing games on the break.
0 Goals 1
Ref: P.Walton
Sunderland 219 Fulham Match Commentary

16 Shots 15
11 Shots on 8 Fulham are no push overs these days and Sunderland
2 Fouls 10 put up a good effort in beating them. For once the
excellent Fulham defence was breached away from
3 Corners 1
home, and only a very good performance from Fulham
2 Offsides 2
keeper Schwarzer prevented Sunderland adding
48.0% Possess' 52.0% another goal or two. After going a goal down Fulham
0 Cards 0 went to Plan B and nearly scored themselves - but
2 Saves 7 Sunderland kept them out and just about deserved
1 Goals 0 the points
Ref: M.Halsey
Tottenham 220 Stoke Match Commentary

22 Shots 6
14 Shots on 3
19 Fouls 21 Stoke have not won an away game all season, and
7 Corners 4 Spurs sank any hopes they may have had with 3 goals
2 Offsides 2 in the first 25 minutes. Tottenham controlled the
65.00% Possess' 35.00% game and never looked like losing after their goal
20 Cards 30 spree - the majority of Stoke's chances coming from
2 Saves 5 set pieces.
3 Goals 1
Ref: M.Riley
West Brom 221 Man Utd Match Commentary

10 Shots 17
4 Shots on 10 Man United set two impressive defensive records in
11 Fouls 7 crushing West Brom. United keeper Edwin van der
5 Corners 4 Saar beat the record held by Chelsea's Petr Cech of
1 Offsides 4 1025 minutes without conceding a goal - and the
38.0% Possess' 62.0% Manchester team also notched their eleventh
75 Cards 20 consecutive clean sheet - also breaking a Chelsea
3 Saves 1 record. A stroll for united but a nightmare for
0 Goals 5 outclassed West Brom.
Ref: R.Styles
Blackburn 222 Bolton Match Commentary

15 Shots 9
12 Shots on 5
12 Fouls 14 Blackburn were very poor in the first half and Bolton
6 4 deserved their 2-goal lead at the break - even though
Corners
both their goals came from shocking Blackburn
3 Offsides 1
defending. But the home side did better in the second
67.0% Possess' 33.0% half and found the net twice themselves - Blackburn
30 Cards 40 would have taken all 3 points had Benni McCarthy not
1 Saves 5 missed a penalty.
2 Goals 2
Ref: M.Dean
Chelsea 223 Middlesboro Match Commentary
23 Shots 7
12 Shots on 5 Chelsea's second half double means that Boro have
6 Fouls 20 now gone 11 games without a Premiership win, and
manager Gareth Southgate is drawing plenty of
8 Corners 3
criticism. Noro's strategy was to pack the midfield and
0 Offsides 4
go home with a point - and they succeeded in
68.0% Possess' 32.0% frustrating the hosts for an hour - to such an extent
0 Cards 20 that the home side went off to the jeers of their
1 Saves 6 restless fans at half time. Once Kalou put Chelsea
2 Goals 0 ahead in the 58th minute it was all over for Boro.
Ref: L.Probert
Everton 224 Arsenal Match Commentary

7 Shots 7
3 Shots on 4 Robin Van Persie rescued a point for Arsenal with an
9 Fouls 11 injury time equaliser - but the Gunners were a
disappointment here and Everton deserved the lead
7 Corners 6
they took on the hour with Tim Cahill's 100th career
6 Offsides 4
goal. Considering that Arsenal desperately needed
52.00% Possess' 48.00% points to maintain their 4th place in the table this was
20 Cards 20 a strangely muted performance, and Everton, still
1 Saves 1 beset with striker injuries, came within seconds of
1 Goals 1 sending the Londoners home pointless.
Ref: A.Marriner
Man City 225 Newcastle Match Commentary

14 Shots 2 Sean Wright-Phillips opened the scoring for City in the
7 Shots on 1 17th minute, set up by Robinho now back from his
8 Fouls 11 AWOL trip to Brazil - but little else happened in a tepid
7 Corners 0 opening period when City were unimpressive and
5 Offsides 0 Newcastle were woeful. It didn't help the Magpies
56.0% Possess' 44.0% cause when striker Michael Owen limped off after 18
10 Cards 20 minutes. the second half was better with City's new
0 Saves 3 signing Craig Bellamy scoring his first City goal with a
2 Goals 1 classy turn and finish. Newcastle need to do much
better than this.
Ref: M.Jones
West Ham 226 Hull Match Commentary

25 Shots 15
13 Shots on 12
11 Fouls 15 Carlton Cole made it 6 goals in 7 games when sealing
11 5 West Ham's victory over Hull, and the visitors have
Corners
now lost 6 successive Premiership matches - the
2 Offsides 0
Hammers would have won 3-0 had not Hull keeper
51.0% Possess' 49.0% Duke pulled off a 21st minute penalty save. The better
0 Cards 10 team won here, but all credit to Hull who never
6 Saves 8 stopped coming forward in search of a goal.
2 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
Wigan 227 Liverpool Match Commentary

3 Shots 10
1 Shots on 5 Liverpool's season-long failure to convert vast
12 Fouls 17 amounts of possession into goals was on show again
as they conceded a late equaliser in a match they had
2 Corners 2
done enough to win. Wigan seldom threatened, but
2 Offsides 6
Liverpool's patient passing produced only 1 goal and
39.0% Possess' 61.0% looked a bit too patient. Liverpool's Torres who had
10 Cards 0 scored only once in 9 injury interrupted games looked
2 Saves 1 sharper here, but was replaced with 20 minutes to go
1 Goals 1 by Riera.
Ref: P.Dowd
Arsenal 228 West Ham Match Commentary
15 Shots 2
8 Shots on 2 Arsenal had all the possession, did all the attacking
12 Fouls 12 and produced several excellent chances to score - but
13 Corners 3 could not conjure up a goal. The Hammers set out to
1 Offsides 4 frustrate the Gunners and that's exactly what they did
63.0% Possess' 37.0% - their defence working well as a unit, though they
20 Cards 20 were often forced to defend deep. West Ham did
2 Saves 3 mount a couple of attacks on the break - but Arsenal
0 Goals 0 will rue their missed chances.
Ref: S.Bennett
Aston Villa 229 Wigan Match Commentary

16 Shots 9
11 Shots on 4 Villa missed the chance to take second place in the
13 Fouls 10 league table after being held to a goalless draw by
6 Corners 2 battling Wigan. Aston Villa dominated the game and
1 Offsides 2 created a number of good chances - Wigan being
48.0% Possess' 52.0% forced to spend long periods in the second period
10 Cards 10 penned in their own half. Wigan had to resort to last-
3 Saves 7 ditch defending on occasions - and they earned their
0 Goals 0 point.
Ref: R.Styles
Bolton 230 Tottenham Match Commentary

13 Shots 13 Kevin Davies grabbed all 3 points for Bolton with a
7 Shots on 10 late header from a corner after it looked as though the
11 Fouls 14 Trotters were set to blow a 2-goal lead for the second
2 Corners 8 time in 4 four days. Two goals up with less than 20
1 Offsides 2 minutes remaining Bolton saw Spurs sub Darren Bent
49.00% Possess' 51.00% score twice in as many minutes to level matters -
0 Cards 10 before Davies nodded home the winner. Spurs did not
5 Saves 2 look totally organised in defence, and were without
3 Goals 2 injured striker Defoe - but still did enough to feel a
draw would have been a fairer result.
Ref: P.Dowd
Fulham 231 Portsmouth Match Commentary

6 Shots 12
6 Shots on 6 Fulham's win here meant that Portsmouth do not have
9 Fouls 8 a victory in their last 8 Premiership matches. Down on
5 Corners 8 their luck Pompey had plenty of possession and
8 Offsides 4 chances, and they had a decent penalty appeal turned
46.0% Possess' 54.0% down too, but well organised Fulham looked in control
0 Cards 10 after going ahead in the 14th minute and two more
4 Saves 1 goals in a 9-minute spell in the second half killed off
3 Goals 1 any chance of a Pompey revival.
Ref: A.Wiley
Hull 232 West Brom Match Commentary

16 Shots 13
12 Shots on 7 Out-of-form Hull put plenty of endeavour into this and
13 Fouls 12 were rewarded with 2 fine goals - but West Brom
battled back from behind to draw level twice and take
8 Corners 6
a share of the points. Hull will feel they should have
1 Offsides 3
won this, they created more chances and Baggies
50.0% Possess' 50.0% keeper Scott Carson had to pull off several excellent
20 Cards 40 saves to keep his side in it. Hull scorers Mendy and
4 Saves 6 Fagan recalled to the side as Geovanni and Manuch
2 Goals 2 were benched tried hard to impress - and succeeded.
Ref: P.Walton
Man Utd 233 Everton Match Commentary
17 Shots 7
10 Shots on 4
11 Fouls 14 Man United dominated the possession and shooting
6 2 stats, and racked up their 12th consecutive clean
Corners
sheet too. Everton's defence was as hard working and
3 Offsides 6
resilient as usual and it took a Ronaldo penalty to
56.0% Possess' 44.0% break the deadlock - but Everton are still in the depths
0 Cards 0 of their striker injury problems and seldom threatened
3 Saves 7 to spoil United’s clean sheet record.
1 Goals 0
Ref: M.Halsey
Middlesboro 234 Blackburn Match Commentary

7 Shots 15
4 Shots on 10 New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce took his
9 Fouls 16 unbeaten run to eight as his side played out a
stalemate against a Boro team depleted by injuries
3 Corners 9
and suspensions. On the balance of play Blackburn
4 Offsides 4
should have won this, Boro managed only one decent
45.00% Possess' 55.00% shot in the first 45 minutes, though they improved
0 Cards 40 after the break, but Blackburn created the better
9 Saves 1 chances and more of them and let a couple of points
0 Goals 0 slip away.
Ref: C.Foy
Stoke 235 Man City Match Commentary

7 Shots 17 This was a miserable defeat for Man City - unable to
4 Shots on 7 defeat 10-man Stoke who had their long throw
9 Fouls 9 specialist and main attacking weapon Rory Delap sent
7 Corners 6 off in the 37th minute. This was Stoke's first win at
0 Offsides 1 home since November - claimed by James Beattie's
26.0% Possess' 74.0% first half injury-time header. City responded by
35 Cards 10 dominating possession and creating several good
2 Saves 3 scoring chances -all of which they wasted. New City
1 Goals 0 signings are said to be imminent - and they'll be
welcome.
Ref: M.Atkinson
Newcastle 236 Sunderland Match Commentary

15 Shots 16
10 Shots on 9 A rip roaring derby in which Sunderland looked to be
13 Fouls 19 on their way to victory after taking a 32nd minute lead
through Cisse - only for referee Webb to award
4 Corners 3
Newcastle a dubious penalty 20 minutes from the end
4 Offsides 1
when Taylor went down under what many thought
54.0% Possess' 46.0% was a fair challenge from Malbranque. There were
20 Cards 40 opportunities for both sides to nick the points in a
4 Saves 3 flurry of late activity - but a point’s shared result was
1 Goals 1 not a travesty.
Ref: H.Webb
Liverpool 237 Chelsea Match Commentary

21 Shots 4 Fernando Torres scored his first goals since October to
15 Shots on 1 keep Liverpool in the title hunt. Chelsea had Frank
20 Fouls 15 Lampard sent off after 60 minutes and from then on
12 Corners 1 Liverpool pounded the depleted Londoners in search of
0 Offsides 2 a goal. They had to wait until the 89th minute when
52.0% Possess' 48.0% Torres sent a near post header past Cech - and he
40 Cards 55 added a second in injury time, firing home from 8
2 Saves 7 yards. The sending off certainly changed the course of
2 Goals 0 the match - until then it had been quite a tight
contest.
Ref: M.Riley
Man City 238 Middlesboro Match Commentary
20 Shots 7
12 Shots on 4 Man City's new goal keeper, Shay Given, produced 4
6 Fouls 10 superb saves to ensure that his side claimed victory -
and extend Boro's winless streak to 13. City bossed
13 Corners 3
the game for long periods and were well worthy of
3 Offsides 3
their 3 points - however City manager Mark Hughes
60.0% Possess' 40.0% has to reflect that Boro didn't produce that many
0 Cards 10 chances, but on another day, against a less inspired
4 Saves 6 'keeper, might easily have done enough to have won
1 Goals 0 the game.
Ref: A.Marriner
Blackburn 239 Aston Villa Match Commentary

17 Shots 15
8 Shots on 8 Aston Villa moved into 3rd place in the Premiership
11 Fouls 9 table, thanks to their 7th successive win away from
home. Villa played with confidence and always looked
4 Corners 13
good on the counter attack - and they had already
0 Offsides 2
created several good chances before scoring their first
56.0% Possess' 44.0% in the 27th minute. Blackburn played hard and created
20 Cards 0 chances of their own, but their manager Sam
2 Saves 2 Allardyce conceded afterwards that there was a
0 Goals 2 quality gap between his side and the victors.
Ref: S.Bennett
Chelsea 240 Hull Match Commentary

13 Shots 12
6 Shots on 4 Chelsea's fading title aspirations took another massive
11 Fouls 16 blow as they failed to beat hard-working Hull and were
13 Corners 3 booed off by their own fans at the end. Hull, who
4 Offsides 1 haven't won a league game in their last 9 attempts,
64.00% Possess' 36.00% became the latest side to frustrate Chelsea at
10 Cards 20 Stamford Bridge - Scolari's side have now dropped 16
1 Saves 3 points at home - and with better finishing - Hull might
0 Goals 0 even have stolen all 3 points.
Ref: L.Mason
Everton 241 Bolton Match Commentary

20 Shots 7 Man City's 19 million pounds signing Jo cut no ice in
11 Shots on 4 Manchester, but he had a perfect debut day for
7 Fouls 17 Everton - scoring twice. Jo was largely responsible for
8 Corners 4 Everton's other goal too - winning the penalty that
2 Offsides 2 was slotted home by Arteta. Everton dominated the
63.0% Possess' 37.0% game and could have been ahead after just 3 minutes
10 Cards 10 when the normally super sharp Cahill missed from just
3 Saves 5 2 yards - in fact Everton missed a string of chances
3 Goals 0 and might have doubled their goal tally with better
finishing.
Ref: P.Walton
Sunderland 242 Stoke Match Commentary

12 Shots 5
6 Shots on 1 Referee Rob Styles can thank the Sunderland goal
7 Fouls 9 scorers for getting him out of a sticky situation here.
The ref totally failed to see Stoke's Danny Brough
3 Corners 3
handling Steed Malbranque's 39th minute net-bound
1 Offsides 1
header on the goal line - denying the Black Cats a
61.0% Possess' 39.0% penalty and surely saving the defender from being
20 Cards 35 sent off. Sunderland controlled the game and fully
1 Saves 3 deserved their 3-points - Stoke did little more than try
2 Goals 0 to obstruct them.
Ref: R.Styles
West Brom 243 Newcastle Match Commentary
13 Shots 10 An inspired display from Damien Duff helped
7 Shots on 7 Newcastle to their first win in 7 games - in the
7 Fouls 11 absence of manager Joe Kinnear who had been taken
3 Corners 4 to hospital 'as a precautionary measure.' Duff was a
7 Offsides 5 constant threat with his pace and skill with new
53.0% Possess' 47.0% signing Ryan Taylor and Nicky Butt also making
20 Cards 20 contributions. Newcastle were greatly helped by some
1 Saves 3 awful defending from the home side. West Brom
2 Goals 3 dominated possession after the break - but they must
tighten up defensively if they are to avoid relegation.
Ref: C.Foy
Wigan 244 Fulham Match Commentary

10 Shots 8
3 Shots on 2 Wigan suffered a frustrating goalless draw at home
9 Fouls 12 after having to make use of all three of their
4 Corners 8 substitutions in the first half because of injuries.
0 Offsides 2 Influential midfielders Valencia and Brown and striker
43.00% Possess' 57.00% Mido were the men who had to be replaced. A draw
10 Cards 20 was a reasonable result here, but Fulham created a
2 Saves 2 couple of very good chances and could easily have
0 Goals 0 taken all 3 points.
Ref: L.Probert
Portsmouth 245 Liverpool Match Commentary

9 Shots 14
7 Shots on 9 Fernando Torres came of the bench with 15 minutes
10 Fouls 9 remaining and turned the game in Liverpool's favour -
2 Corners 4 first setting up Dirk Kuyt's equalising goal with 5
2 Offsides 2 minutes left, and then heading home the winner
43.0% Possess' 57.0% himself in injury time. Pompey worked hard and were
10 Cards 0 leading 2-1 going into the last quarter of an hour, and
2 Saves 3 but for Torres might have taken all 3 points instead of
2 Goals 3 none.
Ref: H.Webb
Tottenham 246 Arsenal Match Commentary

16 Shots 4
6 Shots on 1 Arsenal's Eboue was sent off for picking up 2 yellow
14 Fouls 14 cards (1 for dissent) and striker Adebayor limped off
with a hamstring injury, but Arsenal battled away and
6 Corners 4
managed to withstand Spurs numerical advantage and
4 Offsides 2
shooting dominance. Robbie Keane - back from an
56.0% Possess' 44.0% unhappy spell at Liverpool - led the Tottenham attack
10 Cards 45 and went close with a header and had a penalty
2 Saves 5 appeal turned down - and the Gunners were the
0 Goals 0 happier side at the end to have escaped with a point.
Ref: M.Dean
West Ham 247 Man Utd Match Commentary

9 Shots 11
5 Shots on 6 A run-of-the-mill game so far as action was concerned
14 Fouls 8 - but a rare Ryan Giggs goal and a 13th consecutive
clean sheet were enough to beat the Hammers and
5 Corners 11
send United back to the top of the Premiership. West
2 Offsides 1
Ham seldom looked like scoring and Man U appeared a
46.0% Possess' 54.0% little out of sync too - Cristiano Ronaldo finding
10 Cards 10 occasion to give a couple of his team mates a tongue
2 Saves 3 lashing -and even having some heated words of
0 Goals 1 advice for Sir Alex before Giggs put them ahead.
Ref: P.Dowd
Portsmouth 248 Man City Match Commentary
15 Shots 10
9 Shots on 7
12 Fouls 8 Goals from full-backs Johnson and Hreidarsson gave
8 2 managerless Portsmouth a deserved win over City in
Corners
their first game since Tony Adams departure. Pompey
3 Offsides 1
created plenty of chances and half chances but lacked
40.0% Possess' 60.0% sharpness in front of goal, David Nugent missing
10 Cards 30 several good opportunities. City struggled to get a
6 Saves 5 toe-hold in the game and rarely looked like winning.
2 Goals 0
Ref: L.Probert
Man Utd 249 Fulham Match Commentary

17 Shots 5
9 Shots on 0 United moved 5 points clear at the top of the
7 Fouls 13 Premiership with a comprehensive win over a decent
11 Corners 2 mid-table side - and it is now 1302 minutes and 14
7 Offsides 2 games since Man U conceded a Premiership goal.
62.0% Possess' 38.0% Fulham are poor when it comes to scoring away from
10 Cards 10 home but their defence has been outstanding - it is a
0 Saves 4 measure of United's potency that they cruised to a 3-
3 Goals 0 goal win here.
Ref: A.Marriner
Arsenal 250 Sunderland Match Commentary
16 Shots 3
9 Shots on 2
6 Fouls 12 The debut of Russian striker Andrey Arshavin failed to
8 3 help stuttering Arsenal find a goal in a game they
Corners
dominated. The Gunners enjoyed plenty of spells of
1 Offsides 1
sustained pressure, but all too often failed to pose a
61.0% Possess' 39.0% danger in the final third of the field. Sunderland
20 Cards 20 battled hard and earned the point they had set their
2 Saves 7 hearts on.
0 Goals 0
Ref: A.Wiley
Aston Villa 251 Chelsea Match Commentary

12 Shots 18
5 Shots on 12 Chelsea gave their caretaker boss Guus Hiddink a
9 Fouls 12 winning start thanks to a well-worked Anelka strike.
The Blues players certainly seemed to have more of a
6 Corners 11
spring in their step for their new boss than they did
1 Offsides 2
for Scolari, and knocked the ball around with
39.0% Possess' 61.0% confidence. Villa were playing their 3rd game in 6
10 Cards 30 days and did not look as sharp as usual - they
6 Saves 4 struggled for long periods to get into the match as an
0 Goals 1 attacking force.
Ref: M.Halsey
Bolton 252 West Ham Match Commentary

12 Shots 17
8 Shots on 12
18 Fouls 14 Bolton scored twice within a minute early in the game,
4 Corners 13 and then had to withstand a spirited fightback from
0 Offsides 7 West Ham, who never gave up trying to win the
38.00% Possess' 62.00% match. The Hammers dominated for long periods but
0 Cards 20 could only pull back one goal and can feel a little hard
8 Saves 2 done by not to have earned a point.
2 Goals 1
Ref: S.Tanner
Man Utd 253 Blackburn Match Commentary

15 Shots 12 Wayne Rooney scored early to give United the early
7 Shots on 7 lead - but a series of defensive blunders involving four
7 Fouls 19 United players allowed Blackburn's Santa Cruz to bring
4 Corners 7 to an end the Red Devils brilliant run of clean sheets
1 Offsides 1 after 1334 minutes. United were then awarded a
65.0% Possess' 35.0% dubious free kick on the hour which Ronaldo fired
20 Cards 20 home in spectacular style. Blackburn manager Sam
2 Saves 1 Allardyce had no kind words for the referee who
2 Goals 1 turned down a very reasonable looking Blackburn
penalty appeal.
Ref: H.Webb
Middlesboro 254 Wigan Match Commentary

6 Shots 12
3 Shots on 6 This was the fifth Premiership game in a row that
6 Fouls 15 Middlesboro have failed to score. Boro did have a
5 Corners 1 couple of chances to end that dismal sequence, but
3 Offsides 4 Wigan were more than good value for a share of the
57.0% Possess' 43.0% points. The game was blighted by a clattering
20 Cards 40 challenge from Wigan's Lee Cattermole - a former
3 Saves 2 Boro hero - on the home side's midfielder Didier
0 Goals 0 Digard who had to be stretchered off.
Ref: M.Dean
Stoke 255 Portsmouth Match Commentary
6 Shots 6 A dismally poor game - that became a thriller with 4
2 Shots on 2 goals in the last 15 minutes and stacks of controversy.
6 Fouls 10 Kranjcar started it all when putting Pompey ahead in
2 Corners 3 the 75th minute, but Beattie equalised from the spot
2 Offsides 0 when Pompey's Johnson was incorrectly adjudged to
36.0% Possess' 64.0% have handled in the box. Two minutes later Beattie
10 Cards 30 headed Stoke into the lead with Pompey howling for
2 Saves 0 offside. Justice was done when Stoke's Shawcross
2 Goals 2 diverted an injury time ball intro his own net to level
matters again.
Ref: M.Jones
Fulham 256 West Brom Match Commentary

23 Shots 12
6 Shots on 6
12 Fouls 10
Fulham were in the driving seat of this one-sided
12 Corners 4
match against the Premiership's bottom club, and
4 Offsides 1
could have at least doubled their margin of victory
58.00% Possess' 42.00% with sharper finishing - they hit the woodwork four
0 Cards 10 times.
6 Saves 4
2 Goals 0
Ref: M.Atkinson
Liverpool 257 Man City Match Commentary

18 Shots 10
5 Shots on 4 Liverpool's title hopes appear all but over after being
10 Fouls 13 held to yet another home draw. City took the lead
6 Corners 4 through Liverpool cast off Craig Bellamy - his shot
2 Offsides 1 flying into the net after taking a deflection from
61.0% Possess' 39.0% Arbeloa. It took Liverpool 78 minutes to score and
10 Cards 20 they were unable to conjure up a winner - in fact City
3 Saves 2 keeper Given was seldom called into action, which is
1 Goals 1 symptomatic of Liverpool's problems this season.
Ref: P.Dowd
Newcastle 258 Everton Match Commentary

4 Shots 15
0 Shots on 5
15 Fouls 15 10-man Newcastle kept their first clean sheet in 9
0 6 league games and battled for a share of the points.
Corners
Newcastle's Nolan was rightfully shown the red card
0 Offsides 2
for a horribly dangerous tackle on Anichebe just
45.0% Possess' 55.0% before half time, but Everton who lost playmaker
25 Cards 10 Arteta to injury after 5 minutes could not create a
5 Saves 0 goal, missing a couple of excellent chances.
0 Goals 0
Ref: L.Mason
Hull 259 Tottenham Match Commentary

14 Shots 9
4 Shots on 6 Jonathan Woodgate headed a late winner as Spurs
11 Fouls 7 snatched a crucial 3-points. It had been a scrappy but
11 Corners 13 entertaining game with both relegation threatened
5 Offsides 4 sides going for a result - as the 24-corner total
49.0% Possess' 51.0% indicates! Spurs sent a full strength side to scrap for
20 Cards 10 the win - which lifts them 5 points above the
1 Saves 0 relegation zone - but things are turning serious for
1 Goals 2 Hull who have just 1 win in their last 17 games.
Ref: L.Probert
Arsenal 260 Fulham Match Commentary
16 Shots 12
8 Shots on 3
6 Fouls 14 Arsenal were booed off the field by their own fans
11 6 after failing to score for the fourth straight
Corners
Premiership game. Fulham have the reputation of
1 Offsides 1
being a negative side on the road - but they looked
47.0% Possess' 53.0% dangerous on the break here and could easily have
0 Cards 0 scored a couple. The Gunners created more chances
1 Saves 4 than their visitors - but the end result was the same.
0 Goals 0
Ref: P.Walton
Chelsea 261 Wigan Match Commentary

17 Shots 13 Frank Lampard kept Chelsea in the title hunt with a
13 Shots on 7 dramatic stoppage time winner. Chelsea had opened
14 Fouls 11 the scoring through a John Terry cannon in the 25th
12 Corners 8 minute - only for persistent Wigan to fashion an
2 2 equaliser 8 minutes from time - and then came
Offsides
Lampard's winner. Wigan created several good
60.0% Possess' 40.0%
chances that they failed to convert and could easily
30 Cards 20 have had a share of the points. Wigan's Lee
3 Saves 6 Cattermole who has been living dangerously recently
2 Goals 1 was fortunate not to be sent off for a hit on Chelsea's
Ref: Mikel.
Everton 262 West Brom Match Commentary

11 Shots 17
6 Shots on 9
9 Fouls 14 Louis Saha has spent most of this season on the
3 6 sidelines injured - but he produced a brilliant finish
Corners
here to score Everton's second on the turn from 30
2 Offsides 0
yards to seal their victory - the Blues scoring having
51.00% Possess' 49.00% been opened by Tim cahill in the 36th minute. West
10 Cards 10 Brom, as so often this season, played some bright,
5 Saves 3 attacking football without being able to find the net.
2 Goals 0
Ref: S.Bennett
Middlesboro 263 Liverpool Match Commentary

5 Shots 16 Despite being outplayed for most of the game Boro
3 Shots on 7 managed to smash and grab their way to 3 points.
2 Fouls 6 Boro's good fortune began when Liverpool's Alonso
2 Corners 9 stuck out a leg to a corner and diverted the ball into
6 Offsides 2 his own net - up to that point Middlesboro had hardly
28.0% Possess' 72.0% mounted an attack. Liverpool had several good
20 Cards 0 chances to score but their finishing was weak - and it
4 Saves 2 was left to Boro to show them how to do it when Sanli
2 Goals 0 slid home a second for the home side in the 63rd
minute.
Ref: R.Styles
Aston Villa 264 Stoke Match Commentary

11 Shots 7
7 Shots on 3 Stoke struck twice in the last 2 minutes to come from
7 Fouls 12 2 goals down and earn a draw. Villa went 2-0 in front
6 Corners 6 through Petrov's first goal for 11 months and Carew's
1 Offsides 3 spectacular 20-yard volley - but Stoke pulled one back
64.0% Possess' 36.0% through Shawcross's header, before Whelan drilled the
10 Cards 10 equaliser from the edge of the box in the very last
0 Saves 1 seconds. This was match that Villa were largely on top
2 Goals 2 in and Martin O'Neill will count this as two points lost.
Ref: H.Webb
Bolton 265 Newcastle Match Commentary
10 Shots 19
6 Shots on 11
14 Fouls 9 Bolton's Ricardo Gardner came on as substitute at half
1 10 time, and scored the only goal of the game 2 minutes
Corners
later. Bolton had opened brightly, but spurned a
3 Offsides 4
couple of opportunities to go ahead in the first half -
45.0% Possess' 55.0% after the Gardner goal though Newcastle began to
20 Cards 30 play with more purpose and missed several chances to
6 Saves 3 equalise.
1 Goals 0
Ref: A.Wiley
Hull 266 Blackburn Match Commentary

9 Shots 8
5 Shots on 6 A quick 3-minute double from Warnock and Andrews
14 Fouls 19 was enough for Blackburn to secure all 3 points
6 4 against struggling Hull, who have now gone 11 games
Corners
without a win. Hull supporters voiced their displeasure
6 Offsides 5
when manager Phil Brown took off Hull's playmaker in
52.00% Possess' 48.00% chief in the second half. Hull scored in the 79th minute
45 Cards 55 and had a vociferous penalty appeal turned down, but
2 Saves 2 couldn't find their way through again and the points
1 Goals 2 went to Lancashire.
Ref: M.Atkinson
West Ham 267 Man City Match Commentary

13 Shots 9
9 Shots on 2 Man City, who put Copenhagen FC out of the UEFA
14 Fouls 18 Cup earlier in the week turned in a lack lustre display
4 7 here. City's star striker Robinho was sadly out of touch
Corners
and disappeared for long spells - and he tapped an
3 Offsides 0
easy goal wide from just 2 yards. There has been talk
44.0% Possess' 56.0% of Robinho being offered to Chelsea in a deal for John
20 Cards 20 Terry. West Ham played with plenty of purpose and
1 Saves 5 got their reward with a 78th minute match winner
1 Goals 0 from Collison.
Ref: M.Dean
Liverpool 268 Sunderland Match Commentary
22 Shots 5
12 Shots on 2 French teenager David Ngog made his full home debut
9 Fouls 6 a night to remember, scoring one goal and creating
6 Corners 2 another for Yossi Banayoun. Sunderland had a good
2 Offsides 2 scoring chance in the first few minutes when Jones
63.0% Possess' 37.0% went clear after a Skrtel slip, but failed to capitalise -
10 Cards 10 after that it was Liverpool calling the shots as they
2 Saves 6 totally dominated possession and scoring
2 Goals 0 opportunities.
Ref: M.Halsey
Portsmouth 269 Chelsea Match Commentary

13 Shots 20
9 Shots on 11 Didier Drogba's late winner at rain-lashed Fratton Park
7 Fouls 15 gave Chelsea the points - and new boss Guus Hiddink
6 Corners 5 his 4th straight win. But Portsmouth made Chelsea
0 Offsides 1 fight all the way for their win - there was plenty of
42.0% Possess' 58.0% goal mouth action at both ends, with Pompey forcing
0 Cards 0 several good saves from Cech. As the match went on
6 Saves 2 Chelsea began to assert greater control, and in the
0 Goals 1 end deserved all 3 points.
Ref: P.Dowd
West Brom 270 Arsenal Match Commentary

8 Shots 16
4 Shots on 8 The Gunners found their scoring touch again against
19 Fouls 14 bottom of the league West Brom - and simply brushed
the Baggies aside. West Brom have now conceded 17
3 Corners 4
goals in their last 6 games and their defence looked
2 Offsides 1
poor again here, failing to make tackles time and
46.00% Possess' 54.00% again as they allowed Arsenal the freedom of the
40 Cards 0 park. Only some fine reflex saves from Baggies keeper
4 Saves 3 Scott Carson prevented a more embarrassing
1 Goals 3 scoreline for the home side.
Ref: S.Tanner
Blackburn 271 Everton Match Commentary

8 Shots 9
3 Shots on 5
11 Fouls 14 This was no classic, both sides struggled to play
2 Corners 4 effective football - but both had chances to score
3 Offsides 5 which they spurned. Cahill, Jo and Lescott all had solid
50.0% Possess' 50.0% scoring chances for Everton - as did Santa Cruz and
10 Cards 0 Roberts for Blackburn. Neither manager can have
4 Saves 1 been pleased with his side's finishing.
0 Goals 0
Ref: A.Wiley
Fulham 272 Hull Match Commentary

17 Shots 10 Hull's Manucho pounced deep in stoppage time to
9 Shots on 3 score the only goal in the game and give Hull an
11 Fouls 14 unlikely victory. The Tigers were under siege for most
13 Corners 5 of the second half and Fulham's strikers should have
2 Offsides 2 had this game safely in the bag well before final
64.0% Possess' 36.0% minute disaster overtook them -Zamora, Johnson,
30 Cards 10 Dempsey and Davies were all guilty of poor finishing.
1 Saves 5 Hull's best player was Geovanni, fired-up after being
0 Goals 1 substituted last time, he was easily his side's leading
creator.
Ref: M.Jones
Man City 273 Aston Villa Match Commentary
15 Shots 7 City were without the injured Robinho and Bellamy,
7 Shots on 5 but were still able to beat a Villa side who played
8 Fouls 2 some way below their best form - in fact, this was
6 Corners 5 Villa's 6th consecutive game without a win. City went
2 Offsides 3 ahead through a 24th minute Elano penalty - and
48.0% Possess' 52.0% believe they had another legitimate appeal turned
10 Cards 20 down later - before Wright-Phillips sealed the points in
3 Saves 2 the last minute. Villa didn't create many chances - but
2 Goals 0 they saw Given in the City goal make 2 top class stops
to deny them.
Ref: C.Foy
Newcastle 274 Man Utd Match Commentary

9 Shots 11 Newcastle's Peter Lovenrands fired past Van der Sar in
6 Shots on 9 the 9th minute - the first goal the Man U keeper had
10 Fouls 10 conceded in the Premiership in 1311 minutes - but it
3 Corners 10 wasn't enough to earn the Magpies a win - Rooney
1 6 and Berbatov ensuring all 3 points for the league
Offsides
leaders. Newcastle put up a decent show in the first
41.00% Possess' 59.00%
half and could have had a second goal if Martins
20 Cards 20 hadn't fired inches wide from a good position. Man U
3 Saves 3 picked up the tempo as the game went on and
1 Goals 2 gradually starved the home side of possession - they
Ref: S.Bennett were value for the win.
Stoke 275 Bolton Match Commentary

11 Shots 12 Stoke's James Beattie, signed in the January transfer
6 Shots on 9 window, scored his side's first goal, and took his
16 Fouls 14 personal tally to 5 goals in 7 appearances. Stoke
7 Corners 6 looked lively for most of the first half, but seemed to
3 Offsides 0 lose a bit of impetus after the break as Bolton began
37.0% Possess' 63.0% to dominate possession - however Bolton's finishing
20 Cards 10 let them down. Stoke were still causing problems in
5 Saves 1 the second half and Fuller's tap in in the 73rd minute
2 Goals 0 sealed the points - from then on the home side looked
comfortable.
Ref: M.Dean
Tottenham 276 Middlesboro Match Commentary

12 Shots 15
7 Shots on 6
7 Fouls 6 There was no Carling Cup hangover from Spurs - who
4 Corners 8 eventually lost out in the Carling final on penalties to
3 Offsides 6 Man Utd just 3 days ago. Despite the resounding
51.0% Possess' 49.0% scoreline in Spurs favour, this was a fairly evenly
0 Cards 10 balanced match for periods, the decisive difference
3 Saves 1 being Spurs superior finishing.
4 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
Wigan 277 West Ham Match Commentary

20 Shots 8
8 Shots on 4 Carlton Cole scored the only goal of the game in the
9 Fouls 11 34th minute - and 3 minutes later was sent off for a
second bookable offence - Wigan's hard man Lee
8 Corners 1
Cattermole was also given a red soon afterwards for
2 Offsides 5
an ugly tackle on Scott Parker. Wigan played a lively
49.0% Possess' 51.0% opening and looked the more likely to score before
45 Cards 75 Cole's strike - a goal down - Wigan kept on creating
2 Saves 5 chances and an equaliser looked imminent for most of
0 Goals 1 the match but the Hammers defence held on.
Ref: S.Attwell
Sunderland 278 Tottenham Match Commentary
8 Shots 13 Sunderland looked to be on the way to 3 precious
3 Shots on 8 Premiership survival points - until Robbie Keane
17 Fouls 9 grabbed a last minute equaliser for Spurs. Sunderland
4 Corners 1 enjoyed a dream start, going ahead after just 3
5 3 minutes - the rest of the game was the story of Spurs
Offsides
attempts to find an equaliser. matters came to a head
43.0% Possess' 57.0%
in the 89th minute when, in an infrequent visit to the
30 Cards 20 Spurs penalty area, Sunderland thought that they
4 Saves 1 should have been awarded a spot kick. Ref Dowd
1 Goals 1 waved play on, and Spurs streaked downfield and at
Ref: P.Dowd last found the elusive levelling score.
Arsenal 279 Blackburn Match Commentary
18 Shots 7
12 Shots on 3 New Russian striker Arshavin netted twice - as did
8 Fouls 14 Emmanuel Aboue - as the Gunners dished out an
7 Corners 4 attacking masterclass to their visitors. Though the two
3 Offsides 1 goalscorers got the newspaper headlines Theo Walcott
59.0% Possess' 41.0% was in devastating form for Arsenal and Blackburn
0 Cards 40 were chasing his shadow all afternoon. Though 4-0 is
1 Saves 6 a resounding scoreline, in truth Arsenal could have
4 Goals 0 won by more.
Ref: P.Dowd
Bolton 280 Fulham Match Commentary

14 Shots 14 A couple of mistakes from Bolton defender Andy
9 Shots on 8 O'Brien handed Fulham 2 rare away goals, and their
10 Fouls 7 first 'road' win of the season. O'Brien was unfortunate
4 Corners 5 enough to help Johnson's 42nd minute shot past his
1 Offsides 0 own keeper, and then in the 56th minute was robbed
46.0% Possess' 54.0% was robbed of possession - which led to Fulham's
0 Cards 0 second. Bolton had netted on the stroke of halftime,
1 Saves 4 but Fulham's defence is very competent and it was the
1 Goals 3 visitor's who scored the match decider in the 85th
minute.
Ref: C.Foy
Everton 281 Stoke Match Commentary

17 Shots 10
13 Shots on 5 David Moyes marked his seventh anniversary as
7 Fouls 12 Everton boss with a deserved win. Everton cruised to
4 Corners 9 a 2-0 halftime lead - but then almost let it slip after
1 Offsides 2 the break. Stoke pulled a goal back through
64.00% Possess' 36.00% Shawcross in the 52nd minute and nagged away at
0 Cards 10 Everton right up to the end. Victory wasn't totally
1 Saves 5 assured for the home side until Fellaini scored his
3 Goals 1 sides third in injury time.
Ref: A.Marriner
Hull 282 Newcastle Match Commentary

9 Shots 9
2 Shots on 3 The inspirational Geovanni proved yet again how
18 Fouls 13 important he is to Hull - he struck in the 9th minute,
3 Corners 3 heading strongly past Newcastle keeper Harper, to
7 Offsides 1 finish off a counter attack that he had started himself.
40.0% Possess' 60.0% Newcastle levelled the scores rather against the run of
30 Cards 30 play through Taylor's volley 7 minutes before the half
1 Saves 1 time break, and played with more purpose in the
1 Goals 1 second 45 minutes, without being able to find the net.
Ref:
Man United 283 Liverpool Match Commentary

14 Shots 9 Liverpool gave themselves a fighting chance of
9 Shots on 6 winning the Premiership title with a decisive victory
14 Fouls 15 here. This was Liverpool's biggest win over United
10 Corners 3 since 1936 - but it didn't start well. United went a goal
3 2 up through a Ronaldo penalty, but when Vidic failed to
Offsides
deal with Skrtel's punt Torres hit the equaliser.
55.0% Possess' 45.0%
Gerrard then converted a penalty to put the visitors in
45 Cards 30 front, and Vidic who had a nightmare game, was sent
1 Saves 2 off for a professional foul, with Aurelio's free kick
1 Goals 4 making it 3-1. Dossena added another for Liverpool at
Ref: A.Wiley the death.
Middlesboro 284 Portsmouth Match Commentary
16 Shots 8 Middlesboro gave themselves hope of Premiership
11 Shots on 4 survival with an injury time equaliser after they had
9 Fouls 11 been reduced to 10 men. Crouch sent Portsmouth
12 Corners 4 ahead after Boro failed to defend a corner, firing home
2 1 on the volley. Middlesboro’s Bates got his marching
Offsides
orders in the 77th minute for a nasty tackle and then
49.0% Possess' 51.0%
a blatant 'dive,' but that seemed to inspire his team,
35 Cards 30 and they began to play with more purpose. Deep in
2 Saves 6 injury time Portsmouth's David James made a great
1 Goals 1 reaction stop, but couldn't hold on, and King cracked
Ref: M.Atkinson home the equaliser.
Sunderland 285 Wigan Match Commentary

7 Shots 9 Sunderland are far too close to the relegation zone for
3 Shots on 5 comfort - and fans have to be concerned that the
8 Fouls 11 defensive savvy that the Black Cats have relied on to
6 Corners 2 keep them afloat was lacking here and cost them 2
4 Offsides 4 goals. First the defence backed away from a high ball
57.00% Possess' 43.00% allowing Watson to volley home Wigan's first.
0 Cards 10 Sunderland deservedly equalised in the 41st minute,
3 Saves 2 but then Wigan's N'Zogbia was allowed to run with the
1 Goals 2 ball from his own half before firing past the Black Cats
keeper.
Ref: M.Dean
Chelsea 286 Man City Match Commentary

18 Shots 6
6 Shots on 3
7 Fouls 8 Chelsea notched their 4th consecutive league win
4 Corners 3 under Guus Hiddink when beating the listless 'City by
6 Offsides 2 the narrowest margin. Chelsea created some good
55.0% Possess' 45.0% chances, out-thinking and out-playing their visitors,
0 Cards 20 and with better finishing could have added a couple
1 Saves 2 more goals to their tally.
1 Goals 0
Ref: M.Riley
Aston Villa 287 Tottenham Match Commentary

11 Shots 10
5 Shots on 9 This loss to Tottenham means that Aston Villa have
12 Fouls 9 now gone 7 games (all competitions) without a win.
Though they had just returned from a break in Dubai
9 Corners 5
there was little fizz in Villa's display, and they were on
3 Offsides 0
the back foot after only 5 minutes when Jenas headed
50.0% Possess' 50.0% home from a Lennon cross. Spurs added another after
10 Cards 30 5 minutes of the second half and from that point Villa
5 Saves 4 never looked like saving the match - it took them 85
1 Goals 2 minutes to find a consolation goal.
Ref: S.Bennett
West Ham 288 West Brom Match Commentary

9 Shots 8
4 Shots on 4
10 Fouls 10 No classic match this, with scoring chances at a
3 Corners 4 premium, but visitors West Brom had two of them and
6 Offsides 0 will be kicking themselves that Shelton Marsis's effort
54.0% Possess' 46.0% hit the Hammer's crossbar - followed by Jonathan
10 Cards 10 Greening fluffing a simple-looking opportunity. A poor
1 Saves 1 game - but one the Baggies should have won.
0 Goals 0
Ref: M.Halsey
Blackburn 289 West Ham Match Commentary
15 Shots 6
11 Shots on 2 Blackburn will count this as 2 points dropped. They
14 Fouls 9 had West Ham pinned in their own half for long
6 Corners 1 periods, but missed a whole string of chances to
4 Offsides 5 score. The Hammers opened the scoring against the
51.0% Possess' 49.0% run play in the 35th minute when Noble finished
20 Cards 10 neatly - and Rovers equalised shortly after the break.
1 Saves 2 But for all their second half pressure the home side
1 Goals 1 could not find a winner.
Ref: C.Foy
Fulham 290 Man United Match Commentary

15 Shots 13 Just a week after being beaten 4-1 at home by
6 Shots on 8 Liverpool, Man U slipped up in spectacular style again.
14 Fouls 10 Fulham played some good football and deserved their
3 Corners 4 win. Their first goal came when United's Scholes
3 Offsides 2 'saved' a netbound shot and was sent off - Murphy
47.0% Possess' 53.0% hitting home the penalty. Their second came when
20 Cards 90 Gera hooked home a cross with 3 minutes remaining.
7 Saves 6 The furious Rooney then got his marching orders for
2 Goals 0 throwing the ball away. An ineffective show from
United in the face of a good Fulham team effort.
Ref: P.Dowd
Newcastle 291 Arsenal Match Commentary

11 Shots 15
8 Shots on 10 Newcastle slipped into serious relegation trouble with
12 Fouls 12 this loss. The Magpies Martins missed a 23rd minute
8 Corners 4 penalty - and his team then saw the Gunners hit a
2 Offsides 1 match-winning 3 goals in a 10-minute period in the
44.00% Possess' 56.00% second half. The Magpies played with determination,
0 Cards 10 particularly before taking the 3-punch knockout, but
6 Saves 3 Arsenal's sharper finishing has dropped them right
1 Goals 3 into the relegation zone.
Ref: M.Halsey
Portsmouth 292 Everton Match Commentary

16 Shots 5
11 Shots on 2
19 Fouls 8 Leighton Baines fired home an excellent 4th minute
7 4 free kick to give Everton a great start - but
Corners
Portsmouth refused to lie down and deservedly came
1 Offsides 2
from behind to win. The home side created plenty of
49.0% Possess' 51.0% chances in a performance that was more battling than
20 Cards 10 classy - but with relegation threatening it was exactly
1 Saves 2 what was needed.
2 Goals 1
Ref: P.Walton
Stoke 293 Middlesboro Match Commentary

10 Shots 17
4 Shots on 8 Stoke's 1-goal win heaped more pressure on next-to-
18 Fouls 13 bottom Boro who have now failed to score in 7 of their
last 9 league games. This was a mainly scrappy match
5 Corners 4
between two sides trying to escape the threat of
1 Offsides 2
relegation, and there were few good scoring chances.
35.0% Possess' 65.0% It's a comment on both side's abilities that Stokes's
40 Cards 10 winner came from a huge Rory Delap throw-in -
2 Saves 2 Shawcross escaping his marking and forcing the ball
1 Goals 0 into the net.
Ref: L.Mason
Tottenham 294 Chelsea Match Commentary
8 Shots 15
4 Shots on 9 Chelsea had most of the possession, but a resolute
14 Fouls 8 Spurs defence ensured that many of the Stamford
8 Corners 7 Bridge's side's shots were long distance affairs - and
1 Offsides 3 the oft maligned Spurs keeper Gomes chipped in with
39.0% Possess' 61.0% some crucial saves to keep his side ahead. Spurs goal
20 Cards 20 came in the 50th minute when Modric fired home from
7 Saves 4 the edge of the area - and for all their possession
1 Goals 0 Chelsea could not find an equaliser.
Ref: M.Dean
West Brom 295 Bolton Match Commentary

11 Shots 14
4 Shots on 11 West Brom salvaged a point thanks to a Bolton own
10 Fouls 12 goal - but they really needed more than that to help
8 Corners 4 stave off the threat of relegation. The Baggies
6 Offsides 1 dominated the game territorially, but seldom
63.00% Possess' 37.00% threatened the Bolton goal - and that lack of firepower
20 Cards 10 could be their undoing this season. Bolton's Taylor
7 Saves 0 showed them just how it is done by scoring from just
1 Goals 1 inside the box in the 67th minute.
Ref:
Wigan 296 Hull Match Commentary

16 Shots 8
6 Shots on 2
14 Fouls 13 Wigan wasted a clutch of gilt-edged scoring
5 4 opportunities - but still managed to overcome
Corners
struggling Hull. Mido and Rodallega both wasted two
0 Offsides 1
fine chances apiece before Watson finally hit the
50.0% Possess' 50.0% winner 6 minutes from time. Hull are battlers - but
10 Cards 30 Wigan should have put this away well before the 84th
1 Saves 5 minute.
1 Goals 0
Ref: A.Marriner
Man City 297 Sunderland Match Commentary

18 Shots 6
8 Shots on 1 Sunderland's George McCartney was red carded after
16 Fouls 12 just 15 minutes for a professional foul - and the
relegation threatened Black Cats were always up
7 Corners 7
against it from that point. But Sunderland never gave
2 Offsides 0
up trying and gave City a couple of scares before
67.0% Possess' 33.0% going down to the only goal of the game from the
30 Cards 75 industrious Richardson in the 65th minute. City played
3 Saves 7 well enough against the 10 men - but Manager Mark
1 Goals 0 Hughes will not have been impressed by their finishing
Ref: S.Tanner
Liverpool 298 Aston Villa Match Commentary

14 Shots 6
7 Shots on 4 Team-of-the-moment Liverpool destroyed 5th in the
10 Fouls 13 league Villa just 8 days after blowing away Man U 4-1
4 Corners 6 at Old Trafford. Liverpool's Steven Gerrard scored a
1 Offsides 1 dead ball hat trick with 2 penalties and a free kick, but
62.0% Possess' 38.0% Liverpool had gone into the ascendancy as early as
10 Cards 45 the 8th minute through Dirk Kuyt, and in truth Villa
3 Saves 2 had no reply to this fired-up Liverpool - who now have
5 Goals 0 the Premiership title in their sights.
Ref: M.Atkinson
Arsenal 299 Man City Match Commentary
17 Shots 9
9 Shots on 4
11 Fouls 9 Cesc Fabregas returned after 3 months on the
7 Corners 2 sidelines with an injury - and helped Arsenal to a
5 Offsides 0 comfortable win over City. The Manchester side
58.0% Possess' 42.0% created one great chance to score - missed by Wright
10 Cards 30 Phillips - otherwise Arsenal dominated game and were
4 Saves 7 good value for their win over a listless opponent.
2 Goals 0
Ref: A.Marriner
Blackburn 300 Tottenham Match Commentary

11 Shots 9 Dutch defender Ooijer came on as substitute and
6 Shots on 3 scored the winner for Blackburn 3 minutes from time.
13 Fouls 9 Spurs led through a Robbie Keane penalty in the 30th
4 Corners 7 minute - a lead they maintained until 8 minutes from
6 Offsides 5 the end when McCarthy equalised from close range -
45.0% Possess' 55.0% that Blackburn score coming shortly after Spurs
10 Cards 35 Palacios was red carded for two bookable offences.
2 Saves 2 Then in the final minutes Spurs' mistake prone keeper
2 Goals 1 Gomes failed to deal with a corner and Ooijer notched
a rare goal.
Ref: P.Walton
Bolton 301 Middlesboro Match Commentary

16 Shots 19
9 Shots on 4 Middlesboro's awful away form is threatening the
20 Fouls 14 club's Premiership status - this was their 9th
successive defeat on the road. Bolton opened the
7 Corners 5
scoring after 8 minutes and Boro equalised after 38
3 Offsides 3
minutes, but once Bolton took the lead again just
42.00% Possess' 58.00% before half time the writing was on the wall for Boro -
20 Cards 10 who failed to show any confidence or flair after that
2 Saves 5 point - and who seemed to have little idea of how to
4 Goals 1 trouble the Bolton defence.
Ref: A.Wiley
Fulham 302 Liverpool Match Commentary

3 Shots 19
1 Shots on 10 A game which Liverpool dominated territorially, and in
8 Fouls 10 most other ways, looked headed for a goalless draw
3 Corners 6 until substitute Yossi Benayoun grabbed a deserved
5 Offsides 3 winner for the Reds in the 4th minute of extra time.
39.0% Possess' 61.0% Liverpool had previously hit the woodwork 4 times and
20 Cards 20 missed a hatful of other chances to go ahead - Fulham
6 Saves 1 being content to soak up the pressure and aim for a
0 Goals 1 point.
Ref: S.Bennett
Hull 303 Portsmouth Match Commentary

9 Shots 7
1 Shots on 2
13 Fouls 14 Not a lot of goalmouth action - though both sides
1 Corners 4 missed one good goalscoring opportunity each.
4 Offsides 3 Pompey's Johnson was sent off for a second bookable
53.0% Possess' 47.0% offence 10 minutes from time - but Hull could find no
0 Cards 45 way through and a draw is probably as much as both
1 Saves 1 sides deserved.
0 Goals 0
Ref: C.Foy
Newcastle 304 Chelsea Match Commentary
6 Shots 16
4 Shots on 10 Alan Shearer's first game in charge as Newcastle
7 Fouls 17 manager could not stop Chelsea dominating the game
4 Corners 6 and picking up a deserved victory. Newcastle played
1 Offsides 4 with great commitment and drive, but they could not
40.0% Possess' 60.0% convert the handful of chances they created into goals
0 Cards 20 - while Chelsea took 2 chances coolly and never
5 Saves 2 looked in danger of losing after going ahead through
0 Goals 2 Lampard in the 56th minute.
Ref: R.Styles
West Brom 305 Stoke Match Commentary

12 Shots 9
9 Shots on 6
10 Fouls 10 Two defensive errors handed Stoke their brace of
6 3 goals, and gave the Potteries club their first away win
Corners
of the season. As is often the case the Baggies
2 Offsides 5
enjoyed plenty of possession - but were desperately
67.00% Possess' 33.00% short of a cutting edge on attack. Stoke took the lead
20 Cards 10 after just 2 minutes thanks to a goalkeeping blunder,
2 Saves 4 and were happy to play counter attack afterwards.
0 Goals 2
Ref: M.Atkinson
West Ham 306 Sunderland Match Commentary

16 Shots 14
11 Shots on 9 Two West Ham youngsters, Junior Stanislas, 19, and
10 Fouls 7 James Tomkins, 20, were called up because of
injuries, and both had fine games, each scoring a
11 Corners 8
goal. The Hammers have now gone 5 Premiership
4 Offsides 2
games without defeat - but the loss here drops
51.0% Possess' 49.0% Sunderland right back into the relegation mix.
10 Cards 10 Sunderland battled hard and created chances, but
8 Saves 4 could convert none of them in a match that was
2 Goals 0 evenly balanced for long periods.
Ref: M.Jones
Everton 307 Wigan Match Commentary

14 Shots 14
10 Shots on 8 Marouane Fellaini had a fine game for Everton -
17 Fouls 11 scoring once and having a hand in his side's other 3
goals as Everton notched their biggest win of the
1 Corners 4
season. Everton welcomed back influential full back
1 Offsides 2
Tony Hibbert, who had missed 4 games through injury
56.0% Possess' 44.0% - while Wigan were without striker Zaki - out with a
0 Cards 30 hamstring injury. It has to be said that Wigan keeper
4 Saves 5 Kirkland had a shaky game and was partly responsible
4 Goals 0 for 2 of Everton's goals.
Ref: P.Dowd
Man Utd 308 Aston Villa Match Commentary

14 Shots 8
9 Shots on 8 Frederico Macheda, a 17-year old sub from the Lazio
11 Fouls 15 academy - curled home an injury time winner on his
8 Corners 4 English football debut to give Man United all 3 points.
0 Offsides 5 United were without 6 of their first choice players
64.0% Possess' 36.0% including Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand - and they
10 Cards 20 came up against a Villa side playing with more energy
4 Saves 4 than we've seen for many weeks. A draw would not
3 Goals 2 have been an unfair result.
Ref: M.Riley
Chelsea 309 Bolton Match Commentary
20 Shots 14
9 Shots on 6 Chelsea were leading 4-0 and seemingly cruising to
11 Fouls 17 victory when Bolton unleashed a terrific 3-goal
8 Corners 4 fightback. Bolton's goal spree came after Chelsea took
3 Offsides 2 off Lampard and Drogba for Deco and Anelka, and
71.0% Possess' 29.0% those changes left Chelsea without thrust on attack,
0 Cards 0 and almost cost them dearly. Bolton rattled in 3 goals
2 Saves 7 in 8 minutes and nearly snatched the draw - Chelsea's
4 Goals 3 Deco clearing off his goal line in the last minute.
Ref: P.Walton
Liverpool 310 Blackburn Match Commentary

22 Shots 7
12 Shots on 5
6 Fouls 13 Liverpool bounced back from their midweek loss in the
7 Corners 2 Champions League with a comprehensive demolition
0 Offsides 3 of an injury hit and poor Blackburn side. Liverpool
68.0% Possess' 32.0% went ahead after just 5 minutes through Torres and
20 Cards 10 Blackburn seldom even had possession of the ball
6 Saves 6 afterwards, as Liverpool totally dominated the match.
4 Goals 0
Ref: M.Riley
Middlesboro 311 Hull Match Commentary

15 Shots 12
9 Shots on 6 Middlesboro came out with an attacking line up, intent
15 Fouls 16 on grabbing 3 precious points - and got them. Hull too
3 Corners 3 played boldly in this fast attack-minded game with
4 Offsides 4 both sides throwing plenty of men forward. Boro's
50.00% Possess' 50.00% early score after just 3 minutes gave them confidence,
30 Cards 20 and for once they looked like a side that was liable to
2 Saves 5 put the ball in the net. on the balance of play they
3 Goals 1 deserved their win.
Ref: P.Dowd
Portsmouth 312 West Brom Match Commentary

14 Shots 12 Portsmouth dominated the first half, and deservedly
4 Shots on 7 went in at the break leading 1-0 through Kaboul's
16 Fouls 10 33rd minute opener. But West Brom fought back in
4 Corners 2 good style and levelled things up 3 minutes after the
2 Offsides 4 restart, and then took the lead with a well worked goal
48.0% Possess' 52.0% from Greening. It was the Baggies in the ascendancy
30 Cards 10 now and Brunt put them ahead in the 62nd minute
5 Saves 2 with a long range free kick. But Pompey earned a
2 Goals 2 draw when Kranjcar scored with brilliant free kick of
his own a couple of minutes later.
Ref: M.Dean
Stoke 313 Newcastle Match Commentary

17 Shots 8
6 Shots on 2
14 Fouls 11 Newcastle battled their way to a precious point in their
9 3 fight against relegation - but the truth is that their
Corners
defence allowed Stoke far too many chances - and
1 Offsides 0
with better finishing from the Potters Newcastle would
38.0% Possess' 62.0% have had nothing from the game. The Magpie's attack
40 Cards 20 created few chances and Newcastle were fortunate to
1 Saves 4 smuggle out a point.
1 Goals 1
Ref: C.Foy
Sunderland 314 Man United Match Commentary
12 Shots 18 17 year old Frederico Macheda came on as sub to hit
7 Shots on 8 the winner for Man United with 14 minutes to go.
6 Fouls 3 United seemed to have control of the game when
5 Corners 4 Scholes scored in the 19th minute - but Sunderland
0 Offsides 1 fought gamely and deservedly drew level with a 55th
34.0% Possess' 66.0% minute equaliser from Ken Jones. United's response
10 Cards 20 was to bring on young Macheda and Ronaldo who had
1 Saves 3 been given a rest prior to United's Champions League
1 Goals 2 game next week, and they turned United's pressure
into a winning goal.
Ref: R.Styles
Tottenham 315 West Ham Match Commentary

14 Shots 8
9 Shots on 6 Spurs were without their influential midfielder Palacios
9 Fouls 12 who was suspended. Tottenham dominated
territorially and had no less than 3 penalty appeals
10 Corners 1
turned down in the first half, but the Hammers
2 Offsides 4
defence held firm. Tottenham kept up the pressure in
58.00% Possess' 42.00% the second period and brought Pavlyuchenko on as
10 Cards 40 sub in the 56th minute - 9 minutes later the Russian
3 Saves 6 held off Hammers defenders to fire home a shot that
1 Goals 0 went in off the post.
Ref: M.Atkinson
Wigan 316 Arsenal Match Commentary

11 Shots 15
5 Shots on 8
15 Fouls 16 Wigan were a match for arsenal in the first half and
6 5 deservedly took the lead through Mido in the 18th
Corners
minute. The Gunners seemed rather lethargic until
9 Offsides 2
well into the second period, but once they had their
39.0% Possess' 61.0% equaliser through Walcott in the 61st minute they
30 Cards 30 stepped up a gear and dominated the remainder of
1 Saves 1 the match.
1 Goals 4
Ref: A.Wiley
Aston Villa 317 Everton Match Commentary

15 Shots 10
8 Shots on 6 Everton played the better football for long periods and
11 Fouls 7 led 2-0 and 3-1 before Villa managed to salvage a
point, courtesy of a controversial penalty. Everton's
11 Corners 7
quick, attacking football often had the Villa defence
3 Offsides 2
flummoxed, but Villa, desperate for points in their
48.0% Possess' 52.0% quest for a top-4 finish, kept plugging away and sharp
0 Cards 20 finishing saw them score twice - however it was a
2 Saves 3 somewhat harsh penalty decision in Villa's favour that
3 Goals 3 robbed Everton of their win.
Ref: H.Webb
Man City 318 Fulham Match Commentary

13 Shots 15
5 Shots on 11 City boss Mark Hughes left Brazilian ace Robinho on
9 Fouls 8 the bench in the first half in preparation for the UEFA
8 Corners 3 Cup next week, and saw his side crash to an inglorious
2 Offsides 4 home defeat. In truth City looked moderate both
53.0% Possess' 47.0% before and after Robinho came on in the second half,
0 Cards 10 and Fulham, who had looked ineffective in a dull first
3 Saves 4 45 minutes, were able to raise their game in the
1 Goals 3 second period and win with some ease.
Ref: M.Halsey
Aston Villa 319 West Ham Match Commentary
17 Shots 18 Villa looked on course for their first win in 11 games
7 Shots on 9 when Heskey netted after 11 minutes - but 5 minutes
9 Fouls 10 from time West Ham's Tristan headed home a Keiron
12 Corners 11 Dyer shot which was going wide, for a fortunate
2 Offsides 0 leveller. Both sides played fluent, attacking football
41.0% Possess' 59.0% and created chances a-plenty. However Villa boss
20 Cards 30 Martin O'Neill was incensed that ref Styles failed to
5 Saves 3 give the home side a penalty in the final moments
1 Goals 1 when the Hammer's defender Tomkins looked to have
handled in the box.
Ref: R.Styles
Middlesboro 320 Fulham Match Commentary

18 Shots 11 Goalie Mark Schwarzer made over 440 appearances
14 Shots on 6 for Boro in the 11 years he was their shot stopper -
10 Fouls 14 but now playing for Fulham he dealt his old team's
9 Corners 1 Premiership survival hopes a huge blow when pulling
5 Offsides 1 off a superb save from Sanli to deny Boro the 3 points
45.0% Possess' 55.0% they so badly wanted. Though Boro played with
30 Cards 10 determination and created plenty of chances, as so
2 Saves 6 often this season, they lacked a cutting edge in front
0 Goals 0 of goal. Fulham defended stubbornly, and created
some chances of their own.
Ref: P.Walton
Portsmouth 321 Bolton Match Commentary

20 Shots 5
10 Shots on 1
11 Fouls 14 Portsmouth dominated here, as the shots stats
6 Corners 5 indicate, and they would have won by more than just
2 Offsides 3 1 late goal but for a fine display from Jaaskalainen in
56.00% Possess' 44.00% the Bolton goal. Bolton were happy to play this one for
20 Cards 40 a 0-0 draw and showed precious little ambition until
1 Saves 7 going a goal down 12 minutes from the end.
1 Goals 0
Ref: P.Dowd
Stoke 322 Blackburn Match Commentary

6 Shots 3
2 Shots on 1
11 Fouls 4 Liam Lawrence scored a neat goal to beat Blackburn
4 Corners 6 15 minutes from time - and virtually ensured that
1 Offsides 1 Stoke will be a Premiership side again next year. The
48.0% Possess' 52.0% home side created more chances and deserved their
30 Cards 10 victory - but it has to be said that Blackburn were
0 Saves 1 hard hit by injuries and fielded a weakened team.
1 Goals 0
Ref: H.Webb
Sunderland 323 Hull Match Commentary

8 Shots 13
4 Shots on 3 Cisse pounced in first half injury time to head home
11 Fouls 23 an Andy Reid cross and give Sunderland 3 precious
points in their relegation battle. Visitors Hull had won
6 Corners 6
only one of their previous 16 Premiership games - but
6 Offsides 2
they gave a good account of themselves here,
56.0% Possess' 44.0% particularly in the first half when they created plenty
20 Cards 30 of chances. In the second period Sunderland began to
2 Saves 2 get the upper hand, and they missed a couple of
1 Goals 0 golden opportunities to increase their lead.
Ref: M.Dean
Man City 324 West Brom Match Commentary
16 Shots 19
9 Shots on 10
18 Fouls 14 The scoreline rather flatters City here - they were
3 Corners 9 pushed all the way by the bottom club who - as so
6 Offsides 2 often this year - failed to turn shooting chances into
49.0% Possess' 51.0% goals. Citys strikers on the other hand had a good day
10 Cards 20 -though the City defence sometimes looked shaky
8 Saves 5 against a West Brom side that never gave up trying.
4 Goals 2
Ref: M.Jones
Tottenham 325 Newcastle Match Commentary

22 Shots 8
18 Shots on 3 This was the third game in charge for new Newcastle
13 Fouls 15 manager Alan Shearer - and not a win to show yet.
4 Corners 7 Tottenham have been solid at home recently and that
0 Offsides 1 was the case again. Newcastle failed to impose
52.00% Possess' 48.00% themselves and created very few scoring chances.
10 Cards 10 Spurs on the other hand made plenty of shooting
3 Saves 3 opportunities and with better finishing could have
1 Goals 0 significantly increased their margin of victory.
Ref: M.Halsey
Liverpool 326 Arsenal Match Commentary

22 Shots 8
15 Shots on 4 Four goals from Arsenal's Arshavin put a damper on
10 Fouls 12 Liverpool's title hopes in this 8-goal thriller. Liverpool
12 Corners 0 dominated territorially and even beat Arsenal 12-0 on
5 Offsides 6 the corner count. We can't remember the Gunners
53.0% Possess' 47.0% ever drawing a corner blank before - but every time
0 Cards 10 young Arshavin was given a chance he put the ball in
0 Saves 10 the net, and undid all Liverpool's superior shots,
Goals
possession and corner forcing.
Ref: H.Webb
Chelsea 327 Everton Match Commentary

18 Shots 14
6 Shots on 5
9 Fouls 10 A hard fought game in which both goalkeepers played
4 Corners 6 starring roles - Chelsea's Cech and Everton's Howard
6 Offsides 2 both making a number of crucial saves. Both teams
59.0% Possess' 41.0% played an attacking game and there was plenty of
0 Cards 10 goal mouth incident - however neither side could beat
4 Saves 4 the other's shot stopper.
0 Goals 0
Ref: M.Halsey
Man United 328 Portsmouth Match Commentary

20 Shots 5
14 Shots on 1
10 Fouls 8 Man United scored in the 9th minute through Rooney,
6 2 and went on to completely dominate the match.
Corners
Portsmouth proved very poor opposition and managed
5 Offsides 0
just one 'on target' shot in the entire 90 minutes,
57.0% Possess' 43.0% hardly indicative of any great intent to make a match
10 Cards 0 of it. The result was in no doubt well before United
1 Saves 10 added a second goal in the 82nd minute.
2 Goals 0
Ref: P.Walton
Bolton 329 Aston Villa Match Commentary
9 Shots 14
6 Shots on 6 Villa came into this having lost their last 11 games (all
12 Fouls 9 competitions) and failed to hold onto a 1-0 halftime
4 Corners 5 lead here. They went ahead through Ashley young in
0 Offsides 4 the 43rd minute (his first goal in 18 games) but failed
46.0% Possess' 54.0% to clear their lines on the hour and Cohen smashed
0 Cards 10 home for Bolton. An open game with both sides
2 Saves 4 having chances to win it - but a draw was not an
1 Goals 1 unfair result.
Ref: L.Probert
Everton 330 Man City Match Commentary

12 Shots 16 Everton came into this game after a momentous and
4 Shots on 10 tiring few days - having defeated Man United after
12 Fouls 14 extra time and a penalty shoot out in the FA Cup semi
5 Corners 3 final on Sunday, and then holding Chelsea to a 0-0
2 Offsides 3 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. City took
56.0% Possess' 44.0% advantage of Everton's tired legs with a rare away
10 Cards 30 win, inspired by an equally rare excellent away
6 Saves 3 performance from their Brazilian striker Robinho.
1 Goals 2 Everton scored an injury time consolation goal, but
otherwise seldom threatened.
Ref: A.Wiley
Fulham 331 Stoke Match Commentary

10 Shots 9
7 Shots on 2 This was no footballing classic, a mainly dull contest
8 Fouls 11 with a shortage of goalmouth action. Fulham deserved
5 Corners 7 their win, achieved courtesy of a 29th minute match
1 Offsides 1 winner from sub Erik Nevland, and they dominated
69.00% Possess' 31.00% possession without being able to turn it into goals.
10 Cards 20 Stoke, with their Premiership status next year virtually
0 Saves 1 assured, were happy to play most of the game in their
1 Goals 0 own half.
Ref: L.Mason
Hull 332 Liverpool Match Commentary

7 Shots 21
5 Shots on 8 Hull were far from happy to go a goal behind in the
15 Fouls 14 45th minute through a hotly disputed free kick in the
edge of their penalty area - and their cause was not
3 Corners 8
helped when Forlan was red carded just 9 minutes
3 Offsides 3
into the second half. Dirk Kuyt put the visitors 2 up a
26.0% Possess' 74.0% few minutes later, but Hull kept plugging away and
55 Cards 10 pulled a goal back 18 minutes from time - but they
2 Saves 0 were finally defeated when Kuyt added a 3rd for
1 Goals 3 Liverpool in the last minute.
Ref: M.Atkinson
Man Utd 333 Tottenham Match Commentary

21 Shots 6 Man United were 2 goals down after half an hour, but
14 Shots on 4 produced a devastating 5-goal comeback to run out
14 Fouls 10 clear winners. Whether that comeback would have
6 Corners 2 materialised had not referee Howard Webb incorrectly
4 Offsides 2 awarded them a 57th minute penalty is open to
59.0% Possess' 41.0% debate, but having been handed a lifeline the
30 Cards 30 galvanised Red Devils then produced 4 goals in an 11
2 Saves 8 minute spell to down the visitors. Spurs were incensed
5 Goals 2 at the penalty decision, but United still put 4 other
goals past one of the Premiership's better defences.
Ref: H.Webb
West Brom 334 Sunderland Match Commentary
15 Shots 9 West Brom finally managed to record a conclusive
9 Shots on 5 victory - netting 3 times against fellow strugglers
9 Fouls 14 Sunderland. The Baggies have often played well, had
6 Corners 3 good possession figures and shooting stats, without
1 Offsides 3 being able to turn them into goals - sadly for them
52.0% Possess' 48.0% this goal spree has probably come too late to save
0 Cards 10 their Premiership status for next year. Sunderland
0 Saves 0 looked every inch a team embroiled in relegation
3 Goals 0 troubles, and will need to do better than this in the
final weeks,
Ref: M.Halsey
West Ham 335 Chelsea Match Commentary

8 Shots 20 Chelsea prepared for next week's Champions League
6 Shots on 8 clash with Barcelona with a win - courtesy of Kalou's
9 Fouls 11 55th minute strike, and Petr Cech's penalty save.
3 Corners 5 Chelsea dominated for long periods, though it took
3 0 them until the second half to break down the
Offsides
Hammers miserly defence - but it should be
35.00% Possess' 65.00%
mentioned that Essien, Ballack and Drogba were on
10 Cards 0 the bench. The Hammers had a great chance to draw
2 Saves 3 level in the 70th minute when they were awarded a
0 Goals 1 penalty for a shirt pull, but Cech saved Noble's well
Ref: M.Dean struck penalty
Arsenal 336 Middlesboro Match Commentary

15 Shots 5
11 Shots on 4
8 Fouls 13
8 Corners 9 Arsenal were always in control against relegation-
1 Offsides 4 haunted Boro, and could have increased their margin
66.0% Possess' 34.0% of victory with better finishing. Middlesboro created
0 Cards 0 few chances and were poor opposition to the Gunners.
3 Saves 5
2 Goals 0
Ref: C.Foy
Blackburn 337 Wigan Match Commentary

14 Shots 17
8 Shots on 8
11 Fouls 11 Blackburn picked up 3 much needed points in their
3 9 battle against relegation, in a match that was more
Corners
even than the scoreboard shows. Wigan gave as good
6 Offsides 1
as they got, of lack of striker power and a solid display
51.0% Possess' 49.0% from the Blackburn keeper Robinson, who made a
0 Cards 0 number of crucial saves, kept the visitors off the
6 Saves 3 scoreboard.
2 Goals 0
Ref: P.Walton
Newcastle 338 Portsmouth Match Commentary

13 Shots 15 Newcastle desperately needed 3 points here and didn't
8 Shots on 7 get them. The Magpies took the game to Pompey from
13 Fouls 8 the start and they can't be faulted for effort, but
7 Corners 10 Portsmouth weren't going to make things easy, often
1 Offsides 1 having all 11 men behind the ball. Newcastle did
52.0% Possess' 48.0% create chances, but Pompey keeper David James was
20 Cards 20 in good form - then with 10 minutes to go Pompey
3 Saves 4 had a gilt edged scoring chance of their own with
0 Goals 0 Crouch clean through, but the striker fired straight at
the keeper.
Ref: M.Riley
Chelsea 339 Fulham Match Commentary
13 Shots 8
5 Shots on 3 Considering that both of these sides have excellent
6 Fouls 7 defensive records it was a surprise to see 3 goals in
5 Corners 4 the first 10 minutes - normal service was then
1 Offsides 0 resumed and there was only 1 more goal in the game.
59.0% Possess' 41.0% Chelsea dominated possession and the longer the
0 Cards 10 game went on the more they asserted themselves -
1 Saves 1 Fulham's normally workmanlike defence were often
3 Goals 1 scrambling and Chelsea recorded a comfortable win.
Ref: A.Wiley
Man City 340 Blackburn Match Commentary

9 Shots 16
7 Shots on 9 City went three goals up with a hat trick in 18 minutes
10 Fouls 14 in the first half to take control of the game - and give
7 Corners 6 them a chance of qualifying for Europe next year.
1 Offsides 1 Once in front City took their foot off the gas and
49.0% Possess' 51.0% cruised through the second period. Injury hit
20 Cards 30 Blackburn produced plenty of effort - and a 66th
5 Saves 1 minute goal - but never looked like catching the home
3 Goals 1 team.
Ref: M.Dean
Middlesboro 341 Man Utd Match Commentary

11 Shots 13
5 Shots on 4
7 Fouls 7 Man United rested a number of first choice players
3 Corners 3 here in preparation for their Champions League semi-
2 Offsides 3 final encounter with Arsenal - and were still able to
46.00% Possess' 54.00% beat relegation threatened Boro. United looked
10 Cards 10 confident in control, while Boro's efforts were mostly
0 Saves 2 concentrated around high balls into the united box.
0 Goals 2
Ref: M.Halsey
Portsmouth 342 Arsenal Match Commentary

12 Shots 15
4 Shots on 9 Arsenal left a number of starters on the bench in
9 Fouls 10 preparation for their Champions League game with
Man United, and still recorded a comfortable win over
5 Corners 11
lack lustre Pompey. Arsenal's youngsters again
1 Offsides 2
showed their potential here and never looked like
37.0% Possess' 63.0% losing after going ahead through a 13th minute
55 Cards 10 penalty. Portsmouth mustered a couple of decent
4 Saves 4 spells but failed to score for the third Premiership
0 Goals 3 game in succession.
Ref: L.Mason
Stoke 343 West Ham Match Commentary

13 Shots 7
7 Shots on 3
8 Fouls 9 After a shaky start the Hammers scored the only goal
7 0 of the match with a superb 20-yard free kick from
Corners
Tristan in the 33rd minute - Stoke responded by
1 Offsides 2
creating and missing several good chances of their
40.0% Possess' 60.0% own. West Ham found the Stoke defence tough to
30 Cards 20 break down in the second half and seldom threatened
2 Saves 2 the home side after the break.
0 Goals 1
Ref: P.Walton
Tottenham 344 West Brom Match Commentary
16 Shots 10
9 Shots on 7
6 Fouls 7 Spurs won 1-0 at home for the 4th consecutive time
9 7 here when edging out relegation candidates West
Corners
Brom. The game summed up the Baggies unfortunate
2 Offsides 4
season - they had lots of possession and made several
53.0% Possess' 47.0% good chances - but failed to put any of them away.
10 Cards 0 Spurs were competent here and just about deserved
4 Saves 4 their win.
1 Goals 0
Ref: R.Styles
Wigan 345 Bolton Match Commentary

16 Shots 10
7 Shots on 2
14 Fouls 10 Bolton's hero was goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskalainen who
9 Corners 6 pulled off some fine saves to keep the match goalless
3 Offsides 4 and earn his side a point. Wigan created most of the
56.00% Possess' 44.00% chances but just couldn't get past the in-form
20 Cards 30 Jaaskelainen. Bolton didn't make many scoring
1 Saves 6 opportunities - but did hit the crossbar in the first half.
0 Goals 0
Ref: M.Jones
Liverpool 346 Newcastle Match Commentary

25 Shots 3
11 Shots on 3
6 Fouls 8 Even with Torres out through injury, Liverpool were
7 1 far, far too good for relegation threatened Newcastle.
Corners
Two goals up before half an hour had passed Liverpool
5 Offsides 5
cruised to an effortless win. Newcastle's Joey Barton
59.0% Possess' 41.0% was red carded for a crude tackle on Alonso, but the
0 Cards 45 Magpies were never contenders before or after his
0 Saves 8 departure.
3 Goals 0
Ref: P.Dowd
Sunderland 347 Everton Match Commentary

8 Shots 10
3 Shots on 8
15 Fouls 12 Everton were seriously depleted by injuries but were
9 Corners 3 still comfortably too good for struggling Sunderland.
2 Offsides 7 The first half was relatively excitement free, but
41.0% Possess' 59.0% Everton stepped up the pace after the break and
30 Cards 40 created a number of good chances while Sunderland
4 Saves 2 were mostly confined to their own half.
0 Goals 2
Ref: M.Atkinson
Aston Villa 348 Hull Match Commentary

12 Shots 8
8 Shots on 4
13 Fouls 10 Villa's John Carew scored the only goal of the match
13 Corners 4 10 minutes before half time - and gave his side their
5 Offsides 3 first win in 13 games. Aston Villa weren't particularly
51.0% Possess' 49.0% impressive against struggling Hull but did enough to
0 Cards 20 win. Hull did plenty of running but found it tough to
4 Saves 5 create scoring chances
1 Goals 0
Ref: M.Dean
Blackburn 349 Portsmouth Match Commentary
8 Shots 7
6 Shots on 4
20 Fouls 12 Blackburn's win here almost certainly secures their
4 3 Premiership status for next year. The rain poured
Corners
down all day making conditions difficult, but Blackburn
5 Offsides 0
adapted better and created more chances in a tight
51.0% Possess' 49.0% match, and deserved the 3 points. Pompey will rue a
20 Cards 10 missed penalty late on and a clear opportunity wasted
1 Saves 1 by Jermaine Pennant.
2 Goals 0
Ref: M.Riley
Bolton 350 Sunderland Match Commentary

8 Shots 15
4 Shots on 4
12 Fouls 3
A luke warm encounter between 2 out of form sides -
10 Corners 3
Sunderland were the more creative, though they
1 Offsides 1
seldom looked like scoring, while Bolton surrendered
38.0% Possess' 62.0% possession at an alarming rate for a home side, and
20 Cards 0 made fewer chances than their visitors.
0 Saves 1
0 Goals 0
Ref: R.Styles
Everton 351 Tottenham Match Commentary

13 Shots 4
5 Shots on 2
16 Fouls 10 Everton, with an FA Cup final to come and European
4 Corners 5 qualification already in the bag ad little to motivate
3 Offsides 1 them here, and the game wasn't helped as a spectacle
53.00% Possess' 47.00% by heavy rain throughout. Spurs seemed content with
20 Cards 30 the 0-0 status too in a game that had little dramatic
0 Saves 0 action
0 Goals 0
Ref: L.Mason
Fulham 352 Aston Villa Match Commentary

15 Shots 7
11 Shots on 2
10 Fouls 9 Fulham stayed on course for Europe next year with a
7 Corners 5 comfortable win over Aston Villa. The Cottagers
0 Offsides 2 created a string of chances and were always in control
51.0% Possess' 49.0% of the match - Villa were listless going forward and
10 Cards 0 gave every indication of a being a team with nothing
2 Saves 6 left to play for.
3 Goals 1
Ref: M.Halsey
Hull 353 Stoke Match Commentary

14 Shots 10
5 Shots on 2
12 Fouls 15 Liam Lawrence guaranteed Stoke's Premiership
5 3 survival with a great 25-yard match winner in the
Corners
73rd minute - and helped to push Hull nearer to the
2 Offsides 5
relegation zone. Both sides showed plenty of effort
63.0% Possess' 37.0% and determination and Hull created a couple of good
0 Cards 10 chances but could not get onto the scoreboard until a
0 Saves 4 consolation injury time strike from Dawson.
1 Goals 2
Ref: H.Webb
West Brom 354 Wigan Match Commentary
12 Shots 11
10 Shots on 4
12 Fouls 8 West Brom, fighting relegation gave themselves a slim
5 3 chance of escape with a deserved victory over Wigan.
Corners
Just for once the chances that the Baggies created
2 Offsides 3
produced enough goals for them to take the points.
55.0% Possess' 45.0% Wigan were out-possessed and our-shot and the
20 Cards 0 rumours are that their manager Steve Bruce could be
4 Saves 6 off at the end of the season.
3 Goals 1
Ref: P.Walton
West Ham 355 Liverpool Match Commentary

8 Shots 16
3 Shots on 9
10 Fouls 17 Liverpool wasted no time in showing West Ham who
2 Corners 4 was boss, scoring their opener in less than 2 minutes
3 Offsides 1 and the game was as good as over as a contest when
53.00% Possess' 47.00% Liverpool went 2 up 7 minutes before half time. West
30 Cards 20 Ham tried to get back into the game, but got no
4 Saves 1 change out of Liverpool's stalwart defence.
0 Goals 3
Ref: A.Wiley
Arsenal 356 Chelsea Match Commentary

15 Shots 16
7 Shots on 8 Earlier in the week Chelsea had been dumped out of
19 Fouls 12 the champions League by Barcelona - thanks to an
abysmal performance by the referee - and Arsenal had
6 Corners 2
been comprehensively beaten by Man United. The
1 Offsides 3
Gunners had a number of chances but it was Chelsea
49.0% Possess' 51.0% who produced the better finishing and gave Arsenal a
10 Cards 0 week to forget. Chelsea now have automatic entry
2 Saves 5 into next year's Champions League - Arsenal will have
1 Goals 4 to qualify.
Ref: P.Dowd
Man Utd 357 Man City Match Commentary

15 Shots 11
7 Shots on 5 United didn't play to their best but were still good
11 Fouls 12 enough to down City. Tevez, who wants a new Man U
8 Corners 7 contract scored a peach of a goal and then ran half
1 Offsides 2 the length of the field to celebrate in front to his
47.0% Possess' 53.0% manager. Ronaldo was substituted after 58 mins (to
10 Cards 10 rest him for the Champions League) but the winger
2 Saves 3 took it badly. City had a chance or two - but the
2 Goals 0 United defence held firm.
Ref: C.Foy
Newcastle 358 Middlesboro Match Commentary

19 Shots 11
9 Shots on 5
7 Fouls 15 Martins and Lovenkrands came off the subs bench to
11 1 score two important goals for Newcastle and give Alan
Corners
Shearer his first win as manager. This was a tense
1 Offsides 5
battle between two sides fighting relegation, and both
51.0% Possess' 49.0% gave plenty of effort and created chances - but
30 Cards 10 Newcastle asserted as the game progressed and
3 Saves 3 deserved their win.
3 Goals 1
Ref: M.Dean
Wigan 359 Man Utd Match Commentary
13 Shots 18
5 Shots on 8
11 Fouls 2 Underdogs Wigan gave title chasing united a headache
5 4 by snatching the lead in the 28th minute - and
Corners
hanging on to it until Tevez equalised in the 61st.
0 Offsides 4
Wigan played with plenty of determination here, and
33.0% Possess' 67.0% though United had the lion's share of possession they
0 Cards 0 had a lacklustre night and didn't manage to take the
2 Saves 2 lead until 4 minutes from the end.
1 Goals 2
Ref: R.Styles
Fulham 360 Blackburn Match Commentary

10 Shots 16
8 Shots on 9
14 Fouls 8 Blackburn's Diouf looked to be well offside when he hit
9 9 a 69th minute equaliser - Fulham having been ahead
Corners
from the second minute - then 5 minutes from time
0 Offsides 7
Jason Roberts snatched a winner for the Lancashire
53.0% Possess' 47.0% club. A tight match that could have gone either way -
10 Cards 10 and Blackburn will be happy that the linesman's flag
7 Saves 3 stayed down.
1 Goals 2
Ref: R.Styles
Man Utd 361 Arsenal Match Commentary
11 Shots 14
5 Shots on 11
13 Fouls 14 With this goalless draw Man Utd clinched the
2 Corners 6 premiership title for a record-equalling 18th time. By
4 Offsides 0 no means a classic show from United, who were
39.0% Possess' 61.0% beaten on the shot count, corners count and
0 Cards 50 possession - but Arsenal couldn't find the net - and
4 Saves 0 United didn't have to to seal the title.
0 Goals 0
Ref: M.Dean
Bolton 362 Hull Match Commentary

16 Shots 20
9 Shots on 12
11 Fouls 9 Hull earned a well deserved point in their relegation
5 Corners 7 battle with this fighting display. In truth Hull could
2 Offsides 4 have won this game, but they squandered a host of
48.0% Possess' 52.0% chances or else found Bolton keeper Jaaskelainen in
10 Cards 20 top form. Bolton had chances of their own - but Hull
7 Saves 4 were determined defenders.
1 Goals 1
Ref: P.Walton
Everton 363 West Ham Match Commentary

18 Shots 8
9 Shots on 3
15 Fouls 14 Everton cruised to a comfortable victory over the
6 Corners 3 Hammers, whose task was made harder when
1 Offsides 4 Tomkins was red carded after just 37 minutes. West
65.00% Possess' 35.00% Ham had made a great start by going into the lead
10 Cards 45 after 24 minutes - but Everton quickly moved up a
3 Saves 4 gear and dominated the match from then on.
3 Goals 1
Ref: P.Dowd
Middlesboro 364 Aston Villa Match Commentary

10 Shots 8
6 Shots on 6
11 Fouls 16 Boro played with plenty of determination but could not
6 Corners 8 find enough to beat Villa, and this surely means
3 Offsides 2 Championship football next year. There was little
53.0% Possess' 47.0% between the two sides and a draw was a 'fair' result -
0 Cards 20 Boro's awful away form over the season looks to have
4 Saves 2 cost them their Premiership place.
1 Goals 1
Ref: M.Riley
Newcastle 365 Fulham Match Commentary

12 Shots 12
6 Shots on 5 Relegation-haunted Newcastle were controversially
7 Fouls 17 denied a precious equaliser here - Viduka appeared to
have scored a perfectly good goal on 45 minutes -
6 Corners 2
only for Ref Webb to disallow it for an alleged foul by
0 Offsides 3
another Magpies player on the Fulham keeper.
51.0% Possess' 49.0% Newcastle then had Bassong red carded with 30
25 Cards 30 minutes to go. the Magpies looked like possible
2 Saves 5 winners for periods in this evenly balanced match and
0 Goals 1 were bitterly disappointed not to at least get a point.
Ref: H.Webb
Stoke 366 Wigan Match Commentary
13 Shots 8
8 Shots on 3
8 Fouls 11
This was a game of little importance to either side -
6 Corners 3
and it showed. What goalmouth action there was
0 Offsides 3
created by Stoke, but in truth the game was a mainly
45.0% Possess' 55.0% dull affair that only perked up in the last 20 minutes
0 Cards 0 when both goals where scored.
1 Saves 4
2 Goals 0
Ref: L.Probert
Tottenham 367 Man City Match Commentary

11 Shots 9
4 Shots on 3 An entertaining encounter which was deservedly
5 Fouls 7 edged by Spurs. The home side went ahead after 29
minutes through Defoe, but City belied their
4 Corners 7
reputation as poor performers away from home with a
3 Offsides 2
solid fight back which resulted in a 65th minute
52.00% Possess' 48.00% equaliser. Spurs picked up a penalty 4 minutes from
0 Cards 10 time, but the match nearly had a final twist when
3 Saves 4 City's Benjani missed an absolute sitter in the dying
2 Goals 1 seconds
Ref: M.Halsey
West Brom 368 Liverpool Match Commentary

12 Shots 16
7 Shots on 10
13 Fouls 4 Liverpool scored a goal in each half to extend their
11 Corners 5 unbeaten run to 10 games - including 9 wins. West
4 Offsides 2 Brom bid farewell to the Premiership with this loss,
35.0% Possess' 65.0% but they played their attractive, attacking football
20 Cards 0 right to the end and the Premiership will be less
6 Saves 4 entertaining without them.
0 Goals 2
Ref: M.Atkinson
Chelsea 369 Blackburn Match Commentary

21 Shots 8
12 Shots on 5
6 Fouls 6 This was Chelsea's last home match under manager
1 Corners 4 Guus Hiddink - and they did their boss proud, winning
2 Offsides 2 in style. Chelsea created a stream of chances and
59.0% Possess' 41.0% could easily have won by a wider margin. Rovers could
10 Cards 20 never match their hosts - but are a much more solid
3 Saves 6 side since Sam Allardyce took over.
2 Goals 0
Ref: R.Styles
Portsmouth 370 Sunderland Match Commentary

9 Shots 20
4 Shots on 9 Sunderland put in a spirited performance in their bid
11 Fouls 6 to stave off relegation - but they made 2 awful
defensive errors that allowed Pompey to snatch
5 Corners 6
victory. The Black Cats opened the scoring on 59
0 Offsides 1
minutes, but Portsmouth equalised almost straight
43.0% Possess' 57.0% away. Then Sunderland scored an own goal to put
10 Cards 0 Pompey ahead - and then allowed the home side's
6 Saves 0 Armand Traore the freedom of the park to seal a
3 Goals 1 victory Portsmouth hardly deserved.
Ref: K.Jones
Arsenal 371 Stoke Match Commentary
24 Shots 3
11 Shots on 1
9 Fouls 11
6 Corners 0
0 Offsides 1 The Gunners just swept aside safe-from-relegation
72.0% Possess' 28.0% Stoke with a crushing display of superiority.
10 Cards 0
1 Saves 6
4 Goals 1
Ref: M.Atkinson
Aston Villa 372 Newcastle Match Commentary

15 Shots 8
5 Shots on 3 Damien Duff's own goal brought Newcastle's 16 years
8 Fouls 10 as a Premiership club to an end. It was a sad way to
drop out of the top flight, but Newcastle could have
5 Corners 3
saved themselves if they had managed to find an
3 Offsides 0
equaliser. The truth is that Newcastle just weren't
52.0% Possess' 48.0% good enough - and just didn't try hard enough. Villa
0 Cards 45 had a great start to this season but faded badly
4 Saves 2 toward the end - but they did qualify for Europe next
1 Goals 0 year.
Ref: C.Foy
Blackburn 373 West Brom Match Commentary

10 Shots 13
5 Shots on 5
14 Fouls 11
West Brom were already relegated and Blackburn had
4 Corners 9
nothing to play for. Credit the Baggies for turning in a
3 Offsides 3
decent away performance for their final bow - but
48.00% Possess' 52.00% neither side could find the net and a draw was the
25 Cards 10 right result.
2 Saves 1
0 Goals 0
Ref: M.Jones
Fulham 374 Everton Match Commentary

10 Shots 13
4 Shots on 10
15 Fouls 10 Everton took 5th place in the Premiership with this
2 2 fluent victory over a strangely lacklustre Fulham.
Corners
Fulham have enjoyed a fine season and manager Roy
2 Offsides 5
Hodgson was given a standing ovation before the start
51.0% Possess' 49.0% - but this match deservedly went to Everton who
0 Cards 0 created a hatful of decent chances - while the home
8 Saves 4 side seldom threatened.
0 Goals 2
Ref: M.Riley
Hull 375 Man Utd Match Commentary

12 Shots 12
8 Shots on 5
17 Fouls 11 With a Champions League final in a few days, it was
8 3 understandable that United sent an under strength
Corners
side to relegation threatened Hull. After taking the
3 Offsides 0
lead in the 24th minute United dominated possession
33.0% Possess' 67.0% without seriously threatening Hull's goal too often -
20 Cards 10 while Hull tried hard to find an equaliser, but couldn't
3 Saves 8 get the ball in the net.
0 Goals 1
Ref: A.Wiley
Liverpool 376 Tottenham Match Commentary
20 Shots 8
9 Shots on 4 Liverpool sealed runners-up spot in the Premiership
14 Fouls 4 and kept Spurs out of Europe with a comprehensive
9 Corners 2 win. The game extended Liverpool's home unbeaten
0 Offsides 0 run to 30 matches and also marked the departure of
53.0% Possess' 47.0% Sammy Hyppia after 10 years at the club. Liverpool
0 Cards 10 were in charge throughout, created many more
3 Saves 1 chances than Spurs and could have won by a greater
3 Goals 1 margin with sharper finishing.
Ref: P.Walton
Man City 377 Bolton Match Commentary

20 Shots 8
12 Shots on 4
8 Fouls 10
City only won this by a single goal, but they totally
15 Corners 9
dominated the match and could easily have had 3 or 4
3 Offsides 1
more goals with better finishing. Bolton had nothing to
65.00% Possess' 35.00% gain from this game and were content to play second
0 Cards 0 fiddle.
0 Saves 10
1 Goals 0
Ref: M.Clattenburg
Sunderland 378 Chelsea Match Commentary

8 Shots 14
7 Shots on 9 Chelsea have a Cup Final date next week but fielded
8 Fouls 7 an almost full strength team against relegation
6 Corners 7 threatened Sunderland. The home side did their best
3 Offsides 0 but Chelsea dominated the park and created most of
36.0% Possess' 64.0% the best scoring opportunities. Chelsea were deserved
10 Cards 10 winners - and there was a happy ending for
7 Saves 2 Sunderland too, who maintain their Premiership status
2 Goals 3 next year because of results elsewhere.
Ref: M.Halsey
West Ham 379 Middlesboro Match Commentary

14 Shots 17
8 Shots on 6
14 Fouls 10 Boro arrived at Upton Park needing a big win to have
4 5 any chance of avoiding relegation. They didn't get it
Corners
and in truth they didn't play well enough to deserve it.
5 Offsides 0
In Boro's defence, they were missing two possible
52.0% Possess' 48.0% match winners in Alves and Downing, both out
0 Cards 10 through injury - and West Ham had few problems
4 Saves 3 picking up the win.
2 Goals 1
Ref: H.Webb
Wigan 380 Portsmouth Match Commentary

19 Shots 9
10 Shots on 3
8 Fouls 21 Rodallega's tap-in from 3 yards ended Wigan's poor
8 Corners 2 end-of-season spell that had seen them take just 1
1 Offsides 1 point from their previous 7 matches. Wigan created
55.0% Possess' 45.0% plenty of shooting chances and dominated possession
0 Cards 40 - but they were assisted by a Portsmouth side that
1 Saves 5 showed little inclination to exert themselves.
1 Goals 0
Ref: P.Dowd

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Premiership form guide for the 2009/10 season

The First Part is the team by team analysis…

Liverpool – Home 2008/9

The second part is the match by match analysis

Here’s what one of our matches looks like...

Bolton 2 Stoke Match Commentary

Arsenal 1 West Brom Match Commentary

Fulham 12 Arsenal Match Commentary

Arsenal 26 Newcastle Match Commentary

Now for a look at how to use the ratings…

After years of betting on football, we decided that simply forming an opinion of a

After researching various (hopeless) methods, systems and formulas it was

In the Premiership, we analyse each and every element of a team’s make up –

Let’s take a look at the first step…

This is all about the teams…

There will be a batch of teams that are completely flavourless in some

Aston Villa – Home 2007/8

You’ll note a consistently low offsides ‘against’ trend, an impressive sequence of

Comparing a couple of teams can point up numerous betting opportunities –

Last season, there were many opportunities to take advantage of ‘wrong’

Find the Value…

2007/8 - The Gunners remained unbeaten at home in 2007/8, finishing with 15

2008/9 - In comparison, their 2008/9 season was a shadow of their previous

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

In the Corners department Arsenal were – for 7 periods at least – a top

The Gunners managed to get themselves a bit of a ‘Bookings’ reputation a little

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Make no mistake, these figures are poor – in almost every department

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

More highs with only their goals superiority disappointing

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Just 18 goals scored and 36 conceded is a record that deserved relegation

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

The quality jumps of the page here

Excellent numbers in the defensive department with a consistently good

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

In the corners department, Liverpool regularly reduced the opposition to just

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

But Hughes’s recent purchases of hard working no nonsense players leads us to

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Score Ratings 2009/10 Viewpoint

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners

Offside Goal Bookings Fouls Fouls Corners