As we moved into the month of August, fans of the English Premier League are starting to come out from their hibernation mode.
It is because August is when the new season will begin.
The curtain raiser is the FA Charity Shield on 7th August between Champions Leicester City and FA Cup Winner Manchester United.
So how is your team going to perform in the coming season? Let us make our prediction for the top 10.
Manchester City
Serial winner Pep Guardiola has taken over and has laid down his rules. With another four new signings expected to be completed soon, Manchester City will take some stopping. Our prediction: 1st
Manchester United
Like cross-town rival, Manchester United has appointed a serial winner by the name of Jose Mourinho. And along with him, came additions in the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The latter two smells goals and it will be fun time at Old Trafford. Our prediction: 2nd
Chelsea
With Antonio Conte at helm and a few additions later, the self-destruction will not happen again. Should be good enough to challenge for the title but will fall just short. Our prediction: 3rd
Arsenal
There are obvious flaw in the team and Arsene Wenger seems to have a difficult time fixing it. A more prolific striker and a dominating central back is what they need to really challenge for the title. Until he can find them, Champions League spot is what they will be fighting for. Our prediction: 4th
Tottenham
Always the bridemaid of the bridemaid, it looks like another similar ending for Tottenham. While they do possess a good squad, they lack that extra bit of quality to push through. Our prediction: 5th
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp first full season in charge but the Reds does not the necessary quality to finally end their title drought. Their possible piece of silverware should come in the form of a cup competition. Our prediction: 6th
West Ham
One of the more exciting teams to watch, the Hammers will be pushing hard for one of the Europa League spot. Other than that, there is nothing much to look forward to. Our prediction: 7th
Southampton
While the heady days in the top four is gone, Southampton has done very well despite having to rebuild their squad every season. European spot will be too much an ask. Our prediction: 8th
Everton
A new owner and manager, this will be a transitional period for the Toffees. They have done well on shoestring budget previously and in new owner, Farhad Moshiri, the blue side of Mersey might not have to work under that constraint anymore. How they will fare depends much on their ability to retain players like Lukaku and Stones. Our prediction: 9th
Leicester
Two of their best players last season, N'Golo Kante has left and Riyad Mahrez has refused to commit his future to the club. Even if they are still around, repeating their feat is unlikely. There is a niggling feeling that the foxes will suffer the "the second season" syndrome. Our prediction: 10th
Showing posts with label Everton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Everton. Show all posts
Tuesday, 2 August 2016
Monday, 12 October 2015
South American treats for Arsenal and Manchester City
Stoke got their second straight win as Marko Arnautovic scored the only goal of the game. The defeat leaves West Brom seeking their first home win of the season.
After a goal-less first half, Crystal Palace scored twice in the second half to clinch victory. Yannick Bolasie put this host ahead and Yohan Cabaye added the second with a late penalty.
Points were shared between the two newly promoted side. Glenn Murray puts the home side ahead but Odion Ighalo ensures the Watford went into the dressing room on level term. Murray had the opportunity to win the game for Bournemouth late on but missed his penalty.
Manchester City went into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats. The home supporters can be forgiven for feeling the worse when Aleksandar Mitrovic puts Newcastle ahead. But Sergio Aguero equalised just before half time. Two goals within 6 minutes of the restart from the Argentine hotshot puts Manchester City 3-1 ahead. Kevin de Bruyne added the fourth before Augero added two more to his tally.
Seeking a quick response to their first defeat last week, Leicester found themselves 2-0 up with goals from Jamie Vardy and Jeffrey Schlupp. Dieumerci Mbokani put a goal back for the home team.
Sunderland seems to be on their way to their first victory of the season when Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens put them 2-0 ahead. Carl Jenkinson put a goal back on the stroke of half-time and the comeback was completed when Dimitri Payet equalised for West Ham.
Willian put Chelsea ahead only for Steven Davis to equalise for Southampton. Further goals from Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle condemned Chelsea to their second home defeat.
Two late goals were the highlights of a rather dull Mersey derby. Danny Ings benefitted from some slack defending to put Liverpool ahead. But the lead lasted only 3 minutes when Romelu Lukaku took advantage of defensive mistake to level the score for Everton.
A fast start from Arsenal saw them went 3-0 ahead within 20 minutes. Alexis Sanchez put the home team ahead and Mesut Oezil added the second a minute later. Sanchez got his second of the day to ensure the Gunners leapfrogged Manchester United into second place.
Andre Ayew put Swansea ahead only for Christian Eriksen to equalised for Tottenham. A Harry Kane own goal restored the home team advantage only for Eriksen to spare his team-mate blushes with another equaliser.
Top five performing team *
Arsenal: 7.18
Manchester City: 7.1
Tottenham: 6.97
Leicester: 6.95
West Ham: 6.94
Top five performing players *
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester): 8.46
David Silva (Manchester City): 8.04
Jamie Vardy (Leicester): 7.87
Dimitri Payet (West Ham): 7.85
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal): 7.77
* all statistics provided by WhoScored.com
After a goal-less first half, Crystal Palace scored twice in the second half to clinch victory. Yannick Bolasie put this host ahead and Yohan Cabaye added the second with a late penalty.
Points were shared between the two newly promoted side. Glenn Murray puts the home side ahead but Odion Ighalo ensures the Watford went into the dressing room on level term. Murray had the opportunity to win the game for Bournemouth late on but missed his penalty.
Manchester City went into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats. The home supporters can be forgiven for feeling the worse when Aleksandar Mitrovic puts Newcastle ahead. But Sergio Aguero equalised just before half time. Two goals within 6 minutes of the restart from the Argentine hotshot puts Manchester City 3-1 ahead. Kevin de Bruyne added the fourth before Augero added two more to his tally.
Seeking a quick response to their first defeat last week, Leicester found themselves 2-0 up with goals from Jamie Vardy and Jeffrey Schlupp. Dieumerci Mbokani put a goal back for the home team.
Sunderland seems to be on their way to their first victory of the season when Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens put them 2-0 ahead. Carl Jenkinson put a goal back on the stroke of half-time and the comeback was completed when Dimitri Payet equalised for West Ham.
Willian put Chelsea ahead only for Steven Davis to equalise for Southampton. Further goals from Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle condemned Chelsea to their second home defeat.
Two late goals were the highlights of a rather dull Mersey derby. Danny Ings benefitted from some slack defending to put Liverpool ahead. But the lead lasted only 3 minutes when Romelu Lukaku took advantage of defensive mistake to level the score for Everton.
A fast start from Arsenal saw them went 3-0 ahead within 20 minutes. Alexis Sanchez put the home team ahead and Mesut Oezil added the second a minute later. Sanchez got his second of the day to ensure the Gunners leapfrogged Manchester United into second place.
Andre Ayew put Swansea ahead only for Christian Eriksen to equalised for Tottenham. A Harry Kane own goal restored the home team advantage only for Eriksen to spare his team-mate blushes with another equaliser.
Top five performing team *
Arsenal: 7.18
Manchester City: 7.1
Tottenham: 6.97
Leicester: 6.95
West Ham: 6.94
Top five performing players *
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester): 8.46
David Silva (Manchester City): 8.04
Jamie Vardy (Leicester): 7.87
Dimitri Payet (West Ham): 7.85
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal): 7.77
* all statistics provided by WhoScored.com
Monday, 24 August 2015
Liverpool and Manchester United lost perfect record
Before the start of the weekend ganes, there were four teams who had 100% from their first 2 games. At the end of it, only Manchester City gets to keep their perfect start in tact.
The Citizens follow up their 3-0 success over Chelsea with another impressive victory at Goodison Park with Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri scoring the goals.
Liverpool and Manchester United were held to goal-less draw against Arsenal and Newcastle respectively. Both Aaron Ramsey and Wayne Rooney had goals wrongly ruled out for outside.
Leicester and Riyad Mahrez continued their brilliant start to the season with the Algerian equalising after Dele Alli had given Tottenham the lead 60 seconds earlier.
Champions Chelsea finally got their first win of the season at The Hawthorns. Debutant Pedro Rodriguez opened the scoring and Diego Costa put Chelsea 2-0 ahead. James Morrison made up for his earlier missed penalty by pulling a goal back before Cesar Azpilicueta restored the Blues 2-0 advantage. James Morrison got his second of the night but West Brom could not find an equaliser against ten men Chelsea after John Terry was sent off.
Bournemouth scored their first Premier Leagues goals when Callum Wilson scored twice to put the newly promoted side 2-0 ahead. Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate levelled the score for the Hammers before Marc Pugh and Callum Wilson restored Cherries' 2-0 lead. Modibo Maiga pulled one back but forcing a draw proved too much for the home side who had Carl Jenkinson sent off.
Crystal Palace players scored all three goals in their 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Scott Dann put home side ahead only for Pape Ndiaye Souare to put through his own goalkeeper. Bakary Sako pops up with the winner to spare the Senegalese's blushes.
Watford got their third consecutive draw, helding Southampton 0-0 at Vicarage Road.
Matches between Norwich City vs Stoke City and Sunderland vs Swansea ended in a 1-1 draw.
Mame Biram Diouf put Stoke ahead in the 11th minute and Norwich replied through Russell Martin 17 minutes later.
Swansea scored on the stroke of half time, courtesy of Bafetimbi Gomis. Jermain Defoe replied to ensure Sunderland got their first point of the season.
Top five performing team *
Manchester City: 7.33
Liverpool: 7.12
Arsenal: 7.04
Swansea: 7.02
Watford: 7.01
Top five performing players *
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester): 9.22
Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace): 8.51
David Silva (Manchester City): 8.25
Pedro (Chelsea): 8.21
Yaya Toure (Manchester City): 8.14
The Citizens follow up their 3-0 success over Chelsea with another impressive victory at Goodison Park with Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri scoring the goals.
Liverpool and Manchester United were held to goal-less draw against Arsenal and Newcastle respectively. Both Aaron Ramsey and Wayne Rooney had goals wrongly ruled out for outside.
Leicester and Riyad Mahrez continued their brilliant start to the season with the Algerian equalising after Dele Alli had given Tottenham the lead 60 seconds earlier.
Champions Chelsea finally got their first win of the season at The Hawthorns. Debutant Pedro Rodriguez opened the scoring and Diego Costa put Chelsea 2-0 ahead. James Morrison made up for his earlier missed penalty by pulling a goal back before Cesar Azpilicueta restored the Blues 2-0 advantage. James Morrison got his second of the night but West Brom could not find an equaliser against ten men Chelsea after John Terry was sent off.
Bournemouth scored their first Premier Leagues goals when Callum Wilson scored twice to put the newly promoted side 2-0 ahead. Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate levelled the score for the Hammers before Marc Pugh and Callum Wilson restored Cherries' 2-0 lead. Modibo Maiga pulled one back but forcing a draw proved too much for the home side who had Carl Jenkinson sent off.
Crystal Palace players scored all three goals in their 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Scott Dann put home side ahead only for Pape Ndiaye Souare to put through his own goalkeeper. Bakary Sako pops up with the winner to spare the Senegalese's blushes.
Watford got their third consecutive draw, helding Southampton 0-0 at Vicarage Road.
Matches between Norwich City vs Stoke City and Sunderland vs Swansea ended in a 1-1 draw.
Mame Biram Diouf put Stoke ahead in the 11th minute and Norwich replied through Russell Martin 17 minutes later.
Swansea scored on the stroke of half time, courtesy of Bafetimbi Gomis. Jermain Defoe replied to ensure Sunderland got their first point of the season.
Top five performing team *
Manchester City: 7.33
Liverpool: 7.12
Arsenal: 7.04
Swansea: 7.02
Watford: 7.01
Top five performing players *
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester): 9.22
Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace): 8.51
David Silva (Manchester City): 8.25
Pedro (Chelsea): 8.21
Yaya Toure (Manchester City): 8.14
*Statistics provided by WhoScored.com
Monday, 22 June 2015
Season 2014/15 in review
Chelsea won the double of League title and cup. Arsenal retained their FA Cup. Hull, Burnley and QPR were relegated to the Championship and Manchester United snatched back their Champions League position.
We look back at the 2014/15 season and give our verdicts on the performances for the teams.
Chelsea - Led the table from day 1 and never relinguish the position, clinching the title with 3 games to spare. Beside the title, the Blues was won the League Cup. Our verdict: Excellent. Whoscored.com rating: 7.28
Man City - As the saying goes, "Winning the title is hard, retaining it is harder". Manchester City season prove just about right. The collective lost of form from the core players like Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero was their achilles heel. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.29.
Arsenal - Poor start means their title challenge was over by November. Put together an amazing run of 9 wins in 11 games towards the end. But gap proved too huge to overcome. Retain the FA Cup in emphatic style. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.38.
Man Utd - The appointment of Louis Van Gaal and new signings like Angel Di Maria, Macros Rojo, Luke Shaw, Danny Blind and Ander Herrara gave the fans plenty of look forward to. But, the Red Devils proved to be very much a team in transition. More importantly, they wrestle back their Champions League spot. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com: 7.20
Tottenham - Touted as the team to break the big four stranglehold but ended up as the bridesmaid yet again. The emergence of Harry Kane was the highlight of their season. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.08
Liverpool - After coming to within a whisker of finally ending their 25 years wait for the league title, Reds' fans started the season with high hopes. But the sale of Luis Suarez and the injuries substained by Daniel Sturridge dashed all hopes. Managed to make it to the semi-finals of both the FA and Capital One Cup but fans expected more. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com: 7.06
Southampton - After the mass exodus of players, many predicted that Southampton will struggle. However, they exceed all expectation and remain in the top four for most part of the early season. Falter towards the end but still, managed to qualify for Europe next season. Surprise team of the season. Our verdict: Excellent. Whoscored.com rating: 7.08
Swansea - A mid table club who is not expected to challenge the big boys. However, they managed to overcome the lost of star striker Wilfried Bony, who joined Manchester City in the January transfer window, to stay in the top half of the table. Our rating: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.03
Stoke - Another of the mid table team, without any high hopes going into the season. Did well to retain their 9th position. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com: 7.04.
Crystal Palace - "One man's poison is another's meat". You can said that about Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew. Much hatred at the St James' Park, Pardew left the Magpies to join a Palace stuck in relegation zone and guided them to 10th position, their highest ever position in the Premier League. Pardew became the only manager to take over a club in relegation zone and eventually guided them to the top half of the table. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.00.
Everton - This is the season whereby we were suppose to see the rise of Ross Barkley after his breakthrough season the previous year. However, he did not really set the league on fire. So too did Everton. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com rating: 6.96.
West Ham - The highlight of an otherwise average season is their qualification to the Europa League first qualifying round after finishing top of the Premier League Fair Play table. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com rating: 7.01.
West Brom - Another of the mid table club who managed to meet what must be their main objective, which is to stay in the Premier League. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com rating: 6.91.
Leicester - Started the season brilliantly but lost their way. Look set for relegation until they went on an amazing run, collecting 22 points out of a possible 30 to secure their survival. Our verdict: Excellent. Whoscored.com: 7.02
Newcastle - Appointed John Carver in January after Alan Pardew left to join Crystal Palace. Under Carver, Newcastle only managed to collective 12 points in 18 games. A win on the last day of the season secured their survival. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.89.
Sunderland - Draw specialist (17) and joint-second lowest goal scoring team, Sunderland spent the entire season hovering around the relegation positions. The club parted way with Gus Poyet and Dick Advocat was named as the replacement. The Blacks Cats eventually did just enough to retain their Premier League status. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.89.
Aston Villa - Joint-second lowest goal scoring team, Aston Villa parted way with Paul Lambert in February. The appointment of Tim Sherwood coincide with an upturn in form. They managed to fend off relegation and made it in the FA Cup. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com: 6.82.
Hull - After the highs of playing in the Europa League as a losing finalist in the 2013-14 FA Cup, Hull was brought back to earth with a heavy landing. After a relatively good start, The Tigers managed only 5 points out of possible 30 during the Nov-Dec period. They tried to fight against the odds but was unable to reverse it, Newcastle's final day victory condemn Hull to the Championship next season. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.92
Burnley - One of the favourites for the drop, Burnley put on a valiant fight but the difference in class was simply too great. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.91
QPR - The London club only managed to get their first away win, and indeed the first away points, in their 11th attempt. With such absyml away record, it is no wonder that they have been around their relegation zone. And their fate was sealed when they got hammered 6-0 by Manchester City. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.91
We look back at the 2014/15 season and give our verdicts on the performances for the teams.
Chelsea - Led the table from day 1 and never relinguish the position, clinching the title with 3 games to spare. Beside the title, the Blues was won the League Cup. Our verdict: Excellent. Whoscored.com rating: 7.28
Man City - As the saying goes, "Winning the title is hard, retaining it is harder". Manchester City season prove just about right. The collective lost of form from the core players like Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero was their achilles heel. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.29.
Arsenal - Poor start means their title challenge was over by November. Put together an amazing run of 9 wins in 11 games towards the end. But gap proved too huge to overcome. Retain the FA Cup in emphatic style. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.38.
Man Utd - The appointment of Louis Van Gaal and new signings like Angel Di Maria, Macros Rojo, Luke Shaw, Danny Blind and Ander Herrara gave the fans plenty of look forward to. But, the Red Devils proved to be very much a team in transition. More importantly, they wrestle back their Champions League spot. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com: 7.20
Tottenham - Touted as the team to break the big four stranglehold but ended up as the bridesmaid yet again. The emergence of Harry Kane was the highlight of their season. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.08
Liverpool - After coming to within a whisker of finally ending their 25 years wait for the league title, Reds' fans started the season with high hopes. But the sale of Luis Suarez and the injuries substained by Daniel Sturridge dashed all hopes. Managed to make it to the semi-finals of both the FA and Capital One Cup but fans expected more. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com: 7.06
Southampton - After the mass exodus of players, many predicted that Southampton will struggle. However, they exceed all expectation and remain in the top four for most part of the early season. Falter towards the end but still, managed to qualify for Europe next season. Surprise team of the season. Our verdict: Excellent. Whoscored.com rating: 7.08
Swansea - A mid table club who is not expected to challenge the big boys. However, they managed to overcome the lost of star striker Wilfried Bony, who joined Manchester City in the January transfer window, to stay in the top half of the table. Our rating: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.03
Stoke - Another of the mid table team, without any high hopes going into the season. Did well to retain their 9th position. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com: 7.04.
Crystal Palace - "One man's poison is another's meat". You can said that about Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew. Much hatred at the St James' Park, Pardew left the Magpies to join a Palace stuck in relegation zone and guided them to 10th position, their highest ever position in the Premier League. Pardew became the only manager to take over a club in relegation zone and eventually guided them to the top half of the table. Our verdict: Good. Whoscored.com rating: 7.00.
Everton - This is the season whereby we were suppose to see the rise of Ross Barkley after his breakthrough season the previous year. However, he did not really set the league on fire. So too did Everton. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com rating: 6.96.
West Ham - The highlight of an otherwise average season is their qualification to the Europa League first qualifying round after finishing top of the Premier League Fair Play table. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com rating: 7.01.
West Brom - Another of the mid table club who managed to meet what must be their main objective, which is to stay in the Premier League. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com rating: 6.91.
Leicester - Started the season brilliantly but lost their way. Look set for relegation until they went on an amazing run, collecting 22 points out of a possible 30 to secure their survival. Our verdict: Excellent. Whoscored.com: 7.02
Newcastle - Appointed John Carver in January after Alan Pardew left to join Crystal Palace. Under Carver, Newcastle only managed to collective 12 points in 18 games. A win on the last day of the season secured their survival. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.89.
Sunderland - Draw specialist (17) and joint-second lowest goal scoring team, Sunderland spent the entire season hovering around the relegation positions. The club parted way with Gus Poyet and Dick Advocat was named as the replacement. The Blacks Cats eventually did just enough to retain their Premier League status. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.89.
Aston Villa - Joint-second lowest goal scoring team, Aston Villa parted way with Paul Lambert in February. The appointment of Tim Sherwood coincide with an upturn in form. They managed to fend off relegation and made it in the FA Cup. Our verdict: Average. Whoscored.com: 6.82.
Hull - After the highs of playing in the Europa League as a losing finalist in the 2013-14 FA Cup, Hull was brought back to earth with a heavy landing. After a relatively good start, The Tigers managed only 5 points out of possible 30 during the Nov-Dec period. They tried to fight against the odds but was unable to reverse it, Newcastle's final day victory condemn Hull to the Championship next season. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.92
Burnley - One of the favourites for the drop, Burnley put on a valiant fight but the difference in class was simply too great. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.91
QPR - The London club only managed to get their first away win, and indeed the first away points, in their 11th attempt. With such absyml away record, it is no wonder that they have been around their relegation zone. And their fate was sealed when they got hammered 6-0 by Manchester City. Our verdict: Poor. Whoscored.com rating: 6.91
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