Tag Archives: BPL

The BPL Title Race Heats Up

After 35/36 games played, the title race has turned into an intense battle to find out who will be crowned the Barclays Premier League Champions (2013/14).

After Chelsea managed a 2-0 win over Liverpool with several players injured and suspended. Liverpool struggled to break down a very stubborn Chelsea defence and when they did, Schwarzer was there to repel any attacks with some fine saves.

With Man City earning a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, they have pushed themselves into pole position with an extra game in hand over Chelsea and Liverpool. With their superior goal difference, this may prove vital going into the last day of the BPL. The title race could have been a different story if Liverpool were able to get any points from Chelsea.

However, for us neutrals, it makes the BPL title race just as exciting as the 2011/12 season, when Man City won it on Goal difference.
Is it possible for history to repeat itself?

It will be very hard to determine who may win the league this season, as we have seen many times before, there are no easy games in the BPL and anything can happen in these last 2/3 games. Man City have the extra game in hand and players returning to full fitness.
Chelsea have the experienced and tactically astute manager but Liverpool have the pace and freshness of players which could prove key to securing their PL title since 1990.

 

Top Three as of 28th April

Team                Games Played        GD     Points

1. Liverpool             36                        +50        80

2. Chelsea                36                        +43         78

3. Man City              35                      +58       77

 

Liverpool’s next two games: Crystal Palace (A) & Newcastle (H) [5th May & 11th May]

Chelsea’s next two games: Norwich (H) & Cardiff (A) [4th May & 11th May]

Man City’s next three games: Everton (A) [3rd May], Aston Villa (H) [7th May] & West Ham (H) [11th May]

 

Barclays Premier League (Pic from Krank)

 

Who will rise to the challenge?

 

 

Is Villa Park Becoming Hostile?

Lowton, Agbonlahor, Weimann at Villa Park. (Left to Right) (image from Birmingham Mail)

After Aston Villa’s loss to Sheffield Utd in the FA Cup 3rd Round, Villa’s home form continues to plummet with losses and draws.

In the Premier League, Aston Villa have only won 2 home games out of 10 so far in the 2013/14 season. (As at 2nd Jan 14)
This was also the case in the same period (10 games- to 1 Jan 2013) during the 2012/13 season.

In domestic competitions, Villa have played all their cup games at home this season, losing two out of three games to Spurs (0-4) and Sheffield Utd (1-2). The other game was a win against Rotherham United in the League Cup (3-0).

Last year in the Premier League, Villa won only 5 home games in that season. A recipe for relegation candidates and it was something they got away with in the previous campaign. The reason being that Villa managed 23 points from away fixtures that season which provided great assistance to avoid relegation. But the problem still exists this season , with Villa only picking up 8 points so far at Villa Park (as at 4th Jan 14) but mustering a modest tally of 15 points at away from home. This problem is caused by the lack of goals scored at home, combined with the goals they leak, resulting in fans being restless and voicing their concerns.

Stat: Worryingly, Villa are the lowest home goalscorers in the English top-flight, mustering just six goals in eight games. They have not scored a first-half Premier League goal at Villa Park this season. (As at 26 Dec 13) [BBC Sport]

Villa fans are continuing to become frustrated watching games at home and thus creating a poor atmosphere at Villa Park. Is this the reason why players are not performing at home? Are the fans not getting behind the team, trying to inject some momentum and belief into the team. Or do the fans have every reason to voice their discontent with an awful home run that stretches back to the previous season.

Villa players downbeat at Villa Park (Image from Talksport)

After the FA Cup loss against Sheffield Utd, Villa were booed off by their own fans at the end and Lambert said: “The fans pay their money to come to watch and that is part of the game.”

“It is up to us to give them something to be happy about and we have not done that. Everybody knows I am not the happiest person when we lose.”

Fans have been described as fickle at times, but as a club in the second biggest city in England (Birmingham) and with a rich pedigree of past honours , do they have valid reason to see their team perform better?
On average, Villa Park has seen 37,000 (approx) fans attend per game for the ten home games played up to and including 1st Jan 2014 (PL Games) [ESPN]. Fans are still showing the faith by attending games, but does this add weight to the argument that the players are not doing enough at home. Is fear creeping in at Villa Park?

2014 is a new year and a time for change, so Villa have the opportunity to improve their performances/fortunes at home or it won’t be long until Villa Park feels more like a death trap than a fortress for themselves.

AVFC Holte End + Flag

Links: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25442145

http://espnfc.com/stats/attendance/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739 [ESPN]

Top Fifteen Premier League Moments in 2013

We will look at the top fifteenth events that occurred during 2013 in the English Premier League. This includes the 2nd half of the 2012/13 season and the 1st half of the 2013/14 season. The list will be presented in descending order starting with number 15.

So here we go:

15. Newcastle’s French Revolution, Alan Pardew signs 6 French Players in the Jan Transfer window and thus turning Newcastle Utd into Nouveau Chateau.

Newcastle’s new recruits in Jan 2013. (Image from Premier League)

14. Wayne Rooney suffers a deep cut to his forehead which required 12 stitches, the injury being caused with a collision with team mate Phil Jones. People questioned his desire to play for England for the WCQ, thus resulted in Rooney posting his injury on his Facebook page.

13. Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez leads Chelsea to a third place finish, while battling with Chelsea fans and achieving this after being out of management for two years.

Benitez at Chelsea (Image from BBC)

12. Football Supporters’ Federation launched it’s £20 away tickets campaign to establish affordable tickets for traveling fans. The introduction would boost the atmosphere at stadiums and show the BPL still thinks of the fans.

11. Spurs’ Willian bid is hijacked by Chelsea, as player fails to turn up to agree terms with Spurs but then arrives at Stamford Bridge to sign for Chelsea.

Parody (Joke) picture of Willian finally joining Chelsea. (Image from Paddy Power blog)

10. Phil Jones’ reaction when Aguero scores against Utd (see picture)

Phil Jones Facial Expression (image from Metro)

9. Manchester City v Arsenal 6-3 FT 14th Dec 2013. A game great for neutrals with goals galore.

8. Luis Suarez receives a 10 game ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic in a bizarre event.

7. Luis Suarez scores 4 goals against Norwich and scores the most goals in a calendar month in the BPL (10 goals in Dec 13)

Luis Suarez scores 4 goals v Norwich

6. West Bromwich Albion’s 5-5 draw against Manchester Utd at the Hawthorns creating the first ever 5-5 draw in BPL history.

West Brom v Man Utd. 5-5 Thriller

5. Jose Mourinho returns to Chelsea after a six year absence.

Jose returns home to Chelsea FC and back to the Premier League

4. Van Persie’s volley against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. A through ball from Rooney splits two defenders, which Van Persie watches over his shoulder onto this left boot, striking the ball into the goal giving Guzan absolutely no chance.

Van Persie Volley v Villa (Image from Telegraph)

3. Arsenal Sign Mesut Ozil on deadline day on August 2013 for £42m

2. Gareth Bale becomes the most expensive signing in football when Real Madrid’s £85m offer is accepted from Tottenham.

1. The iconic Sir Alex Ferguson retires after claiming Man Utd’s 20th Premier League trophy. Hailing him to be the best Barclays Premier League manager. (1992-2013)

Sir Alex retires after winning the Premier League title. Man Utd’s 20th League title.

Hope you enjoyed re-living some great moments of 2013 in the Premier League.

I wish my readers a Happy New Year. 🙂
Enjoy!!

Happy 2014!!

Barclay’s Premier League Results 21st/22nd Sept 13

Barclays Premier League (21st-22nd Sept 13)

Results: Sat 21st Sept 13

Norwich 0-1 Aston Villa

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

Newcastle 2-3 Hull

West Brom 3-0 Sunderland

West Ham 2- 3 Everton

Chelsea 2-0 Fulham

Saturday’s best game was the 3-2 win for Everton. Baines scoring two freekicks with the first one being an absolute pearler/beauty in the top right of the GK. Then the next freekick flew over the wall and finished by cracking on the inside of the post giving the GK no chance at all. Then Lukaku getting the winner for Everton with a solid header. West Ham’s Noble was sent off for two yellow cards.

Results: Sunday 22nd Sept 13

Arsenal 3-1 Stoke

Crystal Palace 0-2 Swansea

Cardiff 0-1 Tottenham

Man City 4-1 Man Utd

Sunday’s best game was Man City beating neighbours Man Utd 4-1. Man Utd looked poor thoughout the game especially in the first half and only managed a consolation goal from a Rooney free kick. Aguero scoring a great volley by adjusting his body and swinging his left foot to send the ball into the net with De Gea well beaten.

Samuel Eto’o ‘s Debut for Chelsea

Samuel from his Inter days.

Samuel Eto’o will start his BPL debut against Everton.

Having played most his football in Spain, the Cameroon striker will now face the test of the Barclays Premier League.
Coming from a local youth club in Cameroon, he moved to Real Madrid’s youth academy while he was 17 years old. He was loaned to three Spanish clubs who were Leganes, Espanyol and Mallorca. He then agreed to join Mallorca permanently in the year 2000, making over 100 apperances for the Spanish club.

He then made a big move to Barcelona where we excelled and won several trophies including the UCL, La Liga and several Spanish domestic trophies.  He also previously played for Inter and Anzhi. With his stats, he has nearly managed to score a goal in every two games with many of his previous three clubs.

At the age of 32, some people believe he may be past his best. But other believe his experience and natural fitness will not be a problem when dealing with the Barclays Premier League. Having played with top European teams and having international experience, he will surely be an asset for Chelsea.  Having worked with Mourinho before, he will know what is required of him and will surely have a good relationship.

I think he will be a good buy for Chelsea and will probably be first choice for most the season if he impresses today and can settle in quick as possible. Because if he does, Chelsea can be real title contenders this season.

Transfer Deadline Day Part 1

So its the Transfer Deadline Day today in Europe.

The big talk so far is Mesut Ozil To Arsenal for a reported £42m from Real Madrid.
Also, with Marouane Fellaini tempted by Man Utd and may be looking to move from Everton.
Kaka has returned to AC MIlan. Can he discover his previous form and push AC Milan towards the scudetto?

Not much in England to talk about yet. But still got a few hours left.

Any views? Send them in. All countries.
Who do you want your club to sign?

Tweet (@Seb_Gomez8) / (@APARALES17 ) Or leave us a comment here.