Showing posts with label Ched Evans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ched Evans. Show all posts

Saturday


Stoke 1 - 0 Sunderland

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Dave Kitson's strike just before half-time earned Stoke victory against Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.
The former Reading player guided his effort past Craig Gordon after a scramble in the area. 
Stoke had the best of the chances, with Liam Lawrence twice having his goalbound shots blocked - first by goalkeeper Gordon then Phil Bardsley. 
Sunderland striker Darren Bent went close with a 20-yard shot and Bardsley forced a save from Thomas Sorensen. 
The match was a fairly tepid affair until the last 10 minutes of the first half. 
The efforts worthy of a mention were that of Kitson's, a snapshot over the bar from eight yards, and Bent's angled shot at the other end which was bravely blocked by Ryan Shawcross.
Apart from those half-chances, Sunderland had dealt relatively well with Rory Delap's long throw-ins while Shawcross and Abdoulaye Faye had nullified the double threat of Bent and Kenwyne Jones. 
But with the interval approaching, clear chances increased in frequency.
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Sheff Utd 2 - 2 West Brom

West Brom went top of the Championship despite a late penalty from David Cotterill salvaging a point for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Roman Bednar gave the Baggies the lead after the break with a glancing header. 
Ched Evans quickly levelled with another fine header before Bednar turned Matthew Kilgallon and fired home in style to restore the advantage. 
But Shaun Cummings brought down Darius Henderson in the dying moments, allowing Cotterill to steal a point.
www.bbc.co.uk

Sheffield United - WBA

United are noticing very promising start of new campaign in Championship. It seems elimination from Burnley in last play-off didn’t discourage the team and lads with eight points from four introducing rounds are announcing another battle for promotion. The Blades made two draws, opening 0-0 vs. Middlesbrough away and unlucky 1-1 against Leicester at home. Two wins came from the encounters against Watford (2-0) at home and Reading (3-1) on the road. United put excellent display at Madejski and after first 20 minutes (when they conceded a goal) took a game in own hands and score three times for a big win. Team has an iron defense and very strong midfield, but little lack in attacking line, as new signing Ched Evans still hasn’t started to repay 3 mill. pounds investment. However, that problem is more obvious against weaker rivals that are focused on defense. After missing the Reading game with tonsillitis, key midfielder Brian Howard is doubtful. The same situation is with on-loan winger Keith Treacy who limped off at Madejski. Home side is undefeated in last nine league games at their Bramall Lane (six wins and three draws).

After relegation from Premier, the Baggies seem decisive to make an immediate return. Boss Roberto Di Matteo has good reason to feel encouraged after club collected ten points from four games. Opening draw against another “ex Premier” – Newcastle (1-1) was an introduction to three consecutive league wins. Two on the road (Nottingham Forest 1-0 and Peterborough United 3-2) and one at home (Ipswich 2-0). In last game, against Roy Keane’s side, West Brom looked superior. Two easy hits, missed penalty and full domination during the entire game are probably just a small piece of their potential. But two away victories have been noticed with a slight touch of luck, as Forest and Peterborough missed a bunch opportunities to get at least a point. West Brom have a lots of problems with injuries. Defenders Gianni Zuiverloon and Neil Clement, midfielders Filipe Teixeira and James Morrison and striker Ishmael Miller are long time sidelined. With a key midfielder Jonathan Greening’s departure to Fulham, team obviously lost some of their quality. This, however don’t reflect on team’s results, so far. For this game, midfielder Chris Brunt has a problem with a calf strain and is not expected to play, while defender Gonzalo Jara is set to miss out as he awaits international clearance.

British press predict a tough game with small number of goals, as United have some problems in attack, while WBA have injury problems and certainly would be satisfied with a goalless draw. I think, in fact I’m sure United will not lose this, they possess more than enough quality for another big win, feel WBA’s luck are running out and simply follow my instinct. Betfair offer 2.58, Pinnacle 2.50. Clear home win.

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Friday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to throw Manchester United into turmoil and demand a move out of Old Trafford. The 24-year-old forward is a £50m target for Real Madrid. (The Sun) 
Although Ronaldo will go on holiday before making a decision on his United future. (Daily Telegraph) 
However the prospect of Ronaldo joining Real Madrid may have receded with the Spanish side opting for the £40m signature of Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery. (Independent) 
In fact, Real Madrid will reject Ronaldo this summer as club president elect Florentino Perez has targeted Milan forward Kaka and Ribery instead.(Daily Express) 
Ribery was Chelsea boss-in-waiting Carlo Ancelotti's first-choice summer signing but the Blues have lost out to Real Madrid. Ancelotti may look to CSKA Moscow's Russian left-back Yuri Zhirkov. (The Times) 
Chelsea have been told they will need to put up £20m for AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to take the 30-year-old to Stamford Bridge when he is named Chelsea boss next week. (Daily Telegraph) 
If Manchester United do not complete the permanent signing of Argentine striker Carlos Tevez this summer they will turn their attentions to Lyon striker Karim Benzema and Wigan's Antonio Valencia. (Daily Express) 
Manchester City and Liverpool are among five clubs who are willing to meet the £25m price tag for Tevez.(The Times) 
Tevez said a tearful goodbye to his Manchester United team-mates before leaving Rome alone after the Champions League final. (The Sun) 
Paul Scholes must decide if the Champions League final is to be his final game for Manchester United. Stoke want the 34-year-old midfielder as a player-coach. (Daily Mail) 
Sir Alex Ferguson may ditch Nani and Ji-Sung Park as the Manchester United boss reshapes his squad while Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak will also leave this summer. (Daily Mirror)
Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry is holding out for a summer move to Arsenal. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is considering a £12m bid for the 28-year-old. (Daily Star) 
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will try to bolster his defence by moving for AC Milan defender Digao, the younger brother of Brazilian forward Kaka. The 23-year-old has been on loan at Standard Liege. (Daily Mirror)
Bolton are lining up a £6m bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. (Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth defender Djimi Traore hopes to make his loan move to Birmingham permanent. (Daily Star)
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has lined up a £2m bid for 20-year-old Manchester City striker Ched Evans. (Daily Express) 
Portuguese defender Nuno Valente will leave Everton this summer but the 34-year-old will play on for another year elsewhere.(The Times) 
Greek side Panathinaikos have bid £1.5m for Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop. (Daily Star) 
Birmingham will step up their pursuit of Middelsbrough's David Wheater, 22, after the £6m-rated defender successfully came through a knee operation. (Daily Star)
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins is being linked with an £8m move to Italian side Fiorentina. (Independent) 
The Magpies have warned the clubs chasing defender Sebastien Bassong that they will not take anything less than £15m for him. (The Sun) 
Sheffield United have rejected a £2m bid from Aston Villa for defender Kyle Naughton. The Blades have put a £6m price tag on the full-back. (Daily Express) 
Leeds have joined West Brom, Celtic and Leicester in the battle for Swindon striker Simon Cox. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former England and Mexico boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is favourite to become the new Portsmouth manager.(The Times) 
Alan Shearer is expected to discover today if he will become the permanent manager of Newcastle United.(The Times) 
Wigan manager Steve Bruce will be named Sunderland boss in the next 48 hours. (Guardian) 
The Premier League will test out its strengthened fit-and-proper-persons rules on Portsmouth's new owner Sulaiman Al Fahim. (Guardian) 
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic wants to be considered for the vacant managerial post at Sunderland. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY 

Everton's Marouane Fellaini believes his lucky hairstyle will help the Toffees defeat Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
The 21-year-old, who cost Everton £15m from Standard Liege last summer, has scored nine goals this season and he's hoping that his Afro-style hair will inspire him to add to that tally on Saturday at Wembley. (Daily Mail)
www.bbc.co.uk