All four quarter-finals of the Darts World Championships took place yesterday, leaving us with our New Year's Day semi-final line-up. The first match of the afternoon saw darts' new favourite couple, Kim Huybrechts and his girlfriend Dana, exit the tournament at the hands of Andy Hamilton. Hamilton took the first set 3-1 before winning the deciding leg in the second set to double his lead. The Belgian debutant hit back with a 3-0 third set victory but he couldn't build from it. Hamilton roared back with a 3-1 fourth set victory and then took the fifth set without conceding. Huybrechts kept his World Championships alive by making it 4-2 after taking the sixth set 3-1 but Hamilton wasn't going to lose and won the seventh set by the same scoreline to win the match 5-2.
The second match of the afternoon was one of the best matches in World Championships history between James Wade and John Part. Wade looked to be in full control of the match after only conceding three legs on his way to leading 3-1, Part equalised via the deciding leg in set two. But the Canadian fought back by taking the fifth leg in set five and then taking the following set without conceding to level the match. But Part wasn't content with just levelling the match and he went onto take the lead by again taking the fifth leg in the seventh set. This time it was Wade's turn to keep himself in the game and he did that back by winning the eighth set 3-1 to force the ninth and final set. Despite the nerves jangling, both players put on a stunning 140 and 180 fest as the set went into a tie break. But still neither player could break their opponent and the match stood a two sets and five legs all. This meant a closest to the bull contest to determine who throws first in the sudden death leg. Both players his the outer bull on the first attempt, but Part surrendered the throw after missing the bull with Wade hitting the bulls-eye. That was possibly the most crucial dart of the match as it helped Wade to win the deciding leg to conclude a fantastic game of darts. Overall Part hit 42 100+ scores compared to Wade's 62. The Canadian hit 26 140+ scores with The Machine hitting 31 but both players managed an incredible nine 180s in the stunning encounter.
Last year's runner-up, Gary Anderson, failed to turn up against Simon Whitlock in the opening match of the evening. Anderson did take the first set 3-1 but then failed to find his doubles. Whitlock punished Anderson every time and took the second set via the decider before taking the lead with a 3-1 third set victory. The fourth set also went down to the final leg which the Australian won before making it 4-1 without conceding in the fifth set. Anderson then went 2-0 ahead in the sixth set only to find himself losing it 3-2 to give Whitlock the 5-1 victory to set up a semi-final tie against Andy Hamilton.
The reigning World Champion, Adrian Lewis, was made to fight harder than perhaps he should have against Terry Jenkins. Lewis only conceded two legs in the first three sets, winning the third 3-0 to storm into a set lead of the same score. But remarkably the game changed, Lewis started missing the trebles and Jenkins only conceded three legs in the following three sets, winning the fifth set 3-2 and the sixth without conceding to level the match a 3-3. But the battle to level the match took its toll on Jenkins as Lewis regained momentum. He took the seventh set 3-1 before doing the same in the following set to win the match 5-3 and sets up a tasty encounter against James Wade.
Saturday 31 December 2011
Friday 30 December 2011
Nicholson Bel-ted
Paul Nicholson became the latest casualty as the quarter-final line-up has now been confirmed. The opening match of the afternoon could have been a world final once upon a time as John Part took on Kevin Painter. It was close enough to be a final as only one set failed to go to five legs. Painter took the first deciding leg before Part equalised with the second. Part then took a 2-1 lead with a 3-1 third set victory before Painter equalised with another deciding leg. The fifth and sixth sets were both won by Part via the fifth and final legs to see him progress into the last eight.
James Wade wasted no time in progressing through, conceding just five legs to Steve Farmer. Wade took the first set without conceding before winning the second set 3-1. The third and fourth sets were taken to a deciding leg but Wade won both of them to secure the 4-0 win.
The final match of the afternoon saw the upset as Paul Nicholson lost to the Belgian debutant Kim Huybrechts. Nicholson got off to a great start by taking the first leg 3-1. But from there Nicholson's game began to deteriorate as the crowd got to him. Huybrechts levelled by winning the second set 3-1 before taking the lead without conceding in the third set. Nicholson did manage a 170 checkout in the fourth set to make it 1-1 but Huybrechts went onto take the set 3-1. The fifth set also went the Belgian's way, 3-1, to see Huybrechts win the match 4-1 and progress through to the quarter finals where he'll face Andy Hamilton.
The first match of the evening nearly saw a fantastic comeback as Simon Whitlock took on Michael Van Gerwen. Whitlock looked like he would cruise into the quarters after only conceding one leg in the second set before leading the match 3-0. But the young Dutchman showed his resilience and fought back. Van Gerwen took the fourth set 3-1 before making 3-2 by winning the deciding leg in the following set. The Dutchman then took the sixth set without conceding to level the match. But his energy was spent and Whitlock took the final set 3-0 to fight off the remarkable comeback.
Dave Chisnall's final was against Phil Taylor in the last round as he couldn't rise again to beat Andy Hamilton. Hamilton conceded just five legs on his way to winning the match 4-0. The first set finished 3-1 before Hamilton made it 2-0 via the fifth leg. The third and fourth sets both finished 3-1 in Hamilton's favour.
The final man to get into the quarter finals was Gary Anderson who made an impression against Colin Lloyd. The first set was rather sloppy from both players but Anderson took the crucial deciding leg. Then the Scot went into overdrive, winning the second without conceding in just four minutes and thirteen seconds, followed by the third set without conceding in just five minutes and 23 seconds. Anderson then seemed to go off the boil again and began missing doubles which allowed Lloyd to take the fourth set via the decider. But Anderson wasn't going to be denied and he took the fifth set without conceding, setting up the tie of the quarter finals against Simon Whitlock.
James Wade wasted no time in progressing through, conceding just five legs to Steve Farmer. Wade took the first set without conceding before winning the second set 3-1. The third and fourth sets were taken to a deciding leg but Wade won both of them to secure the 4-0 win.
The final match of the afternoon saw the upset as Paul Nicholson lost to the Belgian debutant Kim Huybrechts. Nicholson got off to a great start by taking the first leg 3-1. But from there Nicholson's game began to deteriorate as the crowd got to him. Huybrechts levelled by winning the second set 3-1 before taking the lead without conceding in the third set. Nicholson did manage a 170 checkout in the fourth set to make it 1-1 but Huybrechts went onto take the set 3-1. The fifth set also went the Belgian's way, 3-1, to see Huybrechts win the match 4-1 and progress through to the quarter finals where he'll face Andy Hamilton.
The first match of the evening nearly saw a fantastic comeback as Simon Whitlock took on Michael Van Gerwen. Whitlock looked like he would cruise into the quarters after only conceding one leg in the second set before leading the match 3-0. But the young Dutchman showed his resilience and fought back. Van Gerwen took the fourth set 3-1 before making 3-2 by winning the deciding leg in the following set. The Dutchman then took the sixth set without conceding to level the match. But his energy was spent and Whitlock took the final set 3-0 to fight off the remarkable comeback.
Dave Chisnall's final was against Phil Taylor in the last round as he couldn't rise again to beat Andy Hamilton. Hamilton conceded just five legs on his way to winning the match 4-0. The first set finished 3-1 before Hamilton made it 2-0 via the fifth leg. The third and fourth sets both finished 3-1 in Hamilton's favour.
The final man to get into the quarter finals was Gary Anderson who made an impression against Colin Lloyd. The first set was rather sloppy from both players but Anderson took the crucial deciding leg. Then the Scot went into overdrive, winning the second without conceding in just four minutes and thirteen seconds, followed by the third set without conceding in just five minutes and 23 seconds. Anderson then seemed to go off the boil again and began missing doubles which allowed Lloyd to take the fourth set via the decider. But Anderson wasn't going to be denied and he took the fifth set without conceding, setting up the tie of the quarter finals against Simon Whitlock.
Thursday 29 December 2011
King Dethroned By Young Dutchman
Mervyn King became the latest big name to fall from the World Darts Championships as the second concluded yesterday. King kicked off the afternoon session against youth tour winner, Michael Van Gerwen. The first set went to the final leg which the Dutchman won but King retaliated with a 3-0 second set victory. Van Gerwen retook the lead by winning the third set 3-1. The following two sets both went to the deciding leg and Van Gerwen won both of the vital legs to win the match 4-1.
Simon Whitlock continued to impress even though he was fought hard by Steve Beaton. Whitlock won the first set via a decider before taking the second set without conceding. Beaton put a set on the board by winning the third set 3-2 to make it 2-1. Again the following two sets went the distance with Whitlock winning both deciding legs to also win 4-1.
The final match of the afternoon session saw Colin Lloyd take on Scott Rand. This again followed a similar patter to the previous two matches. Lloyd took the first set 3-1 before Rand equalised by winning the deciding leg in the second set. Lloyd then made it 2-1 with a 3-1 third set win. The next two sets again went to that deciding leg and Lloyd won them both to also win 4-1.
The final second round match took place in the evening and Gary Anderson faced a tougher test against Devon Petersen than many of us predicted. Anderson took the first set within six minutes and without conceding. But any thoughts of a whitewash were gone when Petersen won the first and fifth legs of the second set to make it 1-1. Anderson then took a 3-1 lead with set victories of 3-1 and 3-2 but Petersen fought back to 3-2 with a 3-1 set victory of his own. The sixth set also went to the final leg but Anderson produced a 124 checkout to win the match.
The third round began with Adrian Lewis producing his most convincing performance so far, conceding just four legs against Wayne Jones. The World Champion took the first set without conceding before making it 2-0 with a 3-1 second set victory. The third set did go to the decider but Lewis again won it before winning the fourth set 3-1 to comfortably progress to the quarter finals.
The final match of the night saw Terry Jenkins face Justin Pipe. Pipe's slow pace didn't deter Jenkins and the Bull secured the first two sets 3-1 then 3-2. Pipe fought back with a third set victory of 3-1 but Jenkins prevailed by taking the fourth set on the decider and the fifth without conceding.
Simon Whitlock continued to impress even though he was fought hard by Steve Beaton. Whitlock won the first set via a decider before taking the second set without conceding. Beaton put a set on the board by winning the third set 3-2 to make it 2-1. Again the following two sets went the distance with Whitlock winning both deciding legs to also win 4-1.
The final match of the afternoon session saw Colin Lloyd take on Scott Rand. This again followed a similar patter to the previous two matches. Lloyd took the first set 3-1 before Rand equalised by winning the deciding leg in the second set. Lloyd then made it 2-1 with a 3-1 third set win. The next two sets again went to that deciding leg and Lloyd won them both to also win 4-1.
The final second round match took place in the evening and Gary Anderson faced a tougher test against Devon Petersen than many of us predicted. Anderson took the first set within six minutes and without conceding. But any thoughts of a whitewash were gone when Petersen won the first and fifth legs of the second set to make it 1-1. Anderson then took a 3-1 lead with set victories of 3-1 and 3-2 but Petersen fought back to 3-2 with a 3-1 set victory of his own. The sixth set also went to the final leg but Anderson produced a 124 checkout to win the match.
The third round began with Adrian Lewis producing his most convincing performance so far, conceding just four legs against Wayne Jones. The World Champion took the first set without conceding before making it 2-0 with a 3-1 second set victory. The third set did go to the decider but Lewis again won it before winning the fourth set 3-1 to comfortably progress to the quarter finals.
The final match of the night saw Terry Jenkins face Justin Pipe. Pipe's slow pace didn't deter Jenkins and the Bull secured the first two sets 3-1 then 3-2. Pipe fought back with a third set victory of 3-1 but Jenkins prevailed by taking the fourth set on the decider and the fifth without conceding.
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Arsenal Held, New Boys Draw, Spurs Win
There were three matches to be played yesterday after the Boxing Day programme. With Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all failing to win, Arsenal had a great chance to gain some ground. It looked to be on the cards as well when Gervinho rounded Wayne Hennessey after just eight minutes to give Arsenal the lead. But Steven Fletcher prevented Arsenal's win with an equaliser seven minutes before half-time. Wolves then managed to hold off Arsenal by playing the last fifteen minutes with ten men, Nenad Milijas receiving a straight red for a poor tackle on Mikel Arteta.
Two of the Premiership new boys, Swansea and QPR did battle at the Liberty Stadium. Former QPR target, Danny Graham gave Swansea the lead after just fourteen minutes. But QPR earned their first point in four games with Jamie Mackie equalising thirteen minutes into the second half.
The final match of the triple bill saw Norwich host Tottenham. Spurs had a great to cement their third place with their nearest rivals failing to pick up a win. Gareth Bale was on hand to give Tottenham the lead ten minutes into the second before securing the victory after 67 minutes to go four points ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand.
Two of the Premiership new boys, Swansea and QPR did battle at the Liberty Stadium. Former QPR target, Danny Graham gave Swansea the lead after just fourteen minutes. But QPR earned their first point in four games with Jamie Mackie equalising thirteen minutes into the second half.
The final match of the triple bill saw Norwich host Tottenham. Spurs had a great to cement their third place with their nearest rivals failing to pick up a win. Gareth Bale was on hand to give Tottenham the lead ten minutes into the second before securing the victory after 67 minutes to go four points ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand.
Darts' World-Power Out
Whenever Phil Taylor loses in a major TV tournament, it does shock the darting world. It did come as a surprise to see Taylor lose to Dave Chisnall yesterday but the most unusual thing about his defeat was Taylor's post match interview. Normally when Taylor loses, he bounces back and says he will do so. But when asked if this is the beginning of the end for Phil Taylor he replied; 'I don't know, yeah probably.' Not the response anyone was expecting.
Day ten of the World Darts Championships kicked off in the afternoon with Terry Jenkins playing against Co Stompe. Jenkins came flying out of the traps, averaging over 120 in the first set which he won without conceding. Although the average dropped as the match continued, Jenkins was still in full control and won the next two sets 3-1 to lead the match 3-0. Jenkins then had darts to win the match in the fourth set as the pair were locked a 2-2, but Stompe managed to get a set on the board. It could have turned the match as Stompe had taken the fifth set to a deciding leg but Jenkins won it to win the match 4-1 and ease into the third round.
If Jenkins' performance was impressive then John Part's performance over Richie Burnett was off the scale. The Canadian former World Champion only lost five legs throughout the match and led 3-0 after winning the first set 3-1 and the next two sets 3-0. Burnett then took a set of his own without conceding a leg but it didn't change the match as Part won the fifth set 3-1 to progress through.
The final match of the afternoon session saw Andy Hamilton took on Vincent Van Der Voort. The first set was a sign of things to come as it went to the final leg, Van Der Voort took it to lead. Hamilton bounced back and levelled by winning the second set 3-0. The third and fourth sets bout went to the fifth leg as both players took a set to make it 2-2. Van Der Voort again took the lead, this time with a 3-0 set victory but Hamilton again equalised via a deciding leg to make it 3-3. The final set saw Hamilton finally take the lead and win it 3-1 to win the match 4-3.
The evening session began with Belgium's Kim Huybrechts against the Barney killer, James Richardson. The set went the distance with Huybrechts winning the vital fifth leg. Richardson equalised with a 3-1 second set victory but Richardson's day was against Raymond Van Barneveld. The third set again went the distance but the young Belgian to make it 2-1 and then took the fourth set without conceding. The fifth set also went to the fifth leg but Huybrechts took it to win 4-1.
Then the shock came, Phil Taylor losing to Dave Chisnall. The first four sets all went the distance but Chisnall would lead 3-1 after Taylor had equalised to make it 1-1. The fifth set saw Chisnall take double six to win the set 3-1 and win the match 4-1.
The most impressive performance of the day was by Paul Nicholson who only conceded three legs against Alan Tabern. Tabern failed to take a leg in the first two sets as Nicholson took full control of the match. The third set went to the final leg but Nicholson again won it before winning the fourth set 3-1 to secure the comprehensive victory.
Day ten of the World Darts Championships kicked off in the afternoon with Terry Jenkins playing against Co Stompe. Jenkins came flying out of the traps, averaging over 120 in the first set which he won without conceding. Although the average dropped as the match continued, Jenkins was still in full control and won the next two sets 3-1 to lead the match 3-0. Jenkins then had darts to win the match in the fourth set as the pair were locked a 2-2, but Stompe managed to get a set on the board. It could have turned the match as Stompe had taken the fifth set to a deciding leg but Jenkins won it to win the match 4-1 and ease into the third round.
If Jenkins' performance was impressive then John Part's performance over Richie Burnett was off the scale. The Canadian former World Champion only lost five legs throughout the match and led 3-0 after winning the first set 3-1 and the next two sets 3-0. Burnett then took a set of his own without conceding a leg but it didn't change the match as Part won the fifth set 3-1 to progress through.
The final match of the afternoon session saw Andy Hamilton took on Vincent Van Der Voort. The first set was a sign of things to come as it went to the final leg, Van Der Voort took it to lead. Hamilton bounced back and levelled by winning the second set 3-0. The third and fourth sets bout went to the fifth leg as both players took a set to make it 2-2. Van Der Voort again took the lead, this time with a 3-0 set victory but Hamilton again equalised via a deciding leg to make it 3-3. The final set saw Hamilton finally take the lead and win it 3-1 to win the match 4-3.
The evening session began with Belgium's Kim Huybrechts against the Barney killer, James Richardson. The set went the distance with Huybrechts winning the vital fifth leg. Richardson equalised with a 3-1 second set victory but Richardson's day was against Raymond Van Barneveld. The third set again went the distance but the young Belgian to make it 2-1 and then took the fourth set without conceding. The fifth set also went to the fifth leg but Huybrechts took it to win 4-1.
Then the shock came, Phil Taylor losing to Dave Chisnall. The first four sets all went the distance but Chisnall would lead 3-1 after Taylor had equalised to make it 1-1. The fifth set saw Chisnall take double six to win the set 3-1 and win the match 4-1.
The most impressive performance of the day was by Paul Nicholson who only conceded three legs against Alan Tabern. Tabern failed to take a leg in the first two sets as Nicholson took full control of the match. The third set went to the final leg but Nicholson again won it before winning the fourth set 3-1 to secure the comprehensive victory.
Tuesday 27 December 2011
Boxing Day Football
Manchester United 5-0 Wigan: United level with City at the top of the table and half the goals deficit to five after making it ten goal without conceding in their last two games. United took the lead when an Patrice Evra cross found Ji-Sung Park after eight minutes. United were given a late Christmas present four minutes before half-time when Connor Sammon was sent off for a leading arm into the face of Michael Carrick, harsh to say the least. United took full advantage as Dimitar Berbatov made it 2-0 after finishing a Darron Gibson immediately after the free-kick. Berbatov scored his second with a great turn and shoot sequence thirteen minutes into the second half. United's fourth came when Antonio Valencia found a cool finish when a corner wasn't fully cleared with fifteen minutes to go. The angel was placed on top of the tree when Antonio Alcaraz fouled Park on the edge of the box but a penalty was given, Berbatov stepped up and converted to score his hat-trick with twelve minutes remaining.
West Brom 0-0 Manchester City: City surrender their two point advantage after being held to West Brom team that had lost all of their previous Boxing Day Premiership matches. City probably had the better of it as Mario Balotelli had a goal disallowed in the first half before hitting the bar in the second. But West Brom did create chances of their own with their counter attacks causing concern before Jerome Thomas hit the post towards the end of the game.
Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn: Blackburn gained an unlikely but invaluable point at Anfield. With Paul Robinson injured, Blackburn called upon reserve keeper Mark Bunn who was making only his fourth appearance. He gave a man of the match performance which helped Blackburn to take the lead, a Morten Gamst Pedersen corner turned in by Charlie Adam right on half-time. Liverpool did find an equaliser eight minutes into the second half via a header from Maxi Rodriguez but Bunn prevented the hosts from scoring a second.
Bolton 0-2 Newcastle: Newcastle break their six games without a win streak to keep Bolton rooted in the relegation zone. The first half was fairly even and it took till the 69th minute before the deadlock was finally broken; substitute Hatem Ben Arfa getting on the end of a cross. The game was wrapped up two minutes later with Demba Ba continuing his fantastic goalscoring record, finishing a Gabriel Obertan cross.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: Chelsea make it three consecutive 1-1 draws with the early kick-off finishing the same way. Chelsea took the lead just two minutes into the second half with Juan Mata scoring his fifth Chelsea goal. Poor defending cost Chelsea and Clint Dempsey scrambled in a Bryan Ruiz cross just nine minutes after going behind to earn a point for themselves.
Sunderland 1-1 Everton: Sunderland took the lead after 26 minutes with substitute Jack Colback scoring his first goal for his club, courtesy from a big deflection off of Sylvain Distin. Everton equalised when Leon Osman seemed to have kicked himself, but referee Howard Webb deemed it to have been a foul from Lee Cattermole and gave a penalty. Leighton Baines converted it to make it 1-1 six minutes into the second half.
Stoke 0-0 Aston Villa: Both teams fought hard to win the match but neither team could find the killer touch. Stoke came closest with a header saved off the line by Gabriel Agbonlahor in the second half. Villa created more opportunities but couldn't break the Stoke defence.
West Brom 0-0 Manchester City: City surrender their two point advantage after being held to West Brom team that had lost all of their previous Boxing Day Premiership matches. City probably had the better of it as Mario Balotelli had a goal disallowed in the first half before hitting the bar in the second. But West Brom did create chances of their own with their counter attacks causing concern before Jerome Thomas hit the post towards the end of the game.
Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn: Blackburn gained an unlikely but invaluable point at Anfield. With Paul Robinson injured, Blackburn called upon reserve keeper Mark Bunn who was making only his fourth appearance. He gave a man of the match performance which helped Blackburn to take the lead, a Morten Gamst Pedersen corner turned in by Charlie Adam right on half-time. Liverpool did find an equaliser eight minutes into the second half via a header from Maxi Rodriguez but Bunn prevented the hosts from scoring a second.
Bolton 0-2 Newcastle: Newcastle break their six games without a win streak to keep Bolton rooted in the relegation zone. The first half was fairly even and it took till the 69th minute before the deadlock was finally broken; substitute Hatem Ben Arfa getting on the end of a cross. The game was wrapped up two minutes later with Demba Ba continuing his fantastic goalscoring record, finishing a Gabriel Obertan cross.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: Chelsea make it three consecutive 1-1 draws with the early kick-off finishing the same way. Chelsea took the lead just two minutes into the second half with Juan Mata scoring his fifth Chelsea goal. Poor defending cost Chelsea and Clint Dempsey scrambled in a Bryan Ruiz cross just nine minutes after going behind to earn a point for themselves.
Sunderland 1-1 Everton: Sunderland took the lead after 26 minutes with substitute Jack Colback scoring his first goal for his club, courtesy from a big deflection off of Sylvain Distin. Everton equalised when Leon Osman seemed to have kicked himself, but referee Howard Webb deemed it to have been a foul from Lee Cattermole and gave a penalty. Leighton Baines converted it to make it 1-1 six minutes into the second half.
Stoke 0-0 Aston Villa: Both teams fought hard to win the match but neither team could find the killer touch. Stoke came closest with a header saved off the line by Gabriel Agbonlahor in the second half. Villa created more opportunities but couldn't break the Stoke defence.
Saturday 24 December 2011
Wade Coasts Through, Painter & Farmer Had to Battle
The final day of the Darts World Championships before Christmas saw three players get the present they wanted and three others will be eating cold turkey. The first match of the night went the distance as Mark Walsh faced Kevin Painter. The opening went to a decider which Painter won before Walsh equalised with a 3-1 second set victory. Painter then took control by winning the third set 3-1 before taking the fourth without conceding. Painter should have won the match earlier as the following two sets went down to the deciding leg but Walsh dug deep to win both of them, forcing a seventh set decider. But Walsh's fight was all spent during the previous two sets and Painter secured the 3-0 set win to progress into the second round.
World Number three James Wade eased through to the third round at Jelle Klaasen's expense. Wade took the first set without conceding before winning the second set 3-1. The third set was Klaasen's best chance of pegging Wade back but The Machine won the deciding leg to be within one of victory. Wade then secured the fourth set 3-1 to make it 4-0 and waltz comfortably into round three.
The final match of the night saw Steve Farmer take on German qualifier Kevin Munch. Munch won the first set 3-0, making his tournament record two sets without conceding a single leg. But Farmer retaliated by winning the deciding leg in the second set. Munch retook the lead with a 3-2 win in the third before Farmer again took the deciding leg in the fourth set to make it 2-2. The game then turned as Farmer won the fifth set without conceding. The sixth set also went to the deciding leg which Farmer won to secure his place against Wade in the third round.
World Number three James Wade eased through to the third round at Jelle Klaasen's expense. Wade took the first set without conceding before winning the second set 3-1. The third set was Klaasen's best chance of pegging Wade back but The Machine won the deciding leg to be within one of victory. Wade then secured the fourth set 3-1 to make it 4-0 and waltz comfortably into round three.
The final match of the night saw Steve Farmer take on German qualifier Kevin Munch. Munch won the first set 3-0, making his tournament record two sets without conceding a single leg. But Farmer retaliated by winning the deciding leg in the second set. Munch retook the lead with a 3-2 win in the third before Farmer again took the deciding leg in the fourth set to make it 2-2. The game then turned as Farmer won the fifth set without conceding. The sixth set also went to the deciding leg which Farmer won to secure his place against Wade in the third round.
Thursday 22 December 2011
Fireworks to Start the Second Round
The second round of the Darts World Championships kicked off with Wayne Jones cruising past Roland Scholten. The first set went to the deciding leg which Jones won. The second set was won without Jones conceding and he went onto win the third set 3-1. The fourth set also went with Jones to seal the 4-0 second round victory, without conceding a leg in the final set.
World Champion Adrian Lewis is still defending his crown after beating Scotland's Robert Thornton. Lewis took the first set without conceding before Thornton equalised by winning the deciding leg in the second set. Lewis retook the lead by winning the third set 3-1, which included Lewis taking out a 170, but Thornton levelled again without conceding in set four. Lewis again took the lead with another set with a 3-0 scoreline. The sixth set went the distance and Lewis won the vital deciding leg to win the match 4-2.
The final match see-sawed as Wes Newton took on Justin Pipe. Newton secured four ton plus finishes including a 170 in the fifth set. The opening set went the distance and Newton won the crucial fifth leg to take an early lead. The second set also went in the way of Newton, winning it 3-1. From there the game changed as Newton's concentration began to slip. Pipe has always been known to be a slow player and Newton began to throw erratically after Pipe took the third set 3-2. Pipe took full advantage of Newton's frustration and levelled the match by winning the fourth set 3-1. Newton managed to regain some composure to retake the lead before Pipe again levelled, both winning their sets 3-1. The seventh and final set went all the way before Newton again failed to control his boredom and Pipe was able to win the set 4-2, winning the match 4-3.
World Champion Adrian Lewis is still defending his crown after beating Scotland's Robert Thornton. Lewis took the first set without conceding before Thornton equalised by winning the deciding leg in the second set. Lewis retook the lead by winning the third set 3-1, which included Lewis taking out a 170, but Thornton levelled again without conceding in set four. Lewis again took the lead with another set with a 3-0 scoreline. The sixth set went the distance and Lewis won the vital deciding leg to win the match 4-2.
The final match see-sawed as Wes Newton took on Justin Pipe. Newton secured four ton plus finishes including a 170 in the fifth set. The opening set went the distance and Newton won the crucial fifth leg to take an early lead. The second set also went in the way of Newton, winning it 3-1. From there the game changed as Newton's concentration began to slip. Pipe has always been known to be a slow player and Newton began to throw erratically after Pipe took the third set 3-2. Pipe took full advantage of Newton's frustration and levelled the match by winning the fourth set 3-1. Newton managed to regain some composure to retake the lead before Pipe again levelled, both winning their sets 3-1. The seventh and final set went all the way before Newton again failed to control his boredom and Pipe was able to win the set 4-2, winning the match 4-3.
'Twas The Match Before Christmas
Wolves 2-2 Norwich: Paul Lambert's turkey will taste better than Mick McCarthy's after this 2-2 draw at Molineux. Andrew Surman gave Norwich the lead after twelve minutes before Sylvan Ebanks-Blake equalised after 37 minutes. Norwich were back in front when their super sub Grant Holt was replaced by Simeon Jackson, who made it 2-1 after 76 minutes with his first Premiership goal. Ronald Zubar fired a header past John Ruddy with eight minutes remaining to give Wolves a festive point. Norwich sit in ninth with Wolves seventeenth and only a point from relegation.
Blackburn 1-2 Bolton: This Lancashire derby was to settle who finished bottom at Christmas. Mark Davies gave Bolton the lead after five minutes before Nigel Reo-Coker doubled their lead on the half hour mark. Steve Kean needed to give a rousing half-time team talk but it could only bring one goal from Yakubu after 67 minutes, leaving Blackburn bottom and now five points from safety.
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke: Manchester City ensured themselves of top spot at Christmas with a win over a Stoke side that didn't really turn up. Sergio Aguero tapped the ball home just before the half hour mark to start the inevitable. Adam Johnson whipped a curler past Thomas Sorensen seven minutes before Aguero tapped his second home nine minutes into the second half. In truth, Stoke were lucky to have lost 3-0 as Thomas Sorensen was bombarded throughout the match, they will sit eighth at Christmas.
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal: Arsenal will be just two points behind fourth when Arsene Wenger sits at the table with his family. Ciaran Clark was guilty of conceding a soft penalty, pulling Theo Walcott back. Robin Van Persie stepped up and converted to level Thierry Henry's Arsenal record of 34 goals in a calender year, the goal that changed the game as Villa had started the better. Marc Albrighton levelled for Villa nine minutes into the second half, scoring the 20,000th Premier League goal. But Villa's problems at defending set pieces reoccurred as Yossi Benayoun managed to pull away from Gabriel Agbonlahor to head home with three minutes remaining. Alan Hutton then received his second yellow card for a late challenge just moments after getting his first for getting mixed up in a handbag slinging contest, Villa played injury time with ten men. Villa sit twelfth.
Fulham 0-5 Manchester United: Manchester United remain two points behind rivals City but managed to claw two goals back on goal difference. Danny Welbeck opened the scoring after just five minutes when he tapped home a Nani cross. Nani then himself scored with a header after 28 minutes. Ryan Giggs continued his record of scoring in every Premier League season since its inauguration with United's third two minutes before half-time. Wayne Rooney scored the pick of the bunch with a thirty yard strike two minutes time and Dimitar Berbatov added United's fifth with a nonchalant back heel in injury time. Fulham sit four points from relegation in thirteenth.
Newcastle 2-3 West Brom: Newcastle make it six games without a win in a game that could have gone either way. Peter Odemwingie gave the visitors the lead after twenty minutes before Demba Ba equalised fourteen minutes later with a superb free-kick. Gareth McAuley put West Brom back ahead a minute before half-time but Ba was there to equalise again in exquisite style nine minutes from the end. But West Brom weren't to be denied the three points and Paul Scharner secured them five minutes from time with a stretched half volley. Newcastle are now seventh with West Brom eleventh.
QPR 2-3 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill made it two wins from three in another five goal thriller. Nicklas Bendtner broke the deadlock after nineteen minutes. Stephane Sessegnon made it 2-0 with a brilliant individual goal eight minutes into the second half. Heidar Helguson made it 2-1 after 63 minutes before Jamie Mackie equalised four minutes later. Wes Brown won the game for Sunderland with his first goal at the club in the final of normal time. QPR sit two points ahead of relegation on sixteenth with Sunderland just one point and one place above them.
Wigan 0-0 Liverpool: Wigan secured their second unlikely point in a row against Liverpool. Liverpool may have been too caught up in the Suarez race row as the rest of the players warmed up with a Suarez shirt. The point puts Wigan just a point from safety with Liverpool two points behind Arsenal in sixth.
Everton 1-0 Swansea: Swansea have still yet to win away from home with defeat to Everton. The only goal of the game came on the hour mark courtesy of Leon Osman. Everton sit eleventh with a game in hand over their nearest rivals, Swansea are four points ahead of relegation in fourteenth.
Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea: Tottenham remain two points ahead of Chelsea and with a game in a hand with this draw at White Hart Lane. Emmanuel Adebayor was the gleeful recipient of a Gareth Bale cross after eight minutes to give the hosts the lead. Daniel Sturridge equalised after 23 minutes to earn the point.
Blackburn 1-2 Bolton: This Lancashire derby was to settle who finished bottom at Christmas. Mark Davies gave Bolton the lead after five minutes before Nigel Reo-Coker doubled their lead on the half hour mark. Steve Kean needed to give a rousing half-time team talk but it could only bring one goal from Yakubu after 67 minutes, leaving Blackburn bottom and now five points from safety.
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke: Manchester City ensured themselves of top spot at Christmas with a win over a Stoke side that didn't really turn up. Sergio Aguero tapped the ball home just before the half hour mark to start the inevitable. Adam Johnson whipped a curler past Thomas Sorensen seven minutes before Aguero tapped his second home nine minutes into the second half. In truth, Stoke were lucky to have lost 3-0 as Thomas Sorensen was bombarded throughout the match, they will sit eighth at Christmas.
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal: Arsenal will be just two points behind fourth when Arsene Wenger sits at the table with his family. Ciaran Clark was guilty of conceding a soft penalty, pulling Theo Walcott back. Robin Van Persie stepped up and converted to level Thierry Henry's Arsenal record of 34 goals in a calender year, the goal that changed the game as Villa had started the better. Marc Albrighton levelled for Villa nine minutes into the second half, scoring the 20,000th Premier League goal. But Villa's problems at defending set pieces reoccurred as Yossi Benayoun managed to pull away from Gabriel Agbonlahor to head home with three minutes remaining. Alan Hutton then received his second yellow card for a late challenge just moments after getting his first for getting mixed up in a handbag slinging contest, Villa played injury time with ten men. Villa sit twelfth.
Fulham 0-5 Manchester United: Manchester United remain two points behind rivals City but managed to claw two goals back on goal difference. Danny Welbeck opened the scoring after just five minutes when he tapped home a Nani cross. Nani then himself scored with a header after 28 minutes. Ryan Giggs continued his record of scoring in every Premier League season since its inauguration with United's third two minutes before half-time. Wayne Rooney scored the pick of the bunch with a thirty yard strike two minutes time and Dimitar Berbatov added United's fifth with a nonchalant back heel in injury time. Fulham sit four points from relegation in thirteenth.
Newcastle 2-3 West Brom: Newcastle make it six games without a win in a game that could have gone either way. Peter Odemwingie gave the visitors the lead after twenty minutes before Demba Ba equalised fourteen minutes later with a superb free-kick. Gareth McAuley put West Brom back ahead a minute before half-time but Ba was there to equalise again in exquisite style nine minutes from the end. But West Brom weren't to be denied the three points and Paul Scharner secured them five minutes from time with a stretched half volley. Newcastle are now seventh with West Brom eleventh.
QPR 2-3 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill made it two wins from three in another five goal thriller. Nicklas Bendtner broke the deadlock after nineteen minutes. Stephane Sessegnon made it 2-0 with a brilliant individual goal eight minutes into the second half. Heidar Helguson made it 2-1 after 63 minutes before Jamie Mackie equalised four minutes later. Wes Brown won the game for Sunderland with his first goal at the club in the final of normal time. QPR sit two points ahead of relegation on sixteenth with Sunderland just one point and one place above them.
Wigan 0-0 Liverpool: Wigan secured their second unlikely point in a row against Liverpool. Liverpool may have been too caught up in the Suarez race row as the rest of the players warmed up with a Suarez shirt. The point puts Wigan just a point from safety with Liverpool two points behind Arsenal in sixth.
Everton 1-0 Swansea: Swansea have still yet to win away from home with defeat to Everton. The only goal of the game came on the hour mark courtesy of Leon Osman. Everton sit eleventh with a game in hand over their nearest rivals, Swansea are four points ahead of relegation in fourteenth.
Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea: Tottenham remain two points ahead of Chelsea and with a game in a hand with this draw at White Hart Lane. Emmanuel Adebayor was the gleeful recipient of a Gareth Bale cross after eight minutes to give the hosts the lead. Daniel Sturridge equalised after 23 minutes to earn the point.
Wednesday 21 December 2011
First Round Concludes
The final first round matches started with World Championship debutant Scott Rand secured the second total whitewash of the tournament against Andy Smith. The Pie Man couldn't find any darts to trouble the lorry driver and will now have to watch Rand in the second round at his expense.
The preliminary match of the night saw Portugal's Jose De Sousa take on South Africa's Devon Petersen. The match was level at 3-3 before Petersen won the deciding leg and gets the chance to face Steve Brown in the first round proper.
It was the battle of the Johns in the third match as Canadian Part faced Scotland's Henderson. Part came out on top as he won the first set 3-1. He followed that up with a 3-0 second set victory before wrapping the match up with 3-1 third set victory. Part will now face Richie Burnett in the second round.
The penultimate match of the night was the battle of the ponytails as Australia's Simon Whitlock took on Dennis Smith. Whitlock's participation in the tournament was hampered by his broken ankle but it didn't hamper his game as soared into a 2-0 set lead. He started the third set with a 125 checkout and went onto win it 3-0, losing only one leg throughout the match and averaging 105.
The final match of the night saw a dream ticket to get into the second round as South African qualifier Devon Petersen took on the Bristol Bomber, Scott Brown. Brown took full control by taking the first set 3-0. The second set was a stark contrast as it went to the decider which Petersen won 3-2. The third set also went the distance, Brown won it via a 130 checkout on the bull. But Petersen came back again and won the fourth set 3-1 to set up a final set. The final set looked to be Brown's after he took a 2-0 lead, but Petersen fought back to 2-2 to force a tie-break situation. That was where the South African took the lead for the first time in the match and ended up winning it 4-2 to be the second preliminary winner to go through to the second round.
The preliminary match of the night saw Portugal's Jose De Sousa take on South Africa's Devon Petersen. The match was level at 3-3 before Petersen won the deciding leg and gets the chance to face Steve Brown in the first round proper.
It was the battle of the Johns in the third match as Canadian Part faced Scotland's Henderson. Part came out on top as he won the first set 3-1. He followed that up with a 3-0 second set victory before wrapping the match up with 3-1 third set victory. Part will now face Richie Burnett in the second round.
The penultimate match of the night was the battle of the ponytails as Australia's Simon Whitlock took on Dennis Smith. Whitlock's participation in the tournament was hampered by his broken ankle but it didn't hamper his game as soared into a 2-0 set lead. He started the third set with a 125 checkout and went onto win it 3-0, losing only one leg throughout the match and averaging 105.
The final match of the night saw a dream ticket to get into the second round as South African qualifier Devon Petersen took on the Bristol Bomber, Scott Brown. Brown took full control by taking the first set 3-0. The second set was a stark contrast as it went to the decider which Petersen won 3-2. The third set also went the distance, Brown won it via a 130 checkout on the bull. But Petersen came back again and won the fourth set 3-1 to set up a final set. The final set looked to be Brown's after he took a 2-0 lead, but Petersen fought back to 2-2 to force a tie-break situation. That was where the South African took the lead for the first time in the match and ended up winning it 4-2 to be the second preliminary winner to go through to the second round.
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Runner-Up Squeezes Through
Colin Lloyd came from behind to overcome American Darin Young. Young took the first set via a deciding leg. But Lloyd came back to win the following three sets by 3-1 to ease into the second round.
The preliminary match of the night saw Joe Cullen take on Serbia's Oliver Ferenc. The two were locked together a 2-2 before Cullen hit double four to win the match 4-2 and book a first round match against Terry Jenkins.
The youth tour winner, Michael Van Gerwen of Holland, faced Colin Osborne in the third match of the night. The first two sets went to a deciding leg which the Dutchman won both to take a 2-0 lead. Osborne fought back with a 3-0 victory in the third set but Van Gerwen responded with a 3-0 of his own. He won the match 3-1 and will now face Mervyn King in the second round.
Last year's runner-up, Gary Anderson, started his campaign against German Jyhan Artut. There was another huge shock on the cards as Artut took the first two sets 3-1 to move to within one set of a place in the second round. Throughout the match Anderson struggled with his doubles, which allowed Artut to take the lead despite a much lower three dart average. The Scot kept himself in the contest by winning the third set 3-1, his outscoring continued to help him and Anderson levelled the match by winning the fourth set 3-1 as well. The double trouble came back to hurt Anderson as he had three darts to secure the final set 3-1, allowing Artut to level the set meaning the winner now had to win by two clear legs. Artut managed to check-out 102 to level the set at 3-3 after Anderson missed a dart at the bull to win the match. Anderson then managed to hit the bull to check-out 84 to make it 4-3 but Artut again replied to equalise. The German then secured a crucial break of throw but Artut failed to hold his nerve and the match went into closest to the bull, sudden death. Anderson won the bull to get the throw in the final leg and managed to hold on to crawl into the second round after missing a total of 34 doubles.
The final match of the night saw last year's first round opponents Terry Jenkins and Joe Cullen do battle again, Jenkins won 3-2 twelve months ago. The first set went to a decider which Jenkins won with the throw. Jenkins didn't waste too much time in the second set, winning it 3-0 and then took the third set 3-1 to ease into the second round.
The preliminary match of the night saw Joe Cullen take on Serbia's Oliver Ferenc. The two were locked together a 2-2 before Cullen hit double four to win the match 4-2 and book a first round match against Terry Jenkins.
The youth tour winner, Michael Van Gerwen of Holland, faced Colin Osborne in the third match of the night. The first two sets went to a deciding leg which the Dutchman won both to take a 2-0 lead. Osborne fought back with a 3-0 victory in the third set but Van Gerwen responded with a 3-0 of his own. He won the match 3-1 and will now face Mervyn King in the second round.
Last year's runner-up, Gary Anderson, started his campaign against German Jyhan Artut. There was another huge shock on the cards as Artut took the first two sets 3-1 to move to within one set of a place in the second round. Throughout the match Anderson struggled with his doubles, which allowed Artut to take the lead despite a much lower three dart average. The Scot kept himself in the contest by winning the third set 3-1, his outscoring continued to help him and Anderson levelled the match by winning the fourth set 3-1 as well. The double trouble came back to hurt Anderson as he had three darts to secure the final set 3-1, allowing Artut to level the set meaning the winner now had to win by two clear legs. Artut managed to check-out 102 to level the set at 3-3 after Anderson missed a dart at the bull to win the match. Anderson then managed to hit the bull to check-out 84 to make it 4-3 but Artut again replied to equalise. The German then secured a crucial break of throw but Artut failed to hold his nerve and the match went into closest to the bull, sudden death. Anderson won the bull to get the throw in the final leg and managed to hold on to crawl into the second round after missing a total of 34 doubles.
The final match of the night saw last year's first round opponents Terry Jenkins and Joe Cullen do battle again, Jenkins won 3-2 twelve months ago. The first set went to a decider which Jenkins won with the throw. Jenkins didn't waste too much time in the second set, winning it 3-0 and then took the third set 3-1 to ease into the second round.
Monday 19 December 2011
No Fifth Day Dramas
The fifth night of the World Championships kicked off with Andy Hamilton having to twice come from behind too see off the resilient Spaniard, Antonio Alcinas. The first set went all the way to the deciding leg, which Alcinas won. Hamilton fought back with a 3-1 second set victory. The third and fourth sets went the same way as the first and second sets, Alcinas winning the third set 3-2 before Hamilton won the fourth set 3-1. With Hamilton used to longer televised games, Alcinas couldn't win a leg in the final set giving Hamilton the 3-2 match victory.
The preliminary match of the night saw Finland's Petri Korte take on Denmark's Per Laursen. Laursen took an early 2-0 lead before the debutant fought back and the match went to a deciding seventh leg. Korte went onto win the match to face a debut first round match against the World Number Three, James Wade.
Mervyn King began his World Championships campaign in fine fashion against Australia's Geoff Kime. Not only did King win 3-0, but he didn't even concede a leg on his way to making it through to the second round.
Last week's Player's Championship winner, Kevin Painter, took on the U-21 Champion Aaron Monk. Painter took the first set 3-1 and then doubled his lead with the deciding leg in the second set. The third set went with throw, Monk securing the vital fifth leg to post a set on the board. The fourth set also went to a decider but Painter held his nerve and his throw to win the set 3-2 and the match 3-1.
The final match of the night saw The Machine, James Wade, face the Finnish qualifier Petri Korte. Last year, Wade slipped up against unorthodox thrower Mensur Suljovic but he seemed to cope with Korte's ritualistic throwing style, taking the first set without conceding. Korte did take the first leg of the second set to avoid the whitewash but Wade took it 3-1. As Wade started to cruise, his game started to decrease and Korte remained consistent. Korte's finishing was outstanding and it helped him to win the third set 3-1. It should have gone to a deciding set as Wade failed to improve in the fourth set. It went to a deciding leg and Korte missed two darts a double eighteen, the first time he went for the double, and Wade took full advantage to win the leg, the set and the match to face Jelle Klaasen in the second round.
The preliminary match of the night saw Finland's Petri Korte take on Denmark's Per Laursen. Laursen took an early 2-0 lead before the debutant fought back and the match went to a deciding seventh leg. Korte went onto win the match to face a debut first round match against the World Number Three, James Wade.
Mervyn King began his World Championships campaign in fine fashion against Australia's Geoff Kime. Not only did King win 3-0, but he didn't even concede a leg on his way to making it through to the second round.
Last week's Player's Championship winner, Kevin Painter, took on the U-21 Champion Aaron Monk. Painter took the first set 3-1 and then doubled his lead with the deciding leg in the second set. The third set went with throw, Monk securing the vital fifth leg to post a set on the board. The fourth set also went to a decider but Painter held his nerve and his throw to win the set 3-2 and the match 3-1.
The final match of the night saw The Machine, James Wade, face the Finnish qualifier Petri Korte. Last year, Wade slipped up against unorthodox thrower Mensur Suljovic but he seemed to cope with Korte's ritualistic throwing style, taking the first set without conceding. Korte did take the first leg of the second set to avoid the whitewash but Wade took it 3-1. As Wade started to cruise, his game started to decrease and Korte remained consistent. Korte's finishing was outstanding and it helped him to win the third set 3-1. It should have gone to a deciding set as Wade failed to improve in the fourth set. It went to a deciding leg and Korte missed two darts a double eighteen, the first time he went for the double, and Wade took full advantage to win the leg, the set and the match to face Jelle Klaasen in the second round.
Sunday 18 December 2011
Short Night at the Ally Pally
The fourth night of the World Darts Championship turned out to be the shortest day of the tournament so far as the shocks came thick and fast. The opening match of the night saw Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan get beaten by Belgian debutant Kim Huybrechts. Dolan outscored Huybrechts throughout the match but couldn't find a finish, this allowed Huybrechts to take a 2-0 lead without Dolan winning a single leg. Dolan made more of a fight of it in the third set but Huybrechts was able to win the decider to win the match 3-0 and progress through to the second round.
The preliminary match of the night saw Ireland's Connie Finnan take on New Zealand's Warren French. French found himself 2-0 then 3-1 down to Finnan. But he found his darts and was able to turn the match around to win it 4-3 to go onto face Mark Walsh in the first round proper.
Dave Chisnall didn't hang around either as he booked his place in the second round by beating Mark Dudbridge. Chisnall won the first set without conceding a leg. Dudbridge did take the first set of the second set but Chisnall came back to take it 3-1 and move into a 2-0 lead. The third set did go to the deciding leg but Chisnall won it to win the match 3-0 and cruise into the second round.
The biggest shock of the tournament so far came in the penultimate match as the World Number 86, James Richardson, beat Raymond Van Barneveld. Barneveld unsurprisingly took the first two legs of the match, but Richardson fought back to win the set and start the massive shock. Barney was shell shocked and he found himself losing the second set 3-1 to begin the panic stations. Superstition came into play for Barney as he came back into the third set with new flights and instantly took a 2-0 lead. But again Richardson fought back to force a decider and with Barney's fight all used up, the bricklayer took the deciding leg to win the match 3-0 and sets up a second round match against Kim Huybrechts.
Another shock was on the cards in the final game of the night as Warren French won the first set via a decider after being 2-0 ahead against Mark Walsh. Walsh managed to steady himself in the second set and won it 3-1 after being 2-0 ahead. Walsh took control of the match with a whitewash in the third set to take the lead for the first time. Walsh then avoided the upset by taking the fourth set 3-1 to win the match by the same scoreline.
The preliminary match of the night saw Ireland's Connie Finnan take on New Zealand's Warren French. French found himself 2-0 then 3-1 down to Finnan. But he found his darts and was able to turn the match around to win it 4-3 to go onto face Mark Walsh in the first round proper.
Dave Chisnall didn't hang around either as he booked his place in the second round by beating Mark Dudbridge. Chisnall won the first set without conceding a leg. Dudbridge did take the first set of the second set but Chisnall came back to take it 3-1 and move into a 2-0 lead. The third set did go to the deciding leg but Chisnall won it to win the match 3-0 and cruise into the second round.
The biggest shock of the tournament so far came in the penultimate match as the World Number 86, James Richardson, beat Raymond Van Barneveld. Barneveld unsurprisingly took the first two legs of the match, but Richardson fought back to win the set and start the massive shock. Barney was shell shocked and he found himself losing the second set 3-1 to begin the panic stations. Superstition came into play for Barney as he came back into the third set with new flights and instantly took a 2-0 lead. But again Richardson fought back to force a decider and with Barney's fight all used up, the bricklayer took the deciding leg to win the match 3-0 and sets up a second round match against Kim Huybrechts.
Another shock was on the cards in the final game of the night as Warren French won the first set via a decider after being 2-0 ahead against Mark Walsh. Walsh managed to steady himself in the second set and won it 3-1 after being 2-0 ahead. Walsh took control of the match with a whitewash in the third set to take the lead for the first time. Walsh then avoided the upset by taking the fourth set 3-1 to win the match by the same scoreline.
Super Sunday Christmas Cracker
As a present from the Barclay's Premiership, we were treated to four games in a Super Sunday Christmas Cracker. The day started with a midday kick-off between QPR and Manchester United. United broke the deadlock after just 52 seconds when an Antonio Valencia cross found the head of Wayne Rooney. United remained in full control throughout the match with both Phil Jones and Johnny Evans being denied by the post. QPR's third choice keeper Radek Cerny pulled out some remarkable saves to keep the scoreline down whereas his opposite number, David De Gea, only made two saves all game. Michael Carrick scored his first goal in seventy games eleven minutes into the second half, with a run that started in his own half, to place United temporarily at the top of the table.
The same scoreline was witnessed at Villa Park as Aston Villa hosted Liverpool in the second instalment of the triple bill. Aston Villa's Achilles' heel has been set pieces this season and they were undone twice in four minutes. Craig Bellamy opened the scoring after eleven minutes when a corner was flicked on by Jonjo Shelvy to cause a goalmouth scramble. Four minutes later, another corner was curled in and Martin Skrtel peeled off Richard Dunne to head past Brad Guzan. In truth, Villa never troubled Pepe Reina and Liverpool were unlucky not have won by a higher margin as Luis Suarez hit the woodwork twice in the second half.
Tottenham faced Sunderland in the only game of the day that wasn't televised. The only goal of the match came just after the hour mark with Roman Pavlyuchenko making the most of a rare appearance, coming off the bench. The win sees Tottenham reclaim third spot from Chelsea.
The final match of the day saw Manchester City take on Arsenal. The game was quite stretched throughout with both Wojiech Sczcesny and Joe Hart making brilliant saves to deny the opposing attackers. The only goal of the game came eight minutes into the second half through David Silva. They managed to hold off Arsenal's threat but also missed guilt edged chances of their own to close out the match. The win does see City retain top spot with one more game to go before Christmas.
The same scoreline was witnessed at Villa Park as Aston Villa hosted Liverpool in the second instalment of the triple bill. Aston Villa's Achilles' heel has been set pieces this season and they were undone twice in four minutes. Craig Bellamy opened the scoring after eleven minutes when a corner was flicked on by Jonjo Shelvy to cause a goalmouth scramble. Four minutes later, another corner was curled in and Martin Skrtel peeled off Richard Dunne to head past Brad Guzan. In truth, Villa never troubled Pepe Reina and Liverpool were unlucky not have won by a higher margin as Luis Suarez hit the woodwork twice in the second half.
Tottenham faced Sunderland in the only game of the day that wasn't televised. The only goal of the match came just after the hour mark with Roman Pavlyuchenko making the most of a rare appearance, coming off the bench. The win sees Tottenham reclaim third spot from Chelsea.
The final match of the day saw Manchester City take on Arsenal. The game was quite stretched throughout with both Wojiech Sczcesny and Joe Hart making brilliant saves to deny the opposing attackers. The only goal of the game came eight minutes into the second half through David Silva. They managed to hold off Arsenal's threat but also missed guilt edged chances of their own to close out the match. The win does see City retain top spot with one more game to go before Christmas.
Saturday 17 December 2011
Premature End on the Third Day
The evening session of the third day of the World Darts Championships kicked off with Steve Beaton being fought all the way by Sweden's Magnus Caris. The shock looked to be on the cards when Caris took the first set via a whitewash and then winning the second 3-1. The third set went the distance but Beaton managed to keep himself in the game by winning the decider. That spurred the Bronze Adonis on and he took the fourth set with a whitewash of his own to make it 2-2. The fifth and final set rightly went the distance. The pair were locked at 2-2 before Beaton took the fifth leg and then the sixth to win the set 4-2 and win the match 3-2.
The preliminary match of the night was between Germany's Kevin Munch and Malaysia's Lee Choon Peng. Peng took the first two legs before Munch battled back to win 4-2 and would face The Heat, Denis Ovens.
Holland's Vincent Van Der Voort faced a tough test against Mark Hylton in the third match of the night. The four sets followed a distinct patter. Van Der Voort won the first set 3-1 before Hylton equalised by winning the second set via a decider. The Dutchman then won the third set 3-1 but Hylton equalised again by winning the deciding leg in the fourth set. The final set saw Van Der Voort take full control and whitewashed Hylton to win the match 3-2 and progress into the second round.
The penultimate match of the night saw Paul Nicholson face Austria's Mensur Suljovic. The first set unsurprisingly went to Nicholson, winning it 3-1 against the darts. Suljovic managed to fight back in the second set from 2-1 down to win it 3-2 with a 121 checkout, finishing it on the bull. The third set went the same way as the first with Nicholson winning it 3-1 after going 2-0 ahead. Both players missed doubles in the deciding leg of the fourth set but Nicholson managed to hold his nerve to take the set and win the match 3-1.
The final match of the night saw 54 year-old Denis Ovens take on Kevin Munch. Unfortunately it was revealed that Ovens was suffering from a trapped nerve just before the match. He bravely played the first in which Munch played extremely well and won it 3-0. But Ovens couldn't continue and had to pull out, enabling Munch to go through via a bye.
The preliminary match of the night was between Germany's Kevin Munch and Malaysia's Lee Choon Peng. Peng took the first two legs before Munch battled back to win 4-2 and would face The Heat, Denis Ovens.
Holland's Vincent Van Der Voort faced a tough test against Mark Hylton in the third match of the night. The four sets followed a distinct patter. Van Der Voort won the first set 3-1 before Hylton equalised by winning the second set via a decider. The Dutchman then won the third set 3-1 but Hylton equalised again by winning the deciding leg in the fourth set. The final set saw Van Der Voort take full control and whitewashed Hylton to win the match 3-2 and progress into the second round.
The penultimate match of the night saw Paul Nicholson face Austria's Mensur Suljovic. The first set unsurprisingly went to Nicholson, winning it 3-1 against the darts. Suljovic managed to fight back in the second set from 2-1 down to win it 3-2 with a 121 checkout, finishing it on the bull. The third set went the same way as the first with Nicholson winning it 3-1 after going 2-0 ahead. Both players missed doubles in the deciding leg of the fourth set but Nicholson managed to hold his nerve to take the set and win the match 3-1.
The final match of the night saw 54 year-old Denis Ovens take on Kevin Munch. Unfortunately it was revealed that Ovens was suffering from a trapped nerve just before the match. He bravely played the first in which Munch played extremely well and won it 3-0. But Ovens couldn't continue and had to pull out, enabling Munch to go through via a bye.
PL Round-Up: 17/12/11
Blackburn 1-2 West Brom: West Brom move five points away from the relegation zone while Blackburn remain nineteenth and the pressure forever mounts on Steve Kean. James Morrison gave the visitors the lead seven minutes into the second half. Scott Dann must have thought he'd rescued a point with his first Blackburn goal and their equaliser with eighteen minutes left. But Peter Odemwingie shattered all Blackburn hopes with the winner in the final minute of normal time.
Everton 1-1 Norwich: Grant Holt scored his third goal in two games after 28 minutes to give Norwich a surprise lead at Goodison Park. But Everton rescued a point through Leon Osman with nine minutes remaining. Norwich now sit ninth with Everton only four points ahead of the relegation zone, but still with that game in hand.
Fulham 2-0 Bolton: Two goals in two minutes was enough to kill Bolton and keep them rooted at the bottom of the table. Clint Dempsey put Fulham ahead just after the half hour mark before Bryan Ruiz doubled their lead just two minutes later. Fulham now sit eleventh, five points ahead of relegation.
Newcastle 0-0 Swansea: After their unbeaten start to the season, Newcastle have now failed to win a game in five. Swansea were the latest team to prevent Newcastle from winning and they also sit five points ahead from relegation. Newcastle do move up to sixth with Liverpool a point a behind and playing tomorrow.
Wolves 1-2 Stoke: Wolves did take the lead after seventeen minutes when Jonathan Woodgate fouled Matthew Jarvis in the box, Stephen Hunt converted the following penalty and Woodgate was substituted two minutes later before he was sent off. A well worked free-kick gave Stoke the equaliser, Jonathan Walters played it short to Robert Huth, the German fired the ball and it deflected off Kevin Doyle into the net thirteen minutes into the second half. Peter Crouch then won the game for Stoke with twenty minutes left to keep them eighth, two points behind Liverpool, Wolves are just one point ahead of the relegation zone.
Wigan 1-1 Chelsea: Wigan are now just one point behind Wolves in the relegation zone after securing a calamitous points against Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge gave Chelsea the lead fourteen minutes into the second half. The game looked won until a poor goalkeeping and defensive error allowed Jordi Gomez to strike the ball home from short range with only two minutes remaining to earn the point.
Everton 1-1 Norwich: Grant Holt scored his third goal in two games after 28 minutes to give Norwich a surprise lead at Goodison Park. But Everton rescued a point through Leon Osman with nine minutes remaining. Norwich now sit ninth with Everton only four points ahead of the relegation zone, but still with that game in hand.
Fulham 2-0 Bolton: Two goals in two minutes was enough to kill Bolton and keep them rooted at the bottom of the table. Clint Dempsey put Fulham ahead just after the half hour mark before Bryan Ruiz doubled their lead just two minutes later. Fulham now sit eleventh, five points ahead of relegation.
Newcastle 0-0 Swansea: After their unbeaten start to the season, Newcastle have now failed to win a game in five. Swansea were the latest team to prevent Newcastle from winning and they also sit five points ahead from relegation. Newcastle do move up to sixth with Liverpool a point a behind and playing tomorrow.
Wolves 1-2 Stoke: Wolves did take the lead after seventeen minutes when Jonathan Woodgate fouled Matthew Jarvis in the box, Stephen Hunt converted the following penalty and Woodgate was substituted two minutes later before he was sent off. A well worked free-kick gave Stoke the equaliser, Jonathan Walters played it short to Robert Huth, the German fired the ball and it deflected off Kevin Doyle into the net thirteen minutes into the second half. Peter Crouch then won the game for Stoke with twenty minutes left to keep them eighth, two points behind Liverpool, Wolves are just one point ahead of the relegation zone.
Wigan 1-1 Chelsea: Wigan are now just one point behind Wolves in the relegation zone after securing a calamitous points against Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge gave Chelsea the lead fourteen minutes into the second half. The game looked won until a poor goalkeeping and defensive error allowed Jordi Gomez to strike the ball home from short range with only two minutes remaining to earn the point.
Scotland, Austria and Philippines Join the Darts
With the first afternoon session of the Darts World Championships taking place on the third day of the tournament. We saw three more countries represented in this year's event. The opening match of the day saw Scotland's Peter Wright take on Holland's Jelle Klaasen who won the Lakeside Championship in 2006. The first to sets saw Wright scoring well but not being able to finish whereas Klaasen wasn't scoring consistently but finishing well. This left Klaasen 2-0 ahead with Wright failing to win a leg. Wright found his doubles in the third set and won it 3-1 with the third fourth set on his throw. The first two legs of the set went with throw before Klaasen secured a crucial break of throw which enabled him to win the set 3-1 and win the match by the same scoreline.
The preliminary match of the afternoon was between Austria's Dietmar Burger and Philippine's Christian Perez. Perez took the first leg against the throw with a checkout of 110. Burger didn't particularly turn up and Perez took the 4-0 whitewash to face Alan Tabern in the first round.
Ronnie Baxter faced Steve Farmer in the third match of the afternoon. Baxter didn't turn up for the first set and lost it 3-0. Farmer then missed seven darts to take the second set and Baxter recovered to take it 3-2 and equalise. The first four legs of the third set went against throw before Baxter held to take the set 3-2 and take the lead for the first time. Farmer found his scoring in the fourth set but missed six darts to win it, fortunately Baxter couldn't take advantage and Farmer secured double three to win it 3-1 to equalise. Baxter couldn't recover in the final set and Farmer secured the upset with a 3-2 victory.
The penultimate match of the afternoon was between Scotland's Robert Thornton and Ian White. The first set went with throw, Thornton winning it 3-2. Both players missed darts at the double in the second set but White managed to win it 3-1 to equalise. The third set again went with throw to give Thornton a 2-1 lead after winning the deciding leg. The fourth set also went to a decider after Thornton recovered from two legs down. The Scot again won the deciding leg, finishing with a bull to checkout 81 to go through to meet Adrian Lewis in the next round.
The final match of the session was Tabern versus Perez. Unsurprisingly, Tabern took the first set but Perez had levelled it at 1-1 before Tabern won 3-1 to take the lead. Perez took the first leg in the second set but Tabern took it 3-1 to double his advantage. Tabern checked out 149 to kick off the third set but Perez came back to win the set 3-1. The fourth set went to a decider, Perez missed two darts at the double before Tabern checked out 127 with the bull to progress.
The preliminary match of the afternoon was between Austria's Dietmar Burger and Philippine's Christian Perez. Perez took the first leg against the throw with a checkout of 110. Burger didn't particularly turn up and Perez took the 4-0 whitewash to face Alan Tabern in the first round.
Ronnie Baxter faced Steve Farmer in the third match of the afternoon. Baxter didn't turn up for the first set and lost it 3-0. Farmer then missed seven darts to take the second set and Baxter recovered to take it 3-2 and equalise. The first four legs of the third set went against throw before Baxter held to take the set 3-2 and take the lead for the first time. Farmer found his scoring in the fourth set but missed six darts to win it, fortunately Baxter couldn't take advantage and Farmer secured double three to win it 3-1 to equalise. Baxter couldn't recover in the final set and Farmer secured the upset with a 3-2 victory.
The penultimate match of the afternoon was between Scotland's Robert Thornton and Ian White. The first set went with throw, Thornton winning it 3-2. Both players missed darts at the double in the second set but White managed to win it 3-1 to equalise. The third set again went with throw to give Thornton a 2-1 lead after winning the deciding leg. The fourth set also went to a decider after Thornton recovered from two legs down. The Scot again won the deciding leg, finishing with a bull to checkout 81 to go through to meet Adrian Lewis in the next round.
The final match of the session was Tabern versus Perez. Unsurprisingly, Tabern took the first set but Perez had levelled it at 1-1 before Tabern won 3-1 to take the lead. Perez took the first leg in the second set but Tabern took it 3-1 to double his advantage. Tabern checked out 149 to kick off the third set but Perez came back to win the set 3-1. The fourth set went to a decider, Perez missed two darts at the double before Tabern checked out 127 with the bull to progress.
Friday 16 December 2011
England, Australia, Japan, Holland & Belgium
When you think of darts, you wouldn't instantly put all of those countries together. But the second night of the World Championships gave us representatives from all five countries. The opening match of the night saw England's Justin Pipe take on Australia's Sean Reed. After last night's dramatic action, no-one would have been surprised by Sean Reed's first set victory via a whitewash. But Pipe regained his darts and equalised with a 3-1 win. The third set went the distance and Pipe took the crucial fifth leg to take the 2-1 lead in the match. Pipe continued with the momentum and whitewashed Reed in the fourth set to progress.
The preliminary match of the night saw Japan's Haruki Muramatsu take on Sweden's Strongest Man in 2004, Dennis Nilsson. The crowd looked to favour the Japanese qualifier and it spurred Muramatsu to take a 2-0 lead with checkouts of 80 and 90. But Nilsson fought back and levelled the match at 2-2 to make it a best of three. Muramatsu managed to break the throw to retake the lead before winning the match 4-2 with a 102 checkout. His reward, a first round match against Phil Taylor.
The third match of the night saw Holland's Co Stompe take on Michael Smith. Smith came all out guns blazing and took the first leg of the match, but Stompe took the first set 3-1. Stompe repeated the feat in the second set to double his lead. There was another case of deja vu as Smith again won the first leg of the set before Stompe won the following three legs to win the match 3-0.
Fifth favourite Wes Newton started his campaign against Belgian competitor Kurt Van De Rijck. Newton took the first set 3-1 with Van De Rijck missing a bowl full of doubles. The Belgian made more of a fight of it in the second set, forcing a decider which was won by Newton. Van De Rijck again took the third set to a deciding leg before Newton again won the fifth leg to win the match 3-0 and go through to the second round.
Fifteen time World Champion Phil Taylor took on the preliminary qualifier Haruki Muramatsu. With a big bet on Taylor securing a whitewash, Muramatsu was able to win a leg in the first set against the veteran. Muramatsu won the opening leg of the second set before Taylor again won the set, 3-1. Muramatsu continued to do what he could and he again won the first leg in third set but Taylor again won the set 3-1 to go through.
The preliminary match of the night saw Japan's Haruki Muramatsu take on Sweden's Strongest Man in 2004, Dennis Nilsson. The crowd looked to favour the Japanese qualifier and it spurred Muramatsu to take a 2-0 lead with checkouts of 80 and 90. But Nilsson fought back and levelled the match at 2-2 to make it a best of three. Muramatsu managed to break the throw to retake the lead before winning the match 4-2 with a 102 checkout. His reward, a first round match against Phil Taylor.
The third match of the night saw Holland's Co Stompe take on Michael Smith. Smith came all out guns blazing and took the first leg of the match, but Stompe took the first set 3-1. Stompe repeated the feat in the second set to double his lead. There was another case of deja vu as Smith again won the first leg of the set before Stompe won the following three legs to win the match 3-0.
Fifth favourite Wes Newton started his campaign against Belgian competitor Kurt Van De Rijck. Newton took the first set 3-1 with Van De Rijck missing a bowl full of doubles. The Belgian made more of a fight of it in the second set, forcing a decider which was won by Newton. Van De Rijck again took the third set to a deciding leg before Newton again won the fifth leg to win the match 3-0 and go through to the second round.
Fifteen time World Champion Phil Taylor took on the preliminary qualifier Haruki Muramatsu. With a big bet on Taylor securing a whitewash, Muramatsu was able to win a leg in the first set against the veteran. Muramatsu won the opening leg of the second set before Taylor again won the set, 3-1. Muramatsu continued to do what he could and he again won the first leg in third set but Taylor again won the set 3-1 to go through.
2011/2012 UEFA Champions League 2nd Round Draw
Olympique Lyonnais v Apoel Nicosia
Napoli V Chelsea
AC Milan v Arsenal
FC Basel v Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona
Moscow Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
Olympique de Marseille v Inter Milan
Napoli V Chelsea
AC Milan v Arsenal
FC Basel v Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona
Moscow Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
Olympique de Marseille v Inter Milan
Thursday 15 December 2011
World Champion Stumbles Through, Semi-Finalist Out
With Christmas just around the corner, it could only mean one thing: the return of the World Darts Championships. The first match in the Alexandra Palace this campaign saw Jamie Caven take on veteran Roland Scholten. It was nervy start to the match by both players, Scholten took the first set 3-1 before Caven equalised with a whitewash. Scholten then won the crucial deciding leg in the third set which then motivated the Dutchman to take the final set 3-1 and progress..
The second match of the night was a preliminary match between Paul Barham and Hong Kong's Scott MacKenzie with the winner playing Wayne Jones in the final match of the night. Barham finished second on the youth tour and held MacKenzie to 2-2 before the Hong Kong man found the crucial break to win the game 4-2.
The third match was a battle of Wales between Mark Webster and Richie Burnett. The biggest match of the night deserved to go all the way and it did. The first leg went to the decider and Burnett took it. Webster levelled the match by taking the second set 3-1 before Burnett again took the lead with a 3-1 set of his own. Burnett then had two darts to win the match but Webster managed to win the set 3-2 to set up a deciding set. The final set also went to 2-2 which left the players needing to win by two clear legs to progress. Webster ran out of doubles and the 1995 Lakeside Champion secured the shock result against last year's semi-finalist.
Defending World Champion Adrian Lewis stepped up in the penultimate match of the night against Nigel Heydon. All five legs went against the throw to give Nigel Heydon a surprise 1-0 lead over Lewis. The fairytale continued for Heydon as he held his throw and managed to break Lewis again to take the second set 3-1. But the clock was beginning to close to midnight and Lewis fought back to level the score at 2-2. Heydon wasn't beaten just yet however, the final set then went to tie-break in which Lewis stumbled through with a 5-3 victory in the extra period.
Scott MacKenzie returned to the oche to take on the World Number 13 Wayne Jones. The first set went to a decider but Jones took it to take an early lead. Jones continued his momentum forward to take the second set before MacKenzie fought back to 2-1 by winning the third set 3-1. But Jones didn't let it faze him the Wolverhampton Wanderer battled to take the fourth set to progress into the second round.
The second match of the night was a preliminary match between Paul Barham and Hong Kong's Scott MacKenzie with the winner playing Wayne Jones in the final match of the night. Barham finished second on the youth tour and held MacKenzie to 2-2 before the Hong Kong man found the crucial break to win the game 4-2.
The third match was a battle of Wales between Mark Webster and Richie Burnett. The biggest match of the night deserved to go all the way and it did. The first leg went to the decider and Burnett took it. Webster levelled the match by taking the second set 3-1 before Burnett again took the lead with a 3-1 set of his own. Burnett then had two darts to win the match but Webster managed to win the set 3-2 to set up a deciding set. The final set also went to 2-2 which left the players needing to win by two clear legs to progress. Webster ran out of doubles and the 1995 Lakeside Champion secured the shock result against last year's semi-finalist.
Defending World Champion Adrian Lewis stepped up in the penultimate match of the night against Nigel Heydon. All five legs went against the throw to give Nigel Heydon a surprise 1-0 lead over Lewis. The fairytale continued for Heydon as he held his throw and managed to break Lewis again to take the second set 3-1. But the clock was beginning to close to midnight and Lewis fought back to level the score at 2-2. Heydon wasn't beaten just yet however, the final set then went to tie-break in which Lewis stumbled through with a 5-3 victory in the extra period.
Scott MacKenzie returned to the oche to take on the World Number 13 Wayne Jones. The first set went to a decider but Jones took it to take an early lead. Jones continued his momentum forward to take the second set before MacKenzie fought back to 2-1 by winning the third set 3-1. But Jones didn't let it faze him the Wolverhampton Wanderer battled to take the fourth set to progress into the second round.
Monday 12 December 2011
O'Neill Starts Right, City and Spurs Beaten
With all seven of Saturday's games kicking off at three o'clock, it was good to see a Super Sunday double bill and the return of Monday Night Football. Sunday kicked off with Martin O'Neill taking charge of Sunderland for the first time. It didn't look like it would be a good start for O'Neill when Simon Vukcevic put Blackburn ahead after seventeen minutes. But David Vaughan came to Sunderland's rescue with an equaliser six minutes from time, Sebastian Larsson then secured O'Neill's début victory in injury time.
Tottenham's eleven match unbeaten run came to an end when they travelled to Stoke. Matthew Etherington put Stoke ahead after thirteen minutes before making it 2-0 two minutes before half-time. Emmanuel Adebayor pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after 62 minutes but Spurs couldn't find an equaliser. They played the remaining eight minutes with ten men as Younes Kaboul received a second yellow card.
Monday Night Football returned to see Manchester City's start to the season come to an end at Stamford Bridge. It wasn't looking likely as City came started the match in fine fashion, Mario Balotelli put them ahead after just two minutes. Chelsea somewhat held on until Daniel Sturridge found Raul Meireles with a cross to equalise eleven minutes before half-time. Gael Clichy then received his second yellow card thirteen minutes after the restart and Chelsea took full advantage. City should have been awarded a penalty early in the first half but were denied, Chelsea were awarded a penalty seven minutes from time when Joleon Lescott was adjudged to have hand balled a shot from Sturridge, Frank Lampard stepped up and converted the penalty to end the unbeaten run and put themselves third in the league.
Sunday 11 December 2011
Europe Retain the Mosconi Cup
Shane Van Boening spoilt the party yesterday with a 6-5 victory over Nick Van Den Berg and continued to delay it on the final day with another win over the Dutchman. The two locked together at 2-2 before a poor push out allowed Van Boening to take a 3-2 against the break and the South Dakota Kid took the match 6-2 to reduce the overall score to 10-6.
Last year's MVP, Darren Appleton, was the second man to try and retain the Mosconi Cup for Europe. His opponent was the veteran Johnny Archer and The Scorpion really took the game to Appleton. Archer secured the second golden break of the tournament to take a 4-1 lead.Appleton couldn't reduce the arrears and Archer won 6-3 to make it 10-7 overall.
The third man to attempt to take the Mosconi Cup back home was Niels Feijen as he took on Rodney Morris. The two were also locked at 2-2 before Feijen picked up a crucial break to lead 4-2. Morris then missed the 5-Ball in the seventh rack to possibly put the final nail into USA's coffin. Feijen looked to have offered a lifeline by breaking dry and Morris made it 5-3. Morris again had an opportunity from his break but he committed pooling suicide to hand the Mosconi Cup to Europe for the fourth time in five years. Final score 11-7 Europe. The other accolade saw Niels Feijen deservedly pick up this year's MVP award for his invaluable efforts this week.
Last year's MVP, Darren Appleton, was the second man to try and retain the Mosconi Cup for Europe. His opponent was the veteran Johnny Archer and The Scorpion really took the game to Appleton. Archer secured the second golden break of the tournament to take a 4-1 lead.Appleton couldn't reduce the arrears and Archer won 6-3 to make it 10-7 overall.
The third man to attempt to take the Mosconi Cup back home was Niels Feijen as he took on Rodney Morris. The two were also locked at 2-2 before Feijen picked up a crucial break to lead 4-2. Morris then missed the 5-Ball in the seventh rack to possibly put the final nail into USA's coffin. Feijen looked to have offered a lifeline by breaking dry and Morris made it 5-3. Morris again had an opportunity from his break but he committed pooling suicide to hand the Mosconi Cup to Europe for the fourth time in five years. Final score 11-7 Europe. The other accolade saw Niels Feijen deservedly pick up this year's MVP award for his invaluable efforts this week.
Saturday 10 December 2011
PL Round-Up: 10/12/11
Manchester United 4-1 Wolves: United bounce back from their European disappointment with a cruising victory over Wolves. Nani broke the deadlock after seventeen minutes with a trademark cutting in before shooting. Wayne Rooney then scored his first goal in nine Premiership games with a disguised long shot ten minutes later. Steven Fletcher pulled a goal back for Wolves two minutes into the second half with a well crafted header. Nani scored his first Premiership brace to restore United's two goal cushion by turning Antonio Valencia's cross in after 56 minutes. Rooney wrapped things up with his second, again turning in a Valencia cross just six minutes later. Ezekiel Fryers also became the first United player to play in the Premiership despite being born after the league had started when he came on as a substitute.
Norwich 4-2 Newcastle: Newcastle slump to four games without a win after fielding a very makeshift defence. Norwich took the lead with Wes Hoolahan getting the last touch from a corner that shouldn't have been given after 36 minutes. Demba Ba equalised after a great Yohann Cabaye through ball right on half-time. Grant Holt scored his fiftieth league goal for Norwich to make it 2-1 with a rebound header just fourteen minutes into the second half. Steve Morison made it 3-1 with his fifth goal in six games courtesy of a bullet header after 63 minutes. The task got worse for Newcastle when Dan Gosling went in studs first and received a red card after 66 minutes. But it didn't look to deter Newcastle as Demba Ba scored his second to make it 3-2 five minutes later. But Grant Holt made sure Norwich had the victory with another headed goal with eight minutes remaining.
Bolton 1-2 Aston Villa: Bolton slump to bottom of the league after their sixth defeat in seven. Marc Albrighton put Villa ahead after tapping in Gabriel Agbonlahor's low cross after 33 minutes. Villa made it 2-0 when Stiliyan Petrov's shot was deflected of ex-Villain Gary Cahill past Jussi Jaaskelainen six minutes later. A goalmouth scramble turned in by Ivan Klasnic just ten minutes into the second half gave Bolton hope but they couldn't find an equaliser, giving Villa their first away win this season.
Arsenal 1-0 Everton: Arsenal move fourth, perhaps temporarily, with a tight victory over Everton on their 125th anniversary. Arsenal had countless chances to take the lead in the first half but a mixture of good defending and overplay kept the score goalless at half-time. Robin Van Persie moved to within one goal of Thierry Henry's Arsenal record of 34 league goals in a calender year, scoring the winner via a stunning volley twenty minutes from time.
Swansea 2-0 Fulham: Clint Dempsey deflected a Scott Sinclair shot past Mark Schwarzer eleven minutes into the second half. Fulham had a penalty when Ashley Richards fouled Simon Davies but Michel Vorm saved Dempsey's penalty. Danny Graham secured the win in injury time, just five minutes after the penalty.
West Brom 1-2 Wigan: Wigan move off the bottom and out of the relegation zone after coming from behind to win. West Brom took the lead with Steven Reid curling a free-kick into the top corner after 33 minutes. Victor Moses equalised for Wigan just four minutes later. Jordi Gomez secured the victory via the penalty spot twelve minutes into the second half.
Liverpool 1-0 QPR: Liverpool stumbled over the line against QPR as they remain seventh. Luis Suarez headed the only goal of the game two minutes into the second half to give Liverpool the win.
Norwich 4-2 Newcastle: Newcastle slump to four games without a win after fielding a very makeshift defence. Norwich took the lead with Wes Hoolahan getting the last touch from a corner that shouldn't have been given after 36 minutes. Demba Ba equalised after a great Yohann Cabaye through ball right on half-time. Grant Holt scored his fiftieth league goal for Norwich to make it 2-1 with a rebound header just fourteen minutes into the second half. Steve Morison made it 3-1 with his fifth goal in six games courtesy of a bullet header after 63 minutes. The task got worse for Newcastle when Dan Gosling went in studs first and received a red card after 66 minutes. But it didn't look to deter Newcastle as Demba Ba scored his second to make it 3-2 five minutes later. But Grant Holt made sure Norwich had the victory with another headed goal with eight minutes remaining.
Bolton 1-2 Aston Villa: Bolton slump to bottom of the league after their sixth defeat in seven. Marc Albrighton put Villa ahead after tapping in Gabriel Agbonlahor's low cross after 33 minutes. Villa made it 2-0 when Stiliyan Petrov's shot was deflected of ex-Villain Gary Cahill past Jussi Jaaskelainen six minutes later. A goalmouth scramble turned in by Ivan Klasnic just ten minutes into the second half gave Bolton hope but they couldn't find an equaliser, giving Villa their first away win this season.
Arsenal 1-0 Everton: Arsenal move fourth, perhaps temporarily, with a tight victory over Everton on their 125th anniversary. Arsenal had countless chances to take the lead in the first half but a mixture of good defending and overplay kept the score goalless at half-time. Robin Van Persie moved to within one goal of Thierry Henry's Arsenal record of 34 league goals in a calender year, scoring the winner via a stunning volley twenty minutes from time.
Swansea 2-0 Fulham: Clint Dempsey deflected a Scott Sinclair shot past Mark Schwarzer eleven minutes into the second half. Fulham had a penalty when Ashley Richards fouled Simon Davies but Michel Vorm saved Dempsey's penalty. Danny Graham secured the win in injury time, just five minutes after the penalty.
West Brom 1-2 Wigan: Wigan move off the bottom and out of the relegation zone after coming from behind to win. West Brom took the lead with Steven Reid curling a free-kick into the top corner after 33 minutes. Victor Moses equalised for Wigan just four minutes later. Jordi Gomez secured the victory via the penalty spot twelve minutes into the second half.
Liverpool 1-0 QPR: Liverpool stumbled over the line against QPR as they remain seventh. Luis Suarez headed the only goal of the game two minutes into the second half to give Liverpool the win.
2011 Mosconi Cup: Day Three
Day Three kicked off with a doubles match, Shawn Putnam and Mike Dechaine against Darren Appleton and Niels Feijen. The American duo got off to the better start, taking a 2-0 lead. But that was overturned by Appleton and Feijen to give themselves a 3-2 lead. USA missed the chance to level by missing the 1-Ball and setting up a 1-9 combo shot which was taken and Europe then made it 5-2 courtesy of a fluked 2-Ball. USA couldn't reduce the arrears and Europe went onto win the first match 6-3. Making it Europe seven USA four.
Appleton and Putnam stayed at the table as they battle it out in a repeat of the 2011 US Open, which Appleton won. Putnam had full control in the first rack but he went onto miss the 9-Ball, allowing Appleton to take the lead. Putnam was awarded a lifeline straight away as Appleton scratched off the break. Again Putnam made a mistake in the third rack by missing the 2-Ball and Appleton kept the match going against the break. Putnam made his third unforced error of the match with a scratch to leave Appleton 4-1 ahead. Then it was Appleton's turn to make a unforced error after missing the 5-Ball and Putnam managed to pull it back to 4-2. But an illegal break followed by a foul helped to restore the three rack lead. Appleton won the match 6-2 to extend Europe's overall lead to 8-4.
Niels Feijen returned to the table in game three as he and Ralf Souquet took on Rodney Morris and Johnny Archer. The first three racks went with break but Morris scratched off his break in the fourth rack to give Europe a 3-1 lead. Archer and Morris couldn't find anything to break the hold and the European duo won the match 6-2. Europe now lead 9-4.
The penultimate match of the day saw the battle of the vans, Shane Van Boening against Nick Van Den Berg. Van Boening took a 2-0 lead before Van Den Berg levelled the scoreline. Van Boening regained his two rack lead before Van Den Berg recovered the match to 5-5. Van Den Berg had the break in the final rack but hit a dry one. Van Boening eventually won the final rack to make sure there was going to be a day four in this year's Mosconi Cup, 9-5 in Europe's favour.
The final match of the night saw the two débutantes, Mike Dechaine and Chris Melling, take to the table. The first four racks went with break before Chris Melling was able to take a 3-2 lead. From there Melling took control and won the match 6-2 to give Europe a commanding 10-5 lead at the end of day three. Europe need just one point tomorrow to win the 2011 Mosconi Cup.
Appleton and Putnam stayed at the table as they battle it out in a repeat of the 2011 US Open, which Appleton won. Putnam had full control in the first rack but he went onto miss the 9-Ball, allowing Appleton to take the lead. Putnam was awarded a lifeline straight away as Appleton scratched off the break. Again Putnam made a mistake in the third rack by missing the 2-Ball and Appleton kept the match going against the break. Putnam made his third unforced error of the match with a scratch to leave Appleton 4-1 ahead. Then it was Appleton's turn to make a unforced error after missing the 5-Ball and Putnam managed to pull it back to 4-2. But an illegal break followed by a foul helped to restore the three rack lead. Appleton won the match 6-2 to extend Europe's overall lead to 8-4.
Niels Feijen returned to the table in game three as he and Ralf Souquet took on Rodney Morris and Johnny Archer. The first three racks went with break but Morris scratched off his break in the fourth rack to give Europe a 3-1 lead. Archer and Morris couldn't find anything to break the hold and the European duo won the match 6-2. Europe now lead 9-4.
The penultimate match of the day saw the battle of the vans, Shane Van Boening against Nick Van Den Berg. Van Boening took a 2-0 lead before Van Den Berg levelled the scoreline. Van Boening regained his two rack lead before Van Den Berg recovered the match to 5-5. Van Den Berg had the break in the final rack but hit a dry one. Van Boening eventually won the final rack to make sure there was going to be a day four in this year's Mosconi Cup, 9-5 in Europe's favour.
The final match of the night saw the two débutantes, Mike Dechaine and Chris Melling, take to the table. The first four racks went with break before Chris Melling was able to take a 3-2 lead. From there Melling took control and won the match 6-2 to give Europe a commanding 10-5 lead at the end of day three. Europe need just one point tomorrow to win the 2011 Mosconi Cup.
Friday 9 December 2011
2011 Mosconi Cup: Day 2
Team USA put their day one disappointments behind them by coming straight out on day two and rattling the European side. The opening match of the night was probably the most crucial and just to set the scene, it went to final rack. Shane Van Boening and Johnny Archer took on Nick Van Den Berg and Niels Feijen with the match going to double hill. The American duo took the final rack to win 6-5 and take the tournament to 4-2 in Europe's favour.
Then the night intensified as Mike Dechaine dispatched Ralf Souquet 6-1, but Souquet was unhappy with the amount of help Dechaine received when dealing with a snooker. If that wasn't enough, Shawn Putnam and Rodney Morris took on the two Brits, Chris Melling and Darren Appleton. This again went to the final rack but with both teams showing their frustration with each other. The American pairing took the final rack to level the tournament at four apiece, but it took a rather sour as Morris and Appleton slightly squared off with Morris telling Appleton to settle it outside.
The penultimate match of the night saw Johnny Archer take on Nick Van Den Berg. After being locked a 1-1, Nick Van Den Berg finally found some European form and stormed into a 5-1 lead. Archer had control in the seventh rack but he missed the six ball to allow Van Den Berg to seal the 6-1 victory and give Europe their lead again, 5-4.
The final match of the night saw Van Boening and Morris battle it out against Souquet and Melling. Van Boening made the first golden break of the tournament in the third rack to give the USA pairing a 2-1 lead. But Morris scratched on the following American break, allowing Europe to take the lead for the first time in the match at 3-2. It seemed to have deflated the Americans as Souquet and Melling took out a 6-2 to maintain a lead for Europe at the end of the second day. Score after day two: Europe 6-4 USA.
Thursday 8 December 2011
2011 Mosconi Cup: Day 1
The Mosconi Cup returns this week with Las Vegas hosting the prestigious tournament. Johnny Archer, Shane Van Boening, Rodney Morris, Shawn Putnam and Mike Dechaine are representing Team USA. Ralf Souquet, Niels Feijen, Darren Appleton, Nick Van Den Berg and Chris Melling are representing Team Europe.
The opening match of the night saw the two teams battle it out with each player playing one rack at a time. The match was level at 2-2 with both veteran players, Johnny Archer and Ralf Souquet, winning their racks. Europe were able to take a 4-2 lead in a race to six racks, the first time a rack difference larger than one was achieved. Rack ten was between the debutants, Chris Melling and Mike Dechaine, Melling won the rack to win the match 6-3 giving Europe the first point of the tournament.
Chris Melling stayed at the table as he and Nick Van Den Berg took on Johnny Archer and Shawn Putnam. The match went with break until Archer scratched to allow Europe to take a 3-1 lead. But Van Den Berg made an illegal shot in the fifth rack which helped USA to go onto level the match at 3-3. Melling then forced Van Den Berg into a foul to let USA take the lead for the first time in the tournament. This gave the USA momentum to go onto win the match 6-3 and tie the score at 1-1.
The first singles match of the tournament saw Niels Feijen take on Rodney Morris. Morris missed a chip shot to allow Feijen to take the opening rack before taking a 2-0 lead. For some reason Morris couldn't come back and Feijen administered the first 6-0 whitewash of the tournament, Europe lead 2-1.
The penaultimate match of the night saw Shane Van Boening and Mike Dechaine take on Ralf Souquet and Darren Appleton. Souquet played a poor safety shot in the second rack and Dechaine made a 5-9 combination shot to lead 2-0, Dechaine then made four balls off the break to help extend the lead further. It got worse as Souquet scratched off the next break and USA took a 4-0 lead.Van Boening returned the favour with a scratch of his own off the break to allow Europe to pull a rack back. Appleton then made a great bank shot on the one ball in the sixth rack to make it 4-2. Dechaine missed the nine ball in the next rack, allowing Souquet to pull another rack back. Europe were able to draw level and were able to win 6-4 with the momentum in their court, Europe lead 3-1.
Shane Van Boening had to put his disappointment aside to play against Chris Melling in the final match of the session. Van Boening stormed into a 3-0 lead before Melling posted a score on the board. Melling was also then able to level the score and Van Boening was dry off the break in the seventh rack but he was able to get back to the table and regain his lead. He was able to take the lead but Van Boening took it to 5-5 but Melling won the final rack to give Europe a 4-1 lead on day one.
The opening match of the night saw the two teams battle it out with each player playing one rack at a time. The match was level at 2-2 with both veteran players, Johnny Archer and Ralf Souquet, winning their racks. Europe were able to take a 4-2 lead in a race to six racks, the first time a rack difference larger than one was achieved. Rack ten was between the debutants, Chris Melling and Mike Dechaine, Melling won the rack to win the match 6-3 giving Europe the first point of the tournament.
Chris Melling stayed at the table as he and Nick Van Den Berg took on Johnny Archer and Shawn Putnam. The match went with break until Archer scratched to allow Europe to take a 3-1 lead. But Van Den Berg made an illegal shot in the fifth rack which helped USA to go onto level the match at 3-3. Melling then forced Van Den Berg into a foul to let USA take the lead for the first time in the tournament. This gave the USA momentum to go onto win the match 6-3 and tie the score at 1-1.
The first singles match of the tournament saw Niels Feijen take on Rodney Morris. Morris missed a chip shot to allow Feijen to take the opening rack before taking a 2-0 lead. For some reason Morris couldn't come back and Feijen administered the first 6-0 whitewash of the tournament, Europe lead 2-1.
The penaultimate match of the night saw Shane Van Boening and Mike Dechaine take on Ralf Souquet and Darren Appleton. Souquet played a poor safety shot in the second rack and Dechaine made a 5-9 combination shot to lead 2-0, Dechaine then made four balls off the break to help extend the lead further. It got worse as Souquet scratched off the next break and USA took a 4-0 lead.Van Boening returned the favour with a scratch of his own off the break to allow Europe to pull a rack back. Appleton then made a great bank shot on the one ball in the sixth rack to make it 4-2. Dechaine missed the nine ball in the next rack, allowing Souquet to pull another rack back. Europe were able to draw level and were able to win 6-4 with the momentum in their court, Europe lead 3-1.
Shane Van Boening had to put his disappointment aside to play against Chris Melling in the final match of the session. Van Boening stormed into a 3-0 lead before Melling posted a score on the board. Melling was also then able to level the score and Van Boening was dry off the break in the seventh rack but he was able to get back to the table and regain his lead. He was able to take the lead but Van Boening took it to 5-5 but Melling won the final rack to give Europe a 4-1 lead on day one.
2011/2012 CL Round-Up: Matchday 6 Groups A-D
Group A: Manchester City did what needed to do, but it wasn't enough to see them progress. David Silva put City ahead against an under strength Bayern Munich side eight minutes before half-time. Yaya Toure gave City the victory seven minutes into the second half but it turned out not be enough and City will now play in the Europa League.
Napoli take City's place in the knock-out phase with a 2-0 win over pointless Villarreal. Gokhan Inler put Napoli ahead after 65 with Marek Hamsik securing Napoli's second round place twelve minutes later. Table:
Bayern Munich 13
Napoli 11
Manchester City 10
Villarreal 0
Group B: Lille and Trabzonspor played out a 0-0 draw to see the French side out of contention for progression. For Trabzonspor to qualify, they had to hope Inter Milan didn't lose to CSKA Moscow in the San Siro. Seydou Doumbia put the visitors ahead five minutes into the second half before Esteban Cambiasso equalised a minute later. But Vasili Berezutskiy gave CSKA the win and their place in the next round three minutes from the end. Table:
Inter Milan 10
CSKA Moscow 8
Trabzonspor 7
Lille 6
Group C: Manchester United failed to do what they needed to avoid Europa League football and it may cost them dear. Marko Streller put Basle ahead after just nine minutes and with United only requiring a draw, Alexander Frei made it 2-0 with six minutes left. Phil Jones did pull a goal back five minutes later but it was too little too late for United. Worse news for them is that Nemanja Vidic looks to have suffered a dislocated knee.
Benfica confirmed top spot with a win over Otelul Galati. Oscar Cardozo scored the only goal of the game after seven minutes to make Galati finish with no points in their début campaign. Table:
Benfica 12
FC Basle 11
Manchester Untied 9
Otelul Galati 0
Group D: Lyon needed a seven goal swing to progress, and they somehow managed it with a 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb. Jerko Leko received his second yellow card after just 28 minutes but Mateo Kovacic put them ahead four minutes before half-time. Bafetimbi Gomis equalised just before half-time before Maxime Gonalons put Lyon ahead two minutes after the restart. Gomis made it 3-1 two minutes later before scoring his third just seven minutes into the second half. Lisandro Lopez came off the bench to make it 5-1 after 64 minutes with Gomis scoring his fourth six minutes later. Jimmy Briand finished off the rout with fifteen minutes remaining.
This meant Lyon only required Real Madrid to beat Ajax 1-0 for the French side to progress. Jose Callejon put Madrid ahead after thirteen minutes. Gonzalo Higuain made it 2-0 four minutes before half-time before Callejon finished their 100% group campaign in second half injury time. Table:
Real Madrid 18
Olympique Lyonnais 8
Ajax 8
Dinamo Zagreb 0
Napoli take City's place in the knock-out phase with a 2-0 win over pointless Villarreal. Gokhan Inler put Napoli ahead after 65 with Marek Hamsik securing Napoli's second round place twelve minutes later. Table:
Bayern Munich 13
Napoli 11
Manchester City 10
Villarreal 0
Group B: Lille and Trabzonspor played out a 0-0 draw to see the French side out of contention for progression. For Trabzonspor to qualify, they had to hope Inter Milan didn't lose to CSKA Moscow in the San Siro. Seydou Doumbia put the visitors ahead five minutes into the second half before Esteban Cambiasso equalised a minute later. But Vasili Berezutskiy gave CSKA the win and their place in the next round three minutes from the end. Table:
Inter Milan 10
CSKA Moscow 8
Trabzonspor 7
Lille 6
Group C: Manchester United failed to do what they needed to avoid Europa League football and it may cost them dear. Marko Streller put Basle ahead after just nine minutes and with United only requiring a draw, Alexander Frei made it 2-0 with six minutes left. Phil Jones did pull a goal back five minutes later but it was too little too late for United. Worse news for them is that Nemanja Vidic looks to have suffered a dislocated knee.
Benfica confirmed top spot with a win over Otelul Galati. Oscar Cardozo scored the only goal of the game after seven minutes to make Galati finish with no points in their début campaign. Table:
Benfica 12
FC Basle 11
Manchester Untied 9
Otelul Galati 0
Group D: Lyon needed a seven goal swing to progress, and they somehow managed it with a 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb. Jerko Leko received his second yellow card after just 28 minutes but Mateo Kovacic put them ahead four minutes before half-time. Bafetimbi Gomis equalised just before half-time before Maxime Gonalons put Lyon ahead two minutes after the restart. Gomis made it 3-1 two minutes later before scoring his third just seven minutes into the second half. Lisandro Lopez came off the bench to make it 5-1 after 64 minutes with Gomis scoring his fourth six minutes later. Jimmy Briand finished off the rout with fifteen minutes remaining.
This meant Lyon only required Real Madrid to beat Ajax 1-0 for the French side to progress. Jose Callejon put Madrid ahead after thirteen minutes. Gonzalo Higuain made it 2-0 four minutes before half-time before Callejon finished their 100% group campaign in second half injury time. Table:
Real Madrid 18
Olympique Lyonnais 8
Ajax 8
Dinamo Zagreb 0
Wednesday 7 December 2011
2011/2012 CL Round-UP: Matchday 6 Groups E-H
Group E: Bayer Leverkuesen secured their place by picking up a point against Genk. The Belgian hosts took the lead through Jelle Vossen on the half hour mark. Eren Derdiyok rescued the point eleven minutes from time to see the German side progress.
Chelsea did what they had to do and have ended up winning the group. Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the lead at home to Valencia after just three minutes. Ramires made it 2-0 after 22 minutes before Drogba added his second and Chelsea's third fourteen minutes from the end. Table:
Chelsea 11
Bayer Leverkuesen 10
Valencia 8
Genk 3
Group F: As Arsenal were already guaranteed top spot, Arsene Wenger decided to play his 'Carling Cup' side against Olympiacos. It backfired however and the Greek hosts took the lead with Rafik Djebbour scoring after sixteen minutes. David Fuster doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time before Yossi Benayoun pulled a goal back twelve minutes after the restart. Francois Modesto secured the win in the final minutes of normal time to give Olympiacos Europa League football.
Marseille came from 2-0 down to secure second in the group against Borussia Dortmund. The German hosts took the lead through Jakub Blaszczykowski after 23 minutes before Mats Hummels made it 2-0 from the penalty spot nine minutes later. Loic Remy made it 2-1 right on half-time before Andre Ayew equalised with five minutes remaining. Substitute Mathieu Valbuena then stole the points two minutes later to secure progression. Table:
Arsenal 11
Olympique Marseille 10
Olympiacos 9
Borussia Dortmund 4
Group G: Zenit secured a point that ensured their progression at Porto's expense.The game between the two of them finished goalless. Apoel Nicosia win the group despite losing 2-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk. Adriano broke the deadlock after 62 minutes with substitute Yevgen Seleznev winning it twelve minutes from time. Table:
Apoel Nicosia 9
Zenit St Petersburg 9
FC Porto 8
Shakhtar Donetsk 5
Group H: With the group already settled, Barcelona still cruised past BATE to win the group. Sergi Roberto opened the scoring for Barca ten minutes before half-time. Martin Montoya made it 2-0 on the hour before Pedro added a third three minutes later and then a fourth from the spot in the final minute.
Plzen secured Europa League football with a surprise point against AC Milan. Alexandre Pato gave Milan the lead two minutes into the second half with Robinho doubling their lead a minute later. But Plzen pulled a goal back through David Bystron in the final minute before substitute Michal Duris equalised in injury time. Table:
Barcelona 16
AC Milan 9
Viktoria Plzen 5
BATE Borisov 2
Chelsea did what they had to do and have ended up winning the group. Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the lead at home to Valencia after just three minutes. Ramires made it 2-0 after 22 minutes before Drogba added his second and Chelsea's third fourteen minutes from the end. Table:
Chelsea 11
Bayer Leverkuesen 10
Valencia 8
Genk 3
Group F: As Arsenal were already guaranteed top spot, Arsene Wenger decided to play his 'Carling Cup' side against Olympiacos. It backfired however and the Greek hosts took the lead with Rafik Djebbour scoring after sixteen minutes. David Fuster doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time before Yossi Benayoun pulled a goal back twelve minutes after the restart. Francois Modesto secured the win in the final minutes of normal time to give Olympiacos Europa League football.
Marseille came from 2-0 down to secure second in the group against Borussia Dortmund. The German hosts took the lead through Jakub Blaszczykowski after 23 minutes before Mats Hummels made it 2-0 from the penalty spot nine minutes later. Loic Remy made it 2-1 right on half-time before Andre Ayew equalised with five minutes remaining. Substitute Mathieu Valbuena then stole the points two minutes later to secure progression. Table:
Arsenal 11
Olympique Marseille 10
Olympiacos 9
Borussia Dortmund 4
Group G: Zenit secured a point that ensured their progression at Porto's expense.The game between the two of them finished goalless. Apoel Nicosia win the group despite losing 2-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk. Adriano broke the deadlock after 62 minutes with substitute Yevgen Seleznev winning it twelve minutes from time. Table:
Apoel Nicosia 9
Zenit St Petersburg 9
FC Porto 8
Shakhtar Donetsk 5
Group H: With the group already settled, Barcelona still cruised past BATE to win the group. Sergi Roberto opened the scoring for Barca ten minutes before half-time. Martin Montoya made it 2-0 on the hour before Pedro added a third three minutes later and then a fourth from the spot in the final minute.
Plzen secured Europa League football with a surprise point against AC Milan. Alexandre Pato gave Milan the lead two minutes into the second half with Robinho doubling their lead a minute later. But Plzen pulled a goal back through David Bystron in the final minute before substitute Michal Duris equalised in injury time. Table:
Barcelona 16
AC Milan 9
Viktoria Plzen 5
BATE Borisov 2
Tuesday 6 December 2011
PL Round-Up: 4-5/12/11
Everton 0-1 Stoke: Stoke end their European hoodoo to move ahead of Everton. Robert Huth scored the only goal of the game after fifteen minutes to move two points ahead, although Everton do have a game in hand.
Wolves 2-1 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill watched his new side let a lead slip in the final seventeen minutes. Kieran Richardson put the hosts ahead seven minutes into the second half. Steven Fletcher equalised after 73 minutes before stealing the three points with nine minutes remaining.
Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: Monday Night Football returned as Liverpool suffered a tough night in the Capital. Jay Spearing received a straight red for a studs showing tackle with eighteen minutes left. Fulham took full advantage with Clint Dempsey tapping home a Pepe Reina mistake into the empty net with five minutes left. The talking point surrounds yet another FA inquiry regarding Luis Suarez, who gave a one fingered salute to the Fulham fans for calling him a cheat.
Wolves 2-1 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill watched his new side let a lead slip in the final seventeen minutes. Kieran Richardson put the hosts ahead seven minutes into the second half. Steven Fletcher equalised after 73 minutes before stealing the three points with nine minutes remaining.
Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: Monday Night Football returned as Liverpool suffered a tough night in the Capital. Jay Spearing received a straight red for a studs showing tackle with eighteen minutes left. Fulham took full advantage with Clint Dempsey tapping home a Pepe Reina mistake into the empty net with five minutes left. The talking point surrounds yet another FA inquiry regarding Luis Suarez, who gave a one fingered salute to the Fulham fans for calling him a cheat.
Sunday 4 December 2011
Manchester Derby Highlights 3rd Round Draw
The FA Cup Third Round draw:
Manchester City v Manchester United
Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury Town
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Dagenham & Redbridge/Walsall v Millwall
Crawley Town v Bristol City
Doncaster Rovers v Notts County
Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur v Cheltenham Town
Sheffield Wednesday v West Ham United
Milton Keynes Dons v Queens Park Rangers
Hull City v Ipswich Town
Coventry City v Southampton
Brighton & Hove Albion v Wrexham
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Norwich City v Burnley
Arsenal v Leeds United
Derby County v Crystal Palace
Fleetwood Town/Yeovil Town v Blackpool
Swindon Town v Wigan Athletic
Barnsley v Swansea City
Chelmsford/Macclesfield Town v Bolton Wanderers
Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
Everton v Tamworth
Sheffield United v Salisbury/Grimsby Town
Liverpool v Southend United/Oldham Athletic
Gillingham v Stoke City
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Watford v Bradford City
Peterborough United v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
Reading v Stevenage Borough
Manchester City v Manchester United
Middlesbrough v Shrewsbury Town
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Dagenham & Redbridge/Walsall v Millwall
Crawley Town v Bristol City
Doncaster Rovers v Notts County
Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur v Cheltenham Town
Sheffield Wednesday v West Ham United
Milton Keynes Dons v Queens Park Rangers
Hull City v Ipswich Town
Coventry City v Southampton
Brighton & Hove Albion v Wrexham
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Norwich City v Burnley
Arsenal v Leeds United
Derby County v Crystal Palace
Fleetwood Town/Yeovil Town v Blackpool
Swindon Town v Wigan Athletic
Barnsley v Swansea City
Chelmsford/Macclesfield Town v Bolton Wanderers
Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
Everton v Tamworth
Sheffield United v Salisbury/Grimsby Town
Liverpool v Southend United/Oldham Athletic
Gillingham v Stoke City
Chelsea v Portsmouth
Watford v Bradford City
Peterborough United v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
Reading v Stevenage Borough
PL Round-Up: 3/12/11
Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea: A scoreline that flattered Chelsea somewhat. Chelsea could have down to ten men when David Luiz brought Demba Ba down in a possible goal scoring opportunity after four minutes, but only received a yellow card. Chelsea then missed a penalty after thirteen minutes, Tim Krul saving Lampard's effort onto the post. They finally took the lead seven minutes before half-time when Didier Drogba headed past Krul. Newcastle fought hard in the second half, hitting the woodwork twice and John Terry blocked a Sammy Ameobi shot off the line. But all of Newcastle's hard work was for nothing as substitute Salomon Kalou made it 2-0 in the final minute with Daniel Sturridge adding the third a minute later.
QPR 1-1 West Brom: Heidar Helguson gave QPR the lead after twenty minutes before Shane Long earned a point nine minutes from time.
Wigan 0-4 Arsenal: Arsenal continued their fantastic recent form with a thrashing against sorry Wigan. Mikel Arteta broke the deadlock after 28 minutes with Thomas Vermaelen heading a second just a minute later. Gervinho made it three just after the hour mark before Robin Van Persie continued his unbelievable scoring record twelve minutes from time.
Blackburn 4-2 Swansea: The protests around Ewood Park didn't decrease despite the victory over Swansea. Yakubu gave the hosts the lead after twenty minutes before Leroy Lita equalised ten minutes before half-time. Yakubu made it 2-1 just before the break and then scored his sixth English League hat-trick twelve minutes after the restart. Luke Moore made it 3-2 after 66 minutes but Yakubu was on the score sheet again, this time from the spot with eight minutes remaining after Joe Allen brought substitute Simon Vukcevic down to earn a second yellow card.
Man City 5-1 Norwich: City continued their unbeaten run and extended their goal difference further. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after 32 minutes. Samir Nasri added a second six minutes into the second half with Yaya Toure making it three after 68 minutes. Steve Morison made it 3-1 nine minutes from time before Mario Balotelli shouldered the ball home to make it 4-1 with two minutes left. Adam Johnson rounded the match off in injury time.
Tottenham 3-0 Bolton: Spurs went temporarily second after Bolton received another contentious red card. Gareth Bale gave Tottenham the lead after seven minutes and Bolton were then reduced to ten men when Gary Cahill was sent off after just eighteen minutes. Spurs took full advantage with Aaron Lennon doubling their lead five minutes into the second half and Jermain Defoe adding the third on the hour mark.
Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United: Neither team really turned up for this tea time kick-off and despite United playing much better than in recent games, they still only had one clear cut chance on target. Phil Jones scored his senior goal after twenty minutes to ensure United held onto City's coattails.
QPR 1-1 West Brom: Heidar Helguson gave QPR the lead after twenty minutes before Shane Long earned a point nine minutes from time.
Wigan 0-4 Arsenal: Arsenal continued their fantastic recent form with a thrashing against sorry Wigan. Mikel Arteta broke the deadlock after 28 minutes with Thomas Vermaelen heading a second just a minute later. Gervinho made it three just after the hour mark before Robin Van Persie continued his unbelievable scoring record twelve minutes from time.
Blackburn 4-2 Swansea: The protests around Ewood Park didn't decrease despite the victory over Swansea. Yakubu gave the hosts the lead after twenty minutes before Leroy Lita equalised ten minutes before half-time. Yakubu made it 2-1 just before the break and then scored his sixth English League hat-trick twelve minutes after the restart. Luke Moore made it 3-2 after 66 minutes but Yakubu was on the score sheet again, this time from the spot with eight minutes remaining after Joe Allen brought substitute Simon Vukcevic down to earn a second yellow card.
Man City 5-1 Norwich: City continued their unbeaten run and extended their goal difference further. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after 32 minutes. Samir Nasri added a second six minutes into the second half with Yaya Toure making it three after 68 minutes. Steve Morison made it 3-1 nine minutes from time before Mario Balotelli shouldered the ball home to make it 4-1 with two minutes left. Adam Johnson rounded the match off in injury time.
Tottenham 3-0 Bolton: Spurs went temporarily second after Bolton received another contentious red card. Gareth Bale gave Tottenham the lead after seven minutes and Bolton were then reduced to ten men when Gary Cahill was sent off after just eighteen minutes. Spurs took full advantage with Aaron Lennon doubling their lead five minutes into the second half and Jermain Defoe adding the third on the hour mark.
Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United: Neither team really turned up for this tea time kick-off and despite United playing much better than in recent games, they still only had one clear cut chance on target. Phil Jones scored his senior goal after twenty minutes to ensure United held onto City's coattails.
Friday 2 December 2011
Euro 2012 Draw
After half an hour, a draw that could have lasted for five minutes was completed and we now know who will face who in the group stage of the Euro 2012.
Group A: Hosts Poland have a good chance of progressing. Russia should win the group but it will be hotly contested as Greece and Czech Republic make up the group.
Group B: This is the group of death, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Mesut Ozil and Lukasz Podolski are just a few of the big stars all in group B. Denmark also join Holland, Portugal and Germany. Portugal and Denmark were in the same qualification group and Denmark met Holland in their World Cup group last year.
Group C: Ireland have a tough job on their hands to get out of group C. World Champions Spain and Italy are likely to stand in their way but Croatia will also be tough for the Irish.
Group D: England should progress as they face hosts Ukraine. The biggest threat should be France as England already beat Sweden in a friendly last month. Although England haven't beaten Sweden in proper competition.
Group A: Hosts Poland have a good chance of progressing. Russia should win the group but it will be hotly contested as Greece and Czech Republic make up the group.
Group B: This is the group of death, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Mesut Ozil and Lukasz Podolski are just a few of the big stars all in group B. Denmark also join Holland, Portugal and Germany. Portugal and Denmark were in the same qualification group and Denmark met Holland in their World Cup group last year.
Group C: Ireland have a tough job on their hands to get out of group C. World Champions Spain and Italy are likely to stand in their way but Croatia will also be tough for the Irish.
Group D: England should progress as they face hosts Ukraine. The biggest threat should be France as England already beat Sweden in a friendly last month. Although England haven't beaten Sweden in proper competition.
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