Call up Charlie Boy

As the England squad was announced last week, one English striker had a point to prove in this past weekends Premier League football and there's no better opposition to do it against than the Champions.  Manchester City have stuttered recently and the trip down south to Loftus Road will not have been appealing to Manuel Pellegrini and co.  The focus this week then is on Loftus Road as QPR hosted Manchester City.

Premier League

At Loftus Road, the champions renewed acquaintances with a team which is now steeped into the history of Manchester City, QPR.  That crazy final day of the season back in 2012 will forever be remembered and looked back upon not just by City fans but fans of English football for the moment QPR nearly ruined the title party at the Etihad only for Sergio Aguerooooooo to literally snatch the title from Manchester United in the 95th minute of the match.  QPR have since been relegated, had a mass squad clear-out and won promotion in the most dramatic way possible last May against Derby County in the play-final with a 90th minute winner.  QPR have reignited their season with some commendable performances recently against Liverpool and Chelsea, despite defeat in both.  One man key in this was Charlie Austin.  The well talked about former 'bricklayer' has built his way up in the football league ladder plying his trade at Swindon and Burnley boasting impressive goal tallies before 'Arry Redknapp took a punt on him last year which paid off as Austin finished the R's top scorer and led them to an immediate return to the top flight.  Austin has been their main man in recent weeks with four goals in his last five games.  Ahead of this tie, the absence of Vincent Kompany would've put Austin in a confident mood against what has been a fragile City backline this season. 

This game was frantic, end to end and full of controversy.  In the first ten minutes City were finding it extremely tough dealing with QPR's direct pressing game and the presence of Bobby Zamora alongside Austin.  If you watched Soccer AM you'd know that Austin had agreed to do a special goal celebration inspired by Tubes.  The 'Chicken Dance' was broken out inside 10 minutes as he headed past Joe Hart and before he could see the offside flag he'd already broken into dance, a tad embarrassing.  More annoyance was to follow for Austin as the resulting free kick was seemingly scuffed to Austin who duly buried the ball past Hart for the second time in a minute.  However, a clear double touch from the keeper was rightly spotted and meant Austin was denied again.  But, credit to him and Rangers as they persisted and continued to hassle City and finally Austin got his goal.  The Chilean duo of Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas did the work and the latter found Austin who buried it for a third time and was not denied, the dance was out and the R's were up.  On the other hand, whilst Austin is a striker on top of his game, it still does not match the quality and standard of his counterpart.  Sergio Aguero is at his best and arguably the best in the world this season and his goals in this game proved that.  The equaliser was beautifully taken from the sky by the Argentine after a raking pass from the back.  He twisted left and right before the ball awkwardly bounced up on to his arm but he continued and bamboozled Richard Dunne and finished past Robert Green for 1-1.  City seemed to be settling and upping the gears just before and after half time as Yaya Toure was looking much improved playing just off Aguero.  Yet, City were picked open once again with Austin key.  He superbly crossed into a dangerous area forcing Martin Demichelis to head past his own keeper to compound a wretched last few days for the champions.  Defeat at home to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League has put them in a perilous position at the bottom of the group and were already chasing Chelsea in the league.  So, as they did last weekend in the derby, they turned to Aguero.  He first had a shot cleared off the line as QPR were desperate to hold on and were throwing bodies in the way.  Eventually, he rescued City, Toure's wonderful pass found Aguero who rounded Green and with three defenders around him, he still found the top corner.  The calm and cool style was of a top class striker not phased by pressure when his side depends on him. 

City probably would've wanted three points but against a rejuvenated Rangers side, it is a good point for Manuel Pellegrini who does need to improve results quickly or face a similar depressing exit that befell Roberto Mancini.  Rangers are second bottom but playing good football which should see them climb the table with Austin leading the line.  I firmly believe Charlie deserves a call up to the England squad considering the appalling form of players like Rickie Lambert.  He has been knocking at the door and I hope he gets his chance to add even more to his fairy tale football story. 

The Rest
Burnley 1-0 Hull City (Finally!!!!)
Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea
Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace
Southampton 2-0 Leicester City
Spurs 1-2 Stoke City
Sunderland 1-1 Everton
Swansea City 2-1 Arsenal
West Brom 0-2 Newcastle United
West Ham 0-0 Aston Villa



Goal of the Week

This week is a goal which epitomises the turn-around in confidence at Newcastle.  Improving in results and increased solidarity at the back topped with a inform striker quickly settling in up north.  Three goals in his last three games has made Ayoze Perez very much noticed amongst fans and the media, here's his superb effort against West Brom:

 

 

 

 

Until next time, signing off- sjt!

Alexcellent: Visit to the Emirates

My first visit to the Emirates this season turned out to be a particularly enjoyable one.  This past weekend, I visited my favourite football stadium to watch my team, Arsenal, take on Burnley in this Barclays Premier League encounter.  It proved to be a mostly frustrating game where many chances came and went but when you watch Arsenal, you expect the quality players on show to make a difference and this game proved that case perfectly. 


Arsenal 3-0 Burnley

I headed off at Saturday lunchtime from my home in Colchester to London in excitement to see my team play for the first time this season.  The last time I saw Arsenal, they had booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, which of course proved to be the end to the infamous 9 year trophy drought.  Now, I'd hoped we'd progressed after that Wembley win but there have been mixed signals.  The signing of Alexis Sanchez was one of ambition, quality and value for money as he is a world-class talent.  As well as viable replacements in David Ospina and Mathieu Debuchy for the departed Bacary Sagna and Lukasz Fabianski, Calum Chambers has been an excellent signing.  The 18 year old has fitted in so well after just 20 plus appearances for Southampton and now having to step to not only a Premier League starting place but Champions League football.  Yet, the missing defensive midfielder and central defensive cover have exposed the squad with injury trouble, especially at the back.  Chambers now finds himself in the predicament of being the clubs back up centre half and starting right back with youngster Hector Bellerin also forced to be promoted to first team duties.  Too many draws have made the season very inconsistent and meaning it hasn't got going yet.  But, the bright sparks of performances from Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and attacking dynamo Sanchez have put Arsenal in a steady position at this point of the season. 

So as I met my Dad in Liverpool Street, I arrived in my new puma jersey, of course flaunting the name of Alexis (17) on the yellow away kit, which was rather baggy.  It's safe to say I wouldn't be easy to lose with my bright yellow shirt, rucksack and slightly ginger hair.  We made our way to Arsenal station along the tube line, which is annoyingly packed all the time!  I always get that match-day buzz every time I hear the tanoy say, "The next station is Arsenal."  I love watching my team and walking out of the station and turning right to the view of the beautiful Emirates Stadium and stall holders along Holloway Road up the stairs, along the bridge and seeing legends surround the outer layer of the stadium.  Thierry Henry, George Armstrong, Tony Adams and Charlie George among many.  As it was my first game of the season, I felt obliged to get a programme.  It's a good read, you get a free poster and there's always a chance of winning the lucky number, although I of course didn't again.  Me and my dad enjoyed watching the end to the lunchtime game in the refectory as a massive cheer went up when Newcastle scored against Liverpool.  I had a hot dog whilst I watched and I was surprisingly impressed by how much better it was than past years, definitely recommended there.  I know sitting in the corner isn't the most attractive of seating areas for most but any seat in the Emirates is one I will gladly sit in to watch my team play.  I love where I seat and have ever since I first went in 2008.  The pre-match warm-ups ensued and I was ecstatic to see Theo Walcott back, shooting, running and interacting with the action again after a serious injury which had kept him out since January.  One thing I thoroughly miss from the pre-match build up is the playing of 'Wonder of You' by Elvis about 15 minutes before kick-off.  It was a really uplifting track and encouraged the crowd to sing a long and I enjoyed hearing it just before the teams walked on, although London Calling is a very good pre-match track as well but it's not got the same ring to it.  One thing I love, is the Arsenal montage.  A montage of Arsenal FC with clips from over the years from Charlie George's winner at the Old Wembley against Manchester United and Michael Thomas' "It's Up for Grabs Now" Anfield winner to Thierry Henry's Invincible moments and Tony Adams' "Would You Believe It!" season defining goal against Everton. 

Then, the teams entered the field.  It was not the walk over thumping that I expect most Arsenal fans were anticipating.  I certainly had thought we were capable of putting Burnley to the sword and were needing to lay our marker down with a comprehensive win.  Yet, Tom Heaton was not on my wavelength.  The Burnley keeper pulled off a string of wonderful saves to deny not only Danny Welbeck but the exceptional Alexis Sanchez who was trying from all angles.  What did get me annoyed was the inexcusable decision making of the referee Craig Pawson.  Heaton was wasting time from his first goal kick up to the first goal and didn't receive a booking.  The amount of times he did it, he could've and should've been sent off for at least seven or eight occurrences of the same bookable offence.  My frustration was building, as well as that of the fans around me.  The fans sang loud as we tried to push the team on but it wasn't helped by the sheer abysmal taking of corners.  It has been well known this season that we cannot take corners, whether it's Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain or even Sanchez, it's always over-hit or hits the first man.  Cazorla was having another below par day as he continued to miss sitters after fluffing two last week he missed a great opportunity as he hit his shot against Jason Shackell on the line with the goal at his mercy.  Then came the moment of quality, endeavour and pure delight.  Alexis Sanchez had been the source of everything bright, positive and golden in terms of skill and genius.  His vision, running and power reminds me of Sergio Aguero and to add he has an eye for goal.  Sanchez's record since arriving is fantastic and he added to it by powering home a superb header from Chambers' cross.  Just to clarify, Sanchez out jumped a 6'4 defender with his incredible leap, just a sign of his obvious quality.  70 minutes of frustration had been let out as roars went up around the Emirates and it was amplified when the excellent Chambers got his first Arsenal goal from, dare I say it, a corner.  Sanchez then grabbed a superbly taken second after picking up a centre from Cazorla.  But arguably the moment of the day was the return of Walcott.  A standing ovation awaited as Theo played his first Premier League match since the 2-0 win over Cardiff back in January.  He nearly scored as well but Heaton was again having none of it with an impressive parry followed by a sensational left hand claw to deny a thumping volley from Lukas Podolski.  Overall, a good day in the end, an Arsenal win, a Sanchez masterclass and a Walcott cameo, I could enjoy the train journey home happily reading my programme and look forward to Match of the Day and see it all again!

I will sign off with the goals from the game at Emirates, until next week! sjt