Paul's EPL recap (Round 1)
American GK Marcus Hahnemann shines for Reading
by Paul O'Donnell
With the first ever PDL title rematch settled in penalties Laredo wins it with two saves by their keeper (Cooper) to set the stage for the net minders to shine in the EPL’s opening round. Might be a stretch, but you get the idea. Same weekend and the same theme would produce some thrilling moments in the EPL too.
Especially for Reading’s American keeper Marcus Hahnemann and the Royals stalwart performance at the theater of dreams. Plus, Fulham’s Tony Warner produced the match of his career only to see it go down the drain in the final 7 minutes at The Emirates.
Arsenal 2:1 Fulham
Gifted a goal by Healy in the opening minute from a botched attempt at a pass by Jans Lehman Fulham made the gift count, for 82 minutes that is thanks to the erratic nature of the young Gunners. Then, an obstruction in the area by Bocanegra handed the leveler to Arsenal and Van Persie on a PK (83). In the 89th Hleb, given some space finally made one count and Arsenal claimed the points. Fulham’s American contingent of McBride, Dempsey and Bocanegra produced little of consequence other than the late foul that produced Arsenal’s tying goal. Fulham’s #1 keeper, Niemi, was injured in the warm-up giving the starting role to Warner who was man of the match and nearly won the day for the Cottager’s.
Man United 0:0 Reading
Speaking of man of the match, Reading’s Hahnemann stole the show at Old Trafford despite his team’s inability to get out of their own end for much of the match. In the end the real story here became United’s loss of Rooney to a broken bone in his foot stealing the headlines from Hahnemann’s terrific performance for the Royals.
Chelsea 3:2 Birmingham City
Back in the EPL Steve Bruce and his City produced a surprisingly stiff challenge to Jose’s guys and actually got the jump on them in the 14th minute via Forsell. Two Chelsea new boys made their debut at the Bridge special by putting the home side back on top from Pizarro (17) and Malouda (30). City wasn’t about to lie down however and they leveled the score again in the 35th Kapo only to be undone by Essien by a laser drive in the 49th. The victory was Chelsea’s 64th consecutive match at Stamford Bridge without a loss in league play, a new record.
Aston Villa 1:2 Liverpool
The team I expect to challenge the big four this term, Villa, didn’t really produce much of value until Laursen was stranded in front of his own net and attempting to pop a cross over drilled it high into the top of his own goal gifting the Reds what they weren’t able to produce (30). Liverpool’s talented strike force may have looked good at times but couldn’t produce the goods. An all too familiar result under Benitez. Then, in the 84th a Gareth Barry penalty looked to settle it on the day with a share of the points until the Reds Gerrard was gifted a free kick on a subtle but convincing acting job. Stevie G. produced the goal of the round with a curling drive high to the corner and the Reds steal the points at Villa Park. A noteworthy result for a Liverpool side that had a horrific season on their travels last term. It just would feel better for Reds fans if it had been more deserved and their new strike force had actually produced a goal.
Sunderland 1:0 Tottenham
In the other truly significant match of the opening round Roy Keane’s first ever as manager in the EPL became a famous victory over the mighty Spurs at the Stadium of Light. To make it even more memorable the match winner came in second half injury time via Chopra making Spurs a loser again on opening day.
Elsewhere Derby’s first EPL match in five years produced a thrilling 2-2 draw with Portsmouth on a late tally from Andy Todd (83) and Everton had a strong performance and 2-1 win over relegation candidate Wigan.
Manchester City got goals from two newcomers in a dominant 2-0 win over a listless West Ham kicking off the Erickson era in style.
Blackburn Rovers lost Benni McCarthy early on as he collapsed on the pitch and was stretchered off but they got goals from Santa Cruz (62) and Derbyshire’s winner in the 78th to overcome Downing’s opener (30) in a deserved 2-1 win over Boro.
The best of the rest was Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Bolton in Sam Allardyce’s first match in charge at his old haunts at the Reebok. A stunner of an overhead kick from Martins and another on a deflection added to N’Zogbia’s opener (10) had Newcastle on the front foot throughout. Anelka’s classy strike (49) pulled one back for the home fans but it was always too little too late on this day.
