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A forum about football, for football fans
In the second of Manchester United's pre-season fixtures in their tour of North America, they thrashed MLS side Seattle Sounders 7-0, with Wayne Rooney scoring a quick-fire hatrick (three goals in 21 minutes) from the bench.
Despite United's strong line up, with Ashley Young, Nani, Anderson and Giggs in midfield, Macheda and Owen up front, and a full-strength back four, the hosts started brightly, displaying confidence- they had run up a 9-game unbeaten run in the MLS recently- and led by Colombian Fredy Montero, tested Anders Lindegaard, the Danish goalkeeper making his 2nd consecutive United first-team start.
However, on 15 minutes, Michael Owen headed a Patrice Evra cross past veteran former-Spurs and Leicester City keeper, Kasey Keller, and into the net to open the scoring.
Half-Time: 0-1
Into the second half, then, and United finally began to dominate against the Sounders, who had every right to feel pleased with their first half performance.
Mame Biram Diouf (49), the Senegalese international, returned from his loan-spell at Blackburn Rovers, rounded Keller's replacement, Terry Boss, to make it 0-2, before Rooney (51) hit his first just 2 minutes later to make it 0-3, hammering the ball into the roof of the net.
The home-side fought back, Fucito pulling an excellent stop out of sub goalkeeper, Ben Amos, before Noonan hit the bar, but Rooney had other ideas and scored his second, collecting a pass from before firing home on the 69th minute. 0-4.
Park (71) himself turned goalscorer, slotting in Obertan's cross and making it 0-5, before Rooney (72) completed his hatrick with a half-volley, again, from Obertan's delivery.
Finally, Obertan got one himself, on 86 minutes, sealing the rout after another defensive slip.
So dominant at the end, were United, that they could have made it 8 through Diouf, or even 9 had Jonny Evans not headed over, but at the final whistle, a resounding 7-0 victory means United have hit 11 goals in two games since starting their tour with a 4-1 win over New England Revolution.
Full-Time: 0-7
It seems that a force grandeur 'has it in' for the Toon Army, as they embark on their tour of the states, with three friendly fixtures against Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City and Columbus Crew on the schedule.
First, Joey Barton, 28, was refused a VISA due to his criminal past. Having been jailed for 74 days in 2008 after admitting committing an assault in Liverpool in December, 2007, he was told that he would not be able to make the trip to the States. Instead, he travelled to Holland with Peter Beardsley and the Reserve team to face Hollandia, Utrecht and Almere City.
Secondly, Nile Ranger, 20, was denied his VISA after having spent 11 weeks in a young offenders home for his part in an armed robbery in 2006.
Thirdly, Newcastle's new signing from Lille, Yohan Cabaye, was refused his VISA initially based on claims he had unpaid dentisty work outstanding following his last visit to the States with his former club. Though this ruling was later overturned, with the 3-week period for re-application to go through, there was not enough time remaining for him to make the trip, and so he also links up with Joey and Nile in Holland.
For the final piece of bad luck, it was the turn of Hatem Ben Arfa to say goodbye to 'the Lads', after being stretchered off during the 0-0 draw in the first fixture with Sporting Kansas City. He lasted just 30 minutes before a challenge from Roger Espinoza put an end to his tour, his left ankle requiring a precautionary X-ray. The injury will be monitored over the next 48 hours, and will be treated with caution after he missed all but 4 games of last season with a double leg fracture since turning his season-long loan permanent.
Another round of fixtures produce some shocking results...
Darlington 0-2 Newcastle United
Firstly, on Friday evening, Newcastle United travelled to the Darlington Arena to take on Blue Square Premier League side, Darlington, who finished 7th last season.
A comfortable 2-0 victory for the Toon Army, through Barton (3) after a cross from Leon Best, and a strike from Ameobi (55), 10 minutes into the second half, were marred when Newcastle fans rushed onto the pitch and scenes turned ugly.
Half-Time: 0-1
Full-Time: 0-2
Managing director, Derek Llambias said: "On behalf of everyone at Newcastle United FC, we wholly condemn the behaviour of a number of our supporters who invaded the pitch during the second half of the club's friendly against Darlington this evening (July 15). The club will be seeking to obtain footage of the disorder from Darlington FC and the police and will be taking the strongest possible action against those individuals responsible for the shameful behaviour.
This behaviour is not typical of the vast majority of our fans, however this incident gives a poor impression of Newcastle United and its loyal supporters."
On Saturday 16th July, six Premier League clubs played.
We'll start with the convincing victories- first Liverpool..
Malaysia XI 3-6 Liverpool
Charlie Adam got his first goal as a Red, converting a penalty in the convincing 6-3 victory over a Malaysia XI. Adam converted on 27 mins, after Jasuli's soft contact had taken down the big man, Andy Carroll. A Rahim goal levelled things on 43, giving a disappointing half time scoreline.
Half-Time: 1-1
It took a further 23 minutes for Liverpool to regain the lead, with Ngog (68) first making it 1-2, then 2 minutes later on 70, making it 1-3. Rodriguez (76) made it 1-4, before Sali (79) got the first of his 2, making it 2-4, before adding Malaysia's 3rd on 82. At 3-4, and the scoreline the same as their earlier fixture, Liverpool turned it up a notch, hitting 2 stoppage time goals through Rodriguez (91) and Dirk Kuyt (94).
Full-Time: 3-6
Gorleston 0-7 Norwich
An emphatic victory for Premier League newcomers, Norwich City, over Ridgeons Premier League side Gorleston at Emerald Park.
Captain Holt (6), Whitbread (12) and a Holt penalty (30) gave the Canaries a 3-0 lead. A Smith strike made it 4 and Jackson hit a 5th before half time.
Half-Time 0-5
Johnson (49) and Wilbraham completed the rout, to set Norwich on their way to the Premier League.
Full-Time 0-7
Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Accrington Stanley
At Morecambe's Globe Arena, Premier League Blackburn Rovers failed to convince against Accrington (Who are they? Exactly...) Stanley, but took the lead on 15 minutes through Keith Andrews.
Half-Time: 1-0
Stanley equalised 9 minutes into the second half, through trialist, Kurtis Guthrie's 54th minute strike, before a Kalinic strike concluded the fixture.
Full-Time: 2-1
Portsmouth 0-1 Chelsea
At Fratton Park, Chelsea fans had their first opportunity to see Andres Villas-Boas' line-up and match approach. Having played Wycombe behind closed doors in mid-week, fans were able to catch a glimpse in a damp squib of a match.
Former Chelsea defender, Ben-Haim headed past his own keeper on just 7 minutes.
Half-Time: 0-1
A penalty for Portsmouth, taken by Luke Varney, and saved by Hilario, was the only thing of note in the second half.
Full-Time: 0-1
Hangzhou Greentown 1-1 Arsenal
A desperately poor performance by the Gunners, as after just 16 minutes, Hangzhou took the lead through Sebastian Vazquez following a mistake from goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
Carlos Vela drew Arsenal level on the stroke of half-time with a close-range strike.
Half-Time: 1-1
Despite making a full 11 changes in the half-time interval, Arsenal failed to break down vastly inferior opponents and the 1-1 scoreline stood until the full time whistle blew.
Full-Time: 1-1
Kaizer Chief's 1-0 Tottenham
A disappointing match for Tottenham at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Twice denied by top-drawer saves from keeper Itumeleng Khune, the last in the 90th minute sparked the counter-attack that George Lebese scored the winner from.
Luka Modric, who handed a transfer request in this week was ruled out with an ankle problem, while fellow midfielder Sandro is expected to miss three months of action with a knee injury.
Half-Time: 0-0
Full-Time: 1-0
It is with great, great pleasure that I can announce the first set of friendly results involving Premier League clubs...
Before I get to these, firstly my apologies for my extended absence- I have been in Spain for a long weekend, and had no internet access. What I did get to do was to play with the rest of my party against a local team, in a stadium in the mountains. And our 5-1 defeat (myself scoring our only goal) is perhaps indicative of the present time, with Spain dominating, and England falling short.
Not just in footballing terms, but in diet, culture, even looks!
Anyway, I digress..
Liverpool got us under-way early on Wednesday, with a 4-3 victory over Guangdong Sunray Cave in China.
Two quick-fire goals from Poulsen (20) and Ngog (22) gave Liverpool a comfortable lead. Ricardo pulled one back for the hosts after a cross from Lu Lin wasn't dealt with on the stroke of half time. Half-Time: 1-2
Conor Coady, making his 'Pool debut, slotted home the visitor's 3rd on 72 to make it 3-1, and 10 minutes later, Andy Carroll gave Liverpool an unassailable lead with 8 minutes to go. 4-1.
However, the Chinese weren't finished, and through Lu Lin (89) and then Hongbo from a Lu Lin cross on 90 1, Guangdong pulled it back to a narrow 3-4 defeat. Full-Time: 3-4
For Liverpool fans, they got to see their new signing, Charlie Adam, in action, who didn't disappoint.
Arsenal, likewise, hit 4 goals in their friendly against a Malaysia XI, but this time, without reply as they ran up an impressive 4-0 scoreline.
Goals from a Ramsey penalty (5) after Wilshere was brought down, and Walcott (37) after a cross from Ramsey gave the Gunners a 2-0 first half lead. Half-Time: 0-2
A wonderful goal from Carlos Vela (59), and a Rosicky header (90 1) from an Arshavin cross, concluded the comfortable rout. Full-Time: 0-4
Despite the transfer/contract speculation, Samir Nasri was impressive from the bench, though Cesc Fabregas missed the game due to training to recover from a hamstring injury.
Sunderland took on non-league York City on Wednesday too, but struggled to impress their Premier League might, narrowly coming out 2-1 winners.
A strong starting XI, including new signing, Craig Gardner, took a 2-0 half time lead, with strikes from Phil Bardsley and Oumare Tounkara. Half-Time: 2-0.
However, it was York who scored the only goal of the 2nd half, with Jamie Reed converting a penalty after Titus Bramble had conceded. Full-Time: 2-1
Finally, last night, it was the turn of Manchester United to hit 4 goals in their friendly against New England Revolution, with a convincing 4-1 victory.
Ashley Young was the only one of United's 3 new signings to start the match, but after 45 minutes, the scoreline was goalless. Half-Time: 0-0
United started the second half in emphatic style, however, hitting 3 goals in the first 16 minutes of the half. Michael Owen (50), from the bench, having secured a new 1-yr contract extension recently, hit the opener 5 minutes into the second half. 4 minutes later, and a 2nd substitute, Macheda (54) made it 2-0. Fans only had to wait for 2 minutes before the next strike, however, as New England got back in the game through Mansally (56), though it was a deflection off of a Feilhaber free kick. Having conceded, United fans only had to wait a further 5 minutes to see their team's 3rd goal, as Macheda (61) hit his second from the bench.
Finally, with 10 minutes left on the clock, a beautiful team goal was brilliantly finished off by South Korean, Park Ji Sung (80). Full-Time: 4-1
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