retired_lovecody

Keep up the good work! I'm really enjoying this.

retired_tnovo

cheers Terry_M, happy you're enjoying the story.

retired_tnovo

Saturday 10th February 2007

premierleague.com

Portsmouth 0 Manchester United 1

They are really putting the pressure on Arsenal. Manchester United negotiated a tough away day by edging out Portsmouth at Fratton Park this afternoon. An early header from Cristiano Ronaldo was enough to give his side their third straight league victory. It was quite an even match at Fratton Park but United took the chance that mattered the most to take home the spoils. This win takes United 7 points clear of Arsenal but the Gunners still have 3 league matches in hand. This defeat keeps Pompey in a relegation dogfight. Manager Faiz Khan made just one change from the side that defeated Wigan Athletic last weekend with Ronaldo replacing John O'Shea, who dropped to the bench. Pompey gaffer Harry Redknapp also made just one change from the defeat at Everton with the injured Andrey Arshavin making way for Douala.

On a fairly dry and mild Saturday lunchtime on the South Coast, referee Uriah Rennie got the proceedings going. Pompey started by making the first opportunity inside five minutes. Sol Campbell sent Nwankwo Kanu down the left wing and he crossed to the near post where Niko Kranjcar's tame header went straight into Edwin van der Sar's arms. Two minutes later, Kranjcar swung in a corner which Benjani's fierce header was tipped over the crossbar well by van der Sar. It took United until the 10th minute to get going and when they did, they took the lead. Ryan Giggs played a precise one-two with Gabriel Heinze down the left flank and he crossed to the far post where Ronaldo outjumped everyone to power his header past David James and in off the far post. The goal sparked United some new life and they should have extended the lead on 15 minutes. Giggs played a quick freekick across to Heinze on the left and his cross into the area was headed well over the crossbar by Alan Smith. Six minutes later, Gary Neville teed up Heinze from 30 yards out and his shot was deflected just inches over the crossbar by Louis Saha's instinctive header. A minute later, Dejan Stefanovic exchanged passes with Douala before releasing Kanu through on goal but the Nigerian prodded his shot into the side-netting with van der Sar rushing out to meet him. After 25 minutes, Manuel Fernandes' searching ball was knocked down by Benjani into the path of Kanu who struck his first time effort just inches wide of the far corner. Three minutes later, Fernandes was booked for fouling Michael Carrick and Giggs floated a freekick into the area and it was helped on by Smith whose header went sailing harmlessly wide of the mark. United had a great opportunity to extend their advantage on the halfhour. Neville's hurried clearance sent Saha clear on goal and the France international took the ball wide of James but the keeper kept out his effort at his near post. Two minutes later, Giggs swung in a corner and when the ball was cleared to Ronaldo on the edge of the area, the Portugal winger's firm shot flew just inches over the crossbar. On 42 minutes, United were denied by some super home defending. Giggs' pass was flicked on by Smith into the path of Saha who just about to score until Campbell stuck out his right leg to swipe the ball away for a throw-in. Just before the halftime, a brilliant counter-attack almost brought a second goal for the visitors. Neville sent a fantastic pass down the line for Ronaldo to steam onto and his instant cross found Giggs at the far post but his bullet header was superbly tipped over the crossbar by James. The corner came to nothing and the half finished at Fratton Park. The halftime score at Portsmouth 0 Manchester United 1.

Khan was not very happy with the way his players began the match but was definitely satisfied that his side took the lead and settled. The second half was underway at Fratton Park. Two minutes into the second half and United should have scored a second goal. Saha played a nice one-two with Carrick before accelerating past Campbell and the striker's shot was brilliantly beaten away by James and cleared to safety. On 57 minutes, Nemanja Vidic played a great ball through for Park Ji-Sung and just as he was about to pull the trigger, he was denied by a brilliant tackle from Alessandro Gamberini. On the hour mark, Pompey should have levelled matters. Kanu dispossessed Rio Ferdinand on the right flank and he sent a low cross across goal for Benjani to tap it but he was denied by a great reflex stop from van der Sar. Halfway through the second half, Kanu and Fernandes combined effectively for the latter to tee up Douala from 25 yards but his long range effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. A minute later, a lovely sweeping move involving Neville, Smith and Ronaldo ended with Saha heading the winger's cross straight at James and the ball was cleared to safety. United had another good opportunity to score a second goal after 76 minutes. Ferdinand spread the ball out to Heinze on the left and his cross to the far post was headed well wide of the far post by Ronaldo from 6 yards out. Pompey had to start attacking quickly and they came close with five minutes remaining. Stefanovic played a freekick across to the onrushing Campbell who struck a rocket of a strike which van der Sar did very well to beat away. On 88 minutes, Ognjen Koroman played a high ball that was knocked down by Benjani for Fernandes to strike on the volley which was easily smothered by van der Sar. After endless high balls into the United area was cleared to safety, the final whistle went to wild celebrations on the United bench as they realised just how big this result could be in the long run. The final score from Fratton Park was Portsmouth 0 Manchester United 1.

Match Verdict - a close fought match at Fratton Park was won by the visitors' first attack of the afternoon. United are getting better and better at the moment as Pompey are quite the opposite right now.

Portsmouth - James 7, Neill (Johnson 70, 6), Stefanovic 7, Gamberini 7, Campbell 7, Douala 6, Kranjcar 7 (Koroman 79, 6), O'Neil 7, Fernandes 7, Benjani 7, Kanu 7 (Smolarek 70, 6).

Booked - Fernandes

Man Utd - van der Sar 7, G Neville 8, Heinze 7, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, Ronaldo 8, Giggs 7 (Richardson 76, 7), Carrick 7, Park Ji-Sung 7 (inj 90), Smith 7 (O'Shea 76, 6), Saha 7 (Rossi 76, 6).

Goals - Ronaldo (10)

Booked - G Neville, Ferdinand & Carrick

Injured - Park Ji-Sung (90)

Man of the Match - Cristiano Ronaldo - the explosive winger was a constant threat all afternoon for the Pompey defence with his dribbling and trickery. His goal won the match for his team-mates.


Other Premiership Results

Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Charlton 1 Tottenham 0
Man City 1 Bolton 0
Sheff Utd 0 Everton 1
Watford 0 Middlesbrough 0
Wigan 4 Reading 0


FA Cup Replays

Brentford 1 Southend 1 (Brentford win 3-2 on pens)
Doncaster 1 Norwich 0
Fulham 1 Stoke 0
Newcastle 2 Arsenal 1

retired_tnovo

Monday 12th February 2007

premierleague.com

Following his battling display in the win against Portsmouth at Fratton Park last weekend, Manchester United's Gary Neville was named in the Premiership Team of the Week. Here is the team in full:

Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough)

Gary Neville (Man Utd)
Timothee Atouba (Man City)
Sergey Ignashevich (Portsmouth)
Micah Richards (Man City)

Denny Landzaat (Wigan)
Kevin Kilbane (Wigan)
Lorik Cana (Wigan)
Paul Scharner (Wigan)

Emile Heskey (Wigan)
Milan Baros (Aston Villa)


In other news, following coming off late in the win at Portsmouth, Manchester United's tireless midfielder Park Ji-Sung suffered a gashed leg and will be ruled out of action for between 10 days to a fortnight. He has been in outstanding form recently and manager Faiz Khan will hope he regains this form upon his return.

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 14th February 2007

manutd.com

The injuries are coming thick and fast now. Manchester United have confirmed that explosive winger Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered yet another injury blow this morning. The Portuguese international winger sustained a chest injury whilst lifting weights during the training session earlier this morning. The club physio confirmed to manager Faiz Khan that Ronaldo will miss the next fortnight or three weeks of action. This means he along with Park Ji-Sung will miss the Carling Cup Final with Charlton Athletic a week on Sunday.

retired_tnovo

Wednesday 14th February 2007

premierleague.com

Premiership Results

Arsenal 5 Bolton 1
Fulham 1 West Ham 0
Sheff Utd 1 Chelsea 4
Watford 0 Blackburn 1

timothy.angela

Great job, Gandycoleuk!

For me, it is wonderful to see how you arrange your line-up for every single game and how each player performs.

And i have some suggestion, could you add the standing information for the league, obviously, no need to update all 20 teams, maybe just top 3 to tell us what is the difference bwteen you and Chelsea and Arsenal.

retired_tnovo

Thanks tommyli1979, I can see you're enjoying the story. Yes I like to write my match reports in as much detail as possible.

Normally, I post the league table at the end of every month. Not long to go then.

retired_tnovo

Saturday 17th February 2007

TheFA.com

Manchester United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

It's back to White Hart Lane then. Tottenham Hotspur forced a FA Cup 5th Round replay with Manchester United after securing a creditable draw against the Premiership leaders at Old Trafford this afternoon. Dimitar Berbatov's cool finish early in the second half cancelled out Ryan Giggs' crisp first half opener to take the tie back to White Hart Lane. It was a match that was marginally edged by the hosts but Spurs held on thanks in part to the heroics of Paul Robinson in goal. Manchester United boss Faiz Khan made three changes from the team that won at Portsmouth last Saturday with Kieran Richardson, John O'Shea and the returning Paul Scholes coming in to replace injured duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-Sung and suspended former Tottenham man Michael Carrick. Tottenham boss Martin Jol also made the three alterations from the defeat at Charlton as Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Jermain Defoe made way for Anthony Gardner, Didier Zokora and Jermaine Jenas.

On a frosty but very sunny Saturday lunchtime in Manchester, referee Nigel Miller got the FA Cup tie of the round up and running. The hosts started quickly and fashioned out a half chance inside three minutes. Gabriel Heinze spread the ball beautifully into the path of Gary Neville who took one touch before sending a long range effort sailing over the crossbar from 30 yards. After 14 minutes, United had a great opportunity to have the lead. Heinze gave the ball to Giggs down the left wing and he crossed into the area where Alan Smith's fierce header was brilliantly stopped from point blank range by Robinson. Although United were the only side attacking, they still found it difficult creating any clear cut chances. On 25 minutes, United found the opening goal. Scholes spotted the run of Giggs and picked him out superbly and the Wales international let the ball bounce before crashing his shot past Robinson at his near post. Spurs tried to hit back two minutes later. Robbie Keane span away from two United defenders before slipping the ball through for Berbatov but his shot was blocked well by Rio Ferdinand and the effort was easy pickings for Edwin van der Sar. On the halfhour, some great close controlled passing involving Scholes, O'Shea and Louis Saha ended with the Irish man sending a curling shot just inches over the crossbar. Two minutes later, United almost extended their lead. Heinze sent an instant ball down the line for Saha to run in on goal but his firm effort across goal was stopped superbly by Robinson's fingertips and the ball was cleared to safety. After 35 minutes, United should have scored a second goal. Scholes found space in midfield before sending a perfectly weighted ball for Smith clear on goal but the former Leeds man sent his chip trickling well wide of the goal with Robinson rushing out to stop him. Three minutes before the interval came a controversial moment in the match. Jenas played a freekick into a crowded penalty area when Heinze seemed to push over Sanli Tuncay before heading away. The Spurs camp was certainly furious with the failure to award an penalty but the referee was clearly having none of it! Just on the halftime whistle, Spurs were unlucky not to level the scores. Leighton Baines sent a wonderful freekick towards the top corner when van der Sar flung his whole frame across goal to touch the ball onto the crossbar before the United defence averted the danger. It was halftime shortly after and the score from Old Trafford was Manchester United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0.

Khan was very pleased with his side's first half display capped with the only goal. He did warn them that the tie was far from over. The second half got going at Old Trafford. Those halftime words seemed to have not got through to the hosts as they conceded an equaliser inside the first two minutes. Pascal Chimbonda was allowed to stride past the halfway line and he played a magnificent ball into the area which Berbatov coolly slotted past van der Sar into the far corner. Three minutes later, Tuncay sent Keane away down the left side and his cross to the near post was headed just inches over the crossbar by Berbatov. On 53 minutes, United tried to get back in front. Neville threw the ball to Smith who held the ball up before teeing up Scholes on his left foot but his effort was nothing like his right boot and it went well wide of the mark. Tottenham had done very well to get back into this match and could have completed the turnaround on the hour mark. Gardner swapped passes with Zokora before picking out Keane on the edge of the area only for the Ireland international to send his fierce shot just over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Spurs really should have taken the lead. Nemanja Vidic dallied on the ball and was caught upfield by Keane who stormed through towards goal but he sent an almost arrogant and tame shot well wide with just van der Sar to beat. United took a while to get back into their rhythm since halftime and almost retook the lead on 73 minutes. Vidic sent a great ball out to substitute Patrice Evra on the left flank and his low cross was diverted goalwards by Saha only for Robinson to stop with his body and the ball was cleared to safety. Three minutes later, Jenas and substitute Defoe exchanged passes for the latter to tee up Keane from 25 yards out but his effort was wild and it went harmlessly over the crossbar. Nine minutes from time, United thought they had taken a late lead. Richardson swung in a freekick into the area and Heinze climbed above everyone to head past Robinson but the Argentine was adjudged to have fouled the keeper in the air and the goal was disallowed. Two minutes from time, Robinson was at it again. Richardson swung in a corner and Smith sprung himself to direct a bullet header towards the top corner until Robinson stuck out his right hand to superbly tip it over the crossbar. The final whistle went around Old Trafford after three long minutes of stoppage time and this FA Cup tie will go to a replay. The final score read Manchester United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1.

Match Verdict - cracking FA Cup tie at Old Trafford ended in a replay at White Hart Lane as the visitors stepped up their game after the break and also Robinson was superb in the Spurs goal.

Man Utd - van der Sar 7, G Neville 7, Heinze 7, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 6, Richardson 7, Giggs 7 (Evra 62, 6), O'Shea 7, Scholes 7 (Rossi 74, 6), Smith 8, Saha 6 (Solskjaer 82, 6).

Goals - Giggs (25)

Booked - Smith

Tottenham - Robinson 8, Chimbonda 7, Baines 7, Perea 7, Gardner 7, Malbranque 6 (Lennon 80, 7), Tuncay 7, Zokora 7, Jenas 7 (Lee Young-Pyo 80, 6), Keane 7, Berbatov 7 (Defoe 61, 6).

Goals - Berbatov (47)

Booked - Perea

Man of the Match - Alan Smith - the powerful striker was an absolute battler this afternoon as his selfless running and aerial strength helped his side immensely.


Other FA Cup Results

Blackburn 2 Wigan 0
Burnley 1 Doncaster 1
Chelsea 1 Watford 1
Everton 1 Middlesbrough 0
Fulham 2 Wolves 0
Newcastle 0 Aston Villa 2
Sunderland 3 Brentford 3


Premiership Result

Charlton 2 Bolton 3

retired_tnovo

Monday 19th February 2007

TheFA.com

The draw for the FA Cup 6th Round was made at the FA Headquarters in Soho Square this afternoon. Faiz Khan learned that if his side negotiated the replay with Tottenham, his side will face Premiership high-flyers Everton at Old Trafford. Another potentially good tie was made this afternoon with Aston Villa hosting the winner of the Chelsea and Watford tie. Here is the draw in full:

Man Utd or Tottenham v Everton
Sunderland or Brentford v Blackburn
Aston Villa v Chelsea or Watford
Burnley or Doncaster v Fulham