12 min AG : Well Terry, it’s been a slow opening so far, with not a great deal to talk about. Have you seen anything from any of these players that’s particularly impressed you or not?
TW: No not yet Alan. Tugay for Blackburn is the most composed so far of all the players but none of his team mates are responding as yet, while Villa haven’t capitalised because their players are just as lethargic. Hopefully they’ll wake up sooner rather than later.
AG I hope so Terry, otherwise I’ll nod off too, the atmosphere is pathetic this afternoon. Anyway, there has been a goal elsewhere, I’ll let Simon Brotherton describe that for you.
SB : Yes Alan and it has gone to the hosts, with Joseph Desire-Job capping off a fine team move that started with Mark Schwarzer, made it’s way through the team and ending up with the Cameroon international finding the back of the net from 14 yards. Birmingham look devoid of confidence now, and it’ll be a hard game for them now. 1-0 Borough.
18 min AG : Well the game’s finally beginning to pick up now as the sides battle with each other out there in the middle of the park. Gary Flitcroft has the ball at his feet now as he ponders which way to go. He moves it out to Keith O’Neill on the wing as the Australian brings it past Mark Delaney, and runs down the left wing! He’s in space as he approaches the penalty area. The Welsh right back is coming back to check him but he’s floated in a cross to COLE! It’s a GOAL! FOR ANDY COLE! Fine header beat the Finnish goalkeeper with ease and now this game has come alive! Now it’ll interest the crowd!
TW : Rubbish marking to be brutally honest. Neither of the centre halves tracked Cole as they should have done, and with a renowned goal poacher like Cole lurking it was suicide at the back there. An awful error that will not please Davies at all, but they’ve got plenty of time to fight back.
AG : That’s right Terry. A poor, poor defensive play but well taken by the former Newcastle and Manchester United forward it must be said. Still, it’s Blackburn Rovers 1 Aston Villa 0 and I wonder how the hosts react. As they prepare to restart the match, I have word there has been more action at the Riverside. Simon?
SB : Well Alan it seems Birmingham have been given a lifeline here as Borough seemingly in command of the game have been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Colin Cooper for a professional foul. A wasted attack from the hosts saw City catch their dozing opponents by surprise as they responded quickly, with Christophe Dugarry tearing away towards the Borough goal. Cooper was the last man and in a desperate attempt to halt his charge he slid in from behind, missing the ball but felling the Frenchman. Though the World Cup winner made a ridiculous meal of his fall, referee Bent Bob was in no doubt whatsoever as he dismissed the defender. The game is wide open once more…
26 mins AG : Here comes Villa then, on the offensive as they seek to restore parity after Andy Cole put Rovers ahead almost 10 minutes ago now. The Swede Kim Kallstrom is on the ball, searching for options. He’s a player who has disappeared recently, not been as impressive as he promised to be, but maybe he can rediscover that form here as he picks out Mustapha Hadji down the right now. The midfielder looks to go past Terence Young the newly acquired signing from Caen, but is checked. Oh – clever move that – he feinted to go right before going left as he looks to – OH! Terrible challenge from the left back! Absolutely appalling and it’s left Hadji in trouble, clutching his leg, and well, he should receive at least a caution for a challenge such as that Terry,
TW: Oh I agree, he was never going to get that ball and it was a cynical challenge from Terence and I’m glad the ref seems to be taking the appropriate action against him.
AG: Well Hadji is still in pain down there, the medics are on the field now, so we’ll take this chance to go around the grounds and catch up on the latest.
MP : Thank you Alan, we’ll be returning shortly. Now we start out round up at Bolton where Manchester City have been looking to improve their retched form of late. Have they had any success Gerald?
GS : Not so far Mark, though it hasn’t been for lack of trying. In a tight opening, the sky blues have just edged it overall with more of the play and the better chances. After the first few minutes where Jay Jay Okocha looked to shoot from wherever he could, the visitors took a hold of the game, with Jonathan Macken firing narrowly wide, having been set up by Stuart Pearce and just a few minutes ago Macken was again in the thick of things when he reacted quickest to a goalmouth scramble, but he couldn’t convert. Still 0-0 here.
[b] Ok, Gerald, well it’s off to Old Trafford now, where there has
just been a goal I think. Over to you Frodo then.
FB : Thanks. You’re right a goal has just arrived and it has gone against the run of play – though surprisingly that means it’s gone to Manchester United. A recently returned Roy Keane was at the heart of the move, as his fiery tackling inspired a counter attack, and swiftly play was moved up field via Ryan Giggs on the left, and a curving cross found Van Nistelrooy with a yard of space. It proved more than enough as the Dutchman lashed home with glee to the delight of the fanatics. However, it was certainly harsh on a Southampton side that has appeared the better side for much of this game. James Beattie was denied twice by Roy Carroll, one a header the other a long range effort, but the question now is will their heads drop or not? Only time will tell.
MP: Moving south to Craven Cottage then we have Fulham hosting Charlton and Ron Jones.
RJ: Hello there Mark, well an uninspiring clash between two weakened sides has seen many fans reach for their programmes or burgers already such is the need to pass the time here. A Malbranque shot did arrive bout 7 minutes ago but it cleared the stadium as well as the crossbar, so not a lot to report just yet.
MP Ok Ron, well moving on Middlesbrough against – Oh hang on! Looks like there
has just been some action at Craven Cottage. Back to you Ron!
RJ : Woah A goal for Fulham! Out of the blue it was too, but what a beauty. When I spoke moments ago the ball was going nowhere in the middle of the park when suddenly Sean Davis spotted a gap in the Charlton back line, found it perfectly and the pace of Malbranque took him into the area where cool as you like he chipped Dean Kiely. Brilliant goal and now we have a game!
MP : Well we were almost bang on time there folks. Will we have any luck at the Riverside with Simon Brotherton?
SB : Not at the moment no. George Boateng is down injured and play as stopped for the time being. It’s still 1-0 the home side through that Desire-Job goal but Birmingham have sparked up since Cooper’s dismissal and Stern John was very close to squaring scores up a moment ago when his volley missed the crossbar. They haven’t broken through yet but it can’t be too long at the rate their improving.
MP : Ok, with that done it’s back off to Alan Green and Terry Waite at Villa Park…
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