Liverpool v Swansea - League Cup 2014

          This was always going to be a close game as it was between two similarly rated sides. That statement alone shows how much Liverpool and Swansea have changed. Liverpool have, for a while now, been struggling to compete with the top teams in the country, and achieve Champions league football, barring last season’s excellent campaign of course. But now that Champions league football is back at Anfield, they seem to be faltering, and Brendan Rodgers seems to be finding it hard to find a balance between coping in the league, as well as performing in Europe. He also has not been helped by the fact his big signings are not really stepping up to the plate, which could be the making of a very difficult season for Liverpool, but could they find some success in the League cup?
          The fact that they were evenly matched also shows how far Swansea have come. As much as I hate to admit it, being a Cardiff supporter, they have performed excellently in the Premier league, especially for a team that a few years ago, were ever so close to non-league football. They also won this cup two seasons ago, so could their experience of the competition be enough to fend off Liverpool?
          Given that we know these two sides can play classy football, I was expecting a match full of scoring opportunities, but I could not have been more wrong. At best, the first half was a dismal affair and the less said about it the better. It was one of those games where the fans must have been questioning their choice of going to the football.  There were very few chances for either team, and even when there were openings, they were squandered by the likes of Liverpool’s Markovic, and Swansea’s Emnes.
          Thankfully the second half was miles better, although conceivably, that was not a hard task. Straight from the off, Liverpool looked determined to make an impact, every attack had promise and it made for a far more entertaining cup tie. Swansea responded well however, and slightly against the run of play, took the lead. A superb first time volley from Marvin Emnes after a deflection looped the ball into the box and dropped over his shoulder. Once again, a team in all white taking the lead at Anfield.

          Liverpool could not afford this poor run of form to continue, Rodgers knew this, so he threw on Adam Lallana and Balotelli for some extra firepower, in hopes of at least forcing extra time. Liverpool needed something from somewhere and their equaliser came from the most unlikely source on the field. Mario Balotelli latched onto a cross and slotted home to get his first goal for The Reds, and give the Anfield faithful some hope. Just as extra time looked like a formality, Coutinho had a great chance but was hacked down by the Swansea centre-half Fernandez. An appalling tackle that saw him given his marching orders. Swansea down to ten men and only time for one last free kick. It was whipped in by Henderson and at the back post was the deadly Dejan Lovren. He headed home the cross past the helpless Tremmel to make it 2-1! Anfield was buzzing.

          An unbelievable end to the game after a very poor start. Two Liverpool players getting their first goals for the club with particular attention payed to Balotelli’s. Is this the breakthrough he needed to find that scoring touch or was that a one off, and will he go back to again not scoring in a run of games? Either way it will be interesting to see. Liverpool advance to the next round while Swansea will go home feeling they may have deserved more.

QPR vs Aston Villa 2014

          QPR are once again finding life hard in the premier league but it is not for the want of trying. As evident from the game last week against Liverpool, they are full of fight and spirit under Harry Redknapp, and were exceptional in a game where everyone assumed a comfortable Liverpool win. But in reality is was a tight contest, with Liverpool only edging it due to a last second Caulker own goal. Aston Villa, on the other hand, started well but have recently not been performing to the standard that maybe their fans will have expected. For a few seasons now, there has been considerable pressure on Paul Lambert, and until they find some form, it will continue to linger. With both teams finding it hard score at the moment, this one had stalemate written all over it.
          After a rather slow start, the game sprang into life, and both teams, in particular Villa, were playing some classy football. The one and two touch passing was crisp and precise, not to mention entertaining to watch. Villa dominated the opening quarter of an hour, and forced Rob Green in to a few, be it simple, saves. However, QPR were finding the pressure put on them simple to deal with and totally against the run of play, managed to grab themselves a goal. A brilliant first time half volley from Charlie Austin into the bottom corner was enough to beat Brad Guzan, and send Loftus Road into pandemonium, after recently not having a whole lot to cheer about. Zamora must also be given credit for the goal. It was his strong centre forward play, battling with Ron Vlaar, that meant he was able to chest the long ball down to Austin, who rifled home.
          The second half continued in the same manner as the first. It was clear both teams wanted, rather needed this win, and there was plenty of physicality in the game. It was great to see players getting stuck in and showing hunger to win fifty-fifty balls. Once again Villa were dominant and had an array of chances, but were not able to provide the finishing touch, despite have the likes of both Benteke and Agbonlahor on the pitch. With many of Villa's players pressing, it left them open at the back, and QPR took full advantage. Vargas charged down the line and put a delightful low cross in towards Charlie Austin, who buried it at the near post. Villa could only blame themselves.
          Despite a late push from Paul Lambert's men, it simply was not their day, and they travel home empty handed. Maybe QPR did not deserve anything from this game, but they may see it as justice for last weeks game against Liverpool. Things seem to be looking up for QPR. As long as they can perform and get results, they should survive the drop this year, as I believe they have the players to stay up. For Villa though, they must start picking up points. Every year they seem to be hovering around the relegation zone, and their fans are never fully confident they will survive in the Premier league.

Burnley vs Everton 2014

          Both these teams came out today feeling a win would be a huge boost. Everton were always going to find things hard with expectations understandably rising after last seasons climb to their highest ever finish in the Premier league. And they certainly have found things hard, with the added pressure of Europa League meaning a packed schedule for Roberto Martinez and his troops. Burnley may have felt there was no better time to play Everton than today, Everton having just come back from a hard fought match against Lille on Thursday evening. But of course it is no secret Burnley have been having many problems of their own in recent times. Sitting second from bottom in the Premier league, and not one win on record this season, does not fill many people with confidence that Burnley are capable of surviving in the top flight.
          The game started as I suppose many people may have predicted. Everton were dominant and it took them just four minutes to take the lead. Eto'o nodded home a Leighton Baines cross and immediately Burnley's game plan was out the window. Despite this early set back, Burnley stood firm, and it may have taken them longer than Sean Dyche will have wanted, but they settled into the game.
          They too played some very neat football and sustained long periods of pressure on the Everton back line, whipping in crosses, and causing all sorts of problems for Jagielka and co. They also had the added boost of Danny Ings back in the starting line up, giving Burnley's attack some much needed pace, as we know Baines and Coleman are no slouches. All of their pressure payed off, and it took a laps of concentration from Lukaku, who gave a very weak pass back to the defence and Ings was played through, rounded the keeper and slotted home. Turf Moor was rocking. Even though it was not of Burnley's own making, you can not deny that they deserved a goal due to their ambition to go forward and attack with real purpose.
          Spirits seemed to have been lifted, but shortly after Everton's quality shone through. Slow build up play and careful passing led to a chance for Lukaku who gleefully obliged and netted, be it rather untidily, to once again give the away side the advantage. A disappointing half time scoreline for Burnley who had worked so hard to get back into the game, but at this level, teams will take their chances, and punish you for missing yours, which is exactly what happened.
          The second half was a totally different story. The atmosphere inside the stadium was rather subdued and the football was, at times, very poor. But Burnley could not see the game out like this. Even though it is still very early on in the season, they need to start picking up points especially at home, and they pressed for the equaliser. It was clear from their play though, that there was a lack of creativity and crosses into the box were easily dealt with.
          Eventually the time came where Burnley had to go for it. Sordell came on for Kightly meaning they now had three strikers on the pitch. But the age old saying applied, quality over quantity. Even with all of them on the pitch, they created nothing, and were wasteful with the ball on the rare occasion they got into good positions. Another problem with this many up top meant a lack of people defending, and Everton took advantage. Five minutes before the end, Eto'o scored the goal of the game. A beautiful curling effort from outside of the box into the top corner past the scrambling Tom Heaton. The result from then on, was in no doubt.
          The winless streak continues for Burnley and I do fear for them this season. They will have to show tremendous character, along with a bit of luck, to avoid the drop. There were glimpses of quality though. If they can keep Ings fit, he certainly looks like he has goals in him, and the signing of Boyd from Hull City was also impressive. As for Everton, Martinez will be happy to get points on the board and the signing of Eto'o will be very valuable this season as he may have lost pace, but still has a lethal shot. A deserved win for Everton, Burnley grind on.
         

Cardiff City vs Millwall 2014

          Just as we thought Cardiff City were getting back to winning ways, I turn on my television to watch them put in one of the worst performances I have seen I quite a while. After superb results as well as performances against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town, it was almost expected that they would go to Millwall, and at least bring home a point. However, as we saw, we may have expected far too much, far too soon.
          Where did the passion go? In the two games prior to this, Cardiff looked like a team that were playing for each other and had a real desire to win. You could see it on the players faces when a goal went it, jubilation and delight. It was enjoyable and refreshing to watch, the players playing for the club, which is exactly what the fans, and of course Russell Slade, will have wanted. From his short time in charge at Cardiff, it already seems Slade has got them working harder, which is what I believe should be one of the fundamentals of any football team, but it was something that had certainly been missing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
          In fairness, the first half was promising with eight shots on goal but not one converted. I do not think many could believe it when Adam LeFondre side footed straight at former Cardiff goalkeeper David Forde from five yards out, after LeFondre having this reputation as so called, 'fox in the box.' Well he certainly did not live up to it today and has not proved himself to the Cardiff City crowd as yet. He must start scoring goals as Cardiff have a number of striking options on the bench that will be hungry for first team football.
          Apart from the occasional chance, Cardiff rarely looked a threat and were it not for big Bruno Manga at the back they may well have conceded more that just one goal. There has also been a fair bit of criticism for of all people, David Marshall, undoubtedly Cardiff's most consistent player in recent seasons. However, on this occasion he was certainly at fault for the goal. It was disappointing to see him go down after minimal contact during a scuffle in the box during a Millwall corner. The result of this tame attempt to win a free kick was Danny Shittu thumping home a header at the far post. A poor performance from Cardiff today and a great result for Millwall. On the other hand I have no doubt Russell Slade will let his players know his thoughts on todays woeful performance.