Best of the best - Review of Round 2 (Season 1)

Matchday 2 – Review

Division 1


Madrid 1 – 3 Stuttgart
A shock at the Bernabeu as Kev’s Madrid go down at home to Yuri’s Stuttgart. Midfielder Juan Veron got the opening goal on 12 minutes, and defender Fernando Meira made it 2-0 before the half-hour mark. Tevez pulled a goal back to give Real hope, but a goal 3 minutes later by Delpierre settled the match to give Stuttgart the 3 points.

Celtic 0 – 1 Inter
Dave Leigh’s Inter took 3 points from Celtic Park, as Nav’s Scots weren’t strong enough to even get a point. A solitary goal from Dejan Stankovic on 28 minutes, sealed the 3 points for the Italians.

Reading 0 – 2 Porto
Roscoee’s Porto took on unmanaged Reading, at the Madejski, on a cold and blustery Thursday night. Striker Helder Postiga put the Portuguese one up on 34 minutes, after a goalmouth scramble. The second half was lit up in the 77th minute when defender and MOM Pepe, scored to give Porto the 3 points.

Man United 2 – 0 Guadalajara
No upsets here as Herby’s Man United beat Paul’s Guadalajara 2-0. Ex-Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez put United 1-0 up on 37 minutes. Veteran Ryan Giggs made it two just before the hour mark, and the score stayed like that until the end.

Lyon 1 – 0 PSV
One goal settled this match at de Gerland. Teje’s Lyon got their first win of the season, courtesy of a Fred goal. Brazilian hitman Fred struck in the 18th minute. His curling shot proved to be enough to send Colin Barker’s PSV back to Holland unhappy.


Table
1 – Stuttgart
2 – Inter
3 – Porto
4 – Lyon
5 – Madrid
6 – PSV
7 – Man Utd
8 – Celtic
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9 – Reading
10 - Guadalajara

Best of the best - Fantastic start by the leaders!

Liverpool got off to a fantastic start by thumping Dutch outfit AZ 5-1 infront of a delighted Anfield crowd. The game started brightly and in the 5th minute MoMo as Johnson likes to call Sissoko , bundled it over the line after a goal mouth scramble. Liverpool continued to press hard, but to no avail. In the 50th minute Jamie Carragher made it 2-0 and the home team was cruising. In the 55th minute Alonso got his first goal of the game, he got his second in the 66th minute, and completed his hattrick with a curler from 25 yards in the 76th minute. AZ's consolation came from Dembele. Liverpool had over 60% possession and 20 shots.

Hero of the game, Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool are top of the table by +1 goal difference after one game, Title rivals Milan also had a great game winning 5-2

In a press conference later Johnson added " Im absolutely delighted with my team, they played fantastically. I cannot begin to thank them enough for easing me into my Anfield Career. They played brilliant, simply brilliant. I would also like to congratulate Torres on a great debut, and that it seems as if the young spaniard will fit right into Liverpool's style of play."

Gold Championship 7 - Chelsea announce shopping is complete with 2 new signings.

Chelsea manager Leigh Auston has today announced the signings of Andreas D'Alessandro from Zaragoza and Edinho from Internacional.

D'Alessandro joins to strengthen Chelsea's midfield for an undisclosed fee but it seems that Claudio Pizarro and young Jimmy Smith have gone to Zaragoza as part of the deal. D'Alessandro goes straight into the starting XI for tonight's cup match at lowly Swindon Town, supporters at the county ground will be treated to a strong Chelsea line-up for the 1st round tie!

Edinho comes to the club after a late raid meant Chelsea outbid Tottenham to secure the services or Edinho for a fee of £11.1 million. Edinho will act as strong cover in the squad and can play at both CB and as a DM. Edinho will complete a medical today and have a hearing for a work permit although this has been provisonally granted for the player.

Eyebrows have been raised about the player who is not a regular international for Brazil getting granted a work permit and sources at the FA say that Kaka being at Chelsea was a strong reason for it being granted so quickly. Other premiership clubs will not be happy!!

Chelsea have started to recover from a poor start to the season after winning their last 2 league games. They now sit comfortably in mid-table and will want to start their push for the title from here. SMTV News were able to grab a quick comment from the Chelsea manager at Chelsea's new training complex...

"I am pleased that we have recovered and our season now seems to be underway. We have 2 tough fixtures next though against Manchester United and Liverpool, these will be must win games if we still have aspirations of a title challenge."

"I am delighted with the squad now and can confirm there will be no more signings for the time being and nobody will be leaving the club either. We have some cover for every position now and that is going to be essential if we are going to mount a challenge on 4 trophies."

"I am excited about the new signings and believe they have come to Chelsea with a point to prove and to help us win trophies!"

English Championship 1 - Exciting finish!

With the end of another great season closer than ever, and after the draw between Southampton and Bolton, the race for EC1's title doesn't have a winner yet.

There 3 rounds left in this season, and no less than 8 clubs have solid chances of claiming the title.

These teams are, in order:

  • 1st - Liverpool
  • 2nd - Newcastle United
  • 3rd - Southampton
  • 4th - Blackpool
  • 5th - Blackburn
  • 6th - Bolton Wanderers
  • 7th - Hull City
  • 8th - Leicester City

Who do you think is going to win the title?!