The last game of 2005 sees West Bromwich Albion visiting, and traditionally we trash them - with the 4 Premiership games 2-0, 6-0, 3-0 and 5-0. They may have revive a little bit with a fresh 2-0 win over Spurs, but we are on a high roll and will crash them again.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 3-0
Friday, December 30, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Match Report 051228 at Everton: Record ended at 761 minutes, but the winning streak is still on
3-1 and it is a convincing win. Although the clean sheet record ended at 761 minutes, but we never look at risk of losing point in the match. The quality can be seen through the pictch and convidence is high. The only down point is that our defense seemed to be unable to cope with the aerial attack of Everton. Rafa would no doubt be thinking on how to improve.
Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Record finally ended, and it is time to start a new one.
Finnan: 6.5 A bit shaky in defense in dealing with the aerial attack.
Carragher: 6.5 Suffer as the rest of the defense when facing aerial attack.
Hyypia: 6.5 Same as Carra.
Warnock: 6.5 Take the place of the rested Riise and played quite good apart from facing aerial attack.
Gerrard: 8 Another goal, another assist, another MoM. I am worrying if Rafa can really rest him.
Alonso: 7.5 Dictating the midfield.
Sissoko: 7.5 Doing all the brilliant dirty works. He would not regret the decision of joining us.
Kewell: 7.5 Another assist and the goal will be coming soon.
Cisse: 7 Scored a great goal to kill off the game. His face showed how much he cares about the club.
Crouch: 7.5 There is no way they can take this goal off. A great performance.
Substitutions:
Morientes/Riise/Luis Garcia: Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 8 A great performance from the team and he is no doubt delighted.
Everton: 5 Very poor performance and deserves the 5 consecutive loss. And two stupid players suspended.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. Sensational performance.
Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Record finally ended, and it is time to start a new one.
Finnan: 6.5 A bit shaky in defense in dealing with the aerial attack.
Carragher: 6.5 Suffer as the rest of the defense when facing aerial attack.
Hyypia: 6.5 Same as Carra.
Warnock: 6.5 Take the place of the rested Riise and played quite good apart from facing aerial attack.
Gerrard: 8 Another goal, another assist, another MoM. I am worrying if Rafa can really rest him.
Alonso: 7.5 Dictating the midfield.
Sissoko: 7.5 Doing all the brilliant dirty works. He would not regret the decision of joining us.
Kewell: 7.5 Another assist and the goal will be coming soon.
Cisse: 7 Scored a great goal to kill off the game. His face showed how much he cares about the club.
Crouch: 7.5 There is no way they can take this goal off. A great performance.
Substitutions:
Morientes/Riise/Luis Garcia: Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 8 A great performance from the team and he is no doubt delighted.
Everton: 5 Very poor performance and deserves the 5 consecutive loss. And two stupid players suspended.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. Sensational performance.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Derby
It's Derby time and although Everton has been poor recently, they will be fired up and play extreemly hard to get a result. After learning it the hard way last year, Rafa now knows the significance of this match and no doubt he will file a strong team this time.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Warnock
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Warnock
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
Match Report 051226 vs Newcastle United: A easy win
2-0 and all the hypes about the return of an ex-player quitely evaporated. We won the game comfortably, and he did not get a single shot. It was such a convincing performance that at half time there is only one winner and Newcastle had only 1 shot for the whole match. Simply brilliant.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Not much to do.
Finnan: 7 As usual the forgotten hero.
Carragher: 7 He contained his former roommate very well.
Hyypia: 7 Going up and down the pitch as usual.
Riise: 7 Good defending and attack.
Kewell: 7.5 Worked very hard and should be rewarded a goal soon.
Gerrard: 8 Outstanding performance with a nice goal.
Alonso: 7.5 His passes are just a joy to watch.
Luis Garcia: 7 Worked hard but at times guilty of doing too many fancy things.
Crouch: 7.5 He seemed to need to score 2 goals to have 1 credited under his name... and a nice assist as well.
Morientes: 7.5 Worked very hard in front of his mate Raul, but just lack a bit of luck, especially Solano's hand ball.
Substitutes:
Sinama-Pongolle: 7 Very lively and Rafa should keep him instead of loan him out.
Cisse: 7 His body language tells he is not happy, but be patient.
Josemi: Not enough time to shine.
Rafa: 7.5 Nice tactics and reduced Newcastle to just one single shot in the match.
Newcastle United: 6 Simply poor. Need to resolve the circus defense.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. Shown his former mate where he should be.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Not much to do.
Finnan: 7 As usual the forgotten hero.
Carragher: 7 He contained his former roommate very well.
Hyypia: 7 Going up and down the pitch as usual.
Riise: 7 Good defending and attack.
Kewell: 7.5 Worked very hard and should be rewarded a goal soon.
Gerrard: 8 Outstanding performance with a nice goal.
Alonso: 7.5 His passes are just a joy to watch.
Luis Garcia: 7 Worked hard but at times guilty of doing too many fancy things.
Crouch: 7.5 He seemed to need to score 2 goals to have 1 credited under his name... and a nice assist as well.
Morientes: 7.5 Worked very hard in front of his mate Raul, but just lack a bit of luck, especially Solano's hand ball.
Substitutes:
Sinama-Pongolle: 7 Very lively and Rafa should keep him instead of loan him out.
Cisse: 7 His body language tells he is not happy, but be patient.
Josemi: Not enough time to shine.
Rafa: 7.5 Nice tactics and reduced Newcastle to just one single shot in the match.
Newcastle United: 6 Simply poor. Need to resolve the circus defense.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. Shown his former mate where he should be.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Boxing day
The Boxing day features the return of a certain ex-player. The buildup will probably be loaded with lots of fuss about his return, but what we need to do is to bounce back and win it.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Hamann
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Hamann
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
Monday, December 19, 2005
Match Report 051218 vs Sao Paolo: Now we need to get back to business soon
0-1 and the unbeaten and clean sheets runs finally ends at 11. For the record, we have not conceded a goal in 1,041 minutes. Well done all the players, you deserved a place in the record book.
We actually controlled the match and have won everything from goal attempts, possession and even corners (17:0!) But we failed to scored and this is the most important - or, we scored three goals but none counted. The first and third are especially ridiculous for the referee to rule them out. Anyway, this is football and now the players need to fight against the jetlag. We have 8 days to prepare for the Christmas games, and every player will have a chance in this busy period.
Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Can't do much for the goal.
Finnan: 6.5 Good in both attacking and defending.
Carragher: 6.5 Carra as usual.
Hyypia: 6 Covered the offside position that lead to the goal. May have scored but Alonso's corner was curved out of bound.
Gerrard: 7 Try every tricks but can't put the ball pass the Sao Paolo goalkeeper.
Alonso: 7 Had some nice passes but can't provide the assist.
Sissoko: 6.5 Tackled hard in midfield.
Kewell: 6.5 Not a very good game.
Luis Garcia: 7.5 Lively, and should have scored if not the referee ruled out the goal incorrectly.
Morientes: 6.5 Tried very hard but cannot score.
Substitutions:
Riise: 6.5 Provided some attacking edge when he was on.
Sinama-Pongolle: 6.5 Scored a goal but was incorrectly ruled off.
Crouch: Not enough time to impress, but still provide some control of the game when he was on.
Rafa: 6 Failed to change to provide the equaliser. Although the 3 goals ruled out was harsh, but we still need some one to score up front.
Sao Paolo: 6.5 Deserved winner? I'm not too sure.
Man of the match: Luis Garcia. Was very lively and shined in the game.
We actually controlled the match and have won everything from goal attempts, possession and even corners (17:0!) But we failed to scored and this is the most important - or, we scored three goals but none counted. The first and third are especially ridiculous for the referee to rule them out. Anyway, this is football and now the players need to fight against the jetlag. We have 8 days to prepare for the Christmas games, and every player will have a chance in this busy period.
Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Can't do much for the goal.
Finnan: 6.5 Good in both attacking and defending.
Carragher: 6.5 Carra as usual.
Hyypia: 6 Covered the offside position that lead to the goal. May have scored but Alonso's corner was curved out of bound.
Gerrard: 7 Try every tricks but can't put the ball pass the Sao Paolo goalkeeper.
Alonso: 7 Had some nice passes but can't provide the assist.
Sissoko: 6.5 Tackled hard in midfield.
Kewell: 6.5 Not a very good game.
Luis Garcia: 7.5 Lively, and should have scored if not the referee ruled out the goal incorrectly.
Morientes: 6.5 Tried very hard but cannot score.
Substitutions:
Riise: 6.5 Provided some attacking edge when he was on.
Sinama-Pongolle: 6.5 Scored a goal but was incorrectly ruled off.
Crouch: Not enough time to impress, but still provide some control of the game when he was on.
Rafa: 6 Failed to change to provide the equaliser. Although the 3 goals ruled out was harsh, but we still need some one to score up front.
Sao Paolo: 6.5 Deserved winner? I'm not too sure.
Man of the match: Luis Garcia. Was very lively and shined in the game.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Chance to be World Champion
If we win vs Sao Paolo we will be World Champion. To do this we need a much better display than the last game. Credits to Rafa to stay with the team despite the death of his father. RIP Francisco Benitez, and we will win the World Champion for you.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
Match Report 051215 vs Deportivo Saprissa: We coasted into final
3-0 and we break the record of consecutive clean sheets for the Club. The players deserved all the honours, although at the end it was a bit scary that Deportivo may have scored a goal after Hyypia was rested. Fortunately Reina stood up and made a few good saves and he make sure himself in the record book.
The match was an one way traffic and there is no doubt we will be through. The attack is smooth, and Crouch was guilty not to score more. Cisse was unlucky not to get on to the scoresheet, but his time will come. The next game vs Sao Paolo is the real test, and we definitely need to gear up to be the World Champion.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Earned his record.
Josemi: 7 Not bad as there is vert low pressure from the opponents.
Carragher: 7.5 As good as ever.
Hyypia: 7.5 His importance is notified where he is not on the pitch.
Traore: 7 OK as left back, but not effective as centre back. Still not convincing.
Gerrard: 8 One goal and one assist. A very good performance.
Alonso: 7.5 Doing well as the conductor.
Sissoko: 7.5 Lively as usual.
Riise: 7 Very good attack sense. One assist and almost scored.
Cisse: 7.5 Very good and unselfish display. Unlucky not to score.
Crouch: 8.5 Scored 2 very nice goals but could have scored more.
Substitutions:
Sinama-Pongolle: 7 Lively display and should have scored.
Luis Garcia: 7 Similar to Sinama-Pongolle.
Hamann: Not enough time to shine.
Rafa: 7.5 Very displined from the team, although we winded down in 2H and almost let them scored.
Deportivo Saprissa: 5.5 Not posing any real threats.
Man of the Match: Crouch. Two nicely taken goals.
The match was an one way traffic and there is no doubt we will be through. The attack is smooth, and Crouch was guilty not to score more. Cisse was unlucky not to get on to the scoresheet, but his time will come. The next game vs Sao Paolo is the real test, and we definitely need to gear up to be the World Champion.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Earned his record.
Josemi: 7 Not bad as there is vert low pressure from the opponents.
Carragher: 7.5 As good as ever.
Hyypia: 7.5 His importance is notified where he is not on the pitch.
Traore: 7 OK as left back, but not effective as centre back. Still not convincing.
Gerrard: 8 One goal and one assist. A very good performance.
Alonso: 7.5 Doing well as the conductor.
Sissoko: 7.5 Lively as usual.
Riise: 7 Very good attack sense. One assist and almost scored.
Cisse: 7.5 Very good and unselfish display. Unlucky not to score.
Crouch: 8.5 Scored 2 very nice goals but could have scored more.
Substitutions:
Sinama-Pongolle: 7 Lively display and should have scored.
Luis Garcia: 7 Similar to Sinama-Pongolle.
Hamann: Not enough time to shine.
Rafa: 7.5 Very displined from the team, although we winded down in 2H and almost let them scored.
Deportivo Saprissa: 5.5 Not posing any real threats.
Man of the Match: Crouch. Two nicely taken goals.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Club World Championship
It is the semi-final against Deportivo Saprissa. Rafa is well prepared and since we are in the competition we will try to win it as well. And as a gift, make it 11 in a row.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 3-0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 3-0
Monday, December 12, 2005
Match Report 051210 vs Middlesbrough: Perfect 10
2-0 and we equalized our previous best of 10 clean sheets in a row. We won 8 and drawn 2 during this run and the 2 draws are in Europe when a draw is already enough. With 7 wins in a row in the League we now sit at 2nd in the table before the team head off to Japan.
We controlled the match very well but could not find a way to score. It was not until Luis Garcia came up and the team had another dimension to play and the goals come. In 2H Reine need to make 2 good saves to make sure we take all 3 points. And it is really nice to see Nando scored 2.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Two excellent saves for the perfect 10.
Finnan: 7 Rock solid defense.
Carragher: 7 Commanding figure.
Hyypia: 7 Vintage performance.
Riise: 7 Good defensive play.
Gerrard: 7.5 Driving the team forward.
Alonso: 7.5 Great passes from Xabi.
Sissoko: 7 Did well to protect the back 4 and almost scored.
Kewell: 7.5 Worked hard, did well, had a clever lob and earned a well derseved standing ovation from the crowd.
Crouch: 6.5 Winning almost all headers but failed to convert.
Morientes: 8 Scored 2 clever goals.
Substitution:
Luis Garcia: 7.5 Came up and made the difference.
Cisse/Josemi: Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 7.5 Genius stroke in bringing up Luis Garcia that changed the game.
Middlesbrough: 6 Apart from 2 chances they really have no intend to come for a win. And they played quite dirty. Would have no problem finishing top 10.
Man of the Match: Morientes. Starts the scoring run.
We controlled the match very well but could not find a way to score. It was not until Luis Garcia came up and the team had another dimension to play and the goals come. In 2H Reine need to make 2 good saves to make sure we take all 3 points. And it is really nice to see Nando scored 2.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Two excellent saves for the perfect 10.
Finnan: 7 Rock solid defense.
Carragher: 7 Commanding figure.
Hyypia: 7 Vintage performance.
Riise: 7 Good defensive play.
Gerrard: 7.5 Driving the team forward.
Alonso: 7.5 Great passes from Xabi.
Sissoko: 7 Did well to protect the back 4 and almost scored.
Kewell: 7.5 Worked hard, did well, had a clever lob and earned a well derseved standing ovation from the crowd.
Crouch: 6.5 Winning almost all headers but failed to convert.
Morientes: 8 Scored 2 clever goals.
Substitution:
Luis Garcia: 7.5 Came up and made the difference.
Cisse/Josemi: Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 7.5 Genius stroke in bringing up Luis Garcia that changed the game.
Middlesbrough: 6 Apart from 2 chances they really have no intend to come for a win. And they played quite dirty. Would have no problem finishing top 10.
Man of the Match: Morientes. Starts the scoring run.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Make it 10 in a row before we are off to Japan
After this match the team will fly to Japan for the World Club Championship. As Manchester United will not play until Sunday we can at least sit at 2nd place for more than 24 hours if we win this game. And another clean sheet to make it a perfect 10.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Alonso
Gerrard
Luis Garcia
Kewell
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Alonso
Gerrard
Luis Garcia
Kewell
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Match Report 051206 at Chelsea: Excellent defensive display
0-0 and it is a game we can afford to lose, but we keep our pride and we extended our unbeaten and cleansheet runs to 9.
The defense were playing very well but Luis Garcia may be guilty of losing the ball in too many occasions. Anyway for the last 8 Benitez vs Muorinho we are 1W 3D 4L, but the game we won is still the most important one. And we have a upper hand in Europe against them.
Payer Rating:
Reina: 7 Did well when he is required to make a save.
Finnan: 7 Another solid defensive show.
Carragher: 7.5 Great defensive play.
Hyypia: 7.5 As good as Carra.
Traore: 6.5 Even Traore played OK.
Gerrard: 7 Leading the team with example.
Sissoko: 6.5 Have some great tackles.
Hamann: 7 Credit to him in playing for the whole match despite the tackle by Essien.
Riise: 7 Had our best chance.
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Lose possession too many times.
Crouch: 7 Had a good game.
Substitutions:
Kewell: 6.5 Played well.
Morientes: 6.5 Played quite well as lone striker.
Sinama-Pongolle: Nice to see him involved.
Rafa: 7 The team is getting better and better.
Chelsea: 7 They want to win the game more than we do but failed. Credits to our team in denying them the victory.
Players of the Match: Carragher/Hyypia. Two rocks at the back.
The defense were playing very well but Luis Garcia may be guilty of losing the ball in too many occasions. Anyway for the last 8 Benitez vs Muorinho we are 1W 3D 4L, but the game we won is still the most important one. And we have a upper hand in Europe against them.
Payer Rating:
Reina: 7 Did well when he is required to make a save.
Finnan: 7 Another solid defensive show.
Carragher: 7.5 Great defensive play.
Hyypia: 7.5 As good as Carra.
Traore: 6.5 Even Traore played OK.
Gerrard: 7 Leading the team with example.
Sissoko: 6.5 Have some great tackles.
Hamann: 7 Credit to him in playing for the whole match despite the tackle by Essien.
Riise: 7 Had our best chance.
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Lose possession too many times.
Crouch: 7 Had a good game.
Substitutions:
Kewell: 6.5 Played well.
Morientes: 6.5 Played quite well as lone striker.
Sinama-Pongolle: Nice to see him involved.
Rafa: 7 The team is getting better and better.
Chelsea: 7 They want to win the game more than we do but failed. Credits to our team in denying them the victory.
Players of the Match: Carragher/Hyypia. Two rocks at the back.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Time for a break?
We only play this game for pride with a win or draw will guarantee qualification. It will be interesting to see who Rafa will play. Reina and Alonso will probably be rested as they both carry 2 yellow cards. Dudek will probably not involved as it will reduce his resale value should Rafa want to sell him (or on the other hand, if Rada really don't want to sell Dudek, perhaps Rafa should play him?) And we probably don't want to lose our unbeaten run and clean sheet run, so perhaps a 0-0 is looming?
My Team Prediction:
Carson
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Warnock
Gerrard
Sissoko
Hamann
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Morientes
Result: 0-0
My Team Prediction:
Carson
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Warnock
Gerrard
Sissoko
Hamann
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Morientes
Result: 0-0
Match Report 051203 vs Wigan Athletic: The duck has been broken
3-0 and Crouch scored 2! Although the first was recorded as an own goal this is just ridiculous. It should be Crouchie's.
As Sissoko is suspended Gerrard is moved to center and we played like a 4-1-3-2 with the 3 midfielders changing sides all the time. From the beginning we were in control and cruised over comfortably. Every player contributed to the win and it was a really nice game to watch.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Got a save to made.
Finnan: 7.5 Good assist and some great crosses
Warnock: 6.5 Solid defending
Hyypia: 7 Good defending
Carragher: 7 Carra as usual
Luis Garcia: 7 Not as lively as he should be, but still scored a goal
Gerrard: 7.5 Why he didn't score today is really a mystery
Alonso: 7 Good control of midfield
Kewell: 7.5 Worked very hard and should have scored
Crouch: 9 What else can you say? I keep on laughing when I saw the replays
Morientes: 7.5 Should have scored but Luis Garcia "stolen" the goal.
Substitutions:
Riise: 6.5 Good display
Hamann: 6.5 Provided some protection to the back 4 just when we need it
Cisse: 6.5 Very unselfish today. Should have his reward for the next match by scoring against Chelsea.
Rafa: 7 His tactic is getting better and better as players start to understand.
Wigan Athletic: 6 Need to rebound for the next 2 games against Chelsea and Manchester United. Henchoz had a bad game and defensive was very poor.
Man of the Match: Crouch. Could be Gerrard but Crouchie's celebrations are just marvelous.
As Sissoko is suspended Gerrard is moved to center and we played like a 4-1-3-2 with the 3 midfielders changing sides all the time. From the beginning we were in control and cruised over comfortably. Every player contributed to the win and it was a really nice game to watch.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Got a save to made.
Finnan: 7.5 Good assist and some great crosses
Warnock: 6.5 Solid defending
Hyypia: 7 Good defending
Carragher: 7 Carra as usual
Luis Garcia: 7 Not as lively as he should be, but still scored a goal
Gerrard: 7.5 Why he didn't score today is really a mystery
Alonso: 7 Good control of midfield
Kewell: 7.5 Worked very hard and should have scored
Crouch: 9 What else can you say? I keep on laughing when I saw the replays
Morientes: 7.5 Should have scored but Luis Garcia "stolen" the goal.
Substitutions:
Riise: 6.5 Good display
Hamann: 6.5 Provided some protection to the back 4 just when we need it
Cisse: 6.5 Very unselfish today. Should have his reward for the next match by scoring against Chelsea.
Rafa: 7 His tactic is getting better and better as players start to understand.
Wigan Athletic: 6 Need to rebound for the next 2 games against Chelsea and Manchester United. Henchoz had a bad game and defensive was very poor.
Man of the Match: Crouch. Could be Gerrard but Crouchie's celebrations are just marvelous.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Return of Henchoz
It's Wigan next and we will see the return of Henchoz. Rafa was right to play Carra at central defender, but sadly this also means Henchoz has to leave. Wigan is in a downward trend and so it is probably a good time to play them.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Hamann
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Hamann
Luis Garcia
Cisse
Crouch
Result: 2-0
November Month Report
5 wins and 1 draw (but a draw is enough to qualify CL) and scored 11 goals and conceded none. Can you expect more? This is what we called consistency and what we love to see. Although Crouch may not be scoring, but who cares? Only the media cares.
We started the month sharply followed a nice win vs West Ham at the end of October with a 3-0 win at Anderlecht. Then it was followed by 2 league wins at Villa and vs Portsmouth. A draw vs Betis is enough for us to qualify for CL, and another 2 wins at Manchester City and Sunderland see us back to 4th place. We are in a position to challenge the top 3, and also well prepared to win the World Club Championship.
Players of the Month: (1) Alonso 7.75 (2) Carragher 7.50 (3) Gerrard 7.38. Xabi has been doing very well 2 months in a row, and he ended the month with a goal and 2 assists. Carra showed us what defense really means, and Stevie G also ended with 1 goal and 2 assists starting from the right side of the midfield. And he is a much happier man now and is glad that he made the right decision in staying.
December Prediction:
12/3 Wigan Athletic (h): Wigan is falling and it is a nice time to face them.
12/6 Chelsea (a): A not so significant game, expect Rafa to send out Carson and draw the game.
12/10 Middlesbrough(h): Last time we somehow lost 2 points at the ground, we need to get maximum point this time.
12/15 World Club Championship Semi Final (n): A break from the league for some good trophy.
12/18 World Club Championship Final (n): Time for us to be the World Champion.
12/26 Newcastle United (h): Boxing day feature and we need to make sure it is not a happy Christmas for a certain ex player.
12/28 Everton (a): Send them to relegation.
12/31 West Bromwich Albion (h): A nice game to wrap up the year.
We started the month sharply followed a nice win vs West Ham at the end of October with a 3-0 win at Anderlecht. Then it was followed by 2 league wins at Villa and vs Portsmouth. A draw vs Betis is enough for us to qualify for CL, and another 2 wins at Manchester City and Sunderland see us back to 4th place. We are in a position to challenge the top 3, and also well prepared to win the World Club Championship.
Players of the Month: (1) Alonso 7.75 (2) Carragher 7.50 (3) Gerrard 7.38. Xabi has been doing very well 2 months in a row, and he ended the month with a goal and 2 assists. Carra showed us what defense really means, and Stevie G also ended with 1 goal and 2 assists starting from the right side of the midfield. And he is a much happier man now and is glad that he made the right decision in staying.
December Prediction:
12/3 Wigan Athletic (h): Wigan is falling and it is a nice time to face them.
12/6 Chelsea (a): A not so significant game, expect Rafa to send out Carson and draw the game.
12/10 Middlesbrough(h): Last time we somehow lost 2 points at the ground, we need to get maximum point this time.
12/15 World Club Championship Semi Final (n): A break from the league for some good trophy.
12/18 World Club Championship Final (n): Time for us to be the World Champion.
12/26 Newcastle United (h): Boxing day feature and we need to make sure it is not a happy Christmas for a certain ex player.
12/28 Everton (a): Send them to relegation.
12/31 West Bromwich Albion (h): A nice game to wrap up the year.
Match Report 051130 at Sunderland: Manager of the Month
2-0 and we have 5 consecutive wins and clean sheets in a row in the league! Rafa is certainly to be manager of the month.
On the minus side, Cisse seemed to be unhappy and was rightly "rested" for the month. Sissoko learned a lesson and will now serve a 2-match ban (1 for the red card, 1 for 5 yellows). But Hamann is always there and always ready.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Doing well when he is called upon.
Finnan: 6.5 Solid performance.
Carragher: 6.5 A rarely slightly lower than par performance.
Hyypia: 7 Doing well and enjoying his game.
Riise: 7 Almost scored again.
Gerrard: 7.5 Scored a nice goal.
Alonso: 8 Two excellent assists.
Sissoko: 6 Need to learn from the lesson.
Luis Garcia: 7.5 Scored another nice goal.
Crouch: 6 Still no goal.
Morientes: 6.5 Another hard working day.
Substitutions:
Kewell: 6.5 Doing well.
Traore/Warnock: Not enough time to impress
Rafa: 7.5 We are getting closer to Rafa's mean machine.
Sunderland: 5.5 Destined to relegate.
Man of the Match: Alonso. Great vision.
On the minus side, Cisse seemed to be unhappy and was rightly "rested" for the month. Sissoko learned a lesson and will now serve a 2-match ban (1 for the red card, 1 for 5 yellows). But Hamann is always there and always ready.
Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Doing well when he is called upon.
Finnan: 6.5 Solid performance.
Carragher: 6.5 A rarely slightly lower than par performance.
Hyypia: 7 Doing well and enjoying his game.
Riise: 7 Almost scored again.
Gerrard: 7.5 Scored a nice goal.
Alonso: 8 Two excellent assists.
Sissoko: 6 Need to learn from the lesson.
Luis Garcia: 7.5 Scored another nice goal.
Crouch: 6 Still no goal.
Morientes: 6.5 Another hard working day.
Substitutions:
Kewell: 6.5 Doing well.
Traore/Warnock: Not enough time to impress
Rafa: 7.5 We are getting closer to Rafa's mean machine.
Sunderland: 5.5 Destined to relegate.
Man of the Match: Alonso. Great vision.
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