April Month Review

3W2D1L and we are out of the Champions League, with the League title now rely on a miracle. We started the month with a hard fought victory at Fulham, and then we lost at home to Chelsea, which basically signal the end of the Europe journey. We then rebound and beat Blackburn comfortably, and we tried very hard but can only draw Chelsea 4-4. We then repeat the scoreline facing Arsenal, and ended the month with another hard fought victory at Hull City. The players are now feeling the tiredness, and we need to push hard for the remaining four games and wait for the miracle to come.

Players of the Month (1) Benayoun 7.45 (2) Carragher 7.33 (3) Torres 7.24. Benayoun scored the important 90th minute winner at Fulham and also scored two, including an important last minute equalizer vs Arsenal to earn us 3 more points. Carragher has been the better defensive player among all and did well as captain at the absence of Stevie G. Torres was also on fire and scored 5 goals in the month. How we miss his goal in his absence...

May prediction:
5/3 Newcastle United (h) Newcastle are in danger in relegation but we still need to be careful as they will fight hard against us.
5/9 West Ham United (a) West Ham may have a slim hope in going to Europe so we need to be at our best in order to get 3 points home.
5/17 West Bromwich Albion (a) West Brom may have been relegated when we face them, but if not they will be fighting hard for the Premier League status.
5/24 Tottenham Hotspur (h) A home victory to end the season is what we ask for, no matter whether it will bring us Premier League title or not.

Match Report 090425 at Hull City: Result matters

3-1 and although we did not perform well, we have the lucky and edged pass the Tigers. We did not perform very well due to tiredness, but at the end the difference in quality makes the difference.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Can't do much on the goal conceded.
Arbeloa: 7 Going up frequently and created the 3rd goal.
Carragher: 7 Lead by example.
Skrtel: 7 A nice assist from a corner.
Insua: 6.5 Good in general but was too slow in stopping the goal.
Alonso: 7.5 Scored a nice goal from free kick.
Mascherano: 7 Worked hard as usual.
Lucas: 7 Solid performance.
Kuyt: 8 Scored two goals.
Torres: 7 Had two great opportunities but hit the bar once and saved by the goalkeeper on the other.
Benayoun: 7 Lively as usual.

Substitutions:
El Zhar/Agger/Dossena: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7 Would be delighted about the victory. Now we need to keep pressure and look for a miracle.

Hull City: 6.5 A hard fought performance but at the end the different of quality tells the difference.

Man of the Match: Kuyt. Worked hard and scored two well deserved goals.

Back on to the right track

Although the title dream is fading away we still need to fight to profit from any potential drop from Manchester. Stevie G will still be out but we still need to pick ourselves up and win the remaining 5 games.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
Benayoun
Alonso
Mascherano
Riera
Kuyt
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 090421 vs Arsenal: Dream fading away

4-4 and our title dream is fading away gradually. We were in control of the game, but 4 defensive errors and we conceded 4 goals. The good point from the game is that the team has a great fighting spirit and will keep on fighting till the end.

We now need Manchester to concede 6 points more than us, which is tough, but not impossible. With hope in your heart.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6 Had not made a single safe in the game.
Arbeloa: 5.5 At fault for the second goal.
Carragher: 5.5 Should do better in the second goal.
Agger: 6 Almost scored from a corner.
Aurelio: 5.5 Poor defending gifted the ball away for the third goal.
Benayoun: 8.5 Scored two important goals and was very lively.
Alonso: 6.5 Pulling the strings from the midfield.
Mascherano: 5.5 Poor passing lead to the first goal, and was in general below his normal level.
Riera: A quiet game apart from the assist.
Kuyt: 7.5 Fabulous crossing to create the first two goals.
Torres: 8 Scored two equalizers.

Substitutions:
Babel: 6 Involved in the forth goal.
El Zhar: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6.5 Would be delighted about the fighting spirit, but would be concerned with the sloppy defense. We now have 5 games remaining and will need to win them all to see what would happen.

Arsenal: 7 Had four chances and scored them all by Arshavin.

Man of the match: Benayoun. As Stevie G said, his equalizer may be crucial come May 24.

Challenge

Of our remaining 6 fixtures, the Arsenal game is probably the toughest. Although they have many injuries, they are still a very strong team and we also have Gerrard injured. Nevertheless, if we want to challenge for the title, we need to win this game. The players have the belief to do so, and we will be supporting them.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Skrtel
Aurelio
Benayoun
Alonso
Mascherano
Riera
Kuyt
Torres

Result 2:0

You'll Never Walk Alone

To the Hillsborough brothers
20 years on
We have not forgotten
Deep in our hear
We believe one day
Justice will be prevailed
You'll Never Walk Alone

Match Report 090414 at Chelsea: Great Response

4-4 and twice we came within one goal of qualification, but we never scored the crucial goal. We keep pressing forward and were deserved to go 2-0 up. Then three defensive errors later we find ourselves 2-3 down, but we never give up and scored 2 back, with the absence of Torres. At the end Chelsea scored one more and honors were even. After all, this is an entertainment match, and we can now focus on the league in the remaining 6 games.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6 His error changed the game.
Arbeloa: 6.5 Solid display.
Carragher: 7.5 Led the team from the back.
Skrtel: 6 Once again failed to contain Drogba.
Aurelio: 7 Scored a great free kick to spark us on.
Alonso: 7 Calm penalty taken, but a miss pass sounded the end of our journey.
Mascherano: 7 Ran all across the pitch.
Lucas: 7 Scored a deflated goal but in general conceded too many fouls.
Benayoun: 7 Clever runs throughout the match.
Kuyt: 7 Worked hard and was rewarded with a goal that bring us hope.
Torres: 6 Did not have a good game in general.

Substitutions:
Riera: 7 Provided more attacking strength to the team.
Ngog: 7 Almost scored the 5th goal.
Babel: 6.5 Not much impact.

Rafa: 7 Would be delighted about the response of the team. Now we are going to push for the league title.

Chelsea: 7 Showed great heart in 2H to draw the game.

Man of the Match: Carragher. Vintage display.

Istanbul

To score 3 goals at Stamford Bridge may be difficult, but it is not impossible. Remember Istanbul...


Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
Alonso
Mascherano
Kuyt
Gerrard
Babel
Torres

Result 3:0

Match Report 090411 vs Blackburn Rovers: Keep the pressure on

4-0 and we this is the best respect we shown to the Hillsborough brothers. From the first minute we have been pushing forward from the first minute. At the end we could have score more, but what is important is that we get the 3 points and improve our goal difference, which may be important at the end of the season. At the moment we just keep our pressure on, and hope they will stumble.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Another clean sheet on his 200th appearance for the Club.
Arbeloa: 7.5 Solid performance.
Carragher: 8 Superb performance as captain, and was involved in two of the goals.
Agger: 8 Scored another cracker to boast his chance for a place.
Insua: 7.5 Another solid display from the youngster.
Benayoun: 7.5 Great run in the midfield in the absence of Stevie G.
Alonso: 7.5 One superb freekick to create the second goal.
Mascherano: 8 All over the pitch.
Riera: 7.5 Good runs but failed to score one.
Kuyt: 7.5 Hard working as usual, and have a few shots saved.
Torres: 8.5 Two great goals scored.

Substitutions:
El Zhar: 7 Worked hard when came on.
Ngog: 7.5 Scored an easy goal.
Lucas: 7.5 Great assist provided.

Rafa: 7.5 Would be delighted about the response after the midweek defeat. Now we are looking for a miracle.

Blackburn Rovers: 6 Too many injuries and have no hope in getting anything from the match.

Man of the Match: Torres. Two goals for our Hillsborough brothers.

Rebound

After a disappointed midweek game we need to rebound quickly in the league. Stevie G is doubtful, and Blackburn will be physical, but we need to win the game so that we can back to the top again.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Skrtel
Aurelio
Alonso
Mascherano
Kuyt
Benayoun
Riera
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 090408 vs Chelsea: A cliff to climb

1-3 and we were totally outclassed by Chelsea. Apart from the first few minutes that Torres scored a lovely goal, we failed to control the game and let Chelsea dictate it. At the end two mistakes in defending corners had killed off the game. Now we are left with the mission impossible of beating Chelsea by 3 goals at the home ground, but remember Istanbul?

Players Rating:
Reina: 6 Can't really blame him for all the 3 goals, and he had made a few important saves.
Arbeloa: 6 Not going forward enough.
Carragher: 6.5 Did made a last man safe just before the goal but in general unable to cope with the Chelsea attack,
Skrtel: 5.5 Failed to handle Drogba.
Aurelio: 5.5 Had a bad game in his standard.
Alonso: 7.5 One of the better player.
Lucas: 6 Not strong enough against Chelsea.
Kuyt: 6 Had a quiet game.
Gerrard: 6 Did not do enough to raise the teammates.
Riera: 5.5 Not much contribution.
Torres: 7 Scored a great goal.

Substitutions:
Benayoun: 6 No magic this time.
Dossena/Babel: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6 Need to make sure the players pick up themselves as soon as possible for the Blackburn game.

Chelsea: 7.5 Fully deserved to win as they have broken our tempo.

Man of the Match: Alonso. Apart from partially blamed for the equalizer, he did very well.

Not a revenge

We have been drawing Chelsea for the fifth time in five years in Europe, and although we have lost to them last year, revenge is not the right word. We just want to keep our good runs running. With Mascherano suspended we have to shuffle our pack a little bit, but Rafa will find the right team for the event.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Skrtel
Aurelio
Alonso
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Riera
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 090404 at Fulham: Determination is the key

1-0 and it was not until the injury time that Benayoun scored that all important goal to keep us in the title race. We were in total control of the game, but somehow the goal post was keeping us from scoring. It looks like our title race may end at Cavern Cottage, but we keep fighting and fighting, and at the end a sweet strike by Benayoun ensures we are keeping our pressure on Manchester. There are still 7 league games remaining and we will keep fighting till the end.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Not much to do, and always kept an eye in providing the ball to the attacks.
Arbeloa: 7.5 Providing solid defending and going forward to help the attack.
Carragher: 7.5 Solid as a rock as usual.
Skrtel: 7.5 Solid in defending and have a nice chance hitting the bar.
Insua: 7.5 Defending well and overlap with Dossena well.
Alonso: 8 At the heart of the midfield, and have a great chance hitting the bar.
Lucas: 7.5 Solid in protecting the back 4.
Kuyt: 6.5 A bit quiet in the game.
Gerrard: 7.5 At the core of our attacks.
Dossena: 7.5 Shown us the real Dossena, and was unlucky not to score.
Torres: 7 Had a few chances but could not take any.

Substitutions:
Babel: 7.5 Run the Fulham defense well and was instrumental in creating the goal.
Benayoun: 8.5 Scored another important goal that could be our defining moment.
Agger: 7 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7.5 Would be happy about the attitude of the team.

Fulham: 6.5 Very difficult to break down especially at home. Now they can challenge for the UEFA Cup spot.

Man of the Match: Benayoun. Good run continues after his injury.

Up where we belong

A win at Fulham will bring us back to the top, although with 2 more games played. Fulham's recent form has been very good and we need to be on our very top to get a result there. It will be tough, but we have the confidence.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Skrtel
Aurelio
Alonso
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Riera
Torres

Result 2:0