Momentum and consistency are the keys

After a memorable victory last week we need to build on it and start another winning streak. Fulham will be tough opponent at home and we need a wonderful strike by Yossi at the last minute to beat them last year, so we need to play exceptionally well again this time to get the three points.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Degen
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Benayoun
Babel
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 091028 at Arsenal: Nice debut by Aquaman

1-2 and although we are out of the League Cup our performance was quite well. In short this is a very balanced game, but Arsenal took their chances better than we do. And we were cruelly denied a penalty that will bring the game to extra time. In summary, the second strings did quite well and they will get another chance to shine very soon.

Players Rating:
Cavalieri: 6.5 Could have done better in defending both goals conceded.
Degen: 7 Surprisingly very attacking mind and almost scored an opener.
Skrtel: 6.5 Looks a bit off the form and was out-muscled in the 2nd goal conceded.
Kyrgiakos: 6.5 Did OK.
Insua: 7.5 Scored a cracking goal to open his account.
Spearing: 6.5 Assured performance with a few nice passes.
Plessis: 6.5 Confident display after signing a new contract.
Kuyt: 7 Good performance for the captain but he played a bit too deep.
Voronin: 6.5 Lost the ball and lead to the first goal conceded.
Babel: 6 Missed another sitter to equalise the game.
Ngog: 6.5 Did well in 1H but level dropped in 2H.

Substitutions:
Benayoun: 6.5 Not many contribution.
Aquilani: 7 A very good long-awaited debut and he almost scored.
Eccleston: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7 Although result is not good but he would be delighted about the way the second tier play.

Arsenal: 7 Showed they have more depth of players in the second tier.

Man of the Match: Insua. First of many great goals.

Second strings shine again

After a superb victory in the League we are now back to League Cup matter. With many players continuing their recovery Rafa would no doubt use some of the fringe players. And we may see Aquilani playing a part in the game as well.

My Team Prediction:
Cavalieri
Degen
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Dossena
Lucas
Spearing
Benayoun
Voronin
Babel
Ngog

Result 2:0

Match Report 091025 vs Manchester United: Players respond

2-0 and this is a very well deserved victory. The players respond to the critics and were pressing them from the first minute onward and there is only one winner from the game. Together with most of the other results we are now in a much better position that previous week.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 A good game with not too many saves to made.
Johnson: 7.5 Shows his defensive class.
Carragher: 8 Tackles after tackles, clearances after clearances, and Carra is back.
Agger: 7.5 A very assured performance.
Insua: 7 A few mistakes in the first 10 minutes but gradually recover.
Lucas: 8 Made numerous tackles and a killing assist to seal off the game.
Mascherano: 7.5 A very solid game in the middle although slightly ruined by a stupid red card.
Benayoun: 8 Very lively with many superb passes and of course the magnificent assist.
Kuyt: 8 Worked hard as usual.
Aurelio: 7.5 Almost scored from a superb freekick and another header in 1H, but became tired in the 2H.
Torres: 8.5 Superbly taken goal that shifted the balance.

Substitutions:
Ngog: 7.5 A coolly taken goal.
Skrtel: 7 Provide more rock in the dying minutes.

Rafa: 8 Would be absolutely delighted about the way the players respond. Now we need to build another long winning streak.

Manchester United: 6 Does not have as much hunger as we did for a victory.

Man of the Match: Torres. Another superb goal with 80% fitness.

At the end of the storm, there's a golden sky

After 4 straight defeats we now face the most important game of the season. A win will bring us back on track, so as fans we need to stand behind the team in this crucial moment. At the end of the storm, there's a golden sky. We'll never walk alone.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Skrtel
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Benayoun
Babel
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 091020 vs Lyon: We have mountains to climb

1-2 and the result leaves us a huge mountain to climb. Depends on result elsewhere, there may be a scenario that we win the next 3 games but still could not qualify. And with the list of injuries, we are really in deep trouble. As fans this is the time the team need us, and we should stand by the team in this tough moment.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Made a few successive saves but still couldn't keep the ball out for the first goal.
Kelly: 7.5 A very good debut ruined by the injury and the result.
Carragher: 6.5 Solid in center, but lost a Lyon player in the dying minute that lead to the goal when forced to play as right back.
Agger: 6.5 Solid but not too impressive.
Insua: 6.5 Good in defending but did not offer much on attack.
Lucas: 6.5 Tried very hard but not much flare provided.
Mascherano: 6.5 Good at screening the defense.
Kuyt: 7 Have a goal ruled off due to pushing.
Gerrard: 6 Lasted only 25 minutes, and we need him to be back soon.
Benayoun: 7 Scored a nice goal but faded quickly in 2H.
Ngog: 6 Missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 and finished the game.

Substitutions:
Aurelio: 7 Good display coming up and was involved in our goal.
Skrtel: 6.5 Did the job well in center defense.
Voronin: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6 Would be disappointed that everything is not right. We will support him in this difficult period.

Lyon: 7 Played better than us but we need to beat them at their home.

Man of the Match: Kelly. A composed performance in his full debut.

Bounce back

After 3 straight defeats with no goal scored we definitely need to bounce back tonight. Torres is still out but Gerrard is back, so we have more firepower for the game. Lyon won't be easy opponent so we need to forget the weekend misery and walk on.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Skrtel
Insua
Lucas
Mascherano
Benayoun
Gerrard
Riera
Kuyt

Result 2:0

Match Report 091017 at Sunderland: Defeat with dignity

0-1 and we were beaten by a better team. The goal may be fluke but our performance on that day would not earn us anything. Nevertheless Rafa was dignified and admitted that we don't deserve anything, and did not complain about the balloon. We now need to move on, as there are two crucial matches coming up.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Made a superb save to reduce the damage.
Skrtel: 6 An average performance.
Carragher: 7 Gradually back to his form.
Agger: 6.5 A nice comeback from injury.
Johnson: 6.5 Failed to help the attack.
Lucas: 6 Could not direct from midfield.
Spearing: 6 A nice debut start in the league, but he conceded the ball a few times.
Aurelio: 6 Did not offer much.
Benayoun: 6.5 Not much contribution.
Kuyt: 6.5 Not many opportunities given.
Babel: 6 Disappointing.

Substitutions:
Mascherano: 6.5 Controlled the midfield well.
Voronin: 6 Not much contribution.
Ngog: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6 Would be disappointed about the display. Need to lift the team up ASAP.

Sunderland: 7 The better team in the afternoon. Fully deserved winner.

Man of the Match: Reina. Prevent the team from further embarrassment.

Prove we are not a two men team

After the international week we have many casualties, as Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt and Kyrgiakos also picked up injuries. Sunderland will be a tough opponent to beat, as they have recently drawn a game at Old Traford and their morale will be high. But we need to show the world we are not a two men team. All the players should gear up and take the three points home.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Skrtel
Aurelio
Mascherano
Lucas
Riera
Benayoun
Babel
Kuyt

Result 2:0

Match Report 091004 at Chelsea: Big blow

0-2 and this is a big blow to our season. For the first 60 minutes it was very tight, with no team really on top. Then an error by Mascherano, who gave away the ball and we were soon one down. We then geared up, trying to find the equalizer, but the finishing was not good and we were a bit unlucky. As the team push ahead hard our defense is empty, and we let them scored another goal.

It is a big blow, but the season is only 8 games old. We still have plenty of games to catch up, but we need to start a winning run from next game.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Can't be blamed for both goals.
Johnson: 6.5 Defense was exposed when he moved too forward for the first goal.
Carragher: 6.5 Cannot contain Drogba for the second goal.
Skrtel: 6.5 Gradually back to his standard.
Insua: 6 Was a bit slow and could not mark Drogba for the first goal.
Mascherano: 6 Very good before the mistake.
Lucas: 6 Solid if not too impressive.
Kuyt: 6 Worked hard but no prevail.
Gerrard: 6.5 Could not lift the team.
Riera: 6 Almost scored from a free kick, but not much else offered.
Torres: 6 More interested to kick Terry instead of shot the ball.

Substitutions:
Benayoun: 7 Very lively and almost scored.
Babel/Aurelio: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6 Would be disappointed at the lack of fight. Definitely need to lift the team after the international break.

Chelsea: 7 The slightly better team won, and they would be title contender unless African Cup is affecting them severely.

Man of the Match: Reina. Reduced the damage to bare minimum.

Good response needed

After a very poor performance at Florence we need to show a good response. Chelsea also has their own problem in Cech suspended, but they are still a very strong team especially in attack. We need to be very cautious and at our top to have any chance to bring 3 points home.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Agger
Carragher
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Benayoun
Torres

Result 2:0