A busy Friday programme as Adebayor inspires an Arsenal comeback, Voronin fires a last minute winner for Liverpool, Cahill sees red for Bolton and Alves hits a brace as Boro fire six against Sparta.
Here’s the notes and teams…
Ajax 2 Arsenal 3
Arsenal powered back into this one after trailing by two goals at half-time and it was Adebayor who led the fight back with a second half brace.
Wenger’s side started the game well and Adebayor should have put them in front after being sent clear by Walcott but was denied by the Ajax keeper. He then had a further chance to score after Eboue’s long range effort was only parried but Adebayor saw his shot cleared off the line.
Six minutes later Arsenal were suddenly 2-0 down. Suarez got the first, sneaking between Toure and Gallas to swivel and fire Ajax in front before Huntelaar drilled the Dutch side into a shock two goal lead.
Arsenal rallied with style in the second half. Adebayor wasn’t to be denied and headed the Gunners back into the game on 67 minutes from a perfect Eboue delivery.
Wenger then sent on Bendtner to partner Adebayor up front, with Van Persie shifting to the left wing to replace Walcott. It proved a masterstroke that inspired the equaliser. Adebayor turned provider this time – sliding the ball calmly across the box for Bendtner to fire home after a short back pass had sent Adebayor clear. The Togo international then won it or Arsenal, slotting home from a few yards after good work from Denislon.
Wenger selected a strong Arsenal lineup for this one. Toure played his first game of the pre-season after being laid low with malaria. He completed the 90 minutes in a full strength Arsenal back four. Fabregas also returned to make his first start of the pre-season after his exploits in Euro 2008. He played alongside Denilson in what looks likely to be Wenger’s central midfield pairing going into the season. Eboue was handed the right midfield berth with Walcott on the left.
The fact that Wenger brought on Bendtner for Walcott and shifted Van Persie out wide is of interest. This could well be a tactic that is employed frequently if Arsenal find themselves chasing a goal. That could see Bendtner presenting greater potential whilst having a slight hit on Van Persie in the RVP vs Adebayor comparison.
On that subject, this game provided ample evidence of just how important Adebayor is to Arsenal. Two goals and an assist, plus plenty of chances in this game, further emphasises his fantasy potential.
While there are few doubts over Adebayor then, perhaps there are some surrounding Arsenal’s defence. Toure looked out of sorts in the first half here and it could be that Arsenal are vulnerable early in the season. Their fixtures are very kind but there may be some doubt as to whether Wenger’s side will keep as many clean sheets as expected in those games, particularly with the Arsenal boss making his priorities clear in his post match press conference…
“I’m not too much concerned about the defence because I think we played against a good attack. As long as we score more,” remarked Wenger.
In terms of injuries, Nasri and Diaby didn’t travel for this tournament and will be doubts for Wednesday’s Champions League Qualifier against FC Twente and for the season opener against West Brom. Nasri is carrying knocks to his knee and thigh while Diaby also has a thigh injury. Indeed, Wenger acknowledged his lack of cover in midfield after the game and it does seem likely that the Gunners will make a singing in this area at some point.
Arsenal vs Ajax:
Almunia, Sagna, Clichy Toure, Gallas, Denlison (Wilshere 84), Fabregas (Ramsey 84), Eboue, Walcott (Bendtner 67), Adebayor, Van Persie (Senderos 84)
Liverpool 1 Lazio 0
A last minute goal from Andriy Voronin won it for Rafa’s men as Keane and Torres got their home debuts in front of an expectant Kop.
In truth the game failed to live up to it’s billing, with few chances created in a tepid first half. Torres had a couple of opportunities but nothing gilt-edged. Keane did almost earn himself a home debut goal early in the second half, the Irishman firing just wide after a one-two with Kuyt on the right.
Liverpool dominated throughout, with Alonso in particular, catching the eye, but they just couldn’t break down the Lazio defence until the very final minute. Voronin vollyeing home from a Spearing pass.
The performance of Alonso will be food for thought for Rafa. The Liverpool crowd chanted his name all night and the Spaniard reacted with a fine performance, acknowledged by Rafa after the game.
“He is a good player and hopefully we will have another good player coming in soon”, remarked Benitez.
That comment would seem to suggest that the Barry deal could still be on the cards, particularly when you consider that Rafa went on to lament the lack of cover on the left of midfield.
“Clearly we have problems on the left,” he said. “We have sold Riise and Kewell and Fabio Aurelio is injured. Leto doesn’t have a work permit and Babel is at the Olympic Games, so I think we can improve in this area.”
Rafa’s lineup for this game would suggest that the back four is settled with Skrtel still struggling for fitness. Alonso would see assured of a start if he remains at Anfield, while Benayoun may have done enough to earn a start. Kuyt looks set to remain on the right but Gerrard’s fitness is of course the main concern now. He looks unlikely to make an appearance against Liege for the Champions League Qualifier on Wednesday as Rafa keeps him back for the opening trip to Sunderland.
Liverpool vs Lazio:
Reina (Cavalieri 74), Arbeloa (Insua 74), Dossena (Spearing 75), Agger (Hyypia 74), Carragher (Finnan 81), Benayoun (El Zhar 74), Alonso, Plessis (Nemeth 81), Kuyt, Keane (Voronin 81), Torres (Ngog 45).
AEK Athens 1 Bolton 0
Bolton go into the home game with Stoke with a disappointing final pre-season game behind them. A 17th minute strike from AEK’s Hetemaj was the difference as Megson’s side struggled for fitness and finesse in Greece, with Gary Cahill seeing red mid-way through the first half.
Things could have been worse for Bolton, with AEK missing a 10th minute penalty after Samuel had brought down Scocco in the box. Jaaskelainen rose the occasion palming away the spot kick from Brazilian legend Rivaldo.
Just 7 minutes later AEK did take the lead with a stunning effort from range. That was followed by another hammer blow to Bolton’s chances as Cahill was shown a harsh red card for a professional foul. Steinsson came off the bench as a result (more on that in a bit) as Megson had to rearranged his lineup to cope with the dismissal.
With Bolton’s attack depleted, chances were few and far between – Taylor having the best opportunity when Steinsson found him with a cross from the right only for Taylor to guide his header wide. Andy O’Brien also had an effort in the final minutes that flew wide.
Megson handed Shittu his debut in defence – deciding to pair him with Cahill in the centre with Andy O’Brien shifting to right back. That meant that Steinsson was benched which must obviously be a concern for any fantasy managers considering the Icelandic right back as a budget purchase going into the season.
Young striker Temitope Obadeyi was also given a start but was sacrificed early as Megson was forced to shore things up after Cahill’s red. Elmander missed this game to fly home from Greece to be with his expectant wife who had gone into labour in the week.
Shittu was impressive as a barrier at the back and he must stand a good chance of starting against Stoke. Cahill could well face a one match suspension as a result of his dismissal in this game if the referee chooses to report the offence.
Shittu could start against Stoke regardless, as Megson will be looking to counter Stoke’s direct style of play and threat from set pieces so could well opt for Andy O’Brien at full back with Shittu in the centre. That would see Steinsson missing out, at least for the Stoke game.
Bolton vs AEK Athens:
Jaaskelainen, A O’Brien, Samuel, Cahill, Shittu, Nolan (Dzemaili 60), J O’Brien (Riga 80), Taylor (Vaz Te 60), Muamba (Cohen 67), Davies (Gardner 60), Obadeyi (Steinsson 22)
Stoke City 2 Osasuna 2
Stoke twice had the lead thanks to goals from Shawcross and Delap, against their Spanish opponents but had to settle for a draw at the Britannia Stadium.
Shawcross gave Stoke a lead just before the half-hour mark, heading home after his initial header hit the bar. The advantage lasted just a few minutes though as Osasuna levelled things up with a Pandiani goal.
Just before half time Stoke nudged in front again. Delap knowing little about his final touch that took the ball into the net after Shawcross had seen another header rebound off the keepers legs.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis made a string of changes around the hour mark and saw his side pegged back again as Osasuna drew level with 15 minutes remaining.
Pulis handed home debuts to Sorensen, Olofinjana and Kitson, while Faye, on trial from Charlton, started on the bench but saw action with 20 minutes remaining. Lawrence and Fuller both made returns. They started on the bench but both appeared in the second half.
For fantasy managers the key point of interest here was the fact that both Stoke’s goals came from set plays, in this case corners delivered by Whelan. When fit, it’s normally Lawrence delivering these but there will be some doubts over his fitness going into the Bolton game. Shawcross and Cort are major threats at set play as highlighted by last night’s game. Cort scored 8 goals last season, Shawcross 7.
Stoke vs Osasuna:
Sorensen; Wilkinson (Lawrence 57), Shawcross (Buxton 81), Cort, Griffin (c) (Pericard 81); Delap (Dickinson 57), Olofinjana (Fuller 68), Whelan (Faye 68), Cresswell (Pugh 81); Sidibe (Diao 57), Kitson (Parkin 81)
Sparta Rotterdam 1 Middlesbrough 6
Boro recovered from going a goal behind by hitting 6 past Sparta as they ended their pre-season preparations in style.
Boro fell behind after just 2 minutes but recovered quickly when Alves got on the end of a Digard through ball and finished clinically. Minutes later they were ahead after smart work from Tuncay who beat two men to roll in Aliadiere for the finish.
Downing then supplied the pass for Josh Walker to notch as Boro began to go into overdrive. Alves followed this by chipping his second of the game after Aliadiere had played him in. Downing, skipper for the night, wasn’t to be denied a goal and put Boro 5-1 up at half-time, Alves turning provider for this one.
Not surprisingly, Southgate kept his lineup intact for the second half, making just one change as he kept us all guessing as to his first choice keeper by swapping Turnbull for Jones.
Boro continued to press but added just one additional goal, Rhys Williams, the Wales U21 defender who started in the right back role vacated by Young’s departure, blasting home.
Southgate’s lineup offered some firm clues as to his thinking. He went for a familiar 4-4-2 with Alves and Tuncay paired up front. Aliadiere took the right midfield berth and Turnbull started in goal. There were some unfamiliar names on the team sheet however, with young Josh Walker and Rhys Williams getting opportunities. Williams will compete for McMahon for the right back spot and clearly has the edge on him right now. There is a distinct possibility that Southgate will make a signing in this area however with Arsenal’s Justin Hoyte a reported target.
Injury wise Southgate might have concerns about the fitness of Tuncay after he took a knock to his Achilles in the second half.
Middlesbrough vs Sparta:
Turnbull (Jones 46), Williams (McMahon), Taylor, Walker (Johnson A), Huth, Wheater, Aliadiere (Emnes 67), Digard, Downing, Tuncay (Owens), Alves.
UD Marbella 0 Aston Villa 2
Goals from Delfouneso and Gardner saw Villa to victory in the final pre-season game piror to their UEFA Cup tie on Thursday.
Both goals came in the first half – Routledge providing the cross for Delfouneso’s opener on 37 minutes before Gardner glanced in the second just before half time – Routledge again the provider.
O’Neil fielded a second string lineup for this one with the exception of Knight and Laursen in central defence and Carew who started up front. There’s little that can be gleaned from this one then, except perhaps the showing from Routledge who may have edged ahead of Maloney as a possible starter when the opportunity arises.
Villa take on Hafnarfjordur in the away leg of their UEFA Cup tie on Thursday and we should have more conclusive evidence on Villa’s likely Premiership lineup after that game.
Aston Villa vs UD Marbella:
Taylor, Salifou, Stieber, Knight (Albrighton 63), Laursen, Routledge (Baker 63), Osbourne, Gardner (Young 70), Maloney (Harewood 45), Carew (Petrov 45), Delfouneso.