With a full programme of Premier League fixtures (fancy that eh?), here’s some notes at the halfway point to keep you ticking over and to give you another thread to keep the discussion going on this oh so busy day.
It’s been a roller-coaster Boxing Day so for me (Ronaldo disappointment, Ireland delight, Forest capitulating at home to Doncaster). How’s it going for you?
The Lineups
Ferguson rested some of his jet-lagged stars (they obviously travel economy class, bless ’em) after their exploits in Japan so the likes of Carrick and Park found themselves on the bench. Berbatov was also given an extended rest having missed the matches in Japan with flu. Neville provided extra experience at right-back with Rafael benched. Giggs was also handed a start. A late blow for United came in the shape of further back problems for Ferdinand, suffered during warm-up. He was spared a further beating-up then, so Evan’s came in alongside Vidic.
Down at White Hart Lane, Ledley King sprung a surprise by being fit enough to take the field just five days after completing 90 minutes at Newcastle. Woodgate’s back remained a concern though and he was kept on the bench- Dawson started then. Jenas was fit but was also kept in reserve, with Huddlestone starting. That situation was reversed early on though when Huddlestone picked up a knock. Bent started up front for Pavlyuchenko.
Fulham were dealt a blow with Hangeland missing out with flu. Baird came in alongside Hughes in the back four then. Other than that, Fulham were unchanged, although they to were forced into a first half substitution with Bullard picking up a knock. He was replaced by Etuhu on 37 minutes.
Scolari went for goals at Stamford Bridge and opted for Drogba and Anelka up front. They lined up in the old 4-3-3 formation favoured by Mourinho, with Joe Cole, Anelka and Drogba the advanced players. Deco dropped to the bench with Ballack keeping his place in midfield. Ivanovic came into the back four with Terry suspended. Bosingwa only got 45 minutes of this one before being replaced by Belletti. I can’t find any details of an injury at this point, so we can only presume that this was Scolari handing a rest to a key player with the scoreline looking comfortable by half-time.
Some surprising changes from Mowbray, with both Moore and Bednar benched. He brought in Beattie as a lone striker and Brunt on the left of midfield. Obviously the Baggies boss was looking to keep his front pairing fresh for the visit of Spurs on Sunday.
At Fratton Park, Adams was again without Johnson due to his knee injury. He brought in Marc Wilson for his Premiership debut at right-back to replace him. Belhadj took the left-back berth as Pamarot and Hreidarsson dropped to the bench. Little replaced Diop in midfield as Hughes and Davis took the central roles. West Ham were unchanged, with Parker shaking off a knock to start. Davenport kept his placed with Collins left on the bench.
The Form
While Ronaldo suffered another afternoon of frustration at the Britannia, at least Lampard offered us some reassurance that heavy investment in the midfield could still pay off. His smartly taken goal against West Brom was his first in 7 Premier League starts. A reward for those fantasy managers who have kept the faith and an even bigger pay-off for those who captained him against West Brom.
Once again though, Chelsea didn’t deliver the kind of thrashing that we would have expected or hoped, against a promoted side who had conceded 17 away from home before today. The introduction of Drogba did the trick after just 3 minutes but Chelsea eased up once Lampard added the second before half-time. Lampard was central to Chelsea’s attacking play although he was wasteful on several occasions – 7 attempts on goal provides ample indication that the change to 4-3-3 didn’t shackle his attacking intent.
Ronaldo is now without points in his last 5 games and worryingly, once again he got away with an impetuous kick-out. It’s debatable what will come first – another goal or a another red card. The home game with Boro next should hopefully give him the platform to provide the former.
Tottenham continue to struggle for goals at the Lane, although Fulham were always going to provide a significant obstacle for them. They have now failed to score in their last 3 home matches and have just 3 goals in their last 6 at the Lane. Is it any wonder that Harry is eyeing up Craig Bellamy. Talking of which…
Bellamy finally produced the end product that his lively form in recent weeks has promised. His brace of goals will have his blip flashing brighter on the radar but he won’t play against the obliging Portsmouth defence every week, plus the suspension for Sunday’s game against Stoke (a possible profitable fixture had he played) outlines the doubts I have over him. He could certainly worth consideration for the three West Ham fixtures that follow the Stoke game (new, FUL, HUL) although a possible move to Spurs or anywhere in fact, could prove a major distraction.
It’s interesting that Zola was spending time with his strikers in training this week and low and behold, Bellamy struck twice and even Carlton Cole got a goal. This was his first in 8 starts. Could he be worth a look again in the budget bracket? As I mentioned above, the Hammers have some decent fixtures and with Ashton now out until April, he has little challenge for his starting role aside from Tristan.
Portsmouth’s form is beginning to become a major concern. As I mentioned in this weeks ScoutCast, I fear for Adams a little. It’s three defeats in row now in the Premier League and they are shipping goals at an alarming rate. It’s no clean sheet in 6 now and 14 goals have been conceded in those matches. Adams keeps talking about “going back to basics” in order to improve Pompey’s defensive form and I’ve been expecting a change in tactics or formation from him. It’s not come yet but he has to do something fast to stop his side slipping into the mire of a relegation battle.
Crouch has done his best to provide some answer up front but Defoe’s penalty miss today against his former club, summed up his recent plight. It’s just 2 goals in the last 12 Premier League starts and he may even surrender spot-kick duties to Kranjcar after today. With tough fixtures to come over the next 4-5 weeks – Defoe will surely be sold on in droves.
In defensive terms, United, Chelsea and Fulham all provided the clean sheets that I discussed in the meander earlier this week. Fulham’s was all the more impressive given that Hangeland was absent. The likes of Schwarzer and Paintsil continue to offer superb value then. Hodgson’s side move on to 8 clean sheets for the season, with Chelsea moving on to 12 and United 11.
I’ll bring you notes from the later games this evening and also I’ll round-up all the injuries and suspensions in a separate post.