Bolton draw 1-1 to Spurs after penalty save

February 14, 2010

Jussi Jaaskelainen was Bolton’s hero as the Finland goalkeeper saved Tom Huddlestone’s second half penalty to force a 1-1 draw against Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.

Bolton dominated the opening period at the Reebok Stadium and deserved their lead after Kevin Davies finished off a fine passing move.

But Spurs equalised when Jermain Defoe fired in his fifth goal in five games and Huddlestone could have won it from the spot, only for Jaaskelainen to earn Bolton a replay with a fine stop.

Bolton may be facing up to a relegation battle but they backed up manager Owen Coyle’s insistence that they still wanted to enjoy a long cup run.

The hosts made a bright start and Fabrice Muamba sliced wide from just outside the area before Johan Elmander had a close-range effort deflected wide by Michael Dawson.

Zat Knight shot straight at Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes after Peter Crouch headed away from Paul Robinson’s deep free kick.

Tottenham finally posed some sort of threat when Gareth Bale cut in from the left and shot well wide.

But Bolton were still dominant and Swedish striker Elmander should have done better than the sliced effort he came up with after being played through by Ricardo Gardner.

Despite Bolton’s greater possession, Gomes had not really been worked until he produced a fine low save to push a Taylor free kick around the post.

Tottenham wasted a good opportunity when David Bentley hit a corner to the edge of the area, only for Huddlestone to volley well off target and Peter Crouch also dragged wide from distance.

Bentley had a header easily saved by Jaaskelainen and then cut in to shoot straight at the Bolton goalkeeper after a quick Tottenham breakaway.

But 11 minutes before the break, Bolton got the goal they deserved with a strike of real quality.

They kept hold of the ball for some time before it was worked out to the right and South Korean midfielder Chung-Yong Lee sent Elmander into the area.

The Swede crossed to the far post and Davies beat Gomes with a low shot into the corner.

The pressure continued after the restart with Lee’s cross being laid off by Elmander before a Davies drive was deflected wide by Dawson.

A quick counter attack saw Davies flick Elmander into space and he teed up Muamba, only for the former Arsenal midfielder to slice wide.

Tottenham finally created a decent opening when Bentley crossed from the right and Crouch beat Jaaskelainen in the air only for his header to come back off the bar.

A minute later the bar saved Bolton again as Wilson Palacios drove into the box and crossed before the ball bounced off Paul Robinson and on to the woodwork.

But in the 61st minute, Tottenham pulled level with a neat goal of their own.

Gretar Steinsson backed off, allowing Bale to break into the box and the full back crossed for Defoe to stab past Jaaskelainen.

As Tottenham pressed hard for a second, Jaaskelainen was forced into a fine save from Spurs sub Niko Kranjcar.

With 20 minutes left, referee Phil Dowd penalised Sam Ricketts for a handball as Crouch attempted to lift the ball over the Bolton defender.

But Jaaskelainen guessed right and pushed away Huddlestone’s penalty to keep Bolton on level terms.

The Finnish goalkeeper was called into action again, pushing away a bobbling effort from Defoe.

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: Chung-Yong, David Bentley, England, fabrice muamba, fifth goal, Finland, five games, Gareth Bale, heurelho gomes, jermain defoe, Johan Elmander, Kevin Davies, Lee, michael dawson, Niko Kranjcar, Owen Coyle, paul robinson, peter crouch, Phil Dowd, reebok stadium, relegation battle, Ricardo Gardner, Sam, tom huddlestone, Wilson, yong lee, zat knight

Table-topping Blues excite Ancelotti

November 1, 2009

Carlo Ancelotti said he was thrilled by Chelsea’s response to their early-season setbacks after a 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers left them two points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Blues lost back to back away league games against Wigan and Aston Villa to raise doubts about whether they were genuine challengers for the title.

But they have responded to the 2-1 loss at Villa with four straight wins, including 17 goals and four clean sheets.

Ancelotti’s team now have a trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League ahead of a crucial game against Premier League champions Manchester United.

And although Ancelotti insisted he was not looking beyond the game in Spain, he was pleased with the way the Londoners have bounced back in the league.

“It was our aim to stay top and we maintained the two points lead before this game and now we have to think about Atletico Madrid and prepare for a fantastic match against Manchester United,” said Ancelotti after Chelsea made it eight goals in a matter of days against Bolton after a 4-0 midweek League Cup win.

“Usually people think about the game against Manchester United but we have another important game during the week and we want to prepare well,” the Italian manager explained.

“We have time to prepare for Manchester United but it’s very easy to prepare for this game.

“It’s a very important match but we have to maintain our concentration on the Champions League group at this moment.”

Ancelotti added: “I think that we accepted the criticism before because we had self criticism and that’s normal when you don’t do well.”

Frank Lampard’s penalty, after Jlloyd Samuel was sent-off for tripping Didier Drogba, sent Chelsea on their way here at the Reebok Stadium.

Second-half goals from Deco, Zat Knight’s own goal and Drogba gave Saturday’s scoreline a comfortable feel.

Joe Cole, much praised since returning from a knee injury, was left on the bench with Deco given the chance to impress against Bolton.

And Ancelotti said the veteran Portuguese was a vital player for the west London club.

“He is doing what he knows,” Ancelotti explained. “It is nothing special, he can do this and is doing it for the team and this is important.

“He’s an unselfish player. Usually offensive players with quality are a little bit selfish but I’ve found an unselfish offensive midfielder.

“We did a good performance and it was a difficult first-half because Bolton played a very strong match in the first-half, with lots of pressure on our midfielders.

“We maintained good concentration, good intensity and we won a very important match.”

Despite being beaten by the same margin in midweek, Bolton manager Gary Megson was far happier with his team after this match.

His formation mirrored Chelsea’s ‘diamond’ set-up and he was pleased with the way his side competed.

“I know we’ve been beaten 4-0 but I thought we were terrific. The diamond, we struggled with on Wednesday we didn’t struggle with today (Saturday),” Megson said.

“Whereas they had Lampard in it, we had Chris Basham. Whereas they had Michael Ballack, we had Tamir Cohen.

“They’ve spent all that money and quality on that diamond. We tried to rev our lads up to compete man for man with all of those.”

Megson, however, may find himself in trouble with the Football Association after criticising referee Peter Walton for awarding the penalty that led to the opening goal.

He added: “It is a soft penalty. I thought it was engineered well. If Drogba keeps it on his right hand side Jlloyd would not get sent-off trying to get to it. He brings it to his left hand side and with Peter Walton and penalties and Bolton there is only one thing that can happen.”

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: aston villa, atletico madrid, bolton wanderers, carlo ancelotti, challengers, champions league group, CHELSEA, Chris Basham, clean sheets, England, frank lampard, gary megson, jlloyd samuel, Joe Cole, knee injury, league champions, league games, londoners, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, Michael Ballack, Peter Walton, premier league, reebok stadium, self criticism, Spain, vetera, west london, zat knight

Bolton rally too late to avoid boos in draw with Stoke

September 19, 2009

Matt Taylor’s late penalty salvaged a point for Bolton but a 1-1 draw with Stoke was secured too late for Gary Megson’s side to be spared the jeers of their own supporters.

Dave Kitson’s fine strike looked set to give Stoke all three points before Danny Collins was penalised for a challenge on Sam Ricketts.

With less than two minutes left, Taylor coolly slotted home the penalty to claim a point that lifts Bolton above Hull on goal difference and out of the relegation zone.

Megson recalled midfield anchor man Gavin McCann at the expense of Mark Davies and left strikers Johan Elmander and Ivan Klasnic on the bench initially.

James Beattie was also confined to the bench at the outset because of fitness concerns while Ricardo Fuller and Matthew Etherington were both given starting roles for Stoke.

Fuller generated the first chance of the match, breaking clear on the right to deliver a dangerous cross that was cut out by Fabrice Muamba, before getting himself booked for what the referee, Mark Clattenburg, judged to be a dive following a challenge from McCann.

Stoke went closest to breaking the deadlock before the interval with Glenn Whelan’s 32nd-minute free-kick testing Jussi Jaaskelainen and Rory Delap’s long throw-ins unsettling the Bolton defence.

The home side was woefully short of invention and the frustration of the home fans was reflected in some angry jeers and slow handclapping.

Stoke had a reasonable appeal for a penalty waved away by Clattenburg four minutes into the second period, when a goalbound shot from Delap was blocked by Zat Knight’s arm.

Taylor then went close for Bolton before Kitson gathered Fuller’s through ball and got away from Ricketts before finding the bottom corner with a fine finish.

Klasnic’s entrance pepped up Bolton’s attacking play and the Croatian striker came close to equalising when Thomas Sorensen turned over his close-range effort with just over 20 minutes left.

An even better chance fell to Knight but the centreback somehow contrived to clear the bar with his volley.

Bolton had done just about enough to merit an equaliser and a clumsy challenge by Collins ensured they got one, although Stoke might easily have snatched a winner in stoppage time but for Jaaskelainen’s brave block from substitute Liam Lawrence.

BOLTON (AFP)

Tags: anchor man, breaking the deadlock, Danny Collins, dave kitson, fabrice muamba, fitness concerns, gary megson, Gavin McCann, goal difference, home fans, HULL, ivan klasnic, jaaskelainen, James Beattie, Johan Elmander, kitson, Liam Lawrence, mark clattenburg, mark davies, matt taylor, matthew etherington, relegation zone, ricardo fuller, rory delap, thomas sorensen, zat knight

Dunne deal for Aston Villa

September 2, 2009

Aston Villa finally completed the signing of Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City on Wednesday.

Villa were unable to announce the Dunne deal before the transfer window closed on Tuesday as the Premier League asked for more time to ratify the paperwork which only came through at the last minute.

But Martin O’Neill’s team were always confident Dunne would become their player after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

The Football Association were also satisfied with the documents presented by Villa and Premier League on Wedneday allowed the deal to go through after the window shut.

“City said farewell to one of the club?s most resolute and enduring defenders in Republic of Ireland star Richard Dunne, who has signed for Aston Villa,” a statement on Manchester City’s website confirmed.

“The player’s departure, confirmed on Wednesday after the Football Association checked the paperwork, signals the end of an era and Richard goes to the Midlands with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone at Manchester City.”

Dunne, who cost Villa a reported six million pound (6.8 million euros) becomes O’Neill’s second defensive signing after Wales international James Collins signed from West Ham for five million pounds (5.8 million euros) on Tuesday.

O’Neill had been desperate to bolster his back four after skipper Martin Laursen retired and Zat Knight was sold to Bolton.

Dunne’s nine-year stay at City was in doubt after the club signed Kolo Toure from Arsenal and then Joleon Lescott from Everton.

“It would have been difficult for Dunney to stay given his standing at the club and I understand that,” City boss Mark Hughes said.

“I wasn’t going to stand in his way. I could have tried to stop him going and said I wanted him as a squad player but out of respect for what he has done for City I wasn’t going to do that.”

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

Tags: aston villa, Birmingham, birmingham england, CITY, city boss, dunne deal, dunney, England, everton, football association, James Collins, manchester city, Mark Hughes, Martin Laursen, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, Midlands, personal terms, premier league, republic of ireland, Richard, richard dunne, skipper, Toure, Wales, wedneday, west ham, zat knight

Bent´s debut strike gives Sunderland winning start

August 15, 2009

Sunderland striker Darren Bent enjoyed a debut to remember as he scored the goal that gave his new side a 1-0 win against Bolton on Saturday.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce paid a club record 10 million pounds to sign Bent from Tottenham earlier this month and the England international began to repay that fee with an impressive display at the Reebok Stadium.

He dispatched Steed Malbranque’s cross with a far-post header in the fifth minute to ensure Bruce made a winning start to his reign.

Bent, 25, recently made the headlines for the wrong reasons after he used the Twitter website to publicly criticise Tottenham and express his desire to join Sunderland.

The former Charlton star eventually got his wish and, along with fellow new recruits Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana, gave Sunderland a more dynamic look than the drab outfit that just avoided relegation last season.

Bolton had plenty of new faces as well as Sam Ricketts, Paul Robinson, Zat Knight and Sean Davis all made their debuts.

But Sunderland were soon celebrating as they opened the scoring inside the fifth minute with a classic header from Bent.

George McCartney found Malbranque in the left channel and he flighted in a wicked cross to the far post, where Bent rose above Robinson to plant a firm header past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The visiting fans celebrated wildly but they were almost silenced moments later when Fabrice Muamba sliced a fierce 20-yard shot wide of Marton Fulop’s goal.

Cattermole seemed to cover every blade of grass for the visitors and twice within the space of as many minutes Sunderland could have scored.

In the 20th minute, Bent and Malbranque combined to send Kieran Richardson clear through on goal but Jaaskelainen raced off his line to parry the midfielder’s left-foot shot from 14 yards.

Sunderland pressed again moments later when a vicious low cross from Richardson found Bent at the far post and he swivelled before driving a low left-foot shot inches wide of the far post with Jaaskelainen beaten.

Bolton handed a debut to South Korea midfielder Lee Chung-Yong a debut in the 67th minute when he replaced former Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann.

The home side pressed more as the match wore on and Fulop emerged the hero in injury-time when Sean Davis drove goalwards from 14 but saw the keeper deny him with a brilliant save.

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: black cats, blade of grass, Bruce, charlton, Darren Bent, england international, fabrice muamba, Gavin McCann, George McCartney, impressive display, jussi jaaskelainen, kieran richardson, Lee Cattermole, Lee Chung-yong, left foot, lorik cana, Malbranque, Marton Fulop, midfielder, new faces, new recruits, paul robinson, reebok stadium, Richardson, ricketts, Sam, Sean Davis, south korea, steed malbranque, Sunderland, zat knight

O´Neill aims to prove Villa doubters wrong

August 7, 2009

After leading Aston Villa to their best season in recent memory, Martin O’Neill could be forgiven for feeling harshly treated if he tuned into the sports shows on local radio this close-season.

He has been cruelly branded ‘Martin No-Deal’ in recent weeks by increasingly disgruntled Villa supporters and it is difficult to believe that only months ago the Ulsterman looked the most likely manager to gatecrash the big four.

Now seasoned observers fear that O’Neill is facing his toughest test at Villa Park after another pre-season of alarming transfer inactivity.

After building so much optimism last campaign, when they eventually finished sixth after holding a top four position for several weeks, it was only the sheer lack of numbers in their squad that resulted in Villa’s hopes of a Champions League spot fading away so spectacularly.

But to date only Stewart Downing – who will not play until December – and teenage Leeds midfielder Fabian Delph, who despite his undoubted talent remains very much a gamble at Premier League level, have been recruited.

If waiting for the notoriously hesitant O’Neill to move in the market is becoming something of a theme, Villa supporters are now torn between wanting action soon and avoiding a growing list of transfer bloopers that have done little to improve the quality of the squad over the last two seasons.

After missing out on the free transfer of Michael Owen, who understandably chose Manchester United instead, O’Neill knows signing a striker of proven pedigree is of crucial importance.

John Carew, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey are the only experienced forwards in his squad.

But a whopping 27 million pounds has been spent over the last two seasons on Marlon Harewood, Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey, Zat Knight and Carlos Cuellar and all are now viewed with, at best, suspicion and, at worst, downright derision.

Knight has already been packed off to Bolton while Harewood and Shorey are expected to be casualties in a bid to raise further funds.

In Randy Lerner, Villa possess one of the most sensible chairman in the game and he will continue to back O?Neill, though not at the level of recent spending.

But there is a serious need for Villa to be more pro-active, with mega-rich Manchester City threatening to pass them by this season.

City have already robbed O’Neill of his most effective player, Gareth Barry, while the loss of Martin Laursen, forced to retire with a degenerative knee injury, will arguably be even more acutely felt by the club.

O’Neill, however, is under no illusions that he needs to strengthen a squad that fell away so lamentably over the last two months of last season.

He said: “We are looking forward to the new season very much and I am fully aware that I need to strengthen and supplement the squad to make it stronger this season.

“We have lost a couple of key players so there are obvious and immediate replacements that we are looking to bring in. I am hoping that we will be able to add to the squad over the next couple of weeks.

“It is not that easy to do. We want to bring in quality players to make sure we improve. There is money to spend, but it will have to be spent correctly and not just for the sake of it.”

He appears to have won his battle to retain Ashley Young but O’Neill sorely needs to find another quality signing like the England winger to continue his steady progression.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: bloopers, Carlos Cuellar, delph, derision, Emile Heskey, Fabian Delph, gabriel agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, John Carew, last campaign, london, manchester city, manchester united, marlon harewood, Martin Laursen, Martin No-, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, michael owen, midfielder, Neill, premier league, randy lerner, sheer lack, Steve Sidwell, Stewart, stewart downing, two seasons, villa park, villa supporters, zat knight

No Love lost as Villa face UEFA Cup struggle

February 19, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) – Aston Villa face a daunting task to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw by CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their last 32 tie at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Martin O’Neill’s side needed a second half equaliser from John Carew to scramble a draw after Brazilian striker Vagner Love put CSKA in front with his ninth goal in seven UEFA Cup matches and 25th in 41 career UEFA Cup matches.

Villa will now have to win a tough assignment in Moscow in the second leg if they are to progress.

The Premier League club have ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League this season but they still have some way to go before they are ready to cut it among the best in Europe.

Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at Everton had been the worst possible start to a crucial week for Villa.

As well this European encounter, they also face Chelsea at home on Saturday and Blues owner Roman Abramovich and the club’s new manager, Guus Hiddink were among the spectators.

But it was CSKA, managed by Brazil’s Zico, who caught the eye with some fine midfield inter-play in the early stages though.

Although this was CSKA’s first competitive match since December 4, there was no sign of any rustiness among the Russians.

They took the lead in the 18th minute as Love notched his 21st goal of the season.

Yury Zhirkov played the ball into space behind Curtis Davies and Zat Knight and into the path of Love, and he coolly slotted past Brad Guzan.

Villa immediately raised the tempo of their play in response and Craig Gardner tested Igor Akinfeev with a low strike.

Gabriel Agbonlahor had a chance to equalise after 29 minutes when Ashley Young’s cross picked out the England striker, but he failed to get a firm contact on his header.

Young supplied another dangerous cross moments later but Carew headed over from close range.

Love was a constant menace and he shook off Knight’s challenge before releasing Zhirkov whose 20 yard drive was only just too high.

But Villa also were posing a threat and Gardner headed over from Young’s cross.

Villa were now enjoying their best spell of the game and Akinfeev had to turn aside a dipping free-kick from Young.

Aleksei Berezutski could have doubled CSKA’s lead after 67 minutes when he found himself with only Guzan to beat after being put through by Alan Dzagoev but he pushed his shot wide.

It proved a costly miss for after 69 minutes Carew put Villa back on level terms.

Gardner chased down a cross from Young which flew across the box, turned it back to Carew and the Norwegian international made no mistake with a first time drive.

Villa pushed forward for a winner and Young went close but it to be a frustrating end as CSKA held on.

Written by: AFP