Tottenham came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 against Brighton in the opening Boxing Day game of the day. Goals coming from Harry Kane and Dele Alli to help them get all three points at home.
It was Brighton who came out the faster and more energetic of the two teams showing some great passing displays. Their first chance coming through Aaron Connolly, after a cross from the left forces Jan Vertonhen to head it out but only to the edge of the box to the feet of Connolly who’s shot goes wide.
More chances for Brighton coming later on with some simple passing in Tottenham’s half gives Steven Alzate the chance to fire his shot at goal but fortunately for Spurs, Paulo Gazzaniga parried it out.
Their next opportunity to take the lead came a little later with Aaron Mooy involved. Mooy received the ball on the edge of the box and seeing the space, he took the shot on but Davinson Sanchez was able to get a slight touch on it to ensure it went out for a corner.
A minute later Kane had the ball in the back of the net. A ball over the top of the defence by Harry Winks finds the feet of Kane who running towards goal taps it past the rushing out, Matt Ryan. However, after a VAR check, the goal was disallowed due to a very narrow offside, the game went on.
Spurs had a couple decent freekick opportunities but it was Brighton who were able to take the lead thanks to a freekick from out wide. In a counter attack from Brighton, Ezerquiel Schelotto ran up the pitch and won the foul off Winks, despite replays showing it to be a dive. The freekick was whipped in by Pascal Groß and headed into the back of the net by Adam Webster.
The half time break gave manager Jose Mourinho the chance to regroup with his players and in the second half, Spurs began to show a bit more confidence.
Brighton had the first chance of the half with Connolly just heading over but in a good bit of play from the home side they found their way back into the game. A terrific weaving run from Lucas Moura allowed him to play in Kane who’s first shot was well saved by Ryan but he made no mistake with the second, firing into the net, despite being off balanced.
Tottenham’s equaliser had clearly encouraged the players and with more chances coming from both sides, it was Spurs who got the next goal.
A terrific bit of play, seeming as if all the Spurs players were involved in some way. Quick passing eventually falling to substitute Christian Eriksen, who plays a smart ball out wide to the sprinting Serge Aurier who plays a simple pass to Alli who finishes it over the head of Ryan into the corner of the net. A great passing display which was finished off with a deserved goal.
Brighton had a couple more opportunities to equalise but Gazzaniga did enough to keep out their efforts. A small altercation between Dan Burn and Moussa Sissoko meant Sissoko would be booked.
In the dying minutes of the game Spurs had chances to wrap it up, the best of which coming through Alli. Kane played him through and after a superb first touch Alli’s shot was saved over the bar by the finger tips of Matt Ryan, the game then finished 2-1 to Spurs.
Tottenham travel to Norwich in the next game and Brighton will host Bournemouth, both games taking place in just two days time.
BRE SPORT NEWS MOTM: Harry Kane, a difficult one but it’s the Spurs captain who gets it. A true leader today, great hold up play and got the goal to get them back into it.
A huge 24 hours for the Premier League. It was officially announced yesterday that Mikel Arteta would become the new Arsenal Manager and it has also just been announced that, three time Champions League winner, Carlo Ancelotti has become the new Everton manager. Where to start?
When Unai Emery got the sack, a big list of candidates to replace him began to surface, with former player, Freddie Ljungberg taking over as interim manager during the hunt for a new long term appointment was made. In this time, Ljungberg, lost two, drew two and won just one of his games in charge. He was previously a candidate to become manager on a permanent basis but his results whilst in charge kind of put him to one side.
Other options for manager were, Patrick Viera, former Arsenal player with some managerial experience in the MLS and Ligue 1, Carlo Ancelotti, now Everton manager was also linked, Massimiliano Allegri, former Juventus manager who is currently a free agent, Mauricio Pochetino, former Spurs manager and Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, Mikel Arteta.
The club made it fairly clear from the start that Arteta was to be their main target. He knows the club well having been at the club in his playing career, he’s been working with arguably the best manager in the world for three years and he has been praised by former manager Arsene Wenger as always had the ability to be a top manager and has shown that over the years he worked with him.
Despite this being Arteta’s first permanent managers role, it is being seen as a strong appointment by Arsenal, he has been watching and working with Guardiola for three years now, winning two Premier Leagues with City and therefore has the potential to be something special.
He has a big task ahead of him however, with Arsenal sitting tenth in the table just before Christmas, the players have been slacking in recent games but we’d like to think that they will want to impress their new manager. One thing I would say is, Arsenal need to give Arteta time, I believe they need to give him at least two years to get used to managing Arsenal, it’s a big job and it is ultimately his first job.
This could also be a turning point for out-of-favour midfielder Mesut Ozil. Ozil has been used as a scapegoat at Arsenal for the last couple seasons given the price the club signed him for and his poor form, we know he is a world class player but only when he wants to be and it’s clear that over the last couple years he hasn’t been truly committed to Arsenal Football Club. Having played with Arteta as a player, perhaps this will allow the new manager to get the best out of his former teammate and show him how good he can be with a bit of confidence and backing from the manger.
The January transfer window is approaching an I’m sure Arteta will make a few changes, the first we think of is most likely, getting rid of Granit Xhaka who has fallen out with the Arsenal fans. Arsenal do still need a new defender or two to try and strengthen their back line as well as perhaps another midfielder, but I’m sure these are things Arteta is already thinking about. Guardiola has also come out and said that he is very disappointed that Arteta is leaving him but backs him to do well and become a great manager.
In his first press conference, yesterday afternoon, Arteta vowed to change the energy at the club and says his new club need to make an immediate impact if they want to finish this season strong. Arteta also said that he would bring a new style to the club, this is something that should excite Arsenal fans. He takes over as manager on Sunday after Saturday’s game against Everton, which Ljungberg will manage.
Other breaking news has just come out today that three-time Champions League winner, Carlo Ancelotti has just become the new Everton manager. This is a huge appointment for the Toffees who are struggling in the league this year, sitting sixteenth in the table.
Everton decided to sack manager Marco Silva at the start of the month and from the get go, made it clear they would target a big name to replace him. During their time searching for a new manager, former player, Duncan Ferguson took charge as interim manager. In that time he has beaten Chelsea, got a draw against Manchester United and got knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Leicester on penalties, which isn’t too bad but Everton we’re searching for a manger with a reputation, someone like, Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has been out of work for just over a week, after he was sacked by Napoli after their poor start to the Serie A season. Ancelotti has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, including, AC Milan, PSG, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He’s a manager with a terrific CV. He has experience in the Premier League after his two year run as Chelsea manager, in which he won the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Everton fans will be licking their lips at tho appointment as he has the potential to really turn the team around and get them out of the slump they are currently experiencing. It’s difficult to say what Ancelotti’s aims will be for this season given where they currently sit in the table but I’m sure a top ten finish would suffice the owners of the club but given that he is given time and money to really work with the club then perhaps the club could be pushing for at least a top six finish in the near future.
These two appointments are huge for both clubs concerned and I know I speak for fans of Arsenal, Everton and generally football when I say, I’m excited to see what they do at their new clubs. I’d like to Arteta completely change Arsenal’s vision and be the next Pep Guardiola in his first managerial position and I’d also like to see Ancelotti get the best out of his players and get Everton back to a position which shows their worth.
Norwich City managed to hold on to get a point in their 1-1 draw against Leicester City in a feisty fixture at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester came in to the game having won their previous eight league games and will feel hard done by having not kept that run going today. The game started quickly with chances falling to both sides early on.
It was Leicester who seemed to be getting the better chances in the first few minutes with a couple chances falling for Kelchi Iheanacho but neither would trouble, Norwich keeper, Tim Krul.
15 minutes in, a good piece of passing from Leicester in the middle of the pitch allowed Youri Tielemens to cut inside and fire towards the near post and despite initially spilling the shot, Krul did manage to grab a hold before Jamie Vardy could follow in.
Just a minute later, Norwich working it down the right-hand side, an overlapping run from fullback Max Aarons gave him the space to cross low towards the far post with Teemu Pukki narrowly putting it wide. Pukki would’ve felt he could’ve done better.
Moving on in to the 26th minute of the game Norwich found themselves ahead. Space for Emi Buendia allowed him to expertly place a through ball to the feet of Pukki who had time to pick his spot, in to the bottom corner, leaving keeper Kasper Schmeichel stranded.
Controversy a few minutes later when Leicester City refused to put the ball out of play despite Norwich insistently reminding them they had a player down. When the ball did eventually go out, the drop ball was given to Leicester and instead of passing the ball back to Norwich, Iheanacho ran at the defence and won a freekick on the edge of the box. Norwich players surrounded both him and the referee and all the resulted was a yellow card for Todd Cantwell.
Five minutes on and Leicester found themselves on level terms. The corner came in from James Maddison and its flicked towards goal by Jamie Vardy who thought he’d scored in his ninth consecutive game but the header was palmed into the net by Krul who was off his line.
Just before the break, manager Brendan Rodgers decided to take off Iheanacho, after his decision to not pass the ball back to Norwich earlier. Despite emotions beginning to rise, both sides went into half time at one goal apiece.
More chances in the second half from both sides, with both keepers having to make saves. Vardy continued to push for a goal after his effort in the first half was given as an own goal.
Norwich defended well for the whole of the second half, preventing both Wilfred Ndidi and Maddison from getting their shots in.
Another chance for Pukki with a terrific ball over the top of the defence for him to run on too and just before he could pull the trigger Caglar Soyuncu got an excellent block in to deny Pukki getting his second of the game.
The game finished 1-1, with Leicester feeling hard done by, not being able to get all three points but take nothing away from Norwich’s defensive display. It was a hard fought point for the Canaries who remain second from bottom in the table. Leicester remain second but now 10 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Leicester would’ve liked all three points going in to their next two Premier League games against Manchester City and Liverpool. A difficult end to 2019 for the Foxes. Norwich host Wolves in their next fixture.
BRE SPORT NEWS MAN OF THE MATCH: Sam Byram. An excellent defensive display by the Norwich left-back. Helped his side hold on to their well earned point despite numerous opportunities for Leicester to win it.
Neil Etheridge: YES, injuries at the start of the season didn’t help but despite the fact his distribution isn’t great, his reflexes and diving are what make him a good championship-style keeper.
Sean Morrison: YES, however, he has not had a great start to the season, he’s been shaky and should be doing better. He’s our captain so the fans back him but his form needs to improve, especially considering he isn’t even starting at the moment.
Sol Bamba: YES, definitely, he’s been injured for the whole season and has only just started getting his fitness back. Arguably one of our best players, he just needs to get more game time. Future manager of the club also?
Lee Peltier: YES, I probably wouldn’t have said that at the start of the season but he has been decent this season, one of our better defenders. Still a little shaky and I do think bringing in another right back is important, I would still keep Peltier in the squad.
Aden Flint: NO, it’s disappointing that I don’t believe he should be in our squad considering he has scored a few goals for us this season, as a centre back, and has had the odd decent game but he just doesn’t seem to be fitting in to the team as well as he should be. Cardiff fans hold their breathes when he picks the ball up at the back and I don’t see his form improving. I hope I’m wrong.
Curtis Nelson: YES, a new player who didn’t start getting first team action till November time but since then has proved to be a decent little replacement for Morrison, who’s currently struggling with form. I’d keep him in.
Joe Bennett: MEH, very difficult decision. I like Bennett and have for a while but there’s no denying that he seems to struggle almost every game at the moment, he’s been at the club for some time now but just seems to be a bit of a liability. I’d perhaps keep him in till the end of the season to assess whether he too, just needs time to improve his form. Should City have held on to Greg Cunningham?
Leandra Bacuna: YES, he’s had some very good games this, he’s had his bad games too but no Cardiff player seems to play well every game but he does seem like a good squad player, he’s rotational which is helpful for new manager Neil Harris and therefore, should continue making his way into the squad.
Joe Ralls: YES, been with the squad the longest and is generally reliable. Our penalty taker. He does his job, no huge complaints. He stays.
Marlon Pack: YES, he’s seeming like a good signing, he’s proved to be a fair replacement for Gunnarsson and after his thunderbolt against Brentford in our recent defeat, I think he has potential.
Will Vaulks: YES, Welsh international, at the moment, nothing more than a sub player but can still do a job when he comes on, passing has seemed good when he does play and he may be off to the Euros with Wales next summer.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: YES, but maybe only just, he has some games where he seems like he could be one of the best players in the league but he’s far too inconsistent, City don’t play the wings enough and maybe that’s one of the reasons that he struggles but when he plays well, he really plays well so, same situation as Bennett, keep him until the end of the season and see how he does for the remainder.
Junior Hoilett: YES, one of the few I would definitely say must stay in the team. He is one of our better players, he makes mistakes but does still have a high level of ability and is a good level for the Championship.
Gavin Whyte: YES, young, has time to get better and is fast. He can be a super-sub for now and hopefully in the coming seasons will stay and get better. More game time and needs to be given the ball more. Potential.
Josh Murphy: NO, sadly his time may be up. He was one of our better players in the Premier League last season but just doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself back in the Championship and I have a feeling he could be a player we offload in January in the hope a better replacement becomes available. I do generally like the player but it’s a no.
Lee Tomlin: YES, Cardiff’s own Messi. Only seems to be picking up form under new manager Harris, but his quick feet and decent passing are making him stand out at the moment. Hopefully he can keep this form up so for me, he stays.
Callum Patterson: YES, he too has struggled with injuries and doesn’t seem to be playing enough, again, one of our better players in the previous campaign and that’s why I’d keep him but he definitely needs to start getting noticed again if he does want to stay with the club. One of my favourite players personally.
Robert Glatzel: NO, bye. Just doesn’t seem to be adjusting to life in the English leagues, does still have time to change my mind but he just isn’t proving why he should be in our squad. Time will tell.
Danny Ward: YES, decent championship players, should score plenty more than he currently does but can still get goals. I’m hoping with the new manager in he’ll be trying to impress and hopefully with that, more goals will come.
Omar Bogle: NO, controversial but I just don’t think he makes the first team enough and therefore can’t show off what he can do, perhaps a starting place for him may change my mind but I just don’t think he’s making a difference. Good heading ability and very powerful, I’d keep him until at least the end of the campaign.
Gary Madine: MEH, a difficult one. Before Warnock left I would have certainly said no but it appears Neil Harris has seen something in him that the rest of us have not. He’s starting games at the moment, still hasn’t got a goal but has seemed to get better in the games he has played. Interested to see how his form improves, or does not.
Isaac Vassell: NO, who? Scored the winner against Luton towards the start of the season and since then had an injury problem and gone missing. Don’t honestly see him getting back in to the team.
Cardiff currently sit 9th in the table, almost at the mid point of the season. New manager Neil Harris has only lost once since his appointment and so I feel confident that a play-off place is still possible but it is going to take a lot. The players are really going to have to show they want it because at the moment, I’m not so sure.
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