EUROPEAN WRAP
By Julius Ross
This week’s Euro Wrap sees Goal! Weekly reporter Julius Ross check out the star performers of the weekend’s fixtures and the all the important action at the top of Europe’s finest leagues.
CITY OF RICHES FAILS TO PRODUCE
In the Premier League’s “clash of the cash”, the world’s richest Club – Manchester City – succumbed to the second richest – Chelsea – with City’s new look squad failing to match the challenge offered by a ‘big four’ club.
British record signing Robinho made the perfect start to the Citizen’s new era of optimism by opening the scoring after just 13 minutes with a Brazilian-style free-kick, but three unanswered goals from Chelsea meant that the 200 million pound take-over by the Abu Dhabi United Group has not yet bought ultimate success.
It was Chelsea’s seventh straight win over City and proved that the team with a bottomless pit of money will have to keep spending big if they want to be regarded as a premiership elite.
Talking of Premiership elites, Liverpool’s seven-year wait for a home victory over fierce rivals Manchester United finally came to an end as the Merseysiders recorded a 2-1 win over the Red Devils.
United had won the last five meetings between the two sides, illustrating the power-shift which has taken place over the last twenty years, which has seen a Premiership title elude Liverpool’s grasp in 18 years.
But it was Liverpool’s day on Saturday, as a Wes Brown own-goal and a goal 13 minutes from time from super-sub Ryan Babel cancelled out Carlos Tevez’ early opener.
After starting their season slowly, Arsenal have finally found the right formula to turn dominance, intricate and beautiful football into goals.
The Gunners seem to have shrugged off their early season blues, backing up their 3-0 win against Newcastle with a 4-0 drubbing of Blackburn Rovers.
England’s 19-year-old hero Theo Walcott capped off a perfect week after his hat-trick in European World Cup qualifying against Croatia, by setting up the first goal for Robin van Persie.
Emmanuel Adebayor also signalled the end of his form slump, taking the reigns from Walcott and burying Rovers with a superb hat-trick.
INTER HANDS MOURINHO HOME DEBUT-DAY POINTS
From top four action in England to Serie A Champions Inter Milan in Italy who staged a ten-man come-from-behind 2-1 victory to rescue their early-season campaign against Catania.
After dropping two vital points in their opening match draw against Sampdoria, Inter gave coach Jose Mourinho his first win in charge of the Italian giants in his debut at the San Siro.
AS Roma’s title tilt has gone into disaster mode as the Giallorossi succumbed to Palmero 3-1.
The Romans have picked up just one point from a possible six in their opening two matches, with an injury crisis causing serious issues – the side missed five key regulars, including captain Francesco Totti.
BARCA CONTINUES EARLY SEASON SLUMP
Barcelona is in similar trouble in Spain where their flat display against lowly Racing Santander saw them struggle to a 1-1 draw for their first point of the 2008/09 Primera Liga campaign.
Losing 1-0 to Numancia in their season opener, Barca’s performance was again questionable for the array of talent on display, the side needing Argentine superstar Lionel Messi to salvage a point in dire circumstances.
Elsewhere, Seville overcame Sporting Gijon in a classic seven-goal thriller, with former West Ham man Frederic Kanoute ‘sealing the deal’ with a 60th minute winner for a 4-3 victory.
OLYMPIQUE TAKE LYON’S SHARE
Reigning champions and current Ligue 1 leaders Olympique Lyon made sure there was no change at the top of the league by securing a controversial 3-2 win over Nice on Saturday.
Trailing 2-0 after just 20 minutes, Lyon staged the perfect fight-back, with Brazilian genius Juninho scoring two free-kicks – one from half-way – and Karim Benzema scoring his fifth goal of the campaign in the dying stages.
Lyon now sits in the familiar position on top of the league table, with 13 points from five matches, two more than Marseille who drew 1-1 at Bordeaux.
MUNICH HITS IMPRESSIVE FORM
In Germany, Schalke 04 threw away a three-goal lead and their position atop the Bundesliga table, as Borussia Dortmund launched a frenetic fight-back to draw 3-3.
Schalke had two men sent off during the amazing Dortmund come-back, in a careless display in front of 80,000 excited spectators.
Hamburg took over the leadership with their own come-from-behind victory against Bayer Leverkusen – after trailing 2-0, the new league leaders fought back to win 3-2.
Title holders Bayern Munich seem to have hit form of late, after drawing their opening two matches Jurgen Klinsmann’s side has scored seven goals in their past two games, with Saturday’s 3-0 against Colonge launching them within two points of leaders Hamburg.
EUROPEAN TEAM OF THE WEEK
Although taking the slightly strange formation of 2-4-5, this week’s European Team of the Week illustrates the class of strikers and the level-headedness of a couple of debutants.
Manager: Rafa BENITEZ (Liverpool)
Although Ryan Babel’s super-sub appearance stole much of the limelight at Anfield, Liverpool’s Spanish manager Benitez must be given some credit for finally recording his first win over his club’s fierce arch-rival Manchester United. The Liverpool boss had never beaten Manchester United in eight previous league games during his career on Merseyside.
Goalkeeper: Manuel ALMUNIA (Arsenal)
Despite his team running out 4-0 winners against Blackburn, Almunia showed his class and superb reflexes to tip Rovers’ danger-man Roque Santa Cruz’s effort over the top to keep his side ahead – just after Robin van Persie had taken the lead for the Londoners.
Defenders:
Tranquillo BARNETTA (Bayer Leverkusen)
Barnetta was one of the few defenders to hit the net in Germany this weekend, but his fourth minute effort for Bayer Leverkusen failed to give his side three points over leaders Hamburg.
Ricardo CARVALHO (Chelsea)
Crediting defenders for their attacking prowess this week, Calvarlho makes the cut thanks to his 16th minute equaliser against Manchester City. The Portuguese defender made sure City’s lead lasted a mere three minutes by lashing home a Frank Lampard corner.
Midfielders:
Theo WALCOTT (Arsenal)
A hero mid-week with England, Walcott’s obvious confidence helped him to tear apart the Rovers’ backline, with the teenager setting up van Persie for the opener.
JUNINHO (Lyon)
Lyon’s set-piece maestro finished two superb free-kicks for the reigning French champions – one of which was slotted home from the half-way mark.
Ricardo QUARESMA (Inter Milan)
A long-time target of Jose Mourinho during the off-season, Quaresma paid back his manager’s 18 million euro investment with a debut-day goal.
Forwards:
Fabrizio MICCOLI (Palermo)
Striking twice against an injury-hit AS Roma, Miccoli hit a stunning right-footed shot into the top corner of the Roma net after 12 minutes, and deftly chipped home on 57 minutes for two superb individual goals.
ROBINHO (Manchester City)
After all the criticism the boy has copped during the last two weeks for his multi-million dollar transfer to Manchester City, the Brazillian produced the goods for his new club after just 13 minutes, commencing the ‘revolution’ at the ‘Middle Eastlands’. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for a fairytale beginning as City lost 3-1.
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR (Arsenal)
An impressive Arsenal performance was rounded out by a neat Adebayor hat-trick, his first goals of the 2008/09 campaign.
Luca TONI (Bayern Munich)
The Bundesliga’s top marksman last season, Toni has adapted perfectly to the German game after transferring from Italy’s Fiorentina and he scored a neat double in his side’s 3-0 win against Colonge.
Frederic KANOUTE (Sevilla)
Former Tottenham and West Ham striker Kanoute – another player to scored a double this weekend - continued his reign in Spain as he helped Seville to a thrilling 4-3 win over plucky Gijon
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Goal! Weekly Article 32: European World Cup Qualifiers
EUROPEAN INTERNATIONALS WRAP
By Julius Ross
It is still two whole years until the kick–off of football’s most prestigious tournament, but European qualifying for the 2010 World Cup began this weekend as the lengthy process of determining the world’s finest football teams commenced.
As European domestic leagues across the continent had a rest, players set aside club rivalries in an endeavour to help their nations secure glory.
GROUP ONE
Commencing with the results of Group One of the first qualifying round, and Portugal made amends for a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign by demolishing Malta at the Ta’Qali National Stadium.
After leading the first half 1-0 – courtesy of an own-goal - the Portuguese turned it on in a sensational 17-minute second-half spell.
Werder Bremen’s Hugo Almeida netted the second and Althetico Madrid’s Simao pounced on the rebound to make the score line 3-0.
Chelsea’s new star signing Deco set club rivalries aside as he set up national team-mate and Manchester United winger Nani for the fourth, wrapping up a convincing 4-0 drubbing of the European minnows Malta.
Elsewhere in Group One European qualifying, Sweden could only ground out a 0-0 draw against lowly Albania, whilst Hungary and Denmark shared the spoils with the same score line.
GROUP TWO
Group Two produced a few more goals than its preceding group fixtures with 10 goals coming from three matches.
Greece made a commanding start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, as they thumped Luxembourg 3-0, goals coming from Vassilis Torosidis and Fanis Gekas in the first half, before Greek hero Angelos Charisteas put the result beyond doubt with a 77th-minute penalty.
Greece are looking to qualify for their first World Cup since their only appearance in the United States in 1994.
Latvia secured three vital points in their closely contested tussle with Moldova, surviving late pressure to hold on for an important 2-1 away win.
A stoppage-time equaliser handed Israel a point against Euro 2008 co-host Switzerland, as Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side surrendered a 2-0 lead.
Clinical set-piece goals from Hakin Yakin and Blaise N’Kufo sent the Swiss on their way, but Israeli captain Yossi Benayoun sparked a revival for the home side as he reduced the deficit on 76 minutes.
In the closing stages, Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Awat sent a hopeful ball into the Swiss half, only to see substitute Moshe Ohayon centre for fellow sub Sahar to poke home and grab a point which had previously looked all but lost.
GROUP THREE
Slovakia was the only team from Group Three to take all three points on the opening day of qualifiers as they defeated Northern Ireland 2-1 in Bratislava on Saturday.
Set-pieces provided the lethal blow to Ireland’s hopes, as Liverpool’s defender Martin Skrtel and Napoli’s Marek Hamsik punished Ireland’s slack marking on dead ball situations.
Nigel Worthington’s Ireland applied late pressure on the hosts, forcing a Jan Durica own goal which ensured a nervy ending to the match, but the British side were unable to force their way back into the fixture and steal a point.
Fellow Group Three contestants Poland and Slovenia played out a 1-1 draw with Poland captain Michal Zewlakow slotting home only his third successful penalty in 81 internationals and Zlatko Dedic replying for Slovenia.
GROUP FOUR
Liechtenstein were taught a footballing lesson in Group Four, where Germany smashed six goals past the European cannon fodder.
A brace from Lukas Podolski and goals from Simon Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Heiko Westermann ensured the Mannschaft would start their 2010 qualifying in a confident fashion.
Teenager Sam Vokes was Wales’ hero in the other Group Four match, as his first senior goal for his nation secured a late win in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium against Azerbaijan.
GROUP FIVE
Euro 2008 champions Spain continued their terrific form from Europe’s top tournament as they secured a comfortable 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group five action.
Spanish starlet David Villa missed a penalty for the home side, but made amends as he scored the only goal of the match to seal victory.
Belgium and Estonia played out a five-goal thriller in Liege, with Belgian veteran Wesley Sonck scoring the winner ten minutes from time.
Despite a valiant effort from battling Estonia, Belgium were off to a winning start thanks to Sonck’s decisive late finish which separated the two sides.
Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey saw off Armenia 2-0 away from home, with strikes from Middlesborough’s Tuncay Sanli and and Fenerbahce hero Semih Senturk.
GROUP SIX
After winning their first qualifying match 3-0 against Andorra, Kazakhstan were thumped by the same score line against Croatia in Group Six.
Croatia went top of the group on goal difference, and England moved to second spot, after a Joe Cole double secured victory over Andorra.
After failing to qualify for Euro 2008, England’s current manager Fabio Capello is under intense pressure to produce the goods in the 2010 World Cup stakes.
Ukraine’s golden boy and Chelsea drop-out Andriy Shevchencko came off the bench to rescue Ukraine, converting a penalty deep into stoppage time, handing his country maximum points against their European neighbours Belarus in the other Group Six fixture.
GROUP SEVEN
Injury-hit Romania suffered a shock 3-0 loss to Lithuania, as the home side was completely outclassed, with regulars Adrian Mutu, Christian Chivu, Razvan Rat and Banel Nicolita missing from the starting line-up.
Group Seven produced another shock, as France lost 3-1 to Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria.
Both Austria and France had tournaments to forget earlier this year, but Les Blues misery was further compounded as Karl Bruckner’s side played on the counter-attack with sensational results.
Serbia defeated the Faroe Islands 2-0 in the other Group Seven fixture.
GROUP EIGHT
World Cup holder Italy left it late against lowly Cyprus, as a last-gasp Antonio Di Natale strike broke Cyprus hearts.
The Udinese striker opened the scoring with an early goal, and left it late to score his second to hand Italy all three points.
New Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov failed to help his side Montenegro to victory in their first competitive international since separation from Serbia, as a stoppage-time equaliser from Blagoy Georgiev gave Bulgaria a point in the 2-2 draw.
Former Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni made a winning start in charge of the Republic of Irlenad as Glenn Whelan’s strike gave them a 2-1 away victory over Georgia.
GROUP NINE
Scotland failed to add more British success on the first weekend of World Cup qualifiers as fell to Macedonia 1-0, while Norway and Iceland shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw in Oslo, to round out the qualifiers on the European continent.
By Julius Ross
It is still two whole years until the kick–off of football’s most prestigious tournament, but European qualifying for the 2010 World Cup began this weekend as the lengthy process of determining the world’s finest football teams commenced.
As European domestic leagues across the continent had a rest, players set aside club rivalries in an endeavour to help their nations secure glory.
GROUP ONE
Commencing with the results of Group One of the first qualifying round, and Portugal made amends for a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign by demolishing Malta at the Ta’Qali National Stadium.
After leading the first half 1-0 – courtesy of an own-goal - the Portuguese turned it on in a sensational 17-minute second-half spell.
Werder Bremen’s Hugo Almeida netted the second and Althetico Madrid’s Simao pounced on the rebound to make the score line 3-0.
Chelsea’s new star signing Deco set club rivalries aside as he set up national team-mate and Manchester United winger Nani for the fourth, wrapping up a convincing 4-0 drubbing of the European minnows Malta.
Elsewhere in Group One European qualifying, Sweden could only ground out a 0-0 draw against lowly Albania, whilst Hungary and Denmark shared the spoils with the same score line.
GROUP TWO
Group Two produced a few more goals than its preceding group fixtures with 10 goals coming from three matches.
Greece made a commanding start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, as they thumped Luxembourg 3-0, goals coming from Vassilis Torosidis and Fanis Gekas in the first half, before Greek hero Angelos Charisteas put the result beyond doubt with a 77th-minute penalty.
Greece are looking to qualify for their first World Cup since their only appearance in the United States in 1994.
Latvia secured three vital points in their closely contested tussle with Moldova, surviving late pressure to hold on for an important 2-1 away win.
A stoppage-time equaliser handed Israel a point against Euro 2008 co-host Switzerland, as Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side surrendered a 2-0 lead.
Clinical set-piece goals from Hakin Yakin and Blaise N’Kufo sent the Swiss on their way, but Israeli captain Yossi Benayoun sparked a revival for the home side as he reduced the deficit on 76 minutes.
In the closing stages, Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Awat sent a hopeful ball into the Swiss half, only to see substitute Moshe Ohayon centre for fellow sub Sahar to poke home and grab a point which had previously looked all but lost.
GROUP THREE
Slovakia was the only team from Group Three to take all three points on the opening day of qualifiers as they defeated Northern Ireland 2-1 in Bratislava on Saturday.
Set-pieces provided the lethal blow to Ireland’s hopes, as Liverpool’s defender Martin Skrtel and Napoli’s Marek Hamsik punished Ireland’s slack marking on dead ball situations.
Nigel Worthington’s Ireland applied late pressure on the hosts, forcing a Jan Durica own goal which ensured a nervy ending to the match, but the British side were unable to force their way back into the fixture and steal a point.
Fellow Group Three contestants Poland and Slovenia played out a 1-1 draw with Poland captain Michal Zewlakow slotting home only his third successful penalty in 81 internationals and Zlatko Dedic replying for Slovenia.
GROUP FOUR
Liechtenstein were taught a footballing lesson in Group Four, where Germany smashed six goals past the European cannon fodder.
A brace from Lukas Podolski and goals from Simon Rolfes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Heiko Westermann ensured the Mannschaft would start their 2010 qualifying in a confident fashion.
Teenager Sam Vokes was Wales’ hero in the other Group Four match, as his first senior goal for his nation secured a late win in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium against Azerbaijan.
GROUP FIVE
Euro 2008 champions Spain continued their terrific form from Europe’s top tournament as they secured a comfortable 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group five action.
Spanish starlet David Villa missed a penalty for the home side, but made amends as he scored the only goal of the match to seal victory.
Belgium and Estonia played out a five-goal thriller in Liege, with Belgian veteran Wesley Sonck scoring the winner ten minutes from time.
Despite a valiant effort from battling Estonia, Belgium were off to a winning start thanks to Sonck’s decisive late finish which separated the two sides.
Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey saw off Armenia 2-0 away from home, with strikes from Middlesborough’s Tuncay Sanli and and Fenerbahce hero Semih Senturk.
GROUP SIX
After winning their first qualifying match 3-0 against Andorra, Kazakhstan were thumped by the same score line against Croatia in Group Six.
Croatia went top of the group on goal difference, and England moved to second spot, after a Joe Cole double secured victory over Andorra.
After failing to qualify for Euro 2008, England’s current manager Fabio Capello is under intense pressure to produce the goods in the 2010 World Cup stakes.
Ukraine’s golden boy and Chelsea drop-out Andriy Shevchencko came off the bench to rescue Ukraine, converting a penalty deep into stoppage time, handing his country maximum points against their European neighbours Belarus in the other Group Six fixture.
GROUP SEVEN
Injury-hit Romania suffered a shock 3-0 loss to Lithuania, as the home side was completely outclassed, with regulars Adrian Mutu, Christian Chivu, Razvan Rat and Banel Nicolita missing from the starting line-up.
Group Seven produced another shock, as France lost 3-1 to Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria.
Both Austria and France had tournaments to forget earlier this year, but Les Blues misery was further compounded as Karl Bruckner’s side played on the counter-attack with sensational results.
Serbia defeated the Faroe Islands 2-0 in the other Group Seven fixture.
GROUP EIGHT
World Cup holder Italy left it late against lowly Cyprus, as a last-gasp Antonio Di Natale strike broke Cyprus hearts.
The Udinese striker opened the scoring with an early goal, and left it late to score his second to hand Italy all three points.
New Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov failed to help his side Montenegro to victory in their first competitive international since separation from Serbia, as a stoppage-time equaliser from Blagoy Georgiev gave Bulgaria a point in the 2-2 draw.
Former Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni made a winning start in charge of the Republic of Irlenad as Glenn Whelan’s strike gave them a 2-1 away victory over Georgia.
GROUP NINE
Scotland failed to add more British success on the first weekend of World Cup qualifiers as fell to Macedonia 1-0, while Norway and Iceland shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw in Oslo, to round out the qualifiers on the European continent.
Goal! Weekly Article 31: European League Wrap 4
EUROPEAN WRAP
By Julius Ross
The European football season has been spurred into life this weekend, with the commencement of the Italian Serie A, the Spanish Primera Liga and the Dutch Eredivisie adding to the intriguing action already taking place in the English, French, German and Scottish leagues.
Goal! Weekly’s Julius Ross checks out the pick of the bunch in this weekend’s European fixtures.
MOURIHNO DENIED WINNING START
Flamboyant Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho was denied a winning start with his new club, defending Serie A champions Inter Milan, as they stumbled at Sampdoria in their first match of the 2008/09 season.
The colourful and controversial former Chelsea boss saw his side draw 1-1 after midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first half strike.
After taking over from sacked manager Roberto Mancini, Mourinho was forced to make a unorthodox change to his starting line-up due to an Inter injury crisis - Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso slotting in at the centre of defence.
In the other Serie A match on Saturday, Antonio Di Natale hit a brace to help his side Udinese to a 3-1 victory over Palmero - Australia’s Marco Bresciano scoring the consolation goal for the visiting side, signaling a promising start to the 2008/09 campaign for the Socceroo midfielder.
THE SILVA VILLA SHOW
Valencia kicked off the new season of the Spanish Primera Liga in style on Saturday, with Euro 2008 stars David Villa and David Silva treating the Mestalla to an impressive opening game.
Valencia ran out easy 3-0 winners with Villa, Mata and Vicente wrapping up a convincing win, in which the two Euro hereos, Villa and Silva illustrated their world-class talent.
Luis Garcia’s goal handed Espanyol a 1-0 opening-day victory over visiting Valladolid.
Barcelona were expected to take all three on Sunday when they traveled to second division champions Numancia, whilst defending champions Real Madrid were looking for their fist victory at the Riazor since 1991 when they took on Deportivo la Coruna.
HOFFENHIEM FACES BUNDESLIGA REALITY
It was inevitable. Shock early season Bundesliga leaders – minnows 1899 Hoffenhiem – were eventually brought back down to earth on Saturday when they suffered a 5-2 loss away to Bayer Leverkusen.
Before kick-off, the runners up of the second division in Germany last season, were the only team in the league with a 100 per cent record, but they struggled to impose themselves on the match against Leverkusen, finally succumbing 5-2 despite fighting back to 2-1 and 3-2 after trailing 2-0.
Dropping to fifth place on the table with six points from a possible nine, Hoffenheim’s slip-up vacated top spot on the table.
In stepped title challengers Schalke 04 who took advantage of Hoffenhiem’s loss to take the number one spot on the league table, courtesy of a 1-0 win over local rivals Bochum.
Schalke leads the standings on goal difference - with seven points from three matches – whilst Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund sit equal on points.
Defending champions Bayern Munich are still searching for their first victory of the season, after drawing their first two matches – giving them just two points – and will be looking for their first league win of the season at home to Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
INVINCIBLE KILMARNOCK TOP OF EPL
With all eyes focused on Sunday’s Old Firm derby between Glasgow title rivals Celtic and Rangers, Kilmarnock has surprisingly shot to the top of the Scottish Premier League table.
Gavin Skelton opened the scoring for Kilmarnock, before Australian striker Danny Invincibile secured a 2-0 victory over Dundee United to send his side to the top of the SPL standings with 10 points from four games.
Celtic and Rangers, locked on seven points each, will be hot on the heals of ‘Killie’ when they vie for victory on Sunday – but if in the likely event of a draw between the fierce Glasgow rivals – Kilmarnock will stay top of the league for this weekend at least, thanks to an ‘Invincible’ performance.
PSV’S FIVE-STAR DISPLAY
Reigning Dutch Eredivisie champs PSV Eindhoven started their title-defence with a five-star performance against Utrecht on the opening day of the season in the Netherlands.
Ibrahim Afellay and Danny Koevermans hit a brace each for PSV, as they ran out 5-1 winners against injury-depleted Utrecht.
PSV bossed play and possession, and in a sweet three-minute spell before half-time, the champs were 3-0 up heading into the break.
PSV continued their domination in the second half, adding two more fine goals to their tally, but failed to claim a clean sheet as Rafael Uiterloo poked home in stoppage time to grab a consolation goal.
Last season’s runner-up, Ajax Amsterdam, suffered a shock 2-1 loss against Willem on the opening weekend of fixtures, as they failed to apply early pressure to their fierce league rivals, PSV.
MARSEILLE MAINTAIN UNBEATEN START
Watch out Lyon. You might just have a serious title contender this season. After winning the last seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles from 2002 to 2008, Lyon has had it easy in the French league. But Olympique Marseille’s impressive start to the season has seen them maintain their unbeaten start and they may prove a threat to Lyon’s hopes of eight titles in eight years.
Karim Ziani and Bakary Kone strikes were enough for a home victory over lowly Sochaux on Saturday, as Marseille soared to the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Marseille is searching for their first league triumph since 1992, and both Marseille fans and neutrals will be hoping that this year’s French league will be slightly more competitive.
BLOODY HULL
After grabbing an historic opening day victory in the English Premier League and securing four points from their first two games, Hull City’s fairytale start to the season was smashed by Wigan in a woeful display of defensive football.
Hull’s non-existent defensive line allowed the Lactics to thoroughly tame the Tigers at the Kingston Communications Stadium, with Antonio Valencia, Emile Heskey, Amr Zaki – with a brace - and an own goal rounding out the 5-0 score-line as hapless Hull were taught a Premier League lesson.
West Brom picked up its first points of the new campaign after three matches in a 0-0 draw with Bolton in which goalkeeper’s Jussi Jaaskelainen and Scott Carson pulled off world-class saves at either end to ensure clean-sheets for their respective sides.
Arsenal were back to winning ways after their shock 1-0 loss at the hands of Fulham last weekend, when they thumped Newcastle United 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
A double from Dutchman Robin Van Persie and a third from Brazilian youngster Denilson silenced critics – who have signaled the Gunner’s over-elaborate football which rarely produces an end product as a hindrance to their Premier League title tilt.
Accumulating 20 shots on target last week against Fulham without a score, the rampaging Gunners made sure they hit the target this week, with 12 shots directed on Shay Given’s goal, as Arsene Wenger’s side returned to form.
By Julius Ross
The European football season has been spurred into life this weekend, with the commencement of the Italian Serie A, the Spanish Primera Liga and the Dutch Eredivisie adding to the intriguing action already taking place in the English, French, German and Scottish leagues.
Goal! Weekly’s Julius Ross checks out the pick of the bunch in this weekend’s European fixtures.
MOURIHNO DENIED WINNING START
Flamboyant Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho was denied a winning start with his new club, defending Serie A champions Inter Milan, as they stumbled at Sampdoria in their first match of the 2008/09 season.
The colourful and controversial former Chelsea boss saw his side draw 1-1 after midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first half strike.
After taking over from sacked manager Roberto Mancini, Mourinho was forced to make a unorthodox change to his starting line-up due to an Inter injury crisis - Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso slotting in at the centre of defence.
In the other Serie A match on Saturday, Antonio Di Natale hit a brace to help his side Udinese to a 3-1 victory over Palmero - Australia’s Marco Bresciano scoring the consolation goal for the visiting side, signaling a promising start to the 2008/09 campaign for the Socceroo midfielder.
THE SILVA VILLA SHOW
Valencia kicked off the new season of the Spanish Primera Liga in style on Saturday, with Euro 2008 stars David Villa and David Silva treating the Mestalla to an impressive opening game.
Valencia ran out easy 3-0 winners with Villa, Mata and Vicente wrapping up a convincing win, in which the two Euro hereos, Villa and Silva illustrated their world-class talent.
Luis Garcia’s goal handed Espanyol a 1-0 opening-day victory over visiting Valladolid.
Barcelona were expected to take all three on Sunday when they traveled to second division champions Numancia, whilst defending champions Real Madrid were looking for their fist victory at the Riazor since 1991 when they took on Deportivo la Coruna.
HOFFENHIEM FACES BUNDESLIGA REALITY
It was inevitable. Shock early season Bundesliga leaders – minnows 1899 Hoffenhiem – were eventually brought back down to earth on Saturday when they suffered a 5-2 loss away to Bayer Leverkusen.
Before kick-off, the runners up of the second division in Germany last season, were the only team in the league with a 100 per cent record, but they struggled to impose themselves on the match against Leverkusen, finally succumbing 5-2 despite fighting back to 2-1 and 3-2 after trailing 2-0.
Dropping to fifth place on the table with six points from a possible nine, Hoffenheim’s slip-up vacated top spot on the table.
In stepped title challengers Schalke 04 who took advantage of Hoffenhiem’s loss to take the number one spot on the league table, courtesy of a 1-0 win over local rivals Bochum.
Schalke leads the standings on goal difference - with seven points from three matches – whilst Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund sit equal on points.
Defending champions Bayern Munich are still searching for their first victory of the season, after drawing their first two matches – giving them just two points – and will be looking for their first league win of the season at home to Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
INVINCIBLE KILMARNOCK TOP OF EPL
With all eyes focused on Sunday’s Old Firm derby between Glasgow title rivals Celtic and Rangers, Kilmarnock has surprisingly shot to the top of the Scottish Premier League table.
Gavin Skelton opened the scoring for Kilmarnock, before Australian striker Danny Invincibile secured a 2-0 victory over Dundee United to send his side to the top of the SPL standings with 10 points from four games.
Celtic and Rangers, locked on seven points each, will be hot on the heals of ‘Killie’ when they vie for victory on Sunday – but if in the likely event of a draw between the fierce Glasgow rivals – Kilmarnock will stay top of the league for this weekend at least, thanks to an ‘Invincible’ performance.
PSV’S FIVE-STAR DISPLAY
Reigning Dutch Eredivisie champs PSV Eindhoven started their title-defence with a five-star performance against Utrecht on the opening day of the season in the Netherlands.
Ibrahim Afellay and Danny Koevermans hit a brace each for PSV, as they ran out 5-1 winners against injury-depleted Utrecht.
PSV bossed play and possession, and in a sweet three-minute spell before half-time, the champs were 3-0 up heading into the break.
PSV continued their domination in the second half, adding two more fine goals to their tally, but failed to claim a clean sheet as Rafael Uiterloo poked home in stoppage time to grab a consolation goal.
Last season’s runner-up, Ajax Amsterdam, suffered a shock 2-1 loss against Willem on the opening weekend of fixtures, as they failed to apply early pressure to their fierce league rivals, PSV.
MARSEILLE MAINTAIN UNBEATEN START
Watch out Lyon. You might just have a serious title contender this season. After winning the last seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles from 2002 to 2008, Lyon has had it easy in the French league. But Olympique Marseille’s impressive start to the season has seen them maintain their unbeaten start and they may prove a threat to Lyon’s hopes of eight titles in eight years.
Karim Ziani and Bakary Kone strikes were enough for a home victory over lowly Sochaux on Saturday, as Marseille soared to the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Marseille is searching for their first league triumph since 1992, and both Marseille fans and neutrals will be hoping that this year’s French league will be slightly more competitive.
BLOODY HULL
After grabbing an historic opening day victory in the English Premier League and securing four points from their first two games, Hull City’s fairytale start to the season was smashed by Wigan in a woeful display of defensive football.
Hull’s non-existent defensive line allowed the Lactics to thoroughly tame the Tigers at the Kingston Communications Stadium, with Antonio Valencia, Emile Heskey, Amr Zaki – with a brace - and an own goal rounding out the 5-0 score-line as hapless Hull were taught a Premier League lesson.
West Brom picked up its first points of the new campaign after three matches in a 0-0 draw with Bolton in which goalkeeper’s Jussi Jaaskelainen and Scott Carson pulled off world-class saves at either end to ensure clean-sheets for their respective sides.
Arsenal were back to winning ways after their shock 1-0 loss at the hands of Fulham last weekend, when they thumped Newcastle United 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
A double from Dutchman Robin Van Persie and a third from Brazilian youngster Denilson silenced critics – who have signaled the Gunner’s over-elaborate football which rarely produces an end product as a hindrance to their Premier League title tilt.
Accumulating 20 shots on target last week against Fulham without a score, the rampaging Gunners made sure they hit the target this week, with 12 shots directed on Shay Given’s goal, as Arsene Wenger’s side returned to form.
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