Everton vs Liverpool review: Gerard's last-ever derby doesn't match hype

Everton vs Liverpool review: Gerard's last-ever derby doesn't match hype

Steven Gerard's last-ever Merseyside derby didn't match the pre-match hype that domestic media had forecasted for the Liverpool legend. The game was a grim spectacle compared to last season's derby at Goodison (a fantastic 3-3 draw) and even though Liverpool were the dominate team for the majority of the match, no team really looked like finishing off the other and walking away with three points. Jordan Ibe, who spent last season on loan at Derby, was named in the line-up for only his second league start and blossomed under the intensity of the Merseyside derby (coming the closet to opening the deadlock on 26 minutes with a great effort that smacked off the post). Everton were quite reluctant to go forward in the second-half, even with the much-needed pace of Aaron Lennon introduced in the 60th minute. I was puzzled why Ross Barkley was put on in the 84th minute (especially because he was ready to come on just before half-time). Everton may have stopped the run of poor results but they still haven't addressed the problem of transforming possession into clear-cut chances. The fact that it took till the 87th minute for Seamus Coleman to register Everton's first shot on target proves this.

All in all, Gerard and co will be disappointed not to come away from Goodison with three points after creating more chances and taking the fight to Everton. Martinez's side will look at the positives before they head to Stamford Bridge, hoping to improve dramatically on the 6-3 loss in the reverse fixtures in September. There will be no big sign-off for Gerard from the Merseyside derby but at least both teams walked away with something from a grim game. 

FACT: This was only the second goalless meeting between Everton and Liverpool in their last five matches.

Gerard's last-ever Merseyside derby wasn't what the media expected it to be.

Everton vs Liverpool preview: Gerard's last-ever Merseyside Derby

Everton vs Liverpool preview: Gerard's last-ever Merseyside Derby

As an Everton fan, Steven Gerard has become a figure of frustration over the years as he always seem to pull something out the bag against his fiercest rivals, no matter what form he is in. In 32 games against the Toffees, Gerard has scored ten goals and received two cards. Everton fans will be glad to see the back of one of Liverpool's greatest players (if not the greatest!) and look forward to derbies without the ex-England captain in the Reds line-up. Weather he starts in his last-ever derby would be a no-brainier for most fans,players and managers but Rodgers will decide what is best for the team(like any manager should).

Everton's win against Crystal Palace was long over due but a win or a loss in the derby can either decrease or increase the pressure on a manager. Loanee Aaron Lennon gives Roberto Martinez a new option from the bench in a game which is always high-intensity and can either offer quality football or a scrappy and unpleasant game for spectators and players. Liverpool seem to have a new potential trio in the absence of last season's deadly duo (Suarez and Sturridge) and they are Sterling, Coutinho and Sturridge. Liverpool are more confident going into the derby, having only lost one in their last thirteen games and having summer signings ,such as Lazar Markovic, show their abilities on the pitch. However, on derby day, form and preparation goes out the window.

FACT: The Merseyside Derby has the record for the most red cards in Premier League history (13 for Everton, 7 for Liverpool).

Gerard has proved to be a key player for Liverpool in Merseyside Derbies and this will be his last-ever one in one of England's greatest rivalries. 

          

Will Mayweather vs Pacquiao happen?

Will Mayweather vs Pacquiao happen?

For years, boxing fans have fantasied about the two best fighters of their generation going head-to-head in the greatest blockbuster main-event of all-time. The two fighters are Floyd Mayweather and Filipino Pacquiao, who hold the WBC and WBA welterweight championships (Mayweather) and the WBO welterweight championships (Pacquiao) between them. Mayweather is undefeated as a professional across five weight divisions and Pacquiao is an eight-division world champion. The pair have respect from every boxing fan and boxer at any level. Now, speculation has been spreading across the Internet faster than a six second Vine after the pair were spotted at an NBA game on Tuesday 27th January 2015, between Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat        

Pacquiao's publicist Fred Sternburg said that a bout between the two had 'a way to go but is moving in a positive direction'. A bout between the two has been called for since the pair both rose to stardom around 2008. Pacquiao reportedly agreed to fight Mayweather on 13th March, 2010, which each fighter getting $25 million upfront. The fight preparation was set out like the Holy Grail of Boxing. The eight-page agreement was so detailed that it indicated which of the two fighters would step onto the scale first at the weigh-in (Pacquiao), who would walk to the ring first (Pacquiao), who would be introduced first (Mayweather) and who had first choice of the locker room (Mayweather). The fight was supposed to be held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, a venue which has become Mayweather's home for boxing in recent years. The bout was called off because of the division in the two camps relating to drug testing. Mayweather wanted random blood testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which Pacquiao rejected as he didn't want to have blood removed from his body thirty days before the fight because he thought it would put him at a disadvantage for the fight (which I totally agree with). After a long and frustrating period of debate about the blood testing window, the fight was officially cancelled off on January 7th 2010.

Pacquiao has tweeted in recent months about fighting Mayweather and about 'giving boxing fans what they really want'. Mayweather has set the ball in motion after swapping numbers with Pacquiao in a surprise and unscheduled first meeting between the boxing legends. Call it what you will but it seems that both competitors have reached the point in their careers when they want to give the fans what they want. It sounds cheesy but they could have ignored each other and decided to move on to negotiate other fights. Let's not forget that Mayweather said that he wanted to fight two more times before retiring for the second time in 2015. One of those fights has been and gone, defeating Marcos Maidana on 13th September 2014. So, a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao could be the last fight in Mayweather's undefeated career and that would make the occasion thousand times more significant. 

Every boxing fan will have their own opinion on two vital questions. One, will it happen? Two, if the fight does happen, who will win? For me, I think it will happen as both fighters seem like they want to fight to happen before they bow out of boxing. In terms of a winner, I think Mayweather may just edge it because of his aggression and punching power. However, it will be a highly intense and evenly matched bout between two of boxing's greats. Hopefully, the fight will happen and fans aren't left wondering who would have won the greatest fight of all-time.

Mayweather and Pacquiao exchange numbers at an NBA game, fueling speculation about a potential blockbuster final on 2nd May 2015.

Premier league review 2014/15: Mid November- Mid-January

Premier league review 2014/15: Mid November - Mid-January

The season is now firmly shaping up and for some teams it is almost impossible to see where they'll end up at the end of the 38 games. Only twenty one games, the mid to bottom of the table has become extremely tight and this could be one of the most exciting end to the relegation scrap (not too sound cliche!).

Surprise teams are still flying high but Swansea will be slightly worried after Bony sale

Southampton are still flying high after beating alot of teams comfortably. Their most recent result against Manchester United, a 1-0 win, demonstrates the possibly of them gaining European football for next season. Ronald Koeman is already a contender for Manger of the season as he has transformed a team that had its nucleus (Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Callum Chambers and Rickie Lambert) sold off to a team that is feared among other Premier league clubs. Southampton deserve full credit for buying players that fit their new manager's style of play well (which doesn't always happen when a club has alot of money from recent player sales).

West Ham are another team flying high, although they had a spell recently where they dropped some points. However, they currently sit in seventh and have the chance to jump up to fifth with a win over Hull at Uptown Park. Enner Valencia has been the star man for Big Sam's team, always popping up when they need a vital goal. Andy Carroll has also come into good form, with a fantastic goal in his last game against Swansea.

Swansea have been left with a hole in their team after Wilfred Bony agreed to join Manchester City for £28 million. Bony is currently away on international duty with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations but will be relishing in that his fantastic form has earned him a place in one of England's best teams. Swansea must fill that attacking hole fast if they want to finish among the top eight. It is hard to see who they will get has a good enough replacement but £28 million can persuade the majority of clubs to part with their top striker.

Some teams continue to struggle...
There are some teams that have not started their season at all. One of those teams is Everton. This season has become a total and complete contrast to last season's fifth place as they currently sit in twelfth place and has arguably the worst defence in the league. It seems that Martinez has become a victim of his past success, as defenders are nervous wrecks and teams know that they can beat Everton if they push up the field fast and don't let them settle. Small problems have slowly become season-threatening worries for the Everton faithful.

Arsenal aren't really struggling but they are being carried by Alexis Sanchez and his extremely out-of-place quality compared to the rest of the Arsenal team. Arsenal may not be in danger of having no season at all but they must buy a center-back and a central defensive-midfielder to have a chance of finishing in the top four (as always) and to take the pressure off their Chilean superstar.

Obviously there are teams near the bottom of the table that don't have a consistent enough run to make their fans think they won't be in a relegation battle at the end of the season. These teams are listed below:

• Everton
• Hull City
• Newcastle
• Aston Villa
• West Brom
• Sunderland
•  QPR

Chelsea don't look like they'll lose out to City

Chelsea may have been beaten by Newcastle and Tottenham away but they don't look catchable. True, Manchester City are close to them and have added to their difficult striker fitness regime by buying Bony, but Chelsea's team is fantastic and in my opinion is the third best team in the world (at club level). The list of quality players is endless and are known by every football fan across the world. In some games, they have stages of play which look exceptional and may to a certain extent can be seen as a carbon copy of Pep Guardiola's dominate Bayern Munich team.

Manchester City have bought the Premier league's top goalscorer in 2014 (20 goals) for £28 million (£25 million upfront cash and £3 million in performance related add-ons). Bony becomes the most expensive African player in history, passing Emmanuel Adebayor's £25 million transfer from Arsenal to Manchester City in July 2009.

Champions league 2014/15 last 16 match previews

Champions league 2014/15 last 16 match previews

NOTE: These predictions were made before the January transfer window opened in order to provide an immediate reaction to the draw.

Paris St-Germain vs Chelsea

Jose Mourinho said he would welcome PSG in the last 16 (most likely because of the win over the French champions in March). The Special One's side is arguably the third most organised (and best) team in Europe this season (behind Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively). Chelsea topped Group G with four wins and two draws and only had their 1-1 draw away to Mairbor to look down on. PSG do boast quality personnel, such as Edison Cavani, Thiago Silva and the mighty Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Although PSG didn't top Group F, thanks to a 3-1 loss at the Nou Camp on the final group stage matchday, they still have talent and are stronger than when they lost to Chelsea in last season's quarter-finals. However, I do think that Chelsea have spent the last two years reaching a point in football were they can confidently and successfully challenge any team, when they need to.

Winner: Chelsea. I think that PSG will be good opponents but will fall at the vital moments over the two games.

Manchester City vs Barcelona
For the second year in a row, Manchester City have been dealt the short straw and will face Barcelona for the second consecutive season in the last 16. The English side clinched second place in Group E by beating Bayern Munich 3-2 (thanks to a superb Aguero hat-trick) and winning for the first time on Italian soil on the final group stage matchday, beating Roma 2-0. Barcelona topped Group F with 15 points and have given promise to their supporters in a quest for fourth European trophy. Although City's progress in the Champions league has been limited when matched up against the money spent on the squad, they feel that will feel that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain when facing the three-time European champions.

Winner: Barcelona. Their team looks poised to go far in the tournament and City doesn't have the players to get past the Catalan club over two legs.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen were tipped for topping Group C but finished second behind Monaco, who finished first despite only scoring four goals in the group stage. Bayer's side is full of a few fine attacking players, such as South Korean forward Son, but lack a side of extreme quality and diversity, which is what you need to sustain a successful Champions league run. As for Atleti, Simeone's men played good, solid and counter-attacking football that lead them to last season's Champions league final against their arch-rivals. They won Group A comfortably and I don't see Bayer being a worthy opponent for them.

Winner: Atletico Madrid. Atleti have a strong unit of players (Koke,Godin and Miranda) and will stroll past Bayer, who aren't knock-out stage quality.

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund have so far played a very contrasting season on the European and domestic front. They won Group D (even though it was on goal difference) and have drawn one of the less intimating sides in the last 16 draw. However, in the Bundesliga, they are second from bottom before the start of the winter break and could be forced to break the bank to climb back up the table. Juventus played an okay group stage campaign and do actually have a decent pool of players to call upon for a tough game (Pogba,Tevez,Pirlo and Buffon). I think that this will be one of the more evenly contested ties in the last 16.

Winner: Juventus. The two games will be tough but I think that juventus will just edge past Dortmund because of the widespread talent in their squad, which Dortmund are lacking this season.

Schalke vs Real Madrid
Di Matteo's luck in the Champions league has turned sour after drawing the European champions in the last 16. Schalke only just clinched second place in Group G on the final matchday and don't seem to be in a consistent run. Ronaldo and co shouldn't have too much to worry about over the two games.

Winner: Real Madrid. The two teams are very different in both quality and depth and whoever got Real would have an uphill task before a ball was even kicked.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich
Shakhtar played quite well against the other teams in Group H but didn't finish in top spot because of their slip-up on matchday five away to Atletico Bilbao. However, they have drawn one of the giants of the draw and most use all their abilities to learn from games such as when Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties to win the 2012 final for inspiration and motivation. Bayern look efficient and adaptable to every opponent they play and will look to kill the tie quickly to rotate their team for the Bundesliga.

Winner: Bayern Munich. Shouldn't be a close encounter but Shakhtar have nothing to lose so they might has well give it everything they've got.

Arsenal vs Monaco
Arsenal have finally been handed an even tie in the last 16 after getting Bayern for the past few seasons when they got past the group stages. Arsene Wenger returns to the club that he managed between 1987 and 1994. Arsenal have improved in key areas such as defending from last season (and they have finally bought a striker!) and I think that they can go on a decent run if they play smart and don't get carried away in any game, at anytime. Monaco surprised me greatly as they won Group C, which was down to the defensive set-up of the French outfit. They will fancy their chances against Arsenal but will have to find a goal scoring rhythm to advance past the last 16.

Winner: Arsenal. This tie will be quite even but I think Arsenal will go through because of their attacking options, especially in Alexis Sanchez.

Basel vs FC Porto
Basel edged through to the last 16 by the skin of their teeth and at the expense of Liverpool. Usually when that happens, you get a giant in the next round but Basel were matched up against one of the less intimidating group winners. Porto have had a strong campaign so far and will give Basel a good contest.

Winner: Porto. Basel aren't consistent enough and Porto seem to be having a whirl in this season's Champions league.

Champions league trophy.

Who will win the 2014 Ballon D'or?

Who will win the 2014 Ballon D'or?

On the 12th January 2015, in Zurich, one FIFA nominee will receive the ultimate individual price that football has to offer, the FIFA Ballon D'or. The three contenders are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer, some of the greatest players of my generation. In this post, I weight up their achievements and see who I think deserves the 2014 FIFA Ballon D'or.

Lionel Messi

Key achievements of 2014:

• Becoming the first player to pass Raul 71 Champions league goals
• Finishing runners-up in the 2014 World Cup with Argentina
• Becoming the highest goalscorer in Barcelona's history
• Became the highest goalscorer in La Liga history
• Won the 2014 Adidas Golden Ball (at the World Cup)

Messi is up there with the best of all-time. No one can argue against that point. However, football fans have realised that among Messi's spectacular stats and playing style, his stardom hasn't been as big as when he first stormed onto the European stage with Barcelona (winning the 2009 Champions league final against Manchester United in Rome). Messi has won the Ballon D'or four times before but I think that he hasn't reached his height of performance, as his attacking ideas seem to be the same game in game out. 

Cristiano Ronaldo

Key achievements of 2014:

• Won the 2014 Champions league with Real Madrid
• Won the 2013 Ballon D'or in January
• Won the 2013-14 UEFA Best Player in Europe award
• Won the 2014 Club World Cup with Real Madrid
• Scored the most hat-tricks in La Liga history (23)
• Won the 2014 UEFA Super Cup with Real Madrid
• Won the 2014 Copa Del Rey with Real Madrid
• Joint-winner of the European Golden Shoe (alongside Luis Suarez, both tied on 31 goals)

Ronaldo has really come into his own in the past two seasons and this can be proved by the number of individual awards he has gained over the past year. Although some would say that Messi has more goals than Ronaldo in some competitions (e.g. UEFA Champions league), Ronaldo has a much better overall attacking game (e.g. strength, stamina, aggression, and heading). Madrid don't depend on Ronaldo as much Barcelona do on Messi (aside the Spanish capital's transfer policy) and therefore displays that Ronaldo is, at the moment, just edging in the Messi vs Ronaldo saga.

Manuel Neuer

Key achievements of 2014:

• Won the 2014 World Cup with Germany
• Won the 2013/14 Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich
• Only conceding 4 goals before the winter break of the 2014/15 Bundesliga season
• Won the 2014 Golden Glove at the World Cup
• Won the 2014 DFB-Pokal Final with Bayern Munich

It was going to be an event of huge debate among football fans, who would be third on the nominee list behind Messi and Ronaldo. Aguero, Robben and Gareth Bale were among those for the third place on the finalists list but ultimately, FIFA chose Manuel Neuer. The World-cup winner has been in fine form all season for both Germany and Bayern Munich, with a brick-wall like status when playing opponents. Neuer has also become an icon for his midfield-like techniques when his defence play a high-line of attacking football. Although he has achieved alot for a goalkeeper in the modern game, Neuer is not comparable, in my opinion, to Messi and Ronaldo. However, he is definitely one of the best goalkeepers of all-time.

My prediction:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Lionel Messi
3. Manuel Neuer

The 2014 FIFA Ballon D'or finalists

























Champions league groups review: 9-10 December 2014

Champions league groups review: 9-10 December 2014

 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the final group stages matches took place in this season's Champions league and for quite a few teams, like Liverpool, it was the last attempt to continue their Champions league campaign. Let's see how the groups finished for this season.

 

Group A

Atletico Madrid and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in Italy. In the other game of Group A, Olympiakos beat Malmo 4-2 to qualify for the Europa league.

 

Group B

Real Madrid beat Ludogorets 4-0 in a pointless game (as Madrid had already qualified and Ludogorets couldn't qualify for the knockout stages). The holders have won all of their Champions league games, so far. At Anflied, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Basel, meaning that the English side dropped into the Europa league knockout stages. Basel scraped through into the last 16 of the Champions league.

 

Group C

Monaco topped Group C by beating Zenit St Petersburg 2-0. Bayer Leverkusen, who I tipped for topping the group come the end, finished second after a goalless draw with Benfica.

 

Group D

Despite Arsenal's 4-1 in Turkey (which included a sensational strike from Aaron Ramsey), they didn't win the group as Dortmund drew 1-1 with Anderlecht and therefore topped the group on goal difference.

 

Group E

Manchester City qualified for the knockout stage as runners-up of Group E after winning for the first time in Italy, defeating Roma 2-0. Group winners Bayern beat CSKA Moscow 3-0.

 

Group F

Barcelona won Group h after beating PSG at the Nou Camp 3-1. Ibrahimovic scored after 15th minutes but Barcelona's superb South American trio (Messi, Neymar and Suarez) grabbed a goal each. In the other game, Ajax beat APOEL 4-0.

 

Group G

Chelsea beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, meaning that Schalke qualified for the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Maribor. Sporting Lisbon qualified for the last 32 of the Europa league.

 

Group H

Group winners Porto drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk. BATE Borisov lost 2-0 to Alethic Bilbao in Spain.

 

Teams that qualify for the last 16 of the Champions league:

• Arsenal
• Chelsea
• Manchester City
• Atletico Madrid
• Juventus
• Real Madrid
• Basel
• Monaco
• Bayer Leverkusen
• Borussia Dortmund
• Bayern Munich
• Barcelona
• Paris St-Germain
• Schalke
• Porto
• Shakhtar Donetsk

Teams that drop into the Europa league Round of 32:

• Liverpool
• Olympiakos
• Zenit St Petersburg
• Anderlecht
• Roma
• Ajax
• Sporting Lisbon
• Athletic Bilbao

Teams that are out of European competition:

• Malmo
• Ludogorets Razgrad
• Benfica
• Galatasaray
• CSKA Moscow
• Apoel Nicosia
• Maribor
• BATE Borisov

Current Champions league top goalscorers:

• Luiz Adriano (Shakhtar Donetsk)- 9 goals
• Lionel Messi (Barcelona)- 8 goals
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and others- 5 goals

 



 





 







Lionel Messi is currently the highest goalscorer in the history of the Champions league, currently on 75 goals.