Category Archives: POMSPORT

Highlights from last week and a look ahead to sport on Aus TV nextweek.

First allegations that his Mom was shoplifting, then his Dad dealing Coke, now an affair with Wayne Bridge’s x-girlfriend – story broken by the NOTW (who else).

My favorite thing to come out of the the saga, is to discover that big J.T.’s wife is called…. Toni Terry (pic left). Love it!!

Capello should take note before doing anything rash with Terry’s England armband though, as the controversy doesn’t appear to have affected his performance on the pitch. He played well and scored last weekend. But the real star of last weekends EPL matches was Wayne Rooney. Watch SBS highlights of all the weekend matches here.

POMSPORT Classic Goal

Wayne Rooney has been scoring good goals against Arsenal for a while now. This was his first, and his first in the EPL, playing for Everton. A real cracker!

POMSPORT on TV

Loads of great football on TV in Australia in the next week… with six games on Foxtel over the weekend and then a full round of EPL on Wednesday and Thursday Morning (Aus time).

Saturday 6th January

Liverpool v Everton 11.45pm Fox Sports 1

Sunday 7th January

Hull v Man City 2am Fox Sports 1

Bolton V Fulham 2am Fox Sports 2

Burnley v West Ham 2am Fox Sports 3

Tottenham v Aston Villa 425am Fox Sports 1

Monday 8th January

Birmingham v Wolves 12.20am Fox Sports 1

Chelsea v Arsenal 3am Fox Sports 1

Wednesday 10th January

Man City v Bolton 6.45am Fox Sports 3

Thursday 11th January

Villa v Man United 6.45am Fox Sports 3

Highlights from last week and a look ahead to sport on Aus TV nextweek.

 When little Carlito Tevez Mighty Moused the penalty Manchester City shouldn’t have got into the roof of the net in Manchester City’s Secondary Cup semi-final first-leg win over their noisy neighbours last night, he was understandably delighted. So delighted, in fact, that he sprinted to the sideline, angrily cupped his hands behind his ears and then made a yapping gesture at Gary Neville, who had left his basket at Sir Alex Ferguson’s feet and was stretching on the sideline. Tevez was responding to Neville’s recently-aired view that His Master was right to let the Argentinian peasant woman leave Old Trafford last summer. Neville responded to Tevez’s response by giving him the finger.

Gary Neville is 34.

Today the FA confirmed it is “looking into” the one-fingered salute given by His Master’s Voice, a player who is now so over-the-hill that he has to limber up for several minutes just to be able to hoist a digit at a former team-mate. Presumably the implausibly hot, wise-cracking scientists in the open lab coats and tight T-shirts at CSI: Wembley will use their fancy equipment to zoom in on the photograph of the erect finger, crop a picture of its tip, zoom in on that and run it through their computer to see if it’s a match with that of the Manchester United full-back.

If it is, Neville can expect to feel the full force of the FA’s disciplinary committee, a merciless body of men who are unlikely to think twice about handing out a very sternly-worded warning or, if they’re feeling particularly vindictive, possibly even a small fine.

Coincidentally, Neville’s last sternly-worded warning from the FA came on the back of United’s 4-3 win over City in September, when he charged down the touchline to taunt City fans in the wake of Michael Owen’s injury-time winner, before realising the error of his ways mid-gallop and pretending he was only on a warm-up jog instead. As ruses go it was comically transparent, like somebody running for a bus, failing to catch the bus, slowing to a jog in order to save face by pretending they never actually wanted to catch the bus, then realising they’re unwittingly re-enacting one of Michael McIntyre terrible comedy routines.

Like we said, Gary Neville is 34, which is bad news for City fans, because it means he doesn’t get a game very often these days. If he can embarrass himself that badly on the sideline when City are the opposition, think of what he could achieve if only he was let on to the pitch.

Is Torres a bit of a Twitter?

I have written about footballers Tweets before but never came across this one from Torres http://twitter.com/it9. It’s a cracker. He has over 10,000 followers, no idea if its really him (its not a ’verified’ account) but it’s pretty crazy stuff…

My favourite of his recent Tweets is this:

 8:44 PM Jan 12th from web – We’re virtually the same team that finished second in the EPL last season and we’re going to do everything we can to improve our situation.

Then after loosing at home 2-1 to Reading in the FA Cup…

8:07 PM Jan 15th from web – If we want to compete with United and Chelsea we need a much, much more complete squad.

Classic!

POMSPORT ON AUS TV

All FA Cup this weekend (plus a Manchester United are playing Hull on Sat).

All times below are for Setanta Sports.

Saturday 23rd January

Preston vs Chelsea 11:45pm (LIVE)

 Sunday 24th January

Everton vs Birmingham 2am (LIVE)

Tottenham vs Leeds 4:15am (LIVE)

Reading vs Burnley 6:30am

Accrington Stanley vs Fulham 8:15am

Notts County vs Wigan 10:45pm

Monday 25th January

Stoke vs Arsenal 0:30am (LIVE)

Highlights from last week and a look ahead to sport on Aus TV nextweek.

By William Thompson

The biggest fixture of the weekend was the weather, with the country crippled by sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow falls. Sporting fixtures the length and breadth of the country were postponed with only nine games, including three Premier League matches, taking place over the weekend and Monday night.

England frustrated South Africa in the cricket, hanging on to draw the 3rd test in Cape Town and maintaining their 1-0 lead in the series going into the 4th and final test next week. And finally, Angola’s current tourism campaign took a nose dive last week when the Togo team bus was attacked by rebels with machine guns, killing the bus driver, a member of the coaching staff and a press officer, as they travelled to play their first game in The Africa Cup of Nations.

Premier League Highlights Arsenal and Manchester United missed the opportunity to close the gap on Chelsea, both settling for a point in their respective games. However, Manchester City did take advantage, beating Blackburn 4-1 at home, moving them up into 4th spot. Everton travelled to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to face Arsenal and were very unlucky not leave with all 3 points. Arsenal never really got going and Everton looked the hungrier of the two teams, closing Arsenal down at every opportunity and stopping them from playing their usual, patient, passing game. Played out in what can only be described as a blizzard Everton twice took the lead, through Osman and Pienaar, only for Arsenal to strike back with two deflected goals, with Rosicky’s second half equaliser coming deep into stoppage time and denying David Moyes’ side a well-earned victory. Birmingham City continued their impressive run, holding current champions Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at St Andrews. Birmingham took the lead just before half time, albeit against the run of play, with Jerome striking home from close range. Manchester United equalised through Birmingham’s Scott Dann, who put the ball into his own net after Evra smashed the ball back across the goal. Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher was sent off late in the second half for a second yellow card and, despite 6 minutes of injury time, Birmingham held on comfortably for a thoroughly deserved point.

A Carlos Tevez hat trick propelled Manchester City into 4th spot after they defeated Blackburn 4-1 at Eastland’s and kept Mancini’s 100% record in tact, although the Italian was frustrated that his side conceded a goal. This result puts Manchester City right back in the title race, 7 points behind league leaders Chelsea and 6 points off 2nd place neighbours Manchester United, who have also played a game more game than City.

Click here for video highlights from SBS World Game 

 Other sporting news over the past seven days England, for the second time in their 4 test series against South Africa, clung on for a draw, going down to their final two wickets and frustrating the hosts, who were in a great position going into the final day, to level the series. Graham Onions and Graham Swann fended off the final 17 balls to maintain England’s 1-0 lead going into the 4th and final test in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Togo have been officially disqualified and will not compete and the African Cup of Nations after their team bus was attacked en route to their first game in Cabinda. The players initially didn’t want to compete after the attack, which claimed three lives and left two of their players injured, but later changed their mind. Togo’s Government ordered the players home and, despite reports of the players wanting to return to honour those killed and injured, the Togolese Government insisted their country wouldn’t be taking part. Togo failed to show for their first game against Ghana on Monday evening, resulting in official disqualification.

Both first legs of the Carling Cup semi-finals fell foul of the weather and were postponed last week, with Blackburn due to face Villa at Ewood Park and Manchester City due to host Manchester United at Eastlands. Hosts Angola squandered a four goal lead against Mali in the opening game of the African Cup of Nations, with Mali coming from 4 goals down, with eleven minutes left on the clock, to tie the game 4-4.

Phil the power house Taylor picked up his 15th world darts title, beating Australian Simon Whitlock 7-3 in the final.

Davydenko has been upsetting the tennis hierarchy again, defeating Nadal in the Qatar Open Final in Doha, saving two match points on the way to victory.

Coming Up England commence their fourth and final test against South Africa in Johannesburg on Thursday with the worst possible outcome now being a draw for the tourists, given they lead the series 1-0. South Africa will throw everything they have at England to salvage the series, however England will be looking to seal a famous test series victory against the team ranked currently number three in the world.

In the FA Cup Liverpool take on Reading in their 3rd round replay up at Anfield. Birmingham, Portsmouth and Newcastle are also in action, vying for a place in the 4th round. In the Carling Cup Blackburn will attempt to play Aston Villa again at Ewood Park in the semi-final first leg after last week’s game was postponed. The pick of the weekend’s Premier League action (weather permitting) sees Chelsea host Sunderland at the Bridge, Everton face Manchester City at Goodison, Arsenal travel up to the Reebok to take on Bolton and Manchester United host Burnley at Old Trafford.

PomSport on Australian TV this week

4th Test – South Africa v England TV Schedule

Thursday January 14 International Test Cricket, Day 1 – South Africa v England (7.30pm – 3.30am) Fox Sports 3 Friday January 15 International Test Cricket, Day 2 – South Africa v England (7.30pm – 3.30am) Fox Sports 3 Saturday January 16 International Test Cricket, Day 3 – South Africa v England (7.30pm – 3.30am) Fox Sports 3 Sunday January 17 International Test Cricket, Day 4 – South Africa v England (7.30pm – 3.30am) Fox Sports 3 Monday January 18 International Test Cricket, Day 5 – South Africa v England (7.30pm – 3.30am) Fox Sports 3

Thursday January 14

Liverpool v Reading – FA Cup 3rd Round Replay (6.30am – 9am) Setanta

Friday January 15

Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa – Carling Cup Semi Final 1st Leg (6.30am – 9.15am) Fox Sports 2

Saturday January 16

Stoke v Liverpool (11pm – 1.55am) Fox Sports 1

Sunday January 17

Chelsea v Sunderland (1.55am – 4.25am) Fox Sports 1 Everton v Manchester City (4.25am – 6.30am) Fox Sports 1

Monday January 18

Aston Villa v West Ham (12.25am – 2.30am) Fox Sports 2 Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal (2.55am – 5am) Fox Sports 2 Football EPL Highlights (6pm – 7pm) Fox Sports 1

POMSPORT Classic Goal of the Week

Alan Shearer nearly broke the net with this absolute belter against Everton at St James Park.

Highlights from last week and a look ahead to sport on Aus TV nextweek.

By William Thompson

The festive season didn’t disappoint, with a bumper packed Premiership schedule which had Liverpool rediscovering their backbone, Arsenal stepping up a gear and Mancini’s Manchester City recording back to back wins.  It’s still tight at the top with Just 10 points separating Chelsea in top spot to Villa in 6th.  The pick of the 3rd Round FA Cup action was at Old Trafford with Leeds United, now of League One, winning 1-0 against bitter rivals Manchester United.  This result proved not only to be the biggest upset of the weekend but one of the biggest 3rd Round shocks in recent years.  In the cricket England thumped South Africa in the second test, winning by an innings, and taking a 1-0 lead in the series after drawing the first test in Centurion.

Pick of the Festive Action     

The pick of the Boxing Day action saw Birmingham hold league leaders Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at St Andrews.  At the foot of the table West Ham beat fellow strugglers Portsmouth 2-0 at Upton Park.  Arsenal thumped Villa 3-0 at the Emirates with Fabregas fulfilling his super-sub roll, coming on midway through the second half and netting two goals.  Diaby sealed the win in injury time with a well taken 3rd goal.  Hull put up an impressive fight against Manchester United at the KC Stadium and, after going 1-0 down just before the break, leveled via the penalty spot early on in the second half.  Manchester United responded well and left the KC 3-1 winners.

The second round of fixtures saw Chelsea get back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Fulham at the Bridge.  Tottenham beat West Ham 2-0 at the Lane whilst Fernando Torres left it very late to sink Villa 1-0, scoring in the 93rd minute to end with Liverpool taking all 3 points at Villa Park (view video highlights here).  Birmingham kept up their impressive form with a 1-0 win away at Stoke whilst Hull fought back from two goals down to come away with a point at Bolton.  Arsenal cruised past Portsmouth at Fratton Park, winning 4-1, with the final game seeing Manchester United rout Wigan 5-0 at old Trafford.

The Premier League at the close of 2009 has Chelsea top on 45 points, 2 points clear of Manchester United in second.  Arsenal’s recent good form sees them put some daylight between them and Spurs, who sit in 4th. Arsenal also have a game in hand which could see them leapfrog Manchester United into second spot, should they defeat Bolton at the Emirates this week.  Villa’s poor Christmas performance sees them drop to 6th place whilst Manchester City move up to 5th spot, level with Villa on 35 points.  Liverpool made up some ground with 2 wins over the festive period and remain in 7th place, 4 points off Spurs. Birmingham are in 8th place with 32 points.  At the bottom, Portsmouth, Hull and Bolton all occupy the relegation spots, although, like the top end of the table, it’s tight with 3 points separating Hull in 18th place to Stoke in 12th.  

In other news Gary Megson was relieved of his duties as Bolton Wanderers manager after two and a half years in charge with Bolton eyeing up Burnley’s Owen Coyle as a potential replacement.     

The FA Cup 3rd Round took place over the weekend with the big shock of the round seeing League One Leeds United knocking out Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.  Leeds took the lead on 19 minutes with Beckford scoring the winner.  Leeds played extremely well and could have doubled their lead, if not for the wood work intervening after a well struck free kick in the second half.  Leeds dug in and left Old Trafford with their first victory since 1981. View video highlights here.

Other 3rd round results saw Arsenal come from a goal behind to beat West Ham 2-1 at Upton Park,  holders Chelsea spanked Watford 5-0, Aston Villa beat Premier League rivals Blackburn 3-1, Manchester City beat Middlesbrough 1-0 up at the Riverside, Reading held Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at the Majestic Stadium (view video highlights here), Tottenham brushed aside Peterborough 4-0, Wigan defeated Hull 4-1 at the JJB and Birmingham played out a 0-0 draw with midland rivals Nottingham Forest.  

The 4th round of the FA Cup was also drawn over the weekend with the pick fixtures seeing Tottenham taking on giant killers Leeds United at White Hart Lane, Brighton travel up to Villa Park, and Preston host cup holders Chelsea.    

In the cricket, England spanked South Africa in the second test in Durban, wrapping up victory on day 5 winning by an innings and 98 runs.  Graeme Swann was the star of the show taking 5 wickets for 54 runs.  England lead the series 1-0 with two tests to play, with the 3rd test currently taking place in Cape Town.  

Coming Up

The Carling Cup semi final first legs take place this week with Aston Villa travelling to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn, whilst Manchester United face Manchester City at Eastlands.  In the Premier League Stoke play Fulham whilst Arsenal take on Bolton at the Emirates – a win for Arsenal would take them into second spot, one point behind leaders Chelsea.  The pick of the weekend action sees Manchester United take on in form Birmingham City at St Andrews, Chelsea travel to Hull, Arsenal host Everton, and Tottenham travel up to Anfield to to take on Liverpool.  

PomSport on Australian TV this week  

Thursday January 7

Arsenal v Bolton (6.40am – 9am) Fox Sports 1

Manchester City v Manchester United (6.40am – 9am) Fox Sports 2

Saturday January 9

Hull v Chelsea (11am – 1.55am) Fox Sports 1

Sunday January 10

Arsenal v Everton (1.55am – 4.30am) Fox Sports 1

Birmingham City v Manchester United (4.30am – 6.30am) Fox Sports 1

Monday January 11

West Ham v Wolves (12.25am – 2.30am) Fox Sports 1

Liverpool v Tottenham (2.55am – 5am) Fox Sports 1

Football EPL Highlights (6pm – 7pm) Fox Sports 1

Tuesday January 12

Manchester City v Blackburn (6.55am – 9am) Fox Sports 1

POMSPORT Classic Goal of the Week 

This weeks POMSPORT classic goal comes courtesy of Mr Paul Gascoigne, who back in Euro 96 scored a cracking goal against Scotland in the group stages. Gazza’s infamous dentist chair goal celebration followed, which is also up there amongst the best all time goal celebrations!