BPL Game 34: Fulham (A)

Fulham are 19th in the league and they play Manchester United midweek. I can't hope that they'll do a number on them and then expect them to lay down and die for me.

Decided to field an alternative 11 as I have Chelsea in the Semi-Finals of the Champions League midweek. Also means that I can rest certain players and not worry about them, keeping them fresh for the big test later.

GAME ON!!!
Pretty uneventful first half leads to a 0-0 scoreline at the break.
66m: Trying to inject something into the game. Santi comes on for Tello and Fellaini comes on for Coquelin
87m: Oh wow. Gibbs gives it to Ramsey who casually takes the ball and takes a shot from 20+ yards. Must have taken a slight deflection but it is in. I'll take that! :-) 1-0
FT
Wow. Not one to watch again. Nearly a bore draw but pulled something out of the bag at the last minute. Takes me top again, and consigns Fulham to the bottom.

BPL Game 33: Sunderland (H)

Sunderland currently sitting in the relegation zone, whilst I am comfortably sitting in the top 3 and guaranteed Champions League football next season. Still, need to thump them so I can chase top spot, as you've probably gathered.

Giroud returns and Ramsey gets another game as his form is impressive at the moment.

GAME ON!!!

2m: My word, blink and you'd missed that. Sessegnon didnt though. Good cross from Adam Johnson and it's Sessegnon with the header. 0-1
21m: Equaliser, Fellaini is the scorer with a volley as the ball was bobbling in the opponents box. 1-1
23m: BANG BANG! Garmash's freekick to Gervinho, crossed in for Giroud and he's back on scoring ways! 2-1
26m: Santon cuts in from the left then dishes forwards to Garmash, who slides the ball through and it's that man Ramsey again. 3-1
HT
60m: Some beautiful inter-passing down the right finds Fellaini on the right hand edge of the box and he pumps a cross in to find Giroud's head. His second of the game, the teams fourth. 4-1
Sub. I'm guessing Gervinho's picked up a knock or something cos his condition is really low. On comes Wellington Nem
74m: Garmash sends the ball out to the left to an unmarked Nem, who makes a short run and sends a cross in, to find Giroud on the volley for his hattrick. 30th Goal of the season. 5-1
FT
Wow. What a game. It takes me top temporarily, but for now I am pleased with this win. It may consign Sunderland to play in the Championship next season, but I don't really care. Sorry

UCL Quarter Final Second Leg: Porto (H)

Crucial must win game so that I progress through to the next stage. Currently holding some advantage as I have an away goal, but that counts for nothing if I can't keep a clean sheet.

Giroud still not 100% after his injury in the 1st leg so Theo makes a start at striker.

GAME ON!!!

30m: Arteta knocks it to Sagna on the right wing, who progresses, then belts in a cross and Schurrle heads it home. Cracking start. Porto now need 2 goals to go through! 1-0

HT

53m: Vermaelen gets a second yellow and is off for an early bath. Dropping Ox to the DLP CM position, moving Jack to the BWM and then Arteta makes way for Djourou. 4221 formation.

80m: Wilshere is playing really well but he's really tired so decided to bring him off. Ramsey his replacement.

FT: BALL GAME!!! Through to the next stage of the Champions League. Good win. Hopefully the whole thing with the cards works on here (as in the cards get wiped clear for the next stage). Here's hoping.

BPL Game 32: Everton (H)

Need to win as I am now only 1 point behind Man Utd, and we are now on equal games.

A return to Goodison Park for Marouanne, but let's hope that he silences the crowd!

GAME ON!!!
25m: Ox crosses in and it's Fellaini with the header against his old club. 1-0
HT
83m: Nem and Wilshere on for Rossi and Garmash
FT
Not a very good win, but a win nonetheless, keeps me 1 point behind top spot!

UCL Quarter Final First Leg: FC Porto (A)

Big game. Very congested fixtures now. Boys are going to be struggling for fitness but the prize at the end of the tunnel is going to be so much sweeter as we put the work in now.

GAME ON!!!

30seconds: What a start!!! Gervinho to Jenks, who turns and crosses in for Santi, controls and then smashes it into the net. 1-0. Very quick! Good start and a crucial away goal!

23m: Goal scorer gets injured. Dam. On comes Rossi.

35m: Garmash gets his 2nd yellow very early on. Hmm... Cassani off, Ramsey on. Switch to 3231 formation.

45m +3: Giroud injured. GAH! Rossi goes to striker, and now Vermaelen comes on instead. 4221 formation

HT

FT

Weathered that storm a little bit there! JEEZ! Injuries to key players will make the rest of the season more difficult too. Fingers crossed they won't be too bad. But, a win, away goal AND a clean sheet.

BPL Game 31: Aston Villa (A)

No Podolski for this one. Most of the team are >95% condition and all match fit. Selection headache.

Decided to rest Giroud completely, not like I really need him to finish off a 7th placed Villa, but still not lacking in the striking department.

GAME ON!!!

Walcott has picked up a knock early on, but stays on.

HT. Nothing happening. Bore.

53m: What was I saying? Santon and Tello exchange passes from the throw, Santon to Ramsey, who sees Tello's run into the box and delivers, right foot screamer into the bottom corner of the goal. 1-0

73m: Decided to bite the bullet and bring Giroud on for Theo, and Coquelin replaces Fellaini

77m: Impact sub in Coquelin. Ball won by Ramsey in own half, ball forward to Giroud but Dunne heads 'clear', gathered by Coquelin who coolly takes it around Brad Guzan and slides it into an empty net. 2-0

86m: Sub. Rossi on for Santi

FT

Game over, now level points with Man Utd, 20 goals behind though. AND they have a game in hand. Seems as though I am consigned to remain 2nd, but I will not give up hope that I can take Arsenal to glory!

BPL Game 30: Manchester City (H)

Big game, certainly straight after a big European game. Changes are needed, depressingly. But here we go.

GAME ON!!!

39m: Fellaini wins the ball, knocks it to Podolski down the left. He smacks it across the box to Tello on the right, who pulls it back to the man with the 'fro, Marouanne Fellaini. 1-0

And that pretty much is the ball game. A good win that keeps me top, but their isn't much between me and Man Utd. They're still only 3 points behind and still have a game in hand.

UCL 1st Round Knockout: Juventus (H) Second Leg

Really super need to win this if I am to (A) Stay in Europe (B) Please the board.
(C) Personal pride!

The 10 days that I had means that most of the team got a good rest and should be fully fit for this game.

Going to be a big game. Gutted that Vermaelen won't be able to play as he has literally just returned to full training. Fellaini a big miss too.

GAME ON!!!

7m: Great start, with lots of good possession and good quality short passes. Ox gets into the box and gets fouled, and Giroud scores the resulting penalty. 1-0

HT

60m: Injury to Jack Wilshere. Schurrle off for Podolski, Santi goes to CM and Rossi on at AM

68m: Arturo Vidal receives his 2nd yellow. Now playing against 10 men.

71m: After Santi wins the ball, Podolski knocks it out wide to Cassani, who crosses in and it drops to his right, and into the back of the net. 2-0

FT

Through to the next stage of Europe! Unhappy that Jack's injured, and Rossi picked up a knock towards the end too. But, positives first, a win and progression!

BPL Game 29: Tottenham (A)

North London derby at the Lane! Going to be a big game. Need to at least draw to stay in contention of finishing top at the end of the season.

GAME ON!!!

Wow. Nothing has really happened. A lot of fouls and yellow cards but nothing really else going on.

76m: Subbing Sagna and Wilshere. Sagna's knackered so on comes Emre Can. Wilshere is playing poorly so on comes Walcott. Theo out to the wing, Ox in the middle.

And that's how it stayed. 0-0

BPL Game 28: West Ham (H)

Back to reality after a nice week off.

GAME ON!!!
5m: Olivier Giroud penalty, no mistakes. 1-0
Some other good chances, but nothing comes of it.
HT: Sub - Vermaelen picked up a knock so going to bring him off, Mertesacker on.
62m: Quick break from a West Ham freekick leads to Schurrle screaming down the left, whips in the cross and the Ox latches onto the end of it. 2-0
66m: Fellaini out right to Walcott, Theo does a few defenders and whips in a cross, back to Marouanne who scores... again! :D 3-0
FT
Incredible 3-0 win. Dominated possession. Allowed only 3 shots and only 1 of them was on target. Still ahead of Man Utd.

UCL 1st Round Knockout: Juventus (A) First Leg

Bring back some key players to make sure that I don't slip up in Europe. Need to keep things going and drive on to succeed where I failed in the domestic cup.

GAME ON!!!

In snowing conditions, nothing much is happening. Few chances either way, but nothing much has happened. Cazorla and Mertesacker have picked up knocks but both are ok to stay on.

HT

70m: Pepe to Matri who beats the offside trap and slots it past the keeper. 1-0

74m: Bringing Santi off, Wilshere on

87m: Vermaelen and Mertesacker off and Monreal and Jenks on

FT

It's a loss which puts a dampner on things, but it's only a 1-0 difference. Easily rectified when they come to the Emirates.

FA Cup 5th Round: Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)

The magic of the cup continues.
Big names like Giroud, Vermaelen, Fellaini, Santi and Wilshere will be rested for this game. Felliani and Wilshere may feature from the bench. I'm doing this because I have Juventus in a midweek fixture so will need the big guns there if I'm to succeed in Europe.

Pretty interesting right? Got some support on the bench, but I'm fully confident!

GAME ON!!!
12m: Counter by Wolves and Doumbia puts them in front. 1-0 Wolves
15m: Great response. Rossi break down the left of the box and passes in to Nem who scores. 1-1
HT
65m: Poor pass by Ramsey leads to a Wolves counter and lo and behold, they score. Can't seem to defend any counter attacks. 2-1
67m: Sub. Ramsey and Nem off, Fellaini and Wilshere on
73m: Injury to Andre Santos. Monreal on
FT
Stayed 2-1. Out of the FA Cup. Never mind, now the focus turns to staying in Europe and winning the Premiership.

Competitions (Update)

Rather than edit the other page, I've decided to do a new one! Isn't it wonderful?! ... ... perhaps not.

As of 14th February 2013:

Barclays Premier League:
1st - 2 points clear of Man Utd, but they have a game in hand.


FA Cup, Sponsored by Budweiser:
5th Round, Next game is Wolves away.


UEFA Champions League:
First Knockout Round Leg 1: Juventus away.


Capital One Cup:
Knocked out in the 3rd round by Swansea

BPL Game 27: Swansea (A)

My favourite team, at home. Well, I have to put my love for Swansea to one side and hope that my boys can do a job at the Liberty. Twelfth placed Swansea have won 1 of their last 5 Premier League games, losing 1 and drawing 3. I haven't lost in the Premier League since September (now in February). Not bad...
In other news, Reading have to beat Man Utd... Oh. My. Word.

After International games, I've decided to field this team, as it is my strongest (well, it'd be stronger if Fellaini was starting, but tbh, in his form... impact sub!) Lol.

PS: If I win/draw, I will beat the current unbeaten run record of 28 games. All to play for then...

GAME ON!!!

23m: From the throw on the right, Sagna and the Ox exchange passes before Sagna thumps a ball across goal. Shot by Schurrle beats Vorm... but he's ruled offside. Never mind.
30m: GOAL!!! It's Giroud again!!! Can this man NOT score?! Schurrle latches on to a long ball, drives a cross in to Olivier's head and bang on! 1-0
HT
52m: Frimpong picks up his 2nd yellow... again. Serious words are going to be had here... Tello tired so he's replaced by Fellaini who fills in the empty midfield spot, Ox goes out to the wing.
64m: Ox not looking too fit either now, slight knock I think. On comes Santi
83m: Swansea with a freekick, Britton sends it in and Routledge blasts it wide. Holding on. Still 1-0
90m: Last minute of normal play before a 3m injury time. Second freekick to me after Ki fouled Fellaini (twice!). Sagna takes it and gets it to Santi who gets behind Taylor, crosses in and the other man-of-the-moment scores the header, just after getting fouled! Fellaini makes it 2-0 and that looks like the game is won!
FT
A great victory with 10 men. I think my issues with Diaby will be solved when he comes back from his loan spell. Ramsey will now feature a lot more. Frimpong... I may drop him to the reserves. But, positives! We won,  now leading the Barclays Premier League (for now. Man Utd have a better goal difference... boo).

BPL Game 26: Reading (H)

Reading currently hovering above the drop zone, whilst I really need the 3 to put pressure on Man Utd. Can you get by now that I want to win the League? That Man Utd are ahead of me? lol.

Game fail. Typical. However, luck was on my side and we won 3-0.

Apologies. Now on level points with Man Utd.

BPL Game 25: Norwich (A)

Most games now are "must win" games now. But still, this is Norwich so I should be really smashing them...

GAME TIME!!!
19m: Santon, to Nem, to Santon, cross in, and BOOM! Giroud heads home! 1-0
HT
60m: Second yellow for Denys and he's now off. 10 men now so could be interesting. Soft challenge to be honest. Sub: Nem off and Santi to the left. Arteta on instead of Nem. Also, bringing Giroud off as he's taken some sort of knock and bringing Podolski on.
73m: FML! Arteta is injured. Emre Can to the rescue!
79m: 9 men now. Frimpong off. Now in a 4-2-1-1 formation...
83m: Well, this was going to happen. 1-1.
FT
Dropped points if I'm honest, but it could have gotten worse. Would have been level on points with Man Utd, even though they'd have a game ahead of me. Now I'm 2 points off, with a possibility of being 5 points if they win their next game.

FA Cup 4th Round: Sheffield Wednesday (H)

Time to crunch down with the FA Cup! The magic of the cup is HERE!!! With a win, I will be facing Wolves at away!

GAME ON!!!
23m: Freekick, Mertesacker to the Ox, lofts it over to Podolski, beats the last defender and scores. 1-0
27m: Counter from a Sheffield Wednesday corner. Stayed down the right side, passing between Ox, Sagna and Fellaini. Gets to the edge of the box and Fellaini launches a stunning shot and beats the keeper. 2-0
HT
73m: Decided to bring Fellaini off and replacing him with Denys Garmash.
83m: Injury to Mertesacker. On comes Emre Can. Sub also for Schurrle. Ox switches to the left and Theo comes on to the right wing.
FT.

Not a destruction but it does mean that I'm through to the next round. Wolves away.

BPL Game 24: Chelsea (A)

Big game. Must win. This will allow me to keep pressure on Manchester United, but also effectively kill off Chelsea's chance of over taking me - points gap would be 16 (currently 13).
Considering the game against Newcastle, I think it's best to keep the I selected as best as possible. However, the rigours of the modern game mean that I unfortunately must make changes.

This is going to be difficult, but I feel that with this team, I can prevail.

GAME ON!!!
Eventful first half, with disallowed goals for both teams.
61m: A meandering run from Theo Walcott and he gets free, slots a lovely shot into the top corner of the net. Not disallowed. 1-0
75m: Good possession for Chelsea results in Hazard having a good shot on goal and scoring past Szczesny. 1-1
80m: Subs. Giroud, Garmash and Frimpong off for Podolski, Ramsey and Emre Can.
82m: Massive counter attack from a Chelsea corner. Passing forward, and it finally gets to Frimpong and he slots it past Cech. 2-1
FT.
That victory now gives me a 16 point gap from Chelsea, and again I keep within 2 points of Manchester United. Only time will tell if I can fully capitalise on this chance and really challenge for the title. As I don't play them again, I have to hope that they slip up at some point and I do not.

BPL Game 23: Newcastle (H)

This is an interesting time for me. Very close fixtures, Newcastle then Chelsea midweek, Sheffield Wednesday (FA Cup) weekend, followed by Norwich midweek and then Reading the following weekend. Newcastle are currently 5th, Chelsea 3rd, but they are 13 and 10 points behind me respectively. Norwich 12th and Reading are bottom. Not 100% sure how to play this. Question is, do I go all out with the best team I can against Chelsea (as I really see the BPL as my main competition this season) to solidify 3rd. Or, do I look to play my best against Championship side Sheff Wed? Dilemma is a small one really as I have such a good depth in my squad, I think I can prevail rather well.
However, to today's game:

Decided to field a pretty strong side considering the midweek fixture. Vermaelen will feature against Chelsea, just wanted to make doubly sure that he doesn't get injured or anything in this game.

Let's GO!!!

6m: Intercepted goal kick, Fellaini to Giroud, who slots in Tello, bangs it past the keeper. 1-0

21m: Freekick from offside. Szczesny hits Giroud, nods it onto Fellaini who hits the inside of the post and goes in. 2-0

43m: Santos injured. Cassani comes on. Looks like Santon could feature in the next game after all...

HT: 2-0

66m: Sub - Cazorla off, Nem on.

FT: Stayed 2-0. MOTM performance by Giroud, but could easily have been Felliani. Now only 2 points behind Manchester United.