Premier League Review - Chelsea Beat Bolton

Chelsea secured their first Premier League win in seven games as they beat Bolton 1-0. The Blues worst run of form for more than ten years was brought to an end, as they continue to pursue Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title.

There was little evidence of their former glories, as Chelsea were made to fight for every ball, had their normal flowing play disrupted and they will probably consider themselves fortunate to have secured all three points.

Chelsea

Florent Malouda was on hand to score the only goal of the game, and his first goal in the league for two months, which was enough to send the Blues back to fourth place in the table. The Blues are now four points adrift of leaders Manchester United and City, and two points behind Arsenal, who beat them 3-1 a few days previously. In what could conspire to be one of the closest title races for many years, Chelsea, who top the league by five points a few weeks ago, could already be home and dry had they not endured such a woeful spell of form.

On a rain soaked pitch, Chelsea again struggled to find their free flowing game and they failed to secure one shot on target during a miserable first half. Bolton on the other hand were competitive and strong in the tackle, showing a resilience that the hosts would have welcomed themselves during the last few weeks.

Bolton started to look like the side more likely to score and some desperate defending from John Terry and a few near misses denied the visitors. A section of the home crowd booed their team off at half time, growing increasingly frustrated by the lacklustre display.

After a slow start to the second half, Chelsea suddenly sprang into life and a fantastic pass from Lampard, who has been badly missed this season, set Drogba free and he hit the inside of the post with his shot.

The Blues could sense a goal and they increased the pressure on the visitors, which finally paid off in the 61st minute as Malouda scored his goal, which was followed by jubilant celebrations by both players and fans.

Bolton, determined as ever, made every attempt to score an equaliser, on another day they may have been successful, some desperate defending and a goal line clearance from Drogba was all that spared Chelsea, who did have opportunities to extend their lead late on in the game, and Essien had a goal ruled out for offside.

The win just about keeps Chelsea in the title race and will ease the pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti, although the performance overall did leave much to be desired.

Premier League Review - Chelsea Beat Bolton

Hull City Football Club - City Independent Fanzine Review

City Independent is a website and fanzine solely devoted to Hull City Football Club. Established back in the 1990s as an original printed format style of fanzine, CI continues to grow and develop in the modern era and boasts the largest independent internet community for City fans from all around the world, while maintaining its traditional roots with a periodic magazine during the football season. Unsurprisingly, it is little wonder that when Hull City fans want an up to date and irreverent read about their football club, they continually turn to City Independent first.

So, how did it all begin?

Chelsea FootballClub

City Independent began life as a collective of three Hull City fans keen to provide an independent voice for supporters in the mid 90s. Today, only one of the original editors remains in place, but the editorial team now consists of two ardent City supporters. The very first issue of the magazine was published over a decade ago, but even to this day, the fanzine version of CI continues to be sold to fans before, during and after home games.

What happened next?

Despite a clutch of competition - as was the current trend at the time in the 90s - all other printed variations of Hull City fanzines fell by the wayside. Now, City Independent is the ONLY fanzine that can still be found in magazine format - and continues to thrive with almost 100 issues put into circulation since inception, exclusively dedicated to the Tigers.

And now?

With the expansion of the internet and modern technology as it is today, City Independent has kept pace with the ever changing times. From primitive begins as an independent website, as City forums go, CI has now established itself as the number one place for news, views and opinions with a wide range of interesting articles, video interviews and audio clips to keep readers bang up to date with news on Hull City Football Club in a modern, fluent website environment.

Hull City Football Club - City Independent Fanzine Review

Premier League Review - Chelsea Stun Manchester United

Chelsea blew the Premier League title race wide open again when they came from a goal behind to beat Manchester United, with ten games of the season remaining. Chelsea still have a mathematical chance of retaining the league title themselves, although they would have to win the majority of their remaining games while relying on other results to go in their favour.

United who started the game on the back of an impressive run of form, had amazingly not beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge since 2002. Chelsea however who have their worst run of form for many seasons were a huge fifteen points adrift of United before the start of the game.

Chelsea

The Blues, who left Didier Drogba on the bench in favour of a Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka strike partnership, started the game brightly, but the visitors soon found their stride, with crisp passing and fluent football.

Wayne Rooney, who controversially escaped a ban following his clash with Wigan's James McCarthy at the weekend, was jeered by the home fans every time he touched the ball. It was Rooney, however, that silenced the Chelsea fans after 29 minutes when he sent a long range shot into the Chelsea goal before celebrating in front of the Chelsea fans.

The Reds, who started with their first unchanged team for 165 games, continued to dominate play during the first half and prevented any real threat from the hosts, although a fine save from Edwin Van der Sar from a Frank Lampard free kick, six minutes before half time, should have set alarm bells ringing and reminded United of the nemesis that Chelsea have been over the last few years.

Chelsea's hero on the night proved to be David Luiz, who's arrival from Benfica in the January transfer window was somewhat overshadowed by the £50million signing of Fernando Torres. Luiz was impressive throughout the game and it was his unstoppable shot in the 54th minute that levelled the scores and threw the game wide open.

Both managers made positive, attacking substitutions, with Drogba replacing Anelka for the Blues and Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs coming on for United, which was a record 606th appearance for Giggs at the club where he began his professional career twenty years ago.

Neither side seemed happy with a draw and both teams went in search of a winning goal, the play and tackles were furious at times as both teams seemed to be playing for pride as much as the three points. After Chris Smalling made a clumsy challenge on Zhirkov in the 80th minute, Frank Lampard, whose impressive penalty record has wavered of late, made no mistake this time as he smashed home the spot kick to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead. Zhirkov nearly added a third goal for the Blues moments late but his shot was deflected onto the post.

To compound United's misery Vidic was sent off during injury time for a second book able offence, which means he will miss the important trip to Liverpool and the dismissal could leave United defensively weak.

The main beneficiaries of this game would appear to be Arsenal who are now just four points behind the leaders and have a game in hand, while Chelsea have consolidated their quest for a top four Premier League finish and entry into next years Champions League.

Premier League Review - Chelsea Stun Manchester United

Premier League Review - Manchester United Storm To The Top

Manchester United stormed to the top of the Premier League as they scored seven goals against a hapless Blackburn Rovers side at Old Trafford. United who were second to Chelsea only by goal difference were ahead after only 72 seconds of the game and 3-0 in front by half time. Dimitar Berbatov scored five goals, as he equalised the Premiership record for the total goals scored in one match. Blackburn scored a late consolation goal, as the 7-1 victory now sees United lead the Premier league by two points, and having significantly increased their goal difference. United are now unbeaten in 15 league games this season, their best league start since 1985.

Chelsea were again disappointing as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in Saturdays evening game. The Blues have now dropped 11 points out of a possible 15 after only winning one of their last five Premier League games. Chelsea's Alex awful back pass gifted Andy Carroll an early Christmas present as he put Newcastle 1-0 in front after only five minutes, Salomon Kalou scored a deflected equaliser before half time. Chelsea enjoyed a better second half, but the goals that were flowing earlier in the season now seem to have deserted them.

Chelsea FootballClub

Arsenal secured a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa despite a spirited fight back from the hosts. After conceding a two goal lead the previous week against Spurs, which ended in a 3-2 home defeat. Arsenal looked impressive, but must certainly tighten up their defence if they are to pose a serious challenge for the league title this season.

Tottenham staged another amazing come back after trailing at home to Liverpool. Aaron Lennon scored two minutes into injury time as they beat the Reds 2-1, after Martin Skrtel had first scored for his own team and then scored an own goal to level the score. Jermain Defoe also missed a penalty for Tottenham who are now in 6th place. It is now the fifth time this season Spurs have trailed in a game and fought back to win.

Manchester City dropped more points as an injury-time goal from Matthew Etherington ensured a point for Stoke in a very closely contested game, City remain in 4th place, five points adrift of leaders Manchester United.

In the other games, West Ham secured three much needed points with a 3-1 victory over Wigan, which eases the pressure on under-fire manager Avram Grant, West Ham remain bottom of the league, however, as Wolves secured a 3-2 victory against Sunderland.

Everton are left just two points above the drop zone, after a 1-4 home mauling by West Bromwich Albion, Everton now face Chelsea in an away game next week.

December now looks to be a pivotal month in the Premier League as United, Arsenal and Chelsea all play each other and the results could decide who are the front runners for the League title as the Premiership race enters the New Year.

Premier League Review - Manchester United Storm To The Top

Premiership Betting Review

Chelsea officially clinched the Premiership on Saturday lunchtime with a crushing 3-0 victory over second placed Manchester United. The Blues only needed a draw to confirm the champions status but William Gallas after five minutes, Joe Cole on 61 and Ricardo Carvalho on 73 sealed victory in style as Jose Mourinho's side retained their Premiership trophy at 6/5.

Another crucial match in the Premiership was Portsmouth's victory at Wigan Athletic. As predicted in the Walker's Word column, Pompey's win at the JJB Stadium relegated both Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion in what was a gloomy day for West Midlands football. Henri Camara gave Wigan the lead after 34 minutes, but Benjamin Mwaruwari's first goal form the club on 63 and Matt Taylor's second penalty in as many weeks on 71 ensured a 9/5 away win.

Birmingham City could only muster a goalless draw against Newcastle United when only victory could preserve their Premiership status until the final match of the season. The draw was available at 12/5 before kick-off.

Liverpool went level on points with Manchester United after Saturday's 3-1 win over struggling Aston Villa. Fernando Morientes opened the scoring after four minutes but Gareth Barry levelled on 58. Captain Steven Gerrard netted on 61 and 65 minutes to ensure a 3/10 victory for Rafa Benitez's side.

Tottenham Hotspur tightened their grip on fourth place with a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. Aaron Lennon struck the decisive goal on the hour for the 7/10 Spurs.

Fulham won their first match away from Craven Cottage with a last gasp goal at Manchester City. Richard Dunne gave City the lead after 69m minutes but Collins John equalised for the Cottagers with six minutes left. Steed Malbranque then fired in a stoppage time winner to secure an unlikely victory at 3/1 odds.

Alan Curbishley's last match at The Valley as manager of Charlton Athletic ended in defeat as they were beaten 2-0 by 8/5 Blackburn Rovers. Steven Reid broke the deadlock two minutes before the break while a Chris Powell own goal on 65 put Mark Hughes' side in touching distance of UEFA Cup football.

On Bank Holiday Monday, Arsenal made sure Sunderland went the entire season without a home win with a 3-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. Arsenal, huge 3/10 favourites before kick-off, scored three goals in 14 first half minutes, with a Danny Collins own goal on 28, Cesc Fabregas on 38 and Thierry Henry three minutes before the break.

Manchester United edged one point ahead of Liverpool as they drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. United, heavily odds-on before kick-off, saw Ruud van Nistelrooy miss a penalty after 65 minutes and the match ended level at 9/2.

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FA Cup Third Round Betting Review

There were not many surprises in the FA Cup third round, but the shock results in the minority were certainly spectacular ones.

Manchester United remain 9/2 second favourites despite whimpering to a goalless draw against non league Burton Albion. This was the second time in as many seasons the Reds have been held by Conference opposition, although it will mean a lucrative payday for Nigel Clough's side when the two sides replay at Old Trafford.

Middlesbrough were also held to a draw by Conference North side Nuneaton Borough. Former Leicester City apprentice Gez Murphy scored a 90 minute penalty to level matters after Gaizka Mendieta gave Boro the lead after 15 minutes.

Fulham became the first Premiership side to be dumped out of the Cup, going down 2-1 at home to League Two side Leyton Orient on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday proved to be a bad day for Premiership sides with Tottenham Hotspur the next victims. The perennial FA Cup underachievers surrendered a two goal lead at Leicester's Walkers Stadium with the Foxes winning an entertaining match 3-2. Despite the stunning victory, Championship outfit Leicester remain 200/1 underdogs to win the Cup.

Elsewhere it was business as usual for the Premiership sides. Chelsea, favourites at 11/4 needed an 81 minute winner to see off plucky Huddersfield while 11/2 third favourites Arsenal had a late scare against battling Cardiff but clung on for a 2-1 victory.

Liverpool (13/2) were involved in a remarkable match with Luton Town, in which they found themselves 3-1 down after the break, although three goals in 12 minutes restored the Reds lead to 4-3, with Xabi Alonso scoring from inside his own half at the death for Liverpool's fifth, a goal which earned one lucky punter over £25,000 after placing a bet on him achieving such a feat.

Blackburn despatched QPR by a convincing 3-0 as did Bolton away at Watford, while struggling Sunderland managed the same against non league Northwich Victoria.

A host of ties could only muster a single goal in the Premiership sides favour, with 25/1 Newcastle edging past Mansfield, Gareth Barry's goal being enough for Aston Villa (33/1) to see off Hull and 100/1 outsiders Portsmouth to win at Ipswich.

The third round isn't over for Everton who drew 1-1 at Millwall, a scoreline repeated by West Brom against Reading and Wigan Athletic against Leeds. Birmingham City could only muster a goalless draw at League Two side Torquay United.

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