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Sunday 28 December 2014

Steve Smith boosts Australia

Sunday 27/12/14

Steve Smith has scored a career high 192 to help Australia to a massive total of 530 on Day 2. The match was in the balance at the start of play, but by lunch Australia had snatched the momentum before running away with it with yet another flurry of tail-end runs. Brad Haddin (55), Mitchell Johnson (28) and Ryan Harris (74) all ably supported their skipper through two sessions of aggressive batting and lacklustre bowling. Shami (4/130) was the best pick of the Indian bowlers with Yadav & Ashwin grabbing 3 wickets each. India ended the day comfortably at 1/108 with Murali Vijay reaching 50.












Chelsea maintained their lead in the race for the EPL title with a comfortable 2-0 win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge overnight. Mourihno’s men dominated from the start and had their reward after 31 minutes when skipper John Terry tapped in off a Diego Costa header. Exactly double that time later, Costa had his goal beating 3 West Ham players in the box and sliding the ball past Adriàn. In other games, Liverpool snuck past Burnley with a 1-0 win. Southampton beat a struggling Crystal Palace 3-1. Stoke City shocked Everton away with a 1-0 win. A Wayne Rooney double saw Manchester United beat Newcastle 3-1. Tottenham beat Leicester City 2-1. Hull City got their second away win of the season against Sunderland 3-1. Swansea saw off Aston Villa 1-0. Despite torrential snow, Manchester City still had enough quality to smack three past hapless West Bromwich Albion, while Alexis Sanchez showed his class as 10-man Arsenal hung on to beat QPR 2-1.

Central Coast have broken their home goal drought in their thrilling 3-3 draw with the Brisbane Roar. After 6 hours without a home goal, the hosts were rewarded for their hunger in the 56th minute when they grabbed an equaliser through veteran defender Eddy Bosnar, who took advantage of some poor marking from the Roar to head home an Anthony Caceres cross. The floodgates then opened, with Central Coast taking the lead in the 63rd minute through Matt Simon who smashed the ball home from after close range The Roar then awoke from their slumber to equalise in the 71st minute via young defender Donachie, who scored his first A-League goal with a header. It was then the Mariners’ turn to respond, with Central Coast regaining the lead in the 80th minute through substitute Kim Seung-yong. However, just when it seemed the Mariners would grab a much-needed three points, Solorzano took advantage of some great work from Dimitri Petratos and Daniel Bowles to have the final say in the contest with an 82nd-minute goal. In the other game, a stunning late free kick from Gui Finkler saw Melbourne stay in finals contention with a 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets.











Written by  Cennan Nwiran

References:

Mariners Image: http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2014/12/27/1227168/061427-0b0bf730-8da3-11e4-9125-9cd044c40754.jpg
Steve Smith Image: http://2-ps.googleusercontent.com/xk/r-753AAulhX2b6s_aAr_DuJIZM/www.sportskeeda.com/static.sportskeeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/xsteven-smith-1419677945.jpg.pagespeed.ic.0acvhOiRkVzBGNXbxCYK.jpg

Boxing Day Bonanza

Friday 26/12/14

New Australia captain Steve Smith has continued his good form with the bat, inspiring Australia to 5/295 on Day 1 of the Boxing Day test at the MCG.

Leading 2-nil in the series, Australia had the worst possible start with David Warner gone for a duck inside the first 2 overs. The in-form batsman nicked a great delivery from Yadav to third slip. Shane Watson and Chris Rogers formed a partnership with both batsman reaching 50s before Rogers went easily off Shami and Watson failing to build, going for LBW the next over off Ashwin. At 3/115, in steps Smith with Shaun Marsh, getting past tea until Marsh edges one to Dohni off Shami for his second wicket. The crowd erupts for debutante Joe Burns, who went cheaply for 13 from Yadav. Smith ended the day unbeaten on 72* along with Brad Haddin on 23, who led the fight for Australia to reach the steady total for Day 1.











Perth Glory kept their spot at the top of the Hyundai A-league with a 1-1 against Melbourne City at AAMI Park. After a bland first half, it was Melbourne City who took the lead with David Williams playing in a lovely ball for Aaron Mooy to slot in. They didn’t hold the lead for long when former Melbourne Heart striker Richard Garcia headed home from a Jamieson free kick. Both sides had their chances but in the end, the 2 teams couldn’t be split.



Sydney FC are now in crisis after being booed off in their third consecutive home loss to a red hot Adelaide United. Adelaide more of the chances in a bland first half and finally had reward with a contentious goal to Bruce Dijite, who was on a receiving end of a cross from an offside Marcelo Carrusca. However, there was nothing but beauty in the second goal from Sanchez, whose header flew into the top left corner. Sydney’s best chance came to Berni Ibini, whose bullet like header from the corner flashed just wide of Eugene Galekovic, who was hardly troubled. Adelaide finished off Sydney with a lovely team goal to Awer Mabil and continues their pursuit of Perth Glory in the race for the top.

 Written by Cennan Nwiran

References

Image: http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2014/12/14/1227155/799488-1cd26b94-8348-11e4-917d-bf0f063a4996.jpg
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xODlcv00pRk

Sport’s Christmas Report

Thursday 25/12/14

With no sports featured on Christmas Day, there will be some teams in need of Christmas Miracle.

India will be needing a miracle if they are the have any chance of winning this summer’s test series against the Aussies. After a second test demolition, there are reports in the camp of disharmony with a dressing room spat between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. It appears the Indian team is divided and it’s affecting not only off field behaviour, but also on field. It seems this could be MS Dohni’s last series as captain.

The main theme of the EPL wish list is for wins throughout the busy Christmas period with most teams playing 3 games starting tomorrow night within a 6-day period. One of those teams in desperate need is Crystal Palace. After finishing a modest middle table last season, the eagles have struggled to find their feet under Neil Warnock and are staring down the barrel of relegation. Liverpool are also hoping that the injury list becomes shorter in a hurry. Sitting in 7th place, the Reds have been struggling to score goals without Daniel Sturridge (knee), which has seen the Mersysiders win only 3 of their last 8 league games. In the end, it will be about who’s been naughty and who has been nice.











In the NFL, it seems that Christmas has come early for defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks after a win over conference rivals, the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw 2 touchdown passes and running back Marshawn Lynch scored 2 touchdowns, including a spectacular, multiple tackle-breaking 79-yard scoring run to see Seattle win 35-6 and one game closer to winning the NFC title.



Have a great Christmas readers!

Written by Cennan Nwiran

References

Image: http://6ad8b819bacc129d4f04-089408239c1340398b67dc954542ba79.r53.cf3.rackcdn.com/upload/full/brendan-rodgers-600.jpg
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnTzBTrGlpw

Saturday 27 December 2014

NCAAB and NHL


Wednesday 24/12/14

The range of sports were limited on Christmas Eve but there were some games to report on in the USA from College Basketball and the National Hockey League. 

In NCAA College Basketball, there was a plethora of games overnight. Louisville defeated CSU Northridge (55-80), Stanford defeated Texas (74-71), Villanova defeated N.J.I.T (92-67) and in an intense game in overtime Wichita St defeated Hawaii (80-79).












In the NHL, the Red Wings, Avalanche, Jets, Lightning and Coyotes all ended up with victories last night. The Red Wings and Lightning will be content with their victories as it sees them at the top of the table with only one point separating them.










Written By Andrew Tohme

References

Basketball Image: http://appsfox.net/fisc/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NCAA-BASKETBALL.jpg
Hockey Image: http://media.mwcradio.com/mimesis/2012-02/15/2012-02-15T065820Z_1_BTRE81E0JDB00_RTROPTP_3_SPORTS-US-NHL-REDWINGS_JPG_475x310_q85.jpg

Friday 26 December 2014

Chelsea still flying high as Round 17 wraps up

Tuesday 23/12/14


Round 17 of the EPL finished up this morning with Chelsea comfortably beating Stoke City away from home. The Chelsea skipper John Terry in his 650th Club appearance scored the opening goal inside the 2nd minute of the game as he headed the ball into the back of the net from a Cesc Fabregas corner. Both sides had their chances during the game but it was Cesc Fabregas in the 78th minute of the game that ensured victory for Chelsea by putting finishing nicely inside the box from an Eden Hazard ball.


In basketball news, the Clippers have now lost consecutive games as they failed to defeat the Hawks in a nail biter of an ending. The Trail Blazers got back to winning ways after defeating the Thunder 115 – 111. The Golden State Warriors suffered a shock loss to the LA Lakers losing just their fourth game of the season. The Bulls continued on their winning ways after defeating the Wizards 99-91. Finally, the Denver Nuggets continue to lose after being defeated by the Brooklyn Nets.

Written by Andrew Tohme

References:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2V5tkiy6ro

Arsenal battle it out at Anfield


Monday 22/12/14

In the morning, the Round of 17 of the EPL continued with Newcastle facing Sunderland at St James’ Park. The game was looking to end at a stalemate until Adam Johnson in the 90th minute for Sunderland put them ahead who has now scored against Newcastle three seasons in a row. After that game it was the match which saw to giants face off against each other in Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. Liverpool dominated possession and scored the first goal just before half-time but in the space of a minute found Debuchy for Arsenal leveled it up. In the second half, Giroud got the Gunners ahead but a 97th minute header from Skrtel ensured that the points were shared at Anfield. Heading over to Spain, Athletic Madrid continues to keep up with Real Madrid in the race for the Spanish Premier League Title after comfortably beating Athletic Club Bilbao 4-1 away from home.











Crossing over to America, there were seven NBA games to report on today. The most surprising result has to be the Houston Rockets comfortably defeating Portland Trail Blazers 95 – 110 where the Rockets never looked like losing. The San Antonio Spurs had a relieving win over the LA Clippers beating them 118 – 125. In other games, the Hornets beat the Nuggets 110 – 82, the Chicago Bulls continue a great season beating the Toronto Raptors 129-120 and the Golden State Warriors who are on fire this season embarrassed Sacramento Kings 108-128.












By Andrew Tohme

References

Football Image: http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/media/motion/ESPNi/2014/1221/int_141221_Burley_Gunners_fail_to_close_out_the_game/int_141221_Burley_Gunners_fail_to_close_out_the_game.jpg&w=738&site=espnfc
NBA Image: http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/279/files/2014/12/james-harden-nba-portland-trail-blazers-houston-rockets-850x560.jpg

The EPL Wrap



Sunday 21/12/14

Overnight, Round 17 of the EPL commenced with 2nd place Manchester City, 3rd place Manchester United, 4th place West Ham United and 5th place Southampton involved. Sunday saw comfortable wins for Manchester City over Crystal Palace (3-0), West Ham over Leicester City (2-0) and Southampton over Everton (3-0), while Manchester United could only manage a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, with a Falcao header cancelling out Christian Benteke’s wonderstrike.













In other EPL news, Swansea City defeated Hull City 1-0, QPR defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-2 and Tottenham returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Burnley.

In the Big Bash League, the veterans of Jacques Kallis and Michael Hussey (both scoring 96) helped the Sydney Thunder reach an imposing total of 1/208 after 20 overs. The Brisbane Heat could only manage 152 in their chase, handing victory to the Thunder, who have won the Wooden Spoon in all 3 previous Big Bash Leagues.

 

Written by Matthew Van Arkel

References

Image: http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article2550257.ece/alternates/s615/Christian-Benteke.jpg
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHN_yrLCb00

Australia claims victory!



Saturday 20/12/14

In a crazy Day 4 of the 2nd test match between Australia and India, Australia chased down the required total of 224 to claim victory. Josh Hazelwood impressed on debut, but the star of today’s show was Mitchell Johnson, who returned to his best form and claimed a series of vital wickets, including that of Kohli, Rahane and Sharma.
 
 

And in a massive day of NBA, the Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder all picked up wins. For the 2nd straight game, the San Antonio Spurs would have to head into 3rd Extra Time in an attempt to pick up the win, but Damien Lillard would lead Portland to the win with his 43 points.











Written by Matthew Van Arkel

References

Image: http://www.nbapassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Lillard-Portland-672x372.jpg
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD6_KywBXE4