Liverpool back on track?

Tuesday 30/12/14

Although Liverpool’s results have been disappointing this season, they have finally recorded a convincing victory with a 4-1 win over Swansea City at Anfield. The last time Liverpool netted more than 2 goals at Anfield, was when they defeated Manchester City and it seemed they would finally secure the Premier League trophy for the first time. However on this occasion, the result sees Liverpool move above Swansea into 8th position and the Swans drop to 9th. The front trio of Sterling, Coutinho and Lallana continue to excel bringing back the qualities that helped Liverpool reach the heights of last season.

Meanwhile in the boxing world, Amir Khan looks to have set a deadline of middle of January in his chase to face Floyd Mayweather in the ring. After a master class performance against Devon Alexander, Khan set his sight on facing Mayweather in 2015 and even calling him out publicly. However Mayweather has so far showed no signs coming to the negotiation table with Khan’s representatives so Khan will have to look elsewhere. Although I do believe Khan vs. Mayweather would be an interesting fight, like most people the fight I would want to see most is the Mayweather and Pacquiao one. If Khan does not get the Mayweather fight, I do think an all-British showdown between him and Kell Brook would be an intriguing one.

Over to the NBA, the Cleveland have added another loss to their stuttering season with an 101-109 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers however recorded a 111-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets despite their poor form this season so far. Golden State Warriors also continue their strong start to the season with a 126-86 win over Philadelphia 76ers.

By Justin Yu

References

Image: http://talksport.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/201410/lallana.jpg?itok=S-4-tbpA
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGjCne5oIqY

Top 3 teams all drop points in EPL

Monday 29/12/14

Just less than 48 hours after the last round, Manchester United travelled to White Hart Lane and recorded a 0-0 draw. Manchester United dominated in the first half of the game creating many chances and should have scored. However Tottenham came out as the more dominate team in the second half and could have taken all 3 points if it wasn’t for David de Gea’s heroics again who has been in impressive form throughout this season. Personally I think a draw was a fair result for both teams and the battle for a top 4 spot will still remain as the priority for both.

Later in the day, Chelsea recorded a 1-1 draw with Southampton. However there was controversy in during the game as Cesc Fabregas waved away what looked like a clear penalty. This caused Jose Mourinho to go on a rant about a campaign against Chelsea. This was probably an attempt to put pressure on referees in the future and he will most likely cop a fine for that. Manchester City also drew 2-2 with struggling Burnley after taking an early 2-0 lead and they will surely be very disappointed at not capitalising on Chelsea’s slip up.

After the last round of EPL football for 2014, I still believe Chelsea are favourites to win the league title, although u have to give credit to Manchester City who have done well to keep up with the pace despite having injuries to key players such as Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany. Manchester United have been in good form lately and could push the top 2, however I don’t believe winning the title for them is realistic this season. Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are all challengers for the top 4 spot and all 3 teams have shown some good signs lately, but I think Arsenal will just sneak in due to their experience and quality of players.

Hopefully everyone is enjoying their Christmas break and stays safe!

By Justin Yu

References

Man Utd Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1O9UnS9dxg
Mourinho Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRvQI-OrDWw

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, Will it happen in 2015?

Sunday 28/12/14

As 2014 is about to come to an end, persistent rumours of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao is beginning to gather more pace in recent months. If this fight does happen, it is expected to easily be the richest fight in boxing history. Although many people believe this fight should have happened 5 years ago, they will all still be hoping that both Pacquiao and Mayweather in the twilight of their careers can come together and make the fight happen. Personally, I agree with most people that the fight should have happened 5 years ago as both fighters are no longer in the prime of their careers. However, I do still believe it should happen in 2015, as the fight would help promote the sport of boxing which has been diminishing in popularity in the last few years.

Meanwhile in the NBA, the New York Knicks continue to struggle, losing 129-135 to the Sacramento Kings extending their losing run to games and their 28th loss of the season so far. Miami Heat also appears to be struggling with life after Lebron and losing 95-103 to the Memphis Gizzlies. Despite this loss, I believe Miami will still be strong especially when Chris Bosh returns from his calf injury. Elsewhere, Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks continue their impressive run this season with wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks respectively.

By Justin Yu

References

Boxing Image: http://79t2s2g2fdudz5l.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Mayweather-Pacquiao1.jpg
NBA Image: http://dunk360.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Screen-Shot-2013-11-01-at-8.37.12-AM.png

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

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