RECAP: WEEKEND ENGLISH ACTION Andrew Vorce - Sunday, August 23, 2009
Jozy Altidore started his Premier League campaign with a bang, while both Americans in all-London games fall to their cross town rivals.
Fulham 0 - 2 Chelsea
Clint Dempsey's Fulham suffered a defeat from their closest rivals with Chelsea making the short jaunt from Stamford Bridge to Craven Cottage in West London.
Dempsey had the chance to start the game out in ideal fashion, getting space inside 12 yards, only to blaze his shot high when the left post was wide open. The miss would prove to be costly as Fulham's goal scoring chances were very limited.
After 39 minutes of absorbing pressure, Fulham were finally broken down when Didier Drogba broke through a high back line to slot past Mark Schwarzer to his far post. Nikolas Anelka was the playmaker, but after replays, it would appear that Drogba was just a hint offside, but the flag stayed down.
Anelka went from provider to goalscorer, with Petr Cech starting a five-pass sequence that allowed the Frenchman to use his explosive speed to round the onrushing Schwarzer and tuck his shot into an open net in the 76th.
Up next for Fulham is a trip to Russia as Amkar Prem looks to bounce back after a heavy handed loss in London in the Europa Cup.
Hull City 1 - 0 Bolton
Jozy Altidore got his Premier League debut and capped the evening with an acrobatic assist.
Altidore was put on in the 60th minute to try to create some magic, and the American forward did not disapoint.
After giving Giovanni the ball in the midfielder, the Brazilian played the striker back on top of the 18-yard box and the American sent it to Kalem Ghilas with an overhead kick for a strong volley to swe up the three points.
With his work permit issues behind him, Altidore will be primed and ready to get the ball rolling as Ian Joyce and Southend United come to KC Stadium in the League Cup.
Burnley 1 - 0 Everton
Tim Howard's nightmare continues as the giant-killing Burnley continue to produce the stuff dreams are made of as Turf Moor claimed another Premier League club.
Wade Elliot was the man who rocked the home faithful as Phil Neville failed to close down the midfielder before Elliot's shot rose over the outstretched Howard in the 34th minute.
Elliot was the only player booked, while Everton must turn their sights on Sigma Olomouc in the Europa League, the game on Thursday.
West Ham 1 - 2 Tottenham
Jonathan Spector will not sleep easy after Tottenham completed a strong comeback after going down just after half time at Upton Park.
The two London clubs squared off in East London, and Spector seemed up for the occasion, nearly getting an early assist if it had not been for the steady hands of Carlo Cudicini.
Carlton Cole got the scoring underway as Luis Jimenez laid back a header for the English striker, and after taking a touch to set himself up for the volley in the 49th minute.
Cole went from hero to zero five minutes later, after providing Jermaine Defoe an inch perfect through ball after Tottenham had turned the ball over to the Hammer. Cole was under no pressure, but decided to play a back pass to the Hammer defense, only for Defoe to collect the pass and bury from 12 yards out.
Tottenham made the Hammers pay for not taking their chances, and Spector was at fault for allowing Aaron Lennon the chance to smash home the game winner. Spector got a foot to the through pass intended for the winger, but slipped at the crucial moment to allow a thunderous left footed strike in the 79th minute.
Julien Faubert and Jimenez were booked for West Ham, while Tom Huddlestone was booked for Spurs. Up next for West Ham is a home test against Millwall in the League Cup.
Watford 2 - 2 Blackpool
Jay DeMerit was a 90-minute man for the Hornets who fought to a draw with Blackpool at Vicarage Road.
Tommy Smith continued his strong play after slotting home a Danny Graham pass from 12 yards out in the 24th minute. It wasn't until ten minutes after the beginning of the second period that Blackpool equalized after Scott Loach was only able to parry a flicked on Neal Eardley corner, when Alex Baptiste slotted in the rebound from six yards.
Smith then turned provider seven minutes later after breaking down the left flank to pick out Tom Cleverly who dispatched a right footed shot past Paul Rachubka. With only 18 minutes left, Blackpool showed their heart as Charlie Adam's last ditch cross at the byline reached Gary Taylor-Fletcher who rocketed home the equalizer.
Eardley, Ian Evatt, Keith Southern were the only players book in the game, all for Blackpool. DeMerit will have the chance to take on Mike Grella as Watford travels to Leeds in the second round of the League Cup.
Milton Keynes Dons 2 - 1 Colchester
Jemal Johnson went 81 minutes as Milton Keynes Dons were able to edge Colchester at home.
Johnson missed an early opportunity to score for the Dons, but Jermaine Easter was able to pick the team up after being barged down inside the penalty area. The striker was confident enough to slot in his own penalty in the 22nd minute.
Mark Carrington put the game in the home team's favor after bursting past Magnus Okuonghae giving himself a one-on-one with Ben Williams. The keeper rushed, but Carrington kept a cool head and rounded him before slotting into an empty net in the 55th minute.
A 68th minute consolation goal from Scott Vernon was not enough to spur Colchester to a come back. Stephen Gleeson, Willy Gueret, Luke Howell, Jabo Ibehre, and Johnson all picked up bookings for the home team.
Up next for the Dons is an away test against Exeter next Saturday.
Notes:
Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan will be looking forward to a Monday trip to Liverpool, while Eric Lichaj looks unlikely to make the bench for Aston Villa.
Marcus Hahnemann was on the bench as Wolverhampton Wanderers fell 1-0 to Manchester City.
Frank Simek was left off the team sheet as Sheffield Wednesday demolished Scunthorpe United 4-0.
Zak Whitbread is out injured as Millwall drew 0-0 with Southend United, with Ian Joyce on the bench.
Mike Grella got his first minutes of the season, playing out the dying minutes of a 3-0 thrashing from Leeds against a struggling Tranmere team.
I'm jonesing for World Soccer Daily which was bullied off the air by thin-skinned, simple-minded Liverpool fans threatening the host and his children. I need a daily that provides international soccer news and results from an American perspective. Yanks Abroad should do a podcast! Now that would be worth listening to. Just don't say anything about Liverpool, though. They haven't picked up on that free speech craze that swept the nation 233 years ago. Shame on Hicks and Gillette.
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