Fern Mc Costigan: January 2019

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Bournemouth delivers mayhem over a hapless Chelsea

Bournemouth 4, Chelsea 0

Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

What an evening lived in Vitality Stadium after its Cherries did a repass over Maurizio Sarri Blues, not only seeing a double, a clean sheet and a goal rout to the joys of the attendees enjoying what their Boys perform on the field.

With Josh King, delivering on the double the local AFC enjoyed a one of kind afternoon of pure and genuine football as manager Eddie Howe envisioned for his side but not on the way, what his initial eleven accomplished today.

A goal rout of four unanswered goals was the tally today in Vitality Stadium were the local Bournemouth squad came prepared to deliver mayhem over a suddenly troubled Chelsea that is starting to see some inner troubles.

As this match mark the first one for the Pensioners newcomer Gonzalo Higuaín being a sort of forgotten man in the course of the first half and later relegated to the bench looking on how his side was sideswipe by an inspired Bournemouth.

However, how the locals did came on top after in the tale of the tape the visitors had the edge in possession and in spite of showing the same number of shoots on target with seven as well edging Chelsea in total shoots with twelve over eleven.

So far with back-to-back losses for Chelsea one against cross town rivals Arsenal and today with Bournemouth taking the honors and putting manager Sarri into a slump and exposing many troubles in the locker room of the Londoners.

Contrary for the Costal side sporting their second consecutive win over two London entities and with a game against Cardiff City, these could extend their winning ways as well return to their first form the one that these had in the first half.

For manager Eddie Howe seeing his side revival once again and after these club directives opened the doors to new faces to come the southern coast of England suddenly these Cherries are stepping up their game.

Still for Chelsea coming to the southern parts with a positive winning and suddenly seeing their game taking a dive as well its star studded defense being so vulnerable in the course of the whole match, this something that manager Sarri is awakening his concerns.

In spite of early arrivals, the Blues came so close on a center intended for Gonzalo Higuain but the opportunity became open for Mateo Kovacic heading the ball and hitting the cross bar as Bournemouth keeper deflected the ball in a close call Chelsea.

Here came the man of the match in Josh King opening the score with such a composure when a well-placed pass direct from David Brooks in the 47’ minute to send the whole of Vitality into a madhouse.

Still with the lead the locals had the creativity of Chelsea was visible with another near score from filtered pass from Pedro to N’ Golo Kante had in his boots and the opportune stop by Artur Boruc saved the possible score.

As David Brooks started a counter attack after an interception in midfield after a sloppy pass from David Luiz and the man between him and Josh King one two combinations, he delivered the final blow in the 63’ minute.

Once again, in the 74’ minute the Josh King show was in full swing when Junior Stanislaus started the counter and for the man of the hour just pushing the ball and putting the Blues with their backs against the wall.

By seeing how the Bournemouth defense standing up all evening long, stopping any opportunity, and opening Chelsea had, as the case of Cesar Azpilicueta denied twice of a near score.

In the end, the Cherries still had room for another score on injury time when Jordan Ibe free kick found an opportune Charlie Daniels on injury time in the 90+5 minute to complete the stun.

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2018

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Magpies deliver hell over Pep Guardiola City

Newcastle United 2, Manchester City 1

St. James Park, Newcastle

The Boys of the Toon are suddenly motivated and inspired after hearing in the loudspeakers the arrival of their long awaited transfer in Paraguayan Miguel Almiron lifting everyone at St. James Park.

With the heavily favorite Manchester City coming to town and play against a modest if not at times brave Magpie squad, but in the end these are doing their best to stay out of the danger zones.

For Rafa Benitez squad and hearing, the news of the almost done deal between both United sides one for America and the other across the pond here in England, the good news were a sort of reconciliation between the Spaniard and the club directives.

Still these Geordies came ready to play one on one against the defending champions and squad considered as intimidating thanks to a superstar filled initial eleven looking to seal the deal as well now catch league leaders Liverpool.

Not today after an early lead and a first half filled with the classic Man City prone domination after scoring early in the game with not even 40 seconds in the clock when Sergio Aguero goal was officially marked in the minute one.

For a squad that at times looks like it’s back to its grand game, later the inconsistencies make them look a bit sorry but not giving up in their quest of moving up the general table after today’s win staying put in fourteenth place.

Coming to the Toon, City came labeled as favorites in their quest of regaining the league top, still the push and initiative ridden Magpies coming all inspired in the second half with a drive and all around determination to seal this one.

With lucky thirteen years of not beating the likes of the Sky Blues, today these Geordies played like a well-oiled machine and voila the result and upset of the week, beating the likes of City.

As everything happened in the second half after the locals with the combination and opportune pass from Isaac Hayden to Solomon Rondon to equalize this match and sending the whole of the Toon into frenzy.

With the game tied, it was a bad move by Fernandinho inside the area after the Magpies intercepted a pass from City and the Brazilian push and tripping of Sean Longstaff in a play being enough for the game official to award the penal.

It was the turn of Matt Ritchie to convert with a solid and furious volley that in spite of City goalkeeper Ederson guessing the trajectory of the ball his efforts were denied and the locals went up the score to preserve the lead.

This defeat marks another one against low rated squads and spite of Chelsea not being a troublesome squad; the Citizens are looking to a difficult uphill battle in the remainder of the campaign.

However, for the local Magpies in the mind of their manager these are hoping to regain confidence with this win and maybe make a dash to the top ten spots and finish as far away from the bottom three spots and with a strong close.

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2018

Monday, January 28, 2019

The Rapids looking forward to a high flying 2019

For the Colorado Rapids manager Anthony Hudson is back to business with the Rocky Mountain High Squad. After back-to-back losing campaigns, the Rapids are looking forward to return to their old winning ways.

By cleaning house, the Colorado squad has been hard at work and very active to erase two mediocre campaigns this club has been in the negative for two seasons finishing near the Western Conference cellar.

For one of the original clubs since the inception of Major League Soccer in 1996 and played in a couple of league finals winning the 2010 edition and finishing as runners up in 1997 as well runner ups.

Other notable achievements the Rapids have delivered since their time in league play is their participations in the 2016 Supporters Shields and in the 1999 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, finishing in second place.

As the duo, in General Manager Padraig Smith and manager Anthony Hudson being so keen in building an all-around contender by handpicking players in free agency or via trade, the objectives of this club are to build a total competitor.

So far the club has netted the ideal players its manger has ask for as well cleaning house and building a squad from the bottom up in order to get that lost winning consistency this squad has been lacking for quite some time.

With four forwards to break that scoring drought this club immersed in this past 2018 alongside two defenders to reinforce manager Hudson diamond formation, two goalkeepers and three midfielders to boost this club creativity in its game.

In the strikers core Colorado has the likes of Diego Rubio from Sporting Kansas City and Kei Kamara FC Cincinnati both of these coming via a trade- hitting gold with both Rubio and Kamara as well adding a HGP in Matt Hundley.

In spite of having a top of the line goalkeepers Clint Irwin traded from Toronto FC and re- entry draftee Andre Rawls being behind the likes of one of the best goalkeepers in US history in Tim Howard calling it quits in the of this season.

Two defenders in a HGP (Home Grown Player) Sam Raben as well Kegan Rosenberry coming the Philadelphia Union these latter one to reinforce the backfield for manager Hudson who is looking to see an improvement in this area.

In the midfield, the arrivals of Benny Feilhaber via free agency, trading for Kelyn Rowe from New England and Nicolas Mezquida from Vancouver Whitecaps, the Rocky Mountain side is looking to stand out their game.

To conclude if the Rapids see the development that manager Anthony Hudson has planned and look forward to a postseason berth and with the talent so far acquired the Rapids can see a boost in their game.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Cork City ready to rock the league

This 2019 the Rebel Army is ready to rock the living foundations of the League of Ireland. For John Caulfield the Leesiders manager he is looking forward to a prolific campaign. Still in his mind is the not so memorable end his squad had in the end of the 2018 campaign.

With a strong dominance in the beginning, they had what looked like another successful start in last campaign; in the end, these endured a sort of meltdown and surrendered the top, to a determined and excellent run put on by Dundalk FC. As the pressure, fatigue was among the factors that in the end led Cork City to their debacle.

However, for manager John Caulfield is business as usual and with a mission to make a total statement with his Rebel Army towards the league top. In the final months, the Rebel Army saw how they were leapfrog out of first place costing them the chance for a repeat as league champions.

With a number of upsets that the City squad endured in the last months of league competition, in the end the Leesiders could not display a successful defense of its title.

For Cork City having an amazing campaign in 2017, after they dominated the league and winning it all. As the year of the treble for the Leesiders they won the league title, FAI and the Munster Cup.

In addition on the start of the 2018 campaign were they defeated Dundalk in the Presidents Cup, many thought of another amazing campaign in the works and being the overall favorites for a repeat of the league title.

The loss in 2017 of Sean Maguire and Kevin O’ Connor moving on to English side Preston North End in the English League Championship. For manager John Caulfield, nothing is impossible or difficult when Kieran Sadlier became is top scorer with 24 goals.

This upcoming campaign the Leesiders have seen a number of notable and experienced players not making a return to Turners Cross. Some of these players leaving in search of new horizons were Steven Beattie-USL side Chattanooga Red Wolves, Kieran Sadlier- Doncaster Rovers, Damien Delaney- Waterford, Barry McNamee and Peter Cherrie- Derry City, and John Dunleavy- Sligo Rovers.

Cork City re- signed the likes of John Kavanagh and Shane Griffin, the signing of academy prospect Ciaran Bargary along with new faces coming down south. With newcomers James Tilley on loan (Brighton Hove & Albion), Darragh Rainingford (Pike Rovers), Tadgh Ryan (Galway United), Daire O’ Connor (UCD), Garry Comerford (Waterford) and Dan Casey (Bohemians).

Still for manager John Caulfield, many improvements are in need if his side is to perform like that championship squad of 2017. I mean to see this squad perform with their new blood and young talent this squad has acquired in the preseason.

To mend what last campaign saw in their game decline is the following. One these are in need of ball retention as well seeing their defensive game to step up. Among of the positives was the counter attack with Mc Namee and Sadlier not with the club anymore.

For manager John Caulfield as previously mentioned, he is upon a challenging task of important moves in his game tactics. With Caulfield wisdom and youth newcomers, I believe this squad can make a run for the league title.

To conclude I will not disqualified this side to a second place finish and being a total competitor once again. As competition will increase with Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Waterford the outlook for City looks tough but not impossible.