Match Review : Liverpool 1 Everton 1

The first match to kick-off yesterday was Liverpool taking on their old rivals Everton. The match was played at Anfield with 44,511 fans in the stadium.

The first half ended 0-0 but there was a few incidents where a penalty should have been awarded. Liverpool's Alberto Moreno was tugging and holding on to Everton's Romelu Lukaku at the edge of the penalty box. The linesman and referee waived it off. Another incident was Raheem Sterling's shot being blocked by Everton's Gareth Barry but he blocked it off by using his hand over his head. It was a clear penalty claim but the referee shook his head. The Liverpool players were fuming since the penalty was not awarded.

Image source: www.theguardian.com

The goal that Liverpool wanted so badly came at the 65th minute from a set piece. Steven Gerrard took the free kick and hit the ball to the right post. Everton's Tim Howard could only parry the ball but it fell into his own net. A curling shot avoiding the row of Everton defenders before creeping inside the left hand post of Tim Howard. A great strike from the Liverpool captain and a goal deserved. As expected, the Anfield stadium erupted with joy celebrating the goal against their bitter rivals.

Image source: www.independent.co.uk

Everton was hanging on as Liverpool piled up the pressure after the goal. They had their magical moment at the 91st minute with a late stunner from Phil Jagielka. The ball was headed out of the penalty box by the Liverpool defender and Jagielka came running towards the loose ball. He unleashed the strike that rocketed into the roof of the Liverpool goal! It was travelling with speed and swirling to the left of Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. It was too good for Mignolet as his dive missed the ball by inches and he could only watch the ball fly inside his net. That strike from Jagielka was worthy of equalizing any match. 

It was all square for the teams and they had to share the points. I believe the Liverpool players will be questioning the referee's decision on the penalty claims as they would have felt they were robbed off 2 points today. Everton had their chances too but only managed to make 1 of them count. A typical derby match with some talking points from the entertaining game.

Match Review : Arsenal 1 Tottenham 1

Although some might say that it was a point earned last night, I strongly believe that it was 2 points dropped. Maybe it might have been 3 also but in the end, the scoreline was Arsenal 1 Tottenham 1.

Despite having a huge possession of the ball, Arsenal failed to convert their chances and many a times felt as though they might have lost their creativity to score. 

Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Tottenham took the lead on the 56th minute through Nacer Chadli. Mathieu Flamini lost his concentration on the ball and was robbed by Christian Eriksen just 40 yards outside the penalty box. Flamini and Eriksen were tugging away when Erik Lamela carried the ball forward. Lamela spotted Nacer Chadli unmarked on the right and delivered a through ball into the penalty box. The pass left both the Arsenal defenders Kieran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny stranded and they could only watch the ball roll into the net. Credit to Nacer Chadli who controlled the ball before slotting it into the left post to the dismay of Wojciech Szczesny. I would say this was a moment of poor defending and lost of concentration off the ball which cost the goal.

There was more urgency by the Arsenal team after the goal came. They started to push forward in greater numbers and became more aggressive. The goal for them came at the 74th minute through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Alexis Sánchez picked up the loose ball on the left flank of the penalty box. He was immediately marked by 2 Tottenham defenders and as a result of this, Sánchez squared the ball to Santi Cazorla who was just outside the box. Cazorla tried his luck by shooting from just outside the box and the ball was deflected by Younes Kaboul. The loose ball bounced in front of  Danny Welbeck but he mistimed his kick thus allowing the ball to bounce towards Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. His on the volley shot directed the ball towards the roof of the net and the Arsenal stadium erupted with joy!

I feel that even though the depth of Arsenal's squad should have claimed all the 3 points, the results from last night was definitely disappointing. I think Arsenal will have to gain their focus back again to get the job done. The next match is the Champions League game where Arsenal will host Galatasaray. Good luck Gunners!