Cleveland defence keeps home record perfect
December 30, 2008
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat 93-86 to move to 16-0 at home and 26-4 overall. The Cavs came back from a 10 point deficit in the final quarter. It was the defence that helped turn the match around as the Heat had no answer to the hustle and in your face defence.
LeBron James topped the scoring with 33 points for the match, while Miami’s Dwayne Wade had 29 points on the night.
In other matches the Boston Celtics ended their two game losing streak with a 108-63 thumping of the Sacramento Kings. The Celtics saw their 19-game win streak come to an end against Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. That loss was followed up with another loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The Denver Nuggets had an away win over the New York Knicks 117-110, the Mavericks also won away from home with a 98-76 win over the LA Clippers. The Hornets just got the win over the Pacers, 105-103 while the Lakers easily won at home against the Warriors 130-113.
The best win streaks are now the Cavs with the 16-0 home record and the Orlando Magic who have won their last seven straight. This record goes on the line against Detroit on Monday night.
San Diego charge into NFL playoffs
December 30, 2008
NFL playoffs are on the way
The San Diego Chargers have completed a remarkable run into the NFL finals after a 52-21 rout of the Denver Broncos. For the Chargers it is the result many expected at the start of the season with the team picked to win the division however it was a surprise how they did it after coming back from 4-8 earlier in the season.
For the Broncos the last three games saw a monumental collapse as they went from having a three-game-lead with three games to play to missing the playoffs. This is the first time since division play that a team has missed out from such a position.
The Chargers become the first team since the Cleveland Browns in 1985 to win a division at 8-8. What does that mean for them? Are they going into the playoffs as the weakest team? or have they peaked at the right time of the season? The impressive win at Tampa Bay last weekend would suggest the latter.
The Chargers now are scheduled to meet Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night in the wild-card round. Last season the Chargers defeated the Colts 28-24 in the divisional playoffs. In the most recent meeting on November 23 it took a last second field goal by the Colts to defeat San Diego 23-20. It is anyones guess which San Diego team will show up for this match.
In other NFL action the New York Jets wimpered out of playoff contention with a 24-17 loss to Miami. This saw them go 1-4 over the last five games to miss the playoffs. Coach Eric Mangini has paid for the poor season ending form with his job as it was announced that he has been fired.
The Dallas Cowboys also crashed out of the playoffs with a 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles, thanks to other results made the playoffs. It took an upset win by the Oakland Raiders over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a Houston win over Chicago to pave the way for the Eagles. The Eagles play the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings next Saturday.
The Vikings claimed the division with a late field goal clinching their match against the New York Giants, 20-19.
The first round of the playoffs is the Wild-Card Round. In the AFC Indianapolis play San Diego and Baltimore play Miami. In the NFC Atlanta play Arizona and Philadelphia play Minnesota.
Liverpool thump Newcastle to edge ahead of Chelsea
December 29, 2008
Liverpool has moved out to a three point lead at the top of the English Premier League after a convincing 5-1 win over Newcastle away from home. The win combined with a 2-2 draw for Chelsea against Fulham allowed Liverpool to move to the three point lead.
Steven Gerrard scored twice in the one sided match at St James’ Park. His first came after 31 minutes to open the scoring. Sami Hyypia followed this up in the 36th minute. Newcastle got back into the match with a goal to David Edgar in the 45th minute. From there it was all Liverpool as Ryan Babel, Gerrard and Xabi Alonso added to the scoring.
Arsenal got back in the win column with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth. Everton continued a good run of form with a 3-0 win over Sunderland. Blackburn Rover and Manchester City drew 2-2 while Wigan got past Bolton Wanderers 1-0. West Ham continued its climb up the ladder with a 2-1 win over Stoke City.
Manchester United will be keen to make ground on Chelsea when they play their Monday match against Middlebrough. Aston Villa and Hull City complete the round on Tuesday.
Chelsea miss out again
December 23, 2008
Chelsea has wasted another opportunity to go top of the English Premier League table after a goalless draw away to Everton. The draw ended a run of eight consecutive away wins this season.
Liverpool still has a one point lead at the top of the EPL ladder.
Chelsea were made to work hard to just complete the match with a draw after the sending off of their skipper John Terry in the 36th minute after a high challenge on Leon Osman.
The teams play again on boxing day. Chelsea would be expected to get a win at home against West Bromwich Albion while Everton travel to Middlesbrough. Liverpool play at home to Bolton Wanderers. They will also been keen to end a run of draws at home.
Chargers still alive
December 23, 2008
Just three weeks ago the San Diego Chargers looked out of the NFL playoff picture. They were 4-8 for the season and were a few games behind the AFC West leaders, Denver Broncos. Now on the back of three wins, including a nail biting
22-21 win against Kansas City, they are back in the race for a playoff spot, and more importantly their destiny is in their hands.
The season has now come down to a winner-take-all finale between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The game kicks off at 5:15 PM PT.
What has been looking like a season of great disappointment for the Chargers could be turned right around with a win over the Broncos. Coach Norv Turner’s future is probably riding on the win. If the Chargers make the playoffs and win a game or two, or for the big time Charger fans, make the Super Bowl he might be safe. If not he might face the sack.
There is also talk about disharmony in the Chargers locker room. What will a win do for the team spirit?
As I am a Charger fan I cannot wait to see the game next Sunday.
Liverpool fight back for 1-1 draw with Arsenal
December 22, 2008
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the EPL to two points after a come from behind 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium. Chelsea have the opportunity to take top spot if they can defeat Everton in the Monday game at Goodison Park.
Robin van Persie put the Gunners up by a goal in the 24th minute. Robbie Keane scored a rare goal for Liverpool in the 42nd minute to level the match.
Arsenal were reduced to 10 men after 60 minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor was sent off after being shown his second yellow card.
Liverpool were without their manager for this game after Rafael Benitez underwent surgery to remove kidney stones.
In the other Sunday matches Newcastle United collected a home win over Tottenham Hotspur. The score was 2-1. Damien Duff was the hero for Newcastle after coming off the bench to score the winning goal in the 90th minute.
West Bromwich Albion pulled off a rare win against struggling Manchester City. They snatched a 2-1 win after Roman Bednar headed home a goal in the 90th minute. They were 1-0 up after Moore scored in the 68th minute only to see a Scott Carson own goal make it 1-1 with five minutes to play in regulation time.
Manchester United claim Club World Cup
December 22, 2008
A 1-0 win has seen Manchester United claim the title of club world champions. The win came despite playing with 10 men for much of the second half.
Wayne Rooney scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute with a powerful shot into the right side of the goal. The goal came after Ronaldo drew the defence before laying the ball off to Rooney on his left.
Nemanja Vidic was sent off for elbowing Claudio Bieler in the face as the two were on the ground.
Despite the extra man Liga de Quito did not push forward enough to trouble Man Utd. The only chances for Liga de Quito came from long range shots by Alejandro Monso which were great shots that were well saved by Edwin van der Sar.
Manchester United will now return to England to mount a challenge to the top two teams in the English Premier League as they look to defend their EPL title.
Dokic and Ebelthite win Australian Open wildcards
December 21, 2008
Jelena Dokic has earned a spot in the Australian Open for 2009 after winning the wildcard playoff final against 16-year-old Monika Wejnert. The final score was 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3.
Dokic was a one time world no. 4 ranked player and has experienced the highs and lows of life as a professional tennis player. Dokic said after the match “it was not a pretty match but I did what I had to do to get through”. She felt that her experience got her through.
Wejnert went into the match knowing that the pressure was on Dokic and went close to winning her way into the Australian Open main draw.
In the men’s event it was South Australia’s Colin Ebelthite who claimed the wildcard for the Australian Open. He defeated AIS Pro tour teammate, Sam Groth 1-6, 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-4. The 2009 Australian Open will mark the debut in Grand Slam tennis for Ebelthite.
The Australian Open tennis tournament for 2009 will take place from 19 January through to February 1. Novak Djokovic is the men’s defending champion and Maria Sharapova is the women’s champion from 2008.
Tickets are on sale now.
David Beckham checks-in for AC Milan
December 21, 2008
David Beckham was officially presented on Saturday at the AC Milan training ground after completing a medical check. The superstar of football will wear no. 32 while on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham will watch his new team play Udinese on Sunday before leaving Italy until December 29. He will be part of the team training camp in Dubai as he tries to force his way into the top team at AC Milan.
It will be no easy task to make his way into the first team. AC Milan boasts players the stature of Maldini and Ronaldinho. Beckham fans would be hoping he can make his team debut on January 11 when Milan visits AS Roma.
Beckham is only available until March 8 when he has to return to the USA to play for the LA Galaxy as they compete for the Major League Soccer title.
What do you think about David Beckham playing for AC Milan?
Aston Villa jumps into third
December 21, 2008
Aston Villa has gone to third place in the English Premier League after a 1-0 win over West Ham. It should be noted that Manchester United have two games in hand over Villa. Man Utd do not play this weekend as they are taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
The win for Aston Villa came after an own goal by Lucas Neill in the 78th minute when James Milner’s cross was deflected in off the West Ham defender. Earlier in the match Villa’s keeper, Brad Friedel came up with several good saves to keep West Ham scoreless. The loss for West Ham leaves them just one point out of the relegation zone. This must be of some concern for Gianfranco Zola who said his players did not deserve the loss.
The top two teams in the EPL play on Sunday and Monday. Liverpool will look to keep their one point lead as they take on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. Liverpool’s away form has been better than the home form over recent times so they are a good chance to take full points against Arsenal.
Chelsea also has an away game. They play Everton on Monday. Like Liverpool, Chelsea is playing their best soccer away from home. They have in fact set a new mark for the most consecutive away wins. The most recent away win was the 11th consecutive EPL away win for Chelsea.
Are you surprised by Villa’s form this season? Leave your comments below.
