[Huw Deany]

Note: Ok, this story is about me controlling both liverpool and Manchester United and seeing which club will overtake each other in number of League Titles won because it is currently 18-18 between the two clubs. There will be updates from both Man U and Liverpool in this topic. Hope you enjoy

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 1st June 2009

Sir Alex Proud of Record Season

Despite Manchester United finishing their season with a 2-0 loss in the Champions League Final to Barcelona, United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson is still proud of his team winning the Carling Cup and equalling Liverpool's record of 18 League Titles and Ferguson's main aim now is to overtake that record by ending the upcoming 09/10 season as Premier League Champions, he said in a interview with Sky Sports.


"I will be honest, I was dissapointed to lose to Barcelona in Rome, but we gave a good performance and that is all I could ask for, but I am still proud of the fact we beat Tottenham in Wembley to lift the Carling Cup, we also won the FIFA Club World Cup, showing that this team is one of the best in the world, reached the final of the Champions League final, as you all know, beating the likes of Porto, Inter and even Arsenal, and what I think is our greatest achievment of this season, equalling Liverpool's eighteen League Titles, which over a decade or two ago, many didn't think was possible.

Then Sir Alex went on to dismiss claims of retiring:
"Despite what the papers are saying, No, I don't have any plans to leave this club until I am sacked, forced out or unfortunetly, my health deteriorates, I am sixty-eight and in my opinion, I am in great spirit and health. But I have made plans in advance to when I retire from my position, I will take up instead a director role in the club and also advise over any incoming manager, but these plans are a long way off."

"I see that the team are already fit for the new season, there are so many questions which will be answered, will Liverpool win the title, will we break the record for League titles, I look forward to playing the newly-promoted clubs, Burnley with Owen Coyle, who in my opinion is a great manager, Birmingham, will avoid relgation because they have a great set-up and Wolves, great to see them back in the league, they have a brilliant striker in Ebanks-Blake, who did used to be at this club, I really can't wait for the new season," he concluded.

Manchester United friendlies schedule is as follows:
[A]St.Mirren-19th July
[A]Watford-22th July
[A]Newcastle Town-24th July
[A]Bury-26th July
[A]Altrincham-28th July
[A]Antwerp-30th July

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 1st July 2009

Benitez-"This is our season"

Liverpool Boss, Rafa Benitez has already hyped up the 09/10 season by claiming that "this is our season" and they are aiming for Premier League and Champions League glory, while also saying Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United have "No chance", but Benitez has still pleaded to the American owners of Liverpool for more funds to be pumped into the club.

"This is our season, we have better players than United, they have lost Ronaldo and Tevez, they are big losses and it's a big benefit for us. We have Gerrard, Torres, Carragher , Kuyt , Johnson, basically a team good enough for the League and Champions League double, these are our aims. Sir Alex, a great rival, isn't a greater threat as he was last season, they have no chance, they depended on Ronaldo too much. Chelsea and Arsenal and maybe Aston Villa and Manchester City will pose the biggest thread to us, not that I'm worried."

"But sadly nowadays with Glory, you need something to back it up: money, look at Manchester City, they aren't spending loads of money to just finish mid-table, no, they are challenging for Europe and are like I said earlier, a major threat. I have asked Mr.Hicks and Gillett for a bigger transfer fund, but unfortunetly my plea has not been answered, we will pssibly have to sell before we buy, but I have a many transfer targets and I may possibly bring some youth into this team."

Liverpool's Friendly schedule is as follows:

18th July: Morton(Away)
20th July: Clyde(Away)
22nd July: Raith(Away)
24th July: Kilmarnock(Away)
1st August: Aberdeen(Away)

[.Jay]

Chelsea for the title.

[Huw Deany]

Jaygull you cheeky bugger

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 12th July

Rafa Signs Suazo On Loan

Liverpool Boss, Rafa Benitez has made his first signing of the transfer window, by taking Honduran striker David Suazo on loan till the end of season from Inter Milan.

Suazo, twenty-nine, can speak five different languages and is thought to be back-up for Torres and N'Gog. The striker from San Pedro Sula, (same place where Wigan's Hendry Thomas was born), left the San Siro in Milan to come to Anfield, with Liverpool paying an estimated £600,000 to make the deal complete. Liverpool scouts have regarded as Suazo having great pace despite nearing his thirties, with being described as a great bargain by Rafa Benitez.

Suazo joins with Liverpool paying wages of £42,000 , half of what he earns at Inter Milan. Suazo has spent most of his football career with Italian team Cagliari in both Seria B and A. Then Suazo signed for Inter Milan, costing £12,000,000 and netted eight times in twenty-seven appeareances and last season was on-loan to Benfica in Portugal.

A representive of Suazo had this to say:

"David can't wait to finally play in the Premier League and with such a great club like Liverpool. He is looked forward to being on the same team with Torres and Gerrard and working closely with Benitez, if this move works out for David, he would like to come here permantly."

This post has been edited by Gorka: 14 February 2010 - 01:29 PM

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 12th July

One Comes in and Another Goes Out for United

Sir Alex Ferguson has purchased his first player of the 09/10 season, completing the signing of German-born, Bosnia left-winger, Zvjezdan Misimovic for £7,000,000 from German Champions Wolfsburg, meanwhile goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who has had spells at Swindon and Cardiff, has joined League One team, MK Dons on loan.

Misimovic has a killer left and right foot according to scouts, Misimovic was attractive interest from clubs like A.C Milan, Lyon and even Athletic Madrid, but the Bosnian made up his mind as soon The Red Devils made a bid for him. Misimovic, 27 and has 15 goals in 41 games for Bosnia, has signed a four-year deal with an estimated £34,000 a week. Misimovic had this to say:
"I am sad to end my time with Wolfsburg, but to play for one of the best teams in the world, with perhaps the greatest manager ever, just couldn't be turned down, this is a big chance for me and I must show the fans that I was worth being bought, I will prove a point to fans."

Meanwhile, twenty-three year old 'keeper Tom Heaton has joined Paul Ince's MK Dons on loan for the season. Heaton previously had spells on loan to Swindon, Antwerp and most recently Cardiff. "He's a great capture and will give some competition to our keepers we already have at the club, he was offered out to clubs and I thought I'm having that", Paul Ince had to say.

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 13th July

Gago signs for Liverpool

Liverpool's Rafa Benitez has made his second signing of the summer by brining in Argentinian midfielder, Fernando Gago on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.

It is thought by many that Gago is a replacement for ex-Liverpool player(and now Real Madrid) Xabi Alonso. And according to papers in Madrid, Gago is now out-of-favour due to the arrivals of Kaka and Alonso and so Gago was offered to clubs and nearly joined Roberto Mancini's Manchester City but Liverpool hijacked the move.

Gago, who has 26 caps is on a £33,500 contract with Liverpool, with Madrid paying the other half. The twenty-three year old is now at his third club of his career after spending three years as a first team player at Boca, with seventy starts and then signed for Real Madrid, where his stats at the moment are, one goal in seventy-six appearences. But Gago has hinted if this move goes well, he like also loan-signing David Suazo may join permanantly.

Gago had this to say through a translator:
"I am proud to play for a club like Liverpool, they destroyed us(Madrid) in the Champions League and it just goes to show how much potential this team has, I have been here only a few days but I believe we have a good squad to win the League and perhaps Europe, and at the moment I am learning English so I can fit in here better."

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: July 21st 2009

One Arrival, While Three Leave Manchester

Manchester United boss, Alex Ferguson has been making headlines after finalising a £11,000,000 deal to bring Fiorentina wonderkid Stevan Jovetic to Manchester, with youngster Fabio, going the other way. The Other two players to leave United are eighteen year old Danny Welbeck to Boreaux for £5 million and Nani has joined European Champions Barcelona for also £5 million.

Jovetic, one of the highest rated youngsters in Europe, has signed a four-year contract with wages of up to £50,000 a week. The Montenegro has nine caps for his country with four goals and with will contend with Berbatov and Owen to be Wayne Rooney's striker partner and there are still whispers that a young French striker may be brought in also.

Jovetic had this to say:
"it is great to be here in Manchester, in England, playing in the Premier League week in week out. I want to play against the best in the world and I reckon the Premiership matches that target, my friends are all jealous and I can't wait to get out there and start scoring."

Meanwhile, Left-back Fabio has joined Fiorentina in return and despite leaving his brother Rafael, is eager to play against the likes of Ronaldinho, Eto and Del Piero in Italy, and is expecting more first team football than he did at United. Youngster Danny Welbeck has crossed the channel in a deal to join French Champions Bordeaux for a fee of £5,000,000, Welbeck who has already scored in the Premier League has a lot of potential, but was not in Sir Alex's plans and did not want a loan deal. The final deal is Winger Nani joining Barcelona, the current Spanish and European Champions for also £5,000,000, which is a knock-down price compared to the £22,000,000 United payed for Nani two seasons ago and was thought to be out of favour due to the deal with Jovetic and United already having Park Ji-Sung, Gabriel Obertan and sixteen year old starlet accroding to Sir Alex Ferguson, Ravel Morrison.

And Finally, three United veterans have signed new contracts aiming to see out their time at the club. Welsh Wizard Ryan Giggs has signed a two-year extension with a contract worth £6,000,000 a year. Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Sar have both signed two-year deals worth £4,000,000, with youngster Febian Brandy, who has had spells at Hereford and Swansea, has signed a contract until 2013.

[.Jay]

Great signing, but I fear at the expense of strong youngsters with bags of potential- but I suppose it's a one-season campaign, so who cares right? I would have kept Nani though, unless the money was necessary.

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: July 30th

Mini-Clearout at Liverpool

Liverpool boss, Rafa Benitez has had a busy day after a total of five Liverpool players left the club, only two players have stayed in Britain, while three have gone abroad. The five players to leave are as follows: Ryan Babel, Martin Kelly , Andrea Dossena , Daniel Pacheco and finally Lauri Dalla Valle.

With Gago and Suazo coming in to Merseyside it is thought Rafa Benitez had to even out the books and cover the expensive wages of Gago and Suazo. Dutch international, Ryan Babel has scored seven league goals in two season and has scored five goals in the Champions League, but Babel has signed for Liverpool's rivals Arsenal for £7,000,000 , after supposed interest from many clubs across Europe.

Youngster, Martin Kelly has joined Scottish Third Divison club Livingston on loan for six months, with the deal finishing on January 23rd. Kelly has a lot of potential and has made a debut in the Champions League against PSV, coming on for Jamie Carragher and has English U-19 and 20's caps.

Another young talent, Spanish forward Daniel Pacheco has gone up to Yorkshire to play for "The Tigers" Hull City for a fee of £625,000. Pacheco has no caps for the any of the Spanish teams, but is close to a call-up according to whispers in Spain and has won the Reserve League Northen and National competitions. Pacheco is mostly known for his brillaint passing and dribbling, and before joining Liverpool, was a part of Barcelona's youth team.

The Fourth person to leave is Italien left-back, Andrea Dossena has signed for Fiorentina, linking-up with now ex-Manchester United player Fabio. Fiorentina have payed up to £4,000,000 for his services, which is a brilliant deal according to Liverpool fans, which have seen Dossena massively under-perform since joining last season from Udinese, but Dossena's only goal for Liverpool came from a chipped shot over Edwin Van Der Sar, when Liverpool beat Manchester United four-one at Old Trafford.

And the last deal is Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle joining Liverpool's feeder club AEK Athens in Greece on loan till the end of season. The decision was made by Rafa Benitez to send the youngster on loan, but the last time Dalla Valle was sent on loan, he joined Inter Milan's youth team, but became homesick and left a few months later, but Dalla Valle has said it won't happen again because he's been more mature since leaving Milan. Dalla Valle has eight caps for Finland's U-19's, seven for the U-17's and has three goals in two games for the U-16's.

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 1st August 2009

A Striker In & A Striker Out For Sir Alex.

Sir Alex Ferguson has brought a new striker to Manchester and that man is sixteen year old French U-19's Yaya Sanogo for a fee of £3,600,000 from french club AJ Auxerre, while Italian wonderkid Federico Macheda has joined Spanish team Athletico Madrid for £4,000,000.

Sanogo, who can play international football Mali as well as France, has signed until June 2011, but with only wages of £55 a week, but with clauses in his contract for appearences and goals. According to coaches and scouts, Sanogo has amazing finishing and heading, while having good technique, jumping and penalty-taking.

Sanogo had this to say :
"I had the chance to stay in France, but I wanted to join United after I heard of their interest, one of the biggest clubs in the world, but I have to prove myself to the coaches,manager and most of all the fans. I hope to have a happy time here and be well remembered and work my way into the fans hearts.

The second deal is Federico Macheda joining Athletico Madrid in Spain for £4,000,000, Macheda was a part of Lazio's youth team before joining United and on his debut last season scored a winner with a superb turn and shot against Aston Villa in a 3-2 after coming from two goals down, the following week he scored against Sunderland and guided United even closer to the title and eventually was given a winners medal after winning the title.

Now United look forward to playing Chelsea at Wembley in the season opener: The Community Shield on Sunday August 8th, a week before the start of the Premier League. But United will be without Edwin van Der Sar, Rafael, Patrice Evra , Gabriel Obertan , Zoran Tosic , Anderson while Vidic is doubtful. While Chelsea will be without Paulo Ferreira , Belletti , Zhirkov and Nemanja Matic.

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: August 8th

Community Shield 2009: Chelsea vs Manchester United Preview

Although it has lost it's value in the last few years, the FA Community Sheild is still a big part of the season and counts down the days till the Premier League 09/10 season kicks-off. Champions Manchester United play FA Cup champions Chelsea, under new boss Carlo Ancelotti. United have a chance of lifting the Shield for the third time in a row if they beat Chelsea.

Manchester United will be without French full-back Patrice Evra(Ankle) , Brazilian right-back Rafael(Dislocated Shoulder) , Gabriel Obertan(Spine) , Zoran Tosic(Shoulder) , Anderson(twisted ankle), while Nemanja Vidic is doubtful. But Sir Alex Ferguson feels that United will still do fine without the injured players and has hinted he may hand debuts to new signings Jovetic and Misimovic.

While Chelsea will be without four players, these are Serbian Nemanja Matic , Full-back Paulo Ferreira , Brazilian shot blaster Juliano Belletti and new signing Russian left-back Zhirkov. But Carlo Ancelotti is looking forward to his first competitive match in English football and is confident they can lift the Shield.

Ones To Watch

United, Stevan Jovetic- The nineteen year old striker cost £11,000,000 and a player to bring to the club from Fiorentina. Already tipped as a future star, Jovetic will have to impress Sir Alex in possibly his first match for the club. It is thought Jovetic will be linking-up with Wayne Rooney in an effort to split the Chelsea defence. A good match against Chelsea, may work Jovetic into United fans already

Chelsea, Didier Drogba- The strong Ivorian will be a major threat to Rio Ferdinand and co. in the United defence. Although not being on the best of form in the last two season, Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to bring the best out of Drogba. United will have to look out for Drogba's aggresion and make sure they don't give away any free-kicks, as Drogba can strike a dead-ball brilliantly.

[Huw Deany]

FA Community Shield 2009

Last Updated: August 9th

New Signings Fire United To Win

Manchester United were crowned Community Shield Champions for the third time running after defeating Chelsea in Wembley. Chelsea were part of their own downfall though, after Jose Bosingwa was sent-off in the first half for two bookings. Later new signings Stefan Jovetic and Zvjezdan Misimovic made Chelsea pay by both scoring goals in the second-half

United started with a new formation, two central midfielders with Giggs on the left as a winger, on his opposite side, Park Ji-Sung and in the middle between them, Wayne Rooney, while Jovetic stared up-front. And United, without Van Der Sar decided to put Ben Foster in goal, with the keeper eager to impress the England coach who was watching them, Fabio Capello. While Chelsea played with a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with John Obi Mikel as the anchoring midfielder, Essien and Lampard in the middle with Ballack sitting behind Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.

United attacked from the first minute, with Giggs forcing a corner and then Fletcher crossing it to Park Ji-Sung to jump and head, but Cech remained calm and just watched the header go over the bar. Then down the other end, Foster was threatened after Lampard let fly a a right-foot shot, but Foster luckily punched it over. Then Lampard smashed another shot over the bar, Chelsea getting closer. Yet althought the attacking display from Chelsea it seemed they had no desire in the match, with United dominating possession and Chelsea were constantly fouling.

Then a good bit a bit of build-up play from the Manchester team with Giggs chipping the ball over the Chelsea defence, with Rooney getting on the end of it with a diving header. But Cech kept it out with an outstretched foot. Then a few minutes later, Jose Bosingwa picked up his first booking taking down Giggs from behind, then seven minutes later picked up his second and was sent-off.Sent-Off, Jose Bosingwa.

Rooney and Scholes tried to capitalise, but the chances were wasted. Jovetic was fouled but picked himself up to curl the ball just past the wall and over the Chelsea bar, while Petr Cech was back-tracking. Giggs then poked the ball just wide when one-on-one with Cech.

Chelsea didn't start the second-half so well as Jovetic, itching for a debut goal, smashed over from a free-kick after Carvalho fouled Rooney. Drogba, who was giving trouble to Jonny Evans all game with his pace and aggresion, got free in the penalty area and then stung Foster's hands with a powerful shot, with Scholes then quickly clearing.


Then the first goal came of the afternoon. Ivanovic tripped Giggs and from the resulting free-kick, Fletcher crossed for Jovetic to smash the ball from outside the box past the helpless Petr Cech, who shouted past his defence for not closing down the Montenegro. Jovetic with his first competitive goal for United ran to his United fans, finding a new home in their hearts. Manchester United 1 - 0 Chelsea: Stevan Jovetic(56).

Chelsea tried to find a way back when Lampard was sent through and shot, but Foster clutched the ball to his chest, Essien then curled a ball over the defence, but Lampard's header was off target. It was looking like it was going to be a tough afternoon for him. Then United made their first subsitutions of the afternoon, Rooney was having a quiet game and as a result came off for the Bulgarian Berbatov, then Misimovic made his debut coming on for the influential Park Ji-Sung.

Foster then had two great saves from Ballack and Anelka's drives from outside the area. But just as it looked like Chelsea would equalise, United caught them on the break for the second goal and sealed the win, with 90 mins gone Chelsea were attacking, but gave the ball away to Owen, who with brilliant pace like he was back in the Liverpool days of hs career found Giggs, tearing down the left, passed to Scholes and the ginger midfielder sent Misimovic through, one-on-one with Cech, and the Bosnian just passed it into the net, scoring on his debut like Stevan Jovetic. Game.Set. And match Manchester United. Manchester United 2 - 0 Chelsea: Zvjezdan Misimovic(90).
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Manchester United: Foster, Brown , O'Shea , Ferdinand , Evans , Fletcher , Scholes , Giggs© , Ji Sung(Misimovic 65) , Rooney(Berbatov 65) , Jovetic(Owen 79).
Subs not used: Kuszczak , C.Evans , Carrick , Valencia

Goals: Jovetic(56), Misimovic(90)

Chelsea: Cech , Cole , Bosingwa(S/O 34) , Alex(Terry© 45) , Carvalho , Lampard(Deco 90) , Essien , Ballack(Ivanovic 34) , Drogba , Anelka(Filipe 90)
subs not used: Turnbull , Sturridge , Hutchinson

Booked: Bosingwa

Sent off: Bosingwa(Two bookable offences)

Attendance: 90,000

Referee: Chris Foy

Man Of the Match: Ben Foster

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 15th August 2009

Gerrard and Suazo Help Liverpool To Opening Day Win at Stoke

Liverpool kick-started their season with a win at Stoke thanks to goals from Steven Gerrard and a debut goal from David Suazo, with Stoke clawing one back through James Beattie. But Sotiros Kyrgiakos went off injured in the first half.

Stoke fans were already holding their breathes two minutes into the game as centre-back Ryan Shawcross was clattered and had to go to the touchline for treatment, but was able to continue. Liverpool then had their first shot of the match as Kuyt found the run of Fernando Torres and the Speedy Spanish Striker crossed for David Suazo to half-volley over the bar.

Then Liverpool found the net for the first time of the afternoon when Gago found Steven Gerrard, passed and the English midfielder hit the ball first time into the far corner of the net.Stoke 0 - 1 Liverpool: Steven Gerrard(14).

Liverpool startet to play more aggressivly and that began to show again as this time Tuncay was taken off for treatment. Sorenson was then tested by Liverpoo, as right-back Glen Johnson torn down the right-hand side and crossed for Gerrard to half-volley into the hands of Sorenson. Carragher who hadn't scored in a few years then came close as a knocked down cross came to him, but Carragher's shooting boots weren't on as usual, as his shot went over the bar.

Kyrgiakos's debut didn't start too well as he had to go off injured after a challenge from james Beattie. Sixteen year old Andre Wisdom replaced the Greek defender. The youngster only in the squad for the the injured Skrtel.

Stoke then struck back at Liverpool when Beattie shot from a Dickinson pass, but Beattie dragged his shot and it went horribly wide. Kitson then also hit the deck as he was the third Stoke player to have treatment from the physio.

Liverpool added their second of the afternoon when full-back Glen Johnson crossed for on-loan Honduran striker to take on the bounce then hit into the top corner of the Stoke goal, leaving the defence stunned.Stoke 0 - 2 Liverpool: David Suazo(40). Gerrard quickly tried to add a third before the half-time whistle, but his volley from a Kuyt cross was off-target.

After a quiet opening ten minutes to the second half, but Stoke ended that as The Britannia Stadium lit up. A defensive mix-up in the Liverpool squad, let James Beattie through and the Stoke striker hooked the ball past Jose Reina.Stoke 1 - 2 Liverpool: James Beattie(54).

Liverpool were eager to increase the lead back to two goals and that showed when a Kuyt header from a corner was cleared off the line from Higginbotham. Sorenson was callled into action again when Suazo's head met the ball and Sorenson had to push the header away. Then in the final ten minutes, there were chances for Stoke to level and perhaps win the match, first Huth took a rare shot and it nearly crepped in, but Reina made sure that it didn't cross the line. Whelan then tried his trademark blaster from a distance but to no avail and Liverpool sealed an opening day win.Stoke 1 - 2 Liverpool.

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Stoke: Sorenson , Wilkinson , Shawcross(Higginbotham 45) , Faye , Huth , Tuncay(Fuller 55) , Dickinson , Whelan , Pugh , Beattie , Kitson(Delap 45)
subs not used: Simonsen , Cort , Collins , Davies

Goals: James Beattie(54)

Booked: Whelan , Huth

Liverpool: Reina , Johnson , Aurelio , Carragher , Kyrgiakos(Wisdom 35) , Gago , Kuyt , Riera(Benayoun 77) , Gerrard , Torres(Voronin 77) , Suazo
subs not used: Martin , Insua , Mascherano , Pepper

Goals: Gerrard(14), Suazo(40)

Attendance: 27,000

Referee: Alan Wiley

Man of the Match: David Suazo

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: August 15th

Ferdinand Own-Goal gets Draw For Villa

A Rio Ferdinand injury-time own goal helped Aston Villa to a lucky opening day draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Owen opened the scoring for United, before Villa hit back with a goal from Sidwell and then Rooney netted the supposed winner , before Ferdinand ran the ball into his own net from a Harewood header.

United handed debuts to youngsters Robbie Brady and Yaya Sanogo and Misimovic, while Aston Villa lined-up with a debut given to Habib Beye and the influential pair of Heskey and Agbonlahor.

United kicked off their first match of the season well when Gibson smashed a thirty-yard ball to Giggs, Giggs raced forward and came one-on-one with Brad Friedel, but smashed his shot straight at Friedel. Then Misimovic tried to score his second in as many games when a corner from him nearly found its into the bottom, but Friedel kept it out.

Then a dominating spell came for Villa, Sidwell had a vicous shot but it flew wide, Curtis Davies' header forced Foster into punching the ball over the bar, then Agbonlahor raced through a ball-peddling defence, but his shot just went past the post. United then struck back when Brown climbed above Petrov to head a Misimovic cross just over. Before Foster once again was tested with a Heskey shot before half-time.

The second half then began with a bang, Michael Owen replaced Ryan Giggs at half-time, the Ex-Liverpool forward caught Villa on the break, danced past Brad Friedel and tapped in for a goal on his debut, Owen already proving a point to critics.Manchester United 1 - 0 Villa: Michael Owen(53).

Then Just three minutes later, Villa equalised, brilliant passing from Warnock to Milner to Young ended with Sidwell recieving the ball outside the box and crashing the ball into the net with a brilliant effort, but Paul Scholes was not happy believing a United player was injured in the build-up.Manchester United 1 - 1 Aston Villa(Steve Sidwell(56).

Owen then fired a shot straight at Friedel, but the shot was tame and easily saved. Manchester United then got their second of the afternoon when Owen found Rooney's run and Rooney with his brilliant vision chipped the ball from outside the box over Friedel and into the top corner of the net.Manchester United 2 - 1 Aston Villa: Wayne Rooney(68).

United tried to defend and play around with the ball, not giving Aston Villa anytime on the ball and slowing the tempo, but Petrov stole the ball from Paul Scholes and found Agbonlahor, who shot first time, Foster saved and a goal-mouth scramble insured, Heskey sent the ball into the six-yard box amongst the ruckus, Harewood found Heskey's cross and headered down, but Ferdinand ran the header into his own net for an own-goal.Manchester United 2 - 2 Aston Villa: Ferdiand OG(90)
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Manchester United: Foster, Neville , O'Shea, Brown , Ferdinand , Gibson(Jovetic 45) , Scholes , Brady , Giggs(Owen 45) , Misimovic , Sanogo(Rooney 45)
subs not used: Amos , Evans , Carrick , Anderson

Goals: Owen(56), Rooney (68)

Aston Villa: Friedel , Beye(young 69) , Warnock(Dunne 80) , Cuellar , Davies , Milner , A.Young(Harewood 80) , Petrov , Sidwell , Heskey , Agbonlahor
subs not used: Guzan , Collins , Gardener , Delph

Booked: Davies, Petrov

Goals: Sidwell(59) , Ferdinand OG(90)

Attendance: 76,212

Referee: Mike Dean

Man of the Match: Steve Sidwell

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: Auguast 15th 2009

Opening Day Results Round-Up

The 09/10 season started with a bang as Aston Villa drew with Manchester United in the first match of the season, with Owen scoring the first goal of the season. Other results included Fulham's 5-0 demolition away at Hull, with Clint Dempsey scoring a brace and a nil-nil draw in the London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Birmingham's first match in the league since the 2007/08 season ended with a draw at home to big spenders Manchester City. McFadden got the opener with a penalty, before Adebayor equalised on his debut for City. Blackburn and Wolves meanwhile played out a nil-nil draw. While the third and last promoted team, Burnley played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but lost 2-0 through goals from Demba Ba and Joe Cole.

Also Sunderland defeated Bolton at the Reebok thanks to a Fraizer Campbell goal, but Bolton's Paul Robinson was sent-off. Everton also kicked-off the season with a win against West Ham, Felliani, Vaughan and Rodwell were all on target, but Carlton Cole grabbed a goal back for West Ham. Fulham went top of the league with a 5-0 win at Hull's KC stadium, Erik Nevland scored the opener before braces from Zoltan Gera and Clint Dempsey destroyed Hull. While the other results were Wigan's 2-1 victory against Portsmouth, Papa Diop scored for Portsmouth but two goals from debutant Jordi Gomez gave Roberto Martinez a winning start in the league. Liverpool also won against Stoke, Gerrard and Suazo found the net before James Beattie got a goal back. The final match was Arsenal's 0-0 draw against Tottenham in the North London derby.

[Huw Deany]

Barclays Premier League

Last Updated: 18th August 2009

Liverpool Labour to Win Over Hull

Liverpool made it two wins out of two after defeating 10-men Hull City at Anfield. Despite having over twenty shots and an extra man, Liverpool only on won thanks to a Fernando Torres from a corner in the 1-0 win.

Martin Skrtel returned for Liverpool, while Degan played right-back while Glen Johnson moved into a winger role on the right. David Suazo also played behind the front-to of Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres. Hull City lined-up with new signings Sonko and Juarez in defence and Hull's star man Geovanni started as right-midfielder, and up-front was Jozi Altidore and Khamel Ghilas.

Liverpoo, started brightly, as from a free-kick Aurelio stepped up and hit it to the right-hand side of Boaz myhill, but the American born, Welsh international hurried across his line to palm it away for a corner. Liverpoo, continued their aggresiveness, which worked well on Stoke in their last game, on Hull midfielder Dean Marney after a hard tackle from Gerrard. Marney had to have treatment but was able to continue. Skrtel then tried the same thing on Altidore and got a warning from the ref for it.

Then the first goal came, Torres forced a corner and from the resulting dead-ball, the Spanish striker outmuscled Sonko and headed past Boaz Myhill and into the net. More shoddy defending from Hull, who recently came off a five-nil defeat from Fulham. Liverpool 1 - 0 Hull: Fernando Torres(16).

Hull then lost the ball straight from the kick-off with Phil Brown shouting madly on the touchline, David Suazo stole the ball on the half way line, advanced and played a quick one-two with Dirk Kuyt, Suazo recieved the ball and shot just wide, past the post. Suazo then had another chance when he smashed a ball just outside the box, but it flew over. Hull then recorded their first shot of the match twenty-four minutes in, Carragher fouled Ghilas, and from the free-kick Brazilian Geovanni hit a trademark thunderbolt, stinging the palms of Jose Reina and out for the corner. Carragher was lucky a few minutes later as he elbowed Ghilas in the face, but only recieved a yellow despite shouts for a red from Hull players and management.

Then after half-time, sub David N'Gog came on and smashed the goalwards but over the bar. Then two yellow cards in two minutes as first Lucas brought down Ghilas and then Marney tripped Adam Pepper. Liverpoo, threatend a second and perhaps thrid goal when chances from Benayoun and Fernando Forres went begging. Then a few minutes later Skrtel headed over.

Then a sudden sending-off blew away any chances off a Hull draw or win, when Juarez picked-up a second yellow for tugging on N'Gog's shirt. Out-gunned and out-numbered, Hull had no chance.Sending off: Juarez(63)(Hull).

Myhill tried to limit the damage when Benayoun hit a low shot and N'Gog hit a cross on the volley, then Carragher with a header. But soon the quiet second half ended and the score was Liverpool 1 - 0 Hull.
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Liverpool: Reina , Degan , Aurelio , Carragher , Skrtel , Gerrard, Johnson(Pepper 45) , Benayoun , Suazo(Lucas 45) , Torres , Kuyt(n'gog)
subs not used: Cavilieri , Insua , Butchmann , Kacanikilic

Booked: Carragher, Skrtel , gerrard , Lucas

Goals: Torres(16)

Hull City: Myhill , Juarez(S/0) , Sonko(Doyle 45) , Dawson(Kilbane 63) , Gardener , Halmosi , Geovanni , Marney , Zayatte , Altidore , Ghilas(mendy 63)
subs not used: Warner , Lauren , Cousin , Mouyokolo

Booked: Altidore , Juarez

Sent off: Juarez

Attendance: 44,321

Referee: Mike Dean

Man of the Match: Boaz Myhill