Lukaku Lifts Everton Over Newcastle United

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Everton hosted Newcastle United today in the Monday night game of the Premier League.  Everton lost midfielder Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United earlier this month, but loaned Gareth Barry from Manchester City and Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.  Newcastle thought they were losing Yohan Cabaye, but the French international is still with the club and started today's match on the bench.

Everton were the better team at the start and scored on their first chance early in the match.  Kevin Mirallas drove down the right flank and picked out Lukaku in front of goal.  Lukaku hit the shot first-touch to beat the keeper, putting the home side ahead (5').

Lukaku then had the assist in the goal scored by Ross Barkley.  Playing a perfect through-ball to split the Newcastle centerbacks, Lukaku setup Barkley who finished well to put Everton up by two (25').  Keeper Tim Howard then setup another goal for Lukaku with a long ball out of the back.  Newcastle defender Colocchini and keeper Krul both miss-played the long ball giving Lukaku a tap-in finish (37').

At the start of the second-half Newcastle made two substitutions; one in defense with Williamson replacing Yanga-Mbiwa and one in the attack with Cabaye replacing Ben Arfa.  Both changes were effective and Newcastle turned the game in their favor.  The defense kept Everton from scoring again and Cabaye scored a quick goal for Newcastle to give them life.  Cabaye hit a well struck ball from distance that curled into the far corner to beat keeper Howard (51').

Newcastle worked a number of shots in the second-half that tested the keeper and scored a second goal near the end of the match.  Striker Loïc Rémy muscled out defender Jagielka for position and scored to close the gap to only one goal (89').  Newcastle ran out of time though and Everton held on through stoppage-time.

Suarez Shines in Liverpool Return

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Luiz Suarez returned to Premier League play for Liverpool today as the Reds travelled to face Sunderland.  Suarez and Sturridge both started at striker for Liverpool and by half-time each had one goal.

Sturridge scored on a corner-kick delivered by captain Gerrard.  His service was flicked-on by Kolo Touré in the box to setup Sturridge in front of the net (28').  Initially it looked like Sturridge finished with a header, but replay showed he used his arm to get the final touch.  No one seemed to see it on the field, including the ref, and the goal counted.  Sturridge then setup Suarez for his first goal of the season.  Creating space wide right, Sturridge played an easy pass across the face of goal for Suarez crashing the far-post (36').

Sunderland were much better in the second-half and had Liverpool's defense rather uneasy.  The new Italian signing Giaccherini scored a goal early in the second-half to narrow the gap.  Ki Sung-Yueng fired a shot at goal that keeper Mignolet was able to block.  Mignolet could not hold on to the shot however, and Giaccherini pounced on the loose ball and scored (52').

Suarez and Sturridge were too much for Sunderland today though, and the two strikers linked up once more for another Liverpool goal.  Suarez was able to break forward on a counter-attack and picked out Sturridge with an early cross.  Sturridge then passed the ball back across the net for Suarez who continued his run to score at the back-post (89').

Liverpool climbs to second in the table following the road win at Sunderland, tied with Tottenham with thirteen points.  Next week Liverpool will host Crystal Palace making a return to the Premier League, while Sunderland take on Manchester United.

Arsenal Ahead in EPL, Beat Swansea

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Arsenal travelled to Wales for a Premier League game against Swansea City today.  Swansea came out playing possession heavy football and made Arsenal play defense early.  The crowd was also involved and Swansea fed off their energy.  Arsenal settled in and created their own chances late in the first-half.  Neither side scored by half-time and staying on-sides was a problem for both clubs all day.

In the second-half the visitors turned up their game and Arsenal scored two goals less than five minutes apart.  First Arsenal's other new German signing Serge Gnabry was played in-on-goal by Ramsey following good combination play in the box (58').  Moments later Ramsey scored when Arsenal perfectly worked a counter-attack.  Giroud played the final pass for Ramsey who had his shot partially deflected, but not enough to keep it out of the net (62').

Swansea never gave up though, and made a positive change when Wilfred Bony was introduced.  The big striker was a lot for the Arsenal defense to handle and he helped setup a goal late for Swansea.  Leftback Davies made a driving run into Arsenal's box and Bony played a chipped ball over the top for him.  Defender Mertesacker managed to get just a piece of the ball on its way toward Davies, but he could not quite get enough.  Davies was able to get a touch off his thigh to direct the ball into the net, giving Swansea life late in the match (82').

Swansea could not work another goal following the late score and Arsenal held on for the road win.  Arsenal are now on top of the table in the Premier League after six rounds.  More clubs will play Sunday and Monday, but none can earn enough points to overtake the Gunners.

Manchester United Top Liverpool in Cup Play

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The first big match-up in the 2013-14 Football League Cup, or Capital One Cup, came today with Manchester United hosting Liverpool.  In the third round match Manchester United elected to start Hernandez at striker who hasn't seen much action this season playing behind Van Persie.  Luis Suarez hasn't seen much action lately either, but with his suspension complete Liverpool welcomed him back into the starting line-up.

United had the hot start today with Rooney and Kagawa looking spry at Old Trafford.  Liverpool survived the early barrage though and got Sturridge and Suarez involved.  By half-time no goals were scored, but the match was wide open.

Manchester started the second-half better than the first and quickly scored from a set-piece.  Rooney delivered the corner into the box that Hernandez finished.  The Mexican striker attacked the service at the near-post and turned the shot into Liverpool's net (46').

Liverpool managed a few good shots after conceding the goal, but Rooney and United were able to keep up the attack and keep Liverpool's defense busy.  No other goals were scored and United move to the next round.

Ronaldo Nets Champions League Hat-Trick

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The first round of group-play in the Champions League began today with Turkish league champions Galatasaray hosting Spanish giant Real Madrid.  The big news for Madrid this offseason was the major transfer of Gareth Bale from Tottenham as well as the resigning of Christiano Ronaldo.  Bale was not in the starting line-up, but Los Blancos were perfectly capable of handling Galatasaray without him.

Galatasaray started the match with all the momentum, playing in front of their home fans.  Didier Drogba, Wesley Sneijder, and Felipe Melo all looked threatening to the Madrid defense.  To further put off Madrid, keeper Casillas had a collision with teammate Ramos and came out injured before fifteen minutes had been played.

Madrid held strong though and started to take over the match.  A long ball by Di Maria from midfield to the box set up Isco for Madrid's first goal.  Isco did well to trap the long pass before finishing the shot off the post (33').  Galatasaray kept the ball out of the net for the rest of the first-half, but lost their crucial striker Drogba who injured his shoulder moments before half-time and could not continue.

Galatasaray started the second-half in a reasonable position to rally back, but Madrid had other thoughts.  Ronaldo and Benzema combined for five goals in the second-half to put the home team well out of contention.  First Benzema capitalized on a free run at goal after two Galatasaray players collided giving him an easy one-on-one with the keeper (54').

Ronaldo then scored two goals, both coming after Madrid were able to create all kinds of confusion in the Galatasaray penalty area (63', 66').  Benzema got his second when Ronaldo picked him out with a cross for an easy tap in finish (81').

Galatasaray got a small consolation goal by substitute Bulut when Amrabat played a perfect ball into the box for him, but there was not nearly time enough left to matter (84').  Ronaldo scored the final goal in stoppage-time to complete his hat-trick.  With the defense exhausted, Ronaldo easy shredded defender Chedjou before blasting his shot past the keeper (90 +1').

Real Madrid face F.C. Copenhagen then Juventus next month as the other members of Group D.  The two tied 1-1 today in their first match-up leaving Madrid alone at the top of the group.

Swansea's Shelvey Stands Out Against Liverpool

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Former Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey moved to the Welsh club Swansea City in the offseason and faced his old club today with the Reds coming to town.  Shelvey was a central figure throughout the first-half, initially giving his team a very early lead.  He first missed a half-volley shot, but the ball stayed at his feet and he was able to drive inside the box.  Then his next shot was blocked by Liverpool defender Skrtel, but again the ball stayed at his feet for a third crack at goal that did get past the keeper (2').

Immediately after the goal, Shelvey was responsible for giving away the lead when a poor back-pass to his keeper was intercepted by Sturridge.  The back-pass set up Sturridge in a perfect spot to take a quick first-touch shot for the equalizer (4').  Later in the first-half Shelvey was again responsible for a bad pass that resulted in another goal for Liverpool.  This time the pass was intercepted by Victor Moses (making his first start with the club) who streaked up the field and scored to put the Reds in front (36').  

Shelvey was able to redeem his two previous bad passes with one very good pass later in the second-half.  Shelvey put his teammate Michu in on goal with a well place glancing header.  Michu had a number of shots blocked and saved over the course of the match, but this one beat the Liverpool keeper for the final goal (64').  

Moses and defender Sakho both made their first starts today for Liverpool and both were quite good.  Liverpool have been forced to deal with several injuries to their defensive players and Coutinho may also be sidelined for a while, exiting today's match with an apparent shoulder injury.

Arsenal's Ramsey Nets Two in Win Over Sunderland

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The Premier League returns after taking a week off to fit in all the World Cup Qualifiers around the globe.  Arsenal travelled to Sunderland today and were able to debut their latest signing.  German International and former Real Madrid midfielder, Mesut Özil started for the Gunners and seemed to mesh perfectly with his new club.

In the early moments of the match, Özil set up Giroud in the box for a goal.  Defender Gibbs played a long ball out of the back that Özil trapped well before laying across the face of goal.  Giroud made a good near-post run and scored with his first touch, sliding the shot past the keeper (11').

Jozy Altidore played less than twenty minutes for the United Stated in their qualifying matches, but was in the starting line-up today for Sunderland.  His chances were limited as Arsenal controlled a vast majority of possession, but he looked fit and had one good shot from distance that was saved by keeper Szczesny.

Sunderland made a change at half-time taking Vaughan out for Craig Gardner who proved to be an improvement.  A penalty was awarded to Sunderland when defender Koscielny missed his tackle in the box, and Gardner scored from the spot to tie the game (48').  Arsenal took the lead back though when Aaron Ramsey scored with a very well struck volley.  Rightback Jenkinson picked him out in the box with a cross and Ramsey blasted his volley past keeper Westwood (67').

Moments later Sunderland had a chance to again equalize when Jozy Altidore got tangled up with Bacary Sagna.  Altidore broke away from Sagna, who was holding him back, and put the ball in the Arsenal net.  However, the referee called the foul on Sagna before the goal was scored and Sunderland only got a free-kick instead of a goal.

Aaron Ramsey then scored a third goal for Arsenal to seal the deal when Giroud slotted a through-ball for his run into the box.  Ramsey did well to slip through defenders and score his second goal of the match (76').

Though it is still early in the season, Arsenal may have found the perfect player to put them back at the top of the Premier League in Mesut Özil.  One the other side, American Jozy Altidore is making his second run in the Premier League and has a chance to help a good club as well as take the next step as an elite striker.

USA Punch Ticket to Brazil, Beat Mexico

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Tonight's World Cup Qualifier against Mexico has been anticipated for several weeks now.  Playing in Columbus, Ohio the United States were again without Michael Bradley in midfield and Jozy Altidore up front.  Eddie Johnson and Kyle Beckerman replaced the two crucial players in this crucial match.  Mexico of course were facing a different form of adversary with a change in head coach coming just days ago.

Mexico got off to a decent start and were close to winning a penalty in the first minute of the game.  Keeper Tim Howard was spared by the referee and the match remained scoreless for the first-half.

The second-half was all USA as the men's national team scored twice, and nearly a third time, while shutting out Mexico.  Earlier in the match Eddie Johnson won a clean header during a corner-kick, but Mexican keeper Corona denied the forward.  Johnson got another chance in the second-half and scored with another clean header from a corner-kick (49').  

Mexico did all they could to get the goal back including using all three substitutes.  However a second goal late in the game by the US ensured the outcome.  Substitute Diskerud was able to fire a cross from the end-line that reached Donovan at the far-post for the final goal of the match (78').  USA had a chance to score one more when a penalty was awarded in stoppage-time, but Dempsey missed from the spot to end the game 2-0 for the US.

The US still have to play Jamaica and Panama to finish off the qualifying stage, but they now have enough points to ensure their place in the 2014 World Cup.

Costa Rica Snaps U.S. Win Streak

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The U.S. Men's National Team went south to Costa Rica for a World Cup Qualifier rematch.  Costa Rica have been vocal about their protest of the first meeting in March that featured a snow storm in Colorado.

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan started for the U.S. while Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore were out with injuries.

Costa Rica got off to a perfect start and scored two goals in the first ten minutes of the match.  Defender Acosta got forward on a corner and scored a near-post header (2)'.  Shortly after Bolaños delivered a cross that setup Borges in the box for another header finish (10').

Late in the first-half the U.S. got one back when a penalty was given following a foul by keeper Navas.  Fabian Johnson was tripped by Navas trying to reach a loose ball in the box and saw a yellow card for the infraction.  Dempsey stepped up to take the penalty and he was successful from the spot (43').  His shot was practically right down the middle and Navas got behind the ball, but he could not turn the shot away from his goal.

The second-half started to look better for the United States as Costa Rica played more defensive to protect their lead.  This allowed the U.S. to possess more and press forward.  However one big play by Costa Rican forward Campbell took all the wind out the sails for the U.S.  A long pass out of the back released Campbell who beat defender Besler in a foot race to the ball.  Campbell finished confidently, going through the legs keeper Howard coming off his line (75').

This loss snaps a twelve game winning streak for the United States, but more importantly it keeps the race to the 2014 World Cup much tighter.  The United States will host Mexico on Tuesday in another important World Cup qualifier.