The Big One
The weekend started with one of the games I have been
waiting for all season. West Ham v Millwall. The game didn't disappoint
in terms of talking points either as Kevin Nolan was sent off for a two
footed tackle very early on in the game. Carlton Cole managed to bag his
first goal in five games with a headed goal which probably would have
been saved if it were anyone but David Forde in goal. Trotter then
scored a brilliant equalizer for Millwall before Winston Reid scored a
dubious goal minutes later as Forde was rugby tackled by Julian Faubert
leaving Reid to slam the ball home into an empty net. 2-1 Hammers.
 |
| Carlton Cole celebrating giving West Ham the lead |
The Chasing Pack
 |
| Terrible weather at St. Andrews |
Birmingham
and Southampton shared the points in conditions at St. Andrews similar
to that shown on Frozen Planet. Unfortunately there was no commentary
from David Attenborough and the game finished 0-0.
Blackpool
scored three in the last 11 minutes at Cardiff to secure a huge 3-1 win
for the Tangerines. A Phillips double act saved Blackpool as Cardiff
had taken the lead through a close range finish from young prodigy Joe
'Messi' Mason. Blackpool deservedly equalised through pensioner Kevin
Phillips which was quickly followed by Blackpool's own youth prodigy,
and ironically a transfer target of Cardiff, Matty Phillips bagging a
brace in the final 7 minutes to send Ian Holloway home laughing as once
again he masterminded a comeback against Cardiff. Shucks.
Middlesbrough, off colour at the moment managed to gain a point at home to Crystal Palace after the Eagles dominated the match and may have felt unlucky to only be taking one point home with them. Another 0-0.
 |
| McCormack and Clayton celebrate |
With Leeds United's form of late you would have expected them to have gone home from Ashton Gate empty handed but the referee had other ideas. Bristol City have been seriously inconsistent this season and didn't help themselves when James Wilson decided he wanted a hot bath more than kicking a ball around in the snow and got himself sent off. Snodgrass had given Leeds the lead four minutes earlier and Robins' fans must have been fearing the worst at half time. They were right to. Leeds soon had a two man advantage as Bolasie got himself a second yellow and joined Wilson in the bath for what I presume to be a very warm snowball fight! McCormack, a former Cardiff player, scored the second to a 'warm' reception from the home fans. If they weren't heading back to their homes already they were when Becchio added a third. 3-0 to Leeds in their first game without Simon Grayson.
Mid-Table
 |
| Buckley celebrates his last gasp winner |
In a game with few chances, Brighton stole the spoils against Leicester in the 90th minute thanks to a Will Buckley volley from a Vicente cross. I had started to doubt whether bringing in Vicente was a good move by Gus Poyet and Brighton but a vital assist and three points to help their playoff push surely goes some way to fixing the doubt. Leicester finished the game with 9 men after having Beckford and Danns sent off while Brighton also finished a man light with Sparrow seeing red late on. 1-0 Brighton.
 |
| Composure shown from Rodriguez |
Jay Rodriguez saved a late point for Burnley at Turf Moor against a struggling Peterborough. A defensive lapse had let Peterborough take an early lead with a great finish from Taylor. That would turn out to be the Posh's only shot on target all game. Burnley couldn't find the break through despite twelve shots on target, that was until young man Jay picked the ball up near the half way line, charged towards the defence, kept going..and going..and going.. before slotting the ball home in Henry esque fashion. A top goal from one of the Championship's best players. 1-1 in the end.
Relegation Battle
 |
| Chopra heads late winner |
Watford and Barnsley met at Vicarage Road and it was the London club who came away with the three points as John Eustace scored twice before a late goal from Scott Golbourne set up a nervy finish for the Hornets. A first home game without Marvin Sordell saw Troy Deeney and Joe Garner play up front with each other after Sordell's £3m move to Bolton. Watford 2-1 Barnsley.
Coventry and Ipswich surprisingly served up the game of the day at the Ricoh Arena infront of a 13,500 crowd which isn't even 50% of the stadium capacity! Jay Emmanuel-Thomas managed a deflected goal for the Tractor Boys before Clingan levelled from the spot. Deegan then gave Coventry the lead before Chopra scored twice to secure the win. 3-2 Ipswich.
Biggest Winners
West Ham and Blackpool have to be contenders with other results going their way but this week the biggest winners have to be Ipswich Town. They were one of two teams in the bottom twelve to pick up three points, moving ten points clear of the drop zone. Also getting Michael Chopra back into goal scoring form is a huge positive for them!
This weeks biggest winners could also be the teams fans that didn't play. Not the most exciting day of football which wasn't helped by the adverse weather conditions. Let's hope for better next week!
 |
| What I wish the Cardiff City Stadium looked like so our game would have been called off! |
