Division 4 Opening Day Review
The opening day saw plenty of drama in Division 4, and that was before a ball had been kicked in anger. The late night ramblings of The Linder saw him sensationally walk out of Selhurst Park just hours before their opening fixture, Crystal Palace board quickly appointed Mark Deadman to the role of Manager, Deadman leaving Montpellier after 121 games in charge of the Division 5 side. CRYSTAL PALACE 0 MARSEILLE 2
Crystal Palace under their new manager had little time to adjust to the crazy going on’s and not surprisingly stumbled to defeat at home to Walter Gogh’s Marseille,who took full advantage of the off field drama and leaving South London with a fine 2-0 win Bolasie and Marin scoring in both half’s to secure the points.
CELTA VIGO 2 SWANSEA 0
Newly promoted Vigo took on Relegated Swansea and it was the home side who used the momentum gained from promotion with a fine 2-0 win against Swansea. Denilson was the unlikely goalscoring hero, pouncing twice to finish off sweet moves. Swansea unable to cope with Vigo’s attacking prowess took to trying to get stuck in to their opponents, however all that achieved was to pick up 6 yellow cards. Not a great start to life in the forth tier for Joe Jordan’s side.
FC BASEL 2 STOKE 1
Another battle of a newly promoted team taking on a relegated side at St Jacob Park saw another side fresh from promotion taking the 3 points, however this was a more even affair. Stoke took the lead just after the hour mark, Goulart channeling his inner Roberto Carlos with a fantastic swerving free kick which left Sirigu helpless. Basel responded well and were level within 10 minutes through Natcho who found the net after great work from Jorgensen. Neustadter then came off the bench to fire the winner for the swiss side with just 3 minutes left. Disappointment for Stoke which they need to pick themselves up from quickly to kick off the hangover of relegation.
DNIPRO DNIPROPETROVSK 1 FK PARTIZAN 2
All the action came in the 1st half here, with Partizan benefiting from a terrible performance between the sticks for home goalkeeper Grohe. He was guilty of allowing the only 2 shots on target from Partizan both find the net, Bruma netted first with a shot which squirmed under Grohe from distance. Bebou got the home side back into the game on 32 with a great goal, samshing home after a great touch to control. However it wasn’t to last long as just on half time Fejsa caught out Grohe again, there looked little danger when he received the ball but he caught the keeper dreaming of his half time orange and stunned the home crowd. Inui almost made the game safe in the 2nd half but his fierce drive caught the post before going wide.Â
BOCA JUNIORS 1 TORINO 2
Tom Parfitt’s debut as Torino got off to a great start in Argentina, coming from a goal down to beat Boca. Burgstaller got his 1st of the season just before half time to give boca a well earned half time lead, firing past the keeper after good work from Schurrle. Parfitt must of laid into his side as they emerged after the break with more focus and were level within 10 minutes of the restart, Extebarria smashing home. De Arrascaeta was the hero for the Italians with a winner after Diouf had played him through on goal, again power was the beating of Moya.Â
LEVANTE 0 ESPANYOL 1
In the all spanish affair the points went to Espanyol after they took advantage of a controversial penalty decision midway through the first half. The decision to award the penalty came after a tumble in the box from Drinkwater who was attempting to get on the end of a Pizzi pass. Contact was minimal though and Dario Saviano can feel rightly aggrieved. Teixeira stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way and that goal was enough to give Lee Reynolds a winning start. Levante can take the positives of a fine performance and hope to build on that going forward.
ASTON VILLA 3 OLYMPIAKOS 3
It was goals galore at Villa Park in the game of the day, Villa twice ahead but having to come from behind for the point. Teodorczyk got the game off to a flier, wrong footing mandanda after good work from Son. The lead lasted 6 minutes though as Andy Carroll nodded down for Vela to punish some slack defending. Against the run of play Villa regained the led and again Teodorczyk finished well after Son flashed a cross in from the left. Again the lead only lasted 6 minutes and Olympiakos were level again this time Tevez delicately finishing at the near post. Early in the second half Andy Carroll put the greeks ahead, bullying his way through after being played in by Vela. The scoring wasn’t done though and Teodorczyk was the hat trick hero after another fine assist from Son. Both sides pushed for a winner but the game ended with a point each.Â
COLOGNE 2 ATALANTA 2
Another fine game ended with a point apiece in Germany. Atalanta fresh from their last day escape last season started well and were ahead within 3 minutes. Giaccherini going down the left and lofting a ball into the box, Nani took the ball down and finished in one moment of genius. Atalanta enjoyed the best of the first half but were restricted to long range efforts as the Germans picked up 3 yellows in quick succession trying to stem the attacks. It worked though and Van Ginkle had Cologne level from a free kick just before the break absolutely belting it home. That goal fired up Cologne and just past the hour mark they went ahead, Santini scuffing home after a mazy run from Cerci. The drama wasn’t over though and Guerrero scored after more fine work from Giaccherini. A point well earned for both sides.
DINAMO ZAGREB 2 CRUZEIRO 2
In a ding dong battle in Zagreb the points were shared as the early season relegation contenders clashed. In a game full of energy the lead swapped hands after Gomez fired the home side ahead on 21 minutes, his shot going in off the post after Essyeric laid him off. Cruzeiro responded immediately and were level less than 2 minutes later, Haas floating in a free kick which Derdiyok flashed a header home. Just after the break and the Brazilians were ahead in almost a carbon copy of the first goal. A great free kick from Haas and Duarte beat the offside trap and finished past Rafael. The lead lasted a few more minutes before Zagreb were level and Padoin was fortunate Marniato couldn’t get a stronger hand to his shot. The last 30 minutes came and went without either side making a breakthrough and the point was more benefit for Cruzeiro.
AZ ALKMAAR 1 AS MONACO 1
Pre season favourites Monaco left Holland wondering just how the three points weren’t coming with them. In a dominant display they created plenty of chances but finishing them was a different story. Higuain had the ball in the net early on but his celebrations were cut short when he saw the assistant referees flag raised. Alkmaar shocked monaco on the stroke of Half time by taking the lead, Acuna smashing past Reina. The second half was barely 3 minutes in when Gundogan fired Monaco level from a free kick 25 yards out. One way traffic followed but the finishing of his players will leave Nathan Prince scratching his head, his mood will be worsened by the needless red card for Zielinski who flew into a two footed challenge on Ndong.Â
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Thanks for the read, hopefully I will continue these when time allows.Â
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