Division 4, Round 3 Review

Another round of games completed in T100 and only 1 team are left with a 100% record whereas 6 teams are still awaiting their first 3 point haul of the season. So on to the games we go…

Espanyol are leading the way in Division 4 and have the leagues only perfect record but that doesn’t tell the full story here. For long periods Aston Villa were the better side and created more chances, but in this game you have to capitalize or you will be left with nowt and that’s exactly what Villa have to cope with. Son almost put Espanyol ahead on 30 minutes with a fine angled drive which Handanovic did superbly well to palm away to safety and Villa were made to pay as Espanyol broke on the counter and Arias played in Teixeira to put the Spanish side 1-0 ahead, his 3rd goal in successive games. Lima added the 2nd just after the break with a terrific free kick which left Strakosha with no chance. Villa once more created chances after this and can count themselves unlucky not to take anything from the game. Teixeira has been the star for Lee Reynolds so far, 3 goals in successive matches and he collected his 2nd motm award here as well. 

These sides came in to the game in contrasting form, Celta winning both their opening games whereas Boca had lost both theirs so it was a surprise to all when Boca took the lead in this game on 20 minutes, a fine goal from Meite after Schurrle laid the ball into his path and he didn’t hold back smashing the ball into the top corner. Boca almost got to ht with the lead intact but Vigo grabbed an equaliser just before the break, free kick out wide on the left was delivered into the box by Sissoko and Feghouli nipped past his marker to glance a finish past Moya to level the game. The second half was a non event with Boca having perhaps the better opportunities, with most of Celta Vigo’s efforts from distance and not testing the keeper enough. A point apiece.

A ding dong battle in the potteries here as Stoke and Torino shared 4 goals. Knoche got the home side off to a perfect start just 4 minutes in after picking up the ball from Castillejo he broke into the box and curled a shot towards the far post, Zieler got a touch to it but was unable to keep it out. Valeri got the Italians back level on 25 minutes, Souza lofting a ball over the static Stoke defense and Valeri waited for Zoet to commit himself before slotting home. Chances came and went for both sides either side of half time. Stoke pushed hard to regain the lead and were rewarded when Kondogbia swung in a corner on 65 minutes and Goulart rose between 2 Torino defenders and smashed an unstoppable header home. Torino were almost level instantly but Extebarria smashed against the frame of the goal from Negredo’s deep free kick. However they didn’t have long to wait and they were level on 73 minutes and the goalscorer Valeri turned provider for Alessandrini to finish off a flowing move, driving the ball low and hard into the bottom corner leaving Zieler again helpless. Desmond at the Brittannia.

Levante made it back to back wins with a great victory away in Brazil. The only goal of the game coming midway through the first half following a set piece goal right off the training pitch. A corner was played back to Milik after 3 players had fooled the Cruzeiro defenders with dummy runs and he was left in acres of space to calmly slot home. Controversy followed just before the half hour when Cruzeiro thought they had levelled, Cigerci thought he had beat the offside trap and slotted home a through ball from Cristoforo but his celebrations were sharply halted. Replays show he was just played on by Ismaily though and Mr Ipswich was sent to the stands for his protests. Without their Manager on the touchline Cruzeiro struggled to find a way back into the match and didn’t test Koubek at all in the Levante goal. On the other hand Marinato saved this result from being a far deal worse for the home side.

Partizan maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard earned point against Dr. Martinez’s well drilled outfit. In a poor first half the only action seen was the 3 yellow cards dished out by the referee with Enrich perhaps lucky his card was only yellow after a late challenge on Fejsa. The second half was a slight improvement with both sides having chances, Enrich twice testing Viviano in the home goal and Bruma and Inui both denied by Sirigu. However Sirigu was left to blame for Partizan taking the lead as Kruse spotted him out of position from a free kick and beat him before he had a chance to reposition himself from all of 35 yards, a great piece of quick thinking. Aspas got a late leveller for Basel with a picture book finish into the top corner after great work from Kalou and a point was a fair result here.

Az Alkmaar moved up to 6th with a narrow win in wales against Swansea. Janssen was the scorer of the only goal on just 7 minutes Lifting a fine free kick over the wall and into the top corner from the left hand side of the box leaving Marchesin grasping thin air. That was the only shot mustered on target by Alkmaar as their defence stepped up to protect the 3 points. Romero walking off with the man of the match award after a fine display of goalkeeping topped off with an unbelievable penalty save just past the hour point, Linetty going for power over placement but Romero was equal to it, saving with his feet and then nabbing the rebound effort as well. After 2 draws to start the season it was the first victory for Warren Livesey’s side who maintain their unbeaten start.

Both sides came into the game looking for their first win of the season and it was Dale Bowers who was celebrating at the full time whistle thanks to a brace from Mexican Carlos Vela either side of half time. In the last action of the first half Vela got on the end of Tevez’s teasing free kick to prod past Grohe for his first goal of the season. Falque almost had the away side level right after the restart, cleverly dinking home Freuler’s through ball but he was correctly judged just offside. After getting his first of the season Vela only had 8 minutes to wait for his second, Thomasson linking up with him and Vela found the top corner despite the best efforts of Grohe in goal. Dnipro weathered the staorm after the second goal and give themselves a late lifeline on 82 minutes, Freuler getting the finest of touches to Falque’s drivin cross-shot. However Olympiakos held firm and deservedly took the 3 points here.

A familiar story is emerging at Monaco as again in a match they dominated they failed to win, a second home defeat in a row putting the favourites for promotion under fierce pressure from their demanding fans. Lanzini was the star for Palace with a goal and an assist to give Mark Deadman his first win as Palace manager. Monaco had already tested Pope twice early on before King give Palace a shock lead, Lanzini going on a mazy run leaving Monaco defenders in his trail before squaring to the unmarked King who dinked the ball over the despairing dive of Reina. That combination of Lanzini and King were causing havoc for Monaco and twice more they threatened Reina, who twice saved well from King. The host’s got themselves level on 52 minutes after Pope was left exposed from a quickly taken free kick from Gundogan. The expected onslaught from Monaco didn’t materialise and Palace again were in front soon after, Lanzini winning and converting a penalty after Mustafi couldn’t cope with his direct running stuck out a tired foot and over Lanzini went. He promptly dispatched the penalty with no problems. Pope then denied Higuain with a simply world class save, Higuain cutting in and unleashing a drive which had top corner written all over it yet somehow pope got a finger to it tipping it over. Monaco need to find their goal scoring touch and find it fast. However take nothing away from a fine away performance from Palace.

Cologne shocked their french opponents with their best display of the season, outplaying Walter Gogh’s men who for the 2nd game in succession failed to test the keeper with 0 shots on target, something surely Walter will be looking to address when his Transfer window reopens. Santini was the star of the show for Cologne and his first was a worldie, Juardo did the hard work coming inside and beating 2 men before laying it back for Santini who with the outside of his boot curled a shot into the top corner leaving Fernandez rooted to the spot. It capped off a fine first half performance for Neil Frankland’s men. Marseille did improve after the break but efforts from Valencia and Mbemba wasteful when in good positions. The win was sealed in the last minute when Santini got his second, arriving late into the box to get on the end of Van Ginkel’s free kick. A fine display and a deserved first win of the season.

Atalanta are still searching for their first win of the season after Zagreb emerged with 3 points here. Atalanta had plenty of the ball but created little with it and their only effort on target was after 12 minutes when Propper burst from midfield but fired straight at the keeper, a propper let off for Zagreb. Dinamo took advantage and Eysseric continued his fine start to the season by scoring what proved to be the winner on 19 minutes after Alvarez worked his way into the box and unselfishly laid the ball on a plate for Eysseric to tap home. Propper was unlucky just after the half hour mark when hs dipping shot crashed back off the woodwork but Atalanta couldn’t step it up after the break and Zagreb almost had a second  but were denied by the assistant’s flag after Gomez failed to beat the Atalanta offside trap. Subasic in the home goal was in fine form denying Gomez and Hodzic from extending the lead. 

So there we have the review of round 3 complete and well done to Lee Reynolds who maintains his fine start to life at Espanyol. Nathan Price and Nick Justice will both be hoping to turn things around quickly after poor starts. 

Thanks for reading and lets hope for more excitement in the world cup to keep us entertained.