Arsenal Suffered 2-1 Home Defeat to Hull City

Arsenal suffered a crashing 2-1 home defeat to newly promoted Hull City today as they Gunners are left in the fourth place in the league table with 12 points. It was undoubtedly a very big blow for the Wenger boys who were flying high since the loss at Fulham. With this victory, Hull City continues their surprise performance in the league and currently stands in the sixth position in the point table.

Arsenal was put ahead in the match by Cesc Fabregas in the 47^th minutes of the match. However, Hull City scored twice to come out with three points from Emirates stadium. First, Cousin headed home Andy Dawson's corner to equalize the score, and minutes later, Hull City got the winning goal thanks to a spectacular 25-yard strike from Geovanni.

Arsenal tried their best to come back in the match, but all of their efforts went in vain as the Hull defense was up to the mark. William Gallas had a good chance in the 83^rd minute, while Boaz Myhill denied Fabregas in his pursuit to level the score. Hull City has been in revelation so far this season. Promoting to the premier league, Hull City has showed that they have the quality and talent to survive in the top level.

The defeat came as a big blow for the Arsene Wenger boys as they have been playing very well since their defeat to Fulham earlier this season. Losing 3 points is not the all Arsenal lost in the match. Rather, the Gunners lost the momentum they achieved in their 6-0 Carlig Cup thrash over Sheffield United. Arsenal is still in the title race, but if they continue losing points after every few matches, then I am not sure for how long they will be in the title challenge.

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BBC

Chelsea Defeated Stroke City 2-0 in Premier League Battle

Chelsea projected sixth straight away victory in premier league today as the Blues defeated Stroke City 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium. With this victory, Chelsea amassed 14 points to their credit and reached atop the table (Arsenal might retain the top place with a victory over Stroke City in today’s late kick off).

Chelsea dominated all through the first half and got the opener thanks to a strike from Jose Bosingwa. Receiving a pass from Frank Lampard, Bosingwa rushed up and scored the first goal for Chelsea.

However, the home side came out full of confidence in the second half and created a number of chances. Leon Cort perhaps had the best chance for Stroke City, but his header was cleared on the line. Michael Ballack was instrumental behind most of Chelsea attacks.

The German Captain perhaps let Scolari feel relieve as the manager is currently missing two of his top guns Deco and Michael Essien. Lampard, Kalou also played well. Nicolas Anelka ensured three points for Chelsea with his second half strike. So, Chelsea did not have much problem to pull off another away victory in the premier league.

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BBC

Liverpool Wins Merseyside Derby 2-0 over Everton

With striker Fernando Torres ending his six-match goal draught with two goals, Liverpool found it easy to pick up three points out of today’s lunch time kick off against city rivals Everton. Liverpool did not have any problem to pull off the 2-0 victory over Everton, even though it was an away fixture for the All Reds. The last dent to Everton’s coffin came when Tim Cahill was sent off after 80 minutes for tackling Xabi Alonso.

The first half ended goalless, but nine minutes into the second half Torres scored from Robbie Keane’s cross to put Liverpool ahead in the match. Three minutes later, the Spanish striker doubled the lead scoring from close range. So, Liverpool came out with three points without being tested fully.

Tim Cahill had a very good chance on the 13^th minute but his shot went out. Liverpool, however, dominated the first half, but the visiting side could not take a stern test of Howard, but from the very beginning of the second half, Liverpool started testing the Everton keeper. With this victory Liverpool ensured their best start to the league. Now, let us see if they can continue it till the end of the season and can clinch their much-awaited premier league title.

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BBC

Stroke City vs Chelsea EPL 08-09: Preview and Live Score

Premier league giant Chelsea visits Britannia Stadium to take on home side Stroke City on Saturday. High-flying Chelsea will go into the match looking for three points, while Stroke City, on the back of last weekend’s excellent 0-0 draw away at Liverpool, will look to bring an end to Chelsea’s unbeaten league record so far this season. Getting the support of the home fans, newly promoted Stroke City will definitely try their best to replicate their Anfield form against Chelsea at home.

Match: Stroke City vs Chelsea; English Premier League 2008-2009

Date: 27 September 2008, Saturday

Venue: Britannia Stadium

Kick off: 15:00 BST (British Standard Time)

Chelsea is one of two ‘Big Four’ clubs who has not lost any match so far in the premier league. In the high-profile last weekend meeting with defending champion Manchester United at home, Chelsea salvaged a point thanks to a late goal from Salomon Kalou. However, the 1-1 stalemate against Manchester United cost Chelsea the top place in the league table with Arsenal climbing up to the top of the table. However, with 11 points from five matches, Chelsea is now within a point of Arsenal. So, losing any more point would see Chelsea going down in the table. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men seem to be confident now after outclassing Portsmouth 4-0 in the third round Carling Cup encounter. However, Chelsea needs to be aware of resilient Stroke City defense.

Stroke City will face Chelsea for the first time since 1985 in a premier league meeting that Chelsea clinched 1-0. Stroke City has made it to the premier league once again, and has already showed that they have talent and skill to survive in the league, even though they are still in the 18^th place of the point table with four points from five matches. However, Stroke City can take inspiration from their last weekend’s performance against Liverpool that saw them leaving Anfield with a deserved point. However, the kind of confidence booster performance was more precious than a mere draw with Liverpool, because the Potters will now know that they could come up with something impressive if they can give their best.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has a number of injury problems to contend with. First, the Brazilian manager will miss Portuguese duo Ricardo Carvalho and Deco for the trip to Stroke City. Carvalho has been out for a month with knee injury, while Deco is on the way to recover from thigh injury. In the centre of Chelsea defense, Alex is expected to be features alongside Captain John Terry, while Michael Ballack will replace Deco in the midfield. Michel Essien’s long term injury has already weaken Chelsea’s strength in the midfield. However, Scolari signed free-agent midfielder Mineiro for a back up this week. However, the Brazilian is less like to feature Mineiro in the match against Stroke City.

Both Deco and Carvalho missed Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over Portsmouth in the third round match of Carling Cup 2009. Didier Drogba started for the first time this season in the Carling Cup encounter, but it is not yet confirmed if Scolari would keep him in the starting line up for the Stroke City showdown or keep his faith on Nicolas Anelka in the attacking line up.

Stroke City fans can be happy to know that Ricardo Fuller is looking to retain his place in the starting line up as he has recovered from knee problem. However, Stroke manager Tony Pulis will have a welcome problem at the heart of the defense because he has a number of choices to feature in the central defense alongside Abdoulaye Faye. Ibrahima Sonko will be in the contention for the starting line up as he has shaken off knee injury, but he has to compete with Leon Cort for getting a place in the first eleven. Last but not the least; Amdy Faye is also available for Chelsea’s visit to Britannia Stadium after serving one match suspension. However, Andrew Davies remains out as he needs more time to recover from injury.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some online live score websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Chelsea is favorite against Stroke City, but Stroke City’s excellent form of recent coupled with their home advantage might give them some ground while taking on Chelsea. I would not be surprised to see Chelsea struggling to find net through a packed Stroke City defense. However, considering Chelsea’s recent goal scoring form, I think, Stroke City defense would find it more challenging to resist the Chelsea strikers than what they did against Liverpool in the previous match.

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Setanta Sports

Sportbox

Soccerway

Manchester United vs Bolton Wanderers EPL: Preview, Live Score

Manchester United welcomes Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday in an important premier league encounter. Manchester United looks to get their title challenge back on track after a poor start in their title defense of premier league. The Red Devils could manage to get only 5 points from their first four premier league matches so far this season. So, there is nothing to be surprised to know that the defending champions are now at the 15^th position in the league table. Blackburn Rovers also got off to a bad start in their premier league campaign as they stands at the 16^th in the league table with a point less than Manchester United, but Bolton played a match more than United. So, the Saturday’s clash will see two struggling sides taking on each other.

Match: Manchester United vs Bolton Wanderers; English Premier League 2008-2009

Date: 27 September 2008, Saturday

Venue: Old Trafford

Kick off: 15:00 BST (British Standard Time)

Manchester United could manage to win only one out of their four matches and that was against Portsmouth. However, the Alex Ferguson boys were held to draw against Newcastle United and Chelsea, while the Red Devils suffered a rare defeat to Liverpool away at Anfield, which was their first defeat at Liverpool in seven years. So, it is pretty clear that Manchester Untied is not at their prime and they can not afford to lose any more point at this stage of the league. So, anything less than a victory against Bolton Wanderers would be considered as a disaster for Manchester United.

However, Manchester United showed glimpses of their prime form in the match against Chelsea and the last Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea helped Manchester United get some confidence back in their title run. Manchester United played well at Stamford Bridge and took lead in the match, but United failed to pick up three points as Chelsea found net courtesy of Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou in the second half. However, Manchester United players will find inspiration from Tuesday’s 3-1 Carling Cup third round victory over Middlesbrough. Most importantly, Cristiano Ronaldo has found net in the match and that could be an inspiration for the other players of the side.

Bolton Wanderers suffered a 3-1 home defeat to in-form Arsenal last weekend, even though they played well in the second half of the match. Bolton is going through a rough patch of time. They won only one of their five premier league matches and lost three, while the other match was drawn. Managing only 4 points from five matches Bolton is now on the verge of relegation zone. Despite the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers manager Gary Megson is still hopeful about the United visit. Recently, he talked about Bolton Wanderers upcoming fixture at Old Trafford.

BWFC reported:

That's just the way that things have worked out and you have got to play the big four home and away, but the fact that we are playing them on consecutive Saturdays doesn't particularly help.
We've got to go there and try and put it to the back of our mind and try to get a decent result.

Cristiano Ronaldo has recently retuned to action, and now after getting his goal scoring form back, he is likely to start against Bolton Wanderers in what it would be his premier league first team appearance this season. Ferguson has a number of options to choose from in order to set up the attacking line up. Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and record signing Dimitar Berbatov are all available for the visit of Bolton Wanderers. However, United manager Alex Ferguson will not get the service of Michael Carrick due to his foot injury, while goal keeper Edwin van der Sar is not confirmed for the home match as he took a serious knock to his knee in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea. However, defender Nemanja Vidic is back in the contention for first team line up and is expected to replace Jonny Evans at the centre of Manchester United defense.

After serving three-match suspension, Gary Cahill is now available for the visit to Old Trafford. He could bolster Bolton’s weak defense. Last but not the least, Johan Elmander, the club’s record signing, has just been back to training after recovering hamstring injury. Full back Matty Taylor has also shaken off his foot injury. Both the players returned to training this week and Gary Megson would need to take a last minute-decision on their fitness.

Online Live Score and Updates

If you want to get the online live score and updates of the match, then visit he following websites:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Manchester United seems to be favourite against Bolton Wanderers. Primarily, Manchester United will look to ensure three points, but a big margin victory could give them a much-needed confidence booster. However, Bolton will also try to pick up at least a point from the match in what it would be success story for Bolton Wanderers. I think, the match will be interesting one with Cristiano Ronaldo coming back to form and Bolton looking for a strong performance which would boost up their level of confidence.

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Sportbox

Soccerway

Arsenal vs Hull City EPL 08-09: Preview and Live Score

Arsenal will host newly promoted Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on 27 September 2008. Both the sides are now full of confident on the back of their recent form in premier league. Arsenal moved up at the top of the point table with last weekend’s 3-1 away victory at Bolton Wanders, while Hull City drew against Everton 2-2 at the KC Stadium in the last Sunday’s premier league encounter. After being promoted to premier league, Hull City has already picked up two victories alongside two draws and a defeat in the first five premier league matches so far. With eight points under their belt, Hull City now secured the eighth place in the league table.

Match: Arsenal vs Hull City; English Premier League 2008-2009

Date: 27 September 2008, Saturday

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Kick off: 17:30 BST (British Standard Time)

Since Arsenal’s defeat away at Fulham, they have been in imperious form that saw Arsenal scoring 21 goals besides conceding two in their last six matches in all competitions. Arsene Wenger boys are now in firing form with most of the players playing at their prime. With 12 points, Arsenal is just a point ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool. So, the Gunners need to pull off a victory over Hull City at home in order to keep their place at the top intact. So, knowing the fact that a slip up against Hull City may cost them the top place in the table, Arsenal playing will go into the match eyeing on a victory.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger featured a very young side including a number of players from Arsenal’s reserve team against Sheffield United in the third round encounter of Carling Cup on Tuesday. However, the seemingly reserve side pulled off a confidence-booster 6-0 victory against Sheffield United and secured a place in the fourth round. With all the key players, who were rested for the Carling Cup showdown, coming back in the starting line up, Arsenal is expected to be stronger than it was in the Carling Cup meeting with Sheffield United.

Hull City, on the other hand, has already proved that it has talent and skill to become a club who are capable of taking stern test of premier league giants. Except the 5-0 thrash by Wigan Athletic, Hull City has been playing extremely well. Last Sunday, they pushed Everton all the way in the 2-2 affair in which Everton needed to come back from 2-0 down to pick up a point from the match. Moreover, winning over Newcastle United 2-1, Hull City proved that any kind of negligence to them might be lethal for their opponents. So, Arsenal must not underestimate the Tigers ahead of the home meeting.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will find defender Gael Clichy available for the match as the player recovered quickly from an injury that he sustained in the 3-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers. Mikael Silvestre could be handed his debut match for Arsenal since he joined the club from Manchester Untied last month. However, Abou Diaby has been ruled out of the match with thigh injury. Long term absentees like Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo remain sidelined. The good news for Arsenal fans is that midfielder Samir Nasri is fit for the Hull City encounter after recovering from knee injury.

Hull City manager Phil Brown has named striker Dean Windass in the line up for the visit to Emirates stadium. Dean Windass expressed his frustration after being ruled out of Everton match and questioned his future at Hull City. Now, he could get some action against Arsenal. Hull City signed Bolton midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos recently, but he will be feature against Arsenal as the player lacks match fitness. Brown will not get the service of Craig Fagan who picked up a serious injury against Newcastle United.

Missing Craig Fagan will be a huge blow for Hull City as they player had been playing pretty well this season. Moreover, Anthony Gardner has been left out of the squad to visit the North London club on Saturday as the player missed club’s training with a thing injury.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some names of online live score websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Arsenal is undoubtedly favorite against Hull City. However, I think, it would be little risky to write off Hull City, even though Arsenal is playing at their prime at this moment. Arsenal might face some strong challenge from Hull City, but still a victory for Arsenal seems to the likely result to conclude the match.

Related articles:

Goal.com

Sportbox

BBC

Sporthull

Soccerway

T-Mobile faces problems over unlimited data plan for T-Mobile G1

The much hyped T-Mobile G1, the first phone using Google’s Linux based Android operating system, produced by Hight Tech Computer Corporation (HTC) (TPE: 2498) and jointly launched by Google and T-Mobile, faced some problems regarding its unlimited data plan. When the phone was launched on September 23, 2008, it was said that for $35 per month users will enjoy unlimited data plan. However, in the official website of the T-Mobile G1, it was said that users would actually be able to use data worth 1GB per month. Users who cross this limit will be slowed to down to 50 Kbps. PC World reports:

The operator quickly came under fire for the limit, which is relatively low for people who hope to use the phone regularly to view maps, check e-mail, watch YouTube videos and browse the Internet.

On Thursday, T-Mobile said it removed the 1G-byte limit from its policy statement. But it didn't say that users would have true unlimited download capability. "The specific terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are final we will be certain to share this broadly with all customers," the company said in a statement.

After this problem, the website posted a generic statement which says that the operator would temporarily reduce “data throughput” for heavy users so that all the users can enjoy better service.

Related article:

PC World