Rob Smyth's Blog, page 83
October 9, 2021
Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City: WSL – as it happened
The substitute Ellen White rescued a point for City, who had Georgia Stanway sent off in the first half of a pulsating Manchester derby
7 min Galton plays a neat one-two with Russo on the left but slices a cross out of play under pressure from Stanway.
6 min United get behind the City defence for the first time but Galton is wrongly flagged offside. It’s been very cagey so far, from both sides.
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October 6, 2021
Italy 1-2 Spain: Nations League semi-final – as it happened
Ferran Torres scored two lovely goals and Leonardo Bonucci was sent off as an impressive Spain ended Italy’s long unbeaten run
6 min Barella galumphs forward from midfield, plays a quick one-two and shoots straight at Simon from 25 yards.
5 min Emerson wins the ball and high up the field and gives it to Chiesa, 25 yards out. He hits an excellent shot with his right foot that is pushed away by Simon, sprawling to his right.
Continue reading...October 3, 2021
Liverpool 2-2 Man City: Premier League – as it happened
The points were shared after a pulsating second half in which Mo Salah scored a glorious solo goal and City twice came from behind
“As an ever-pessimistic Liverpool fan I fancy City today,” tubthumps Niall Mullen. “And, if they do win away at Chelsea and Liverpool on successive weekends, then we might as well all pack up and go home.”
Not sure I agree with that. It’s only a couple of weeks since City were a bit lucky to draw at home to Southampton. I can’t see any of the big three breaking away, certainly not this side of Christmas.
Continue reading...October 2, 2021
Australia v India: women’s Test, day three – as it happened
Jhulan Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar took two wickets apiece as Australia closed on 143 for four, needing another 85 runs to avoid the follow-on
107th over: India 284-5 (Bhatia 6, Sharma 14) Bhatia still appears to be playing with a very defensive mindset. She’s seeing the ball coming in from Gardner and setting up immediately for a forward defensive shot, she looks unwilling to take any risks right now. Australia look to intimidate, bringing a couple of fielders up to crowd her, but Bhatia finally sees her chance and steers it past third for four - Molineux makes a good chase, but can’t stop it getting past the rope.
106th over: India 280-5 (Bhatia 2, Sharma 14) Perry has found her line and length now, she’s not looking at all like the rattled bowler she was in the ODIs. She’s making it very difficult for Sharma to score, putting the ball right at her toes and making her look uncomfortable. The question is whether she will be able to frustrate the batters into getting out of their comfort zone to try to hit her, or if they’ll be content to play defensive shots and take the runs when Perry misses her line a little. Healy makes a great dive off the last ball, but it drops a little short and it’s not out.
Continue reading...Australia v India: women’s Test, day three – live!
107th over: India 284-5 (Bhatia 6, Sharma 14) Bhatia still appears to be playing with a very defensive mindset. She’s seeing the ball coming in from Gardner and setting up immediately for a forward defensive shot, she looks unwilling to take any risks right now. Australia look to intimidate, bringing a couple of fielders up to crowd her, but Bhatia finally sees her chance and steers it past third for four - Molineux makes a good chase, but can’t stop it getting past the rope.
106th over: India 280-5 (Bhatia 2, Sharma 14) Perry has found her line and length now, she’s not looking at all like the rattled bowler she was in the ODIs. She’s making it very difficult for Sharma to score, putting the ball right at her toes and making her look uncomfortable. The question is whether she will be able to frustrate the batters into getting out of their comfort zone to try to hit her, or if they’ll be content to play defensive shots and take the runs when Perry misses her line a little. Healy makes a great dive off the last ball, but it drops a little short and it’s not out.
Continue reading...September 29, 2021
Juventus 1-0 Chelsea: Champions League – as it happened
The superb Federico Chiesa scored 11 seconds after half-time to give Juventus a hard-fought win over Chelsea in Turin
I’d love to hear the East End Thug’s reaction to this. (NB: clip contains adult language.)
1 min Peep peep! Chelsea kick off from right to left.
Continue reading...September 26, 2021
Arsenal 5-0 Manchester City: Women’s Super League – as it happened
Kim Little scored twice as a ruthless Arsenal trounced Manchester City to go back to the top of the table
7 min White, back to goal, tees up Weir for a long-range drive. She doesn’t connect properly and Zinsberger makes a comfortable save.
6 min Hemp has her first run at Maritz and wins a corner for City. Losada takes and Mead heads clear.
Continue reading...Southampton 0-1 Wolves: Premier League – as it happened
A delightful solo goal from Raul Jimenez, his first since suffering a horrific injury last year, gave Wolves victory in a scrappy game at St Mary’s
8 min Armstrong’s cross shot finds its way to Elyounoussi on the far side of the area. His cross is blocked, again by Saiss I think.
7 min There’s a nice pace to the game, and a cracking atmosphere at St Mary’s. The two may be connected.
Continue reading...September 25, 2021
Leicester 2-2 Burnley, Leeds 1-2 West Ham and more: football clockwatch – as it happened
Jamie Vardy scored at both ends, Michail Antonio struck a dramatic winner and Burnley and Watford were denied late victories by VAR
Man Utd 0-0 Aston Villa Villa have come to play, and have probably had more of the ball in the first 10 minutes. They’re not remotely afraid of playing the big sides away from home.
“A Premier League game rearranged because of a Courteeners gig?” sniffs Matt Dony. “What next? Put off the boxing because Scouting For Girls are in town? Interrupt the Ryder Cup so we can all enjoy an Editors show? Strewth.”
Continue reading...September 23, 2021
England chase down 245 to beat New Zealand in fourth women’s ODI – as it happened
A century of understated brilliance from the captain Heather Knight inspired England to a series-clinching victory at Derby
6th over: New Zealand 24-1 (Down 6, Green 0) Two singles from the Shrubsole over and a big run out.
That’s comical. Not so much for the running: Bates flicks to midwicket, sets off where there’s no run, rightly gets sent back, and turns for her ground. But for the dive, which happens in slow motion. She does the full production, then just... stops. No momentum. Like a penguin realising it’s on gravel rather than ice. The ground is too dry. And the dive may not have even been necessary. The throw is high from Sciver to Jones, and Bates probably would have got home while upright, or lunging. But instead she hits the ground hard, stops almost dead, and even in real time her bat is moving towards the line in slow motion. It falls short.
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