Of the current EPL clubs which has the longest association with the venue on which they play their home matches? This is not a trick question, but there is a surprising twist and that 'twist' provides part of the story of a rivalry that runs deep, very deep. See the bottom of the page for the answer.
Tottenham's first foray into the Champions League in nearly 50 years almost became a total disaster for Harry Redknapp's guys when they fell behind 3-0 in the first 28 minutes to Bern's Young Boys. Timely substitution of Huddlestone for Ekotto (36) stemmed the tide before it got even worse and a Bassong header just ahead of halftime (42) gave Spurs some hope. A critical finish by Pavlyuchenko (83) made the final 3-2 and put Spurs in a position to win the tie next week at White Hart Lane if they can muster a quality performance. Those two Spurs away goals are very likely to decide this one; Pav's goal means that a slim margin such as 1-0 would get Spurs through to the group stages on the away goals rule.
Liverpool sputtered to a victory in Europa League on a Ryan Babel goal who converted Joe Cole's feed and City saw Super Mario score the only goal in their win in his debut for the club. City's biggest problem now is making a team out of their acquisitions and shedding those they invested in heavily just a few short years ago. Bellamy goes on loan (meaning City still pay a large portion of his wages) to Cardiff and we still wait the news on Shay Given, Rocque Santa Cruz, Richards and of course Robinho, the former EPL record transfer fee player. If the childish and egotistical Robinho stays in spite of himself what does that mean to the destiny of other players? Or does City pay his wages to play somewhere else again by putting him out on loan?
While it hasn't been highlighted in the press that I've seen what of Sean Wright-Phillips? Is he also deemed excess baggage? The versatility of Wright-Phillips may keep him at Eastlands. Expect some surprises from City as players that have not been mentioned prominently are pushed out as Mancini trims the squad down to size. It may be cynical but some of them will probably not be aware of their fate until just before the window closes (Tuesday midnite). City will do that to keep them from being picked up by their opposition. Like I said, cynical, but that may to happen.
It really is an embarrassment of riches at City and a problem of their own making. The distraction created by the club's buying spree and the unsettled situation with the players that spending has created will have the club in turmoil for months. Mancini and his staff have a delicate situation to deal with as a result which is a minefield that could determine whether they succeed or not this term.
If they fail there will be the inevitable comparions to the revival of Chelsea spawned by the 'investments' by Roman Abramovich in those first few years after he established ownership there. Recall that the Blues built their club with those purchases every bit as large as those we've seen from City, but once that began to pay off the buying nearly ceased. That Chelsea did it right cannot be argued as the results speak for themselves: title, title, 2nd, 3rd and yet another title last year.
In contrast, City has continued that level of spending trying to buy trophies and they have created a huge problem that the management at Chelsea avoided for the most part (Schevchenko was an exception in the minds of many). Mancini and the staff at City are now the focus and how they thread their way through the minefield they've created is the question. The Monday night match with Liverpool could tell us which answer, success or failure, is on the cards for City.
City was saved by the brilliant performance in goal by Joe Hart as Spurs swamped them in the opening half. And that outcome illustrates a big part of the problem their spending has created; they only just 'rescued' Shay Given from relegation bound Newcastle last year and now he's probably regarded as excess baggage too. As if to add to that uncertainty their pursuit of Fulham's Mark Schwarzer also clouded the issue of who was actually their first choice keeper. Along with that problem City was also shutdown and unable to mount any real threat on their opponents goal despite all the cash they've spread around on forwards. Mancini probably feels as if he's playing a big money version of whack-a-mole and in the end he's the one that gets the headache.
Speaking of clubs with a terrible headache here's one for the record books that illustrates the insanity of Rafa's reign and the terrible losses he accumulated in the transfer market. Note that he constantly berated the owners for lack of support, yet it was his horrendous mistakes that lost the club tens of millions.
Just last summer Benitez “invested” nearly $35 million on Alberto Aquilani despite his injury status. The guy was in such sorry state that he was unable to play for nearly three months and when he did he was a near disaster. Just how big that disaster would become came to light this week when it was announced that Liverpool would put him out on loan to Juventus (because they can't find anyone that wants to pay anywhere near the money that would allow Liverpool to recover much of that loss). A fiscal disaster of monumental proportions for a club in a dire situation money wise and in large part courtesy of Rafa Benitez and his insane purchases.
Fan of Rafa or not his contributions to the financial situation at Liverpool is beyond doubt. Yet Rafa and the media were able to deflect criticism of his terrible 'investments' in players that turned out to be utter and complete failures. The tens of millions lost on players such as Dossena, Riera, Morientes and others but none of those losses are bigger than that spent on Aguilani; Rafa's monument to fiscal insanity.
One of the big beneficiaries of Rafa's spendthrift ways (Tottenham made a tidy profit of about $10 million on the move of Keane and his return to White Hart Lane six months later) Spurs face a visit to Stoke on the weekend and like the confrontation with Young Boys Tottenham is expected to take the points. After their effort at home versus Man City on opening day ended in a draw perhaps a subdued performance was on the cards. Another letdown at Stoke would be even more disastrous for Harry ahead of the 2nd leg Champions League qualifier next week.
That visit to Stoke proved to be one of the most competitive games of the weekend as Tottenham were victorious on a brace from Gareth Bale for the 2-1 win. Did they really win it? Bale's first (19) opened the scoring and Ricardo Fuller leveled for the Potters (25) in a game that featured open play. Bale added his second in the 32nd as the back-and-forth action continued. Holding on to their lead as the game wound down a shot from Jon Walters appeared to go over the line but was not given as the game ended in controversy and shouts of protest. Redknapp claims it was a foul on his keeper but no foul was whistled by referee Chris Roy; he simply allowed play to continue. The Potters were robbed plus they may have lost Mama Sidibe for the season with an injury. Sidibe was stretchered off in the waning moments of the match.
Speaking of entertaining games Everton visited Wolves and held the lead off a nice piece of skill from Cahill (43) until the 75th minute when Ebanks-Blake leveled at 1 off a cross from Kevin Doyle. Everton boss David Moyes will be wondering how and why they hadn't scored more as the Toffees take their first point of the new campaign while Mick McCarthy was pleased with the fighting spirit of his team to earn the point.
Arsenal hosted Blackpool and taught them a painful lesson with an overwhelming 6-0 victory. The Seasiders, coming off their shocker win in the opener paid the price at the Emirates with multiple first half goals from Walcott and a converted penalty from Arshavin. The little Russian's penalty (32) also marked the point at which the match turned as Blackpool were reduced to ten men when Ian Evatt was shown red for a trip of Gunner newboy Chamakh. Walcott completed his hat-trick in the second half (58) along with goals from Diaby (49) and Chamakh (83) for the Gunners 6-0 win.
Not to be outdone by their London neighbors Chelsea scored another 6-0 win at Wigan on goals from Malouda, a brace from both Anelka and Kalou along with Yossi Benayoun's first for the Blues. Chelsea have hit for six in both games of the new season.
Ben Foster had his best game in the EPL boosting Birmingham City to their come from behind 2-1 victory over Blackburn. Foster saved a Pedersen penalty (54) just three minutes ahead of Rovers opener from Nzonzi. Three minutes later Craig Gardner then hit the first (57) of his two to carry City to victory. The match winner came in the 71st to top the fightback.
Elsewhere it was West Brom 1-0 Sunderland and the Hammers were smacked at home 1-3 by Bolton.
West Ham actually looked to be good value for the full points in the opening half with the exception that Carlton Cole missed a penalty chance (33). A Matt Upson OG and Elmander's first of the day had Wanderers up 2-0 before Noble converted a penalty to pull one back for the Hammers (79). Elmander added his second (84) to settle the issue as the Hammers were stretched working hard for the equalizier that wouldn't come on this day.
Villa, having lost Milner to City (and gained Stephen Ireland in the swap/money deal) paid a visit to St James' Park where they were sure to be greeted by a raucous crowd welcoming the Magpies back to the EPL. Celebrations would be the order of the day despite the loss in the opener at Old Trafford as Newcastle thrashed Villa for a resounding 6-0 victory. Believe it or not Villa had the first golden opportunity in this one but Carew missed a penalty in the 9th minute. Joey Barton hit them back punishing the miss just three minutes later with a scorching drive (his first EPL goal in nearly two years). That would be followed by a hat-trick from Andy Carroll and a brace by Kevin Nolan as Villa became little more than a sacrifice for the Toon Army.
Fulham hosted Man United in a match that would become one of the best of the weekend. Paul Scholes continued his great start to the season with the opener (10) off the setup from Berbatov (the goal was the 150th for Scholes in a United shirt). Fulham hung in there and actually produced some clever attacks and looked the more likely to score the next goal of the match. They finally did, in the 57th minute when Simon Davies made one of their moves count to level at 1. Bobby Zamora's effort forced a double save from Van der Sar setting up the dramatic and unlikely final ten minutes. A Brede Hangeland OG would gift United the lead with only 7 minutes to go. Then it seemed to get even more ominous for Fulham when Duff was whistled for handball in the area. Nani's penalty was well saved by Stockdale (87) setting up the unlikely, but deserved ending when Hangeland's powerful header found the corner (89) for the 2-2 draw.
The Monday night match had Man City hosting Liverpool with both coming off first round draws. The most noteworthy thing from Liverpool, certainly in the opening half, was that Mascherano was not there. A Gareth Barry goal in the 13th minute and subdued effort from the Reds set the tone. The second half saw a Micah Richards goal (credited to Tevez in error) make it two for City before the Reds made any real concerted effort. When they did the defense broke down shots and when they didn't Joe Hart was there to keep the sheet clean. A 67th minute penalty from Tevez made it 3-0 City. Whether it was an overwhelming performance for City or just a weak Liverpool is the question for fans of both sides. For Liverpool fans they'll be wondering what the news will be tomorrow about Mascherano and if he is sold, how will the funds be used to strengthen the team?
Round 2 was a great weekend in the EPL with three games ending in 6-0 scorelines. And a stunner for fans in North London when Arsenal's former captain, William Gallas, signs with the Gunners arch rivals Tottenham. A good move for Spurs? For sure. Harry's Spurs have been carrying two defenders for several seasons that spend more time on the treatement table than they do on the pitch (Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King) so Gallas will be a welcome addition to White Hart Lane.
Oh, Craig Bellamy's loan move to Cardiff City paid dividends in a big way as he scored and contributed two assists in the Bluebirds 4-0 win over Doncaster. Typical Bellamy high energy effort.
Ans: Molineux, home of the Wolverhamton Wanderers (Wolves). Wolves have played their home games on this ground since August, 1888.
Many would have thought it was Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, or perhaps Goodison that sits just a short walk across Stanley Park.
Herein lies that twist in the tale: Anfield was the original home of Everton FC, one of the very oldest clubs in English football who began their play at Anfield in August, 1883. Yes, Anfield. Bet you thought it was Anfield and Liverpool always and forever huh?
Actually Liverpool FC was formed as a spin off of Everton, the original club in Liverpool. Everton didn't start playing their home games at Goodison Park until 1891 the very same year that Anfield became the home ground of the new club in town, Liverpool FC.
The birth of the rivalry between the Blue and the Red side of the Mersey.
