PSV Pump Pakya’s United

PSV Eindhoven put in an eye-catching display to defeat Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford. With United enjoying the majority of possession an Eric Cantona penalty gave them a 21st minute lead and everything looked to be going according to plan for the Division One title hopefuls. However, PSV were buoyed by a couple of openings and they turned the game on its head in a six-minute spell either side of half-time. Ryan Babel struck the equaliser on 44 minutes to give PSV a boost going into half-time and a minute after the restart they were in front. A Daniel Agger run and cross was met by the head of Xabi Alonso who headed past Kuszczak with the minimum of fuss. On 50 minutes United would be stunned by a third goal from Eindhoven. Following a swift batch of passing from the edge of their area, Jose Fonte released Babel with a defence splitting final pass and the forward made no mistake with the finish. United did try to rally but you sensed their belief was gone and when Fonte added a fourth in the 85th minute their misery was complete. Despite the defeat, though, United remain in second due to favourable results elsewhere and will, hopefully, erase this from their mind. PSV, however, will look to use this as a springboard as they continue their move away from the relegation zone following Kadri’s arrival.

Juventus also completed a shock win by defeating West Brom Strollers 1-0 at the Delle Apli. There was no sign of what was to come as West Brom largely controlled the opening half but, tellingly, couldn’t find the breakthrough goal. The leaders’ frustrations grew when Cyrille Regis missed a penalty on 64 minutes to further compound their misses of the opening half. Seizing their moment, Juve were to open the scoring. Some nice approach play from Claude Blanquet saw Mairthin Foley released and he had no hesitation in netting his eleventh goal of the season to stun the visiting support. With West Brom spent as an attacking force, the home side began to believe that this would be their day and sure enough held on comfortably until the final whistle; signalling joyous scenes in the home stands. The win sees Juventus move onto 20 points, a significant seven clear of the relegation spots and into relatively clear waters. Dinkydave explained how he had taken ‘super bob off pens at 4pm today’ and in the end it proved a costly move. However, with other results looking ‘good’, West Brom won’t be too concerned and will already be focussing on their next game.

Legends of Arsenal completed a miserable day for the top three sides in Division One by going down 3-1 at Pahang United. In a dominating performance, Pahang never gave LOA a hope as they attacked them from the very first whistle. They were to go in front on five minutes thanks to a long range shot from Henning Gassner and they went onto play some lovely one-touch football. LOA did keep in touch during an entertaining opening 45 minutes, though, and were to go in level after Eugene Kameni Idriss rifled a free-kick into the roof of the net. Despite the parity, Pahang were to be the only side in it after the break as they laid siege to Sattler’s goal. Lothar Knapp restored their lead with a crisp penalty area strike and, on 69 minutes, the game would be sealed with their third goal. Holger Pfitzner was to be the darling of the home crowd as he headed in a super cross from Gassner to give Pahang some delight in a season of struggle. The win sees TB’s side into eighth but the hard work starts here as only three point separates them from a rejuvenated PSV side. LOA remain in third but will be worried by the sides circling around them as the season reaches its climax.

The Vikings overcame the stubborn challenge of S.S. Manfredonia to close to within two points of the top three spots. A tight first-half looked to be moving towards a half-time stalemate but, with 43 minutes on the clock, Colin Crouch struck gold for The Vikings. A quick breakaway saw Maladenis slide Crouch in to beat Stoker from close range. The goal was a kick in the teeth for a Manfredonia side who were performing well for their new boss. The second-half saw both teams have chances but some profligate finishing coupled with steady goalkeeping ensured that Crouch’s goal would be the winning one to reverse the trend of shocks occurring elsewhere in the division. Eaglesrjh, on hearing his side are now within two points of LOA, reluctantly said ‘we are in the race’ before quickly adding ‘but I still don’t expect promotion.’ If his team keeps performing over the coming weeks he will have quite a job on to quell the excitement building amongst the fans. Manfredonia sit a point above the drop zone and, while they will be happy enough with their performance, will know that it’s results that matter at this stage of the season.

Three Lions FC were the other side to benefit from the top three losing as they beat Newry City 2-0 at Showgrounds. The Lions made the most of the only chance that would be created in the opening half as Zlatan Izuhimovic struck in the eighth minute as they sliced open the home backline with some crisp passing. The game would open up after the break as the inevitable fatigue crept into the players’ legs but the finishing left a lot to be desired. Izuhimovic, though, was to come good again on 76 minutes to put the game beyond the home side. After picking up a pass from Kaka, Izuhimovic made Wellens clutch at air with an unerringly accurate finish which sealed the win. The defeat leaves Newry at the foot of the table and looking likely to fill one of the relegation spots at the end of the season, unless Mickeymoose can mastermind a winning streak in the final seven matches. Izu, meanwhile, spoke of his side being ‘in a wonderful position to squeeze into the top three’ but quickly added they will need to ‘work hard to earn promotion.’

Kirkbride Strollers put together a smash n grab performance to leave Goals Aloud stunned at Hoppitop ground. Giving up the better chances throughout the game, Kirkbride always seemed to be second best. However, on 28 minutes Jamie Cole headed in a cross delivered by Sinoda to deliver a priceless goal. With something to hold onto, Kirkbride mounted a defensive performance of some intelligence and no little quality to keep out a determined Goals Aloud side. Goalkeeper, Ally McLoud was also in fine form to repel anything that breached his backline and this, inevitably, won the day against a somewhat toothless Aloud side. While, Popepiusx2’s side are firmly embroiled in a relegation battle, Jazza’s Strollers sit comfortably in mid-table with still an outside chance of putting together a run which might catch the top three off guard.