| West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Bolton Wanderers | Premier League match report Positive expectations can be debilitating. Last week, when they were expected to get precisely nothing from, respectively, Arsenal and Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers produced vibrant, attacking performances that won them widespread praise.This week, in a match both would have targeted as one to win, they were guarded and even hesitant. Only in the final third did the match really come to life.Bolton's Gary Cahill, returning from suspension, was involved in the first significant chance of the match, the England international meeting a Martin Petrov corner after losing his marker, Peter Odemwingie, only to head wastefully over the bar.It was a rare excursion up field for Cahill in an opening half-hour in which Albion enjoyed the majority of the possession but found it hard to penetrate Bolton's well-organised defence, effectively screened by Fabrice Muamba.At the other end, Bolton's threat was largely limited to set pieces. Another Petrov corner led to Gretar Steinsson head straight at Scott Carson, but seconds after the restart it was Petrov who almost broke the stalemate. Stuart Holden and Johan Elmander combined well to set up the Bulgarian for a side-footed shot from the edge of the area that Carson, diving to his left, did well to touch over.The game began to open up a little. James Morrison shot straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen, and Steinsson headed a Chris Brunt free-kick over his own bar, but it was Bolton who made the breakthrough shortly after the hour.The admirable Muamba picked up Nicky Shorey's poor clearance, Chung-Yong Lee helped the ball on to Davies, and the centre-forward played a clever short pass into the penalty area for Elmander to shoot firmly past Carson. It was the Swede's fourth league goal of what has been an impressively productive season.Petrov should have made it two soon afterwards, bursting clear only to drag his shot wide, and Bolton were made to pay for his profligacy.Shortly after failing to capitalise on another Knight error, Odemwingie picked up the ball on the right wing, looked up, and picked out the run of Morrison with a superb chipped cross. The midfielder had only to connect, and did so emphatically.Brunt might have won the game for West Brom, but under pressure from Holden, directed his shot too close to Jaaskelainen.Premier LeagueBolton WanderersWest Bromguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Toronto FC tries to stave off elimination in Seattle The Seattle Sounders can move closer to a second MLS postseason berth in as many years with a victory at home on Saturday over the fading Toronto FC, which may be officially eliminated with a loss. cbc.ca |
Manchester City's Joe Hart under attack as Roberto Mancini lays down law on drinking Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini clamps down on drinking culture of his young England internationals. telegraph.co.uk |
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Five issues Hodgson must resolve soon Off the field things are looking up at Anfield but the manager's problems are mountingShow the new owners that he too has a winning mentality"What drives us is winning," said Tom Werner following New England Sports Ventures' takeover. For £300m, and with their track record at the Boston Red Sox, it is only natural he and John W Henry would have reservations over someone who has made the worst start of a Liverpool manager since 1928. Hodgson has been assured his position is safe – although the Americans wasted little time dispensing with the coach they inherited at Fenway Park in 2002 – but even in trying, transitional times at Anfield he has not presented a strong case that he can steady the ship. Hodgson is unlikely to benefit from co-owners who are new to the sport. Joe Januszewski has been a Liverpool fanatic for 20 years. He is also the senior vice-president of corporate sales for the Red Sox and Fenway Enterprises. It was his email that urged Henry to consider buying Liverpool. Januszewski, a passionate supporter with an impressive knowledge of the club, was in Istanbul and vividly remembers his first visit to Anfield, a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United in 2005 when "Rooney scored a soft goal in the Kop end and pulled the Shrek ears". He was with Henry and Werner at Goodison Park on Sunday.Get the fans onsideThe message from the top has impressed Liverpool fans, but only when delivered by the club's new owners. Henry and Werner continued their exhaustive rounds yesterday when they met five local MPs to discuss the problematic stadium issue. "We asked were there any definite plans," said Steve Rotheram, the MP for Walton. "They said there aren't any at the moment but that there will be a new stadium, whether that means there will be a new stadium or a redevelopment on the present footprint." Henry also told representatives from the Spirit of Shankly supporters' union: "If it wasn't for yourselves and supporters doing what you have, we wouldn't be here now." How Hodgson could do with the Americans' communication skills. Describing Sunday's pitiful derby display as the best of his short Liverpool tenure was an insult to supporters trying to comprehend a passionless defeat and 19th place in the Premier League.Re-engage Fernando TorresThe Liverpool striker's frustration betrayed him against Everton. He told Jamie Carragher to "shut up" inside three minutes at Goodison Park and looked over-anxious in front of goal, but poor individual form is not only to blame. The service to the Spain international has been abysmal all season. Even fully fit and secure in his surroundings, Torres would struggle to prosper on a diet of long, hopeful punts towards the corner flag. He has been isolated tactically and personally under Liverpool's new manager. Steven Gerrard was supposed to provide Torres's main support against Everton but, along with his team-mates, was too deep to make an impact. Being singled out as the only Liverpool player with a confidence problem by his manager is also unlikely to help Torres. "I didn't see a lack of confidence in Maxi RodrÃguez, Raul Meireles or Steven Gerrard," said Hodgson on Sunday. "Fernando is going through a bad time and if you are talking about him I'd have to agree, but there are not too many lacking confidence."Get Joe Cole playing againDividing Hodgson's problems into five categories only begins to cover the extent of the overhaul required but he desperately needs his own signings to improve to convince NESV to trust him with transfer funds. Liverpool's left flank was neither solid nor creative at Goodison, and Paul Konchesky and Joe Cole cannot be blamed on Rafael BenÃtez. Cole has endured a difficult start to his Anfield career and, now that Gerrard has returned to the central role he and the former Chelsea man prefer, the club's statement signing this summer is struggling to impress wide on the left. A lack of pace is telling but how to maximise the talents of Cole and Gerrard in the same team is a conundrum Hodgson has yet to solve. At least the England international is not hiding. "We are not playing well. I'm not playing well. I know that. I expect better from myself," said Cole after the derby. "There are characters here. I'm looking at myself – nobody else. I need to do a lot better for the club. I've never had a period like this before and it is all new territory for me but it is a challenge and life is never easy."Plug the leaks in defenceHodgson has not had any luck with his defenders. Daniel Agger, with whom the manager appears to have a fractious relationship, remains plagued by a serious back injury and Konchesky and Glen Johnson have also been sidelined. The England right-back has also suffered an alarming drop in form and looks a pale imitation of the £18m signing of last season, and even José Reina's commanding aura in goal has occasionally been misplaced. Liverpool's defence badly needs an injection of pace but many of its problems are self-inflicted. Hodgson pinpointed the number of games that Liverpool have had to chase this season as a reason for poor results, yet his gameplan – sitting deep at Everton, for example – invites trouble.LiverpoolRoy HodgsonFernando TorresSteven GerrardAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |