Andrew Discenza spotlights what was best and worst about the weekend’s action in the English Premier League…
A Day Of Captains
The Good – Gareth Barry
The Aston Villa captain’s two goals and two assists led his side to a fantastic 4-0 victory at home to Bolton. The 27-year old’s performance was creative and incisive, and his brace showed his knack for scoring. Barry made his impression felt only nine minutes into the match. Ashley Young had beaten Kevin Davies down the line, and his floated cross found Barry, racing into the box from midfield. Barry connected crisply with the header, and although Bolton keeper Ali Al Habsi got a leg on the ball he couldn’t keep it out. It was a well-worked early goal that allowed the home side to be more creative and attacking in their football.
The second goal, coming in the 56th minute, was also initiated by Ashley Young. The English winger threaded a great through ball in behind for Barry’s run, and the when the captain received the ball he crossed it early into Gabriel Agbonlahor, who finished neatly under Al Habsi.
Barry’s second goal, scored only four minutes later, had an element of luck to it. Barry took the corner, passing the ball to the edge of the area, then got it back a few passes later to only attempt another cross that was received by Young and then cleared away. Barry controlled the clearance, and fired a volley that was well struck. The ball traveled through a crowd of players, before taking a cruel deflection off Davies that sent the ball past the goalkeeper. Although the deflection was fortunate, Barry’s hard work and concentration, having reacted quickest to the loose ball, earned him the goal.
Aston Villa completed the rout five minutes from time. Barry lined up a free-kick from well outside the area, and as he sent the ball in, Marlon Harewood had timed his run perfectly, and while the Bolton back line were caught napping, the Villa striker had a free header in the middle of the box, and duly dispatched his side’s fourth goal of the match.
A thrilling performance by Villa, who showed their ability to play beautiful, attacking football, and a terrific day for Gareth Barry, who demonstrated his ability to both create and score goals.
The Bad – Richard Dunne
The Manchester City captain put the ball into his own net only six minutes into Saturday’s match against Chelsea, and his side never recovered. Early on, the visitors looked menacing. After Salomon Kalou had done well, Michael Essien put Nicolas Anelka through on goal. Anelka attempted to cross the ball back for Essien when Dunne intervened. He couldn’t let the ball past him, but when he stuck out a right leg he ended up poking the ball inside the near-post and past a helpless Joe Hart.
It was somewhat cruel on Dunne, who has played well this season and had to make the gamble of going for the clearance. But the mistake was crucial, and even though Manchester City went on to play good football and create scoring chances, his side never regained the momentum, and Dunne’s own goal ultimately served as the winning goal.
Perhaps an unluckily break, but the City defender’s failure to avoid disaster probably cost his team all three points.
The Ugly – Damien Johnson
The Birmingham City captain was dismissed on Saturday, no doubt contributing to his side’s 2-0 loss at Wigan. More importantly, the studs-up tackle that merited his ejection was violent and aggressive. The red card came near the end of the first half, when Johnson chased a loose ball but was just beaten to it by Kevin Kilbane. Johnson went in for the ball with legs fully stretched, and his lunge that caught Kilbane (luckily) on his raised leg.
Kilbane, surprisingly, rose to protest the sending off, as it seems not a lot of contact was actually made.
But the Wigan midfielder will have changed his tune having seen the replay. While perhaps there was no malice intended, the reckless attempt for the ball was a challenge that has no place in football. Mike Dean, to his credit, was on hand to make the correct decision and send off Johnson. Wigan, already behind, from then on fought a futile battle thanks to their rash captain.
Andrew Discenza
Barry On The Spot As Villa Held By Boro
Wigan Safe As Villa Are Stunned
Villa Look To Fill Barry Void