Welcome to the latest “Euroscore” Round-Up from the football leagues across Europe.
England
The Premiership title race was littered with draws this weekend. Title contenders Chelsea could only manage one point in a 1-1 home draw with West Ham United who are managed by their former star player Gianfranco Zola. With results like that expect Chelsea to throw even more money at the problem when the transfer window re-opens in January.
Manchester United also drew away at Tottenham Hotspur 0-0. However Liverpool didn’t take advantage of the opportunity drawing at home 2-2 to Hull City. It was a tremendous effort from Hull City who led 2-0 after only 22 minutes. They are now 6th in their first ever Premiership season. Liverpool’s home Anfield isn’t the fortress it once was and Hull’s draw follows a similar achievement by Fulham a fortnight ago. They were rescued by two quick goals from captain Steve Gerrard.
The question this weekend is just who would want to be a Premiership manager? Apparently plenty of high profile managers still do. After watching his team Sunderland’s frustrating, stuttering start to the season and feeling powerless to halt the slide, Roy Keane resigned. This weekend saw them beat fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion impressively, 4-0. Whether Roy jumped ship too soon or the improvement in form is because of, not in spite of, his resignation will remain to be seen. Interestingly the list of people lining up for the job includes some well known names. Ex- Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is one and recent departure from Real Madrid Bernd Schuster is another.
Portsmouth surprisingly lost 0-3 to Newcastle United with unsettled striker Michael Owen among the scorers. Manchester City lost 0-1 at home to Everton with a last minute goal from Tim Cahill. It is a result that might see the manager merry go round take another twist soon. City, of course, are the team with the most cash to splash in the January sales. Whether manager Mark Hughes will be given time and the power to make his own choices remains to be seen.
Another manager under pressure is Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince who lost convincingly at Wigan 0-3. It was their 6th consecutive defeat. Time just might be running out for the ex Manchester United, Liverpool, and Inter Milan star. It is possible of course that Mark Hughes might make the return journey to Ewood Park if he loses his City position. As I say it’s a merry go round and in many cases time is not of the essence.
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
Paul Ince is history now, of course. Blackburn already have Sam Allardyce sitting in the manager's office - Big Sam is probably quite gratified that the swivel chair behind his new desk is still warm!
Speaking of precarious coaching situations, I reckon Juande Ramos should start scanning the job vacancies in El Pais right now, purely on principle. I don't think it's quite as bad nowadays, but time was that at Real Madrid, if the team wasn't 5-0 up after 20 minutes of the new coach's first game in charge, he was out on his ear - so high were the expectations.
Malta, eh? My curiosity is piqued. Is your feature going to be about the all-conquering Sliema Wanderers perhaps? Or the mighty Hamrun Spartans? Enquiring minds can't wait to find out!