This weekend was full of excitement for many reasons, not least because it was transfer deadline day. There was also a T20 against Australia and the continuation of the US open in tennis. So here is my recap of the sporting weekend:
Football:
Aside from fans' favourite day of the year, there was also two bitter rival matches between Arsenal and Spurs and also Liverpool and Man U. In the north London derby, a first half goal from Olivier Giroud was enough for the resilient Gunners to see off Tottenham. During the game, Flamini came on for his second debut at the Emirates and Spurs summer signing Capoue went of injured with a ankle problem. He is expected to miss a month of action. The reds started brighter and were duly rewarded when Rosicky played through Walcott, who timed his run to perfection before putting in a low cross which the French striker flicked in after getting ahead of his marker. However, in the second half, Spurs put Arsenal under the cos and aside from one great tackle from Lloris to deny Walcott, it was generally one way traffic. However, the reds held on after a fantastic save from Szczesny to parry a deflected Defoe shot away before the follow up was blockd on the line by none other than Giroud. It was a dogged display from the gunners and they will be ecstatic to have held off their bitter rivals.
The other rivalry on display on Sunday was Liverpool V Utd and the home side came out on top against former Everton manager Moyes' side thanks to an early Daniel Sturridge header. The striker had won a corner which was headed towards goal by agger before the Englishman stooped to flick the ball in. From then on it was end to end stuff as RVP squandered a few good chances to level. As expected the last few minutes was all Utd but they couldn't find a way through and the roar that greeted the full time whistle suggested how happy the fans were as Liverpool start with 3 wins out of 3 to top the table.
There were also wins for City against Hull, Stoke, Norwich, Swansea and Palace as well as a draw between Cardiff and Everton.
On to Transfer Deadlin Day!:
After Bale signed for Real on a world record fee on Sunday, it was now on to the actual deadline day itself, early in the day, Liverpool were the big movers, signing Centre backs Sakho and Ilori as well as getting winger Moses on loan from Chelsea. However, the biggest signing of the day came from an unlikely source as Arsenal confirmed the capture of Real playmaker Mesut Ozil for 42.4m. The gunners also brought in keeper Viviano on loan from Palermo. Other big mover were Palace, who signed Bannan, Guedioura, Jerome and Marriappa; Stoke, who signed Arnautovic and Ireland; and West Brom, who bought Amalfitano, Anichebe, Camp and Sessegnon. Another big move was confirmed by Utd who brought in big man Fellaini from Everton for a whopping 27.5m sparking 3 late moves by the merseysiders who acquired McCarthy, Barry and Lukaku. Other big moves include Odemwingie to Cardiff, Assou Ekotto and Kranjcar to QPR, Shotton (Mr long throw 2) to Wigan on loan, Kozak to Villa, Dossena and Borini to Sunderland and finally, Gedo to Hull. Meanwhile, in Europe, Kaka returned to former club AC Milan.
F1:
Despite there not being a race this week, there was a big update in the world of car racing as it was confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo would replace fellow Aussie Webber at Red Bull next year after the veteran retires at the end of this year. The Torro Rosso driver will now be alongside three time world Champion Seb Vettel at the reigning Constructor's championship winners, Red Bull.
Cricket:
England beat Australia in the second T20 between the sides thanks to a tremendous 94 from opener Alex Hales. The Aussies won the toss and put England in who got off to a flyer thanks to Hales and Lumb (43). After Lumb was out Wright (30) and Morgan (20) gave useful contributions before the innings tailed off to end on 195-5. The only positive for Australia was that Fawad Ahmed picke up his first three wickets for the national side. In the Australian innings, only Warner put up real resistance in an innings of 53 before the rest of the team subsided without a real fight to end on 168 and fall 27 runs short. Dernbach bowled superbly for figures of 3-23 but unsurprisingly Hales was man of the match. In the CCD1, it was a key week as 2nd played first and came away with a win to take the title race tight to the line. Durham now trail Yorkshire by only 1.5 points heading into the final 3 games. Meanwhile Surrey are bottom with Derbyshire taking the other relegation spot. However Somerset are only 15 runs ahead so it should go right down to the wire.
Tennis:
The US open continued but Dan Evans dream run didn't as he was beaten by Spaniard Tommy Robredo - remember that name, it's important - in 4 sets in round three. The 3rd best British player put on a good show but was narrowly beaten by the veteran. However, it wasn't all bad as Murray continues into the quarters to face Stan Wawrinka after beating Istomin in 4 sets. The Swiss player beat 5th seed Berdych in round four. Nadal and Djokovic are also through to the quarters after masterful performances to beat Kohlschreiber (in 4 sets) and Granollers (6-3 6-0 6-0!) respectively. However, Swiss favourite Federer, the seventh seed for once, is out after losing in straight sets to none other than Tommy Robredo! The multiple grand slam winner was outplayed completely as his title hopes were eliminated with aplomb. In the women's draw, Serena Williams faces Chinese 5th seed Li Na in the semis after beating Spaniard Suarez Navarro 6-0 6-0 (double bagel). The other semi is between either second seed Azarenka or Hantuchova and Vinci or Pennetta.
Thank you for reading these features and please continue to do so weekly!
P.S there will be no Fantasy Friday this week for religious reasons
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