Håvard Nordtveit & Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca 1-0 Girona
UD Salamanca were looking for their second win in as many games this afternoon as they took on newly promoted Girona in Catalonia.
As we told you yesterday, Håvard Nordtveit made his first start for Salamanca playing in an unfamiliar midfield position, he was one of three changes. On loan striker Miku and injured midfielder Toti missed out, yet despite the injuries, Pedro Botelho did not travel.
Alberto
Gañán (c) – Pelegrín – Català – Sito
Nordtveit – Bustos
Isaac – Sevilla – Dañobeitia
Azkorra
The Union began in an exciting manner, but Girona were willing to get stuck in and break up the stylish movement of the visitors. Nordtveit was also settling in well in the midfield, the Norwegian has already broken the language barrier and looked more than comfortable in the centre.
Håvard broke up a rare Girona attack with an excellent sliding tackle, but gave the ball away on two occasions. Azkorra had an opportunity to flick Salamanca in front, but chances were few and far between.
The longer it took for UDS to score the opener, the more the hosts grew. Nordtveit was booked in the first half for a late challenge, it summed up the mentality of the game.
Half time came and went without goals, and it seemed this one was destined for a draw. Salamanca pride themselves on playing good football, something they would have to give up should they wish to win.
However, sticking to your principles is something which has worked for Arsene Wenger, and manager David Armaral would also experience the fortunes of believing in your style. Some silky passing released Sevilla, his cross was met by Isaac who was on hand to secure the points.
The 18-year-old was replaced with Jeorge Alonso late on, he can take heart from playing an important role as Salamanca move up to 2nd.
Armand Traoré – Portsmouth 0-6 Manchester City
Portsmouth played their third game in a week this afternoon as they made the trip to Eastlands to take on money bags Manchester City.
Harry Redknapp admitted he was keen to change the team around following the 2-0 win in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, but kept faith in his charges meaning Armand Traoré started again on the left wing.
Redknapp was correct to have been cautious over his sides fitness level, and although City also had European action, they were quicker out of the blocks. Inside 20 minutes it was already 2-0, Jo and Richard Dunne with the strikes to stun the visitors.
Traoré struggled to be in the game as the hosts pushed home their advantage, but it remained 2-0 at the break.
The Robinho factor was inspiring Man City, and it was the Brazilian who notched the third. Wright-Phillips and Ched Evans turned the game into a rout, but the fixture still had time to run. Deflated Portsmouth were finished off by Gelson Fernandes late on – Traoré completed the 90 minutes on a miserable afternoon.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I am quite surprised by the trashing… Pompey is by no mean a weak side.
i heard man city had a good win but i didn’t realise they hit pompy for six. For that I presume no-one had a good game but how did traore play. i’ll watch motd but i doubt i’ll see much of him considerin what was going on at the other end. Also JS how well do you think nordveit could fit into midfield; i mean could he have a future there?
Mr Sanderson… any chance of reports on Senderos’s progress in Italy? Seeing is as he is on loan, and not part of our first team plans (at the moment).
JBM//
Traore was a disaster, to be honest.
i heard senderos wasn’t having the best of times and had a bit of a breakdown when milan were beaten, but this may be media exageration. it would be good to hear about him though, i’m not sure if he has a future with us though, especially as djourou has done alright and nordveit presumably will be with the first team next season. although having said that i’m not sure how long gallas will last so there may be a space up for grabs along side toure and i do think senderos is the type of player we could do with if he can get rid of the mistakes
thanks charles, i kinda thought that what it would be like considering it takes an entire team to lose that badly but i held ou some hope for him. it will be a good test for him now to see how he bounces back. This could prove alot.
J, are you gonna cover the kiddie cup on Tuesday? I’m very interested to see what you think, especially as its the first year we really expect academy kids to be starting on mass (well, at least gibbs, randall, wilshere, maybe simpson and lansbury, maybe gavin hoyte).
I don’t think he’s played yet. I’ve seen a few of the matches and he’s just been unused backup.
Just FYI, when u enter into the player profiles, if u keep ur cursor on the picture of Jay Simpson, it reads as Luke Freeman
Samuel – Yes i have been asked by several people, I will be covering the Cup.
I would cover Senderos, but he is injured all the time so no point in bothering :).
Saw some of the Pompey game. Traore was having a rough time, so were all the players. He was kind of at fault for one of the goals, but just about everytime he got the ball he would be crowded out and lost it. Hopefully this doesn’t damage his confidence too much because he’s one talented player.
I wonder if Redknapp will still be telling everyone what a great player Diarra is?
I really dont see it me self. ooh slap my wrists coz thats off topic!
Cheers J, i’m looking forward to it. It’s good to know you might cover big Phil in the future too.
wow Pompey caught a beatdown lol well I feel bad for Armand though
Unlucky Portsmouth (well not really cuz lets face it, they were anialated), City were awesome but i cant see them breaking the top four. Its possible but they’ll be hard pushed to manage it. They have a good side there though and what with all that cash i wouldent be suprised if they give us as well as Chelsea, Liverpool and Utd real problems in the coming seasons.
As for Traore, im sure it wont set him bak. He had a shocker in the FA cup for us last season but he bounced back from that aswell. I meen if it’d been blatenly his fault they lost that bad maybe, but the whole side lost today, not just Traore.
Not particulaly dissapointed cuz im not Redknapps biggest fan (not saying hes my least favouret manager in the league mind u) while i have alot of respect for Mark Hughes.
Cnt wait for the CC now, really hope we get to see alot more of Ramsey (and hopefully Wilshire as well but im not getting my hopes up too high on that one). It’ll be great too see who can grab the spot light this season, and theres always atleast one who does.
any info on which youngguns may start tomorrow??
is traore not quicker than wright-phillips… he struggled to keep up with him when they were chasing a loose ball.
i though he was as fast as walcott and clichy
that match was funny…..robinho was taking the piss, stepovers to david james, stepover to useless kaboul, stepovers to glen johnson, and a few flicks here and there…
the one thing i like about him is that he dosent give away the ball dat much, theres always end product..
only if arsenal had him to play on the left or behind adebayor… we was sooooo close to gettin him then madrid came calling lol…
i think steven ireland would be a good signing for arsenal, he has that technique in my eyes anyway..does any1 agree??