Chris Wood – Burnley (English Premier League)

Burnley played another game so you know what that means… another goal for the tally of Chris Wood. Another win for the Clarets as well and coupled with Arsenal’s latest defeat that European qualification is looking a decent flutter. What do you reckon, Woody?

Chris Wood: “We were one of the favourites to go down at the start of the season and this group of lads have shown that we’re a lot better than what they say. If that happens, it’s a long way off and it’s a big ‘if’, it would be up there. At the moment we’re not thinking about that (Europe). At the end of the season, if it comes, then we can talk about it. For now it’s all about playing games.”

Playing games was something he didn’t do a whole lot of the last time he was in the Premier League with Leicester, who just happened to be the team he was playing here. Went out on loan at Ipswich and then got sold to Leeds, if you recall. Right in time to miss out on the season in which the Foxes went on to win the Premier League. But no regrets from The Woodsman. Here he is talking about some stuff like that…

His goal against Leicester came nice and early, barely five minutes in. Woody peeled off his defender as Ashley Barnes spun and slipped the ball through for him. Wood’s initial shot was saved but just like the other week he was the first to react to the rebound, slotting it for his tenth goal of the campaign.

Alan Shearer on the Telly: “Wood and Barnes up front are causing problems and once they score one or two goals they're difficult to peg back because they don't concede many. This is lovely movement (from Wood) and a lovely turn and reverse pass (from Barnes) into Wood, he gets a little bit of luck, it bounces back to him, but it's a confident finish with his left foot. It was a superb pass and a good finish.”

And then three minutes later Kevin Long headed in from a swirling Jonas Berg Gudmundsson corner and the Clarets were up 2-0. Even with Ben Mee out injured, they’re so good, so well organised at the back that a two goal lead was basically game over, even ten minutes in. They havent lost from a winning position all season. Jamie Vardy pulled one back on a rapid counter attack in the 72nd minute but that was if for the Foxes and Burnley claimed a 2-1 victory.

Lancashire Telegraph: “Chris Wood hit double figures for his debut Clarets season with the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Leicester. And the tally is all the more impressive given that the New Zealand international has missed two months with injury. It is no coincidence that Burnley struggled without him. Wood did not play in nine of the 11 games the Clarets went without a win. His comeback has been emphatic, scoring five goals in as many games. That's half of his return since becoming a club record £15million signing from Leeds, having started the campaign at Elland Road. The partnership between top scorer Wood and Ashley Barnes has been noted for its goals, but against the Foxes Barnes showed a great awareness of his strike partner in laying on the assist. You can only imagine how much he would have contributed to the goals for column without that lengthy absence, and how high Burnley could be aiming.”

Lancashire Telegraph Player Ratings: “Chris Wood 8 - Back in the goals, reacting well to an initial blocked shot to score from the rebound. Diligent defensively when required too.”

Hey look it’s Sergio Pizzorno from the band Kasabian!

Up Next: Burnley vs Chelsea, Friday at 6.45am (NZT)

Olivia Chance – Everton (English Super League)

The big cup semi was finally here, Everton and Arsenal leaping into it after the international break with a place in the FA Cup final on the line. Olivia Chance named to start having really kickstarted her fantastic form over the second half of the season in this competition. Get at it.

Arsenal were the favourites but Everton came out stronger in the initial stages, Dan Turner coming closest with a deflected shot that narrowly missed the target. Didn’t make it count though and 25 minutes in the Gunners managed to take the lead. Danielle Carter got the decisive strike on Heather O’Reilly’s cross and there you go.

Credit to Everton for sticking at it and putting the pressure on Arsenal. Chloe Kelly twice saw her shots blocked by the Gunner defence. Kirstie Levell was able to keep things at 1-0 with her work between the sticks for the Toffees but the breakthrough at the other end was proving tough to come by. Cometh the hour (well, sixty seven minutes anyway), cometh your heroine. Olivia Chance took that ball into the penalty area and was bowled over by Dominique Janssen. Penalty. Up stepped Kelly and it was 1-1.

Boosted by the equaliser, Everton kept on pushing for a winner that’d take them to Wembley. A couple times they went close only for that final whistle to creep closer, seemingly about to take us to extra time. But it wasn’t to be. Louise Quinn headed in right at the death to give Arsenal the 2-1 victory. Argh, bollocks. The gaffer was proud though.

Everton manager Andy Spence: “We ran them close and I felt we probably should have scored a second goal once we got the first. It’s just a killer blow in terms of that late winner for Arsenal – I was very disappointed, but not with the girls’ contributions. Football’s cruel at times, it’s great at times. It feels cruel today.”

Up Next: Home to Chelsea on Thursday at 6.00am in WSL action (NZT)

Marco Rojas – sc Heerenveen (Dutch Eredivisie)

Check it out, Marco Rojas was back amongst the Heerenveen starters on the weekend. He might get a few more starts as the season rolls on now because Real Madrid loanee Martin Ødegaard has busted a metatarsal and will miss the rest of the campaign. The young Norwegian was considered a wonder kid when signed by the Galacticos but he hasn’t quite made the progress expected of him, although he’d had his moments with Heerenveen this term. This was only Rojas’ fourth start of the league season and his first since October but with three games still left he’ll hopefully add a few more.

Because why change a winning formula, right? Morten Thorsby was also suspended for this one, another reason for Rojas’ promotion. VVV-Venlo haven’t won in ages but could have taken the lead in the first half when Clint Leemans stepped up to take a 27th minute penalty… which was saved by Martin Hansen. The second half goals to Reza Ghoochannejhad and Nemanja Mihajlovic gave SCH made it eight points from four games. Marco was subbed off with ten minutes to play but by then the damage had been done. Venlo meanwhile are up to ten games without a win.

Good performance from Rojas here. Three shots with one on target, he might have hit the net with a little luck. He got nice and involved playing on the right of a front three. He was right there for the goal had the ball made it far enough before The Ghooch got onto it and he might’ve scored the second too had Mihajlovic cut it back instead of shooting and scoring. All goods there.

Up Next: Back at it on Wednesday vs ADO Den Haag, 6.45am (NZT)

Abby Erceg – North Carolina Courage (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Three wins from three now. Perfect start to the new season, even if Erceg and the lasses did finally conceded a couple goals along the way after two straight 1-0 victories. Washington Spirit were the opponents, and bloody tough ones they proved as Mallory Pugh gave them the lead in the opening minutes. It meant that a team that’s built on its defence was forced to go on the attack searching for goals… and they did it brilliantly, two in five mins between the 20th and 24th had them up 2-1 at the break. Crystal Dunn got the first (and her first for her new club, the USA international) before McCall Zerboni bagged another with a free kick.

Washington started the first half with a rapid goal, North Carolina started the second with one. Zerboni again with a fine finish into the bottom corner. Francisca Ordega got open at the far post to make it 3-2 but then Lynn Williams polished off the scoring within two minutes of that scare. Ruthless stuff from the 2017 runners-up.

Up Next: At home to Katie Bowen’s Utah Royals on Sunday at 7.30am (NZT)

Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)

The way it works in Holland is that the top two places go into the Champions League qualifying, with PSV Eindhoven already guaranteed that as they wrapped up the title in beating Ajax this weekend and Ajax likely to join them with another win over their last three games. Then third place goes into Europa qualifying and places four through seven compete for the last Europa League spot. PEC Zwolle were in contention to maybe even get third earlier on but now, with three games left, will be lucky to even hold onto a top seven spot with how trash their post-winter break form has been. Ryan Thomas’ trouble might be Marco Rojas’ benefit… which might be everyone’s benefit reading this because Thommo’s likely to leave the PECers in the European summer anyway.

Zwolle bossed Excelsior all over the park with 61% of possession and 27 shots, taking the lead thanks of Youness Mokhtar. But a tussle in the box in the 55th minute allowed Mike van Duinen to level it up from the spot. Zwolle couldn’t find a second goal and 1-1 was the final score.

Meanwhile Thommo’s been flirting with Ajax, check these tasty lines out…

Ryan Thomas: “I prefer to watch Ajax because they play attacking. The 3-0 win on PSV was the best match I saw from Ajax, when they were very aggressive. Also my style of playing fits best with Ajax of the three top clubs. The best example was when they won 0-1 in injury time against us. They have done that more than once, it’s not just luck.”

Translation: “Come and get me.”

Up Next: Away to FC Twenteon Wednesday at 4.30am (NZT)

Hannah Wilkinson – Vittsjö GIK (Swedish Damallsvenskan)

With the honour of kicking off the first game of the season, Vittsjö travelled to Kristianstad – one of the teams that, like Vittsjö, Ali Riley’s Rosengård went past to make the Svenska Cupen final. Wilko was in and out a bit last season, starting 12 times and coming off the bench thrice, only playing ninety minutes three times. But she got the full game in the league opener and it went a fair bit better than it did last time she played Kristianstad when a second yellow meant an early bath. It was a 0-0 draw on that occasion, also in the Swedish Cup. Therese Ivarsson’s first half goal for K’stad made sure there wouldn’t be a repeat of that scoreline but Michelle de Jongh levelled up immediately after the break. Literally immediately… it took fifteen seconds before she smashed her volley past the keeper, picking up a long ball that was only half cleared. It finished 1-1, a good away point to start things off.

While we’re at it, shout out to Wilks for keeping up the good work off the pitch as well.

Up Next: A tough one at home to Linköping at 1.00pm on Monday (NZT)

Ali Riley – FC Rosengård (Swedish Damallsvenskan)

Bit of a shock start to the season for the Rosies. Ali Riley’s lot came up against Göteborg but showed the signs of the month or so they’ve had without a competitive game. Normally it’s Rosengård and Linköping competing for the title so a home opener against anyone else is an expected win. But Rosie struggled to break through, missing chance after chance after chance (including a penalty blasted over the top), and they ended up falling behind to Christian Press’ goal with quarter of an hour left. They were staring at defeat right up until Scottish international Fiona Brown equalised in the 89th minute thanks to a helpful deflection. Phew… but still a couple points dropped.

Dropped like them lotto balls, aye Ali?

Up Next: Away to Kalmar, 1.00am on Sunday (NZT)

Joel Stevens & Myer Bevan – Husqvarna FF (Swedish Div 1 South)

It’s still a little odd that Joel and Myer have ended up in a third tier Swedish league but pro footy is pro footy and both made their debuts in HFF’s second game of the season this week. The team had drawn its first game 0-0 so a little extra attacking weaponry would go down smoothly… probably didn’t expect this smoothly though.

Granted they were already 2-0 down thanks to first half goals from Imer Beqiri and Mahmoud Abed Al-Mouti. Stevens’ strike came with quarter of an hour to go and HFF lost 2-1 away to Oddevold. Stevie played the full game, Bevan was subbed on at half-time and according to the team’s match report he impressed with his ‘physicality and technique’. Hopefully plenty more goals to come from these two.

Up Next: Husqvarna vs Utsikten at 2.00am on Sunday (NZT)

Jeremy Brockie – Mamelodi Sundowns (South African Premier Soccer League)

Did Jeremy Brockie score this week? No.

Did Jeremy Brockie play this week? Also no.

Mamelodui Sundowns had a comfortable enough 2-0 win over Bidvest Wits thanks to first half goals from Themba Zwane and Sibusiso Vilakazi and only ended up using one sub, leaving Brockie nice and warm on the bench. They’ve got another league game up soon against Golden Arrows with that title getting ever closer and then on Monday they’ve got Maritzburg United in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. So busy times ahead and he’ll get his chance.

In the meantime there are plenty other perks to playing for the best club in the country and one of those is getting to be on talkshows like The Dan Nicholl Show, where he featured alongside South African UFC fighter Don Madge and actor/comedian Bongani Dube. A couple clips…

Starting to get a bit of a twang in that voice there, lad.

There’s also been a fair bit written in the SA papers about his situation. He’s yet to score for his new team having signed in a fairly high profile mid-season move from SuperSport United, where he was also struggling to score earlier in the season but that was blamed on the distraction of his upcoming transfer. And he’s not the only one because Uruguayan teammate Gaston Sirino is ten games without a goal too. Here’s the gaffer with some advice…

Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane: “They are two people who are really, really unfortunate. We told them we must take them to the township to one sangoma [a Southern African traditional diviner]. I don't know who has jinxed Brockie. Sirino gets a chance every game but if he doesn't hit the post, then he misses an easy one. Same as Jeremy. Those guys are so unlucky, but they play well and they help us. It's OK, they are going to get there.”

Brockie’s always been rocks and diamonds, check out his national team scoring rate, but when he’s on he’s well and truly on. Right now he’s not playing a lot as he’s being eased into a team with a lot of attacking options, having not taken his early chances. Going by the papers he’s not too happy with this situation…

Phakaaathi/The Citizen: “Word coming from the Mamelodi Sundowns camp is that striker Jeremy Brockie is unhappy with the little game time that he has been getting since making the switch from SuperSport United in January. Brockie came in for a cameo appearance in Downs’ 2-1 over Baroka FC on Sunday and has only made such appearances since joining. Phakaaathi has it on good authority that during his days at SuperSport Brockie got very agitated and expressed it explicitly to the technical team whenever he was substituted early or had to start the match on the bench.”

But life is good off the park and Jerry set the record straight himself about the on-field stuff…

Up Next: Sundowns vs Golden Arrows, Wednesday at 5.30am (NZT)

Rebekah Stott – Sky Blue FC (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Weird situation for a second game of the season, Stotty’s first home game for Sky Blue came against the team that traded her in the offseason: Seattle Reign. Stott started at centre-back again alongside Erica Skroski but there wasn’t much of a welcoming for her old mates. They were absolutely horrific conditions, pouring with rain, super windy and completely freezing. So much for the Sky Blue name.

That wind was in good effect five minutes in when Skroski misjudged a cross into the box and kinda randomly just threw an arm up there, giving away a penalty. Wasn’t even being challenged but Megan Rapinoe’s converted spottie ended up being the only goal of the game. Rapinoe was a handful and almost won another penalty under a challenge from the keeper but she left the game injured in the second half. Shea Groom had Sky Blue’s best chance but her shot was saved. Probably a fair result as Seattle won it 1-0. By the end of the game even the camera was soaked, check the highlights out.

Up Next: Away to Chicago at 12.00pm on Sunday (NZT)

Katie Bowen – Utah Royals (American National Women’s Soccer League)

Utah vs Chicago, which woulda meant Katie Bowen vs Rosie White but Rosie’s still out injured after having foot surgery in the offseason so that didn’t happen. Incredibly the Royals managed to sell out the stadium for this their home opener though. 19,000 people there to witness the occasion.

Only problem was they lost. Danielle Colaprico scored in the 27th minute with a lovely control and volley from outside the box, a defensive clearance landing right on her knee. This five minutes after a decent looking penalty shout at the other end was declined by the ref. Utah only had one shot on target all game though, they can’t really complain. At least Katie Bowen got another good run out there. The Royals are still looking for their first win after two draws and a loss.

Up Next: Away to NCC, 7.30am on Sunday (NZT)

Stefan Marinovic – Vancouver Whitecaps (American Major League Soccer)

Sometimes you just have a bad day at the office. The Vancouver Whitecaps have started this season very well, taking 10 points from their first five games before dropping one last week to Real Salt Lake. But that was away and now they were back home to take on the expansion side of Los Angeles FC, nursing an 11-game unbeaten streak in their own stadium.

But that streak’s all over now after going down 2-0 to goals from Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi. Neither team was quite at their best, which is the way that the Caps usually prefer it, and Stefan Marinovic was able to make a nice save to keep things level into the break. But Vela scored a ripper from the edge of the area in the 59th minute and then ten minutes later some shocking defending from Vancouver gave possession back to LAFC and pretty soon defenders were being beaten and the ball was cut back by Vela. Rossi’s shot was blocked and it ballooned into the sky where Marinovic ran into his own player trying to grasp it, dropping it back into danger. Then he got nutmegged by Rossi’s shot as it fell nicely to him with defenders swivelling around trying to locate it. Look, there it is! In the back of the net…

The Caps got better after that. They basically had to. But it was too late and the game had already slipped away from them. LAFC won it 2-0 and the Whitecaps had better do something about that stink attack of theirs. Also maybe give the keeper a kick up the arse.

Eighty Six Forever Report Card: “Stefan Marinovic 4.5 - Stefan was beaten twice on the night. While the first wasn’t his fault, the second can definitely be viewed as mostly on him. Whether he failed to shout or not, he still needs to own his six yard box and punch that ball clear.”

Up Next: Away to Sporting Kansas City at 1.00pm on Saturday (NZT)

Katie Rood – Juventus (Italian Serie A)

The Italian league just got very interesting. Juventus and Brescia have been running away with it the whole way but a thrilling 4-0 victory back in December had given Juve the upper hand. A win here would all but secure the title… instead they were behind within four minutes. Alicja Daleszczyk supplied the final touch after Laura Giuliani an attempted cross had come back off the frame of the goal. It was the first time they’d been behind since January and only the fifth goal they’ve conceded in the league… well, ever. This being their first season and all.

There was no Katie Rood in the squad so we’ll breeze over this a bit. Benedetta Glionna had an equaliser disallowed for offside. Juve kept at it but on the brink of half-time they went down by two as Daniela Sabatino doubled Brescia’s advantage. Lisa Boattin scored a brilliant goal in the 66th minute to get Juve back in it but the second never happened. Juventus lose their first ever game and are now tied on points with Brescia, ahead by ten goals on goal difference, with four games remaining. No more slip ups allowed. Rough week for Juventus after how their men’s side were knocked out of the Champions League too.

Up Next: Fiorentina vs Juventus, 1.00am on Sunday (NZT)

Jake Gleeson & Bill Tuiloma – Portland Timbers vs Michael Boxall – Minnesota United (American Major League Soccer)

Yeah, you tell ‘em Billy.

Fresh off scoring last week for the Timbers, Tuiloma and his more experienced bud Jake Gleeson came up against compatriot Michael Boxall as the Timbers hosted Minnesota United. Minny with two wins form their first five keeping them afloat while Portland keep buggering up their chances to win, only taking two points from their first five contests. So they must’ve been buzzing when a couple first half goals from Alvas Powell and Diego Valeri gave them a tasty lead, especially when Miguel Ibarra’s goal for MU was disallowed for offside on referral. Both Timbers goals coming under Francisco Calvo’s watch, not Mike Boxall’s by the way.

A bit of this from Gleeson never goes astray either. This is Jake at his best, an astounding save.

Eventually they did concede and Gleeson probably shoulda stopped Darwin Quintero’s low drive, though ten minutes later Fanendo Adi seemed to put the game beyond doubt when it made it 3-1. That was about when Bill Tuiloma made it two goals in two weeks… don’t get carried away, it was an own goal. Still, the Timbers didn’t choke for once, winning 3-2 for their first three-pointer of 2018.

Zone Coverage Player Ratings: “Michael Boxall, 6 — Played his role fairly well on the night and didn’t allow himself to be caught out of position on more than one or two occasions.”

Stumptown Footy: “After an opening five games in which Jake Gleeson was generally okay, he had the kind of up-and-down day on Saturday that makes it hard to see him as the Timbers’ longterm solution at goalkeeper. In the first hour, Gleeson was a net-positive for the Timbers. He wasn’t perfect, but his excellent saves on Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez far overshadowed any mistake.s In the last half-hour, though, Gleeson was a mess. After Darwin Quintero beat him with an eminently savable shot right across the face of the goal, Gleeson lost control of his penalty area, repeatedly coming out for a ball unsuccessfully and leaving his defense to defend an open net. It’s probably time that Jeff Attinella gets a run out in goal, with an eye toward upgrading the position in the summer transfer window.”

Quick flashback to last week, with a few different angles…

Up Next: Portland hosts NYC FC on Monday at 10.00am straight after Minnesota travel to Seattle Sounders at 8.00am (NZT)

Tommy Smith, Kip Colvey & Deklan Wynne – Colorado Rapids (American Major League Soccer)

Well damn, this Anthony Hudson thing is working out okay so far. 8 points from their first five games and they just got revenge on Toronto FC for knocking them out of the Champions League in the preseason with a 2-0 win at home.

Huddo picked all three of his NZers to start for the second game in a row and, as seems to be a theme this week, there was an early goal to enjoy. Kip Colvey stabbed in a quality low cross from the right but couldn’t find a teammate, only for the clearance to land at Jack Price’s feet and he slotted it low from the edge of the area. Fine strike. Dominique Badji almost doubled it after 23 mins and again in the 25th but both his shots were saved. Kip Covley fed a nice ball to him for the second.

Good to see Colvey getting involved on attack down that right but defensively he looked fragile and he’s yet to win over the home fans. Early days but Hudson wasn’t having it either and replaced him in the first half, 39 minutes into it. Hometown lad Dillon Serna came in for him. Hudson called it “a tactical change” after the game so it wasn’t a recurrence of the injury he’d dealt with before the season.

Speaking of subs, in the second half Shkelzen Gashi got on for his first appearance of 2018 and within ten mins had made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. Badji won the spottie. Toronto might have had the better of the game, even though Champs League stuff meant they were resting more than a couple dudes here, but it was the Rapids who won it 2-0. Clean sheets for Deklan Wynne and Tommy Smith as a bonus.

Anthony Hudson: “I think what we are seeing is a team that is working together, we’re not a team of individuals, and that we have good players that are playing to a certain style and system, players that are stepping up. They’re all stepping up and fulfilling their role within that system as well. The biggest thing is we have a group of players that are playing for each other.”

MLS Multiplex Player Ratings:

Deklan Wynne (5.0) – Toronto FC got behind him often, beating him for pace and with some quick passing. Toronto made it a priority to attack down his side constantly in the first half. Some was Colvey not helping, but Wynne did not look comfortable putting out fires. Wynne has gotten a run of starts and could be fatigued after jumping up in leagues.

Tommy Smith (6.0) - Smith did well to step over and cover several times. The New Zealand international knows this system well, as evident by him knowing where to cover weaknesses. Smith was always where he was needed to provide support and confident in his two tackles won in the box. He also won a couple headers defending set pieces. Smith did have 24 passes not reach their mark, leading to some scrambling to recover.

Kip Colvey (3.0) - Being subbed before half is a coach admitting he got a player in the lineup wrong. What led to that decision was Colvey constantly being out of position and not moving to support possession. TFC only attacked on his side the first half. Once Colvey was fully exposed, Hudson could not risk riding him to halftime. Yanked at 38 minutes.

Up Next: Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids, Sunday at 1.00pm (NZT)

Elliot Collier – Chicago Fire (American Major League Soccer)

Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference the Chicago Fire recalled Elliot Collier to their starting eleven but weren’t able to build on last week’s win. Blame Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he scored the only goal in his first start for Los Angeles Galaxy and took out the head to head against fellow ex-Manchester United player Bastian Schweinsteiger. Ashley Cole set it up too, as in ex-Arsenal and Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole. Yes, he still plays.

Collier played 85 minutes before being subbed off for Jon Bakero, the Fire struggling to create much despite the tireless efforts of Schweinsteiger in the middle there. They only had seven shots all game and weren’t able to make their mark from numerous set pieces. As you’d expect they got better as the game went on, mirroring their desperation levels, but not much to say about Collier’s performance. His most notable contribution was a backpass that nearly played Zlatan in at the wrong end. Bit of drama for Chicago now, who only won one of their first five games despite playing most of them at home and they’ve now got three very difficult away games coming up. Better start winning quick.

Up Next: NY Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire, 7.30am on Sunday (NZT)

Adam Mitchell – Bolton Wanderers (English Championship)

Up Next: Still injured but getting closer

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