Chris Wood - Burnley FC (English Premier League)

Doubt anybody on the planet would be surprised to see that Chris Wood presses less than almost any striker in the Premier League (and less effectively than most too) given the way that Burnley play their football. But all the same here’s the proof...

There’s almost nothing to say about Burnley’s game with Aston Villa. It was a game crammed into the a December midweek and it felt exactly like how those ones usually feel... loose yet tight at the same time. Burnley’s lack of goal-scoring in recent weeks meant they sat back against the dangers of Jack Grealish and mates and how exactly Villa failed to score having battered the Clarets for so much of this game was a mystery... but even then Burnley had one or two moments of their own to bag one.

Just the one major chance for Chris Wood. He had a header from kinda deep off a cross which he got good power on but couldn’t direct beyond the reaches of Emiliano Martínez in goal. That was his only shot and in 81 minutes of action he had 15 touches which even by his target man status is a very low number. Instead all the action happened at the other end where Villa’s forwards took turns in shooting off target, having shots blocked, or very occasionally getting one aimed between the sticks only for Nick Pope to do something amazing. Burnley holding on for the 0-0 draw.

The game against Wolves a few days later was much more enjoyable. For the first in a month the ol’ dynamic duo of Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood was reunited from the start of the game and they only both went and scored, mate. Burnley hadn’t scored in any of the previous five games the pair had started together so that probably explains why they were separated... but absence makes the heart grow fonder. Barnes had already tested Rui Patricio early before nodding in at the far post in the 35th minute. A goal which Woody played a significant role in, holding the ball up initially before regaining it and threading through for Charlie Taylor’s overlapping run. Taylor stood the cross up to the far post and bingo, Ash Barnes’ first PL goal since November 2019.

Josh Brownhill threatened to double the lead before the half and then again soon after it (hitting the top of the crossbar the second time). Chris Wood didn’t threaten in the 51st minute though, he delivered. Deep free kick lifted into the area, Ben Mee slams a header back across, Dwight McNeil battles with Rayan Ait-Nouri for the loose ball... and then it dropps for Woodsy who utterly thumps it in from all of about two yards. Emphatic way to respond to a little bit of criticism in recent weeks for some of his misses.

Wood’s now only second in big chances missed this season as Patrick Bamford has taken the outright lead. Timo Werner is fast closing in too. Strange to say his Golden Flag title might be tough to retain however... he’s only been flagged offside seven times this season which is tied for 15th and well behind Jamie Vardy’s 13. Better get moving on that one.

Wolves finally got into their stride after Adama Traore came on but even then Burnley had a chance to extend things. Ashley Westwood with a lovely ball to Chris Wood who turned inside his marker but Rui Patricio made a good save rushing out to close him down. Wood might’ve been offside had he scored it and VAR gotten involved, hard to say. Nick Pope then had to be sharp to deny Ruben Neves from distance, Daniel Podence had a shot over the top, before a mini-lifeline for Wolves with a couple minutes left as they earned a penalty, young sub Josh Benson clumsily giving it away, and Fabio Silva buried it.

But Burnley closed it out with spoiler’s glee. Funny moment right near the end when Joao Moutinho got in trouble for hacking at a loose ball stuck between Brownhill’s legs, lying on the ground, and his temper was instantly extinguished when the looming shadow of Chris Wood passed over him. Burnley with the 2-1 victory that lifts them out of the relegation zone at Christmas. Chris Wood’s third goal of the season.

Up Next: Leeds vs Burnley, Monday at 1am (NZT)

Meikayla Moore – Liverpool (English Championship)

Not the best way to end the year but it’s all motivation for the New Year. Liverpool were away to Durham as second played third in the Championship. Big league implications. Meikayla Moore again retaining her starting spot in central defence and both sides started like they had a point to prove.

Durham lobbed a header just over from a corner early on before Amalie Thestrup shot narrowly wide for Liverpool. It was the Reds who seemed to be getting in those better areas for most of the first half... but then right before the break Durham struck the first blow. Nicki Gears took on Moore for pace down the left and managed to get around the corner to cut it back to where Molly Sharpe was hunting around the penalty spot. One touch to control it and then a second touch to blast it in, Durham leading at the break.

Still an even contest at this stage so Liverpool knew they had to score next. Melissa Lawley came as close as anyone when Rinsola Babajide played a beautiful through ball but while she beat the keeper with a dinked shot she didn’t beat the far post and it bounced wide. Then some absolute carnage as a back post header from Rhiannon Roberts was pushed onto the post by the keeper and then somehow scrambled away. It felt for sure like the Reds would score but then with twenty mins remaining Emily Roberts sliced in from the left, beat a couple defenders for pace, and slammed an unstoppable shot into the top corner for Durham to take a 2-0 lead. That was the way it ended. Full game for Moore but not the way she’d have wanted it to go, obviously. Liverpool are five points of Leicester City in top after 11 games. MM did win the small-sided comp at training though so that’s something...

Up Next: Liverpool vs London Bees on 11 January (NZT)

Liberato Cacace – Sint-Truiden (Belgian Pro League)

Christmas came a few days early for Libby and STVV as they finally broke that winless streak, away to Zulte Waregem. Their opponents had picked up an impressive win in the midweek over Royal Antwerp but a few unavailabilities meant an inexperienced backline, the kind of game that Sint-Truiden should be targetting. Liberato Cacace in there starting as he always does. Right on, let’s go.

This was a game short on clear chances but dominated by a handful of major moments. The first couple of those being VAR decisions to the benefit of STVV. They appeared to fall behind after a goalkeeping error but a handball in the process of scoring by Jelle Vossen got that bad boy rightfully ruled out. Then later on Zulte Waregem thought they shoulda had a penalty for a handball but the VAR disagreed... and the ZW manager was booked for his protests. Here’s the second incident...

After that couple of reliefs, STVV got themselves into the game properly with a solid spell leading into the break and then ten minutes into the second half they took the lead. Maximiliano Caufriez got free down the edge from right wing-back and he straightened in the box and cut it back to Yuma Suzuki who smoothly picked out the near bottom corner. Lovely little goal and most of the fellas justifiably peeled off in wild celebration... but not Libby Cacace. He instead went over to check on Caufriez who’d taken a nudge as he crossed the ball and fell into the advertising hoardings, grimacing and clutching at his hip as he lay on the ground. Nice of Libs, there. Caufriez was okay to continue after a bit of magic spray or whatever... and a few minutes later things got better as a heavy shoulder check by William Bianda (on Caufriez of course, who was in the wars) earned a second yellow.

Down by a goal and down by a man, Zulte had no choice but to go for it and that left that young defence exposed. With about quarter of an hour to go Facundo Colidio burst in behind the lines but a defender caught up with him. He chopped inside and then rather than shooting on his left foot he squared it to none other than Liberato Cacace who had busted a lung running about fifty metres in support (the only teammate who kept up with Colidio)... however the pass was a bit off and Cacace rushed it a bit to allow the keeper to charge down his shot. Almost got that first goal for the club, ah well. Max Cuafriez eventually made it 2-0 in stoppage time as he lobbed a bouncing ball over the keeper to ensure STVV snapped a three-game losing streak and make it two wins from their last 13 games – much better than 1/12 as it was before. Enough to climb off the bottom of the table by one spot and back into the lower table murkiness.

Up Next: Sunday at 8.45am away to Standard Liege (NZT)

Max Mata - Real Monarchs (American USL Championship)

Fine looking news there. Max Mata had been back in Aotearoa in recent times having parted ways with Grasshopper Zurich where he had some great times out on loan in Estonia (including playing against Celtic in European action... to go with 11 goals and 6 assists in 20 games) but never cracked the first team in Switzerland. Nando Pijnaker joined him for a while in the second team, then left for Portugal. Now Mata’s off to America.

GC Zurich missed out on promotion last year and that probably affected things for a fair few of their players. But the USL will be a good level for him, the 20 year old should play regularly there and of course it means getting an attacking player into that league where in recent times, Elliot Collier aside, it’s mostly been kiwi defenders in the USL. Real Monarchs are a feeder team to Real Salt Lake too so there’s upwards progression potential if things go well.

Slight asterisk: “”Mata’s signing is pending league and federation approval, as well as the approval of a p-1 visa. The terms of the signing have not been disclosed.”

And now a word from RM’s assistant general manager: “Max is a dynamic young attacking player, capable of scoring with both feet and in the air. He joins the Monarchs not only as an accomplished and competent professional but also at a time in his career with tremendous capacity for future development. We are excited to see his progression under the tutelage of our Club staff.”

That’s the one.

Up Next: New season season should start... eventually, not quite sure when yet

CJ Bott - Vålerenga (Norwegian Toppserien)

Right so what happened is after the farcical events of last week, UEFA ended up postponing the second leg of the Vålerenga vs Brøndby Champions League round of 32 as well and they’ll play the full two-legged tie in February. Which is the sane thing to do, in fairness. That UCL debut will simply have to wait for CJB.

Up Next: Bit of a holiday until February

Joe Bell – Viking FK (Norwegian Eliteserien)

One last match this season and it was against the runway champs so while Joe Bell got the start he spent most of the time defending as Viking were pretty much battered. They lost 3-0, it was more than comfortable for Bodø/Glimt and Viking didn’t really have a decent chance until the second half when they were already a couple goals down. No dramas, this was very much an end of season kinda affair.

There were still a few games to be played in the days afterwards but results went the way that this pretty league table held firm as far as Viking’s position went. Sixth place. Considering how they started the season that’s more than decent...

Thus Joe Bell’s first professional season ends with him having featured in 29 out of 30 league matches. Only one player in the squad played in more. Bell started 21 of those games, came off the bench in 8 more. Scored 2 goals and picked up 4 yellow cards. The lad did good.

A few highlights...

Up Next: Those pesky offseason blues

Rebekah Stott – Brighton & Hove Albion (English Super League)

Always appreciate a Rebekah Stott start. Would’ve been better if Erin Nayler started for Reading against her but we take what we can get. Problem was Brighton’s players kept turning over the ball in their own half and exposing their defence. They got away with one but then the next time Stott was left with two players to mark and she slipped over trying to pick her poison. That allowed Jess Fishlock, the Welsh legend, to fire into the bottom corner from just outside the area.

1-0 down after 17 minutes but Brighton responded nicely, Ellie Brazil winning a penalty which Inessa Kaagman converted. Brighton had a decent little spell after that with a few shots on goal but then Jess Fishlock latched onto a defensive header to smash in her second of the half and Reading were back in front. Again though Brighton came out firing for an equaliser. They started the second half well, they survived a couple counter attacks, they got closer and closer from set pieces... then they subbed off Rebekah Stott with 14 minutes remaining. Wasn’t an injury thing so possibly just tactical for the final push. Unfortunately what happened instead was that they got hit on the break and Fishlock fed in a fine ball for Rachel Rowe who slipped it over the keeper to make it 3-1. A pretty even game but Jess Fishlock’s individual ability made the difference on the day, so it goes.

That ended up being the only WSL game we’ve got to talk about this week because Ria Percival and Tottenham were supposed to have a feisty London derby against Chelsea but a mini coronavirus outbreak in the Chelsea squad meant that one had to be postponed. Which stinks for Spurs because they don’t play again now for a couple weeks meaning that Alex Morgan’s loan spell with the club is now over.

Up Next: 11 January at 1am away to Bristol City (NZT)

Rosie White – OL Reign (American National Women’s Soccer League)

As soon as they said they’d offered a new contract to Rosie White it was as good as signed but always cool to get the full article treatment with quotes and everything. It’s a one year deal, no financials or contract options were made public as is the trend in this country.

OL Reign head coach Farid Benstiti: “I am very happy that Rosie will return next season. Rosie was an important player for us in both the Challenge Cup and Fall Series. She gives us something a bit different and finds a way to impact the game. She works very hard, will continue to grow, and I think will help us a lot next season.”

Rosie White: “I am really excited to stay with the club next year. It has become a home away from home for me. I love the team and am genuinely excited by the staff. I truly feel like I have a chance to grow and take my game to the next level here.”

Up Next: Preseason should start in a month or so

Dan Morgan – Maritzburg United (South African Premier Soccer League)

Crazy game over here as Maritzburg found themselves 2-1 up after quarter of an hour against Stellenbosch. Dan Morgan chilling at left centre-back in a trio for most of that damage, Judas Mosemaedi slamming in the first in the third min before the other fellas equalised in the tenth via a cross to the far post which the keeper should have claimed. But then Moseamedi scored again on 15 mins when the keeper passed one right to his feet, bit of a Christmas gift.

Maritzburg have been terrible this season and are already onto their second manager so playing from in front nice and early was unfamiliar territory. They nearly conceded in the 22nd minute but the goalie made a fine save tipping the ball onto the crossbar before Morgan hacked it away, earning a free kick in the process.

They would hold that lead well into the second half, starting to show some genuine confidence as Mosemaedi came close to his hatty while Fares Hachi hit the bar. But just as they were starting to dream of a first win of the season they leaked an equaliser on the hour mark. Again one that the keeper should’ve intervened with. Low cross in behind Morgan at the far post which the goalie rushed out on too late leaving his near post open for the simple finish. It’d end 2-2 which at least isn’t a loss but Maritzburg, who hit the post from a free kick later on, remain bottom after 8 games with only 2 points. Good to see Dan Morgan playing big minutes though, back fully fit and everything.

As for Myer Bevan at TS Galaxy...

Up Next: Maritzburg Utd vs Bloem Celtic on Sunday 3 January at 6am (NZT)

Jana Radosavljevic - Werder Bremen (German Bundesliga)

Bit of fun there. More fun than it’s been on the park for Werder Bremen lately as the two games they were able to play during December saw them conceding ten goals. A 5-1 loss at home against the powerhouse of Wolfsburg, not so dramatic, followed by a blowout 5-0 loss at home to Eintracht Frakfurt which was more of a worry.

Rado started on the bench of both but was subbed on in the 62nd min in the first game and at half time of the second one. Catch those Frankfurt highlights over here... if you’re so inclined. They conceded an awful goal in the third minute and it only got worse from there, though it wasn’t until the second half that the game got away from them. Bremen had some chances at 1-0. Still three points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand on the competition, Rado has featured in 10 of their 11 league games scoring one goal (3 starts, 7 sub apps).

Up Next: Away to Turbine Potsdam at 2am on Saturday 2 January (NZT)

Michael Woud – Almere City (Dutch Eerste Divisie)

Not gonna be a cup run for Michael Woud then. They got pumped 4-1 by VVV-Venlo who are a top division side so it was always gonna be a rough contest. VVV did lose 13-0 to Ajax back in October but in fairness that was a freak result and even if they’re only a point ahead of the relegation playoff spot (which is currently held by Willem II, Woud’s parent club, yikes... imagine if his parent club and his loan club have to playoff for promotion/relegation!?), there’s still a big gap between top flight and second flight.

Woud made one brilliant save tipping a rocket of a strike over the top early on. Almere City then caused a stir ten minutes in when they took the lead through a deflected header which went down as an own goal... Woud then had to make another impressive low stop off a corner kick in the 27th min but that was only fair because it was his fault they conceded the corner in the first place as he tripped over the ball trying to pick it up under no pressure at all. He made up for it, to be fair.

Unfortunately not much he could do about the tap in leveller in the 33rd min, nor the close range header in stoppage time that gave VVV-Venlo the lead. Maybe could have done better for the third goal where he made a good initial stop but parried it back into danger for a simple finish (52’) and the fourth one he did get a hand to despite being slightly blindsighted to (70’) and he possibly won’t be too happy not to keep that one out. Almere City recovered to beat Young PSV a few days later in the league to remain three points off top. Last minute winner there. Good job.

Up Next: Almere vs De Graafschap, 9am on Sunday 3 January (NZT)

Callum McCowatt, Elijah Just & Dalton Wilkins - FC Helsingør (Danish Division 1)

Can’t argue with that, no way. Helsingør hit up the winter break (which lasts until February) on the back of three straight single-goal defeats which is obviously not ideal but it’s always worth keeping in context that this is a team that only just got promoted. Hopefully when things resume we’ll see Dalton Wilkins back in action after his injury sustained in the first game of the season. The other two kiwis have been going along nicely though, Eli Just involved in all but one game so far (13 starts, 1 sub) with three goals to his name, while Callum McCowatt is beginning to work his way in as a regular as well after linking up at the conclusion of the Wellington Phoenix season. He’s started 4 games and come off the bench in 5 more. Here’s how that table’s looking at the break, the key is to crack the top six for when the league splits into promotion and relegation rounds in the final third...

Up Next: Kolding vs FCH on February 15 at 3am (NZT)

Ryan Thomas – PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)

Sportskeeda: “PSV, meanwhile, have a number of injuries still hampering their squad. Eran Zahavi and Maximiliano Romero are both definitely out for this game. Ryan Thomas, Armando Obispo and Erick Gutierrez are highly doubtful, although the latter two players are back in training.”

Pretty lame. Thommo hasn’t played since going off injured in a Europa League game a week into November. Initially it didn’t sound like it was gonna be too dramatic but here we are six weeks later still waiting for him to return. The good news is that PSV has been on a fantastic run of form since that horror result in Greece against PAOK. They’ve not always been convincing but the wins are flowing. Six wins and two draws from their last eight in the league as well as winning a pair of Europa Leaguers to find their way into the knockouts despite it all and they also safely navigated their first KNVB Cup clash.

Thomas did win goal of the month though so that’s cool...

Up Next: 4am on 11 January away to Ajax, yeah boy (NZT)

Sarpreet Singh - Nürnberg (German Liga 2)

Heeeeey, some Sarpreet minutes!

Heeeeey, some more Sarpreet minutes!

Back from his sabbatical in Aotearoa, Singh snuck onto a couple benches before getting twenty minutes away to Holstein Kiel as the team chased a win in a scoreless game. What happened instead was they conceded with ten to play and lost 1-0... but Singh was given the start against Erzgebirge four days later – just his second league start for FCN and his first since September – and he’d play 68 minutes in a 1-0 win, in which their goalkeeper had a bit of a blinder (if you think Singh has been underused on loan, spare a thought for his fellow Bayern comrade Christian Früchtl who hasn’t played a single minute despite sitting on the bench every match). 88 mins in the space of a week is more league football than he’s played combined in the previous three months (which includes a month when he was away from the squad, to be fair).

Hopefully that’s the start of a much more prominent second half of the season for Singh. Probably not a coincidence that it’s happened as the club seem to find some genuine form, winning four of their last six and from being in relegation trouble at one stage they’re now seventh as the shrunken winter break arrives (they basically only get one week off coz of the late star, had to make that time up somewhere – the lack of an extended break was part of why Singh went back to Aotearoa mid-season). Seventh place after 13 games, nine points off top, very much in the hunt for at least the playoff spot (top two are automatic promotions, third place is a playoff).

Up Next: Away to Heidenheim on 3 January (NZT)

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