Category Archives: Columns

The Gay Sports Report: Why aren’t there more gay men in tennis?

  By O-Posts Team | July 18, 2024 - 15:09 | , ,
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Top 50 tennis professional Sergiy Stakhovsky from Serbia has claimed that there are no gay men on the professional tennis tour but that “every other player is a lesbian” in women’s tennis, and for that reason he wouldn’t let his daughter play tennis.

Putting aside the aggressive homophobia and misogyny of his comments about women’s tennis, unsettlingly Stakhovsky does make a valid point: Women’s tennis seems to be much more accepting of diversity than men’s tennis.

It’s easy to point to women who are lesbians that have had phenomenally successful careers in tennis – Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova are among the most famous; Amélie Mauresmo (now Andy Murray’s coach) has recently announced that she is pregnant and expecting a baby with her female partner. No one bats an eyelid.

Can you name a gay player in the men’s top 100? Can you name a gay player who has ever been a successful tennis player? Maybe Stakhovsky is right and there simply aren’t any, or maybe his homophobia is one of the factors forcing gay tennis players to conceal their sexuality.

Predictably, both the Women’s Tennis Association and the ATP (the men’s association) have publicly condemned Stakhovsky’s comments as unacceptable. Navratilova took to Twitter to confront Stakhovsky directly.

But what are the ATP doing to address the obvious homophobia within their ranks? What are they doing to promote diversity and support gay players? On the face of it, nothing.

We know from research around the world that there are a range of complex factors that prevent gay men from participating and excelling in sports. The research indicates that steps that can be taken to help make sport accessible for gay men is high-profile role models at the elite level, as well as grassroots support at the local level to provide an environment that is welcoming of all athletes regardless of sexuality.

It seems that the ATP are a long way behind other sports organisations, saying the right things publicly (when forced into a corner by rampant homophobes like Stakhovsky), but not taking any action to make men’s tennis a safe and supportive space for players who are gay.

Tennis is a fantastic sport. A sport that provides opportunities for individual excellence as well as teamwork. It seems a shame that it is a sport that gay men are being excluded from.

Sergiy Stakhovsky may not speak for the ATP, but if in any way he represents the culture within men’s tennis then we will have a long time to wait before we see an openly gay man playing at the elite level.

Ultimately, tennis is the loser here.

 

Written by Gareth Johnson

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The Gay Sports Report: Marching with Pride

  By O-Posts Team | July 3, 2024 - 17:47 | , ,
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The end of June is always a busy time for gay pride parades. Amidst all the glitter and glamorous floats it’s easy to forget that gay pride events started out as protest marches – small groups of brave people fighting for equality and an end to criminalisation and discrimination.

It was on Saturday 28th June in 1969 that the Stonewall Inn (a gay bar on Manhattan in New York City) was raided by police, triggering a riot by the local gay community who were fed up with the intimidation and persecution that defined gay life at that time. An annual event was then held to commemorate the day that the gay community fought back.

Today there are pride celebrations in hundreds of cities in countries around the world. Each Pride event has its own unique local flavour, but generally there will be some kind of parade with some associated parties and cultural events. Most cities now actively support and encourage their annual gay pride festivals as a way to attract visitors and boost tourism revenue.

Marching in the parade you will see community groups, organisations, corporate supporters, and sports clubs – dressed up, carrying banners, being visible, being proud.

My water polo club, London Orca, marched in the London pride parade this year – as did most of the gay sports clubs that operate in the UK capital. For us it’s not about attracting new members (we’re already exceeding our capacity for new players), marching in the gay pride parade is about visibility.

When you’re making that tricky transition from your teenage years into adulthood, one of the complicating factors for young gay guys can be trying to work out what sort of gay you should be.

If you watch a gay pride parade, what hits you is the diversity of the marchers that are passing you by: The gay police officers; the drag queens; the gay military personnel; the leather daddies; the gay firefighters; the gays with children; and the sporty gays just to name a few.

There’s a lot that young gay guys can take away from watching a gay pride parade. I’d like to think that one important lesson is that you can be whatever sort of gay you want to be; that being gay doesn’t define who you are, it is simply one of the things that makes you who you are.

I’m a sporty guy. I like sports. I like playing sports. I’m a member of a water polo club. I’m also gay, and I’m proud of that too.

 

Written by Gareth Johnson

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The Gay Sports Report: Why Sports Fans Should Cheer For Marriage Equality

  By O-Posts Team | June 29, 2024 - 22:03 | , ,
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It’s been a big couple of months for advocates of marriage equality – small advances being made in many parts of the world but with big milestones in the public vote in the Republic of Ireland, and the Supreme Court ruling in the US.

It’s a topic that obviously carries a lot of emotions on both sides, but in most western countries the tides of change seem to be turning in favour in making the concept of marriage available to everyone – regardless of sexuality.

Of course this doesn’t mean that we’re going to see a rush of gay weddings. Not every gay guy wants to get married. Lots of gay guys struggle to sustain any kind of meaningful relationship. People will get married and then regret it – there will probably be the same proportion of gay divorces as there are straight divorces.

What’s interesting is the shift in language and attitude that we’re seeing as part of the marriage equality evolution.

As always, it was President Obama who said it most eloquently and most powerfully. He celebrated the decision of the Supreme Court and recognised that it was the result of: “…the countless small acts of courage of millions of people across decades who stood up, who came out, who talked to parents – parents who loved their children no matter what. Folks who were willing to endure bullying and taunts, and stayed strong, and came to believe in themselves and who they were, and slowly made an entire country realize that love is love.”

To have the US President celebrating marriage equality and declaring that “love is love” is a pretty big deal. It’s a pretty big deal for everyone, but imagine if you’re a young gay kid, feeling a bit isolated, struggling to figure out your sexuality. The US President just told the world that it’s okay to be gay, and that your relationships, emotions, and heartbreaks are just as valid as anyone else’s.

So what’s that got to do with sports?

We know that there’s not many openly gay sportspeople at the elite level. There seems to be two main reasons for that – elite sportspeople that are gay seem to be reluctant to be open about their sexuality; and young gay athletes seem to opt out of sports participation before reaching elite levels.

Marriage equality, and the inclusive language we are hearing from world leaders as part of that process, has to mean that we will see better performances from gay athletes at the elite level (who can confidently be themselves and focus on their sport instead of concealing their sexuality); and that we will see more gay athletes reaching their full potential and not feeling like being gay is some kind of barrier to success.

If you love sport then you want to see the best. Marriage equality is one of the small steps required in order to get there.

 

Written by Gareth Johnson

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The Gay Sports Report: Why are we cool with lesbians playing football unlike with gay men?

  By O-Posts Team | June 18, 2024 - 16:51 | , , ,
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With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 coming to a close in Canada, the consensus seems to be that this has been a good tournament.

However one of the things that has struck me about this Women’s World Cup has been that this has probably been the world’s biggest sporting event where lesbian and bisexual players have not only been accepted but celebrated.

As part of their pre-tournament coverage, Gay Star News (an international news service focusing on LGBTI stories) counted 14 openly gay or bisexual women who would be playing at the Women’s World Cup 2015.

These were:

  • Nadine Angerer from Germany;
  • Lisa Dahlkvist from Sweden;
  • Katie Duncan from New Zealand;
  • Nilla Fischer from Sweden;
  • Isabell Herlovsen from Norway;
  • Michelle Heyman from Australia;
  • Hedvig Lindahl from Sweden;
  • Erin McLeod from Canada;
  • Megan Rapinoe from the United States;
  • Trine Ronning from Norway;
  • Lianne Sanderson from England;
  • Caroline Seger from Sweden;
  • Casey Stoney from England; and
  • Abby Wambach from the United States.

You can also add to that list Ramona Bachmann from Switzerland who subsequently confirmed that she was in a relationship with a woman.

While you would expect the gay press to be focusing on the lesbian and bisexual players competing at the tournament, what surprised me was the coverage from the Daily Mail in the UK. The Daily Mail isn’t renowned for its balanced or sensitive reporting, but in its preview of the Women’s World Cup 2015 it offered a round-up of the HABS and WAGS who would be there supporting the players. There were no bad-taste headlines or homophobic puns, it was just simply presented as here are some of the players to watch out for and here are their partners who will be there to support them – some of them are guys, some of them are women.

The obvious response is that this seems all very grown up and sensible. We know that a proportion of the population are lesbian or bisexual, and to a certain extent you would expect any event to reflect the makeup of the wider population. It’s no big deal.

What makes it interesting is when you compare what we’re seeing in the Women’s World Cup to what we see in the men’s competition. The gay players are either pretending to be invisible, or for some reason footballers that are gay are not making it to the elite levels of the game.

 

Does it matter?

It’s undeniable that some of the best players at the Women’s World Cup 2015 are lesbian or bisexual. From a football purist’s point of view, you would have to wonder if the game is perhaps missing something by not recognising and celebrating gay players. If elite players are gay and being forced for whatever reason to be invisible, would they actually be better players if they could confidently be themselves? Are there talented gay players who for some reason are not making it to the elite levels of the game?

What are we missing by not being mature enough to recognise and celebrate diversity of sexuality in the way that the women’s game seems to have mastered?

Football isn’t an equal opportunity sport, but football needs elite athletes who can perform at their absolute best. It seems that we haven’t quite worked out how to help gay footballers to realise their full potential. If we can figure that out, it’s the game of football that will benefit.

 

Written by Gareth Johnson

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The Gay Sports Report: What’s the appeal of a gay sports team?

  By O-Posts Team | June 11, 2024 - 21:01 | , ,
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It was interesting to read the results of the latest government survey of sport participation in the UK. The numbers aren’t good – in the last six months over 200,000 people have stopped regularly taking part in sport or exercise of some kind.

From a government perspective there’s obviously a bottom-line impact with results like these. A population that is not getting regular exercise is going to be a greater burden on the health service. That is bad news for the budget.

One of the sports that has recorded the greatest decline is swimming – the UK’s most popular sport.

I find these results really surprising as it is almost the complete office of what I’m seeing at a grassroots level.

I play water polo for a team in London. It’s a gay team. We’re called London Orca. We have an active membership of about 75 – active in that they’re training at least once a week. If you’ve ever tried to book pool-time in London you’ll realise the limitations and challenges of trying to find sufficient pool space for 75 people to train at the game of water polo.

The struggle to find sufficient pool time has led to the club placing a hold on accepting any new members for the time being – we now have a waiting list of 90 people wanting to join. We simply don’t have the capacity to meet the demand.

There’s lots of gay sports clubs across the country, covering all sorts of different sports, and most of them are reporting a similar situation – struggling to cope with the number of enthusiastic people who want to join, who want to take part, who want to play sport.

The obvious question is – why are gay sports clubs attracting new members while sports participation across the general population is declining?

It would be easier to explain it away as gay men just looking for ways to meet other gay men. While that certainly is one factor that attracts gay men to gay sports clubs, there’s a lot more going on. What we find is that our new members are wanting to get fit, they’re wanting to feel part of a team, and they’re wanting social interaction.

The reason that they want to do that with other gay men is that they feel that by being part of a gay sports club they can simply be themselves. Almost everyone that joins our club used to play sport at school, or when they were younger, but stopped because for one reason or another they just didn’t feel welcome.

So what are the lessons that the UK government could learn from the country’s gay sports clubs? Simply urging people to take up sport isn’t enough. The reasons that people start (or stop) playing sport can be relatively complex. A focus on grassroots clubs and participation is likely to deliver the best results – people need to feel a connection or have a motivation beyond the simple logic of health and fitness.

Having the right facilities available is also a key determining factor – if the minister for sport could find my water polo club some extra pool time in London we could get another 90 gay men fit, healthy, and happy. That’s a solution that worth investing in.

 

Written by Gareth Johnson

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The Gay Sports Report: Which team would Caitlyn Jenner play for?

  By O-Posts Team | June 4, 2024 - 19:33 | , , ,
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One of the biggest stories in the world’s media in recent weeks has been the release of the Vanity Fair cover featuring Caitlyn Jenner (the former-Olympian previously known as Bruce Jenner). Caitlyn is an example of someone with gender dysphoria – where a person’s biological sex doesn’t match with their gender identity.

Understandably, this mismatch between physical appearance and emotional identification can be incredibly confusing and upsetting. Embarking on the journey to transform you body to match your gender identity is a huge step.

Gender dysphoria is a relatively rare occurrence. Due to the small numbers, the study of how and why gender dysphoria happens is relatively limited and inconclusive. The simplest explanation that researchers can offer is that there is somehow a mismatch in the brain’s wiring between the appearance of the body and the gender of the person. It’s not a mental illness, it is a medical condition.

While we only have a limited understanding of how or why gender dysphoria happens, thankfully there is a growing understanding and acceptance (in most western countries) of the people that we describe as Trans.

Movies such as Transamerica; television programs such as Transparent, and Orange Is The New Black; and public figures such as Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, and Carmen Carrera are all helping to raise the profile and visibility of Trans people.

In that context, it’s a pretty big deal that it has now been revealed that Bruce Jenner had been grappling with gender dysphoria and has now made the move to live life as Caitlyn Jenner. On the whole, public reaction and media coverage has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive.

So what has this got to do with football?

While the beautiful game has been working hard to eliminate racism, and to make the game more inclusive regardless of your sexuality, the needs of Trans people raises a whole new level of complexity.

If Caitlyn Jenner had been an elite footballer, at what point would the sport’s governing bodies accept that she should be playing on a women’s team?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) became the first athletic body to adopt a policy of inclusion regarding Trans athletes.

The IOC clearly outlines the criteria that a Trans woman must meet before she can compete in events that are consistent with her gender identity. She would need to have:

  • undergone sex reassignment surgery;
  • had hormone treatments for at least two years; and
  • received legal recognition of her transitioned sex.

The Football Association (FA) in the UK has declared a general policy that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity shouldn’t be a barrier to participating in and enjoying football. In relation to children who have completed gender reassignment before puberty, the FA makes it clear that they can play as their acquired gender.

However for adults, the FA has tried to find a solution that minimises any gender-related advantage that a Trans person may have in matches. On that basis, they have adopted the IOC’s three stage criteria that must be met before a Trans woman can play football in women’s teams.

While the regulations adopted by organisations such as the IOC and the Football Association certainly set a fairly high bar before a Trans woman can participate in sport at an elite level, it is encouraging that the question has been considered thoughtfully and clear guidelines have been put in place.

While Caitlyn Jenner’s football days may be behind her, she is helping to create a world that has a better understanding of gender dysphoria and all of the complexities that some people face when trying to be themselves.

 

Written by Gareth Johnson

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Adam’s Premier League Column: Wigan Athletic Confirm Relegation

  By O-Posts Team | May 17, 2024 - 22:40 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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It’s been coming; we were just too afraid to admit it. After Wigan’s cup heroics at the weekend, there was a possibility that they could perform the ‘Great Escape’ that they have managed on countless occasions, and in fashionable style, too.

It looked like survival was on the cards after some impressive wins and vital draws, although where I think it was lost was after the FA Cup semi-final victory against Millwall. Since that game, they lost to Manchester City, West Ham and Swansea, whilst picking up a point against Tottenham and a win at West Brom. Against Swansea you felt that they were running on pure emotion, and perhaps it was just a season too far for the Latics.

They’ve left a rather big gap in the Barclays Premier League and it is a shame that they’ve dropped down to the Championship after seven years in the top-flight. I reckon that they have the credentials to come back up within their first season, or definitely the second. I do believe however that it all depends on which players decide to stay and of course whether their manager, Roberto Martinez, stays at the DW Stadium.

Since David Moyes has transferred to Old Trafford to replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, who said an emotional goodbye to the club in which he won thirteen league titles, Martinez has been linked with the Everton job. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was lured to Everton and I’m sure he could do a brilliant job there. Martinez will want to remain a Premier League manager, I’m sure of it.

The result that sent them down – a 4-1 loss to Arsenal – ensured that the Gunners can clinch Champions League football if they win on the last day of the season, and Tottenham need a win to clinch the spot, as long as Arsenal draw or lose. It will make for an exciting spectacle on the last day of the season, and these are what makes the Premier League rich in excitement.

Another change in the Premier League has happened at former Premier League Champions Manchester City. On the same date that Sergio ‘Aguerooooo’ scored that infamous injury time winner to steal the title off United, City sacked Roberto Mancini. The decision had been brewing for some time, and I believe that the FA Cup loss to Wigan may have tipped the decision that was eventually made, although I feel that had he won the cup, it still might not have saved his job.

Speculation has been growing as to whom may replace the Italian, with Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini the leading candidate for the notorious job. Whether the former Real Madrid man can lead City to the success that they all crave is another thing. It’s no easy club to manage.

I’d love to see Mourinho take control of the dugout at Etihad, but that may end up just being a distant dream. Time will tell, but it didn’t seem to have an effect on the side as City stormed to a 2-0 victory at relegated Reading with Brian Kidd in charge after Mancini’s assistant, David Platt, stepped down.

David Moyes, whom I mentioned earlier, waved goodbye to the faithful at Goodison Park with the perfect send-off, beating West Ham United 2-0. It was an encouraging performance too.

Norwich ensured survival at the weekend with a telling 4-0 victory against Steve Clark’s West Brom, who have eased off the pace since survival was confirmed. I’m pleased that Norwich haveensured Premier League football for another campaign as they have an English manager in charge. I’ll support any English boss and wish them success.

Newcastle beat lowly QPR to beat the drop when a short Bosingwa ball tricked its way back to ‘keeper Robert Green, and his punt up field found Gouffran who tapped in to hand the three points to the visitors.

Tottenham kept up with Arsenal after Adebayor netted the winner from close-range. Up the other end of the table, Di Canio’s Sunderland drew at home to Southampton, and the Italian has done what was needed to be done. They’ve looked fresher since the change and at times joyous to watch, especially in the Tyne wear derby.

Daniel Sturridge netted an impressive hat-trick, his first in senior football, to beat Martin Jol’s Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage. The pick of the bunch was a sublime lob which found the bottom corner, similar to the goal he scored during the 2012 London Olympics for Team GB.

I’m looking forward to what the final day has in store in terms of the Champions League spot. But we all know that there will be far less drama than what we have experienced on the last day before.

 

Written by Adam May

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Adam’s Premier League Column: Villa Spark Revival

  By O-Posts Team | May 7, 2024 - 20:43 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Due to various commitments through school and other means, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to write a column for O-Posts. I’d like to personally congratulate Manchester United on their 13th league title under Sir Alex Ferguson, and it’s a testament to him how well United have bounced back from that stoppage time winner from Sergio Aguero last May. That seems a distant and feint memory now.

 

Norwich 1 Aston Villa 2

Villa reached the magic points tally of 40, although Paul Lambert, Villa’s manager, isn’t sure whether they are safe just yet. What they do know however is that their future is now in their hands after two wins on the bounce, the first a 6-1 drubbing of Sunderland, and the crucial away win at Carrow Road.

Lambert has stuck by his young-guns throughout the campaign, and is being rewarded with some great individual performances of late. I reckon if Villa beat the drop, and it’s looking increasingly likely that they will, and are able to keep the majority of the squad then they could be an impressive team next season. The likes of Lowton, Weimann, Benteke and Agbonlahor have really stood out and improved. And it was the latter who grabbed all three points.

Villa’s first goal came in the second-half when Ashley Westwood set-up Gabriel Agbonlahor who lashed in a superb goal of great quality.

On 72 minutes, youngster Joe Bennett fouled Robert Snodgrass to give referee Kevin Friend no option but to award a penalty, which was only Norwich’s second of the campaign. Grant Holt stepped up and converted, sending Brad Guzan the wrong way.
Villa were only momentarily disheartened, and Villa stole the three points with two minutes of normal time remaining.

Ashley Westwood picked up the ball again and slotted a pin-point pass into the path of the on-running Agbonlahor, who let the ball run across his body before firing a low-shot into the far corner, his ninth league goal of the campaign.

It was a crucial three points for Villa, and Norwich will now be worried as they have two tough games remaining, at home to West Brom then away to Manchester City, to get results from in order to beat the drop.

 

West Brom 2 Wigan 3

This result was a real surprise for me. But then, the more I think about it, is it a surprise? Is it a surprise given the way that the Latics always seem to dig deep and get results when it matters at this time of year? They won this match without playing their best football. In truth, they were rather poor. Their passing play was off colour and scrappy at times. Only Maloney really drove them forward. But it was their shear willpower and wanting to push on and score that got them the result.

The home side, who don’t have anything to play for other than pride, took the lead through Shane Long. However, ten minutes later, Kone struck gold for Wigan with six minutes to play until half-time. They had to come from behind yet again as McAuley put the Baggies 2-1 up. James McArther got on the end of Shaun Maloney’s drilled cross and headed in past goalkeeper Foster to level.

Youngster Callum McManaman then converted from close-range to give Wigan the three points, which took their points total to 35 at the time of writing. This will give them great confidence going into the FA Cup final with 2011 winners Manchester City, especially if they can beat Swansea who have been somewhat off colour of late.

As for West Brom, they will be scratching their heads as to how they didn’t get the three points, and they’ll be looking to bounce back against Manchester City.

 

Tottenham 1 Southampton 0

Gareth Bale haunted his former club at White Hart lane with a strike that we’ve all come to expect from the winger-cum-striker. For those that haven’t seen the strike, he picked the ball up on the right-wing and drifted inside past the helpless Luke Shaw, before unleashing a telling shot that had no back-lift whatsoever, and the ball found the bottom corner with four minutes left to play.

I hope for the sake of English football that Bale stays at Tottenham for a least another season. It would be a real shame to see him move abroad to either Barcelona or Real Madrid, as some reports suggest. I’ve heard that Sir Alex Ferguson is interested in acquiring his services at Old Trafford next season, but I cannot see how the Champions will be able to meet Spurs’ justification of £60million for the Welshman.

Champions League football will be a big decider in where Bale ends up, and this victory may edge him closer to putting pen to paper with the London club. It seems like he’s revelling in playing under AVB who, it seems, has got the best out of Bale this season.

Whilst he may not have had the best of games against the Saints, when you score a winner like he did (and 19 other league goals at the time of writing this season) you can sort of allow for it! Sort of…

 

REMINDER: This was written prior to all midweek fixtures. An overview of the mid-week games will be in the next column.

 

My Team of the Week

 

Written by Adam May

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Adam’s Premier League Column: United’s title party put on hold

  By O-Posts Team | April 9, 2024 - 18:31 | , , , , , , , , , , ,
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It’s been another fruitful weekend of Premier League football for us all to enjoy. It still remains to be seen who will be relegated come the end of the season; however I do feel that Reading are all but gone. I can’t see where they will get points from, as they still have to play Liverpool, Man City and West Ham.

The tie at home to QPR could well change everything on 28 April but it may be a case of too little too late.

Here are my top three games of the week:

 

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 2

With the champions-elect storming to the title, this match was for bragging rights. United wanted no repeat of the 6-1 demolition job that they faced when the Citizens last visited United at The Theatre of Dreams.

The game started off very openly despite chances being few and far between. City were knocking the ball about nicely and Silva was showing his exquisite touches whilst Carlos Tevez was causing Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand all kinds of problems.

In the second half both teams clunked into another gear, and it was the visitors who took the lead. Ryan Giggs’s attempted back-heel on the right-wing was picked-off by Gareth Barry. Barry’s pass found Samir Nasri who set up Milner’s low drive, which took a slight deflection of youngster Phil Jones to wrong-foot De Gea in the United goal.

Eight minutes later, the home side were given a free-kick from an acute angle after Yaya Touré fouled Rafael. Robin van Persie stepped up and delivered a telling ball into the six-yard box, which Phil Jones’ headed in-off Vincent Kompany to level the scoring.

It was substitute Sergio Agϋero who had the final say, as he rose off the bench to net a truly wonderful goal. He ran at the United defence with pace – in which he brushed aside four players – before unleashing a near-post effort which went high into the roof of the net.

City stood well to some heavy pressure from United, but they simply didn’t have an answer. Meanwhile, City will take plenty of confidence from this victory as they enter their F.A. Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.

The earliest that Manchester United can now win the league is against Villa on Monday 22 April at Old Trafford, providing that Manchester City do not slip-up against Wigan Athletic.

 

Stoke 1 Aston Villa 3

Stoke are drawing closer and closer to the relegation zone and, during the early stages of the season, very few would have predicted that the Potters would be where they are now. Around November time, they had one of the best defensive records in the league, but have since fallen away.

Without Begovic in goal, I reckon they’d be second from bottom. Whilst that may appear harsh, I believe it to be true. And I’m struggling to put my finger on the lone factor. The trouble is; I don’t think there is one.

Firstly, their forwards simply haven’t performed. Michael Owen has been ineffective due to his long-term injury. At the time of writing, Peter Crouch has only scored 5 league goals, Kenwyne Jones and Cameron Jerome 3. Even their top-scorer, Jon Walters, has only netted on 6 occasions.

And all this puts added pressure on the defence to perform. One of their biggest problems is their away form. They’ve won one, drew six and lost nine, whilst shipping in 21 goals (which is rather good) but only scoring nine goals, level with West Ham.

Onto the match, and it was won that neither team could afford to lose. Villa got off to the best start with Agbonlahor stabbing home on his attempt from close-range on nine minutes, after his initial hit was blocked. From then on, it was a cagey encounter and, with what was at stake, not surprising.

Villa had to be at their defensive best, although with ten minutes of normal time remaining, Michael Kightly slammed in to level. There only looked to be one winner as the home side were continuously pressing and looking the most likely to score.

However, Villa went ahead in unlikely fashion. Villa’s right-back Matthew Lowton cushioned a clearance beautifully on his chest, before dispatching an unbelievable volley into the top corner.
Stoke were bewildered and got caught again.

This time, the ball was lost in the middle which Benteke picked up. He drove at Begovic’s goal and had plenty of time to pick his spot before picking the bottom corner, to hand the visitors a deserved three points.

 

Norwich 2 Swansea City 2

This was a cracker! Swansea got off to a flier when Miguel Michu fired the visitors in front in customary fashion after 35 minutes. The lead didn’t last long though as Robert Snodgrass headed into the net after an inch-perfect cross by Elliott Bennett set-up the Scot.

After the interval, the home-side took the incentive and Michael Turner expertly slid in to stab home past Vorm in the Swansea goal.
Luke Moore, who was given a rare start, spoiled the party at Carrow Road by netting from close-range on 75 minutes.

Both sides won’t be drawn into the relegation scrap that’s taking place, I’m confident of that! Swansea will be the more disappointed, although it’s a great point for Norwich against Michael Laudrup’s well-drilled side.

 

My Team of the Week

 

Written by Adam May

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Adam’s Premier League Column: Saints Shock Chelsea as Black Cats Sack Boss

  By O-Posts Team | April 2, 2024 - 21:12 | , , , , , , , , , ,
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It’s been a busy Easter weekend in the Premier League and, as the saying goes; a week is a long time in football.

It took Sunderland less than 24 hours to appoint controversial character Paolo di Canio who replaced Martin O’Neill as manager on Easter Sunday. It’s certainly strange timing to sack O’Neil with seven games of the 2012/13 campaign remaining, but Sunderland was sinking fast.

The appointment of di Canio has provided mixed reactions as, wherever he goes, he brings vulnerability and controversy. I for one cannot wait to see di Canio lead Sunderland out at the Stadium of Light. The press conferences for certain won’t be dull!

Since my last column, Reading brought in former Saints manager Nigel Adkins as they dismissed Brian McDermott. It’s looking as if this is an appointment with next season in mind and, if Reading were to go down, I believe that Adkins is the man that could bring them straight back up.

It will be interesting to see how both new managers fare in the remaining few games and I shall be watching intently.

 

Southampton 2 Chelsea 1

Mauricio Pochettino’s Saints shocked Rafa’s Blues at St Marys. It was a thrilling first half and Southampton thoroughly deserved their lead as Rodriquez (pictured) capped off a superbly worked move and curled in his effort on 23 minutes. That lead lasted all of ten minutes however, as John Terry peeled of his man and headed in to level the scoring.

Rickie Lambert then scored his 14th goal of the season to seal the three points for the home side. His free-kick bent up and over the wall superbly and fell to the bottom corner of the far post.

Chelsea didn’t look up for this and Benitez took a risk in naming a somewhat ‘weakened’ team so that he could field a fresh and changed side in their F.A. Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United. That risk worked as the Blues won 1-0 and clinched a Wembley semi-final and will play Manchester City.

Southampton can take confidence from this game and it’s a fantastic three points, and a deserved victory, too. Credit to Southampton – they’ve been superb this season.

 

West Ham 3 West Bromwich Albion 1

I believe that the Hammers have clinched survival after this telling display against a well-organised West Brom. Sam Allardyce said after the game: “The points are more important than anything else but the performance along with the result and the fact that we won comfortably shows how good we have been at home all season.”

Andy Carroll was the star of the show, and he opened the scoring with only sixteen minutes played at Upton Park. He thumped in a header after making a mazy run and WBA didn’t know what had hit them! It’s what Carroll does best and, on his day, can be unstoppable when presented with those opportunities.

West Brom failed to make a lasting impression through-out the first-half and Gary O’Neil doubled their lead with a stunner on 28 minutes. He received the ball just outside the edge of the area after some good wing-play by Ricardo vaz Te. He curled the ball round and into the far corner to give the Hammers a comfortable cushion leading into the break.

It wasn’t until the 80th minute that West Ham sealed the three points as they took the foot of the gas so-to-speak. Nonetheless, it was well worth the wait. Carroll watched a James Collins free-kick fall perfectly over his shoulder before smashing in a right-footed volley into the far corner.

WBA did net a consolation goal though when Dorrans, a former West Ham target, converted a penalty.

The game ended in bizarre fashion as Mulumbu picked up the ball during play and drop-kicked it at Gary O’Neil after he thought that the midfielder clipped him. He’ll serve a three-match ban as a result, I believe.

 

Fulham 3 QPR 2

This was a pulsating game and an arguably bigger game for QPR. The visitors got off to the worst possible start as Christopher Samba gave away a cheap foul in the penalty area with six minutes on the clock, which Berbatov non-chalantly tucked away.

Fulham made Redknapp’s Rangers pay again as Samba again gave the ball away cheaply with Berbatov lurking. The Bulgarian tucked away nicely and Samba looked bewildered. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Clint Hill turned into his own net on 42 minutes, and it looked as if it was game over already.

Adel Taarabt had other ideas however and netted a first-half consolation after he slipped the ball between the stretched legs of Hangeland on the stroke of half-time.

QPR looked rejuvenated after the break and quickly won a penalty, only for Remy’s effort to be saved well by Schwarzer.

QPR kept on pressing and came close when Townsend fired from distance, but Schwarzer was on-point and saved himself from embarrassment.

Fulham didn’t really have an answer to QPR’s much improved second-half performance and the home side rode their luck a little.

Martin Jol has got a really good side at Craven Cottage - they have potential and will be a force to be reckoned with next season, I feel.
Fulham were reduced to ten-men as Steve Sidwell followed through with around fifteen minutes remaining, although it was a little harsh.

I feel that QPR left themselves with a little too much to do, although Samba, Townsend and Zamora had great chances to clinch a point. It wasn’t to be, and QPR will be panicking now. No doubt about it.

 

My Team of the Week

Written by Adam May

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