Sunday, December 14, 2008

Live text - Premier League

1330 GMT KICK-OFF
Portsmouth 0-0 Newcastle

1600 GMT KICK-OFF
Chelsea v West Ham

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

606: DEBATE
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111. (Not all contributions can be used)

By Jonathan Stevenson

1346: Wasteful, as Peter Crouch smashes another Pompey shot high and wide after Newcastle give the ball away, and moments later Jermain Defoe has another effort punched away by Shay Given.

1345: Real chance for Jermain Defoe and a player of his quality will be disappointed he didn't get it on target - a high ball over the top bounces between two Newcastle defenders and as Shay Given rushed off his line, Defoe tried to lob him from the edge of the box, the ball landing a few yards wide.

1343: High shots are all the rage at the minute, as Jermain Defoe blazes over from 22 yards having created a yard of space.

1341: Pompey are bossing the ball so far, with Newcastle's attacks much more sporadic. Richard Hughes and Niko Kranjcar are seeing plenty of the ball and as I type Obaefmi Martins crosses to Michael Owen, who does not get a proper contact on it and the chance goes begging.

1339: "See 1327, It is actually 73.684210526315789473684210526316%, sorry I've got far too much time on my hands at work today, although I think West Ham's chances of winning are round about 0%!"
liverpool_ andy on 606
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1335: The award for highest shot of the day has already been won by Niko Kranjcar, who spanks a 30-yarder miles over the stand, to loud cheers from the travelling Geordies.

1334: "Just in a pub near the Bridge and everyone's chanting Zola's name, the legend is back!"
Greg, via text on 81111

1332: Peter Crouch and Richard Hughes get us under way at Fratton Park.

1329: The teams are out at Fratton Park, I bet it's absolutely freezing on the south coast today. Peter Crouch seems to get taller - I wonder if the mascot holding his hand can even see his face?

1327: Get your money on Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe to bag today - this little and large partnership has scored 14 of Pompey's 19 league goals so far this campaign. That's 74%, percentage fans.

1325: "This is surely the game which decides the England spot. Owen or Defoe."
TheSportsDirector on 606
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1322: "Toon Army! Wonder if Joe will be sent to the stands! Legend, love him. That will end 1-1 and I reckon Zola should name himself on the bench at Chelsea, who will win 3-0."
Adam at Fratton Park, via text on 81111

1319: Newcastle make one change from the 2-2 draw with Stoke last time out, Nicky Butt replacing Geremi. Damien Duff is fit enough to take a place on the bench.

1317: Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson misses out with a knee problem, so Noe Pamarot switches position and Nadir Belhadj plays at left-back. Richard Hughes and Arnold Mvuemba come in, with Papa Bouba Diop suspended.

1312: Newcastle haven't won away in the Premier League since March - a run they need to end and sharpish as they are currently in the drop zone. But the omens aren't great - their last win at Fratton Park was on 23 March 1991, a 1-0 victory which proved to be Jim Smith's last game in charge.

1308: You know, I've become a bit blase with you lot haven't I? I haven't even told you the text number, though surely 81111 is imprinted on your brain by now. You can also join the debate on 606, where some delightful people are awaiting your arrival. If anyone's going to Stamford Bridge or Fratton Park today, whack us over a missive.

1305: "On current form and past history in this derby, you would be a fool to back West Ham to get three points. One point is possible, but Chelsea to win 1-0."
NY4CHELSEA on 606
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1300: I wonder if anyone's ever made any money on Stevo's Predo's? I know I certainly haven't. Here are today's sure-fire losers:
Portsmouth 2-1 Newcastle
Chelsea 3-0 West Ham
Lawro's predictions

1257: What a strange occasion it will be at Stamford Bridge this afternoon - a West Ham manager receiving a standing ovation from the Chelsea supporters. I'm guessing that won't have happened very often. The legend of Gianfranco Zola lives on in west London - we should never forget the joy that little fella brought to English football.

1254: PORTSMOUTH v NEWCASTLE LINE-UPS
Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Mvuemba, Davis, Hughes, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe. Subs: Ashdown, Lauren, Hreidarsson, Nugent, Kanu, Armand Traore, Wilson.
Newcastle: Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Martins, Owen. Subs: Harper, Cacapa, Duff, Geremi, Ameobi, Taylor, Viduka.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

1251: Then, Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea entertain London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge, with a win for the Blues taking them a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Though if Gianfranco Zola's boys pull off a shock win on his return, they could rise from 16th to 11th. What a league.

1248: Two games today, and, as Danny the Stat (still absent) would have it, it is indeed a relatively small mixer. First up, we've got Tony Adams' Portsmouth facing Joe Kinnear's Newcastle. A Pompey win takes them seventh, a Magpies victory shoves them up to 15th - or potentially even 14th if they smash in a few goals.

1245: If you follow Portsmouth, Newcastle, Chelsea or West Ham, you're here to support your team and comment them on to victory. If you don't, you're probably here because you just cannot get enough of football. I'm the same. Welcome home.

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