Weekend Watch Recap: Smart Move

By: Daryl | February 4th, 2008

Defoe debut goal Saturday

Nicolas Anelka got his first Premier League goal for Chelsea after Joe Cole’s light as a feather knock down gave the Frenchman an easy chance. But Jermain Defoe reaped the rewards of admitting he’s inferior to Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane. Rather than fighting for a place (read: sitting on the bench) at Spurs, Defoe is now reunited with Harry Redknapp and back to scoring goals. He got the equaliser here and was later named in Fabio Capello’s England squad, despite being left out of the initial 30 man pool. Smart move Jermain, and 1-1 is a decent result for Portsmouth.

Aberdeen vs Hamilton Academicals
Hamilton Accies had already been knocked out of the Scottish FA Cup once, but were given a second chance after Brechin were found to have fielded ineligible players. Accies gave the Dons a run for their money here, but they’re definitely out this time. Aberdeen shaded it 1-0, with Zander Diamond scoring from a Barry Nicholson pass and are safely through to the quarterfinals.

Sunday

Ghana vs Nigeria
Great stuff in Accra as hosts Ghana pulled out a 2-1 win with just ten men. Nigeria had taken the lead through a Yakubu penalty, but the unstoppable Michael Essien equalised via his head and then the post right on the tick-tock of half-time. Ghana looked to be introuble when captain John Mensah was sent for an early bath (he was the last defender when he semi-accidentally tripped Odemwingie) but the Black Stars battled on with ten men and got a winner through Junior Agogo.

Ajax vs Feyenoord
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar got two and John Heitinga one as Ajax polished off Feyenoord 3-0. Ajax now trail Eredivisie leaders PSV by eight points, while this loss leaves all but ends Feyenoord’s title hopes. They’re in third place but eleven points off the top.

Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray
Galatasaray failed to win at Fenerbahce, again, but the 0-0 results isn’t so bad in this Istanbul derby cup tie. All will be decided in the second leg, when Fenerbahce travel across to town.

Fiorentina vs AC Milan
Young Alexandre Pato came up with the goods again for Milan, scoring the only goal of the game with just thirteen minutes to go. We can’t go on about Pato too much because we don’t want to upset kirby, but the teenager was later stretchered off with an ankle injury and could be out for a while. The real hero of the game was 35-year-old Milan keeper Željko Kalac, who produced several excellent saves to keep Fiorentina out. The win moves Milan to within four points and smelling distance of that fourth Champions League spot currently occupied by Fiorentina themselves.