Barclays Premier League, formerly English Premier League

Barclays Premier League is the premier domestic football competition in England. It is considered the top tier of English football. It operates as a league and a total of 380 games are played between twenty teams. The games are mostly scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays while some games are played on weekdays.

The Barclays Premier League is a modified form of the Football League which was formed in 1888. The First Division of the Football League was revamped to be named the FA Premier League in 1992. The name changed to the Premiership in 1996 and finally the name became Barclays Premier League after the league's official sponsors in 2008.

The league is run on a relegation and promotion basis with three teams getting relegated from the Premier League and three getting promoted from the Championship - the second division. The top four teams in the League qualify for the UEFA Champions League while the 5th and 6th team qualifies for the UEFA Cup.

The Barclays Premier League has been dominated by the 'Big Four' mostly since 1992 with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea finishing in the top 4 spots for most of the seasons. Manchester United has won the first division/ Premier League titles 19 times closely followed by Liverpool which has won 18 titles. Arsenal is third in the list with 13 titles.

Manchester United has arguably been the most dominant team in the Barclays Premier League since its inception in 1992 having won it 12 times. The club has never finished below 3rd in any season. Arsenal and Chelsea have both won three titles while Blackburn is the only team apart from these three clubs to have won the title.

Alan Shearer has been the highest goal scorer in the Premier League scoring 260 goals while Ryan Giggs has the highest appearances (573).

The current clubs playing the League are

Arsenal Football Club
Aston Villa Football Club
Blackburn Rovers Football Club
Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Chelsea Football Club
Everton Football Club
Fulham Football Club
Liverpool Football Club
Manchester City Football Club
Manchester United Football Club
Newcastle United Football Club
Norwich City Football Club
Queens Park Rangers Football Club
Stoke City Football Club
Sunderland Football Club
Swansea City Football Club
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
West Bromwich Football Club
Wigan Athletic Football Club
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club

Written by Moiz Siddiqui

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Latest News About Barclays' Premier League

Blackburn Rovers vs. Manchester City Preview |EPL| Sat, 1 Oct, 2011

Manchester City are having a bit of a troubled period at the moment. The Carlos Tevez saga has been a matter of concern for the team which has resulted in a run of poor form for Manchester City in the Champions League. Their Premier League form however, is quite decent. They are unbeaten in the League and have only dropped 2 points in their first six matches of the campaign. Blackburn had secured a morale boosting win against Arsenal but were pecked back again by the defeat away to Newcastle last week. Blackburn manager Steve Keane is under pressure to produce result or he will get the sack.

Manchester City are level on points with Manchester United in the League table with only goal difference separating the two sides. City would like to have another win to keep United honest at the top. Blackburn are in desperate need of points but a win against Manchester City is close to impossible for them. City might not have been prolific in the Champions League but they are quite sublime in the League and have players that can tore apart defences with ease.

To add to the woes of the Blackburn Manger Steve Keane, is the rising number of injuries he has to contend with. Defenders Scott Dann, Gael Givet and Michel Salgado are all out with injury and might miss the game against City. Manchester City on the other hand have no major injury concerns for the game.

Manchester City are the favourites for the game and should win the game easily considering the leaky defence of Blackburn that has shipped in 13 goals so far in the season.

 

Blackburn Player to Watch: Yakubu

Man City Player to Watch: Aguero

Venue: Ewood Park

Form guide:
Blackburn: LDWWL
Man City: DDWWL

Injuries:

Blackburn: Salgado, Givet, Dann
Man City: None

USoccers Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Manchester City

Manchester United vs. Norwich City Preview |EPL| Sat, 1 Oct, 2011

Manchester United lost their perfect winning start to the season last weekend against Stoke as they were held to a draw by the Potters at the Britannia Stadium. Norwich City on the other hand had a fantastic outing last time out against Sunderland and secured their second successive win the Premier League.

Manchester United are going through a tough period at the moment and were held by Basel in the Champions League Group Stage match at Old Trafford in midweek. United would like to end their run of draws and would surely go all out for a win in this fixture. Despite setting the early pace in the Premier league Untied are being closely followed by Manchester City who are ready to pounce on any mistake made by United.

Norwich City have been playing some decent football off late but a win against United and that too at Old Trafford would be a big ask for Lambert’s men however, a draw would be a good result for the Canaries from this fixture.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has a number of players out with injury including Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and club captain Nemanja Vidic. The absence of Rooney and Hernandez means that Berabatov can be given a chance in this fixture. Norwich are going to be without the services of striker James Vaughan who is out with a knee injury.

The Red Devils do not like dropping points to smaller teams and they would want to storm back into winning ways against the Canaries on Saturday while Norwich would want to get a point out from this fixture and would go for a draw.

 

Man United Player to Watch: Nani

Norwich City Player to Watch: Morison

Venue: Old Trafford Stadium

Form guide:
Man United: DWWDD
Norwich City: LLLWW

Injuries:

Man United: Cleverly, Vidic, Rooney, and Hernandez
Norwich City: Vaughan

USoccers Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Norwich City

Everton vs. Liverpool Preview |EPL| Sat, 1 Oct, 2011

Everton face Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby this Saturday which promises to be a very exciting encounter. Derby matches between these two rivals have always been very feisty and one can expect a lot of hard tackling from the players on either team. Everton come into the derby match on the back of the loss they suffered against Manchester City while Liverpool are fresh from their win against Wolves at Anfield.

The morale boosting win at Wolves was the first for Liverpool in three games and lifted the mood at the club. Liverpool would like follow up their home win with an away win at arch rivals Everton so that they do not fall behind much in the race of the champions League spot. Everton were returning to top form in the Premier League but lost out to a much stronger Man City team last weekend. Everton are generally very strong at home and would like to keep their strong home record intact.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can return to the first team against Everton which would be a very big boost for the Reds considering the influence that the Reds captain has on the team’s performance.

Liverpool have Daniel Agger out for this fixture while Everton manager David Moyes has no injury concerns at the present moment and has a full squad to choose from.

Suarez will again be the key for Liverpool. If the Uruguayan again puts in a similar performance as he did against Wolves then Everton will find it hard to contain him.

Everton Player to Watch: Cahill

Liverpool Player to Watch: Suarez

Venue: Goodison Park

Form guide:
Everton: WDWWL
Liverpool: WLLWW

Injuries:

Everton: None
Liverpool: Agger

USoccers Prediction: Everton 1-1 Liverpool

 

Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers Review |EPL| Sat, 24 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Goal scorers:  Liverpool (Johnson o.g, 11; Suarez, 38) Wolves (Fletcher, 49)

Bookings:

Liverpool: Kelly, Lucas, Carroll

Wolves: Ward, Hunt, Henry, O’Hara

Man of the Match: Luis Suarez

 

Liverpool secured their second home win of the season against Wolves after having suffered two successive away defeats at the hands of Stoke and Tottenham. The win gave much needed confidence to Dalglish’s men especially after the horrible performance that they displayed against Tottenham last week. Wolves were competitive throughout the match but were not able to put an end to their losing streak which has seen them lose to QPR and Tottenham in back to back to games.

Liverpool started the game on a bright note with Suarez threatening to score at every opportunity. Despite Liverpool’s superiority the first chance of the half fell to Wolves but Jamie O’ Hara’s effort was easily saved by Liverpool keeper Reina. Liverpool then came in to the groove and took the lead on 11 minutes when a long range shot from Charlie Adam was deflected into his own goal by Wolves captain Roger Johnson. Suarez added a second for Liverpool in the 38^th minute with a superb solo effort that gave Wolves keeper Hennessey no chance.

The second half was much more even with Wolves having most of the possession. Their efforts were rewarded 4 minutes after the restart when Fletcher scored from Stephen Hunt’s cut back. Wolves mounted on the pressure in the later stages of the second half but were unable to find the equaliser handing Kenny Dalglish his second home win of the season.

Liverpool next face Everton in the Merseyside Derby while Wolves welcome Newcastle to Molineux.

QPR vs. Aston Villa Review |EPL| Sun, 25 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  QPR 1-1 Aston Villa

Goal scorers:  QPR (Dunne, 90) (o.g) Aston Villa (Bannan, 58) (pen.)

Bookings:

QPR: Traore (s/o)

Udinese: Collins, Warnock, Hutton, Petrov, Agbonlahor, N’Zogbia

Man of the Match: James Collins

 

Aston Villa maintained their unbeaten run in the Premier league with an away draw against QPR at Loftus Road Stadium. QPR were very unfortunate to have gained only a single point from the match having dominated the game and creating the most chances.

QPR started the match on a high note and threatened to score early in the first half but Jay Bothroyd’s powerful run and shot was blocked by David Dunne. Adel Taarabt was next to go close for QPR but his 30 yard strike cannoned off the post. Despite the early pressure exerted by QPR they were unable to find a way past the Villa defence in the first half. In the second half Villa played better and started to influence the game. The Villains were awarded a penalty in the 58^th minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor was brought down in the box by Armand Traore. Bannan stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it easily past the QPR keeper to give Aston Villa a shock lead.

QPR were reduced to 10 men when Armand Traore was sent off in the dying stages because of a second bookable offence. QPR did however managed to equalize deep into stoppage time when Helguson’s cross was put into his own net by David Dunne.

Aston Villa have a home game coming up next against Wigan while QPR are going to travel to Fulham next week.

Stoke City vs. Manchester United Review |EPL| Sat, 24 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  Stoke City 1-1 Manchester United

Goal scorers:  Stoke (Crouch, 52) Man United (Nani, 27)

Bookings:

Stoke: Whelan

Man United: None

Man of the Match: Peter Crouch

 

Manchester United dropped their first points of the season against a resolute Stoke City side at the Britannia Stadium. The Red Devils were held to one all draw thanks to a Peter Crouch equaliser after Nani had given them the lead in the second half.

Manchester United have been in swashbuckling form off late and have displayed some ruthless performances but up against a Stoke side that is very well organized at the back, even United had difficulty in scoring the goals. Manchester United were without Rooney for this game who got injured and also lost Javier Hernandez in the first half after the Mexican suffered a heavy tackle from Jonathan Woodgate and had to be replaced.

Nani provided the spark for the Red Devils and continued his good scoring form off late by scoring United’s goal in the 27^th minute. After exchanging a neat one- two with Darren Fletcher, Nani fired a powerful shot that beat keeper Begovic all ends up. Stoke responded immediately and Andy Wilkinson tested United keeper David De Gea with a thumping shot that the keeper was able to tip on the crossbar. De Gea was called into action again when Jon Walters tried his luck but the Spaniard was up to it and pushed his effort wide of the post.

Stoke however, did not gave up and continued to pressurize the United back line. They eventually found a route back into the game 7 minutes in to the second half when Peter Crouch headed home Matthew Etherington’s corner. This was Crouch’s first goal for the club and it came at a very important time for the Potters.

Manchester United tried their best to snatch a winner but the new look front line was not able to break down a stubborn Stoke defence and United had to settle for a draw.

 

Dalglish Waiting on Gerrard

Liverpool’s loss against Stoke last weekend showed that while a top 4 spot may surely be within reach, a run at a title may be somewhat far-fetched. Granted, getting points at the Brittania is no easy task, but it’s the type of fixtures where future champions step up and grind out a result.

But would things be different if Steven Gerrard were in the lineup? TheEnglandcaptain will be missed well after Sunday’s trip toWhite Hart Lane. Gerrard is still languishing with a groin problem, and Kenny Dalglish reiterated Thursday that he will not rush the talismanic midfielder back to action.

For ‘Pool, that equates to a continued gaping hole in the center of midfielder where Gerrard provides priceless duties on offense and defense.

In the meantime, the addition of Charlie Adam should make up for some of the production lost from Gerrard’s absence in attack, while Lucas has always been a solid enough defensive midfield when allowed to sit back in deeper positions.

With a more talented squad than last season, this can still be a wildly successful season for ‘Pool despite , as they seem poised to get back into the UEFA Champions League. But a run for the league seems unlikely after last weekend’s loss, and even less plausible with their captain still on sidelined.

Tottenham Hotspurs vs. Liverpool Review |EPL| Sun, 18 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  Tottenham 4-0 Liverpool

Goal scorers:  Modric (7th minute), Defoe (66th minute), Adebayor (68, 90)

Bookings:

Tottenham: Adebayor

Liverpool: Suarez, Coates, Adam (s/o), Skrtel (s/o)

Man of the Match: Emmanuel Adebayor

 

Tottenham battered a nine man Liverpool to win their second consecutive game in the Premier League this season. Liverpool were poor defensively and also had two men sent off in a below par performance at the White Hart Lane. This was the second straight loss for the Reds after beginning the campaign on a high note in the first three games of the season.

Tottenham pressed from the beginning of the match and was on the front foot straight away. Luka Modric started the scoring for Spurs with a beautiful curling shot in the top corner that gave Liverpool keeper Jose Reina no chance. Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam received his marching orders from the referee on after he was booked for a second time when he tackled Scott Parker to the ground. Things got worse for Liverpool when make shift right back Martin Skrtel brought down Tottenham winger Gareth Bale and he too was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Tottenham scored twice in the space of 5 minutes to take firm control of the match after Skrtel’s departure. Defoe and Adebayor both scored goals with Adebayor scoring again in the last stages of the game to cap a wonderful performance by Spurs.

This win takes Tottenham up to 11^th place in the league and sends out a clear message to the rest of the teams that Tottenham has turned the corner and are now favourites to gain the final Champions League spot.

 

Manchester United vs. Chelsea Review |EPL| Sun, 18 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea

Goal scorers: Man United (Smalling, 8; Nani, 37; Rooney, 45) Chelsea (Torres, 46)

Bookings:

Man United: Fletcher, Valencia

Chelsea: Terry, Cole, Ramires

Man of the Match: Nani

 

Manchester United cemented their position at the top of the Premier league after brushing aside Chelsea at Old Trafford. The Champions who have been in imperious form off late put three goals past a Chelsea defence that is known for not giving away goals.

Chelsea started the game brightly and had chances to score early in the match. United keeper David De Gea was called into action early as he saved a Ramires shot that was goal bound. Chelsea were made to pay for their missed chances very soon as Smalling headed home an Ashley Young free-kick to give Manchester United the lead after 8 minutes. Nani who was brilliant for the Red Devils scored United’s second with a thunder bolt that flew past Chelsea keeper Petr Cech. The inform Rooney struck at the stroke of half time when Terry’s clearance fell in his path and he scored from close range.

Chelsea manager Andre Vilas Boas introduced Nicholas Anelka for Frank Lampard in the second half and the substitution worked immediately as Anleka’s through ball played in Torres who made no mistake in chipping the ball over the diving De Gea into the back of the net. Manchester United were awarded a penalty on 55 minutes when Nani was brought down in the box by Jose Bosingwa but Rooney was unable to convert the penalty.

Fernando Torres could have brought Chelsea back into the game when he was sent clean through on goal but after having rounded the keeper he somehow managed to put his shot wide.

The win meant that Manchester United remain top of the table with their 100% percent winning record in the season still intact. Chelsea are now 5 points behind United and even this early it is looking like a one-horse race for the Premiership title.

Sunderland vs. Stoke City Review |EPL| Sun, 18 Sep, 2011

Final Score:  Sunderland 4-0 Stoke City

Goal scorers:  Bramble (5th minute), Woodgate (11, o.g), Gardner (28th minute), Larsson (58th minute)

Bookings:

Sunderland: Larsson

Stoke: Huth, Crouch

Man of the Match: Sebastian Larsson

 

Sunderland secured their first win of the new season with a stylish 4-0 win over a Stoke side that looked jaded after their European commitments. The Stoke players looked tired and did not show any of the determinedness that they showed against Liverpool in their last fixture. Their defence was at sixes and sevens which allowed Sunderland to win easily.

Sunderland struck early as Titus Bramble latched on to a Sebastian Larsson corner after Rory Delap was unable to clear it and his low shot was spilled over the line by Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic. Sunderland got their second in the 11 minute when defender Jonathan Woodgate beat his own keeper in trying to shepherd the ball out of danger. Craig Gardner scored Sunderland’s third with a deflected shot. The scoring was completed by Larsson with a beautifully taken free kick in the second half which gave Begovic no chance.

The win was vital for Steve Bruce’s side as it takes them out of the relegation zone and give much needed breathing space for the under fire manager. Stoke would want to forget this defeat as early as possible and would like to look at the defensive errors that led to the goals for Sunderland.