Showing posts with label Joe Hart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Hart. Show all posts

Thursday, November 14, 2013

14 November 2012 - England Gets Zlatanned

On 14 November 2012, Sweden opened their new Friends Arena in Stockholm with a stellar performance from Zlatan Ibrahimović in 4-2 win over England.

A crowd of 49,967 gathered for the stadium's first match, a friendly, and watched as Ibrahimovićfresh off the publication of his autobiography I Am Zlatan two months earlierput Sweden up 1-0 in the 20th minute. But England countered with scores from Danny Welbeck (35') and debutant Steven Caulker (38') to take a 1-2 lead into the break.

They held the lead until the 77th minute, when Ibrahimović controlled a long pass with his chest and volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Joe Hart for the equalizer. The Swedish captain then restored the hosts' lead with an 87th-minute free kick from thirty yards out.

But it was his last goal that was the most impressive. In the first minute of stoppage time, with Sweden still leading 3-2, Hart raced outside the box to head a ball away. It went toward Ibrahimović, about twenty yards away from the goal, who then delivered an overhead bicycle kick to cap the 4-2 victory.

Friday, September 13, 2013

13 September 2008 - He Really Wasn't That Type Of Player

On 13 September 2008, Chelsea beat Manchester City away, 1-3, despite losing captain John Terry to a red card in the second half.

The match marked the debut of City's new marquee signing Robinho, who had joined them from Real Madrid earlier that summer for a fee of €42.5 million. With all eyes on the Brazilian forward, he rose to the occasion by delivering the opening goal with a free kick from twenty yards out in just the 13th minute.

Unfortunately for the home supporters, the lead lasted only three minutes as a Chelsea corner kick led to an equalizer from Ricardo Carvalho, who blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Frank Lampard then put the visitors ahead when he beat goalkeeper Jo Hart from the edge of the box in the 53rd minute, and Nicolas Anelka added a third Chelsea goal in the 69th minute.

Everything was going Chelsea's way until the 77th minute, when Terry received his red card. As City striker Jô raced past him with the ball, Terry brought him down with what appeared to be a deliberate arm around the waist. Although the foul happened near the center circle, referee Mark Halsey showed a red card, the first of Terry's career. Chelsea held on to their lead, winning 1-3.

A few days later, league officials overturned the red card, making Terry available for the next game against Manchester United, which they drew 1-1.