#ben efrat

[outside90-blog]

Emphatic Swansea break century-long drought in style

Ben Efrat reports on Swansea City's historic night against a sorry Bradford City outfit in the League Cup final. 

Swansea City have won their first major trophy in 101 years of existence after easily disposing of 10-man Bradford City 5-0 in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Swans were heavy favourites going into the match and duly delivered on pre-game expectations to dominate from start to finish. Nathan Dyer and Jonathan De Guzman both scored a brace each while Michu also scored to take his tally for the season to 21 goals in all competitions – a terrific return for a player who only two years ago was plying his trade in the Spanish second division. Swansea took a thoroughly deserved 2-0 lead into the half-time break and set the stage for a cup final whitewash. 

The second half didn’t get any better for their West Yorkshire opponents as Dyer scored quickly after the interval to make it 3-0 and effectively end the contest. Bradford goalkeeper Matt Duke was then sent off in the 56th minute after fouling De Guzman in the penalty area and the resultant spot-kick was coolly slotted home by the Dutchman.  The on-loan Villarreal man then struck again in stoppage time to make it 5-0 as the Swans set a record for the highest winning margin in a League Cup final.

Swansea's history making players celebrate the club's finest moment - Mirror UK

An ecstatic Michael Laudrup claimed the victory to be the finest of his illustrious career. 

"It's the most important trophy i've won," the 48-year-old boss told reporters post-match. 

"Swansea is not the biggest team in the Premier League but we are here winning a trophy and that is fantastic. To win a trophy with a smaller club is outstanding."

Next season, the Liberty Stadium faithful will welcome Europa League football for the first time. It will also be the club’s first foray into continental competition since bowing out at the first hurdle to AS Monaco in the 1991/1992 Cup Winners’ Cup. Laudrup’s men currently sit 9th in the Premier League with 11 rounds remaining, but can now breathe easy with their Europa League qualification safely assured. It is only the club's second season in the Premier League since being promoted via the Championship promotion play-offs in 2012.

What they have achieved in the top-flight thus far has been nothing short of remarkable and have created a strong platform to consolidate their position in the league. 

Although the fairytale cup win did not eventuate for Bradford their performance in the competition as a whole will not be forgotten. The Bantams were heroic in reaching Wembley with victories over highly fancied Premier League opponents - Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa. The League Two side’s stirring run to the final will give their fans cause for optimism in the future both on and off the field with the club rumoured to have earned £2.3 million for their efforts.   The financial injection will come as welcome relief after going into administration twice at the turn of the century, following a brief and uninspiring stay in the country's premier division.  Phil Parkinson’s men now face the harsh reality of returning to their league duties. They host Dagenham & Redbridge at Valley Parade on Wednesday as they continue their quest for promotion play-off spots. 

Swansea on the other hand will revel in their maiden break-through and return to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon in party mode against embattled Newcastle United. 

[outside90-blog]

An in-form Silva can propel City back into the title race

Ben Efrat believes David Silva can provide the inspiration Manchester City need to challenge their neighbours Manchester United. 

Manchester City’s creative midfielder, David Silva, has been far from inspiring so far this term, but his man of the match performance in his side’s 2-0 victory over Fulham will do his confidence the world of good.

The 27-year-old scored a brace, taking his tally to three for the season and the first time he scored since November in all competitions.   

It was an imposing display from the diminutive Spain international and an upturn in form will be vital in his club’s attempts to overhaul Manchester United. 

Both goals were trademark Silva strikes, the first a tidy finish and the second a delightful chip to ensure City kept the pressure on their neighbours.

Silva was at the heart of the team’s title success last season, with outstanding figures of six goals and a league high 15 assists.  

Capped 69 times for his native Spain, the Euro 2012 champion may have fallen short of expectations thus far this campaign, but his importance in the run-in will be telling. 

He still offers the team that incisive attacking play in the final third and manager Roberto Mancini will be desperate to help sustain his consistency.

First-team assistant David Platt responded to Silva’s critics after the match, maintaining the player has been highly effective despite the lack of final product.

“Last year he had a few more goals under his belt but we know how important he is whether he is scoring goals or not,” Platt told reporters post-match.

“'I think his performances of late have deserved goals – I am pleased he got the two and he should have had a third.”

Silva will be vital to City for the remainder of the campaign - PIcture: Football 365 

The reigning champions sit just five points behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who were undone at the death in a draw against Tottenham.

United’s well-documented end of season capitulation last term will keep Mancini believing anything is possible.

Four consecutive wins, including the impressive victory away to Arsenal last week holds the team in good stead.

The only problem, their arch rivals have shown no signs of fading just yet.

Nine wins and two draws in 11 outings sees them in a great vein of form and the last time they tasted defeated was in mid-November to Norwich City.

However, a last-gasp Clint Dempsey equaliser would have been met with serious encouragement from Mancini and co. 

A trip to face relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers is the Sky Blues next assignment.

While the league leaders will be heavy favourites against Southampton at Old Trafford.

Ground was gained at the weekend and if the club's former Valencia playmaker continues in similar fashion then City have a real cause for optimism. 

[outside90-blog]

Ba's Rise To Prominence Could Be Unfamiliar Chelsea Bargain

Ben Efrat takes a closer look at Demba Ba's journey from virtual unknown to one of the hottest strikers on the planet. 

The January transfer window has opened and Demba Ba is the talk of West London after trading the black and white stripes of Newcastle to the Chelsea blue. 

His move to Stamford Bridge was activated when the Blues triggered a £7 million release clause - one of the club's most economical in recent history. 

For a sorry Newcastle side – facing the genuine threat of relegation – it will be a bitter pill to swallow, but for the player himself it signifies a meteoric rise. Ba has finally reached the top echelon of the football sphere after a career littered with rejection and injury troubles. Born in Paris, the Senegal striker has not followed the common path shared by many of today’s top class footballers.

As a teenager he was rejected by French clubs Lyon and Auxerre, prompting him to travel down the Channel Tunnel to further his career in England.

Trials at Watford, Barnsley, Gillingham and Swansea all proved unsuccessful and he quickly returned home to join FC Rouen. A stellar season in the French fourth-tier, with a return of 22 goals in 29 matches proved dividends as he was soon off to Mouscron in Belgium.

Following a successful albeit injury blighted campaign, at the now-defunct club, he secured a move to German outfit, Hoffenheim in the second division.

Ba proved a hit at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, netting 37 times in 97 appearances; playing an integral role in the club's promotion to the Bundesliga. In controversial circumstances, he left Hoffenheim in January 2011 bound for Stoke City, however a failed medical broke down the proposed £7.1 million deal. 

After the collapse of the Stoke move, Ba had a short spell at West Ham United on a pay-as-you-play deal. 

Although he could not save the Hammers from relegation, he turned in impressive displays and scored seven goals in 12 appearances.  

His strong performances earned him a move north to St James Park in the summer – a place where he would truly made his mark. A prolific output of 29 goals in 54 appearances for the Magpies in the top-flight has made him a household name.

After a season-and-a-half on Tyneside, the journeyman attracted the attention of the league’s biggest clubs.

Demba Ba has proved an instant hit with the Blues - Picture: Bleacher Report

Now, the 27-year-old has quickly endeared himself to the Chelsea faithful by scoring a brace on debut in their 5-1 demolition of Southampton in the FA Cup.

The Senegal international still has it all ahead of him in London, but his immediate impact has put Fernando Torres under growing pressure. 

It took Ba only 61 minutes to score two goals for the club, compared to nine months for the Spaniard.

Since his move from Liverpool, the former Kop idol has failed to live up to the exorbitant fee of £50 million, with a drastically lower conversion rate with the Blues.

Torres position is in jeopardy and if the latest purchase continues to score for Chelsea it may spell the end of owner Roman Abramovich's long desired capture.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp stated: "it takes a real dope to mess it up [at Chelsea]."

That statement is most pertinent when you debate the contrast in fortunes for the side's two primary strikers.

Will Ba steal the limelight and force Torres on the outer? 

Or will the pair form a formidable and enduring partnership?

It's an intriguing subplot for the reigning European champions and could prove the most decisive measure of the club's progression.

[outside90-blog]

Toffees Out To Stretch Recent History Against Chelsea

Senior writer Ben Efrat previews the game of the round between two in-form sides in Everton and Chelsea.

Fifth-placed Everton will host third-placed Chelsea on Sunday afternoon hoping to continue their strong form against the Londoners at Goodison Park.

Two hard-fought victories over West Ham and Wigan in the past week will give the Merseysiders cause for optimism heading into this fixture.

However, confidence alone will not lie in their latest results, but their impressive record against Chelsea on home turf – victorious in the past three outings – and unbeaten in 13 at Goodison Park.

Historically one of the league's most enthralling encounters - Photo Courtesy of Zimbio 

In what is arguably Moyes' greatest team during his reign at the club, the Toffees can halt Chelsea's momentum and in the process propel themselves above their London rivals. The Blues will be looking for maximum points to keep the pressure on second-placed Manchester City and keep their fleeting title hopes intact. The Toffees have not tasted defeat since last month’s 2-1 defeat away at Reading and their form has been more than credible of late.

Although Everton do not boast the same firepower as their southern rivals, an embedded sense of spirit and cohesion in the squad is holding them in good stead.

Strong performances from England international's Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka will be required if they are to stifle Chelsea’s formidable attacking prowess.

They host a reinvigorated side fresh off three successive victories, including last week’s 8-0 mauling of Aston Villa.

In their past three matches in all competitions they have scored 14 goals and conceded just the solitary goal. The European champions have looked a different side over the festive period, following a less than inspiring start to Rafael Benitez’s tenure at Stamford Bridge. The ex-Liverpool manager stated upon his appointment the team were exhausted, with Roberto Di Matteo's reluctance to change the first-team contributing to their downfall.

Benitez’s new rotation policy is beginning to bear fruits.  A free-scoring Fernando Torres and the scintillating form of Spanish compatriot Juan Mata has aided the Blues’ recent upturn in fortunes – the latter providing the winner at Norwich on Boxing Day.

More of the same from the electrifying duo could prove the difference in what is potentially an engrossing encounter. 

In team news, Everton will still be without Marouane Fellaini who will serve the final game of his three-game suspension for his unceremonious headbutt on Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross.

The game will come too soon for trio Seamus Coleman, Tony Hibbert and Kevin Mirallas who miss through injury.

In brighter news, David Moyes can call upon midfielder Darron Gibson after winning his appeal against a red card he received at Upton Park last Saturday. Benitez has almost a full contingent to choose from, with captain John Terry still recovering from a knee injury and midfielder Oriol Romeu – out for the season – the only other absentee.

Normally an ultra competitive clash, the extra significance for the winning team will give both teams added motivation to perform. 

[outside90-blog]

QPR Breakthrough Success Thanks To Taarabt Magic

Senior Writer Ben Efrat takes a look at QPR's maiden victory of season 2012-13. 

Queens Park Rangers finally ended their 17-match winless streak in the English Premier League with a 2-1 victory over West London rivals Fulham at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon. The R’s had Adel Taarabt to thank with the Moroccan playmaker putting in a majestic performance, which included a second half brace to put his team in command.

The opener came on 52 minutes, with Taarabt firing in from 25 yards out before taking a lucky deflection off of Fulham’s Brede Hangeland and wrong footing goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. 16 minutes later, the Moroccan international took the ball from the halfway line, averted Hangeland's close attention and slotted into the bottom left corner of the net from just outside the area. Croatian international Mladen Petric scored what turned out to be a nothing more than a consolation goal for the Cottagers on 88 minutes. Newly appointed QPR manager Harry Redknapp sang the praises of his much-maligned outfit following his maiden victory as coach.  

“It was an outstanding performance today – there were some real heroes out there," the 65-year-old said.

"It was well deserved today; we were the better team." 

"It would have been a gross injustice if we hadn’t won the game."

Photo Courtesy of: Daily Mail 

The former Tottenham manager was delighted for his midfield talisman, describing Taarabt as an amazing talent. “Every time he picked up the ball he did the most amazing things," he said.

"Everything he did today was top class and the goals were the icing on the cake.” Redknapp has only been in the job for three weeks after the sacking of Mark Hughes, but already there are signs of progress under his guidance. 

Before the club's first victory he stabilised the club with three draws and his first triumph will galvanise a playing group, who still remain five points adrift of the safety zone.  

The former Portsmouth and Tottenham boss will be hoping Taarabt can produce some consistency and Spanish midfielder Esteban Granero can continue to make a big influence.

They have a squad far stronger than their lowly league position suggests, given the considerable investment over the summer from owner Tony Fernandes.

However, they are a team short of options in the front third, particularly with experienced duo Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson facing lengthy spells on the sidelines - January introductions should not be out of the question. 

The next assignment for Redknapp and his men is a trip to face a struggling Newcastle side, fresh off a 3-1 home to defeat to Manchester City.

Having managed four points from a possible 24, the Magpies are in somewhat of a crisis and QPR will fancy their chances of back-to-back victories.  

But for now, club officials, players and fans will be relieved to be finally get off the mark and can look toward the immediate future with some degree of optimism. 

[outside90-blog]

Figueroa Red Gifts Newcastle Vital Three Points

Senior Writer Ben Efrat makes his Outside 90 debut, taking a look at Newcastle's much-needed victory over 10-man Wigan at St. James Park.

Alan Pardew’s Newcastle entertained Wigan on Monday night, desperately needing a win to alleviate the pressure built up following a string of bad results.

The Magpies were without a win since West Brom’s trip to St James Park in late October.

Wigan’s form has been up and down of late, as they slowly work towards their yearly ‘great escape’ from relegation.

The Latics hopes of gaining something from the match were dealt a significant blow early on, with Maynor Figueroa controversially seeing red from referee Mike Jones after bringing down Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse in the box.

Demba Ba then stepped up to coolly slot home from the spot on 13 minutes.

Eight minutes later, things went from bad to worse for Roberto Martinez’s men, as Ba scored from close range, pouncing on an Ali Al-Habsi save from a Davide Santon pile-driver to double the home side’s advantage.

From then on the result was never in doubt, with the resurgent Magpies controlling much of the proceedings thanks to their one-man advantage.

Despite a spirited second half flurry from the visitors, the game was effectively put to bed with twenty minutes remaining when substitute Gael Bigirimana sent an unerring left-foot screamer past the despairing grasp of Al-Habsi.

It was the 19 year-old’s debut goal for the club and became the first ever Burundi player to score in the Premier League.

The 3-0 drubbing may have painted over the cracks for the time being, with still plenty to be concerned about on Tyneside.

The team has built up a reliance on Ba, with the Senegalese frontman providing the bulk of the team’s goals in the league this season – 10 of 17 to be exact.

His future at Newcastle remains in doubt, with a £7,500,000 release clause in his contract making him an attractive option for many of the bigger clubs in the league.

Pardew, however, insists that Ba is keen to stay on with the club although does concede the situation to be disconcerting.

"The truth of it is that Demba has got a clause in his contract and it is still hanging over us," Pardew said to reporters post-match.

"We have tried to negotiate a way and we have not managed to do that as yet.”

If Ba does move on, the Magpies will be looking for fellow striker Cisse to recapture the form that won him many plaudits last season.

Newcastle still remain in 14th position, with only 17 points from 15 games, while for Wigan they drop a place to 16th two points above the relegation zone.

The Magpies travel south next Tuesday to meet the struggling Fulham and Wigan host a winless QPR side bereft of confidence on Saturday afternoon.