27 Novembre 2012

● As most Indomitable Lions' players show-case their talents in their various leagues, some strive to ameliorate their performance and results, while others barely struggle to stay buoyant as the race to escape the relegation zone continue to heat up.

 Sebastien Bassong clears the ball from Evertons's Nikica Jelavic © Getty Images

The English Premier League entered the 13th day of play with a majestic defensive tussle from Sebastien Bassong who finally sealed the day with a powerful header at the 90th minute. This header from Bassong gave Norwich City the opportunity to forcefully impose a 1-1 tie against Everton. Tottenham Hotspur of Benoit Assou Ekotto (still on injury) bounced back from last week's defeat by inflicting a 3-1 thrashing of West Ham United.

Despite Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and Stephane Mbia's ephemeral mesmerizing performance at the first half of the game against Manchester United, QPR lacked the vision and tactics to pivot them to victory after their one goal lead at the 52nd minute. The ensuing pressure from Manchester United after they drew level at the 64th minute, forced QPR into panic as Manchester United had to subdue them (QPR) by 3 goals to 1 and carry the day.

Málaga CF of Idris Carlos Kameni and Fabrice Olinga (both on reserve) made a powerful come back as they walloped Valencia CF by 4-0 last Saturday in Malaga to break their record for the 13th playing day in La Liga. FC Barcelona of Alex Song (reserve) continued its traditional defeat over Levante UD since the beginning of the league by thrashing them by 4-0, with Lionel Messi scoring twice.

The 14th day of play in the French Division 1 League gave Olympique Marseille of Nicolas N'Koulou the opportunity to sanction Lille FC of Aurelin Chedjou by a score of 1-0, thanks to Jordan Ayew's curtain raiser at the 82nd minute. Meanwhile, Montpellier HSC of Henri Bedimo (came on at the 84th minutes) defeated Landry Nguemo's Girondins de Bordeaux by 1-0 at home. Valenciennes of Aboubakar Vincent (on reserve) and Gaetang Bong lost 0-1 to Saint-Etienne last Friday, while Rennes of Jean II Makoun and Jean Armel Kana-Biyik also bowed 0-1 to visiting Évian Thonon Gaillard FC. AS Nancy of Ndy Assembé and Alo'o Efoulou (came on at the 79th minute) continued their stalemate performance following their 1-1 tie with Ajaccio AC in Nancy as they continue to tail the league.

The Netherlands division one league (Dutch Eredivisie) entered its 14th day of play last Friday. Ajax Amsterdam of Eyong Enow (on reserve) continued to progress as they imposed a 2-1 defeat against Roda JC Kerkrade to move to the 4th position. Visiting Heracles Almelo of Willy Overtoom was forced to a 2-2 tie by Willem II.

The German Division 1 League (Bundesliga) which entered its 13th day of play saw Schalke 04 of Jöel Matip negotiating a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt at home. The German Division 2 league also entered its 15th day of play with FC Kaiserslautern of Mohamadou Idrissou defeating FSV Frankfurt by a score of 1-0.

The Russian Premier League which entered its 17th day of play last Friday November 23, 2012, saw Benoit Angbwa's FK Rostov sanctioned Mordovya Saransk by 2-0, with the 2 goals coming from Angbwa's cutbacks. Also, Anzhi Makhachkala of Samuel Eto'o (absent from the game) succeeded in imposing a 2-0 defeat against Amkar Perm as they struggle to narrow the gap with current league leaders CSKA Moscow.

In Portugal, the Portuguese SuperLiga entered its 10th day of play last weekend with Vitória Setúbal of Albert Meyong Zé trailing behind Rio Ave FC by a score of 3 goals to 5. All the 3 goals for Vitória Setúbal were scored by Meyong Zé at the 44th, 64th and 86th minutes respectively.

The Turkish Süper Lig also entered its 13th day of play this weekend. Gaziantepspor of Giles Augustin Binya defeated Büyüksehir Spor of Archille Webo by 2-1.

Patrick Tanyi

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