Here is the round-up to a fairly negative game-week for Manchester United and Chelsea fans, but a joyful game for Liverpool and Arsenal. Several monumental games took place over the weekend, most notably Manchester United at home to Liverpool, Tottenham against Arsenal and a vital relegation clash between Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
Hull v City
The early game that featured on BT Sport took place between title contenders Manchester City and Hull City who are precariously close to the drop zone. An early professional foul from Vincent Kompany resulted in City going down to 10 men. This seemed to give the hosts a glimmer of hope, before this was dashed by a stunning strike from City's little maestro, David Silva. Edin Dzeko made the score look more comfortable with a goal in the dying minutes. If City can squeeze results such as these out, while others drop points, then they definitely will be up at the top come the end of the season. After all, the best teams grind out results even when they are a man down.
Everton v Cardiff
It took a late, late winner from Irishman, Seamus Coleman on this St Patricks Weekend to seal the points for the Toffees and heap more misery on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Cardiff manager. A skilful turn from Barcelona loanee, Gerard Deulofeu beat Gary Medel, before bearing down on goal and side footing it past the Cardiff keeper. Juan Cala equalised off a Peter Wittingham free kick to level the game once more. Cardiff thought they were leaving Merseyside with a point before Coleman scuffed a shot past Cardiff keeper, Marshall, from a cushioned header from Gareth Barry. Cardiff are lying perilously in 19th spot, 3 points of safety, while the win lifted Everton above United in the table.
Fulham v Newcastle
A win for Fulham ends a poor run of form for the Cottagers. Although they remain rooted to the bottom of the table, this victory against top half opposition will give them the confidence to escape the drop. A poor piece of goalkeeping from Tim Krul gifted Dejagah the winner for Fulham after superb build-up from Lewis Holtby. Fulham were pressured by an onslaught of attacks from the Toons and Howard Webb dismissed a penalty shout when the ball appeared to hit the hand of Johnny Heitinga. This loss will hinder Newcastle's attempts at securing a mid table finish after an indifferent season.
Southampton v Norwich
The Saints and The Canaries contested the highest scoring affair of the weekend. Morgan Schneiderlin scored the opener in the 5th minute before Ricky Lambert scored a very calm goal by slotting it passed John Ruddy. Lambert was also involved in their third goal as he assisted Jay Rodriguez for his 12th BPL goal of the season. Goals from Johan Elmander and Robert Snodgrass brought Norwich back into the game but a late Sam Gallagher winner eased the nerves for the fans and sealed the points for the Saints.
Stoke v West Ham
The tall figure of Andy Carroll rose highest to nod in Mark Noble's cross to give the Hammers the lead. 2 goals from Peter Odemwingie helped Stoke to overturn the deficit. Odemwingie found himself in the right place at the right time to deflect in an acrobatic shot from Peter Crouch for his first goal while a nutmeg from Arnautovic on Winston Reid allowed him to poke it passed Adrian. Referee, Craig Pawson, rebuked the protests of Andy Carroll over a suspected handball from Stoke centre-back Muniesa. Replays show that the Englishman may have had a case. Odemwingie netted his second and secured the points for the Potters after a swift counter attack to smash home in a better fashion than his first. Safety seems almost secure for both teams, but both will be aiming to make their finish a bit more respectable.
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
The Stadium of Light witnessed the only draw of the weekend between 2 teams were a victory would have gone a long way to secure their presence in the league next season. Liverpool loanee, Fabio Borini, rattled the Palace woodwork in the best opportunity to break the deadlock in the second half. A nudge from Cameron Jerome to Kagisho Dikgacoi opened up space for the Palace man to have a crack but sent the shot to the left of the upright. In a game that lacked any quality a dull nil-nil draw was probably deserved result for 2 teams battling relegation.
Swansea v West Brom
Pepe Mel was able to bring to an end a dismal opening record by recording his first victory as West Brom manager at the 8th time of asking. Roland Lamah put the Swans in front with a neat finish after latching onto a through ball from Wilfried Bony. Swansea will rue the chances they had to double the lead in the first half, before Mel regrouped a lacklustre West Brom side at the break. A higher pressure in the second half resulted a much better display from the Baggies. Stephane Sessegnon smashed West Brom an equaliser before Mulumbu sealed the points for the Baggies. Swansea are slowly slipping down the table while West Brom cannot risk being slow starters in the last 10 games.
Aston Villa v Chelsea
A deft flick from Fabien Delph off a Marc Albrighton cross was enough to see off the might of Mourinho's Chelsea. Chelsea had an early Nemanja Matic goal disallowed for handball in the first half, before a risky challenge from Brazilian hotshot Willian resulted him in receiving his marching orders for a second bookable offence. Things went from bad to worse for the Londoners when Ramires was shown a straight red from Chris Foy for a reckless challenge on El Ahmedi. Rightly deserved in my opinion. To add salt into the wounds, Mourinho was sent to the stands after an altercation on the sidelines prior to the Ramires red card. The result was a blow to Chelsea's title ambitions but a warmly welcomed one for Villa as they win successive home games for the first time since August 2010 and distance themselves from the drop zone.
Man United v Liverpool
Possibly the headline result of the weekend saw Manchester United get humiliated at home to their North-West rivals, Liverpool. A game which saw 3 penalties, 2 of which were converted by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, while Suarez added the third to inflict pain on the United faithful. In addition to this Nemanja Vidic was sent off for what seemed a innocuous challenge where there was non-existant contact on Daniel Sturridge. The debated penalty was probably justice for the blatant foul in the box by Carrick. Liverpool march on and seem to be the dark horses for this year's title, while Moyes and United have to pick themselves up after another poor result and performance.
Arsenal v Tottenham
The North London derby. A game in which the time stops for fans in the city. Arsenal were looking to keep in the running for the title chase, while a win would be necessary if Spurs were to keep their top 4 aspirations flowing. In contrast to previous clashes, a solitary goal was the difference between the teams in this episode. A terrific shot with impeccable technique from Tomas Rosicky after a fortuitous touch from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sealed the points. For the majority of the game, particularly the second half, Tottenham were on top with excellent chances from former Gunner, Emmanuel Adebayor and Nacer Chadli, but were unable to level the game.
Next week fixtures:
22 Mar 12:45 Chelsea v Arsenal
22 Mar 15:00 Cardiff City v Liverpool
22 Mar 15:00 Everton v Swansea
22 Mar 15:00 Hull City v West Brom
22 Mar 15:00 Man City v Fulham
22 Mar 15:00 Newcastle v Crystal Palace
22 Mar 15:00 Norwich v Sunderland
22 Mar 17:30 West Ham v Man Utd
23 Mar 13:30 Tottenham v Southampton
23 Mar 16:00 Aston Villa v Stoke City
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading! I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you have read...