Premiership round up - Week 12

Manchester City v Burnley - 3:3 - Adebayor and Toure were back for City and before the match started most people would have put money on them to perpetuate Burnley's poor away record. Then Burnley got a penalty and went one up in the 19th minute (Alexander). City played like a 3rd class side for a few minutes and Burnley got another (Fletcher). Shortly before half time, BBC commentator John Motson, with typical insight and while the camera was on Mark Hughes, said of the 2:0 score-line; "Well, I'm sure he didn't expect this." - nice one, Motty. Hughes did not suffer for too long. Wright-Phillips started City's resurgence and in the second half Toure equalized and Bellamy got City's third. For the rest of the game Burnley were under the proverbial cosh, right up to the point where, with 3 minutes to go McDonald salvaged a point (their first away from home) for a jubilant Burnley. Fifth draw in a row for an unconvincing City.

Wolves v Arsenal - 1:4 - Wolves started in sprightly fashion and pressed the Gunners hard, but after 28 minutes fortune favoured Arsenal, who got the first goal (Zubar, o/g). Arsenal proceeded to add a second by the same route, 8 minutes later (Craddock, o/g). At the end of the first half Arsenal took Wolves apart and managed to score one on their own (Fabregas). Arshavin piled on the pressure in the second half for Arsenal's fourth, With a minute to go Craddock partially redeemed himself and scored a consolation goal for Wolves. Wolves have enthusiasm and a never-say-die spirit. Arsenal, as Wenger put it, 'have technical superiority.'

Aston Villa v Bolton - 5:1 - This game was all about John Carew. Villa started smartly, Young scoring after 5 minutes - Carew made the goal with a header the keeper was forced to deflect. Two minutes before the break Carew, after some nifty work on the line, laid one on for Agbonlahor to roll in. A minute later Elmander scored his first Premiership goal in 11 months for Bolton. Villa were not perturbed; 8 minutes into the second half Carew scored all by himself, after a very strong run into the box. He might have fallen down (or chosen to) twice, but Carew is a tough, stand-up guy (pun intended), and refused to be denied. Then he (Carew) was shoved off a potential header and a penalty was awarded. After some pinball action (Milner takes penalty, ball bounces off keeper, struck by Sidwell, ball bounces off post) Milner finally scored. In the 75th minute Cuellar scored Villa's fifth goal from an excellent cross by Milner. But if Cuellar had not scored, Carew was lurking at the far post to pick it up, and probably would have, too. Young nearly made it 6 with a free kick, but Villa were forced to settle for a winning margin of 4 goals, poor devils.

Spurs v Sunderland - 2:0 - Defoe was back from suspension and showed how much he was missed (the idiot). Keane bundled the ball in competently for Spurs to go ahead and Spurs were a trifle fortunate to survive a penalty shout and a great looping shot by Reid. But survive they did until Bent got revenge on his old club by diving to win a penalty. Providence was with the just and Gomes saved. Sunderland made more chances throughout the game but Gomes was having a good day and kept them out. Half way through the second half Spurs, nervy and far from their best, scored their second (Huddlestone's good strike from Defoe's layoff). Saint Hal praised Gomes and admitted that the luck went their way. We (or Sunderland, in this case) need video replay evidence.

Blackburn v Portsmouth – 3:1 - A good, but unlikely, hit by O'Hara put Portsmouth ahead after 15 minutes. After a poor first half performance Big Sam made some offensive changes at half time and Roberts duly equalized. Blackburn continued to go forward and were rewarded with a second goal (header by Nelson from a corner) then a third (Roberts). Too easy from set pieces for Blackburn. Portsmouth should have done better and have shaken Your Ear's faith in their ability to survive the season in the Premiership.

Chelsea v ManU - 1:0 - It was all Chelsea versus a depleted ManU (except for a Giggs half-chance) but no score in the first half. ManU started the second half better, Rooney made two good attempts on goal. The deadlock was broken by a fine Terry header in the 76th minute. There were a few moans after the game from ManU's, Mike Phelan, but he might have complained more - Terry should have been sent off for a professional foul against Valencia (and ManU should have had a penalty). On the other hand, Drogba was booked after he had been drop-kicked in the chest and kicked again in the stomach for good luck. And possibly the Chelsea goal should have been disallowed. Whole seasons turn on these decisions. We need video replay evidence.



Hull v Stoke - 2:1 - Hull did not play like a side struggling to take points and after early pressure by Stoke Hull had all the chances. But Etherington made something out of nothing in the 29th minute to score the first goal for Stoke. Hull then escaped an own goal scare early in the second half and fortune seemed to be smiling on them, particularly when ex-Stoke player, Olofinjana scored a very good equalizer in the 62nd minute. Hull really went for it for the rest of the game, although Stoke’s Shawcross nearly stole the game following a crafty free kick by Whelan. Faye was unlucky to be sent off (at the risk of being boring - we need video replay evidence) and Stoke were forced to hold on. They didn't, Bullard struck the ball hard from long range and Vennegoor of Hesselink scored from the keeper's punch out. Well, Hull had to win a game sooner or later, they did well against Stoke who had been in good form until today.

West Ham v Everton - 1:2 - West Ham's win earlier in the week against Aston Villa lifted the Hammers, no doubt boosting their confidence, while Everton have hardly been on top of their game lately. But against the run of play Everton went ahead with an accurate strike by Saha after 27 minutes. Despite more West Ham initiatives Everton doubled their lead after an hour (Gosling). A minute later West Ham were back in the game when Stanislav forced an own goal by Hibbert. Diamanti made a great creative effort and Hines nearly scored twice, but failed. West Ham deserved to win this game but Zola (as usual) was phlegmatic, and put it down to 'a difficult season' and 'more 'ard work needed'.

Wigan v Fulham - 1:1 - Nevland nearly gained the lead early on for Fulham with a nice header, which beat Kirkland, but not the post. Boyce put Wigan ahead after 13 minutes and Dempsey scored from the spot towards the end of the half. The game was fairly even after that, with both sides having good opportunities, but excellent keeping at either end held the match to a draw. Both managers were content (if managers are ever content) with the result. Unfortunately this game hosted the lowest attendance to date of the season (just over 16,000).

Liverpool v Birmingham - 2:2 - Liverpool worked hard, scored first (a N'Gog volley after 12 minutes) and kept turning the screw, but Birmingham, after three consecutive headers, beat Reina ('Chucho' Benitez) to make it one-all. The goal filled Birmingham with energy and they began to go after Liverpool. Three minutes before half time Gerrard came on for Riera to huge cheers from the faithful. But seconds before half-time Jerome held off Mascherano and unleashed a 30 yard swerver. It caught Reina unawares and the home side went in one down. Gerrard spent the next 15 minutes on the pitch continuing to warm up (he probably knew what Rafa was saying in the dressing room). Liverpool pressed Birmingham hard and had several chances, but it took a dive by N'Gog to earn a bad penalty for Liverpool to draw level. Hats off to Birmingham who withstood the remaining Liverpool attacks to draw with sad Liverpool. Oh, and we need video replays!

Top Tips - With just under a third of total matches played Your Ear believes the title race is a three horse field. Arsenal is our ‘might just do it’ tip, then Chelsea, then ManU. Chelsea have a useful lead, but having said that ManU always find their second wind after Christmas. And Arsenal look comfortable at the moment and seem to have a broad team full of talented youth, more so than other top-flight teams, especially ManU. So although other sides might try to mount a challenge it seems unlikely all of the above will falter and be beaten. You may disagree, of course.

Natural World News (to keep us in perspective) - Two-Headed Reptile Found - A two-headed snake was discovered in a rubbish filled drawer in Illinois. The couple who found the large North American water snake thought it might not be able to survive on its own and decided to keep it. The non-venomous snake has just shed its skin, so, free handbags and shoes all round. Shrimps' eyes are the best - A university study said the eyes of Great Barrier Reef mantis shrimps have the most complex visual systems known to science and could inspire next generation DVD and CD players. The shrimps can see in twelve colours (humans in only three) and can distinguish between different forms of polarised light. The unique make-up of the mantis shrimp's eye is beautifully simple; it is comprised of cell membranes rolled into tubes. This natural mechanism out-performs all synthetic designs created by humans. Future optical devices might use liquid crystals chemically engineered to mimic the properties of cells in the mantis shrimp's eye. 'We are just prawns in the game,' said a spokes-crustacean. Birds have x-ray vision - Scientists believe robins can 'see' the Earth's magnetic field at night, helping them to navigate on migrations. It is known that birds have an internal magnetic compass but there is no consensus on what form it takes. New research suggests that robins can 'see' magnetic fields, whereas there is evidence that upper beak magneto-sensors are used by pigeons. Scientists say other types of magnetic sensor may also exist in birds. 'We won’t be outdone by a bunch of sea-food candidates,' said a red-breasted spokes-avian. 'We dinosaur descendants have these sensors everywhere. Run an audio cassette tape between a parrot's legs and you'll rediscover the wonder of analogue.'

Football Headlines - The Fairer Sex? - New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert has been suspended indefinitely after engaging in rough play during a 1-0 loss to BYU in the Mountain West Conference semi-finals. Lambert apologized for her actions, saying she was "deeply and wholeheartedly regretful. I let my emotions get the best of me. I take full responsibility for my actions and accept any punishment felt necessary. This is in no way indicative of my character or the soccer player that I am." (Your Ear feels that once bitten, etc, although biting is an offence Lambert was not guilty of, on this occasion). Lambert was yellow carded towards the end of the game, apparently for tripping, but there were at least six occasions where she might have been summarily dismissed. Several Premiership managers are reputedly interested in her. 'The girl's a natural' said an anonymous football scout. 'Thanks heavens the cameras were rolling.' Not to take action during the game, of course, but so that a first rate training video could be made; see http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4629837 for expertly executed examples of tripping off the ball, the slap to the back of the head, the kick of the ball to the face, the pony-tail pull (superb), the whack around the chops, and the forearm in the back. Selective Gravity? - Top clubs claim their players are being hit by stronger gravity effects than those experienced by other teams. 'As soon as our forwards get into the opposing box they start to feel like lead,' one said. 'They find themselves being drawn inexorably earthwards. Even the most valiant attempts on the part of the players to stay upright fail. It often seems to happen when the referee is behind them and they are close to defenders or keepers. It's weird.' Football fans agree.

The Ear – all the news that's fit to spout.