Premiership round up - Week 19

Man City v Stoke - 2:0 - Mr Mancini’s first game, and in case the fans (or anyone else) fails to recognize him Roberto always seems to wear a supporter’s light blue and white scarf wrapped tightly around his neck (unsurprisingly), tied in a large knot. Your Ear thinks we will all know him from now on. Petrov got City’s first goal on Mancini’s behalf when he tapped the ball home after a determined City attack (28), although Stoke were unfortunate not to have been in the lead at this point, Given having made a good save from Tuncay. Tevez got City’s second with a fine stretch at shoulder height off Barry’s header to ease the ball past the keeper (45+3). Bellamy replaced Robinho and was unlucky not to have scored or been awarded a penalty. Robinho was first choice over Bellamy in this game. Whether this was because Mancini prefers Robinho’s style or because Bellamy was vocal about his unhappiness at Hughes’ departure is not known. Bellamy is reputedly considering a move, and Spurs might figure in his plans (and St Hal’s of course). When Bellamy was brought on the crowd roared its approval, showing that English football fans appear (as was the case in the Man United Tevez/Berbatov debate) to like honest endeavour and persistence more than flair and even genius. This is an issue for Mancini, although if he follows Sir Alec’s way of thinking Bellamy might be on his way shortly.

West Ham v Portsmouth - 2:0 - Once Portsmouth had conceded a penalty to West Ham after a goal-mouth scramble Diamanti converted it to give the Hammers the lead (23). Collison should have made it two at the end of the half but dragged the ball wide. Portsmouth did not start to threaten until mid-way through the second half but West Ham defended well and had chances of their own. The game was nervy for both sides until Kovac buried a header from a free kick in the 89th minute. Zola - ‘When you play these games there’s a lot of pressure, a lot of tension, you have to suffer until the end.’ Grant - ‘We played well in the second half but football is a game of goals and we did not score.’ There is great footballing wisdom in that statement.

Birmingham v Chelsea - 0:0 - Birmingham have been in good form recently but Chelsea provided all the early initiative and might have gone three or four ahead before Birmingham (Benitez) was denied the first goal by a debatable offside decision. The half ended goal-less. Cech kept Birmingham at bay early in the second half and collided painfully with the post for his trouble. Chelsea might have scored four or five in the second half, but could not put the ball away. Malouda was sent off (two yellows for sliding tackles) but a good league point, in the end, for both sides. Birmingham, who look by far and away the strongest of the three teams promoted last season, should credit their keeper, Paul Hart, for the draw.

Liverpool v Wolves - 2:0 - Liverpool gave Wolves a hard time in pouring rain and sleet in the first half but Wolves kept out good attempts on goal by Gerrard and Torres and had chances of their own. After mistaken identity nearly resulted in the wrong man being warned, Ward was sent off (two yellows), reducing Wolves to ten men. A few minutes later Gerrard scored emphatically with the back of his neck, a great power goal (62). Liverpool continued to harass Wolves and Benayoun duly scored a second (70). Although the scousers’ victory looked comfortable Wolves might have won this game. Mick McCarthy - ‘Liverpool needed a break, and they got one.’

Sunderland v Everton - 1:1 - Everton started slowly and paid the penalty when Bent put Sunderland ahead with a simple header (17) from a good cross. But going behind roused Everton and they dominated the second half until finally Fellaini buried a shot from close range (85). Bruce - ‘You're always disappointed to concede when you get so close to full time… but if someone asked me at the start of the season that we would be 10th at Christmas, I would have taken that.’ Moyes - ‘I thought near enough from the start we just about completely dominated the game. They scored a very good goal and put us back. If we hadn't got anything out of the game it would have been a travesty.’

Wigan v Blackburn - 1:1 - a nervous start nearly produced own goals at either end but McCarthy settled Blackburn by putting them ahead (30) with his first goal of the season. Robinson did well on more than one occasion to deny Wigan but eventually Rodallega scored the equalizer (53) with a very well taken header. The home side always looked more likely to score thereafter, although Kirkland made a fantastic reaction save from a strong overhead kick attempt by McCarthy. Both managers were dissatisfied with the draw - one of them must be wrong.

Burnley v Bolton - 1:1 - This midlands derby was the first meeting between the two teams in top-flight football for 45 years. Honours were fairly even until Taylor scored a fine free kick from distance for Bolton (29). Narrowly missed chances at both ends kept the crowd on edge but it was Burnley, seeking to protect their admirable home record, who were on target (Nugent, header, 56) with the second goal of the match. Burnley had the initiative from then on and missed a few decent chances.

Fulham v Tottenham - 0:0 Another derby, another draw. Gera almost scored a trick goal with a back-heel but Gomes swept it up easily enough and saved a couple more from an aggressive Fulham. Spurs’ best chance was when Crouch put the ball into the net, which did not count as the referee had already blown for a foul on Kranjcar. Fulham hit the bar and had several more chances but Gomes was on great form and made a number of fine saves. Schwarzer did much the same thing at the other end, although he was forced to do so by Spurs on fewer occasions. Spurs kept their defensive shape well in this game, but clearly do not like being pressurized to the extent that Fulham put them under. Both managers were complimentary about their opponents and (separately) agreed that the result was fair. A good day for the keepers.

Arsenal v Aston Villa - 3:0 - After typically dour Villa defending for the first hour or so, Fabregas (brought on after 57 minutes despite a hamstring problem) curled in a 25-yard free kick (65) after being fouled by Dunne. Friedel had previously denied Gallas from point-blank range and saved a shot by Arshavin. Arshavin made the game safe for Arsenal with a quick finish from a Walcott pass (81). A Diaby strike wrapped up the win for Arsenal in extra time (90+1). Although Arsenal won the game it may come at some cost - Fabregas had to be replaced on 84 minutes, having aggravated his injury. Arsenal are closing in on Chelsea and Man United, nonetheless. O'Neil - 'Villa will bounce back… We are up there in the league because we deserve to be. Now it is down to us to see if we can maintain the form which put us there in the first place.' O'Neil is no fool, and what he said applied equally last year, when Villa failed to achieve their target of top four status.

Hull City v Man Utd - 1:3 - Although Hull came prepared for a busy and physical game, Rooney scored first for United on the stroke of half-time. Later he made a bad back-pass which led to a Hull penalty. Fagan levelled from the spot (60), but Rooney’s low cross, which caused Andy Dawson to score an own goal (73), made amends. Berbatov sealed the win following a top-drawer pass from Rooney. This is just the start of the second half of the season when United traditionally begin to hit their stride. However, ManU were not at their best and Hull were unlucky to be denied an early penalty after a strong Vidic challenge on Garcia. As a small aside the penalty shout was denied by Alan Wiley, the referee whose ‘fitness’ was questioned by Ferguson after United drew against Sunderland earlier this season. Well done, ref. Manchester United are now within two points of Chelsea in the race for the Premiership title. Phelan - ‘We're well positioned for title bid.’ Brown - ‘We had Man United rocking.’ Maybe he should have added ‘We could have been a contender.’ Perhaps not.

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