Birmingham v Arsenal - 1:1 - The first hour and more was very slow but things livened up when Arsenal took the lead through Nasri, who fired into the far corner from the edge of the area (81). But Birmingham equalized late on, through a fortunate ricochet off Phillips’ face (90+2), dampening Gooner hopes of staying in the title race.
Chelsea v Aston Villa - 7:1 - It took a little while but in the end Chelsea took Villa apart at the Bridge and staked a firm claim for the Premiership title with a pretty awesome display, even without Drogba. Lampard gave Chelsea the lead when he converted Malouda's cross at the far post (15), but Carew quickly drew Villa level after good work by Young (29). Lampard put Chelsea back in front with a penalty kick after Zhirkov was brought down by Collins (44). But if the game was fairly close in the first half this was not the case in the second when Villa, normally good for the money throughout the full 90 minutes, were effectively hung, drawn and quartered. Malouda made good after more excellent work by Zhirkov (57) and Lampard got his hat-trick with another penalty (62). Malouda piled on the pressure after being set up by Lampard (68) and substitute Kalou made it six when he shot low past Friedel (83). Finally Lampard got his fourth goal in the dying seconds (90+2) passing the 150 mark in his career total. O'Neill was angered by what he saw as Villa’s ‘capitulation’ whilst Wilkins commented that it was the ‘desire to win that motivates Chelsea.’ This seems to be almost fatuous comment in top flight sport, but perhaps that’s just sour grapes.
Bolton v Man United - 0:4 - A good game, despite the eventual score. Rooney, nursing a knee injury ahead of United’s Euro match the following week, was not even on the bench. Bolton had the better early chances but ManU went ahead on the back of an unfortunate own goal by Samuel (38). This was all that separated the teams for the next half an hour of play, but then Berbatov struck twice (69, 78) to secure the victory and Gibson finished a good day at the office for United late in the game (82).
Hull v Fulham - 2:0 - Fulham had a couple of half-decent chances before they gave away the most stupid of penalties to allow Bullard to score from the spot (17). Bullard nearly nicked a second goal from a free kick later in the half but Schwarzer saved. Hull got their second from an unlikely lobbed header early in the second half (Fagan, 49). Fulham were denied two penalty shouts for handball and, not surprisingly, Iain Dowie was the happier manager by far with today’s result.
West Ham v Stoke - 0:1 - Fuller had only been on the pitch for two minutes when he danced through three West Ham defenders and slammed a shot past Green. The result left West Ham level with Hull in 18th place and Hull also have a game in hand over the Londoners. Pulis - ‘It was a fantastic goal. Ric can do that. As a player, if he gets in that position he is so strong and his feet are so quick he can do that. It was a special goal.’ Meanwhile a withdrawn and silent Zola is rumoured to be making a decision on his future overnight.
Spurs v Portsmouth - 2:0 - Prequel to the FA Cup semi-final these sides seem to be meeting too often of late. Portsmouth nearly got their noses in front but it was Crouch who nodded Spurs ahead from a cross by Bale (27) and then Huddlestone then hit the woodwork. Kranjcar tapped home a second (41) but the hosts easily cruised to their victory.
Liverpool v Sunderland - 3:0 - All Liverpool in one of their best displays of the season. Torres seems to be back to near his best form and might have had a brace of hat-tricks, let alone the two goals he got. Torres opened the scoring within the first three minutes (3) with a great curling shot beyond the reach of the keeper into the top right corner of the net. Johnson got the second with a good touch to make space for a left foot shot that deflected off the knee of Turner (32). Finally it was Torres again (60) from an assist by Johnson, who seemed to be everywhere.
Wolves v Everton - 0:0 - Everton should have won this game but Wolves took a point at Molineux through their determination and effort. McCarthy - ‘I'm a little bit relieved because we had to weather a fair old storm. Moyesie (Moyes) had injuries to start with but they've come good and they're as good as anything that's come down here. We played some great football at West Ham and got a win but we're not suddenly Barcelona.’ Never thought you were, Mick! Moyes - ‘I'm disappointed we didn't take all three points because we had a host of chances.’
Burnley v Blackburn - 0:1 - As West Ham lost on Saturday to leave them in joint 18th with Hull, Burnley knew a win would take them level on points with both West Ham and Hull, although with a poorer goal difference. However, when Olsson was deemed to have been brought down by Jensen in the box, Dunn’s penalty kick in the 20th minute settled the match, as, despite various chances, Burnley were unable to get back on terms.
Man City v Wigan - 3:0 - Tevez settled this match in the space of twelve minutes scoring three goals in quick succession (72, 74, 84). City were poor in the first half but once Caldwell had been sent off for a tackle on Tevez, City took full advantage of their extra man. Tevez’ first goal seized upon poor keeping by Stojkovic for a tap in. Two minutes later Tevez doubled the lead, sliding in at the far post to convert Garrido’s cross. Finally the Argentine struck again, waltzing past two players before beating Stojkovic easily from just outside the box.
The Ear - all the news that's fit to spout.
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Friday 26 March 2010
Premiership round up - Week 31
Arsenal v West Ham - 2:0 - The Gunners went ahead within 5 minutes when Denilson pushed the ball past Green after a strong Arsenal build-up. He might have had a second goal minutes later but failed to connect. West Ham did not take the early onslaught lying down and made a couple of forays into Gunner territory but could not make them pay off. The game was shaken up when Vermaelen was sent off as last defender for a mild looking challenge on Franco. However Diamanti’s penalty was saved by Almunia. The first half ended with Arsenal a goal up and a man down, but they looked comfortable in play, nonetheless. Cole nearly cracked in a shot but the post got in his way. Then Arsenal got a penalty when Upson handled the ball. Fabregas made no mistake and sealed the win (83). Wenger - ‘There is very little room for error, we just try to win the next game.’ Arsenal looking good.
Portsmouth v Hull - 3:2 - Hull, having finally ditched Phil Brown, walked onto the pitch under the stewardship of Iain Dowie. Portsmouth, meanwhile, started the game nine points lighter, having had them docked for going into administration. This was a dour match between two relegation candidates and it was Hull who struck first with a little luck on their side by way of a deflection (Folan, 27). Portsmouth got back into the game a few minutes later when the ball was almost walked into the net by Smith (37) and the first half ended with the sides level. More luck entered into the game when the ball fell to Folan off the referee (Oi, Ref!) and he (Folan, not the ref) competently slid the ball past James (73). O’Hara scored a magnificent long range goal (not in keeping with the rest of the game) from a short ball after a free kick (88). Finally, old rubber-feet (Kanu) showed great awareness to wang in Portsmouth’s third (89). Grant - ‘It’s always good to win, even if it doesn’t help us to stay in the league.’ Dowie - ‘Crucial game, unfortunately we lost it, we’ll crack on next week.’ It’s good to have Iain Dowie’s plain talking cracker-barrel horse sense with us once more.
Aston Villa v Wolves - 2:2 - The first two thirds of the high tempo first half was largely owned by Villa. Carew put them ahead from what might have been a marginally offside position with a simple tap in (16) but Wolves got something from almost nothing a few minutes later when, having hardly seen the ball except from their own goal-mouth, Craddock had an equally simple tap in at the other end (23). The normally resilient Villa were rattled, and became more so when Milner scored an own goal trying to cut out a cross (38). Villa regrouped during the break and came out firing on all cylinders (what does O’Neill puts in their orange juice at half time?). Villa had various opportunities but could not convert them until Carew managed to guide the ball in, again from a tight position, to get a draw (82). Villa should have won this game at a canter, but all credit to Wolves for the draw. After the game (on Carew’s goals, particularly the first one); McCarthy - ‘You can analyse it till it comes out your backside, he is still in an offside position.’ Carew (with wide grin) - ‘I’m sure both of them were on the limit, but the trick is to be just slightly onside, isn’t it?’ O’Neill - ‘You’re asking the wrong man about referees’ and linesmen’s decisions. Have you seen the Carling Cup final? Have you?’
Wigan v Burnley - 1:0 - Wigan came close to scoring first, but Burnley were saved by the post and later had a good penalty shout turned down. Jensen kept out a couple more for Burnley, particularly a great shot by Diame. Finally Rodallega, who had had a quiet game for him until extra time, snatched the winner with a powerful header (90+3) just as the referee was raising the whistle to his lips to end the game (well, almost). Laws - ‘Football can be really cruel, and it was really, really cruel today.’
Stoke v Spurs -1:2 - Crouch started as Defoe was injured, needing a goal to end his nine match drought. Stoke had one or two chances in the first half and Gomes seemed unable to hold the wet ball (although sometimes he has no better luck with a dry one). Gudjohnsen came on for Pavlyuchenko and made an immediate impact when he made a strong run into the Stoke 18 yard area to power home a shot (46), his first goal for Spurs (and his first in the Premiership for four years). Whitehead was sent off for a second bookable offence and from then on Spurs dominated the match. However, Stoke scored from a penalty when Assou-Ekotto climbed all over Kitson, Etherington calmly putting the ball passed Gomes (64). Fuller should have scored a second but missed an open goal. Assou-Ekotto made amends for conceding the penalty when he crossed the ball, Gudjohnsen let it run and Kranjcar whacked it in (77). Sidibe nearly equalized but Spurs stumbled through to a win against the 10 men.
Sunderland v Birmingham - 3:1 - Bent has the knack of being in the right place at the right time, his 18 league goals this season is testament to that. He was fortunate to be in the right place again early on for a rebound that he tapped in (5). Six minutes later he scored a good goal, beating a defender and the keeper with consummate ease (11). Birmingham had their moments but Sunderland’s flying start seemed to demoralize them and they missed four good chances late in the first and early in the second halves. Jerome revitalized his team, scoring an excellent goal following a canter down the left wing (60) and Birmingham were then all over Sunderland. But Campbell put the game beyond Birmingham’s reach with a well timed run and lunge at a cross which was fairly unstoppable (88). Bent - ‘I always knew if I came to Sunderland and got regular football I’d get the goals.’ So it seems.
Everton v Bolton - 2:0 - Bolton were playing well and holding Everton at bay with ease until Steinsson was judged to have fouled Yakubu by running across him and was sent off. Arteta duly scored from the resulting free kick (72). From then on the result was not in much doubt and Arteta provided a good cross which Pienaar comfortably placed in the back of the net (89). Seven successive home wins for Everton. Coyle - ‘Yakubu took a great touch across Steinsson and invited Steinsson to come onto him. If there's a collision there's not a lot of contact, but Mr Wiley deemed it a red card. To rub salt into the wound, because I believe it was a contentious decision, Mikel Arteta was allowed to take the free-kick four yards closer than he should have been. I don't agree with the decision and with then allowing Arteta to bring the ball forward to the arc, with the quality he's got.’ That’s it, only let them get closer to the goal on free kicks when they’re not much good at taking them, that seems fair.
Man Utd v Liverpool - 2:1 - United came from behind to beat Liverpool at Old Trafford, and regained top spot in the league. Torres headed Kuyt's cross home after only five minutes, recalling Liverpool's 4:1 victory here last season, but United were not in the mood for trifling. United got an opportunity to draw level by a penalty awarded when Valencia was pulled back by Mascherano as the pair ran into the area. Rooney missed his penalty, saved by Reina, but was the first to react and turn in the rebound (12). United dominated the rest of the match and got the winner on the hour when Fletcher's deep cross was headed in by Park.
Fulham v Man City - 1:2 - Fulham went behind early on as Santa Cruz tapped in after Bellamy’s shot came off the post (7). Tevez barrelled in City’s second from close range just before half-time (36). Barry handled the ball and Murphy scored from the spot (75) but Fulham could not get an equalizer. City are now two points behind Spurs with a game in hand, but two thirds of their remaining nine games are to be played at home. Hodgson - ‘It’s disappointing after such a good win on Thursday night to be brought back down to earth today.’ Mancini - ‘We must think game after game. We have won this but on Wednesday we have a hard match against Everton. There will be a fight until the end of the season.’ A right old punch-up, probably.
Blackburn v Chelsea - 1:1 - Having led for much of the game Chelsea dropped two points in drawing with hard-working Blackburn. Blackburn must like playing against Chelsea - three months ago Blackburn beat them in their Carling Cup penalty shoot-out. Anelka’s run on the right wing and pull back allowed Drogba to slot home (6). Samba went close with a header and Chelsea had many other chances but the second goal came from a tireless Blackburn effort when Diouf out-jumped Ferreira to head the ball in (70). The Blues have earned only seven points out of a possible 15 recently and their title hopes are on the wobble again. Does the fault lie at Terry’s door? Hard to say, but Chelsea seem fragile and edgy and needs to win its next game to regain second place in the league. Your Ear feels that third might be their final league position as Man United and Arsenal forge ahead. Ancelotti - ‘We have to improve.’ Allardyce - ‘They scored a quality goal just after a few minutes, but we’ve come fighting back.’
West Ham v Wolves - 1:3 - Wolves took a giant step forward to avoid relegation, imposing a heavy defeat on the Hammers. Foley hit the bar before Doyle squeezed a shot in-off the post (28). Zubar whacked in the second goal (58) and later put Jarvis through to thump home a very good third (61). Franco’s chip provided a late consolation goal for the Hammers (90+3). But it was too little, too late for a sorry West Ham who appear to have no idea where they are going or what they are doing, despite occasional initiatives by Cole around the box.
Aston Villa v Sunderland - 1:1 - Sunderland earned a good point and dented Villa's hopes of a top four finish. Halfway through the first half Campbell got Sunderland’s noses in front beating Friedel with a competent finish off Richardson’s pass (22). Carew put Villa back on terms eight minutes later, volleying a shot off a cross by Young (30). Both sides continued to press for a winning goal but neither side could capitalize on their chances. Bent ran the ball into the back of the net, but was ruled offside. O'Neill - ‘While we've been unbeaten for a considerable time, you'd be hoping that with two consecutive home games we'd have taken four points. But it's easier said than done, and we're still in there fighting. I think there will be plenty more twists to come in the race for fourth, but our away record is very good and I still think we're in the race.’ Bruce- ‘Will 38 points be enough? I would think so but the one thing we can't do is take anything for granted. Possibly one more win will be enough… but we have lost only one of the last nine games, against Arsenal, and we have hit a bit of form.’
Man City v Everton - 0:2 - Man City were well beaten by a tough Everton performance at Eastlands. Cahill scored, with his head as usual, following a good build-up by Arteta and Baines, who made the cross (33). City raised their game in the second half but could not impose their will on Everton. Having soaked up the City pressure Rodwell went on a good run and Arteta scored a fine second to rubber-stamp Everton’s victory (85). Towards the end of the game both managers were sent off (to the stands) as tempers frayed and Mancini jostled Moyes while trying to retrieve the ball. Moyes had the last laugh - he has now turned Mancini over twice. Mancini, on the incident with Moyes - ‘I've spoken now with David and if I made a mistake I am sorry. I wanted to get the ball because there was another five minutes at the end. This can happen sometimes in a game but it is finished now. I was frustrated for the players.’ Moyes: ‘I wasn't the one waving my hand for bookings. I was very surprised, I didn't know what I had done wrong. I shouldn't have been sent off, simple as. I held the ball longer than I should have but I was trying to make a change. He showed his passion for his team and his club and I can accept that.’
Portsmouth v Chelsea - 0:5 - No contest as Chelsea move into 2nd place in the league and to within a point of Man United, level on goal difference, crushing an underpowered Pompey with ease. Drogba got the ball rolling when he rolled the ball (sorry) into an empty net after James missed a clearance (32). Malouda got the second (50) and the third (60), walloping in the first, then passing the ball into the net after a Lampard shot was saved. Drogba got another, chesting down from Mikel’s long ball to fire in at the near post (77). Chelsea might have had more but Lampard completed a good day for the Blues in extra time (90+4), heading in after Drogba nodded down a high cross from Cole. The game was somewhat bad-tempered, Rocha was stretchered off with a suspected cheekbone fracture after an aerial challenge by Malouda and a trailing arm by Sturridge left Smith with a bloody nose. Ancelotti - ‘We are involved in the Premier League and the FA Cup, so maybe eight or nine games until the end of the season, so we need to maintain this period and this spirit to play. We have to prepare for these remaining games like they are finals.’ Assistant manager Perry Groves on Ricardo Rocha - ‘Ricardo has gone to hospital and Avram has gone with him. Ricardo may not play again this season. I thought the challenge merited a yellow card but I only had half an eye on the incident. There's not too many fit players left in our squad. There's always been a fantastic spirit amongst them and they'll always grind out results for you.’ It may be a very hard grind till the end of the season for Pompey, despite the fact that they may now sell players outside the normal transfer windows. Which players can they sell, and who will buy?
Blackburn v Birmingham - 2:1 - Dunn landed Blackburn a good win over their midland rivals. To begin with he smashed a fifth-minute shot past Hart once Birmingham failed to clear (5) and had another disallowed in the first half. And although Birmingham equalized early in the second half when McFadden scored a glorious left-footed free-kick (55). Blackburn would not be denied and Dunn later strongly headed home a corner delivered to the near post. Allardyce - ‘I'm proud to say we’re in the top four of the Premier League with home results. David Dunn turned the game in our favour and it was a shame he was denied a hat-trick - there was nothing wrong with that goal that was ruled out in the first-half. We must remember we have some terrific young players who have made massive contributions. Steven N'Zonzi is my player of the season. He's played every Premier League match. He is a major find.’ McLeish - ‘We totally dominated. I thought there was only going to be one winner after James (McFadden) equalized. We shipped in a soft goal but what annoyed me about it was the foul on Roger Johnson for the flick on that lead to the corner. Samba climbed all over the top of him and how can the referee not see that?’ Denied by the whistle again - how many times have we heard that this season?
Football News - On Fulham’s exit from the FA Cup - ‘It is a great loss,’ said St Hal of Totten and Ham. ‘Only the mighty Pompey now stands between us and our destiny, the Cup Final, for we were ever a cup side.’
The Ear - all the news that's fit to spout.
Portsmouth v Hull - 3:2 - Hull, having finally ditched Phil Brown, walked onto the pitch under the stewardship of Iain Dowie. Portsmouth, meanwhile, started the game nine points lighter, having had them docked for going into administration. This was a dour match between two relegation candidates and it was Hull who struck first with a little luck on their side by way of a deflection (Folan, 27). Portsmouth got back into the game a few minutes later when the ball was almost walked into the net by Smith (37) and the first half ended with the sides level. More luck entered into the game when the ball fell to Folan off the referee (Oi, Ref!) and he (Folan, not the ref) competently slid the ball past James (73). O’Hara scored a magnificent long range goal (not in keeping with the rest of the game) from a short ball after a free kick (88). Finally, old rubber-feet (Kanu) showed great awareness to wang in Portsmouth’s third (89). Grant - ‘It’s always good to win, even if it doesn’t help us to stay in the league.’ Dowie - ‘Crucial game, unfortunately we lost it, we’ll crack on next week.’ It’s good to have Iain Dowie’s plain talking cracker-barrel horse sense with us once more.
Aston Villa v Wolves - 2:2 - The first two thirds of the high tempo first half was largely owned by Villa. Carew put them ahead from what might have been a marginally offside position with a simple tap in (16) but Wolves got something from almost nothing a few minutes later when, having hardly seen the ball except from their own goal-mouth, Craddock had an equally simple tap in at the other end (23). The normally resilient Villa were rattled, and became more so when Milner scored an own goal trying to cut out a cross (38). Villa regrouped during the break and came out firing on all cylinders (what does O’Neill puts in their orange juice at half time?). Villa had various opportunities but could not convert them until Carew managed to guide the ball in, again from a tight position, to get a draw (82). Villa should have won this game at a canter, but all credit to Wolves for the draw. After the game (on Carew’s goals, particularly the first one); McCarthy - ‘You can analyse it till it comes out your backside, he is still in an offside position.’ Carew (with wide grin) - ‘I’m sure both of them were on the limit, but the trick is to be just slightly onside, isn’t it?’ O’Neill - ‘You’re asking the wrong man about referees’ and linesmen’s decisions. Have you seen the Carling Cup final? Have you?’
Wigan v Burnley - 1:0 - Wigan came close to scoring first, but Burnley were saved by the post and later had a good penalty shout turned down. Jensen kept out a couple more for Burnley, particularly a great shot by Diame. Finally Rodallega, who had had a quiet game for him until extra time, snatched the winner with a powerful header (90+3) just as the referee was raising the whistle to his lips to end the game (well, almost). Laws - ‘Football can be really cruel, and it was really, really cruel today.’
Stoke v Spurs -1:2 - Crouch started as Defoe was injured, needing a goal to end his nine match drought. Stoke had one or two chances in the first half and Gomes seemed unable to hold the wet ball (although sometimes he has no better luck with a dry one). Gudjohnsen came on for Pavlyuchenko and made an immediate impact when he made a strong run into the Stoke 18 yard area to power home a shot (46), his first goal for Spurs (and his first in the Premiership for four years). Whitehead was sent off for a second bookable offence and from then on Spurs dominated the match. However, Stoke scored from a penalty when Assou-Ekotto climbed all over Kitson, Etherington calmly putting the ball passed Gomes (64). Fuller should have scored a second but missed an open goal. Assou-Ekotto made amends for conceding the penalty when he crossed the ball, Gudjohnsen let it run and Kranjcar whacked it in (77). Sidibe nearly equalized but Spurs stumbled through to a win against the 10 men.
Sunderland v Birmingham - 3:1 - Bent has the knack of being in the right place at the right time, his 18 league goals this season is testament to that. He was fortunate to be in the right place again early on for a rebound that he tapped in (5). Six minutes later he scored a good goal, beating a defender and the keeper with consummate ease (11). Birmingham had their moments but Sunderland’s flying start seemed to demoralize them and they missed four good chances late in the first and early in the second halves. Jerome revitalized his team, scoring an excellent goal following a canter down the left wing (60) and Birmingham were then all over Sunderland. But Campbell put the game beyond Birmingham’s reach with a well timed run and lunge at a cross which was fairly unstoppable (88). Bent - ‘I always knew if I came to Sunderland and got regular football I’d get the goals.’ So it seems.
Everton v Bolton - 2:0 - Bolton were playing well and holding Everton at bay with ease until Steinsson was judged to have fouled Yakubu by running across him and was sent off. Arteta duly scored from the resulting free kick (72). From then on the result was not in much doubt and Arteta provided a good cross which Pienaar comfortably placed in the back of the net (89). Seven successive home wins for Everton. Coyle - ‘Yakubu took a great touch across Steinsson and invited Steinsson to come onto him. If there's a collision there's not a lot of contact, but Mr Wiley deemed it a red card. To rub salt into the wound, because I believe it was a contentious decision, Mikel Arteta was allowed to take the free-kick four yards closer than he should have been. I don't agree with the decision and with then allowing Arteta to bring the ball forward to the arc, with the quality he's got.’ That’s it, only let them get closer to the goal on free kicks when they’re not much good at taking them, that seems fair.
Man Utd v Liverpool - 2:1 - United came from behind to beat Liverpool at Old Trafford, and regained top spot in the league. Torres headed Kuyt's cross home after only five minutes, recalling Liverpool's 4:1 victory here last season, but United were not in the mood for trifling. United got an opportunity to draw level by a penalty awarded when Valencia was pulled back by Mascherano as the pair ran into the area. Rooney missed his penalty, saved by Reina, but was the first to react and turn in the rebound (12). United dominated the rest of the match and got the winner on the hour when Fletcher's deep cross was headed in by Park.
Fulham v Man City - 1:2 - Fulham went behind early on as Santa Cruz tapped in after Bellamy’s shot came off the post (7). Tevez barrelled in City’s second from close range just before half-time (36). Barry handled the ball and Murphy scored from the spot (75) but Fulham could not get an equalizer. City are now two points behind Spurs with a game in hand, but two thirds of their remaining nine games are to be played at home. Hodgson - ‘It’s disappointing after such a good win on Thursday night to be brought back down to earth today.’ Mancini - ‘We must think game after game. We have won this but on Wednesday we have a hard match against Everton. There will be a fight until the end of the season.’ A right old punch-up, probably.
Blackburn v Chelsea - 1:1 - Having led for much of the game Chelsea dropped two points in drawing with hard-working Blackburn. Blackburn must like playing against Chelsea - three months ago Blackburn beat them in their Carling Cup penalty shoot-out. Anelka’s run on the right wing and pull back allowed Drogba to slot home (6). Samba went close with a header and Chelsea had many other chances but the second goal came from a tireless Blackburn effort when Diouf out-jumped Ferreira to head the ball in (70). The Blues have earned only seven points out of a possible 15 recently and their title hopes are on the wobble again. Does the fault lie at Terry’s door? Hard to say, but Chelsea seem fragile and edgy and needs to win its next game to regain second place in the league. Your Ear feels that third might be their final league position as Man United and Arsenal forge ahead. Ancelotti - ‘We have to improve.’ Allardyce - ‘They scored a quality goal just after a few minutes, but we’ve come fighting back.’
West Ham v Wolves - 1:3 - Wolves took a giant step forward to avoid relegation, imposing a heavy defeat on the Hammers. Foley hit the bar before Doyle squeezed a shot in-off the post (28). Zubar whacked in the second goal (58) and later put Jarvis through to thump home a very good third (61). Franco’s chip provided a late consolation goal for the Hammers (90+3). But it was too little, too late for a sorry West Ham who appear to have no idea where they are going or what they are doing, despite occasional initiatives by Cole around the box.
Aston Villa v Sunderland - 1:1 - Sunderland earned a good point and dented Villa's hopes of a top four finish. Halfway through the first half Campbell got Sunderland’s noses in front beating Friedel with a competent finish off Richardson’s pass (22). Carew put Villa back on terms eight minutes later, volleying a shot off a cross by Young (30). Both sides continued to press for a winning goal but neither side could capitalize on their chances. Bent ran the ball into the back of the net, but was ruled offside. O'Neill - ‘While we've been unbeaten for a considerable time, you'd be hoping that with two consecutive home games we'd have taken four points. But it's easier said than done, and we're still in there fighting. I think there will be plenty more twists to come in the race for fourth, but our away record is very good and I still think we're in the race.’ Bruce- ‘Will 38 points be enough? I would think so but the one thing we can't do is take anything for granted. Possibly one more win will be enough… but we have lost only one of the last nine games, against Arsenal, and we have hit a bit of form.’
Man City v Everton - 0:2 - Man City were well beaten by a tough Everton performance at Eastlands. Cahill scored, with his head as usual, following a good build-up by Arteta and Baines, who made the cross (33). City raised their game in the second half but could not impose their will on Everton. Having soaked up the City pressure Rodwell went on a good run and Arteta scored a fine second to rubber-stamp Everton’s victory (85). Towards the end of the game both managers were sent off (to the stands) as tempers frayed and Mancini jostled Moyes while trying to retrieve the ball. Moyes had the last laugh - he has now turned Mancini over twice. Mancini, on the incident with Moyes - ‘I've spoken now with David and if I made a mistake I am sorry. I wanted to get the ball because there was another five minutes at the end. This can happen sometimes in a game but it is finished now. I was frustrated for the players.’ Moyes: ‘I wasn't the one waving my hand for bookings. I was very surprised, I didn't know what I had done wrong. I shouldn't have been sent off, simple as. I held the ball longer than I should have but I was trying to make a change. He showed his passion for his team and his club and I can accept that.’
Portsmouth v Chelsea - 0:5 - No contest as Chelsea move into 2nd place in the league and to within a point of Man United, level on goal difference, crushing an underpowered Pompey with ease. Drogba got the ball rolling when he rolled the ball (sorry) into an empty net after James missed a clearance (32). Malouda got the second (50) and the third (60), walloping in the first, then passing the ball into the net after a Lampard shot was saved. Drogba got another, chesting down from Mikel’s long ball to fire in at the near post (77). Chelsea might have had more but Lampard completed a good day for the Blues in extra time (90+4), heading in after Drogba nodded down a high cross from Cole. The game was somewhat bad-tempered, Rocha was stretchered off with a suspected cheekbone fracture after an aerial challenge by Malouda and a trailing arm by Sturridge left Smith with a bloody nose. Ancelotti - ‘We are involved in the Premier League and the FA Cup, so maybe eight or nine games until the end of the season, so we need to maintain this period and this spirit to play. We have to prepare for these remaining games like they are finals.’ Assistant manager Perry Groves on Ricardo Rocha - ‘Ricardo has gone to hospital and Avram has gone with him. Ricardo may not play again this season. I thought the challenge merited a yellow card but I only had half an eye on the incident. There's not too many fit players left in our squad. There's always been a fantastic spirit amongst them and they'll always grind out results for you.’ It may be a very hard grind till the end of the season for Pompey, despite the fact that they may now sell players outside the normal transfer windows. Which players can they sell, and who will buy?
Blackburn v Birmingham - 2:1 - Dunn landed Blackburn a good win over their midland rivals. To begin with he smashed a fifth-minute shot past Hart once Birmingham failed to clear (5) and had another disallowed in the first half. And although Birmingham equalized early in the second half when McFadden scored a glorious left-footed free-kick (55). Blackburn would not be denied and Dunn later strongly headed home a corner delivered to the near post. Allardyce - ‘I'm proud to say we’re in the top four of the Premier League with home results. David Dunn turned the game in our favour and it was a shame he was denied a hat-trick - there was nothing wrong with that goal that was ruled out in the first-half. We must remember we have some terrific young players who have made massive contributions. Steven N'Zonzi is my player of the season. He's played every Premier League match. He is a major find.’ McLeish - ‘We totally dominated. I thought there was only going to be one winner after James (McFadden) equalized. We shipped in a soft goal but what annoyed me about it was the foul on Roger Johnson for the flick on that lead to the corner. Samba climbed all over the top of him and how can the referee not see that?’ Denied by the whistle again - how many times have we heard that this season?
Football News - On Fulham’s exit from the FA Cup - ‘It is a great loss,’ said St Hal of Totten and Ham. ‘Only the mighty Pompey now stands between us and our destiny, the Cup Final, for we were ever a cup side.’
The Ear - all the news that's fit to spout.
Thursday 18 March 2010
Premiership round up - Week 30
Chelsea v West Ham - 4:1 - Despite the score this game never really got going. West Ham missed the first real chance of the match but Alex made no mistake when he headed home the first goal without being challenged (16). The first half jogged along at the gallop of a snail’s pace until Parker tucked in a nice shot over Turnbull’s head (30) to a silent crowd, even the West Ham supporters were surprised and incredulous. Chelsea pressed ahead for the rest of the half but without making any real impression. Terry made his mark by falling over unassisted in the Hammers’ box. Somehow this seemed to put off the West Ham defence and Drogba scored Chelsea's second in the same way and as easily as Alex got their first (56). Malouda had an excellent game and scored Chelsea’s third with a good solo effort (77). Anelka also had a good game and was cheered off, but Joe Cole came on for him and lifted Chelsea’s performance. Chelsea finished in style when Lampard shot hard at the keeper and Green failed to hold it, allowing Drogba a tap in for his second and Chelsea’s fourth (90). Chelsea finished well in this game but West Ham lost the match in the midfield, where they failed to make any mark. And although Parker scored his goal he made a half dozen bad passes or more. Ancelotti - ‘It’s important for us to stay at the top of the list…’ How true. Zola - ‘After the second Chelsea goal we went flat and conceded too much space. Chelsea took advantage of that space.’ Even more true.
Hull v Arsenal - 1:2 - Hull started well enough but Arshavin did the first damage by slipping through the Hull defences and poking a shot low past the keeper (14). Arsenal continued to attack, but Hull made a breakthrough when Vennegoor of Hesselink was bundled over by Campbell. The man was offside (not given) and fell over a tad easily (although Campbell is a big bloke) but Bullard scored from the spot (29). Boateng was sent off for a second yellow for a high tackle. Why Boateng poked Bendtner in the face to earn his first yellow is a mystery, but the second might have been a straight red. Finally Bendtner scored on a rebound from Denilson (90+3). Wenger - ‘In the end we got the three points through our desire and our mental strengths.’ Brown - ‘If the linesman’s flag doesn’t go up, he (Vennegoor of H) is not offside and Campbell should have been sent off.’ Sorry, don’t like your logic, Phil.
Burnley v Wolves - 1:2 - Other than a goal the most memorable incident in the first half was the sight of Jensen outside his area, heading an opponent in the buttocks. What was he trying to do? You get scrum-pox for that sort of thing in rugby (Your Ear has it on good authority). Back to the game - Jarvis walked round the keeper to score the first (26). They doubled their lead two minutes after half-time when Guedioura's angled shot took a decisive deflection off Carlisle and beat Jensen (o/g, 47). Burnley pulled one back with a headed goal (substitute Thompson, 73). McCarthy - ‘We’re not staying up on that result, but I feel a hell of a lot better than I did last week.’ Laws - ‘It was a poor mistake which gave them the first goal but nobody goes out there and deliberately makes a mistake - sometimes a judgement call can cost you. It's a huge knock but the season doesn't end today and there are still eight games to go.’ Your Ear wonders whether Laws will survive those eight games.
Spurs v Blackburn - 3:1 - Bale ran Zelgardo ragged down the left wing and provided all the early chances. Pavlyuchenko wasted most of them. Finally Defoe got Spurs off the mark with a tap in off Corluka’s flick from a corner (45+1). Pavlyuchenko made good in the second half, with a long-range shot which bounced underneath the keeper (55). Samba got one back for Blackburn with an open header (80), but Pavlyuchenko scored again late in the game with a simple tap-in (85). Kalinic seemed to have pulled a goal back with a great turn and shot into the top corner, but the referee disallowed it for a foul on Dawson in the build-up. Redknapp - ‘I felt coming here was going to be a very difficult game, people expect you to win and it doesn't always work out that way. They're a difficult side, they're in good form so to pick up three points is great for us. Gareth Bale is such an outstanding player. People forget he's only a boy. When I came here I felt he needed to learn the game, I didn't feel he'd really been taught the game. He had natural ability, but there was so much of his game that needed working on. I feel he's matured, he's progressed, he's got stronger and he just looks a fantastic player.’ He certainly does. Allardyce - ‘We've been very generous to Tottenham and unfortunately that generosity has cost us getting anything out of this game. It really was disappointing because overall we had the lion's share of the play. When we review the game and review the decisions, we have to work as hard as we can to make them right because it's committing hara-kiri almost. It's gifting them the goals rather than them using their ability and their talents to get the ball in the back of the net.’
Bolton v Wigan - 4:0 - Wigan normally look a resilient side, especially against the big teams, but today was not one of those days. Elmander got Bolton ahead early on (10) after defensive errors let him through for a simple push shot. Davies got their second with his first ever Premiership penalty take (48) after a foolish challenge by Caldwell on Cohen. Muamba slid a nice shot across the keeper for his first goal in two years (53) to make it three and Taylor got Bolton’s fourth from a similar position as Muamba (69). Job done. Coyle - ‘When I took the job I believed I could keep Bolton in the league. The short-term aim was to do that. We have taken a step along that road.’ Martinez - ‘It was a huge, huge shock because the nature of the goals were really soft. That is the top and bottom. You can't win football games if you concede the nature of the goals we did.’
Birmingham v Everton - 2:2 - Pienaar looked dangerous early on but failed to capitalize. Anichebe slapped home his opportunity (19) and Yakubu got another three minutes later with a simple header. Far from being fazed Birmingham came back at Everton and Jerome scored an unlikely goal, rolled in from distance to everyone’s surprise, probably including his own (26). Everton pressed more strongly and had close misses and a good handball penalty shout denied, but Birmingham scored the equalizer with a route one goal (Hart - Jerome - Gardner, 52). Cahill almost got Everton’s noses back in front but shot too straight. Birmingham did well but Everton should have got the result.
Stoke v Aston Villa - 0:0 - Stoke have lost only one game, and Villa none, in 2010. Watching this game one can see why, with resilient, strong defences in both teams. But it was a boring game. Villa was the more threatening side but the first half produced no goals. The second half saw strong attempts on goal at either end but to little avail and the game ended in a goal-less draw. Pulis - ‘It was two honest, committed teams who went at it right from the start. We've had a three-game week and when you catch one of the top teams in the league as your third game, it is hard.’ O'Neill - ‘We would love to have won the game but it was never going to be easy. There weren't many chances in the game and the wind didn't help matters. I was hoping we would get the ball down, but that is easier said than done.’ Stop feeding your players so much roughage, Martin.
Man United v Fulham - 3:0 - United, seeking revenge for their loss 3:0 to Fulham last time out, nearly sliced Fulham open early on, but the ball did not fall well for Rooney, who missed, and Rooney was then denied a good penalty shout for being held. Berbatov also missed one, and an opportunity he laid on for Rooney might have been handball (but was not judged so). The breakthrough came 31 seconds into the second half (Rooney, a placement shot off Nani’s cross, 46). That’s 23 Rooney goals in 23 games, excellent by any standard. He made it 24 with six minutes to go, after Berbatov coshed a pair of Fulham defenders, walking through them to lay off a cross, the sort of pass from which Rooney rarely misses. Berbatov got the third after Rooney passed the ball 50-60 yards to Park who crossed the ball for Berbatov to head home (89).
Sunderland v Man City - 1:1 - Sunderland set their stall out early when Kenwyne Jones placed a nice header over the City keeper after good midfield work by Meyler and Malbranque (9). For most of the rest of the game City entirely failed to look like the side that won at Stamford Bridge, despite a close effort by Barry. Sunderland continued to advance for the rest of the first half but seemed to run out of steam in the second. Various City players began to threaten (Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, Tevez) in pouring rain, but City had to wait until extra time to get their equalizer, which came when Johnson curled the ball tidily into the top left hand corner of the net (90+1). After their good victory over Chelsea, City look their old, unconvincing selves once more. Mancini - ‘I was frustrated at half time because we didn't play like we did against Chelsea. Sunderland played well but if you want to reach fourth spot you have to win these games. The race for fourth is still the same, though. We have one game in hand, we must play Tottenham, Aston Villa and Arsenal, so we have many important games. We have a chance.’ Not playing like this you don’t.
Liverpool v Portsmouth - 4:1 - Liverpool stay in touch with fourth place in the League after thumping struggling Pompey. It was never really a contest after Liverpool scored three times in quick succession. Torres got the opener, side-footing the ball in after a mistake by Ashdown (26), Babel got the second , shooting into the corner of the net (28), and Aquilani swept in the third for his first Liverpool goal (32). In the second half Torres scored again, powering the ball into the corner of net (77). Portsmouth finally got a consolation goal through Belhadj (88). Liverpool go fifth on 51 points from 30 games, a point behind Spurs, who have a game in hand on them. Liverpool face Manchester United in their next Premiership game on Sunday.
Wigan v Aston Villa - 1:2 - McCarthy gifted Villa the lead with a strange own goal (25) when he volleyed into his own net without seeming to be under pressure. Soon after Caldwell equalized with a header (27), but Milner’s well-taken shot in the second half won the game (63). Villa are the only unbeaten side in the Premiership in 2010, while Wigan remain just four points shy of the relegation zone. Martinez - ‘We wanted a reaction after our defeat to Bolton and we got that. Both sides had good chances, and I thought it was very even. I'm just disappointed for the players that their effort, work-rate and determination has gone unrewarded - a draw would've been the fair result.’ O'Neill - ‘It was a very important win for us, away from home and against opposition who only a week ago beat Liverpool, so I'm pleased. We're hanging in there for the chase for fourth spot. It's a difficult run-in for us but we're excited by it, we're going for it and we're going to try to achieve it. We knew our runs in the cups would lead to a packed schedule come the end of the season, but we'll face the challenges as they come.’
Hull v Arsenal - 1:2 - Hull started well enough but Arshavin did the first damage by slipping through the Hull defences and poking a shot low past the keeper (14). Arsenal continued to attack, but Hull made a breakthrough when Vennegoor of Hesselink was bundled over by Campbell. The man was offside (not given) and fell over a tad easily (although Campbell is a big bloke) but Bullard scored from the spot (29). Boateng was sent off for a second yellow for a high tackle. Why Boateng poked Bendtner in the face to earn his first yellow is a mystery, but the second might have been a straight red. Finally Bendtner scored on a rebound from Denilson (90+3). Wenger - ‘In the end we got the three points through our desire and our mental strengths.’ Brown - ‘If the linesman’s flag doesn’t go up, he (Vennegoor of H) is not offside and Campbell should have been sent off.’ Sorry, don’t like your logic, Phil.
Burnley v Wolves - 1:2 - Other than a goal the most memorable incident in the first half was the sight of Jensen outside his area, heading an opponent in the buttocks. What was he trying to do? You get scrum-pox for that sort of thing in rugby (Your Ear has it on good authority). Back to the game - Jarvis walked round the keeper to score the first (26). They doubled their lead two minutes after half-time when Guedioura's angled shot took a decisive deflection off Carlisle and beat Jensen (o/g, 47). Burnley pulled one back with a headed goal (substitute Thompson, 73). McCarthy - ‘We’re not staying up on that result, but I feel a hell of a lot better than I did last week.’ Laws - ‘It was a poor mistake which gave them the first goal but nobody goes out there and deliberately makes a mistake - sometimes a judgement call can cost you. It's a huge knock but the season doesn't end today and there are still eight games to go.’ Your Ear wonders whether Laws will survive those eight games.
Spurs v Blackburn - 3:1 - Bale ran Zelgardo ragged down the left wing and provided all the early chances. Pavlyuchenko wasted most of them. Finally Defoe got Spurs off the mark with a tap in off Corluka’s flick from a corner (45+1). Pavlyuchenko made good in the second half, with a long-range shot which bounced underneath the keeper (55). Samba got one back for Blackburn with an open header (80), but Pavlyuchenko scored again late in the game with a simple tap-in (85). Kalinic seemed to have pulled a goal back with a great turn and shot into the top corner, but the referee disallowed it for a foul on Dawson in the build-up. Redknapp - ‘I felt coming here was going to be a very difficult game, people expect you to win and it doesn't always work out that way. They're a difficult side, they're in good form so to pick up three points is great for us. Gareth Bale is such an outstanding player. People forget he's only a boy. When I came here I felt he needed to learn the game, I didn't feel he'd really been taught the game. He had natural ability, but there was so much of his game that needed working on. I feel he's matured, he's progressed, he's got stronger and he just looks a fantastic player.’ He certainly does. Allardyce - ‘We've been very generous to Tottenham and unfortunately that generosity has cost us getting anything out of this game. It really was disappointing because overall we had the lion's share of the play. When we review the game and review the decisions, we have to work as hard as we can to make them right because it's committing hara-kiri almost. It's gifting them the goals rather than them using their ability and their talents to get the ball in the back of the net.’
Bolton v Wigan - 4:0 - Wigan normally look a resilient side, especially against the big teams, but today was not one of those days. Elmander got Bolton ahead early on (10) after defensive errors let him through for a simple push shot. Davies got their second with his first ever Premiership penalty take (48) after a foolish challenge by Caldwell on Cohen. Muamba slid a nice shot across the keeper for his first goal in two years (53) to make it three and Taylor got Bolton’s fourth from a similar position as Muamba (69). Job done. Coyle - ‘When I took the job I believed I could keep Bolton in the league. The short-term aim was to do that. We have taken a step along that road.’ Martinez - ‘It was a huge, huge shock because the nature of the goals were really soft. That is the top and bottom. You can't win football games if you concede the nature of the goals we did.’
Birmingham v Everton - 2:2 - Pienaar looked dangerous early on but failed to capitalize. Anichebe slapped home his opportunity (19) and Yakubu got another three minutes later with a simple header. Far from being fazed Birmingham came back at Everton and Jerome scored an unlikely goal, rolled in from distance to everyone’s surprise, probably including his own (26). Everton pressed more strongly and had close misses and a good handball penalty shout denied, but Birmingham scored the equalizer with a route one goal (Hart - Jerome - Gardner, 52). Cahill almost got Everton’s noses back in front but shot too straight. Birmingham did well but Everton should have got the result.
Stoke v Aston Villa - 0:0 - Stoke have lost only one game, and Villa none, in 2010. Watching this game one can see why, with resilient, strong defences in both teams. But it was a boring game. Villa was the more threatening side but the first half produced no goals. The second half saw strong attempts on goal at either end but to little avail and the game ended in a goal-less draw. Pulis - ‘It was two honest, committed teams who went at it right from the start. We've had a three-game week and when you catch one of the top teams in the league as your third game, it is hard.’ O'Neill - ‘We would love to have won the game but it was never going to be easy. There weren't many chances in the game and the wind didn't help matters. I was hoping we would get the ball down, but that is easier said than done.’ Stop feeding your players so much roughage, Martin.
Man United v Fulham - 3:0 - United, seeking revenge for their loss 3:0 to Fulham last time out, nearly sliced Fulham open early on, but the ball did not fall well for Rooney, who missed, and Rooney was then denied a good penalty shout for being held. Berbatov also missed one, and an opportunity he laid on for Rooney might have been handball (but was not judged so). The breakthrough came 31 seconds into the second half (Rooney, a placement shot off Nani’s cross, 46). That’s 23 Rooney goals in 23 games, excellent by any standard. He made it 24 with six minutes to go, after Berbatov coshed a pair of Fulham defenders, walking through them to lay off a cross, the sort of pass from which Rooney rarely misses. Berbatov got the third after Rooney passed the ball 50-60 yards to Park who crossed the ball for Berbatov to head home (89).
Sunderland v Man City - 1:1 - Sunderland set their stall out early when Kenwyne Jones placed a nice header over the City keeper after good midfield work by Meyler and Malbranque (9). For most of the rest of the game City entirely failed to look like the side that won at Stamford Bridge, despite a close effort by Barry. Sunderland continued to advance for the rest of the first half but seemed to run out of steam in the second. Various City players began to threaten (Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, Tevez) in pouring rain, but City had to wait until extra time to get their equalizer, which came when Johnson curled the ball tidily into the top left hand corner of the net (90+1). After their good victory over Chelsea, City look their old, unconvincing selves once more. Mancini - ‘I was frustrated at half time because we didn't play like we did against Chelsea. Sunderland played well but if you want to reach fourth spot you have to win these games. The race for fourth is still the same, though. We have one game in hand, we must play Tottenham, Aston Villa and Arsenal, so we have many important games. We have a chance.’ Not playing like this you don’t.
Liverpool v Portsmouth - 4:1 - Liverpool stay in touch with fourth place in the League after thumping struggling Pompey. It was never really a contest after Liverpool scored three times in quick succession. Torres got the opener, side-footing the ball in after a mistake by Ashdown (26), Babel got the second , shooting into the corner of the net (28), and Aquilani swept in the third for his first Liverpool goal (32). In the second half Torres scored again, powering the ball into the corner of net (77). Portsmouth finally got a consolation goal through Belhadj (88). Liverpool go fifth on 51 points from 30 games, a point behind Spurs, who have a game in hand on them. Liverpool face Manchester United in their next Premiership game on Sunday.
Wigan v Aston Villa - 1:2 - McCarthy gifted Villa the lead with a strange own goal (25) when he volleyed into his own net without seeming to be under pressure. Soon after Caldwell equalized with a header (27), but Milner’s well-taken shot in the second half won the game (63). Villa are the only unbeaten side in the Premiership in 2010, while Wigan remain just four points shy of the relegation zone. Martinez - ‘We wanted a reaction after our defeat to Bolton and we got that. Both sides had good chances, and I thought it was very even. I'm just disappointed for the players that their effort, work-rate and determination has gone unrewarded - a draw would've been the fair result.’ O'Neill - ‘It was a very important win for us, away from home and against opposition who only a week ago beat Liverpool, so I'm pleased. We're hanging in there for the chase for fourth spot. It's a difficult run-in for us but we're excited by it, we're going for it and we're going to try to achieve it. We knew our runs in the cups would lead to a packed schedule come the end of the season, but we'll face the challenges as they come.’
Friday 12 March 2010
Premiership round up - Week 29
Arsenal v Burnley - 3:1 - A four goal margin would have put Arsenal at the top of the table, and they should have had at least twelve, but Bendtner was having a bad hair day and missed most of the open goals he was presented with. In the end the Gunners only managed three. The first goal was training ground stuff. Fabregas (who at the end left the field with a hamstring injury) passed the ball sideways to Nasri and ran forwards to receive the chip return, which he slipped through the keeper’s legs first time (34). Having suffered almost total one-way traffic the most surprised people at the Emirates were the Burnley team when a rare through ball was headed over the keeper by Nugent (50). Walcott finally tired of trying to put Bendtner in and went inside and scored a good solo effort across Jensen (60). In the last few minutes the match became tense, with Burnley threatening to pull off a rare away draw. Arshavin settled it with a crisp shot in the last minute of the game (90+4). Wenger - ‘When we had our chances they (Burnley) were sometimes in our way…’ It’s called ‘defending’, Arsene.
Wolves v Man United - 0:1 - Rooney was not on the bench and United missed him sorely, even against a Wolves side labouring under a poor run since Christmas. The better chances fell to Wolves in the first half, with Doyle much to the fore. United pressed much harder in the second half and at last Scholes wriggled his way into space in the box to shoot across the keeper for his 100th Premier League goal (73). Diouf missed a sitter, then a long range shot on the break, then failed to pick up a loose ball in the box. Vokes missed the ‘gaping goal-mouth of the month’ chance as United lurched to a narrow victory. McCarthy - ‘We played well but I’m sick of saying that. If we maintain those standards, I firmly believe our luck will change. Sam (Vokes) would expect to score that chance at the end, but it’s the story of our season. There was a mistake at one end and a miss at the other. But we’ll never give up, as long as there is breath in our bodies.’ Ferguson (generous in victory, as always) - ‘We deserved the win, no question. They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn’t take it.’
West Ham v Bolton - 1:2 - West Ham had lost their last five games against Bolton - and now six. The scoring was off to an early start when Davies used his head wisely, and well, to put the ball away (10). Diamanti nearly made a good free kick response but grazed the bar. Minutes later 18-year old Jack Wilshire, on loan from Arsenal, finished smartly to double Bolton’s lead (16). Jaaskelainen made two good saves to keep West Ham out and The Hammers had several other near misses in what remained of the first half. Cohen was sent off for a second yellow which left Bolton a man down for the last twenty minutes or so. West Ham tried to take full advantage of this and finally Diamanti showed some class with a curled shot from the edge of the box (88). With five minutes of added time West Ham drove forward and Stanislas hit the bar, but they failed to equalize. West Ham, who did not look up for it on the day, were booed off the pitch. Zola - ‘It was a poor performance today.’ Not many, Benny.
Everton v Hull - 5:1 - Hull had early chances but Yakubu had the best (missed) one. However, Yakubu soon put in a searching cross which Arteta scored on the volley (17). Shortly after, in the action yet again, Yakubu won a penalty. The penalty was doubtful, and, fortunately for Hull, was saved, although Yakubu’s shot did not show his best form. On the other hand 19 year old Tom Cairney brought the ball down well off his chest from a defensive header and whacked it first time across the keeper into the net (32). But Everton would not be denied, and Arteta picked his spot from a roll back by Pienaar, making it look easy (39). In the second half things went generally downhill for Hull, especially after Garcia scored an own goal following Arteta’s chip, which completely beat Myhill (51). Everton might have had another three or four, half of the chances falling to Yakubu, but Donovan got Everton’s fourth, lashing in a shot from a poorly defended cross (82). Rodwell got the fifth, completing Hull’s misery. Hull look like a ship adrift at sea (no pun intended).
Wigan v Liverpool - 1:0 - Liverpool were out-of-sorts, with four misses from Torres and five yellow cards. And Kuyt’s mistake led to Wigan's goal, with Boyce crossing and Rodallega volleying the ball into the net (35). N'Zogbia, who harried the Liverpool defence throughout, almost got a second for Wigan and the home side held on for a well-earned win. Fourth place in the league for the scousers looks less achievable now than before.
Portsmouth v Birmingham - 1:2 - Birmingham won revenge for their exit from the FA Cup on Saturday and brought Pompey back to earth with this victory at Fratton Park. Jerome gave the Blues an early lead from a Benitez ball he fired under James (16). He drove a second under James before the break off a nice back-heel (Benitez again, 42). Substitute Kanu headed home a cross by O'Hara (90+2) to take the game to a close finish but Portsmouth could not snatch an equalizer. McLeish - ‘We spoke before the game about how Pompey might have thought our confidence has dropped and that we didn't have much more to play for this season and we responded brilliantly. I was relieved at the final whistle as there was a bit of an onslaught. But we should have been out of sight by then. It was a disappointing goal to concede and the defenders are actually gutted because they're so proud of their clean sheets.’ So nice to go to bed in. Grant - ‘I think there was a physical effect because players had to play because we are short in the squad. But the players did a great job on Saturday and they tried to do it again. It's a very difficult situation. It's just become more and more difficult. We try to do everything to keep the spirit of the club. But many things happen off the pitch. It's not a secret that the financial situation is not good. We fight for the club. I hope we will not be docked the points.’ Dream on.
Sunderland v Bolton - 4:0 - Bent’s hat-trick put Bolton to the sword as Sunderland claimed their first league win of 2010. Campbell side-footed Sunderland ahead in the first minute and Bolton never recovered. Although it took some time Bolton fell further behind in the second half when Bent ran through and finished well (64). Ricketts was sent off for the foul that led to Bent's second from the spot (74) before he struck again late on (88). Prior to this game Sunderland had played 14 league matches without a win, moving them close to the relegation zone. But the victory lifts Sunderland above Bolton into 13th place in the league table. Bruce - ‘I’ve had a bad enough time trying to pick a team for the last three months, so I am not going to tell Fabio Capello how to do it. All I can say is he (Darren Bent) must be in his thoughts, he has to be because of his goal-scoring exploits. No disrespect to us, but to be at a team in the bottom half of the table and get what he has got, it's fantastic.’ Coyle - ‘We came in good form and looking to win a game, and when you concede a goal within 44 seconds it gives you a bit to do to get back into the game. Having said that, I thought the first half was even, but at the start of the second half we were the team in the ascendancy. We maybe could have worked Craig Gordon a little bit harder given the possession in the dangerous areas we were in, and ultimately, we paid a heavy price.’ Sorry, this is what the two managers said, Your Ear has only a vague idea what they meant.
Burnley v Stoke City - 1:1 – Burnley got their first point in five games in a scrappy match at Turf Moor. Delap's long throw was flicked on by Sidibe for Tuncay to head in from six yards to gain the lead for Stoke (23). Nugent equalized when he leapt higher than Huth to head in Paterson's deep and penetrating cross (52), but neither side could not find the winner. Laws - ‘ Everyone expects Burnley not to be in the Premier League next year but we believe it.’ Again, it’s what he said, probably not exactly what he meant, as he went on to say; ‘We have goals in us. We just have to keep it tight at the back. Nugent's goal was terrific, it was great ball in by Paterson. It set the tone and I am disappointed we didn't go on and win the game.’ Pulis - ‘We've had a lot of games lately against the bigger clubs and it takes a bit out of you. I thought we started the second half really flat. Give Burnley credit they had a right go and had the crowd behind them. We were down to the bare bones. We are still wearing nappies when the comes to the Premiership and we won't take any team lightly, certainly not a team near the foot of the league.’ What are these guys talking about?
Wolves v Man United - 0:1 - Rooney was not on the bench and United missed him sorely, even against a Wolves side labouring under a poor run since Christmas. The better chances fell to Wolves in the first half, with Doyle much to the fore. United pressed much harder in the second half and at last Scholes wriggled his way into space in the box to shoot across the keeper for his 100th Premier League goal (73). Diouf missed a sitter, then a long range shot on the break, then failed to pick up a loose ball in the box. Vokes missed the ‘gaping goal-mouth of the month’ chance as United lurched to a narrow victory. McCarthy - ‘We played well but I’m sick of saying that. If we maintain those standards, I firmly believe our luck will change. Sam (Vokes) would expect to score that chance at the end, but it’s the story of our season. There was a mistake at one end and a miss at the other. But we’ll never give up, as long as there is breath in our bodies.’ Ferguson (generous in victory, as always) - ‘We deserved the win, no question. They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn’t take it.’
West Ham v Bolton - 1:2 - West Ham had lost their last five games against Bolton - and now six. The scoring was off to an early start when Davies used his head wisely, and well, to put the ball away (10). Diamanti nearly made a good free kick response but grazed the bar. Minutes later 18-year old Jack Wilshire, on loan from Arsenal, finished smartly to double Bolton’s lead (16). Jaaskelainen made two good saves to keep West Ham out and The Hammers had several other near misses in what remained of the first half. Cohen was sent off for a second yellow which left Bolton a man down for the last twenty minutes or so. West Ham tried to take full advantage of this and finally Diamanti showed some class with a curled shot from the edge of the box (88). With five minutes of added time West Ham drove forward and Stanislas hit the bar, but they failed to equalize. West Ham, who did not look up for it on the day, were booed off the pitch. Zola - ‘It was a poor performance today.’ Not many, Benny.
Everton v Hull - 5:1 - Hull had early chances but Yakubu had the best (missed) one. However, Yakubu soon put in a searching cross which Arteta scored on the volley (17). Shortly after, in the action yet again, Yakubu won a penalty. The penalty was doubtful, and, fortunately for Hull, was saved, although Yakubu’s shot did not show his best form. On the other hand 19 year old Tom Cairney brought the ball down well off his chest from a defensive header and whacked it first time across the keeper into the net (32). But Everton would not be denied, and Arteta picked his spot from a roll back by Pienaar, making it look easy (39). In the second half things went generally downhill for Hull, especially after Garcia scored an own goal following Arteta’s chip, which completely beat Myhill (51). Everton might have had another three or four, half of the chances falling to Yakubu, but Donovan got Everton’s fourth, lashing in a shot from a poorly defended cross (82). Rodwell got the fifth, completing Hull’s misery. Hull look like a ship adrift at sea (no pun intended).
Wigan v Liverpool - 1:0 - Liverpool were out-of-sorts, with four misses from Torres and five yellow cards. And Kuyt’s mistake led to Wigan's goal, with Boyce crossing and Rodallega volleying the ball into the net (35). N'Zogbia, who harried the Liverpool defence throughout, almost got a second for Wigan and the home side held on for a well-earned win. Fourth place in the league for the scousers looks less achievable now than before.
Portsmouth v Birmingham - 1:2 - Birmingham won revenge for their exit from the FA Cup on Saturday and brought Pompey back to earth with this victory at Fratton Park. Jerome gave the Blues an early lead from a Benitez ball he fired under James (16). He drove a second under James before the break off a nice back-heel (Benitez again, 42). Substitute Kanu headed home a cross by O'Hara (90+2) to take the game to a close finish but Portsmouth could not snatch an equalizer. McLeish - ‘We spoke before the game about how Pompey might have thought our confidence has dropped and that we didn't have much more to play for this season and we responded brilliantly. I was relieved at the final whistle as there was a bit of an onslaught. But we should have been out of sight by then. It was a disappointing goal to concede and the defenders are actually gutted because they're so proud of their clean sheets.’ So nice to go to bed in. Grant - ‘I think there was a physical effect because players had to play because we are short in the squad. But the players did a great job on Saturday and they tried to do it again. It's a very difficult situation. It's just become more and more difficult. We try to do everything to keep the spirit of the club. But many things happen off the pitch. It's not a secret that the financial situation is not good. We fight for the club. I hope we will not be docked the points.’ Dream on.
Sunderland v Bolton - 4:0 - Bent’s hat-trick put Bolton to the sword as Sunderland claimed their first league win of 2010. Campbell side-footed Sunderland ahead in the first minute and Bolton never recovered. Although it took some time Bolton fell further behind in the second half when Bent ran through and finished well (64). Ricketts was sent off for the foul that led to Bent's second from the spot (74) before he struck again late on (88). Prior to this game Sunderland had played 14 league matches without a win, moving them close to the relegation zone. But the victory lifts Sunderland above Bolton into 13th place in the league table. Bruce - ‘I’ve had a bad enough time trying to pick a team for the last three months, so I am not going to tell Fabio Capello how to do it. All I can say is he (Darren Bent) must be in his thoughts, he has to be because of his goal-scoring exploits. No disrespect to us, but to be at a team in the bottom half of the table and get what he has got, it's fantastic.’ Coyle - ‘We came in good form and looking to win a game, and when you concede a goal within 44 seconds it gives you a bit to do to get back into the game. Having said that, I thought the first half was even, but at the start of the second half we were the team in the ascendancy. We maybe could have worked Craig Gordon a little bit harder given the possession in the dangerous areas we were in, and ultimately, we paid a heavy price.’ Sorry, this is what the two managers said, Your Ear has only a vague idea what they meant.
Burnley v Stoke City - 1:1 – Burnley got their first point in five games in a scrappy match at Turf Moor. Delap's long throw was flicked on by Sidibe for Tuncay to head in from six yards to gain the lead for Stoke (23). Nugent equalized when he leapt higher than Huth to head in Paterson's deep and penetrating cross (52), but neither side could not find the winner. Laws - ‘ Everyone expects Burnley not to be in the Premier League next year but we believe it.’ Again, it’s what he said, probably not exactly what he meant, as he went on to say; ‘We have goals in us. We just have to keep it tight at the back. Nugent's goal was terrific, it was great ball in by Paterson. It set the tone and I am disappointed we didn't go on and win the game.’ Pulis - ‘We've had a lot of games lately against the bigger clubs and it takes a bit out of you. I thought we started the second half really flat. Give Burnley credit they had a right go and had the crowd behind them. We were down to the bare bones. We are still wearing nappies when the comes to the Premiership and we won't take any team lightly, certainly not a team near the foot of the league.’ What are these guys talking about?
Sunday 7 March 2010
Premiership round up - Week 28
Chelsea v Man City - 2:4 - Not a happy day for Terry’s 300th Premiership appearance. To begin with Bridge would not shake his hand (at the Bridge!). Your Ear, who has not been reading the gutter press lately, wonders why. Chelsea pressed City hard throughout the first half and were rewarded by a goal in the forty-second minute when Joe Cole’s weighted through ball let in Lampard, who shot across the keeper, putting the ball in-off the post. Three minutes later Chelsea conceded the softest of goals after Tevez got hold of a long punt up-field that Mikel failed to control. Tevez almost tripped in the 18 yard area but managed to trickle the ball gently past an amazed Hilario (Cech would have been too tall). From then on Chelsea looked edgy and City exposed Hilario’s frailties with a typical Bellamy run on the wing from which he scored from a difficult angle and from some distance (51). Things got worse for Chelsea when Belletti ran through the back of Barry in the box to get himself sent off and give away a penalty which Tevez duly buried (76). Ballack must also have wanted an early shower. He got one by charging needlessly through Tevez for a second yellow with a few minutes to go. With only nine men in defence Wright-Phillips made a simple cross to Bellamy to tap in for his second of the day (87). Barry, having won the penalty at the Chelsea end, fouled Anelka in extra time and Lampard converted (90+1). So, after a decade of failing to score at Stamford Bridge, City walked away with four, resulting in Chelsea’s first home defeat in 15 months.
Stoke v Arsenal - 1:3 - Stoke started the game having put together a run of 11 games without loss, including eliminating Arsenal and Manchester City from the FA Cup. Prior to this game Arsenal had not won at the Potteries since 1982 and to begin with they seemed unlikely to overcome a typically physical Stoke performance, especially after Pugh put Stoke ahead when Arsenal failed to defend Delap’s long throw-in (8). However, Arsenal persevered and got the equalizer when Bendtner placed a perfect header past Sorensen from a pinpoint cross by Fabregas (32). Ramsey was denied an obvious penalty (no offence ref, but you need a bit of laser treatment) before Shawcross was sent off for a very clumsy tackle that unfortunately broke Ramsey’s leg in two places. In the final minute Bendtner made a pass into the area and the ball struck Pugh on the hand. Fabregas passed the kick confidently into the right hand bottom corner of the net (90+1). Shortly after Vermaelen bundled the ball into the net (90+4). Wenger - ‘That tackle is not acceptable.’ Pulis - ‘He doesn’t know my player.’ Arsenal are back in the title hunt.
Burnley v Portsmouth - 1:2 - James was sporting a new hair-do. It was difficult to describe, but for those of you with long memories it brought back memories of Jason Lee; ♬he’s got a pineapple on his head♬. Perhaps James wore it to protest about Portsmouth being docked 9 points, or maybe it was to put off the opposition. If so, it worked. Piquionne scored Portsmouth’s first post ‘oh dear, we’re in administration’ goal (25). Shortly after Piquionne was fouled in the box, only for Jensen to save from O’Hara’s spot-kick. Burnley levelled the match with a fine lob by Paterson who beat James all ends up (31). But Pompey did not miss their second penalty, handed to them on a plate by Countdown specialist, Carlisle (Yebda, 76). Grant - ‘I’m very proud of the players, they showed character, is important.’ Burnley have now achieved only one win in 16 matches. Laws - ‘We have shot ourselves in the foot today. We gave two really poor penalties away and the second one in particular was inexplicable.’
Bolton v Wolves - 1:0 - Bolton started quickly and had several chances from good build-ups, but could not put any of them away whilst Wolves clung on grimly. Finally the pressure paid off when, from close range off Lee’s cross, Knight scored Bolton’s first goal from 550 mins of play (45+1). In the second half Wolves twice hit the post as they pushed forward, once from a free kick, then again from open play. On the other hand Bolton should have had a handball penalty decision. In the end Bolton held on for a vital win to move above their opponents. Coyle - ‘It was terrific to get the three points. Our performance was of a high standard as well. There were moments in the second half when we rode our luck. But we should have put the game to bed by that time.’ McCarthy - ‘Playing well doesn’t always get you points, does it? We switched off just before half-time. We made mistakes and it cost us the game. The goal we conceded wasn’t bad luck it was bad defending. It still remains the same. We need a certain amount of points with 11 games left to stay in this league. Can we get those points? That remains to be seen.’
Birmingham v Wigan - 1:0 - Wigan turned out in their orange away strip looking suspiciously like the Dutch national side. Unfortunately they could not play like the low-landers and Birmingham showed them the way home after McFadden scored a dubious penalty at the end of the first half (45+2). Rodallega missed one or two opportunities but the most interesting part of the game was the referee’s assistant being stretchered off with a head injury having been injured by the corner flag. He has since made a full recovery but cannot remember a thing about this unmemorable match. A tale of two cities (well, one city and a town, Birmingham and Wigan); McLeish - ‘The penalty was a bit fortunate because Fahey was running away from goal, but it was a careless tackle. Melchiot put his foot in and when you don’t get the ball you are always risking it as a defender. Keith Fahey is not a guy who goes down easily, so he’s been hit. He must have been hit.’ Martinez - ‘I don’t think there was any contact and, if there was, it was not enough for it to be a penalty. The referee was only five yards away but at the moment we are not getting the luck with decisions. Our player is trying to clear the ball and I would say their player should have been given a yellow card.’ Total unanimity, as usual.
Spurs v Everton - 2:1 - Palyuvchenko got Spurs off to a quick start (11), sliding in after some great ball control and a fine cross by Defoe. Modric went on to make it two, with an accurately placed lob shot (28). By the end of the first half there was only one team in it and Spurs were cruising. Moyes must have shouted at his team quite hard in the dressing room because the second half was a reversal of the first, with Spurs on the back foot and Everton looking aggressive. Yakubu got Everton back into the race with an untidy, scrambled goal, but they all count (55). Everton had many more chances, particularly through Pienaar and Donovan who put it wide, the miss of the season. In the end Spurs were lucky. Redknapp - ‘Overall I thought we played well and we were terrific at times in the first half. David (Moyes) obviously got into Everton at half time and they raised their game. At 2:1 we got edgy and we were defending for our lives at times.’ Moyes - ‘It was a game of two halves. Tottenham were better in the first and we were much better in the second. At half time we were dead and buried but I have to give the players credit for making a game of it.’
Liverpool v Blackburn - 2:1 - Torres stepped onto the field for the first time in 2010. The game was slow to begin with but Liverpool scored in their first real move on Blackburn (a Gerrard chip, 20). Carragher handled the ball to concede a penalty and a goal (Andrews, 40) the first goal conceded by Liverpool in five matches. Four minutes later Liverpool were back in front following a Torres effort in which he competently swept in the ball from a cross (44). This was a fractious games with six or seven bookings. Blackburn pressed Liverpool hard throughout, but Liverpool came away with the points, possibly thanks to Reina’s keeping. Rafa - ‘We need the points and we won.’ Allardyce - ‘Our problem is that we haven’t had a goal-scorer here today.’
Sunderland v Fulham - 0:0 - Zamora nearly got an early goal with a cheeky header, but missed. Sunderland, however, had the better opportunities in both halves, possibly Fulham were tired from their successful European efforts, but the game ended with no score. Bruce - ‘”We huffed and puffed and I couldn’t fault the players’ effort, but some are trying too hard to make it happen. At the death Campbell looked like he was sliding in a goal to win a horrible game 1:0, but it didn’t happen and the longer it goes the harder it becomes.’ Hodgson - ‘It has been a month to remember for the club, but this was our eighth game in a short month and so I had my fears. But I was proud of my players for limiting them to long range shots. I’m sure Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez would laugh at me, because they have been doing it year after year, but coping with that amount of games is a difficult situation for Fulham. Our European campaign started early and we have a limited squad, but while January was a bad month February has been fantastic. We are back on track and this an important point.’
Stoke v Arsenal - 1:3 - Stoke started the game having put together a run of 11 games without loss, including eliminating Arsenal and Manchester City from the FA Cup. Prior to this game Arsenal had not won at the Potteries since 1982 and to begin with they seemed unlikely to overcome a typically physical Stoke performance, especially after Pugh put Stoke ahead when Arsenal failed to defend Delap’s long throw-in (8). However, Arsenal persevered and got the equalizer when Bendtner placed a perfect header past Sorensen from a pinpoint cross by Fabregas (32). Ramsey was denied an obvious penalty (no offence ref, but you need a bit of laser treatment) before Shawcross was sent off for a very clumsy tackle that unfortunately broke Ramsey’s leg in two places. In the final minute Bendtner made a pass into the area and the ball struck Pugh on the hand. Fabregas passed the kick confidently into the right hand bottom corner of the net (90+1). Shortly after Vermaelen bundled the ball into the net (90+4). Wenger - ‘That tackle is not acceptable.’ Pulis - ‘He doesn’t know my player.’ Arsenal are back in the title hunt.
Burnley v Portsmouth - 1:2 - James was sporting a new hair-do. It was difficult to describe, but for those of you with long memories it brought back memories of Jason Lee; ♬he’s got a pineapple on his head♬. Perhaps James wore it to protest about Portsmouth being docked 9 points, or maybe it was to put off the opposition. If so, it worked. Piquionne scored Portsmouth’s first post ‘oh dear, we’re in administration’ goal (25). Shortly after Piquionne was fouled in the box, only for Jensen to save from O’Hara’s spot-kick. Burnley levelled the match with a fine lob by Paterson who beat James all ends up (31). But Pompey did not miss their second penalty, handed to them on a plate by Countdown specialist, Carlisle (Yebda, 76). Grant - ‘I’m very proud of the players, they showed character, is important.’ Burnley have now achieved only one win in 16 matches. Laws - ‘We have shot ourselves in the foot today. We gave two really poor penalties away and the second one in particular was inexplicable.’
Bolton v Wolves - 1:0 - Bolton started quickly and had several chances from good build-ups, but could not put any of them away whilst Wolves clung on grimly. Finally the pressure paid off when, from close range off Lee’s cross, Knight scored Bolton’s first goal from 550 mins of play (45+1). In the second half Wolves twice hit the post as they pushed forward, once from a free kick, then again from open play. On the other hand Bolton should have had a handball penalty decision. In the end Bolton held on for a vital win to move above their opponents. Coyle - ‘It was terrific to get the three points. Our performance was of a high standard as well. There were moments in the second half when we rode our luck. But we should have put the game to bed by that time.’ McCarthy - ‘Playing well doesn’t always get you points, does it? We switched off just before half-time. We made mistakes and it cost us the game. The goal we conceded wasn’t bad luck it was bad defending. It still remains the same. We need a certain amount of points with 11 games left to stay in this league. Can we get those points? That remains to be seen.’
Birmingham v Wigan - 1:0 - Wigan turned out in their orange away strip looking suspiciously like the Dutch national side. Unfortunately they could not play like the low-landers and Birmingham showed them the way home after McFadden scored a dubious penalty at the end of the first half (45+2). Rodallega missed one or two opportunities but the most interesting part of the game was the referee’s assistant being stretchered off with a head injury having been injured by the corner flag. He has since made a full recovery but cannot remember a thing about this unmemorable match. A tale of two cities (well, one city and a town, Birmingham and Wigan); McLeish - ‘The penalty was a bit fortunate because Fahey was running away from goal, but it was a careless tackle. Melchiot put his foot in and when you don’t get the ball you are always risking it as a defender. Keith Fahey is not a guy who goes down easily, so he’s been hit. He must have been hit.’ Martinez - ‘I don’t think there was any contact and, if there was, it was not enough for it to be a penalty. The referee was only five yards away but at the moment we are not getting the luck with decisions. Our player is trying to clear the ball and I would say their player should have been given a yellow card.’ Total unanimity, as usual.
Spurs v Everton - 2:1 - Palyuvchenko got Spurs off to a quick start (11), sliding in after some great ball control and a fine cross by Defoe. Modric went on to make it two, with an accurately placed lob shot (28). By the end of the first half there was only one team in it and Spurs were cruising. Moyes must have shouted at his team quite hard in the dressing room because the second half was a reversal of the first, with Spurs on the back foot and Everton looking aggressive. Yakubu got Everton back into the race with an untidy, scrambled goal, but they all count (55). Everton had many more chances, particularly through Pienaar and Donovan who put it wide, the miss of the season. In the end Spurs were lucky. Redknapp - ‘Overall I thought we played well and we were terrific at times in the first half. David (Moyes) obviously got into Everton at half time and they raised their game. At 2:1 we got edgy and we were defending for our lives at times.’ Moyes - ‘It was a game of two halves. Tottenham were better in the first and we were much better in the second. At half time we were dead and buried but I have to give the players credit for making a game of it.’
Liverpool v Blackburn - 2:1 - Torres stepped onto the field for the first time in 2010. The game was slow to begin with but Liverpool scored in their first real move on Blackburn (a Gerrard chip, 20). Carragher handled the ball to concede a penalty and a goal (Andrews, 40) the first goal conceded by Liverpool in five matches. Four minutes later Liverpool were back in front following a Torres effort in which he competently swept in the ball from a cross (44). This was a fractious games with six or seven bookings. Blackburn pressed Liverpool hard throughout, but Liverpool came away with the points, possibly thanks to Reina’s keeping. Rafa - ‘We need the points and we won.’ Allardyce - ‘Our problem is that we haven’t had a goal-scorer here today.’
Sunderland v Fulham - 0:0 - Zamora nearly got an early goal with a cheeky header, but missed. Sunderland, however, had the better opportunities in both halves, possibly Fulham were tired from their successful European efforts, but the game ended with no score. Bruce - ‘”We huffed and puffed and I couldn’t fault the players’ effort, but some are trying too hard to make it happen. At the death Campbell looked like he was sliding in a goal to win a horrible game 1:0, but it didn’t happen and the longer it goes the harder it becomes.’ Hodgson - ‘It has been a month to remember for the club, but this was our eighth game in a short month and so I had my fears. But I was proud of my players for limiting them to long range shots. I’m sure Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez would laugh at me, because they have been doing it year after year, but coping with that amount of games is a difficult situation for Fulham. Our European campaign started early and we have a limited squad, but while January was a bad month February has been fantastic. We are back on track and this an important point.’
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