Premiership round up - Week 32

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.

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