Premiership round up - Week 33

Man United v Chelsea - 1:2 - United were missing Rooney while Chelsea lacked Drogba, although Cech was back. Malouda was hard to cope with from the start and eventually put in a clever cross which Joe Cole back-heeled into the net (20). Two good penalty shouts were not given, one at either end. Chelsea nearly added another early in the second half when Ferreira went on a run but Anelka could not reach his cross. United started to apply more pressure and Park had a chance but missed. Berbatov also missed with a header, and after 60 minutes Chelsea seemed to be firmly in front. United continued to push up-field and Macheda and Nani came on for Park and Scholes. Finally Drogba came on and scored, more or less on his first attack, from a clear offside position (78). Then Macheda scored with his arm (81), cancelling the offside goal at the other end. Rooney is too important for United, just like Gerrard or Torres for Liverpool.

Arsenal v Wolves - 1:0 - Wolves have not beaten the Gunners for 31 years and could have been three or four down by half time, despite the absence of Fabregas, another big player for his club. Henry, Wolves captain , charged through Rosicky, who might have made a bit of a meal of it and Wolves were unfortunately reduced to ten men. Arsenal then piled on the pressure but could not convert any of their manifold opportunities until the last minute of extra time when Bendtner solidly headed the ball home (90+4), keeping Arsenal’s title hopes alive. Arsenal should have made it 2:0 when they had a late four on one attack opportunity, but in the end Wolves were a little unlucky.

Sunderland v Spurs - 3:1 - Sunderland grabbed an early lead when a very happy Bent thumped in a pile-driver in the first 60 seconds. Bent got his second from the spot (29) after Malbranque’s cross brushed Walker’s arm. Bent might have got his third from another penalty when Modric failed to pull out of a tackle on Campbell, but Gomes made a huge save, diving to his left. The second half was a different story - Bale nearly had a header and Defoe might have scored, but Sunderland got their third penalty and Gomes again denied Bent his hat-trick after Palacios failed to get the ball and fouled Meyler. Later Ferdinand thought he had scored but Gomes (lying on the floor at the time) was ruled to have been fouled. Spurs began a comeback with a Crouch header (72), but Zenden finally put the issue beyond doubt with a cracking left foot volley (86).

Burnley v Man City - 1:6 - Adebayor got City off the blocks quickly with a well taken control and volley from a corner (4). A minute later Bellamy walked through Burnley’s defence and got City’s second (5). Tevez got the third 90 seconds later when the keeper failed to hold the ball (7). Viera nearly knocked himself out with his first goal since his return to the Premiership, a thunderous header from a cross (20), and Burnley were well and truly on the rack. Tevez hit the post, Adebayor strolled one home for an easy fifth (45) and all in the first half! Kompany headed home another (58) before Fletcher finally got a good goal for Burnley (71). Everything seemed to go City’s way, but it might have been ten goals rather than six. How long can Laws last?

Bolton v Aston Villa - 0:1 - Bolton started brightly with a couple of good attempts on goal but the first goal came from a brilliant strike across the goal by Young (11). The game was well-contested but there was no further score.

Stoke v Hull - 2:0 - Fuller started strongly and got an early goal with a strong run and strike (6). Hull responded well but Stoke managed to soak up the pressure. Boateng was stretchered off when he suffered a head injury from an overhead kick and Hull, having used all their subs, were reduced to ten men. Lawrence got the clincher late when Hull were exposed in defence (90).

Portsmouth v Blackburn - 0:0 - Both sides might have had an early goal but could not finish and despite further chances the half ended evenly balanced and goal-less. Portsmouth’s Vanden Borre was sent off for a second bookable offence but Blackburn failed to take advantage and the game fizzled out to a boring draw.

Birmingham v Liverpool - 1:1 - In the first half Rodriguez hit the bar, while Johnson headed over at the other end. Liverpool took the lead when Gerrard got past Bowyer and curled a trade mark shot after Johnson miss-hit a pass (47). Birmingham hit back as Ridgewell bundled the ball in off McFadden's cross (56) and subsequently survived three N'Gog chances. There were times when Liverpool dictated and they really needed to win this game to keep their fourth spot aspirations afloat, but they seem to lack their old resilience and Torres looks fatigued to the point of exhaustion.

Fulham v Wigan - 2:1 - Scotland powered in the opener for Wigan after Moreno took down an N'Zogbia cross (34). Fulham came back strongly after the break, when substitute Okaka tapped in a centre by Gera (47). Finally Hangeland headed in Duff's corner to take the victory (58). A good win for Fulham while Wigan remain four points adrift of safety.

Everton v West Ham - 2:2 - Bilyaletdinov won Everton a first-half lead with a good header (24). Howard preserved it, saving Mido’s penalty after a foul on Cole. West Ham worked hard and Da Costa managed to bundle the ball in from a corner to level the match (60). A late header by Yakubu seemed to have won it for Everton (85), but two minutes later Ilan equalized (87). The hard-won draw for the Hammers was fully deserved, but whilst Zola was well pleased with his point, Moyes was frustrated.

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