Sunday 16 January 2011

Barcaly's Premier League Round-Up 15/1/11

After the FA Cup break, the Premiership returned to a full programme with six matches yesterday. There was no lunch-time kick-off so we had to wait till three o'clock to get out juices flowing.

Stoke moved level on points with Bolton with a game in hand after Pulis' side beat the Wanderers 2-0 at the Britannia. Danny Higginbotham scored Stoke's first goal eight minutes before half-time. Matthew Etherington converted from the spot to secure all three points after 63 minutes.

Chelsea continued their winning streak from the FA Cup to beat Blackburn at Stamford Bridge. Blackburn's re-signing of Roque Santa Cruz should have motivated the side but the Paraguayan started on the bench. Blackburn held Chelsea until the twelfth minute into the second half when Branislav Ivanovic broke the deadlock. Nicolas Anelka rounded the game off with fourteen minutes to play. Chelsea now move back into the top four ahead of Tottenham, with Spurs playing Manchester United today.

Wigan managed to move out of the relegation zone after gaining a point at home to Fulham. Hugo Rodallega gave the Latics the lead twelve minutes into the second half. The returning Andy Johnson scored the equaliser with four minutes remaining although questions have to be asked about the goalkeeping.

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premiership with United playing today and also having games in hand over their bitter rivals. They were pushed all the way by Wolves but City managed to hold on for the win. Wolves did take the lead after twelve minutes via Nenad Milijas with City not playing well at all. Kolo Toure equalised five minutes before half-time to steal the momentum. Tevez made it 2-1 City just four minutes into the second half and Yaya Toure made it three just five minutes. It looked to be all done and dusted when Tevez scored his second and City's fourth after 66 minutes. But Wolves received a penalty two minutes later which Kevin Doyle converted and it became 4-3 with four minutes left when Zubar found the net. But City managed to hold on to take top spot.

There was a five goal thriller at the Hawthornes as West Brom entertained Blackpool. The visitors took the lead after eleven minutes through David Vaughn but Odemwingie equalised eight minutes before half-time. James Morrison put West Brom ahead seven minutes into the second half but Gary Taylor-Fletcher equalised for Blackpool with ten minutes remaining. The winner came three minutes from the end as Odemwingie scored his second of the match.

The tea-time kick-off saw Arsenal move to within a point of Manchester United with a comfortable win over West Ham. They could potentially meet in the Carling Cup final if West Ham hold onto their lead and Arsenal overturn their deficit against Ipswich. Robin Van Persie put Arsenal ahead after thirteen minutes before Walcott added a second four minutes before half-time. Van Perise rounded it off with his second from the penalty spot with thirteen minutes left to play.

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