Sunday 16 January 2011

Derby Day is a Draw

Super Sunday saw a hat-trick of games which included two major derbies, with a third derby taking place un-televised. The un-televised derby kicked off at twelve between Sunderland and Newcastle, a pattern was set for all for games as they all ended in a draw. Newcastle were hoping for a re-run of the 5-0 thrashing earlier in the season but this time had to wait seven minutes into the second half to break the deadlock, Kevin Nolan finding the net. The equaliser came late into injury time with Asamoah Gyan securing a point for Sunderland. Newcastle moved back into ninth with Sunderland staying put in sixth.

The first of the three televised matches also kicked off at twelve and it was the second city derby between Birmingham and Villa. Both teams had glorious chances in the first half with Villa hitting the bar three times and Derbyshire missing a two yard tap in. The deadlock was broken just four minutes into the second half when a mis-hit Gardner free-kick wasn't defended well and Roger Johnson smashed it home. Villa deserved a point out of the game and found their equaliser seventeen minutes from time when James Collins hit a shot that deflected off Ridgewell to beat Foster. The point moves Villa back out of the drop zone into seventeenth with Birmingham just ahead of them.

Straight after that we headed to Anfield where Kenny Dalglish was managing his first home game against bitter rivals Everton. Dalglish got off to the best possible start when Raul Meireles smashed the ball past Howard just before the half hour mark. Everton started the second brightly though and equalised just a minute after the restart with Sylvain Distin scoring his first Everton goal. Everton pushed on with the momentum and took the lead six minutes later when Jermiane Beckford found the net. Liverpool were awarded a penalty when Maxi Rodriguez was brought down by Howard. Kuyt stepped up and converted to equalise for Liverpool after 68 minutes. The point sees both teams remain where they were with Everton just above Liverpool.

Super Sunday finished at White Hart Lane where Tottenham entertained Manchester United. It was a fantastic midfield game with some exceptional passing but neither keeper was worked too hard. Manchester United's best chance came in the first half when Rooney hit a shot that an unsighted Gomes could only parry. Tottenham's best chance was a header from Van Der Vaart hat went millimetres wide. United were reduced to ten men with half an hour left when Rafael was harshly shown a second yellow card after he and Modric crossed paths, which Modric used to fall over. However Tottenham couldn't use the man advantage and the game finished goalless, enough to see United go back to the top of the league on goal difference. Tottenham remain fifth but just two points behind Chelsea with a game in hand.

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