It was dubbed unmissable, the biggest derby ever and, like many others before it, the game itself was extremely underwhelming. But what we have learnt from the match, is that Manchester City are now in the driving seat to win their first Barclay's Premiership title.
The game ultimately came down to the better of the set-ups and City were clear winners. They played their typical 4-4-2 formation. Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta not only protecting their centre backs, but also providing support on the counter attack and with crosses. Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure would give strong protection to the back four, preventing that gap between the defence and midfield. This allows Samir Nasri and David Silva to provide width but also support Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, with Tevez being the one to hold the ball up from long passes/clearances.
As for United, they set up in the 4-5-1 formation, which will never work against a side that are a physical presence in the air. Wayne Rooney cannot hold the ball up against Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott in the air and the midfield is slow to support him. In a game that requires width and pace to win a game, playing both Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes from the off is not the answer. It has to be one or the other at their stage of their careers. Antonio Valencia has, without doubt, been United's best midfielder this season and provides the best support to the strikers. To leave him on the bench and play Nani who has got two goals in his last two games and Ji-Sung Park who only really provides industry, doesn't equate to what Valencia brings to the table. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones haven't ever been in this position before and without Nemanja Vidic, there is a huge whole to fill. Which Smalling cannot do, he is a better right back than a centre-back and was at fault for the City goal.
This poor set-up is left United not having a shot target in a game for the first time since 2009. City didn't overly threaten David De Gea throughout the match but always looked the more likely to score. The only goal of the game came in first half injury time when Kompany broke free from Smalling and headed home a corner. The timing was a killer, as was the sending off for Johnny Evans when the sides met at Old Trafford.
Despite being level in possession for most of the second half, United lacked their killer instinct. Suddenly simple, defence-splitting five yard passes became impossible to pull off and corners were going no further than the first defender. But City's nerves could have been made easier when Nasri was ten yards out but tried taking on too many defenders when he had already made a space to shoot, Arsenal-esque. But still United couldn't break City down and Mancini's men reclaim top spot on goal difference with just two games to play. The title will most likely be decided next weekend when City travel to Newcastle before United host Swansea on a true Super Sunday showdown.
Monday 30 April 2012
Sunday 29 April 2012
Three For Torres, Six For Chelsea, Tottenham Go Fourth
Super Sunday was all about the race for fourth and the battle to survive today. Up first was Chelsea as they hosted QPR. The deadlock was broken after 43-seconds when Daniel Sturridge put Chelsea ahead. John Terry headed the hosts 2-0 ahead on 13-minutes before Fernando Torres began what would be a great day for the Spaniard, with their third five minutes later. Torres scored his second goal on 25-minutes to make it 4-0 at half-time and would then score his first Chelsea hat-trick on 64-minutes. Florent Malouda inflicted more pain on QPR with Chelsea's sixth ten minutes before the end but QPR would get a consolation four minutes later via Djibril Cisse. Chelsea now move to within a point of fourth place whereas QPR still remain outside the relegation on goal difference despite the heavy beating.
Tottenham would move into fourth with a win over Blackburn, and that's just what they did at White Hart Lane. Rafael Van Der Vaart put Spurs ahead on 22-minutes when his strike had clearly gone over the line before it was cleared away. The points were then wrapped up when Kyle Walker curled a fantastic free-kick around the wall and the ball back inside and into the top corner with 15-minutes remaining. Blackburn are still three points from safety with Tottenham in fourth on goal difference.
Tottenham would move into fourth with a win over Blackburn, and that's just what they did at White Hart Lane. Rafael Van Der Vaart put Spurs ahead on 22-minutes when his strike had clearly gone over the line before it was cleared away. The points were then wrapped up when Kyle Walker curled a fantastic free-kick around the wall and the ball back inside and into the top corner with 15-minutes remaining. Blackburn are still three points from safety with Tottenham in fourth on goal difference.
Saturday 28 April 2012
PL Round-Up 28/4/12 (Crazy Crazy Day)
Wigan 4-0 Newcastle: Wigan remain three points clear of the relegation zone but have boosted their goal difference after a sublime performance. Victor Moses scored two goals in the space of two minutes around the 15-minute mark to make it 2-0. Shaun Maloney was put through and the Irishman made no mistake nine minutes before half-time before Franco Di Santo marked his 100th English game with an excellent curled effort right on the stroke on half-time. Newcastle's best chances of getting a consolation both fell to Papiss Cisse who hit the crossbar and then the post in the second half.
Swansea 4-4 Wolves: It may be a little late for Wolves to show fight, but what a game it provided at the Liberty stadium. Andrea Orlandi scored after just 23-seconds, the fastest Premiership goal in six years to give the hosts the lead. It got worse when Joe Allen's shot was deflected by Richard Stearman to bamboozle former Swan, Dorus De Vries, and make it 2-0 after just four minutes. Nathan Dyer made it three with a header after 15-minutes to look like sealing the three points. Steven Fletcher headed, what was then thought of as, a consolation on 28-minutes but it was soon 4-1 three minutes later when Danny Graham finished off a Dyer cross. Matt Jarvis then made it 4-2 with 12-minutes to go in the first half when Ashley Williams should have cleared it off the line, ultimately gave Wolves momentum going into the second half. David Edwards pulled another back nine minutes into the second half before Matt Jarvis scored his second on 69-minutes to secure an unbelievable draw.
Bolton 2-2 Sunderland: Bolton remain in the relegation zone, but only on goal difference, after a point against Sunderland. Kevin Davies volleyed home a Martin Petrov cross on 26-minutes to initially give Bolton the lead. Nicklas Bendtner was put through by Jack Colback to give the Dane his fourth goal against Bolton, equalising ten minutes later. James McClean then rocketed a free-kick past Adam Bogdan to give Sunderland the lead just ten minutes into the second half. But Bolton deserved their point and it was none other than Kevin Davies who got it on 70-minutes.
Everton 4-0 Fulham: The deadlock at Goodison Park was broken on seven minutes when Pavel Pogrebnyak blocked a free-kick with his hand, Nikica Jelavic stepped up and sent Mark Schwarzer the wrong way. Marouane Fellaini headed a corner home to make it 2-0 after 16-minutes. Jelavic then made it 3-0 with his second goal of the game, scoring from an angle he had no right to score from five minutes before half-time. The punishment was over when Steven Pienaar hooked the ball through to Tim Cahill and the Australian slid the ball home, making it 4-0 on the hour mark.
Norwich 0-3 Liverpool: Luis Suarez scores his first Liverpool hat-trick as they took full advantage of Norwich defensive errors. Steven Gerrard was quicker on his feet than David Fox, he then played the ball into the path of Suarez to net home on 24-minutes. The Uruguayan had his second four minutes later when another mis-placed pass was intercepted by him, he ran onto goal and calmly finished. The hat-trick came eight minutes from time when a Glen Johnson clearance found him 45-yards from goal. John Ruddy was off his line and Suarez lobbed him from distance in exquisite fashion.
Stoke 1-1 Arsenal: Arsenal stretch their lead over Newcastle to four points in third after a hard fought point over Stoke. It was in fact Stoke who took the lead on nine minutes when Peter Crouch headed home a Matthew Etherington cross. Who else was going to get the equaliser but Robin Van Persie? The Dutchman got it on 15-minutes when he volleyed in a Tomas Rosicky cross.
West Brom 0-0 Aston Villa: Villa also remain just three points ahead of the relegation zone after a goalless draw in a Midlands derby. Villa had a possible shout for a penalty in the first half when a cross hit Chris Brunt on the hand. But West Brom had a clearer claim in the second half when Alan Hutton blocked a shot on goal with his arm. Shay Given kept the point for Villa alive with a fantastic save with his knees late on.
Swansea 4-4 Wolves: It may be a little late for Wolves to show fight, but what a game it provided at the Liberty stadium. Andrea Orlandi scored after just 23-seconds, the fastest Premiership goal in six years to give the hosts the lead. It got worse when Joe Allen's shot was deflected by Richard Stearman to bamboozle former Swan, Dorus De Vries, and make it 2-0 after just four minutes. Nathan Dyer made it three with a header after 15-minutes to look like sealing the three points. Steven Fletcher headed, what was then thought of as, a consolation on 28-minutes but it was soon 4-1 three minutes later when Danny Graham finished off a Dyer cross. Matt Jarvis then made it 4-2 with 12-minutes to go in the first half when Ashley Williams should have cleared it off the line, ultimately gave Wolves momentum going into the second half. David Edwards pulled another back nine minutes into the second half before Matt Jarvis scored his second on 69-minutes to secure an unbelievable draw.
Bolton 2-2 Sunderland: Bolton remain in the relegation zone, but only on goal difference, after a point against Sunderland. Kevin Davies volleyed home a Martin Petrov cross on 26-minutes to initially give Bolton the lead. Nicklas Bendtner was put through by Jack Colback to give the Dane his fourth goal against Bolton, equalising ten minutes later. James McClean then rocketed a free-kick past Adam Bogdan to give Sunderland the lead just ten minutes into the second half. But Bolton deserved their point and it was none other than Kevin Davies who got it on 70-minutes.
Everton 4-0 Fulham: The deadlock at Goodison Park was broken on seven minutes when Pavel Pogrebnyak blocked a free-kick with his hand, Nikica Jelavic stepped up and sent Mark Schwarzer the wrong way. Marouane Fellaini headed a corner home to make it 2-0 after 16-minutes. Jelavic then made it 3-0 with his second goal of the game, scoring from an angle he had no right to score from five minutes before half-time. The punishment was over when Steven Pienaar hooked the ball through to Tim Cahill and the Australian slid the ball home, making it 4-0 on the hour mark.
Norwich 0-3 Liverpool: Luis Suarez scores his first Liverpool hat-trick as they took full advantage of Norwich defensive errors. Steven Gerrard was quicker on his feet than David Fox, he then played the ball into the path of Suarez to net home on 24-minutes. The Uruguayan had his second four minutes later when another mis-placed pass was intercepted by him, he ran onto goal and calmly finished. The hat-trick came eight minutes from time when a Glen Johnson clearance found him 45-yards from goal. John Ruddy was off his line and Suarez lobbed him from distance in exquisite fashion.
Stoke 1-1 Arsenal: Arsenal stretch their lead over Newcastle to four points in third after a hard fought point over Stoke. It was in fact Stoke who took the lead on nine minutes when Peter Crouch headed home a Matthew Etherington cross. Who else was going to get the equaliser but Robin Van Persie? The Dutchman got it on 15-minutes when he volleyed in a Tomas Rosicky cross.
West Brom 0-0 Aston Villa: Villa also remain just three points ahead of the relegation zone after a goalless draw in a Midlands derby. Villa had a possible shout for a penalty in the first half when a cross hit Chris Brunt on the hand. But West Brom had a clearer claim in the second half when Alan Hutton blocked a shot on goal with his arm. Shay Given kept the point for Villa alive with a fantastic save with his knees late on.
Aussie Rules in Poland
Chris Holder came from a spectacular crash less than a week ago to win the European GP in Leszno. The Australian suffered the crash whilst driving for his Polish team in Torun in which we went head over heels and hurt his ribs. But he battled through the pain to beat Tomasz Gollob, Jaroslaw Hampel and Andreas Jonsson in the final. Gollob and Hampel battled throughout the first two laps before Holder came through to sneak it.
World Champion, Greg Hancock, made it to the semi-finals but his bike unfortunately packed-up and went out along with Nicky Pedersen, allowing Holder and Jonsson to go through. The other semi-final saw the two Polish riders beat Jason Crump and Kenneth Bjerre.
The meeting started with the New Zealand GP winner, Hancock, taking the chequered flag. Hampel won the second heat as Nicky Pedersen overtook Gollob on the final corner to steal second. The wildcard of the night was 20 year-old Przemyslaw Pawlicki and he stormed into the meeting with an initial victory in heat three. Bjerre would win the fourth heat with Crump in second and Holder in fourth.
Peter Ljung surprised the pack by winning heat five in a race where Britain's Chris Harris packed up. Holder was able to beat Hancock and Hampel in heat six to claim his first victory of the night before Pawlicki shone again to be the only rider to win his first two heats. Andreas Jonsson won the eighth heat with Gollob finishing miserably in fourth, picking up just one point in his first two rides.
Pawlicki failed to make it three out of three and ended up finishing third behind Hampel and Crump. Bjerre won his second heat of the night in heat ten with Hancock in second. Freddie Lindgren would be the first rider to fall in the meeting, he fell on the last lap as Gollob began to turn his night around with his first heat win. Unfortunately, lightning struck twice for Harris who suffered a second pack-up in two heats, leaving him to watch Jonsson win his second heat of the night.
Nicky Pedersen's only victory of the night came in heat 13 before Gollob finished ahead of Hancock to acquire his second consecutive heat victory. The only heat that was restarted was heat 18. The meeting official deemed the contact between Crump and Emil Sayfutdinov, despite neither rider falling off, was enough to warrant a restart. But Crump dusted himself down and took his second chequered flag of the meeting. Jonsson would then go onto win his third heat of the night to almost guarantee his place in the semi-finals.
Antonio Lindback has forced to retire in the 17th heat as he protective steel boot fell off. Again the heat continued and Gollob cruised to victory to also claim his third win. Freddie Lindgren recovered from his fall to claim heat 18. Bjarne Pedersen would fall on the second lap of heat 19, but again the race continued as the Dane managed to pick himself up and get out of the way. This allowed Hampel to win his second heat of the night but also became the only rider to win a heat from the outside gate. The final heat was won by Holder to squeeze himself into the semi-finals and the rest, as they say, is history. As far as the standings go, Hampel does now lead the way after two meetings.
World Champion, Greg Hancock, made it to the semi-finals but his bike unfortunately packed-up and went out along with Nicky Pedersen, allowing Holder and Jonsson to go through. The other semi-final saw the two Polish riders beat Jason Crump and Kenneth Bjerre.
The meeting started with the New Zealand GP winner, Hancock, taking the chequered flag. Hampel won the second heat as Nicky Pedersen overtook Gollob on the final corner to steal second. The wildcard of the night was 20 year-old Przemyslaw Pawlicki and he stormed into the meeting with an initial victory in heat three. Bjerre would win the fourth heat with Crump in second and Holder in fourth.
Peter Ljung surprised the pack by winning heat five in a race where Britain's Chris Harris packed up. Holder was able to beat Hancock and Hampel in heat six to claim his first victory of the night before Pawlicki shone again to be the only rider to win his first two heats. Andreas Jonsson won the eighth heat with Gollob finishing miserably in fourth, picking up just one point in his first two rides.
Pawlicki failed to make it three out of three and ended up finishing third behind Hampel and Crump. Bjerre won his second heat of the night in heat ten with Hancock in second. Freddie Lindgren would be the first rider to fall in the meeting, he fell on the last lap as Gollob began to turn his night around with his first heat win. Unfortunately, lightning struck twice for Harris who suffered a second pack-up in two heats, leaving him to watch Jonsson win his second heat of the night.
Nicky Pedersen's only victory of the night came in heat 13 before Gollob finished ahead of Hancock to acquire his second consecutive heat victory. The only heat that was restarted was heat 18. The meeting official deemed the contact between Crump and Emil Sayfutdinov, despite neither rider falling off, was enough to warrant a restart. But Crump dusted himself down and took his second chequered flag of the meeting. Jonsson would then go onto win his third heat of the night to almost guarantee his place in the semi-finals.
Antonio Lindback has forced to retire in the 17th heat as he protective steel boot fell off. Again the heat continued and Gollob cruised to victory to also claim his third win. Freddie Lindgren recovered from his fall to claim heat 18. Bjarne Pedersen would fall on the second lap of heat 19, but again the race continued as the Dane managed to pick himself up and get out of the way. This allowed Hampel to win his second heat of the night but also became the only rider to win a heat from the outside gate. The final heat was won by Holder to squeeze himself into the semi-finals and the rest, as they say, is history. As far as the standings go, Hampel does now lead the way after two meetings.
Thursday 26 April 2012
2012 Premier League Darts: Week 12
Echo Arena, Liverpool, the venue for the reply of the fixtures from week four in Exeter. James Wade opened the night against Kevin Painter, whom he secured his first win of the tournament against. The Artist secured the first break of the night with a Shanghai, 120, check-out in the third leg. Painter would then break the throw again in the fifth leg before Wade broke straight back, making it 4-2 to Painter going into the break. Wade secured a 123-checkout on the bull to make it 5-4. Painter would be the first to gain a point before Wade held on a 7-6 to force a deciding leg. Painter would then miss his chance to win the match, allowing the Machine to also secure a vital point. This result means Painter has finally had a draw in this year's campaign.
The second game of the night saw Phil Taylor take on Simon Whitlock. When these two met in Exeter, Taylor won 8-4 and set a new three dart average. Whitlock secured the first break of throw in the third leg after Taylor missed the bull for a 161-checkout. Whitlock would then rub it in as he then hit the bull for that elusive 161-checkout. But Taylor fought back to level the match at 3-3 going into the break. Taylor came back from the break and secured a break to take a 5-3 lead. That soon became 7-3 before he went onto wrap up yet another victory.
Raymond Van Barneveld faced Andy Hamilton in the penultimate match of the night. Barneveld won his first match of the league against Hamilton back in week four. Hamilton broke Barney's heart early on as he secured a 152-checkout in the second with the Dutchman on 20, making it 2-0 to the Hammer. He then made it 3-0 with a 93-check-out on the bull. Barney managed to pull it back to 4-2 as the players went off stage for the break. Hamilton missed three darts at the double in the seventh leg, allowing Barney to break back and then levelled the match at 4-4. From there, neither player could gain a break a throw and the game finished 7-7.
The final game of the night saw Gary Anderson take on Adrian Lewis. Back in Exeter, the Premier League Champion dispatched the World Champion 8-1. But since then, Lewis has made his way into the top four whilst Anderson has slipped to the bottom of the league. Anderson instantly broke the throw and went onto take a 2-0 lead. But Lewis fought back and managed to hit the first 170 check-out of the tournament to level the match at 2-2. The Scot broke the throw once again in the fifth leg before Lewis retaliated to make it 3-3 at the break. Anderson then missed five darts at the double in the eighth leg to allow Lewis to break the throw and take a 5-3 lead. Anderson then managed to break back in the eleventh leg to make it 6-5 but it was to no avail as Lewis would guarantee himself a point by once again breaking the throw. But the Scot did force a deciding leg and managed to get a draw, which is unfortunately not good enough to give him a chance at making it into the semi-finals.
The second game of the night saw Phil Taylor take on Simon Whitlock. When these two met in Exeter, Taylor won 8-4 and set a new three dart average. Whitlock secured the first break of throw in the third leg after Taylor missed the bull for a 161-checkout. Whitlock would then rub it in as he then hit the bull for that elusive 161-checkout. But Taylor fought back to level the match at 3-3 going into the break. Taylor came back from the break and secured a break to take a 5-3 lead. That soon became 7-3 before he went onto wrap up yet another victory.
Raymond Van Barneveld faced Andy Hamilton in the penultimate match of the night. Barneveld won his first match of the league against Hamilton back in week four. Hamilton broke Barney's heart early on as he secured a 152-checkout in the second with the Dutchman on 20, making it 2-0 to the Hammer. He then made it 3-0 with a 93-check-out on the bull. Barney managed to pull it back to 4-2 as the players went off stage for the break. Hamilton missed three darts at the double in the seventh leg, allowing Barney to break back and then levelled the match at 4-4. From there, neither player could gain a break a throw and the game finished 7-7.
The final game of the night saw Gary Anderson take on Adrian Lewis. Back in Exeter, the Premier League Champion dispatched the World Champion 8-1. But since then, Lewis has made his way into the top four whilst Anderson has slipped to the bottom of the league. Anderson instantly broke the throw and went onto take a 2-0 lead. But Lewis fought back and managed to hit the first 170 check-out of the tournament to level the match at 2-2. The Scot broke the throw once again in the fifth leg before Lewis retaliated to make it 3-3 at the break. Anderson then missed five darts at the double in the eighth leg to allow Lewis to break the throw and take a 5-3 lead. Anderson then managed to break back in the eleventh leg to make it 6-5 but it was to no avail as Lewis would guarantee himself a point by once again breaking the throw. But the Scot did force a deciding leg and managed to get a draw, which is unfortunately not good enough to give him a chance at making it into the semi-finals.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Chelsea v Bayern Munich (Villa In Trouble Too)
The Champions League semi-finals have been concluded and Bayern Munich will host Chelsea at the Allianz Arena. Chelsea travelled to Camp Nou with a 1-0 lead to protect. The lead was ruled out though when Sergio Busquets scored via a low cross ten minutes before half-time. It would then get worse for Chelsea when John Terry stupidly kneed Alexis Sanchez in the back and was shown a red card two minutes after going behind. Andres Iniesta then made it 2-0 Barcelona with two minutes of the first half to play, which would put Barcelona through. But, out of nowhere, Chelsea caught the Spaniards on the break and Ramires chipped Victor Valdes to make it 2-1 on half-time, a scoreline which would put Chelsea through on away goals.
Barcelona dominated much of the second half and it looked like they would again take the lead on aggregate when Didier Drogba brought Cesc Fabregas down three minutes into the second half. Lionel Messi stepped-up and uncharacteristically hit the cross bar, his first missed penalty (not saved) in his career. The Argentine then thought he had redeemed himself, but his 83rd minute effort came back off the post. Then the unthinkable happened, substitute Fernando Torres received the ball from a clearance and quickly found himself one-on-one with Valdes. He then took it around the keeper before nestling his eighth Camp Nou goal into the net in injury time. Chelsea draw 2-2 on the night but win 3-2 on aggregate. The bad news for Chelsea is that they will be without Terry, Ramires, Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic due to suspension, Gary Cahill will be assessed after limping off early in the first half.
Bayern Munich will join them after progressing past Real Madrid after a nervy penalty shoot-out. Munich had a 2-1 lead to take with them to the Bernabeu. But that was instantly demolished when Luis Gustavo was adjudged to handball a cross in the box whilst he was slipping, it looked harsh and ended up receiving a yellow card which has ruled him out of the final. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped-up and converted his 25th consecutive penalty after just six minutes. The Portuguese then made it 2-0 after just 14-minutes to turn the tie on its head. But Bayern were allowed back into it when Mario Gomez fell under a Pepe push. Arjen Robben also converted the spot-kick against his former club on 27-minutes to level the aggregate.
The game would eventually fall into extra time and then into penalties. David Alaba was the first to step up to the plate and placed in coolly into the bottom corner. Ronaldo followed but Manuel Neuer prevented him from making it 26 consecutive scored penalties with a great right hand. It was deja vu when Kaka missed in the exact same way after Gomez had made it 2-0. Toni Kroos would then have his penalty saved by Iker Casillas before Xabi Alonso posted Madrid onto the ball. Philipp Lahm then took a soft penalty which Casillas easily saved, allowing Sergio Ramos the chance to equalise. But the defender smashed the ball high over the ball and Bastian Schweinsteiger won it for the German side.
Back in England, Aston Villa faced Bolton in the replay of their postponed match. The match saw three goals in two minutes to shake up the relegation battle. Stephen Warnock put Villa ahead just after the hour mark, they were dominant in the first half and finally took their opportunity. But their lead only lasted a minute when Carlos Cuellar tripped Mark Davies and Martin Petrov converted it. David N'gog then made it 2-1 Bolton a minute later to give them a crucial three points. They are now a point from safety with a game in hand, Villa have now slipped to just three points ahead of the relegation zone.
Barcelona dominated much of the second half and it looked like they would again take the lead on aggregate when Didier Drogba brought Cesc Fabregas down three minutes into the second half. Lionel Messi stepped-up and uncharacteristically hit the cross bar, his first missed penalty (not saved) in his career. The Argentine then thought he had redeemed himself, but his 83rd minute effort came back off the post. Then the unthinkable happened, substitute Fernando Torres received the ball from a clearance and quickly found himself one-on-one with Valdes. He then took it around the keeper before nestling his eighth Camp Nou goal into the net in injury time. Chelsea draw 2-2 on the night but win 3-2 on aggregate. The bad news for Chelsea is that they will be without Terry, Ramires, Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic due to suspension, Gary Cahill will be assessed after limping off early in the first half.
Bayern Munich will join them after progressing past Real Madrid after a nervy penalty shoot-out. Munich had a 2-1 lead to take with them to the Bernabeu. But that was instantly demolished when Luis Gustavo was adjudged to handball a cross in the box whilst he was slipping, it looked harsh and ended up receiving a yellow card which has ruled him out of the final. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped-up and converted his 25th consecutive penalty after just six minutes. The Portuguese then made it 2-0 after just 14-minutes to turn the tie on its head. But Bayern were allowed back into it when Mario Gomez fell under a Pepe push. Arjen Robben also converted the spot-kick against his former club on 27-minutes to level the aggregate.
The game would eventually fall into extra time and then into penalties. David Alaba was the first to step up to the plate and placed in coolly into the bottom corner. Ronaldo followed but Manuel Neuer prevented him from making it 26 consecutive scored penalties with a great right hand. It was deja vu when Kaka missed in the exact same way after Gomez had made it 2-0. Toni Kroos would then have his penalty saved by Iker Casillas before Xabi Alonso posted Madrid onto the ball. Philipp Lahm then took a soft penalty which Casillas easily saved, allowing Sergio Ramos the chance to equalise. But the defender smashed the ball high over the ball and Bastian Schweinsteiger won it for the German side.
Back in England, Aston Villa faced Bolton in the replay of their postponed match. The match saw three goals in two minutes to shake up the relegation battle. Stephen Warnock put Villa ahead just after the hour mark, they were dominant in the first half and finally took their opportunity. But their lead only lasted a minute when Carlos Cuellar tripped Mark Davies and Martin Petrov converted it. David N'gog then made it 2-1 Bolton a minute later to give them a crucial three points. They are now a point from safety with a game in hand, Villa have now slipped to just three points ahead of the relegation zone.
Sunday 22 April 2012
Three Points at the Top, Wolves Relegated
Super Sunday very much lived up to it's name today as the Premiership has seen changes at the top and the bottom. The day kicked-off with Manchester United hosting Everton in another one of those games that produced a crazy result, including eight goals.
Everton very much started the better team as Manchester United looked extremely nervous. The visitors took full advantage with Nikica Jelavic scoring a header from a Tony Hibbert cross via a tight angle, giving Everton the lead on 33-minutes. This seemed to motivate United and they started getting back into the game. They would find an equaliser four minutes before half-time with Wayne Rooney heading United level.
United took the lead 12-minutes into the second half with Danny Welbeck scoring a superb curled effort into the top corner. This was followed up three minutes later when Nani finished off a great move to make it 3-1 and gave them vital breathing space. It became a little edgy again when Marouane Fellaini pulled a goal back on 67-minutes but Rooney made it 4-2 just two minutes later to restore the cushion. With nine minutes to go, Patrice Evra hit the post which would have sealed the three points. This would ultimately cost them as Jelavic volleyed Everton's third two minutes later before Steven Pienaar levelled with five minutes remaining. The match would finish 4-4 to bring an end to a fantastic match.
With United dropping points, Manchester City knew that a win would not only relegate Wolves but also move them to within three points of their rivals. Despite a good start to the game, Wolves found themselves 1-0 down on 27-minutes with Sergio Aguero benefiting from a defence splitting through ball. Wolves continued to fight throughout the match but City's presence up front was frequently felt with a host of close chances.
The final nail in Wolves' Premier League coffin came with 16-minutes left to play, Samir Nasri firing the ball into the bottom corner. The result has condemned Wolves to the Championship but City are now just three points behind United with the pair meeting in eight days. With goal difference almost certainly in City's hands, the result next Monday could determine which side of Manchester the trophy goes to.
Behind the television screens, Liverpool welcomed West Brom to Anfield. With the prospect of a potential domestic cup double, Liverpool's league form has been far from convincing. The only goal of the game came 15-minutes from with Peter Odemwingie giving West Brom the three points.
Everton very much started the better team as Manchester United looked extremely nervous. The visitors took full advantage with Nikica Jelavic scoring a header from a Tony Hibbert cross via a tight angle, giving Everton the lead on 33-minutes. This seemed to motivate United and they started getting back into the game. They would find an equaliser four minutes before half-time with Wayne Rooney heading United level.
United took the lead 12-minutes into the second half with Danny Welbeck scoring a superb curled effort into the top corner. This was followed up three minutes later when Nani finished off a great move to make it 3-1 and gave them vital breathing space. It became a little edgy again when Marouane Fellaini pulled a goal back on 67-minutes but Rooney made it 4-2 just two minutes later to restore the cushion. With nine minutes to go, Patrice Evra hit the post which would have sealed the three points. This would ultimately cost them as Jelavic volleyed Everton's third two minutes later before Steven Pienaar levelled with five minutes remaining. The match would finish 4-4 to bring an end to a fantastic match.
With United dropping points, Manchester City knew that a win would not only relegate Wolves but also move them to within three points of their rivals. Despite a good start to the game, Wolves found themselves 1-0 down on 27-minutes with Sergio Aguero benefiting from a defence splitting through ball. Wolves continued to fight throughout the match but City's presence up front was frequently felt with a host of close chances.
The final nail in Wolves' Premier League coffin came with 16-minutes left to play, Samir Nasri firing the ball into the bottom corner. The result has condemned Wolves to the Championship but City are now just three points behind United with the pair meeting in eight days. With goal difference almost certainly in City's hands, the result next Monday could determine which side of Manchester the trophy goes to.
Behind the television screens, Liverpool welcomed West Brom to Anfield. With the prospect of a potential domestic cup double, Liverpool's league form has been far from convincing. The only goal of the game came 15-minutes from with Peter Odemwingie giving West Brom the three points.
Vettel's Back On Top, Lotus Secure Two Podiums
Sebastian Vettel lead from start to finish to win the Bahrain GP and also takes the lead in the Driver's Championship. Behind Vettel, Lotus secured the other two podiums to not only mark history for the team, but also prove they can be a force this season.
Vettel got away well from the start and had the crucial lead going into the first corner. From the start, Romain Grosjean had moved up four places into third, Jenson Button dropped to sixth with Fernando Alonso ahead of the McLaren. Nico Rosberg had also dropped to eighth with Felipe Massa climbing up to ninth. The carnage from the first lap saw Daniel Ricciardo cause Heikki Kovalainen to sustain a puncture but the Australian also suffered wing damage, costing him valuable places.
The Lotus looked quicker than most of the cars on the track and Grosjean was able to over-take Lewis Hamilton into second place on lap seven. It got worse for Hamilton as he suffered a poor pit stop on two occasions which cost him any chance of a podium finish.
Kimi Raikkonen's charge to a podium began on lap-13 where he overtook Mark Webber to secure fifth place and 11-laps later, the Finn eased past team-mate Grosjean into second. The first of four retirements came on lap-24 when Pastor Maldonado span out after suffering a puncture, he did manage to make it back to the pits but had also sustained suspension damage which was fatal to the car.
With Force India having a tough weekend for reasons other than racing, it was nice to see Paul Di Resta holding his own for his best ever finish. Webber did over-take him on lap-29 to move into fourth and Rosberg claimed fifth off of him on lap-52. But the Scot managed to finish sixth with a great performance to hold off Alonso.
If McLaren though Hamilton was having the tough breaks, Button had to come in for a force pit stop on lap 54 which placed him 13th. But it turned out the Button had sustained a broken exhaust and had to retire on the penultimate lap along with Bruno Senna. Race result:
1.Vettel (Red Bull), 2.Raikkonen (Lotus), 3.Grosjean (Lotus), 4.Webber (Red Bull), 5.Rosberg (Mercedes), 6.Di Resta (Force India), 7.Alonso (Ferrari), 8.Hamilton (McLaren), 9.Massa (Ferrari), 10.Schumacher (Mercedes), 11.Perez (Sauber), 12.Hulkenberg (Force India), 13.Kobayashi (Sauber), 14.Vergne (Toro Rosso), 15.Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), 16.Petrov (Caterham), 17.Kovalainen (Caterham), 18.Glock (Marussia), 19.De La Rosa (HRT), 20.Karthikeyan (HRT) DNF: Maldonado (Williams), Pic (Marussia), Button (McLaren), Senna (Williams)
Vettel got away well from the start and had the crucial lead going into the first corner. From the start, Romain Grosjean had moved up four places into third, Jenson Button dropped to sixth with Fernando Alonso ahead of the McLaren. Nico Rosberg had also dropped to eighth with Felipe Massa climbing up to ninth. The carnage from the first lap saw Daniel Ricciardo cause Heikki Kovalainen to sustain a puncture but the Australian also suffered wing damage, costing him valuable places.
The Lotus looked quicker than most of the cars on the track and Grosjean was able to over-take Lewis Hamilton into second place on lap seven. It got worse for Hamilton as he suffered a poor pit stop on two occasions which cost him any chance of a podium finish.
Kimi Raikkonen's charge to a podium began on lap-13 where he overtook Mark Webber to secure fifth place and 11-laps later, the Finn eased past team-mate Grosjean into second. The first of four retirements came on lap-24 when Pastor Maldonado span out after suffering a puncture, he did manage to make it back to the pits but had also sustained suspension damage which was fatal to the car.
With Force India having a tough weekend for reasons other than racing, it was nice to see Paul Di Resta holding his own for his best ever finish. Webber did over-take him on lap-29 to move into fourth and Rosberg claimed fifth off of him on lap-52. But the Scot managed to finish sixth with a great performance to hold off Alonso.
If McLaren though Hamilton was having the tough breaks, Button had to come in for a force pit stop on lap 54 which placed him 13th. But it turned out the Button had sustained a broken exhaust and had to retire on the penultimate lap along with Bruno Senna. Race result:
1.Vettel (Red Bull), 2.Raikkonen (Lotus), 3.Grosjean (Lotus), 4.Webber (Red Bull), 5.Rosberg (Mercedes), 6.Di Resta (Force India), 7.Alonso (Ferrari), 8.Hamilton (McLaren), 9.Massa (Ferrari), 10.Schumacher (Mercedes), 11.Perez (Sauber), 12.Hulkenberg (Force India), 13.Kobayashi (Sauber), 14.Vergne (Toro Rosso), 15.Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), 16.Petrov (Caterham), 17.Kovalainen (Caterham), 18.Glock (Marussia), 19.De La Rosa (HRT), 20.Karthikeyan (HRT) DNF: Maldonado (Williams), Pic (Marussia), Button (McLaren), Senna (Williams)
Saturday 21 April 2012
PL Round-Up 21/4/12
Newcastle 3-0 Stoke: The Toon Army sit fourth with a game in hand over Arsenal, who are just three points ahead, after another emphatic win. Yohan Cabaye broke the deadlock on 14-minutes, rebounding a Papiss Cisse header which came back off the crossbar and into the Frenchman's path. Cabaye then became provider, slipping the ball through for Cisse to net for the 11th time this season just four minutes after Newcastle had originally taken the lead. Cabaye was then on the score sheet for a second time, curling a sublime effort into the bottom corner 12-minutes into the second half to round off a fantastic performance.
QPR 1-0 Tottenham: Defeat for Spurs means that they are now three points behind Newcastle in the race for fourth. The win for QPR sees them move three points clear of the relegation zone. The only goal of the game came from the former Spurs player, Adel Taarabt, his free-kick finding the bottom corner after 24-minutes. It didn't end well for the Moroccan though, he received a second yellow card with 12-minutes to go for stupidly kicking the ball away.
Blackburn 2-0 Norwich: Blackburn still find themselves three points from safety despite this win over Norwich. Mauro Formica got on the end of a perfect Morten Gamst Pedersen cross to give Blackburn the lead four minutes before half-time. Junior Hoilett then ensured Rovers of the points with a fantastic top corner effort four minutes after the break.
Bolton 1-1 Swansea: Bolton are now four points from safety with two games in hand over their rivals. Scott Sinclair scored his first away goal of the season with a great strike into the top corner, giving Swansea the lead after just six minutes. Bolton's equaliser came eight minutes later when Chris Eagles finished off a Martin Petrov cross. A point may not be enough at this stage, but it's better than none for Bolton.
Fulham 2-1 Wigan: Wigan remain three points ahead of the relegation zone, but it could have been more after initially taking the lead. It was Emerson Boyce who put the visitors in front, his first goal in two years with a great strike into the bottom corner 12-minutes into the second half. But just a minute later Pavel Pogrebnyak equalised for Fulham with his sixth in a white shirt. Philippe Senderos scored his first goal in a Fulham shirt, heading a free-kick in the final minute of normal time to take the point away from Wigan.
Aston Villa 0-0 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill's return to Villa Park saw a game where Sunderland perhaps should have won, but the draw sees Villa stand five points ahead of the relegation zone. Nicklas Bendtner looked to have scored on 75-minutes but the linesman flagged for offside, replays showed that the Dane was actually onside. It was a family reunion as Craig Gardner returned to Villa Park to face his brother, Gary. But Craig's match didn't end well after he received a second yellow card in injury time.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea: A game full of yellow cards but not enough clear cut chances. The point sees Arsenal just three points ahead of Newcastle in third, but Newcastle do have that game in hand. Chelsea fall four points behind the Magpies and are starting to look desperate in their quest for Champions League football.
QPR 1-0 Tottenham: Defeat for Spurs means that they are now three points behind Newcastle in the race for fourth. The win for QPR sees them move three points clear of the relegation zone. The only goal of the game came from the former Spurs player, Adel Taarabt, his free-kick finding the bottom corner after 24-minutes. It didn't end well for the Moroccan though, he received a second yellow card with 12-minutes to go for stupidly kicking the ball away.
Blackburn 2-0 Norwich: Blackburn still find themselves three points from safety despite this win over Norwich. Mauro Formica got on the end of a perfect Morten Gamst Pedersen cross to give Blackburn the lead four minutes before half-time. Junior Hoilett then ensured Rovers of the points with a fantastic top corner effort four minutes after the break.
Bolton 1-1 Swansea: Bolton are now four points from safety with two games in hand over their rivals. Scott Sinclair scored his first away goal of the season with a great strike into the top corner, giving Swansea the lead after just six minutes. Bolton's equaliser came eight minutes later when Chris Eagles finished off a Martin Petrov cross. A point may not be enough at this stage, but it's better than none for Bolton.
Fulham 2-1 Wigan: Wigan remain three points ahead of the relegation zone, but it could have been more after initially taking the lead. It was Emerson Boyce who put the visitors in front, his first goal in two years with a great strike into the bottom corner 12-minutes into the second half. But just a minute later Pavel Pogrebnyak equalised for Fulham with his sixth in a white shirt. Philippe Senderos scored his first goal in a Fulham shirt, heading a free-kick in the final minute of normal time to take the point away from Wigan.
Aston Villa 0-0 Sunderland: Martin O'Neill's return to Villa Park saw a game where Sunderland perhaps should have won, but the draw sees Villa stand five points ahead of the relegation zone. Nicklas Bendtner looked to have scored on 75-minutes but the linesman flagged for offside, replays showed that the Dane was actually onside. It was a family reunion as Craig Gardner returned to Villa Park to face his brother, Gary. But Craig's match didn't end well after he received a second yellow card in injury time.
Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea: A game full of yellow cards but not enough clear cut chances. The point sees Arsenal just three points ahead of Newcastle in third, but Newcastle do have that game in hand. Chelsea fall four points behind the Magpies and are starting to look desperate in their quest for Champions League football.
2012 Bahrain Qualifying
Sebastian Vettel claims his first Pole position this season ahead of the fastest man in Q2, Lewis Hamilton. Mark Webber will start ahead of the other McLaren, Jenson Button, with last week's winner, Nico Rosberg, in fifth. The Toro Rossos are once again showing their inconsistencies with Daniel Ricciardo qualifying in sixth ahead of Lotus' Romain Grosjean. Sergio Perez's great start to the season sees him start eighth tomorrow with Fernando Alonso ninth. After all the problems Force India have faced during the build-up, it was great to see Paul Di Resta make it into Q3 and will start tenth tomorrow.
Kimi Raikkonen was the last to fall from Q2 and will start ahead of Kamui Kobayashi in 11th. Nico Hulkenberg will start 13th in the other Force India with Felipe Massa still not making it out of Q2 this season in 14th. Bruno Senna will begin the race in 15th with Heikki Kovalainen providing the performance of qualifying in 16th. Pastor Maldonado made it into Q2 but a change of gearbox sees him drop five places to 22nd.
The shock of Q1 saw Michael Schumacher fall after resting on his laurels, but will now start 17th. Jean-Eric Vergne didn't make it out of Q1 for the third time in a row, he is due to start 18th but he missed weighbridge in the pit lane and could incur a penalty. Vitaly Petrov will start 19th with Charles Pic out-qualifying Timo Glock for the first time this season in 20th. Pedro De La Rosa gets the HRT off the back row for the first time in 21st. Glock will start 23rd with Narain Karthikeyan at the back in the other HRT.
Kimi Raikkonen was the last to fall from Q2 and will start ahead of Kamui Kobayashi in 11th. Nico Hulkenberg will start 13th in the other Force India with Felipe Massa still not making it out of Q2 this season in 14th. Bruno Senna will begin the race in 15th with Heikki Kovalainen providing the performance of qualifying in 16th. Pastor Maldonado made it into Q2 but a change of gearbox sees him drop five places to 22nd.
The shock of Q1 saw Michael Schumacher fall after resting on his laurels, but will now start 17th. Jean-Eric Vergne didn't make it out of Q1 for the third time in a row, he is due to start 18th but he missed weighbridge in the pit lane and could incur a penalty. Vitaly Petrov will start 19th with Charles Pic out-qualifying Timo Glock for the first time this season in 20th. Pedro De La Rosa gets the HRT off the back row for the first time in 21st. Glock will start 23rd with Narain Karthikeyan at the back in the other HRT.
Thursday 19 April 2012
2012 Premier League Darts: Week 11
The oche moved back to the seaside this week as Bournemouth hosted week 11. It was the return fixtures from the opening week which contained two draws. One of those draws was between Raymond Van Barneveld and Simon Whitlock who were up first in the BIC. Whitlock secured the first break of throw in the third leg after both players missed darts at the double. That was followed by a 116-checkout for the Australian to hold the break before exceeding it with a 155-check-out to make 4-1. There was a reprieve for Van Barneveld when Whitlock missed four darts at the double to allow the Dutchman break the throw and close the gap to 6-4. But any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Whitlock instantly broke back to earn at least a point which soon became two, moving the Aussie onto 14 points for the season, a tally which is deemed to be enough to progress into the semi-finals.
The Premier League lost to Kevin Painter on the opening night in the O2, now Gary Anderson faced a must-win match against the Artist to have any attempt at keeping his crown. Painter instantly broke the throw, courtesy of Anderson missing three darts at the double. Anderson posted his first leg of that match in leg four to get a break back but Painter responded with a 101 check-out to make it 4-1. Anderson came back from the break and hit a 140 check-out to make it 5-2 which then became 6-3 after Painter missed three darts at the double. But the Scot did exactly the same in the following leg to give Painter a point, the Artist then finished the match off 8-4 in the Mad House. Anderson is now rooted to the bottom of the table.
James Wade also lost on the opening week against Andy Hamilton. But ten weeks on and the Machine is playing to almost secure a semi-final place whereas Hamilton is playing to hang onto the coattails of the top four. Hamilton secured an instant break of throw after Wade missed two darts at the double but redeemed himself by breaking back. The next four legs would then all go with throw to make it 3-3 going into the break. Wade pulled out a 116 check-out to continue this trait at 5-4 before Hamilton topped it with a 123 finish to level once more. Wade then took it one further with a 124 check-out but then missed two darts at his beloved double ten to secure a point. The Machine then held his throw to make it 7-6 and Hamilton did likewise to gain his deserved point, leaving Painter the only player without a draw so far.
The only game Phil Taylor hasn't won so far in this Premier League was the the 7-7 draw against Adrian Lewis on the opening night. The first break of throw came in the fourth leg for the Power to take a 3-1 lead which soon became 4-2 at the interval. Lewis managed to instantly break the throw following the adverts and then held his own to level the match. Jackpot then smashed in a 160 check-out to crucially break the throw and take a 6-5 lead and then held to guarantee himself a point. Taylor then missed three darts at the double to force a deciding leg, allowing Lewis to give Taylor his first loss of the league. Lewis also moves ahead of Barneveld into fourth.
The Premier League lost to Kevin Painter on the opening night in the O2, now Gary Anderson faced a must-win match against the Artist to have any attempt at keeping his crown. Painter instantly broke the throw, courtesy of Anderson missing three darts at the double. Anderson posted his first leg of that match in leg four to get a break back but Painter responded with a 101 check-out to make it 4-1. Anderson came back from the break and hit a 140 check-out to make it 5-2 which then became 6-3 after Painter missed three darts at the double. But the Scot did exactly the same in the following leg to give Painter a point, the Artist then finished the match off 8-4 in the Mad House. Anderson is now rooted to the bottom of the table.
James Wade also lost on the opening week against Andy Hamilton. But ten weeks on and the Machine is playing to almost secure a semi-final place whereas Hamilton is playing to hang onto the coattails of the top four. Hamilton secured an instant break of throw after Wade missed two darts at the double but redeemed himself by breaking back. The next four legs would then all go with throw to make it 3-3 going into the break. Wade pulled out a 116 check-out to continue this trait at 5-4 before Hamilton topped it with a 123 finish to level once more. Wade then took it one further with a 124 check-out but then missed two darts at his beloved double ten to secure a point. The Machine then held his throw to make it 7-6 and Hamilton did likewise to gain his deserved point, leaving Painter the only player without a draw so far.
The only game Phil Taylor hasn't won so far in this Premier League was the the 7-7 draw against Adrian Lewis on the opening night. The first break of throw came in the fourth leg for the Power to take a 3-1 lead which soon became 4-2 at the interval. Lewis managed to instantly break the throw following the adverts and then held his own to level the match. Jackpot then smashed in a 160 check-out to crucially break the throw and take a 6-5 lead and then held to guarantee himself a point. Taylor then missed three darts at the double to force a deciding leg, allowing Lewis to give Taylor his first loss of the league. Lewis also moves ahead of Barneveld into fourth.
Wednesday 18 April 2012
2011/2012 CL Semi-Finals 1st Leg
A late goal from Mario Gomez gives Bayern Munich a slight advantage going into the second leg. The Allianz Arena was the venue for the last time before the final and hosts Munich took the on 17-minutes when Franck Ribery managed to squeeze a shot into the bottom corner. Real Madrid have secured an away goal as Mesut Ozil equalised eight minutes into the second half on his return to his homeland. But Gomez won the game for Munich with three minutes remaining to give them something to protect in the Bernabeu.
Chelsea will also be heading to Spain with an advantage. They became only the fifth team this season to prevent Barcelona from scoring and a first half injury time goal from Didier Drogba gave the Chelsea the vital victory. Alexis Sanchez did hit the crossbar early on in the first half before Pedro hit the post in the dying seconds, but a great all-round defensive display from Chelsea earns their 1-0 aggregate lead going to Camp Nou.
Chelsea will also be heading to Spain with an advantage. They became only the fifth team this season to prevent Barcelona from scoring and a first half injury time goal from Didier Drogba gave the Chelsea the vital victory. Alexis Sanchez did hit the crossbar early on in the first half before Pedro hit the post in the dying seconds, but a great all-round defensive display from Chelsea earns their 1-0 aggregate lead going to Camp Nou.
Monday 16 April 2012
Pl Round-Up 14-16/4/12
Norwich 1-6 Manchester City: Carlos Tevez smashed a returning hat-trick to temporarily put City two points behind Manchester United. He opened the scoring after 17-minutes before Sergio Aguero made it 2-0 nine minutes later. Norwich did pull themselves back into the game when Andrew Surman netted five minutes into the second half. But any comeback hopes were diminished when Tevez and Aguero made it 4-0 with two goals in two minutes (72 & 74). Tevez would then have his hat-trick five minutes later and celebrated with a golf swing, Adam Johnson finished the rout off in injury time.
Sunderland 0-0 Wolves: The point really wasn't enough for Wolves as they still remain eight points from safety with only twelve points available. The curtain has almost come down for Wolves with Terry Connor still searching for his first managerial victory.
Swansea 3-0 Blackburn: Blackburn also remain in the relegation zone after this result, three points stands between them and safety. Gylfi Sigurdsson netted for the seventh time this season on 36-minutes with Nathan Dyer doubling the advantage three minutes before half-time. The points were wrapped up when Sigurdsson's shot came off the post and was rebounded into his own net by Scott Dann two minutes after the hour mark.
West Brom 1-0 QPR: QPR remain just points ahead of the relegation with Bolton having two games in hand. The only goal of the game came on 21-minutes courtesy of Graham Dorrans.
Manchester United 4-0 Aston Villa: United managed to sustain their five point advantage with win over Villa. The opening goal of the game came when Ciaran Clark tripped Ashley Young in the box. Young was in hot water over his dive against QPR and looked to go down very theatrically once again here. Wayne Rooney stepped up and made no mistake after just six minutes. Danny Welbeck made it 2-0 three minutes before half-time with Rooney virtually sealing the points with his second on 72-minutes. The icing on the cake came via substitute Nani who made it 4-0 in injury time. Villa are still six points from safety and look fairly certain to survive.
Arsenal 1-2 Wigan: Two shocks in the space of five days sees Wigan move five points clear of the drop zone. Franco Di Santo finished off a counter attack after just six minutes before Jordi Gomez took full advantage of weak keeping a minute later to leave Arsenal stunned. Thomas Vermaelen headed Arsenal back into the game on 20-minutes but couldn't prevent Wigan from securing another surprise victory.
Sunderland 0-0 Wolves: The point really wasn't enough for Wolves as they still remain eight points from safety with only twelve points available. The curtain has almost come down for Wolves with Terry Connor still searching for his first managerial victory.
Swansea 3-0 Blackburn: Blackburn also remain in the relegation zone after this result, three points stands between them and safety. Gylfi Sigurdsson netted for the seventh time this season on 36-minutes with Nathan Dyer doubling the advantage three minutes before half-time. The points were wrapped up when Sigurdsson's shot came off the post and was rebounded into his own net by Scott Dann two minutes after the hour mark.
West Brom 1-0 QPR: QPR remain just points ahead of the relegation with Bolton having two games in hand. The only goal of the game came on 21-minutes courtesy of Graham Dorrans.
Manchester United 4-0 Aston Villa: United managed to sustain their five point advantage with win over Villa. The opening goal of the game came when Ciaran Clark tripped Ashley Young in the box. Young was in hot water over his dive against QPR and looked to go down very theatrically once again here. Wayne Rooney stepped up and made no mistake after just six minutes. Danny Welbeck made it 2-0 three minutes before half-time with Rooney virtually sealing the points with his second on 72-minutes. The icing on the cake came via substitute Nani who made it 4-0 in injury time. Villa are still six points from safety and look fairly certain to survive.
Arsenal 1-2 Wigan: Two shocks in the space of five days sees Wigan move five points clear of the drop zone. Franco Di Santo finished off a counter attack after just six minutes before Jordi Gomez took full advantage of weak keeping a minute later to leave Arsenal stunned. Thomas Vermaelen headed Arsenal back into the game on 20-minutes but couldn't prevent Wigan from securing another surprise victory.
Sunday 15 April 2012
2011/2012 FA Cup Semi-Finals
Late drama decided the first semi-final between Liverpool and Merseyside rivals Everton. Nikica Jelavic took full advantage of Jamie Carragher's mistake to give Everton the lead after 24-minutes. Sylvain Distin then returned the favour by playing a back-pass straight into the path of Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan made no mistake to equalise on 62-minutes. Liverpool then won the game three minutes from the end with Andy Carroll heading home a corner to set up the opportunity for domestic cup double.
In the second semi-final, it ended up not being too much of a contest as Chelsea put five past Tottenham. Didier Drogba opened the scoring two minutes before half-time with a curler into the top corner. Juan Mata made it 2-0 four minutes after the restart although replays showed that all the ball hadn't crossed the line by the time Benoit Assou-Ekotto had cleared. The goal stood to Tottenham's dismay and Gareth Bale had to pull one back on 56-minutes. It turned out to be a consolation as Ramires made it 3-1 on 77-minutes before Frank Lampard smashed a free-kick home four minutes later. The final nail in the coffin came in injury time with Florent Malouda finishing after being put through. Chelsea will meet Liverpool in the FA Cup on the same day they were due to meet in the Premiership.
In the second semi-final, it ended up not being too much of a contest as Chelsea put five past Tottenham. Didier Drogba opened the scoring two minutes before half-time with a curler into the top corner. Juan Mata made it 2-0 four minutes after the restart although replays showed that all the ball hadn't crossed the line by the time Benoit Assou-Ekotto had cleared. The goal stood to Tottenham's dismay and Gareth Bale had to pull one back on 56-minutes. It turned out to be a consolation as Ramires made it 3-1 on 77-minutes before Frank Lampard smashed a free-kick home four minutes later. The final nail in the coffin came in injury time with Florent Malouda finishing after being put through. Chelsea will meet Liverpool in the FA Cup on the same day they were due to meet in the Premiership.
First Win For Rosberg
Nico Rosberg led for the majority of the China Grand Prix to claim his first ever victory in Formula One. Jenson Button was catching the Mercedes but a botched pit-stop on lap 39 allowed the young German to get away. In a brilliant last eight laps, Kimi Raikkonen lost 12-places from second and Sebastian Vettel would also end up losing places to Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber to finish in fifth.
The news before the race saw Jean-Eric Vergne start from the pits in the Toro Rosso. From the start, Button had moved up to third with Hamilton up to fifth. Sergio Perez had managed to get up to sixth and Felipe Massa had moved two places up to tenth. The Red Bulls were the biggest losers from the start as Webber had dropped to eighth whereas Vettel slumped to 14th.
The pitting strategy played a huge part in the race and Webber was the first come in as early as lap seven. That was followed by Vettel and Kamui Kobayashi three laps later. Raikkonen and Hamilton came in on lap 11 and the McLaren managed to pass the Lotus and the Finn also ended up coming out behind Webber in tenth. The only retirement of the race came on lap 13 when Michael Schumacher's pit stop didn't go well, the right front tyre had failed to be put on properly and the Mercedes, who was sitting in second, had to pull out as Button overtook him. Vettel's early pit allowed him to overtake Sergio Perez in tenth after the Mexican pitted on lap 16.
Webber was again the first to pit on lap 22 but this time the McLaren's followed quickly to allow Hamilton to keep his place. Fernando Alonso came in on lap 28 but ended up finding himself behind the chasing pack before Raikkonen ended up behind the Ferrari from his stop a lap later. But Ferrari's favouritism seemed to show once again on lap 31 when Massa was told to let Alonso ahead of him into eighth.
Rosberg came in again on lap 35 which allowed Button to take the lead, it was also the lap where Webber came in for his third stop. Four laps later, Button had pitted but the left rear wouldn't come off and the McLaren had to wait before finally coming out in sixth. Alonso would go off the track on lap 43 during an attempted overtake and that cost him as he subsequently fell to 11th.
On lap 49, Raikkonen was second, Vettel third, Button fourth, Hamilton fifth and Webber sixth. By the end of that lap, Raikkonen had hit the virtual wall for his tyres and was passed by his rivals. Three laps later and the Finn was way down in tenth but Button had managed to overtake Vettel and secure second place. On lap 55 Vettel was passed by Hamilton before Webber took fourth in final lap ahead of his teammate. Race result:
1.Rosberg (Mercedes), 2.Button (McLaren), 3.Hamilton (McLaren), 4.Webber (Red Bull), 5.Vettel (Red Bull), 6.Grosjean (Lotus), 7.Senna (Williams), 8.Maldonado (Williams), 9.Alonso (Ferrari), 10.Kobayashi (Sauber), 11.Perez (Sauber), 12.Di Resta (Force India), 13.Massa (Ferrari), 14.Raikkonen (Lotus), 15.Hulkenberg (Force India), 16.Vergne (Toro Rosso), 17.Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), 18.Petrov (Caterham), 19.Glock (Marussia), 20.Pic (Marussia), 21.De La Rosa (HRT), 22.Karthikeyan (HRT), 23.Kovalainen (Caterham) DNF: Schumacher (Mercedes)
The news before the race saw Jean-Eric Vergne start from the pits in the Toro Rosso. From the start, Button had moved up to third with Hamilton up to fifth. Sergio Perez had managed to get up to sixth and Felipe Massa had moved two places up to tenth. The Red Bulls were the biggest losers from the start as Webber had dropped to eighth whereas Vettel slumped to 14th.
The pitting strategy played a huge part in the race and Webber was the first come in as early as lap seven. That was followed by Vettel and Kamui Kobayashi three laps later. Raikkonen and Hamilton came in on lap 11 and the McLaren managed to pass the Lotus and the Finn also ended up coming out behind Webber in tenth. The only retirement of the race came on lap 13 when Michael Schumacher's pit stop didn't go well, the right front tyre had failed to be put on properly and the Mercedes, who was sitting in second, had to pull out as Button overtook him. Vettel's early pit allowed him to overtake Sergio Perez in tenth after the Mexican pitted on lap 16.
Webber was again the first to pit on lap 22 but this time the McLaren's followed quickly to allow Hamilton to keep his place. Fernando Alonso came in on lap 28 but ended up finding himself behind the chasing pack before Raikkonen ended up behind the Ferrari from his stop a lap later. But Ferrari's favouritism seemed to show once again on lap 31 when Massa was told to let Alonso ahead of him into eighth.
Rosberg came in again on lap 35 which allowed Button to take the lead, it was also the lap where Webber came in for his third stop. Four laps later, Button had pitted but the left rear wouldn't come off and the McLaren had to wait before finally coming out in sixth. Alonso would go off the track on lap 43 during an attempted overtake and that cost him as he subsequently fell to 11th.
On lap 49, Raikkonen was second, Vettel third, Button fourth, Hamilton fifth and Webber sixth. By the end of that lap, Raikkonen had hit the virtual wall for his tyres and was passed by his rivals. Three laps later and the Finn was way down in tenth but Button had managed to overtake Vettel and secure second place. On lap 55 Vettel was passed by Hamilton before Webber took fourth in final lap ahead of his teammate. Race result:
1.Rosberg (Mercedes), 2.Button (McLaren), 3.Hamilton (McLaren), 4.Webber (Red Bull), 5.Vettel (Red Bull), 6.Grosjean (Lotus), 7.Senna (Williams), 8.Maldonado (Williams), 9.Alonso (Ferrari), 10.Kobayashi (Sauber), 11.Perez (Sauber), 12.Di Resta (Force India), 13.Massa (Ferrari), 14.Raikkonen (Lotus), 15.Hulkenberg (Force India), 16.Vergne (Toro Rosso), 17.Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), 18.Petrov (Caterham), 19.Glock (Marussia), 20.Pic (Marussia), 21.De La Rosa (HRT), 22.Karthikeyan (HRT), 23.Kovalainen (Caterham) DNF: Schumacher (Mercedes)
Saturday 14 April 2012
First Pole For Rosberg
Nico Rosberg will be on Pole position for the first time in his career with the 'perfect lap' in qualifying. It's the first Mercedes Pole since 1955 and Michael Schumacher makes it a one-two as Lewis Hamilton received a five place penalty for a gearbox change. That sees Hamilton in seventh with his team-mate, Jenson Button, in fifth. The surprise qualifier of the day was Kamui Kobayashi who will start third ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in the Lotus. Mark Webber sits in between the two McLarens in sixth with Perez making it two Saubers in the top eight. Points leader, Fernando Alonso, will start in ninth with Romain Grosjean in tenth.
The shock in Q2 saw Sebastian Vettel only manage to qualify eleventh with the struggling Felipe Massa in twelfth. The two Williams Cars will be side by side with Pastor Maldonado just ahead of Bruno Senna in in 13th. The two Force Indias do the same with Paul Di Resta out-qualifying Nico Hulkenberg. Daniel Ricciardo was the final man to make it out of Q1 and will start in 17th.
It was the usual six plus one in Q1 but maybe it was no surprise to see a Toro Rosso as the 'plus one'. Jean-Eric Vergne will start behind his team-mate in 18th. Heikki Kovalainen once again out-qualified his Caterham team-mate Vitaly Petrov in places 19 and 20. Timo Glock showed his experience once more, beating Charles Pic in the battle on the penultimate row. The HRTs will again be propping up the pack with Pedro De La Rosa beating Narain Karthikeyan.
The shock in Q2 saw Sebastian Vettel only manage to qualify eleventh with the struggling Felipe Massa in twelfth. The two Williams Cars will be side by side with Pastor Maldonado just ahead of Bruno Senna in in 13th. The two Force Indias do the same with Paul Di Resta out-qualifying Nico Hulkenberg. Daniel Ricciardo was the final man to make it out of Q1 and will start in 17th.
It was the usual six plus one in Q1 but maybe it was no surprise to see a Toro Rosso as the 'plus one'. Jean-Eric Vergne will start behind his team-mate in 18th. Heikki Kovalainen once again out-qualified his Caterham team-mate Vitaly Petrov in places 19 and 20. Timo Glock showed his experience once more, beating Charles Pic in the battle on the penultimate row. The HRTs will again be propping up the pack with Pedro De La Rosa beating Narain Karthikeyan.
Thursday 12 April 2012
2012 Premier League Darts: Week Ten
Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield. The venue for the tenth week of the Premier League Darts, a fixture where Adrian Lewis takes a week off and Gary Anderson fulfils his required matches. The Scot was up first and met James Wade who needed to contain himself after last week's controversy. The two met in week three in Belfast where the reigning champ won the match 8-5. The first break of throw came in the fourth leg when Wade made it 3-1 with his third double top of the match, but Anderson broke straight back before finding himself 4-2 down at the break. Wade then broke the throw once again in the eighth leg to all but seal the victory, yet again finishing on double top. Anderson missed three darts to pull it back to 7-4 and Wade's relentlessness at double top finished the match off at 8-3, taking the Machine into double figures for the tournament.
That was the same scoreline when Simon Whitlock met Kevin Painter back in Belfast. Painter was in stellar form that night and instantly broke the throw tonight. The Australian fought back to 2-2 before both players then broke the throw to make it 3-3 going into the break. Perhaps the most crucial break of throw came in the eighth leg when Whitlock took a 5-3 lead, the first time he was in the lead in the match. Painter found a 119-checkout to make it 6-4 before Whitlock secured a point with an 11-dart leg. Whitlock then secured the match at 8-5 to keep himself second in the table.
It was no surprise to see that Phil Taylor had beaten Raymond Van Barneveld in the third week, 8-4. But since then, Taylor has secured his place in the semi-finals and Barneveld posted his highest average last week to give him some momentum going into this match. Taylor kicked the night off with a ton check-out before instantly breaking the throw. Taylor eclipsed that by making a 124-check-out to take a lead of 4-1before the Dutchman pulled a leg back going into the break. Barney broke the Taylor throw straight from the interval but missed darts allowed Taylor to make it 5-3 and retake the throw. That soon transpired to 7-3 with Taylor then holding his throw to add a further two points to his tally this season.
Anderson was back on the oche for the final match as he took on Andy Hamilton. Anderson thrashed the Hammer 8-2 back in week two in Aberdeen and needed that sort of form in response to his earlier disappointment. The Scot broke the throw in the opening leg and then took out 101 to start that much needed response. Hamilton's riposte came in the form of a 124-checkout to level the match at 2-2 before then having a 4-2 lead at the interval, courtesy of Anderson missing three darts at the double. Anderson was able to break the throw following the intermission and then subsequently levelled the match. The Scot then broke the throw again with a 121-check-out via the bull to retake the lead before making it four legs on the bounce. Hamilton kept himself in the match by breaking the throw to make it 7-5 and then forced the deciding leg. The Hammer finished the match in style with a 102-checkout to assure himself of a point when it looked like Anderson would take the two.
That was the same scoreline when Simon Whitlock met Kevin Painter back in Belfast. Painter was in stellar form that night and instantly broke the throw tonight. The Australian fought back to 2-2 before both players then broke the throw to make it 3-3 going into the break. Perhaps the most crucial break of throw came in the eighth leg when Whitlock took a 5-3 lead, the first time he was in the lead in the match. Painter found a 119-checkout to make it 6-4 before Whitlock secured a point with an 11-dart leg. Whitlock then secured the match at 8-5 to keep himself second in the table.
It was no surprise to see that Phil Taylor had beaten Raymond Van Barneveld in the third week, 8-4. But since then, Taylor has secured his place in the semi-finals and Barneveld posted his highest average last week to give him some momentum going into this match. Taylor kicked the night off with a ton check-out before instantly breaking the throw. Taylor eclipsed that by making a 124-check-out to take a lead of 4-1before the Dutchman pulled a leg back going into the break. Barney broke the Taylor throw straight from the interval but missed darts allowed Taylor to make it 5-3 and retake the throw. That soon transpired to 7-3 with Taylor then holding his throw to add a further two points to his tally this season.
Anderson was back on the oche for the final match as he took on Andy Hamilton. Anderson thrashed the Hammer 8-2 back in week two in Aberdeen and needed that sort of form in response to his earlier disappointment. The Scot broke the throw in the opening leg and then took out 101 to start that much needed response. Hamilton's riposte came in the form of a 124-checkout to level the match at 2-2 before then having a 4-2 lead at the interval, courtesy of Anderson missing three darts at the double. Anderson was able to break the throw following the intermission and then subsequently levelled the match. The Scot then broke the throw again with a 121-check-out via the bull to retake the lead before making it four legs on the bounce. Hamilton kept himself in the match by breaking the throw to make it 7-5 and then forced the deciding leg. The Hammer finished the match in style with a 102-checkout to assure himself of a point when it looked like Anderson would take the two.
Wednesday 11 April 2012
PL Round-Up 10-11/4/12
Wigan 1-0 Manchester United: Wigan beat Manchester United for the first time ever in the Premiership as they move two points clear of relegation. Wigan thought they had took the lead in the first half when Victor Moses headed a corner home, but it was ruled out as Gary Caldwell was adjudged to have impeded David De Gea. But they did eventually take a deserved lead when Shaun Maloney benefited from a short corner and curled a shot into the far corner five minutes after the restart, although there are questions over whether it was a corner in the first place. United should have had a second half penalty when Maynor Figueroa handballed a cross, but it wasn't given and Wigan's refereeing decisions may have evened themselves out.
Manchester City 4-0 West Brom: Manchester City close the gap to five points in stunning fashion. Sergio Aguero fired City into the lead after just six minutes with a great long-range effort into the bottom corner. Aguero then made it 2-0, sliding a through ball past Ben Foster nine minutes into the second half. The points were wrapped up when Carlos Tevez scored from an Aguero pull back just after the hour mark to truly announce his return. David Silva added the fourth with a cheeky chip three minutes later.
QPR 3-0 Swansea: QPR are now also two points clear of the bottom three with this crucial victory over Swansea. The returning Joey Barton took full advantage of a non-cleared free-kick just before half-time to give QPR the lead. Jamie Mackie then doubled their advantage via a deflected shot, although Mackie did appear to be in a slight offside position when he received the ball ten minutes into the second half. Akos Buszaky added a magnificent third from outside the box to seal the points on 67-minutes.
Wolves 0-3 Arsenal: Wolves' time in the Premier League is looking ever shorter now as they slip nine points from safety at the foot of the table. Wolves' problems started after just eight minutes when Sebastian Bassong brought Theo Walcott down in the box. The defender received a straight red for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Robin Van Persie chipped in the subsequent penalty. Walcott then added the second after just a minute later when was put through on goal for his 11th of the season. The final nail in Wolves' Premiership coffin was hammered home by Yossi Benayoun from Alex Song's pull back on 69-minutes.
Blackburn 2-3 Liverpool: Tuesday's action saw a last minute winner place Blackburn three points from safety. The visitors took the lead on 13-minutes when Maxi Rodriguez finished off a counter attack from a Craig Bellamy cross. The Argentine then doubled the advantage three minutes later, scoring a rebound from an Andy Carroll attempt. Liverpool's goalkeeping problems worsened on 25-minutes when Alex Doni brought Junior Hoilett down in the box and had to be sent off. Yakubu stepped up, but provided an awful attempt that third-choice keeper, Brad Jones, easily saved with his first touch of the game on his Liverpool debut. But Yakubu made amends, heading a David Dunn cross home nine minutes before half-time to make it 2-1. Jones, who will now play in the FA Cup, almost missed out when he pushed Yakubu in the box and was lucky to only receive a yellow card. This time Yakubu finished the penalty to make it 2-2 just after the hour mark. But Andy Carroll prevented Blackburn from the point with a header in the 91st minute to give them momentum going into that Merseyside semi-final derby on Saturday.
Manchester City 4-0 West Brom: Manchester City close the gap to five points in stunning fashion. Sergio Aguero fired City into the lead after just six minutes with a great long-range effort into the bottom corner. Aguero then made it 2-0, sliding a through ball past Ben Foster nine minutes into the second half. The points were wrapped up when Carlos Tevez scored from an Aguero pull back just after the hour mark to truly announce his return. David Silva added the fourth with a cheeky chip three minutes later.
QPR 3-0 Swansea: QPR are now also two points clear of the bottom three with this crucial victory over Swansea. The returning Joey Barton took full advantage of a non-cleared free-kick just before half-time to give QPR the lead. Jamie Mackie then doubled their advantage via a deflected shot, although Mackie did appear to be in a slight offside position when he received the ball ten minutes into the second half. Akos Buszaky added a magnificent third from outside the box to seal the points on 67-minutes.
Wolves 0-3 Arsenal: Wolves' time in the Premier League is looking ever shorter now as they slip nine points from safety at the foot of the table. Wolves' problems started after just eight minutes when Sebastian Bassong brought Theo Walcott down in the box. The defender received a straight red for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Robin Van Persie chipped in the subsequent penalty. Walcott then added the second after just a minute later when was put through on goal for his 11th of the season. The final nail in Wolves' Premiership coffin was hammered home by Yossi Benayoun from Alex Song's pull back on 69-minutes.
Blackburn 2-3 Liverpool: Tuesday's action saw a last minute winner place Blackburn three points from safety. The visitors took the lead on 13-minutes when Maxi Rodriguez finished off a counter attack from a Craig Bellamy cross. The Argentine then doubled the advantage three minutes later, scoring a rebound from an Andy Carroll attempt. Liverpool's goalkeeping problems worsened on 25-minutes when Alex Doni brought Junior Hoilett down in the box and had to be sent off. Yakubu stepped up, but provided an awful attempt that third-choice keeper, Brad Jones, easily saved with his first touch of the game on his Liverpool debut. But Yakubu made amends, heading a David Dunn cross home nine minutes before half-time to make it 2-1. Jones, who will now play in the FA Cup, almost missed out when he pushed Yakubu in the box and was lucky to only receive a yellow card. This time Yakubu finished the penalty to make it 2-2 just after the hour mark. But Andy Carroll prevented Blackburn from the point with a header in the 91st minute to give them momentum going into that Merseyside semi-final derby on Saturday.
Monday 9 April 2012
Easter Monday PL Round-Up
Tottenham 1-2 Norwich: Spurs' grip on Champions League has now seriously come under threat after another disappointing result. Anthony Pilkington gave Norwich the lead, finishing off a nice passing move on 13-minutes, his eighth of the season. Jermain Defoe equalised for Tottenham when Jake Livermore played the striker through on 33-minutes, just moments after Grant Holt felt he should have had a penalty for a shirt tug. Gareth Bale hit the crossbar in the second half but the winner came from Elliot Bennett, smashing his first Norwich goal past Brad Friedel on 66-minutes.
Newcastle 2-0 Bolton: Newcastle go level on points with Tottenham as the race for fourth well and truly heats up. Chris Eagles had Bolton's best chance of the match early in the second half but Tim Krul saved smartly with his leg. Newcastle were dominant in the first half and after Bolton's good start to the second, they were on top for much of the second. Bolton's resistance was finally broken when Hatem Ben Arfa picked the ball up in his own half and run it all the way into the Bolton goal, a truly majestic solo goal on 73-minutes, his first goal at St. James Park unbelievably. The points were sewn up when Papiss Cisse scored his tenth goal in his nine goals from a Shola Ameobi, although replays showed he was offside with seven minutes remaining.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: Chelsea go two behind Newcastle and Spurs after dropping further points at Craven Cottage. Chelsea were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time when Danny Murphy fouled Ryan Bertrand, Frank Lampard made no mistake from the spot. Fulham's equaliser came from, who else, Clint Dempsey, heading home a cross eight minutes from time.
Everton 4-0 Sunderland: Everton's FA Cup semi-final preparations went completely to plan with a convincing victory over the resurging Sunderland. Magaye Gueye scored his first Everton goal, screaming a rebound into the net seven minutes into the second half to get the ball rolling. Steven Pienaar scored the second of the game, his second since his return, curling the ball into the bottom corner on 75-minutes. Leon Osman matched Pienaar to make it 3-0 just 90-seconds later to put the game beyond all doubt. The icing on the cake came from substitute Victor Anichebe whose deflected shot baffled Simon Mignolet, making it 4-0 nine minutes from time.
Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke: Villa move seven points clear of the relegation zone with yet another draw. It perhaps could have been more when Andreas Weimann put Villa ahead with a brilliant curler on 32-minutes. Stoke's equaliser came via Villa's Achilles heel; a Jermaine Pennant free-kick was headed home by Robert Huth on 71-minutes.
Newcastle 2-0 Bolton: Newcastle go level on points with Tottenham as the race for fourth well and truly heats up. Chris Eagles had Bolton's best chance of the match early in the second half but Tim Krul saved smartly with his leg. Newcastle were dominant in the first half and after Bolton's good start to the second, they were on top for much of the second. Bolton's resistance was finally broken when Hatem Ben Arfa picked the ball up in his own half and run it all the way into the Bolton goal, a truly majestic solo goal on 73-minutes, his first goal at St. James Park unbelievably. The points were sewn up when Papiss Cisse scored his tenth goal in his nine goals from a Shola Ameobi, although replays showed he was offside with seven minutes remaining.
Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: Chelsea go two behind Newcastle and Spurs after dropping further points at Craven Cottage. Chelsea were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time when Danny Murphy fouled Ryan Bertrand, Frank Lampard made no mistake from the spot. Fulham's equaliser came from, who else, Clint Dempsey, heading home a cross eight minutes from time.
Everton 4-0 Sunderland: Everton's FA Cup semi-final preparations went completely to plan with a convincing victory over the resurging Sunderland. Magaye Gueye scored his first Everton goal, screaming a rebound into the net seven minutes into the second half to get the ball rolling. Steven Pienaar scored the second of the game, his second since his return, curling the ball into the bottom corner on 75-minutes. Leon Osman matched Pienaar to make it 3-0 just 90-seconds later to put the game beyond all doubt. The icing on the cake came from substitute Victor Anichebe whose deflected shot baffled Simon Mignolet, making it 4-0 nine minutes from time.
Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke: Villa move seven points clear of the relegation zone with yet another draw. It perhaps could have been more when Andreas Weimann put Villa ahead with a brilliant curler on 32-minutes. Stoke's equaliser came via Villa's Achilles heel; a Jermaine Pennant free-kick was headed home by Robert Huth on 71-minutes.
Sunday 8 April 2012
Eight Points
With just six games remaining, the title race looks to be nearing the end after Manchester United were able to stretch their lead to eight points on today's Easter Super Sunday. United hosted QPR before Manchester City went to Arsenal.
For the first ten minutes, Manchester United had 92% possession and a goal looked ominous. But the matter in which the deadlock was broken was shrouded in controversy. The ball was played through to Ashley Young, the winger then theatrically fell under a Shaun Derry and Lee Mason pointed to the spot and sent the QPR captain off. It wasn't as clear cut as that, however, as Young was clearly in an offside position when the ball was played and the contact under which he fell was minimal to say the least. After Mason, wrongly, pointed to the spot, he had no option but to send Derry off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Once the seventh red card of the season for QPR had made the long walk down the tunnel, Wayne Rooney stepped up and placed his 22nd goal of the season past Paddy Kenny.
From there, United looked in formidable form but failed to take advantage. QPR managed to hold on up to half-time with the scoreline remaining 1-0. It was more of the same in the second half but United's casual attitude prevented them from extended their goal difference further. The safety net finally came on 68-minutes when Paul Scholes rifled a shot into the bottom corner, his third since his return. Michael Carrick nearly added a third but his effort smashed back off the post and the game finished at 2-0.
With City knowing their rivals had extended the lead to eight points, they knew they had to perform against Arsenal. But that is exactly what they didn't do. Mario Balotelli will once again grab the headlines and again it's not for the right reasons. Arsenal had secured 72% possession in the first 15-minutes as City were looking extremely sluggish. But they were lucky to have all eleven men on the pitch when Balotelli slid in, studs showing, and collided into Alex Song, knee high. Referee Martin Atkinson didn't even give a free-kick and the young Italian got away with one.
As for the attacking, it looked like it was going to be one of those games for Arsenal as they just couldn't squeeze the ball home. A first-half Robin Van Persie header from a corner was blocked off the line, by Thomas Vermaelen. The second half saw Yossi Benayoun have his shot stopped by Joe Hart before Vermaelen tried to slid it home, instead it rolled back to Benayoun who could only slip it wide. City didn't provide a shot on target throughout the game and would soon pay the price. Arsenal finally found their breakthrough when Mikel Arteta smashed a shot past Hart and possibly ended their title dreams with three minutes remaining. It got worse for City when Balotelli received a second yellow card for a late challenge in injury time, forcing Roberto Mancini to concede that it may be better for the striker to leave Eastlands in the summer.
For the first ten minutes, Manchester United had 92% possession and a goal looked ominous. But the matter in which the deadlock was broken was shrouded in controversy. The ball was played through to Ashley Young, the winger then theatrically fell under a Shaun Derry and Lee Mason pointed to the spot and sent the QPR captain off. It wasn't as clear cut as that, however, as Young was clearly in an offside position when the ball was played and the contact under which he fell was minimal to say the least. After Mason, wrongly, pointed to the spot, he had no option but to send Derry off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Once the seventh red card of the season for QPR had made the long walk down the tunnel, Wayne Rooney stepped up and placed his 22nd goal of the season past Paddy Kenny.
From there, United looked in formidable form but failed to take advantage. QPR managed to hold on up to half-time with the scoreline remaining 1-0. It was more of the same in the second half but United's casual attitude prevented them from extended their goal difference further. The safety net finally came on 68-minutes when Paul Scholes rifled a shot into the bottom corner, his third since his return. Michael Carrick nearly added a third but his effort smashed back off the post and the game finished at 2-0.
With City knowing their rivals had extended the lead to eight points, they knew they had to perform against Arsenal. But that is exactly what they didn't do. Mario Balotelli will once again grab the headlines and again it's not for the right reasons. Arsenal had secured 72% possession in the first 15-minutes as City were looking extremely sluggish. But they were lucky to have all eleven men on the pitch when Balotelli slid in, studs showing, and collided into Alex Song, knee high. Referee Martin Atkinson didn't even give a free-kick and the young Italian got away with one.
As for the attacking, it looked like it was going to be one of those games for Arsenal as they just couldn't squeeze the ball home. A first-half Robin Van Persie header from a corner was blocked off the line, by Thomas Vermaelen. The second half saw Yossi Benayoun have his shot stopped by Joe Hart before Vermaelen tried to slid it home, instead it rolled back to Benayoun who could only slip it wide. City didn't provide a shot on target throughout the game and would soon pay the price. Arsenal finally found their breakthrough when Mikel Arteta smashed a shot past Hart and possibly ended their title dreams with three minutes remaining. It got worse for City when Balotelli received a second yellow card for a late challenge in injury time, forcing Roberto Mancini to concede that it may be better for the striker to leave Eastlands in the summer.
Saturday 7 April 2012
PL Round-Up 6-7/4/12
Chelsea 2-1 Wigan: Wigan provided heroics in the first half with Ali Al-Habsi making some superb saves. The same resistance was held until Branislav Ivanovic netted on 62-minutes, but, what could be a pivotal goal in the battle for survival, he was clearly offside. But the bottom table scrappers found an equaliser eight minutes from time through Mohamed Diame to feel that justice was served. Unfortunately, it would be heartbreak for Wigan when a Fernando Torres shot came off the post and was rebounded in by Juan Mata in injury time, again replays showed he was offside and again the points were taken away from the spirited Wigan.
Bolton 0-3 Fulham: The deadlock was broken when Clint Dempsey fired his 20th goal of the season via a free-kick on the half hour mark. Dempsey was on the mark again just before half-time, this time a header from a Damien Duff cross beating Adam Bogdan. The points were wrapped up ten minutes from time when Mamadou Diarra slid home a John Arne Riise cross, Diarra's first for Fulham.
West Brom 3-0 Blackburn: West Brom took the lead when Gareth McAuley's header from a corner was netted by Martin Olsson, scoring the own goal after just seven minutes. Blackburn had chances to equalise but Marc-Antoine Fortune broke the momentum with his fifth goal of the season on 69-minutes. Liam Ridgewell sealed the victory with a header from a free-kick five minutes before the end, his first for West Brom. It got worse when substitute Anthony Modeste was sent off for an impetuous reaction for Billy Jones kicking the ball away.
Norwich 2-2 Everton: Nikica Jelavic continued his good start to life on Merseyside with his fourth goal for Everton on 22-minutes. Norwich levelled when a lack of Everton defending allowed Johnny Howson to net from a Wes Hoolahan low cross six minutes before half-time, his first for Norwich on his home debut. Everton went ahead again when Jelavic scored his second, slotting home a Steven Pienaar low cross just after the hour mark. But Norwich weren't to get beaten and Grant Holt placed the equaliser into the bottom corner 14-minutes from time.
Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa: Villa took the lead when Chris Herd scored his first Villa goal from a Barry Bannan pull back on ten minutes. Villa's defence was breached a number of times throughout the match, but Shay Given's goal remained untainted. Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy both hit the post in the second half before the resistance was finally broken when Suarez headed the rebound when Daniel Agger's header came off the cross bar eight minutes from time.
Stoke 2-1 Wolves: For the third game in a row, Wolves took the lead and ended up losing. Michael Kightly put the visitors ahead on 26-minutes before Robert Huth headed Stoke level 11-minutes later. Peter Crouch broke the Wolves hearts with another header just after the hour mark.
Sunderland 0-0 Tottenham: The day's early kick-off provided little to talk about. Both teams carved chances but didn't do anything to finish them off.
Swansea 0-2 Newcastle: Good Friday turned out to be another good day for the inspirational Papiss Cisse. Cisse scored his seventh goal in his seventh game after just five minutes before adding an eighth with a delightful chip on 69-minutes.
Bolton 0-3 Fulham: The deadlock was broken when Clint Dempsey fired his 20th goal of the season via a free-kick on the half hour mark. Dempsey was on the mark again just before half-time, this time a header from a Damien Duff cross beating Adam Bogdan. The points were wrapped up ten minutes from time when Mamadou Diarra slid home a John Arne Riise cross, Diarra's first for Fulham.
West Brom 3-0 Blackburn: West Brom took the lead when Gareth McAuley's header from a corner was netted by Martin Olsson, scoring the own goal after just seven minutes. Blackburn had chances to equalise but Marc-Antoine Fortune broke the momentum with his fifth goal of the season on 69-minutes. Liam Ridgewell sealed the victory with a header from a free-kick five minutes before the end, his first for West Brom. It got worse when substitute Anthony Modeste was sent off for an impetuous reaction for Billy Jones kicking the ball away.
Norwich 2-2 Everton: Nikica Jelavic continued his good start to life on Merseyside with his fourth goal for Everton on 22-minutes. Norwich levelled when a lack of Everton defending allowed Johnny Howson to net from a Wes Hoolahan low cross six minutes before half-time, his first for Norwich on his home debut. Everton went ahead again when Jelavic scored his second, slotting home a Steven Pienaar low cross just after the hour mark. But Norwich weren't to get beaten and Grant Holt placed the equaliser into the bottom corner 14-minutes from time.
Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa: Villa took the lead when Chris Herd scored his first Villa goal from a Barry Bannan pull back on ten minutes. Villa's defence was breached a number of times throughout the match, but Shay Given's goal remained untainted. Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy both hit the post in the second half before the resistance was finally broken when Suarez headed the rebound when Daniel Agger's header came off the cross bar eight minutes from time.
Stoke 2-1 Wolves: For the third game in a row, Wolves took the lead and ended up losing. Michael Kightly put the visitors ahead on 26-minutes before Robert Huth headed Stoke level 11-minutes later. Peter Crouch broke the Wolves hearts with another header just after the hour mark.
Sunderland 0-0 Tottenham: The day's early kick-off provided little to talk about. Both teams carved chances but didn't do anything to finish them off.
Swansea 0-2 Newcastle: Good Friday turned out to be another good day for the inspirational Papiss Cisse. Cisse scored his seventh goal in his seventh game after just five minutes before adding an eighth with a delightful chip on 69-minutes.
Thursday 5 April 2012
2012 Premier League Darts: Week Nine
The dartboard moved to Nottingham this week and all eight players were on display as Gary Anderson returned to action. Tonight's matches reflected week six in Glasgow so all the players will have those results firmly in their mind.
Up first was Kevin Painter as he faced Raymond Van Barneveld. The Barney Army in Scotland helped the Dutchman secure a 8-5 victory to begin a run that has seen Painter fail to win in his last three matches. Painter went one dart away from sealing Shanghai in the opening leg, this allowed Barney to immediately break the throw. Painter took-out a round ton to hold his throw at the second time of asking but still found himself 4-2 behind at the break. Barneveld came back from the break and took-out a ton of his own to once again break the throw and extend his lead to three legs. But the Artist broke back in the eighth leg before once again relinquishing his throw to make it 6-3 in the Dutchman's favour. Barney ensured himself of a point but Painter hit two 20s then the bull to check-out 90 and break the throw once more, pulling it back to 7-5. The Artist then provided some improvisation by hitting double top followed by double ten to check-out 120 and force a final leg. But the fightback was ultimately ended by a simple double ten to give Barneveld the 8-6 win, putting him on ten points with Painter remaining on six.
When James Wade and Adrian Lewis met in Glasgow, it finished 8-5 to the Machine and the World Champion had yet to record his first victory in the competition. Three weeks later and the pair are separated by a point in the table with Lewis behind despite playing a game more. The pair traded blows in the opening two legs before Wade secured the first break of throw in leg three. With their rivalry very much talked about, Wade decided to turn it up a notch by hitting two double tops to cheekily check-out 80 and make it 4-2 at the interval. But, if anything, it only motivated Lewis as he soon fought back to level the match at 4-4. Wade then looked to be the first to crack when he was clearly upset by Lewis seeming to walk in the 'inclusion' area. But whether he did or not, if definitely affected Wade and Jackpot was able to secure the break and lead 6-4. The pair then secured a further break of throw each as Lewis guaranteed himself a point. The game turned sour once again in the 13th leg as Wade again showed his discontent for Lewis walking past him. Lewis argued his case for a loose floorboard and went onto win the match 8-5. The players then had a near non-existent handshake to once again heighten what is becoming a volatile rivalry.
Following a heated interview with Lewis. The action continued with Phil Taylor playing against Andy Hamilton, the Hammer was playing despite losing his father last week. Taylor eased past the debutant 8-3 in Glasgow but found himself 2-0 behind to the ruthless Hamilton. However, Taylor instantly broke back and soon found himself 4-2 ahead at the break. Hamilton then checked-out a ton to make it 5-4 which then equated to 6-5. Taylor then guaranteed himself a point before Hamilton forced a final leg via a bulls-eye finish. Both players missed a dart at the bull to end the game and Taylor finally wrapped the game up to already put himself into the semi-finals.
The final game of the night saw the returning Gary Anderson take on Simon Whitlock, Anderson missed last week due to attending his father's funeral. Whitlock came into the game off the back of that whitewash at the hands of Wade while Anderson let the crowd get to him in Glasgow, allowing the Aussie to take the 8-6 win. The Scot fired in a 143 check-out to hold his throw in the second leg. Whitlock found the first break of throw in the fourth leg and went 5-1 ahead at the break. Anderson managed to post another leg before Whitlock went onto win the match 8-2.
Up first was Kevin Painter as he faced Raymond Van Barneveld. The Barney Army in Scotland helped the Dutchman secure a 8-5 victory to begin a run that has seen Painter fail to win in his last three matches. Painter went one dart away from sealing Shanghai in the opening leg, this allowed Barney to immediately break the throw. Painter took-out a round ton to hold his throw at the second time of asking but still found himself 4-2 behind at the break. Barneveld came back from the break and took-out a ton of his own to once again break the throw and extend his lead to three legs. But the Artist broke back in the eighth leg before once again relinquishing his throw to make it 6-3 in the Dutchman's favour. Barney ensured himself of a point but Painter hit two 20s then the bull to check-out 90 and break the throw once more, pulling it back to 7-5. The Artist then provided some improvisation by hitting double top followed by double ten to check-out 120 and force a final leg. But the fightback was ultimately ended by a simple double ten to give Barneveld the 8-6 win, putting him on ten points with Painter remaining on six.
When James Wade and Adrian Lewis met in Glasgow, it finished 8-5 to the Machine and the World Champion had yet to record his first victory in the competition. Three weeks later and the pair are separated by a point in the table with Lewis behind despite playing a game more. The pair traded blows in the opening two legs before Wade secured the first break of throw in leg three. With their rivalry very much talked about, Wade decided to turn it up a notch by hitting two double tops to cheekily check-out 80 and make it 4-2 at the interval. But, if anything, it only motivated Lewis as he soon fought back to level the match at 4-4. Wade then looked to be the first to crack when he was clearly upset by Lewis seeming to walk in the 'inclusion' area. But whether he did or not, if definitely affected Wade and Jackpot was able to secure the break and lead 6-4. The pair then secured a further break of throw each as Lewis guaranteed himself a point. The game turned sour once again in the 13th leg as Wade again showed his discontent for Lewis walking past him. Lewis argued his case for a loose floorboard and went onto win the match 8-5. The players then had a near non-existent handshake to once again heighten what is becoming a volatile rivalry.
Following a heated interview with Lewis. The action continued with Phil Taylor playing against Andy Hamilton, the Hammer was playing despite losing his father last week. Taylor eased past the debutant 8-3 in Glasgow but found himself 2-0 behind to the ruthless Hamilton. However, Taylor instantly broke back and soon found himself 4-2 ahead at the break. Hamilton then checked-out a ton to make it 5-4 which then equated to 6-5. Taylor then guaranteed himself a point before Hamilton forced a final leg via a bulls-eye finish. Both players missed a dart at the bull to end the game and Taylor finally wrapped the game up to already put himself into the semi-finals.
The final game of the night saw the returning Gary Anderson take on Simon Whitlock, Anderson missed last week due to attending his father's funeral. Whitlock came into the game off the back of that whitewash at the hands of Wade while Anderson let the crowd get to him in Glasgow, allowing the Aussie to take the 8-6 win. The Scot fired in a 143 check-out to hold his throw in the second leg. Whitlock found the first break of throw in the fourth leg and went 5-1 ahead at the break. Anderson managed to post another leg before Whitlock went onto win the match 8-2.
Wednesday 4 April 2012
2011/2012 CL Quarter Finals 2nd Leg
Lionel Messi once again rewrote history, this time becoming the youngest player to reach 50 goals in the Champions League. It came courtesy of two penalties as Barcelona edged past AC Milan at Camp Nou. The first penalty was awarded after ten minutes when Luca Antonini tripped Messi, the Argentinian made no mistake from the spot despite Christian Abbiati guessing the right way. Milan would level and get that sought after away goal on 32-minutes when Antonio Nocerino was put through on goal and smashed the ball past Victor Valdes. But Barcelona would regain the lead four minutes before half-time when Alessandro Nesta pulled Sergio Busquets to the ground from a corner. Again Messi stepped up and went the opposite way with the same outcome. Andres Iniesta sealed Barcelona's fifth consecutive semi-final place in the competition with their third just eight minutes after the restart.
Barcelona will meet Chelsea in the semi-finals after the English side squeezed past Benfica. Chelsea held a 1-0 lead going into the second leg and their advantage was soon doubled when Javi Garcia fouled Ashley Cole in the box, Frank Lampard stepped-up and converted the spot-kick on 21-minutes. Maxi Pereira received a yellow card for dissent when the penalty was awarded and he made Benfica's task even harder by receiving a second yellow five minutes before half-time. Javi Garcia made up his error by pulling a goal back five minutes from time but it was too little too late and Raul Meireles sealed the victory in injury time.
Bayern Munich made a short task of Marseille after carrying two away goals back to the Allianz Arena with them. Ivica Olic was chosen ahead of top scorer Mario Gomez and the little Croatian proved he was the right man for the job. He put Munich ahead after just 13-minutes to make it 3-0 on aggregate before adding a second eight minutes before half-time.
The German side will meet the other competitors from El Classico as they swept Cypriot minnows, Apoel, aside. Real Madrid had a 3-0 aggregate lead going into the second leg and Cristiano Ronaldo began the build the advantage on 26-minutes, Kaka then made it 2-0 ten minutes later. Gustavo Manduca now has a story to tell his grandchildren, as he scored at the Bernabeu on 67-minutes to give the Cypriot side some consolation. Ronaldo then made it 3-1 on 75-minutes before rising star, Jose Callejon, added a fourth five minutes later. Apoel managed to score a second goal when substitute Esteban Scolari netted from the spot with eight minutes remaining. But the last word came from Angel Di Maria who would make it 5-2, 8-2 on aggregate, two minutes after Apoel's penalty.
Barcelona will meet Chelsea in the semi-finals after the English side squeezed past Benfica. Chelsea held a 1-0 lead going into the second leg and their advantage was soon doubled when Javi Garcia fouled Ashley Cole in the box, Frank Lampard stepped-up and converted the spot-kick on 21-minutes. Maxi Pereira received a yellow card for dissent when the penalty was awarded and he made Benfica's task even harder by receiving a second yellow five minutes before half-time. Javi Garcia made up his error by pulling a goal back five minutes from time but it was too little too late and Raul Meireles sealed the victory in injury time.
Bayern Munich made a short task of Marseille after carrying two away goals back to the Allianz Arena with them. Ivica Olic was chosen ahead of top scorer Mario Gomez and the little Croatian proved he was the right man for the job. He put Munich ahead after just 13-minutes to make it 3-0 on aggregate before adding a second eight minutes before half-time.
The German side will meet the other competitors from El Classico as they swept Cypriot minnows, Apoel, aside. Real Madrid had a 3-0 aggregate lead going into the second leg and Cristiano Ronaldo began the build the advantage on 26-minutes, Kaka then made it 2-0 ten minutes later. Gustavo Manduca now has a story to tell his grandchildren, as he scored at the Bernabeu on 67-minutes to give the Cypriot side some consolation. Ronaldo then made it 3-1 on 75-minutes before rising star, Jose Callejon, added a fourth five minutes later. Apoel managed to score a second goal when substitute Esteban Scolari netted from the spot with eight minutes remaining. But the last word came from Angel Di Maria who would make it 5-2, 8-2 on aggregate, two minutes after Apoel's penalty.
Monday 2 April 2012
Two For Adebayor, Two For Cisse, Two For United
With no live games on Saturday, we had to wait for the Super Sunday double bill and Monday Night Football to get out weekend's fill. Newcastle moved level on points with Chelsea after a vital 2-0 win over Liverpool, the visitors are now nine eleven points behind the Toon Army. Papiss Cisse continued his amazing start to life in the Premiership, scoring their first after just 19-minutes before scoring the crucial second just before the hour mark. Any chances for Liverpool to come back were ended when Pepe Reina was sent off with eight minutes remaining. He was enraged at a perceived trip by James Perch, the two came together before the goalkeeper leant in with his head. Perch did make the most of it but referee, Martin Atkinson, had no other choice as you cannot lead in with your head. With all three subs used, Jose Enrique spent the rest of the game in goal but only had one punch to make in the final eight minutes.
Tottenham went level on points with Arsenal and, more importantly, five ahead of Chelsea with a home win over Swansea. Rafael Van Der Vaart placed a great shot past Michel Vorm via a pull back to give Spurs the lead on 19-minutes. Gylfi Sigurdsson continued his impressive start to the league with another good finish just before the hour mark. Emmanuel Adebayor came off the bench to make an impact, giving Tottenham the lead again in 73-minutes before wrapping the game up four minutes from time.
Manchester United travelled to Ewood Park and just about managed to extend their lead to five points at the top of the table. Despite dominating much of possession, David De Gea was the much busier keeper with some expert saves just before half-time. United tried turning the screw more in the second half but were still under fire from Blackburn's counter attacking threat. The breakthrough finally came, however, when Antonio Valencia fired a cross-come-shot past Paul Robinson and into the net with nine minutes left. Substitute Ashley Young wrapped the vital three points up with a shot on the turn that beat Robinson into the bottom corner five minutes later.
Tottenham went level on points with Arsenal and, more importantly, five ahead of Chelsea with a home win over Swansea. Rafael Van Der Vaart placed a great shot past Michel Vorm via a pull back to give Spurs the lead on 19-minutes. Gylfi Sigurdsson continued his impressive start to the league with another good finish just before the hour mark. Emmanuel Adebayor came off the bench to make an impact, giving Tottenham the lead again in 73-minutes before wrapping the game up four minutes from time.
Manchester United travelled to Ewood Park and just about managed to extend their lead to five points at the top of the table. Despite dominating much of possession, David De Gea was the much busier keeper with some expert saves just before half-time. United tried turning the screw more in the second half but were still under fire from Blackburn's counter attacking threat. The breakthrough finally came, however, when Antonio Valencia fired a cross-come-shot past Paul Robinson and into the net with nine minutes left. Substitute Ashley Young wrapped the vital three points up with a shot on the turn that beat Robinson into the bottom corner five minutes later.
Sunday 1 April 2012
PL Round-Up 31/3/12
Manchester City 3-3 Sunderland: Sunderland end City's 100% home record with their first ever Premiership point at Eastlands. It perhaps should have been more as the hosts had to come from behind to earn the point. The opening goal of the game came from Sebastian Larsson whose placed shot found the bottom corner just after the half hour mark. City looked to be level before half-time when Edin Dzeko rode a tackle from Craig Gardner in the box, Mario Balotelli stepped-up an calmly slotted the spot-kick home. But a Nicklas Bendtner header from Stephane Sessegnon in first half injury time meant that City would be behind at half-time for the first time this season. Sunderland then extended their lead just nine minutes after the restart when Bendtner played a low cross which Larsson slid past Joe Hart to make it 3-1. All seemed unwell in the City camp when Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov almost came to blows over the taking of a free-kick. That may have spurred both players on however as Balotelli smashed a goal back five minutes before the end and then Kolarov found an equaliser sixty seconds later to seal the point. The lead at the top is now down to two, but Manchester United play Blackburn on Monday where the lead could now be stretched to five.
Aston Villa 2-4 Chelsea: Stiliyan Petrov was at the ground for the game, just a day after being diagnosed with Acute Leukaemia. The dream start, however, came at the other end when Daniel Sturridge poked the ball home after just nine minutes. There was an emotional 19th minute when the Villa fans all stood up for a minute's applause in support for their stricken number 19. Chelsea doubled their lead six minutes into the second half when another poorly defended corner was taken advantage of, Branislav Ivanovic scoring the goal. But Villa fought back when a long throw was headed home by James Collins on 77-minutes. The comeback was seemingly complete when Eric Lichaj made it two goals in three minutes with his first ever Premiership goal, turning in a Marc Albrighton cross. But the hard work ultimately counted for nothing, Ivanovic heading from another poorly defended corner to make it 3-2 with seven minutes left. The points were wrapped up in injury time when Fernando Torres scored his first league goal since September in the league, finishing off a counter attack. Chelsea are now two points behind Tottenham who play Swansea today, Villa are now only five points clear of the relegation zone.
Wolves 2-3 Bolton: The battle at the bottom is getting tighter and tighter with every game played, although for Wolves, it is starting to look rather bleak. In times of need, Terry Connor didn't want to see Wayne Hennessey and Roger Johnson almost come to blows. Wolves had much the better chances in the first half and, on another day, they could have had three or four. But they finally broke the deadlock when Michael Kightly found the bottom corner from outside the box just eight minutes after the restart. Bolton were awarded a penalty when former Wolves player Mark Davies went down under a Roger Johnson challenge, although replays suggest he went down too easily. Martin Petrov stepped up and converted before sending a get well message to his countryman and namesake on 63-minutes. Bolton then took the lead when Mark Alonso scored his first ever Bolton goal, finishing a rebound from a David N'gog header with ten minutes left, Kevin Davies then secured the points four minutes later. Wolves tried to mount a late charge and Matt Jarvis pulled a goal back with two minutes remaining, but it wasn't enough to gain a point. Wolves are now six points adrift at the bottom whereas Bolton are now a point ahead of the relegation zone in 16th.
QPR 2-1 Arsenal: QPR are now only in the relegation zone on goal difference following a shock victory over Arsenal. Adel Taarabt scored his first Premiership goal on 22-minutes to give the hosts the lead. Theo Walcott equalised for Arsenal when he tapped the ball home after his initial effort came back off the post eight minutes before half-time. The winner came on 66-minutes when Jamie Mackie's pull back was met by Samba Diakite who sent a rocket into the top corner. Arsenal remain three points clear of Tottenham in third who play later today.
Wigan 2-0 Stoke: Wigan are now also only in the relegation zone on goal difference after this victory, only their second this season at the DW. Antolin Alcaraz headed home a Jean Beausejour cross to give Wigan the lead nine minutes into the second half. The points were wrapped up in injury time when Victor Moses rounded Asmir Begovic to make it 2-0.
Everton 2-0 West Brom: Everton move a point ahead of Liverpool with their third consecutive 2-0 win. It was an emotional game for Peter Walton who was refereeing his final Premiership game before moving to the MLS. Leon Osman's shot took a wicked deflection off Gareth McAuley on 18-minutes to open the scoring, replays deciding it was an own goal on the defender's behalf. Victor Anichebe fired his shot in off the post to seal the three points on 68-points. Liverpool have their chance to move back above Everton in their game against Newcastle today. There was yet another round of team mates arguing when Peter Odemwingie and Ben Foster went head to head late on in the second half.
Fulham 2-1 Norwich: Fulham move above Norwich on goal difference courtesy of this victory at Craven Cottage. Clint Dempsey put Fulham ahead when a John Ruddy save rebounded off the American and into the net after just two minutes. Damien Duff then made it 2-0 with a stunning finish after thirteen minutes. Norwich's consolation came via a deflected Aaron Wilbraham cross with 13-minutes remaining, the goal means Wilbraham has now scored in all four divisions.
Aston Villa 2-4 Chelsea: Stiliyan Petrov was at the ground for the game, just a day after being diagnosed with Acute Leukaemia. The dream start, however, came at the other end when Daniel Sturridge poked the ball home after just nine minutes. There was an emotional 19th minute when the Villa fans all stood up for a minute's applause in support for their stricken number 19. Chelsea doubled their lead six minutes into the second half when another poorly defended corner was taken advantage of, Branislav Ivanovic scoring the goal. But Villa fought back when a long throw was headed home by James Collins on 77-minutes. The comeback was seemingly complete when Eric Lichaj made it two goals in three minutes with his first ever Premiership goal, turning in a Marc Albrighton cross. But the hard work ultimately counted for nothing, Ivanovic heading from another poorly defended corner to make it 3-2 with seven minutes left. The points were wrapped up in injury time when Fernando Torres scored his first league goal since September in the league, finishing off a counter attack. Chelsea are now two points behind Tottenham who play Swansea today, Villa are now only five points clear of the relegation zone.
Wolves 2-3 Bolton: The battle at the bottom is getting tighter and tighter with every game played, although for Wolves, it is starting to look rather bleak. In times of need, Terry Connor didn't want to see Wayne Hennessey and Roger Johnson almost come to blows. Wolves had much the better chances in the first half and, on another day, they could have had three or four. But they finally broke the deadlock when Michael Kightly found the bottom corner from outside the box just eight minutes after the restart. Bolton were awarded a penalty when former Wolves player Mark Davies went down under a Roger Johnson challenge, although replays suggest he went down too easily. Martin Petrov stepped up and converted before sending a get well message to his countryman and namesake on 63-minutes. Bolton then took the lead when Mark Alonso scored his first ever Bolton goal, finishing a rebound from a David N'gog header with ten minutes left, Kevin Davies then secured the points four minutes later. Wolves tried to mount a late charge and Matt Jarvis pulled a goal back with two minutes remaining, but it wasn't enough to gain a point. Wolves are now six points adrift at the bottom whereas Bolton are now a point ahead of the relegation zone in 16th.
QPR 2-1 Arsenal: QPR are now only in the relegation zone on goal difference following a shock victory over Arsenal. Adel Taarabt scored his first Premiership goal on 22-minutes to give the hosts the lead. Theo Walcott equalised for Arsenal when he tapped the ball home after his initial effort came back off the post eight minutes before half-time. The winner came on 66-minutes when Jamie Mackie's pull back was met by Samba Diakite who sent a rocket into the top corner. Arsenal remain three points clear of Tottenham in third who play later today.
Wigan 2-0 Stoke: Wigan are now also only in the relegation zone on goal difference after this victory, only their second this season at the DW. Antolin Alcaraz headed home a Jean Beausejour cross to give Wigan the lead nine minutes into the second half. The points were wrapped up in injury time when Victor Moses rounded Asmir Begovic to make it 2-0.
Everton 2-0 West Brom: Everton move a point ahead of Liverpool with their third consecutive 2-0 win. It was an emotional game for Peter Walton who was refereeing his final Premiership game before moving to the MLS. Leon Osman's shot took a wicked deflection off Gareth McAuley on 18-minutes to open the scoring, replays deciding it was an own goal on the defender's behalf. Victor Anichebe fired his shot in off the post to seal the three points on 68-points. Liverpool have their chance to move back above Everton in their game against Newcastle today. There was yet another round of team mates arguing when Peter Odemwingie and Ben Foster went head to head late on in the second half.
Fulham 2-1 Norwich: Fulham move above Norwich on goal difference courtesy of this victory at Craven Cottage. Clint Dempsey put Fulham ahead when a John Ruddy save rebounded off the American and into the net after just two minutes. Damien Duff then made it 2-0 with a stunning finish after thirteen minutes. Norwich's consolation came via a deflected Aaron Wilbraham cross with 13-minutes remaining, the goal means Wilbraham has now scored in all four divisions.
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