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.

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