Fulham 2-1 Newcastle: Fulham go three points ahead of Newcastle after this win. Steve Sidwell had put Fulham in front on 19-minutes only for Hatem Ben Arfa to cancel it out nine minutes into the second half. The winner came from Hugo Rodallega on 63-minutes. Despite sitting 14th, Newcastle are only four points above Sunderland in the relegation zone.
Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United: City are beaten for the first time this season and it's at the hands of their closest rivals, who now stretch their lead to six points at the top. After a dominant first quarter of an hour, City would find themselves behind when a counter attack saw Ashley Young slide the ball to Wayne Rooney who slotted on the comeback into the bottom corner. It got better for United just before the half hour mark when Rafael pulled the ball back for Rooney to score his 150th Premiership goal. The game should have been over just before the hour mark when Robin Van Persie's fantastic effort came off the post before Young tapped it in, but the linesman flagged Young offside even though he was clearly in an offside position. That would almost prove to be the turning point, as straight from that free-kick City went up the other end and after two saves from David De Gea, substitute Carlos Tevez pulled it back to Yaya Toure who guided the ball home. City then thought they had condemned United to their first draw of the season after a semi-cleared corner fell to Pablo Zabaleta who once again found the bottom corner with just four minutes remaining. But the game would be won in injury time when Tevez clipped Rafael just outside the box. Van Persie stood over the free-kick and, after a touch off Samir Nasri who was cowering behind Edin Dzeko, found the corner to seal a dramatic victory. Unfortunately that would see the ugly side of football rear its head as Rio Ferdinand was hit just above the eye from a coin thrown by a fan. Another fan ran onto the pitch to confront Ferdinand but Joe Hart played a great role by preventing the fan from getting any further on the pitch.
Everton 2-1 Tottenham: Everton go fourth on goal difference after this late win over Spurs. Clint Dempsey put Tottenham ahead on 76-minutes with a shot that looped over Tim Howard. A great header from Steve Pienaar levelled the game in injury time. But Everton weren't happy with the point and 88-seconds later they had all three when Nikica Jelavic fired home.
West Ham 2-3 Liverpool: Liverpool manage to take all three points without their talisman, Luis Suarez. Glen Johnson had given Liverpool the lead on 11-minutes with a fantastic effort. But West Ham were awarded a penalty when Joe Allen stopped a shot with his arm, Mark Noble stepped up and converted to level the game on 36-minutes. The hosts would then turn the game around two minutes before half-time when Steven Gerrard inadvertently headed into his own net. This time it was Liverpool to come back and they levelled on 76-minutes through substitute Joe Cole who, like Johnson, didn't celebrate scoring against his former club. The winner came three minutes later when a driven cross went looping over Jussi Jaaskelainen's head after a touch from James Collins. Liverpool now overtake West Ham on goal difference and make into the top half of the table.
Swansea 3-4 Norwich: Norwich stretch their unbeaten run to ten after edging this seven goal thriller. The visitors took the lead on 16-minutes through Steven Whittaker who jinxed his way past a couple of defenders before rifling the shot home. Sebastien Bassong would then continue his recent run of goalscoring form by getting his third and Norwich's second of the game five minutes before half-time, Grant Holt would end his longest drought by getting Norwich's third just before the whistle. Swansea came back rejuvenated in the second half and pulled one goal back six minutes into the half through Michu. Jonathan De Guzman made it 3-2 just before the hour mark and Swansea had the ball in the net from a corner but it was disallowed for an apparent foul on Mark Bunn, a very soft decision. Norwich all but sealed the points on 77-minutes when Robert Snodgrass scored another sublime free-kick. Michu would end up having the final word when he scored his 13th goal of the season in injury time, but it is Norwich who still take the three points as they get closer to top half of the table. Swansea are now just a point ahead of the Canaries.
Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea: After two goals in midweek, Fernando Torres looks right back in form after finding the net again against Sunderland. The Spaniard was on hand to fire Chelsea in front after just 11-minutes. Sebastian Larsson needlessly slid in on Ramires in the box in first half injury time, leaving Mark Halsey no option but to point to the spot. For the first time in English football, Torres stepped up and he coolly converted into the corner to double the lead. Just four minutes into the second half and the game was over, Torres unlucky not to have his hat-trick as his shot cannoned off the bar before Juan Mata stroked home. Sunderland did pull one back with a great strike from Adam Johnson on 66-minutes but Rafa Benitez can leave England for Japan with his first Premiership win under his belt. Sunderland now slip into the bottom three.
Wigan 2-2 QPR: QPR now join the record for the longest start to the season without a victory. The deadlock was broken in this basement battle on 19-minutes when James McCarthy fired home. Ryan Nelson headed QPR level from a corner just before the half hour mark. QPR looked set for their first victory on 71-minutes when Djibril Cisse found the net. But their lead would last for three minutes as James McCarthy scored his second to secure the point that puts them two points ahead of the bottom three. The winless QPR are now eight points adrift.
Arsenal 2-0 West Brom: It's the season of giving and Mike Jones has definitely done his bit to be on the top of Arsene Wenger's Christmas card list. The Gunners went ahead on 26-minutes when Santi Cazorla went down in the box. The penalty was given for an alleged foul by Steven Reid but it was clear even in real time that Reid hadn't made any contact with the Spaniard and it was a clear dive. Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta stepped up and smashed it straight down the middle. The points were wrapped up on 64-minutes through another dubious penalty. This time the awarding of the penalty was the right decision, but Jones had missed a blatant foul by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on Goran Popov in the build-up. It was so obvious that everyone had stopped playing, apart from Oxlade-Chamberlain who made his way into the box before being chopped down. Again Arteta stepped up and again he hit it down the middle to make it 2-0. This makes it three defeats on the bounce for West Brom as Arsenal now go two points behind them in seventh place.
Southampton 1-0 Reading: Southampton move out of the relegation zone after picking up a home victory. The only goal of the game came from Jason Puncheon just after the hour mark. Saints are now two points from the relegation zone in a mini cluster while Reading sit six points from safety.
Aston Villa 0-0 Stoke: Villa also sit two points clear of the relegation zone after this goalless draw with Stoke. The only drama of the game saw Ryan Shotton receive a second yellow card in second half injury time. Even the return of Darren Bent and fellow substitute Peter Crouch for Stoke couldn't force a goal in this one.
Saturday, 8 December 2012
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Celtic Through With Win, Chelsea Out Despite Hitting Nordsjaelland For Six, United Lose
Group E: Chelsea's defence of the Champions League ends at the group stage despite thrashing Nordsjaelland in Rafa Benitez's first win, making them the first holders go exit at this stage. After a missed penalty from both sides, Chelsea took the lead six minutes before half-time with David Luiz converting from the spot for his second goal of the tournament. Fernando Torres would make it 2-0 in first half injury time before Joshua John pulled one back within the first minute of the second half. Chelsea had their two goal advantage back through Gary Cahill on 51-minutes before Torres added a fourth, his third of the competition, five minutes later. Juan Mata made it 5-1 with his third of the tournament on 63-minutes with Oscar completing the rout eight minutes later with his fifth of the campaign. But it wasn't enough as Chelsea lose on head to head.
Juventus end up winning the group as they effectively ejected Chelsea from the tournament. The only goal of the game came 11-minutes into the second half when Olexandr Kucher put the ball into his own net. The result means Shakhtar progress because they scored one more away goal against Chelsea as head to head shows they both won at home, Shakhtar 2-1, Chelsea 3-2. Final Table:
1. Juventus 12 +8
2. Shakhtar Donetsk 10 +4
3. Chelsea 10 +6
4. FC Nordsjaelland 1 -18
Group F: Bayern Munich make it three German group winners after comfortably beating BATE at home. Mario Gomez put Munich ahead after 21-minutes. The hosts then found themselves down to ten men when Jerome Boateng was sent off six minutes into the second half. This didn't hinder them as Thomas Muller was on hand to make it 2-0 three minutes later with his third of the competition. Xherdan Shaqiri then made it 3-1 on 65-minutes before the man count was levelled four minutes later when Denis Polyakow was also sent off. David Alaba would make it 4-0 seven minutes from time before BATE scored a consolation through Yegor Flipenko in the final minute of normal time.
Valencia join Bayern on points but fail to win the group after beating Lille. The only goal of the game came nine minutes before half-time when Jonas slotted his fourth goal of the competition from the penalty spot. Final Table:
1. Bayern Munich 13 +8
2. Valencia 13 +7
3. BATE Borisov 6 -6
4. LOSC Lille 3 -9
Group G: Celtic conformed their progression into the last-16 with victory over Spartak Moscow. Celtic just had to better Benfica's result and Gary Hooper gave them a great opportunity by putting hosts ahead on 21-minutes, his second of the competition. Ari would then equalise for Spartak six minutes before half-time. The win was confirmed with eight minutes to play when Kris Commons fired home from the spot, Spartak's night ended with Kim Kallstrom being shown a red card two minutes from the end.
Barcelona fail to score in Camp Nou in the Champions League for the first time since against Chelsea in April 2009. The match against Benfica finished 0-0 but there is slight concern over Lionel Messi who was stretchered off, although it appears he just suffered a knock. Final Table:
1. Barcelona 13 +6
2. Celtic 10 +1
3. Benfica 8 0
4. Spartak Moskva 3 -7
Group H: Manchester United lose at Old Trafford in the Champions League for the first time since Besiktas, three years ago. Cluj are the team to get the famous result over United but agonisingly exit the tournament on head to head when they were on the brink of being the first Romanian club to progress from the group stage. The only goal of the game came 11-minutes into the second half via a screamer from Luis Alberto.
Because Galatasaray beat Cluj in Romania and drew in Turkey, they go through after a tight victory away to Braga. Braga began to hold their end of the deal when they went ahead through Mossoro 13-minutes before half-time. Aydin Yilmaz equalised 13-minutes into the second before Burak Yilmaz broke the Romanian hearts with the winner and his sixth goal of the tournament, 11-minutes before the end. This means that no player other than a Yilmaz has scored for Galatasaray in the Champions League this campaign. Final Table:
1. Manchester United 12 +3
2. Galatasaray 10 +1
3. CFR Cluj 10 +2
4. SC Braga 3 -6
Juventus end up winning the group as they effectively ejected Chelsea from the tournament. The only goal of the game came 11-minutes into the second half when Olexandr Kucher put the ball into his own net. The result means Shakhtar progress because they scored one more away goal against Chelsea as head to head shows they both won at home, Shakhtar 2-1, Chelsea 3-2. Final Table:
1. Juventus 12 +8
2. Shakhtar Donetsk 10 +4
3. Chelsea 10 +6
4. FC Nordsjaelland 1 -18
Group F: Bayern Munich make it three German group winners after comfortably beating BATE at home. Mario Gomez put Munich ahead after 21-minutes. The hosts then found themselves down to ten men when Jerome Boateng was sent off six minutes into the second half. This didn't hinder them as Thomas Muller was on hand to make it 2-0 three minutes later with his third of the competition. Xherdan Shaqiri then made it 3-1 on 65-minutes before the man count was levelled four minutes later when Denis Polyakow was also sent off. David Alaba would make it 4-0 seven minutes from time before BATE scored a consolation through Yegor Flipenko in the final minute of normal time.
Valencia join Bayern on points but fail to win the group after beating Lille. The only goal of the game came nine minutes before half-time when Jonas slotted his fourth goal of the competition from the penalty spot. Final Table:
1. Bayern Munich 13 +8
2. Valencia 13 +7
3. BATE Borisov 6 -6
4. LOSC Lille 3 -9
Group G: Celtic conformed their progression into the last-16 with victory over Spartak Moscow. Celtic just had to better Benfica's result and Gary Hooper gave them a great opportunity by putting hosts ahead on 21-minutes, his second of the competition. Ari would then equalise for Spartak six minutes before half-time. The win was confirmed with eight minutes to play when Kris Commons fired home from the spot, Spartak's night ended with Kim Kallstrom being shown a red card two minutes from the end.
Barcelona fail to score in Camp Nou in the Champions League for the first time since against Chelsea in April 2009. The match against Benfica finished 0-0 but there is slight concern over Lionel Messi who was stretchered off, although it appears he just suffered a knock. Final Table:
1. Barcelona 13 +6
2. Celtic 10 +1
3. Benfica 8 0
4. Spartak Moskva 3 -7
Group H: Manchester United lose at Old Trafford in the Champions League for the first time since Besiktas, three years ago. Cluj are the team to get the famous result over United but agonisingly exit the tournament on head to head when they were on the brink of being the first Romanian club to progress from the group stage. The only goal of the game came 11-minutes into the second half via a screamer from Luis Alberto.
Because Galatasaray beat Cluj in Romania and drew in Turkey, they go through after a tight victory away to Braga. Braga began to hold their end of the deal when they went ahead through Mossoro 13-minutes before half-time. Aydin Yilmaz equalised 13-minutes into the second before Burak Yilmaz broke the Romanian hearts with the winner and his sixth goal of the tournament, 11-minutes before the end. This means that no player other than a Yilmaz has scored for Galatasaray in the Champions League this campaign. Final Table:
1. Manchester United 12 +3
2. Galatasaray 10 +1
3. CFR Cluj 10 +2
4. SC Braga 3 -6
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
2012 Mosconi Cup: The Teams
The 2012 Mosconi Cup starts on Monday for its 18th tournament. Team Europe retained the title in Las Vegas last year and will be determined to match or better their 11-7 result in Bethnal Green this year. Here's how the two line up:
Team Europe
The defending champions are without the veteran Ralf Souquet and the 'Iceman' Mika Immonen who have the most appearances in the Mosconi Cup. Immonen was famously left out in last year's team also, so there has actually only been one change to last year's team.
Darren Appleton returns for his fourth tournament. The two time winner of the Mosconi Cup was awarded the MVP in 2010 and has a 50% win percentage from his 14 matches overall. This year, Appleton took the World Nine-Ball crown. Fellow Englishman, Chris Melling returns after a successful debut last year. He won three of his five matches in Las Vegas and will be hoping to match that this time around.
The Dutch duo of Nick Van Den Berg and Neils Feijen were the other members of last year's winning side. This will be Van Den Berg's sixth appearance but he has the lowest win percentage of just 36%, nine wins from 25-matches. But he is currently ranked as Europe's number two, behind Appleton, so he isn't going to be much of a weak link. Feijen is the most experienced in the team as this will be his eighth Mosconi Cup, levelling with Germany's Oliver Ortmann in fourth place in the overall appearance chart. Feijen has won 19 of his 32 matches which gives him a win percentage of 59, he also comes into the tournament as the winner of the China Invitational.
The man to fill Souquet's shoes is debutante Nick Ekonomopoulos from Greece. He won the Austrian Euro Tour but that may not be enough to stop the Americans thinking he could be the weak link in the European team. But most said that about Melling last year and coped extremely well under the pressure.
Team USA
USA make two changes from last year's side, which includes Rodney Morris not getting a slot. Jonny Archer will become the sole player to have the most Mosconi Cup appearances with 16, Souquet was level with him on 15. The Scorpion has won nine titles with a win percentage of 53, 39 wins from 74.
Mike Dechaine returns after a less than impressive Mosconi Cup debut last year. Dechaine only won one of his four matches in Las Vegas and will looking to improve on that this year if USA are going to win the title. Shane Van Boening is the other returning player and he makes his sixth appearance. Van Boening has won 12 of his 26 matches in Mosconi Cup history but comes into this year's event at the US Open champion.
Dennis Hatch missed out on a place last year but returns this time around for his third appearance. He won the title in 2009 and has a fantastic record of seven wins in ten games, making him the dark horse for Team USA. Their final player comes in the shape of debutante Brandon Shuff. From Richmond, Virginia, Shuff brings a few American championships to the table and could be quite a controversial character as he says he dislikes how much luck there is in pool with too many professionals that aren't truly tested.
Team Europe
The defending champions are without the veteran Ralf Souquet and the 'Iceman' Mika Immonen who have the most appearances in the Mosconi Cup. Immonen was famously left out in last year's team also, so there has actually only been one change to last year's team.
Darren Appleton returns for his fourth tournament. The two time winner of the Mosconi Cup was awarded the MVP in 2010 and has a 50% win percentage from his 14 matches overall. This year, Appleton took the World Nine-Ball crown. Fellow Englishman, Chris Melling returns after a successful debut last year. He won three of his five matches in Las Vegas and will be hoping to match that this time around.
The Dutch duo of Nick Van Den Berg and Neils Feijen were the other members of last year's winning side. This will be Van Den Berg's sixth appearance but he has the lowest win percentage of just 36%, nine wins from 25-matches. But he is currently ranked as Europe's number two, behind Appleton, so he isn't going to be much of a weak link. Feijen is the most experienced in the team as this will be his eighth Mosconi Cup, levelling with Germany's Oliver Ortmann in fourth place in the overall appearance chart. Feijen has won 19 of his 32 matches which gives him a win percentage of 59, he also comes into the tournament as the winner of the China Invitational.
The man to fill Souquet's shoes is debutante Nick Ekonomopoulos from Greece. He won the Austrian Euro Tour but that may not be enough to stop the Americans thinking he could be the weak link in the European team. But most said that about Melling last year and coped extremely well under the pressure.
Team USA
USA make two changes from last year's side, which includes Rodney Morris not getting a slot. Jonny Archer will become the sole player to have the most Mosconi Cup appearances with 16, Souquet was level with him on 15. The Scorpion has won nine titles with a win percentage of 53, 39 wins from 74.
Mike Dechaine returns after a less than impressive Mosconi Cup debut last year. Dechaine only won one of his four matches in Las Vegas and will looking to improve on that this year if USA are going to win the title. Shane Van Boening is the other returning player and he makes his sixth appearance. Van Boening has won 12 of his 26 matches in Mosconi Cup history but comes into this year's event at the US Open champion.
Dennis Hatch missed out on a place last year but returns this time around for his third appearance. He won the title in 2009 and has a fantastic record of seven wins in ten games, making him the dark horse for Team USA. Their final player comes in the shape of debutante Brandon Shuff. From Richmond, Virginia, Shuff brings a few American championships to the table and could be quite a controversial character as he says he dislikes how much luck there is in pool with too many professionals that aren't truly tested.
Arsenal End With Defeat As City Make History
Group A: The battle to see who came out on top of Group A ended with an absolute goalkeeping howler. PSG took the lead in front of their home crowd just before the half hour mark courtesy of a Thiago Silva header from a corner, his second of the tournament. Jackson Martinez would equalise with his third goal of the competition just four minutes later. The winner came just after the hour mark when an Ezequiel Lavezzi shot was initially saved by Helton before the keeper somehow lost his grip and turning the ball into his own net even though he was positioned just past the post.
It's taken Dinamo Zagreb six games but they finally secure their one and only point of the campaign by scoring their only goal of the tournament, 545 minutes since they kicked off the group stage, and even that came via the penalty spot. After a snow delay, the game kicked off and Andriy Yarmolenko would put Kyiv ahead in first half injury time. The Croatians were then awarded a penalty in the 96th minute which Ivan Kristanovic managed to convert. Final Table:
1. Paris St.Germain 15 +11
2. FC Porto 13 +6
3. Dynamo Kyiv 5 -4
4. Dinamo Zagreb 1 -13
Group B: With Arsenal already guaranteed a place in the next round, Arsene Wenger decided to experiment on his trip to Greece. It began looking like a good experiment when Tomas Rosicky fired Arsenal ahead seven minutes before half-time. Olympiacos were much better in the second half and got their equaliser in the 65th minute through Giannis Maniatis. The Greeks would then win the match eight minutes later as Kostas Mitroglu posted his fourth goal of the tournament.
Schalke go through as group winners and progress undefeated for the first time in their history. They played Montpellier in France in the final game and took the lead through Benedikt Howedes 11-minutes into the second half, his second of the competition. Schalke's lead lasted for three minutes though as Emmanuel Herrera was on hand to secure Montpellier's second point of the tournament. Final Table:
1. FC Schalke 04 12 +4
2. Arsenal 10 +2
3. Olympiacos 9 0
4. Montpellier 2 -6
Group C: Malaga win the group undefeated after a draw at home to Anderlecht. Duda put the hosts ahead just before half-time before Milan Jovanovich equalised five minutes after the restart. Duda once again put Malaga in front just after the hour mark, only for Dieudonne Mbokani to equalise again just before the end, scoring his second goal of the tournament.
AC Milan end a very inconsistent group stage with defeat against Zenit in the San Siro. Fortunately, the Italians were already through so it didn't matter too much when Danny won the game for the Russians ten minutes before half-time with his second goal of the competition. Final Table:
1. Malaga 12 +7
2. AC Milan 8 +1
3. Zenit St.Petersburg 7 -3
4. RSC Anderlecht 5 -5
Group D: Manchester City become the first English club in the history of the Champions League to exit the competition without winning a single game. City have proven once again that they can't seem to play away in Europe as they lost in Dortmund. The only goal of the game came from Julian Schieber 12-minutes into the second half. If Bayern win their group tomorrow, there will be three German group winners this campaign.
Real Madrid end their group stage with a convincing victory over Ajax. Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid ahead after just 13-minutes to chalk up his sixth goal of the tournament. Jose Callejon fired a second on 28-minutes before Kaka became the highest scoring Brazilian in the Champions League, overtaking Rivaldo, by making it 3-0 four minutes into the second half. Derk Boerrigter pulled one back for Ajax ten minutes later but Callejon wrapped things up with two minutes left by making it seven goals in his nine Champions League appearances. Final Table:
1. Borussia Dortmund 14 +6
2. Real Madrid 11 +6
3. Ajax 4 -8
4. Manchester City 3 -4
It's taken Dinamo Zagreb six games but they finally secure their one and only point of the campaign by scoring their only goal of the tournament, 545 minutes since they kicked off the group stage, and even that came via the penalty spot. After a snow delay, the game kicked off and Andriy Yarmolenko would put Kyiv ahead in first half injury time. The Croatians were then awarded a penalty in the 96th minute which Ivan Kristanovic managed to convert. Final Table:
1. Paris St.Germain 15 +11
2. FC Porto 13 +6
3. Dynamo Kyiv 5 -4
4. Dinamo Zagreb 1 -13
Group B: With Arsenal already guaranteed a place in the next round, Arsene Wenger decided to experiment on his trip to Greece. It began looking like a good experiment when Tomas Rosicky fired Arsenal ahead seven minutes before half-time. Olympiacos were much better in the second half and got their equaliser in the 65th minute through Giannis Maniatis. The Greeks would then win the match eight minutes later as Kostas Mitroglu posted his fourth goal of the tournament.
Schalke go through as group winners and progress undefeated for the first time in their history. They played Montpellier in France in the final game and took the lead through Benedikt Howedes 11-minutes into the second half, his second of the competition. Schalke's lead lasted for three minutes though as Emmanuel Herrera was on hand to secure Montpellier's second point of the tournament. Final Table:
1. FC Schalke 04 12 +4
2. Arsenal 10 +2
3. Olympiacos 9 0
4. Montpellier 2 -6
Group C: Malaga win the group undefeated after a draw at home to Anderlecht. Duda put the hosts ahead just before half-time before Milan Jovanovich equalised five minutes after the restart. Duda once again put Malaga in front just after the hour mark, only for Dieudonne Mbokani to equalise again just before the end, scoring his second goal of the tournament.
AC Milan end a very inconsistent group stage with defeat against Zenit in the San Siro. Fortunately, the Italians were already through so it didn't matter too much when Danny won the game for the Russians ten minutes before half-time with his second goal of the competition. Final Table:
1. Malaga 12 +7
2. AC Milan 8 +1
3. Zenit St.Petersburg 7 -3
4. RSC Anderlecht 5 -5
Group D: Manchester City become the first English club in the history of the Champions League to exit the competition without winning a single game. City have proven once again that they can't seem to play away in Europe as they lost in Dortmund. The only goal of the game came from Julian Schieber 12-minutes into the second half. If Bayern win their group tomorrow, there will be three German group winners this campaign.
Real Madrid end their group stage with a convincing victory over Ajax. Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid ahead after just 13-minutes to chalk up his sixth goal of the tournament. Jose Callejon fired a second on 28-minutes before Kaka became the highest scoring Brazilian in the Champions League, overtaking Rivaldo, by making it 3-0 four minutes into the second half. Derk Boerrigter pulled one back for Ajax ten minutes later but Callejon wrapped things up with two minutes left by making it seven goals in his nine Champions League appearances. Final Table:
1. Borussia Dortmund 14 +6
2. Real Madrid 11 +6
3. Ajax 4 -8
4. Manchester City 3 -4
Monday, 3 December 2012
Threasy For Newcastle As Ba Gets 21,000th Goal
Newcastle 3-0 Wigan: Newcastle move five points clear of the drop, three above Wigan, after this comprehensive match. The game was arguably decided when Maynor Figueroa went shoulder to shoulder with Papiss Cisse which sent the Senegalese over in the box. Referee Mike Jones pointed for a penalty and he had no point but to send Figueroa off for being the last man. Demba Ba stepped up and converted coolly into the bottom corner on 13-minutes. Ba then made it 2-0 on 21-minutes after converting a parried shot, this marks his ninth of the season and the Premier League's 21,000th goal. The game was over when substitute Gael Bigirimana scored a screamer 19-minutes from time, his first for the club. Wigan now sit just two points ahead of the drop and slip further down if Sunderland win their game in hand.
Norwich 2-1 Sunderland: Norwich have now gone eight games without defeat as Chris Hughton continues to work his magic. Sebastien Bassong scored his second goal in recent games after eight minutes to give the hosts the lead. Anthony Pilkington added to his goal against Manchester United by scoring Norwich's second on 37-minutes. Craig Gardner did make it 2-1 just before half-time but it wasn't enough to start a comeback as the Black Cats now sit just one place and one point above the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Reading 3-4 Manchester United: United go three points clear at the top going into the Manchester derby after a crazy first half in the Madejski. The deadlock was broken after just eight minutes when Hal Robson-Kanu fired Reading ahead. United levelled five minutes later when Anderson's shot was too powerful for Adam Federici to save at his near post. Jonny Evans would then go down in the box after a push in the back from a corner, Wayne Rooney stepped up to convert the penalty to make it 2-1 after 16-minutes. United's lead lasted for just three minutes as Adam Le Fondre would make it 2-2 via a header from a corner. It would be deja vu on 23-minutes as Reading made it 3-2 when Sean Morrison also headed home from a corner, the quickest team to ever score three goals against Manchester United. The half was still far from over and Patrice Evra played the ball across the box for Rooney to guide home on the half hour mark. It would then be 4-3 four minutes later when Robin Van Persie scored his tenth of the season, making it only the third game in Premiership history to have seven goals in the first half. The Dutchman should have a hat-trick but he had a goal not given in the first half which was over the line before missing an open goal from four yards in the second half. Reading remain four points from safety.
Manchester City 1-1 Everton: City still remain unbeaten so far this season but are now three points behind United. Everton took the lead on 33-minutes when Marouane Fellaini scored at the second attempt. Carlos Tevez was the pulled the ground in the box two minutes before half-time and a penalty had to be given. The Argentine stepped up and converted past Tim Howard to secure the point. Everton are still just three points from the top four.
West Ham 3-1 Chelsea: Rafa Benitez is still searching for his first victory at Chelsea as the fans get increasingly on his back. Benitez did see his first goal since taking charge when Juan Mata put the visitors ahead after 13-minutes. West Ham were much better in the second half and former Chelsea striker, Carlton Cole, would get the equaliser with a header on 63-minutes. Mohamed Diame then fired West Ham ahead four minutes from time before substitute Modibo Maiga guaranteed the points by scoring from an parried shot. Chelsea now slip to ten points behind United and West Ham move to just four points behind Chelsea.
Arsenal 0-2 Swansea: Arsenal fall to tenth after this defeat to Swansea which caused the faithful to once again boo Arsene Wenger. It took until two minutes before the end for the deadlock to be broken, Michu getting it for Swansea. Poor play from Carl Jenkinson left Michu in at goal again to grab his tenth of the season in injury time to put them just three points from the top four.
Fulham 0-3 Tottenham: Spurs go level on points with Chelsea as they enter the top four again. Sandro surprisingly put Tottenham ahead with a long range effort that Mark Schwarzer probably should have done better with ten minutes into the second half. Jermain Defoe reciprocated Andre Villas-Boas' comparison to Radamel Falcao by making it 2-0 on 72-minutes before grabbing a second five minutes later. Fulham sit 12th but are only five points ahead of the relegation zone.
Liverpool 1-0 Southampton: Liverpool remain in the bottom half despite this victory of Southampton. The only goal of the game came two minutes before half-time when Daniel Agger scored with a fantastic header. Luis Suarez will still keep in the headlines as he receives a suspension for accumulation of yellow cards after picking one up for trying the punch the ball into the net. Southampton are still a point from safety but Sunderland do have two games in hand over them.
QPR 1-1 Aston Villa: QPR have officially had the worst start to a Premiership season as Rangers are still without a win this season. Brett Holman gave Villa the lead on eight minutes when his shot was turned into the net by Rob Green. QPR levelled ten minutes later through Jamie Mackie to now sit seven points from safety. The point sees Villa move four points ahead of the bottom three.
West Brom 0-1 Stoke: West Brom lose two on the bounce but still remain level on points with Chelsea and now Tottenham. The only goal of the game came 15-minutes from time through Dean Whitehead. The win sees Stoke move into ninth and ahead of Arsenal.
Norwich 2-1 Sunderland: Norwich have now gone eight games without defeat as Chris Hughton continues to work his magic. Sebastien Bassong scored his second goal in recent games after eight minutes to give the hosts the lead. Anthony Pilkington added to his goal against Manchester United by scoring Norwich's second on 37-minutes. Craig Gardner did make it 2-1 just before half-time but it wasn't enough to start a comeback as the Black Cats now sit just one place and one point above the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Reading 3-4 Manchester United: United go three points clear at the top going into the Manchester derby after a crazy first half in the Madejski. The deadlock was broken after just eight minutes when Hal Robson-Kanu fired Reading ahead. United levelled five minutes later when Anderson's shot was too powerful for Adam Federici to save at his near post. Jonny Evans would then go down in the box after a push in the back from a corner, Wayne Rooney stepped up to convert the penalty to make it 2-1 after 16-minutes. United's lead lasted for just three minutes as Adam Le Fondre would make it 2-2 via a header from a corner. It would be deja vu on 23-minutes as Reading made it 3-2 when Sean Morrison also headed home from a corner, the quickest team to ever score three goals against Manchester United. The half was still far from over and Patrice Evra played the ball across the box for Rooney to guide home on the half hour mark. It would then be 4-3 four minutes later when Robin Van Persie scored his tenth of the season, making it only the third game in Premiership history to have seven goals in the first half. The Dutchman should have a hat-trick but he had a goal not given in the first half which was over the line before missing an open goal from four yards in the second half. Reading remain four points from safety.
Manchester City 1-1 Everton: City still remain unbeaten so far this season but are now three points behind United. Everton took the lead on 33-minutes when Marouane Fellaini scored at the second attempt. Carlos Tevez was the pulled the ground in the box two minutes before half-time and a penalty had to be given. The Argentine stepped up and converted past Tim Howard to secure the point. Everton are still just three points from the top four.
West Ham 3-1 Chelsea: Rafa Benitez is still searching for his first victory at Chelsea as the fans get increasingly on his back. Benitez did see his first goal since taking charge when Juan Mata put the visitors ahead after 13-minutes. West Ham were much better in the second half and former Chelsea striker, Carlton Cole, would get the equaliser with a header on 63-minutes. Mohamed Diame then fired West Ham ahead four minutes from time before substitute Modibo Maiga guaranteed the points by scoring from an parried shot. Chelsea now slip to ten points behind United and West Ham move to just four points behind Chelsea.
Arsenal 0-2 Swansea: Arsenal fall to tenth after this defeat to Swansea which caused the faithful to once again boo Arsene Wenger. It took until two minutes before the end for the deadlock to be broken, Michu getting it for Swansea. Poor play from Carl Jenkinson left Michu in at goal again to grab his tenth of the season in injury time to put them just three points from the top four.
Fulham 0-3 Tottenham: Spurs go level on points with Chelsea as they enter the top four again. Sandro surprisingly put Tottenham ahead with a long range effort that Mark Schwarzer probably should have done better with ten minutes into the second half. Jermain Defoe reciprocated Andre Villas-Boas' comparison to Radamel Falcao by making it 2-0 on 72-minutes before grabbing a second five minutes later. Fulham sit 12th but are only five points ahead of the relegation zone.
Liverpool 1-0 Southampton: Liverpool remain in the bottom half despite this victory of Southampton. The only goal of the game came two minutes before half-time when Daniel Agger scored with a fantastic header. Luis Suarez will still keep in the headlines as he receives a suspension for accumulation of yellow cards after picking one up for trying the punch the ball into the net. Southampton are still a point from safety but Sunderland do have two games in hand over them.
QPR 1-1 Aston Villa: QPR have officially had the worst start to a Premiership season as Rangers are still without a win this season. Brett Holman gave Villa the lead on eight minutes when his shot was turned into the net by Rob Green. QPR levelled ten minutes later through Jamie Mackie to now sit seven points from safety. The point sees Villa move four points ahead of the bottom three.
West Brom 0-1 Stoke: West Brom lose two on the bounce but still remain level on points with Chelsea and now Tottenham. The only goal of the game came 15-minutes from time through Dean Whitehead. The win sees Stoke move into ninth and ahead of Arsenal.
Sunday, 2 December 2012
2012/2013 FA Cup Third Round Draw
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur v Coventry City
Wigan Athletic v AFC Bournemouth
Fulham v Blackpool
Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
Charlton Athletic v Huddersfield Town
Barrow AFC/Macclesfield Town v Cardiff City
Barnsley v Burnley
Manchester City v Watford
Swansea City v Arsenal
Leicester City v Burton Albion
Millwall v Preston North End
Cheltenham Town/Hereford United v Everton
Derby County v Tranmere Rovers
Crawley Town v Reading
Aldershot Town v Rotherham United/Notts County
Middlesbrough v Harrogate Town/Hastings United
Accrington Stanley/Oxford United v Sheffield United
Southampton v Chelsea
Queen's Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion
Peterborough United v Norwich City
Lincoln City/Mansfield Town v Liverpool
Bolton Wanderers v AFC Sunderland
Nottingham Forest v Oldham Athletic
West Ham United v Manchester United
Hull City v Leyton Orient
Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City
Leeds United v Birmingham City
Bury/Southend United v Bradford City/Brentford
Luton Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield Wednesday v Milton Keynes Dons
Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur v Coventry City
Wigan Athletic v AFC Bournemouth
Fulham v Blackpool
Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
Charlton Athletic v Huddersfield Town
Barrow AFC/Macclesfield Town v Cardiff City
Barnsley v Burnley
Manchester City v Watford
Swansea City v Arsenal
Leicester City v Burton Albion
Millwall v Preston North End
Cheltenham Town/Hereford United v Everton
Derby County v Tranmere Rovers
Crawley Town v Reading
Aldershot Town v Rotherham United/Notts County
Middlesbrough v Harrogate Town/Hastings United
Accrington Stanley/Oxford United v Sheffield United
Southampton v Chelsea
Queen's Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion
Peterborough United v Norwich City
Lincoln City/Mansfield Town v Liverpool
Bolton Wanderers v AFC Sunderland
Nottingham Forest v Oldham Athletic
West Ham United v Manchester United
Hull City v Leyton Orient
Blackburn Rovers v Bristol City
Leeds United v Birmingham City
Bury/Southend United v Bradford City/Brentford
Luton Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield Wednesday v Milton Keynes Dons
Saturday, 1 December 2012
2012/2013 FA Cup Second Round Results
Cheltenham Town 1-1 Hereford United: Shaun Harrad (16) - Josh O'Keefe (20)
Alfreton Town 2-4 Leyton Orient: Paul Clayton (4), Ben Tomlinson (52) - Dean Cox (25 & 86), Dave Mooney (30 & 36)
MK Dons 2-1 AFC Wimbledon: Stephen Gleeson (45), Jon Otsemobor (90) - Jack Midson (59)
Harrogate Town 1-1 Hastings United: Tom Platt (41) - Jamie Crellin (61)
Lincoln City 3-3 Mansfield Town: Alan Power (45 & 66), Jamie Taylor (66) - Matt Green (21), Louis Briscoe (53), Matt Rhead (90)
Accrington Stanley 3-3 Oxford United: Craig Lindfield (25), James Beattie (80), Lee Molyneux (90+2) - Jon-Paul Pittman (12), James Constable (86), Michael Raynes (90+4)
Bury 1-1 Southend United: Matt Doherty (33 pen) - Gavin Tomlin (41)
Carlisle United 1-3 AFC Bournemouth: Mark Beck (72) - Wes Fogden (30), Eunan O'Kane (36), Marc Pugh (90)
Coventry City 2-1 Morecambe: Gary McSheffrey (38 pen), Carl Baker (46) - Kevin Ellison (77)
Crawley Town 3-0 Chelmsford City: Nicky Adams (23), Billy Clarke (41), Gary Alexander (89 pen) - Donovan Simmonds (s/o 35)
Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Burton Albion: Calvin Zola (5)
Fleetwood Town 2-3 Aldershot Town: Junior Brown (11), David Ball (88) - Danny Hylton (19 & 75), Peter Vincenti (45)
Luton Town 2-1 Dorchester Town: Andre Gray (30), Alex Lawless (68) - Arran Pugh (71)
Oldham Athletic 3-1 Doncaster Rovers: Reece Wabara (45), Matt Derbyshire (70 & 77) - Robbie Blake (4)
Preston North End 2-0 Gillingham: Jeffrey Monakana (12), Stuart Beavon (38)
Rotherham United 1-1 Notts County: Ben Pringle (42) - Yoann Arquin (32)
Sheffield United 2-1 Port Vale: Shaun Miller (90 & 90+5) - Tom Pope (33)
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Chesterfield: Cole Stockton (42), Adam McGurk (57) - Liam Cooper (31)
Bradford City 1-1 Brentford: James Hanson (70) - Clayton Donaldson (43)
Alfreton Town 2-4 Leyton Orient: Paul Clayton (4), Ben Tomlinson (52) - Dean Cox (25 & 86), Dave Mooney (30 & 36)
MK Dons 2-1 AFC Wimbledon: Stephen Gleeson (45), Jon Otsemobor (90) - Jack Midson (59)
Harrogate Town 1-1 Hastings United: Tom Platt (41) - Jamie Crellin (61)
Lincoln City 3-3 Mansfield Town: Alan Power (45 & 66), Jamie Taylor (66) - Matt Green (21), Louis Briscoe (53), Matt Rhead (90)
Accrington Stanley 3-3 Oxford United: Craig Lindfield (25), James Beattie (80), Lee Molyneux (90+2) - Jon-Paul Pittman (12), James Constable (86), Michael Raynes (90+4)
Bury 1-1 Southend United: Matt Doherty (33 pen) - Gavin Tomlin (41)
Carlisle United 1-3 AFC Bournemouth: Mark Beck (72) - Wes Fogden (30), Eunan O'Kane (36), Marc Pugh (90)
Coventry City 2-1 Morecambe: Gary McSheffrey (38 pen), Carl Baker (46) - Kevin Ellison (77)
Crawley Town 3-0 Chelmsford City: Nicky Adams (23), Billy Clarke (41), Gary Alexander (89 pen) - Donovan Simmonds (s/o 35)
Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Burton Albion: Calvin Zola (5)
Fleetwood Town 2-3 Aldershot Town: Junior Brown (11), David Ball (88) - Danny Hylton (19 & 75), Peter Vincenti (45)
Luton Town 2-1 Dorchester Town: Andre Gray (30), Alex Lawless (68) - Arran Pugh (71)
Oldham Athletic 3-1 Doncaster Rovers: Reece Wabara (45), Matt Derbyshire (70 & 77) - Robbie Blake (4)
Preston North End 2-0 Gillingham: Jeffrey Monakana (12), Stuart Beavon (38)
Rotherham United 1-1 Notts County: Ben Pringle (42) - Yoann Arquin (32)
Sheffield United 2-1 Port Vale: Shaun Miller (90 & 90+5) - Tom Pope (33)
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Chesterfield: Cole Stockton (42), Adam McGurk (57) - Liam Cooper (31)
Bradford City 1-1 Brentford: James Hanson (70) - Clayton Donaldson (43)
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