Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City: City manage to keep the deficit at seven after this drama-filled game. The action began after just minutes when Laurent Koscielny pulled Edin Dzeko down in the box. The penalty was given and the Frenchman was shown a red card for being last man and denying a goalscoring opportunity. Dzeko stepped up but Wojiech Szczesny managed to save it onto the post before the ball rolled across the line for the keeper to smother. City did take advantage of the numerical difference and James Milner smashed a great shot in after a disguised pass after 21-minutes. Sloppy defending allowed City to take another shot which Szczesny could only parry to Dzeko who couldn't miss from two yards out on 32-minutes. The numbers were levelled again with 15-minutes to play when Vincent Kompany was shown a straight red for jumping in tackle on Jack Wilshere. The ball was won and it wasn't that forceful but the jumping action was what made Mike Dean produce the red. Arsenal are now six points from the Champions League places with a game in hand.
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: United remain seven points clear at the top after doing the double over Liverpool. A good move from United was clinically finished off by Robin Van Persie from a cross after 19-minutes. United then went 2-0 nine minutes into the second half when Patrice Evra looked to have headed home from a corner. But replays showed his header actually hit Nemanja Vidic, who was offside from the header, to go into the net. Substitute Daniel Sturridge did pull a goal back on his Premier League debut three minutes later but it wasn't enough for Liverpool.
Reading 3-2 West Brom: Reading remain second from bottom but are now just three points from safety after this crucial comeback. West Brom took the lead after 19-minutes when James Morrison's pull back was tapped home by Romelu Lukaku, his eighth of the season. That became nine on 69-minutes when Lukaku was allowed to come inside and stroke the ball home, this came after the Belgian had a goal disallowed and hit the woodwork twice. Jimmy Kebe headed Reading back into the game with eight minutes to play. Jonas Olsson would concede a penalty six minutes later for a high challenge on Kebe, Adam Le Fondre stepped up and converted the kick to make it 2-2. But Reading weren't content with just the point and the turn around was completed in injury time when a long free-kick was poked home by Pavel Pogrebnyak, his third in three. West Brom still sit seventh but have dropped to seven points behind the Champions League places.
Stoke 0-4 Chelsea: Chelsea move to 11-points behind Manchester United after ending Stoke's unbeaten home record. This is also the first time Stoke have conceded four goals in the Premier League. Jonathan Walters put Chelsea ahead with diving header from a Cesar Azpilicueta cross into his own net in first half injury time. Walters then made it 2-0 on 62-minutes with another headed own goal, this time from a corner. Chelsea were awarded a penalty three minutes later when Juan Mata went down very innocuously, Frank Lampard stepped up and rifled the spot kick home to become the second highest all-time goalscorer for Chelsea. Eden Hazard rounded off the scoring on 73-minutes with a beauty into the top corner from long range. Stoke had the chance to get a consolation when Walters was fouled by John Terry. Walters then stepped up but he smashed the ball high into the stand off the crossbar to complete his day.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham: Sunderland climb six points clear of the relegation zone. The deadlock was broken on 12-minutes when Sebastian Larsson scored a screamer from long range. Adam Johnson made it 2-0 two minutes into the second half when Jussi Jaaskelainen parried a James McLean shot before the ball wasn't cleared a scrambled to Johnson to tap home. McLean would make it 3-0 on 74-minutes when Stephane Sessegnon's scuffed shot made it's way into the Irishman's path.
Aston Villa 0-1 Southampton: Villa fall into the relegation zone on goal difference after this controversial result. The win means Southampton now sit two points ahead of the drop. The only goal of the game came 11-minutes before half-time when Jay Rodriguez went down in the box, under no contact. Rickie Lambert stepped up and converted, condemning Villa to defeat courtesy of a dive.
Fulham 1-1 Wigan: Wigan move out of the relegation zone on goal difference after gaining a point at Craven Cottage. Giorgos Karagounis made it two goals in two games, his first Premier League goal, with a rifled shot in off the post on 22-minutes. Franco Di Santo levelled with 19-minutes left via a brilliant long range effort, the Argentine's first in 15-games. The point puts Fulham six points clear of the drop.
Everton 0-0 Swansea: Everton record their goalless draw of the season after this drab result against Swansea. Both teams did hit the woodwork and test the other keeper, but neither had quite enough to break the deadlock. Everton are still three points behind the Champions League places.
QPR 0-0 Tottenham: QPR are now just five points from safety after Harry Redknapp takes a point against his former players. Jermain Defoe came closest after hitting the post for Spurs in the first half. Shaun Wright-Phillips was QPR's best player and created numerous chances, but the winger just couldn't quite find a finish. Spurs remain in the Champions League places, three points ahead of Everton.
Norwich 0-0 Newcastle: Newcastle have fallen into a relegation fight after another game without a win, they now sit just two points ahead of the drop.
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Ivanovic Gifts Swansea
Swansea City will take a 2-0 lead back to the Liberty after beating Chelsea in the first leg at Stamford Bridge. Branislav Ivanovic will be wishing to play that game again as he was at fault for both of the Swansea away goals.
It initially started much better for Chelsea. They were very dominant in the opening and for most of the first half. But they failed to take advantage of their numerous corners and put the ball past Gerhard Tremmel. Then Chelsea were hit with the sucker punch; Ross Turnbull's pass played Ivanovic into trouble, the Serbian then failed to deal with it and was dispossessed by Jonathan De Guzman. De Guzman would then play Michu through for the Spaniard to smash his 16th goal of the season past Turnbull, six minutes before half-time.
Tremmel's best save of the first half came just before the whistle when Ivanovic tried to atone for his error with a powerful curling shot. But the Tremmel was able to turn it around the post and keep Swansea's lead at half-time.
Chelsea gained even more possession in the second half, but they still couldn't find a breakthrough. David Luiz came the closest with another fierce shot from point blank range. But it was hit towards Tremmel's side and the keeper managed to somehow hold onto the ball. Substitute Demba Ba also came pretty close, but his header was again at the right height for Tremmel to hold.
Ba then thought he should have had a penalty at the beginning of injury time. The ball was played in and it was a race between the striker and Tremmel. Ba got to it first as Tremmel then tried to dive out of Ba's way. If there was any contact is was minimal and Ba actually got booked for diving. The ball went straight up the other end and a blind pass from Ivanovic left substitute Danny Graham one-on-one with Turnbull. The striker went around the keeper before rolling it home, despite David Luiz's best efforts to recover, making it 2-0 with yet another sucker punch.
Chelsea did think that they had put themselves back into it for the second leg when Ba had the ball in the net. But the linesman flagged the striker offside, which he was by centimetres. Chelsea aren't completely out of it by any means, but it is a huge task to recover from a two goal deficit at the Liberty.
It initially started much better for Chelsea. They were very dominant in the opening and for most of the first half. But they failed to take advantage of their numerous corners and put the ball past Gerhard Tremmel. Then Chelsea were hit with the sucker punch; Ross Turnbull's pass played Ivanovic into trouble, the Serbian then failed to deal with it and was dispossessed by Jonathan De Guzman. De Guzman would then play Michu through for the Spaniard to smash his 16th goal of the season past Turnbull, six minutes before half-time.
Tremmel's best save of the first half came just before the whistle when Ivanovic tried to atone for his error with a powerful curling shot. But the Tremmel was able to turn it around the post and keep Swansea's lead at half-time.
Chelsea gained even more possession in the second half, but they still couldn't find a breakthrough. David Luiz came the closest with another fierce shot from point blank range. But it was hit towards Tremmel's side and the keeper managed to somehow hold onto the ball. Substitute Demba Ba also came pretty close, but his header was again at the right height for Tremmel to hold.
Ba then thought he should have had a penalty at the beginning of injury time. The ball was played in and it was a race between the striker and Tremmel. Ba got to it first as Tremmel then tried to dive out of Ba's way. If there was any contact is was minimal and Ba actually got booked for diving. The ball went straight up the other end and a blind pass from Ivanovic left substitute Danny Graham one-on-one with Turnbull. The striker went around the keeper before rolling it home, despite David Luiz's best efforts to recover, making it 2-0 with yet another sucker punch.
Chelsea did think that they had put themselves back into it for the second leg when Ba had the ball in the net. But the linesman flagged the striker offside, which he was by centimetres. Chelsea aren't completely out of it by any means, but it is a huge task to recover from a two goal deficit at the Liberty.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Bradford On Cloud Nine
Bradford City of the NPower League Two are just one game away from a place in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley. This comes courtesy of a stunning 3-1 victory in the first leg of the semi-final at home to Premier League side Aston Villa. This victory also means that Bradford have beaten more top flight sides this season than both QPR and Reading.
The start of the match was very end to end, with both teams showing some attacking promise. But something had to give and it did on 19-minutes; a deflected shot fell to Bermuda's Nahki Wells who was onside, despite appeals from the Villa players, to smash Bradford ahead.
Villa should have scored earlier than they did in the game. They bombarded the Bradford goal for the remainder of the first half and even the start of the second half. But former Premier League goalkeeper, Matt Duke, was in the form of his life and produced countless saves from Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor. It was he that kept the score at 1-0 at half-time.
Darren Bent would become the latest to be stopped by Duke when he came on as a second half substitute. But Bradford hadn't shut up shop and fired a few more warning shots at Shay Given. With 13-minutes remaining, Bradford had a corner that was only half cleared. The ball went back out wide to be swung in again for Rory McArdle to head home and make it 2-0.
It could have been 3-0 when another Bradford header beat Given, but this time it cannoned off the crossbar. This looked to a crucial point in the match because Villa went up the other end and Andreas Weimann finally broke Duke's resistance to reduce the arrears with eight minutes to play, but more importantly securing an away goal.
Villa would have been content with a 2-1 deficit to take to Villa Park, especially with that away goal. But they were hit by another sucker punch with just two minutes remaining. Another corner was whipped in and Carl McHugh managed to get to it with a powerful header from around the penalty spot to make it 3-1, and also making them favourites for the final.
The start of the match was very end to end, with both teams showing some attacking promise. But something had to give and it did on 19-minutes; a deflected shot fell to Bermuda's Nahki Wells who was onside, despite appeals from the Villa players, to smash Bradford ahead.
Villa should have scored earlier than they did in the game. They bombarded the Bradford goal for the remainder of the first half and even the start of the second half. But former Premier League goalkeeper, Matt Duke, was in the form of his life and produced countless saves from Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor. It was he that kept the score at 1-0 at half-time.
Darren Bent would become the latest to be stopped by Duke when he came on as a second half substitute. But Bradford hadn't shut up shop and fired a few more warning shots at Shay Given. With 13-minutes remaining, Bradford had a corner that was only half cleared. The ball went back out wide to be swung in again for Rory McArdle to head home and make it 2-0.
It could have been 3-0 when another Bradford header beat Given, but this time it cannoned off the crossbar. This looked to a crucial point in the match because Villa went up the other end and Andreas Weimann finally broke Duke's resistance to reduce the arrears with eight minutes to play, but more importantly securing an away goal.
Villa would have been content with a 2-1 deficit to take to Villa Park, especially with that away goal. But they were hit by another sucker punch with just two minutes remaining. Another corner was whipped in and Carl McHugh managed to get to it with a powerful header from around the penalty spot to make it 3-1, and also making them favourites for the final.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
FA Cup Fourth Round Draw
Norwich City v Luton Town
Oldham Athletic v Liverpool
Macclesfield Town v Wigan Athletic/AFC Bournemouth
Derby County v Blackburn Rovers
Hull City/Leyton Orient v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Aldershot Town
Millwall v Aston Villa
Leeds United/Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur
Brighton & Hove Albion v Swansea City/Arsenal
Crystal Palace/Stoke City v Manchester City
West Ham United/Manchester United v Fulham/Blackpool
Southend United/Brentford v Chelsea
Reading v Sheffield United
Huddersfield Town v Leicester City
Queens Park Rangers/West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday/Milton Keynes Dons
Bolton Wanderers/Sunderland v Everton
Oldham Athletic v Liverpool
Macclesfield Town v Wigan Athletic/AFC Bournemouth
Derby County v Blackburn Rovers
Hull City/Leyton Orient v Barnsley
Middlesbrough v Aldershot Town
Millwall v Aston Villa
Leeds United/Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur
Brighton & Hove Albion v Swansea City/Arsenal
Crystal Palace/Stoke City v Manchester City
West Ham United/Manchester United v Fulham/Blackpool
Southend United/Brentford v Chelsea
Reading v Sheffield United
Huddersfield Town v Leicester City
Queens Park Rangers/West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday/Milton Keynes Dons
Bolton Wanderers/Sunderland v Everton
FA Cup 3rd Round Results
Cheltenham Town 1-5 Everton: Nikica Jelavic (12'), Leighton Baines (pen 21') and Leon Osman (49') put the Premiership side 3-0. Russell Penn (51') gave Cheltenham hope before Seamus Coleman (58') and Marouane Fellaini (89') eased Everton through.
Mansfield Town 1-2 Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge (7') marked his debut with the opening goal before Luis Suarez (59') made it 2-0 after just three minutes of coming on, although there was a clear handball from the Uruguayan to help him score. Matt Green (79') did manage to pull one back for the minnows.
Swansea City 2-2 Arsenal: The Emirates will host a replay after three late goals. Substitute Michu (58') put Swansea ahead. But Lukas Podolski (81') & Kieron Gibbs (83') looked to put Arsenal in the fourth round before Danny Graham (87') earned a draw.
West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United: Robin Van Persie (90') manages to force a replay at Old Trafford. Tom Cleverley (23') had put Manchester United into the lead before James Collins (27' & 59') made it 2-1 with two fantastic headers from two Joe Cole crosses.
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Newcastle United: Brighton knock the Premier League side out for the second year running. Andrea Orlandi (33') and Will Hoskins (87') got the goals as Shola Ameobi (63') was sent off for Newcastle.
Aldershot Town 3-1 Rotherham United: Danny Hylton had a day to remember. Aldershot took a 3-0 lead with Hylton getting a hat-trick (6', 23' & 62'). Liam Frecklington (pen 71') pulled a goal back before Kari Arnason (84') and Hylton (85') were both sent off.
Aston Villa 2-1 Ipswich Town: Villa escape a cup shock to the Championship side. Michael Chopra (31') put Ipswich ahead. But Darren Bent on his return from injury (46') and Andreas Weimann (83') turned it around to progress.
Barnsley 1-0 Burnley: Brian Stock (37') left Burnley with ten men for a long time in the game. Danny Rose (85') finally took advantage to put Barnsley through in the all-Championship tie.
Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Bristol City: Danny Murphy (7') and Grant Hanley (58') put Blackburn through at the hands of the Championship strugglers.
Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Sunderland: Sunderland force a replay at the Stadium of Light against the Championship side. Chung-Yong Lee (12') and Marvin Sordell (48') put Bolton 2-0 ahead. But Connor Wickham (60') and Craig Gardner (75') earned a draw.
Charlton Athletic 0-1 Huddersfield Town: Jermaine Beckford (11') scored the only goal to put Huddersfield through. Dorian Dervite (57') made it harder for Charlton by getting sent off.
Crawley Town 1-3 Reading: Reading come from behind to avoid a cup upset. Nicky Adams (1') gave Crawley the lead. But Adam Le Fondre (13' & pen 49') and Nicky Hunt (44') put the Premiership side safely through.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Stoke City: The Premiership side force a replay back the Britannia.
Derby County 5-0 Tranmere Rovers: Ben Davies (42'), Conor Sammon (54'), John Brayford (63'), Jeff Hendrick (72') and Mason Bennett (87') serve up the thrashing of the round for Derby.
Fulham 1-1 Blackpool: The Premiership have to travel to Bloomfield Road after forcing a replay. Ludovic Sylvestre (60') put the Championship side ahead before Giorgos Karagounis (80') earned the draw.
Hull City 1-1 Leyton Orient: Nick Proschwitz (90') forces a late replay, preventing a cup upset against the League One side. Dave Mooney (78') had given Orient the lead and now hope to beat Hull in the Matchroom Stadium.
Leeds United 1-1 Birmingham City: The all-Championship tie will have to be settled at St.Andrews in a replay. Wade Elliott (32') had given Birmingham the lead before Luciano Becchio (60') equalised.
Leicester City 2-0 Burton Albion: Chris Wood (3') and Ritchie De Laet (21') put the Championship side ahead.
Luton Town 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: The non-league side provide one of the shocks of the round against the Championship side. Alex Lawless (46') scored the only goal that has cost Stale Solbakken his job at Wolves.
Macclesfield Town 2-1 Cardiff City: The non-league outfit dump the Championship leaders out. Nathaniel Jarvis (57') had put Cardiff ahead before Matthew Barnes-Homer (85' & pen 88') turned the tie on its head.
Manchester City 3-0 Watford: Carlos Tevez (25'), Gareth Barry (44') and Marcos Lopes (90') ease the Premiership champions through.
Middlesbrough 4-1 Hastings United: Merouane Zemmama (22' & 68') and Andy Halliday (47') had put the Championship side 3-0 ahead. Bradley Goldburg (69') scored a consolation for the non-league side before Ishmael Miller (85') made it 4-1.
Millwall 1-0 Preston North End: Liam Feeney (31') scores the only goal to put Millwall through.
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Oldham Athletic: The League One side dump Forest out of the cup. Matt Smith (og 13') gave Forest the lead. Robbie Simpson (54' & 58') turned the tie around before Danny Collins (60') was sent off for Forest. Jose Baxter (61') made it 3-1 before Billy Sharp (90') pulled one back, but far too late.
Oxford United 0-3 Sheffield United: Tony McMahon (17'), Dave Kitson (68') and Nick Blackman (87') put the in form League One side through.
Peterborough United 0-3 Norwich City: Elliott Bennett (30'), Simeon Jackson (41') and Robert Snodgrass (70') ease the Premiership side into the next round.
Queens Park Rangers 1-1 West Bromwich Albion: The all Premiership tie will have to be settled at the Hawthornes after Kieron Dyer's stoppage time equaliser. Shane Long (79') had looked to have put West Brom through.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Milton Keynes Dons: The League One side manage to earn a replay at the Stadium MK against their Championship counterparts.
Southampton 1-5 Chelsea: Demba Ba shines on his Chelsea debut. Jay Rodriguez (22') had given the hosts the lead. But Ba (35' & 61'), Victor Moses (45'), Branislav Ivanovic (52') and Frank Lampard (pen 83') put the defending champions through.
Southend United 2-2 Brentford: The League Two side manage to force a replay against the League One side, albeit at Brentford's Griffin Park. Tom Adeyemi (29') and Ryan Cresswell (og 38') put Brentford 2-0 ahead. But Barry Corr (39' & 54') earned the draw for Southend.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Coventry City: Clint Dempsey (14' & 37') and Gareth Bale (33') ease the Premiership side into the fourth round.
Wigan Athletic 1-1 AFC Bournemouth: Jordi Gomez (70') spares Wigan's blushes by forcing a replay at Dean Court. Eunan O'Kane (41') gave Bournemouth the lead and may be quite content at having the replay at home.
Mansfield Town 1-2 Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge (7') marked his debut with the opening goal before Luis Suarez (59') made it 2-0 after just three minutes of coming on, although there was a clear handball from the Uruguayan to help him score. Matt Green (79') did manage to pull one back for the minnows.
Swansea City 2-2 Arsenal: The Emirates will host a replay after three late goals. Substitute Michu (58') put Swansea ahead. But Lukas Podolski (81') & Kieron Gibbs (83') looked to put Arsenal in the fourth round before Danny Graham (87') earned a draw.
West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United: Robin Van Persie (90') manages to force a replay at Old Trafford. Tom Cleverley (23') had put Manchester United into the lead before James Collins (27' & 59') made it 2-1 with two fantastic headers from two Joe Cole crosses.
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Newcastle United: Brighton knock the Premier League side out for the second year running. Andrea Orlandi (33') and Will Hoskins (87') got the goals as Shola Ameobi (63') was sent off for Newcastle.
Aldershot Town 3-1 Rotherham United: Danny Hylton had a day to remember. Aldershot took a 3-0 lead with Hylton getting a hat-trick (6', 23' & 62'). Liam Frecklington (pen 71') pulled a goal back before Kari Arnason (84') and Hylton (85') were both sent off.
Aston Villa 2-1 Ipswich Town: Villa escape a cup shock to the Championship side. Michael Chopra (31') put Ipswich ahead. But Darren Bent on his return from injury (46') and Andreas Weimann (83') turned it around to progress.
Barnsley 1-0 Burnley: Brian Stock (37') left Burnley with ten men for a long time in the game. Danny Rose (85') finally took advantage to put Barnsley through in the all-Championship tie.
Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Bristol City: Danny Murphy (7') and Grant Hanley (58') put Blackburn through at the hands of the Championship strugglers.
Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Sunderland: Sunderland force a replay at the Stadium of Light against the Championship side. Chung-Yong Lee (12') and Marvin Sordell (48') put Bolton 2-0 ahead. But Connor Wickham (60') and Craig Gardner (75') earned a draw.
Charlton Athletic 0-1 Huddersfield Town: Jermaine Beckford (11') scored the only goal to put Huddersfield through. Dorian Dervite (57') made it harder for Charlton by getting sent off.
Crawley Town 1-3 Reading: Reading come from behind to avoid a cup upset. Nicky Adams (1') gave Crawley the lead. But Adam Le Fondre (13' & pen 49') and Nicky Hunt (44') put the Premiership side safely through.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Stoke City: The Premiership side force a replay back the Britannia.
Derby County 5-0 Tranmere Rovers: Ben Davies (42'), Conor Sammon (54'), John Brayford (63'), Jeff Hendrick (72') and Mason Bennett (87') serve up the thrashing of the round for Derby.
Fulham 1-1 Blackpool: The Premiership have to travel to Bloomfield Road after forcing a replay. Ludovic Sylvestre (60') put the Championship side ahead before Giorgos Karagounis (80') earned the draw.
Hull City 1-1 Leyton Orient: Nick Proschwitz (90') forces a late replay, preventing a cup upset against the League One side. Dave Mooney (78') had given Orient the lead and now hope to beat Hull in the Matchroom Stadium.
Leeds United 1-1 Birmingham City: The all-Championship tie will have to be settled at St.Andrews in a replay. Wade Elliott (32') had given Birmingham the lead before Luciano Becchio (60') equalised.
Leicester City 2-0 Burton Albion: Chris Wood (3') and Ritchie De Laet (21') put the Championship side ahead.
Luton Town 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: The non-league side provide one of the shocks of the round against the Championship side. Alex Lawless (46') scored the only goal that has cost Stale Solbakken his job at Wolves.
Macclesfield Town 2-1 Cardiff City: The non-league outfit dump the Championship leaders out. Nathaniel Jarvis (57') had put Cardiff ahead before Matthew Barnes-Homer (85' & pen 88') turned the tie on its head.
Manchester City 3-0 Watford: Carlos Tevez (25'), Gareth Barry (44') and Marcos Lopes (90') ease the Premiership champions through.
Middlesbrough 4-1 Hastings United: Merouane Zemmama (22' & 68') and Andy Halliday (47') had put the Championship side 3-0 ahead. Bradley Goldburg (69') scored a consolation for the non-league side before Ishmael Miller (85') made it 4-1.
Millwall 1-0 Preston North End: Liam Feeney (31') scores the only goal to put Millwall through.
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Oldham Athletic: The League One side dump Forest out of the cup. Matt Smith (og 13') gave Forest the lead. Robbie Simpson (54' & 58') turned the tie around before Danny Collins (60') was sent off for Forest. Jose Baxter (61') made it 3-1 before Billy Sharp (90') pulled one back, but far too late.
Oxford United 0-3 Sheffield United: Tony McMahon (17'), Dave Kitson (68') and Nick Blackman (87') put the in form League One side through.
Peterborough United 0-3 Norwich City: Elliott Bennett (30'), Simeon Jackson (41') and Robert Snodgrass (70') ease the Premiership side into the next round.
Queens Park Rangers 1-1 West Bromwich Albion: The all Premiership tie will have to be settled at the Hawthornes after Kieron Dyer's stoppage time equaliser. Shane Long (79') had looked to have put West Brom through.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Milton Keynes Dons: The League One side manage to earn a replay at the Stadium MK against their Championship counterparts.
Southampton 1-5 Chelsea: Demba Ba shines on his Chelsea debut. Jay Rodriguez (22') had given the hosts the lead. But Ba (35' & 61'), Victor Moses (45'), Branislav Ivanovic (52') and Frank Lampard (pen 83') put the defending champions through.
Southend United 2-2 Brentford: The League Two side manage to force a replay against the League One side, albeit at Brentford's Griffin Park. Tom Adeyemi (29') and Ryan Cresswell (og 38') put Brentford 2-0 ahead. But Barry Corr (39' & 54') earned the draw for Southend.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Coventry City: Clint Dempsey (14' & 37') and Gareth Bale (33') ease the Premiership side into the fourth round.
Wigan Athletic 1-1 AFC Bournemouth: Jordi Gomez (70') spares Wigan's blushes by forcing a replay at Dean Court. Eunan O'Kane (41') gave Bournemouth the lead and may be quite content at having the replay at home.
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
SWP Haunts Chelsea and Boosts QPR, Newcastle Start Life Without Ba With Defeat, Liverpool Ease to Eighth
Chelsea 0-1 QPR: The shock of the year may have already happened as QPR go level with Reading and five points off safety. The defeat for Chelsea means they slip to fourth, with a game in hand over Tottenham, and a massive 14-points behind Manchester United.The only goal of the game came 12-minutes from the end when former Chelsea player Shaun Wright-Phillips smashed the ball into the bottom corner after Chelsea had cleared a corner out to him. This signifies Rafa Benitez's first home defeat and Harry Redknapp's first victory against Chelsea.
Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland: Sunderland continue their record of never winning at Anfield as Liverpool win back to back league games for only the second time this season. Raheem Sterling scored the opener on 19-minutes after being put through by Luis Suarez for the youngster to lob the oncoming Simon Mignolet. Suarez then got up after being fouled by Carlos Cuellar on the byline to cut in and make it 2-0 on 26-minutes. The points were wrapped up seven minutes into the second half when Steven Gerrard's pinpoint pass found the Uruguayan to make it 13-goals in the league, 18 in all competitions which is already more than the whole of last season. Liverpool move up to eighth and are now only seven points off a Champions League spot. Sunderland sit just four points above the relegation zone.
Newcastle 1-2 Everton: Newcastle begin life without Demba Ba with their third consecutive defeat. They began life showing that they didn't need Ba when Tim Krul's free-kick was headed home by Papiss Cisse after just two minutes. Everton had their equaliser two minutes before half-time when Leighton Baines fired a swerving free-kick into the bottom corner. The winner came on the hour mark when Nikica Jelavic's low ball was turned in by substitute Victor Anichebe. Everton move up to fifth and two points behind Chelsea. Newcastle now sit precariously above the drop zone, by just two points.
Swansea 2-2 Aston Villa: Villa stop the rot against Swansea to still remain a point ahead of the relegation zone. Swansea took the lead after just nine minutes when former Villa man, Wayne Routledge, broke the offside trap and took it around Brad Guzan. Michu did hit the post twice in the first half before Christian Benteke's ball found Andreas Weimann who levelled the score just before half-time. After a handball against Joe Bennett was actually deemed to be outside the box when it really looked just inside, Weimann was bundled over in the opposite box by Nathan Dyer to give Villa a penalty. Benteke took it and sent Michel Vorm the wrong way with just six minutes to hang on. They looked to be getting all three points until Danny Graham fired home an equaliser at the second attempt in the 94th minute after a massive goalmouth scramble.
Wigan 0-4 Manchester United: United remain seven points clear at the top by sending Wigan into the bottom three on goal difference. The visitors took the lead ten minutes before half-time when Patrice Evra's shot was parried for Javier Hernandez to tap home. That became 2-0 two minutes before the whistle when Hernandez played the ball to Robin Van Persie for the Dutchman to twist and turn before firing into the top corner. Hernandez made it 3-0 with his second on 63-minutes when he reacted first to a deflected free-kick to fire home. The points were well and truly wrapped up two minutes from time when a defensive mishap let Danny Welbeck in before laying the ball across for Van Persie to tap into a virtually empty net.
West Brom 1-2 Fulham: Fulham now move six points clear of the bottom three. The deadlock was broken six minutes before half-time when Ashkan Dejagah pulled the ball back for Dimitar Berbatov to hit home. Romelu Lukaku continued his fine loan spell with the equaliser from a questionable offside position, tapping home Billy Jones' low ball four minutes into the second half. The winner came on 58-minutes when Alex Kacaniklic coolly finished after Bryan Ruiz played him through.
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke: City remain seven points behind Manchester United. City took the lead two minutes before half-time when a low cross was parried by Asmir Begovic, into the path of Pablo Zabaleta to stab home. It was 2-0 when a quick free-kick played Sergio Aguero through, the Argentine' shot was again parried by Begovic for Edin Dzeko to score his tenth of the season 11-minutes into the second half. The points were wrapped up when Steven N'Zonzi bundled David Silva over, although the challenge looked outside the box, a penalty was given. Aguero stepped up and converted despite Begovic getting a hand to hit on 74-minutes. It didn't end to well for the Argentine though as he later had to go off due to a hamstring injury.
Tottenham 3-1 Reading: Spurs move a point ahead of Chelsea and five points clear of Arsenal going third, although both have a game in hand. Spurs conceded their earliest goal of the season when Ian Harte's free-kick came off the bar for Pavel Pogrebnyak to tap home after four minutes. Reading's lead only lasted for five minutes though as Michael Dawson would head home from a corner. Spurs took the lead six minutes into the second half when Aaron Lennon's chipped cross was headed home by Emmanuel Adebayor. The win was guaranteed 11-minutes from time when substitute Clint Dempsey's shot was deflected and looped over Adam Federici. Reading are now five points from safety.
West Ham 2-1 Norwich: West Ham move above Norwich by a point after this victory. West Ham were awarded a penalty after just three minutes when Elliott Bennett was adjudged to have been holding Winston Reid. Mark Noble stepped up and sent Mark Bunn the wrong way. The hosts doubled their lead on 26-minutes when Noble's ball was tapped back for Joey O'Brien to slot home. Norwich did pull one back in second half injury time when Russell Martin volleyed his third goal in two games, but it proved too little too late.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: Southampton move out of the bottom three on goal difference after this crucial point against Arsenal. The Gunners now slip four points behind Chelsea, who have a game in hand, and five behind Tottenham. Southampton took the lead 11-minutes before half-time when Gaston Ramirez found the ball at his feet to fire home. But Arsenal were level four minutes before half-time when Theo Walcott's free-kick was diverted into his own net by Guly Do Prado.
Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland: Sunderland continue their record of never winning at Anfield as Liverpool win back to back league games for only the second time this season. Raheem Sterling scored the opener on 19-minutes after being put through by Luis Suarez for the youngster to lob the oncoming Simon Mignolet. Suarez then got up after being fouled by Carlos Cuellar on the byline to cut in and make it 2-0 on 26-minutes. The points were wrapped up seven minutes into the second half when Steven Gerrard's pinpoint pass found the Uruguayan to make it 13-goals in the league, 18 in all competitions which is already more than the whole of last season. Liverpool move up to eighth and are now only seven points off a Champions League spot. Sunderland sit just four points above the relegation zone.
Newcastle 1-2 Everton: Newcastle begin life without Demba Ba with their third consecutive defeat. They began life showing that they didn't need Ba when Tim Krul's free-kick was headed home by Papiss Cisse after just two minutes. Everton had their equaliser two minutes before half-time when Leighton Baines fired a swerving free-kick into the bottom corner. The winner came on the hour mark when Nikica Jelavic's low ball was turned in by substitute Victor Anichebe. Everton move up to fifth and two points behind Chelsea. Newcastle now sit precariously above the drop zone, by just two points.
Swansea 2-2 Aston Villa: Villa stop the rot against Swansea to still remain a point ahead of the relegation zone. Swansea took the lead after just nine minutes when former Villa man, Wayne Routledge, broke the offside trap and took it around Brad Guzan. Michu did hit the post twice in the first half before Christian Benteke's ball found Andreas Weimann who levelled the score just before half-time. After a handball against Joe Bennett was actually deemed to be outside the box when it really looked just inside, Weimann was bundled over in the opposite box by Nathan Dyer to give Villa a penalty. Benteke took it and sent Michel Vorm the wrong way with just six minutes to hang on. They looked to be getting all three points until Danny Graham fired home an equaliser at the second attempt in the 94th minute after a massive goalmouth scramble.
Wigan 0-4 Manchester United: United remain seven points clear at the top by sending Wigan into the bottom three on goal difference. The visitors took the lead ten minutes before half-time when Patrice Evra's shot was parried for Javier Hernandez to tap home. That became 2-0 two minutes before the whistle when Hernandez played the ball to Robin Van Persie for the Dutchman to twist and turn before firing into the top corner. Hernandez made it 3-0 with his second on 63-minutes when he reacted first to a deflected free-kick to fire home. The points were well and truly wrapped up two minutes from time when a defensive mishap let Danny Welbeck in before laying the ball across for Van Persie to tap into a virtually empty net.
West Brom 1-2 Fulham: Fulham now move six points clear of the bottom three. The deadlock was broken six minutes before half-time when Ashkan Dejagah pulled the ball back for Dimitar Berbatov to hit home. Romelu Lukaku continued his fine loan spell with the equaliser from a questionable offside position, tapping home Billy Jones' low ball four minutes into the second half. The winner came on 58-minutes when Alex Kacaniklic coolly finished after Bryan Ruiz played him through.
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke: City remain seven points behind Manchester United. City took the lead two minutes before half-time when a low cross was parried by Asmir Begovic, into the path of Pablo Zabaleta to stab home. It was 2-0 when a quick free-kick played Sergio Aguero through, the Argentine' shot was again parried by Begovic for Edin Dzeko to score his tenth of the season 11-minutes into the second half. The points were wrapped up when Steven N'Zonzi bundled David Silva over, although the challenge looked outside the box, a penalty was given. Aguero stepped up and converted despite Begovic getting a hand to hit on 74-minutes. It didn't end to well for the Argentine though as he later had to go off due to a hamstring injury.
Tottenham 3-1 Reading: Spurs move a point ahead of Chelsea and five points clear of Arsenal going third, although both have a game in hand. Spurs conceded their earliest goal of the season when Ian Harte's free-kick came off the bar for Pavel Pogrebnyak to tap home after four minutes. Reading's lead only lasted for five minutes though as Michael Dawson would head home from a corner. Spurs took the lead six minutes into the second half when Aaron Lennon's chipped cross was headed home by Emmanuel Adebayor. The win was guaranteed 11-minutes from time when substitute Clint Dempsey's shot was deflected and looped over Adam Federici. Reading are now five points from safety.
West Ham 2-1 Norwich: West Ham move above Norwich by a point after this victory. West Ham were awarded a penalty after just three minutes when Elliott Bennett was adjudged to have been holding Winston Reid. Mark Noble stepped up and sent Mark Bunn the wrong way. The hosts doubled their lead on 26-minutes when Noble's ball was tapped back for Joey O'Brien to slot home. Norwich did pull one back in second half injury time when Russell Martin volleyed his third goal in two games, but it proved too little too late.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: Southampton move out of the bottom three on goal difference after this crucial point against Arsenal. The Gunners now slip four points behind Chelsea, who have a game in hand, and five behind Tottenham. Southampton took the lead 11-minutes before half-time when Gaston Ramirez found the ball at his feet to fire home. But Arsenal were level four minutes before half-time when Theo Walcott's free-kick was diverted into his own net by Guly Do Prado.
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Sixteen Time Champion of the World
Phil 'The Power' Taylor lifts the World Championship for the 16th time after seeing off the plucky, and future World Champion, Michael Van Gerwen. But, perhaps more poignantly, Taylor lifts the first ever Sid Waddell in commemoration for the voice of darts.
The Power had to come from behind to win one of his toughest tests in all of his career. Taylor began the match with a 170-checkout to level the opening set at 1-1. The first set went completely with throw, with Van Gerwen smashing a 140-checkout to win it. The Dutchman then motored ahead in the second set and would take it 3-1 after conceding the first leg.
The first four legs of the third set also all went with throw. Van Gerwen took a 2-1 lead with an impressive 123-checkout on the bed before Taylor quashed it with a Shanghai 120-checkout to force the deciding leg. But Taylor then managed to break the Van Gerwen to crucially halve the deficit. That didn't deter the Dutchman though and he began the fourth set with another impressive 127-checkout. But Taylor recovered to take a 2-1 lead before Van Gerwen forced another deciding leg. Van Gerwen would then miss a crucial double-20 for another ton plus checkout, to allow Taylor to level the match.
But Van Gerwen once again showed maturity and composure way above his age by forcing the fifth set into another deciding leg which he would then take, retaking the lead at 3-2. That again spurred the Dutchman on and took the sixth leg 3-1 to again move into a two set advantage. Taylor, visibly worried at this point, missed a dart at double-16 to win the opening leg of the seventh set before then having to force yet another deciding leg. But, crucially, the veteran managed to take the all important fifth leg to again halve the deficit.
Taylor then produced a 136-checkout to take a 2-1 lead in the eighth set. Van Gerwen would miss three darts to level the set, allowing Taylor to win 3-1 and level the match at 4-4. That seemed to put a hole in Van Gerwen's sail, although Taylor did have to force a deciding leg for the fourth set in the match. Also for the fourth time in the match, Taylor would win a deciding leg to crucially take the lead in the match for the first time.
It was at that moment where Van Gerwen's wind was well and truly taken out of him. A roaring 106-checkout from the Dutchman prolonged to tenth by a leg as Taylor would win it 3-1 to go to within a set of victory. Van Gerwen would win the opening set of the 11th set before missing two darts to take a 2-1 lead. That was enough for Taylor to then take the following leg to take the 3-1 and end a fitting final for the late, great Sid Waddell.
It was also a poignant final for another voice of darts. Referee Bruce Spendley has overseen 34 world finals and has decided to retire now he has seen Taylor lift the first ever Sid Waddell trophy. So, in a sense, the world of darts has lost two of its most notable voices.
The Power had to come from behind to win one of his toughest tests in all of his career. Taylor began the match with a 170-checkout to level the opening set at 1-1. The first set went completely with throw, with Van Gerwen smashing a 140-checkout to win it. The Dutchman then motored ahead in the second set and would take it 3-1 after conceding the first leg.
The first four legs of the third set also all went with throw. Van Gerwen took a 2-1 lead with an impressive 123-checkout on the bed before Taylor quashed it with a Shanghai 120-checkout to force the deciding leg. But Taylor then managed to break the Van Gerwen to crucially halve the deficit. That didn't deter the Dutchman though and he began the fourth set with another impressive 127-checkout. But Taylor recovered to take a 2-1 lead before Van Gerwen forced another deciding leg. Van Gerwen would then miss a crucial double-20 for another ton plus checkout, to allow Taylor to level the match.
But Van Gerwen once again showed maturity and composure way above his age by forcing the fifth set into another deciding leg which he would then take, retaking the lead at 3-2. That again spurred the Dutchman on and took the sixth leg 3-1 to again move into a two set advantage. Taylor, visibly worried at this point, missed a dart at double-16 to win the opening leg of the seventh set before then having to force yet another deciding leg. But, crucially, the veteran managed to take the all important fifth leg to again halve the deficit.
Taylor then produced a 136-checkout to take a 2-1 lead in the eighth set. Van Gerwen would miss three darts to level the set, allowing Taylor to win 3-1 and level the match at 4-4. That seemed to put a hole in Van Gerwen's sail, although Taylor did have to force a deciding leg for the fourth set in the match. Also for the fourth time in the match, Taylor would win a deciding leg to crucially take the lead in the match for the first time.
It was at that moment where Van Gerwen's wind was well and truly taken out of him. A roaring 106-checkout from the Dutchman prolonged to tenth by a leg as Taylor would win it 3-1 to go to within a set of victory. Van Gerwen would win the opening set of the 11th set before missing two darts to take a 2-1 lead. That was enough for Taylor to then take the following leg to take the 3-1 and end a fitting final for the late, great Sid Waddell.
It was also a poignant final for another voice of darts. Referee Bruce Spendley has overseen 34 world finals and has decided to retire now he has seen Taylor lift the first ever Sid Waddell trophy. So, in a sense, the world of darts has lost two of its most notable voices.
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