Our Manchester United blogger offers his take on this week's EPL results
Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
Despite having performed quite creditably away from home this season, Aston Villa once again performed dreadfully at home. Villa had only won three home games this season out of ten. Truth be told, they were lucky to get a draw and when Victor Anichebe came off the bench to earn Everton a point, it was no less than they had deserved. Indeed, it was Everton, with Darron Gibson making his debut after his move from Manchester United on Friday, who dominated the early parts of the match.
Only the sometimes rash bravery of Shay Given, who returned to the starting lineup after six weeks out with a hamstring injury, kept Villa in the game in the first half as he made a stunning save to deny Louis Saha after the striker rose high above the Irish custodian to head Leighton Baines' header on target. But when the second half began, Darren Bent opened the scoring for the hosts with a scuffed finish as he twice accidentally miscued before connecting with a superb Stephen Ireland pass in the 56th minute.
Everton manager David Moyes then brought on his hardworking young striker Victor Anichebe and he slotted home after Landon Donovan set him up with a beautiful pass. Minutes later, Everton went close again as Marouane Fellaini met a Baines' free-kick at the back post. Yet, once again, a flying, flailing Given sacrificed his body to make an awesome save.
Is this a David Moyes team of the kind we’re so used to? Too many errant youth and serial injuries for them to improve a whole lot, it seems. Alex McLeish is in much the same situation only with a slightly improved budget at Villa. I expect both sides to improve measurably as we head toward Spring, but only time and money will tell.
Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Fulham
Yet another Blackburn Rovers miracle as they somehow miraculously survived the early sending-off of Yakubu to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since September with a valuable win over Fulham. Taking the three points allows Rovers the luxury of a vertical vault up to 17th in the table and the possible forgiveness of at least a segment of the fans who have kept manager Steve Kean under stressful pressure since the season’s opener. Indeed, without the gigantic presence at the back of captain Chris Samba--who declined to play on the day, claiming to be suffering from illness after putting in a transfer request earlier in the week--it really was no wonder Rovers were slow to get it together early in the game.
To make matters worse, only 17 minutes in, Yakubu was dismissed for a crude high-kicking challenge as he competed with Danny Murphy for a bouncing ball, smashing his studs into the former Liverpool midfielder’s thigh. Instantaneously red-carded, Yakubu, who has scored 13 goals this season, will certainly face a deserved three-match ban.
Yet Fulham were stymied, absolutely unable to cash in on the advantages playing against a ten-man Rovers side. Rovers slowly grew in confidence and shocked the Cottagers when they took the lead in the fourth minute of first-half injury time time when Dunn won a free-kick. Sandwiched between two rough challenges from Hangeland and Senderos, Dunn looked to have over dramatized his fall to the pitch, but his acting was applaudable. Morten Gamst Pedersen was then able to craftily fire the dead ball into the bottom corner of the net from the border of the penalty box. To add insult to injury, Kean's boys then doubled their lead only a minute after the restart as David Dunn put a defense-splitting pass through to Yakubu’s substitute David Goodwillie. His shot got blocked by Riise, but Dunn was in place to smash home the rebound.
Finally motivated, Fulham came awake, increased their tempo and Clint Dempsey was unlucky that his headed goal was given the offside whistle after a fine Riise free kick in the 54th minute. But within a minute, the tricky Republic of Ireland winger Damian Duff hoovered up a Murphy pass before jinking into the area and shooting through Martin Olsson's legs into the net.
Brave Blackburn did not relinquish their lead, however. They held on and then stole a third goal in the 79th minute as Stephen Nzonzi lobbed an ambitious pass over the top of a a flat-footed Fulham back line. Rovers substitute Mauro Formica deadened the ball’s bounce before firing a left left-footed half volley across goalie David Stockdale into the net.
Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland
Sunderland's massive resurgence in team spirit and good fortune under Martin O'Neill came to a bittersweet screeching halt at Stamford Bridge as an early strike by Frank Lampard proved a slow-acting, albeit fatal dose of reality. Sunderland played with purpose throughout the game and will surely feel miffed to leave west London empty-handed, especially after an impressive second half.
Having won five of their last seven matches under O'Neill, the Mackems started promisingly and were only denied an opening goal minutes in by a brilliant piece of defending by the Blues right back Jose Bosingwa. The former Porto defender is often criticized by pundits and had a dreadful match in last week’s win at Wolves, but he was superb blotting out a free point-blank shot at goal from eight yards after his fellow defenders had been ripped through by an explosive run from the clever French left winger Stephane Sessegnon. Sessegnon--supposedly unhappy living in the northeast--was brilliant all day, all over the place behind striker Nicklas Bendtner.
At any rate, Chelsea’s solo goal came completely against the run of play as Cech saved from Bendtner, distributing the ball fast with an overhand throw which was seized upon quickly by Mata. His lobbed pass was exquisite and, after a breathtaking volley from Fernando Torres off the bar, Frank Lampard was right there in place to smash it home.
Torres, Lampard, and Juan Mata all had chances to add to the lead in the first half and Meireles, Torres, Mata, and Sturridge collectively squandered at least 12 chances and half-chances. The same applied to Sunderland who created just as many openings for Larsson and Bendtner, especially two glorious late chances missed by Craig Gardner and Bendtner in second half injury-time.
Although it looks doubtful that Chelsea can catch up with the top three, there are positive signs, especially the notable improvement in Fernando Torres. If quality reinforcements are brought in to bolster up an aging squad not all bets are off.
Liverpool 0 - 0 Stoke City
Liverpool missed a chance to move into the Premier League's top five as they were held to a sixth draw in their last eight home league games by a tough-mannered, ultra-disciplined Stoke City. Only Dirk Kuyt and Martin Skrtel came close to scoring with headers from Jose Enrique corner kicks, otherwise Liverpool’s day was one of ad infinitum suppression, while only Matty Etherington came close for the Potters.
The absence of a home defeat sounds good but muffles the alternative news that Liverpool have yet to win five of their last ten league matches at Anfield. Still, with his hard-man Danish center half Daniel Agger missing through injury, manager Kenny Dalglish's selection of a five-man back line, with only the little Dutch dynamo Dirk Kuyt up front, the Red Scousers just couldn’t get themselves together to succeed in midfield combat and overcome the tall, well-drilled Stoke side. Liverpool continually retained possession but Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson were ineffective in connecting with Kuyt. When Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy came off the bench in the second half, Downing and Henderson still couldn’t find a way to get free to supply the front men.
Meanwhile the tactically astute Stoke City have deservedly earned 17 Premiership points out of their last eight games--something clever that only Spurs can match. Yet another fine performance from the Potters!
Manchester United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers
Paul ‘The Ginger Prince’ Scholes made a welcome and memorable return to Old Trafford, scoring Manchester United’s first goal as they easily beat Bolton to remain only three points behind Manchester City. After a pair of humiliating Premier League defeats at home to Blackburn Rovers and away at Newcastle United, United looked much more settled with their familiar midfield pulse back in their midst. Meanwhile, Bolton's defeat means they remain in the Premier League's bottom three and soon face tough matches against Liverpool and Arsenal at home, where they have been least effective this season.
Scholes' first goal was his very first since August 2010 and United's 50th league goal of the season. His timing was immaculate, especially after a number of misses. Goalie Adam Bogdan had been brilliant, saving not only a Rooney penalty, but also efforts from the England striker, Giggs and Welbeck. That penalty save, after Zac Knight tripped Welbeck in front of goal, was superb, as Bogdan flew to the right, pushing aside Rooney's fine, powerfully struck effort. Mark Davies then cleared yet another Rooney effort off the line and Bolton did well to survive intact, especially considering the departure of Gary Cahill, who has signed for Chelsea. But just as United started to look a tad depressed at their inability to execute, and as half-time approached, it was Scholes who brought the match to life. Lurking at the back post, he fired home Rooney’s gentle dish in the fourth minute of injury time. after David Wheater had blocked a Nani cross.
Despite owning a goal lead, United were visibly uncomfortable, often shouting at each other, but their fraying nerves held together when Welbeck intercepted a Rooney through ball in the 74th minute, beating out a slow Wheater before poking the ball past Bogdan for his eighth of the season. Ten minutes later came one of United’s best goals of the season’s season as Carrick collected Ryan Giggs's squared pass , swayed past two defenders and rifled it home from 20 yards to seal the victory.
Newcastle United 1-0 Queen’s Park Rangers
Newcastle United lifted themselves up to sixth place in the Premier League table, ruining manager Mark ‘Sparky’ Hughes' first game as Q.P.R. boss. He will not have been too pleased with what he saw. Although they started well and split possession equally with the fluid, fluent Newcastle, sloppy errors and a lack of concentration in front of the home side’s goal cost them dear. Rangers have now slipped into the relegation zone following Blackburn's win over Fulham.
Best's immaculate winner in the 37th minute proved to be the Magpies’ only shot on goal in the first half. Thanks to some fine set up work by Danny Simpson and Danny Guthrie, Best slipped unmarked past Anton Ferdinand, seized on to a sweet seeing-eye pass from Guthrie, jinked his way past a static set of defenders and slotted under Paddy Kenny.
The rest of the match allowed for a central midfield battle royale. Vulnerable to the sheer physicality of Jay Bothroyd, Alan Pardew’s team slowly recovered from a shaky start and Best stroked home a cool winner in the 37th following some fine, fancy twinkle-toes. footwork. As is his wont, Bothroyd wasted two good chances after the interval but the Magpies held on.
But in between the two efforts that hit the bar and post, Newcastle took over, despite the setback of losing Yohan Cabaye leaving with an ankle injury after a very late tackle from Shaun Derry. Yet, somehow, Cabaye's exit helped the hosts. In the absence of top scorer Demba Ba and influential midfielder Cheick Tiote--both away at the Africa Cup of Nations--Newcastle's main threat came via the right foot of Ryan Taylor and the class and guile of Cabaye's cunning replacement, Hatem Ben Arfa.
Rangers failed to create any openings toward the end while Newcastle stayed solid and well organized enough to grab their third win in four league games and a fourth out of five in all competitions. Indeed, despite missing Cheick Tiote and Demba Ba to the A.N.C. and the injured Cabaye, they hung in there fantastically well.
Swansea City 3-2 Arsenal
Any chance of Arsenal closing in on the Premier League top four as manager Arsene Wenger had boasted in his press conference before the match were destroyed by a confident, aggressive Swansea City team in a splendid match at the Liberty Stadium. Indeed, although Les Gooners snatched an early lead off a beautiful Robin van Persie goal, the north Londoners were pretty much outplayed for the rest of the proceedings. This was Swansea's first victory over Arsenal since February 1982 and lifts Brendan Rodgers' side into the Premiership top ten. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger’s anemic club has lost its last four Premier League away matches. Never one to hold his hand up, Wenger blamed the state of the Liberty Stadium pitch, although Swansea, who also own their own slick-passing passing style, had no such issues.
Only five minutes in, an Alex Song lay-off made a ton of space for Andrey Arshavin. The Russian dropped a neat little lob over the heads of Swansea’s back four and Van Persie flew in to the goalmouth, holding off a tackle from Steven Caulker before shooting past Michael Vorm.
Swansea did not get deflated, however, as their wingers Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair repeatedly, relentlessly gave fits to Arsenal’s green full-backs, Ignasi Miquel and Johan Djourou. And ten minutes later, when Dyerer seized on the ball, charging in from the right flank to round goalie Wojciech Szczesny, Aaron Ramsey got suckered into a penalty, hanging out his leg as Dyer swiveled into him and fell. Sinclair then coolly dispatched the penalty into the bottom right-hand corner, bringing the loud Welsh crowd into it with him.
Swansea hung in there for the rest of the half as, with Leon Britton and Joe Allen dominating the midfield, Swansea's clever passing game was soon dissecting Arsenal uninspired midfield after the break. 57 minutes in, Joe Allen stripped Ramsey. With Miquel out of position, he squared the ball to Dyer who lobbed an exquisite beauty into the far corner to put the Swans ahead.
Arsenal were still sporadically dangerous and 69 minutes in, when Ashley Williams lost his concentration for a moment, failing to pick up a Britton pass, Walcott was in there like a spring-heeled magpie, stealing the pass and shooting past a static, late reacting Vorm.
Yet, suddenly, less than a minute on, substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson's pass around a dull-witted Laurent Koscielny went straight to a shockingly unmarked Danny Graham, who fired across a panicked Szczesny into the far corner. That was the dagger and Les Gooners never looked like a team willing to fight back, giving up a historical victory to the Welsh club.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Spurs missed out on a huge opportunity to go level on points with second place Manchester United when they were held by Wolves. Desperately aware of their fight against relegation, Wolves defended brilliantly throughout, their superb Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey making scores of brilliant saves throughout the match. Yet, it was a distressing finish to what had been a superb week for Tottenham, whose aspirations to be Premiership champions have been massively hyped by an excitable media over the last month. Unfortunately, Harry Redknapp's side undid much of their recent good form with a jaded 90 minutes .
After a fine beginning by Spurs during which a dynamic Luka Modric missed narrowly three times, Wolves stole the lead in the 22nd minute against the run of play. Roger Johnson's header off a curving Matty Jarvis corner was brilliantly denied by the fingertips of Brad Friedel, but the rebound reached Wolves’ striker Steven Fletcher, who side footed home from six yards.
Spurs were unable to go beyond a high percentage of possession for the remainder of the half, although an offside Emmanuel Adebayor strike came close. Meanwhile, Wolves began well as Emmanuel Frimpong, on loan from Arsenal, forced a good stop from Friedel. But, then six minutes in, Spurs drew level as the speedy Gareth Bale turned to tap the ball backward to Modric, 20 yards out, who fired a low, precise drive went under a diving Hennessey.
And although Modric, substitute Jermain Defoe and Bale all came close, Wayne Hennessey kept a determined Wolves side in the game.
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Norwich City
A well-drilled, disciplined Norwich City side beat a misfiring West Brom at The Hawthorns. Manager Paul Lambert has instilled a sense of confidence and pride in a low-budget club, made up, for the most part, of refugees from the football League’s lower divisions. Despite letting a high number of goals, Lambert’s Canaries have amassed an impressive 28 points over the season.
Somehow, although Albion were clearly on top from the get-go at home in Birmingham, things just never gelled. First, Peter Odemwingie fired a fizzing drive from 25 yards that goalie John Ruddy desperately palmed onto the bar, then James Morrison unleashed a vicious half-volley that Surman headed off the line. Early on Norwich were content in their own half with nine men behind the ball. The Baggies, worked too hard to score and kept pouring forward. Inevitably, they were caught cold on the counterattack two minutes before the break as Simeon Jackson latched onto a long thrown ball from Ruddy before tapping it into the path of Wes Hoolahan, who picked out an unmarked Andrew Surman. Calm and careful, Surman took his time to fire a beautiful volley past a flying Ben Foster.
As in their previous match at Queens Park Rangers, Norwich soaked up the resulting West Brom pressure. Only with the arrival through substitution of striker Shane Long did the Baggies get back in the game after a vicious Daniel Ayala foul brought down Hendry Thomas. Long then stroked home a penalty, sending Ruddy the wrong way. But thens, once again, Albion smelled blood and continued to push forward.
Yet somehow, cool, calm, and collected Norwich survived the storm, and hit the Baggies with yet another sucker-punch 11 minutes from the end as super-sub Grant Holt took the ball down the left flank before dropping a left-footed cross to Morison, who powered a diving header past Foster. It was a shocker that wasn’t really a shocker at all and the Baggies’ manager Roy Hodgson will surely get his share of appropriate nightmares this week!
Wigan Athletic 0-1 Manchester City
Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to three points over Manchester United after winning an unremarkable but gritty victory over bottom feeders Wigan Athletic thanks to a headed goal by Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker who has been mostly unlucky in front of goal this season, jumped high to score with a subtle flick of the head after a David Silva free-kick in the 22nd minute. Yet City will be grateful for their win. A first away victory since beating Queens Park Rangers on November 4th and a return to winning ways following consecutive cup defeats. That was all, she wrote, for either side. The highlight of the game being the remarkably brave and skillful goal keeping of the Latics’ custodian, Ali Al-Habsi.
Wigan actually defended quite confidently and in a compact manner, but ultimately they could not contain their high-scoring opponents, who have now scored n 57 goals in 23 matches, just three short of the total number they scored last season. Defeat for Wigan means they continue a miserable run of form at home, where they have not won in the league since August. Both James McArthur and James McCarthy had good chances to tie matters for Wigan, but could not find a way past Joe Hart.
With David Silva full of energy and enthusiasm after his return from injury, it was a shame that so many of his teammates showed neither the energy or inclination to chase after the delectable diet of short and long passes he offered up. City still could have easily made the game safe; but, unfortunately, Dzeko, Aguero, and Silva himself were having no luck whatsoever with Al-Habsi.
Wigan did have more than a few counterrattacking moments. With Victor Moses playing very effectively behind Rodallega, City’s slow center back partnership of Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany had their problems. Wigan’s substitutes, Ben Watson and Franco di Santo gave City even more problems toward the end, but in the end they managed to hang in there.
