Tag Archives: Queens Park Rangers FC
Barclays Premier League Table
| Barclays Premier League Table | |||||||
| Pos. | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| 1 | Manchester United | 33 | 26 | 3 | 4 | +40 | 81 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 32 | 20 | 8 | 4 | +31 | 68 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 34 | 18 | 9 | 7 | +30 | 63 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 32 | 18 | 7 | 7 | +31 | 61 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | 17 | 7 | 8 | +15 | 58 |
| 6 | Everton | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | +13 | 56 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 33 | 13 | 11 | 9 | +19 | 50 |
| 8 | West Brom | 33 | 13 | 6 | 14 | -1 | 45 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 33 | 10 | 12 | 11 | +1 | 42 |
| 10 | West Ham | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | -7 | 42 |
| 11 | Fulham | 34 | 10 | 10 | 14 | -8 | 40 |
| 12 | Southampton | 34 | 9 | 12 | 13 | -7 | 39 |
| 13 | Norwich City | 34 | 8 | 14 | 12 | -20 | 38 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 34 | 9 | 10 | 15 | -7 | 37 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 34 | 8 | 13 | 13 | -11 | 37 |
| 16 | Newcastle United | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | -17 | 37 |
| 17 | Aston Villa | 33 | 8 | 10 | 15 | -24 | 34 |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 33 | 8 | 7 | 18 | -23 | 31 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 34 | 4 | 12 | 18 | -27 | 24 |
| 20 | Reading | 34 | 5 | 9 | 20 | -28 | 24 |
Saturdays Barclays Premier League Preview
The Season is far from over! With Champions League places still up for grabs, and relegation still looming over the heads of many clubs, there is plenty to play for. Lets have a look at the teams in the mix this Saturdays fixtures. With all the fixtures kicking off at 3pm, its time to get your radios out and listen up for your teams results.
Fulham v Arsenal
Fulham’s season is relatively over in the eyes of most premier league fans but their manager, Martin Jol, will want his side to fight for every point between now and the end of the season. There opponents, Arsenal, just saw their winning streak halted by a draw with Everton on Tuesday and will need three points to secure their position in fourth for the weekend.
Fulham have gathered all their points earlier on in the season, but the West London club haven’t won in their last three games; losing two of those games. However, Fulham also haven’t lost to Arsenal at home for the last two visits and are unbeaten against the Gunners since May 2011. Jol’s side should be confident of taking something from this game, but the midfield will certainly have a job on their hands to stop Arsenal running away with three points.
As for Arsenal, they will need to improve on their attacking display from Tuesday night. The Gunners got forward enough times to be able to score on Tuesday, and their main striker, Oliver Giroud, will be looking to add to his tally of eleven Premier League goals and bring his side a cushion on teams below. The striker got a lot of ‘stick’ from Arsenal fans after Monday’s performance, but a few goals between now and the end of the season should somewhat silence his critics.
One to Watch: Dimitar Berbatov – we all know how good this guy can be and he certainly showed Arsenal when he scored a brace at the Emirates earlier on in the season. If Berbatov is playing well, then Fulham play well.
Norwich v Reading
Both of these teams go into this game needing three points to achieve the same goal of staying with the crème de la crème of the Premier League. For Reading the dream is almost too far gone, but Norwich still have their goal in sight and will have a battle on their hands to secure Premier League football for another season.
The two teams confidence is probably at rock bottom at the moment with both sides struggling to find a run of form that would keep them up. Reading have only managed to gain a point from their last seven games and have only managed to take five points from a possible 48 in their away games this season.
Nigel Atkins side were given a glimmer of hope last weekend when they secured a point against Liverpool through a terrific display from young goalkeeper, Alex McCarthy. However it’s putting the ball in the back of the net that will be clinical today, because as we all know that only goals win games.
As for Chris Houghton’s Norwich City, they might only need a win and a draw to secure safety, but that looks almost impossible with the year they’ve had. The Canaries have still only won one game in 2013, and have only managed to get three points from their last six games. If there was a team that Norwich must beat to survive, then today’s game against Reading is certainly the one.
One to Watch: Alex McCarthy – the Reading goalie saved his side against Liverpool and may have to make some more clinical saves today to keep his sides chances of staying up alive.
QPR v Stoke
Now if you think the teams we just spoke of have a bad season, you should take a look at these two sides. QPR have been down at the depths of the League for almost the whole season, and rivals Stoke haven’t managed to find any sort of form in the year 2013.
Harry Redknapp may believe that the dream is still possible, but with four points from their last eight games, there’s not really a silver lining to save his sides season. The ‘R’s have only won two home games all season and four wins overall. In order for them to stay up, they would have to win at least four games and keep their fingers crossed that others above them slip up. In other words, another loss today could see them relegated.
Stoke are another team who have slipped up, and if they don’t pull it together, could end up sliding down into the Championship. Tony Pulis’ only saving grace is that they are four points above the drop-zone and could need only a win and two draws to stay up.
However, Stoke have only managed to win one game since Boxing Day of 2012 and have managed only one clean sheet in that time. As abysmal as QPR’s home form is, Stokes away form is worse. Stoke have one away win from 16 games, and that’s no surprise when the side has only scored seven goals in 2013. The only real hope for Stoke is that the teams below them like QPR may be worst than they are, and will keep Stoke up by default.
One to Watch: Loic Remy – QPR need all three points, and will certainly need their top striker on form and scoring goals. Remy is already the ‘R’s joint top scorer with five goals, and adding to his tally between now and the end of the season will be vital to either his teams survival, or a summer transfer.
Sunderland v Everton
These two sides go into this game needing four points, but three points today would be good enough to close the gap on their ultimate aims for the season. For Sunderland, that aim is survival and possibly going above Newcastle in the League standings. For Everton, the aim is to bring Champions League football to their home of Goodison Park next season.
Sunderland’s season has been somewhat revitalized by the appointment of their new manager, Paolo Di Canio. The Italian manager did the impossible last week by beating Newcastle a convincing three nil at St. James Park, to give his side only their second win since Boxing Day.
Today may be another mission impossible for Di Canio’s Sunderland, as they haven’t managed to beat Everton since December 2001 (losing 11 of those). Di Canio has his side drilled pretty well in defense and counter attack, but his side will really have to concentrate against an Everton side who are undefeated in their last two away games.
Everton boss, David Moyes, believes that top four is not possible any more but I’m sure he wont let his players believe that. His side performed well on Tuesday against Arsenal and added to their unbeaten streak to make it six games, with four clean sheets in that time. That sort of form will only be good enough if they manage to win all of their last five games, starting today.
One to Watch: Stephane Sessengnon – created almost everything going forward for Sunderland last weekend and will certainly need to be on that kind of form today.
Swansea v Southampton
If there was one game this weekend that football fans would see as a nothing game, it would certainly be this one. It may not be completely safe to say, but both these side should have the summer and next season on their mind rather than any fear of the drop.
Swansea’s second season in the Premier League couldn’t have gone much better, and there star man, Miguel Michu, couldn’t have had a better first season either. Michu may have been denied the chance of becoming PFA player of the year, but his 17 league goals is certainly something for the Spaniard to be proud of.
Although Swansea have only managed one point in their last four games, manager Michael Laudrup will know that his team can perform better. If the Swans do win today, they could jump into eighth place, but only if West Brom lose their game against Newcastle.
Southampton fans must be rubbing their hands with glee. Having looked like an inevitable relegation team at the start of the season, no one would’ve believed that they would be relatively safe with five games to go. That turn around has to be down to the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino who has really got the saints marching on into a possible top 10 finish.
One to Watch: Miguel Michu – I hope that this guy can show the form he’s had all season and give his fellow player food for thought as to why they never considered him for PFA player of the year.
West Brom v Newcastle
Newcastle will certainly be soar after last weeks home defeat, but will be more than happy to come up against West Brom side who have also had a bit of a rough few weeks. The Baggies have only won one of their last five games, and only have two wins over Newcastle in their last 13 Premier League meetings.
Newcastle may have a great record against West Brom, but there away record hardly put the fear into a West Brom team that haven’t been out of the top half all season. Newcastle have won only one away game all season, and will also go into todays game missing two more key players in Tim Krul and Sylvain Marveaux.
West Brom have nothing to really play for this season, with 44 points under their belt, they are more than safe to stay in the Premier League for another season. Manager Steve Clarke might not be pleased with not winning in the last five games, but their home form of nine wins should give him confidence of gaining some more points against this struggling Newcastle team.
One to Watch: Romelu Lukaku – with 13 league goals this season, this young lad has made a real impression with his chance of first team football. His strength and speed will cause a lot of problems for Newcastle if he’s on form.
West Ham v Wigan
This may be the final game on the fixture list, but it’s certainly not a nothing game. West Ham may need only a draw to secure Premier League safety, and there opponents Wigan will need everything they can get if they’re going to do the impossible; again.
West Ham would consider themselves highly unlucky not to grab three points against Manchester United on Monday, but that point was a step closer to safety and should please their manager, Sam Allardyce. Allardyce’s side are unbeaten in their last four games, but have only grabbed one win from that streak. After shaking Man United’s title charge, West Ham could scupper the chance for Wigan to remain a Premier League team with three points.
Wigan have a game in hand against their relegation rivals, but manager Roberto Matinez will only be happy when that game in hand turns into three vital points. With games against Tottenham and Arsenal to come, Wigan will need to win this game to have any hope of staying up. One stat that will please Wigan is that the side have managed to score in eight of their last nine games, so they should be confident of getting a few goals at Upton Park. But will that be enough?
One to Watch: Andy Carroll – the West Ham striker caused a number of defensive problems for Manchester United on Monday, and has a very good record of recent goals. (four in his last six games).
Saturday in the Barclays Premier League – Preview
Saturday’s fixtures – All kick-offs at 3 o’ clock.
Arsenal v Norwich
With both Chelsea and Tottenham not playing this weekend due to the FA cup semi-finals, this game will be a massive chance for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side to move into third place and a point above their rivals. The return of midfield maestro, Jack Wilshere, and club top scorer Theo Walcott, will also mean that Wenger may just have all the options he needs to get a run of wins between now and the end of the season.
With Per Mertersacker suspended for his sending off at West Brom last week, it’ll be a first start in over a month for the Arsenal club captain; Thomas Vermaelen. Not that they’ve needed him though. Arsenal have managed to win their last three games without their club captain, and have won seven of their last 10.
Norwich on the other hand have won only one league game in 2013, and have not won at Arsenal since 1992 when the premier league was born. With Arsenal in the form they are, Norwich will need to defend with real concentration, and will need to score more goals than they have of late. (6 goals in 10 games)
The only real hope that Norwich fans will have to hang onto going into this fixture is that they won the reverse fixture one nil earlier in the season. The other bit of hope that Norwich fans can take into the game will be the three-all result they managed to snatch off Arsenal at a similar stage in the League last season. Chris Houghton’s Norwich may have to just put eleven men behind the ball, and hope that they can catch Arsenal short at the back on a counter attack.
One to Watch: Yao Gervinho – Although much berated by his own fans and other football followers, Gerviniho has managed to find his feet a bit and start making better decisions in the final 3rd. (inconstancy has been his ultimate downfall)
Aston Villa v Fulham
Paul Lamberts young Aston Villa side should be good for a win in this fixture, having won the last three of the four league games. It wasn’t always this easy for Lambert throughout the season. His inexperienced team was being heavily criticized for not being able to see out games at one point in the season, but time and patients from the manager and the fans has seen his coaching finally bare fruit.
Aston Villa, though, will go into this game knowing that another three points in the relegation battle would bring them to within touching distance of premier league survival with only five games to go. There two inform striker, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke, have both been on brilliant form of late having scored in three of their last four games.
However, Martin Jol’s Fulham are a team in a similar amount of form, with only one defeat in their last six games. Fulham striker, Dimitar Berbatov, has also been in a rich vain of scoring form having netted five goals in five games for the cottagers.
Fulham are a team on cruise control at the moment, having rapped up their survival in the Premier League already. There inconsistent form throughout the season has left them in 10th place, but a win at Villa will see the London club jump their way into 9th.
Fulham may find it slightly difficult to over come their absentees in midfield. Having had Steve Sidwell sent off in the game against QPR, and also losing Eyong Enoh to an injury picked up at Newcastle, this could be a chance for young Arsenal loaniee Emmanuel Frimpong to get a game.
One to Watch: Christian Benteke – with 15 league goals already to his name, Villa will be looking to the Belgian to supply them with the strength and running to unlock Fulham’s defense.
Everton v QPR
Another week, and another faint hope of survival in the Premier League for Harry Redknapp’s struggling QPR side. The hope for Harry’s men must be thin, with Everton only losing one Premier League home game all season. Rangers will go into the game without Bobby Zamora who starts a three-match ban, but this might not be such a bad thing to have happened.
With Bobby Zamora out of the picture, Adel Taarabt will have to step on to the field and up to the plate with his attacking flair and eye for goal. With Loic Remy scoring in his last two games, the partnership between himself and Taarabt could cause real problems for the Everton backline.
The backline of QPR, however, will be vital for them if they’re to stop this Everton side cruising to their fourth win in five games. Everton’s attack has only been made more potent for this game, with the return of 11 goal Marouane Fellaini, and the return of their nippy winger; Steven Pienaar.
If Everton can take all three points at Goodison Park today, it would leave them just three points adrift of their target of a top four position. QPR on the other hand will be able to reign in their relegation rivals, with the likes of Wigan not playing in the league this weekend.
One to Watch: Marouane Fellaini – the most deadly man of the pitch with his height and presences. Will have a point to prove after his spell in the stands.
Reading v Liverpool
For both sets of fans, this game is a last chance to be able to reach their targeted finishing position for the season. For Reading, that simply means survival in the Premier League. For Liverpool, it means a position in the top four, and the allure of Champions League football next season.
In the reverse fixture earlier on in the season, Liverpool managed to scrape a one nil victory, which ex Reading manager, Brian McDermott, said to BBC sport: “This group will be ok”.
Well unfortunately for him things weren’t ok, and McDermott was replaced by Nigel Atkins. Atkins hasn’t been able to inject any sort of purpose into this Reading team who look like they are already resigned to relegation. Having lost their last seven game (two under their new manager), a defeat to Liverpool is surely on the cards in this game.
One to Watch: Luis Suarez – whether it’s a beautiful run and goal, or a horrible dive or tackle, all eyes will all be on Suarez to perform and add to his 22 league goals already this season.
Southampton v West Ham
Both these sides go into todays game knowing that a win would see them hit that magic survival number of 40 points, and give themselves a clear running to a successful promotion season in the Premier League.
Southampton will not only have the home advantage in this game, but also the advantage of a good run of form. Having won their last three games on the bounce, manager Mauricio Pochettino will just be looking for more of the same from his saint’s side.
The big issue for the manager going into this game will be the possible absents of his up and coming striker, Jay Rodriguez, who has been struck with a bout of illness that is currently plaguing the Southampton squad. The striker has scored in all of his last three games, and his link up play with fellow countryman, Ricky Lambert, is a combination that has really grown as the seasons gone on.
Sam Allardyce’s West Ham front line has not been so prolific in away fixtures this season, having only scored nine goals in 16 games. However, striker Andy Carroll will be eligible to play in this fixture, having been ineligible for last weeks fixture against his parent club; Liverpool.
With four more home games for West Ham between now and the end of the season, it shouldn’t be an issue if Southampton do take all three points; though I’m sure that Allardyce and the West Ham fans wont see it that way. A win for West Ham though could see them jump above the saints into 11th, and would leave the club to start thinking about the summer and the season ahead.
One to Watch: Jay Rodriguez – This lad has really impressed in the last few weeks with his will to run into all areas of the pitch to help Southampton’s attacking movement, and to score vital goals to win his side games.
Barclays Premier League Review
Premier League Review
As the top end of the league is almost over (apart from one or two Champions League places), I’m going to start at the bottom where the race to defy the gravity of ‘the drop’ is on. The vital battle of the top four, and Monday nights’ battle between the champions and champions elect, will round off this review.
Game of the week= ‘Creme de la Prem’
MoM= Man of the Match
Relegation:
QPR 1-1 Wigan Athletic:
Going into the game, QPR fans seemed somewhat hopeful that a victory against Wigan could’ve been the start of a revival in West London. However, a sending off in the 20th minute for Rangers forward, Bobby Zamora, left Rangers with an almost mission impossible of securing three Premier league points.
Wigan took advantage of the extra man with dominance in possession, but failed to make that possession count with numerous shots off target. QPR were holding on, with only a few chances on the break available to them.
The game seemed to be heading for a stalemate, but a brilliant Loic Remy goal in the 85th minute for the ‘R’s sent the stadium into a choir of faith and hope.
It was almost too good to be true for QPR fans. Down to 10 men, with a clean sheet almost on for all three points! Well at least they managed one of three.
After scoring late winners in their last two games against Norwich and Newcastle, it was inevitable that this Wigan team was going to fight all the way to 90 minutes.
Nerves started to rise in a shaky QPR defense, and the 10-man wall that held strong for a majority of the game, was shattered by a brilliant Shaun Maloney free-kick in the 94th minute.
This result surely means that survival is a step too far for QPR, with the result leaving them 7 points adrift with only six games to play. Fans can only hope now that their four remaining home games can bring back some pride to the club; if not the vital points for an unlikely survival.
Wigan and their manager Roberto Martinez will surely not be happy with only a point from this crucial game, but will know exactly what it takes to have a solid run in to the season. Wigan have a crucial game in hand against their relegation rivals, and are certainly the in form team at the bottom end of the Premiership.
MoM: Andros Townsend- was the only real driving force in QPR’s attack and is really starting to come of age with his consistent first team opportunities.
Reading 0-2 Southampton:
Nigel Atkins welcomed his old club, Southampton; to his new club Reading who were oh too hospitable to their visitors. From the first to the last minute, the link-up play between the saints strike force was seemingly overwhelming for a Reading side who have now lost all of their last seven games.
It was one of Atkins summer signings for the saints, Jay Rodriguez, who was crucial to almost everything going forward for the saints and capitalized with a goal in the 34th minute and an assist to Adam Lallana in the 72nd to get his side three points.
The recent calls from the Southampton fans of ‘Lambert for England’, will surely be echoed by ‘Rodriguez for England’ if the young lad continues in his scoring form of three in three games. At 23 years old, he’s probably the more likely to get a call from England manger Roy Hodgson.
As the praise for Southampton’s strike force rings around St Mary’s, manager Mauricio Pochettino is surely on his way to becoming a fans favorite. With four wins and three draws out of ten games, confidence at Southampton is up, as they will remain if they continue to play like they have.
As for Reading, well there’s surely only hope now that they can re-group to bounce back into the Premier League with new manager Nigel Atkins. The Madejski Stadium was just as subdued as the Reading side’s performance. Both conceded goals were easy balls through the heart of their defense, which you just can’t excuse when you’re up against the crème de la crème of the Premier League.
MoM: Jay Rodriguez- Took Readings defense on time after time with his dribbling and running in behind, and got his rewards with a goal and an assist to add to his tally.
Stoke 1-3 Aston Villa
Paul Lamberts Aston Villa have been as hopeful as Tony Pulis’ Stoke City have been hopeless. The Britannia faithful seemed to have lost faith in their sides ability at the moment, and unfortunately that wont help them with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur still to visit in the coming weeks.
Stoke really didn’t start well and were punished when Matthew Lowton was able to stroll down Stokes left, and Gabriel Agbonlahor was given two chances by Stoke’s Geoff Cameron to score from inside the six yard area. Boo’s and groans began to ring out as Villa pilled forward for what seemed an inevitable second goal.
However, Stoke seemed to be saved by an unlikely goal from Michael Kightly in the 80th minute to give the Britannia hope. It was only minutes later though that a 30 yard super volley from Villa’s right back, Lowton, which left Stoke’s keeper Asmir Begovic with no chance of saving it.
Stoke tried to regain some pride by sending almost everyone forward for a corner kick, and were cut open again when Villa’s Christian Benteke ran on to score his 15th Premier League goal. Lamberts boys had won another vital game in the relegation scrap, and will probably feel that they are now one of the likelier candidates of staying up.
Villa are looking better and better as we reach the end of the season. Stoke will have to worry with only one win since boxing day and no real encouragement in their performance to say that results will change in these vital few weeks.
MoM: Matthew Lowton- scored an absolute stunner, set up the crucial first goal, and worked hard up and down the right all day long for his side.
Newcastle 1-0 Fulham
Going into the game, Newcastle were on a worrying downward slope after losing both their previous League fixtures. However, those games were away and a return St. James Park seemed to be the impetus to drive Alan Pardew’s men for a victory against a comfortable mid-table Fulham team.
The first half was a pretty even affair, with Fulham coming out on top with a few more chances at goal than the home side. After what seemed to be an encouraging speech from Pardew at halftime, Newcastle began to take control and hit the post and cross bar early on. A great save from Newcastle keeper, Tim Krul, kept the ‘Toon Army’ in the game before a late winner from Papiss Cisse sent the stadium wild with joy.
Newcastle United have had a strange season, even if it has been an injury hit season. After being Champions League hopefuls at this time last season, they’re now in and around a relegation scrap. The win on Sunday, however, was well deserved and the Geordies could have a ‘cherry-on-top’ moment this weekend if they manage to beat their North-east rivals and keep themselves a-float.
Fulham, on the other hand, have to be credited with at least another season safe in the Premier League under Martin Jol. The Dutchman, Jol, seems to have a knack for pulling gems out of the transfer market and will probably do so again in the summer to make sure that Fulham progress to the next level next season.
MoM: Papiss Cisse- should’ve grabbed an earlier goal but persisted to win his side a crucial three points. They’ll need him scoring if they’re to stay up, as their squad players drop like flies.
Norwich 2-2 Swansea
Norwich is another team who are well out of sorts this year. With one win in the whole of 2013, a Swansea side with nothing to play for should’ve been a welcome visit for the canaries. However, Swansea haven’t had a great run-in to the end of the season and have lost every game since early February against QPR.
Swansea started brightly, with their main man Miguel Michu scoring his 17th Premier League goal of the season. The joy was short lived for the visitors though, as Norwich came back before the break through Robert Snodgrass’ diving header after the Swans seemed to fall asleep.
Swansea were the better side in the second half, and probably should have won the game. An Elliot Bennett free-kick to Michael Turner, who was unmarked at the back post, let the Norwich defender give his side a much needed lead; if not a deserved one.
The swans didn’t let their heads drop, and fought back with an easy tap in for striker Luke Moore, who seemed to take advantage of a ball watching Norwich defense.
Swansea will only be looking for pride from their remaining six games, and Michael Laudrup will be able to pat his players on the back for a historic season second season in the top flight for the Welsh club.
Norwich will be looking for a glimmer of hope that those teams below them are worse than they have been, going into the end of the season. Chris Houghton will have to hope that the confidence of scoring again will continue and bring them the goals and fortune they need to stay up.
MoM: Elliot Bennett- Put in a real shift for his side and provided both the assists to get a point for his team.
Relegation and the fight for fourth:
Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland
After a somewhat turbulent week off the field for Sunderland Athletic with the appointment of manager Paolo Di Canio, it was surprising to see them take a controlled approach to early proceedings. Although Sunderland sat back for most of the first half, they were able to regain possession well and use the ball well to create a few counter attacks to worry the Chelsea defense.
Sunderland managed to win a corner at the end of the first half and score through a misjudged clearance from Chelsea’s right back, Cesar Azpilicueta, who converted into his own net.
All that ball chasing from the Sunderland players in the first half certainly took its toll, as Chelsea came out in the second half reinvigorated. A Benitez substitution seemed to finally work for him, as Fernando Torres came on to show a touch of class and instinct to set up a strange own goal from Sunderland’s Matthew Kilgallon.
It wasn’t long until the inevitable happened and Chelsea grabbed a second goal through a shot from David Luis, which was deflected smartly by his teammate, Branislav Ivanovic. Sunderland only began to tire as the game wore on and they were probably lucky to come away with only losing by one goal.
Paolo’s ‘Black Cats’ will be hoping for a repeat of the first half performance of this game till the end of the season, but will really have to pull together and start putting a few victories together. I would like to say too big to go down, but really Sunderland are in free-fall and will need some goals from all over the pitch if they’re to stay up.
The only hope that I can give Paolo is that he has given this team a bit more energy and enthusiasm, which is vital if Sunderland are to stay up. The first half performance was a remainder of the days when Steve Bruce’s Sunderland side went to Stamford Bridge, and stormed past Chelsea in a 3-0 win of pure counter attacking football.
Chelsea will be pleased with a victory of course, but it must be worrying that their fixture list is beginning to pile up in domestic and European competition.Rafa Benitez can hope that this solitary win can turn into a run of good league form for Chelsea, and push them into a top four position.
MoM: Fernando Torres- I know people may not agree, but Torres came on with the energy and movement to enable his side to create more and more chances as the game went on.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Everton *Crème de la Prem
Those who thought Spurs were a one-man team were wrong; even if they couldn’t win without him for the past four months. Andre Villas Boas side had a lot to contend with going into this game, with their star man Gareth Bale out for a few weeks, and the visit of top four hopefuls, Everton, looking to snatch three precious away points.
It was Tottenham who surprised their critics to score the opener in the first minute of the game. The goal came from a tap in from their only recognized striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, who grabbed only his third Premier League goal of the campaign.
The opening goal set the tone for this game, with end-to-end stuff from both sides throughout. Everton only had to wait till the 15th minute before a corner from Leighton Baines was converted into a goal from Phil Jagielka’s far post header.
The second half started off with David Moyes’ Everton team talk proving the more vital, as Everton put some early pressure on the Spurs back line. Although Everton were passing the ball well, it was a mazy run from their winger, Kevin Mirallas, who managed to drive the ball low past a diving Hugo Lloris for his second goal in eight days.
Everton could’ve won this game, as they pushed forward for a third goal that would’ve been the nail in the coffin for Tottenham. However, it was Tottenham who managed to pluck up the courage and take the game back to Everton with chance after chance eventually ending up with a tap in for Gylfi Sigurosson.
Although it was an enthralling game, neither manager will be too pleased with not picking up all three points, as both will feel their team had chances to win. Andre Villas Boas’ side will need to find a way to start winning without Gareth Bale if they’re to make a good season, a great season. Everton now look a step to far in terms of the top four, but until it is mathematically impossible, I don’t think Moyes will let his players know that.
MoM: Kyle Walker- Left Leighton Baines stuck at left back for most of the game. Played hard for his team going forward and tracking back, and will be crucial to Spurs width in the next couple of games.
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenals’ manager, Arsene Wenger, is a manager more than most who is used to using the word ‘spirit’ after nearly every game. After the game against West Brom, he was surely justified in his use of the word in a positive manner. West Brom manager, Steve Clarke, will probably not bemoan his players for a lack of spirit, but a lack of quality in the final third.
The Gunners were good for their victory, and took the lead in the 20th minute through Tomas Rosicky’s header from close range. Arsenal then began to assert their dominance in the second half, and capitalized with another Rosicky goal in the 50th minute. It seemed a long way back for the Baggies.
The fumble of the day then came from Arsenal defender, Per Mertasaker, who brought down Shane Long for a simple penalty decision and a red card. James Morrison stepped up to convert the penalty, and the fight was suddenly on for West Brom to grab at least a point.
Steve Clarke saw the opportunity, and tried to seize it by bringing on their top hit-man, Romelu Lukaku. With thirteen Premier league goals to his name, the Belgian striker would’ve hoped to add to his tally, but missed a sitter with his right foot just before time.
Arsene Wenger has certainly had his critics this season, but if Arsenal manage to sneak into the top four , it will surely be his greatest achievement at the club considering the start they had to the season.
Steve Clarke has had nothing but praise for his first season as a manager in the top flight. His side were once in for a shout of a Champions League place next season, but may have to just stick to a good end of the season with hopes for next year.
MoM: Tomas Rosicky- got back when asked, and really took the ball through the heart of West Broms midfield to give his strikers the chance to set him up.
Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
Liverpool have had a point to prove, ever since the invention of the Premier League. This season, unfortunately for Liverpool fans, it’s been all about getting back into the top four and securing European football at Anfield again. As for newly promoted West Ham United, it was surely a job of surviving for Sam Allardyce men.
Liverpool started the game well, by passing the ball around comfortably and managing to get a good shot on target through their left-wing playmaker, Philippe Coutinho, who had his low shot saved well by West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskelainen.
The game was a quiet one for the next 20 minutes until Mohammed Diame managed to break through three or four Liverpool players, to smash a shot over Pepe Reina’s cross bar.
West Ham were then forced to defend well for the last ten minutes before the interval, when chances for Liverpool strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge were saved well by West Hams goalie. Coutiniho was a constant nascence in the first half down the right side of West Hams defense, and would’ve surely seen one of his passes converted into a goal had it not been for West Hams resilience.
In the second half, West Hams defense and goalie showed why they’re going to be in the premier league next season. In the 55th minute, Steven Gerrard was denied a goal by a off the line block from West Ham’s James Tompkins. And if it wasn’t West Ham’s defense, it was Liverpool’s inability to score goals to win games.
West Ham may come away from the game believing they deserved at least a chance to win this game, when Tompkins was taken down in the box by Liverpool left-back, Jose Enrique. Tompkins, however, could’ve ended up giving away the game through when he brought down Steven Gerrard in the penalty box. The referee again decided no penalty, and the game simmered to a stalemate.
West Ham will probably be the happier team coming away from Anfield with a point, which is a point closer to their ultimate survival in their first season back. A string of strong performances like this to the end of the season will see the east London club through to next season with ease.
Liverpool had to win this game, and probably every other game until the end of the season if they had any hope of nicking a top four spot. It wasn’t to be against West Ham, but there are certainly encouraging signs from Brendan Rogers’ side for a good end to the season, and a hope for better next.
MoM: Jussi Jaaskelainen – made a string of vital saves to keep a clean sheet for the Hammers.
The Champions
Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
It should’ve been one of the games of the season, but with Manchester City lagging 15 points behind their city rivals in second, the game was surely just a showpiece for the Premier League purists.
City came out of the blocks well, and managed to force goal keeper David De Gea into an early save through a well driven James Milner cross. It was then City’s goalie, Joe Hart, who was given a scare when Robin Van Persie just missed the target to net his 20th league goal of the season.
The game was a pretty end to end affair before the break, with City just edging it in terms of chances and possession. Both teams defenses did their jobs well, with the like of Phil Jones and Javi Garcia putting in vital blocks for their teams to remain level at the break.
In the second half, Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City were quick to gain the ascendancy, and scored a goal through a James Milner left-foot drive from just behind the 18 yard line after 50 minutes. Although City had control for the majority of the game, this was a Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United team at Old Trafford, and united would not go down without a fight.
The fight to win the game was on, after a perfectly delivered ball from Robin Van Persie set up confusion at the back post for City, and saw Phil Jones head the ball into the back of Vincent Komapany to score an own goal.
United managed to get at the City defense for a little while after their equalizer, but never really had a clear-cut chance to score. City striker Sergio Aguero seemed to have the same problem when he received the ball outside the box, but managed to sweep past three United defenders to blast the ball high into the net with 10 minutes to go.
City then held on well for the win, but will wonder where this type of form has been all season. The game itself summed up City’s season; really good in patches but not able to keep focus for 90 minutes consistently.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be worried that City were able to come to Old Trafford, and win for a successive season. His side were certainly second best in a game that was probably tipped in their favor before the start. However, if golden boots Robin Van Persie can find the net after missing it in his last 10 games, maybe this result will merely be a consolation for his ‘noisy neighbors’ and push united to their strongest points total ever.
MoM: James Milner – Got forward at every occasion for his team and worked hard, even after his brilliant strike to give his side the lead.
Crème de la Prem 