FA Barclays Premiership Report (13th - 14th November)

MORE twists, more turns than a Formula 1 race circuit, another cracking weekend of Premiership action that needs rounding-up.

Sunday 14^th November: Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland

SUNDERLAND had an incredible afternoon at Stamford Bridge, inflicting a heavy home defeat on Chelsea, their first since February.  The champions started brightly, but then faded as quickly as Daybreak’s hopes of gaining decent TV ratings.  Petr Cech had to make several top saves, before Nedum Onuoha gave the visitors the lead just before half-time with a brilliant individual solo goal.  Asamoah Gyan scored confidently in the second half, finishing off a slick passing move before a dreadful back pass from Ashley Cole gave Danny Wellbeck a gift that he couldn’t miss.  Chelsea looked flat and totally disorganised, as the Black Cats wrapped up a famous win.

Saturday 13^th November: Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 Blackburn Rovers

GARETH Bale’s stock continued to rise, with another two goals in a thriller in North London.  Bale’s header from a Rafael van der Vaart corner caught Blackburn totally unawares and it was 2-0 at half-time when Roman Pavyluchenko headed home, shortly after missing a penalty.  Peter Crouch scored the third after ex-Spurs keeper Paul Robinson saved from Pavyluchenko, only for Gael Givet to give the ball straightaway to the delighted Crouch.  Bale then scored a scuffed effort to make it 4-0.  Despite Spurs fantastic attacking intent, their shaky defending still remains a big question, allowing two late goals from David Dunn and Givet for the visitors, who certainly played their part in this match.

Sunday 14^th November: Everton 1-2 Arsenal

THIS wasn’t a classic, but Arsenal produced some moments of magic to move into second spot in the Premiership table.  Bakery Sagna’s first goal in two and a half years with a shot that flashed past Tim Howard set-up the win, which ended Everton’s seven match unbeaten run.  Cesc Fabregas made it 2-0, with a delicate finish two minutes into the second half.  Everton pressed forward in the closing stages and with 90 seconds to go, the reliable Tim Cahill found the net from Louis Saha’s cross.  Only top class goalkeeping from the under-fire Lukasz Fabianski kept the Gunners infront to the final whistle.

Saturday 13^th November: Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester United

IT WAS the late show once again from Manchester United as a last minute header from Nemanja Vidic rescued an undeserved point at Villa Park.  Aston Villa should have had the game well out of sight, missing a host of chances.  James Collins hit the bar and Gabby Agbonlahor struck the post.  When Wes Brown bundled down Ashley Young with 20 minutes remaining, Young scored the resulting penalty.  Marc Albrighton made it 2-0, but super sub Federico Macheda gave United hope, with another late strike against Villa, like in April 2009 at Old Trafford.  Vidic’s contribution was well-timed, but it is difficult to see whether this will be seen as one point gained or two lost for Man U.

Saturday 13^th November: Wolves 2-3 Bolton Wanderers

WOLVES were horrific in the first hour of this game, which meant they got no points again and remain second bottom in the league.  Once again, they conceded in the first minute, this time when Richard Stearman headed past his own goalkeeper under intense pressure from Matt Taylor.  A Swedish stunner from Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden, through an open goal rocketed Bolton into a 3-0 lead in the early moments of the second half.  Kevin Foley and Steven Fletcher made it a nervous finish for Wanderers, but Bolton deserved the points and now sit fifth in the league.

Saturday 13^th November: Stoke City 2-0 Liverpool

THE set-piece prowess of Stoke City saw them overcome Liverpool, who quite frankly played rubbish at the Britannia.  No goals in the first half, but the deadlock was broken shortly after the restart by Ricardo Fuller’s scrappy finish.  A poor pass from Steven Gerrard allowed Kenwyne Jones through to seal it in the dying stages.  Liverpool’s nightmare evening was complete when Lucas lashed out at Matthew Etherington and the Brazilian picked up a deserved second yellow card.  Stoke are now into the top ten after back-to-back victories.

Saturday 13^th November: West Ham United 0-0 Blackpool

THERE may have been 48 shots on goal, but just four on target summed up this match.  Shambolic finishing and good defending allowed the teams to share the points.  Marlon Harewood had a goal disallowed and Charlie Adam almost lobbed Robert Green from the halfway line, as Blackpool endured the lion’s share of the chances at Upton Park.

Saturday 13^th November: Manchester City 0-0 Birmingham City

A SECOND goalless game in four days increases the pressure on Roberto Mancini, who surely on borrowed time at Eastlands.  Birmingham came to Manchester well-organised, even though the point they collected does drop them into the bottom three.  City looked very cautious once again and Carlos Tevez being substituted for Gareth Barry summed up this point, as did boos from the home supporters.

Saturday 13^th November: Wigan Athletic 1-0 West Brom

WIGAN provided a dominant performance in a game that would send anyone to sleep.  Victor Moses scored the only goal in the second half to lift Wigan out of the drop zone.  It is now just one point in four games for West Brom.

Saturday 13^th November: Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham

This was another match that provided a distinct lack of goalmouth action at the weekend.  Mark Schwarzer denied new England call-up Andy Carroll twice from point-blank range.  Moussa Dembele went the closest for Fulham, hitting the crossbar from close range.