WHILST Richard Keys and Andy Gray have made the headlines of all the wrong making in the past 72 hours, other go on about their business quietly. Manchester United remain unbeaten, some top class strikers returned to form and other ridiculous rules saw refs on the run from furious bosses, AGAIN! Here’s the round-up of the weekend’s action in the Barclays Premiership.
Saturday 22nd January: Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City
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| PRICELESS: Darren Bent made a dream debut for Aston Villa |
RANDY Learner splashed the cash in midweek to bring Darren Bent in from Sunderland for £18million and he scored on his debut for struggling Villa, earning them a priceless victory. His first involvement in the game was to score the solitary goal in the 18th minute, tapping in from close range after Joe Hart let slip a tame Ashley Young shot. City looked poor all night and although Nigel de Jong hit the post in the closing stages, it was a very happy evening for the home side and their new star striker.
Monday 24th January: Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Chelsea
ON A night where Bolton paid tribute to the legendary Nat Lofthouse, Owen Coyle’s side continued their poor run of form, as they were easily brushed aside by a Chelsea team, that look back to form. Once Didier Drogba found the back of the net in sensational fashion on eleven minutes, the game was the visitors for the taking. Florent Malouda doubled the lead in the dying stages of the first half from a narrow angle and Nicholas Anelka also netted on his return to the Reebok in the second half. Brazilian Ramires completed the rout with twenty minutes to go, his first goal for Chelsea, who consolidate their place in the top four. Bolton slide down to tenth on the back of this battering.
Saturday 22nd January: Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham City
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| TREBLE: Berbatov starred again |
THIS was the best performance of the season from Manchester United, as they outplayed and outclassed a very poor Birmingham side. Dimitar Berbatov’s golden touch continued, as the Bulgarian turned in his third hat-trick of the season. The first was a tap-in inside of 90 seconds and a second on the half hour with another basic finish. The lethal striker completed his treble in the second half, with Ryan Giggs and Nani also getting onto the scoresheet in this riot. With Giggs instrumental and Wayne Rooney near his best, it will be difficult to see anyone stopping the leaders.
Sunday 23rd January: Blackburn Rovers 2-0 West Brom
STEVE Kean’s first match in permanent charge as Rovers boss bought a comfortable win, as West Brom lost their seventh away match in a row in all competitions. In an even first half, it was Blackburn who broke the deadlock on 41 minutes. David Dunn’s dangerous cross was steered into his own net by the uncertain Gabriel Tamas. Rovers doubled their lead soon after the restart; David Hoillett’s swerving shot viciously beat Boaz Myhill to seal the match for the home side. Paul Robinson produced two good save to deny the threatening Jerome Thomas in the second half, as Blackburn move into a solid seventh in the table. Once again, defensive errors cost Albion dear.
Saturday 22nd January: Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic
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| FIRST: Hat-trick in the Premiership for Robin Van Persie |
DAVID Beckham was an interested spectator as Arsenal produced a home masterclass against a Wigan team that look more Championship material with every passing week. Robin Van Persie scored a hat-trick; his first came on 21 minutes from an Alex Song pass. The second was a picture book pass from Fabregas that was accurately put in by the Dutchman. Van Persie went on to horribly miss a penalty, after Steven Caldwell was sent off for bringing down Fabregas. However, the rocking Dutchman made up for it, by squeezing the ball past Ali Al-Habsi’s near post to complete his first Premier League hat-trick and move the Gunners into second spot in the table.
Saturday 22nd January: Everton 2-2 West Ham United
NOBODY expected Avram Grant to be in charge of this match, probably even Avram himself. However, his side showed a load of character at Goodison and should have won, had it not been for a ridiculous regulation in the laws that need urgent attention. The Hammers took the lead on 26 minutes; Luis Boa Morte pulling the ball back for Jonathan Spector to score his first goal in the Premiership. They then proceeded to miss a hatful of chances and substitute Diniyar Bilyadetinov made them pay with a nice finish from the edge of the area. West Ham looked to have won it, when Frenchman Frederic Piquionne headed home from Wayne Bridge’s terrific cross. Piquionne’s celebration for jumping into the travelling supporters saw him sent off for two yellow cards. Grant called the red card a ‘joke’ and few could disagree with him. Everton made the extra man count, as Maroualine Fellani popped up to break West Ham’s hearts in stoppage time to rescue a point for the home side.
Saturday 22nd January: Wolves 0-3 Liverpool
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| SMILE: Kenny Dalglish could look on with satisfaction at victory |
WHILST Richard Keys and Andy Gray were showing how unprofessional they really were, Liverpool showed real professionalism in seeing off Wolves, leaving the home club in low spirits and giving a happy Kenny Dalglish his first win back in caretaker charge. Fernando Torres was back in the goals, with a double. Both of his goals were tap-ins, in the first half from Raul Meireles pass, after line official Sian Massey made a correct borderline call and the second from Dirk Kuyt’s usual persistence. This brace came either side of a Portuguese pile driver from Meireles, with a superb strike as Liverpool dominated throughout, and move seven points clear of the dreaded drop zone.
Saturday 22nd January: Fulham 2-0 Stoke City
THINGS are beginning to look up for Fulham, as they continued their march up the table. Clint Dempsey had the Cottagers infront on 33 minutes, finishing inside the six yard box after Andy Johnson had skimmed Ryan Shawcross. Shawcross miserable day continued, as he saw red for hauling Dempsey to the ground in the second half. The American converted the penalty with glee.
Saturday 22nd January: Newcastle United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
ANOTHER week and another two points squandered by Newcastle United. Fabricio Coloccini scored a rare goal on 59 minutes, producing control that Alan Shearer would have been proud of. Carlo Cudicini should have done better, but the Argentine’s lovely skill deserved a bit of luck in the finish. In an entertaining match, the Magpies were on top for most of the match, but conceded again in injury time, as Aaron Lennon’s shot beat the despairing Steve Harper.
Saturday 22nd January: Blackpool 1-2 Sunderland
LIFE after Darren Bent started well enough for Sunderland, as Kieran Richardson stepped upto the plate at Bloomfield Road. Richardson scored a double in the first half, his first Premiership goals since October 2009. Blackpool bombed forward and as ever, gave the opposition goalkeeper plenty to do, but Charlie Adam’s late penalty counted for little for the Seasiders. Blackpool’s next test will be to keep hold of Adam, who has handed in a transfer request and is under close scrutiny from the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa.
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