THE busy November programme in the Barclays Premiership continued this weekend, with more unpredictable results and drama that makes this league as quite simply – the best in the world. Here’s the round-up.
Saturday 20th November: Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur
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| COOL: Bale begins the remarkable comeback at the Emirates |
THE 165th North London derby will be remembered for one of the most dramatic fightbacks in its distinguished history. Once again, Arsenal threw away a commanding position, losing at home for the third time already this season. The build-up was dominated by the pure hatred between Samir Nasri and William Gallas. They didn’t shake hands in the greeting stage and it was Nasri on form from the outset, meeting Cesc Fabregas angled ball and punishing Hereulho Gomes hesitation to put the Gunners infront. Andrei Arshavin set-up Marouane Chamakh to make it 2-0, and the game looked as good as over. However, the reintroduction of Jermain Defoe into first-team affairs turned the match on its head. Gareth Bale began the comeback, finishing calmly from Rafael van der Vaart’s lay-off. Van der Vaart then made it 2-2 from the penalty spot after Fabregas stupidly handballed in a free-kick wall. With four minutes to go, van der Vaart’s free-kick was flicked into the net by Younes Kaboul, sealing Spurs first win on Arsenal soil since May 1993 and leaving Arsene Wenger furious at his side’s traditional failings, which are just as frequent as a European banking collapse.
Saturday 20th November: Birmingham City 1-0 Chelsea
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| FINISH: Bowyer sends Chelsea crashing to another loss |
CHELSEA’s third defeat in four games came at St. Andrews, and it was down to Ben Foster, who produced a goalkeeping masterclass to shut out the champions. Didier Drogba was denied on no less than four separate occasions by the sensational Foster, who looked unbeatable. Lee Bowyer scored the only goal of the match, played in by Cameron Jerome as Chelsea’s defence stood like statues. Birmingham move out of the bottom three, whilst Ancelotti’s out-of-form Blues remain top on goal difference.
Sunday 21st November: Fulham 1-4 Manchester City
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| RESPECT: Hughes and Tevez share a hug before the clash |
MANCHESTER CITY put in their most convincing performance of the season at Craven Cottage, as Roberto Mancini’s men had far too much for a poor Fulham side. Carlos Tevez came up trumps again for City, starting the rout with a lovely finish on six minutes. A blockbuster from Pablo Zabaleta doubled the visitor’s advantage and Fulham’s awful first half was completed when Yaya Toure neatly finished past Mark Schwarzer from Tevez’s creation. The Argentine scored his second, flicking in Zabaleta’s drilled shot almost unknowingly soon into the second half. The only consolation for Fulham came from substitute Zoltan Gera, scoring via a massive deflection with twenty minutes remaining. This will have been a painful defeat for Mark Hughes to take.
Saturday 20th November: Bolton Wanderers 5-1 Newcastle United
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| STUNNED: Newcastle were hit for five at the Reebok |
BOLTON moved briefly into the top four, after another efficient attacking display netted three points against Newcastle. A handball by ex-Wanderer Kevin Nolan started the rout, with Kevin Davies stroking the penalty gift home. South Korean Lee made it 2-0, despite looking offside in the build-up and as Bolton turned on the style, they got better. Johan Elmander gave Fabricio Coloccini a nightmare, scoring twice, before the defender elbowed Elmander and got a deserved straight red card from Howard Webb. Andy Carroll did pull one goal back, before Davies scored again from the spot when he tumbled under Jose Enrique’s challenge. Bolton have now notched an impressive 26 goals in 14 Premiership games.
Saturday 20th November: Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic
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| SLIDING: Hernandez is delighted to wrap up another win |
WAYNE ROONEY’s return took the headlines, but Manchester United produced another business like performance to batter a Wigan side that looked like eleven players stuffed to the brim with some early Christmas turkeys. Patrice Evra had United infront, dealing quickly to some fatal hesitation from Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi. Rooney returned in the second half, coming onto a very mixed reception after his threats to leave the club last month angered many loyal fans. Wigan didn’t help their cause, as both Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega saw red within three minutes of one another, before Javier Hernandez sealed the victory.
Monday 22nd November: Sunderland 2-2 Everton
MIKEL Arteta’s dramatic late leveller rescued a point for David Moyes in a thrilling Monday night battle at the Stadium of Light. Tim Cahill headed Everton infront with a trademark header inside of six minutes, before teen sensation Danny Wellbeck scored twice to hand Sunderland control. Arteta’s goal, with eight minutes remaining means Sunderland missed the chance to break into the top six.
Saturday 20th November: Liverpool 3-0 West Ham United
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| HEAT: Avram Grant is feeling the pressure with every game |
AVRAM Grant is coming under more scrutiny, as his West Ham side put in a shocking performance and wilted far too easily at Anfield. In fact, they made Liverpool look like a world class side. Glen Johnson finished brilliantly, after bringing down the ball on his chest to open the scoring. Dirk Kuyt dispatched a penalty after Fernando Torres was blocked off by Danny Gabbidon’s arm and Maxi Rodriguez made it 3-0, converting Paul Konchesky’s cross.
Sunday 21st November: Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Aston Villa
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| FUN: Pedersen continued his recent run of cracking form |
ROVERS new Indian owners watched on as their side recorded an impressive win – their third in four matches. Mortem Gamst Pedersen scored both goals; the first coming two minutes into first half stoppage time with a free-kick that made Brad Friedel look rather stupid. The second came when Ryan Nelsen’s shot was deflected home by the Norwegian midway through the second half.
Saturday 20th November: Blackpool 2-1 Wolves
A STUNNING volley from Luke Varney infront of Prince William portrayed the way for another Blackpool victory. Marlon Harewood scrambled in a second goal, after Marcus Hahnemann dropped the ball from a dangerous corner. A late consolation from Kevin Doyle wasn’t enough to prevent Wolves fourth straight defeat.
Saturday 20th November: West Brom 0-3 Stoke City
64% of POSSESSION meant nothing to West Brom, as Stoke moved upto eighth in the table, after their third straight win. Jonathan Walters scored twice, once from the penalty spot and Matthew Etherington also netted from twelve yards. One point in five games leaves WBA in the bottom five.
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