FA Barclays Premiership Report (30th April - 1st May)

THE most pivotal weekend in this season’s Premiership saw some crucial results for those at the bottom of the table and a pivotal moment at the top, which give us an unexpected title race to look forward to.  Plus, it was another dodgy weekend for referees and their linesman in the Barclays Premier League.

SIGNIFICANT: Ramsay's winner could change the Premiership destination

     It was by far a classic, but Arsenal’s famous 1-0 win over Manchester United yesterday blows the title race wide open again.  It could turn out to be a significant result in the destination of this season’s Premiership.  There was a clear injustice against Arsenal in the first half, when Nemanja Vidic clearly handballed in the penalty area, denying Robin Van Persie a clear goal scoring opportunity.  Then again, Chris Foy had a dreadful game and missed a penalty shout for United as Michael Owen tumbled under the challenge from Gael Clichy.  It looked a hopeful claim, but replays suggested minimal contact was made and penalties have been given this season for far less.  The only goal came just before the hour mark.  Made by Van Persie, Aaron Ramsay stroked the ball in beautifully into the bottom corner of Edwin Van der Sar’s net.  It is a landmark goal for the Welshman, his first for the Gunners since his horrible broken leg at Stoke in February 2010.

     There would have been loud cheers from Stamford Bridge at Ramsay’s goal and Chelsea’s title ambitions were renewed on Saturday evening in controversial circumstances against Tottenham.  Sandro did power Tottenham into the lead, before the equaliser which started up the rumble of goal-line technology once again.  Frank Lampard’s shot was spilt by calamity Spurs keeper Hereulho Gomes and the ball landed on the line.  Replays were inconclusive, yet the linesman gave the goal, despite not being in any position to give it!  Lampard deserved some fortune after Bloemfontein and the World Cup last summer, but although Gomes proved again that he can’t catch a football, it was staggering to see such a certain decision made.  In the 89^th minute, Salomon Kalou stabbed the ball home from close range, despite looking like in a clear offside position.  Chelsea won 2-1, but got their fair share of fortune for the result.  It is now 21 years since Tottenham last won at Stamford Bridge. 

     The basement battle at the bottom this weekend was the Midlands clash between Birmingham City and Wolves.  A scrappy 1-1 draw edges Birmingham closer to safety, but Wolves remain in the bottom three.  It started well for the visitors, as Steven Fletcher struck from the penalty spot in the 7^th minute.  However, Wolves conceded another terrible goal, as Sebastian Larsson gobbled up a chance, gifted as an early Bank Holiday present by Michael Mancienne.  Craig Gardner was dismissed in a dramatic first half by referee Kevin Friend.  The Birmingham midfielder got a second yellow card for simulation and ultimately, it was the right decision.  However, Wolves couldn’t make the extra man advantage count.  Still propping up the table is West Ham, following a spirited 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.  The Hammers looked brittle in the first 15 minutes and looked like they might capitulate at Eastlands.  They went 2-0 down, courtesy of a powerful strike from Nigel de Jong (his first goal in over 100 City matches) and Pablo Zabaleta.  At this stage, the home side took their foot off the gas pedal and Demba Ba capitalized on slack defending to produce a good finish and make a game of it.  However, City held on and the Champions League edges ever closer for Roberto Mancini.

     City’s closest challengers are now Liverpool, although the Reds are seven points behind and have played a game more.  They sit in England’s final Europa League spot after cruising to a 3-0 success over Newcastle United.  Maxi Rodriguez opened the scoring, via a cruel deflection off Danny Simpson in the ninth minute.  Dirk Kuyt continued his rich vein of scoring form, scoring a penalty after Mike Williamson dumped Luis Suarez to the ground.  Sizzling Suarez bagged the third with 25 minutes to go and the good times seem to be back at Anfield.  Only Chelsea and Manchester United have gathered more points than Liverpool since Kenny Dalglish took over in January.

DECISIVE: Martin Olsson celebrates his pivotal winner for Blackburn

     There was plenty of pride and passion from Wigan at the weekend, but they only picked up a 1-1 draw against Everton, on a weekend when they probably needed the three points.  Charles N’Zogbia smashed Wigan into a first half lead, but Mikel Arteta dragged Everton level after a stupid handball from Hugo Rodallega in the penalty box.  Ali Al-Habsi saved an Arteta penalty in the first half, so the result could have been even worse for Wigan.  At Ewood Park, Bolton’s poor away form continued, allowing Blackburn to record a 1-0 win and their first maximum three points in the league since January 22.  Martin Olsson scored the decisive goal in the first half, which eases some of the pressure on Steve Kean.  The first ever 0-0 draw in the Premiership at Bloomfield Road happened on Saturday.  There was little to report from the Blackpool v Stoke game, as both teams attacking was poor and defences ended up well on top.

     In the academic matches, West Brom beat Aston Villa 2-1 to record their first win against the Villains in the league since 1985, when ‘Easy Lover’ by Phil Collins was no.1 in the music charts!  Yusuf Mulumbu wrapped up the victory for Albion, despite Paul Scharner seeing red for a rugby tackle on Villa captain Stilian Petrov.  Meanwhile, Gary McAllister is still in charge of Villa, as Gerard Houillier continues his recovery at home, having now been released from hospital.  Lastly, goals from Gael Kakuta and two from Simon Davies pushed Fulham to a 3-0 win at Sunderland, who always looked like enduring a tough afternoon at home, with no first-choice recognised striker fit to play.

Next Sunday, all eyes are on the title showdown: Manchester United v Chelsea!  BRING IT ON!

Headers, Handshakes & Horrors - What A Top-Flight Weekend!!

Wow! What a Premiership and Carling Cup weekend that was.  Full of intrigue, controversy, shock results and a horrific blow that reminds all of us fans that football is more than just a game.

Let’s start off with the man of the moment that is Wayne Rooney, undoubtedly the best player in the world at the moment.  Rooney defied injury which might mean he misses England’s friendly in midweek with a top-class header to win the Carling Cup final for Manchester United.  Their 2-1 win at Wembley over a resilient Aston Villa meant Sir Alex Ferguson’s side became the first side to retain the League Cup since Nottingham Forest two decades ago.  However, it might have been a different game had Nemanja Vidic seen red.  

The Serb blatantly brought down Gabby Agbonlahor inside of five minutes while the pacy Villa forward was bearing down on goal.  Though the penalty was given, referee Phil Dowd opted to not even book Vidic, a crazy decision that changed the course of the game.  James Milner tucked away the penalty coolly, but the Villains were soon pegged back by Michael Owen, who reminded Fabio Capello of what he can do, with a well-taken finish in the 12^th minute.  Unfortunately for Owen, he limped off injured before half-time with a pulled hamstring and Rooney was sent on, who changed the course of the final.  His impact was clear and as Martin O’Neill’s outfit tired, United got stronger and dominated the second half.  Rooney header was class, converting an excellent cross from man-of-the-match Antonio Valencia, with a looping header that Brad Friedel had no chance in saving.  As long as Rooney stays fit and on-form, England head to South Africa with the best player in the world.  His form might see United overhaul Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premiership, especially after Chelsea’s display on Saturday lunchtime.

The build-up to Chelsea v Manchester City was all about John Terry v Wayne Bridge, following the recent newspaper revelations about the Chelsea skipper’s private life.  The question was would they shake hands or not before the start of the game?  In the end, Terry put his hand out; Bridge blanked and ignored him, going on to shake hands with the rest of his former team members.  It was brilliant to watch and what else was John Terry expecting?  He is lucky that Bridge didn’t head butt him to be honest.  In the match, Terry produced a limp display, as did the rest of the Blues defence as Roberto Mancini’s superstars ran riot at a supposed fortress Stamford Bridge.  For 43 minutes, Chelsea were well on top, 1-0 infront and City looked lacklustre, until a comedy of errors from Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Hilario allowed Carlos Tevez to poke home an equaliser.  Hilario’s goalkeeping performance was shocking; Chelsea will really end up missing Petr Cech for the next month, whilst he recovers from his calf injury.  After the break, Chelsea were suicidal, with more shambolic defending, poor passing allowing the Eastlands side to run riot.  Tevez scored again, Craig Bellamy bagged another two goals, and despite a late Frank Lampard penalty, this was a day to forget for Carlo Ancelotti.  Add to that, Juliano Belletti’s clumsy dismissal and Michael Ballack’s daft challenge on Tevez which led to the experienced German heading for an early shower, it was a horror show to watch for the home supporters.

Arsenal keep onto the tails of the leading two, with a gritty 3-1 success at bogey ground, Stoke.  However, the result will be overshadowed by a sickening injury to 19-year old Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsay.  Midway through the second half, Ramsay was on the wrong end of a poor, but not malicious challenge from Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross.  Immediately, the youngster was writhing in agony and with Sky cameras opting not to show the incident again, you could tell it was bad.  Shawcross was sent off and went down the tunnel in tears, he looked devastated on the day he received his first England call-up.   You had to feel for the Gunners players, who had to experience this again, almost exactly two years after Eduardo’s horrifying injury at Birmingham City.  Then, Arsenal lost the plot in the title run-in, but in a game they might have lost even last season, they battled away and scored twice in stoppage time, through the inspirational Cesc Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen.  Full credit to Arsene Wenger for keeping his chargers going and with an easier run-in than the top two, Arsenal are firmly back in the title race.  My thoughts are with Ramsay though, and I wish him a speedy and successful recovery.

Elsewhere, wins for Tottenham and Liverpool keep the pressure on Manchester City in the battle for 4^th, Steve Bruce faces the possible sack after Sunderland’s dire 0-0 draw with Fulham, 14 games without a win is relegation form in the making and Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle, having starred on Channel 4’s Countdown in midweek, must have had his head still full of conundrums, giving away two penalties in Burnley’s costly 2-1 home defeat to administration bound Portsmouth.  The result gives Pompey’s fans something to cheer, after one of the most traumatic fortnights in the clubs established history.

Two months left and anything is still possible in the closest Premiership season for years.  The title race, Champions League qualification and the fight to stay in the top flight could run all the way to the final day of the season in May.  What happens next in this season of twists and turns is anyone’s guess….?