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!

FA Barclays Premiership Report (4th - 5th January)

MORE midweek action from the Premiership, as the final festive fixtures were played.  Manchester United turned out as the big winners, with all of their title rivals slipping up and the pressure is growing intensely on four top-flight managers, after more dire results.  Here is a round-up of the latest action.

Wednesday 5^th January: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City

OFF: Bakary Sagna (with Jo here) would see red later on

ARSENAL missed the chance to leapfrog Manchester City, after they were held to a frustrating stalemate at the Emirates.  The Gunners looked like the only side that wanted the victory and Roberto Mancini’s very negative tactics earned a chorus of boos at the full-time whistle from the home fans.  Robin van Persie came closest, denied by the woodwork in the first half and a smart save from Joe Hart after the interval.  There was an unsavoury finish to the match, as both Bakary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta were sent off in stoppage time for a confrontation that only looked like handbags and didn’t need such necessary action.

Wednesday 5^th January: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Liverpool

LONG: Martin Olsson begins another tough night for Liverpool

ROY Hodgson looked dejected all throughout, as he watched Liverpool crumble at Ewood Park, and leave him on the brink of the sack.  Liverpool’s defending was akin to a playschool side, conceding soft goals to Martin Olsson and Benjani before half-time, the Zimbabwean turning Sotiris Krygiakos far too easily to double the Blackburn lead.  When Ryan Hoillett left Martin Skrtel chasing shadows, he squared for Benjani to complete the rout.  Only a Steven Gerrard consolation in response for Hodgson, and the bruising continued, when the only man fit to wear a red shirt blazed a late penalty over the crossbar.  Liverpool looked beleaguered throughout and ended up being lucky not to be on the end of a total battering.  For Hodgson, time has almost certainly run out.

Tuesday 4^th January: Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City

SIR Alex Ferguson could sit back on Wednesday night and watch his title rivals fail to win, giving United a huge advantage in the title race.  Preferred to Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, who scored twice at the Britannia in October, had the home side infront.  Dean Whitehead headed Stoke level, their first goal at Old Trafford since 1980, but Nani returned from injury and produced a special goal to restore the lead and keep Manchester United’s unbeaten record safely intact.

Wednesday 5^th January: Wolves 1-0 Chelsea

CRISIS torn Chelsea slipped to another defeat, this time at bottom side Wolves, which all but releases their grip on the Premiership trophy.  An own goal off the knee of Jose Boswinga inside of five minutes was the solitary goal on another famous night for Wolves.  The home side were terrific throughout, but Chelsea’s fundamentals were all wrong again and it leaves Carlo Ancelotti on the brink of losing his job in West London.

Wednesday 5^th January: Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

TRYING: Louis Saha ended his goal drought against Spurs

HARRY Redknapp has only won once in 27 previous visits to Merseyside, and that unwanted record extended at Goodison Park, as Spurs slipped to their first defeat in nine Premiership games.  Louis Saha’s first goal of a trying season came after only two minutes for Everton, cancelled out by another header from Rafael van der Vaart just ten minutes later.  It was a terrific match, with a few mistakes thrown in by both defensives.  With help from the hopeless Benoit Assou-Ekotto, whose performance was laughable, it was Everton who got the crucial winning strike; Seamus Coleman heading in after Hereulho Gomes could only parry Saha’s shot into the Irishman’s path.

Tuesday 4^th January: Fulham 3-0 West Brom

FULHAM bounced out of the bottom three, with an emphatic victory and leaving West Brom as the only side not to pick up any points over Christmas.  On the stroke of half-time, Simon Davies benefited from a Scott Carson howler to have the home side infront, against an Albion side missing five central defenders.  Fulham took advantage of the weaknesses in the away defence at set-pieces, with second half headers from Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland completing the rout.

Wednesday 5^th January: Aston Villa 0-1 Sunderland

HEAT: Gabby Agbonlahor and Titus Bramble square-up

GERARD Houiller’s position as Aston Villa manager is safe, despite seeing his side slip into the bottom three.  It was a miserable night for Emile Heskey, who hit the bar from six yards out in the only notable first half moment.  Then, he was dismissed after a confrontation with Jordan Henderson, which saw the dopey striker lift his hand into Henderson’s face.  Phil Bardsley won it for Sunderland with ten minutes to, his first goal for the club with a shot that arrowed into the net.  Sunderland senses a European challenge despite Bolo Zenden’s very soft red card for two challenges.

Wednesday 5^th January: Newcastle United 5-0 West Ham United

ROUT: Leon Best ran rings around West Ham's backline

LEON Best made his first Premiership start and it was a dream night for the youngster, signed from Coventry City last January, as he hit a hat-trick in Newcastle’s emphatic rout of West Ham.  Once again, Avram Grant’s position is in severe jeopardy as Hammers boss.  Best scored his first competitive goal for the Magpies on 18 minutes, taking full advantage of Robert Green being indecisive and staying on his life.  His second came shortly afterwards, driving a shot through a crowd of players in the six yard box after West Ham failed to clear.  Kevin Nolan’s ninth goal of the season before half-time had the game all but sealed, but the Magpies fun wasn’t complete yet.  Best completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart, smashing a shot past Green.  It was a treble that would have made Alan Shearer proud.  Peter Lovenkrands made it 5-0, finishing from close range; sweeping in with ease from Joey Barton’s whipped cross.  For Alan Pardew, this was sweet against the side that acrimoniously sacked him four years ago.

Tuesday 4^th January: Blackpool 1-2 Birmingham City

OPENER: Alex Hleb set Birmingham on their way to a rare win

BIRMINGHAM’s first away win of the season came at Blackpool.  Stephen Crainey gave the ball away on the edge of his own area, gifting the recalled Alex Hleb the chance to score his first goal for Birmingham.  A neat volley in the second half from DJ Campbell looked to have earnt the Tangerines another important point, as Birmingham looked to have blown their chances; both Cameron Jerome and Sebastian Larsson clattering the woodwork.  However centre-half Scott Dann beat the offside trap in the last minute to earn Birmingham’s first win on the seaside since 1960.

Wednesday 5^th January: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Wigan Athletic

FIRST: Ronnie Stam's goal earned Wigan a share of the spoils

THIS north-west derby ended with a share of the spoils, but the match was overshadowed by a sickening injury to Chris Kirkland.  Kirkland, just recalled from a loan spell at Leicester City was knocked out in an unfortunate collision with Johan Elmander.  It took the exploits of 38-year old Mike Pollitt to earn Wigan a point in a stunning 20 minute cameo.  Earlier, Rodrigo Moreno had opened the scoring with his first goal for Bolton, cancelled out with ten minutes to go by Ronnie Stam, finishing off a well-worked Wigan move.