Premiership fixtures released for 2011/12

FOOTBALL fans across the country are beginning to plan ahead for the new domestic season, after the fixture lists in England and Scotland were published at 9am this morning.

     The opening weekend of the 20th Premiership season sees defending champions Manchester United begin their latest title defence with a trip to the Hawthorns to play West Brom.  Manchester rivals City have a home encounter with playoff winners and Premiership deubtants Swansea City.  Both QPR and Norwich City will be happy with their opening encounters.  QPR, in the top flight for the first time since 1996 will entertain Bolton Wanderers at Loftus Road, whilst Norwich have an away trip to Wigan Athletic on their return to playing the big boys.  Jordan Henderson will meet his old club, as Sunderland get to travel to Anfield to face Liverpool.  Last season's runners-up Chelsea begin life after Carlo Ancelotti with a tricky assignment at Stoke City, who are formidable at home.  In two of the more attractive fixtures, Newcastle United come up against Arsenal at St. James Park, in a rerun of February's dramatic 4-4 draw, whilst Tottenham face a juicy match at White Hart Lane against Everton.  To complete the opening lineup on Saturday August 13, Blackburn meet Wolves at Ewood Park and two new managers get to test their creditability against one another at Craven Cottage as Martin Jol's Fulham come face-to-face with Alex McLeish's Aston Villa.

     The first massive fixture of the season is Arsenal v Liverpool on August 20, with Manchester United meeting Tottenham on the same weekend.  A week later, United v Arsenal at Old Trafford stands out.  On the final day of the season, Chelsea host Blackburn, Manchester United head to Sunderland and Swansea finish off at home to Liverpool.  The campaign finishes on Sunday May 13, one week earlier than last season to allow England more time to prepare for the 2012 European Championships in Poland/Ukraine, should Fabio Capello's side qualify of course.

     See below for the Premiership opening day fixtures and dates of some of the crunch encounters in the first half of the season.
NOTE: Some dates will change once ESPN and Sky Sports confirm the first set of live television fixtures, in around a fortnight's time.


2011/12 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES - OPENING DAY (Saturday 13 August)
Blackburn Rovers v Wolves
Fulham v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Sunderland
Manchester City v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Arsenal
QPR v Bolton Wanderers
Stoke City v Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
West Brom v Manchester United
Wigan Athletic v Norwich City

KEY FIXTURE DATES (August - December)
August 20: Arsenal v Liverpool
August 20: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
August 20: Sunderland v Newcastle United
August 27: Aston Villa v Wolves
August 27: Manchester United v Arsenal
August 27: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

September 17: Manchester United v Chelsea
September 17: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
September 24: Manchester City v Everton

October 1: Everton v Liverpool
October 1: Fulham v QPR
October 1: Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
October 15: Liverpool v Manchester United
October 15: West Brom v Wolves
October 22: Manchester United v Manchester City
October 22: Aston Villa v West Brom
October 22: QPR v Chelsea
October 29: Chelsea v Arsenal

November 19: Chelsea v Liverpool
November 26: Liverpool v Manchester City

December 10: Chelsea v Manchester City
December 17: Manchester City v Arsenal
December 20: Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
BOXING DAY: Chelsea v Fulham
December 31: Liverpool v Newcastle United

Survival Sunday - How it happened

YESTERDAY, the tightest relegation battle in the history of the FA Premier League took place and the nerves were intense.  It was a day full of joy, agony, ecstasy and of course, tears.  Here is how it all happened in the four affected games, as Wolves, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic fought for survival in the top flight.

22 minutes:        Manchester United 1-0 Blackpool

The first breakthrough of a critical afternoon comes at Old Trafford.  Korean Ji-Sung Park pounces on some sloppy defending by Ian Evatt to have the champions infront.  Blackpool face a huge battle now. 

24 minutes:        Wolves 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Wolves are looking very nervous and deservedly fall behind at home.  Jason Roberts turns in Michel Salgado’s shot from seven yards out.  It’s a big goal for Blackburn, in their quest to beat the drop.

40 minutes:        Wolves 0-2 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn’s supporters can breathe a sigh of relief, as Brett Emerton fires the visitors into a deserved 2-0 lead.  It’s a beautiful volley from outside the penalty area, but Wolves defending is simply comical.

41 minutes:        Manchester United 1-1 Blackpool

Blackpool will not go down without a fight and their talisman is at it again.  Charlie Adam’s well-placed free-kick leaves Edwin van der Sar, in his farewell Old Trafford appearance stranded.  The Tangerines supporters begin to believe.

FIRST HALF STOPPAGE TIME:      Wolves 0-3 Blackburn Rovers

Wolves will be relying on other results now, as their defence is showing more accidents that what a traditional episode of Holby City does!  Junior Hoillett makes it 3-0 to complete Mick McCarthy’s nightmare scenario.

49 minutes:        Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Birmingham City

Disaster for Birmingham City, as Spurs substitute Roman Pavyluchenko curls home a strike past the despairing Ben Foster.  As things stand, Birmingham will be heading for the Npower Championship.

57 minutes:        Manchester United 1-2 Blackpool

Gary Taylor-Fletcher beats the offside trap to flick in David Vaughan’s cross and have Blackpool ahead at the Theatre of Dreams.  The ‘Impossible Dream’ of survival for Ian Holloway is now looking like the ‘Probable Dream.’

63 minutes:        Manchester United 2-2 Blackpool

Blackpool return to the brink, as Anderson pulls Manchester United level with a left-footed drive.

72 minutes:        Wolves 1-3 Blackburn Rovers

Jamie O’Hara gives Wolves some hope at Molineux, not so much in the game, but more on the goal difference count.  However, the home side still remain in the bottom three at this stage.

75 minutes:        Manchester United 3-2 Blackpool

Ian Evatt will want the ground to swallow him up.  He slices a clearance into the back of his own net, and with it, Blackpool drop back into the relegation zone.  Is the fairytale dying?

77 minutes:        Stoke City 0-1 Wigan Athletic

Roberto Martinez’s tactics have been spot-on, and now Wigan can have the security of a priceless lead at the Britannia.  Maynor Figueroa’s beautiful cross is met perfectly by the head of Hugo Rodallega.  The reaction from the Wigan players says it all.

78 minutes:        Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Birmingham City

Birmingham’s supporters are going wild at White Hart Lane, as Craig Gardner produces a stunning blot from the blue.  Carlo Cudicini had no chance, and Wolves join Blackpool in the dreaded drop zone.

81 minutes:        Manchester United 4-2 Blackpool

Blackpool’s high offside trap is exposed by the champions.  Michael Owen’s cool finish, in his final game for the club seals the Seasiders fate.  Despite winning over many neutrals, Blackpool will NOT be in the top flight next season.

87 minutes:        Wolves 2-3 Blackburn Rovers

This is a goal worthy to keep any side up.  Stephen Hunt produces curls one past Paul Robinson to send the Wolves supporters into delirium.  On goals scored, Birmingham drop below Wolves again in this staggering drama.

STOPPAGE TIME:             Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Birmingham City

Roman Pavyluchenko produces the killer blow.  Birmingham City, Carling Cup winners, will be playing in the UEFA Europa League, representing the Championship.

FT: Manchester United 4-2 Blackpool:                        BLACKPOOL ARE RELEGATED

FT: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Birmingham City:              BIRMINGHAM ARE RELEGATED

FT: Wolves 2-3 Blackburn Rovers                              BOTH BLACKBURN AND WOLVES SURVIVE

FT: Stoke City 0-1 Wigan Athletic                              WIGAN SURVIVE

It was an incredible final day, and one of the most breathtaking seasons in Premiership history is completed.  Commiserations to the fans of Birmingham City and Blackpool, who have to deal with the heartache of being relegated from the top flight, whilst congratulations to Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers, for producing the results they required to keep themselves in the Premier League.  Although they were lucky yesterday, Wolves’s victories over Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United over the course of the campaign means that ultimately, they deserve another crack next season.  We only have to wait ten weeks for the drama to happen again!  HURRY UP SUMMER!

FA Barclays Premiership Report (16th - 17th April)

THE FA Cup semi-final action meant that Premiership fixtures were limited.  However, plenty of action took place that affected both ends of the table.  Three from six look likely to drop out of the league now, whilst a helping hand from Dirk might well have handed Manchester United another championship.

LAST: Kuyt's kick might well have finished Arsenal's challenge

    Arsenal’s latest slip up at home was against a well-drilled Liverpool outfit.  The amazing drama at the end of the game at the Emirates overshadowed the general lacklustre quality in this 1-1 draw.  During the match, Jamie Carragher was accidentally knocked out by young defender John Flanagan, which led to eight minutes of injury time.  In the seventh minute of these, Cesc Fabregas went down far too easily under Jay Spearing’s clumsy, but clean challenge.  Robin Van Persie coolly dispatched the penalty and it seemed to have kept the title race alive.  However, moments later, Emmanuel Eboue stupidly pushed Lucas in the back when Luis Suarez’s free-kick rebounded off the wall into the Gunners penalty area.  Eboue was distraught and Arsene Wenger left in complete disbelief.  Dirk Kuyt tucked away the spot kick with the last kick of the match to earn Liverpool a deserved point.  The contentious penalty decision led to some ill-feeling between Wenger and Kenny Dalglish, with the Sky Sports cameras picking up Dalglish telling Wenger to ‘P### off.’  Following Manchester United’s tame 0-0 stalemate at Newcastle last night, Arsenal now lie seven points adrift and almost out of the battle.  No more slip-ups can now be required from Wenger’s men.

     Blackpool slipped into the bottom three for the first time this season, after they were convincingly beaten 3-1 at home by relegation rivals Wigan Athletic.  The result means Wigan move out of the drop zone.  From the moment Craig Cathcart gave away possession sloppily from a free-kick, then slipped in the build-up to Hugo Rodallega’s second minute opener, the writing was on the wall for the Tangerines.  Yet again, Blackpool’s defending was absolutely atrocious as Wigan ran riot.  Charles N’Zogbia made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time and a deflected effort from Mohammed Diame sealed the dominating result, despite DJ Campbell’s late consolation.

     Wigan moved out of the bottom three, at West Ham’s expense.  In a full-blooded scrap at Upton Park, Aston Villa stole all three points in the dying stages.  Their 2-1 win all but seals their Premiership safety, but leaves Avram Grant’s side staring at the abyss.  Robbie Keane produced a splendid start for the Hammers, driving them infront inside of two minutes.  Having pushed Carlton Cole in the back when the striker was clean through, Richard Dunne could have counted himself lucky to stay on the pitch.  As the game wore on, Villa got stronger and stronger and ultimately, deserved the win.  Darren Bent headed in Luke Young’s cross before half-time, after Mark Noble had been caught in possession.  Noble’s doziness was akin to an amateur painting a garden fence for the first time!  At the death, with the match set to finish honours even, Ashley Young’s teasing cross was headed in by Gabby Agbonlahor.  Amazingly, that it Agbonlahor’s first Premiership goal of what has been a frustrating season for the front man.    

CASH: Sebastian Larsson pounced on horrific defending for Birmingham

     Meantime, the Wearside worry for Sunderland continues.  Steve Bruce had a unhappy return to St. Andrews on Saturday, witnessing his old side Birmingham City beat his Black Cats 2-0.  Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was at fault for both goals.  The first came following a calamitous mix-up in communication between the Belgian and Phil Bardsley.  Sebastian Larsson sneaked it to open the scoring.  Mignolet then failed to keep out Craig Gardner’s wicked shot, which frankly – a Sunday League goalkeeper could have kept out.  Having lost eight of their last nine games, Sunderland could now well go down and the agony on chairman Niall Quinn’s face in the stands really told its own story.

     If Sunderland have problems, Blackburn’s are just as bad.  Steve Kean has only managed to oversee three wins in fifteen games as manager and the last time he tasted success was a 2-0 win over West Brom on January 23.  Even Richard Keys and Andy Gray were just about with Sky Sports at the time!  The latest dire result for Rovers was a 2-0 loss at Everton, which leaves them just two points above the drop zone.  What will worry Kean more was the horrific performance at Goodison Park.  Everton could have fielded a team of under 10’s and still beaten the senior Blackburn side at the weekend.  Leon Osman produced the breakthrough ten minutes into the second half and Leighton Baines dispatched a penalty after Phil Jones made a rash challenge on Seamus Coleman.

     Chelsea may have nothing to fight for now this season, but their league form since February has been mightily impressive.  They ended Roy Hodgson’s unbeaten run as West Brom boss, overcoming the Albion 3-1 at the Hawthorns.  However, Fernando Torres had a goal disallowed after coming off the subs bench and it means, the wait continues for his first Chelsea goal.  Peter Odemwingie did put the home side ahead, but Didier Drogba cancelled the advantage out almost immediately, when goalkeeper Scott Carson made a basic mistake.  Another fumble from Carson just five minutes later allowed Salomon Kalou to drill Chelsea ahead and Frank Lampard completed the scoring just before the interval, as he moved into double figures for his injury-ravaged season.  The win is Chelsea seventh in their last eight Premiership games.

     The race for the title might be all but over now, but the fight to stay up continues to take twists and turns and attention will switch to this end of the table now over the last month of the 2010/11 Premiership campaign.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (5th - 6th March)

IT WAS another captivating weekend of Premiership football, which saw more form from the teams battling to beat the drop and the top sides misfiring.  Goals and talking points aplenty on another weekend of pure theatre, as this campaign is becoming one of the best ever to have graced the Premiership’s 19-year history.

HAT-TRICK HERO: Kuyt grabbed three tap-ins in sweet victory

     The most anticipated game of the weekend was at Anfield, where Dirk Kuyt hit his first ever treble for Liverpool in a highly impressive 3-1 success over leaders Manchester United on Sunday.  Kuyt’s hat-trick were all simple tap-ins, and he was helped by the enigmatic Luis Suarez, who produced a magical piece of play to take out three United players in setting up Kuyt’s first goal.  Five minutes later, he header in from close range after a wayward header from Nani.  His third was courtesy of a Suarez free-kick which was spilt by Edwin Van Der Sar.  Even £35million man Andy Carroll made a late cameo, for his Anfield debut after injury.  It was almost the perfect day for Liverpool and surely Kenny Dalglish’s appointment on a full-time basis is now only a formality.  Even Javier Hernandez’s stoppage header consolation couldn’t take the gloss off a marvellous day for Liverpool.  As their revival continued, tempers flared at times in a boiling match.  A horrible tackle from Jamie Carragher saw Nani stretchered off before half-time and seconds later, a poor challenge from Rafael on Lucas got him booked and led to a serious confrontation between the players.  This was a real off-day for United, who refused to speak to Sky Sports, BBC, MUTV or TalkSport afterwards and they have now lost three of their last five games.

     Kuyt’s hat-trick blew the title race wide open, but Arsenal failed to take their opportunity on Saturday, as the Gunners were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Sunderland.  Arsene Wenger felt justice wasn’t done on two dodgy decisions, with Andrei Arshavin unfortunate on both occasions.  First, the Russian was pushed to the ground in the penalty area by Titus Bramble, which should have been a penalty.  Later, Arshavin was denied a perfectly good goal, when he was wrongly ruled offside.  Nevertheless, Simon Mignolet produced an outstanding goalkeeping display for the visitors and Steve Bruce’s side thoroughly deserved their draw.

     Chelsea’s latest mini revival continued last night, as they recorded an impressive 3-1 win at Blackpool, to leave Ian Holloway’s men only two points clear of the drop zone.  John Terry powered the Blues infront on 15 minutes and two quickfire goals in the second half from Frank Lampard had Chelsea coasting along to another three points.  Carlo Ancelotti insists that the title is gone, but only nine points behind with a game in hand, it is completely over quite yet.  Jason Puncheon scored a consolation for Blackpool, but with only one win in nine games, the Tangerines are looking nervously above the trapdoor.

HAUNTED: Duff came back to continue Rovers slide down the league

     So too are Blackburn Rovers, after another loss; 3-2 at Fulham.  Steve Kean has now seen his team lose five of their six matches as Rovers perilous slide down the table.  Damien Duff haunted his old side with two goals, but it was Mark Clattenburg who made the headlines once again, for the wrong reasons.   With the scoreline at 2-2 in the 88^th minute, Clattenburg denied Andy Johnson a blatant penalty after Grant Hanley tripped him.  Seconds later and probably feeling guilty, he awarded Fulham a spot kick for a gentle tug by Hanley on Aaron Hughes.  If these were given every game, we’d be looking at rugby scores every weekend.  Bobby Zamora converted the penalty in his first Premiership match since September and the drama didn’t end there at Craven Cottage.  Gael Givet ran onto the pitch at full-time, angrily remonstrated with Clattenburg and got sent off.  Clattenburg had a stinker and after the Wayne Rooney elbow scandal last Saturday, his abilities as a top flight referee must be questioned.  He can do the job, he’s proven that before, but a few lower profile matches in the Football League wouldn’t go amiss to take him out of the firing line.

     Birmingham City got brought back to reality after their sensational Carling Cup success on Saturday lunchtime.  In a crunch relegation clash, Birmingham looked second best throughout their Midlands derby with West Brom and ultimately lost 3-1 at St. Andrews.  Goals in the second half from Yusuf Mulumbu, James Morrison with a great strike and a Paul Scharner headed moved Albion clear of the drop zone.  Although Jean Beausejour brought the home side level soon after Mulumbu’s opener, Birmingham got what they deserved and slip into the bottom three.

     They replace West Ham United, as they continue their impressive run of form.  Avram Grant’s side comfortably overcame Stoke City 3-0 at Upton Park in a dress rehearsal for their FA Cup quarter-final this weekend.  A nightmare piece of goalkeeping from Asmir Begovic allowed Demba Ba in for a tap-in and a Manuel Da Costa header shortly afterwards doubled the lead.  Thomas Hitzlsperger’s 82^nd minute bullet shot wrapped the match up and nearly burst the net as a result.  Stoke shouldn’t be in any relegation danger, but need to stop the rot on the road, as they recorded their sixth successive away defeat.

HORROR: Al-Habsi, after his gaffe cost Wigan a result

     Begovic didn’t make the worst goalkeeping cock-up of the weekend.  That went to Ali Al-Habsi, who produced a goalkeeping calamity that is bound to appear on every Christmas blooper DVD for years to come.  The Wigan goalkeeper allowed David Silva’s tame strike through his grasp at his near post and it consigned Wigan to a 1-0 loss at Manchester City.  Roberto Martinez will be pleased with the performance, but once again, no points, which leaves Wigan closer to slipping out of the Premier League.

     The game of the weekend came at Molineux as Wolves and Tottenham played out a wonderful match, drawing 3-3 at Molineux.  It was a moving and fitting tribute to the late Dean Richards, who represented both clubs.  A minute’s applause was held at the start of the match, in honour of the charismatic defender, who died last week after a long illness.  Wolves led on seven minutes, when Kevin Doyle got infront of Hereulho Gomes to head home Nenad Mijias cross.  Jermain Defoe single-handily turned the game on its head with two superb strikes in quick succession, taking his Premiership all-time total to 99 on his 300^th Premier League appearance.  Doyle doubled up from the penalty spot after Mijias was pulled back by Alan Hutton.  Despite being the last defender, Hutton was only booked, which was a staggering decision by anyone’s standards.  Spurs grabbed the lead back, courtesy of a Roman Pavyluchenko pile driver two minutes into the second half, but Wolves deserved their point and earnt it in the 87^th minute.  Steven Fletcher met Matt Jarvis cross and the Scottish international powered a header out of Gomes’s reach.  Richard Stearman was also denied a legitimate goal, whilst Defoe hit the post for the visitors.  The game was breathtaking to watch.

     To conclude the weekend, Bolton Wanderers strengthened their quest for European football, with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa.  Gary Cahill scored twice against his former club and Ivan Klasnic won the match in the 87^th minute for the home side, despite being dominated by Villa for large periods.  Everton virtually secured their Premier League status for another campaign, as they beat Newcastle 2-1 at St. James Park.  Mikel Arteta was the star of the show, setting up the goals for Leon Osman and Phil Jagielka (his first in three years) to see the Toffees bounce back from their dreadful FA Cup exit at the hands of Reading in midweek.

     As the finishing line approaches closer, the entertainment seems to get even better.  Maybe it is more than a two-horse race in the title battle and as for relegation, more than half the league is engulfed in fighting to beat the drop.  I think everyone will be glad for a week off, as the FA Cup retakes centre stage this weekend.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (5th - 6th February)

THIS weekend’s Premiership action was quite possibly the best in its 19-year era.  A staggering 43 goals hit the back of the net, with some all-time classic matches amongst them.  Records were smashed, unbeaten runs ended and cracking comebacks all over the place, this was the perfect weekend.  With Match of the Day pulling in 5million viewers on Saturday night, you can see the appeal it would have had, even to the casual football acquaintance.

BLOCKED: Jamie Carragher frustrated Torres all day on his debut

The big build-up was for the match at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea locked horns with Liverpool, only days after Fernando Torres had completed a £50million move from Anfield to West London.  For Torres, the day was a dud, as was the match in truth, failing to live up to its great billing.  El Nino looked out of sorts all afternoon and was replaced by Salomon Kalou on 66 minutes.  Three minutes later, Chelsea’s title dreams were smashed into pieces by Raul Meireles.  Frank Lampard failed to close down Steven Gerrard and once the Englishman crossed and Dirk Kuyt caused more miscommunication between Petr Cech and Branislav Ivanovic (they clashed heads in the first half), Meireles arrived at the back post and smashed the ball into the corner of the net.  It was the Portuguese’s midfielder’s fourth goal in five matches and earnt a deserved 1-0 victory for the visitors.  Kenny Dalglish has now steered Liverpool into the top six, after their fourth win in a row.  For Chelsea, this was a massive opportunity spurned and Torres was probably wondering; why did I move?

The game of the weekend, decade and possibly of all time came at St. James Park.  Arsenal threw away a 4-0 lead at half-time, to end up drawing 4-4 with Newcastle United.  Still reeling from Andy Carroll’s defection to Liverpool, Newcastle looked like a team of hedgehogs in the first half, conceding four goals in the first 23 minutes.  Theo Walcott ghosted past Fabricio Coloccini to have Arsenal infront after 40 seconds.  Less than three minutes later, Johan Djourou headed in from a free-kick for his first ever Gunners goal.  Robin Van Persie completed Newcastle’s catastrophic first half, with two goals which were so easy, Bart Simpson could have scored them.  The game changed when Abou Diaby lost the plot completely four minutes into the second half.  The Frenchman was incensed by a fair challenge from Joey Barton and went onto push both Kevin Nolan and Barton.  He was rightfully dismissed and with it, Arsenal’s composure went.  Barton began the fightback on 68 minutes, with a penalty and Leon Best pulled the scoreline back to 4-2, after he had a goal wrongly chalked off for offside.  With seven minutes to go, Newcastle got a second penalty, which looked very harsh as Mike Williamson went down softly under pressure from Tomas Rosicky.  Barton converted his second penalty, then Chiok Tiote produced a stunning volley with two minutes to play to make it 4-4.  It was the greatest comeback in Premiership history in a quite extraordinary match.

HEADER: George Elokobi powered Wolves on their way to a famous win

The drama continued on Saturday evening, as Manchester United’s unbeaten run, lasting 30 games and stretching back to April last year, was ended at Molineux by Wolves.  The league’s bottom side won 2-1 to add United to a list of scalps that includes Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea already this season.  Nani had the leaders infront on three minutes, finding the tightest of gaps at Wayne Hennessey’s near post but it was a frustrating night for Man United, struggling badly with set-pieces and missing Rio Ferdinand, due to a late injury in the warm-up.  George Elokobi, found wanting by Nani for the goal, produced a lovely header on ten minutes, when Nemanja Vidic failed to pick him up from a corner.  Five minutes before half-time, Kevin Doyle flicked in Jamie O’Hara’s free-kick to win it for the sensational Wolves.  Doyle was magnificent and with this, Arsenal 2003/04 unbeaten season remains intact as the only one in Premiership history.

While Wolves were claiming another big boy, Black Country rivals West Brom hit the panic button.  13 defeats in 18 games have cost Roberto di Matteo his job.  Despite the poor run of form, it is another example of chairman simply taking desperate measures at a time of crisis.  Di Matteo’s final game in charge came at Manchester City, as West Brom folded to a 3-0 loss on Saturday.  Birthday boy Carlos Tevez scored a first half hat-trick, including two penalties, as the Albion defence was left exposed by Tevez’s creative movements.  The Argentine has now scored 49 goals in 71 games for Manchester City.  It was an emotional day at Eastlands, as the club paid tribute to Neil Young.  Young scored the winner for the club in the 1969 FA Cup final.  He passed away last Thursday, following a long battle with cancer.

MOBBED: Nikola Zigic is congratulated after his winner

After the fillip of a massive win in midweek at Bloomfield Road, West Ham returned to their traditional best.  Another flat performance infront of their home supporters saw the Hammers lose 1-0 at home to relegation rivals Birmingham City and leave them in their customary position of bottom in the table.  The much criticised Nikola Zigic headed the only goal of the game midway through the second half to lift Birmingham out of the bottom three, their first win at Upton Park since October 2002.  Having just been dumped out of the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage by Birmingham, Avram Grant must be sick of the sight of the Midlands team.

There was another classic encounter between two North-West sides desperate for points.  Everton and Blackpool went goals galore at Goodison Park, sharing eight goals in a 5-3 win for the home side.  Louis Saha scored four goals, his first came on 20 minutes, lashing home a cutback from Diniyar Bilyadetinov.  Alex-John Baptiste claimed the equaliser eight minutes before half-time, but the Toffees were back infront within 100 seconds of the restart.  Leighton Baines crossed and Saha finished from close range.  In this remarkable match, Blackpool recovered to hit the front.  Deadline day signing Jason Puncheon levelled, finishing off a wonderful pullback from fellow new signing James Beattie.  Just two minutes later, Ian Holloway’s men completed their fabulous response when DJ Campbell rattled the crossbar on the counter-attack, only for Charlie Adam to head the rebound in.  Saha got his hat-trick, heading in from close range as Blackpool failed to deal with a routine corner and Everton grabbed the lead back as Jermaine Beckford made a great run and converted Baines’s majestic ball over the top of Blackpool’s square defence.  As the Tangerines pushed forward for another equaliser, Saha settled the match on a great Toffees counter-attack, coaxing in his fourth of the afternoon.  This is Blackpool’s fifth successive Premiership defeat, and they are plummeting down the table as quick as a shattered fruit machine.

STAR: Ben Watson celebrates with James McCarthy after he scores his second

Wigan are still in the bottom three, but they recorded their first home win since mid-November in another entertaining game, beating Blackburn Rovers 4-3 at the DW Stadium.  Ex-Wigan striker Jason Roberts had the visitors infront, tucking in Brett Emerton’s ball, but James McCarthy equalised, reacting quickest to Paul Robinson’s spill from a Charles N’Zogbia drive.  Hugo Rodallega made it 2-1, getting in behind Christopher Samba and beat the stranded Robinson to guide the ball into the empty Blackburn net.  An outstanding individual goal from McCarthy increased Wigan’s lead, needing one touch to control and another to finish.  On a pitch more accustomed to the Six Nations, Blackburn responded well when the powerful Samba beat Ali Al-Habsi to a cross.  Ben Watson scored a penalty to restore Wigan’s two goal advantage, before David Dunn tumbled under Emerson Boyce’s challenge and converted his own spot kick.  Wigan’s first win in eight games was well deserved.

In the other matches, Stoke City beat Sunderland 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium.  In another frantic game, Kieran Richardson and Asamoah Gyan had Sunderland in the lead twice.  John Carew scored a scruffy goal and Robert Huth scored twice for the home side, his second in the third minute of injury time.  Craig Gordon made a meal of the match, as the Scot failed to deal with Stoke’s physical prowess.  Niko Kranjcar made a point to Harry Redknapp, as he hit a rasping left foot drive in stoppage time to see off Bolton Wanderers.  Tottenham won 2-1, to keep pace with the top four.  Aston Villa and Fulham drew 2-2 at Villa Park, with Clint Dempsey earning the away side a valuable point.  Kyle Walker scored the goal of the match, on the night he was called into the England squad for the first time by Fabio Capello.

It was an amazing weekend of gripping Premiership action; totally breathless and captivating.  After a pointless international set of friendlies in midweek, bring on next weekend!  We only have a Manchester derby to look forward to.  

FA Barclays Premiership Report (22nd - 24th January)

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 22^nd January: Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City

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 18^th 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 24^th 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 22^nd January: Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham City  

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 23^rd 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 22^nd January: Arsenal 3-0 Wigan Athletic

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 22^nd 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 22^nd January: Wolves 0-3 Liverpool

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 22^nd 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 22^nd 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 22^nd 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.

FA Barclays Premiership Report (4th - 6th December)

DESPITE the cold chill, nine out of ten Premiership fixtures beat the weather.  Not quite the action of the previous weekend, but with Manchester United’s game at Blackpool frozen off, new league leaders were found and we have now seen the first managerial casualty of the season.

Sunday 5^th December: West Brom 3-1 Newcastle United

KNELL: Peter Odemwingie sealed Chris Hughton's fate

CHRIS Hughton was sacked as Newcastle United manager, after being comfortably seen off at the Hawthorns.  Salmon Choi put West Brom infront with a precise shot on 32 minutes.  Peter Odemwingie doubled Albion’s lead when he got the better of the Magpies defence, after Danny Guthrie got his foot trapped in the turf.  With three minutes to go, Odemwingie got round Tim Krul to help himself to a second, and to seal the Baggies first win in the league over Newcastle since 1984.  Newcastle scored in added time through substitute Peter Lovenkrands, but they looked a pale shadow of the side that drew with champions Chelsea last week.  Despite not winning in five games, Hughton’s dismissal is another piece of lunatic actions from owner Mike Ashley.  Alan Pardew is set to be announced tomorrow as successor and he will have a tough job on his hands on Tyneside.

Saturday 4^th December: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

MOVING: Samir Nasri's brilliance took the Gunners top

ARSENAL were very twitchy again at the Emirates, but held off a brave Fulham challenge to claim the three points and go top of the league.  Samir Nasri fired Arsenal to the top with two more goals, both pieces of individual brilliance.  The first came when he stepped inside two defenders, before finishing from Andrei Arshavin’s delayed pass.  A collision between Sebastian Squillaci and Laurent Koscieny allowed Diomansy Kamara in for the equaliser.  Koscieny had a head injury and Arsene Wenger had every right to be unhappy that play wasn’t stopped.  A beautifully balanced Nasri waltzed into the penalty box to seal the match with fifteen minutes to go.

Saturday 4^th December: Manchester City 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

CARLOS Tevez’s 50^th Premiership appearance for the home side ended in disgust, when the Argentine was replaced by James Milner is stoppage time.  The captain was seen to have a rather distasteful and animated argument with Roberto Mancini afterwards.  Tevez had settled the match with the only goal early on as City dominated throughout.  Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off late on for two yellow cards, but Bolton couldn’t find a way through.

Monday 6^th December: Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa

STRIKE: N'Gog fired Liverpool up to eighth in the table

GERARD Houillier experienced a miserable return to Anfield as his Aston Villa side were soundly beaten by Liverpool on Monday night.  The match was over as a contest within of fifteen minutes, with the Reds 2-0 up through goal from makeshift front pairing David N’Gog and Ryan Babel.  Missing Steven Gerrard through injury and Fernando Torres away in Spain, with his wife expecting their second child, Roy Hodgson will be delighted with this convincing performance, sealed by Maxi Rodriguez second-half strike.  Villa looked devoid of confidence and the club are now in a serious relegation battle.

Saturday 4^th December: Chelsea 1-1 Everton

SMASH: Drogba's penalty wasn't enough for Chelsea

YET again, Chelsea failed to pick up three points at home to their new bogey side, Everton.  Didier Drogba scored in the Premiership for the first time since October, smashing home a penalty after Phil Neville’s poor back pass allowed Nicholas Anelka to be clattered by Tim Howard in the area.  Everton rapidly improved in the second half and Leighton Baines in particular caused havoc.  One of his crosses found the head of Tim Cahill, who nodded it back across the box for Jermaine Beckford to equalise.  Chelsea’s dismal form continues, now only have won one of their last six Premiership games.

Saturday 4^th December: Wigan Athletic 2-2 Stoke City

HUDDLE: Wigan fought back to draw

THE honours were shared at the DW Stadium with four first-half goals and hardly a goal straightforward between Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.  Robert Hutch opened the scoring for the visitors, with a deflected free-kick.  Danny Collins put the ball into his own net to make it 1-1, but Stoke soon went back infront, Matthew Etherington scoring for the second successive match.  Tom Cleverly’s mishit strike then came off the luckless Rory Delap to earn Wigan a point, but not enough to take Roberto Martinez’s team out of the bottom three.

Sunday 5^th December: Sunderland 1-0 West Ham United

WEST Ham’s mini revival came to an abrupt end in a game where both teams looked devoid of ideas and creativity.  The only goal of a very scrappy encounter came from Jordan Henderson.  Asamoah Gyan’s clever pullback found Henderson, who crowned his 50^th appearance in the Premiership with his first goal of the season.

Saturday 4^th December: Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Wolves

HAPPY: Blackburn were in cheery mood at the weekend

SAM Allardyce’s two-day rest he gave his players after the mauling in Manchester seemed to reinvigorate Blackburn, who produced a glorious display of purposeful finishing against struggling Wolves.  David Dunn had Rovers infront, heading in from close range and Brett Emerton smashed in a second before half-time, after being teed up by the dangerous Jason Roberson.  Mortem Gamst Pedersen’s free-kick was floated into the net by Ryan Nelsen to wrap the game up.

Saturday 4^th December: Birmingham City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

IT WAS a missed opportunity for the visitors, as Birmingham deserved their point against Champions League contenders Spurs.  Once again, Gareth Bale was involved in the build-up for a Tottenham goal.  His free-kick was dealt with by Ben Foster and allowed Sebastian Bassong to take full advantage and poke home the first goal.  Birmingham looked much better in the second half and got a credited leveller through Craig Gardner.

  

FA Barclays Premiership Report (2nd - 3rd October)

The final set of games before an extended international break took place this weekend and saw the two big-spenders in the FA Premier League head into the top two places.  Meanwhile, one of the established elite continues its miserable start to the season, and now there is even talk that the most successful club in English football history is in a relegation battle!  This game is so strange….

Sunday 3^rd October: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to four points, with a solid, if unspectacular display to see off Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.  It was the same old story for the Gunners against their main challengers, as they created opportunities, but failed to take them.  Laurent Koscieny and Andrei Arshavin both missed guilt-edge chances in the opening exchanges.  Arsenal fell behind seven minutes before the interval, when Ashley Cole’s cross was back heeled in by Didier Drogba, for the Ivoirian’s 13^th goal in just eleven matches against Arsenal.  The game was wrapped up by an unstoppable free-kick from central defender Alex just four minutes from time.  You could have put four goalkeepers in that goal and none of them would have stopped Alex’s bullet of a free-kick.  Arsenal will need to improve in more fearful tests if they are to sustain a consistent challenge to their rivals from London.

Sunday 3^rd October: Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool

Blackpool piled on the misery on Liverpool by pulling off a famous win at Anfield; in one of the Premier League’s greatest ever shocks.  The Tangerines outplayed their more experienced opponents in the first half, though they were helped by Fernando Torres’s early departure from the scene, due to a groin injury.  Glen Johnson was at fault for both goals.  First, he dragged down Luke Varney to concede a penalty, which was successfully converted by Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam.  Then, he played Varney outside, who drilled a second goal underneath Pepe Reina.  Although Sotiris Krygiakos headed home an early second half response, Liverpool huffed and puffed and never looked like getting an equaliser.  This staggering result leaves Blackpool in a highly creditable 9^th and Liverpool in the bottom three at the end of a top flight weekend for the first time since September 1964.  With six points in seven games, problems with the unrest at the lack of movement over a potential takeover and the players not playing for the shirt, there is now talk of unthinkable.  Liverpool being relegated!! 

Saturday 2^nd October: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Aston Villa

Spurs have a new cult hero in the shape of Rafael van der Vaart, who scored another brace to overcome a resilient Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.  Villa outplayed their opponents in the first half and took a deserved lead when Marc Albrighton turned home his first senior goal from Emile Heskey’s excellent work, with the striker turning Sebastian Bassong into a clown!  Almost single handily, van der Vaart dragged the home side back into the game, with a simple equaliser, then a breathtaking second, which moved Tottenham into the top five, as Gerard Houillier tasted defeat for the first time as Villains manager.

Saturday 2^nd October: Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United

Manchester United still waits for their first Premiership away win of the season, after limping to a goalless stalemate at the Stadium of Light.  A burst water pipe in the United dressing room delayed kick-off by twenty minutes and their uncharacteristic performance showed up in the first half, as Sunderland outplayed them, with Steed Malbranque wasting their best chance.  Dimitar Berbatov hit the woodwork in the second half, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side looked bereft of ideas and were lucky to escape with a point.

Sunday 3^rd October: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United

Manchester City leapt into second spot in the table, though they received a good amount of fortune against Newcastle United.  The match was overshadowed by a horror challenge from Nigel de Jong that left Hatem Ben Afra with a broken tibia and fibula of his left leg.  Carlos Tevez gave the home side the lead, after he was brought down by Mike Williamson, though TV replays showed that Williamson had tackled Tevez outside the box.  Jonas Gutierrez hit a stunning equaliser, but the Magpies were denied a point by a tremendous solo effort from sub Adam Johnson with fifteen minutes to go.

Saturday 2^nd October: Birmingham City 0-2 Everton

Everton secured their first win of the season and ended Birmingham’s one year unbeaten home record in the process.  The goals were scored by Tim Cahill and a Roger Johnson own goal.

Saturday 2^nd October: Wigan Athletic 2-0 Wolves

Wolves recorded their fourth successive defeat, as their resilience was broken in the second half by Wigan at the DW Stadium.  Their cause wasn’t helped by their captain Karl Henry, who produced an x-rated foul on Jordi Gomez in the tenth minute.  It was a deserved red card if there ever was one, a challenge that would proudly stand tall in one of the Tekken fighting simulations on PlayStation.  Gomez luckily was uninjured and went on to score a brilliant free-kick in the second half, with the points wrapped up by Hugo Rodallega second goal of the campaign in the closing stages.

Saturday 2^nd October: Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Summer signing Jonathan Walters scored his first ever Premier League goal, as Stoke overcame Blackburn at the Britannia Stadium for the third successive season and in the process extended their unbeaten run to four games.  The goal came shortly into the second half, with Walters latching onto a Matthew Etherington pass and coolly beat an onrushing Paul Robinson to lift Stoke upto 7^th.

Saturday 2^nd October: West Ham United 1-1 Fulham

West Ham stayed bottom, but put in another committed and improved performance to collect another point against draw specialists Fulham.  Fulham remain one of only two sides unbeaten in the Premiership this season and took a first half lead, when Clint Dempsey fired in a powerful shot past Robert Green.  Green must be sick of the sight of Dempsey, after his nightmare moment in Rustenberg that allowed Dempsey weak shot to spill through his grasp in the England v USA match.  This time, he had no chance.  West Ham’s deserved leveller came through a second half header from Frederic Piquionne.

Saturday 2^nd October: West Brom 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

A header from James Morrison earnt West Brom a lucky draw against a better and stronger Bolton side at The Hawthorns.  After a dire first half, the ever-improving Johan Elmander gave Bolton the lead, firing in his fourth goal of the season from Kevin Davies’s knockdown.  The Albion’s leveller came with twelve minutes to go, when Morrison nodded home Peter Odwemwingie’s cross.