Premier League Round-up: 11/4 & 12/4

Dmac · 04-11-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

Premier League Round-up: 11/4 & 12/4

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Federico Macheda rescued Manchester United for the second successive league game as his goal sent the champions back to the top of the Premier League.

Paul Scholes had given United a first-half lead with a fine header before Kenwyne Jones bundled home from close range to equalise for Sunderland.

But with 15 minutes left substitute Macheda turned in Michael Carrick's wayward shot with his first touch.

His winner restored United's one point lead over nearest rivals Liverpool.

The Anfield club had briefly gone top having earlier thrashed Blackburn 4-0, leaving United needing a victory to return to the Premier League summit.

Liverpool kept up the pressure on title rivals Manchester United with a commanding home win over Blackburn.

Fernando Torres put them ahead with a brilliant swivel and volley into the corner after controlling on his chest.

Torres was in irresistible mood and headed in a Xabi Alonso free-kick as the home side dominated proceedings.

Daniel Agger fired in a ferocious 30-yard strike late on before David Ngog nodded in from point-blank range to round off the impressive win.

There had been a poignant build up to the last match at Anfield ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 fans died during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

A minute's silence was impeccably observed and it was a significant occasion as well as a significant game - one which Jamie Carragher had called the most important league match of his career as Liverpool chase a first title since 1990.

Chelsea held off a thrilling comeback by Bolton to maintain their outside hopes of the Premier League title.

Michael Ballack put the Blues ahead from Salomon Kalou's cross and Didier Drogba's fierce finish made it 2-0.

Frank Lampard scored from the spot when Gretar Steinsson handled and Drogba added a fourth goal from close range.

But Andy O'Brien met Ricardo Gardner's ball to pull one back and Chris Basham prodded home before Matt Taylor's late header meant Chelsea were hanging on.

Bolton came within inches of an injury-time equaliser when Gary Cahill's shot flew just wide but Chelsea and their title bid survived.

Arsenal recovered from an early Mido strike to stun Wigan with four second-half goals and collect an away win.

Mido volleyed in a deserved opener in a lively first-half display but Theo Walcott equalised on the hour after good work by Andrey Arshavin.

Mikael Silvestre converted a pass from Cesc Fabregas and Arshavin punished a shocking error by Jason Koumas.

Alexandre Song rounded things off for the Gunners by dancing through the defence to stroke home the fourth.

But the result was extremely harsh on a Wigan side whose defensive effort and all-round industry enabled them to more than match Arsenal's artistry for much of the game.

Substitute Andy Carroll scored a late equaliser to earn Newcastle a precious point against Stoke in their fight to avoid relegation after former Magpie Abdoulaye Faye gave Stoke the lead in the first half.

Middlesbrough earned a much-needed win over relegation rivals Hull to give them renewed hope of avoiding the drop.

Struggling sides Portsmouth and West Brom shared the spoils following an entertaining encounter at Fratton Park.

Substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko scored the winner as Tottenham overcame West Ham at White Hart Lane.

Article says it all, rescued.

They are getting the most luck now, while they're playing poorly.

We can win 4-0 from now until the end of the season but if United keep grinding out 1 goal results then it doesn't matter.

Nash · 04-11-2009, 03:37 PM

Its the sign of champions who can grind out results when they aren't playing well. Every team goes through a bad patch, its all about how you cope with them

Dmac · 04-11-2009, 03:39 PM

It's a sign of champions to rely on a 17 year old? Hrmk then.

Nash · 04-11-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmac
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It's a sign of champions to rely on a 17 year old? Hrmk then.

Thats 2 games out of 31, hardly relying I think.

Dmac · 04-11-2009, 03:47 PM

Had he not scored in those 2 out of 31, we would be top, it kinda contributes and in those two it isn't like anyone else was going to score.

Nash · 04-11-2009, 03:51 PM

But in the context of the entire season. We have not relied on him.

Its like saying Liverpool wouldnt be challenging for the title if they didnt have Gerrard or Torres.

Dmac · 04-11-2009, 03:55 PM

Gerrard and Torres are our best players so I don't see your point... all of your best players couldn't get it done so you had to turn to a kid.

Nash · 04-11-2009, 04:03 PM

Well they seem to have been able to get it done week in week out throughout the whole season otherwise we wouldn't be top of the table. Like I said true champions can always get a result even when you play poorly.

Man Utd have always been able to grind out results and that is one of the many reasons why we have been so succesful. We dont rely on kids. I was listening to the whole game and while we werent at our best, we played as a team to overcome Sunderland and we certainly did not rely on a 'kid', who just so happens to be extremely talented.

Dmac · 04-11-2009, 04:06 PM

For christ sake, we're not talking about the rest of the season, I said that you are getting the most luck now while playing badly, how does that refer to the rest of the season? Having your best players outshun by a 17 year old kid is not a sign of champions.