Premier League round-up: Sat 17th Jan

Tommy Platinum · 01-17-2009, 04:09 PM

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Premier League round-up

Manchester United moved top of the Premier League, Chelsea snatched a dramatic win against Stoke as Aston Villa also won.

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Sam Allardyce secured a convincing victory against his former club Newcastle United, while West Bromwich Albion beat relegation rivals Middlesbrough at home.

And Manchester City put their world-record pursuit of Kaka to one side to grind out a narrow win at home to Wigan Athletic.

Reigning champions United produced another late show as Dimitar Berbatov's last-minute header secured a 1-0 win at Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen twice denied Cristiano Ronaldo in the first half, and again from a free-kick in the second as United struggled to create any clear-cut openings.

The hosts could have snatched a goal when Kevin Davies diverted Fabrice Muamba's volley off target as United continued to push men forward.

In the final minute, United finally broke Bolton's resistance as the ball broke kindly for Carlos Tevez to run into the box and he picked out the unmarked Berbatov, who stooped to head beyond Jaaskelainen.

Frank Lampard marked his 400th appearance for Chelsea with an injury-time goal which secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over battling Stoke City.

Stoke silenced Stamford Bridge with an hour on the clock as debutant James Beattie slipped in Rory Delap, who held off two Chelsea defenders before lifting his shot over Petr Cech.

With two minutes to go, Chelsea conjured up an equaliser as Franco Di Santo headed a cross back across goal where fellow substitute Juliano Belletti was waiting unmarked to head inside the post.

And deep into stoppage-time, the ball broke to Lampard on the edge of the box and his left-footed effort took a slight nick off Michael Ballack on its way into the net.

Lampard's goal denied Aston Villa third spot in the table after Martin O'Neill's men came from behind to win 2-1 at Sunderland with 10 men.

Sunderland were in front on 11 minutes when Carlos Edwards angled a free-kick towards the six-yard box and Danny Collins rose well to head past Brad Friedel.

Villa levelled in dubious circumstances on the hour mark when Ashley Young rolled a pass across the face of goal and James Milner appeared to use his arm to slide the ball over the line.

But Young blotted his copybook on 72 minutes when the Villa winger was sent off following a reckless challenge on Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead.

Yet Villa grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time when the returning Paul McShane's high boot caught Gabriel Agbonlahor just inside the box and Gareth Barry hammered the penalty into the roof of the net.

Blackburn boss Allardyce enjoyed his first game against Newcastle since being sacked as Magpies boss as Rovers won 3-0 at Ewood Park.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given produced a magnificent save to push Benni McCarthy's free-kick on to the post early in the second half, but he could do nothing about the opener on 61 minutes.

Magpies full-back David Edgar was harshly adjudged to have fouled McCarthy at the far post and the South African stepped up to smash the penalty past Given.

Route one football delivered Blackburn's second goal five minutes later as keeper Paul Robinson's long free-kick bounced into the path of Jason Roberts and he steered his shot beyond Given.

With seven minutes to go, Newcastle were reduced to 10 men when Nicky Butt was shown a second yellow card following a challenge on David Dunn.

Rovers rubbed salt into the wounds on 86 minutes after breaking forward and Morten Gamst Pedersen dinked a cross to the far post where Roberts was waiting to score his second of the game.

Tony Mowbray completed a double over his former club Middlesbrough as West Brom recorded a contentious 3-0 win at the Hawthorns.

There was an element of controversy attached to West Brom's opening goal after just four minutes with Chris Brunt in an offside position when the ball was played into the box.

Tony McMahon's headed clearance then dropped to Brunt on the far side of the box and the winger's shot deflected off the Boro full-back and beyond Ross Turnbull.

Boro almost drew level minutes later when West Brom keeper Scott Carson pushed Stewart Downing's free-kick on to the bar and Afonso Alves then headed the rebound against the woodwork.

The Baggies increased their lead on 54 minutes when Robert Koren fed a ball into the feet of Marc-Antoine Fortune and the midfielder's shot from the return pass took a decisive deflection off the loan signing from Nancy.

The visitors' task was made even more difficult on 62 minutes when Didier Digard was sent off for showing his studs in a challenge on Borja Valero.

Things continued to go from bad to worse for Boro as West Brom grabbed a third goal on 67 minutes as Brunt played a delightful ball behind the defence for Koren to clip past Turnbull.

Manchester City showed a resilience that has often been lacking this season to hold on for a 1-0 home win over Wigan.

City made the breakthrough on 53 minutes when Pablo Zabaleta flashed home a crisp volley from 20 yards after Wigan only partially cleared a cross into the box.

Yet within a minute City were down to 10 men when Richard Dunne was sent off for kicking out at Amr Zaki after the duo had jostled for a high ball.

Zaki missed Wigan's best chance of an equaliser as City picked up an important three points in their battle to move clear of the relegation zone.

Late Kickoff:

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Gunners too strong for Tigers

Arsenal kept pace with the Premier League leaders after scoring twice inside the final 10 minutes to secure a 3-1 win at Hull City.

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The Tigers had stunned their opponents at Emirates Stadium earlier in the season, but were unable to repeat the trick back on home soil.

Robin van Persie, whose earlier free-kick was touched on to the bar by Boaz Myhill, created Arsenal's opener on 30 minutes as his corner was headed home by the towering presence of Emmanuel Adebayor.

But City levelled on 65 minutes through Daniel Cousin as the striker, who scored in the reverse fixture, stole in at the near post to head home Bernard Mendy's deflected cross.

Arsenal pushed for a second goal and were rewarded eight minutes from time when Van Persie slipped in Samir Nasri and the young Frenchman kept his composure to fire a low shot inside the far post.

And the Gunners made the points safe on 86 minutes when Nicklas Bendtner and Van Persie combined for the Danish substitute to sweep the ball home from close range.

Bendtner headed against the post in injury-time as Arsenal claimed a victory which leaves them six points adrift of leaders Manchester United.
Kilbane debut

City fielded an unfamiliar line-up. After playing an under-strength side in the midweek FA Cup win at Newcastle, six changes were not unexpected but Ryan France and Peter Halmosi surprisingly retained their places.

There was a debut for new signing Kevin Kilbane at left-back while yesterday's loan recruit from Manchester United, Manucho, was on the bench.

France's unexpected start, after spending most of the campaign in the reserves, meant he became the fourth Tigers player to play in all four divisions for the club.

Geovanni, scorer of City's first goal at the Emirates, had the game's first chance after two minutes.

The Brazilian confused the Arsenal defence with a late run while two other players stood in offside positions but he scuffed his shot.

A chance opened up for Nathan Doyle moments later but the right-back shot straight at Manuel Almunia from distance.

Arsenal's first opportunity came from a free-kick and Van Persie almost got lucky as his firm effort was deflected narrowly wide by Michael Turner.

The visitors were almost caught after Geovanni sparked a counter-attack but Cousin's cross was blocked and his follow-up shot went well wide.

Geovanni also curled in a dangerous-looking free-kick from out wide but Almunia safely gathered and another set-piece moments later was shot into the wall.

Boaz Myhill produced a brilliant double save to deny Arsenal the lead after 28 minutes following the award of a dubious free-kick for a foul on Emmanuel Eboue.

The goalkeeper just did enough to tip Van Persie's fierce shot onto the bar and then recovered to block from Johan Djourou as the defender pounced on the rebound.

Yet City could not hold out much longer and fell behind as Adebayor headed home a Van Persie corner at the far post a minute later.

Van Persie muscled into the area early in the second half but was penalised for a foul on Sam Ricketts.

Adebayor then beat Turner to create space for a shot but Myhill punched clear.

The hosts made their first change after 53 minutes when the ineffective Halmosi was replaced by new striker Manucho and the formation switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

Penalty appeal

Manucho's first taste of the action left him with a facial wound after clashing heads with Djourou contesting a bouncing ball in the area. City appealed for a penalty but referee Alan Wiley was uninterested.

The Tigers snatched an equaliser when Cousin headed firmly past Almunia after Mendy's cross took a slight deflection off Gael Clichy.

Mendy caused more problems moments later and won a free-kick on the right but Arsenal escaped further damage.

Clichy was then booked for a foul on Mendy as the winger, clearly inspired by his role in the goal, continued to cause havoc on the right.

City had the bit between their teeth and enjoyed a good spell but Arsenal still threatened in possession and Abou Diaby fired a good chance wide.

Myhill then saved again after Bendtner, introduced in the 68th minute, worked his way into the box and fired across goal.

The Tigers were exposed again after 82 minutes as Van Persie's pass found Nasri in space and the Frenchman shot left-footed across Myhill to restore Arsenal's lead.

The Gunners then killed off the game four minutes from time as Bendtner played a one-two with an apparently offside Van Persie and finished clinically.

Arsenal almost added a flattering fourth when Bendtner struck the post late on.

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BERBATOV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CM Diddy · 01-17-2009, 09:23 PM

Villa won again, im happy....I could'nt care less about Manchester,Chelsea, or Liverpool since it seems unlikely Villa can overtake them. Just have to hold off Arsenal.

Tommy Platinum · 01-18-2009, 12:38 AM

Yeah Villa just keep winning. I'd love them to finish ahead of Arsenal.

I was watching our game on a stream. Amazing when Berbatov scored.

James Deuce · 01-18-2009, 12:50 AM

Arsenal with yet another scare of a dreadful draw. We really need someone who can produce in the near future, or we will be looking at UEFA cup fixtures.

Tommy Platinum · 01-18-2009, 12:48 PM

We have scares every game. It's worrying. Such a relief when we scored.

James Deuce · 01-18-2009, 12:51 PM

I really wish Arsenal wouldn't have bought that new stadium so we could afford the nicer things, like a player who isn't of the age of 18 that Wenger titles as the next "star". Even though we probably wouldn't use the money anyway.

God · 01-18-2009, 12:52 PM

Chelsea are cutting it tight these days. I still say if Mourinho was still in charge, Chelsea would be well out of sight by now condiering the amount of chance they have not taken.

God · 01-18-2009, 12:56 PM

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Originally Posted by James Deuce
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I really wish Arsenal wouldn't have bought that new stadium so we could afford the nicer things, like a player who isn't of the age of 18 that Wenger titles as the next "star". Even though we probably wouldn't use the money anyway.

Would you rather be in Man Utd's position and be £600 million in dept? All it will take is for Glazer to get bored and we could have Leeds 2.0. Our finances are well under control and are the only top side in England not massivly in debt. With the current recession i think Man City and maybe Chelsea are the only teams who will be spending big. Besides, The stadium doesnt affect our club. Its a seperate entity. Wenger made sure of it before it was announced.

King Steventon · 01-18-2009, 12:57 PM

Did anyone see Koncheski's goal? RIDICULOUS.

Tommy Platinum · 01-18-2009, 12:57 PM

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Originally Posted by Papa Smurf
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Would you rather be in Man Utd's position and be £600 million in dept? All it will take is for Glazer to get bored and we could have Leeds 2.0. Our finances are well under control and are the only top side in England not massivly in debt. With the current recession i think Man City and maybe Chelsea are the only teams who will be spending big. Besides, The stadium doesnt affect our club. Its a seperate entity. Wenger made sure of it before it was announced.

Yeah because nobody would wanna buy United...

Premier League round-up: Sat 17th Jan

This is a discussion on Premier League round-up: Sat 17th Jan within the European Sports forums, part of the Sports Forums category; Premier League round-up Manchester United moved top of the Premier League, Chelsea snatched a dramatic win against Stoke as Aston ...