Barclays Premier League Results - Matchday 21
Saturday 14th January
West Brom 1-2 Norwich
Norwich, who were enjoying somewhat of a miracle in their first season back in the premier league, travelled to the Hawthons to play an established West Brom, who similarly had been enjoying a good season under the guidance of current boss, Roy Hodgson. It was the home side who narrowly edged out early preceedings in the tie, but it was a Norwich player who managed to make the breakthrough. Andrew Surman showed composure to neatly caress his volley into the bottom left corner of the West Brom goal, giving Norwich the lead at the break. The second half sprung into life when on 68 minutes played, Jerome Thomas was taken out in the box unfairly By Daniel Ayala, who was lucky not to see red after an awfully times challenge on the English winger. Former Reading ace Shane Long cooly stepped up, and slotted the ball home, 1-1. However Norwich regained the lead thanks to great work by Grant Holt down the left hand side, who floated an inviting ball to the back post for Morison to power his header home, sending the travelling Norwich fans into ecstacy and ensuring they travelled home happy with all 3 points.
Tottenham 1-1 Wolves
White Hart Lane was the destination for two teams with contrasting fortunes in the premier league this term. Spurs were flying under Harry Redknapp, who had worked wonders for the team since his arrival, and they played a struggling Wolves side who layed perilously above the bottom 3 before kick off. Tottenham dominated from start to finish, with 22 shots compared to Wolves' 5 across the duration of the game. However it was Wolves who took the lead, with Steven Fletcher getting the final touch after Roger Johnson had caused confusion in the area. Their lead extended beyond Half time, but on 51 minutes the Wolves back line were broke down, with Modric firing in a low shot from 20 yards to supreme accuracy. Although continued Tottanham pressure was applied, The Wolves back line stood firm, leaving the Wolves supporters happy with their teams resistance in an unlikely point earned against title chasing Spurs.
Man United 3-0 Bolton
Manchester United cruised passed a stuggling Bolton side who did not put up much of a fight at Old Trafford. Bogdan was under scrutiny after recent nervy performances which included conceding a 90 yard clearance by Tim Howard in a recent match. Although under this pressure, Bogdan was the only man (alongside Davies) who put up a fight in the Bolton team, who were without Gary Cahill after he completed his move to Chelsea today. After a wonderful pass by Carrick, Bogdan saved from Welbeck and also saved a Rooney penalty after Welback had been clumsily taken down in the area by 6 foot 6 defender Zat Knight. His resistance was not enough, and coincidently it was Paul Scholes who nipped in at the Back post, to emulate Thierry Henry's goal in midweek to put his side 1-0 up and send Man United supporters (and many across the world including me) into ecstacy for the second time in the space of a week. Further goals from Welbeck and a back-in-form Carrick ensured Man united won a convincing 3-0, which put them level on points with Manchester City who play Wigan tonight.
Liverpool 0-0 Stoke
Not much can be said by an absymal game witnessed at Anfield, with neither side able to break the deadlock over the duration of the game which left onlookers dying with boredom. The game perhaps had a 0-0 scoreline written all over it, with Liverpool's sturggles at home coming up against a very defensive Stoke City side. The only real chance came in the second half, and as Jose Enriques deflected cross fell into the path of Dirk Kuyt, the 31 year old Dutchman disgracefully missed the target with a free header from 6 yards out. Although Stoke never looked like scoring in a million years, it probably wouldve taken this awful Liverpool side just under that number to score aswell. The draw ensured that Liverpool and Manchester were the only two unbeaten sides at home in the premier league, but more worringly Liverpool fans will look at the table in grief that they have only managed to convert 4 of this 11 unbeaten streak into wins.
Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland
Chelsea hosted a Sunderland side who had undergone a recent reprieve from Sunderland, who had really kicked on through the introductions of two figues; Aaron McClean and boss Martin O'Neill. Chelsea, in contrast have had a miserable season, but this had not shown here with a convincing display over Sunderland, however their goal being reather forutunate. The only goal of the game came after a acrobatic bycicle kick from Fernando Torres, which catipulted against the bar and unkowingly hit Frank Lampard, to answer his critics and claim another goal in a Chelsea shirt. The game ended 1-0, but the Chelsea fans will be further bouyed by a return for Micheal Essien, who was making his comeback after a lengthly spell on the sidelines with injury.
Blackburn 3-1 Fulham
Steve Kean was on the verge of the sack, with the Blackburn fans growing restless from the team's management and of Indian owners, Venky's. After top goalscorer (and basically only goalscorer) Yakubu was sent off for a high tackle, it looked like Blackburn were staring in the barrel of another defeat. However, this was not the case. A spirited performance from the Blackburn team meant that goals from Pedersen, Dunn and a beautiful set up by N'Zonzi and neat finish by Formica, meant that Blackburn could biref a sigh of relief as after long spells in the relegation zone, they had finally forced their way out of it and leaving Steve Kean absoloutely ecstatic with his teams 10 man performance. Fulham however, will not be as happy as their turbulent season produced another low point for them.
Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
Aston Villa and Everton had played eacother the most times in England's top division in the whole of English football history, and the teams cancelled eachother out in a frosty encounter in the midlands. Goal scoring poacher Darren Bent put his side front with a typical poacher like finish for his side on 56 minutes, but Everton reponded with an Anichebe finish who cooly slotted the ball home from just inside the box. The game ended 1-1, and both sets of supporters would be happy nor would they be unhappy after their teams performance.
Sunday 15th January
Newcastle 1-0 QPR
After Warnocks controversial sacking earlier in the week, Mark Hughes was appointed boss, and his first task with his new team was to take his side up to the feared St James' Park (not Sports Sirect Arena) in an attermpt to leave with something from the game. The game never really sprung to life but a disguesting tackle by veteran Shaun Derry on Newcastle midfielder Yohann Cabaye left the French midfielder in agony and having to leave the field of play, with live wire Hatem Ben Arfa coming on as his replacement. after Guthrie had somehow managed to poke the ball through to Leon Best after looking like he had lost control of the ball, Leon Best showed neat footwork to sell the QPR defender and slot the ball home, sparking scenes of joy all around the stadium, bar the small minority of QPR fans. Thats the way the game ended, and Leon Bests moment of magic mean't that Newcastle leapfrogged Liverpool into 6th position, so far a stunning campaign for the Newcastle faithful.
Swansea 3-2 Arsenal
an action packed game at the Liberty stadium meant the Welsh side enjoyed their biggest scalp since their arrival into the League, with goals coming from Scott Sinclair, Nathan Dyer and Danny Graham. Arsenal raced into the lead after just 4 minutes, with lethal striker Robin Van Persie on target for his side with a composed finish past Swans keeper Michel Vorm. Swansea replied, with Dyer being brought down in the box by Aaron Ramsay and Sinclair slotted home, the replays however concluding a controversial decision made by referree Mike Oliver. Dyer than brilliantly slotted home just before the hour mark, before Walcott levelled with a cheeky dink into the Swansea net on 69 minutes. However, They say the time your at your most vulnerable is just after you've scored a goal, and Swansea took advantage with Siggurdson slotting a lovely weighted ball through to Danny Graham, who wrong footed Schezny to score at his far post. That's how the game ended, and a wonderful match at the Liberty stadium came to an end, denting Arsenal's chances of finishing in the top 4 and further making Swansea's first top flight season more and more impressive.
West Brom 1-2 Norwich
Norwich, who were enjoying somewhat of a miracle in their first season back in the premier league, travelled to the Hawthons to play an established West Brom, who similarly had been enjoying a good season under the guidance of current boss, Roy Hodgson. It was the home side who narrowly edged out early preceedings in the tie, but it was a Norwich player who managed to make the breakthrough. Andrew Surman showed composure to neatly caress his volley into the bottom left corner of the West Brom goal, giving Norwich the lead at the break. The second half sprung into life when on 68 minutes played, Jerome Thomas was taken out in the box unfairly By Daniel Ayala, who was lucky not to see red after an awfully times challenge on the English winger. Former Reading ace Shane Long cooly stepped up, and slotted the ball home, 1-1. However Norwich regained the lead thanks to great work by Grant Holt down the left hand side, who floated an inviting ball to the back post for Morison to power his header home, sending the travelling Norwich fans into ecstacy and ensuring they travelled home happy with all 3 points.
Tottenham 1-1 Wolves
White Hart Lane was the destination for two teams with contrasting fortunes in the premier league this term. Spurs were flying under Harry Redknapp, who had worked wonders for the team since his arrival, and they played a struggling Wolves side who layed perilously above the bottom 3 before kick off. Tottenham dominated from start to finish, with 22 shots compared to Wolves' 5 across the duration of the game. However it was Wolves who took the lead, with Steven Fletcher getting the final touch after Roger Johnson had caused confusion in the area. Their lead extended beyond Half time, but on 51 minutes the Wolves back line were broke down, with Modric firing in a low shot from 20 yards to supreme accuracy. Although continued Tottanham pressure was applied, The Wolves back line stood firm, leaving the Wolves supporters happy with their teams resistance in an unlikely point earned against title chasing Spurs.
Man United 3-0 Bolton
Manchester United cruised passed a stuggling Bolton side who did not put up much of a fight at Old Trafford. Bogdan was under scrutiny after recent nervy performances which included conceding a 90 yard clearance by Tim Howard in a recent match. Although under this pressure, Bogdan was the only man (alongside Davies) who put up a fight in the Bolton team, who were without Gary Cahill after he completed his move to Chelsea today. After a wonderful pass by Carrick, Bogdan saved from Welbeck and also saved a Rooney penalty after Welback had been clumsily taken down in the area by 6 foot 6 defender Zat Knight. His resistance was not enough, and coincidently it was Paul Scholes who nipped in at the Back post, to emulate Thierry Henry's goal in midweek to put his side 1-0 up and send Man United supporters (and many across the world including me) into ecstacy for the second time in the space of a week. Further goals from Welbeck and a back-in-form Carrick ensured Man united won a convincing 3-0, which put them level on points with Manchester City who play Wigan tonight.
Liverpool 0-0 Stoke
Not much can be said by an absymal game witnessed at Anfield, with neither side able to break the deadlock over the duration of the game which left onlookers dying with boredom. The game perhaps had a 0-0 scoreline written all over it, with Liverpool's sturggles at home coming up against a very defensive Stoke City side. The only real chance came in the second half, and as Jose Enriques deflected cross fell into the path of Dirk Kuyt, the 31 year old Dutchman disgracefully missed the target with a free header from 6 yards out. Although Stoke never looked like scoring in a million years, it probably wouldve taken this awful Liverpool side just under that number to score aswell. The draw ensured that Liverpool and Manchester were the only two unbeaten sides at home in the premier league, but more worringly Liverpool fans will look at the table in grief that they have only managed to convert 4 of this 11 unbeaten streak into wins.
Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland
Chelsea hosted a Sunderland side who had undergone a recent reprieve from Sunderland, who had really kicked on through the introductions of two figues; Aaron McClean and boss Martin O'Neill. Chelsea, in contrast have had a miserable season, but this had not shown here with a convincing display over Sunderland, however their goal being reather forutunate. The only goal of the game came after a acrobatic bycicle kick from Fernando Torres, which catipulted against the bar and unkowingly hit Frank Lampard, to answer his critics and claim another goal in a Chelsea shirt. The game ended 1-0, but the Chelsea fans will be further bouyed by a return for Micheal Essien, who was making his comeback after a lengthly spell on the sidelines with injury.
Blackburn 3-1 Fulham
Steve Kean was on the verge of the sack, with the Blackburn fans growing restless from the team's management and of Indian owners, Venky's. After top goalscorer (and basically only goalscorer) Yakubu was sent off for a high tackle, it looked like Blackburn were staring in the barrel of another defeat. However, this was not the case. A spirited performance from the Blackburn team meant that goals from Pedersen, Dunn and a beautiful set up by N'Zonzi and neat finish by Formica, meant that Blackburn could biref a sigh of relief as after long spells in the relegation zone, they had finally forced their way out of it and leaving Steve Kean absoloutely ecstatic with his teams 10 man performance. Fulham however, will not be as happy as their turbulent season produced another low point for them.
Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
Aston Villa and Everton had played eacother the most times in England's top division in the whole of English football history, and the teams cancelled eachother out in a frosty encounter in the midlands. Goal scoring poacher Darren Bent put his side front with a typical poacher like finish for his side on 56 minutes, but Everton reponded with an Anichebe finish who cooly slotted the ball home from just inside the box. The game ended 1-1, and both sets of supporters would be happy nor would they be unhappy after their teams performance.
Sunday 15th January
Newcastle 1-0 QPR
After Warnocks controversial sacking earlier in the week, Mark Hughes was appointed boss, and his first task with his new team was to take his side up to the feared St James' Park (not Sports Sirect Arena) in an attermpt to leave with something from the game. The game never really sprung to life but a disguesting tackle by veteran Shaun Derry on Newcastle midfielder Yohann Cabaye left the French midfielder in agony and having to leave the field of play, with live wire Hatem Ben Arfa coming on as his replacement. after Guthrie had somehow managed to poke the ball through to Leon Best after looking like he had lost control of the ball, Leon Best showed neat footwork to sell the QPR defender and slot the ball home, sparking scenes of joy all around the stadium, bar the small minority of QPR fans. Thats the way the game ended, and Leon Bests moment of magic mean't that Newcastle leapfrogged Liverpool into 6th position, so far a stunning campaign for the Newcastle faithful.
Swansea 3-2 Arsenal
an action packed game at the Liberty stadium meant the Welsh side enjoyed their biggest scalp since their arrival into the League, with goals coming from Scott Sinclair, Nathan Dyer and Danny Graham. Arsenal raced into the lead after just 4 minutes, with lethal striker Robin Van Persie on target for his side with a composed finish past Swans keeper Michel Vorm. Swansea replied, with Dyer being brought down in the box by Aaron Ramsay and Sinclair slotted home, the replays however concluding a controversial decision made by referree Mike Oliver. Dyer than brilliantly slotted home just before the hour mark, before Walcott levelled with a cheeky dink into the Swansea net on 69 minutes. However, They say the time your at your most vulnerable is just after you've scored a goal, and Swansea took advantage with Siggurdson slotting a lovely weighted ball through to Danny Graham, who wrong footed Schezny to score at his far post. That's how the game ended, and a wonderful match at the Liberty stadium came to an end, denting Arsenal's chances of finishing in the top 4 and further making Swansea's first top flight season more and more impressive.
| 1 | Man City | 20 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 56 | 16 | 40 | 48 |
| 2 | Man Utd | 21 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 42 | 20 | 32 | 48 |
| 3 | Tottenham | 21 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 21 | 19 | 46 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 21 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 40 | 25 | 15 | 40 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 21 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 38 | 31 | 7 | 36 |
| 6 | Newcastle | 21 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 25 | 5 | 36 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 21 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 35 |
| 8 | Stoke City | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 22 | 31 | -9 | 30 |
| 9 | Norwich | 21 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 32 | 36 | -4 | 28 |
| 10 | Swansea | 21 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 23 | 25 | -2 | 26 |
| 11 | Everton | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 21 | 25 | -4 | 25 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 24 |
| 13 | Aston Villa | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 23 | 27 | -4 | 24 |
| 14 | Fulham | 21 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 23 | 29 | -6 | 23 |
| 15 | West Brom | 21 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 20 | 30 | -10 | 22 |
| 16 | Wolves | 21 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 22 | 36 | -14 | 18 |
| 17 | Blackburn | 21 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 32 | 44 | -12 | 17 |
| 18 | QPR | 21 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 36 | -17 | 17 |
| 19 | Bolton | 21 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 25 | 46 | -21 | 16 |
| 20 | Wigan | 20 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 18 | 41 | -23 | 15 |
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