Darren Bent has claimed his mother was racially abused by a Sunderland fan during his side's 1-0 defeat at Wigan. The striker posted the claim on his Twitterfeed shortly after the match, which was settled by Hugo Rodallega's 76th-minute goal. Bent's original post read: "So we get beaten by Wigan and to make matters worse my mum gets racially abused by a Sunderland fan. I won't stand for that.'' In later posts replying to other users of the site, Bent labelled the abuse "an absolute disgrace'' and warned: "The offender needs to hope I don't find out his name or who he is." The matter has been reported to the police, with a club spokeswoman confirming to BBC Sport: "Sunderland are with Northumbria Police to fully investigate this matter. "Behaviour of this kind is totally unacceptable to our football club.'' Bent was a club-record signing from Tottenham in the summer - after another Twitter post criticising Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over the handling of the move - and has since scored nine goals and earned an England recall.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Bent uses Twitter to make Sunderland racism claim
Bent uses Twitter to make Sunderland racism claim
Darren Bent has claimed his mother was racially abused by a Sunderland fan during his side's 1-0 defeat at Wigan. The striker posted the claim on his Twitterfeed shortly after the match, which was settled by Hugo Rodallega's 76th-minute goal. Bent's original post read: "So we get beaten by Wigan and to make matters worse my mum gets racially abused by a Sunderland fan. I won't stand for that.'' In later posts replying to other users of the site, Bent labelled the abuse "an absolute disgrace'' and warned: "The offender needs to hope I don't find out his name or who he is." The matter has been reported to the police, with a club spokeswoman confirming to BBC Sport: "Sunderland are with Northumbria Police to fully investigate this matter. "Behaviour of this kind is totally unacceptable to our football club.'' Bent was a club-record signing from Tottenham in the summer - after another Twitter post criticising Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over the handling of the move - and has since scored nine goals and earned an England recall.
Blackburn Rovers 0 - 0 Stoke City
Share of the spoils at Ewood
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce stayed away once more after having treatment on a heart complaint and his side failed to deliver in his absence.
Rovers were hoping to chalk up a fifth successive home win in the league and give Allardyce a boost in the process.
Instead, with assistant Neil McDonald in charge, they had to settle for a point against a Stoke side that continue to improve.
After a bright start, Blackburn faded and looked lethargic following the defeat by Fulham in midweek.
Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Sunderland
The Black Cats barely threatened throughout and after Wigan's Jason Scotland hit the post in the first half Rodallega's sixth Premier League goal of the season decided the contest. Wigan are now unbeaten in their last five home matches while the Black Cats have won just one of their last 17 away league games.
Wigan v Sunderland
Hugo the hero for Wigan
Wigan produced the ideal response to last week's 9-1 thrashing by Tottenham as Hugo Rodallega's solitary goal was enough to beat Sunderland.
Former Latics boss Steve Bruce's return to the DW Stadium was an unhappy one as the striker he signed 10 months ago inflicted a fifth away defeat of the campaign.
Fulham 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers
Duff goal forces draw
Fulham winger Damien Duff grabbed a second-half equaliser to deny Bolton their first win in four games.
Ivan Klasnic put Wanderers in front in the 34th minute when he fired home from close range.
But a second-half onslaught from Fulham finally paid off when Duff drilled a right-foot shot into the bottom corner to earn Roy Hodgson's side a share of the spoils at Craven Cottage.Manchester City 1 - 1 Hull City
Joker Bullard holds City to draw
Joker Jimmy Bullard performed a repeat of Phil Brown's controversial half-time team-talk - but after rescuing a point for Hull on their return to Manchester City.Brown's amazing decision has been cited by many as the moment the Tigers fortunes began to nosedive last season. Yet Bullard could not stop himself having a laugh at his manager's expense after his 81st minute equaliser from a spot-kick Mark Hughes is sure to feel aggrieved by.From virtually the exact spot where Brown delivered his address, the former Wigan star pointed to all his team-mates in turn to give the gleeful Hull fans a repeat performance.As well as maintaining Hull's recent revival, it condemned City to a seventh successive Premier League draw. Yet again the Blues tossed away a winning position and, in front of chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the hosts were booed off amid growing concern at what is becoming a mid-table position despite a summer outlay of £120 million by the City manager.
West Ham United 5 - 3 Burnley
Hammers win in humdinger
Relegation-battlers West Ham moved clear of the bottom three as Burnley were beaten 5-3 at Upton Park.
Gianfranco Zola's men recorded only their third Premier League win of a difficult campaign after three goals in the first half put them in command.
Jack Collison capitalised on some static defending to race on to Scott Parker's free-kick and fire the Irons ahead on 18 minutes.
Junior Stanislas slotted home a second, before Carlton Cole converted a penalty as Burnley were made to pay for poor defending after what had been a bright start by the visitors when Clarke Carlisle's header was cleared off the line.
It was damage limitation for the Clarets - who have just one point from seven away matches on their return to the top flight - after the hard-working Guillermo Franco headed in a fourth on 51 minutes.
However, there was still time for substitute Luis Jimenez to net another penalty after he was brought down by keeper Brian Jensen to give the Irons a morale boost ahead of next week's visit of champions Manchester United.
Preview: Arsenal v Chelsea
But full-back Kieran Gibbs is out following an operation on his foot. Veteran Mikael Silvestre is on stand-by to fill in at centre-half while Armand Traore should fill in on the left. Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin will be available despite needing staples in a wound after a clash of heads with Gallas against Standard Liege on Tuesday night. Strikers Robin van Persie (ankle) and Nicklas Bendtner (groin) remain sidelined so England forward Theo Walcott could make only a second start of an injury-hit season. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (knee) is close to a comeback but Abou Diaby (calf), Gael Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee) are still out. Manager Arsene Wenger insists the "moment has come'' for his Arsenal side as they prepare to face Chelsea. The Gunners - who have a match in hand on their title rivals - will be looking to cut an eight-point gap on the Blues after slipping further off the pace in the wake of last weekend's lacklustre defeat at Sunderland. Confidence within Wenger's squad, however, remains high after they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Standard Liege in midweek to book a safe passage through to the knockout stages of the Champions League. "Everyone will look at the game to rate our potential and I have no worries about that,'' said the Arsenal boss. "We are ready for the game, are well focused, prepared and the confidence is good. We just want to focus on the game like we want to play it.'' Wenger added: "It is a big test, yes - but that is what you want, to play these teams. I think there is a period for any team to come out and show its strengths. For my team, this moment has come. "We are not any more a team that has to be considered to be young. I think we have the strengths and we can show that on Sunday that we are strong enough to compete." Chelsea have been boosted by a fully-fit Frank Lampard ahead of the clash at the Emirates Stadium. Lampard has recovered from a thigh injury sustained on England duty but despite flying to Serbia for placenta treatment, Chelsea have confirmed the midfielder only underwent standard massage therapy.
Arsenal defender William Gallas is rated as only 50/50 because of an eye problem for the Barclays Premier League clash with leaders Chelsea at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal v Chelsea
Portsmouth 1 - 4 Manchester United
Grant, who has taken over from Paul Hart and will be rubber-stamped as manager next week when paperwork is completed, could not have asked for a tougher opening game than against the Premier League champions but there was hope of a result when Kevin-Prince Boateng levelled, also with a penalty. Sir Alex Ferguson served the first half of his two-match touchline ban for criticising referee Alan Wiley and he may ask why Mike Dean awarded Pompey their penalty - but he will have no complaints with the way Rooney wrapped up the points after the break. Ryan Giggs added the fourth late on.Rooney hits treble in rout
Avram Grant's reign at Chelsea ended with defeat on penalties to Manchester United and his first game in charge of Portsmouth saw Red Devils forward Wayne Rooney score two crucial spot-kicks within his hat-trick at Fratton Park.
"Those who are ambitious must always believe they are the favourites to win" Cristiano Ronaldo press conference
Cristiano Ronaldo talked to the media two days before his first match against Barcelona as a Real Madrid player. How many goals would you like to score on Sunday?
Ten, twenty... I don't know if it will be possible though.
Is the match similar to a Manchester United-Liverpool clash?
Classic encounters are similar in every country because fans love them. They are always special. People have the same passion for them.
How will you prepare for the match?
I always do the same regardless of the opponent. It will be a special encounter because we'll have the chance of distancing ourselves further from them on the table. It will be difficult, but we'll try to win.
Your team went through some dire straits while you were injured...
You can't win anything without experiencing difficulties. You have to work hard in life in order to achieve something and that is just what we are doing. Our style isn't brilliant, but we are earning the results we want. We are leaders in La Liga and in the Champions League. We will improve. We must be humble and realise we can always do better.
Do you feel like you've got unfinished business with Barcelona for losing against them in the Champions League final?
I've only got unfinished business regarding bills from the water and electric companies... Barcelona play well, but what happened then is now in the past. I'm at a new club now and we have a winning mentality.
Doesn't a winner like yourself ever think about the past?
It happened a long time ago. I have to think about the present and the future. The past is useful to learrn from, but we must always look ahead. We will try to do our best and win. I have no unfinished business with Barcelona.
Is the squad determined to show the world you can play better than Barcelona?
This isn't a Champions League final. It is a regular game worth three points against a good opponent. What if we win on Sunday and lose our next clash? Victory would be pointless then. We have to be regular. It will be hard, I know, and we will face a strong opponent too.
Do you connect well with Benzema?
Very well, but I don't know if I'm going to play yet. I connect well with everyone; Raul, Benzema, Higuain...
The crowd slightly whistled and booed at the team on Wednesday...
It had nothing to do with our performance. We were winning. I'm sure we'll improve.
Whom would you rather sign from Barcelona, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi...
None, but they are all very good.
Ronaldo keen to play part in El Clasico after return
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to switch his focus to El Clasico with Barcelona this weekend after making his return to action against FC Zurich following almost two months out through injury. AP Ronaldo returned to action against FC Zurich Ronaldo appeared as a 70th-minute substitute in the 1-0 Champions League win over the Swiss side on Wednesday, the Portugal international making his first appearance for Madrid since sustaining an ankle injury at the end of September. Ronaldo was unable to mark his comeback with a goal, although he did come close near at the end when he was denied as Zurich goalkeeper Johnny Leoni dived low to his left. Having only returned to full training on Friday, he told Spanish television channel Telemadrid: "I'm tired because I'm still not at 100%, but I'm sure I will return to be how I was before the injury, scoring goals, having good games and helping the team." Ronaldo, who scored nine goals in helping Madrid win their opening seven competitive games this season, has been sorely missed by the Spanish giants, who won just half of their ten matches in his absence and were embarrassingly dumped out of the Copa del Rey by third tier Alcorcon. He received a loud cheer from the Madrid supporters when he started warming up during the second half of the Zurich game, and then another ovation when he replaced club captain Raul. "I had a very good reception and now I want to show them the best of me," he said. "I want to play in the Clasico if I feel good, although that is the reasonability of the coach. In any case, with or without me, the team are first in La Liga and in their Champions League group. "Good players always have to play. (Against Zurich) I didn't score, but I hope to do in the following game. It doesn't bother me if it's 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 - the important thing is to win."
Emmanuel Eboue fears in-form Chelsea
Emmanuel Eboue has told ESPN Soccernet that it will be "very difficult" for Arsenal to beat in-form Chelsea in Sunday's London derby, particularly with his international team-mate Didier Drogba in such impressive form this season. GettyImages Emmanuel Eboue helps Denilson celebrate his goal against Standard A rivalry that has taken on real intensity in recent years raises its head once more at the weekend as Chelsea, five points clear at the top of the Premier League, visit Arsenal, a team that have won all 11 of their home games in all competitions this season. While Arsenal currently lie eight points behind their capital rivals, they do have a game in hand and Arsene Wenger has been at pains to point out that the gap is not as pronounced as it first appears given the fact Chelsea have played more home matches. But with the side from the salubrious surrounds of west London winning their past four league games, scoring 14 goals without reply, Eboue is only too aware of the threat posed by Carlo Ancelotti's talent-rich side. "I know this team, I know Chelsea, they have some really good players and I think that this game will be very difficult for both teams," Eboue told ESPN Soccernet after Arsenal recovered from their shock defeat at Sunderland last weekend to defeat Standard Liege in the Champions League.
Sergio Aguero keen to stay with Atletico
Sergio Aguero is adamant he will not leave Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, despite strong interest from Chelsea in the Argentina international. GettyImages Sergio Aguero is one of Europe's brightest talents ESPN Soccernet revealed on Friday that a deal to bring Aguero to Stamford Bridge is being discussed and that Chelsea could be ready to sanction a package worth a total of £100 million in order to sign the striker. Chelsea attempted to recruit Aguero in the summer and the striker underlined his star quality when scoring two superb goals for Atleti against the Blues in the Champions League on November 3. But the player is not looking to leave the Vicente Calderon, despite Atletico slumping to 18th place in the Primera Liga and being knocked out of the Champions League. "I want to help Atletico get out of its current problems. I am committed to the team and I'm not moving in the winter, whatever people say," Aguero told Marca. Aguero joined Atleti from Independiente in 2006 and last season scored 17 goals in 37 La Liga games. He has scored four in 11 games this season with his club struggling for form.
Fergie: Pompey fans could drown me out
Sir Alex Ferguson is concerned the noisy Portsmouth fans could make his touch-line ban even worse by drowning out his attempts to communicate with his assistants on Saturday at Fratton Park. GettyImages Portsmouth's fans will try to make Sir Alex Ferguson unheard It's the first of two matches in which Ferguson will have to sit in the stands after he was punished for criticising referee Alan Wiley's fitness earlier this season, and he admits the famous Pompey Chimes have the potential to make the outspoken Manchester United boss unheard - a rare feat indeed this season. "All the lines of communication are in place but the problem you have got is that Fratton Park is such a noisy place,'' Ferguson said. "The directors' box is towards the home end where all the noise comes from. It is a good racket for sure. It is a terrific football stadium.'' At least Ferguson will be able to enjoy a post-match glass of wine with Avram Grant in some degree of comfort afterwards. The pair have remained in contact during Grant's enforced exile from the game, having been sacked as Chelsea boss in the wake of their Champions League final defeat to United in the Moscow rain in May 2008. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich believed Luiz Felipe Scolari was a better option, only for that move to become so disastrous that Guus Hiddink had to be called in to sort the mess out. "Sometimes you don't understand everything in football,'' Ferguson said. "Getting to the final of the European Cup was an achievement. Chelsea were within one penalty kick of winning it and they also finished second in the league.
Ancelotti wants his own Wenger/Fergie era
Carlo Ancelotti has stated his desire to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger by staying as manager of Chelsea for a "long time". GettyImages Carlo Ancelotti: Wants Blue to be the colour for "a long time" Ancelotti comes up against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and is full of admiration for the Frenchman's longevity in the English top flight. "My objective is to maintain and keep this position for a long time,'' said Ancelotti, "and I can do this if I do a good job and if the club is happy about the job I'm doing. Up to now, the club is happy with the job I've done I think. "I want to continue and improve, if possible. To maintain the club's position at the top of the Premiership and doing well in the Champions League. "Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world and has done a fantastic job like Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. My objective is to stay here a long time. "I'm a young head coach. I am an Italian coach. For an Italian coach, it's very difficult to think about staying at one club more than five years. I stayed at Milan for eight years and, for an Italian coach, that was a record. In England it's easier to stay at a club for a long time.'' Asked what he enjoyed about being in England, Ancelotti added: "I never thought that I train for money. For sure, the club pay for me to train this team, but I'm here because of my passion. "Football gives me a lot of emotion and I do this job with a lot of enthusiasm. I like the organisation of this club and the atmosphere here. I think Chelsea is a like a family. There is a good atmosphere here with the players and all the components within the club. "The football too in England is totally different to in Italy. In Italy there is pressure, violence...for me, that is important.'' Ancelotti may not have been in England for long, but he is well aware of Wenger's credentials. "I know very well Wenger's team. We played against them last year in the Champions League,'' he added. "He went, I think, 20 years ago to study in Milan and I met him in that period. I was a player still back then.
Serious setback for Robin van Persie
Arsenal have confirmed that Robin Van Persie will be sidelined for a further four to five months after tests revealed he ruptured three of the four ligaments in his right ankle during a friendly between Netherlands and Italy. Robin van Persie winces after sustaining his injury Van Persie suffered the injury following a challenge from Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini earlier in the month and the club initially announced an encouraging diagnosis of a six-week recovery period due to a tear in one of his ligaments. However, further examinations have revealed much more extensive damage and Van Persie had his ankle put in plaster on Friday. He will now undergo surgery on the problem and Arsenal anticipate that he will be unavailable until the end of March at the earliest. "Robin van Persie returned to Arsenal on November 22nd following an ankle injury sustained whilst on international duty with Holland," read a club statement. "The injury was expected to keep him out of action for between four and six weeks. "Upon his return, the Arsenal medical team conducted a thorough review of his scans, his early injury management and the treatment he had received. Having scrutinised these in detail and assessed the response of his ankle, the club's medical team concluded that further investigation and opinion was required. "Advice was sought from the leading ankle specialist Mr Niek van Dijk, who confirmed that more extensive damage had been suffered than was first diagnosed. In order to repair his ankle, Robin will undergo surgery next week in Amsterdam to reconstruct the ligaments. The club's medical team anticipate that a full recovery will take between four and five months.'' The news is a sizeable blow to Arsenal's ambitions of ending their wait for a trophy underArsene Wenger as Van Persie was in the form of his life prior to the injury, scoring seven goals and claiming seven assists in 11 Premier League games.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Barcelona 2 - 0 Internazionale
Pique and Pedro see off limp Inter
Pedro Rodriguez doubles Barcelona's lead after 26 minutes
Holders Barcelona moved two points clear at the top of their Champions League group after producing a classy display to defeat previous leaders Inter Milan at Camp Nou.
Barca could have found themselves out of the competition if results had gone against them on Tuesday, but Pep Guardiola's side are now within touching distance of a place in the last 16 after brushing aside Inter thanks to early goals from Gerard Pique and Pedro Rodriguez.
The result leaves Barca on eight points after five games, two clear of Inter and Rubin Kazan and three above Dynamo Kiev - who had earlier played out a goalless draw with Rubin. Barca travel to Kiev in their final match next month.
The Catalan giants came into the match with plenty of headaches. Not only were they up against it in Group F after winning just one of their opening four matches, but they had been badly hit with injury and illness.
Eric Abidal was able to start after recovering from swine flu, but Yaya Toure was missing having also contracted the illness while key attacking duo Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi were only named on the bench after fighting to recover from injuries.
Between them, former Inter striker Ibrahimovic and Messi, who is favourite to be named FIFA World Player of the Year, have scored 17 goals in all competitions for Barca this season, but Guardiola opted not to risk either from the start.
Not that it mattered. Within the opening 25 minutes, the treble winners had raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to Pique and Pedro, and there was no way back for Inter after that.
Debrecen 0 - 1 Liverpool
Liverpool crash out
David Ngog's goal was not nearly enough for them
Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League after a bitterly disappointing victory in the Hungarian capital. They needed to win to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16, but events in Florence ended those dreams.
Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League after a bitterly disappointing victory in the Hungarian capital.
They needed to win to give themselves any chance of reaching the last 16, but events in Florence ended those dreams with Fiorentina achieving the victory they needed to qualify. David Ngog scored Liverpool's early winner, but they struggled painfully to produce a convincing display, the damage having been done in two games against Lyon that cost them four points.
The road to Madrid, where the Champions League final is due to be played, now becomes the road to Hamburg - where the new Europa League will reach its conclusion - with Liverpool in with the likes of Valencia, Benfica and neighbours Everton.
The Reds' reliance on Lyon to make a game of it in Florence proved misplaced and they failed for the first time in six seasons under Benitez to reach the last 16.
It was the end result everybody expected on the night but Liverpool left the Hungarian capital deflated. The cost is little more than a couple of million pounds this season for Liverpool, who continually stress that they never budget for anything but the group stages.
But it is a severe blow to the esteem of a true European power who have suffered a fall from grace few would have predicted when the competition started in September.
The true damage comes next season if they fail to finish in the Premier League's top four, something they are far from certain of. That would see them lose a cool £10m immediately and put further question marks over the financial direction the club is facing.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Change of boots for Defoe
Spurs development coach Clive Allen, once a prolific striker himself, told Defoe to change his green boots - resulting in five goals in the 9-1 victory at White Hart Lane on Sunday. It was Spurs' biggest victory for 32 years, since they defeated Bristol Rovers, and it sent the club back into the Barclays Premier League top four, three points clear of Aston Villa in fifth. "They were pinkish silver ones in the end, and I go and score five."
Tottenham Hotspur's Jermain Defoe revealed he changed his boots before his goalscoring frenzy against Wigan Athletic.
"I had a funny feeling before the game," Defoe said. "I had a pair of green boots and I tried them on before the game, but Clive Allen said I couldn't wear them, so I changed them.
Stoke City 1 - 0 Portsmouth
The Jamaican's turn and shot in the 74th minute came after a swift interchange of passes between Matthew Etherington and Dean Whitehead. Pompey, who lost England goalkeeper David James to injury in the warm up, had earlier missed an eighth-minute penalty from Kevin-Prince Boateng. Fuller's strike secured a fourth win in seven matches at the Britannia Stadium - and their first in four games - and also condemned Portsmouth to a 10th defeat of the season. It could have been so different had Boateng shown more composure from the penalty spot.Fuller strike sinks Pompey
Bolton Wanderers 0 - 2 Blackburn Rovers
Allardyce is scheduled to have surgery on a heart condition and missed the derby against the club he played for and managed. His team did him proud though with influential midfielder David Dunn capping a superb performance by making the breakthrough. Bolton's misery was complete when full-back Sam Ricketts scored a bizarre own goal in the second half.Rovers give Sam a tonic
Tottenham Hotspur 9 - 1 Wigan Athletic
Paul Scharner appeared to handle when he grabbed Wigan's goal but there was no handball controversy as Defoe was in such rampant form, with Aaron Lennon, Peter Crouch, David Bentley and Niko Kranjcar grabbing the other goals. The clash was played on a Sunday following an agreement between the clubs so players could rest after the international break - and Defoe seemed the freshest of the players on display by grabbing his goals in the second half. It takes his tally to 15 for Spurs and England this season and it means his club have scored more than five goals in five matches during the current campaign.Spurs on Cloud Nine
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Real Madrid Manage topsot in Spain La Liga Table, Barcelona moved down to second spot!
Barça slip opens door for Madrid
Real Madrid CF replaced FC Barcelona at the top of the Liga after Gonzalo HiguaĂn scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Real Racing Club Santander before the Spanish champions were held 1-1 at Athletic Club.
HiguaĂn winner
Daniel Alves put Barcelona in front eight minutes after the break when he turned in Xavi Hernández's low pass through the centre only for Athletic substitute Gaizka Torquero to restore parity nine minutes later. Barcelona enjoyed much of the possession, but struggled to create many clear chances and Athletic held on for a hard-earned draw. The result leaves Barcelona on 27 points, one behind Madrid who had earlier defeated Racing thanks to HiguaĂn's 22nd-minute strike. It was HiguaĂn's fifth Liga goal of the season, with the 21-year-old pouncing after Ezequiel Garay had headed the ball goalwards after Toño had failed to clear Kaká's cross.
Hull City 3 - 3 West Ham United
The Tigers looked to be heading back into the bottom three as West Ham raced ahead with early headed goals from Guillermo Franco and Jack Collison at the KC Stadium. Hull hit back when Carlton Cole deflected a Jimmy Bullard free-kick into his own net and the game then turned on its head in the closing two minutes of the first half. Kamil Zayatte equalised with a powerful volley and Bullard then struck from the penalty spot but West Ham claimed a draw through Manuel da Costa after Bernard Mendy was sent off. The result was enough to ensure both sides ended the day sitting outside the relegation zone.Ten-man Tigers hold on
Ten-man Hull held on for a point after staging a remarkable fightback against fellow Premier League strugglers West Ham.
Birmingham 1 - 0 Fulham
The former England midfielder produced a neat finish after 16 minutes as City took their points tally to eight from the last four matches. Fulham dominated the second period but home keeper Joe Hart had only one worthwhile save to make in an instantly forgettable contest. The goal was created by Blues midfielder James McFadden who was one of the few players to show much quality and did not treat the ball like a red hot potato. Bowyer also re-emphasised how important a player he has become for City in the centre of the park since making permanent his loan move from West Ham in the summer.Bowyer the difference
Lee Bowyer produced one of the rare moments of quality to earn victory for Birmingham and end Fulham's five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League at rainswept St Andrew's.
Burnley 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Burnley captain Steven Caldwell had put his side ahead with a ninth-minute header from Robbie Blake's free-kick. That looked like being enough until Heskey popped up with four minutes to go to convert James Milner's cross. History, and there was a lot of it, had been against Villa from the start as they had not won at Burnley in their previous 22 league meetings - their last was in 1936 - and were without an away victory in four games going into this fixture. Prior to the game, the home record of Owen Coyle's side was bettered only by Chelsea and Manchester United.Heskey denies Clarets
Chelsea 4 - 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 demolition of woeful Wolves at Stamford Bridge. Florent Malouda opened the scoring and a brace from Michael Essien and a Joe Cole strike completed the rout. The Blues were three goals to the good inside the first 22 minutes through Florent Malouda and a double from Michael Essien. Joe Cole's first goal for 13 months completed the rout in the second half as Chelsea set a new club record for home wins and kept Wolves entrenched in the bottom three. The victory over Wolves was their 12th in a row in all competitions at home - the previous record was 11 between February 25 and September 17, 2006. The clean sheet also saw them equal their record of 10 consecutive games without conceding at home.Blues crush woeful Wolves
Sunderland 1 - 0 Arsenal
Bent struck 19 minutes from time to seal a tight contest after the Gunners had failed to make the most of the possession they enjoyed at the Stadium of Light.Bent goal sinks Gunners
England striker Darren Bent fired title-chasing Arsenal to a first defeat in 14 games as Sunderland battled their way to victory.
Liverpool 2 - 2 Manchester City
Mark Hughes' men from Eastlands arrived on Merseyside intent on proving they were top four material but they found a Liverpool side in defiant mood despite more injury problems. Martin Skrtel put Liverpool in front but Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland sent City ahead before Benayoun equalised. Despite the furore over Liverpool's use of a Belgrade clinic to get players fit for a key week of vital matches in Europe and the Premier League, all four of the men sent to Serbia for treatment failed to make the starting line-up. Glen Johnson was not even on the bench, where Benayoun, Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio were initially named. Liverpool had Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher, the latter after a ban, returning from the side that drew with Birmingham last time out. Manchester City made one change from the side that were held at home by Burnley last time out, Nigel De Jong coming into the side in place of Carlos Tevez, who was a substitute.Benayoun goal snatches draw
Liverpool proved they are not ready to be replaced in the top flight elite by Manchester City just yet as Yossi Benayoun's equaliser secured a draw at Anfield.
Manchester United 3 - 0 Everton
Although they were already well on top against the Merseysiders who, apart from a brief five-minute second-half flurry were completely outclassed, United were struggling to make the breakthrough until Fletcher fired home a magnificent volley. Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia were also on target to complete the Red Devils' biggest win since August and ensure they heeded Sir Alex Ferguson's pre-match call for a more clinical attitude.Fletcher sparks United stroll
Posts
