Weekly Round Up

The Big Four
A busy weekend of Premiership action saw a smattering of goals and some good results for all of the big four. Chelsea suddenly sprung to life, the newly installed attacking impetus under Avram Grant’s regime appearing to take shape as they destroyed a bewildered Man City 6-0 at Stamford Bridge. Man Utd continued their habit of plundering 4 goals past opponents when, for the fourth time in successive matches they reached this target, comfortably dispatching Middlesbrough 4-1 at Old Trafford. Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney’s partnership looks ever more devastating each time they play and they again both scored. Liverpool and Arsenal shared the spoils at Anfield in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Cesc Fabregas finally equalised Steven Gerrard’s 7th minute opener for Arsenal in the 80th after spurning several chances. The draw halted a run of 12 straight wins for Arsenal and also keeps Liverpool in the title race.

Midtable Mini League
Blackburn’s season continues to go from strength to strength after they snatched a 2-1 away win at struggling Tottenham. New Spurs boss Juande Ramos watched from the stand as Christopher Samba struck an unstoppable shot in the last minute to give Rovers a win that lifts them to 5th in the league. Should they win their game in hand they could go 3rd in front of Man City and Chelsea. Portsmouth might have gone 4th had they not missed a last minute penalty at home against West Ham. The final score of 0-0 was a fair reflection on the match, where Nobby Solano missed the two best chances of the match, twice fluffing headers with the goal gaping. Harry Redknapp was left fuming at the final whistle though as designated penalty taker Sulley Muntari had the ball wrestled from him by team mate Benjani. The inform striker promptly scuffed his shot tamely to the welcome arms of Robert Green and Pompey lie 7th. ‘I gave him a bollocking. Even if Benjani scored I would have given him a bollocking, he’s not meant to take the penalties. I called him a silly boy and he’s upset now.’ said Redknapp.

Gary Megson got off to a satisfying start to management at Bolton Wanderers with a creditable draw against Aston Villa. In a mini-league of mid-table clubs below the top 6 Villa have become a strong asset and Megson will be pleased with the commitment and desire shown by his new team. Nicholas Anelka opened the scoring on 22 minutes with a delightfully curled free kick, nestling just outside Stuart Taylor’s grasp in the top left corner. Megson was quick to praise his star player after the match, ‘Nicholas is a fantastic footballer. He’s a great boy and a really determined model professional.’ He will hope these kind words will help Anelka, who thrives on and constantly covets praise, to continue his great form and remain at the club until at least the end of the season. Villa got level through somewhat fortuitous circumstances when referee and linesman contradicted each other over a throw-in decision. It left Bolton out of position and Agbonlahor took full advantage, scorching down the right before cutting inside and blasting a left foot drive towards goal. The ball hit team mate Luke Moore and flew into the net more by luck than judgement.

The Six Pointers
Towards the bottom of the table two hard-fought home wins for Birmingham City 3-2 over Wigan Athletic and Reading 2-1 over Newcastle Utd helped give the clubs some much needed breathing space, and notably for Bruce, ease the tension surrounding his future. So tense and uncomfortable was Bruce, that when his side were awarded a penalty he went back into the dressing room unable to watch. Olivier Kapo converted and Bruce came straight back out in what was a bizarre display, with prospective new owner Carson Yeung looking on. His nerves were tested until the very end before Kapo scored his second of the game in the closing stages to secure the win. Wigan will feel aggrieved to have left St. Andrews with nothing after twice leading through Marcus Bent strikes. Reading recorded a decent victory over a more organized and disciplined looking Newcastle side. Dave Kitson opened the scoring with a sweet left foot effort from outside the box which gave Shay Given no chance. As the ball came into him from the left he used the direction of the ball’s roll to side foot a sweeping shot that curled away into the far top corner. For all Newcastle’s composed play and slight edge in possession they did not create many chances, with Owen again quiet for the Magpies. It took an own goal for them to draw level, Michael Duberry inadvertently flicking home a cross from the right. A piece of either tactical mastery, or strategic gambling won the day, as Steve Coppell threw on striker Shane Long for Leroy Lita, who had missed some gilt edged chances. Long jogged up field, controlled Nicky Shorey’s long free kick and lashed the ball in the roof of the net, scoring within 10 seconds of coming on.

Sunderland and Fulham shared a point each at the Stadium of Light, a result which neither would have wanted but didn’t dare lose. Kenwyne Jones equalised for Roy Keane’s men with a clever back header in the final few minutes to salvage a point for the ten men. Full back Greg Halford was sent off for the 2nd time this season early in the second half and Sunderland showed great spirit to come back, as they had trailed 1-0 to Simon Davies’ 32nd minute opener. Shaping up to deliver a cross into the box, Davies, 35 yards out, cheekily bent a shot towards the near post of the unsuspecting Craig Gordon. Gordon will not be happy to let the Welshman score from so far out and his form has been erratic of late, but Davies’ free kick was cleverly disguised. Derby County are now rock bottom of the league after succumbing to a 2-0 home defeat to Everton. The Toffees had too much quality and strength for Derby and there was only ever going to be one winner. Mikel Arteta and Yakubu scored the goals, one in each half.