Premier League Round-Up 21–22 February

The Champions

Manchester United may have ended their run of Premier League games without conceding a goal but they are relentless in their pursuit of their third consecutive Premier League title.

United made it 10 league wins on the trot with a 2–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers chalking up another three points on Saturday in front of the Old Trafford faithful. But it wasn’t without it’s scares.

Wayne Rooney scored his fourth goal is as many games (two in two since his comeback) after 23 minutes and it looked like United were going to cruise to victory. And why wouldn’t they? Blackburn had lost eleven games this season and won just one in their last six.

Blackburn were allowed back into the game following a collaboration of errors starting with Nani and Scholes’ inability to pick up a lose ball near the half way line.

There then appeared to be no communication between Tomas Kuszczak, in goal ahead of Van der Sar, and Rio Ferdinand as the latter crashed into the former allowing Roque Santa Cruz to skilfully round the pair and slot home to end United’s clean sheet run.

Blackburn looked lively after the goal and United continued to look shaky without the veteran Edwin van der Sar and formidable Nemanja Vidic. Jonny Evans had the ball in the back of the net following a well taken header but the young defender’s first United goal was chalked off after Howard Webb spotted a phantom push.

Blackburn could have taken the lead in the second half but fortunately Ryan Nelsen’s hot rebounded off the post which allowed the stranded Kuszczak enough time to recover well and smother Dl-Hadji Diouf’s rebound.

Evra was then fouled at the far side of the penalty area and a free kick awarded. As Ronaldo lined up the free kick, it looked like he was going to shoot. There’s no way he’ll score from there I was thinking and as he ran up to hit it I almost cursed for the wasted opportunity.

Turns out I don’t really know much. Ronaldo’s sweetly struck kick rose, dipped and curled right over the stranded Paul Robinson who must have been expecting a cross. An absolute peach of a goal and well worthy of a match winner.

Blackburn pushed for an equaliser and were denied a fair penalty claim when Jonny Evans appeared to have a hand on Pederson’s shoulder as he charged into the box. If the Norwegian hadn’t been looking for it, it may have been given. United saw out the match well and the game ended United 2–1 Blackburn.

The Title Race

Liverpool dropped two more points in their home match with Manchester City as once again they struggled to get going and needed a late surge to escape with anything. Steven Gerrard missed the game through injury and his absence demonstrated the teams over reliance on the England international.

Craig Bellamy came back to haunt Liverpool giving City the lead with a deflected shot from the corner of the penalty area. Liverpool stepped up a gear late on and in the 78th minute, a mis-hit from Torres fell kindly for Kuyt who equalised for the home team. They were unable to force a winner though and another two points were dropped. Have the wheels fallen off the Liverpool wagon? Liverpool 1–1 Manchester City.

Third and fourth placed Aston Villa and Chelsea played each other at Stamford Bridge and the result reversed their positions in the league. Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka grabbed the only game of the game to give Gus Hiddink an ideal start after taking over from the sacked Phil Scolari. Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa.

Even Arsene Wenger knows Arsenal are out of the title raceand their fourth consecutive stalemate at home to Sunderland only goes to reinforce the Frenchman’s view. Andrey Arshavin made his debut and showed glimpses of class but Sunderland defended well and the Gunners lacked cutting edge. Arsenal 0–0 Sunderland.

The Chasing Pack

Two quick goals was enough to secure the three points for Bolton as they played host to West Ham. Taylor and Davies struck in the 10th and 11th minute respectively to stun the Hammers who had been tipped by many to win this game following a run of just one defeat in seven games. Scot Parker got one back for West Ham but the Hammers were unable to pull off a come-back. Bolton 2–1 West Ham.

Portsmouth and Stoke left it late before entertaining the crowd at the Britannia Stadium with 4 goals in the last 15 minutes and almost nothing before that. Nico Kranjcar opened the scoring for Portsmouth in the 75th minute only for Stoke to fight back and equalise three minutes later through James Beattie.

Glen Johnson was then adjudged to have handled inside the area two minutes later and Beattie dispatched for his second of the game giving Stoke the lead.

The penalty decision was dubious at best and Karma may well have played a part when in injury time, Hermann Hreidarsson’s shot deflected off Ryan Shawcross to beat Tomas Sorensen and leave both teams with one point a piece. Stoke City 2–2 Portsmouth.

Middlesbrough carried on their relegation form with a stalemate at home to Wigan; Boro are now 12 games without a win. Neither keeper had much to do and the only real talking point of the game came from an injury inflicted by former Boro midfielder Lee Cattermole.

On his return to the Riverside, it took just 16 minutes for Cattermole to grab the attention as his challenge lead to Didier Digard being stretchered off and taken to hospital. Middlesbrough 0–0 Wigan.

Newcastle held on for a nil nil draw as they played host to Everton after being reduced to ten men in the first half. Kevin Nolan was sent off for a badly timed challenge on Victor Anichebe in the 44th minute and despite dominating possession the visitors were unable to make their numerical advantage pay. Newcastle 0–0 Everton.

West Brom look destined for the drop after suffering their 16th defeat of the season; this time at the hands of Fulham. West Brom were outplayed at Craven Cottage in Sunday’s early kick off and the score line could have been far worse. Fulham hit the woodwork no less than four times but also hit the back of the net twice. Bobby Zamora, and Andy Johnson getting the spoils. Fulham 2–0 West Brom.

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