EPL Weekend Round-Up, 3/21
By Sam McPhee
Here it is the eve of spring & Man U took another step closer to what will be their record-tying 19th league title. Arsenal dropped points yet again in a draw to West Brom & Chelsea led by David Luiz continued their return to winning ways. There was controversy in Sunderland v Liverpool & Stoke provided a surprising 4-0 scoreline in a victory over Newcastle.
Saturday’s Results
Aston Villa 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Matt Jarvis smacked home a sweet-looking volley for the game’s only goal that gave Wolves an improbable road win. Wolves have won 4 of their last 6 & look to be putting up a stern challenge in the relegation battle which now looks to ensnare several clubs & indeed clubs all the way up to the European spots could technically slip into the relegation battle if they were to hit an extended patch of poor form.
Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Blackpool
Blackburn fought back from a 2 goal deficit to earn a draw against Blackpool. Charlie Adam playing his 1st match back from a 2 game suspension opened the scoring from the penalty spot following what looked a soft penalty decision given against Rovers. Adam also scored Blackpool’s 2ndgoal with an exquisite free kick to put the Scottish midfielder into double digits for the season. Chris Samba scored Rovers’ 1st goal & they snatched a draw for the home supporters when Junior Hoilett equalized deep into stoppage time.
Everton 2-1 Fulham
Goals from Seamus Coleman & Louis Saha sawthe Toffees down Fulham 2-1 at Goodison Park. Clint Dempsey produced the goal for Fulham but it wasn’t enough as Everton won their 4th match out of the last 6 that now sees the Merseysiders climb into 8th place.
Manchester United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Despite being down to ten man following Jonny Evans being sent off for a challenge on American Stuart Holden, Man U did what they do best- create their own luck & win the game late, late in the match. The match-winning goal was poked home by Dimitar Berbatov 2 minutes from time following a spilled effort by Bolton ‘keeper, Jussi Jääskelainen. By the way, I’m not sure what the point of a touchline ban is if all it takes is to be put up in an executive box with a phoneline down to the bench. “Oy, Mike. It’s Alex! Tell the ref that he’s a wanker. Tootle-loo.”
Stoke City 4-0 Newcastle United
Stoke raced on to a 4-0 win& unlike against Arsenal, there was no 4 goal fightback in the Magpies. Jonathan Walters scored Stoke’s 1st with a glancing near post header from a Jermaine Pennant cross before the provider scored Stoke’s 2nd when he finished from close range following a horrid defensive mistake by Newcastle that created the opportunity. For 3-0 Danny Higginbothamnearly ripped the net apart with a scorching freekick from about 25 yards out before Ricardo Fuller scored from a Route-1 goal to complete the rout.
Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 West Ham United
The ‘keepers were the heroes of this match as both Heurelho Gomes & Robert Green for Spurs & West Ham, respectively, made several good saves a piece to help the match remain a nil-nil draw. Gareth Bale nearly won the game for Spurs 5 minutes from time but Green made a remarkable save on the Welshman’s freekick to push the ball onto the bar & deny Spurs a win.
West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Arsenal
West Brom blew a 2-0 lead as Arsenal were forced to rescue a draw in what has been a terrible month for the Gunners. Steven Reid gave the Baggies a 1-0 lead only minutes into the match on a header. The Baggies were then gifted a goal scored by Peter Odemwingie following a ludicrous decision by Manuel Almunia to come play a ball he had no reason to come for. You’ll soon be able to purchase all sort of defending blunders from the Arsenal Defending Cock-Up Superstore! Andrei Arshavin started the comeback with a nifty finish that displayed some quick footwork to get a shot off before Scott Carson in WBA’s goal knew what happened. Robin Van Persie then tackled home the tying goal.
Wigan Athletic 2-1 Birmingham City
Birmingham dropped their 3rd match of their last 4 to Wigan, 2-1. The Latics won the crucial six-point match despite Birmingham taking the lead through Liam Ridgewell when he raced onto a flicked on freekick to stab home. Tom Cleverly reduced the deficit when he poked home on the rebound following a dangerous initial cross. And though Maynor Figueroa’s outstanding goal won the match& the crucial points for Wigan, the Latics are still currently at the foot of the table.
Sunday’s Results
Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United
Sideshow Bobinho once again scored for Chelsea & got them on their way to a 2-0 defeat of City as he nodded home a freekick with a glancing header. Then Ramires killed of Citeh in stoppage time when he outfoxed the Man City backline to race on goal & fire past Joe Hart.
Sunderland 0-2 Liverpool
Beach Ball Gate avenged! In a match that brought yet more controversy between Sunderland & Liverpool, the Reds ran off 2-0 winners. A penalty from Dirk Kuyt started the scoring but was the source of the match’s controversial talking point as the foul seemed to have occurred outside of the penalty area. Then Luis Suarez showed why once again he was the far better purchase between he & Andy Carroll, when he fired home from nearly on the goalline itself.
The update to date EPL table:
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