Saturday’s matches in the Barclays Premier League lived up to the billing that we all have come to expect. The second half goal blitz’s that we have seen and the close-knit effects on the table for all involved is the reason why the BPL is without question the most exciting and entertaining league in world football. Let’s give the run-down of the matches and what they mean for the sides involved.
Hull City 0-2 Manchester City
In what would be a key fixture for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, ManCity would overcome initial hardships to take all three points at the KC stadium in the early Saturday match. Despite City being reduced to ten men by way of a Vincent Kompany red card, the Citizens would respond well and it would be Hull who were made to look like the side that was the man down. A sublime goal from David Silva in the first half would be sufficient difference on the day, but a strike by Edin Dzeko in the 89th minute (assisted by Silva) would assure all three points would leave with the visitors.
Implications: Given City’s tough fixture list to come – three visits to Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool – it was vital that City took the full points today. The result see’s City temporarily move into second, baring the results tomorrow for Arsenal and Liverpool. Hull remain in their place after Swansea failed to gain any points in their match.
Everton 2-1 Cardiff City
Seamus Coleman’s injury time strike would steal the points right out of Cardiff’s hands as Everton triumphed on the day 2-1 at Goodison Park. Despite the close score line, Everton always looked like taking full three points and Cardiff should not feel too hard done based off their performance. On-loan Spanish starlet Gerard Deulofeu opened the scoring for the Toffees before the Welsh club leveled matters through Cala. But it would be Coleman’s mis-struck effort that found its way into the net that broke Cardiff hearts and helped Everton continue their push for the fight for a top five finish.
Implications: Everton jump up to 6th now three points ahead of Manchester United with the same amount of matches played. For once, Everton supporters will be hoping Liverpool gain a result when they play United tomorrow. Cardiff drop to 19th, with their closest opponents above them all have games in hand over them – this could spell disaster for their bid to escape the drop.
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle United
A massive first win under Felix Magath saw Fulham gain a vital three points in the hunt to escape relegation. While Newcastle had the lions share of possession all after noon, Fulham stood toe-to-toe when it came to chances created on the day and all it would take was a single goal from Ashkan Dejagah that would seal the full three points for the Cottagers. If there ever was a time to kick-start some sort of decent form for the London side it was now, and their players fully delivered.
Implications: Fulham are still at the bottom of the pile, but they close the gap on the clubs above them in their bid for a great escape from a disastrous season and relegation to League Championship football. Newcastle now drop down to 9th in the table, two points behind Southampton but still holding a game in hand.
Southampton 4-2 Norwich City
A second half frenzy left Southampton fans breathing a massive sigh of relief as they battled to a 4-2 win at St. Mary’s. An early goal inside five minutes gave Soton an early 1-0 lead and they looked comfortable. Second half substitute Rickie Lambert made an instant impact and gave the Saints a 2-0 lead, and then Soton went up 3-0 by way of Jay Rodriguez. A late two-goal blitz by Norwich through Johan Elmander and Robert Snodgrass had supporters at the edge of their seats – but they would breathe easy when academy product Sam Gallagher scored his first senior league goal to seal the points deep in stoppage time. Big win for Southampton and tough break for Norwich.
Implications: Southampton leapfrog Newcastle after the match but the Magpies still have a game in hand to play with. Norwich did not enjoy any movement in the table and are edging closer to proper flirtations with the drop zone.
Stoke City 3-1 West Ham United
The Britannia Stadium yet again proves to be one of the hardest places to get a result as in-form West Ham were downed 3-1 by the Potters. An early goal by Roy Carroll, looking to play his way to Brazil, got West Ham into the lead inside five minutes. Peter Crouch’s effort would deflect of Peter Odemwingie in the 32nd minute and it would level the match at 1-1 into the half. Two second-half strikes ten minutes apart from Marko Arnautovic and Odemwingie again would seal the points for Stoke as they still have only met defeat twice all campaign in front of their home support.
Implications: Stoke climb to 11th while West Ham fall to 12th – the Hammers match in hand could see them retake the tenth spot if they take away the full three points from it. Neither side can realistically finish top seven, but it will be about distancing themselves from the drop zone.
Sunderland 0-0 Crystal Palace
Sunderland will feel hard done not to make better of the host of chances they created as they played to a 0-0 draw with Palace at the Stadium of Light. Both sides are desperate for points as the end of the season beckons, but a valuable points for each will have to be seen as a decent consolation prize. While this result will not build the momentum each was hoping for, it certainly will not derail their efforts of avoiding missing out on the BPL next season.
Implications: Sunderland’s point helps them up to 18th and their multiple matches in hand over all clubs above them will give the Black Cats belief that they can yet still save their season. Palace failed to put further distance between both the drop zone and Sunderland who are right below them – they will feel the effects harder surely.
Swansea City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion
West Brom temporarily put to bed their dreadful away form as they raided the south coast of Wales for three points at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea fans must have felt on their way to a decent Saturday when Roland Lamah netted in the first two minutes of the match and in a performance where they outclassed (albeit not by too great a margin) their opponents, the home support surely felt at least a second was coming. But it would be two second half strikes from Stephane Sessegnon and Youssuf Mulumbu that would earn West Brom all three points and their first win udner Pepe Mel.
Implications: Swansea keep their league standing but are now only just four points clear of the drop zone and surely a proper manager is needed in at the club. West Brom move up to 16th but are still flirting with the drop zone.
Aston Villa Chelsea
Chelsea’s trip to Villa Park must have been seen as an easy three points but it would be Villa who would have the last laugh as the Villans gained the full three points in a spirited home display. A controversial second booking to Willian saw Chelsea down to ten men in the 67th minute. Chelsea still spurned on in the attack but it would be a Fabian Delph goal that gave Villa the 1-0 lead inside the final ten minutes. Then a disgusting tackle by Ramires would see another Brazilian sent off and in the ensuing scenes, manager Jose Mourinho was dismissed as well. Chelsea did not put in a top performance on the day and Villa certainly earned a very important and rare three points.
Implications: The loss for Chelsea throws the title race wide open as they are still in Europe – Liverpool and Arsenal will have the motivation to win their matches tomorrow while City have multiple matches in hand and should they win two of those, they will be level on points with the Blues. Aston Villa are into the top-half of the table with that win and now sit 10th.
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