Boxing Day Premier League Round Up 26/12/08

Category: News

Robbie Keane ensured that Liverpool stayed 1 point clear at the top of the English Premier League on Boxing Day, despite Chelsea and Manchester Utd both winning their games.

Since his move from Tottenham, Keane has been highly critisized, but he went a long way to silencing his critics with a fine performance and two goals.

Albert Riera opened the scoring with a flick on from a Steven Gerrard corner in the first half.

Keane's first come after being released by Gerrard, he drilled the ball past Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen giving him no chance.

Keane's second come from a lightening break that was started by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Keane's double secured a 3-0 win to send the Anfield crowd home happy.

Manchester United returned to Premiership action after winning the Club World Cup last week with a game against Stoke.

It was an even game for the most part, with United playing below par and Stoke showing once again their battling qualities.

The game changed with 18 minutes left on the clock after Andy Wilkinson's late challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo was punished with a yellow card, his second of the game.

Stoke stood firm with ten men and deserved at least a draw, but the Premier League Champions who have made a habit of scoring late goals in recent years, scored late again through Carlos Tevez after good play down the right from Gary Neville and Dimitar Berbatov.

That win still keeps United in the title race as they have two games in hand on the rest of the teams.

Chelsea won their first Premier League game at Stamford Bridge since November 1st, with a comfortable win against bottom side West Brom.

Chelsea took the lead after just three minutes after good work from Joe Cole, who crossed the ball straight on to Drogba's head for an easy finish.

Lampard doubled Chelsea's lead in first half injury time.

Chelsea could have won by more if it wasn't for West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson

Aston Villa hit the woodwork 3 times in the first half as they took the game to Arsenal, but still went in at half time 1-0 down after Denilson scored with Arsenal's only shot of the first half.

It got worse for Villa just after the break as Diaby calmly finished thanks to good play from Eboue.

Aston Villa couldn't believe that they were dominating the match, and had restricted Arsenal to just two shots but found themselves 2-0 down.

Gareth Barry pulled one back with a penalty after Gallas brought down Gabby Agbonlahor with a wreckless challenge.

The fourth official showed 4 minutes of injury time on the board. In the 3rd of the 4 minutes Zat Knight lashed home after poor defending from the Arsenal defence.

Manchester City hammered high flying Hull with four goals in 36 first half minutes.

Hull boss Brown was so disgusted with his sides first half display, he held his half time talk on the pitch right infront of the Hull City fans.

Brown felt that the players were letting down the fans who had made the effort to go to Manchester to support the team over the festive period.

Stephen Ireland was instrumental in the match, setting up two goals for Caciedo and one for Robinho, who went on to get his second of the match after a low cross from Wright Phillips.

Craig Fagan pulled one back for Hull, but Man of the Match Stephen Ireland crowned a stunning performance with a goal to make the final score 5-1.

Craig Bellamy's asking price will have shot up. With the transfer window just around the corner, Bellamy scored a brace and set up Carlton Cole against Tony Adams struggling Pompey side.

It started well for Portsmouth who took the lead through Belhadj, but young Jack Collison equalised for the Hammers.

The game changed after ex Hammer Jermain Defoe missed a penalty with the scores tied at 1-1.

Zola's West Ham went on to win the match 4-1.

Tottenham were left frustrated at White Hart Lane after a fine defensive display by Fulham, who extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

Arron Lennon came closest for Spurs in the first half but was denied by a superb save from Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Fulham had chances to win the game late on but two fine saves from Heurelho Gomes had the White Hart Lane faithful singing his name.

Neither team really fully deserved 3 points so 0-0 was a fair result.

Ryan Taylor continued his scoring form against ten man Newcastle as Wigan beat Newcastle 2-1.

Taylor who scored with an excellent free kick has now scored four goals against Newcastle in the last two seasons.

Bassong was sent off for bringing Heskey down in the box. Amr Zaki calmly converted from the penalty spot.

The Magpies pulled one back after Chris Kirkland was penlised for a challenge on Geordie Andy Carroll.

Newcastle felt they should have had another penalty in the final seconds but their protests were waved away by the ref.

Middlesbrough suffered a home defeat to Everton as emergency striker Tim Cahill scored the only goal of the game.

Middlesbrough are now in the bottom three after a poor run of form.

Blackburn and Sunderland drew 0-0 in a poor game at The Stadium of Light.

Jason Roberts had a chance to win the match for Blackburn with practically the last kick of the game, but somehow managed to miss an open goal, leaving Roberts and Sam Allardyce with their head in their hands.