Saturday 06th February 2009
Manchester United had a huge slice of luck as they defeated Portsmouth 5-0 at Old Trafford. United took the lead in the 40th minute as Wayne Rooney headed home Darren Fletcher's cross. United were fortunate with their second goal just before the break. Nani ran at the Pompey defence his shot at goal hitting Anthony Vanden Borre before beating David James in Portsmouth goal.
United were handed another struck of luck for their third goal as Michael Carrick's effort looped off Richard Hughes to find the Pompey net. Dimitar Berbatov scored United's fourth goal with a superb curled effort. It got even worse for Portsmouth as Mark Wilson volleyed past his own keeper to complete Pompey's bad day and United's lucky day. The victory took United back to the top of the Premier League. Portsmouth remain stranded at the bottom of the Premier League.
Liverpool won the Merseyside derby 1-0 at Anfield against Everton. The game was a fiery affair and Liverpool defender Sotirios Krygiakos was shown a red card for a two-footed tackle on Marouane Fellaini in the first half. The only goal of the game was a scrappy effort from Dirk Kuyt in the second half.
As Everton pushed for a late equaliser Steven Pienaar received his second yellow card after a poor challenge on Steven Gerrard. The victory took Liverpool back into the top four.
Manchester City suffered a setback in their bid for a top four place after a 2-1 defeat at Hull City. Hull started the stronger of the two sides and took the lead in the 31st minute through a strike from Jozy Altidore. Their lead was doubled in the 53rd minute through a brilliant George Boateng volley.
Emmanuel Adebayor scored from close range to put City back into the match a few minutes later but the Tigers held on for three valuable points. Hull are now three points clear of the relegation zone. City are three points behind fourth place Liverpool.
Burnley got their first victory under Brian Laws with a 2-1 defeat of West Ham at Turf Moor. David Nugent fired the Clarets into the lead in the 14th minute. Debutant full-back Daniel Fox doubled Burnley's lead in the 55th minute with a superb curled free-kick. West Ham scored a late goal through another debutant Ilan but couldn't find the vital equaliser. Burnley moved out of the relegation zone. West Ham replaced them in the danger zone.
Sunderland and Wigan drew 1-1 at the Stadium of Light. The visitors took the lead in the 20th minute as midfielder Mohamed Diame smashed an effort past Craig Gordon. Sunderland equalised in the 64th minute as striker Kenwyne Jone headed home a Jordan Henderson cross. The point a piece did little to ease either clubs relegation worries and both will still be looking over their shoulders.
Stoke recorded their biggest ever Premier League win with a 3-0 victory over Blackburn at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke took the lead in the 8th minute, Danny Higginbotham producing a superb volley from 10 yards out. Stoke doubled that lead just before half-time.Matthew Etherington's left wing cross was nodded on and Mamady Sidibe slide the ball home at the far post.
Blackburn defender Christopher Samba was shown a red card in the 55th minute after committing two bookable offences. Etherington went from provider to scorer as he stroked home Stoke's third goal in the 67th minute. Both sides remain in midtable.
Bolton and Fulham produced a goalless draw at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton thought they had scored a winner late on through striker Kevin Davies. However the effort was ruled after the striker was judged to have fouled Fulham defender Brede Hangeland. Fulham remain safely in midtable. While Bolton are just a place and a point outside the relegation zone.
In the late kick-off Tottenham and Aston Villa cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw at Villa Park. Defences were in outstanding form and England World Cup hopefuls Gabby Agbonlahor and Jermain Defoe couldn't find a route to goal. Tottenham are now a point off fourth place and Aston Villa three points.
Sunday 07th February 2010
Birmingham City came out on top in the Midlands derby with a 2-1 victory over Wolves at St Andrews. Wolves took the lead on 42 minutes as Kevin Doyle slide in to find the net. Veteran striker Kevin Phillips put the Blues on level terms in the 80th minute with a instinctive volley from close range.
And it was the former Southampton striker who scored the winner with just five minutes remaining, the striker controlling in the box before firing home. Wolves remain second from bottom in the league while the home side remain 8th in the table.
Chelsea defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to go nine points clear of their opponents. Chelsea took the lead after just eight minutes. Florent Malouda's corner was headed to the far post by John Terry and Didier Drogba poked home from close range.
Drogba scored his second goal in the 23rd minute. The striker took on two defenders before firing past Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal. Chelsea returned to the top of the table with the victory and the defeat looks to have ended Arsenal's title chances.
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