Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Monday, 6 February 2012
Chelsea vs Manchester United 3-3 05/02/2012
Manchester Utd stage stunning fightback to draw at Chelsea
United looked dead and buried but Ferguson's side were given a route back into the game in the 58th minute when Sturridge and Evra again clashed - this time in the Chelsea area - and Webb decided to award a spot-kick that was clinically converted by Rooney.
The introduction of Paul Scholes added to the sense the visitors could regain control of central midfield.
And United scored again in the 68th minute when Webb decided in their favour after Welbeck tumbled over the out-stretched leg of Branislav Ivanovic.
Welbeck seemed as though he was looking for the foul but that made no difference to Rooney, who converted his second penalty of the game.
The comeback was complete in the 84th minute when Hernandez headed home from Giggs' cross after Cech had parried Rooney's powerful shot.
There was still time for Chelsea to threaten a winner and de Gea made two superb saves to keep out Mata's free-kick and Cahill's drive.
LONDON: Javier Hernandez scored a late equaliser as Manchester United staged a stunning three-goal comeback to claim a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked destined for defeat when a Jonny Evans own goal and strikes from Juan Mata and David Luiz put Chelsea three up by the 50th minute.
But United were handed a route back into the game thanks to two controversial penalties, both converted by Wayne Rooney, before Mexican substitute Hernandez headed the equaliser with six minutes remaining.
The result left Ferguson's second-placed side two points behind Manchester City at the head of the Premier League table, but the manner in which they claimed a point meant they left west London in buoyant mood.
For Chelsea, a draw felt like defeat, a feeling reflected in the boos that greeted the final whistle after they had conceded a three-goal lead for the first time since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
Andre Villas-Boas's side now sit just one point ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle and face a testing challenge if they are to hold onto a top four place.
The build-up to the game had been dominated by the FA's decision to strip Chelsea skipper John Terry of the England captaincy for a second time, but the way events unravelled quickly diverted attention back to the game.
The FA acted after it became clear Terry will face trial on charges of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand would be held in July after Euro 2012.
Terry was missing with a knee injury but the fall-out continued with some home supporters booing Rio Ferdinand, Anton's brother, whenever the Manchester United defender touched the ball.
Terry's absence paved the way for Gary Cahill to make his Chelsea debut following his £7 million transfer from Bolton alongside Luiz at the heart of the Blues defence.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked destined for defeat when a Jonny Evans own goal and strikes from Juan Mata and David Luiz put Chelsea three up by the 50th minute.
But United were handed a route back into the game thanks to two controversial penalties, both converted by Wayne Rooney, before Mexican substitute Hernandez headed the equaliser with six minutes remaining.
The result left Ferguson's second-placed side two points behind Manchester City at the head of the Premier League table, but the manner in which they claimed a point meant they left west London in buoyant mood.
For Chelsea, a draw felt like defeat, a feeling reflected in the boos that greeted the final whistle after they had conceded a three-goal lead for the first time since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
Andre Villas-Boas's side now sit just one point ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle and face a testing challenge if they are to hold onto a top four place.
The build-up to the game had been dominated by the FA's decision to strip Chelsea skipper John Terry of the England captaincy for a second time, but the way events unravelled quickly diverted attention back to the game.
The FA acted after it became clear Terry will face trial on charges of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand would be held in July after Euro 2012.
Terry was missing with a knee injury but the fall-out continued with some home supporters booing Rio Ferdinand, Anton's brother, whenever the Manchester United defender touched the ball.
Terry's absence paved the way for Gary Cahill to make his Chelsea debut following his £7 million transfer from Bolton alongside Luiz at the heart of the Blues defence.
And the centre back quickly found himself at the centre of controversy when his last-ditch challenge sent Danny Welbeck tumbling on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area with 11 minutes gone.
Referee Howard Webb waved away claims for a penalty, just as had two minutes earlier when Ashley Young went down under a challenge from Jose Bosingwa.
It was little wonder, then, that Ferguson was showing signs of frustration although for 36 minutes his side looked in control of the game and were creating the better chances.
The balance of the game swung, however, when Sturridge prised open the United defence, easily rounding Patrice Evra before delivering a hard, low cross from close to De Gea's near post.
De Gea stuck out a leg to block the cross but succeeded only in deflecting it against Evans and off his stomach into the goal.
And any hopes United had of quickly getting back on level terms disappeared 30 seconds after the restart when Mata met Torres' right wing cross with an unstoppable volley that flew past De Gea.
The visitors again contributed to their own downfall as Chelsea scored again five minutes later.
Sturridge out-foxed Evra once again, this time drawing a foul from the United full back. From Mata's resulting free-kick, Luiz headed goalwards and his effort deflected off Ferdinand and past De Gea.
Referee Howard Webb waved away claims for a penalty, just as had two minutes earlier when Ashley Young went down under a challenge from Jose Bosingwa.
It was little wonder, then, that Ferguson was showing signs of frustration although for 36 minutes his side looked in control of the game and were creating the better chances.
The balance of the game swung, however, when Sturridge prised open the United defence, easily rounding Patrice Evra before delivering a hard, low cross from close to De Gea's near post.
De Gea stuck out a leg to block the cross but succeeded only in deflecting it against Evans and off his stomach into the goal.
And any hopes United had of quickly getting back on level terms disappeared 30 seconds after the restart when Mata met Torres' right wing cross with an unstoppable volley that flew past De Gea.
The visitors again contributed to their own downfall as Chelsea scored again five minutes later.
Sturridge out-foxed Evra once again, this time drawing a foul from the United full back. From Mata's resulting free-kick, Luiz headed goalwards and his effort deflected off Ferdinand and past De Gea.
United looked dead and buried but Ferguson's side were given a route back into the game in the 58th minute when Sturridge and Evra again clashed - this time in the Chelsea area - and Webb decided to award a spot-kick that was clinically converted by Rooney.
The introduction of Paul Scholes added to the sense the visitors could regain control of central midfield.
And United scored again in the 68th minute when Webb decided in their favour after Welbeck tumbled over the out-stretched leg of Branislav Ivanovic.
Welbeck seemed as though he was looking for the foul but that made no difference to Rooney, who converted his second penalty of the game.
The comeback was complete in the 84th minute when Hernandez headed home from Giggs' cross after Cech had parried Rooney's powerful shot.
There was still time for Chelsea to threaten a winner and de Gea made two superb saves to keep out Mata's free-kick and Cahill's drive.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Manchester City 3-0 Fulham
LONDON: Manchester City opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League with 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday 04/02/2012.
City, who suffered a surprise defeat at Everton in midweek, bounced back with a straightforward victory over the Cottagers at a blizzard-hit Eastlands.
Sergio Aguero set City on the road to three points with a first half penalty before Roberto Mancini's side eased into a 2-0 lead with a Chris Baird own goal. Edin Dzeko added a third on 72 minutes.
The win re-established City's lead in the title race, although second-placed Manchester United can draw level with a victory at Chelsea on Sunday.
City boss Roberto Mancini said: "It was a good performance. The players were fantastic.
"It was very important to win after the defeat at Everton in midweek. It was important for our future.
"There are some difficult moments during the season. This can happen. I hope now we can continue to win all our games."
City, who suffered a surprise defeat at Everton in midweek, bounced back with a straightforward victory over the Cottagers at a blizzard-hit Eastlands.
Sergio Aguero set City on the road to three points with a first half penalty before Roberto Mancini's side eased into a 2-0 lead with a Chris Baird own goal. Edin Dzeko added a third on 72 minutes.
City boss Roberto Mancini said: "It was a good performance. The players were fantastic.
"It was very important to win after the defeat at Everton in midweek. It was important for our future.
"There are some difficult moments during the season. This can happen. I hope now we can continue to win all our games."
Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn Rovers; Van Persie treble puts Arsenal in seventh heaven
LONDON: Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick as Arsenal recorded their first Premier League win of the year by thrashing Blackburn 7-1 at the Emirates Stadium here Saturday.
There had been reports of supporters protesting against Arsene Wenger ahead of the game but there was very little to complain as Arsenal romped to their biggest win in all competitions since October 2007.
Morten Gamst Pedersen may have cancelled out Van Persie's opener but the Arsenal captain ended up completing a treble, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added two goals, while Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry also scored.
Rovers were not helped by Gael Givet getting sent off for a rash tackle on Van Persie, although they were trailing at that stage of the match.
Van Persie's goals moved Dennis Bergkamp out of Arsenal's top 10 leading goalscorers, with the Gunners skipper now on 123 strikes for the club.
Wenger had considered resting Van Persie but after failing to win a league match in 2012 before this game, the Arsenal manager included the Premier League's top goalscorer.
It took the Holland striker just 79 seconds to open the scoring with the 100th league goal his career.
Radoslav Petrovic's poor clearance fell for Francis Coquelin, who slipped a ball through to Theo Walcott down the right flank.
Walcott's low cross found Van Persie unmarked and the Gunners skipper had the simple task of tapping past Paul Robinson and into an empty net.
Blackburn, set up to contain the hosts, needed to attack but struggled to impose themselves on the game with just Anthony Modeste in attack.
Modeste was almost on the end of a cross, but was inches away from the ball and ended up with a booking for crashing into Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Arsenal looked likely to increase their lead. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who started despite a slight concern over his knee, went wide from the edge of the penalty area with their next chance.
Laurent Koscielny almost scored when Per Mertesacker nodded Tomas Rosicky's corner into his path, while van Persie also went wide with a delicate chip.
But Rovers shocked Wenger's team in the 32nd minute through Pedersen's spectacular free-kick.
Koscielny gave away the set-piece when he allowed the ball to bounce and eventually held Modeste, earning the France defender a booking.
Pedersen took full advantage, sending his effort into the top corner, with Szczesny getting a touch but failing to prevent an equaliser.
Arsenal were ahead again with a couple of goal just before half-time.
Van Persie notched another, tapping home from another low Walcott cross. Alex Song had set up the goal with a precise pass for England winger Walcott.
Oxlade-Chamberlain added the third when Van Persie sent him through with a reverse pass after Rosicky had been fouled in the build-up but advantage was played.
Robinson rushed out but Oxlade-Chamberlain touched the ball around him and finished into an unguarded goal.
It got worse for Blackburn when Givet was given a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Van Persie, with the defender apologising to the player and Wenger as he left the pitch.
Thomas Vermaelen also hit the post from close-range before the interval when Arteta's cross was flicked on by Rovers substitute Grant Hanley.
Arteta's goal came six minutes into the second half, a volley deflected in after the visitors failed to clear a corner.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's second goal was set up by Walcott's mazy run followed by a simple pass to his team-mate, who finished into the near post.
And Van Persie completed his hat-trick when he met Coquelin's cross at the front post and sent his finish into the top corner of the net.
Van Persie unselfishly set up Henry's goal deep in stoppage time, with the substitute's finish deflecting in off Scott Dann from close range.
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