Premier League: Newcastle pile pressure on West Ham with Upton Park win

Saturday 18th January 2014 16:58

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Loic Remy: Doubled Newcastle's advantage during a dominant first half display

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Newcastle United got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Upton Park which pushed West Ham United into the drop zone.

Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy made the most of the Magpies' control in the first half to open up a commanding lead, and the Hammers were unable to build on the lifeline of a Mike Williamson own goal as they conceded a third late on.

It took just 16 minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock, after three Premier League games without a win or a goal, with Yoan Gouffran allowed to carry the ball towards the box and tee up Cabaye to calmly stroke into the bottom corner.

Remy doubled that advantage on 33 minutes, with a Moussa Sissoko cross picking him out six yards out - and the Frenchman made no mistake as he controlled on his chest and poked under Adrian.

West Ham found a route back into the tie on the stroke of half-time, as Carlton Cole bundled past a sliding Tim Krul and the unfortunate Williamson saw the ball ricochet off his shin and over the line, but it was to be an afternoon of further home discomfort for the Hammers.

Cabaye made sure of that deep into second half stoppage-time as he whipped a 20-yard free-kick over the wall and past a full stretch Adrian, who could only touch the effort onto the inside of the post.

More to follow...

Premier League: Manchester City win 4-2 at home to Cardiff

Saturday 18th January 2014 15:51

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David Silva: Knocks the ball away from Craig Noone

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Edin Dzeko scored Manchester City's 100th goal of the season as they won 4-2 at home to Cardiff in the Premier League.

However, City failed to return to the top of the table after Arsenal won 2-0 at home to Fulham, while Cardiff now prop up the top-flight as their relegation rivals Crystal Palace beat Stoke 1-0.

Craig Noone stunned the Etihad Stadium just before the half-hour mark when he cancelled out Dzeko's 10th-minute opener, which brought up the century for 2013/4. But within four minutes, Jesus Navas restored the home side's advantage.

After the break, man-of-the-match Yaya Toure strode through to score on 76 minutes and substitute Sergio Aguero was also on target shortly afterwards. Cardiff did pull another goal back in stoppage time through Fraizer Campbell but like all the other Premier League visitors to the Etihad so far this season, they went home empty handed.

Manuel Pellegrini made seven changes to his team after the emphatic FA Cup victory over Blackburn in midweek. Dzeko, Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Javi Garcia were the only survivors. Vincent Kompany, Toure and David Silva were all back in action, while Fernandinho and Aguero were substitutes.

Cardiff, for whom recent signing Magnus Wolff Eikrem was again among the substitutes, had Jordon Mutch back from injury among four changes from the home defeat by West Ham. Kevin McNaughton, Ben Turner and Aron Gunnarsson also started. Bo-Kyung Kim, Mark Hudson, Declan John and Peter Odemwingie dropped to the bench.

In the first minute, Dzeko had a shout for a penalty, going down under McNaughton's challenge after Silva's ball in from the left. Navas then put the follow up wide.

Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall had to make smart stops to deny Dzeko and his own defender Ben Turner in the early stages, but the opening goal was to arrive on 14 minutes.

Dzeko had the Goal Decision System to thank as Silva squirmed into the box on the left and pulled the ball back for the Bosnian to strike. It looked like a miskick and McNaughton got back to hoof it out, but GDS showed the ball had already crossed the line.

Having brought up the 100-goal milestone, Negredo twice threatened to extend Man City's lead - but it was Noone who notched next at the other end.

Assisted by Gunnarsson, the former Plymouth Argyle and Brighton winger came in off the right flank, easily tricked Kompany in the area and coolly scored past Hart just before the half-hour mark.

Normal service was resumed four minutes later. Toure and Dzeko showed great strength in the build-up, and the Bosnian's shot was blocked - but the ball ran loose to Navas to put the hosts ahead again.

Dzeko had another penalty appeal turned down before the break, after which Mutch and Noone both tested Hart with shots from outside the area.

However, it would be Toure who would score next on 76 minutes. Having appeared to give the ball away to Noone inside his own half, the Ivorian then managed to get it back and strode forward. He played a one-two with Aguero on the edge of the box and then fired home low past Marshall.

A fourth Man City goal duly followed. Toure, near the halfway line, looped a ball into the right channel for Aguero to run onto. The Argentinian tricked Steven Caulker and finished superbly past Marshall for what was the club's 900th Premier League goal since the competition began in 1992.

In stoppage time, Campbell bundled home a consolation goal for Cardiff when a corner came across the penalty area.

Man City are back in action on Tuesday night when they defend a five-goal lead in the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final at West Ham. On Saturday, they host Watford in the FA Cup fourth round, when Cardiff go to Bolton.

Premier League: Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa

Saturday 18th January 2014 19:25

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Daniel Sturridge: Flicks the ball over Brad Guzan

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Liverpool came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa after an entertaining clash at Anfield.

Villa raced into a deserved 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke, but Daniel Sturridge pulled a goal back right on the stroke of half-time to give the home side hope.

Liverpool won a penalty early in the second half as Luis Suarez went down in the box under a challenge from Brad Guzan and Steven Gerrard scored from the spot.

The home side pushed for a winner, but the Villa defence held firm as Liverpool were held to a draw for the first time this season at Anfield.

Villa came flying out of the blocks and should have broke the deadlock inside the first minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor latched onto strike partner Christian Benteke's flick-on to go clear on goal, but Agbonlahor could only poke his effort wide of the post.

The visitors continued to call the tune early on and Ashley Westwood fired in a half-volley on the edge of the box which Simon Mignolet did well to keep out.

Villa were inches away from opening the scoring on 24 minutes when Ciaran Clark lost Glen Johnson from Westwood's corner and was unlucky to see his header come back off the base of the post.

A minute later Villa grabbed the lead their early dominance deserved as Agbonlahor beat Kolo Toure for pace down the left and crossed for Weimann to slide the ball home from close range.

Villa grabbed a second goal on 37 minutes with Agbonlahor again the provider as his cross from the right failed to be cut out by Mignolet and Johnson and Benteke was on hand to head home into an empty net.

Liverpool created their best chance of the opening half on 41 minutes when Suarez beat two Villa defenders and laid the ball into the path of Aly Cissokho, who sliced his shot horribly wide of goal much to the annoyance of Suarez, who was expecting a return pass from the full-back.

Liverpool pulled a goal back right on the stroke of half-time when Suarez found Jordan Henderson inside the box and his clever flick ran into the path of Sturridge, who expertly lifted the ball over the onrushing Guzan.

Liverpool drew level seven minutes after the break with Suarez latching onto a fine pass from Gerrard to go clear on goal before being upended by Guzan.

Gerrard took responsibilty from the spot and scored to drag Liverpool back into the game.

Guzan denied Liverpool a third on 65 minutes with a superb reaction save to keep out Henderson's powerful shot from the edge of the box.

Suarez went close 13 minutes from time with a free-kick from fully 35 yards which flew just wide with Guzan beaten in the Villa goal.

Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages as they both had to be content with a point.

Premier League: Aston Villa pay the penalty as Liverpool come from behind to win

Aston Villa remain in the Premier League relegation zone after Liverpool came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Villa Park.

Villa had threatened a third successive league victory when Christian Benteke fired them into a first half lead against the run of play.

But Liverpool hit back two minutes after half-time through Jordan Henderson's well-taken chip and Steven Gerrard then stepped up on the hour to convert a penalty after Luis Suarez had been felled inside the box.

The result keeps Villa in the bottom three on goal-difference, while seventh-placed Liverpool slashed the gap to Merseyside rivals Everton to three points.

Villa posed plenty of problems for Liverpool in the first half and Gabriel Agbonlahor should have put the hosts ahead after 17 minutes but fired his close-range shot straight at Pepe Reina.

Benteke had scored twice in the 3-1 win at Anfield earlier in the season and after 31 minutes he put Villa ahead.

Ashley Westwood's long ball was turned back by Agbonlahor to Benteke who drilled a fierce shot past Reina who got a hand on the ball but could not keep it out of the net. It was the 18th goal of the season from the Belgian international.

Liverpool failed to level before the break but did so soon after when Philippe Coutinho's defence-splitting pass was seized on by Henderson who flicked the ball over Guzan into the corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

With Liverpool on the front foot and pressure building it came as no surprise when the lively Suarez was needlessly brought down in the box by Nathan Baker and the resulting spot-kick was converted by Gerrard.

Andreas Weimann could have made it 2-2 but scooped his shot over the bar from 10 yards and Gerrard then reacted well at the other end to head Benteke's header off the line at full stretch from a corner.

But Liverpool had succeeded in taking much of the string out of Villa's attacking threat and quietening the Holte End, who had their late celebrations cut short after Benteke's injury time effort was ruled out for offside.

An elated Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports after the match: "Our character was outstanding today. I thought we played reasonably well in the first half but we made a mistake and were punished by a good finish from Benteke.

"I thought we created chances in the first half and second half we upped the tempo and going forward we were excellent. Defensively we were nice and solid so it was a terrific win for us. Paul's (Lambert) teams always go right to the end and it was tough for us.

"Our quality was there as was our drive and determination. I thought that tactically we adapted very well and overall I'm very, very pleased. After losing the previous game (against Southampton) you want to bounce back and we did that."

Lambert did not think there was much between the sides but was left to lament two "poor goals".

He said: "I thought first half we were excellent - I really did. There was Gabby's (Agbonlahor's) chance which if he mis-kicks it, it probably goes in but the keeper (Pepe Reina) did well and stood up to it.

"There wasn't much in it in the second half but we never had the fluency which we did have in the first half, but you can't give away goals like we did. It was a definite penalty, I've just seen it."

Asked how disappointed he was to concede so soon after half-time, Lambert added: "It was a poor goal two minutes in, when we were attacking, but Liverpool can do that with the players that they've got. You've always got to be switched on against them but from our point of view it's a poor goal."

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Premier League: Andy Carroll scores twice as West Ham beat West Brom 3-1

Saturday 30th March 2013 17:08

Two goals from Andy Carroll helped West Ham take a step towards Premier League safety with a 3-1 win over West Brom.

The on-loan striker opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner, with Gary O'Neil doubling the lead inside 30 minutes.

Carroll's deft finish put the Hammers clear and, although Graeme Dorrans pulled one back, West Brom finished with 10 men when Youssouf Mulumbu was sent off in stoppage-time.

West Ham were playing on home turf for the first time since the confirmation of their move away from the Boleyn Ground to the Olympic Stadium.

Maintaining their Premier League status between now and August 2016 is of the utmost importance, and three of the five points Sam Allardyce had targeted from their remaining nine games would go a long way to allaying any nagging fears of a swift return to the Championship.

A lively start saw both sides exchange chances before Carroll did open the scoring. Ricardo Vaz Te wasted an opening when he lashed a volley to the right of the post, and West Brom saw a goal rightfully disallowed when Gareth McAuley bundled the ball in at a corner, having collided with Jussi Jaaskelainen in the process.

The home keeper then made a brilliant save that doubled in value shortly afterwards. Romelu Lukaku's free-kick took a deflection that wrong-footed the former Bolton veteran, but he flung out his right hand to touch the ball onto the post and back into his hands.

When Carroll rose above the West Brom defence to head the ball past a helpless Ben Foster, Jaaskelainen's save was put into context, and Mohamed Diame went close to doubling the lead seconds later with a rasping shot that tore past a static Foster to go just over the bar.

Matt Jarvis shot over from close range, but West Ham did add to their lead on 28 minutes through a rapid counter-attack from a West Brom corner. Vaz Te teased the West Brom defence before finding O'Neil, who looped the ball across and beyond Foster with a sublime finish.

The hosts stayed in control until the break, but West Brom were a different proposition afterwards. Lukaku looked more like his old forceful self, but it was defender Billy Jones who went closest to scoring, driving into the box and forcing Jaaskelainen to smother his poked shot just a few yards out.

The arrival of Peter Odemwingie, booed by some West Brom fans for his recent Twitter outburst, upped the Baggies' tempo and the home fans were becoming anxious when Carroll settled the match with a moment of outstanding skill.

James Collins' free-kick dropped over the striker's right shoulder, and as he moved away from Jonas Olsson, Carroll volleyed the ball across and past Foster for his fourth goal in four games.

West Brom pulled one back with two minutes to go from the penalty spot after Lukaku had been caught by Matt Taylor and Winston Reid. Graham Dorrans fired the ball past Jaaskelainen, but the game ended badly for West Brom when Mulumbu lashed the ball in frustration at a West Ham player after conceding a free-kick deep into stoppage-time.

Referee Andre Marriner showed the midfielder a straight red card, meaning he will miss the next three games as West Brom's hopes of European football next season receded further.

Speaking after the game, Allardyce was full of praise for Carroll and was pleased the striker was able to demonstrate the full range of his ability.

Allardyce said: "He's not just strong in the air, as people perceive is his only strength, it's the quality on the floor, the hold-up play and then the technique on the volley, as we saw, was outstanding. It was a world-class finish, nobody can take that away from him, it was outstanding."

But Allardyce's counterpart Steve Clarke was left to lament a performance which he felt was unlike his West Brom team.

Clarke said: "In the first half, West Ham were better than us at the ugly side, winning the second balls and keeping the pressure on us.

"They did that well, and we didn't do it well enough. The goals we conceded are not like us, they were three disappointing goals to lose."

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Premier League: Tottenham held off a spirited Swansea fightback to win 2-1

Saturday 30th March 2013 17:05

Tottenham held off a spirited Swansea fightback to secure a vital 2-1 victory at the Liberty Stadium, which kept them on course for a top-four finish.

Sublime goals from Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale put Spurs in pole position to get back to winning ways after back-to-back league defeats.

However, the home side rallied in the second half and got themselves back in it thanks to Michu, who headed his 11th home league goal of the season to ensure a nervy end to the game for the travelling Spurs faithful.

The visitors managed to hang on though and moved up to third thanks to results elsewhere, whilst the Swans remain comfortable in ninth.

It did not take long for Spurs get into their stride, and the in-form Bale turned provider for a change, lofting a sublime pass on the turn into the path of the onrushing Vertonghen, who plucked the ball out of the air and prodded a shot past Michel Vorm.

With only one clean sheet in the last nine Premier League games, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas will not have been sitting comfortably, but just 15 minutes later the same two players combined to devastating effect to double the visitors' lead.

Vorm's poor clearance found its way to Vertonghen, who carried the ball forward, drilled a pass into the feet of Bale and he took one touch before lashing an unstoppable shot past the helpless Swansea keeper.

Michael Laudrup needed a response from Swansea, and the shell-shocked home side upped their game and started to create more opportunities, the best of which was wasted by Nathan Dyer, who could only head Dwight Tiendalli's pinpoint centre onto the underside of the bar from close range.

The home side continued to increase their intensity in the second period, and looked much more of a threat going forward.

A quickly taken free-kick caught Spurs sleeping, but Brad Friedel reacted well to smother Michu's prod towards goal.

The Swans' pressure did eventually tell on 71 minutes as Michu outjumped a flat-footed Michael Dawson to head a right-wing corner into the bottom corner.

Bale did almost make it three, clipping the bottom of the post after a mazy run, but arguably his most important contribution was a last-ditch block in injury-time to thwart Dyer when he looked odds-on to net a dramatic equaliser.

Speaking after the game, Villas-Boas was pleased to see Spurs pick up some momentum in the pursuit of Champions League qualification following recent defeats by Liverpool and Fulham.

"It was an important victory after back-to-back defeats," he said. "We cannot expect to dominate away from home, but we had a couple of chances to make it three which would have helped us. Momentum shifts quickly, but we just have to keep winning."

Swansea boss Laudrup was left to rue a slow start to the game after falling 2-0 down after just 21 minutes.

Laudrup said: "They just started better than us. The second goal we couldn't have done much about, as Gareth Bale made the difference. But the first we should have done much better with. We had five against two in our favour."

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Premier League: Titus Bramble own goal sees Manchester United past Sunderland

Saturday 30th March 2013 14:37

An own goal from Sunderland's Titus Bramble handed Manchester United a 1-0 win and an 18-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Fortune has not been smiling on the Black Cats this season and they remain rooted in relegation trouble after seeing their winless run stretched to eight games.

In contrast, United are strolling towards the title and could even afford to leave Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney out of their matchday squad at the Stadium of Light.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side dominated possession from the off in the North East, as they enjoyed a positive return to the scene of their final day heartache from 2011/12.

Robin van Persie nodded an early effort into the hands of Simon Mignolet, before Alexander Buttner took one too many touches after bursting into the box.

The home support were doing all they could to drag an extra ounce of effort from their struggling troops, and they were almost awarded a gift by David de Gea - but he was saved by the assistant's flag after badly scuffing a clearance straight at Danny Graham.

Sunderland were then offered another kick in the teeth on 27 minutes when Van Persie - without a goal in his previous seven outings for United - wriggled past Phil Bardsley and drilled over a cross-shot which flicked off the knee of Bramble and past a helpless Mignolet.

The Dutchman wheeled away in celebration, believing he had notched his 20th Premier League goal of the season, but he will have to wait a little longer before reaching that particular milestone.

United continued to probe for the remainder of the first half, without really threatening, and the only other point of note during the opening 45 minutes was the early exit of Rafael - as he had to be replaced by Jonny Evans just past the half-hour mark.

Alfred N'Diaye fired a cross from a promising position into the stands at the start of the second period, before Van Persie whipped a dangerous free-kick into the face of the brave Danny Rose at the opposite end of the field.

Sunderland were able to offer more of a threat as an attacking force as they grew into the contest, but their final ball, be that from a cross or shot, let them down on too many occasions.

United suffered another injury scare when De Gea was involved in a nasty clash of heads with his captain Nemanja Vidic, but the Spaniard was able to continue and help the Red Devils to a sixth successive clean sheet - and their 11th in 30 league outings.

The game became stretched in the final quarter, with the Black Cats having to go chasing a point, but they were unable to find a way through a dogged visiting defence and United were ultimately happy to settle for one goal in a seventh straight win - with Vidic coming as close as anyone to grabbing a second as he nodded narrowly wide from a corner.

Speaking after the game, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the battling qualities of his side as they edged a step closer to reclaiming the top-flight crown.

He told Sky Sports: "It was a battling performance by the players. We picked up two or three injuries along the way and it was courage that got us through in the second half. It means we will go into the Man City game with at least a 15-point lead.

"I think the players have galvanised themselves - the team spirit, the concentration, the focus in every game. That's 25 wins in 30 league games, which is a record. That's all down to the efforts of the players."

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill remains confident that the Black Cats can haul their way to safety, despite ending another afternoon empty-handed.

He told Sky Sports: "Confidence is a major thing in the game and we are striving for it, but I thought the players can take a great deal of confidence from that second-half performance.

"We have to go and put it right, and we intend to do so. There is a determination in that dressing room to get the points. Nothing is too easy in this game, but we are up for the challenge."

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Premier League Preview: Everton v Stoke

After making history in Europe, Stoke City travel to Everton on Sunday looking for their first win at Goodison Park in over 30 years.

A 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kiev at Britannia Stadium on Thursday gave Stoke the point they needed to secure progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League from Group E, and they will have their eye on more history on Sunday.

Stoke recorded a 1-0 win at Goodison in April 1981 but have failed to take full points in their next seven visits.

And it will not be easy to break their hoodoo as they face an Everton side beginning to find form after successive victories against Wolves and Bolton.

Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored in Everton’s 2-0 win at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday and feels his side are well prepared for the visit of Tony Pulis’ men.

“We’d not got two wins from two games and it was an important victory at Bolton,” Fellaini told the Liverpool Echo.

“It was a good game, we were lucky because they had to play with 10 players but I think it was a red card. It’s a great result. It’s good for the confidence of the team ahead of next week.”

“Stoke have the same sort of style as Bolton but we are playing at home, have confidence and we will hope to win again.”

Fellaini and his team-mates will feel confident of scoring against a Stoke side who have conceded in each of their last eight matches in all competitions.

What is also in Everton’s favour is the fact Stoke have lost all four Premier League matches that have come after Europa League group stage fixtures, conceding 14 goals in the process and scoring just once.

That statistic will motivate Stoke but whether they have enough to defeat a resurgent Everton remains to be seen.

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Premier League: Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1

Tottenham Hotspur defeated Aston Villa 2-0 on Monday to move third in the English Premier League, thanks to a brace from Emmanuel Adebayor.

Togolese striker Adebayor had chances to complete his hat-trick after his two strikes at White Hart Lane ended a run of seven appearances without a goal.

Tottenham were boosted by the return of manager Harry Redknapp to the bench after a period of absence following heart surgery.

But it was visitors Villa who started the match strongly and could have gone ahead inside the first minute.

Emile Heskey got on the end of a deep cross from Stilian Petrov, but Kyle Walker did enough to prevent the striker heading the ball back to partner Darren Bent.

It proved a false start for Alex McLeish’s away team, and after that, it was all Spurs.

Rafael van der Vaart’s clever trickery on the edge of the box nearly put through Adebayor, but the pass was too heavy and went harmlessly through to goalkeeper Shay Given.

Benoit Assou Ekotto’s cross-field pass then found Aaron Lennon, who nipped past Stephen Warnock with ease.

His delivery was headed into the ground and wide by Adebayor, who should have hit the target.

The on-loan Manchester City striker made amends for his error shortly afterwards, showing great technique in the six-yard box to open the scoring after 14 minutes.

Younes Kaboul’s volley was deflected wide, and from the resulting corner Adebayor scored with an overhead kick after Villa’s defence fell asleep on the second ball back into the box by Gareth Bale.

Van der Vaart twice went close again, as did Adebayor, before Villa’s second chance of the first-half fell to Heskey, who was played in by Gabby Agbonlahor.

The powerful centre-forward opted to try and set up Bent rather than go for glory himself, and the ball trickled out of play for a goal kick.

That poor decision making proved costly when Adebayor made it two five minutes before half-time.

The goal came courtesy of a Bale cross that was deflected up and over Given by defender James Collins, leaving Adebayor the simplest of close-range finishes.

Villa’s attempt at a response in the second-half proved uninspired.

Kris Herd crossed for Darren Bent, with the resulting header well saved by goalkeeper Brad Friedel, called into action for the first time in the match.

Adebayor went close for his hat-trick on numerous occasions.

And he had the ball in the back of the net late on, but play had already stopped with Lennon flagged for offside.

Spurs had further chances after that but could not add to their tally.

Nevertheless, they saw out the closing exchanges for a comfortable victory.

Tottenham are now four points behind Manchester United and nine back from leaders City.

Villa meanwhile sit eighth, and remain without an away win from six league matches on the road this season.

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Premier League: Fulham 1 Tottenham 3

Tottenham were made to dig deep to take home the three points from Craven Cottage on Sunday.

First-half goals from Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon and another in second-half stoppage time from Jermain Defoe sealed the win as the hosts’ second-half display was not quite enough to earn a draw.

Tottenham wasted no time in getting their noses in front as a speedy run on the right from full-back Kyle Walker stretched the Fulham defence after 10 minutes.

The 21-year-old’s cut-back to Lennon was smashed to the far post until Mark Schwarzer deflected the ball wide to his right. The danger was still present as Bale put the ball back into the area only for Chris Baird to slide the ball into his own net.

A blow to the nose of Scott Parker caused a break in play after 20 minutes as the England international had to leave the field to be patched up with blood running.

Shortly after, Fulham broke the Tottenham defence with Clint Dempsey’s low shot being pushed away by fellow American Brad Friedel.

With the visitors in the lead, Fulham had to take the lead in the game and an unexpected figure in Emmanuel Adebayor came to the rescue for Tottenham to keep the lead intact.

From a free-kick on the right, the striker made a couple of headers to help out his defenders and maintain the advantage.

Teamwork between Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Bale and Lennon produced the second goal for Tottenham in first half stoppage time. The three moved the ball with ease with quick passing and crisp running which sprung the winger to slide in the second goal of the game.

The period finished with Fulham’s Zdenek Grygera appearing to twist his left knee and being carried from the field on a stretcher.

Whatever Jol told his side in the dressing at half-time certainly did the trick as the home side came flying out of the blocks. Shots were flying in for Fulham with Duff and Zamora both testing the defence.

This sustained pressure paid off from a corner when a Ledley King header hit the back of Younes Kaboul and beyond Friedel with the big defender knowing little about it.

The openings kept coming for Fulham and Baird nearly made amends for his involvement in the first goal with a smashed effort at goal which required Freidel to pull off another classy save. The warning bells must have been ringing loud and clear for Tottenham as the Fulham revival was unabated.

Dempsey would have been kicking himself after 74 minutes as he broke through the centre-half pairing and bore down on goal only to see his shot knocked wide by King whose slid was a crucial intervention, the chance to level up gone.

The final moments of the game summed up Fulham’s day perfectly. Two goal line scrambles kept everyone on the edge of the seats but brilliant concentration for Friedel and a huge slice of luck kept Fulham out.

And, as to twist the knife, Tottenham’s next attack killed the game with Jermain Defoe volleying in from a cross.

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Premier League: Wolves 3 Wigan 1

Wolverhampton Wanderers ended their eight-game wait for a Premier League win, beating fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

Goals from Jamie O’Hara, David Edwards and Stephen Ward gave Wolves three points for the first time since August and put more pressure on Latics manager Roberto Martinez.

The visitors looked several yards short of a team worthy of a place in the top flight and barely deserved the goal they scored from the penalty spot by Ben Watson.

The result cemented their place at the foot of the table and launched Wolves into 13th place.

If it had not been for the athleticism of Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, Wolves would have netted more.

Wolves had conceded 16 goals in their previous seven league games and their defensive problems were highlighted when Adlene Guedioura was played into trouble by a poor pass from left-back Ward.

Again, Wigan failed to take advantage after Mohamed Diame’s tackle and the through ball was wasted by a Hugo Rodallega shot that lacked conviction.

The Colombian then missed a golden opportunity in the 31st minute after Di Santo robbed Richard Stearman on the right.

His inch-perfect long ball looped over Christophe Berra’s head but Rodallega casually sidefooted wide with Wayne Hennessey’s net at his mercy.

Boss Martinez had even more cause to put his head in his hands after the subsequent goal kick led O’Hara to punish Rodallega’s folly.

The clearance was nodded into Doyle’s path by Guedioura and his smart cross was blasted home by the on-rushing midfielder.

Wigan had rarely threatened but their right flank had looked the most likely to reap reward. Full-back Emerson Boyce drove on from deep to produce the penalty slotted home by Watson at the second attempt in the 42nd minute.

The ex-Crystal Palace defender’s charge into the box was ended by a block from Hunt that left referee Lee Probert with no choice but to point to the spot.

Watson’s poor shot was stopped easily by Hennessey, however, he then pushed the ball to the grateful midfielder to complete the job.

Wolves regained the lead 10 minutes after the interval.

Substitute Matt Jarvis drew out Boyce and then played in Henry. The midfield hatchet-man showed surprising grace to dance to the byline and cut back to Hunt.

The Irishman’s shot from point blank range was saved superbly by Al Habsi, but even better was to come, as he somehow clawed away O’Hara’s follow-up when prone on the ground.

Unluckily for the shot stopper, third time was the trick for Wolves as Edwards unleashed an unstoppable half-volley into the net as the stationery Wigan defence watched on.

Ward made the victory safe with Wolves’ third in the 66th minute.

Jarvis was the creator this time as he danced inside Boyce to find Edwards. Edwards’ scuffed effort was deflected into O’Hara’s path and his shot was save brilliantly by Al Habsi again.

Cruelly, history repeated itself and the rebound from Ward was deflected home via Alcaraz.

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Premier League: QPR 2 Manchester City 3

A Yaya Toure header gave Manchester City a 3-2 win at QPR to keep Roberto Mancini’s men five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

QPR started the better of the two sides with Heidar Helguson flashing wide in the opening minutes.

A deserved goal came for the hosts when Joey Barton played in a free-kick from the right, with Jay Bothroyd rising highest to bury the header from eight yards.

Neil Warnock’s men continued to apply pressure, with Jamie Mackie forcing a save from Joe Hart who also reacted well to block Helguson’s follow-up.

QPR’s failure to extend the advantage was soon punished as James Milner slid through a pass to Edin Dzeko who cut in from the left before coolly placing the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors found a quick breakthrough after the interval as Dzeko fed David Silva, who glided past two defenders and finished from inside the penalty area.

Dzeko then burst through on the hour and let off a left-footed shot, but Paddy Kenny pulled off a smart save to keep it out.

City’s dominant spell was broken with just over 20 minutes left as Armand Traore’s cross was met by Bothroyd whose header deflected off Helguson and into Hart’s goal.

But Mancini’s side bounced straight back as an Aleksandar Kolarov cross swung precisely onto the head of Toure, who nodded home what proved to be the winner.

Helguson nearly registered another equaliser with 10 minutes remaining when he met Bartons free-kick and thumped a towering header against the top of the post.

QPR pushed for another chance but City shut the game down effectively enough to see it out and retain their comfortable advantage at the top of the table.

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Premier League: Bolton 5 Stoke 0

Bolton Wanderers grabbed their first home win of the season beating a Stoke City side that have now lost their last two league games.

Two goals in the first half from Kevin Davies and Chris Eagles proved a taste of things to come for the Trotters fans who went on to see an inspired performance from their players against an insipid Stoke side.

Eagles got his brace during an outstanding man-of-the-match display from the winger, with Ivan Klasnic also grabbing two goals to give the Lancashire outfit a much needed lift in their first home league win since April.

Bolton briskly took the lead with the game’s first action following a pass-back handled by Asmir Begovic.

The free kick just inside the Stoke box was taken immediately by a sharp minded Klasnic and put through skipper Kevin Davies with an open goal to put the ball past a bemused Potters keeper.

Peter Crouch was given a great chance to equalise just minutes later as strong running from Jermaine Pennant allowed the former Liverpool man to pop in a low ball across the Bolton area.

The Stoke forward got a slight touch on the cross to poke it towards Jussi Jaaskelainen, but the Finnish keeper got just enough on it to deflect it clear.

Stoke enjoyed their fair share of possession after the game had calmed down, with the ever threatening long-throw from Rory Delap entering the Bolton box on numerous occasions within the first 25 minutes.

However, the Potters were eventually punished for not spending their time on the ball more wisely after a stunning strike from Eagles doubled the Trotters’ lead with less than half an hour played.

A hesitant clearance from Begovic found the winger and the former Burnley man blasted the ball from around 30 yards.

Eagles again got himself in the mix for the move that led to Bolton’s third after 61 minutes, with the midfielder putting the ball into Robinson’s feet, and the full-back then proceeding to lay the ball perfectly for Klasnic to sweetly thunder past Begovic.

It was four for Bolton after Eagles again put himself into the heat of the action, this time as the goalscorer, popping the ball past Begovic after being put through by Klasnic.

Stoke’s efforts to even grab a consolation were bettered by the Bolton defence who constantly kept on top of their game to keep them from getting even a sniff at goal.

The result was put beyond even further doubt after Klasnic scored his second from a close-range effort in the Stoke box, with a floundering Begovic failing to get a proper touch on the ball, sending the Bolton faithful into raptures.

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Premier League: Bolton 5 Stoke 0

Bolton Wanderers grabbed their first home win of the season beating a Stoke City side that have now lost their last two league games.

Two goals in the first half from Kevin Davies and Chris Eagles proved a taste of things to come for the Trotters fans who went on to see an inspired performance from their players against an insipid Stoke side.

Eagles got his brace during an outstanding man-of-the-match display from the winger, with Ivan Klasnic also grabbing two goals to give the Lancashire outfit a much needed lift in their first home league win since April.

Bolton briskly took the lead with the game’s first action following a pass-back handled by Asmir Begovic.

The free kick just inside the Stoke box was taken immediately by a sharp minded Klasnic and put through skipper Kevin Davies with an open goal to put the ball past a bemused Potters keeper.

Peter Crouch was given a great chance to equalise just minutes later as strong running from Jermaine Pennant allowed the former Liverpool man to pop in a low ball across the Bolton area.

The Stoke forward got a slight touch on the cross to poke it towards Jussi Jaaskelainen, but the Finnish keeper got just enough on it to deflect it clear.

Stoke enjoyed their fair share of possession after the game had calmed down, with the ever threatening long-throw from Rory Delap entering the Bolton box on numerous occasions within the first 25 minutes.

However, the Potters were eventually punished for not spending their time on the ball more wisely after a stunning strike from Eagles doubled the Trotters’ lead with less than half an hour played.

A hesitant clearance from Begovic found the winger and the former Burnley man blasted the ball from around 30 yards.

Eagles again got himself in the mix for the move that led to Bolton’s third after 61 minutes, with the midfielder putting the ball into Robinson’s feet, and the full-back then proceeding to lay the ball perfectly for Klasnic to sweetly thunder past Begovic.

It was four for Bolton after Eagles again put himself into the heat of the action, this time as the goalscorer, popping the ball past Begovic after being put through by Klasnic.

Stoke’s efforts to even grab a consolation were bettered by the Bolton defence who constantly kept on top of their game to keep them from getting even a sniff at goal.

The result was put beyond even further doubt after Klasnic scored his second from a close-range effort in the Stoke box, with a floundering Begovic failing to get a proper touch on the ball, sending the Bolton faithful into raptures.

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Premier League: Newcastle 2 Everton 1

Ryan Taylor scored a phenomenal volley to help Newcastle United continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League on Saturday.

Taylor struck in the 29th minute after Everton defender John Heitinga had scored an own goal in the 12th minute.

Jack Rodwell reduced the arrears on the stroke of half-time in a thrilling encounter at St James’ Park.

The first real chance of the game fell to the Merseysiders on 10 minutes, as Royston Drenthe crossed from the left and Louis Saha’s flick on fell to Seamus Coleman at the far post.

The young midfielder should have done better, but hit his shot wide, failing to test Tim Krul.

Newcastle took the lead when right-back Danny Simpson whipped in a dangerous cross from the right wing, and a mis-communication between Heitinga and goalkeeper Tim Howard saw the Dutch centre-back slice the ball into his own net.

Against the run of play, Everton then managed to manufacture three chances in quick succession. The best by far fell to Saha who ran free of the home defence after an aerial ball beat the Toon defence.

However, the Frenchman dwelt on the ball, allowing Steven Taylor to pressure him into squandering his shot.

Moments later, David Moyes’ men were made to rue their missed chances after a failed clearance from a Newcastle throw-in fell to Ryan Taylor on the edge of the area.

The left-back had no right to score, but after Drenthe failed to close him down the he smashed an unstoppable volley, leaving Howard helpless.

Minutes later, the Toffees defence again failed to clear the ball, leaving Danny Guthrie with a chance to volley from the edge of the box.

The ball took a long time to fall for the midfielder, giving Heitinga time to get a block in.

On the stroke of half-time, Everton won their first corner of the match after a strong run down the right flank. Jack Rodwell ran to the front post to meet the ball and nod it past Krul.

Newcastle continued to pile the pressure on Moyes’ men after the interval. The first chance came as the ball fell to Guthrie on the edge of the box, but the midfielder did not have time to settle and shot high and wide.

Moments later, Saha hit a powerful, low shot but Taylor managed to deflect it wide.

On the 60-minute mark the end-to-end nature of the game was perfectly illustrated, with Tim Cahill getting a shot on target which Krul saved comfortably, before Sammy Ameobi smashed high and wide at the other end.

As ever, the Merseysiders refused to give up and were relentless in attacking the Magpies’ goal. But the equaliser failed to materialise, with Louis Saha missing a late chance and Tim Cahill failing to connect with a cross.

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Premier League: Tottenham 3 QPR 1

A Gareth Bale brace saw Tottenham defeat Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at White Hart Lane to move into fifth place in the Premier League.

Bale opened the scoring before Rafael Van Der Vaart chimed in with a goal, before QPR substitute Jay Bothroyd breathed some life into the game with a second-half strike.

But Bale extinguished the visitors’ hopes with his second of the match to seal three points for Harry Redknapp’s side.

After early pressure from Spurs, the visitors’ first chance came after a good passing move ended with Heidur Helguson just inside the area, but the Icelandic international could not direct the ball towards Brad Friedel’s goal.

Redknapp’s men then went in front straight after that chance as the goal kick by Friedel was knocked on by Emmanuel Adebayor to Aaron Lennon, who found the onrushing Bale before the Welshman slotted past Paddy Kenny in the QPR goal.

Spurs continued to dominate the game and were ultimately rewarded as Van Der Vaart latched onto a loose ball and placed it beyond Kenny for his fifth goal in as many Premier League games.

The hosts could have killed the game off minutes into the second period as Van Der Vaart found space on the edge of the area before his drive was clawed away by Kenny.

QPR found a lifeline just after the hour as a corner from the right was knocked back into the danger zone, with Bothroyd on hand to knock the ball home from close range.

Kenny once again showed his worth for the Loftus Road side, making two outstanding saves from Adebayor and Bale to keep his team in the game.

Spurs eventually got their third after a superb one-two between Lennon and Bale ended with the latter curling a shot around the helpless Kenny to restore his side’s two-goal cushion.

With 15 minutes left Spurs should have killed the game off as Lennon showed great skill to find Adebayor inside the box, but the Togolese striker failed to find the target from point-blank range.

QPR had a series of chances inside injury time, but they failed to find the target as Spurs ran out comfortable winners.

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Premier League title race still has a long way to go

Manchester City hammering neighbours Manchester City 6-1 at Old Trafford may have been a fantastic result for the visitors but a lot of people are overreacting saying that the title race is all but over.

The bookmakers have also installed City as new favourites for the Premier League title.

Dream

Virtually everything went for the visitors at Old Trafford. To win 6-1 at Old Trafford is a dream for any Manchester City fan and player. This was a day that is very unlikely to ever be repeated. The defeat was Manchester United’s biggest ever home defeat in the Premier League.

Superb

At the moment Manchester City are in fantastic form and playing stylish football. The real test for City will come when they are going through their tough period of the season, because every club in the Premier League seems to have a tricky time during the course of a season.

If they come through that period unscathed then they would be favourites to win the Premier League. However we are only nine games into the Premier League season and there is still a long way to go in the title race.

Awful

Yesterday’s game was a really bad day at the office for Manchester United. Its very rare that Manchester United experience a heavy home defeat and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he expects a reaction from his players in their next game.

Manchester United players usually react well to defeats and that’s why the club have won so much silverware under the Scot. They have the ability to bounce back quickly and they will have to after their embarrassment at the hands of their neighbours.

A trip to Everton’s Goodison Park is next up for Ferguson’s men and they will have to produce a better display if they are to claim a victory on Merseyside.

Psychological

This victory will do more for the psyches of the two sets of players than anything else.  The victory will give City the belief that they have now arrived and are capable of winning the Premier League title. Manchester United in previous seasons though have been strong mentality and this season is unlikely to be different. This defeat could galvanise the Red Devils and they could back stronger than before.

Favourites

The Manchester City camp are not letting themselves get carried away though. Manager Roberto Mancini played down their status as Premier League title favourites. He told press: “I think there are four or five teams that can win the title in the end. The season is too long, it is very difficult every game, every three days we play.

“I think against Tottenham we played very well, and against Bolton, but this is different – we played against a strong team like United. But in the end there are three points – finished. We don’t take six points for this game.”

Challengers

Manchester City overcome the barrier of not having won a trophy in thirty odd years last season and now have a really good chance of adding to their trophy collection this season. However Manchester United and even Chelsea are accustomed to challenging for the big trophies.

Their players have been there and done it all before. If Manchester City are to become a major European club then City need to get to that point. If they win the title this season then they have arrived.

I think the Premier League title race will probably go down to the wire. Chelsea and Manchester United have too much quality in their squads to give up the title race easily. They have players who are experienced in these sorts of battles and won’t be far away from City.

Start

Manchester City still have a hell of a long way to go to catch up to their neighbours Manchester United but a first Premier League title this season would be a good start. And I suspect the trophy collecting won’t finish there for United’s ‘Noisy Neighbours’.

Will Manchester City now go on to win the Premier League title?

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Premier League: QPR 1 Chelsea 0

QPR defeated nine-man Chelsea 1-0 to notch their first home win of the season as a Heidar Helguson penalty separated the West London rivals.

Chelsea played the entire second half with nine men as Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba were both sent off in the first period of a fiery and combative game at Loftus Road.

QPR got off to an ideal start as a strong run from Helguson ended in David Luiz body checking the Icelandic international to give the hosts a penalty.

Helguson converted the spot kick despite Petr Cech doing well to get a hand on the ball.

A sublime through ball from Adel Taarabt then provided an opening for winger Shaun Wright-Phillips who set off in a foot race with Bosingwa, only to be brought down as he approached the penalty box.

In a highly controversial decision, referee Chris Foy pulled the red card from his pocket after deeming Bonsingwa to be the last man in Chelsea’s defence at the time of the foul.

With the opening half nearing an end matters got worse for Chelsea as a mindless two-footed lunge from Drogba reduced Andres Villas-Boas’ side to nine men.

The Ivorian had lost possession of the ball and was clearly frustrated as he flung himself at the ankles of Taarabt, who needed treatment following the foul.

With Chelsea playing with huge gaps in their formation, space was always open for QPR to exploit in the second half Taarabt did just that when his defence-splitting pass found Luke Young, whose right-footed shot flashed across the face of Cech’s goal.

A pair of possible Chelsea penalties were turned down late on as Frank Lampard tumbled to the ground under a challenge from Fitz Hall, while Luiz also had his appeals for a foul waved away by Foy.

Chelsea’s best and final chance of levelling up the affair fell to substitute Nicolas Anelka who missed a golden opportunity when he directed his close-range header straight to QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

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Premier League: Blackburn 1 Tottenham 2

Two goals from Rafael van der Vaart condemned Blackburn to another home defeat as Tottenham recorded a 2-1 Premier League victory at Ewood Park.

Despite a strong performance from the home side they lacked quality in front of goal and were punished by two excellent strikes from Spurs’ Dutch forward.

Mauro Formica had got his side back into the game before Van der Vaart struck to seal the points for the visitors.

Despite Blackburn creating some good chances early it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Kyle Walker surged down the right and passed to Van der Vaart, who calmly side-footed the ball into the back of the net.

Gareth Bale was causing problems for Blackburn’s defence, with the Welshman’s low cross finding Emmanuel Adebayor whose shot was well saved by Paul Robinson.

Spurs had been dominating the game but in the 27th minute the hosts got themselves back on level terms when Formica reacted fastest to a scramble inside the penalty area before blasting the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out.

The visitors began the second half in a confident mood and were twice very close to going ahead in the 52nd minute through Luka Modric and Bale.

Seconds later Van der Vaart doubled his tally with a sublime finish from the edge of the area.

The introduction of Yakubu in the 69th minute seemed to awaken Blackburn and the Nigerian had three good chances to get his side back into the game.

The first came from a low cross but he managed to put his shot wide of the post. He then had two good headed opportunities but he was unable to test Brad Friedel in the Spurs goal.

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Premier League: Wolves 2 Swansea 2

Wolverhampton fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Swansea City and end a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats.

First-half goals from Danny Graham and Joe Allen cranked up the pressure on Wolves boss Mick McCarthy and led to calls for his sacking from the crowd at Molineux.

A dramatic fightback in the last 10-minutes saw Kevin Doyle and Jamie O’Hara stun the visitors and breathe life back into the hosts’ season.

Impressive Swansea midfielder Joe Allen probed the Wolves defence whenever he got his foot on the ball in the early stages.

In the eighth minute, his shot from distance was pushed over the crossbar by fellow Wales international Wayne Hennessey as the visitors forced a series of corners.

The pressure eventually saw Danny Graham open the scoring in the 24th minute, with the ex-Watford striker given time to slot home from six yards out.

Frustration grew among Wolves fans in the 35th minute as Swansea effortlessly cut through the hosts’ defence to double their advantage.

Graham left marker O’Hara in his wake, and the striker squared for Allen to side-foot home from point-blank range.

With the Wolves crowd audibly mumbling their discontent, their side’s brightest moment on the pitch came on 50 minutes as the ball fell to Ebanks Blake’s feet.

With his back to goal, the ex-Manchester United trainee was unable to work some space and the chance was snubbed out by the dominant Ashley Williams.

When all looked lost, McCarthy looked to his bench and threw on striker Sam Vokes.

This decision was rewarded immediately as the Welshman turned and shot from a corner, with his effort falling to Doyle to slot home from close range.

The unlikely leveller came two minutes later as Stephen Ward charged down the left and his centre found O’Hara in space to fire into the roof of the net.

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