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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A new spin on the penalty shootout

Browse > Home / Features / A new spin on the penalty shootout

Lesson to the England football team: During the next penalty shootout, put a bit of spin on the ball. If you do, something like this can happen!

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Rangers pay penalty for fan troubles

Rangers fans have been found guilty of discriminatory behaviour by UEFA and handed a one-match away ban in Europe.

The Scottish club has also been fined a total of 80,000 euros by UEFA’s disciplinary body, who took umbrage with fans singing sectarian chants during the home and away legs of Rangers’ Europa League tie with Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven last month.

For the charge relating to the away leg, Rangers were fined 40,000 euros and barred from selling tickets to supporters for the club’s next two away fixtures in any UEFA club competition.

The second match, however, is suspended for a probationary period of three years.

For the charge relating to the home leg, Rangers were fined another 40,000 euro and ordered play their next home fixture behind closed doors, although this punishment was also suspended for three years.

Rangers, who were not permitted any representation at the hearing, have three days to appeal the sanctions.

A UEFA statement said: “Following a charge of discriminatory behaviour at the first leg match against PSV Eindhoven on March 10, 2011, Rangers FC have been fined 40,000 euro and the club is restricted from selling any tickets to its supporters for two away matches in UEFA club competitions (with the respective home clubs also not authorised to sell tickets to Rangers FC supporters).

“This ban applies to Rangers FC’s next away match and is suspended for the second away match for a probationary period of three years.”

“The control and disciplinary body also fined the Scottish club a further 40,000 euro for discriminatory behaviour at the second leg match on March 17 and ordered Rangers FC to play their next home UEFA club competition match behind closed doors.”

“This sanction is however deferred for a probationary period of three years.”

Thu 28 April, 2011

Rangers pay penalty for fan troubles

Rangers fans have been found guilty of discriminatory behaviour by UEFA and handed a one-match away ban in Europe.

The Scottish club has also been fined a total of 80,000 euros by UEFA’s disciplinary body, who took umbrage with fans singing sectarian chants during the home and away legs of Rangers’ Europa League tie with Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven last month.

For the charge relating to the away leg, Rangers were fined 40,000 euros and barred from selling tickets to supporters for the club’s next two away fixtures in any UEFA club competition.

The second match, however, is suspended for a probationary period of three years.

For the charge relating to the home leg, Rangers were fined another 40,000 euro and ordered play their next home fixture behind closed doors, although this punishment was also suspended for three years.

Rangers, who were not permitted any representation at the hearing, have three days to appeal the sanctions.

A UEFA statement said: “Following a charge of discriminatory behaviour at the first leg match against PSV Eindhoven on March 10, 2011, Rangers FC have been fined 40,000 euro and the club is restricted from selling any tickets to its supporters for two away matches in UEFA club competitions (with the respective home clubs also not authorised to sell tickets to Rangers FC supporters).

“This ban applies to Rangers FC’s next away match and is suspended for the second away match for a probationary period of three years.”

“The control and disciplinary body also fined the Scottish club a further 40,000 euro for discriminatory behaviour at the second leg match on March 17 and ordered Rangers FC to play their next home UEFA club competition match behind closed doors.”

“This sanction is however deferred for a probationary period of three years.”

Thu 28 April, 2011

Ferguson denies Chelsea penalty protests

Sir Alex Ferguson has scoffed at Chelsea’s claims for a late penalty in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

United defender Patrice Evra appeared to drag Ramires to the turf inside the box in second-half injury time, but referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco waved away the Chelsea’s penalty pleas in front of their home fans at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson’s men held on for a 1-0 lead, with Wayne Rooney’s 24th-minute strike all that separated the two sides at the final whistle on Wednesday.

Ferguson said he believed Brazil midfielder Ramires, who arrived from Benfica last August, was guilty of an opportunistic tumble.

“It looked as if the boy made the most it,” Ferguson said. “I haven’t seen the replay yet but it’s a break, the first we have had here for seven years.”

The Scot emphasised the importance of the result, which sees the Red Devils head into the return leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday with a handy away-goal advantage.

“I thought our players were great. Keeping a clean sheet was important.”

“Wayne Rooney was in tremendous form and has given us a really great opportunity to get to the semi-final. He was excellent. He got a lot of abuse tonight, late tackles, but got up and played.”

“We have got an advantage but the biggest advantage we have got is Old Trafford. I am banking on that.”

Thu 7 April, 2011

Ferguson denies Chelsea penalty protests

Sir Alex Ferguson has scoffed at Chelsea’s claims for a late penalty in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

United defender Patrice Evra appeared to drag Ramires to the turf inside the box in second-half injury time, but referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco waved away the Chelsea’s penalty pleas in front of their home fans at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson’s men held on for a 1-0 lead, with Wayne Rooney’s 24th-minute strike all that separated the two sides at the final whistle on Wednesday.

Ferguson said he believed Brazil midfielder Ramires, who arrived from Benfica last August, was guilty of an opportunistic tumble.

“It looked as if the boy made the most it,” Ferguson said. “I haven’t seen the replay yet but it’s a break, the first we have had here for seven years.”

The Scot emphasised the importance of the result, which sees the Red Devils head into the return leg at Old Trafford next Tuesday with a handy away-goal advantage.

“I thought our players were great. Keeping a clean sheet was important.”

“Wayne Rooney was in tremendous form and has given us a really great opportunity to get to the semi-final. He was excellent. He got a lot of abuse tonight, late tackles, but got up and played.”

“We have got an advantage but the biggest advantage we have got is Old Trafford. I am banking on that.”

Thu 7 April, 2011

Video- Dirk Kuyt penalty vs Sunderland 2011 March

Mar 20, 2011

This controversial Dirk Kuyt penalty vs Sunderland gave Liverpool the lead in their Premier League fixture against the Black Cats on March 20, 2011. Liverpool eventually won 2-0 against Sunderland.

Sunderland vs Liverpool-20/3/11- 13.30 UK kick off.

The Kuyt penalty vs Sunderland was scored in the 34th minute of the game. The penalty against Sunderland was awarded after Jay Spearing had been fouled by John Mensah. The foul was outside the box, leading to referee Kevin Friend pointing for the free kick, but in a controversial decision, the linesman deemed that it was a penalty. ( Spearing took a tumble inside the box)

Video- Dirk Kuyt penalty vs Sunderland- John Mensah foul on Jay Spearing

Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool ( Kuyt penalty 34′)

( Credits of this Kuyt penalty against Sunderland video with uploaders)

Mazzarri: Penalty call pivotal

Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri refused to blame a penalty decision against defender Salvatore Aronica for his side’s 3-0 loss to AC Milan, though he admitted it was a turning point.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted from the spot after Aronica was judged to have handled the ball inside the area, and the Swede’s second-half goal opened the floodgates as Milan extended their lead at the top of the Serie A to five points.Replays showed Milan were perhaps fortunate to win the spot kick, but Mazzarri did not blame the referee.”Until the penalty incident the game was balanced, then everything changed,” Mazzarri said.”Those penalties can be given. Sometimes they are and sometimes they are not. Tonight the referee decided to award it.”"But I don’t want to talk about referees, especially as there were other dubious decisions made, like some offside calls, so I want to avoid talking about them.”A win would have drawn Napoli level on points with Milan at the top of the table, but instead they now trail the league leaders by six points.Mazzarri admitted his side were not at their best at the San Siro and credited Milan for denying his side a clear path to goal.”We wanted to try a few things in the second half, but we couldn’t manage it,” Mazzarri said, adding: “Milan are a phenomenal side and they stopped us from playing.”"If possible, I would have liked to stop the game completely and got the side to just think about a few things for three minutes.”

Tue 1 March, 2011

Di Matteo: ´Absolutely´ a penalty

West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto di Matteo was fuming his side was not awarded a penalty in their 2-0 defeat at Blackburn on Sunday.

Rovers’ Jermaine Jones fouled Peter Odemwingie close to the edge of the penalty box on 68 minutes, but referee Mark Clattenburg adjudged that the Hawthorns striker was felled outside of the area.

Di Matteo disagreed.

“Yeah absolutely (it was a penalty), it was quite clear from where I was standing that the foul was inside (the box),” the Italian told Sky Sports.

The Albion boss said his side did not deserve to trail at half-time by a Gabriel Tamas own-goal, but conceded Albion did not maintain their form following the break and some poor defending allowed Junior Hoilett to score Rovers’ second.

“Before we conceded the first I thought we defended quite well, we were quite solid,” he said.

“At 1-0 down at half-time we were still in the game, but the way we came out in the second half was very disappointing.”

Blackburn manager Steve Kean heaped praise on goalkeeper Paul Robinson for keeping a clean sheet at Ewood Park.

“He was outstanding, absolutely outstanding. He’s a top class goalie. He’s really at the top of his game at the moment,” Kean said.

Sun 23 January, 2011

Video- Ryan Giggs penalty vs Liverpool FA Cup

Video Goal- Robert Snodgrass penalty vs Arsenal

Jan 8, 2011

This Robert Snodgrass penalty vs Arsenal very nearly gave Leeds United an upset win over the Gunners in the FA Cup on January 8, 2011. Unfortunately for Leeds, Cesc Fabregas scored the equaliser for Arsenal from the penalty spot, thereby ensuring that the tie went into a replay.

Leeds got the penalty when Denilson clumsily fouled Max Gradel in the box. Snodgrass duly converted the penalty- his fifth strike of the season away from Elland Road.

Video-Snodgrass penalty against Arsenal

Video- Steven Gerrard penalty miss vs Blackburn Rovers

Jan 5, 2011

This Gerrard penalty miss against Blackburn would probably have not made a big difference to the eventual result ( 3-1 to Blackburn), but it would certainly have set up a tense last few minutes for the home side.

Gerrard’s missed penalty vs Blackburn came just minutes after he had pulled one back for Liverpool.

Video- Blackburn Rovers 3-1 ( Steven Gerrard missed penalty 86′)

Gerrard blazes his penalty over the bar- a rare miss from the spot for the Liverpool skipper.

Video- Peter Odemwingie penalty miss vs Manchester United

Jan 1, 2011

Here is a video of the missed penalty by Peter Odemwingie ( West Brom) against Manchester United.

With the match tied at 1-1, Rio Ferdinand fouled Jerome Thomas in the box, leading to a penalty for the Baggies. However Odemwingie dragged his shot wide, and the penalty miss proved to be crucial as Javier Hernandez scored later in the game to give Man United a 2-1 win over West Brom

Video- Peter Odemwingie penalty miss against Man United

Video-Wayne Rooney penalty miss vs Arsenal

Dec 13, 2010

Wayne Rooney missed a penalty during Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday, December 13, 2010.

The penalty was awarded for a handball by Arsenal left back Gael Clichy, but Rooney blazed the resulting spot kick over the bar.

Wayne Rooney missed penalty against Arsenal ( Man United 1-0 Arsenal)

Rooney penalty miss ( 74th minute)

Didier Drogba penalty miss vs Tottenham- Video

Dec 12, 2010

Didier Drogba missed penalty ( Tottenham 1-1 Chelsea)- December 12, 2010.

With the game tied at 1-1, Heurelho Gomes felled Ramires in the box, leading to Mike Dean giving the penalty in favour of Chelsea. Drogba, who had scored Chelsea’s equaliser in the game, stepped up, but Gomes was equal to the task and saved the penalty.

Drogba penalty miss against Tottenham ( Heurelho Gomes penalty save)

( The penalty miss comes during the end part of the video)