HANDSHAKES, RED CARDS AND A FOOTBALL MATCH SOMEWHERE IN THERE
The engrossing kitchen-sink drama starring John Terry, Wayne Bridge and Vanessa Perroncel reached its zenith this weekend as Chelsea and Manchester City met at Stamford Bridge.
The pre-match kerfuffle was focussed on the fair-play handshake – ‘the most eagerly awaited ever’ according to one pundit – and it didn’t disappoint. Wayne Bridge literally did not shake John Terry’s hand (Gasp!).
If Terry was left reeling by that snub, his Chelsea team-mates appeared positively shattered by it at the end of the game.
The home side started well, dominating possession while City were restricted to infrequent counter-attacks. Their breakthrough came in the 42nd minute when Frank Lampard struck; only for Carlos Tevez to embarrass Chelsea sub ‘keeper Hilario with a tame equaliser minutes later.
The second of the day’s sub-plots – that of Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini’s Milanese alumni face-off – was won by Mancini as his half-time team talk turned the second half in City’s direction.
A terrific sucker-punch strike from Craig Bellamy started the action, before Juliano Belletti was sent-off after he hauled down Gareth Barry for a penalty which Tevez dispatched. Michael Ballack – already with a booking to his name – followed the Brazilian down the tunnel for a scything challenge on Tevez before further strikes from Bellamy and a Frank Lampard penalty meant the game finished 4-2 to the away side.
Chelsea’s second half collapse may suggest emotional fatigue after the tabloid events of the past two weeks, but City have been suffering some turmoil of their own and this result will give them great confidence going into the closing stages of the season as they chase that alluring fourth spot.
ARSENAL WIN SOURED BY RAMSEY INJURY
Despite his Arsenal side coming away from the Britannia with a 3-1 win, Arsene Wenger was left furious as Aaron Ramsey suffered a horrific leg-break.
The score was 1-1 before Ramsey’s injury, with Danny Pugh’s opener being wiped out by Nicklas Bendtner’s superb looping header.
The 19-year-old Welsh starlet was injured after a strong challenge from Ryan Shawcross in the 66th minute. Shawcross was sent off for the tackle and appeared visibly upset – a disposition shared by several other players.
Arsenal showed great character to go on and win the game with two goals in stoppage time. Cesc Fabregas held his nerve to tuck away a penalty following Pugh’s handball and Thomas Vermaelen scored from close range to secure the points.
NO MONEY, NO OWNERS, NO HOPE: BUT THREE POINTS FOR PORTSMOUTH
Troubled Portsmouth (is there any other way to describe them?) celebrated their inevitable relegation by picking up an impressive three points away at Burnley, winning 2-1.
Frederic Piquionne stabbed in at the far post to give the Pompey travelling support some cheer before Martin Paterson cancelled the lead with a terrific lobbed finish.
Jamie O’Hara missed a penalty but Hassan Yebda did convert a second spot-kick in the 76th minute to give Avram Grant’s side the points. Ricardo Rocha was sent off late on for two bookings.
SPURS OVERCOME EVERTON
Spurs stepped up to Manchester City’s challenge by beating Everton 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
David Moyes’ side – in action mid-week in the Europa League – walked into a first-half hurricane as Spurs flew out of the traps. A goal each from the resurgent Roman Pavlyuchenko and Luka Modric were deserved reward for Spurs’ fluid interplay and zesty movement.
The second half was more even as Everton rallied. Yakubu poked home from a corner to rattle Spurs and the Toffees had chances to equalise, in particular Landon Donovan who hit the side netting from a yard out.
BOLTON SCORE… AND WIN!
Owen Coyle’s side scored for the first time in nine hours of football to secure a 1-0 win over Wolves.
Zat Knight’s neat finish inside the six-yard box won it for the Trotters while Wolves hit the inside of the post twice.
The result sees Bolton leap-frog their visitors to go into 15th place.
BIRMINGHAM EDGE OUT WIGAN
It’s testament to the job that Alex McLeish has done at St Andrew’s that this 1-0 win – three points that secure their Premiership status for another year – managed to go unmentioned in the weekend’s reckonings.
James McFadden’s penalty on the stroke of half-time did for Wigan, who sit two places above the drop-zone.
SUNDERLAND AND FULHAM PLAY OUT BORE-DRAW
Sunderland have now gone 14 games without a win after this terrible game with Fulham.
The visitor’s mid-week European exertions were their excuse, but Sunderland have lost the ‘chute and appear to be in total free-fall.
TORRES’ AND GERRARD’S RELATIONSHIP IS BACK ON
Fernando Torres quietly returned to Premier League action with his 13th goal in 17 games to hand Liverpool victory.
There was no love lost between the two managers in the pre-match press conferences and a tight game was settled just before the break by Torres following goals from Steven Gerrard and a Keith Andrews penalty.
In the most unsurprising incident of the day, El-Hadji Diouf was spoken to by police following a running argument with Gerrard that made its way into the tunnel at half-time.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
The neat exchange of passes and sumptuous finish for Luka Modric’s winner for Spurs wins it this week.
HERO OF THE WEEK
In a week of personal squabbles and horrific injury, Roberto Mancini rose above the drama to steer his Manchester City side to a great victory.
VILLAIN OF THE WEEK
As horrific as Aaron Ramsey’s injury was, the petulant criticism of Ryan Shawcross by Arsene Wenger was contemptible – and unprofessional. The upset on Shawcross’ face was palpable and Wenger’s reaction helped no one.