This weekend saw the unpredictable nature of the Premier League in all its beauty as six of the ten fixtures resulted in draws with the four wins going against bookmakers’ predictions.
WENGER ADDRESSES TROOPS TO INSPIRE LIVERPOOL WIN
The weekend’s big clash turned out to be a dismal affair for the neutrals and made even grimmer viewing for the Anfield faithful who witnessed Liverpool’s sixth defeat of the season.
Liverpool came out of the blocks strongly, showing bite and quickly closing down the opposition to dominate midfield and reduce Arsenal to mediocrity.
Despite Fernando Torres missing the game’s best opening with a tame strike with only the keeper to beat, Liverpool eventually took the lead through Dirk Kuyt. The Dutch forward poked home from close range after the ball broke loose in the Arsenal box to give Liverpool a deserved lead just before half-time.
During the interval Arsene Wenger accused his players of not being fit to wear the shirt and that proved inspiration enough. Arsenal equalised five minutes into the second half after Glen Johnson bundled the ball into his own net following Samir Nasri’s cut back.
Then, on 58 minutes, Andrey Arshavin unleashed a thunderous strike that flew into the net via the upright. The goal deflated Liverpool and although Arsenal didn’t play that much better than in the first half, Liverpool’s play deteriorated.
Rafa Benitez’s team displayed all the characteristics of a team in turmoil. Lacking confidence and inspiration, heads dropped and with no one able to provide the spark to reignite a late rally, the minutes ticked down without incident.
EVERTON HOLD CHELSEA
Are Chelsea forgetting what it is like to win? This 3-3 draw made it four games without victory, yet it was the performance that would be more encouraging for the chasing pack.
Defensive blunders accounted for all three of the visitor’s goals as Everton pounced on Chelsea’s inability to deal with set pieces. Petr Cech may have been unlucky with Everton’s opener but misunderstanding and indecision played a part on every occasion the ball hit the net.
Up the other end, Chelsea’s dependence on Didier Drogba’s brilliance continued. The mercurial forward extended his awesome form with two deadly strikes – both nonchalantly hit first time – to leave the Ivorian top of the scoring charts on 13 goals.
ONE GOAL ENOUGH AS VILLA TAKE OLD TRAFFORD
In Saturday’s late kick-off, Manchester United missed the chance to move joint-top as Aston Villa won at Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years to end the weekend in fourth spot.
Gabi Agbonlahor headed in Ashley Young’s in-swinger on 21 minutes and Villa battled to hold off a United onslaught to keep up their brilliant sequence of results against the top four this season.
BOLTON GAIN VITAL POINT AS CITY RETURN TO FORM
In what turned out to be the game of the weekend, Manchester City battled well to come back and draw against a dogged Bolton in an enthralling encounter.
The Reebok erupted after eleven minutes as Ivan Klasnic gave the home side the lead despite looking offside, only for Carlos Tevez to smash home an equalizer.
Gary Cahill then curled in a glorious left-footed effort from outside the box before Micah Richards finished off a wonderful team move to ensure the match was tied going into the interval. It would have been an encouraging goal for Mark Hughes, showing the increased understanding between his players.
Bolton’s two scorers combined on 53 minutes as Klasnic volleyed in his second of the match to take the lead for a third time. The game became stretched as City sought a response and despite going down to ten men the goal arrived after Tevez’s crisp left foot drive found the bottom corner.
Mark Clattenburg faced some heavy criticism from Mark Hughes after the game who suggested the referee let personal feelings rule his decision to send Craig Bellamy off for diving. Replays proved conclusively that Bellamy was fouled and deserves to have the decision overturned.
Both teams could take a lot from the point and the performance should boost a Bolton side desperately in need of confidence. Despite registering their eighth draw of the campaign, more than any other side, City will take heart from the comeback and Tevez’s improved form.
BOWYER INSPIRES BIRMINGHAM YET AGAIN
Lee Bowyer’s performances in a West Ham shirt propelled his career in the right direction and it was his sixth goal of the season that earned Birmingham the points.
The result makes it seven games unbeaten and four wins on the spin as Birmingham finish the weekend joint at 8th place with Liverpool. West Ham slipped into the relegation zone and will miss Mark Noble for the next match after he was sent off.
FULHAM LEAVE TURF MOOR WITH A POINT
An impressive Fulham display went unrewarded as Burnley continued to prove how difficult it is to get out of Turf Moor with a win.
Bobby Zamora coolly slotted in the opening goal for Fulham only for Wade Elliot to equalise ten minutes later.
HULL AND BLACKBURN PLAY OUT DULL DRAW
Both teams will rue the missed chances eked out from the depths of a dull encounter with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink squandering the game’s best chance late on.
Both teams rely greatly on power and spurts of intense pressure, however they crucially also lack penetration and killer instinct to make any openings pay.
Sam Allardyce must spend in the winter market while Hull will pray Jimmy Bullard makes a swift recovery.
HUNGRY WOLVES MAKE SPURS SUFFER
Mick McCarthy’s team secured a valuable three points to climb out of the relegation zone thanks to Kevin Doyle’s goal after only three minutes.
Harry Redknapp praised his teams’ efforts but perhaps that was to prevent damage to Spurs’ fragile confidence as White Hart Lane witnessed a raft of squandered opportunities.
Tottenham have this season epitomised the brilliant unpredictability of the league. Victory over Liverpool, crushing Wigan and then succumbing to defeats against Stoke and Wolves is testament to that.
KABOUL’S LATE STRIKE SILENCES SUNDERLAND
Darren Bent added to his goal tally to give Sunderland the advantage. All three points seemed secure until Younes Kaboul poked home a late goal to give Portsmouth a valuable away point.
The former Tottenham defender was clearly thrilled with his injury time strike and as he tore his shirt off to celebrate he flouted the sacred commandment “Thou shall not remove your shirt whilst celebrating a goal” and was shown a red card following his second bookable offence.
STOKE WIN POINT AS FIGUEROA GOES LONG
Another draw and another gritty encounter with neither team ready to concede defeat.
Stoke showed character to twice draw level and Wigan will rue the dubious late penalty missed woefully by Hugo Rodellega.
The highlight of the afternoon was Maynor Figueroa’s unbelievable strike from inside his own half to give Wigan the lead for a second time in the match.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Didier Drogba’s first goal was delightful. Gary Cahill’s strike was stunning. Micah Richards’ cool finish rounded off a glorious team goal. Unfortunately for them, Maynor Figueroa decided to come up with what will probably be Goal Of The Season.
If you haven’t seen it before, or if you just cant get enough of the sublime strike, here it is once more:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Gianfranco Zola is usually gracious in defeat so it serves to heighten the impact on your ribs the following jibe made towards the referee following Noble’s dismissal. The holiday reference proving the punch line in more senses then one.
“The ref took a day off – I don’t understand sometimes, before there were some free-kicks not given, now everything is given. Refs feel under pressure and they make mistakes, but today he wasn’t good enough.”