Controversy reigned again over the international break as the age-old race debate began to gain motion after England’s clash with Montenegro. Premier League action took centre stage once more though as we stepped a game closer to the end of scintillating season.
Good Week For: Liverpool (Well-deserved win away at Villa), Southampton (Outplayed Chelsea to continue fantastic form), Wigan (Have they flipped the form switch on at last to save themselves from relegation?)
Bad Week For: Swansea (Continued their post League Cup slump), Sunderland (Beaten again at home and now looking for another manager), QPR (Maybe left themselves too much to do now to beat the drop?
Martin O’Neill was sacked this weekend which probably speaks volumes about how Sunderland’s home fixture against league leaders, Manchester United. Robin Van Persie, who’s had a barren stretch in front of goal by his standards of late was the instigator for United in the first half as most of the chances came from him but it was an own-goal from Titus Bramble that saw United take the lead at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland mounted a late challenge to the United goal but it was to no avail as Sunderland, at times, looked toothless against the Red Devils.
United look to have it locked up at the top then but the race for the rest of the Champions League places are still on and Chelsea knew that as the European Champions headed to Southampton. Southampton were playing more like European champions though as their first goal demonstrated a superior brand of football they’ve been displaying since Mauricio Pochettino’s reign at the club began. John Terry soon equalised for the Blues as he converted a corner with a free-header against the run of play but it didn’t take long for Ricky Lambert to restore Southampton’s lead with a sumptuous free-kick. Southampton should be overjoyed with six points from two games that they were never really expected to get anything from.
Tottenham capitalised on Chelsea’s misfortunes with a comfortable victory over a slumping Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. Jan Vertonghen opened the scoring for the visitors after being played through by a beautiful ball from Gareth Bale and Spurs had the chance to go further ahead moments later but Emanuel Adebayor couldn’t finish past Michel Vorm. Gareth Bale could though as he lashed a shot into the Swansea goal to continue his extremely impressive form this season, everything the Welshman does seems to benefit the team in some way. Michu pulled one back for the Swans but his frustration was abundantly evident as he celebrated his goal but that wasn’t enough to salvage anything from the game for Swansea.
Elsewhere in the league Wigan, having reached the time of the season where they’re notorious for dominating anyone and everyone in a bid for Premier League survival, outplayed and beat Norwich 1-0 at the DW Stadium thanks to an Arouna Kone goal late-on.
Nigel Adkins made an unsuccessful return to management this weekend as he took his new Reading side to the Emirates to face Arsenal. Gervinho was instrumental for The Gunners as he showed flashes of brilliance to lead Wenger’s men to a 4-1 victory with help from Spanish Superstar, Santi Cazorla.
Andy Carroll was instrumental as West Ham, fresh from controversial news that they’ll be inheriting the Olympic Stadium once it’s refurbished, beat West Brom 3-1 at Upton Park. Romelu Lukaku came extremely close to opening the scoring for West Brom after his free-kick was pushed onto the post by Jussi Jaskelainen until Carroll went down the other end and gave The Hammers the lead from a corner. Gary O’Neill doubled West Ham’s lead with a delightful finish to grab his first goal since March of last year. Andy Carroll was given far too much room in all honesty and that’s why he managed to score another goal before West Brom pulled one back from the penalty spot to finish the game 3-1.
Aston Villa failed to take their chances in a thoroughly entertaining clash with Liverpool that led to the Reds walking away from Villa Park with a 2-1 victory. Paul Lambert’s side are now stuck in the relegation zone but it wasn’t for the want of trying as Benteke, Weimann and Agbonlahor were menacing for the home side but just couldn’t take the initiative after being given the lead thanks to another brilliant Benteke goal and were eventually beaten by an impressive Liverpool side.
Fulham and QPR battled it out in a five-goal thriller in Monday night’s fixture. One of the bargains of the season, Dimitar Berbatov, was at the centre of the action as he scored two of Fulham’s three goals and helped his side to a 3-2 victory. One has to wonder if it’s even possible now for QPR to survive this season and if they don’t what’s going to happen to some of their better players if they do get relegated?
Everton kept up the pace with the sides above them as they secured a 1-0 at home to Stoke City thanks to a superb solo effort from Kevin Mirallas. In a game that didn’t have much other action, the Belgian lit up the occasion with a fine finish after a dazzling run to give Everton the three points.
Manchester City kept their slim hopes of title retention alive with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium. Tevez and Silva were instrumental for the Champions as they gave City a 2-0 lead before half-time until captain, Vincent Kompany got in on the act with a fine finish before Yaya Toure forced an own goal from James Perch to make it 4. City looked good but in an interview with the BBC after the game said that it may be too late for them now. Stay with us here at Fortitude to see if that is indeed the case!
Results:-
Sunderland 0 – 1 Manchester United
Southampton 2 – 1 Chelsea
Swansea City 1 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur
Wigan Athletic 1 – 0 Norwich City
Arsenal 4 – 1 Reading
West Ham United 3 – 1 West Bromwich Albion
Everton 1 – 0 Stoke City
Manchester City 4 – 0 Newcastle United
Aston Villa 1 – 2 Liverpool
Fulham 3 – 2 Queens Park Rangers