After a great week of European football for England’s elite, only one loss from six fixtures, you’d be forgiven for thinking that all was well for the top sides right now. Looking into the fixtures a bit deeper though it was plain to see that two results in particular were slightly concerning and those were the results of the two Manchester clubs. City were outclassed by the reigning European Champions and United came away from Ukraine with a respectable yet unconvincing draw against Shaktar Donetsk. Today then was an opportunity for both sides to turn around the rocky period that both sides have experienced recently.
The Champions in particular though made heavy work of taking their opportunity as they got off to a terrible start in a difficult fixture against Sunderland. Giacherrini showed some lovely skill to dance around the United defence, much like West Brom’s attackers did last week, before having his cross intercepted by Nemanja Vidic; the Serbian failed to control though and Craig Gardner was there to pounce and put Sunderland ahead. Adnan Januzaj spearheaded an attempted fight-back for United but it was to no avail as De Gea was keeping the Champions in it at the other end with some stunning work between the sticks; check out his reflexes to stop Giacherrini’s bullet header to see the best of his efforts. Step in again, the Belgian teenager, Adnan Januzaj as he shook off a booking for diving to score a well-taken brace and give United the lead and eventually the win. Comeback wins like this were the cornerstone of the Ferguson era at Manchester United as they built such great character within the side and as far as Moyes is concerned it is definitely a leap in the right direction.
Manchester City made slightly lighter work of their opposition as they dispatched of Everton despite, like United, not starting their match the way they’d have liked. Despite a very near miss from a free-kick by Aleksander Kolarov, City found themselves behind after quarter of an hour against Martinez’s unbeaten Everton as Romelu Lukaku’s offensive prowess was too much for former Evertonian, Joleon Lescott to deal with, as the Belgian just brushed past the centre back then powered the ball past a hapless Hart, who in all honesty could have done better. Alvaro Negredo responded immediately for City before Sergio Aguero gave City the lead after pulling out a beautiful finish on the verge of half time. Aguero then doubled City’s advantage in less convincing fashion from the penalty spot as Tim Howard got a fingertip to the Argentinian’s spot-kick but couldn’t keep it out as it bounced off the post then off his shoulder and into the net. Pellegrini looked much more relaxed after the game than he had done after the Munich game earlier in the week!
Suarez and Sturridge helped Liverpool brush aside Crystal Palace in a 3-1 victory at Anfield. The Uruguayan set proceedings on their way very early on with his third goal since his return after combining with Daniel Sturridge in the build-up to the goal. Sturridge then took centre stage to notch Liverpool’s second before Steven Gerrard scored Liverpool’s third from the penalty spot in what was a brilliant first half from the league leaders. Things tailed off in the second half for Brendan Rodgers’ side as Crystal Palace got on the score-sheet themselves but Liverpool never looked in any sort of trouble.
Elsewhere in the league, Newcastle United finally began to respond to criticism of their underperforming outfit as they snatched a 2-1 win against a Cardiff side that are usually so stingy at home, having only lost three of their last 26 home games. Loic Remy scored a brace for Alan Pardew’s men before Peter Odemwingie pulled one back for the Welsh side. Cardiff pushed very hard for the equaliser but it just wasn’t to be as Newcastle grinded out a much needed result.
Darren Bent grabbed a last gasp winner Martin Jol’s Fulham side as they tussled with Stoke over what was a very tight game in parts. Mark Hughes’ Stoke were in the ascendency early in the game and were turned down in their appeals for two separate penalties but their lack of cutting edge cost them dearly in the end as Fulham took the spoils thanks to a classic Darren Bent finish.
And finally Aston Villa and Hull City played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at the KC Stadium; Villa looked a bit lost at times without Christian Benteke but were more than a match for the home side yet couldn’t follow up their stunning result over Manchester City last week with another win.
Results:
Sunderland 1 – 2 Manchester United
Manchester City 3 – 1 Everton
Liverpool 3 – 1 Crystal Palace
Cardiff City 1 – 2 Newcastle United
Fulham 1 – 0 Stoke City
Hull City 0 – 0 Aston Villa