Arsenal 4 v 1 Sunderland Giroud (5,31), Rosicky (42), Koscielny (57), Giaccherini (81)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Arsenal take the lead as Giroud scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner from the centre of the box. Podolski has a blast from long range really well parried over the near top corner. Goal! 2-0, Giroud intercepts a Vergini backpass and slots a low shot through the keeper's legs. Goal! 3-0, Rosicky plays a nice one-two with Giroud before scoring with a low chip over the keeper.
Half Time: 3-0.
Second Half: Borini has a fierce blasted shot from an acute angle parried behind. Sagna puts in a cross that deflects off Vergini and goes just wide of the far post. Goal! 4-0, Koscielny heads in from the resulting corner into the near side. Ki has an effort parried away from the near post. Goal! 4-1, Sunderland get a consolation goal as Giaccherini scores with a low half volley from long range into the far bottom corner.
Full Time: 4-1.
Arsenal (2nd) 56>59pts
Sunderland (18th) 24>24pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Rosicky. Giroud at the double. It was a dominant display from Arsenal who cruised past Sunderland. They raced away during the first half to a 3-0 lead which pretty much ended the match. Giroud will be glad to score a few goals whilst Rosicky impressed. Sunderland were outplayed and as a result got soundly beaten. Vergini in particular had a shocker today but Sunderland were never in the match. Giaccherini scored a really nice consolation goal but that's all Sunderland can take away from a poor display.
Chelsea 1 v 0 Everton Terry (90)
First Half: Osman has a driven shot from long range parried over the bar. Mirallas has a shot deflected wide of the near post. Eto'o has a low shot parried away from the near post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Lampard has a low shot parried away from the near side. Osman has a low long range shot that takes a deflection parried past the near post. Hazard has a low shot from the edge oft the box parried before Ivanovic has a volley block saved at the near post. Ramires fires a low strike from long range just wide of the far post. Goal! 1-0, Chelsea score a late winner as Lampard's free kick is put in by Terry, who just gets to the ball ahead of Howard at the centre of the goal.
Full Time: 1-0.
Chelsea (1st) 57>60pts
Everton (6th>7th) 45>45pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Terry. Chelsea leave it late. It was a pretty average display from Chelsea but they typically managed to find a way to win. Three very vital points picked up which keeps them top of the league but they did not deserve to win. They created more chances in the second half but looked as though they weren't going to score. They will have Lampard and Terry to thank for combining to score a last minute winner. Everton were desperately unlucky to have come away from Stamford Bridge with nothing. They looked the team more likely to open the scoring in the first half and even contained Chelsea in the second. It looked as though they were taking a 0-0 draw but were cruelly denied in the dying minutes.
Cardiff City 0 v 4 Hull City Huddlestone (18), Jelavic (38,57), Livermore (67)
First Half: Zaha dribbles past two defenders but has a shot saved. Jones has a low shot parried at the near side. Goal! 0-1, Hull take the lead as Jelavic plays a one-two with Long before having a shot blocked saved but Huddlestone scores with a long range strike that deflects inside the near post. Jones puts a header wide of the near post. Goal! 0-2, Long lays the ball off to Jelavic who scores with a low sliding effort into the far side.
Half Time: 0-2.
Second Half: Jelavic slices an effort from close range wide of the near post. Goal! 0-3, Jelavic heads in from a Rosenior cross into the far bottom corner. Goal! 0-4, A fast break from Hull leads to El Mohamady playing in Livermore who slots a low shot from the edge of the box into the near bottom corner.
Full Time: 0-4.
Cardiff (19th) 22>22pts
Hull (13th>11th) 27>30pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Livermore. Hull thrash a sorry Cardiff. It was a very poor performance from a troubled Cardiff who were completely torn apart. They would have expected to take at least a point from the game in their situation but were never at the races. Jones had their best chances but failed to convert from either of them. The heavy loss will put even more pressure on the team and manager and they will need to bounce back quickly. Hull will be delighted with that massacre of Cardiff. Long and Jelavic struck a superb partnership between each other and it massively paid off for them. They played well as a team but were very strong in the final third today. With that win, Hull move up two places into 11th.
West Ham United 3 v 1 Southampton Yoshida (8), Jarvis (20), C.Cole (23), Nolan (71)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Southampton take the lead as Yoshida heads in from a Davis free kick into the far top corner. Goal! 1-1, West Ham equalise as Nolan plays an over the top through ball to Jarvis who scores with a low shot under the keeper. Goal! 2-1, West Ham take the lead as Carlton Cole firstly heads onto the near post following a corner before scoring from the rebound with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Lambert hits the near post with a header before Rodriguez fires mightily high over the bar.
Half Time: 2-1.
Second Half: Ramirez fires a shot just over the bar. Lallana goes through on goal but puts his effort wide of the far post. Goal! 3-1, Nolan scores with an overhead/scissor kick from close range into the near side. Diame hits the top of the bar with a long range strike.
Full Time: 3-1.
West Ham (11th>10th) 28>31pts
Southampton (8th>9th) 39>39pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Nolan. Hammers fightback against Saints. After going behind, West Ham showed some real spirit and determination as they overturned a 1-0 deficit and win 3-1. Nolan was the inspirational spark in the Hammers team as they marched on with another victory. Allardyce will be delighted with how his team have performed to get themselves out of a sticky situation and away from the relegation zone. With that win, the Hammers climb up one place into 10th. Saints started the game well and looked like they were going to have an easy afternoon after taking the lead early on. However, they came undone as they were pegged back to 1-1, although it looked like Jarvis was offside. They went behind soon after which seemed to knock their belief. They came close to equalizing as Lambert struck against the near post whilst Lallana spurned a decent chance after going through on goal. Not the result the Saints were expecting to get and with that loss, they move down one place into 9th.
Manchester City 1 v 0 Stoke City Yaya Toure (70)
First Half: Fernandinho has a long range driven shot palmed over the bar. Adam has a low driven shot from long range across goal parried away. Dzeko misses with a low, long range curling shot that just goes wide of the near post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Dzeko puts an effort wide of the near post. Jovetic has a long range blast parried away. Goal! 1-0, City take the lead as a low Kolarov cross is converted in by Yaya Toure from close range. Dzeko fluffs a good chance from close range. Ireland volleys wide of the near post.
Full Time: 1-0.
Man City (3rd) 54>57pts
Stoke (14th>15th) 27>27pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Yaya Toure. Yaya spares City's blushes. Man City were really not at their best today but managed to scrape their way to three points via a close range tap in by Yaya Toure. The game was largely controlled by City but they didn't really make that possession count. Plenty of chances came and went as they failed to convert in front of goal. Pellegrini decided to push Yaya up into a more attacking role and it paid dividends. He is so effective in a more attacking role that it does seem odd why he doesn't start matches in that position, rather than waiting until the latter stages when they need a goal. Stoke were very resilient and hard to break down which was to their credit. They didn't threaten too much going forward but looked like they were going to take a massive point home with them. With only twenty minutes to go, they came undone which must have been gutting but expected. With that loss, Stoke drop one place into 15th.
Crystal Palace 0 v 2 Manchester United Van Persie (62pen), Rooney (68)
First Half: Januzaj misses with a low dragged shot from the edge of box wide across goal. Rooney has a floated cross headed off the line before Vidic heads just over the bar from close range. Parr has a header parried round at the near post. Fellaini misses with a shot just goes just wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Puncheon has a low shot from the edge of the box saved. Penalty! Chamakh fouls Evra inside the box. Goal! 0-1, United take the lead as Van Persie slots from the spot into the near top corner. Jerome has a low curling shot from the edge of the box parried away from the far bottom corner. Goal! 0-2, Evra puts a cross in that Rooney volleys into the far top corner. Van Persie hits a shot from an acute angle against the bar. Bolasie has a low shot from the edge of the box saved.
Full Time: 0-2.
Palace (15th>16th) 26>26pts
Man United (7th>6th) 42>45pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Rooney. United cruise to win at Selhurst Park. Palace created chances for themselves but were unable to take any of them. Parr came closest for Palace but had his header parried past the near post. They took the game into half time at 0-0 which gave them confidence but they gave away a silly penalty which changed the match. United were all over them after going ahead and Palace struggled to get back into the match. With that loss, Palace fall one place into 16th and nearer the relegation zone. United started the game slowly but better as it went on. They needed that penalty to break the deadlock but once they took the lead, they dominated. It was a much better performance once the goal went in and looked like some confidence had emerged back into the team. Rooney scored a brilliant volley to cap a much better United performance. With that win, United move up one place into 6th.
West Bromich Albion 1 v 1 Fulham Dejagah (28), Vydra (80)
First Half: Sidwell puts an effort over the bar from a Dejagah cross. Bafouma has a low shot saved. Goal! 0-1, Fulham take the lead as Dejagah fires a low shot into the far bottom corner. Rodallega has a fierce blast from long range parried behind.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Brunt has a fierce blast from the edge of the box across goal parried past the far post. Morrison has a deflected shot from the edge of the box parried away. Goal! 1-1, West Brom equalise as Vydra has a low shot parried before it creeps over the line. Brunt has a low shot parried at the near post before Anichebe blasts a shot wide of the near post.
Full Time: 1-1.
West Brom (17th) 24>25pts
Fulham (20th) 20>21pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Sidwell. Spoils shared at the Hawthorns. West Brom were much better in the second half and rightly took a point from the game. They looked the more likely to go on and win the game in the final stages but were unable to. A huge point for both teams but the Baggies will be pleased as they move closer to escaping the relegation spots. Fulham were the better team in the first half and deservedly went into half time in the lead. However, they struggled to hold onto their lead in the second half and it was inevitable that they would not hold on. Still, it is a huge point gained for them as they continue their struggle at the bottom of the league.
Best Goal: Rosicky, Giaccherini, Livermore, Nolan, Rooney. Winner: Rooney
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Fulham 2 v 3 Liverpool Toure OG (8), Sturridge (41), Richardson (63), Coutinho (72), Gerrard (90pen)
First Half: Tunnicliffe has a shot parried behind at the near post. Goal! 1-0, Fulham take the lead as Richardson's low cross is turned into his own net by Kolo Toure who slices an attempted clearance horribly in from close range. Suarez has a deflected shot parried behind at the near post. Suarez blasts an effort high and wide of the near post. Goal! 1-1, Liverpool equalise as a brilliant Gerrard through ball finds Sturridge who slots home inside the far post. Sturridge fires a long range shot just over the bar.
Half Time: 1-1.
Second Half: Suarez shoots a free kick just wide of the far post. Sidwell has a shot from the halfway line saved from the top corner. Gerrard has a backheel effort saved. Suarez hits the far post with a low shot from the edge of the box. Goal! 2-1, Fulham take the lead as Skrtel blocks a cross but the ball falls to Richardson who taps in from close range. Goal! 2-2, Liverpool equalise as Coutinho slots a low shot from the edge of the box into bottom near corner. Coutinho fires a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the far post. Penalty! Reither fouls Sturridge inside the box. Goal! 2-3, Liverpool score a dramatic late winner as Gerrard strikes past the keeper into the near side from the spot.
Full Time: 2-3.
Fulham (20th) 20pts
Liverpool (4th) 53pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Gerrard. Liverpool score late winner at The Cottage. Fulham put in a really impressive performance but a silly foul by Reither in the final few minutes cost them dearly. They took the lead twice and looked like they were going to cause an upset and take one or more very important points for them. However, they were pegged back twice by two world class goals but should should have held on for a point. Fulham remain bottom of the table and four points off safety. Liverpool showed some strong determination to get a result from what proved to be a really tough game. A huge three points for their top 4 and title challenge and it will give the team a real confidence boost to have recovered from some tough situations in that match. Two very classy goals got them back on level terms twice and they rode their luck to get a last minute penalty. However, Gerrard took it well and sealed three massive points. With that win, Liverpool trail Chelsea by 4 points.
Newcastle United 0 v 4 Tottenham Hotspur Adebayor (19,82), Paulinho (53), Chadli (88)
First Half: Adebayor has a low shot deflected wide of the far post. Paulinho has a close range blasted shot parried behind at the near post. Cisse has a close range effort parried away. Goal! 0-1, Spurs take the lead as a Bentaleb cross is parried straight to Adebayor who simply taps in from close range. Cisse hits a lob over the keeper wide of the near post. Lennon strikes the outside of the near post with a low shot from the edge of the box.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Goal! 0-2, Adebayor has a low blasted shot from long range parried to Paulinho who slots home into the near side. Dummett hits a low driven shot wide across goal. Gouffran has a long range driven shot parried away. Debuchy has a header tipped over the bar. Cisse has a header saved by the keeper. Goal! 0-3, Townsend has a shot parried before Adebayor scores with a shot into the ground that bounces over the keeper and into the far side. Goal! 0-4, Chadli scores with a brilliant long range curling shot into the far side.
Full Time: 0-4.
Newcastle (9th) 37pts
Spurs (5th) 50pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Bentaleb. Spurs run riot over Newcastle. Overall, Newcastle were pretty poor and got soundly beaten. Cisse had some really good chances but failed to take any of them as some poor finishing in front of goal cost the Toon today. Pardew will have his work cut out to improve their next performance after such a disappointing result. With that loss, Newcastle fall one place into 9th. Spurs were very strong and dominated a poor Newcastle team. Adebayor was impressive as usual, scoring two goals whilst Chadli scored a long range screamer which could see him push for a few more starts this season. Just what was needed for the Spurs team who continue to push for 4th spot.
Arsenal 0 v 0 Manchester United
First Half: Van Persie goes through on goal but has a low shot saved. Wilshere has an effort deflected wide of the post. Giroud puts a header wide of the near post following a corner. Giroud fires a shot from the edge of the box high and wide of goal.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Koscielny has a header headed off the line by Valencia following a corner. Giroud puts a header wide of the far post. Mata drags a low shot wide of the near post. Giroud spurns a chance wide of the far post. Van Persie has a great header parried onto the bar by a great save. Cazorla has a low shot parried away from the near bottom corner. Cazorla has a low shot from long range saved at the near bottom corner.
Full Time: 0-0.
Arsenal (2nd) 56pts
Man United (7th) 42pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Cazorla. Goalless draw at Emirates. Giroud had an off day, wasting some good chances for Arsenal. They made De Gea make some decent saves but never really created a must score chance. It was an average performance but they will most likely be pleased with a point. United were much better defensively and as a result, stopped Arsenal from scoring. RVP had some really good chances, most notably in the first five minutes as he went through on goal but scuffed a poor shot. He was denied by a truly world class save in the second half after combining well with Rooney. Signs of improvement for United but still plenty of work needs to be done.
Stoke City 1 v 1 Swansea City Crouch (17), Chico (52)
First Half: Dyer hits the top of the bar with a misdirected cross. Goal! 1-0, Stoke take the lead as Odemwingie hits a low shot against the far post before Crouch slots home the from the rebound into the far side. Arnoutovic has a long range blasted shot parried over the bar. Canas puts an effort wide of the near post. Dyer fires a shot from the edge of the box wide of the far post.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-1, Swansea equalise as Chico scores with a flicked header into the far side. Bony has an effort cleared off the line. De Guzman has a driven shot from long range parried away from the far side.
Full Time: 1-1.
Stoke (14th) 27pts
Swansea (10th) 28pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Crouch. Chico seals point for Swansea. It was more a case of a point gained for Stoke rather than anything else. They took the lead but were under constant pressure from Swansea from then on. However, they do fall one place to 14th. Garry Monk has started reasonably well as the new Swansea manager and his team deserved to at least take a point away from this one. After going behind, they battled hard and got an equaliser early in the second half. They didn't create too much but Bony came closest when his effort was cleared off the line. Monk will try and get the team playing better but things are looking bright for him so far.
West Bromich Albion 1 v 1 Chelsea Ivanovic (45), Anichebe (87)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Chelsea take the lead just before half time as Ivanovic slots home from Luiz's flick on following a corner.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Willian has a driven shot from long range parried behind. Willian has a shot from the edge of the box saved. Thiemy blasts an effort from close range wide across goal. Brunt puts a volley wide of the far post. Goal! 1-1, The Baggies score a late equaliser as Anichebe scores with a flicked header into the far side from a Berahino cross.
Full Time: 1-1.
West Brom (17th) 24pts
Chelsea (1st) 57pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Anichebe. West Brom deny Chelsea at the Hawthorns. West Brom contained Chelsea pretty well for most of the game and were only undone by Ivanovic just before half time. They pressed on more in the second half and created more chances for themselves. Eventually, the equaliser came with three minutes left to play as Anichebe was on hand to head on a good cross from Berahino. A massive bonus point for the Baggies that gets them out of the relegation zone into 17th. Chelsea seemed comfortable but didn't really threaten too much going forward as much as they should have. They scored just before half time and Willian had some good shots saved in the second half. However, a very poor last twenty minutes invited lots of pressure on themselves and they inevitably conceded. Two points dropped for Chelsea and they bring others in the title race closer to themselves.
West Ham United 2 v 0 Norwich City Collins (84), Diame (90)
First Half: Hooper has a header parried away. Snodgrass is put through on goal but is denied by a blocked save. Tettey has a shot parried away from the far side.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Hooper has a low shot from close range saved. Diame has a low shot from close range parried behind. Goal! 1-0, The Hammers take the lead as Collins heads in from a Diame cross. Goal! 2-0, The Hammers score with a fast break that ends with Diame scoring with a low deflected shot into the near side.
Full Time: 2-0.
West Ham (11th) 28pts
Norwich (16th) 25pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Diame. Hammers win yet again. West Ham will have Adrian to thank after that result as the keeper made plenty of decent saved to keep a vital clean sheet. They managed to keep themselves in the game and in the final ten minutes took their chances well to seal another 2-0 victory. With that win, they climb up four places in the league to 11th and enable some breathing space from the drop. Norwich only have themselves to blame for that result. They created plenty of chances but failed to take a single one. Adrian did have a brilliant game in goal but Norwich really should have scored. To add insult to injury, West Ham scored twice in the final six minutes as Norwich somehow went away with nothing. The result means that Norwich are only 1 point above the relegation zone.
Hull City 0 v 1 Southampton Fonte (69)
First Half: Lambert fires a shot just wide of the near top corner. Lambert has an effort denied by a blocked save. Long hits the far post with a flicked header before Boyd has the rebounded effort tipped over the bar. Rodriguez hits the bar with a long range strike.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 0-1, Saints take the lead as Fonte has a header parried, Lallana has the rebounded effort parried and Fonte scores from close range with a low effort from the second rebound. Shaw has a low shot parried at the far bottom corner before Guly has the rebounded effort parried behind. Aluko has a low shot from the edge of the box parried away from the near bottom corner. Cork hits a long range driven shot against the bar/post.
Full Time: 0-1.
Hull (13th) 27pts
Saints (8th) 39pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Fonte. Saints seal win at KC stadium. Hull had their chances in this game but were unable to take any of them. Shane Long hit the post in the first half whilst Aluko kept threatening the Saints goal. However, it just wouldn't go in for Hull and they paid a heavy price as a result. With that loss, Hull fall two places into 13th. Southampton looked like the better team and deserved to win the game. Fonte scored the only goal but it could have been two or three. Rodriguez and Cork both struck shots against the bar but they will pleased to take three points back with them. With that win, they move ahead of Newcastle into 8th.
Cardiff City 0 v 0 Aston Villa
First Half: Campbell has an effort saved onto the far post before Noone hits the bar with a long range shot that deflects against the woodwork.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Bacuna drags a low shot wide across goal. Delph has a deflected driven shot from long range parried behind. Agbonlahor has an effort deflect wide of the near post. Weimann has an effort denied by a great save over the bar.
Full Time: 0-0.
Cardiff (19th) 22pts
Villa (12th) 28pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Marshall. Goalless draw in Cardiff. Cardiff created the better chances in the first half but were unable to take the lead. Noone came closest to breaking the deadlock but his long range strike came back off the bar. They were on the back foot for most of the second half and Marshall made some top saves to deny Villa from scoring. An important point for Cardiff who close the gap to two points from safety. Villa should have won this match and will be disappointed they didn't. They were slow to get going but improved in the second half. However, they were constantly denied by a wonderful performance from Marshall.
Best Goal: Sturridge, Coutinho, Chadli. Winner: Chadli
League Leaders
1. Chelsea 57pts
2. Arsenal 56pts
3. Man City 54pts
4. Liverpool 53pts
5. Spurs 50pts
Relegation Battle
16. Norwich 25pts
17. West Brom 24pts
18. Sunderland 24pts
19. Cardiff 22pts
20. Fulham 20pts
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Liverpool 5 v 1 Arsenal Skrtel (1,10), Sterling (17,52), Sturridge (20), Arteta (69pen)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Liverpool take the lead as Skrtel volleys in from close range from a Gerrard free kick. Goal! 2-0, Skrtel scores again, this time heading in from Gerrard's corner into the far top corner. Sturridge misses with a chip over the keeper wide of the far post. Suarez hits the near post with a long range volley before Toure spoons the rebound wide of an open goal. Goal! 3-0, Sterling scores after tapping in at the far post from close range following a low Suarez cross. Goal! 4-0, Coutinho finds Sturridge with a through ball, who calmly slots a low shot into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Half Time: 4-0.
Second Half: Goal! 5-0, Sterling has a shot parried before tapping in the rebound into the near side. Sterling puts a close range shot into the side netting. Suarez has a free kick parried over the near top corner. Henderson clips a shot wide of the far post. Penalty! Gerrard fouls Oxlade-Chamberlain inside the box. Goal! 5-1, Arteta scores from the spot, firing it straight down the middle. Arteta has a low free kick parried away from the far bottom corner. Sterling has an effort block saved wide of the near post.
Full Time: 5-1.
Liverpool (4th) 50pts
Arsenal (2nd) 55pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Sterling. Liverpool thrash sorry Arsenal. What a performance from Liverpool. That will send out a very strong message to the league and title contenders. One of the best, fastest and brilliant starts to a game I have seen in a very long time. They were 4-0 up inside 20 minutes against a startled Arsenal side. Sterling had a brilliant game whilst Skrtel proved to be immense in the opposition box. Suarez didn't even get on the scoresheet which shows Liverpool are more than just a one man team. Arsenal were simply the equivalent of rabbits frozen in the spotlight. They conceded within the first minute and failed to stop the Liverpool onslaught. The defence were just blown away by the intensity of Liverpool's play. By 20 minutes they game had gone. Arteta scored from the spot to salvage a consolation goal but their will be plenty of questions pointed in Wenger and Arsenal's direction after this shocking result. Consequently, Arsenal fall off the top of the table into second.
Chelsea 3 v 0 Newcastle United Hazard (27,34,63pen)
First Half: Ben Arfa has a low shot saved at the near post. Ben Arfa has a low shot from the edge of the box saved. Oscar misses with a low shot from the edge of the box just wide of the near post. Goal! 1-0, Chelsea take the lead as Hazard fires a low shot into the far bottom corner. Sissokho has an effort block saved wide of the near post. Goal! 2-0, Hazard plays a neat one-two with Eto'o before slotting a low shot into the far bottom corner. De Jong has a header saved.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Eto'o has an effort saved. Lampard has a free kick tipped over. Penalty! Eto'o is fouled inside the box by Mbiwa. Goal! 3-0, Hazard scores from the spot with a low strike into the far bottom corner to complete his hat-trick. Salah has an effort parried away. Marveux puts an effort into the side-netting.
Full Time: 3-0.
Chelsea (1st) 56pts
Newcastle (8th) 37pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Hazard. Magical Hazard hat-trick. Chelsea were very strong today and deserved to win the game. They will have to thank Eden Hazard as his display was majestic. He's proving himself to be one of the best players in the league and scored a fantastic hat-trick to blow Newcastle away. With that win, Chelsea move to the top of the table and lead Arsenal by one point. Newcastle started the game well but were just undone by the brilliance of Hazard. They created some decent chances but were just unable to take one. Newcastle will definitely have easier days than that.
Norwich City 0 v 0 Manchester City
First Half: Olsson has a long range drive shot deflected over the bar. Redmond blasts a shot wide of the near post. Yobo has a header parried before Hooper has a goal ruled out for offside. Jovetic has a goal ruled out for offside. Negredo heads against the bar following a corner. Jovetic has a low volley from the edge of the box saved.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Jovetic heads wide of the near post. Pilkington has a shot across goal parried over the bar.
Full Time: 0-0.
Norwich (16th) 25pts
Man City (3rd) 54pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Olsson. City held to goalless draw at Carrow Road. Norwich played really well and deserved to take at least a point away from the game. They created some good chances but were unable to take any but they defended well and managed to keep City from scoring which is no mean feat. With that point, Norwich move up one place into 16th. City had their chances but scuppered every chance. They came closest through Negredo who headed against the bar but that was about it. Pretty average and more questions will be posed about their away form. In the end, they were forced to hang on for a point. However, with that result, City move down one place into third and trail Chelsea by two points.
Swansea City 3 v 0 Cardiff City Routledge (47), Dyer (79), Bony (85)
First Half: Routledge has a low shot saved. Whittingham has a long range volley saved.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-0, Swansea take the lead as Hernandez plays in Routledge who curls in a low shot into the far bottom corner. Bellamy hits the top of the bar with a blasted shot from the edge of the box. Dyer blasts over the bar from long range. Kim heads over the bar. Goal! 2-0, Dyer scores from a Routledge cross, heading into the far bottom corner. Goal! 3-0, Bony scores with a header into the far top corner from a Hernandez free kick.
Full Time: 3-0.
Swansea (10th) 27pts
Cardiff (19th) 21pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Hernandez. Swansea win the Welsh derby. The first half was a cagey affair and not many chances were created by either team. However, Swansea came out much more strongly in the second half and looked like the better team. They scored an early goal and went from strength to strength. It will delight them more that they obtain the bragging rights in south Wales after having lost to Cardiff earlier in the season. With that win, the Swans move up two places into tenth. Cardiff created a few chances but were generally poor. They didn't look like much of a threat in front of goal and were soundly beaten. Thus, they remain in 19th and battling relegation.
Crystal Palace 3 v 1 West Bromich Albion Ince (15), Ledley (27), Thievy (46), Chamakh (69pen)
First Half: Anichebe has an effort saved. Dann puts an effort over the bar from close range. Goal! 1-0, Palace take the lead as Ince scores with a low chip over the keeper into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-0, Ledley scores with a header into the near side from an Ince corner.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Goal! 2-1, Thievy scores with a shot that beats the keeper at the near side. Morrison has a long range driven shot parried behind. Sinclair has an effort denied by a great save. Penalty! Chamakh is fouled by Foster in the penalty area. Goal! 3-1, Chamakh scores from the spot with a low strike into the far bottom corner.
Full Time: 3-1.
Palace (14th) 26pts
West Brom (18th) 23pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Ince. Palace seal vital victory over Baggies. Massive win for Palace and played really well. Ince and Ledly both made big impacts by getting on the score sheet. Pulis seems to be doing a decent job with Palace and with this sort of form I can see them avoiding relegation. With those three points, Palace move up three places into 14th. West Brom created chances but didn't take enough of them. They were pretty poor in the first half but came out strongly in the second. Thievy scored early after half time to half the deficit but they were unfortunate to have conceded a soft penalty which put the game to bed. With that loss, the Baggies drop two place and into the relegation zone in 18th.
Southampton 2 v 2 Stoke City Lambert (6), Odemwingie (38), Davies (41), Crouch (44)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Saints take the lead as Lambert scores with a free kick that goes in via the inside of the far post. Goal! 1-1, Stoke equalise as Odemwingie is put through on goal by Adam before slotting past the keeper from the edge of the box into the centre of goal. Goal! 2-1, Saints go back in front as a Davies Cross goes untouched and finds its way into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-2, Stoke level again as Crouch heads in from close range from an Adam corner.
Half Time: 2-2.
Second Half: Rodriguez heads wide of the near post following a corner. Schneiderlin hits a low shot into the side-netting.
Full Time: 2-2.
Saints (9th) 36pts
Stoke (13th) 26pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Adam. Stoke claw back twice to earn draw. Southampton were good going forward but conceded two sloppy goals to let two points drift away. They went ahead twice but got pegged back rather than holding out for what should have been three points. Stoke will be pleased that they showed some fight today after coming back twice to equalise. Overall, it seemed that both teams cancelled each other out as there were very few noteworthy chances throughout the second half. With that point, Stoke fall two places down to 13th.
Aston Villa 0 v 2 West Ham United Nolan (46,48)
First Half: Jarvis puts an effort wide of the near post. Westwood volleys wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 0-1, West Ham take the lead as Downing finds Nolan who flicks past the keeper into the near side. Goal! 0-2, Nolan scores again, this time with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Benteke heads wide of the near post. Albrighton hits the far post with a long range driven shot. Benteke hits a header against the bar. Benteke hits an overhead kick over the bar.
Full Time: 0-2.
Villa (12th) 27pts
West Ham (15th) 25pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Nolan. Nolan at the double for Hammers. Aston Villa only have themselves to blame for losing that game as a very sloppy five minutes straight after half time really cost them. However, they fought back valiantly and were actually unfortunate not to have scored as both Albrighton and Benteke hit the woodwork. The result means that Villa drop down two places to 12th. West Ham dug in during the first half and made it tough work for the home side. They then came out of the traps very quickly after half time, scoring twice in the space two minutes. Nolan scored twice to provide the Hammers with three very valuable points which very much helps their bid to avoid the drop. After taking the lead, the Hammers managed to somehow hold on for a clean sheet. The win means that the Hammers move up three places and out of the relegation zone to 15th.
Sunderland 0 v 2 Hull City Long (16), Jelavic (62)
First Half: OFF! Brown is shown a straight red card for fouling Long and being the last man. Huddlestone has a low free kick saved. Livermore is denied with a blasted shot by a great parry over the bar. Goal! 0-1, Hull take the lead as Long heads in from close range from Livermore's volley. Jelavic has a header really well parried away from the near top corner. Long hits the inside of the far post with a long range blast. Johnson has a volley from the edge of the box saved.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Jelavic drags a low shot wide across goal. Goal! 0-2, Jelavic scores with a header into the far top corner.
Full Time: 0-2.
Sunderland (17th) 24pts
Hull (11th) 27pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Long. Hull strikers seal victory. Sunderland were put right on the back foot very early on in the game as Wes Brown received a straight red card for denying Shane Long a goalscoring opportunity. From then on they failed to create much going forward and were constantly pressed in their own half. A disappointing result for the Black Cats means that they fall three places down to 17th, just above the drop zone. Hull took full advantage of the extra man they had for the majority of the game as they dominated and controlled Sunderland. Steve Bruce will be delighted to see both of his strikers score as things are beginning to look brighter for Hull. With the three points, Hull move up two places into 11th.
Best Goal: Sturridge, Hazard, Routledge, Ince, Lambert, Nolan. Winner: Hazard.
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Arsenal 2 v 0 Crystal Palace Oxlade-Chamberlain (47,73)
First Half: Monreal is denied by a block save from the keeper. Koscielny has a flicked header parried past the post. Jerome is denied from close range with an effort at the post by a blocked save behind.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-0, Arsenal take the lead as Oxlade-Chamberlain is put through on goal by Cazorla before chipping over the keeper into the far side. Jerome has a close range diving header parried behind at the near post. Podolski fires a shot into the side netting. Bannan blazed a shot over the bar from the edge of the box. Goal! 2-0, Oxlade-Chamberlain scores again, this time cutting inside before scoring with a low shot into the far bottom corner.
Full Time: 2-0.
Arsenal (1st) 55pts
Palace (17th) 23pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal made to earn victory. The first half saw few chances created but Arsenal looked the more likely to score first. However, they had to work very hard to break down a stubborn and well drilled Palace defence. Eventually, two goals in the second half from the Ox was enough to get the job done. With that win, Arsenal go ahead of City to the top of table. Palace really dug in at the Emirates and looked like they may have frustrated Arsenal all the way to a 0-0 draw. Unfortunately, two lapses of concentration proved costly as they conceded twice. The loss means that Palace fall three places to 17th and one place above the relegation zone.
Manchester City 0 v 1 Chelsea Ivanovic (32)
First Half: Ramires has a goal ruled out for offside. Yaya Toure hits a curling shot from the edge of the box just over the bar. Silva fires a low shot from close range just wide of the far post. Ramires has a shot parried before Willian sends an overhead kick over the bar. Goal! 0-1, Chelsea take the lead as Ivanovic scores with a low driven left footed strike from the edge of the box into the far bottom corner. Hazard has a low shot saved at the near post. Eto'o hits the bar with a strike across goal.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Yaya Toure hits a low shot across goal wide. Matic hits a long range strike against the outside of the post. Cahill heads against the far post following a corner. Silva has a free kick tipped over the bar from the near top corner. Silva misses with a low close range effort that goes wide of the near post. Jovetic has a long range curling shot parried over the bar from the far top corner. Nastasic slices an effort wide of the near post.
Full Time: 0-1.
Man City (2nd) 53pts
Chelsea (3rd) 53pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Hazard. Chelsea beat City at the Etihad. City had so many chances but failed to take either one of them. However, they were outplayed by a strong Chelsea team. I really don't know why Pellegrini keeps playing Demichelis as it is so obvious he is the their weak link and clearly not up to the pace of the Premier League. That loss may affect City badly as they have pretty much made the Etihad a fortress this season. Consequently, that loss means they fall down one place to second. Chelsea deserved to win and really should have won the game by two or three goals. Mourinho got his tactics spot on for this game and it paid massive dividends. Ramires had a goal that should have stood, Eto'o hit the bar and Matic struck against the post. They really did a job over City and showed that they are real title contenders. Chelsea are now my favourites to win the title after that performance and they move to within two points of leaders Arsenal.
West Bromich Albion 1 v 1 Liverpool Sturridge (24), Anichebe (67)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Liverpool take the lead as Suarez finds Sturridge at the back post who simply taps in from close range. Sterling has a low shot deflect wide of the post. Gera fires a long range shot wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Brunt has an effort blocked behind of the far post. McCauley has a header really well saved at the near post. Suarez has a low effort saved. Brunt has a low free kick saved at the far post. Goal! 1-1, West Brom equalise as Toure has a pass across the defence intercepted by Anichebe who scores with a low shot from the edge of the box into the near bottom corner.
Full Time: 1-1.
West Brom (16th) 23pts
Liverpool (4th) 47pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Suarez. Liverpool held at the Hawthorns. West Brom deserved to take a point out of that game and got it from a terrible mistake from Kolo Toure. Anichebe latched onto a shocking pass across the defence and neatly tucked home. It was an important point for the Baggies who look like they could be heavily involved in the relegation battle as they move down one place to 16th after that result. Liverpool were susceptible to the good and the bad within their team. SAS struck once again to put them ahead and they looked like seeing out the game up until Kolo Toure pretty much gifted West Brom an equaliser. Two points dropped for them really and not what they would have been looking to take from the game. With that point, they move eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
Best Goal: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ivanovic. Winner: Ivanovic
League Leaders:
1. Arsenal 55pts
2. Man City 53pts
3. Chelsea 53pts
4. Liverpool 47pts
5. Everton 45pts
Relegation Battle:
16. West Brom 23pts
17. Crystal Palace 23pts
18. West Ham 22pts
19. Cardiff 21pts
20. Fulham 19pts
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Tottenham Hotspur 1 v 5 Manchester City Aguero (15), Y.Toure (51pen), Dzeko (53), Capoue (59), Jovetic (78), Kompany (89)
First Half: Aguero runs past the Spurs defence before firing an effort across goal that hits the far post. Dzeko heads wide of the near post. Goal! 0-1, City take the lead as Silva plays in Aguero who cuts back inside before slotting a low shot into the far bottom corner. Aguero is denied with a header by a wonder save. Kompany has a header cleared off the line. Aguero fires a left footed volley just over the bar. Dawson has a goal ruled out for offside.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Penalty! Dzeko is fouled inside the box by Rose. OFF! Rose is shown a straight red card for the foul. Goal! 0-2, Yaya Toure sends the keeper the wrong way from the spot to score. Goal! 0-3, Silva strikes against the far post before Dzeko volleys home into the roof of the net. Goal! 1-3, Capoue scores a scrappy goal following a corner. Goal! 1-4, Jovetic scores after cutting back inside before firing a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 1-5, Dzeko has a shot blocked from a corner before Kompany is on hand to tap in the rebound from close range.
Full Time: 1-5.
Tottenham (5th) 43pts
Man City (1st) 53pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Kompany. City run rampant at the Lane. At 1-0 down, Spurs were still in the game but a very harsh penalty and sending off effectively ended their hopes. Capoue managed to score a consolation goal but that was about the only positive Spurs could take away from the game. City played really well and deserved to win regardless of a dodgy penalty and sending off that went their way. They dominated from the start and looked the more dangerous of the two teams going forward. The scoreline sends out a real statement of intent to their title rivals whilst the three points puts them top of the table.
Aston Villa 4 v 3 West Brom Brunt (4), Delph OG (9), Weimann (12), Bacuna (24), Mulumbu (43), Delph (57), Benteke (64pen)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, West Brom take the lead as Brunt scores with a long range screamer into the far side. Goal! 0-2, Morrison's low cross is turned in by Delph who scores an own goal. Goal! 1-2, Weimann latches onto a long ball and volleys over the keeper to score. Bacuna strikes a low shot from the edge of the box just wide of the near post. Goal! 2-2, Villa equalise as Lowton's low cross is sliced in from close range by Bacuna. Goal! 3-2, Villa take the lead as Benteke heads down to Delph who unleashes a fierce shot from the edge of the box that goes in via the underside of the bar at the near top corner. Benteke is put through on goal but has a low shot parried past the near post. Goal! 3-3 West Brom equalise as Mulumbu is played through on goal before slotting a low shot under the keeper.
Half Time: 3-3.
Second Half: Lugano sends a diving header wide of the far post. Penalty! Benteke is fouled inside the box by Lugano. Goal! 4-3, Villa are back in front as Benteke sends the keeper the wrong way to score from the spot.
Full Time: 4-3.
Aston Villa (10th) 27pts
West Brom (15th) 22pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Benteke. A thoroughly entertaining seven goal thriller at Villa Park. Coming back from 2-0 down, Villa fought back valiantly and claimed a huge result for them. Another three points keeps the pressure off the team whilst it provides them with some valuable confidence going into their next few games. West Brom started very brightly and took advantage as they went 2-0 up within the first 12 minutes. However, some very poor defending ultimately cost them anything from the game. They were pegged back to 3-3 at half time and gave away a silly penalty to concede the lead. The loss means that the Baggies drop two places in the table down to 15th and only four points off the relegation zone.
Chelsea 0 v 0 West Ham United
First Half: Oscar has a curling shot across goal tipped onto the bar. Tomkins has a header parried away. Terry has a header saved right on the line. Eto'o has a fierce blast parried past the near post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Ba hits the near post with a close range flicked effort. Hazard has a low shot saved. Lampard has a low driven shot well saved. Ba heads wide at the near post.
Full Time: 0-0.
Chelsea (3rd) 50pts
West Ham (18th) 19pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Adrian. Goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. How Chelsea did not win or even score a goal will remain a shock to many after that performance. They dominated the match and continuously peppered the Hammers goal throughout. A really disappointing result for Mourinho and Chelsea who would have expected to win that game. Allardyce will be absolutely thrilled with what must be seen as a miracle point. Adrian deservedly took the man of the match after making numerous top saves whilst somehow keeping a clean sheet. They pretty much parked the bus during the whole game but the tactic paid off as the defence put in a massive effort. It is a huge point for the Hammers who look as though they need every point they can muster in their bid to avoid relegation.
Sunderland 1 v 0 Stoke City Johnson (17)
First Half: Larsson has a long range shot parried away. Goal! 1-0, Sunderland take the lead as Borini's long range shot is parried to Johnson who taps in from close range from an acute angle. Crouch has an effort saved. Shawcross has a header stopped by a great save.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: OFF! N'Zonzi is sent off for a second yellow card offence. Altidore has a low shot saved. Larsson has a long range strike parried past the near post. Odemwingie has a low shot saved. Shawcross hits the top of the bar with a looping header.
Full Time: 1-0.
Sunderland (17th) 21pts
Stoke (16th) 22pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Johnson. Johnson seals win at Stadium of Light. Three massive points for Sunderland who now climb out of the relegation zone into 17th. They took the lead in the 17th minute as Johnson scored with a tap in and held on well to keep a clean sheet. They well able to control more of the game after N'Zonzi got sent off in the second half. Not the result Stoke were hoping for as their poor form away from home continues. They were still in the match at 1-0 down but N'Zonzi really let the team down for stupidly getting a second yellow card. It was an uphill battle from then on and they couldn't find an equaliser. The result means they fall two places to 16th and ever closer to the relegation zone.
Liverpool 4 v 0 Everton Gerrard (21), Sturridge (33,35), Suarez (50)
First Half: Suarez has a long range low shot parried past the post. Sterling is put through on goal but has his effort parried behind. Suarez has an effort deflected behind. Goal! 1-0, Liverpool take the lead as Gerrard heads into the near top corner from a Suarez corner. Barry has a shot parried. Goal! 2-0, Sturridge scores after being played through on goal and slots a shot into the far side. Goal! 3-0, Sturridge scores again after running onto a long ball and lobbing over the onrushing keeper into the far side.
Half Time: 3-0.
Second Half: Osman has a curling shot across goal parried away. Goal! 4-0, Suarez is put through on goal before scoring with a low shot across goal into the far bottom corner. Penalty! Sterling is fouled in the box by Howard. Sturridge steps up to take the penalty but fires over the bar. Sturridge puts an effort over the bar.
Full Time: 4-0.
Liverpool (4th) 46pts
Everton (6th) 42pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Sturridge. Rampand Liverpool win derby. It was a dominant and deserved victory for Liverpool who thrashed Everton in the derby. They simply ran riot from start to finish and the result really doesn't flatter them at all. Although Sturridge scored twice, he will be bitterly disappointed to have missed the penalty and not complete his hat-trick. Everton were poor overall but had a shocker in defence. Injury meant that Stones had to step in and he simply struggled to cope with Liverpool's pace of attack. It meant they kept leaving themselves too open at the back which saw them concede four times. A night to forget for the Evertonians!
Southampton 2 v 2 Arsenal Fonte (21), Giroud (48), Cazorla (52), Lallana (54)
First Half: Gallagher fires a shot across goal that is parried away. Goal! 1-0, Saints take the lead as Fonte heads in from close range at the back post from Shaw's cross. Gallagher misses a great chance wide of the far post. Koscielny has an effort well saved.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-1, Arsenal equalise as Giroud scores from close range with a flick into the far bottom corner from Sagna's cross. Goal! 1-2, Arsenal take the lead as Cazorla scores from the edge of the box with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-2, Saints equalise as Lallana scores with a low shot from the centre of the box following a layoff from Rodriguez. Ozil has a shot that deflects against the bar. OFF! Flamini is shown a straight red card. Shaw has a cross that is parried after it gets deflected. Fonte has a volley parried away.
Full Time: 2-2.
Southampton (9th) 32pts
Arsenal (2nd) 52pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Lallana. Arsenal held at St Mary's. Overall, Southampton played well and were good value for their point. They led going into half time but a sloppy seven minutes straight into the second half saw them fall behind. However, Lallana struck back almost straight away to equalise which seemed a fair result. Not the result Arsenal were hoping for as they dropped two points but in the end I think they will be satisfied to have taken at least a point. They were pretty average in the first half but came out a different team in the second. After going ahead they should have seen the game off but they conceded very soon after scoring their second which cost them. The result means they have been knocked off the top of the table by City and move down to second.
Manchester United 2 v 0 Cardiff City Van Persie (6), Young (59)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, United take the lead as Van Persie heads in at the near side following Valencia heading against the bar before Van Persie has the headed rebound parried. Van Persie fires a close range low shot from an acute angle just wide of the far post.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Goal! 2-0, Young scores after cutting inside and unleashing a fierce long range low strike into the far bottom corner. Valencia has a driven shot parried onto the far post.
Full Time: 2-0.
Man United (7th) 40pts
Cardiff (20th) 18pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Mata. Normality restored at Old Trafford. United got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over struggling Cardiff. An early goal from RVP proved pivotal as it set the tone for the rest of the game. I would have liked to have seen United score more goals but 2-0 got the job done. Good to see Mata settle in nicely and he played really well. A much better performance from United overall and hopefully this result will spark a decent run of form for United. Cardiff were largely outshone by United and didn't get going. They failed to create any worthy chances in front of goal and never looked likely to. The result means that Cardiff remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Swansea City 2 v 0 Fulham Shelvey (61), Chico (75)
First Half: Hangelaand heads over the bar. Dejagah has a header saved. Shelvey rattles the bar from the edge of the box with a curling shot.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-0, Swansea take the lead as Shelvey scores with a long range shot that deflects into the far side, wrongfooting the keeper.De Guzman has a blast from the edge of the box parried behind. Goal! 2-0, Chico scores with a header from a free kick that deflects into the near side.
Full Time: 2-0.
Swansea (11th) 24pts
Fulham (19th) 19pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Shelvey. Swans too strong for Fulham. Swansea moved up four places to 11th with that important win. Their were not too many chances created during the game but Swansea took theirs very well as they scored twice. Shelvey was instrumental for the Swans as they eased to victory. Fulham were very poor and failed to create much in front of the Swansea goal. They never threatened and deserved to lose. The result means that Fulham drop two places and into the relegation zone to 19th.
Crystal Palace 1 v 0 Hull City Puncheon (16)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Palace take the lead as Puncheon fires a shot into the far top corner.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Livermore fires a shot over the bar. Rosenior puts an effort from close range wide of the near post. OFF! McGregor is shown a straight red card.
Full Time: 1-0.
Palace (14th) 23pts
Hull (13th) 23pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Puncheon. Palace claim narrow win at Selhurst Park. A robust performance from Palace saw them ground out a vital victory over Hull. Chances were few and far between but Puncheon scored the only goal of the game to seal the win. As a result, Palace move up two places to 14th. Hull had some decent chances to score but failed to take any of them which proved costly. Even worse for Hull was the fact that they will now be without McGregor for the next three games as he was sent off for a straight red card offence. The result means that Hull drop down two places to 13th.
Norwich City 0 v 0 Newcastle United
First Half: Sissokho has a close range effort that hits the near post. Remy hits the far post with a curling shot from the edge of the box. Hooper has a long range low shot parried away.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Remy strikes a free kick against the bar. Hooper hits a volley from close range against the bar. OFF! Remy and Johnson are both shown a straight red card for headbutting each other. Snodgrass has a header parried away from the near side.
Full Time: 0-0.
Norwich (12th) 24pts
Newcastle (8th) 37pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Krul. Goalless draw at Carrow Road. Norwich had their chances in this game but struggled in front of goal. They came closest through Hooper who hit the bar with a decent volley. In the end it was a point gained that saw them stay 12th in the table. Newcastle looked the more likely to score and will disappointed they didn't win. Remy hit the woodwork twice whist Sissokho hit the post as the ball kept eluding the Norwich net. Newcastle will probably be more disheartened that Remy got himself sent off for squaring up to Johnson who was also shown a straight red.
Best Goal: Aguero, Brunt, Delph, Sturridge, Young. Winner: Young
League Top 5
1. Man City 53pts
2. Arsenal 52pts
3. Chelsea 50pts
4. Liverpool 46pts
5. Tottenham 43pts
League Relegation Battle
16. Stoke 22pts
17. Sunderland 21pts
18. West Ham 19pts
19. Fulham 19pts
20. Cardiff 18pts
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Chelsea 3 v 1 Manchester United Eto'o (17,45,49), Hernandez (78)
First Half: Young has an effort across goal saved. Goal! 1-0, Chelsea take the lead as Eto'o scores with a shot from the edge of the box that deflects into the far top corner. Welbeck has a tame low close range shot saved. Oscar volleys over from close range. Goal! 2-0, Eto'o scores with a low shot into the centre of the goal from a low Cahill cross.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Goal! 3-0, Eto'o completes his hat trick after scoring from close range into the centre of the goal following Cahill's parried header from a corner. Goal! 3-1, Hernandez scores a tap in from close range from a Jones low shot at the far post. Red Card! Vidic is shown a straight red card for a foul on Hazard. Rafael gets a yellow card for a terrible tackle.
Full Time: 3-1.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Eto'o. Chelsea got their tactics spot on and deserved to win after a very strong performance. Eto'o produced his first hat trick for Chelsea and took the game away from United. The goals just before and half time killed the game off as it took away United's belief. Disappointed by United once again but Chelsea have always been a bogey team so it is not much of a surprise they lost. They started the game well but couldn't create a meaningful chance to show for it. The first goal they conceded was unfortunate as it took a deflection but the goal right on half team proved costly. Hernandez scored a consolation but they were well beaten today.
Swansea City 1 v 3 Tottenham Hotspur Adebayor (35,71), Chico OG (53), Bony (78)
First Half: Shelvey has a long range shot parried. Bony fires a long range shot wide of the far post. Bony smashes a long range shot against the crossbar. Goal! 0-1, Spurs take the lead after Adebayor heads in at the far post from an Eriksen cross. Chadli fires an close range blast over the bar. Adebayor has a volley punched away. Eriksen has a tame low shot saved.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Goal! 0-2, Chico Flores taps into his own net from close range after trying to clear a low Walker cross. Bony has a driven shot from the edge of the box saved. Dembele is put through on goal but his low shot goes just wide of the far post. Goal! 0-3, Adebayor is played in on goal by Rose and slots a low shot under the keeper. Goal! 1-3, Bony scores with a controlled volley into the far side.
Full Time: 1-3.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Adebayor. Defensive errors from Swansea ultimately cost them the game today as they struggled to cope with the Spurs attack. At 1-0 down they were still capable of levelling but an unfortunate own goal by Chico put the result to bed. Bony scored an impressive consolation but they will need to improve. Spurs played really well and came out deserved winners. They are very much in form and it didn't stop today. Two goals from the rejuvenated Adebayor on top of an goal capped a solid display away from home.
Best Goal: Eto'o, Adebayor, Bony. Winner: Bony
