Ashley Young and John Carew both scored twice as Aston Villa outclassed Birmingham, keeping their local rivals deep in relegation trouble.
Young's rasping shot gave Villa the lead and Carew nodded home the winger's free-kick shortly before the break.
Carew tapped in from close range for Villa's third and Young beat two players before scoring his second goal.
Mikael Forsell scored a consolation for Birmingham, but there was still time for Gabriel Agbonlahor to grab a fifth.
Villa have now scored 15 goals in their last three Premier League games as they keep the pressure on Everton - who they meet next Sunday - for a Uefa Cup place.
Birmingham enjoyed a decent spell of possession early on, culminating in an effort at goal from David Murphy, but the visitors failed to really test Villa keeper Scott Carson.
The home side soon began to stamp their authority on the game as they over-ran Birmingham in midfield, with Carew going close with a header from an inswinging corner and the influential Gareth Barry firing narrowly wide with a snap-shot from inside the area.
Birmingham, with in-form striker Mauro Zarate desperately short of service up front, were almost non-existent as an attacking force, and Villa had the next chance - Barry's free-kick drawing a reasonable save from Maik Taylor.
Stiliyan Petrov's swirling effort caused problems for the Blues keeper, and the dam finally burst when Olof Mellberg's mishit pass bounced into Young's path.
There was a hint of controversy in the build-up though, with referee Mark Clattenburg breaking up a confrontation between Young and Mehdi Nafti with a full-blooded shove to the Birmingham defender's chest as play went on.
Undoubtedly fired up by the unexpected intervention, Nafti beat two players in a narrow space moments later before firing over for the Blues.
But it was not long before Villa surged further ahead, as Young's accurate free-kick found an unmarked Carew inside the six-yard box, allowing the big striker to nod home from point-blank range.
McLeish admitted it was a 'bruising' defeat
It was more of the same after the break, with Birmingham's defensive frailties ruthlessly exposed by a rampant Villa.
Young was involved again as his long ball found Barry - coming back from a borderline offside position - and the England midfielder unselfishly squared for Carew to guide the ball into an empty net.
With the match effectively over as a contest, Young scored his second on 63 minutes, beating two players before firing a low shot towards goal.
Taylor saved the initial effort but the ball bounced perfectly into the 22-year-old's path and he slotted home to cap an excellent individual display.
With his team's fans pouring out of the ground by the minute, Blues substitute Forssell - on for Zarate, who had a mini-tantrum as he left the pitch - cut the gap after a good passing move.
But the final goal went the home side's way after a howler from ex-Villa defender Liam Ridgwell allowed Agbonlahor to race through the middle and slide the ball into the centre of the goal.
It seaed his side's biggest derby win since 1988 - and kept Birmingham in the bottom three of the table.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Newcastle VS Sunderland
Michael Owen scored both goals as a dominant Newcastle cruised past Sunderland to win the Tyne-Wear derby.
Owen put the Magpies ahead inside four minutes when he brilliantly got on the end of a Geremi cross to glance a header past Craig Gordon.
Sunderland were all at sea and fell further behind to an Owen penalty after Danny Higginbotham handled in the box.
Kenwyne Jones went closest to pulling a goal back for Sunderland with a header which was saved by Steve Harper.
Interview: Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan
Resurgent Newcastle were worthy winners as Kevin Keegan kept up his perfect record as a Magpies boss against the Black Cats.
The victory means the Magpies can forget about any worries of being caught in the relegation scrap, but Sunderland will be looking over their shoulders after an abject display.
From the moment Paul McShane clattered into Owen in the opening minutes they were second best.
It was McShane who allowed Owen a free run into the area to meet Geremi's cross, although it was a far from easy chance that he converted with great composure.
Composure was something that Sunderland were lacking and McShane will have been relieved to hear the referee's whistle for an infringement as he bizarrely headed into his own net from a corner.
Obafemi Martins should have squared for a queue of team-mates lining up to add a second rather than shoot, while Dean Whitehead volleyed over in a difficult and rare Sunderland chance.
With half-time approaching the only positive for the visitors was they were only trailing by the one goal.
But that was to change in the last minute of the half when Owen played a one-two with Marcus Viduka and then chipped the ball over the desperate lunge of Higginbotham.
The ball clipped the defender's leading arm and Mike Dean perhaps harshly adjudged it a deliberate handball.
Owen stepped up to take the spot-kick and while his effort was close to Gordon's body it had sufficient power to beat the keeper's efforts.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane, who never lost a derby as a Manchester United player, has earned himself a reputation for keeping his calm on the touchline.
But he looked to be seething at his side's self-capitulation.
Whatever he said at half-time seemed to give something of a lift to his side as they enjoyed more possession in the second period and finally offered some support to an isolated Jones in attack.
Danny Collins had a header that hit Steven Taylor and a long-range effort from Andy Reid whistled over.
Interview: Sunderland boss Roy Keane
But they were no more than fleeting moments of hope and Newcastle looked just as likely to add to the scoreline.
Martins was put clean through on goal by Owen only for Gordon to beat out his effort, while at the other end Steve Harper did well to keep out a powerful Jones header.
Murphy saw a powerful strike blocked by Abdoulaye Faye as Sunderland threatened to make it an interesting last 20 minutes.
But Newcastle held on easily to make it 13 points from the last 15 and Keegan boosted his record to five wins out of five against Sunderland during his two spells in charge.
More importantly for the home fans will be the bragging rights over their local rivals for another season.
Owen put the Magpies ahead inside four minutes when he brilliantly got on the end of a Geremi cross to glance a header past Craig Gordon.
Sunderland were all at sea and fell further behind to an Owen penalty after Danny Higginbotham handled in the box.
Kenwyne Jones went closest to pulling a goal back for Sunderland with a header which was saved by Steve Harper.
Interview: Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan
Resurgent Newcastle were worthy winners as Kevin Keegan kept up his perfect record as a Magpies boss against the Black Cats.
The victory means the Magpies can forget about any worries of being caught in the relegation scrap, but Sunderland will be looking over their shoulders after an abject display.
From the moment Paul McShane clattered into Owen in the opening minutes they were second best.
It was McShane who allowed Owen a free run into the area to meet Geremi's cross, although it was a far from easy chance that he converted with great composure.
Composure was something that Sunderland were lacking and McShane will have been relieved to hear the referee's whistle for an infringement as he bizarrely headed into his own net from a corner.
Obafemi Martins should have squared for a queue of team-mates lining up to add a second rather than shoot, while Dean Whitehead volleyed over in a difficult and rare Sunderland chance.
With half-time approaching the only positive for the visitors was they were only trailing by the one goal.
But that was to change in the last minute of the half when Owen played a one-two with Marcus Viduka and then chipped the ball over the desperate lunge of Higginbotham.
The ball clipped the defender's leading arm and Mike Dean perhaps harshly adjudged it a deliberate handball.
Owen stepped up to take the spot-kick and while his effort was close to Gordon's body it had sufficient power to beat the keeper's efforts.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane, who never lost a derby as a Manchester United player, has earned himself a reputation for keeping his calm on the touchline.
But he looked to be seething at his side's self-capitulation.
Whatever he said at half-time seemed to give something of a lift to his side as they enjoyed more possession in the second period and finally offered some support to an isolated Jones in attack.
Danny Collins had a header that hit Steven Taylor and a long-range effort from Andy Reid whistled over.
Interview: Sunderland boss Roy Keane
But they were no more than fleeting moments of hope and Newcastle looked just as likely to add to the scoreline.
Martins was put clean through on goal by Owen only for Gordon to beat out his effort, while at the other end Steve Harper did well to keep out a powerful Jones header.
Murphy saw a powerful strike blocked by Abdoulaye Faye as Sunderland threatened to make it an interesting last 20 minutes.
But Newcastle held on easily to make it 13 points from the last 15 and Keegan boosted his record to five wins out of five against Sunderland during his two spells in charge.
More importantly for the home fans will be the bragging rights over their local rivals for another season.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Arsenal 2-0 Reading
Arsenal increased Reading's relegation worries with a comfortable victory.
Arsene Wenger's side outclassed Reading and went ahead after 30 minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor slid home a calm finish from Kolo Toure's cross.
Gilberto Silva added a second before half-time when his long-range shot deflected in off Andre Bikey.
Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck the woodwork and Michael Duberry cleared off the line from Cesc Fabregas after the break as Arsenal dominated.
606: DEBATE
We should have scored at least 5
Gunneruni - Eduardo's return
It was only Arsenal's second win in nine Premier League games - a damning statistic that tells the tale of how their title challenge has faded away.
Arsenal gave Walcott a rare start after his impressive displays as a substitute - and he played his part in a first-half display that swept Reading aside.
Royals boss Steve Coppell made six changes from the side that slumped to fellow strugglers Fulham, but they were powerless to stop an Arsenal side playing without the pressure of chasing trophies.
Arsenal created and wasted a host of chances before finally taking the lead through Adebayor after 30 minutes.
Credit: Phil
Arsene Wenger's side outclassed Reading and went ahead after 30 minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor slid home a calm finish from Kolo Toure's cross.
Gilberto Silva added a second before half-time when his long-range shot deflected in off Andre Bikey.
Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck the woodwork and Michael Duberry cleared off the line from Cesc Fabregas after the break as Arsenal dominated.
606: DEBATE
We should have scored at least 5
Gunneruni - Eduardo's return
It was only Arsenal's second win in nine Premier League games - a damning statistic that tells the tale of how their title challenge has faded away.
Arsenal gave Walcott a rare start after his impressive displays as a substitute - and he played his part in a first-half display that swept Reading aside.
Royals boss Steve Coppell made six changes from the side that slumped to fellow strugglers Fulham, but they were powerless to stop an Arsenal side playing without the pressure of chasing trophies.
Arsenal created and wasted a host of chances before finally taking the lead through Adebayor after 30 minutes.
Credit: Phil
Henry staying in Spain, say Barca
Barcelona have scotched rumours linking their striker Thierry Henry with an instant return to the Premier League.
The Frenchman left Arsenal for the Catalan giants in the summer, but Sunday newspaper reports suggested he could be on his way back to England.
However, Barca vice-president Ferran Soriano told BBC Sport: "I spoke with him (Henry) a week ago and he is happy.
"We are not doing well in the domestic championship, but he is fine and I'm sure he is not coming back to the UK."
Asked if Henry misses the Premier League, Soriano said: "Not at all."
606: DEBATE
Do you want to see Henry return to the Premier League?
Then quizzed whether he will remain with Barca next season, he said: "Yes."
Meanwhile, coach Frank Rijkaard's future at the Nou Camp remains uncertain after Soriano refused to confirm that the Dutchman would be in charge next season.
Rijkaard has been linked with a move to Chelsea, should the Blues dispense with the services of manager Avram Grant.
And Soriano said: "The fact we are not getting the results in the domestic league is the fault of everybody, but we are very happy with Frank Rijkaard.
"You can never say 100% (he will stay) because at the end of the season we're going to review the performances of the players and coach.
"I think he has no plans to leave Barcelona and go to Chelsea.
"We've decided not to talk about this until the end of the season because we are concentrated and very focused."
The Frenchman left Arsenal for the Catalan giants in the summer, but Sunday newspaper reports suggested he could be on his way back to England.
However, Barca vice-president Ferran Soriano told BBC Sport: "I spoke with him (Henry) a week ago and he is happy.
"We are not doing well in the domestic championship, but he is fine and I'm sure he is not coming back to the UK."
Asked if Henry misses the Premier League, Soriano said: "Not at all."
606: DEBATE
Do you want to see Henry return to the Premier League?
Then quizzed whether he will remain with Barca next season, he said: "Yes."
Meanwhile, coach Frank Rijkaard's future at the Nou Camp remains uncertain after Soriano refused to confirm that the Dutchman would be in charge next season.
Rijkaard has been linked with a move to Chelsea, should the Blues dispense with the services of manager Avram Grant.
And Soriano said: "The fact we are not getting the results in the domestic league is the fault of everybody, but we are very happy with Frank Rijkaard.
"You can never say 100% (he will stay) because at the end of the season we're going to review the performances of the players and coach.
"I think he has no plans to leave Barcelona and go to Chelsea.
"We've decided not to talk about this until the end of the season because we are concentrated and very focused."
Man City 3-1 Portsmouth
Manchester City maintained their hunt for a Uefa Cup spot with a well-earned home victory over 10-man Portsmouth.
Darius Vassell put City in front after a defensive mix-up on 10 minutes, with Martin Petrov doubling the lead with a deflected strike two minutes later.
Pompey were a man down just before half-time when Hermann Hreidarsson was sent off for impeding Darius Vassell as the City forward ran through on goal.
Later, Benjani sealed the win against his old club with a fine, low strike.
With Sunday's newspaper headlines speculating about City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's future at Eastlands, the Swede preferred to concentrate on matters on the pitch as his side recorded only their second home victory in nine matches.
Interview: Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson
Eriksson made one alteration from the side which beat Sunderland, with Vassell replacing Sun Jihai and attacking midfielder Elano shifting to right-back, a position he has previously filled for Brazil and former club Santos.
An audacious 40-yard strike from Papa Bouba Diop stung the palms of City keeper Joe Hart within the first two minutes, while Sylvain Distin wasted a useful chance from the resulting corner.
But for all of the visitors' opening endeavour, a calamitous communication breakdown between Sol Campbell and David James gifted Vassell the opening goal.
Campbell had looked in total control as he chased down a seemingly harmless City ball, only to find keeper James stranded 10 yards outside of his box attempting to clear his line.
606: DEBATE
Benjani refused to celebrate after scoring against his former club - what a class gesture, especially given how well-taken his goal was
OneRedUtd
With both players unsure about their next course of action, Benjani took advantage of the confusion to find Stephen Ireland, whose mishit shot fortuitously fell into the path of Vassell, who slotted home from two yards.
And within two minutes, Petrov had doubled the lead with a right-footed snap-shot - courtesy of a wicked deflection off Campbell's inside leg.
But Portsmouth reduced the deficit when Utaka's header looped over Hart on 24 minutes as City's players pleaded with the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside, only to have their requests ignored as Petrov played all of Portsmouth's attackers onside.
Benjani - lining up against his former side for the first time since his protracted £7m move to the north-west in February - was at the heart of City's most promising attacks, including a fierce low drive which James parried.
Portsmouth's rearguard was severely hampered when Hreidarsson was adjudged to have impeded Vassell as he ran on to Ireland's through ball on 40 minutes, a foul which referee Andre Marriner believed merited a straight red card.
James ended a thoroughly entertaining first half with a world-class fingertip save to prevent Vassell's accurate curling left-foot strike from the edge of the area from sailing into the top right corner.
Benjani scores his goal for Manchester City
Benjani had a fine game against his former club
Although the second half lacked the drama of an incident-packed first period, there were numerous chances for both sides to add to their tallies.
Benjani soon wasted a glorious opportunity to extend City's lead, spinning away from his marker with a sublime first touch before blazing over with his second from six yards out.
Within seconds, Portsmouth swept downfield and struck the woodwork twice when Sulley Muntari's thunderous left-foot strike was pushed onto the right-hand post by Hart before Utaka smashed the resulting deflection onto the left-hand post.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Portsmouth rallied and continued to conjure opportunities - although City fashioned counter-attacks through Vassell and Benjani, the latter firing wide of James's right post from the edge of the box.
Interview: Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp
However, the dreadlocked Zimbabwean finally registered on the scoresheet with 16 minutes remaining, beating Distin on the outside before firing low past a diving James.
Chasing a two-goal deficit, the visitors withdrew John Utaka for on-loan striker Milan Baros, who was denied his first Portsmouth goal when Hart made a fine stop.
The England Under-21 keeper was forced to make another fine save when he palmed over Sean Davis's strike with time running out, but the substitute's shot was the last chance of an entertaining match.
Credit: Pranav
Darius Vassell put City in front after a defensive mix-up on 10 minutes, with Martin Petrov doubling the lead with a deflected strike two minutes later.
Pompey were a man down just before half-time when Hermann Hreidarsson was sent off for impeding Darius Vassell as the City forward ran through on goal.
Later, Benjani sealed the win against his old club with a fine, low strike.
With Sunday's newspaper headlines speculating about City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's future at Eastlands, the Swede preferred to concentrate on matters on the pitch as his side recorded only their second home victory in nine matches.
Interview: Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson
Eriksson made one alteration from the side which beat Sunderland, with Vassell replacing Sun Jihai and attacking midfielder Elano shifting to right-back, a position he has previously filled for Brazil and former club Santos.
An audacious 40-yard strike from Papa Bouba Diop stung the palms of City keeper Joe Hart within the first two minutes, while Sylvain Distin wasted a useful chance from the resulting corner.
But for all of the visitors' opening endeavour, a calamitous communication breakdown between Sol Campbell and David James gifted Vassell the opening goal.
Campbell had looked in total control as he chased down a seemingly harmless City ball, only to find keeper James stranded 10 yards outside of his box attempting to clear his line.
606: DEBATE
Benjani refused to celebrate after scoring against his former club - what a class gesture, especially given how well-taken his goal was
OneRedUtd
With both players unsure about their next course of action, Benjani took advantage of the confusion to find Stephen Ireland, whose mishit shot fortuitously fell into the path of Vassell, who slotted home from two yards.
And within two minutes, Petrov had doubled the lead with a right-footed snap-shot - courtesy of a wicked deflection off Campbell's inside leg.
But Portsmouth reduced the deficit when Utaka's header looped over Hart on 24 minutes as City's players pleaded with the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside, only to have their requests ignored as Petrov played all of Portsmouth's attackers onside.
Benjani - lining up against his former side for the first time since his protracted £7m move to the north-west in February - was at the heart of City's most promising attacks, including a fierce low drive which James parried.
Portsmouth's rearguard was severely hampered when Hreidarsson was adjudged to have impeded Vassell as he ran on to Ireland's through ball on 40 minutes, a foul which referee Andre Marriner believed merited a straight red card.
James ended a thoroughly entertaining first half with a world-class fingertip save to prevent Vassell's accurate curling left-foot strike from the edge of the area from sailing into the top right corner.
Benjani scores his goal for Manchester City
Benjani had a fine game against his former club
Although the second half lacked the drama of an incident-packed first period, there were numerous chances for both sides to add to their tallies.
Benjani soon wasted a glorious opportunity to extend City's lead, spinning away from his marker with a sublime first touch before blazing over with his second from six yards out.
Within seconds, Portsmouth swept downfield and struck the woodwork twice when Sulley Muntari's thunderous left-foot strike was pushed onto the right-hand post by Hart before Utaka smashed the resulting deflection onto the left-hand post.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Portsmouth rallied and continued to conjure opportunities - although City fashioned counter-attacks through Vassell and Benjani, the latter firing wide of James's right post from the edge of the box.
Interview: Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp
However, the dreadlocked Zimbabwean finally registered on the scoresheet with 16 minutes remaining, beating Distin on the outside before firing low past a diving James.
Chasing a two-goal deficit, the visitors withdrew John Utaka for on-loan striker Milan Baros, who was denied his first Portsmouth goal when Hart made a fine stop.
The England Under-21 keeper was forced to make another fine save when he palmed over Sean Davis's strike with time running out, but the substitute's shot was the last chance of an entertaining match.
Credit: Pranav
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