Sunday May 04 2008 01:30
Arsenal moved to within a point of Chelsea after securing a largely uninspiring 1-0 win over fifth-placed Everton.
A late headed goal by Nicklas Bendtner was enough to win all the points and keep alive their hopes of overtaking Avram Grant's side.
After a low-key start to the game, the first real shot of note came in the tenth minute from Arsenal's player of the month for April, Theo Walcott.
The youngster cut in from the left but his shot curled just wide of the right post.
Shortly after that Gilberto Silva met Bendtner's cute hoisted ball across the Everton penalty area, but the Brazilian could not stretch quite enough to guide his header towards goal.
It was Everton that came closest to opening the scoring on 28 minutes when Manuel Fernandes put through a delightful ball for Andrew Johnson to latch onto and his first-time shot was well-saved by the right boot of Lukasz Fabianski.
At the other end Emmanuel Adebayor got a toe to a couple of long ball over the top of the Everton defence, but nothing that overly troubled Tim Howard.
Gilberto again went close in the dying minutes of the first half when he rose unchallenged to meet a corner from the right, but he could not quite get over the ball so as to really test Howard.
Then, a minute later in to stoppage time, Adebayor should have made more or of Emmanuel Eboue's exquisite cross from the right, but only got a glancing connection with the ball and watched it fly agonisingly wide.
The second half began as slowly as the first with Joleon Lescott's shot being the only real chance on goal, and a half-chance at that.
While Everton did little to trouble the Gunners, they had more possession than their hosts which is a collector's item of a statistic.
Arsene Wenger tried to change things around on 70 minutes by getting Walcott to play on the right-hand side. He did that by bringing on Armand Traore as a left winger.
The tactic worked as the Gunners took the lead in the 77th minute. Bendtner found the young Frenchman with a slightly over-hit pass.
Traore got the ball under control quickly, burst down the left flank before delivering a perfectly flighted ball into the box that Bendtner powered home with a towering header.
Everton did not offer much of a response. David Moyes sent on Yakubu to try and bolster his attack, but to little avail. The Toffees' leading scorer was starved of any service as the Gunners went on to secure all the points.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Crouch to Pompey link grows
Tuesday May 06 2008 12:57
Portsmouth are expected to land Liverpool striker Peter Crouch and Southampton's highly-rated winger Nathan Dyer this summer.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is believed to be willing to pay £8million for England international Crouch who has been only an irregular member of Liverpool's starting line-up this season.
Dyer is out of contract in the summer and is on Redknapp's shopping list even though he has spent much of the second half of the season on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage five months ago.
Meanwhile, Redknapp has promised to field a full-strength side for Sunday's final Premier League game of the season against Fulham even though it comes only six days before their appearance in the FA Cup Final.
He said: "We'll get stick if I put a reserve team out but I won't be doing that next week. No way. I wouldn't disrespect other managers who are in a relegation battle by picking a very, very, very weak team.
"I wouldn't want somebody doing that to me so I wouldn't want to do that to them. It's happened in the past and I think it's disrespectful.
"If we're fit next week then they'll all play. It'll be a good atmosphere with a good crowd and we'll be having a go - I promise you.
"Even on Sunday, if we beat Fulham and Villa get beaten at West ham we may still get sixth."
Hibbert earns Moyes' praise
Tuesday May 06 2008 12:24
Everton manager David Moyes believes Tony Hibbert has been one of the key players in his side's successful season.
The unsung 27-year-old has been a regular in Moyes' first-team squad this term, and produced yet another consistent display in Sunday's narrow defeat at Arsenal.
Moyes told the club's official website: "I thought Tony Hibbert was outstanding, as was Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott.
"We play Hibbo in the games that matter because he's a good defender and he doesn't let you down. He's honest in his work and he's a really good player.
"People know we're struggling with attacking players and the flair we'd like. We don't have Mikel Arteta's flair or Tim Cahill's goals which can come from nothing, and we don't have James Vaughan either.
"They say that you get what we deserve come the end, so next week against Newcastle we'll find out if we get what we deserve."
Meanwhile, Moyes continues to be linked with USA international Michael Bradley who is currently playing for Dutch side Heerenveen.
Reports also suggest Nuno Valente is on the verge of penning a new 12-month contract with the club.
Coppell won't dwell on loss
Tuesday May 06 2008 13:32
Reading manager Steve Coppell is determined to focus on Sunday's final Premier League game of the season at Derby County and not dwell on the home defeat to Tottenham - a result that left the Royals in the bottom three.
Coppell's side have failed to score in their last six games and know that, even if they win at Pride Park, they could be playing Championship football next season if other results go against them.
Coppell told the club's official website: "We had opportunities against Spurs. It was the last home game and we wanted to have a go.
"In the second half the players gave their all, and even in that first half they'd been sweating buckets because we deperately wanted to stay in the game.
"We had opportunities after the break, and a lot of potential positions 30 yards out. We needed a killer pass, the understanding, a combination. We needed a quality cross, not a floater or one that's over-hit.
"But it's in the past now and it does nobody any good to dwell on it. We've got to get up and get our focus on Derby.
"We'll be working very hard in training. Sometimes when you're not scoring there's a feeling you're more frightened to make mistakes than having a go and risking a miss.
"We need to be sharper, that's stating the obvious."
Classy United on the brink
Sunday May 04 2008 18:22
Manchester United are only 90 minutes away from retaining the Premier League title after Saturday's 4-1 victory over West ham United at Old trafford.
The Red Devils knew that victory over the Hammers in their penultimate league game would move them three points ahead of Chelsea with their title rivals not in action until Monday.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side raced into a three-goal lead within the opening half-an-hour as Cristiano Ronaldo's brace took his season's tally to 30 in the league while Carlos Tevez scored against his former side.
Dean Ashton pulled one back for the visitors, who were then given extra hope when Nani was sent off for aiming a head-butt at Lucas Neill following a spat in the penalty area.
But Michael Carrick - also against his former club - settled the nerves around Old trafford with a fourth of the afternoon in the 59th minute, meaning United will wrap up a second consecutive title should they defeat Wigan Athletic next Sunday.
The great escape remains a possibility for Fulham after they clawed their way out of the relegation places with a priceless 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Birmingham City.
Brian McBride's 52nd-minute strike put Roy Hodgson's resurgent side ahead and Erik Nevland's 87th-minute second settled a nervy encounter at Craven Cottage.
Fulham move up two places to 17th and know that victory at Portsmouth next weekend will keep them in the Premier League.
However, it's a different story for Birmingham City who are now second bottom of the table and in danger of lasting just one season in the top-flight.
Reading have also been dragged back into the drop-zone after losing 1-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Robbie Keane's 16th-minute strike separated the sides at the Madejski Stadium and left the Royals needing to defeat Derby County on the final day of the season, and hoping other results go in their favour, if they are to retain their top-flight status.
Bolton though realistically confirmed their safety with a battling 2-0 win over Sunderland.
El Hadji Diouf marked his farewell appearance at the Reebok Stadium with the opener and a Daryl Murphy own goal confirmed the points for the home side.
The Trotters are now three points clear of Reading in the final relegation place, but are basically safe by virtue of a far superior goal difference to either the Royals or Fulham.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa's hopes of toppling Everton from fifth spot are all but over after they lost 2-0 to Wigan Athletic at Villa Park. Martin O'Neill's side slumped to defeat after Luis Antonio Valencia struck twice at Villa Park.
Everton are three points clear of Villa with one game of the season left after losing 1-0 at Arsenal - Nicklas Bendtner scoring the vital goal while Fernando Torres netted as Liverpool beat Manchester City by the same scoreline.
Derby County will end a miserable season with the lowest points total in Premier League history after losing 3-1 at Blackburn Rovers.
Paul Jewell's hapless side needed to win their final two games to avoid being relegated with less than the record 15 points but, despite taking the lead at Ewood Park, lost for the 28th time this season.
Kenny Miller's 19th-minute opener was cancelled out by two strikes from Roque Santa Cruz and another from Jason Roberts.
Middlesbrough were 2-0 winners over Portsmouth at the Riverside Stadium as Gareth Southgate's side finally ended their own lingering fears of relegation courtesy of recalled defender Chris Riggott's first goal of the season and a second from Sanli Tuncay.
Torres equals Hunt record
Monday May 05 2008 11:30
Liverpool's star striker Fernando Torres was proud of having equalled Roger Hunt's club record of having scored in eight successive home league games in the 1-0 win over Manchester City.
The 24-year-old Spain international has netted 32 goals in all competitions in his first season with the Reds and has scored in his last eight outings in the league at Anfield, equalling Hunt's record from the 1961-62 campaign.
Torres told the club's official website: "I'm very proud. I knew about the record before the game and I am pleased to have scored again.
"Now I will try to do even better next season.
"The first season is normally always difficult but it has been made easy for me by my team-mates. It's thanks to them that I can keep scoring and keep improving."
Reds manager Rafa Benitez added his own tribute, commenting: "It was another good game from us and another fine goal from Fernando.
"I believe he will score more, which will be a great benefit for the club, for him and for the fans."
Newcastle United 0 - 2 Chelsea
Monday May 05 2008 04:00
Chelsea ensured that the Premier League title race will go right to the wire by securing a clinical 2-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park.
A polished second half saw goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda confirm that the title will be decided on the final day of the season.
Chelsea end their campaign against Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge while Manchester United travel to Wigan Athletic.
A win by both sides will see the crown stay at Old Trafford by virtue of their superior goal difference.
As for Newcastle, their eight-match unbeaten run was ended after a promising start and on the day Chelsea were worthy winners.Michael Owen was left with a one-to-one chance after just six minutes when he met a lob over the top from Nicky Butt, but another lob from United's leading scorer sailed well over the bar.Obafemi Martins was heavily involved in the early Newcastle play and in one darting run beat three defenders before driving weakly at Petr Cech from 30 yards.
Chelsea at this stage appeared content to soak up the pressure and then look for the counter attack to support solitary striker Didier Drogba.
Skipper John Terry came to Chelsea's rescue and kept their title hopes alive with a dramatic goal-line clearance after 28 minutes.
Once again it was Martins caused the problems on the left and drove the ball into the area where Cech blocked a Mark Viduka shot and the rebound flew to the edge of the box.
It was met by Owen, who placed his shot beyond Cech, only for Terry to prevent a certain goal with his clearance.
Chelsea had to wait until the 35th minute for their first real chance, when the surging Michael Essien stretched the home defence before playing in Ballack on the left, who screwed his shot hopelessly wide with just Steve Harper to beat.Nicolas Anelka was then given a chance seconds later in the inside-right position, but he too fired well wide.
It was a much more purposeful Chelsea after the break as they appeared to step up a notch and only the woodwork prevented them taking a 53rd minute lead.
On a previous visit to the North East this season, Terry grabbed the only goal at Sunderland.
The big defender looked to have unlocked the Newcastle defence when he rose to meet a right-wing Malouda corner, only to see his powerful header cannon to safety off the bar.
Chelsea at this stage were in total command as Newcastle struggled to clear the ball and when they did, it was returned straight back to the danger area.
And the Chelsea goal that looked like coming, duly arrived on the hour mark. Abdoulaye Faye fouled Malouda on the right of the area and from Drogba's free-kick Ballack was left unmarked and headed in his third league goal in the last two matches.
Newcastle finally got going and a clearance from a Butt free-kick dropped invitingly to Martins on the edge of the area and he turned to see his goalbound effort deflected wide.
Then a ball over the top just evaded the lunging Owen as Newcastle searched for the equaliser.
But it was Chelsea who wrapped it up with their second goal after 82 minutes and it was superbly created and finished.
It was a five-man move which ended with substitute Frank Lampard threading a superb through ball on for Malouda, who shot under Harper and into the back of the net.
Chelsea ensured that the Premier League title race will go right to the wire by securing a clinical 2-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park.
A polished second half saw goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda confirm that the title will be decided on the final day of the season.
Chelsea end their campaign against Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge while Manchester United travel to Wigan Athletic.
A win by both sides will see the crown stay at Old Trafford by virtue of their superior goal difference.
As for Newcastle, their eight-match unbeaten run was ended after a promising start and on the day Chelsea were worthy winners.Michael Owen was left with a one-to-one chance after just six minutes when he met a lob over the top from Nicky Butt, but another lob from United's leading scorer sailed well over the bar.Obafemi Martins was heavily involved in the early Newcastle play and in one darting run beat three defenders before driving weakly at Petr Cech from 30 yards.
Chelsea at this stage appeared content to soak up the pressure and then look for the counter attack to support solitary striker Didier Drogba.
Skipper John Terry came to Chelsea's rescue and kept their title hopes alive with a dramatic goal-line clearance after 28 minutes.
Once again it was Martins caused the problems on the left and drove the ball into the area where Cech blocked a Mark Viduka shot and the rebound flew to the edge of the box.
It was met by Owen, who placed his shot beyond Cech, only for Terry to prevent a certain goal with his clearance.
Chelsea had to wait until the 35th minute for their first real chance, when the surging Michael Essien stretched the home defence before playing in Ballack on the left, who screwed his shot hopelessly wide with just Steve Harper to beat.Nicolas Anelka was then given a chance seconds later in the inside-right position, but he too fired well wide.
It was a much more purposeful Chelsea after the break as they appeared to step up a notch and only the woodwork prevented them taking a 53rd minute lead.
On a previous visit to the North East this season, Terry grabbed the only goal at Sunderland.
The big defender looked to have unlocked the Newcastle defence when he rose to meet a right-wing Malouda corner, only to see his powerful header cannon to safety off the bar.
Chelsea at this stage were in total command as Newcastle struggled to clear the ball and when they did, it was returned straight back to the danger area.
And the Chelsea goal that looked like coming, duly arrived on the hour mark. Abdoulaye Faye fouled Malouda on the right of the area and from Drogba's free-kick Ballack was left unmarked and headed in his third league goal in the last two matches.
Newcastle finally got going and a clearance from a Butt free-kick dropped invitingly to Martins on the edge of the area and he turned to see his goalbound effort deflected wide.
Then a ball over the top just evaded the lunging Owen as Newcastle searched for the equaliser.
But it was Chelsea who wrapped it up with their second goal after 82 minutes and it was superbly created and finished.
It was a five-man move which ended with substitute Frank Lampard threading a superb through ball on for Malouda, who shot under Harper and into the back of the net.
Pressure's on United
Tuesday May 06 2008 08:17
Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes Wigan Athletic can shock Manchester United on Sunday to give his side the chance of clinching their third Premier League title in four seasons.
Monday's 2-0 win at Newcastle United has left the Blues equal on points with Sir Alex Ferguson's side with just Bolton to play at Stamford Bridge while United must travel to face the Latics.
Both Bolton and Wigan ended their relegation fears at the weekend but Grant remains optimistic, saying: "The advantage is with United but it will not be easy at Wigan.
"This season has been one of our best. We achieved our aim of getting to the Champions League final and we have also improved our play on the pitch.
"Now we must beat Bolton and see what United do. The pressure is on them.
"We have to battle with things on and off the pitch, but the team have got better and better, especially in recent months.
"In the first half against Newcastle we were poorer than we've been for a while. Maybe that was down to tiredness because we have played a lot of long, hard matches this campaign.
"In the second half, though, we played fantastically and got the result we wanted.
"All I have asked the players is to do what we need to do - we can't affect anything else.
"United are a great team and we have given them a good battle. We wanted to keep that going."
Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes Wigan Athletic can shock Manchester United on Sunday to give his side the chance of clinching their third Premier League title in four seasons.
Monday's 2-0 win at Newcastle United has left the Blues equal on points with Sir Alex Ferguson's side with just Bolton to play at Stamford Bridge while United must travel to face the Latics.
Both Bolton and Wigan ended their relegation fears at the weekend but Grant remains optimistic, saying: "The advantage is with United but it will not be easy at Wigan.
"This season has been one of our best. We achieved our aim of getting to the Champions League final and we have also improved our play on the pitch.
"Now we must beat Bolton and see what United do. The pressure is on them.
"We have to battle with things on and off the pitch, but the team have got better and better, especially in recent months.
"In the first half against Newcastle we were poorer than we've been for a while. Maybe that was down to tiredness because we have played a lot of long, hard matches this campaign.
"In the second half, though, we played fantastically and got the result we wanted.
"All I have asked the players is to do what we need to do - we can't affect anything else.
"United are a great team and we have given them a good battle. We wanted to keep that going."
Manchester United 4 - 1 West Ham
Saturday May 03 2008 12:45
Manchester United's comfortable 4-1 win over West Ham piled the pressure back on Chelsea in the race for the PremierLeague title.
Defeat for the Londoners at vastly improved Newcastle United on Bank Holiday Monday will give the Red Devils their tenth Premier League title.
First-half goals by Cristiano Ronaldo (two) and Carlos Tevez made it a stroll in the sun for United.
The one dark cloud came with the 37th minute dismissal of Nani.
After falling over attempting an acrobatic kick, the Portuguese winger was shown the red card by Mike Riley when he appeared to butt Lucas Neill as the Australian tried to pull him to his feet.
United were left to play almost an hour with only ten men, but the Hammers failed to capitalise on their advantage.
The Reds enjoyed the perfect start with a goal in the third minute.
United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar's kick came off the head of West Ham's James Tomkins when he went up with Nani.
It fell to Ronaldo on the right and he cut into the West Ham box from the wing, leaving Neill in his wake, before scoring with a low right-foot shot from 12 yards.
West Ham almost equalised four minutes later when United made a hash of clearing Scott Parker's corner.
Tomkins nodded the ball on to Bobby Zamora, whose header was hacked clear by Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand.
United made it 2-0 after 24 minutes when Ronaldo scored his second and probably the luckiest of his 40th goal in all competitions and 30th in the league this season.Owen Hargreaves' cross form the right corner of the penalty area bypassed a wall of defenders and went in off Ronaldo's right thigh from close range at the far post.
The third and best of United's goals came two minutes later.
Saturday May 03 2008 12:45
Ronaldo's cross from the left inside to Tevez saw the Argentinian take the ball in his stride before hitting a ferocious right-foot 30-yard drive over goalkeeper Robert Green and into the roof of the net.
West Ham reduced the areas two minutes later.
Bobby Zamora's cross from the right was headed up in the air by United defender Wes Brown and Dean Ashton scored with a spectacular overhead kick from 10 yards out at the far post.
But any doubts about the result were ended in the 59th minute when Michael Carrick picked up a loose ball midway inside the West Ham half and was allowed to run on before scoring with a right-foot shot from 20 yards which was deflected in off the hapless Neill.
United could have had a fifth when Darren Fletcher's 71st minute shot cannoned back of a post.
The chance set up following good work from Evra and substitute Ryan Giggs.
Manchester United's comfortable 4-1 win over West Ham piled the pressure back on Chelsea in the race for the PremierLeague title.
Defeat for the Londoners at vastly improved Newcastle United on Bank Holiday Monday will give the Red Devils their tenth Premier League title.
First-half goals by Cristiano Ronaldo (two) and Carlos Tevez made it a stroll in the sun for United.
The one dark cloud came with the 37th minute dismissal of Nani.
After falling over attempting an acrobatic kick, the Portuguese winger was shown the red card by Mike Riley when he appeared to butt Lucas Neill as the Australian tried to pull him to his feet.
United were left to play almost an hour with only ten men, but the Hammers failed to capitalise on their advantage.
The Reds enjoyed the perfect start with a goal in the third minute.
United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar's kick came off the head of West Ham's James Tomkins when he went up with Nani.
It fell to Ronaldo on the right and he cut into the West Ham box from the wing, leaving Neill in his wake, before scoring with a low right-foot shot from 12 yards.
West Ham almost equalised four minutes later when United made a hash of clearing Scott Parker's corner.
Tomkins nodded the ball on to Bobby Zamora, whose header was hacked clear by Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand.
United made it 2-0 after 24 minutes when Ronaldo scored his second and probably the luckiest of his 40th goal in all competitions and 30th in the league this season.Owen Hargreaves' cross form the right corner of the penalty area bypassed a wall of defenders and went in off Ronaldo's right thigh from close range at the far post.
The third and best of United's goals came two minutes later.
Saturday May 03 2008 12:45
Ronaldo's cross from the left inside to Tevez saw the Argentinian take the ball in his stride before hitting a ferocious right-foot 30-yard drive over goalkeeper Robert Green and into the roof of the net.
West Ham reduced the areas two minutes later.
Bobby Zamora's cross from the right was headed up in the air by United defender Wes Brown and Dean Ashton scored with a spectacular overhead kick from 10 yards out at the far post.
But any doubts about the result were ended in the 59th minute when Michael Carrick picked up a loose ball midway inside the West Ham half and was allowed to run on before scoring with a right-foot shot from 20 yards which was deflected in off the hapless Neill.
United could have had a fifth when Darren Fletcher's 71st minute shot cannoned back of a post.
The chance set up following good work from Evra and substitute Ryan Giggs.
Nani asks for forgiveness
Tuesday May 06 2008 08:43
Manchester United winger Nani has apologised for being sent off in Saturday's 4-1 victory against West ham United.
The Portugal international was dismissed for head-butting Hammers defender Lucas Neill in the first half of the Old trafford clash when United were winning 3-1.
Nani admitted: "I recognise my action was a thoughtless one. But I also have to say I was provoked and attacked.
"I regret what I did and want to publicly ask for forgiveness."
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had been unimpressed with Nani's behaviour, saying after Saturday's win: "The game was marred by immaturity from Nani, real immaturity.
"He retaliated when he didn't need to and the referee didn't have any option but to send him off after he'd spoken to the linesman.
"He showed a measure of immaturity and we'll deal with it."
Manchester United winger Nani has apologised for being sent off in Saturday's 4-1 victory against West ham United.
The Portugal international was dismissed for head-butting Hammers defender Lucas Neill in the first half of the Old trafford clash when United were winning 3-1.
Nani admitted: "I recognise my action was a thoughtless one. But I also have to say I was provoked and attacked.
"I regret what I did and want to publicly ask for forgiveness."
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had been unimpressed with Nani's behaviour, saying after Saturday's win: "The game was marred by immaturity from Nani, real immaturity.
"He retaliated when he didn't need to and the referee didn't have any option but to send him off after he'd spoken to the linesman.
"He showed a measure of immaturity and we'll deal with it."
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