March 22, 200818 yr "They do, and they walk out of St. James Park at half-time unless Newcastle are 4-0 up" has got to be one of the least surprising but most uninformed statements about football I've ever heard.
March 23, 200818 yr its laughable still what is happening at Newcastle... I was in the bar the other night, and I was slagging of Kevin Keegan big time... in front of 2 Newcastle fans.. telling them how shite he was as a manager... A few days later I returned to the bar, and the bar owner asked if I had any intentions to wind up any up his customers today. I pointed out I am a special case since I was a city fan, I felt I had the god given right to slag him off... heheheh Despite all of this, these thick jordies still thought he was the best thing slice bread...
March 23, 200818 yr Big four set for Sunday showdown The Premier League title race reaches a pivotal stage on Sunday when the top four clubs go head to head. Leaders Manchester United host rivals Liverpool at 1330 GMT with Rafael Benitez's side needing a win to keep alive any hope of winning the title. Second-placed Arsenal, who have drawn their last four league games, meet London rivals Chelsea at 1600 GMT. With six points separating the top three, Sunday's results could have a huge bearing on who wins the title. United will go 14 points clear of fourth-placed Liverpool if they win, while Chelsea will leapfrog Arsenal into second place with a victory at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners have managed only four points from their last four games, but Chelsea also slipped up on Wednesday when they drew 4-4 at Tottenham despite leading three times. Liverpool, with six wins in a row, are the Premier League's form team - just ahead of Sunday's opponents United. Man Utd v Liverpool Venue: Old Trafford Kick-off: 1330 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live, streamed on BBC website for UK users only. Coverage on BBC website, live on Sky Sports 1. Chelsea v Arsenal Venue: Stamford Bridge Kick-off: 1600 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live, streamed on BBC website for UK users only. Coverage on BBC website, live on Sky Sports 1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7301556.stm
March 23, 200818 yr Brown just scored for united, 1-0 now, bad mistake by liverpool. Carrager could of got sent off in the 6th minute also, if rooney decided to fall rather than stay on his feet, it would of been a penalty and a red card but im happy that we are leading 1-0 now :) Chelsea v Arsenal is going to be intresting for sure.
March 23, 200818 yr What was Mascherano thinking?! And then the rest of the team moaning to the ref, arghhhh, idiots.
March 23, 200818 yr Did you see Andy Gray and Jamie Redknapp on Sky just then, Richard Keys should have sent them 2 off the way they were debating the issue :P
March 23, 200818 yr Despite all of this, these thick jordies still thought he was the best thing slice bread... Wow. There must be like, a rule where all fans of other Premiership teams must generalize massively against Newcastle fans.
March 23, 200818 yr Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool Ronaldo celebrates after scoring United's second goal Manchester United outclassed 10-man Liverpool to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table. Wes Brown put United ahead from Wayne Rooney's cross before Liverpool's hopes were hit when Javier Mascherano was sent off for dissent before the break. Pepe Reina made some great saves but he was at fault when Cristiano Ronaldo headed home United's second and Nani's fine finish completed an emphatic win. Chelsea's victory over Arsenal leaves United five points clear at the top. Sunday's results leave United in pole position to retain their title with seven games of the season to go but the main talking point after this match was Mascherano's dismissal. The Argentine midfielder, who had been booked early on for a wild challenge on Paul Scholes, foolishly chose to continue an argument that his team-mate Fernando Torres had started with referee Steve Bennett over a series of challenges by United players. In a week dominated by discussion of Ashley Cole's conduct towards the officials during Chelsea's draw with Tottenham on Wednesday, the spotlight was always going to be on how Bennett reacted here. Torres had already been booked for dissent when Mascherano got involved so, if Bennett was to be consistent, he had no choice but to produce another yellow card. The decision further infuriated Mascherano, who had to be escorted off the pitch, and his manager Rafa Benitez was also left angry. It also virtually ended his side's hopes of getting anything from the game, as United had dominated even when Liverpool had 11 men on the pitch. Sir Alex Ferguson's men had created all the best chances in the opening period and only some superb saves by Reina kept the home side at bay. United could have had a penalty when Jamie Carragher clipped Rooney in the area but the striker stayed on his feet and his eventual shot was saved by the Spaniard. Reina came to the rescue again when Paul Scholes' free-kick caught the Liverpool defence napping, collecting the ball after Rooney failed to control it. The Reds' best spell followed when they at last threatened Edwin van der Sar's goal. Fabiano Aurelio sliced his shot wide when well placed inside the area, while Steven Gerrard had a rasping effort deflected over soon after. But United were still threatening themselves and Ronaldo hit the post from a Ryan Giggs free-kick, only to be wrongly ruled offside, before Reina almost fumbled Giggs' cross into his own net. The Liverpool defence was struggling with any high balls played into the area and it was no great surprise when United took the lead through that route. Martin Skrtel did not attempt to reach Rooney's cross and Brown beat Reina to the ball, which looped into the net off his back. Mascherano's red card meant Liverpool had it all to do after the break and, if not for their goalkeeper, they would have been dead and buried. Scholes' clever lob sent Ronaldo clear but Reina came out to block and, after watching Ronaldo's free-kick fly narrowly wide, he saved his side again with an instinctive stop from Rooney. Reina made another instinctive save to deny United substitute Carlos Tevez after Alvaro Arbeloa had inadvertently steered the ball into the striker's path. He also did brilliantly to push away Ronaldo's shot but will not enjoy watching a replay of the resultant corner, from which the Portuguese star rose above him to head home. Nani's thumping finish from the edge of the area only underlined United's superiority as Liverpool's seven-game winning run came to an abrupt halt. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298257.stm
March 23, 200818 yr Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal Didier Drogba inspired Chelsea to victory over Arsenal Didier Drogba's double kept Chelsea's title hopes alive while damaging Arsenal's with a win that saw them leapfrog their rivals to go second. William Gallas hit the post from five yards in the first half but Bacary Sagna put Arsenal in front with a near-post header on 59 minutes. Drogba equalised with a low drive after Juliano Belletti's long pass was laid off to him by Frank Lampard. And on 82 minutes Drogba poked home the winner after a Nicolas Anelka flick-on. With Manchester United's victory over Liverpool earlier in the day, which put them six points clear at the top of the table, both sides were eager to get more than a point from the match - but were also desperate not to lose. Chelsea began in more cautious fashion, allowing Arsenal plenty of time on the ball, while laying in wait in their defensive third to snuff out the attacks. With Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Eboue hugging the touchlines, Arsenal used the width to good effect but without really penetrating. Dutchman Van Persie sliced one shot high and wide when well placed and drove in a volley that was comfortably saved by Carlo Cudicini. But while Arsenal were on top with their short passing game in the first 20 minutes, Chelsea's more direct approach dictated the play in the second part of the first half. A lively Drogba sparked the change and he should have scored when clean though on goal but he miscontrolled the ball. As the game opened up, Chelsea scrambled clear after two goalwards toe-pokes from Emmanuel Adebayor and Eboue, and Gallas hit the upright from five yards after sliding in at the back post. Back came Chelsea and Salomon Kalou seemed set to score but missed his kick in the penalty area before the ball was hacked away and Manuel Almunia just managed to divert Joe Cole's dangerous low cross. The desire to win the game was obvious from both sides and straight after the interval Matthieu Flamini was prevented from giving Arsenal the advantage when his vicious volley was superbly stopped by Cudicini. Chelsea continued with their route-one approach and Drogba was through again after a long pass by Claude Makelele but Gallas recovered to do enough to put him off. And then Arsenal turned defence into attack, literally, as Sagna beat his marker at the near post to head in from a Fabregas corner to score his first goal for the club. But the Frenchman's delight soon turned sour when he was forced off with an ankle injury - and suddenly Chelsea stepped up through the gears. After a couple of wasted chances, most notably a scuffed shot from Michael Ballack, another long pass paid dividends as the ball eventually fell to Drogba, who lashed in a low drive from the edge of the box. The impetus was now all with Chelsea and when substitute Anelka headed on another long ball, Drogba was there to flick the ball beyond Almunia, who could not get a strong enough hand to it. It proved enough to secure three points for Chelsea and close the gap on United to five points, while inflicting only a second league defeat of the season on Arsenal. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298246.stm
March 29, 200818 yr Author The Trap Door has opened Derby's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as they could only draw at home to struggling Fulham. They are the first team in Premier League history to be relegated in March. In other non-relegation news, Scored twice (8 goals in 7 games) for Pompey to beat Wigan 2-0.
March 30, 200818 yr I went to watch Southport v Boston Utd today just for something to do. It finished 2-2 and was a good game. The last 2 games I've been to have been 'non-league' - Bath and now Southport. Very enjoyable, very muddy, very wet, tough players, hard tackles, cheap half-time cups of tea - a great day out.
March 30, 200818 yr Author Southampton are only a point clear of the drop zone :o And the team below them has played 2 less games. But Salisbury won 1-0 today against Stevenage, so all is well.
March 30, 200818 yr Man Utd 4-0 Aston Villa Man Utd's Patrice Evra congratulates Wayne Rooney after his first goal Manchester United stretched their lead at the Premier League summit to six points with a stunning display. Cristiano Ronaldo's outrageous flick started the agony for Aston Villa after 17 minutes and he provided Carlos Tevez with a simple second before half-time. Wayne Rooney rounded Scott Carson for a third after 53 minutes and he slid home the fourth with 20 minutes left after more superb creativity from Ronaldo. Shaun Maloney missed Villa's best chance, but United were outstanding. United's football was mesmeric, despite atrocious conditions, and Martin O'Neill's fast-fading side could easily have been on the end of an even heavier beating. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson took a precaution ahead of the Champions League quarter-final visit to AS Roma by resting goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who was suffering from a slight groin strain. Tomasz Kuszczak returned in goal, but spent much of the evening admiring a virtuoso United attacking display. Ronaldo had already tested Villa keeper Carson before he produced a finish that was brilliant even by his own sky-high standards to give United the lead after 17 minutes. Villa could not clear a Ryan Giggs corner, and when Rio Ferdinand chested the ball towards Ronaldo, he produced an outrageous flick between the legs of Martin Laursen to beat Carson. Ronaldo turned creator as United extended their lead after 33 minutes, producing a perfect first-time cross to provide Tevez with a simple headed finish. Villa were facing a long and arduous 90 minutes, and their situation was not helped when striker John Carew limped off with a groin injury before half-time, to be replaced by Maloney. Rooney should have sealed the points for United after 48 minutes when he was put clear by Tevez only to shoot wide - Maloney then wasting an equally good chance for Villa in a similar position seconds later. England striker Rooney made amends for his miss after 53 minutes when he took another flamboyant touch from Ronaldo to round Carson and score with ease. Kuszczak was called into action after 55 minutes to save from Maloney's curling angled drive, but it was a minor inconvenience to a United side threatening to run riot. Ferguson made a triple substitution in the 61st minute, sending on Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and John O'Shea for Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick and Ferdinand. Hargreaves was in on the action instantly with a perfect cross that Tevez somehow headed wide, before Rooney struck the outside of the post with a measured finish. Ronaldo and Rooney were irresistible - and combined once more for United's fourth in the 70th minute. Rooney slid in a right-foot finish after being played in by another stunning touch from Ronaldo. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7316219.stm
March 30, 200818 yr Bolton 2-3 Arsenal Fabregas's shot was turned in by Samuel to hand Arsenal victory Arsenal hung on in the title race by coming from 2-0 down to beat Bolton despite Abou Diaby's sending off. Matthew Taylor headed Bolton in front from a cross by Gretar Steinsson, who was later clattered by Diaby and the referee produced a straight red. Taylor's deflected drive doubled the lead before William Gallas volleyed home to cut the deficit. Robin Van Persie made it 2-2 with a penalty and Arsenal won it when Jlloyd Samuel put through his own net late on. It was a remarkable turnaround, as for large spells Arsenal failed to cope with the driving rain, slippery pitch and Bolton's greater desire. Kolo Toure, playing at right-back because Bacary Sagna is out injured, looked a shadow of his normal self - and even Cesc Fabregas looked shockingly out of sorts in midfield. Bolton, by contrast, were focused on their task and punished some slack defending when Taylor rose unchallenged to thump home a header from Steinsson's excellent delivery out on the right touchline. Further evidence of Arsenal's lack of concentration came when Diaby produced a foul throw, but if that was comedy of sorts, there was nothing funny about the Frenchman's challenge on Steinsson which followed. He slid in and clearly planted studs on Steinsson's standing leg at ankle height, and was given his marching orders by referee Chris Foy. Down to 10 men, Arsenal needed to hit back quickly and almost snatched an equaliser when Toure's shot deflected off Gallas and skidded narrowly wide. The Gunners were rocked when Matthieu Flamini hesitated on the edge of the box, the ball found its way to Taylor and his side-foot shot arrowed into the corner via Gallas's ankle. Game over, it seemed - and the end of Arsenal's fading title hopes, but then everything changed as on the hour mark Arsenal woke up, and Bolton went to sleep. From Fabregas's corner, Gallas stole in completely unmarked at the far post to volley in and hand Arsenal a lifeline they had barely deserved. They were level six minutes later, however, when Van Persie crashed in from the penalty spot after Gary Cahill brought down Hleb. Van Persie had a chance to win it for Arsenal after substitute Theo Walcott cut the ball back to him but the Dutchman fired high and wide from 12 yards. But he was not to rue his miss as Arsenal managed to scramble a victory when Fabregas's shot was deflected twice, the final touch off the unfortunate Samuel, and keeper Ali Al Habsi could not keep it out. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7309362.stm
March 30, 200818 yr Well, I'm a massive arsenal fan, lucky result yesterday. I think it's safe to say that this years title is going to man utd. I think we're (arsenal) in with a real shout at european glory this season though. I'm not sure how to explain why we're overperforming in europe this season but doing awful in the premierleague, I was in the exeutive box for the game against villa at the emirates last month and we were just terrible. VERY lucky to score with bendtners last kick of the game. My main concern is that I don't think we'll win the league in the next few years either. We just don't look as strong as man utd. We don't have an enough depth, not like we used to. If we lose Van Persie or fabregas then we play shit. whereas man utd have just lost fletcher and they're playing even stronger. we need a few new signings, but when does wenger ever splash the cash!? I'm also like 25% southampton fan, but that's too long of a rant! lol xo
March 30, 200818 yr Southampton are only a point clear of the drop zone :o And the team below them has played 2 less games. We are going down faster than a Tijuana crack whore.
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