Premier League Round Up
26th November, 2007
Bolton provided the shock of the weekend, with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United at the Reebok Stadium. Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal of the game after just 11 minutes from Ivan Campo’s free-kick. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was sent to the stands for the whole of the second half after a half-time rant at the referee, probably about the spat between Patrice Evra and Kevin Davies. United had some great chances, Tevez in particular, but they did not have enough quality to get it past the in-form Jussi Jaaskelainen, and Bolton saw out the game to secure new manager Gary Megson’s first win in charge.
Everton were the high-scorers at the weekend, putting seven past Sunderland. Two goals each from Yakubu and Arteta, added to those from Pienaar, Johnson and Osman left Sunderland boss Roy Keane fuming, but also accepting some of the responsibility. Yorke got a goal on the stroke of halftime to make it 3-1, but this ended up being nothing more than a conciliation goal.
Arsenal left it late against Wigan with goals from the captain Gallas and Rosicky coming after 83 minutes to secure the three points. Despite a good defensive game from Wigan, Arsenal deserved to win the game after such domination. They now move three points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Chelsea capitalised on Manchester United’s loss with a simple 2-0 win over the struggling Derby County, with the goals coming from Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips finding the net. Essien was sent off late in the game for raising an arm against Miller, earning the important player a three-match ban. Chelsea find themselves fourth in the table, three points behind Manchester United, and Derby remain firmly stuck to the bottom of the table.
Liverpool produced a good display against Newcastle at St. James Park to win 3-0. A great free-kick from Gerrard opened the scoring, with other goals coming from Kuyt and Babel. Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has now found himself the sudden victim of pressure from the fans and the media after a string of poor results.
Manchester City managed to scrape all three points after a great injury-time volley from Ireland, after Reading levelled the game late in the first half. Petrov had opened the scoring on 11 minutes, and it had looked like Harpers equaliser was the last goal of the game until the dying seconds. City’s great run of form this season continues, with the side still 3rd in the table.
Portsmouth also continued their impressive season with a 2-0 win at Birmingham. Scorer against England in midweek, Niko Kranjcar, scored an amazing free-kick to finish off the game after Muntari’s opener.
Sunday saw two draws, with Fulham and Blackburn finishing 2-2 after Fulham twice took the lead. West Ham and Spurs also shared the points, finishing 1-1. Jermain Defoe saw his injury-time penalty saved by Robert Green to save a draw.
