By Kevin Coleman
Man City opened the weekend with a 3-1 win against Fulham. Bernardo Corradi hit two past Anti Niemi in the first half before Joey Barton slotted in the third right on 45′. Collins John pulled back a goal for Fulham but the game was out of their reach. City jumped into 12th in the table.
Newcastle enjoyed a respectable 1-1 draw in the Emirates Stadium. Re-born Kieron Dyer curled the opener for Toon on he half hour mark. Heroic Shay Given kept the Magpies in the game with terrific saves to keep out Henry and Adebayor. But a world class free-kick from Thierry Henry was the only way Given could be beaten as the Frenchman cooly struck into the top corner. This point now shifts Toon out of the relegation zone but Arsenal stay solid in the top four.
Chelsea added another three points against fellow Londoners West Ham. It was a messy game with little entertainment. But Chelsea finally took the lead after Drogba was caught just outside the box. Former Boro player Geremi then stepped up to put the ball in the net from the free. West Ham still stay outside the bottom three while Chelsea lie steady in 2nd.
David Moyes pleaded for someone to step up and fill the spot Tim Cahill had left and Spainard Mikel Arteta did against Bolton at Goodison. Arteta unleashed a lethal strike after nice feetwork to score the only goal of the game and keep the Toffees in the top ten. But every-fighting Bolton didn’t give up as Idan Tal came close more then once but Everton managed to hold on to the slim lead.
Portsmouth came back from 1-0 down to beat Watford at Fratton Park. Jay DeMerit opened the scoring in the first half before on-form Kanu equalised before half time with a dink over the Hornet’s ‘˜keeper. LuaLua then won the game for Pompey in the dying minutes from the penalty spot after Kanu was brought down. Portsmouth move back into 3rd but Watford are lying in 19th just a single point ahead of the bottom.
Reading kept their good run going with a well deserved win against struggling Charlton. New boss Les Reed couldn’t prevent Ki-Hyeon Seol and Kevin Doyle from netting the only goals of the game. Reading showed why they won the Championship last season with a very respectable win.
Sheffield United took a surprising 13th minute lead against Man Utd but the Mancs ended up with the win courtesy of two Wayne Rooney goals. He netted on 30 mins and then again in the second for United to extend their lead on top. Sheff Utd are hanging in 18th just two points ahead of the bottom.
Liverpool and Middlesbrough played out a 0-0 stalemate at the Riverside. Liverpool ruled the ninety minutes but couldn’t find a way past the Boro defence. Peter Crouch game closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors when his goal bound header late on was header away by Jonathan Woodgate. Boro should have taken the lead as Yakubu struck clean air after Reina saved a Jason Euell header. Liverpool fall into 10th while Boro are in the wrong half lying in 14th.
Sunday’s action saw Wigan move ahead of Pool in the table with a point against Aston Villa. The two sides played out a 0-0 draw with little chances to change the game. Lee McCullogh came close however in the first half but the teams played out a pretty boring stalemate.
Blackburn and Tottenham finished 1-1 in a game full of controversy. A terrific strike from Blackburn’s Tugay opened the scoring before the was sent-off for bringing down Ghaly in the box. Jermaine Defoe then converted from the spot.
Ghaly was then sent off late on for a high arm on Michael Gray but replays show it was accidental. Spurs boss Martin Jol was then sent off in the aftermath of Ghaly’s departure. The officials left the field in an echo of boo’s from both fans.
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