Thursday, April 24, 2008

Game Week 35- Review

Sir Alex Ferguson's men, once again, demonstrated their never-say-die attitude as Carlos Tevez struck at the death to deny Blackburn at Ewood Park, leaving United three points clear of second-placed Chelsea with three games remaining.Roque Santa Cruz had put the home side ahead in the 21st minute only for the Argentine, who has proved to be a sound acquisition following a number of key goals this season, to head past goalkeeper Brad Friedel with just two minutes left on the clock.Manchester United's late point at Blackburn Rovers could yet prove decisive in the race for the Premier League title.

Back-to-back wins for Bolton saw Gary Megson's men climb from the murky depths of the drop zone, as they moved to 16th on goal difference.Gavin McCann struck the only goal of the game in the success over Boro, to hand The Trotters a one-point cushion over relegation-threatened Birmingham City; however it seems there is much to unfold in the demotion battle before the season concludes.

Birmingham endured a torrid afternoon on Sunday as they went down 5-1 to bitter rivals Aston Villa in the Second City derby, with John Carew and Ashley Young both bagging braces before Gabriel Agbonlahor rubbed gritty salt into Blues' open wounds.Mikael Forssell did his best to restore some pride as he fired a 67th minute goal; however Alex McLeish's men now look in peril, while Martin O'Neill's side rose to an impressive sixth.

Fulham are left staring relegation in the face following their 2-0 loss against a second-string Liverpool side at Craven Cottage.Reds boss Rafa Benitez rotated, with Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in mind, but it made little difference as Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch netted to leave The Cottagers five points from safety.

Arsenal secured just their second win in nine league fixtures at Reading's expense as Arsene Wenger's men enjoyed a leisurely stroll at The Emirates, claiming a 2-0 victory over Steve Coppell's team.Emmanuel Adebayor and Gilberto Silva fired in first-half goals for The Gunners, meaning Reading hover perilously close to the relegation zone after their third consecutive loss.

Sunderland's top-flight fate remains anything but certain after Newcastle prevailed following a first-half double from Michael Owen at St James' Park.Owen's strikes, his fifth and sixth goals in seven games, secured a comfortable triumph for The Magpies as they guaranteed they will be playing Premier League football next season, while The Black Cats are perched five points from danger.

Manchester City kept their faint hopes for a European berth alive with a 3-1 win over FA Cup finalists Portsmouth, in what turned out to be a frenetic encounter at Eastlands.Darius Vassell, Martin Petrov and Benjani were all on target for the home side as Pompey, who had Hermann Hreidarsson dismissed, slipped to seventh with City now three points behind sixth-placed Villa.

Wigan Athletic edged ever closer to safety after their 1-1 stalemate with mid-table Tottenham Hotspur at the JJB Stadium.Dimitar Berbatov handed Juande Ramos' Spurs an early lead, but Emile Heskey struck his second vital leveller in six days to claim a point that sees The Latics in a comfortable 13th position.

Derby County suffered their 26th defeat of the season as they battled in vain against West Ham United at Upton Park.Bobby Zamora opened the scoring for The Hammers before Tyrone Mears restored parity with an excellent strike; however the home side stole the points with Carlton Cole firing home in the 77th minute.

No comments: