Stoke City 2 - 0 Liverpool

Liverpool's stuttering mini-revival petered out in dismal fashion as they lost 2-0 to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.


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 A six-match unbeaten run came to end as they were outfought, outplayed and outmanoeuvred by Tony Pulis' side.

Ricardo Fuller opened the scoring just after half-time and Kenwyne Jones completed a comprehensive victory in the final minute before Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 3 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton survived a late comeback by Wolves to take all three points from a thrilling contest at Molineux.

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Wolves dominated the opening period but shot themselves in the foot - as they had in their previous game - by conceding a goal in the first minute, Richard Stearman heading past his own goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Second-half strikes from Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden gave Bolton a 3-0 lead, and although Kevin Foley and Steven Fletcher swiftly reduced the deficit, Mick McCarthy's side were unable to find the equaliser.

Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 West Bromwich Albion

Victor Moses stepped off the bench to help secure Wigan's first win in six Premier League games and ease their relegation nerves in the process, the 19-year-old showed remarkable maturity in front of goal to steer his effort beyond West Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson and into the corner.

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Moses had good cause for celebration in the 70th minute as it was his first league goal this season, although he found the target in the Carling Cup victory against Hartlepool.

It was a cool finish by the midfielder, who arrived from Crystal Palace at the end of January transfer window for £2.5 million.

West Ham United 0 - 0 Blackpool

Bottom club West Ham were again frustrated as Blackpool's all-changed XI held them to a goalless draw at Upton Park.

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Ian Holloway had threatened to quit if fined for making ten alterations for the midweek defeat at Aston Villa, and had recalled his main men this afternoon.

However, it was referee Kevin Friend who took centre stage when he denied the home side what looked two clear first-half penalties, with Avram Grant's men then unable to make the most of their opportunities as the Israeli again faced calls for his resignation at the final whistle.

Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 2 Blackburn Rovers

Tottenham cruised to their first league win in five games thanks to another impressive performance from two-goal Gareth Bale.

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Bale put Spurs in front with a header in the 16th minute and after Roman Pavlyuchenko had missed a penalty, he made amends by heading the second four minutes before the interval.

Peter Crouch added a third in the 68th minute before Bale scored his second of the game from a cross by Alan Hutton.

Newcastle United 0 - 0 Fulham

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll was denied an eighth goal of the season by a stunning save from Mark Schwarzer as Fulham fought their way to a point at St James' Park.


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 A crowd of 44,686 thought the 21-year-old, who could win a first senior England call-up on Saturday evening, had opened the scoring with a stinging 52nd-minute volley, only for the Australian goalkeeper to claw it out of the bottom corner.

Schwarzer also made two good saves from Peter Lovenkrands to preserve his clean sheet on another frustrating afternoon for Chris Hughton's men on their own park.

Manchester City 0 - 0 Birmingham

Roberto Mancini felt the full weight of frustration as his Manchester City side were booed off after their second 0-0 draw in four days at Eastlands, this time against Birmingham.

Aston Villa 2 - 2 Manchester United

Manchester United launched a stunning comeback to rescue a point through goals by Federico Macheda and Nemanja Vidic after Aston Villa looked set for their first home win over the Red Devils in 15 years.

Spurs' injury problems mount

Spurs could have an entire team ruled out through injury and be left with only one fit striker after a tough run of seven games in 25 days.

Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Roman Pavlyuchenko (back) and David Bentley (calf) are all doubtful after starting Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, while eight other players are definitely sidelined.

Robbie Keane (ankle), Aaron Lennon (hamstring) and Giovani dos Santos (groin) are still out, along with captain Ledley King (groin), Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson (both ligament damage), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin).

Villa announce Gabby deal

As exclusively revealed by skysports.com earlier on Friday, Agbonlahor has agreed a contract extension to keep him at Villa Park until 2015.

Agbonlahor has established himself as a key player at Villa since making his debut in March 2006.
The 24-year-old has made over 150 appearances for Villa and has won three caps for England.

News of his new deal will come as a boost to Agbonlahor after he made his return to action from injury in the midweek win over Blackpool.

Agbonlahor suffered a calf problem at the start of this season and then underwent groin surgery five weeks ago.

Agbonlahor is the latest Villa star to sign a new deal in recent weeks after Marc Albrighton and Ciaran Clark agreed contract extensions.

via Sky Sports

Redknapp: Van der Vaart needs to get fitter

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Rafael Van der Vaart has been told to shape up.

Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart may have scored in all six of his matches at White Hart Lane, but his manager Harry Redknapp believes that he has to get fitter.



Van der Vaart, 27, has become a firm favourite at his new club since joining Spurs from Real Madrid for £8 million on deadline day in the summer.

But Redknapp reckons the Netherlands midfielder showed signs of fatigue towards the end of Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland and still needs to fully adapt to playing in the Premier League.

Mystery over Wilkins departure from Chelsea ESPN Soccernet

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Ray Wilkins leaves two years after succeeding Steve Clarke

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has been left shocked and angry after the Premier League champions chose not to renew his contract and asked him to leave with immediate effect.



Wilkins told ESPNsoccernet that he is not prepared to comment but said that he has no idea why the club kicked him out of the door with such haste.

Barton apologises but gets three-game suspension

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Joey Barton has accepted he was in the wrong against Rovers

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has admitted a charge of violent conduct and apologised to Morten Gamst Pedersen for the punch that will earn him a three-match ban.

Barton had earlier been charged by the Football Association over an incident during the 2-1 Premier League defeat by Blackburn.

Barton said: "I fully accept that I was in the wrong on this occasion and accept the charge that the FA have brought against me. I would like to apologise to Chris Hughton, my team-mates, our supporters and of course to Morten Gamst Pedersen and Blackburn Rovers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 2 Arsenal

Two-goal Marouane Chamakh got Arsenal back on the winning trail with a 2-0 success against gallant Wolves at Molineux.

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Chamakh struck after only 39 seconds when he headed in a cross from Alex Song and wrapped up victory in injury-time.

It was the perfect riposte after their shock home reversal against Newcastle and kept Mick McCarthy's side in the bottom three.

The Gunners threatened to run away with the game in the early stages with their one touch football.

Manchester City 0 - 0 Manchester United

A Manchester derby that promised so much delivered precious little as City and United ground out a goalless stalemate at Eastlands.

At least for Roberto Mancini's men there was no injury-time heartache after suffering three such defeats last term.


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For United, who controlled long periods, their unbeaten run in all competitions now stretches to 25 games.

Everton 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers

Jermaine Beckford hit a brilliant late equaliser as 10-man Everton snatched a point in a 1-1 draw against Bolton.

The Toffees were destined for their first defeat in seven Premier League games when the former Leeds striker fired over Jussi Jaaskelainen deep into injury time at Goodison Park.

Ivan Klasnic had come off the bench to give Bolton the lead 11 minutes from time and worse followed as Marouane Fellaini was sent off for kicking Paul Robinson.

Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 Liverpool

Liverpool's four-match winning run was halted by a lively Wigan at the DW Stadium as Roy Hodgson's side faded badly after taking an early lead.


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 Despite being given an early advantage by Fernando Torres' third goal in four days, the visitors lost their grip on the game midway through the first half and never regained it.

Wigan equalised through Hugo Rodallega in the 52nd minute and finished the better side as the Merseysiders appeared to feel the exertions of beating Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

West Ham United 2 - 2 West Bromwich Albion

West Ham were once again left frustrated and remain bottom of the Premier League as they were held to a 2-2 draw by West Brom at Upton Park.


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 Peter Odemwingie had put the Baggies in front from the penalty spot in the 38th minute.

However, Scott Parker smashed in a 25-yard effort to level before the break and Frederic Piquionne put the Hammers ahead from the spot at the start of the second half - only for Pablo Ibanez to deny Avram Grant's men a much-needed first league win since September 25.

Newcastle United 1 - 2 Blackburn Rovers

Substitute Jason Roberts brought Newcastle's winning run to a shuddering halt to hand Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce victory on his return to St James' Park.


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 Roberts scored for the second time in as many games to condemn the Magpies to a third home defeat of the season following wins for Blackpool and Stoke on Tyneside, and their sixth in as many attempts by Rovers.

Andy Carroll looked to have snatched at least a point for the home side with a towering 47th-minute header to further enhance his England credentials, after Morten Gamst Pedersen had given Rovers a third-minute lead.

Chelsea 1 - 0 Fulham

Michael Essien's first-half header was enough to give 10-man Chelsea victory over west London rivals Fulham and keep them top of the Premier League table.



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Florent Malouda's pinpoint cross into the six-yard box was met firmly by the Ghanaian midfielder, who planted the ball into the bottom corner.

However, Essien was shown a red card in the final moment of injury-time for a two-footed lunge on Clint Dempsey.

Aston Villa 3 - 2 Blackpool

James Collins grabbed an 89th-minute winner to finally see off gutsy Blackpool and end Aston Villa's five-match winless run in the Premier League.

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 Tangerines boss Ian Holloway made 10 changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Everton at the weekend but they were arguably the better team before Stewart Downing put the hosts ahead with a deflected shot in the 28th minute.

Villa old boy Marlon Harewood levelled just before half-time and, after Nathan Delfouneso had netted his first of the season on the hour mark, DJ Campbell stunned Villa Park with Blackpool's second three minutes from time.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Sunderland



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 They may be taking the Champions League by storm, but Tottenham face a real battle to qualify for next year's competition after extending their winless run in the Premier League to four games.

Rafael van der Vaart looked to have come to Spurs' rescue when he kept up his remarkable record of scoring in every home appearance since joining the club.

Stoke City 3 - 2 Birmingham

Stoke survived another impressive comeback by Birmingham to bring their losing run to an end in a dramatic game at the Britannia Stadium.

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The Potters, who had been defeated in their last four Barclays Premier League fixtures, took a deserved first-half lead through Robert Huth and looked home and dry when Ricardo Fuller made it 2-0 in the 71st minute.

The Blues, as they had done on Saturday against West Ham, swiftly erased the deficit thanks to Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome, but Dean Whitehead netted five minutes from time to win the contest.

Bent out for three weeks

The 26-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in training prior to Saturday's win over Stoke City and scans have confirmed it is a grade one problem.

It means Bent is likely to be sidelined for the next few weeks and the injury will force him out of Fabio Capello's plans for the game against France.

Bent scored his first England goal against Switzerland back in September and was expected to be included in Capello's squad for next Wednesday's game at Wembley.

Drogba has Malaria!?!?!?

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Didier Drogba was left on the bench for Sunday's defeat at Liverpool

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Didier Drogba has been suffering with malaria.

Drogba is believed to have had malaria for several weeks and, having been left out of the starting line-up for the game against Liverpool as a result of a fever, tests on Monday night confirmed the presence of the disease.

However, Ancelotti revealed Drogba is now fit again and is likely to be available to face Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

"We found out last night when blood tests showed he had malaria," Ancelotti said. "I don't know where he got it from.

"He had a problem. He has this virus and, obviously, he lost power and training. He lost his condition. He's had treatment and now he's okay. He'll come back immediately in the best condition.

Two domestic matches in a week.... I love it.

Rounding out the 2 matches this week for the EPL will be as follows:

• Aston Villa v Manchester United
• Manchester City v Birmingham
• Newcastle United v Fulham
• Tottenham v Balckburn
• West Ham v Blackpool
• Wigan v West Bromwich
• Wolverhampton v Bolton
• Stoke v Liverpool
• Everton v Arsenal
• Chelsea v Sunderland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPL This Week

We get the chance to see midweek matches in the EPL for the first time this season starting today.  Birmingham travels to Stoke for one matchup and Sunderland goes to White Hart Lane to face the Spurs of Tottenham. 

Tomorrow, we get the rest of the EPl with:

• Aston Villa v Blackpool
• Chelsea v Fulham
• Newcastle v Blackburn
• West Ham v West Brom
• Wigan v Liverpool
• Everton v Bolton
• City v United
• Wolverhampton v Arsenal

Hahnemann ponders MLS return

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Marcus Hahnemann: Moved to England in 1999

Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann has intimated he could end his career in his native United States.


Hahnemann's current contract at Wolves expires in the summer. It remains to be seen whether the 38-year-old, who has replaced Welsh international Wayne Hennessey as first choice for the past 12 months, will be offered a new deal.

Holloway expecting Adam to leave for top four side

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Blackpool boss Ian Holloway admits he is powerless to stop Charlie Adam leaving the club and moving to one of the top four if the Seasiders are not there themselves this season.



Holloway has been impressed with Adam's performances so far and, amid a row over bonuses from last season's promotion winning campaign, thinks that some of the country's top clubs will be interested in signing him up.

Balotelli out of derby after accepting red card

Liverpool 2 - 0 Chelsea

Fernando Torres produced a striker's masterclass to score twice as Liverpool inflicted only a second defeat of the season on Premier League leaders Chelsea.

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Torres has a liking for playing the Londoners at Anfield, as his six goals in five matches against them at home shows.

Chelsea were heavily linked with a summer bid for Torres but it never materialised and manager Carlo Ancelotti said he did not need to buy the striker as he was satisfied with his own forwards.

West Bromwich Albion 0 - 2 Manchester City

Mario Balotelli netted twice before being sent off as Manchester City secured a 2-0 win at West Brom to ease the pressure on their manager Roberto Mancini.

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Balotelli opened the scoring in the first half having combined with City skipper Carlos Tevez, who was back in the team following his two-match injury lay-off.

The Italian striker then converted David Silva's cross soon after to give the visitors - defeated in their last three matches - a two goal advantage.

Arsenal 0 - 1 Newcastle United

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Andy Carroll made headlines for the right reasons as his goal gave Newcastle a shock 1-0 win over title-chasing Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Carroll, tipped to feature in England's senior squad for the friendly with France later this month, had started the day on the front pages following allegations about his private life.