Mario Balotelli hit the headlines for all the right reasons as his first Manchester City hat-trick helped the Blues to a 4-0 win against Aston Villa and top spot in the Premier League.
With Carlos Tevez rested, the 20-year-old strode confidently onto centre-stage, exhibiting audacious self-belief to score two penalties, either side of a three-yard tap-in which took his City tally to an impressive eight goals in 11 appearances.
On a dank Manchester day, the half-time whistle brought jubilation for the home fans, who were already certain of their fate and total despair for the visiting contingent. Three wins from 13 matches for Gerard Houllier prior to this debacle could partly be explained away by the chronic injury-list the Frenchman has had to contend with.
EPL Today
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Important Time of the Season
This past sunday started the roughest part of the schedule with every team having 4 games scheduled from the 26th of December till January 5.
I will not be posting a table until the 6th due to massive changes that will happen in the next week.
I will not be posting a table until the 6th due to massive changes that will happen in the next week.
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa
Tottenham's talismanic midfielder Rafael van der Vaart ensured manager Harry Redknapp maintained his hoodoo over Aston Villa.
Despite a 27th-minute straight red card for Jermain Defoe, the Dutch midfielder scored either side of that to take his tally to double figures for the season, with Spurs unbeaten in each of the eight games in which he has scored.
Although Marc Albrighton pulled one back eight minutes from time, it was not enough to spare the home side, with Redknapp unbeaten in his last 10 Barclays Premier League games as a manager against Villa.
From the opening minute the suggestion was this was going to be an entertaining affair, as has often been the case between these two teams of late, and so it proved.
Despite a 27th-minute straight red card for Jermain Defoe, the Dutch midfielder scored either side of that to take his tally to double figures for the season, with Spurs unbeaten in each of the eight games in which he has scored.
Although Marc Albrighton pulled one back eight minutes from time, it was not enough to spare the home side, with Redknapp unbeaten in his last 10 Barclays Premier League games as a manager against Villa.
From the opening minute the suggestion was this was going to be an entertaining affair, as has often been the case between these two teams of late, and so it proved.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
A Dimitar Berbatov double extended Manchester United's unbeaten run to 17 games and consolidated their position at the Barclays Premier League summit as Sunderland were brushed aside 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Victory provided United with a healthy advantage over Arsenal and Chelsea, who meet at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, and nearest challengers Manchester City, who have played two games more.
And while Wayne Rooney's wait for a goal in open play goes on, Berbatov continues to fill the void superbly.
The much-criticised Bulgarian is now on 13 for the season, although his second did require a massive deflection off Anton Ferdinand after he had provided United with a fourth-minute opener in a one-sided contest.
Victory provided United with a healthy advantage over Arsenal and Chelsea, who meet at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, and nearest challengers Manchester City, who have played two games more.
And while Wayne Rooney's wait for a goal in open play goes on, Berbatov continues to fill the void superbly.
The much-criticised Bulgarian is now on 13 for the season, although his second did require a massive deflection off Anton Ferdinand after he had provided United with a fourth-minute opener in a one-sided contest.
Stoke City 2-0 Blackburn
Steve Kean's coronation as new Blackburn boss turned sour at Ewood Park as goals from Robert Huth and Marc Wilson saw Stoke snap their run of three Barclays Premier League games without a win.
Huth opened the scoring with a powerful 51st-minute header from a Matthew Etherington corner and Wilson wrapped up the points by knocking home the simplest of chances in injury time.
And Kean will know it could have been much worse for his side with Etherington missing an early sitter and Kenwyne Jones forcing a wonder save out of Paul Robinson late on.
For all the new Rovers' owners heady predictions, the defeat made it clear that Kean's more immediate concern is sorting out the future of unsettled stars like defender Christopher Samba.
Huth opened the scoring with a powerful 51st-minute header from a Matthew Etherington corner and Wilson wrapped up the points by knocking home the simplest of chances in injury time.
And Kean will know it could have been much worse for his side with Etherington missing an early sitter and Kenwyne Jones forcing a wonder save out of Paul Robinson late on.
For all the new Rovers' owners heady predictions, the defeat made it clear that Kean's more immediate concern is sorting out the future of unsettled stars like defender Christopher Samba.
Bolton 2-0 West Brom
Goals from Matt Taylor and Johan Elmander gave Bolton a Boxing Day victory over a West Brom side who were made to pay for failing to take their chances.
The Baggies had by far the better of the chances in both halves, with Peter Odemwingie squandering three great opportunities and Chris Brunt heading against a post.
But they simply could not find the net and, after Taylor gave Wanderers the lead with his first goal of the season in the 40th minute, Elmander made the points safe four minutes from time.
Defences were certainly on top in the early stages and it took until the 16th minute for the first shot of the match, Graham Dorrans firing straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen.
The Baggies had by far the better of the chances in both halves, with Peter Odemwingie squandering three great opportunities and Chris Brunt heading against a post.
But they simply could not find the net and, after Taylor gave Wanderers the lead with his first goal of the season in the 40th minute, Elmander made the points safe four minutes from time.
Defences were certainly on top in the early stages and it took until the 16th minute for the first shot of the match, Graham Dorrans firing straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Wigan 2-1 Wolverhampton
Wigan moved out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone after taking all three points from their basement battle with Wolves at Molineux.
Hugo Rodallega gave the Latics the lead in the ninth minute when he volleyed past Wayne Hennessey and the Colombian striker then turned provider just over 10 minutes later, feeding the ball to Tom Cleverley, who slotted home to make it 2-0.
Wanderers, who had two penalty appeals turned down before the interval, pulled one back through substitute Steven Fletcher late on but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Wigan held out to secure a precious victory.
The pressure surrounding the game had been increased by West Ham's 3-1 triumph at Fulham earlier in the day, which took Avram Grant's side off the bottom of the table.
Hugo Rodallega gave the Latics the lead in the ninth minute when he volleyed past Wayne Hennessey and the Colombian striker then turned provider just over 10 minutes later, feeding the ball to Tom Cleverley, who slotted home to make it 2-0.
Wanderers, who had two penalty appeals turned down before the interval, pulled one back through substitute Steven Fletcher late on but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Wigan held out to secure a precious victory.
The pressure surrounding the game had been increased by West Ham's 3-1 triumph at Fulham earlier in the day, which took Avram Grant's side off the bottom of the table.
Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle
Carlos Tevez fired Manchester City back into the Barclays Premier League title race as his side killed off a spirited Newcastle fightback to win 3-1.
The Argentinian, whose differences with the club have been resolved, put the Magpies to the sword in a blistering opening to the game, setting up Gareth Barry's opener with just 72 seconds gone and then helping himself to a second in the fifth minute.
Then, after Andy Carroll had dragged Alan Pardew's men back into the game with a 72nd-minute header - his 11th goal of the season - Tevez ended Newcastle's hopes when his 81st-minute effort ended up in the back of the net with the help of two deflections.
The result was the perfect antidote to Monday's night's 2-1 defeat at Everton, although City were made to fight all the way by a Magpies side which, having seemingly thrown the points away barely before they had broken sweat, threatened to emerge with something to show for their efforts in front of a crowd of 51,635.
The Argentinian, whose differences with the club have been resolved, put the Magpies to the sword in a blistering opening to the game, setting up Gareth Barry's opener with just 72 seconds gone and then helping himself to a second in the fifth minute.
Then, after Andy Carroll had dragged Alan Pardew's men back into the game with a 72nd-minute header - his 11th goal of the season - Tevez ended Newcastle's hopes when his 81st-minute effort ended up in the back of the net with the help of two deflections.
The result was the perfect antidote to Monday's night's 2-1 defeat at Everton, although City were made to fight all the way by a Magpies side which, having seemingly thrown the points away barely before they had broken sweat, threatened to emerge with something to show for their efforts in front of a crowd of 51,635.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
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Blackpool and Everton home games postponed
Blackpool's game against Liverpool on Boxing Day has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. And Everton's home match against Birmingham City has also been called off.
Blackpool do not have undersoil heating at Bloomfield Road and despite covering the pitch the surface is not playable. The inspection was due to take place at midday but was brought forward due to overnight temperatures. The game has already been rearranged for Wednesday, January 12 at 8pm.
The game at Goodison Park was postponed due to a frozen water supply. A statement on Everton's website read: "Due to the adverse weather conditions in Liverpool overnight the stadium is not in a fit condition to stage a Premier League football match, one of which would have attracted an almost capacity attendance.
"There are several miles of frozen pipes, many of which burst during the course of Christmas Day night.
"Our stadium and safety teams worked 'round the clock but due to the rapidly deteriorating conditions - and in the interests of safety and hygiene we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the game.
"A new date for the fixture will be announced as soon as possible."
The early Premier League kick-off between Fulham and West Ham United definitely goes ahead.
Wolves' game against Wigan ill also go ahead despite similar water problems. A statement on the club's website read: "Staff have been working around the clock on making sure the stands and surrounding areas are cleared of snow and gritted to try and ensure fans are able to enjoy the traditions of enjoying a football match on Boxing Day.
Blackpool do not have undersoil heating at Bloomfield Road and despite covering the pitch the surface is not playable. The inspection was due to take place at midday but was brought forward due to overnight temperatures. The game has already been rearranged for Wednesday, January 12 at 8pm.
The game at Goodison Park was postponed due to a frozen water supply. A statement on Everton's website read: "Due to the adverse weather conditions in Liverpool overnight the stadium is not in a fit condition to stage a Premier League football match, one of which would have attracted an almost capacity attendance.
"There are several miles of frozen pipes, many of which burst during the course of Christmas Day night.
"Our stadium and safety teams worked 'round the clock but due to the rapidly deteriorating conditions - and in the interests of safety and hygiene we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the game.
"A new date for the fixture will be announced as soon as possible."
The early Premier League kick-off between Fulham and West Ham United definitely goes ahead.
Wolves' game against Wigan ill also go ahead despite similar water problems. A statement on the club's website read: "Staff have been working around the clock on making sure the stands and surrounding areas are cleared of snow and gritted to try and ensure fans are able to enjoy the traditions of enjoying a football match on Boxing Day.
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