Deflections were the order of the day as Wigan and Stoke had to settle for a point apiece at the end of a lively 2-2 draw at the DW Stadium.
All the goals came in the first half, with Robert Huth getting the ball rolling with an 18th-minute free-kick that deflected in off Mohamed Diame in the wall.
If the Latics were cursing their luck, they got some of their own half an hour in as Danny Collins diverted Ben Watson's free-kick past his own goalkeeper.
A minute later, Matthew Etherington put Stoke back in front before Tom Cleverley levelled again five minutes before the break when his shot flew in off Rory Delap.
The result made it only one win in nine league games for Wigan, who will look back at a horror miss from Hendry Thomas as well as a late Charles N'Zogbia shot against the post as evidence they could well have claimed all three points.
EPL Today
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Manchester City 1-0 Bolton
Carlos Tevez sealed Manchester City's victory with his 10th goal of the season to keep up the pressure on the Premier League leaders.
However the Argentina striker seemed ill at ease as Bolton's five-match unbeaten run came to an end.
Tevez picked up his fifth booking of the campaign and will miss the match against West Ham on Saturday.
So too will Aleksander Kolarov who is also banned after being dismissed by referee Andre Marriner after picking two yellow cards.
Tevez ended the game giving manager Roberto Mancini an ear-bashing when he was replaced by James Milner in the final minute.
City should have won by more than one goal with both Mario Balotelli and David Silva seeing shots come back off the woodwork.
However the Argentina striker seemed ill at ease as Bolton's five-match unbeaten run came to an end.
Tevez picked up his fifth booking of the campaign and will miss the match against West Ham on Saturday.
So too will Aleksander Kolarov who is also banned after being dismissed by referee Andre Marriner after picking two yellow cards.
Tevez ended the game giving manager Roberto Mancini an ear-bashing when he was replaced by James Milner in the final minute.
City should have won by more than one goal with both Mario Balotelli and David Silva seeing shots come back off the woodwork.
Blackburn 3-0 Wolverhampton
Morten Gamst Pedersen's set-piece magic helped Blackburn ease out of their Old Trafford hangover as they dumped Wolves to the bottom of the Premier League with a 3-0 win at Ewood Park.
Pedersen had a hand in goals for David Dunn and Ryan Nelsen which sandwiched a fine strike by Brett Emerton and consigned Rovers' 7-1 embarrassment against Manchester United to distant memory.
Norwegian Pedersen was too much for Wolves to cope with and boss Mick McCarthy must now try to lift a team who sunk below West Ham on goal difference after Nelsen hit Rovers' third.
McCarthy's men had started superbly, with Matt Jarvis bringing a first-minute save out of Paul Robinson and both Stephen Ward and Ronald Zubar rattling the woodwork.
Pedersen had a hand in goals for David Dunn and Ryan Nelsen which sandwiched a fine strike by Brett Emerton and consigned Rovers' 7-1 embarrassment against Manchester United to distant memory.
Norwegian Pedersen was too much for Wolves to cope with and boss Mick McCarthy must now try to lift a team who sunk below West Ham on goal difference after Nelsen hit Rovers' third.
McCarthy's men had started superbly, with Matt Jarvis bringing a first-minute save out of Paul Robinson and both Stephen Ward and Ronald Zubar rattling the woodwork.
Birmingham 1-1 Tottenham
Craig Gardner dented Tottenham's hopes of cementing a place in the Premier League top four with a late equaliser for Birmingham at St Andrew's.
Spurs had looked the better side in the opening period and deservedly took the lead through Sebastien Bassong's first goal for 16 months.
But Gardner salvaged a point for the Carling Cup semi-finalists 10 minutes from time with his fifth goal of the campaign.
The pace of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale was always a threat to City and Jermain Defoe looked sharp in his first start since September.
Spurs had looked the better side in the opening period and deservedly took the lead through Sebastien Bassong's first goal for 16 months.
But Gardner salvaged a point for the Carling Cup semi-finalists 10 minutes from time with his fifth goal of the campaign.
The pace of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale was always a threat to City and Jermain Defoe looked sharp in his first start since September.
Arsenal 2-1 Fulham
Two magical goals from Samir Nasri rescued Arsenal as they survived another wasteful performance at the Emirates Stadium to move top of the Premier League.
The France star's jaw-dropping composure was in stark contrast to that of his team-mates, who almost threw away another three points in front of their own fans.
Nasri put them ahead early on but a sickening clash of heads between Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci allowed Diomansy Kamara to equalise before Nasri netted a glorious winner.
With Manchester United's match postponed due to the big freeze and Chelsea held by Everton, the victory sent Arsenal a point clear at the summit.
The France star's jaw-dropping composure was in stark contrast to that of his team-mates, who almost threw away another three points in front of their own fans.
Nasri put them ahead early on but a sickening clash of heads between Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci allowed Diomansy Kamara to equalise before Nasri netted a glorious winner.
With Manchester United's match postponed due to the big freeze and Chelsea held by Everton, the victory sent Arsenal a point clear at the summit.
Chelsea 1-1Everton
Chelsea's shocking mid-season slump continued after a late equaliser from Everton substitute Jermaine Beckford robbed them of the chance to go back to the top of the Premier League.
Didier Drogba's 41st minute penalty looked to have earned Chelsea all three points but Beckford headed a shock leveller four minutes from time.
The result left Chelsea with just one win in their last six league games and is sure to pile more pressure on under-fire boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Everton almost shocked Chelsea in the opening few seconds when Louis Saha's shot from 20-yards forced Petr Cech into a fine save at his near post. Moments later Leighton Baines fired high over the bar with Chelsea still struggling to get to grips with the high-octane opening from the visitors.
Didier Drogba's 41st minute penalty looked to have earned Chelsea all three points but Beckford headed a shock leveller four minutes from time.
The result left Chelsea with just one win in their last six league games and is sure to pile more pressure on under-fire boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Everton almost shocked Chelsea in the opening few seconds when Louis Saha's shot from 20-yards forced Petr Cech into a fine save at his near post. Moments later Leighton Baines fired high over the bar with Chelsea still struggling to get to grips with the high-octane opening from the visitors.
News and Notes
- Blackpool and Manchester United will not play today after the field being ruled unplayable after yesterday's inspection. It is not yet determind when the game will be replayed.
- Tim Howard will be making his 200th start for Everton in today's clash versus Chelsea. It is his 122th straight EPL start for the American.
- There is good news for the Blues with John Terry and Michael Essien both returning to the side.
- In a bizarre piece of team news, Spurs include TWO substitute goalkeepers on the bench in Carlo Cudicini and Stipe Pletikosa.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Point secures Reds passage
Liverpool secured top spot in Group K of the Europa League with a 1-1 draw against Steaua Bucharest in Romania but required a helping hand from their rivals after a howler from goalkeeper Jose Reina.
Milan Jovanovic's first-half header was cancelled out when the Reds captain on the night allowed Eder Bonfim's effort to escape his grasp and creep over the line.
A point would have been enough to put Roy Hodgson's side through but Utrecht's 3-3 draw with Napoli ensured they could not be caught at the top of the table with a match still to play.
The Reds boss put his faith in fringe players and reserves having travelled to Romania without eight first-teamers, only three of whom were injured, and he was rewarded by the likes of Jovanovic and Babel.
Milan Jovanovic's first-half header was cancelled out when the Reds captain on the night allowed Eder Bonfim's effort to escape his grasp and creep over the line.
A point would have been enough to put Roy Hodgson's side through but Utrecht's 3-3 draw with Napoli ensured they could not be caught at the top of the table with a match still to play.
The Reds boss put his faith in fringe players and reserves having travelled to Romania without eight first-teamers, only three of whom were injured, and he was rewarded by the likes of Jovanovic and Babel.
Injury crisis chages opinion on American Jonathan Spector
ESPNsoccernet understands West Ham are now considering offering Jonathan Spector a new deal after his impressive performance in central midfield against Manchester United.
West Ham had originally planned to allow Spector, 24, to move on during the January window, with Bundesliga side Cologne having shown interest in his services. The USA international is in the final year of his contract.
However, an injury crisis saw Avram Grant utilise the defender in midfield against Manchester United in their Carling Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, and Spector scored twice in a 4-0 win.
GettyImages
West Ham had originally planned to allow Spector, 24, to move on during the January window, with Bundesliga side Cologne having shown interest in his services. The USA international is in the final year of his contract.
However, an injury crisis saw Avram Grant utilise the defender in midfield against Manchester United in their Carling Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, and Spector scored twice in a 4-0 win.
Mark Schwarzer agrees to stay
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has signed a new contract until the end of the 2011-12 season, the club have confirmed.
Schwarzer, who would be available on a free at the end of the season, handed in a transfer request in August to try and force through a move to Arsenal but no deal materialised.
The 38-year-old Australian, who joined the Cottagers from Middlesbrough in 2008, has now agreed a new deal that contains the option of a one-year extension.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes said: "He was obviously very flattered by the interest [by Arsenal]. We're delighted that he's decided to stay here and we can move forward now."
GettyImages
Schwarzer, who would be available on a free at the end of the season, handed in a transfer request in August to try and force through a move to Arsenal but no deal materialised.
The 38-year-old Australian, who joined the Cottagers from Middlesbrough in 2008, has now agreed a new deal that contains the option of a one-year extension.
Fulham manager Mark Hughes said: "He was obviously very flattered by the interest [by Arsenal]. We're delighted that he's decided to stay here and we can move forward now."
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