The Premiership:
Manchester United moved back to the top of the Premier League after a cagey 2-1 over arch-rivals Liverpool.
Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a familiar first XI for a game of this magnitude, handing starts to the combative Darren Fletcher and Ji-Sung Park. And it was United's two big-game players who linked up to supply the Champions with a valuable win at a boisterous Old Trafford. Fletcher's pinpoint cross on the hour-mark saw Park win a brave header, before being struck on the head by Glen Johnson's boot in a despairing attempt at clearing his lines.
Liverpool's Fernando Torres had handed the visitors a surprise lead after just 5 minutes, when the Spaniard intercepted Dirk Kuyt's centre with a powerful header. This early goal contributed to a lively opening to the fixture, with both sides committing men forward. It was during one of the home-side's attacking forays that Javier Mascherano once again proved to be the villain for Liverpool against United.
"Mascherano once again proved to be
the villain for Liverpool against United"
Mascherano cynically tugged on the arm of Antonio Valencia, who had eluded him, but appeared to have been fouled outside of the penalty area. Referee Howard Webb interpreted the offence as a penalty, and subsequently showed the Argentine midfielder the yellow card. the villain for Liverpool against United"
England's hero in-waiting Wayne Rooney stepped up confidently, but saw Liverpool 'keeper Reina make a commanding save away to his left. If you could level any criticism at Reina, it was the he had dived too far, and could only bunt the ball back to a relieved Wayne Rooney for simple tap-in.
The result moved gave United a 2 point lead at the top of the table, following Chelsea's lacklustre 1-1 draw away at Blackburn.
Events from Ewood Park will have frustrated Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who saw his side start strong, and take the lead as his two front-men combined for Didier Drogba's 28th goal of the season. Supplying the assist was Nicolas Anelka, who has shared a prolific partnership with Drogba under the stewardship of Chelsea's Italian manager. Anelka showed pace and power as he surged down the right hand flank before pulling a smart ball back for the Ivorian striker to slot home with his left.
"Anelka has shared a prolific partnership with
Drogba under the stewardship of Ancelotti"
Drogba under the stewardship of Ancelotti"
Carlo Ancelotti will have been looking for a response from his side, following their Champions League exit in mid-week. The Chelsea boss witnessed his side allow Blackburn to re-establish a foothold in the fixture, and, as the hosts built a head of steam the equaliser seemed inevitable. Michel Salgado rolled back the years as he exposed the counter attacking Chelsea, flying down the right wing before delivering a centre for El-Hadji Diouf who out-leapt Paulo Ferreira to pull the home side level on 70 minutes.
Sam Allardyce's Blackburn showed great character in grinding out the result, withstanding increasing Chelsea pressure as the match drew to a close. No player typified the performance more than 18-year old debutant Phil Jones. The young centre back was handed the man of the match award for his lion-hearted display at the back, and showed all the qualities that Allardyce expects from one of his sides.
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez handed Manchester City a confident 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Roberto Mancini's side started well with Santa Cruz following-up Craig Bellamy's 7th minute effort, which rebounded off the woodwork. And Tevez doubled City's lead ten minutes before half time from close range.
Gareth Barry handed the home side an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 75 minutes. The former Aston Villa man handled the ball, allowing Danny Murphy to convert from twelve yards.
But City held on to a 2-1 win against a Fulham team who appeared to show some weariness following their mid-week heroics in the Europa League. For City, the win moved them up into 5th ahead of the earlier-vanquished Liverpool and demonstrated their Champions League qualification credentials.
The Championship:
Cardiff City enjoyed a 3-1 home victory over strugglers Watford. Goals from Ross McCormack, Peter Whittingham and Chris Burke saw The Bluebirds maintain their playoff push as they opened up a 5 point margin between themselves and 7th placed Sheffield United. With the tie all but over, Heidar Helguson netted his eighth league goal of the season with a consolation on 93 minutes. Watford, in 19th place, sit just 3 points above the drop zone with 10 matches left to secure their Championship status.
Two first half Andy King goals and playoff-chasing Leicester City appeared to have given them complete control in this afternoon's home tie against Coventry. But The Sky Blues made a confident comeback in the second half to take a share of the spoils in front of the BBC cameras. Stuart McPake struck 8 minutes after the restart to bring Chris Coleman's side back into contention. It wasn't until Gary Deegan's 87th minute strike that the comeback was complete. There was a question of offside about the goal. Freshly introduced loanee Freddie Spears was stood in an offside position as Martin Cranie mis-hit an effort back into the box in the build-up to the equaliser, but whether or not he interfered with play was questionable.
Sam Allardyce's Blackburn showed great character in grinding out the result, withstanding increasing Chelsea pressure as the match drew to a close. No player typified the performance more than 18-year old debutant Phil Jones. The young centre back was handed the man of the match award for his lion-hearted display at the back, and showed all the qualities that Allardyce expects from one of his sides.
Goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez handed Manchester City a confident 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.
Roberto Mancini's side started well with Santa Cruz following-up Craig Bellamy's 7th minute effort, which rebounded off the woodwork. And Tevez doubled City's lead ten minutes before half time from close range.
Gareth Barry handed the home side an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 75 minutes. The former Aston Villa man handled the ball, allowing Danny Murphy to convert from twelve yards.
But City held on to a 2-1 win against a Fulham team who appeared to show some weariness following their mid-week heroics in the Europa League. For City, the win moved them up into 5th ahead of the earlier-vanquished Liverpool and demonstrated their Champions League qualification credentials.
The Championship:
Cardiff City enjoyed a 3-1 home victory over strugglers Watford. Goals from Ross McCormack, Peter Whittingham and Chris Burke saw The Bluebirds maintain their playoff push as they opened up a 5 point margin between themselves and 7th placed Sheffield United. With the tie all but over, Heidar Helguson netted his eighth league goal of the season with a consolation on 93 minutes. Watford, in 19th place, sit just 3 points above the drop zone with 10 matches left to secure their Championship status.
Two first half Andy King goals and playoff-chasing Leicester City appeared to have given them complete control in this afternoon's home tie against Coventry. But The Sky Blues made a confident comeback in the second half to take a share of the spoils in front of the BBC cameras. Stuart McPake struck 8 minutes after the restart to bring Chris Coleman's side back into contention. It wasn't until Gary Deegan's 87th minute strike that the comeback was complete. There was a question of offside about the goal. Freshly introduced loanee Freddie Spears was stood in an offside position as Martin Cranie mis-hit an effort back into the box in the build-up to the equaliser, but whether or not he interfered with play was questionable.
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