The English Premier League kicked off the New 12 months with an early kick-off on Saturday noticed a Midlands derby at Villa Park between Aston Villa, who’re making an attempt to interrupt into the “massive 4” and West Bromwich Albion, who’re making an attempt to struggle their method out of the relegation canine struggle. Nevertheless it was the house crew, Villa who gained 2 – 1. The win promoted Aston Villa into third place within the English Premier League forward of the present champions Manchester United who play Chelsea on Sunday within the weekend’s high conflict.
Aston Villa went into half-time with a 2-Zero lead however West Brom scored simply 4 minutes after the beginning of second half to present the visiting followers some encouragement however their crew may’t flip the strain into an equalising purpose.
Aston Villa are actually on 39 factors, which is yet one more than Manchester United, though the Champions will nonetheless have a pair video games in hand even after their recreation recreation in opposition to Chelsea. Villa are additionally unbeaten in 9 league video games as they search to complete within the high 4 to assert a berth in Europe’s Champions League. In the event that they maintain this way up although, they might do even higher.
Manchester United will regain third place later right now if they do not lose at Outdated Trafford to a different Title contender Chelsea. Within the different Sunday recreation, Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham go to Wigan and Steve Bruce.
The results of the day was in all probability at Stoke, as they pulled themselves out of the underside three with a house draw in opposition to the league leaders ข่าวลิเวอร์พูล. Stoke now have 21 factors and bounce a spot above Tottenham into 17th place, whereas Liverpool moved 4 factors forward of Chelsea earlier than their video games at Man Utd. It may have been 6 factors clear for Liverpool however the extra the sport went on the much less doubtless it seemed that they’d safe one other away win.
It was not a superb efficiency from the leaders and it might need been rather a lot worse when Stoke’s Rory Delap hit the underside of the crossbar from shut vary within the first half. Then Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross did put the ball within the web within the 31st minute, but it surely was disallowed for offside. Though Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard did twice rattled pictures off the publish within the second half.
After the sport Liverpool Supervisor Rafael Benitez, mentioned, “It was a troublesome recreation. When you may’t management the sport, you discover it laborious to win.” Cannot actually argue with that. Though Benitez may in all probability hear the laughter of Alex Ferguson and the remainder of the Utd crew all the way in which from Manchester after the Spaniard’s somewhat unusual little diatribe on Friday in opposition to the Utd supervisor.
One of many groups Aston Villa are attempting to knock out of the highest 4 are Arsenal who left it late to beat Bolton 1 – Zero. Arsenal moved degree on factors with Manchester United with the house win over Bolton, although the Gunners have performed three extra video games. Second – half substitute Nicklas Bendtner scored within the 84th minute as Arsenal prolonged its unbeaten run to eight matches total.
Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta scored the targets for Everton as they gained for simply the third time at house this season. The victory lifts the Toffees into sixth place with 35 factors. There was some unhealthy information for Everton and Fellaini although. He picked up his 10th yellow card of the season, which is sweet going by anybody’s requirements. That is a reserving each two video games. Anyway, in consequence Fellaini will miss each Merseyside derbies at Anfield happening this morning. Firstly within the league after which within the 4th Spherical of The FA Cup.
Andy Carroll’s purpose within the 78th minute gave Newcastle the house draw with West Ham. Newcastle’s Michael Owen opened the scoring within the 19th minute and Craig Bellamy tied it 10 minutes later. Carlton Cole then put West Ham forward within the 55th minute.
Kenwyne Jones’s purpose with eight minutes remaining gave Sunderland the away draw with Middlesbrough. Afonso Alves scored simply earlier than halftime for Boro.
Portsmouth vs. Manchester Metropolis and Fulham vs. Blackburn each fell sufferer to the very chilly climate at present hitting the UK and had been postponed attributable to frozen pitches.
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