The Premier League threw up more drama, surprises and controversial decisions and talking points this weekend, most notably the seven away wins from nine games, the most in the Premier League since 1994. Leaders Chelsea sent out a clear message of intent to their Premier League rivals and any doubters on Saturday with an emphatic 5-0 win away against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. It was a consummate performance by the blues and a well below par, error strewn one from the Swans. The leaders are now five points clear at the top of the Premier League after Arsenal did them a big favour beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad on Sunday. Chelsea came out of the blocks explosively pressing Swansea high up the pitch and they were ahead within one minute when Sigurdsson’s rushed back pass was intercepted by Oscar and his powerful 25 yard strike left Fabianski with no chance. Chelsea continued to create a high number of chances through their possession, individual skill through the middle of the park and down the flanks, and in attack basically overwhelmed the Swans with their pace, movement and quick passing. By half time they were 4-0 up and out of sight; star man Costa adding the second and third goals to make it 17 this season for him and Oscar bagged his brace, all this before 40 minutes. Fabregas and Hazard were also instrumental in Chelsea’s attack, and while they did not feature on the score sheet their contributions were on par with Costa and Oscar. Chelsea’s performance was so dominant they were rarely troubled at the back and what forays forward the home side created soon fizzled out, and they could not even muster a shot on target. As is more often the case after a high scoring first half the second was somewhat of an anticlimax as the Swans opted for damage limitation tactics and managed to limit Chelsea to just one more goal, which came via substitute Schurrle with ten minutes of normal time remaining. Third placed Southampton maintained their two point gap over Manchester United with a bit of a smash and grab 2-1 win away against struggling Newcastle. The Saints had on loan Werder Bremen forward Elia to thank for the win as he bagged a brace with goals in both half’s. The Dutchman’s opener came on 14 minutes when his good run in to the box was spotted by Ward Prowse, who’s clever through ball left him clear on goal and his first time shot caught Toon keeper Krul off guard. Newcastle were fortunate to equalize ten minutes later when Gardos’s clearance inside the box rebounded off the unsuspecting Gouffran, and in to the open goal. Southampton’s winner and Elias second came early in the second half when Shane Long’s quick thinking and headed knock on found Elias just outside the box. He drove towards the penalty area with Dummett and Janmaat closing in on him and his shot deflected off Janmaat for the winner. Newcastle dominated possession for most of the game and were effective creating opportunities, but poor finishing and individual errors cost them. They had 16 shots on goal, but only 3 on target while the Saints showed them the importance of taking your chances with only three shots on target and two goals. Fourth placed Manchester United travelled to London to face second bottom QPR and the Red Devils continued their good record against them, and in London, recording their third consecutive 2-0 win at Loftus Road. It was an encounter lacking real quality, but none the less it was an entertaining one with plenty of end to end attacking football and scoring opportunities for both teams. QPR top scorer Charlie Austin came close to giving them the lead in the first half when both of his long range, first time strikes, brought acrobatic world class saves from United keeper de Gea. Van Gaal started the match with the same formation he used against Southampton last week, with di Maria upfront. However, for the second game in a row the tactic did not work as the Argentine looked lost in the main striker’s role, and he could not influence the game with so little possession and opportunities. He is accustomed to attacking and influencing the game from midfield and when Van Gaal changed things at half time, bringing Fellaini on and playing di Maria in his more accustomed role, it had the desired affect and changed the game in United’s favour. The opening goal came soon after the break when Rooney’s slide rule pass found Valencia running in from the right, and he set up Fellani who smashed it in from the penalty spot for his third goal as a sub this season. Falcao looked like he would get on the score sheet after coming close in the first half. He continued to threaten in the second half even more so; di Maria and Wilson created a handful of great scoring opportunities for the Chilean, but Green and the QPR defence continued to frustrate him. United’s second came right at the death when sub Wilson broke on the counter attack down the right, he cut in to the box and his first shot was saved by Green, but he was first to react when the ball came back in his direction and he calmly slotted it past Green for his first Premier League goal. Spurs maintained sixth position in the league with somewhat fortunate 2-1 win against a spirited Sunderland side at White Hart Lane. The home side dominated possession, created numerous chances from out wide and set pieces, but a mixture of poor finishing and world class goal keeping from Pantilimon meant they had to work really hard for the three points. The opening goal for Spurs came after only 2 minutes of play via a set piece and courtesy of some fancy footwork in the box from defender Vertonghen. The Belgian manoeuvred himself well in to a shooting position and his shot deflected in to set up what should have been the platform for a comfortable win. However, Sunderland are renowned for their gritty fighting qualities and more often than not, make it very difficult for teams to relax when they are in front. Sunderland’s hard work and effort was rewarded after 30 minutes when Vertonghen gave away a needless free kick outside the box directly in front of goal, and dead ball specialist Larsson stepped up to curl a beautiful right footed shot over the wall and in to the right hand top corner, which gave Spurs keeper Lloris no chance. Spurs continued to surge forward with attack after attack, and top scorer Harry Kane came close to giving them the lead when his right footed effort across goal hit the base of the right hand post. Sunderland came close to scoring through Fletcher and Graham, who both missed guilt-edged chances to put their side ahead. As the game drew to a close it looked like the Spurs fans would be going home frustrated; until sub Townsend made one of his trade mark runs down the right, checked his run to consider his options and laid on a square pass across the edge of the Sunderland box, which star man Eriksen connected with for the winner. Spurs had the ball in the net for a third when they counter attacked from a Sunderland corner, Vertonghen received the ball in the Spurs half and centre circle with only one Sunderland defender in his own half and no keeper to beat, he drove forward and his long range low shot comfortably found the empty net. What happened next was quite unbelievable considering this was a top flight game, as the inexperienced linesman disallowed the goal for offside thinking Vertonghen was in the Sunderland half when he received the ball. If he was the linesman would have been correct in his decision, as there must be two players between the opposition and the goal, but he got it hopelessly wrong and can think himself lucky it was not Sunderland, as the game was almost at an end at this stage. Liverpool made it six games unbeaten and two wins in a row with a comfortable 2-0 win away at struggling Aston Villa, who failed to score for the fifth Premier League game in a row. Villa have now gone seven games without a win, and were fortunate not to fall further down the league table as four of the five teams below them who played at the weekend all lost as well. Liverpool put in a really solid team performance, dominated the first half and manager Rodgers will have been glad to see both goals coming from their strikers. The Reds first came via a wicked Henderson cross which found Borini free on goal and he guided the cross in with a well taken acrobatic volley. Villa came back in to it in the second half, and dominated play in search of the equalizer. They created plenty of chances from open play and set pieces, but either failed to find the target or were denied by Liverpool keeper Mingolet, who along with Skrtel had excellent games for the visitors. Liverpool manager Rodgers changed things half way through the second half in response to Villa’s pressure and his decision soon paid dividends. Sterling drove through the middle toward the Villa box and passed looking for a one two with sub Rickie Lambert however, he chose to go it alone, took one quick look on goal and expertly fired it through the crowded Villa box in to the bottom right hand corner with ten minutes remaining. The win kept Liverpool eighth in the league as six of the seven teams above them all won. However, if they continue playing like this, keep improving, can get striker Sturridge back and scoring again they are sure to begin climbing the table and will no doubt finish the season strongly. Down at the bottom of the Premier league there was a real humdinger of a clash and a five goal thriller between Burnley and Crystal Palace at Turf Moor. Burnley started the match with real intent, and were ahead after 12 minutes when right back Kieran Trippier’s corner found left back Ben Mee unmarked at the back post for the opener. The Clarets doubled their lead 4 minutes later when Scott Arfield looked to have fouled Joel Ward down the left touchline, dragging his opponent back out of play. However, the referee waved play on and Arfield surged towards the Palace area and picked out Danny Ings’s smart run in to the box and he slotted home clinically with his trusty left foot. A stunned Palace were stung in to action and showed their new found resolve under manager Alan Pardew. They pulled one back just before the half hour mark when Zaha’s good work down the right and cross found McArthur, whose shot was blocked by the impressive Mee and top scorer Dwight Gayle smartly controlled the rebound on the edge of the six yard box and drilled his shot past Heaton. Palace headed in to the break on level pegging in terms of play and possession, and whatever Pardew said to his players behind closed doors did the trick, as they were level three minutes after the interval. Jason Puncheon was allowed to run 25 yards unchallenged towards the Burnley box and his low shot deservedly beat Heaton just inside the right hand post. Burnley will have been kicking themselves by this stage, especially for conceding such a soft second goal right after the break and this seemed to knock their confidence as the visitors were in the ascendency now. Burnley came close to regaining the lead when Keane’s effort was cleared off the line, but it was star player Dwight Gayle who grabbed the headlines. Murray made a smart block from a ball over the top, which left Gayle free on goal and the in-form striker bagged his brace with three minutes remaining and a valuable three points for his club. Bottom club Leicester City faced a tough test at home to Stoke and their task of survival took another blow with a disappointing 1-0 defeat. The game was a dour affair and not surprisingly took pride of place as the last game on Match of the Day. Neither keeper was truly tested until the hour mark when Steven N’Zonzi vicious 20 yard volley was brilliantly saved by Leicester keeper Ben Hamer. Stoke continued to step things up going forward, and the game was deservedly settled by star player Bojan, whose smart control and clever turn with his back to goal set up his left foot drive past Hamer in to the left hand corner for the winner. On Super Sunday the first game between West Ham and third bottom Hull at the Boleyn Ground was without a doubt a game of two contrasting half’s. The Hammers seemed to be suffering from a midweek cup hangover in the first 45 minutes, were totally outplayed by the visitors and booed off by their fans at the interval. Sone Aluko proved to be the main danger for the visitors and his speed and lively runs in behind the Hammers back four should have resulted in at least a one goal lead at the break. The fact Hull couldn’t capitalize on the home side’s shortcomings in the first half is the main reason they are second bottom, and while they created a host of great chances their lack of composure ultimately cost them. The Hammers came out after the break with more of a purpose and nearly took the lead when Downing pulled back for Nolan, but his well taken half-volley just sailed over the crossbar. However, West Ham were soon ahead; Valencia unleashed a pile-driver from 25 yards, which goalkeeper Allan McGregor could only parry, and Carroll collected and slotted home for his fifth goal of the season. The Hammers continued to dominate and doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining, Valencia slid in Amalfitano and the midfielder coolly chipped over McGregror. West Ham were in full flow by now and the visitors could not contain Valencia and Downing going forward, who were on fire for the home side by this stage. The third and final nail in the coffin for Hull came three minutes later when Alex Song released Downing with a brilliant through ball and the winger fired home his fifth goal of the campaign and sent the Hammers seventh in the table. In the final Premier League match of the weekend second place Man Cit faced off against Arsenal at the Etihad. The reigning champions were dealt a hammer blow to their title aspirations when the Gunners hood winked them with a masterful, high energy tactical display and goals in both half’s for a well deserved 2-0 win. City dominated possession with over 60%, but could not break down a well marshalled Arsenal defensive unit, which was expertly protected by the excellent 23 year old Coquelin, who was instrumental in defusing Silva influence in the final third. While the Gunners were having to work hard to break down City’s possession their heads never dropped and they were rewarded when Monreal attempted to play a one-two with Giroud and made the most of contact with Kompany inside the area and referee Mike Dean was in no doubt about the contact and to Kompany’s dismay awarded the penalty. Star man Cazorla stepped up at the nominated penalty taker and took full advantage from the spot beating Joe Hart with a well placed effort just inside the left hand post. The Citizens could not get there attacking game going even though they continued to control plenty of the ball. Pellegrini decided a change was necessary and brought on Jovetic alongside Aguero upfront to try and create more space in and around the Arsenal back four. The change nearly had an immediate affect when Aguero had their first serious shot with an effort that deflected wide, and Navas tested Arsenal keeper Ospina with a powerful effort, but again the Arsenal defence came out on top. Arsenal were biding their time again and their patience soon paid off when Sanchez was fouled by Jovetic; Cazorla floated his free-kick into the area and Giroud lost his marker Fernando to glance home his header to double the Gunners lead. City introduced Frank Lampard to the fray in an attempt to find that elusive goal, but it was too late by this stage and Arsenal played out the remainder of the game in comfortable fashion to collect a well deserved three points.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:07:56 +0000
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