English Premier League Round 16 Review
NEWSCASTLE VS SWANSEA
The magpies came into this one looking to bounce back from recent results, whilst Swansea were looking for a win on the road, something that has eluded them all season. Neither team achieved their aim. Newcastle's top scorer Demba Ba was denied on a number of occassions, both by the frame of the goal, and by Michel Vorm, the Swansea goalkeeper. It was a hard fought encounter, though Newcastle cleary the team who should've been multiple goals ahead at the break. Newcastle's captain Colocini returned for this clash, and could've put his side ahead 19 minutes in after his header hit the post. The game continued much in the same pattern, Ba producing two spectacular athletic efforts, both coming close. Newcastle in the end just lacked sufficient quality to prise open Swansea's defence.
BLACKBURN VS WEST BROM
Blackburn will feel slightly aggrieved at not getting at least a point from this encounter, no-one more so then their under pressure manager Steve Kean. It was a smash and grab effort from West Brom, both Morrison and Odemwingie's strikes pure class, putting some distance between them and the bottom three. Blackburn remain rooted in the bottom three, after having their fair shair of chances in an open encounter, but in the end a Roy Hodgson win was the right result.
EVERTON VS NORWICH
The big story coming out of this one, (in Australia at least) was whether Tim Cahill could score a goal and prevent himself going a full calender year without scoring, unfortunately for him he couldn't. And Norwich continued their impressive start to the EPL, jumping up to 9th place. Grant Holt, the old captain of Norwich, showing great touch and a poachers instinct to spin his defender in the box, and cut the ball across goal and into the back of the net. David Moyes will feel slightly heartened that maybe their luck in front of goal has changed, Leon Osman's deflected shot earning them a point. Throught the season, Everton has controlled games but have been unable to find goals to finish their opponents off. They were 18th in terms of goals scored before kick-off. This game it seemed, was going to follow the same pattern, fortunately for Everton, they earned a point but fell to 15th on the table.
FULHAM VS BOLTON
Fulham were looking to atone for their midweek exit from the Europa League, and trying to avoid the infamous "European hangover." They did both, quite comfortably. The result heaped more pressure on Owen Coyle, as his Bolton retain their position at the foot of the ladder. To their credit, they were pushing for goals after they copped to in 2 minutes from Dempsey and Ruiz, this however, left alot of space at the back, which Fulham utilised and almost capitalised on, but Martin Jol's side left satisfied with only a two goal victory, that was rightly deserved.
WOLVES VS STOKE
Four wins on the trot for the Potters, and Peter Crouch's 99th league goal of his career, showed their fighting qualities as they came from behind to record a 2-1 win, for the first time in 44 years, at the Molineux. Wolves went ahead early through a Hunt penalty, but Stoke clawed their back after a Doyle own goal got them the equaliser. The luck didn't stop there as Stoke defender Woodgate should've been sent off having already recieved a yellow card, he chopped down Jarvis in the area to concede the penalty. He was cautiously withdrawn by Tony Pulis after 19 minutes. After going ahead, Stoke were scarcely challenged by the home side, a header form Ebanks-Blake the only real chance worth noting.
WIGAN VS CHELSEA
Wigan went into this one in some good form, confident in competing with the side that just knocked off table-toppers Manchester City. The game was, as you would expect, dominated by Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge scored a sublime goal, showing great touch in bringing down a long through ball by Ashley Cole, then threading the needle with a volley that beat Al-Habsi at his far post. Wigan though, were not intimidated, finding an equaliser through the in-form Jordi Gomez, after a fumble from Cech. Rodallega and Moses were pushing Terry and co all afternoon, and it was Rodallega's ball across the box that forced the goal, sending the Latics' supporters into wild cheering, which extended to the final whistle.
QPR VS MANCHESTER UNITED
A typical performance from the Red Devils, grinding out a victory at Loftus Road, which proppeled themselves back into the title race. In truth, it could've been more, if not for the heroics of QPR's third keeper Cerney. The Machester side created chance after chance, the catalyst being Wayne Rooney's 1st minute header, the striker seems to have found form again, showing great touch and cohesion with United young gun Danny Welbeck who was partnering him. Qpr did have the chances, Jay Bothroyd squandered a few early on, while D.J Campbell somehow managed to miss when Taarabt curved a delightful cross to the back-post. On the balance of play, it was a comfortable reult for United, who finished the game ladder leaders, but only for a couple of hours.
ASTON VILLA VS LIVERPOOL
Very much a game of two halves, the first being an open, exciting encounter, albeit both of Liverpoo's goals coming form corners, and the second half being about as exciting as watching grass grow, as Liverpool almost litterally sat on their advantage. Villa were missing their two most dangerous players in Agbonlahor and Bent, but finishing wasn't only their problem, they could hardly get a grip on the game. Liverpool were bossing the early encounters, as Villa pushed to try and get a goal back, the fans vehemontly booing Downing along the way. Luis Suarez put in a good shift, but it was Bellamy and Skrtel who applield the finishing blows.
TOTTENHAM VS SUNDERLAND
This was a true test to Tottenham's title quest, starting the day without Gareth Bale, and shortly after play started losing Aron Lennon. These quick wingers are absolutely vital to the way the Spurs play, so playing without them would be a challenge. It certainly looked that way as they failed to get a shot on target in a very dull first half. But they answered the call, patience and grit ensuring the took the game 1-0 thanks to a Pavlyuchenko goal in the 81st minute. Results like these are vital for teams if they wish to rise to the summit of the table. Martin O'neil will be proud of his new team's effort, testing the now third placed Spurs all the way.
MANCHESTER CITY VS ARSENAL
Arsenal have improved immensely since their outrageous loss to Utd. City on the other hand, have just been pure class going forward, and notched their 50th goal against the Gunners. Defensively though, they had been susceptible, conceding in their last 8 games, but they managed to keep a hold on the most in-form striker in Europe, Robin Van Persie. City's slick passing in the first half nearly carved Arsenal apart, who to their credit created just as many chances. In the end it was City's talsiman David Silva who tapped in the winner, earning them all 3 points in a very even and entertaining encounter at the Etihad.
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| Vorm outstanding in goal |
BLACKBURN VS WEST BROM
Blackburn will feel slightly aggrieved at not getting at least a point from this encounter, no-one more so then their under pressure manager Steve Kean. It was a smash and grab effort from West Brom, both Morrison and Odemwingie's strikes pure class, putting some distance between them and the bottom three. Blackburn remain rooted in the bottom three, after having their fair shair of chances in an open encounter, but in the end a Roy Hodgson win was the right result.
EVERTON VS NORWICH
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| Can't buy a goal at the moment |
FULHAM VS BOLTON
Fulham were looking to atone for their midweek exit from the Europa League, and trying to avoid the infamous "European hangover." They did both, quite comfortably. The result heaped more pressure on Owen Coyle, as his Bolton retain their position at the foot of the ladder. To their credit, they were pushing for goals after they copped to in 2 minutes from Dempsey and Ruiz, this however, left alot of space at the back, which Fulham utilised and almost capitalised on, but Martin Jol's side left satisfied with only a two goal victory, that was rightly deserved.
WOLVES VS STOKE
Four wins on the trot for the Potters, and Peter Crouch's 99th league goal of his career, showed their fighting qualities as they came from behind to record a 2-1 win, for the first time in 44 years, at the Molineux. Wolves went ahead early through a Hunt penalty, but Stoke clawed their back after a Doyle own goal got them the equaliser. The luck didn't stop there as Stoke defender Woodgate should've been sent off having already recieved a yellow card, he chopped down Jarvis in the area to concede the penalty. He was cautiously withdrawn by Tony Pulis after 19 minutes. After going ahead, Stoke were scarcely challenged by the home side, a header form Ebanks-Blake the only real chance worth noting.
WIGAN VS CHELSEA
Wigan went into this one in some good form, confident in competing with the side that just knocked off table-toppers Manchester City. The game was, as you would expect, dominated by Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge scored a sublime goal, showing great touch in bringing down a long through ball by Ashley Cole, then threading the needle with a volley that beat Al-Habsi at his far post. Wigan though, were not intimidated, finding an equaliser through the in-form Jordi Gomez, after a fumble from Cech. Rodallega and Moses were pushing Terry and co all afternoon, and it was Rodallega's ball across the box that forced the goal, sending the Latics' supporters into wild cheering, which extended to the final whistle.
QPR VS MANCHESTER UNITED
A typical performance from the Red Devils, grinding out a victory at Loftus Road, which proppeled themselves back into the title race. In truth, it could've been more, if not for the heroics of QPR's third keeper Cerney. The Machester side created chance after chance, the catalyst being Wayne Rooney's 1st minute header, the striker seems to have found form again, showing great touch and cohesion with United young gun Danny Welbeck who was partnering him. Qpr did have the chances, Jay Bothroyd squandered a few early on, while D.J Campbell somehow managed to miss when Taarabt curved a delightful cross to the back-post. On the balance of play, it was a comfortable reult for United, who finished the game ladder leaders, but only for a couple of hours.
ASTON VILLA VS LIVERPOOL
Very much a game of two halves, the first being an open, exciting encounter, albeit both of Liverpoo's goals coming form corners, and the second half being about as exciting as watching grass grow, as Liverpool almost litterally sat on their advantage. Villa were missing their two most dangerous players in Agbonlahor and Bent, but finishing wasn't only their problem, they could hardly get a grip on the game. Liverpool were bossing the early encounters, as Villa pushed to try and get a goal back, the fans vehemontly booing Downing along the way. Luis Suarez put in a good shift, but it was Bellamy and Skrtel who applield the finishing blows.
TOTTENHAM VS SUNDERLAND
This was a true test to Tottenham's title quest, starting the day without Gareth Bale, and shortly after play started losing Aron Lennon. These quick wingers are absolutely vital to the way the Spurs play, so playing without them would be a challenge. It certainly looked that way as they failed to get a shot on target in a very dull first half. But they answered the call, patience and grit ensuring the took the game 1-0 thanks to a Pavlyuchenko goal in the 81st minute. Results like these are vital for teams if they wish to rise to the summit of the table. Martin O'neil will be proud of his new team's effort, testing the now third placed Spurs all the way.
MANCHESTER CITY VS ARSENAL
Arsenal have improved immensely since their outrageous loss to Utd. City on the other hand, have just been pure class going forward, and notched their 50th goal against the Gunners. Defensively though, they had been susceptible, conceding in their last 8 games, but they managed to keep a hold on the most in-form striker in Europe, Robin Van Persie. City's slick passing in the first half nearly carved Arsenal apart, who to their credit created just as many chances. In the end it was City's talsiman David Silva who tapped in the winner, earning them all 3 points in a very even and entertaining encounter at the Etihad.
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