Manchester United took a step closer to retaining their Premier League title by beating their city rivals in the derby at Old Trafford 2–0 on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo put the home side ahead in the 18th minute when his driving free kick got through the wall leaving Manchester City keeper Shay Given wrong footed.
Carlos Tevez doubled the lead with a 20-yard shot, which bounced in off the post.
Robinho had the best chance for the visitors but shot wide from outside the box.
City were unable to keep things tight in the middle of the park, giving the ball away which put the pressure continually on in their defence.
United’s defence was well in control with Nemanja Vidic at the helm.
Martin Petrov did test United keeper Edwin van der Sar, forcing a diving save from Dutchman but that was mainly it for City.
Tevez showed some worth in the match and could have scored more goals, hitting the post with a shot and also later with a header. The player still has uncertainty about his future at the club and has expressed that he would like to play for another Premier League team, if not to stay at United.
The pressure was on United as Liverpool had beaten West Ham on Saturday and had gone tops on goal difference.
But United now go three points clear with a game in hand on Liverpool and require four points from the final three game to take the title with remaining matches against Wigan, Arsenal, and Hull.
Liverpool cruised to a victory taking an early lead against the East Londoners when Fernando Torres teed up Steven Gerrard to round keeper Robert Green and convert the opener with only two minutes gone.
Torres and Gerrard combined exquisitely throughout the match, this being only the 12th time that they have made league appearances together.
The Reds scored just before the break when Luis Boa Morta fouled Torres in the area and Gerrard stepped up to take the penalty. Green saved the penalty but Gerrard was quick to catch the rebound and convert.
West Ham started the game hoping to take a step closer to a seventh place finish, which would enable them to qualify for Europe next season. Now the task is going to be harder with close competition from Fulham, Tottenham, and Man City.
But even without influential midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is still nursing an injury after being chopped down by Newcastle’s Joey Barton last weekend, Liverpool dominated.
Liverpool sealed the points when Gerrard found Dirk Kurt down the right, who then found Ryan Babel unmarked in front of goal. Keeper Green saved the first attempt but Babel picked up the rebound to top off an impressive display.
Liverpool’s last two league matches of the season will be against West Brom and Tottenham.
Chelsea secured third place in the Premier League with a win at the Emirates Stadium, marking their biggest league win against Arsenal since 1960.
Third place means that they can qualify for Champions League next year without going into a play off with some of the bigger clubs around Europe, which Arsenal will have to do.
Arsenal started brightly with chances from Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby. As the tide turned, the breakthrough for Chelsea came on the half hour mark when Alex headed in and then 10 minutes later, Nicolas Anelka let go a 25-yard strike to make it two.
To make matters worse for the Gunners, Kolo Toure turned the ball into his own net when sliding back to goal to stop a cross.
Nicklas Bendtner got the home team back in the match for the last 20 minutes heading in a Bacary Sagna cross.
But the comeback was denied when Florent Malouda struck from what looked like an offside position when he directed the ball in from an Anelka shot, which had bounced back off the post.
The goal still standing made slight comfort for Chelsea’s mid-week dumping out of the Champions League and added more pain to Arsenal after they received the same fate in Europe a day earlier last week.
“We have experienced a little bit of everything in football [soccer] this week and only on the bad side,” stated Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
“We created plenty of chances and should have been 2–0 up but we find ourselves 1–0 down.”
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink on his team winning after going out to Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek: “After the first 15 minutes at Arsenal the team reacted perfectly.
“I am very proud of them and they have shown they are one of the best in Europe tactically and mentally.
“I am very proud to work with these boys as they always react well.”
Cristiano Ronaldo put the home side ahead in the 18th minute when his driving free kick got through the wall leaving Manchester City keeper Shay Given wrong footed.
Carlos Tevez doubled the lead with a 20-yard shot, which bounced in off the post.
Robinho had the best chance for the visitors but shot wide from outside the box.
City were unable to keep things tight in the middle of the park, giving the ball away which put the pressure continually on in their defence.
United’s defence was well in control with Nemanja Vidic at the helm.
Martin Petrov did test United keeper Edwin van der Sar, forcing a diving save from Dutchman but that was mainly it for City.
Tevez showed some worth in the match and could have scored more goals, hitting the post with a shot and also later with a header. The player still has uncertainty about his future at the club and has expressed that he would like to play for another Premier League team, if not to stay at United.
The pressure was on United as Liverpool had beaten West Ham on Saturday and had gone tops on goal difference.
But United now go three points clear with a game in hand on Liverpool and require four points from the final three game to take the title with remaining matches against Wigan, Arsenal, and Hull.
West Ham 0, Liverpool 3
Liverpool cruised to a victory taking an early lead against the East Londoners when Fernando Torres teed up Steven Gerrard to round keeper Robert Green and convert the opener with only two minutes gone.
Torres and Gerrard combined exquisitely throughout the match, this being only the 12th time that they have made league appearances together.
The Reds scored just before the break when Luis Boa Morta fouled Torres in the area and Gerrard stepped up to take the penalty. Green saved the penalty but Gerrard was quick to catch the rebound and convert.
West Ham started the game hoping to take a step closer to a seventh place finish, which would enable them to qualify for Europe next season. Now the task is going to be harder with close competition from Fulham, Tottenham, and Man City.
But even without influential midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is still nursing an injury after being chopped down by Newcastle’s Joey Barton last weekend, Liverpool dominated.
Liverpool sealed the points when Gerrard found Dirk Kurt down the right, who then found Ryan Babel unmarked in front of goal. Keeper Green saved the first attempt but Babel picked up the rebound to top off an impressive display.
Liverpool’s last two league matches of the season will be against West Brom and Tottenham.
Arsenal 1, Chelsea 4
Chelsea secured third place in the Premier League with a win at the Emirates Stadium, marking their biggest league win against Arsenal since 1960.
Third place means that they can qualify for Champions League next year without going into a play off with some of the bigger clubs around Europe, which Arsenal will have to do.
Arsenal started brightly with chances from Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby. As the tide turned, the breakthrough for Chelsea came on the half hour mark when Alex headed in and then 10 minutes later, Nicolas Anelka let go a 25-yard strike to make it two.
To make matters worse for the Gunners, Kolo Toure turned the ball into his own net when sliding back to goal to stop a cross.
Nicklas Bendtner got the home team back in the match for the last 20 minutes heading in a Bacary Sagna cross.
But the comeback was denied when Florent Malouda struck from what looked like an offside position when he directed the ball in from an Anelka shot, which had bounced back off the post.
The goal still standing made slight comfort for Chelsea’s mid-week dumping out of the Champions League and added more pain to Arsenal after they received the same fate in Europe a day earlier last week.
“We have experienced a little bit of everything in football [soccer] this week and only on the bad side,” stated Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
“We created plenty of chances and should have been 2–0 up but we find ourselves 1–0 down.”
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink on his team winning after going out to Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek: “After the first 15 minutes at Arsenal the team reacted perfectly.
“I am very proud of them and they have shown they are one of the best in Europe tactically and mentally.
“I am very proud to work with these boys as they always react well.”
