In a surprising Saturday of Premiership action, underdog teams Newcastle and Fulham traveled to Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, and fought to scoreless draws.
In Saturday’s late game, Manchester United failed to gain ground on the league leaders after a scoreless draw with Aston Villa, while Arsenal was shut out by struggling Manchester City.
Newcastle made the long trip down to London worthwhile as they got a point to show for it—especially with that point coming off Chelsea.
Chelsea’s England internationals Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and Ashley Cole did not play mid-week for their country due to injury but were back in action for this game.
Michael Owen started his first game in nearly two months but was not playing the out-and-out attacking role he thrives in, as he was often needed to help his team behind the ball defending.
The main talking point was a marginal offside called when Joe Cole poked in the re-bound from a Florent Malouda shot.
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari explained to the BBC that it was easier for his team to get results away from home than at home, because teams that come to Stamford Bridge focus exclusively on defending.
“We played 70 percent of the game in the opponent’s half and we tried 10 times to score a goal. They didn’t try to make something—anything—against us.
“When we play away, they [opponents] try to attack us, they try something more, and they give more chances to us.”
Liverpool had the opportunity to go top of the table but the draw with Fulham at home meant they remain second in the table on goal difference behind Chelsea.
The Reds were without captain Steven Gerrard due to injury. Fernando Torres’s return to action was much welcomed and his runs were a constant threat on the Fulham goal.
Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane came close in the first 15 minutes with Fulham’s keeper Mark Schwartzer coming to the rescue.
Pepe Reina was tested in the Reds goal with good shots from Jimmy Bullard and Andrew Johnson.
Rafael Benitez said to the BBC, “It was a bad day, we did not have enough energy and we did not pass the ball well enough.
“And then when we got back into the dressing room, we discovered that Chelsea had drawn and Arsenal had lost.”
This would have been some consolation for the day’s performance.
William Gallas was dropped from the Gunners team for his mid-week comments stating his teammates did not have enough desire and respect for each other. Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas will take over those duties going forward.
The unsettling comments seemed to have an effect on the Gunners performance as their inconsistent performances took a turn for the worse.
Man City’s first goal came when Stephen Ireland made a bursting run from the midfield straight for goal and Arsenal’s clumsy defense failed to clear the ball. This put Ireland one-on-one with Manuel Almunia. Ireland made no mistake.
Shaun Wright-Phillips, after the break broke from midfield with a long run before dispatching to Robinho, who then chipped Almunia exquisitely with the outside of boot to drift the ball into the net.
Daniel Sturridge came on for Man City late and stepped up to convert a penalty for good measure.
Robinho could have scored a hat trick and Arsene Wenger’s comments to the BBC seemed a bit defensive, “The score line flattered Manchester City.”
Although there were no goals in this encounter, it was a lively affair.
Gabriel Agbonlahor had a dream debut mid-week for England and his great form continued, as his pace was always a threat against United.
Wayne Rooney had a great chance in the first half when the ball sat up for him nicely at the edge of the six-yard box, but he blasted it over the goal.
Just before half time, Cristiano Ronaldo set up Ji-Sung Park but Ashley Young timed a tackle to perfection, denying the shot.
Late in the second half, Villa claimed a penalty as United defender Nemanja Vidic pulled down Agbonlahor after a long run.
The result sees Villa move into fourth place in the table ahead of the slumping Gunners.
In Saturday’s late game, Manchester United failed to gain ground on the league leaders after a scoreless draw with Aston Villa, while Arsenal was shut out by struggling Manchester City.
Chelsea 0, Newcastle 0
Newcastle made the long trip down to London worthwhile as they got a point to show for it—especially with that point coming off Chelsea.
Chelsea’s England internationals Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and Ashley Cole did not play mid-week for their country due to injury but were back in action for this game.
Michael Owen started his first game in nearly two months but was not playing the out-and-out attacking role he thrives in, as he was often needed to help his team behind the ball defending.
The main talking point was a marginal offside called when Joe Cole poked in the re-bound from a Florent Malouda shot.
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari explained to the BBC that it was easier for his team to get results away from home than at home, because teams that come to Stamford Bridge focus exclusively on defending.
“We played 70 percent of the game in the opponent’s half and we tried 10 times to score a goal. They didn’t try to make something—anything—against us.
“When we play away, they [opponents] try to attack us, they try something more, and they give more chances to us.”
Liverpool 0, Fulham 0
Liverpool had the opportunity to go top of the table but the draw with Fulham at home meant they remain second in the table on goal difference behind Chelsea.
The Reds were without captain Steven Gerrard due to injury. Fernando Torres’s return to action was much welcomed and his runs were a constant threat on the Fulham goal.
Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane came close in the first 15 minutes with Fulham’s keeper Mark Schwartzer coming to the rescue.
Pepe Reina was tested in the Reds goal with good shots from Jimmy Bullard and Andrew Johnson.
Rafael Benitez said to the BBC, “It was a bad day, we did not have enough energy and we did not pass the ball well enough.
“And then when we got back into the dressing room, we discovered that Chelsea had drawn and Arsenal had lost.”
This would have been some consolation for the day’s performance.
Manchester City 3, Arsenal 0
William Gallas was dropped from the Gunners team for his mid-week comments stating his teammates did not have enough desire and respect for each other. Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas will take over those duties going forward.
The unsettling comments seemed to have an effect on the Gunners performance as their inconsistent performances took a turn for the worse.
Man City’s first goal came when Stephen Ireland made a bursting run from the midfield straight for goal and Arsenal’s clumsy defense failed to clear the ball. This put Ireland one-on-one with Manuel Almunia. Ireland made no mistake.
Shaun Wright-Phillips, after the break broke from midfield with a long run before dispatching to Robinho, who then chipped Almunia exquisitely with the outside of boot to drift the ball into the net.
Daniel Sturridge came on for Man City late and stepped up to convert a penalty for good measure.
Robinho could have scored a hat trick and Arsene Wenger’s comments to the BBC seemed a bit defensive, “The score line flattered Manchester City.”
Aston Villa 0, Manchester United 0
Although there were no goals in this encounter, it was a lively affair.
Gabriel Agbonlahor had a dream debut mid-week for England and his great form continued, as his pace was always a threat against United.
Wayne Rooney had a great chance in the first half when the ball sat up for him nicely at the edge of the six-yard box, but he blasted it over the goal.
Just before half time, Cristiano Ronaldo set up Ji-Sung Park but Ashley Young timed a tackle to perfection, denying the shot.
Late in the second half, Villa claimed a penalty as United defender Nemanja Vidic pulled down Agbonlahor after a long run.
The result sees Villa move into fourth place in the table ahead of the slumping Gunners.
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