Two goals from Liverpool’s Spanish striker Fernando Torres stunned Chelsea 2–0 in the final moments of a snowy clash at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool took over sole possession of second place, two points back of Manchester United. United has a game in hand on all its closest pursuers.
The flashpoint in the game came on the hour when Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard tackled his counterpart, Xabi Alonso, with his studs up high and was given a red card.
Chelsea would have been content with a draw after Liverpool dominated the play. Now, new hopes will be restored in Liverpool’s title challenge.
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech kept the Blues in the game after chances fell to Alonso and Yossi Benayoun. Defender Alex stifled the Reds attack and was there to thwart the best chance of the game that fell to Torres.
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari took off Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka who were absent from the play and brought on Deco and Didier Drogba, which did have a positive effect.
Torres left it to the last minute of full time to get on the score sheet with a near post header from a Fabio Aurelio cross. Then, in the 94th minute of play, he made it two with an easy side foot tap in after Benayoun’s set up. Chelsea’s defense was very sloppy on the second Torres goal.
The win and clean sheet saw United keeper Edwin van der Sar beat the record for the longest consecutive run in the top flight without conceding a goal, which was previously held by Reading’s Steve Death back in 1979.
“In the first half we needed our goalkeeper [Tim Howard] to be inspirational to keep us in it,” said losing manager David Moyes.
As all managers tend to do, Moyes felt his team got its share of bad luck with the penalty call.
“We were playing against a good team and you need a bit of luck, and it might have gone against us in the penalty.”
The draw sees another good result for the Hammers since the introduction of coach Steve Clarke who has tightened up the East London club’s defense.
West Ham coach Steve Clarke told the BBC, “It’s always difficult when you come here against a team who pass so well, you have to be disciplined and do the right things.
“Maybe I’m disappointed we didn’t do more with the ball, but today was more a defensive performance.
“We came here with the intention of playing as we have been playing recently and didn’t concede too many clear-cut chances which was pleasing.”
The draw is a disappointment for Arsenal who missed an opportunity to pick up points as teams ahead of them dropped points.
Liverpool took over sole possession of second place, two points back of Manchester United. United has a game in hand on all its closest pursuers.
The flashpoint in the game came on the hour when Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard tackled his counterpart, Xabi Alonso, with his studs up high and was given a red card.
Chelsea would have been content with a draw after Liverpool dominated the play. Now, new hopes will be restored in Liverpool’s title challenge.
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech kept the Blues in the game after chances fell to Alonso and Yossi Benayoun. Defender Alex stifled the Reds attack and was there to thwart the best chance of the game that fell to Torres.
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari took off Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka who were absent from the play and brought on Deco and Didier Drogba, which did have a positive effect.
Torres left it to the last minute of full time to get on the score sheet with a near post header from a Fabio Aurelio cross. Then, in the 94th minute of play, he made it two with an easy side foot tap in after Benayoun’s set up. Chelsea’s defense was very sloppy on the second Torres goal.
Manchester United 1, Everton 0
Manchester United maintained top spot with a win against an in-form Everton team.
Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta brought down United midfielder Michael Carrick before the break and Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and converted the penalty.The win and clean sheet saw United keeper Edwin van der Sar beat the record for the longest consecutive run in the top flight without conceding a goal, which was previously held by Reading’s Steve Death back in 1979.
“In the first half we needed our goalkeeper [Tim Howard] to be inspirational to keep us in it,” said losing manager David Moyes.
As all managers tend to do, Moyes felt his team got its share of bad luck with the penalty call.
“We were playing against a good team and you need a bit of luck, and it might have gone against us in the penalty.”
Arsenal 0, West Ham United 0
West Ham extended their unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions with a draw in the Gunners back yard.
The second half saw Arsenal dominate the play and Emmanuel Adebayor should have put the visitors up twice but missed the target.The draw sees another good result for the Hammers since the introduction of coach Steve Clarke who has tightened up the East London club’s defense.
West Ham coach Steve Clarke told the BBC, “It’s always difficult when you come here against a team who pass so well, you have to be disciplined and do the right things.
“Maybe I’m disappointed we didn’t do more with the ball, but today was more a defensive performance.
“We came here with the intention of playing as we have been playing recently and didn’t concede too many clear-cut chances which was pleasing.”
The draw is a disappointment for Arsenal who missed an opportunity to pick up points as teams ahead of them dropped points.
Aston Villa 0, Wigan Athletic 0
Aston Villa lost out on a chance to put additional distance between themselves and Arsenal as they drew at home to a stubborn Wigan Athletic. Villa maintains its five-point advantage over Arsenal in the fight for fourth place and the final Champions League spot.
Wigan is solidifying its position as a contender for a UEFA Cup spot. They currently sit in seventh place, four points behind Everton, and with an identical record to West Ham United.
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