Posted by Adam Johnson

Premier League Recap & Carling Cup Final (Feb. 26-Mar.01)

It wasn’t the most appealing weekend in the Premier League but some good games were played. Arsenal and Birmingham were in the Carling Cup Final so their games were moved to another date so there were only seven/eight league games played. Here is what happened in those matches along with a little analysis of said Carling Cup Final.

Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United

This wasn’t technically on the weekend, but I wanted to get it in here because of the enormity of the matchup and the fact that it was such a good game. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with a strikers strike that he tucked into the bottom left corner.  Chelsea started Nic Anelka and Fernando Torres up front but it was the new defender they signed, David Luiz, who scored his first goal for the club and a massive one as it drew the Blues level. I felt the winner was coming for Chelsea and it eventually did when Chris Smalling brought down Yuri Zhirkov which allowed Frank Lampard to thump the winning penalty home. Nemanja Vidic was sent off late, which could be costly as he will miss the Liverpool match this coming weekend. I really enjoyed the match all the way through and as a neutral I’m so happy Chelsea won so this title race can now get really interesting.

Carling Cup Final- Birmingham 2-1 Arsenal

What a final it was at Wembley. Arsenal came in as the heavy favorites but Birmingham were up for it. It was Nikola Zigic who opened the scoring for Birmingham with a header that he couldn’t have known much about. The Blue half of the crowd went nuts in a stadium that I would have loved to have been at. Arsenal did come back strongly and got an equalizer through Robin van Persie on an amazing right foot volley from and Andrei Arshavin cross. Just before the goal Jack Wilshere had a shot hit the cross bar after grazing Ben Foster’s fingertips. Both of those young Englishmen had fantastic games, by the way. The second half was great and Arsenal came in waves but Birmingham defended well and fought back and somehow got a winner after a looped ball caused mayhem between Koscielny and Sczczesny. The ball squirted out of the young keeper’s hands and sub Obafemi Martins was right there to roll it home for the Cup. The scenes at the end of the match were inspiring as the Birmingham players and manager, Alex McCleish, ran around and showed true, true joy.

Stoke 1-1 West Brom

This was a matchup that I doubt any of you watched or even knew happened but it did and it was a dull 1-1 draw. The Potters scored first through Rory Delap but late on the on-loan striker, Carlos Vela, got the equalizer to earn a point on the road.

West Ham 3-1 Liverpool

This is a big blow for Liverpool as they drop a very winnable away match at Upton Park. The Reds never looked like they were going to get much out of this and especially when they went down a Scott Parker brilliant goal and equally brilliant Demba Ba header. Livepool did get one back through Glen Johnson, but West Ham sealed the match with Carlton Cole’s strike. Huge win for the Hammers.

Manchester City 1-1 Fulham

How fitting is it that Mark Hughes’ return to the City of Manchester Stadium was a draw? Mario Balotelli and Damien Duff got the goals for each club in the 1-1.

Wigan 0-4 Manchester United

With Arsenal having the Cup final to attend to, Man Utd could push the lead at the top to four points again with a win, and after Wayne Rooney tried to break James McCarthy’s face, United did just that. Chicharito got the first goal after a great build up and then Nani hit the post with his newly ignited left foot. In the second half United poured it on with another goal from Chicharito along with Rooney and Fabio strikes to end it for good. Rooney should have been sent off and suspended for three matches but the FA is the FA.

Aston Villa 4-1 Blackburn

Villa are starting to find their stride as they destroy Blackburn. Ashley Young continued his good run with a penalty followed by an own goal, a Downing goal, Blackburn drawing closer then Young putting it away for good. This match even had a Robert Pires sighting.

Everton 2-0 Sunderland

If you didn’t know the standings you would think Everton was the club trying for a place in Europe, but I guess that’s where they should’ve been all season. Jermaine Beckford got the ball rolling with a great goal in the 8’ minute. Everton dominated this match but Sunderland had one or two chances, mainly Sessegnon’s shot that rattled the crossbar. A second goal and three points would come with another Beckford goal.

Newcastle 1-1 Bolton

Captain Kevin Nolan scored first for Newcastle but Danny Sturridge scored again for Bolton as he leveled it at 1-1. Newcastle’s Ryan Taylor was sent off for a stupid tackle in the second half and the game would finish with the score it was at the half.

Wolves 4-0 Blackpool

Hopefully you didn’t really think I was going to watch this whole match? Well, for the parts I saw it was really worth it. Both teams flew at each other and Matt Jarvis was all over the place getting the opener. And it got better for Wolves when DJ Campbell was sent off. Jamie O’Hara scored the second for Wolves then Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored the next two to humiliate Blackpool.