Premier League Recap (March 19-20)

With and FA Cup weekend and international break flanking this week’s games, it wasn’t the greatest play in the world but there was still some notable results to tell you about. Here we go…

Tottenham 0-0 West Ham

Another poor result for Spurs in the league. West Ham seems to have their number this year and I had to agree with Ian Darke and Steve McManaman when they said it seemed like Tottenham was just ready for the Real Madrid tie. There won’t be a chance for a Real Madrid tie next year if they don’t pick it up in the league.

Manchester United 1-0 Bolton

With Alex Ferguson sitting in the directors box because of his five match ban, United did it again late in the match. The game was very even and Bolton really didn’t deserve to lose it. Something that was deserved was Jonny Evans’ red card for his overly aggressive challenge on American Stuart Holden. Matt Taylor came on in the second half and really should’ve scored the winner when he hit his free header right at Edwin van der Saar. The goal, of course, came after the sending off when Dimitar Berbatov poked home a rebound shot that Jussi Jaaskelainen should’ve held onto. It was a should’ve kind of day for Bolton.

West Brom 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal just cannot get it right. Stephen Reid gave West Brom the lead in just the 3’ minute thanks to poor defending on a corner. It got worse for the Gunners as Aaron Ramsey missed an easy chance and then West Brom furthered their lead thanks to another terrible miscommunication between keeper and defense. Manuel Almunia inexplicably came way off his line to try and play the ball just as Sebastien Squillaci was trying to fend off Peter Odemwingie, the ball just bounced between them and the West Brom winger just went around the bumbling Arsenal players and rolled it home. Arsenal did do well to get a draw with goals from Arshavin (a stunner) and van Persie (a scrapper), but more questions have to be asked about this team.

Stoke City 4-0 Newcastle

Stoke dominated this battle of mid table teams with a first half goal from Jonathan Walters and second half strikes from Jermaine Pennant, Danny Higginbotham (rocket free kick), and Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke three more points.

Aston Villa 0-1 Wolves

Fresh off his England call up, Matt Jarvis scored what would end up being the winner. Ashley Young rattled the crossbar but that was about it on this disappointing day for Villa fans.

Wigan 2–1 Birmingham

Umm yes, this game did take place and yes Wigan won. Goals from Liam Ridgewell and Tom Cleverley saw the team’s level before Maynor Figueroa scored the winner. To be fair to Figueroa, it was a phenomenal shot.

Everton 2-1 Fulham

This Everton team is starting to become fun to watch as the potential is finally being reached. Seamus Coleman got them rolling with a perfectly directed header and Luis Saha doubled the lead when he scored on a low free kick. My favorite American, Clint Dempsey, scored on a left footed shot but the score would stay the same.

Blackburn 2-2 Blackpool

A tussle of B’s had Blackpool going ahead thanks to Luke Varney but then not going ahead thanks to an incredibly late offside flag. A penalty and justice would come Blackpool’s way later and Charlie Adam put it away for the lead. Adam then one-upped himself with a stunning free kick that was curled into the top right corner. Blackburn fought back, however, with goals from Samba and Hoilett to earn a draw.

Sunderland 0-2 Liverpool

This was a sneaky good matchup that Liverpool looked up for. The Reds took the lead thanks to a penalty converted by Dirk Kuyt. Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez were finally paired together and it was a sign of good things to come. Luis Suarez scored maybe the goal of the season in the second half when his shot was fired home from an impossible angle to the right of the goal. This was a good away win for Liverpool to bounce back from after their poor loss to West Ham last time out.

Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City

This was a big win for Chelsea as they exorcised the Man City demons that have haunted them recently. Manager, Carlo Ancelotti, opted to start Fernando Torres and leave Nic Anelka and Didier Drogba on the bench. It was again Chelsea’s other January signing, David Luiz, who stole the show with a great defensive display and the opening goal on a great header from a Drogba free kick. The Blues held on and even added a second goal from Ramires after his outstanding turn, run, then finish.

This weekend saw only one team score more than two goals (Stoke, oddly enough) and Chelsea move ahead of Man City and into third place. There were two different 2-2 draws and one of them may have crippled a title contender. Unfortunately, we now have an international break upon us so that’s it for the Premier League til April.