Prem Round-Up (Jan 31st)

Well, well, well...

...it won't be a day of Premier League action that will stick out in everyone's mind now in all fairness. 8 games, 15 goals, 3 nil-nil ties, and a few rather dour games rounding up the days footy events.

All was started at The Britannia, as Stoke City played host to Manchester City's team of high-earners and the richest club in the world, but what good is unlimited finances if you can't turn out the results on the pitch? And that is a question Manchester City fans, staff and players in general will be asking after this game as they failed to take a point from their travels loosing out to a James Beattie header on the 45 minute mark. The games biggest talking point was the dismissal of Rory Delap as he was sent off as he up-ended Sean Wright-Philips, and then appeared to kick the ball forcefully at the Englishman as he lay on the deck. Fair enough, perhaps a good call, maybe a bit harsh, but the big question was "Why did Wright-Philips not get red?", as the speedy winger clearly kicked Delap on the leg after the ball had been struck toward him. A matter for the FA in the coming days one would have to think.

Arsenal and Aston Villa lost ground on the front three as both failed to score in their games, both drawing at home to West Ham (The Emirates) and high flying Wigan (Villa Park). Both sides should have been home and hosed here as they had chance after chance to score and take the points. Arsenal firing wide and weak and Villa unable to turn in goal-mouth scrambles. Its shaping up to be a tussle between the two for that coveted 4th spot as neither look capable of attacking the leading pack.

The Champions loaded the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea as they won all three points at home against Everton as Cristiano Ronaldo finished a penalty for United in the first half. The second could have easily saw United awarded a second as Carrick seemed to be barged over and then late on, Everton's Lescott was pulled back by Rio Ferdinand in the box. Referee Mark Halsey waved both appeals away. It means United are now 5 points clear at the top with a game in hand over Liverpool and Chelsea, one of which or both will drop points tomorrow evening. A special note to Edwin Van Der Sar who passed the British All-Time record for longest clean sheet time of over 19 hours. Congrats to Edwin...

Tottenham Hotspur's woes continue as they fell to an impressive in attack and poor in defence Bolton who led 2-0 at the Reebok through Puygrenier and Davis. Things seemed set for a home win until up popped substitute, Darren Bent who found 2 goals in the space of 2 minutes to level things up and from there, Spurs drove on and one would have expected a goal from the visitors. My oh my were the tables to turn again, with that man Kevin Davis nipping in with a second of the game and Bolton's third to steal a point from Spurs and take all 3 Bolton's way. The win will do under fire boss Gary Megson the world of good as he looks to take Bolton up the table.

Other games today included, Blackburn Rovers earning a point away to Middlesbrough, West Brom coming from behind, twice, against Hull to salvage a crucial point and Fulham knocking more of the stuffing out of Portsmouth and Tony Adams beating the FA Cup holders, 3-1 at the Cottage.



Big games tomorrow between Newcastle and Sunderland, and Liverpool and Chelsea.

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