Prem Round-Up (Feb 1st)

Unlike yesterday's action, today had a bit more bite and a little bit more interest too. We had a Tyne-Wear Derby to start us off at lunchtime and then the title challengers game between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.


Newcastle played host to visitors, Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear Derby and were looking for a win to boost their form under Joe Kinnear. After a lively opening, with Sunderland doing all the pushing, Harper was unable to deny Cisse a goal after he failed to prevent the Sunderland forwards second strike giving Sunderland the lead. Sunderland deservedly led at half time, but in the second Newcastle came forward a lot more and began to create chances with Damien Duff and Jonas Gutierrez really taking hold fo the game driving at the Sunderland defence. But midway through the half, everybody, including some of the Newcastle players were stunned when Howard Webb awarded a penalty to the home side after he had judged Malbranque's tackle on Taylor had been worthy of a foul. It looked extremely harsh and Newcastle didn't deserve the opportunity to score from the spot on 69 minutes. Shola Ameobi stepped p and smashed the ball home to make things interesting for the last 20 or so minutes. Both sides tussled for a goal, with the games stretched, when substitute, Michael Chopra managed to nip the ball off the Newcastle defence after some shocking defender. The striker was in on goal, and when you would think all he had to do was wrap his right peg around the ball and curl it into the far corner beyond Harper, he tried to play in Kenwyne Jones with an audacious chipped ball with the outside of his foot, yet the skills were absent and he over ht the ball and Jones had to turn away from goal in order to keep it in play. It was a golden opportunity to nab a possible 3 points! Thats how it ended, and Sunderland, despite feeling they could have taken all the points from Geordie land, will be pleased with the performance.

At 16:00, Liverpool and Chelsea lined up in the cold of Anfield, and even the light dusting of snow too! It was a game where there simply had to be a winner, otherwise, Manchester United would have been 4 clear of the two with a game in hand. A very tame and timid first half played out, with Liverpool having the two best chances with long range drives from Alonso and Mascherano which both called Petr Cech into action to keep the scores level. Mike Riely had a game to forget really, issuing needless cards at various points and making some very suspect decisions. The second half began and Liverpool came to life as Chelsea seemed to almost tire. Alex was like a rock at the back blocking numerous shots and passes from Liverpool. However, all was to change drastically, as referee Riely brandished a red card to Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, for "serious foul play" on Xabi Alonso. Lampard who appeared to actually win the ball was stunned as Alonso lay on the floor. It seemed a very, very harsh sending off and one you would expect to see overturned at the FA. Questions also arose, when Steven Gerrard lunged at a Chelsea player yet didn't receive a card at all. 89 minutes passed and it was all looking like Man United's evening when up popped Fernando "El Nino" to head the ball past Cech, who wasn't in the best position, after a decent Liverpool move. Chelsea appeared to give up then and Liverpool capitalized on this and Chelsea's woeful defending as Ashley Cole failed to deal with the ball and as the ball broke loose, Torres again, had an open net in front of him to roll the ball into and send Chelsea hearts lower, and lower. A final talking point was an outrageous "kick" from Bosingwa on Benayoun in the corner as he lifted his leg and shoved his studs into the back of the Liverpool winger. You have to wonder, if Lampard's "foul" deserved a red, what on earth let Bosingwa stay on the pitch. Wit the linesman less then a meter from it too, you just have to sit back in amazement at the poor officiating. I think Bosingwa can be expecting a suspension in the coming days as the FA must surely take action upon it. The game ended 2-0 to the home side and arguably Chelsea's title challenge now.


Many eyes will be on Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 14th.



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