The Sports Corner

Redknapp earns his spurs

English Premier League

League leaders Liverpool were finally beaten by resurgent Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The match started perfectly for the Reds when Dirk Kuyt found the net after just 3 minutes. Tottenham would have to wait until the 70th minute for an equalizer although they had to thank Jamie Carragher who headed the ball into his own net. The Tottenham comeback was complete when Roman Pavyluchenko tapped in a Darren Bent cross to send the home fans into raptures.

New manager Harry Redknapp now has two wins and one draw in a Tottenham revival that most people were expecting to see.

As a result of Liverpool’s loss, Chelsea had an opportunity to go to the top provided they beat Sunderland. Chelsea scored 5 goals and sent a message to all other 19 sides in the division with a ruthless performance combined with free flowing goals. Brazilian defender Alex broke the Sunderland resistance in the 27th minute and from then Chelsea continued to dominate. Nicolas Anelka added a second in the 30th minute then scored another moments before half time. At 3-0 up at half time, Chelsea had done all the hard work but in ruthless fashion pressed on in search for more goals. Frank Lampard found the target in the 51st minute before Anelka completed his hat trick in the 53rd minute to cap off a fantastic performance from the Blues that leaves them sitting pretty top of the tree.

Manchester United overcame a battling Hull City side 4-3 in an entertaining match at Old Trafford. The Red Devils began strongly and took only 3 minutes to assert themselves on Hull with a Cristiano Ronaldo strike. Hull however showed the determination in their ranks that has impressed all so far by levelling through forward Daniel Cousin in the 23rd minute. The champions however immediately enforced their authority on the game and it took only 6 minutes before Michael Carrick restored United’s lead. A second from Ronaldo and a Nemanja Vidic header all but condemned Hull to defeat. However, an unlikely comeback started when Bernard Mendy lobbed Van Der Sar in the 69th minute, and Giovanni scored a penalty in the 82nd minute to restore United’s advantage to just one but ultimately fell short despite a showing a tremendous amount of spirit in refusing to give up.

When new boys Stoke City entertained Arsenal many fans may have been expecting a long and hard afternoon. However Riccardo Fuller’s goal in the 11th minute shocked the Britannia Stadium. Could they defeat Arsene Wenger’s men? Tony Pulis got his tactics spot on as the Gunners failed to cope with Stoke’s physical presence, the Potters worked hard and doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute through midfielder Seyi Olofinjana. Arsenal began to show their frustrations as Robin Van Persie was dismissed 3 minutes later for a barge on the Stoke keeper. Gael Clichy did manage to restore credibility for the North London side with a 90th minute goal but the Gunners left Staffordshire very depleted indeed and face a tough task at home to Manchester United next week.

Everton edged Fulham at Goodison Park thanks to a late Louis Saha strike. The Frenchman found the net in the 87th minute to secure back to back victories for the Toffees and it moves the Mersyside club into 7th place, perhaps surprisingly the result was Everton’s first home win of the season.

Middlesbrough secured a point at home to West Ham as they continue to build on their impressive start to the season. The Hammers started the brightest however and dominated the first half at the Riverside, Hayden Mullins gave the East Londoners the lead with a volley after 21 minutes. Middlesbrough left it late but levelled the match through Mido in the 83rd minute.

Tony Adams was denied his first point as Portsmouth boss when Wigan stole victory at Fratton Park. the Latics opened the scoring on the stroke of half time through Egyptian revelation Amr Zaki who slotted home a penalty. Niko Kranjcar thought he had earned a point for side with his 82nd minute effort only for England star Emile Heskey to score in the 90th minute to secure a narrow victory for the Lancashire club. Heskey’s goal was a personal milestone as it was his 100th Premier League goal.

Most Manchester City fans were hoping for a win against struggling Bolton, but the form book not for the first time was turned up on its head. Bolton escaped the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory that will certainly disappoint the City faithful bitterly. Riccardo Gardener broke the deadlock in the 77th minute for the Trotters who were gifted a second in the 88th minute following skipper Richard Dunne’s error to all but sow up a win for the Lancashire outfit.

West Brom were denied a much needed win at home to Blackburn Rovers. The visitors took the lead when Benni McCarthy converted a penalty in the 13th minute. The Baggies regrouped however after half time and equalized through Roman Bednar in the 55th minute, powerful forward Ishmael Miller then gave West Brom the lead. The home side were to be disappointed however when Keith Andrews settled the game with a 89th minute effort to result in a point a piece. 

Rock bottom Newcastle will host Aston Villa in the Monday fixture. 

La Liga 

Barcelona were crowned new leaders of La Liga following a 4-1 demolition of Malaga. The Catalan giants took the lead after 5 minutes when Spanish international Xavi found the net. Malaga though responded perfectly and levelled the match in the 13th minute with an effort from Duda. Barca were not to be deterred for too long and Lionel Messi regained the iniative in the 19th minute. Barcelona were now comfortable and added two goals to the scoresheet to wrap up a convincing victory, a Xavi second and a Robson own goal resulted in Barcelona topping the table for the first time this season.

Villareal moved into 2nd place with a fantastic performance away to Athletic Bilbao with a 4-1 victory. Goals from Guiseppe Rossi, ex Arsenal star Robert Pires, Santi Cazola and Josmer Altidore secured a resounding victory that will certainly send a message to all teams in the division that this side is ready to mount a title challenge. 

Valencia suffered a shock 4-2 home defeat to Racing Santander that has seen them slide down into 4th place. Goals from David Villa and Joaquin were not enough as Mohamed Tchite netted an impressive hat trick for Santander. Valencia’s misery was further compounded with a David Albelda own goal in a bad day for the former leaders.

Serie A

AC Milan are now the new leaders of Serie A after a 1-0 home victory against Napoli. Milan secured the 3 points in the 86th minute when Denis inadvertently put the ball into his own net, the result leaves Milan top of the table, a reward for grinding out successive victories.

Impressive Udinese were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Genoa with a chance of claiming top spot with a win. Udinese took the lead in the 4th minute with a Gaetano D Agostino penalty and sustained the advantage until the interval. Genoa then shocked the home side with a quickfire double to have an unlikely lead, goals from Milito and Sculli within 3 minutes of each other gave the visitors a sight at victory. That wasn’t to be the case however as Quagliarella settled the match securing a point for Udinese in an ultimately frustrating afternoon.

Inter was looking to put their indifferent form behind them with a trip to Reggina. Jose Mourinho’s men got off to a great start when Maicon netted after 9 minutes, the news got even better when Patrick Vieira doubled the Milan’s side lead. Cozza halved the deficit before half time to give Inter a slight advantage. Brienza completed the come back shortly after half time much to the disappointment of the travelling Inter fans. However, a very important goal from Ivan Cordoba in the 91st minute gave Inter the victory, as they currently sit third in the table, 1 point behind leaders and fierce rivals AC Milan.