The Sports Corner

Fergie ready for title scrap!

English Premier League

Manchester United delivered a warning to leading sides Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday with a 5-0 demolition of Stoke City.

The champions are starting to discover their top form and now have both Chelsea and Liverpool in sight as they currently occupy third place.

It took just three minutes for United to find their feet at Old Trafford, as Cristiano Ronaldo continued his sparkling form in front of goal and it was his effort that gave the Red Devils the lead. On the stroke of half time, Michael Carrick added a second, which made the chance for a Stoke fightback increasingly unlikely.

Instead of applying cruise control, Manchester United accelerated in the second half and Dimitar Berbatov scored after just four minutes in the second half. Danny Welbeck, Manchester’s latest young starlet, scored a fourth and his first Premier League goal with a great strike before Ronaldo rounded off a complete performance from Manchester United with his second and the team’s fifth.

Chelsea showed their professionalism by responding to a disappointing midweek loss to Championship side Burnley with an efficient 3-0 win away to West Brom. Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring for Scolari’s men with a goal in the 34th minute. Hot shot Nicolas Anelka doubled the Blues lead four minutes later to put the West Londoners firmly in control, and the league’s top scorer Anelka added his second just before the break to wrap up a Chelsea victory and maintain top spot in the Premier League.

Liverpool showed their commitment in regaining the lead in the Premier League with an impressive 2-0 away win at Bolton. Dirk Kuyt broke the deadlock for the Merseysiders in the 28th minute to continue his revelatory form this season. Influential captain Steven Gerrard made sure of all 3 points with a 73rd minute strike as Liverpool continue to apply the pressure on leaders Chelsea.

Many Arsenal fans were excited last week as a win over rivals Manchester United kept them in the hunt for the Premier League title, a week later and another uninspiring performance leaves the Gunners struggling to find consistency after a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa. A Gael Clichy own goal gave the visitors the lead in the 70th minute before striker Gabriel Agbonlahor confirmed a fine victory for the Villans in the 80th minute. Agbonlahor has been called up to the England squad for the friendly with Germany. 

Hull City still occupy sixth place after earning a point at home to Manchester City in a game that finished 2-2. Daniel Cousin struck for the hosts in the 14th minute as Hull looked to turn around their fortunes after several defeats, City are struggling too and they were thankful to Stephen Ireland who equalised in the 37th minute and then gave his side the lead in the 45th. Geovanni levelled the game in the 60th minute however to share the points in an entertaining game at the KC Stadium.

Two sides in superb form met at Goodison Park as Everton locked horns with Middlesbrough. Gareth Southgate’s men have shown a lot of character this season and it was they who took the lead in the 8th minute through Gary O’Neil. The home side had to wait until the 65th minute for a response from former Boro striker Yakubu, who earned his side a point in a fascinating game between two decent Premier League sides.

Portsmouth will be satisfied with a point after a goalless draw away to struggling West Ham. The result will inflict further pressure on manager Gianfranco Zola who has admitted his side have not been good enough.

Fulham fans will be delighted with a spirited win over London rivals Tottenham as Harry Redknapp suffers his first loss as manager. Ex-Tottenham winger Simon Davies opened the scoring after 33 minutes to give Fulham the lead, and Andy Johnson added a second to strengthen Fulham’s chances of securing victory in the 70th minute. The hosts suffered a late scare however as battling Spurs reduced the deficit through on-loan striker Frazier Campbell in the 81st minute, but the visitors were unable to score a second, giving the Cottagers a deserved win.

A defeat at home to Sundrerland meant that Blackburn Rovers finished the day in the relegation zone. The first half ended well for Rovers with Cherno Samba netting just before the half time whistle to establish a half time lead. Kenwyne Jones has been a major boost for the Mackems since his return from a lengthy period on the sidelines and it was his effort in the 49th minute that levelled the match, and victory for the Wearsiders was confirmed in the 71st minute through free scoring Djibril Cisse much to the delight of manager Roy Keane.

A Newcastle blast from the past came back to haunt them at St.James Park as Titus Bramble’s late goal snatched victory from Newcastle’s clutches. Sighs of discontent echoed around the ground after Ryan Taylor gave Wigan an early lead after scoring in the third minute. Another defeat seemed likely until Newcastle sprung into life in the last ten minutes. Michael Owen levelled the match in the 80th minute before strike partner Obafemi Martins pounced in the 87th minute as Newcastle headed towards a much needed victory. Bramble however settled the match in the 89th minute with a goal that will be especially sweet for him against his former employers.

La Liga

Barcelona extended their lead at the top to three points after a ninth successive league win away to Recreativo in a game that finished 2-0 to the Catalans. Lionel Messi set Barca on their way with a 51st minute effort before Seydou Keita wrapped up victory with an 86th minute tap in.

Villareal were held 2-2 away to plucky Malaga in a game that saw them lose ground on leaders Barcelona. Giuseppe Rossi opened the scoring after 10 minutes before Sergio Duda pegged Villareal back. Joseba Llorente gave Villareal a second lead but Malaga were not to be denied and scored in injury time to grab a point, Miguel Rosario the hero for Malaga.

Valencia suffered a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Sporting Gijon in a game that will damage their title credentials. Luis Moran gave Gijon the lead after 20 minutes before David Barral doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute. David Villa pulled one back courtesy of a 69th minute penalty for Valencia but Gijon maintained a two goal lead through Diego Castro Gimenez in the 81st minute to make it 3-1 to Sporting Gijon. Mata added a consolation for Valencia in the 90th minute to end a second half goalfest at the Mestalla.

The shock result of the week came in the match between Valladolid and Real Madrid. Valladolid who were thumped 6-0 last week by Barcelona achieved an outstanding 1-0 victory over the Madrid giants. Fabian Canobbio grabbing the only goal of the game in the 48th minute to increase the pressure on Real Madrid who have failed to answer to Barcelona’s stunning form.

Serie A

Inter maintained their lead in Serie A courtesy of a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker settled the contest after netting in the 46th and 62nd minute as Inter look to piece together another string of victories after a patch of indifferent form.

AC Milan recorded a trademark 1-0 victory at home to Cheivo as they begin the hunt on fierce rivals and league leaders Inter. Kaka scored the game’s soliatary strike with a penalty after 15 minutes.

Juventus leaped into third place and consequently the title picture with an emphatic 4-1 home win over Genoa. The goals were scored by Zdenek Grygera, Amauri, Vicenzo Iaquinta and a Sokratis Papastathopoulos own goal. Alberto Diego Milito scored from the penalty spot for Genoa.