The Sports Corner

Ince left drowning after visit from Liverpool

English Premier League

Paul Ince’s job is thought to be hanging by a thread after his Blackburn Rovers’ side were beaten 3-1 convincingly by Liverpool. The league leaders maintained their one point advantage but with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all winning, the pressure is firmly on. 

Blackburn were in 19th before the visit of Liverpool and in desperate need of points. The first half consisted of dogged Blackburn defending as wave after wave of Liverpool attacks were thwarted. Steven Gerrard had Liverpool’s best chance but he dragged his shot wide, Stephen Warnock made a fantastic last ditch effort tackle to prevent Yossi Benayoun from shooting in a typical Ince-like battling display at Ewood Park.

However in the second half, Rovers’ resistance was finally beaten when Xabi Alonso squeezed in an effort to give the Mersysiders the lead. As soon as the gates were open, Liverpool fired another bullet at struggling Blackburn when Benayoun fired home from an acute angle. Roque Santa Cruz the talismanic striker for Blackburn pulled one back with a close range header to restore brief hope for Ince. Nonetheless it was Ince’s former team mate Steven Gerrard who sealed victory when he stroked the ball in to an empty net in the very last minute to make it 3-1.

After a morale crushing home defeat by Arsenal the previous week, Chelsea were intent on sending a message to the entire Premier League that they are still to be feared as the race hots up. Facing an in-form Bolton side the Blues won 2-0 to record their 11th consecutive away win in the Premier League which is a record breaking feat. Nicolas Anelka followed the script and opened the scoring against his former club with a deft header that rebounded off the post before crossing the line in the 9th minute. Chelsea were rampant at the Reebok Stadium and thoroughly deserved their second when Deco produced a sublime overhead kick to double Chelsea’s lead in the 21st minute. The Blues are currently one point behind Liverpool as the busy festive period is about to begin.

Manchester United had to wait until the very last minute before overcoming manager-less Sunderland to win 1-0 at Old Trafford. The loss of manager Roy Keane did not negatively affect Sunderland who oppressed Manchester United expertly in their own yard. Although, no-one was able to stop United’s hero Nemanja Vidic from scoring in the dying seconds to earn Sir Alex Ferguson’s men a crucial three points as they look to keep on the tails of Liverpool and Chelsea.

Arsenal’s pulsating season slowed down somewhat after a drab 1-0 victory over Wigan at the Emirates Stadium. Emmanuel Adebayor’s 16th minute strike was enough to settle what turned out to be a dreary encounter in North London. Arsene Wenger won’t be too concerned however with three points and a clean sheet and the strongest indication yet that Arsenal are set to install some much needed stability.

Aston Villa snatched a last-gasp 3-2 victory away to Everton in the most entertaining game of the weekend. Two sides were both determined to show their Champions League credentials and it took just one minute before Steve Sidwell opened the scoring for Villa. Everton responded galliantly taking the game to Villa and Joleon Lescott levelled the match in the 30th minute. England winger Ashley Young struck for Villa in the 54st minute and that looked to be enough to secure victory before a mesmerizing passage of play in stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Lescott thought he had rescued a point for Everton as Goodison Park let out a huge sigh of relief, but in the 94th minute Young stole the points for Villa with a fantastic curled effort in a truly entertaining display from both teams. 

The euphoria in Hull is still very much alive after a breathtaking start to life in the Premier League, the latest victims were Middlesbrough as Hull grabbed a 2-1 home win. The match was showing all signs of a draw with both teams infrequently creating chances until Tuncay Sanli scored in the 79th minute for Boro. There are some teams whose heads would drop but this is not associated with Hull City who fired back 3 minutes courtesy of a own goal by Middlesbrough keeper Ross Turnbull. Another 3 minutes later and Hull were in the lead when Marlon King slotted home a 85th minute penalty at the KC Stadium. The new boys are currently in 6th place while Boro drop to 12th.

As uncertain times loom over Portsmouth, success is still found on the pitch as they shared a point away to rock bottom West Brom. Jonathan Greening scored to give Baggies fans a rare opportunity for something to shout about in the 38th minute. Portsmouth who are awaiting to see if the South African takeover will be completed replied in the 54th minute through Peter Crouch to settle the score and share the point.

Fulham fans will be pleased after their home 1-1 draw against Manchester City extended their unbeaten run to 5 matches. Benjani gave City a quickfire lead at Craven Cottage drawing first blood in the 6th minute. Jimmy Bullard buoyed by being included in the England set-up recently levelled for the Cottagers with a fine strike in the 27th minute. Fulham are currently in 9th place where as City lie in 14th.

Joe Kinnear has been dogged by late goals of late against his side and Saturday was no different when Abdoulaye Faye rescued a point for Stoke, making it 2-2 in injury time. Michael Owen whose contract negotiations have been like a supporting actor in Newcastle’s farcical season so far opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Owen grabbed his second in the 24th to increase Newcastle’s advantage and send St.James Park brimming with optimism. However, Mamady Sidibe struck a note of caution on the hour mark to reduce the deficit and Abdoulaye Faye provided the final curtain when his 91st minute equalizer deflated the entire city of Newcastle. The Magpies are currently in 16th place where as Stoke are now in 13th.

La Liga

Thierry Henry was back to his clinical best on Saturday as his hat-trick helped Barcelona record a resounding 4-0 victory over challengers Valencia. Henry struck in the 20th, 28th, and 79th minute with Daniel Alves also contributing in the 46th minute for Barca. The Catalan giants are now six points clear of second placed Villareal.

Villareal responded from a three goal deficit to earn a point at home to Getafe. Goals from Molina Granero, Jaime Gavilan and Francisco Casquero gave the visitors a seemingly untouchable advantage before Robert Pires pulled one back for Villareal. In the last ten minutes a valiant fight back occurred as Sebastian Ledesma Eguren made it 3-2 in the 83rd minute before Guiseppe Rossi won a point in the 86th minute to cap off a tremendous match.

Real Madrid’s uninspiring season was dealt a further blow as they lost 4-3 at home to Sevilla. In a goal fest at the Santiago Bernabeu, it took just 3 minutes for Sevilla to register when Adriano gave them the lead. Real Madrid icon Raul equalized in the 18th minute as Madrid attempted to close the gap on runaway leaders Barcelona. However, Sevilla punished Real Madrid as the first half continued identifying the fragility of the side that has seen them struggle so profusely this season, Romaric restored Sevilla’s lead in the 22nd minute before Kanoute extended the gap in the 38th minute. Real Madrid have shown glimpses of the spirit that will install hope some positivity into disappointed fans, breakthrough sensation Gonzalo Higuain reduced the deficit to one goal in the 66th minute and Arjen Robben squared the match 3 minutes later. Renato’s late winner settled the encounter in the 85th minute breaking Madrid hearts and tightening the noose around Schuster’s neck. 

Serie A

Inter’s 3-0 demolition away to Lazio sent shockwaves of fear vibrating throughout the league as Jose Mourinho’s side look to be on top form. Walter Samuel found the net after just 2 minutes in a ruthless performance by the champions whose dominance on the game was never truly challenged. Mobodo Diakite put the ball past his own keeper to make it 2-0 in the 45th minute and Zlatan Ibrahimovic wrapped up victory 10 minutes later in a sensational performance away from home. 

Juventus have issued a stark warning to Inter and other title chasing teams with a late winner to beat Lecce 2-1 away from home. The Turin outfit had to wait until the 57th minute before Sebastian Giovinco broke the deadlock. Lecce looked as if they had secured a point when Daniele Cacia levelled the match in the 83rd minute. Claudio Ranieri’s men were not to be denied victory and grabbed a last gasp winner courtesy of Amauri. 

Milan may not entertain crowds and excite media with emphatic and dominant performances but they are plugging away and effectively carving out wins such as their 1-0 win at home to Catania. Kaka’s 65 minute effort proved decisive for Milan who are joint 2nd with Juventus.