The FA Cup made reservations for the last weekend in January, which meant that the Barclay’s Premier League was served on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The weather is chilly, but we serve up our premiership soccer piping hot. Let’s kick start this thing.
EVERTON-MANCHESTER CITY
This game was marred by a “fan” who handcuffed himself to Joe Hart’s goal late in the first half. Unfortunately, Man City couldn’t find a key to unlock the fan. They also couldn’t crack the code to the Everton net. Landon Donovan set up the only goal of the game in the 60th minute. It was room service delivery and Darron Gibson made no mistake from the top of the penalty box. Something’s wrong with City right now. For all their pretty footwork they can't finish the dance. Everton-1 Manchester City-0.
MANCHESTER UNITED-STOKE
This was hardly a contest. The first two red devils goals were scored from the penalty spot. Both calls appeared to be correct. Chicarito Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov punctured the net. Not much else to add; Man U was focused and dominant. Manchester United-2 Stoke-0.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR-WIGAN
I wrote it last week and I'll recycle it; Wigan have seemingly punched their ticket out of the premiership and into the second division. It's a shame because Victor Moses continues to run roughshod over opposing defenses. Moses assisted Wigan's lone tally, but by then the damage was done. Tottenham's midfield firm of Bale and Modric combined to score three goals in an effortless 3-1 victory. Tottenham-3 Wigan-1.
SWANSEA CITY-CHELSEA
The best match played by a mile on Tuesday courtesy of the underdog Swans. They came out on the good foot and stormed the Chelsea backline with a relentless attack. They deserved at least three first half goals but had to settle for just one. Scott Sinclair had the honors lofting a lovely sand wedge from six yards out over a flailing Peter Cech. Chelsea's task went from difficult to improbable when defender Ashley Cole was shown red due to a harsh challenge in the 85th minute. Chelsea poured forward in the final moments and were gifted the equalizer when Neil Taylor deflected Jose Bosingwa's shot past a helpless Michael Vorm. The final score doesn't do this game justice. Swansea was Richard Kimball and Chelsea got away with murder. Swansea-1 Chelsea-1.
WOLVERHAMPTON-LIVERPOOL
Ok, so maybe I was mistaken (at this stage I refuse to say I was wrong). For weeks I've been writing Kenny Dalglish's epitaph, but Liverpool has apparently risen from the dead. Victories over the Manchester brothers in the Carling and FA Cups have breathed new life into the club. Even Andy Carroll, he of the seemingly permanent residence in Liverpool's chateau bow-wow, recorded a goal. Crag Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt soon followed suit and Liverpool came away with all three points. Liverpool-3 Wolverhampton-0.
BOLTON-ARSENAL
Goal scoring opportunities for both squads came fast and furious. Arsenal's superhero Robin Van Persie had two of his shots come off the post and crossbar. Referee Chris Foy, he of the Vincent Kompany red card decision in the City vs United match from late January, once again found himself in the center of controversy when he declined a PK against the Gunners in the game's final seconds. Bolton coach Owen Coyle, much like the score was fit to be tied. Bolton-0 Arsenal-0.
ASTON VILLA-QUEENS PARK RANGERS
QPR would grab a two-goal first half lead but would lose their grip following goals from in-form Darren Bent and Charles N'Zogbia. QPR will likely have to scratch and claw for their premiership existence in the second half of the season; this outcome will not help their cause. Queens Park Rangers-2 Aston Villa-2.
SUNDERLAND-NORWICH CITY
Norwich had been road warriors throughout the first half of the campaign but had nothing positive to offer in this contest. This game featured one of the prettiest goals of the new year when Frazier Campbell lifted a perfectly placed volley to open the scoring. Stephan Sessegnon continued his fine form of late in netting the game's second goal. Sunderland-3 Norwich City-0.
BLACKBURN ROVERS-NEWCASTLE
Blackburn had to know it would not be a good day when Newcastle keeper Tim Krul stopped David Dunn's penalty kick. Newcastle would score via an own-goal in the 12th minute and a breakaway tally in the 90th. To be honest, Newcastle was more lucky than good. Newcastle-2 Blackburn-0.
FULHAM-WEST BROMWICH ALBION
American international Clint Dempsey seemingly insured three points for Fulham with a strike from just inside the penalty box in the 69th minute, but the London-based side was found guilty of taking its foot off the gas pedal. Simon Tychoi rescued the visitors from the jaws of defeat with just eight minutes left in regulation. Fulham-1 WBA-1.
PENALTY KICK
I'll be on Super Bowl 46 duty over the weekend. Here's The Pitch shall return on February 13th.
