Premier League Round-up 13-14 December 2008

18 December 08 by Tom Mallows

Saturday, 13 December 2008

While United were left frustrated after dropping two points at Spurs, they will be relieved that all of their title rivals followed suit in a Premier League title race were no-one appears to be taking the initiative.

Liverpool were 2-0 down at home to Hull after 22 minutes, Paul McShane and a Jamie Carragher own goal for the high flying Tigers. But Liverpool’s talisman Steven Gerrard got his team out of trouble again with a quick fire double to restore parity. Hull are made of stern stuff this season though and they survived a late spell of pressure to frustrate the league leaders and claim a point to hold on to sixth place. Liverpool 2-2 Hull.

Arsenal’s troubled season continued this time at Middlesbrough. Emmanuel Adebayor headed the Gunners into the lead but former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere secured a point for Gareth Southgate’s side with a diving header. Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal.

Aston Villa benefited from Arsenal’s slip up as they climbed into the top four with a 4-2 win over Bolton. Johan Elmander put the visitors in front but two goals from Gabriel Agbonlahor, a Kevin Davies own goal and an Ashley Young strike gave Martin O’Neill’s men the points. Aston Villa 4-2 Bolton.

Everton recovered from their last gasp defeat to Villa the previous week by grabbing an injury time winner of their own at Eastlands. With all of his strikers injured David Moyes had to ask midfielder Tim Cahill to play on his own up front. His gamble paid off however as it was the Australian who climbed highest to head Leon Osman’s corner past Joe Hart in the 92nd minute to give Everton the points. Man City 0-1 Everton.

Despite being without a manager Sunderland smashed four past West Brom to give the Black Cats their biggest win of the season. Kenwyne Jones scored two in as many minutes before an Andy Reid header and a Djibril Cisse penalty gave them a vital three points as they look to beat the football odds and stay in the Premier League. Sunderland 4-0 West Brom.

It went from bad to worse for Paul Ince at the JJB Stadium as two goals in the first 12 minutes from Emile Heskey and Antonio Valencia set Wigan on their way to a convincing victory. Lee Cattermole grabbed the third in the second half. The result proved to be the final straw for the Blackburn board as they sacked Ince on Tuesday just 6 months into the job. Wigan 3-0 Blackburn.

Stoke and Fulham showed plenty of effort but little end product and both had to settle for a point at the Britannia Stadium. Fulham had a decent shout for a penalty turned down in the first half when the ball appeared to strike Danny Higginbotham’s arm, but the appeals were turned away by referee Stuart Atwell. Richard Cresswell had the best chance of the game for the Potters but he screwed his shot wide when played through by Ricardo Fuller. Stoke 0-0 Fulham.

Sunday, 14 December 2008

Three second half goals saw Newcastle claim their first away win of the season on the south coast against Portsmouth. Michael Owen set them on their way with a neat finish on 52 minutes. Further goals from Obafemi Martins and Danny Guthrie sealed the win for Joe Kinnear’s side. Portsmouth 0-3 Newcastle.

Big Phil’s Chelsea knew that a win would put them top of the pile but they were left frustrated by former Chelsea hero Gianfranco Zola’s West Ham. Craig Bellamy put the Hammers in the lead on 33 minutes and although Nicolas Anelka got Chelsea on level terms early in the second half they couldn’t break down a stubborn West Ham defence and had to settle for a point. Chelsea 1-1 West Ham.