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Tuesday March 19, 2008

United Regain The Top Spot In England

Arsenal's Poor Performance In The League Continues

Derby County 0 Manchester United 1

Cristiano Ronaldo's 22nd EPL goal of the season helped Utd claim a 1-0 win over Derby which lifted them to the top of the table. The Portugal winger picked up a pass from Wayne Rooney and his low shot beat Derby goalkeeper Roy Carroll from the left edge of the penalty area.

Arsenal 1 Middlesbrough 1

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Boro in Saturday's evening game. Jeremie Aliadiere scored against his old club after 25 minutes, which looked to be enough for victory. However, Kolo Toure nodded in with just four minutes left to earn a share of the spoils, and Boro finished the game with 10 men when substitute Mido was sent off for a high kick on Gael Clichy.

Sunderland 0 Chelsea 1

At the Stadium of Light, John Terry gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Sunderland. Frank Lampard delivered a corner from the left which was met by the head of the Chelsea captain in the 10th minute.

Liverpool 2 Reading 1

Fernando Torres' 20th EPL goal of the season helped Liverpool consolidate fourth place. Royals midfielder Marek Matejovsky broke the deadlock in the fifth minute at Anfield when he lashed a half-volley past Jose Reina. Javier Mascherano equalized in the 19th minute with his first Liverpool goal with a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Torres made the points safe when he headed a Gerrard free-kick past Marcus Hahnemann three minutes after the break.

Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 0

At Fratton Park an 11th-minute goal from Jermain Defoe and a Nigel Reo-Coker own-goal gave Portsmouth a 2-0 win over Villa. Defoe lobbed the ball over Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson from the edge of the penalty area and Reo-Coker scored Pompey's second from 30 yards in the 38th minute. Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari and Villa's Olof Mellberg were both sent off late in the game.

West Ham United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1

At Upton Park Fred Sears headed the winner nine minutes from time on his debut to give West Ham a 2-1 victory. Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz gave Mark Hughes' side the lead in the 19th minute heading past Robert Green. Dean Ashton equalized in the 39th minute, chipping the ball over Brad Friedel. Sears replaced Nolberto Solano in the 75th minute and six minutes later saw his shot from 12 yards out saved by Friedel but was able to nod the rebound home.

Fulham 1 Everton 0

On Sunday at Craven Cottage a second-half goal from Brian McBride revived Fulham's hopes of avoiding relegation and dented Everton's Champions League bid. McBride scored in the 67th minute when he met a cross from Simon Davies to head past Tim Howard. It was Fulham's first victory since beating Aston Villa at the beginning of February.

Wigan Athletic 1 Bolton Wanderers 0

Wigan helped their EPL survival hopes as Emile Heskey scored his first goal for seven months to give the Latics a crucial 1-0 win in their relegation showdown with Bolton. The Latics are now six points off the drop zone, despite playing with 10 men for 86 minutes following an early controversial red card for Jason Koumas from referee Steve Tanner who also missed a blatant handball by Wigan defender Michael Brown.

Manchester City 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

In Sunday's final game, Manchester City produced an excellent second-half fight back to beat Spurs 2-1 at Eastlands and claim their first win in four Premier League games. Robbie Keane had put the visitors in front in the 32nd minute by clipping a left-footed shot past Joe Hart. However, just before the hour Stephen Ireland poked home from close range before Nedum Onuoha's powerful header secured victory.