Fourteen round of the Premiership is now complete, and now the clubs are getting a good look at what positions they will be fighting for for the rest of the year. While we have not reached the halfway marker of the season, teams are starting to get a grip of what kind of year this season will bring. One of the beauty of the English Premiere league is that despite there is no playoffs, just about every game is meaningful. Just about all the clubs in the EPL are in a race of some kind, whether it be the Championship, Champions League, Europa League, or the doom and gloom that is relegation. Every match is a fight as for the most part no win is guaranteed, beginning just about every week in the Premiership their is a curve ball. Here is a review of last week's action.
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Stoke City
Despite being out shot 13-9, and being out played as Stoke never really saw much of the ball the Potters of Stoke City pulled out a draw on the road. Thomas Sorensan made three saves for Stoke, however it was Blackburn goalkeeper and English International Paul Robinson who had to do more work for his shutout as Robinson had to make four saves to keep Stoke off the score sheet. With the draw on the road Stoke remain in 9th place are only three points out from Liverpool for an Europa League spot. Blackburn now sit in 13th after their second home draw of the year, and are three points behind the Potters.
Fulham 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
Fulham had control of this match from the beginning, however it was Bolton's Ivan Klasnic who found the back of the net first as he scored in the 35th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Fulham kept the pressure on Bolton and looked for the equalizer as the home side out shot the Wanderers 18-4. Still the host could only muster a 75th minute Damien Duff goal and come away with a draw. Bolton's Jussi Jasskelainen made four saves to keep the Wanders in the match. With the draw Fulham is now in 10th place, four behind Liverpool for their second Europa League in a row. While the draw is significant for Bolton it does not get them out of trouble. Bolton is in the relegation zone in 18th place with 12 points, two points behind West Ham for 17th. Part of the Wanders struggles is the fact they have taken points in only three of seven road games.
Manchester City 1-1 Hull City
In one of the true upsets of the week the Hull City Tigers pulled off a 1-1 draw against the all expensive and powerful Manchester City. Jimmy Bullard's 82nd minute PK was the equalizer as Hull drew with City in a match that saw Manchester City out shoot Hull 19-9, and out-possess the Tigers. City's Shaun Wright-Phillips (another of the City's unbelievably expensive signings of the off-season) scored right before halftime to give the host the 1-0 lead in the locker rooms. Hull's Matt Duke made four saves to keep Phil Brown's club in the match. With the draw at home at home Manchester City are now in 7th place with 22 points, three behind Arsenal for the last Champions League spot, however City does have a game in hand over the two clubs that are in between them and the Gunners. The rare draw on the road is crucial for Hull City, as the Tigers have only mustered up two draws in their seven road matches this season. Hull is still in the fight to avoid relegation as they now sit in 15th place with 16 points, four clear of relegation.
Portsmouth 1-4 Manchester United
The Red Devils are back in the hunt as they tear apart Portsmouth on the road in this one. Wayne Rooney scored on a PK in the 25th minute to put Manchester United up 1-0 to start the match. However Portsmouth answered in the 32nd with a PK converted by Kevin Boateng. Then it was the Red Devils shows as Manchester scored three unanswered to make it a 4-1 win. Rooney struck again three minutes past the half to make it 2-1. Then he completed the hat-trick in the 54th with another Penalty Kick. To cap the night off Manchester United old guard Ryan Giggs struck in the 87th, and the near perfect night in Portsmouth was complete for the Red and white. Portsmouth did out shoot United 24-14, but Manchester had more of the ball and Manchester's Tomasz Kuszczak is proving to be a solid back up to Van Der Sar as he made seven saves in the win. With the result Manchester United now are in 2nd with 31 points, five back of Chelsea. Also the Red Devils are still undefeated in their road matches. The year still is a struggle for Portsmouth as they are 1-6 on at home, and are in last place with a meager 7 points.
West Ham United 5-3 Burnley
It was a real goal-fest at Upton Park as the Hammers won 5-3. Jack Collins, Junior Stanislas and Carlton Cole scored in the first half to set the tone for West Ham. Guillmero Franco and Luis Jimenez struck in the second half to make it a staggering 5-0 West Ham in the 64th minute. Then Steven Fletcher scored in the 68th and 74th minute to make it look decent for Burnley. And Chris Eagle's stoppage time goal ended the 8-goal spree, but it was not enough as West Ham cruised in this one comfortably winning 5-3. Burnley did control possession but West Ham created the more dangerous and effective opportunities. With the win West Ham is out of the relegation zone as they are in 17th with 14 points, two clear of relegation. Burnley are still in 12th with 17 points, but are still winless on the road, and have only mustered a point as the away team.
Wigan Athletic 1-0 Sunderland
Hugo Rodallega 76th minute strike was the difference in this one as Wigan rolled to a 1-0 home victory. Wigan had control of the match from the get go, out shooting Sunderland 17-9, with none of Sunderland's shots being on frame. Wigan move up to 14th as they now have 17 points, whereas Sunderland takes a dent in there bid for European competition with the loss. Sunderland is now in 8th place with 20 points-three behind Liverpool for Europa League, and five behind Arsenal for the Champions League, while the loss hurts Sunderland are still in the race for Europe.
Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs controlled most of the match as they out shot Villa 25-13, and had two-thirds of the possession in the match. However it was Aston Villa who struck first in the 10th minute thanks to Gabriel Agbonlahor. The host look like they would take all three points but Tottenham's Michael Dawson equalized in the 77th to give the Spurs a point on the road. Villa's Brad Friedel made six saves for Villa, whereas Villa's only shot on target was their goal, and Tottenham's Gomes did not have much to do for the rest of the match. With the draw Tottenham now sits in third place, still in the Champions League with 26 points, but they are ten behind Chelsea. Aston Villa are only three behind Tottenham with 23 points, and are trailing Liverpool for Europa League on goal differential.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Birmingham
Thanks to the quick strike by Birmingham's Lee Bowyer in the 3rd minute Birmingham come away from Wolverhampton with a 1-0 road victory. Birmingham out shot Wolverhampton 13-11, and Birmingham's Joe Hart made four saves for the newly promoted side to secure the victory. This is Birmingham's second road win of the year, and they are now in 11th place with 18 points. The season is not getting any better for Wolverhampton as with the home loss the Wanders have now lost four of their seven home matches. The Wolves now sit in 19th place with 10 points, and they need to gain four points on West Ham in order to avoid relegation.
Everton 0-2 Liverpool
The road to recover continues for Rafael Benitez's club in Liverpool. The Reds beat their hated rivals Everton 2-0 on the road. Joseph Yobo's 12th minute PK put Liverpool up 1-0 early. Then Dirk Kuyt scored in the 80th minute to finish off the Saints of Everton. Pepe Renia made six saves for the Reds to get the shutout, as Everton out shot Liverpool 16-11. Still Liverpool controlled possession and were in control of this one. With the win Liverpool remains in the Europa League spot in 5th with 23 points, two behind Arsenal for the Champion League. The loss sends Everton down to 16th with 15 points, and are only three points above relegation as the Saints are a pathetic .500 at home this year.
Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea
In the marquee match of the week Arsenal and Chelsea met at the Emirates in the battle for London. The Blues proved once again to be the tops of the Premiership as they rolled over the Gunners 3-0. Didier Drogba scored in the 41st minute and Thomas Vermaelen scored an own goal before half to make it 2-0 at the brake. Drogba added another in the 86th and that was that. With the win Chelsea maintain their five point lead on Manchester United, as they have an impressive 12-2 record. The young Arsenal squad continue to fight as they are still in a Champions League position as the Gunners have a hold on 4th with 25 points, and are still two points ahead of Liverpool and have a game in hand against the Blues and the three clubs that are ahead of them.
It is still early in the EPL and the standings are still tight. Chelsea have a good hold on the league as of now but that might change in a couple of weeks. But for now with the five point lead and good record against their rivals for the title, one must think of the possibilities of the Premiership trophy heading to North London, and the mighty Blues of Chelsea.
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