McCarthy saves his job for a while
Sunday afternoon’s matches were true to form in the Barclays English Premier League. Wolves proved too hot for the Black Cats to handle as Martin O’Neill’s team suffered their second defeat in a row, this time at Molineux, where Mick McCarthy put three points in the bank, while the Potters didn’t find the Toffees too sticky ay all.
Four goals by Yakubu including a penalty after Joe Allen received his marching orders for a second bookable offence sealed Swansea’s fate. Their two goals were not going to be enough with ten men to challenge the rampant Rovers. Final score from Ewood Park: Blackburn Rovers 4 – 2 Swansea City.
Alan Pardew must have wondered what happend at St James Park as Chelsea beat the Magpies by 3-0 after ace penalty taker Frank Lampard had missed one early on. Andre Villas-Boas seemed to find a winning combination for a change, that did not include 50 million pound man Fernando Torres. A first half goal by Didier Drogba gave the Blues the lead at the break while two late goals by Kalou and Sturridge sealed the Magpies fate and their 2nd loss of the season.
That win leap-frogged the Blues into the top four. Final score at St James Park: Newcastle United 0 – 3 Chelsea.
Roberto Mancini left the delinquent Balotelli on the bench for start of City’s match against the Canaries at the City of Manchester Stadium. A goal from Sergio Aguero in the 32nd minute gave City the halftime 1-0 lead but in the 2nd half the floodgates opened as Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure added goals before Mancini introduced Mario Balotelli who scored in the 88th minute and Adam Johnson closed the account in the 90th minute.
Only Steve Morison could score a consolation goal for Norwich. Final Score at Eastlands: Manchester City 5 – 1 Norwith City.
QPR were held to a 1-1 draw by the Baggies at Loftus Road, which was a bit of a surprise. Heidar Helguson opened the scoring for QPR in the 20th minute. Shane Long scored the equaliser in the 81st minute.
As expected Owen Coyle’s tale of woe continued at White Hart Lane, not only did the Trotters lose 3-0 but they had Gary Cahill sent off in the 18th minute for a foul on Parker.
Parker dispossessed Cahill on the halfway line and ran 20 meters down the left flank before the defender clattered into him from behind.
Referee Stuart Attwell ruled that Parker was in a goalscoring position, and gave the centre-half a straight red despite Bolton having plenty of cover in the box. Owen Coyle was understandably furious at the decision, and his side looked even more vulnerable with 10 men.
Goals from Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe could have earned Owen Coyle a pink slip – watch this space. Final score from White Hart Lane: Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 0 Bolton Wanderers.
Arsenal’s journey up north was rewarded with three points with two goals in a minute from Arteta and Vermaelen in the first half, then Gervinho and van Persie completed the rout in the 2nd half. Final score at the DW Stadium: Wigan Athletic 0 – 4 Arsenal.
Finally at Villa Park it was the mentor who outfoxed his student as Manchester United beat Aston Villa by 1-0. A goal in the 20th minute from Phil Jones – his first for the Red Devils. So goals still hard to come by for United as the goal difference between them and City grows by the game. — David Blood, SportsCentral
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