Sunday, April 5, 2009

Premier League Football News

Fulham 0-1 Liverpool

An injury-time winner from Yossi Benayoun sent Liverpool back to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

The Merseysiders left it late but thoroughly deserved the victory which puts them two points clear of Manchester United who have two matches in hand.

Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Andrea Dossena all hit the woodwork in the first half as Liverpool struggled to turn their dominance into goals but substitute Benayoun snatched a dramatic victory to dent Fulham's hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Hull City 0-0 Portsmouth

Hull City and Portsmouth both earned a valuable point in their bid to avoid relegation.

Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson was dismissed late on after an innocuous collision with Dean Marney, but could already have been sent off after a number of earlier indiscretions.

The right-back also gifted Hull their best opportunity but David James saved brilliantly from Craig Fagan's powerful header.

Newcastle United 0-2 Chelsea

Chelsea spoiled Newcastle United manager Alan Shearer's first match in charge with this victory.

Fabricio Coloccini's error on 56 minutes allowed Frank Lampard to poke the ball through to Nicolas Anelka, and when his chipped shot came back off the woodwork, Lampard headed into the empty net.

Having established a lead, Guus Hiddink's side settled into a comfortable rhythm, retaining possession and making their hosts chase the ball.

Florent Malouda increased the advantage in the 65th minute with a close-range finish from Lampard's pass.

Bolton Wanderers 4-1 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough's bid for relegation survival was dealt a blow at the Reebok Stadium.

Kevin Davies opened the scoring in typical fashion with a header after eight minutes.

Gary O'Neil equalised after 38 minutes, but just six minutes later Bolton regained the lead through defender Gary Cahill.

Matthew Taylor and Ricardo Gardner both scored late on to condemn Middlesbrough to a heavy defeat.

Arsenal 2-0 Manchester City

Emmanuel Adebayor inspired Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Manchester City, scoring two goals.

The Togo striker headed his first after eight minutes thanks to Cesc Fabregas' free-kick, the midfielder playing for the first time since his lengthy injury lay off.

Adebayor netted his second just after half-time, rounding City goalkeeper Shay Given after another sublime pass from Fabregas

West Ham United 2-0 Sunderland

Junior Stanislas and James Tomkins boosted West Ham's hopes of Europe to increase Sunderland's relegation fears.

On his first start for the club, Stanislas tapped in two minutes before the break after Luis Boa Morte had raced into the penalty area and squared for his team-mate.

Eight minutes after the break Mark Noble's set-piece was headed home by Tomkins, who had got in front of Ferdinand to net his first for the club.

West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Stoke City

Goals by Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie gave Stoke their first away win to badly damage West Brom's survival hopes.

Fuller gave the Potters a flying start by netting after just two minutes and Beattie added the second four minutes after the break.

The result leaves the Baggies rooted to the foot of the Barclays Premier League and staring relegation in the face but it provided a major boost to Stoke's own bid to beat the drop.

It was Stoke's first win on the road in the top flight since they beat Luton in 1984.

Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Two late goals ensured Blackburn Rovers grabbed a vital three points against Tottenham Hotspur.

Robbie Keane had opened the scoring after 30 minutes when Tottenham were awarded a penalty, and they looked to be on their way to victory.

But the match turned when Wilson Palacios was sent off for two yellow cards in as many minutes in the closing stages. Almost immediately Benni McCarthy equalised in the 82nd minute, and Andre Ooijer was on hand to tap into an empty net with a minute remaining.

The win gives Rovers some breathing space in their battle against relegation.

(All From Website : http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1612417,00.html)