Manchester United got lucky at the Craven Cottage and secured 3 points after a late Rooney goal. Chelsea lost it’s 4th game in a row against Newcastle with 3:2 who benefited of new French arrival Moussa Sissoko. City with draw against Liverpool.
Fulham 0:1 Manchester United
United travelled to the Craven Cottage after the 4:1 victory in the FA Cup last week at Old Trafford. Fulham started well and created the opening chances through Rodallega and Dejagah. However, Fulham was lucky in the following minutes when Evra hit the bar after a Persie corner. It was a back and forth in the first half. First John Arne Riise’s shot was tipped over by keeper David de Gea than a Ruiz shot came off the post. United got lucky. However, United came back and Cleverley laid the ball off for Rooney who only hit the post. Sir Alex Ferguson started to get frustrated especially after Rio Ferdinand lost possession and Giorgos Karagounis just missed by inches. However, Rooney rescued United in the 78th minute, when he finished a Even’s ball. It was his 10th goal in 10 games. Fulham almost equalised and Persie had to clear a Senderos header off the line. United, again got lucky and secured important 3 points.
Fulham manager Martin Jol after the match: “We did well in midfield and at the back. It was one of our better performances this season. But they are capable of creating something out of nothing, as Rooney did. Now, I think they will win it [the Premier League title].”
Fulham will travel to Norwich on February 9th and United will face Everton at home on February 10th.
Newcastle 3:2 Chelsea
Rafael Benitez’s side was under huge pressure after 4 games without a victory. It was a special game for Ba who returned for the first time to St James Park since his move to Chelsea in January. Newcastle beat Aston Villa last week wit 1:2 and wanted to move further away from the relegation zone. It was also the home debut of French midfielder Sissoko who signed on January 25th.
Chelsea started with Ba and Mata up front and they created the first chance of the game. Ba collected a Lampard throughball and his shot was saved by Newcastle keeper Tim Krul. Gutierrez scored the Newcastle lead in the 41st minute after he converted a Santon cross. Chelsea equalized 10 minutes after the half when Lampard showed his qualities and scored a 30 yard shot into the top corner. Mata scored the Chelsea lead just 6 minutes later in the 61st minute with a beautiful curl shot past the stretching Krul – 1:2 Chelsea. However, than the Moussa Sissoko show started. Sissoko equalized in the 68th minute and scored the winner in the stoppage time when he beat Cech from 20 yards. Pardew was delighted and said: “I don’t think we would have won that game if we hadn’t signed Sissoko. That is how important that signing was. He added: “He did really well to get that deal over the line in time. I thought he was magnificent and will be a superb player for us. We were superb in the first half, as good as we have been all year, and he played a big part in that.”
It was the first time Newcastle was able to win consecutive games since April and is now 8 points clear of the relegation zone. Newcastle will face Tottenham on February 9th and Chelsea will host Wigan at home at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City 1:1 Liverpool
City faced a tough opponent with Liverpool this week especially due to the fact that City only won two of their last 17 league and cup games against Liverpool. Also, City was under pressure after the draw against QPR last week and the United victory against Fulham on Saturday. City started with Dzeko and Aguero up front. Tevez started from the bench. Dzeko scored the lead for City in the 23rd minute after a great James Milner cross. Liverpool with the answer only 6 minutes later when Sturridge scored a great 20 yard shot from outside the penalty area – 1:1. Liverpool kept attacking and City got lucky in the 43rd minute when Zabaleta passed a back pass past the running Joe Hart and barly missed his own goal. Liverpool started clearly better in the second half and Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez were constant threats. Joleon Lescott had to make a crucial save in the 51st minute after a dangerous Suarez cross. Gerrard scored the Liverpool lead in the 73rd minute with a great shot from 30 yards in the left corner. Aguero with the equalizer in the 78th after Reina unnecessary tried to clear a long ball – Aguero was faster and scored beautiful shot from a tight angle – 2:2. Hart had to make a great save in the 89th minute against Sturridge to secure a point for Manchester City.
City will now travel to Southampton on February 9th. Liverpool will host West Brom on Monday, February 11th.
