Berbatov gives 10-man United title boost
Dimitar Berbatov came off the bench to give Manchester United a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.
LONDON:
Dimitar Berbatov came off the bench to give Manchester United a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers that put them five points clear in the Premier League while Arsenal rallied to draw at West Bromwich Albion.
With Sir Alex Ferguson watching from the stands as the United boss served the first of his five-match touchline ban, his side’s hopes of breaking down an obdurate Bolton defence suffered a blow in the second half when centre-back Jonny Evans was shown a straight red card by referee Andre Marriner for a dangerous tackle on Stuart Holden.
But the leaders produced another of their regular late rallies and Berbatov came off the bench to bag the 88th minute winner after Bolton goal-keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen spilled Nani’s shot.
United are now five points clear of second-place Arsenal, who have a game in hand on the leaders.
Arsenal’s stumble at the Hawthorns
Arsene Wenger’s side – that has already lost the League Cup final and crashed out of the Champions League and FA Cup in the last month – had to settle for a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion
The second-placed Gunners suffered a nightmare start as Steven Reid headed Albion into the lead with a third-minute header.
Roy Hodgson’s side increased their lead in the 58th minute. But Andrei Arshavin gave Arsenal a lifeline with a stunning strike in the 70th minute. Arsenal poured forward in search of an equaliser and their pressure paid off in the 78th minute when Robin van Persie converted.
Birmingham in trouble
League Cup winners Birmingham crashed into the relegation zone after losing 2-1 at bottom-of-the-table Wigan.
Alex McLeish’s team opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Liam Ridgewell. But Roberto Martinez’s side levelled in the 25th minute through Tom Cleverley. And the hosts boosted their survival bid when Maynor Figueroa struck in the 90th minute.
Aston Villa suffer a blow
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier endured a miserable end to a depressing week as Wolves won 1-0.
Villa’s Richard Dunne and James Collins were fined this week for criticising Houllier’s coaching staff. Neither player featured in the match.
Matt Jarvis piled on the misery for Houllier when he fired Wolves ahead in the 38th minute.
Spurs held by West Ham
West Ham goal-keeper Robert Green made a series of fine saves to help them earn a 0-0 draw against rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The England international’s man-of-the-match display ensured Avram Grant’s side overcame waves of Tottenham pressure and moved out of the relegation zone.
Stoke sweep past
Newcastle
Stoke earned a 4-0 win over Newcastle, their first clean sheet in the last eight league matches. The win lifted Tony Pulis’ side above Newcastle and into tenth.
Meanwhile, at Ewood Park, Blackburn battled back from two goals down to a salvage a 2-2 draw against local rivals Blackpool.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2011.
Dimitar Berbatov came off the bench to give Manchester United a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers that put them five points clear in the Premier League while Arsenal rallied to draw at West Bromwich Albion.
With Sir Alex Ferguson watching from the stands as the United boss served the first of his five-match touchline ban, his side’s hopes of breaking down an obdurate Bolton defence suffered a blow in the second half when centre-back Jonny Evans was shown a straight red card by referee Andre Marriner for a dangerous tackle on Stuart Holden.
But the leaders produced another of their regular late rallies and Berbatov came off the bench to bag the 88th minute winner after Bolton goal-keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen spilled Nani’s shot.
United are now five points clear of second-place Arsenal, who have a game in hand on the leaders.
Arsenal’s stumble at the Hawthorns
Arsene Wenger’s side – that has already lost the League Cup final and crashed out of the Champions League and FA Cup in the last month – had to settle for a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion
The second-placed Gunners suffered a nightmare start as Steven Reid headed Albion into the lead with a third-minute header.
Roy Hodgson’s side increased their lead in the 58th minute. But Andrei Arshavin gave Arsenal a lifeline with a stunning strike in the 70th minute. Arsenal poured forward in search of an equaliser and their pressure paid off in the 78th minute when Robin van Persie converted.
Birmingham in trouble
League Cup winners Birmingham crashed into the relegation zone after losing 2-1 at bottom-of-the-table Wigan.
Alex McLeish’s team opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Liam Ridgewell. But Roberto Martinez’s side levelled in the 25th minute through Tom Cleverley. And the hosts boosted their survival bid when Maynor Figueroa struck in the 90th minute.
Aston Villa suffer a blow
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier endured a miserable end to a depressing week as Wolves won 1-0.
Villa’s Richard Dunne and James Collins were fined this week for criticising Houllier’s coaching staff. Neither player featured in the match.
Matt Jarvis piled on the misery for Houllier when he fired Wolves ahead in the 38th minute.
Spurs held by West Ham
West Ham goal-keeper Robert Green made a series of fine saves to help them earn a 0-0 draw against rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The England international’s man-of-the-match display ensured Avram Grant’s side overcame waves of Tottenham pressure and moved out of the relegation zone.
Stoke sweep past
Newcastle
Stoke earned a 4-0 win over Newcastle, their first clean sheet in the last eight league matches. The win lifted Tony Pulis’ side above Newcastle and into tenth.
Meanwhile, at Ewood Park, Blackburn battled back from two goals down to a salvage a 2-2 draw against local rivals Blackpool.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2011.