Luiz lifts Chelsea above Manchester City
Liverpool enjoy moment of good fortune in Premier League.
LONDON:
Luiz sunk City with 12 minutes to play and Ramires added a second goal in stoppage time. City suffered a blow before kick off when Carlos Tevez failed a fitness test on a groin injury, but they had the best moment of the first-half when Yaya Toure’s low drive forced Petr Cech into a sprawling save. In the 78th minute, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba curled over a free-kick that Brazilian defender Luiz glanced past Joe Hart before Ramires scored with a fine solo effort in the 90th minute.
Sunderland pay penalty for officials’ blunder
Liverpool enjoyed some good luck against Sunderland as Dirk Kuyt netted a first-half penalty awarded for a tackle by John Mensah that took place outside the area. Replays showed Mensah’s challenge made contact with Jay Spearing before the midfielder fell in the area and referee Kevin Friend initially gave a free-kick, only to change his decision to a penalty on the advice of a linesman.
Luis Suarez scored Liverpool’s second goal from an impossibly tight angle in the 77th minute. Mensah’s miserable day was completed when the defender was sent off for a foul on Suarez.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher conceded that his side had been lucky to get the penalty.
“I thought it was a penalty, but then I looked at half-time and I don’t think it was, was it?” said Carragher.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2011.
Chelsea climbed above Manchester City into third place in the Premier League after David Luiz’s late goal inspired them to a 2-0 win.
Luiz sunk City with 12 minutes to play and Ramires added a second goal in stoppage time. City suffered a blow before kick off when Carlos Tevez failed a fitness test on a groin injury, but they had the best moment of the first-half when Yaya Toure’s low drive forced Petr Cech into a sprawling save. In the 78th minute, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba curled over a free-kick that Brazilian defender Luiz glanced past Joe Hart before Ramires scored with a fine solo effort in the 90th minute.
Sunderland pay penalty for officials’ blunder
Liverpool enjoyed some good luck against Sunderland as Dirk Kuyt netted a first-half penalty awarded for a tackle by John Mensah that took place outside the area. Replays showed Mensah’s challenge made contact with Jay Spearing before the midfielder fell in the area and referee Kevin Friend initially gave a free-kick, only to change his decision to a penalty on the advice of a linesman.
Luis Suarez scored Liverpool’s second goal from an impossibly tight angle in the 77th minute. Mensah’s miserable day was completed when the defender was sent off for a foul on Suarez.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher conceded that his side had been lucky to get the penalty.
“I thought it was a penalty, but then I looked at half-time and I don’t think it was, was it?” said Carragher.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2011.