Man United held by brave Swansea

Leaders suffer blip with first draw in league this season.

LONDON: Leaders Manchester United were held to a draw for the first time in the Premier League this season after Swansea City rode their luck at home in an entertaining clash that ended 1-1 yesterday. 

Defender Patrice Evra headed United ahead from a Robin van Persie corner on 16 minutes but the league’s top scorer Michu netted his 13th goal of the campaign, moving the Spaniard one ahead of Van Persie, to level just before the half-hour.

United, who hit the woodwork twice in the second half through Van Persie and Michael Carrick, hold a four-point advantage over Manchester City heading into a busy holiday programme. United have 43 points from 18 games, followed by City on 39.

Mancini fears heart-stopping title race

Roberto Mancini admits Manchester City’s bid to catch leaders United may prove a heart-stopping affair after the champions’ dramatic 1-0 win against Reading on Saturday.

“I’m very happy but we’ve had a lot of games like today,” said Mancini. “My heart is not strong enough to take it. That win could probably be the difference come the end of the season. We kept our concentration until the very end. We wanted to win this game and we kept going until the very last second.”

Rodgers praises Liverpool after Fulham rout

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers lauded his team’s performance after they ran riot against Fulham beating them 4-0 at Anfield on Saturday.

“I thought we were outstanding today,” Rodgers told liverpoolfc.com. “I knew we would get a reaction after the defeat to Aston Villa because I have very honest players here, working very hard every day.

“The pressing was outstanding and the quality of the football and the goals was brilliant. We have been improving every week. If we keep making the progress that we have, then it should be a really exciting second half to the season for us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2012.