Fulham 6 QPR 0: Andrew Johnson Nets Hat-Trick in Craven Cottage Rout
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Fulham, QPR, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Andrew Johnson scored a hat-trick at Craven Cottage against QPR as Fulham recorded their first Premier League victory of the season in emphatic style.
Johnson has scored six goals in Europe and took that form into domestic football to net his first goals of the campaign away from the Europa League.
His first came in the second minute when Moussa Dembele's shot was parried by Paddy Kenny, and he tucked away the rebound.
Danny Murphy doubled the lead from the penalty spot, then Johnson added another before the half-time interval with a finish at the far post.
Murphy set up Johnson's hat-trick with a quick free-kick in the second half, then Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora added the others.
THE GOALS:
2 mins: Dembele's shot from the edge of the area is saved but Johnson follows up to open the scoring.
20 mins: Murphy scored from the penalty spot after Kenny brings down Johnson in the penalty area.
38 mins: Johnson finishes again after Zamora pulls the ball back for him.
59 mins: Murphy sets up the hat-trick with a quick free-kick, and Johnson did the rest.
65 mins: Johnson plays his part in the fifth goal before Zamora tees up Dempsey to score.
74 mins: Zamora joins the party, adding the sixth by cutting inside from the flank and finding the far corner.
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
9 mins: QPR defender Bradley Orr clears off line as Dempsey goes close.
58 mins: Zamora runs through but Kenny makes the save.
79 mins: Joey Barton forces a save from Mark Schwarzer.
90 mins: DJ Campbell has an effort that goes wide for the visitors.
REACTION:
QPR manager Neil Warnock responded to reports Adel Taarabt left Craven Cottage after being replaced at half-time:
"That's not my problem at the moment. I have no idea. I've more worries than any individual when you lose 6-0. I don't think you can blame Adel Taarabt today. We conceded six goals. You've got to look at that."
On the match:
"If I'm honest, if we had Darren Bent playing for us today, and a few England players, we'd have still been beaten 6-0."
Fulham manager Martin Jol was pleased with his team's display:
"We took the initiative. Sometimes you need to let them play to get more space for our four attacking players and we did well in that respect. We played 4-4-2 today with two wide players who could come in. That caused them a problem with the full-backs."
On Johnson's contribution:
"I'm very happy for him and for us as well. He scored the goals in Europe, did it in the Premier League but it doesn't matter who scores the goals, we need the results."
On Johnson's contract expiring at the end of the season:
"Other people are doing the negotiations. I will back him all the time and hopefully he is good for us this season because he has scored more goals today than he did in the whole of last season. But I feel Andy Johnson and Fulham is a good combination."
WHAT IT MEANS:
Fulham have kick-started their season with this win. Morale will be high and it eases fears of being embroiled in a relegation scrap. QPR are back to square one after improving recently. They need to get this defeat out of their system quickly.
FULHAM 6 (Johnson 2, 38, 65, Murphy 20 pen, Dempsey 65, Zamora 74) QPR 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer 7; Grygera 7, Baird 8, Hangeland 7, Riise 7; Dembele 7 (Sa 87), Sidwell 7, Murphy 8 (Etuhu 83), Dempsey 9; Johnson 10 (Ruiz 75, 6), Zamora 9.
Subs (not used): Etheridge, Kelly, Senderos, Duff.
QPR (4-2-3-1): Kenny 4; Orr 5, Hall 5, Ferdinand 5, Young 5; Derry 5 (Campbell 46, 6), Faurlin 5; Wright-Phillips 6, Taarabt 5 (Smith 46, 6), Barton 5; Bothroyd 5 (Mackie 72, 6).
Subs (not used): Murphy, Perone, Buzsaky, Helguson.
REFEREE: Andre Marriner
ATTENDANCE: 23,766
NEXT UP:
- Fulham v Stoke (away), Premier League, 15/10, 1500 BST
- QPR v Blackburn (home), Premier League, 15/10, 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Andrew Johnson (Fulham): His contract is expiring soon and he gave Fulham another reminder of what he is worth. Given his goals in the Europa League as well, he is one of the in-form strikers in the Premier League at the moment.
Swansea 2 Stoke 0: Danny Graham Breaks Goal Drought in Big Victory
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: Stoke City, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Danny Graham's first goal for Swansea sealed successive Premier League home wins as they edged past a poor Stoke City side.
Graham, a club record £3.5 million signing, made sure of the win as he chipped home in the 85th minute.
Scott Sinclair had handed the Welsh side an early lead from the penalty spot after Wayne Routledge had been needlessly tripped by Ryan Shawcross.
Stoke improved after the break but there was no way through, with Graham clinching a deserved win for Swansea.
THE GOALS:
9mins: Sinclair scores from the penalty spot for his second goal of the season. (1-0).
85mins: Graham races through unchallenged befoer lifting the ball home. (2-0).
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
13mins: Graham is inches away from turning home Routledge's cross.
20mins: Michel Vorm pushes Jonathan Walters' dipping shot onto the top of the crossbar.
44mins: Rory Delap slices over when well placed.
60mins: Glenn Whelan's 25-yard free-kick rebounds off the foot of the post.
90mins: Cameron Jerome's header is saved by Vorm.
REACTION:
Brendan Rodgers believes his Swansea side "put down a marker" after their deserved win:
"We put a marker down today. People talk about our style, but you saw the steel in the team. To defend with seven players under 5ft 8 ins, we had to be organised. Some of our football was sensational. But we have created a winning mentality here."
On coping with Stoke's aerial bombardment:
"Stoke are aggressive and strong as they are committed. But they have got some very good players and they can play. They put you under pressure physically and you have to stand up and be counted which we were."
On man-of-the-match Allen:
"He is 5ft 7ins but he stood tall. He was fantastic, but you don't want to pinpoint one player. It was a collective effort."
Tony Pulis believes Stoke's Europa League nights could be taking its toll on his players:
"It's hard to get the players up after three games in a week. To play Man United, a massive game against Besiktas and then come down here is difficult. We've had to slow starts - against Sunderland and Swansea - and they were after European games. Whenever we play in Europe our next game is away in the Premier League. I'm not saying it's suspicious but it doesn't help. It's something we have to look at."
On the start:
"We gave them a lift by the start we made. It was a poor challenge by Ryan. Their player was running away from goal."
On the setback:
"We've hit the post, the woodwork and we should have had a penalty in the first half. It just wasn't going in for us but we never stopped working."
WHAT IT MEANS: Swansea deserved this win and are defying the doubters. But it was once again worrying signs for Stoke. They seem to struggle to lift themselevs after European nights and if that remains the case they will be for a long season in the Premier League.
SWANSEA 2 (Sinclair 9, pen, Graham 85) STOKE 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Swansea (4-3-3): Vorm 6; Rangel 6, Williams 7, Monk 7, Taylor 7; Gower 6, Allen 8, Routledge 7 (Moore 66, 5); Dyer 7, Sinclair 7, Graham 6 (Lita 90, 5)
Subs (not used): Tremmel, Dobbie, Bessone, Richards, Lucas.
Stoke (4-4-2): Begovic 6; Wilkinson 4, Shawcross 5, Woodgate 6, Wilson 5 (Huth 31,5); Pennant 5 (Shotton 80, 5), Whelan 6, Whitehead 5, Delap 5 (Jerome 55, 6); Walters 6, Crouch 5
Subs (not used): Sorensen, Sidibe, Upson, Arismendi
REFEREE: Mike Jones
ATTENDANCE: 19,523
NEXT UP:
Swansea v Norwich (away), Premier League, 15/10, 1500 BST
Stoke v Fulham (home), Premier League, 15/10, 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH: Joe Allen (Swansea): Unsung hero as the Swansea midfielder dominated the midfield.
Tottenham 2 Arsenal 1: Kyle Walker’s Strike Settles North London Derby
by Ian WinrowFiled under: Arsenal, Tottenham, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Kyle Walker's long range effort delivered Tottenham victory in the north London derby and put the focus firmly back on Arsenal's disappointing start to the season.
Walker struck midway through the second half after Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey had cancelled outz Rafael van der Vaart's 40th minute opening goal.
Gunners keeper Wojciech Szczesny should have kept out Walker's effort, but the keeper's error summed up a miserable campaign for Arsenal who have now lost four of their seven league games and already lie 12 points adrift of the top of the table.
Arsene Wenger's frustration was evident at the final whistle when he exchanged words with Clive Allen, one of the Spurs coaches, as he made his way down the tunnel.
GOALS:
40 mins: Emmanuel Adebayor - who else? - creates the chance that allows Rafael van der Vaart to open the scoring with a floated pass that the Holland striker ocntrols on his chest before finishing with a left foot shot.
51 mins: Arsenal level when Alex Song is allowed to run forward and deliver a low cross that is turned home by Aaron Ramsey.
73 mins: Kyle Walker puts Tottenham back in front with a 30-yard effort after Luka Modric's shot was blocked by Song
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
7 mins: Alex Song's misplaced pass allowd Van der Vaart to send Scott Parker clear into the Arsenal area but the midfielder is denied by an excellent one-handed save by Wojciech Szczesny.
16 mins: Brad Friedel dives full length to divert Theo Walcott's left foot shot beyond his rightt hand post.
29 mins: Jermain Defoe's low cross finds Van der Vaart at the near post but the Holland forward's flick directs the ball straight at Szczesny.
29 mins: Arsenal respond immediately with Robin van Persie working his way to the byline before finding Gervinho who pulls his shot wide.
58 mins: Gareth Bale sends Adebayor one on one with Szczesny but the forward's shot is saved by the keeper.
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REACTION:
Harry Redknapp singled out Scott Parker for praise:
"It wasn't even easy for me to sign him. It wasn't easy from the chairman's point of view to sign him. He felt it was his age and length of contract.
"I understood the chairman's point of view. But I also knew that if we could get him, he would be a massive influence on the team - and that's what he's been."
On his side's steady improvement:
"I just felt after two or three weeks, I could see what was coming. I never went home and worried about it because I was confident.
"We had Adebayor coming in, we had Scott Parker. We had Sandro coming back. I knew we'd suddenly be a much better team."
On the abusive chants directed directed at Emmanuel Adebayor:
"It was digusting. There was some pretty disgusting chanting at me but that's life.
"How do you chant something like that to someone? You can't be right mentally. You need help.
"There are kids up there as well."
Arsene Wenger admitted his side cannot be regarded as title contenders at the moment:
"I think at the moment we have to set realistic targets like to say today we want to get in the Champions League positions. If we come back to a better position, at the moment we are 12 points behind Man United and Man City, that not realistic to say today we will win the league."
On his spat with Clive Allen:
"I shook the hand of the manager and the assistant manager. How many people do I have to shake hands with?"
WHAT IT MEANS:
Tottenham are the dominant club in north London at the moment and Redknapp's summer transfer business is beginning to take effect. Arsenal are badly short of confidence and Wenger will welcome the opportunity to regroup over the international break. The period after the break will define their season.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (Van der Vaart 40, Walker 73) ARSENAL 1 (Ramsey 51)
PLAYER MARKING:
Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Friedel 6; Walker 7, Kaboul 7, King 6, Assou-Ekotto 6; Van der Vaart 7 (Sandro 6,63), Parker 9 (Corluka 6,89), Modric 6, Bale 6; Defoe 7, Adebayor 7 (Livermore 6,85).
Subs (not used): Cudicini, Pavlyuchenko, Dos Santos, Bassong.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny 7; Sagna 6 (Jenkinson 6, 68), Mertesacker 7, Song 8, Gibbs 6; Coquelin 6, Ramsey 6; Walcott 6 (Benayoun 6,72), Arteta 6, Gervinho 6 (Arshavin 6,78); Van Persie 7.
Subs (not used): Fabianski, Park, Santos, Frimpong.
ATTENDANCE: Tbc
REFEREE: Mike Dean
NEXT UP:
- Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (away), Premier League 16/10, 1600 BST
- Arsenal v Sunderland (home), Premier League 16/10, 1330 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur): Redknapp mused on Arsenal's failure to move for the midfielder this summer before the game. The question was even more pertinent after.
Everton 0 Liverpool 2: Andy Carroll Silences Critics at Merseyside Derby
by Neil JohnstonFiled under: Everton, Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Andy Carroll went some way towards silencing his critics as the £35 million striker's first league goal of the season helped earn Liverpool victory in a controversial and incident-packed Merseyside derby.
Tim Howard looked like being Everton's hero after denying Dirk Kuyt from the penalty spot at the end of the first half.
David Moyes's side were forced to play with 10 men for more than an hour after midfielder Jack Rodwell was harshly sent off midway through the first half for what appeared at worst a yellow card challenge on Luis Suarez.
But Carroll's first goal in 10 league appearances in the 71st minute put Liverpool in control before Suarez made the game safe nine minutes from the end following poor defending by Everton.
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THE GOALS
71mins: That's a quality finish from a player who has found himself under pressure for his lack of goals. Jose Enrique's pull-back from the left is hammered home from 12-yards by Carroll after Kuyt cleverly ducks to get out of the way. (0-1)
82mins: Leighton Baines and Sylvain Distin get themselves in a tangle trying to clear the ball - allowing Suarez to pounce from close range. (0-2)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
9mins: Suarez is presented with a golden opportunity to net his fourth league goal of the campaign but somehow heads straight at Howard following Kuyt's cross.
10mins: Everton respond immediately through Merseyside derby veteran Tim Cahill, but the Australian's header from Seamus Coleman's pin-point centre is tipped over the bar by Pepe Reina.
11mins: Great foot-work by Distin opens up the Liverpool defence, but the defender's powerful effort flies narrowly over the bar.
22mins: That's embarrassing. Referee Martin Atkinson shows Rodwell a straight red after the young midfielder wins the ball before catching Suarez. A booking, maybe. Not, repeat, not, a red.
43mins: More controversy as the referee points to the penalty spot after Phil Jagielka's challenge on Suarez. This time Everton can have few complaints, but Kuyt's spot-kick is brilliantly kept out by Howard at full-stretch.
45mins: Deep into stoppage time, Charlie Adam's powerful 20-yard effort crashes against the Everton bar.
52mins: Louis Saha comes to Everton's rescue as he clears Carroll's goal-bound header following Adam's corner.
REACTION:
Everton manager Moyes failed to mask his anger when asked about the decision to send Rodwell off:
"I'd have been disappointed if it had even been a free-kick. And if he had been shown a yellow card, I would have asked 'what has he given that for?' I don't know if you can (appeal a red card). I don't really know what the situation is. Jack's a young man making his way in the game. It's a big day for him. Maybe some people thought it could have been a free-kick, but it certainly wasn't any more than that. But we have to move on from it."
On his team's performance:
"At the end of the day it wasn't the referee that lost us the game. It was ourselves because we made a couple of defensive lapses. It was hard enough playing Liverpool 11 against 11. It was a really tough game for us and in the end it became tougher.
"But I thought the players kept at it. We made a couple of defensive lapses which cost us. We were beignning to grow into the game. At 11 versus 11 it wasn't a bad game, and we were doing quite well."
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish refused to get drawn into the debate about Rodwell's sending-off:
"I've not seen the incident and I don't know whether he deserved red or not. After they went down to 10, we were very professional, composed and thorough in what we were trying to do. Sometimes it's difficult to play against 10. You know what you're going to get from Everton. They put in a great of effort to try and keep it at 0-0, and they even tried and win it for themselves.
On the prospect of Steven Gerrard, yet to make a start after injury, being called up by England for the Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro:
"It's another step forward for Steven - coming on in the derby and getting a few more minutes under his belt. I think Steven put forward his views yesterday (about England) and I don't think there's anything I need to add."
On Carroll's goal and Kuyt's penalty miss:
"What was pleasing was the reaction of Dirk Kuyt after missing the penalty. It didn't seem to affect him which is the sign of a strong character. I think Andy was very unlucky before his goal.
"We said when we signed them (Suarez and Carroll) that is was a great bit of busines for the club and there's no reason for us to change that opinion. We're delighted with them, the big one has worked really hard in training and he's getting his reward on the pitch."
WHAT IT MEANS
Liverpool head into the international break with 13 points from their opening seven games after a fourth win in six league games. Carroll's goal could be the kick-start he so desperately needs, particularly after coming in such an important fixture for Liverpool. Everton have now lost back-to-back league games for the first time in almost two years. They have every right to feel upset about Rodwell's dismissal. But it was not only the referee who was guilty of making a mistake as Everton's defensive failings contributed towards their downfall.
EVERTON 0 LIVERPOOL 2 (Carroll 71, Suarez 82)
PLAYER MARKING:
Everton (4-4-1-1): Howard 7; Hibbert 6 (Vellios 78, 5), Jagielka 6, Distin 6, Baines 6; Coleman 6 (Drenthe 59, 6), Fellaini 6, Rodwell 6, Osman 6 (Neville 69, 5); Cahill 6; Saha 6.
Subs (not used): Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Stracqualursi, Barkley.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina 7; Kelly 7, Carragher 7, Skrtel 7, Enrique 7; Kuyt 8, Lucas 7 (Henderson 88), Adam 7 (Gerrard 67, 6), Downing 7 (Bellamy 67, 7); Suarez 7, Carroll 7.
Subs (not used): Doni, Coates, Spearing, Flanagan.
REFEREE: Martin Atkinson
ATTENDANCE: 39,510
NEXT UP:
- Everton v Chelsea (away), Premier League, 15/10, 1730 BST
- Liverpool v Manchester United (home), Premier League, 15/10, 1245 BST
Blackburn 0 Man City 4: Adam Johnson Helps City Move On From Carlos Tevez Saga
by FanHouse UKFiled under: Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Manchester City brushed aside all talk of Carlos Tevez and ended a difficult week on a bright note with a convincing win at Ewood Park thanks to goals by Adam Johnson, Mario Balotelli and substitutes Samir Nasri and Stefan Savic.
Balotelli stepped forward and reminded City fans that at least one controversial striker is still willing to do the business in a light blue shirt, as Roberto Mancini's side kept pace with rivals United at the top of the Premier League.
THE GOALS:
56 mins: Aleksander Kolarov's corner is headed out by Gael Givet, but only as far as Adam Johnson, who bends in a superb opener with his left foot.
59 mins: Sub Samir Nasri finds space on the right and whips in a cross which is expertly touched in at the near post by Mario Balotelli.
72 mins: Silva launches a City counter-attack which ends with Nasri cutting in from the left and drilling a deflected third past Paul Robinson.
87 mins: Another corner from the left by Kolarov was met powerfully by the head of sub Stefan Savic, who had been on the pitch for just eight minutes.
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
10 mins: James Milner pulled the ball back for Mario Balotelli, who blazed over from 12 yards to the delight of the home supporters.
27 mins: Sergio Aguero limps off and is replaced by Samir Nasri.
37 mins: Balotelli gives Rovers keeper Paul Robinson a scare by bending in an effort which lands narrowly wide of the right hand post.
50 mins: Balotelli works another opening and this time curls a superb strike beyond Robinson and against the upright.
76 mins: Mauro Formica shows his quality by shooting ferociously at goal from 25-yards to force a fine save from City's Joe Hart.
REACTION:
Kean insisted he will battle on:
"After the Arsenal game, most of the fans went home happy. Today is different and the supporters aren't happy and nor are the players or me.
"But let's put into perspective -- we minimised the chances for City. David Goodwillie couldn't get to Adam Johnson's shot quick enough and before we knew it we were behind.
"They made lots of changes from midweek and had a freshness about them. After falling two behind I felt we started feeling a bit sorry for ourselves.
"I am 100 per cent determined to carry on. I'm disappointed in the manner of the goals we conceded but there are good hard-working guys in our dressing room who need support."
The Scot maintains the club's owners are still behind him:
"I would rather the fans vented their anger at me. It's certainly not enjoyable but these are my players -- even the ones I didn't bring in.
"When we get a good result I'm not the sort to take the credit for myself. I make sure the plaudits are passed on to my players.
"The owners have backed me since day I got here. I would ask the supporters who are outside holding up banners to bear with us because we can turn it round."
Coach David Platt feels the performance shows the strength in depth City possess:
"It was the result we wanted and that's what we prepared for from Thursday onwards when we returned to training after putting the Bayern game to bed.
"We know what we're blessed with.
"One of the hardest things for us is picking a starting eleven. When we have everyone fit we are still sending top players into the stands.
"It's important that we don't lose the quality of performance and we haven't."
On Aguero's groin problem:
"Sergio has a groin injury but we're not sure how bad it is. If we had a game imminently then he wouldn't play. I think we're looking at a couple of weeks out least."
On Balotelli:
"Mario has shown consistency in his performances and in his training. He's had a lot of column inches in last 12 months and all the criticism he's had is one thing, but he also deserves credit for what he does right. He showed great maturity today.
On Johnson's goal:
"Adam Johnson's goal was great -- in fact, I was right behind it. As soon as it left his foot I knew it was in. We spoke at half-time about players stepping forward to join the attack instead of playing into their hands.
"In the first half we felt there wasn't a sustained period where we thought a goal was coming, but that changed after the break. When Adam scored we felt we were getting up a head of steam and creating things."
WHAT IT MEANS: Time will tell us whether Kean is right to feel that the board are still behind but five defeats in seven matches tells its own story. City remain in ominous form, with just two points dropped in the league so far this season and 23 goals. They are only off the top of the table on goal difference.
BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 MANCHESTER CITY 4 (A Johnson 56, Balotelli 59, Nasri 73, Savic 87)
PLAYER MARKING:
Blackburn Rovers (4-3-2-1): Robinson 6; Lowe 6, Dann 6, Samba 6, Givet 6; Petrovic 5, Nzonzi 5, Pedersen 5; Goodwille 4 (Formica 61, 6), Hoilett 6; Yakubu 5
Subs: Bunn, Slew, Rochina, Vukcevic, Roberts, Hanley
Manchester City(4-4-2): Hart 7; Zabaleta 6, Kompany 7, Lescott 7, Kolarov 7; A Johnson 7 (Savic 79, 7), Milner 6, Y Toure 6, Silva 7; Balotelli 8 (Dzeko 88, 6), Aguero 5 (Nasri 27, 7)
Subs: Pantilimon, Barry, Clichy, De Jong
Wolves 1 Newcastle 2: Jonas Gutierrez Wonder Goal Ends Magpies’ Molineux Woes
by Ian EdwardsFiled under: Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Jonas Gutierrez put the gloss on Newcastle's best start for 17-years with a marvellous individual goal to end a miserable run at Molineux.
The Argentine's solo effort towards the end of the first half doubled the lead after Demba Ba had headed the visitors in front after 18 minutes.
And that was enough of a cushion to ensure that Alan Pardew's side ended a 53-year search for a victory at Molineux.
The last time they won in the top flight at the venue was back in 1958 and they had to endure a nervous last couple of minutes after Steven Fletcher gave Wolves late hope with his eighth goal in 12 games.
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GOALS:
16 mins: Yohan Cabaye's corner lofted to the near post is met perfectly by Ba to power his header under the cross bar (0-1).
39 mins: Gutierrez evades four challenges with a run from 40-yards out before a precision left foot finish (0-2).
87mins: Matt Jarvis provides the cross to the far post for Steven Fletcher to head in from six-yards.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
2 mins: Jamie O'Hara's swerving free-kick forces Tim Krul into an excellent late save low to his right.
10 mins: Kevin Doyle lets fly with a volley from Jarvis' cross, but fails to get good enough connection to beat Krul.
12 mins: Fletcher provides the perfect headed flick on but Krul races off his line to prevent Doyle lifting his shot over him.
19 mins: Doyle's shot from inside the area is deflected by Steven Taylor and Krul somehow sticks out a leg to save.
29 mins: Cheik Tiote hits a powerful 20-yard shot and Wayne Hennessey makes an uncomfortable save.
32 mins: Wolves escape again as Leon Best's cross to the near leaves Ba with a simple tap-in but the striker mis-kicks.
57 mins: Fletcher sets up O'Hara on the edge of the, but the midfielder drags his shot wide.
65 mins: Krul makes a double save to deny Fletcher from close range and Adam Hammill from the folow up.
WHAT IT MEANS: Wolves were desperate to avoid going into the international break with a fourth successive defeat, but they were rarely at the races. McCarthy has to pick his team up in time to face bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion in two weeks. Newcastle deserve a break, but probably don't want anything to disrupt their momentum at the moment.
REACTION:
Pardew felt his side were good enough for all three points:
"I thought we played well in the first half and gave ourselves a platform. We lost control a little bit in the second half.
"Wolves were very very good, but you have to say that we deserved something from the game."
On the performance of Tim Krul:
"He had more work to do in this game than he had in the previous three or four that is how good Wolves were and why you need a good goalkeeper.
"But we should really have killed off the game. We had big chances and we should have scored the third goal and there would have been no grandstand finish."
On the decision to rule out a possible Wolves equaliser because the ball had gone out of play before Doyle's shot:
"In the end we were fortunate with that decision. I have seen it and it is really tight. I am not sure why he flagged, whether it was for offside or for the ball out."
On the penalty that Wolves were denied in the first half:
"I saw the fans reaction and that is why I thought it was a penalty. I had already accepted that one. That might not have been the worst thing to happen to us. Half-time when you are 2-0 up is a difficult psychological situation. I think the players relexed a little and were comfortable."
On being third in the league:
"That is an outstanding achievement by not only the players but all the staff around me and it sets up a brilliant game against Spurs, but we will not get carried away.
"We have 15 points from seven games and we have another 25 points to get. That is our first target and we are not looking any further than that."
McCarthy was less than impressed with the performance of Halsey and his officials:
"When you are having a tough time you rely on people getting decisions right and quite clearly they did not. For the penalty Mark Halsey said he did not want to guess, but he obviously did and he guessed wrong.
"The penalty was not even close. He was a yard inside the 18-yard box. I am not going to blame the the officials, because we conceded two poor goals, but I would be justified in doing so.
"When you have worked as hard as my lads have to get an equaliser, to get the second decision, when the ball was ajudged out of play, that tends to rip the heart out of you.
"The ball was clearly still in."
On the honesty of Pardew over the decisions:
"Alan is an honest bloke and he has been honest about it. He cannot do much more really, because he would end up looking silly.
"He has seen them and he knows what has happened."
On the overall performance:
"We gave away two goals out of the blue. We have to defend corners better than we did for the first goal.
"It is disappointing because we created a lot of chances and we could have scored twice before they scored."
Aston Villa 2 Wigan 0: Agbonlahor and Bent on Target to Sink Sorry Latics
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Aston Villa, Wigan, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent struck to hand Alex McLeish a second Premier League victory as Aston Villa manager and consign Wigan to a fifth successive defeat in all competitions.
Having been subjected to boos in their previous two home games, against Newcastle and Bolton, and blown the lead with a last-minute own goal at 10-man QPR last weekend, it was a vital victory for Villa and McLeish, who is still to win over some fans following his controversial summer arrival from rivals Birmingham.
Agbonlahor set them on their way with his fourth goal of the campaign shortly before half-time and then he turned provider for Bent, crossing for the fit-again forward to finish from close range.
THE GOALS:
36 mins: Agbonlahor cuts inside Gary Caldwell with ease before hammering a venomous shot into the roof of the net from 15 yards.
62 mins: Agbonlahor outpaces Emmerson Boyce before crossing deep to the unmarked Bent, who slots home for his second goal of the campaign.
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THE HIGHLIGHTS:
26 mins: Barry Bannan floats in an inviting delivery only for Bent to head over the crossbar.
42 mins: A sloppy pass from Fabian Delph leaves Wigan two on one, however Franco Di Santo's low drilled shot flies inches past the left post.
53 mins: Wigan should be awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute when Alan Hutton clumsily upended Di Santo inside the area.
54 mins: Ali Al Habsi is called into action again when he tipped Bannan's curling 25-yard strike over his crossbar.
66 mins: Bannan's clearance off the line denies Ben Watson an extraordinary goal from a corner.
Manchester United 2 Norwich 0: Anderson and Welbeck Strike in Lacklustre Win
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: Manchester United, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Anderson and Danny Welbeck struck second-half goals as Manchester United laboured to a win over Norwich to remain top of the Premier League.
Anderson headed home in the 68th minute before substitute Welbeck turned home Ji Sung Park's cross late on.
But it didn't tell the full story as Norwich were worthy of at least a point.
Anthony Pilkington struck a post and missed other glorious chances as the champions rode their luck.
THE GOALS:
68mins: Anderson is given the freedom of the penalty area to head home from close-range. (1-0).
87mins: Welbeck slides home to wrap up the win. (2-0).
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
2mins: Wayne Rooney sees his low shot gathered by John Ruddy.
9mins: Kyle Naughton bursts through but delays his cross and the opportunity is lost.
35mins: Rooney climbs highest but heads Nani's corner over.
44mins: Nani dances his way into a shooting position but fires well wide from 25-yards out.
49mins: Rooney feeds Anderson but the Brazilian midfielder loses his footing at the crucial time.
54mins: Steve Morison shrugs off Jonny Evans but delays his cross as Phil Jones rescues the home side.
56mins: Pilkington is the next to threaten on the counter-atttack, but his shot is deflected into Anders Lindegaard's hands.
65mins: Pilkington misses a glorious chance as he shoots wide with the goal at his mercy after Antonio Valencia's error.
74mins: Pilkington's deflected shot rattles the post.
REACTION:
Sir Alex Ferguson praised his Manchester United players after watching his side enter the record books following their 19th successive home win:
"That record of home wins is fantastic, it's a great record.
"The players deserved all the credit for that. They have shown quality, grit and determination to remain at home. We never give in and that's a fantastic quality to have."
On the result:
"You can't say it a good performance. It took time to do what we wanted to do and we found it hard to break them down.
"It's always difficult when teams pack their defence. We've had that before.
"They kept us under pressure but we withstood that. It's always good to win matches when you are not at your best and that's what we have once again done."
On Ashley Young's absence:
"It wasn't worth risking him with the Liverpool game looming and the internationals. It's been a busy period for him and team. But he should be okay for England."
Norwich manager Paul Lambert claimed his players deserved more for their efforts:
"We created chances but one thing is, if you create chances you have to score. Anthony will know that but there's no blame attached. That's a lesson we must learn but we are adapting to this level. The fact we have come here and are disappointed to lose by two goals is proof of the progress we have made."
On his tactics:
"Two years ago we were in League One. People must remember that. But we never come thinking damage limitation and we won't throughout the rest of the season."
On the rest of the season:
"I think we've started the season really well for a team that has just come up. We are playing with enough to pick up points. Each game we seem to be getting better."
WHAT IT MEANS: Manchester United rode their luck and it wasn't a performance of champions. But it was a result of champions. They know how to win games when not playing well. Norwich deserved more but if they perform like this for the rest of the season they will survive.
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 (Anderson 68, Welbeck 87) NORWICH 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Manchester United (4-4-2): Lindegaard 6; Valencia 6, Jones 8, Evans 7, Evra 6; Nani 6 (Giggs 65, 6), Anderson 6 (Ferdinand 76, 6), Fletcher 7, Park 5; Rooney 7, Hernandez 5 (Welbeck 65, 6).
Subs not used: De Gea, Owen, Berbatov, Carrick.
Norwich (4-5-1): Ruddy 7; Naughton 7, Martin 7, Barnett 7, Tierney 7; Bennett 6 (Jackson 74, 6), Fox 6 (Crofts 74, 6), Johnson 6, Hoolahan 6 (Martin 86, 5), Pilkington 6; Morison 6.
Subs (not used): Rudd, Drury, Holt, Surman.
REFEREE: Stuart Atwell
ATTENDANCE: 75, 514
NEXT UP:
- Manchester United V Liverpool (away), Oct 15, 1245 BST
- Norwich v Swansea (home), Premier League, Oct 15, 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Phil Jones (Manchester United): Rescued his side on more than one occasion.
Sunderland 2 West Brom 2: Nicklas Bendtner Inspires Black Cats’ Fightback
by Jason MellorFiled under: Sunderland, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Under-pressure Steve Bruce saw his Sunderland side fight back from a two-goal deficit given up inside the opening five minutes to earn a gutsy point at the Stadium of Light.
Early efforts from James Morrison and Shane Long put West Brom in control, to spark cries of "Bruce out" from disgruntled home fans.
But the jeers soon turned to cheers with goals in the space of three minutes mid-way through the half as Nicklas Bendtner opened his account on loan from Arsenal, before a bullet header from Ahmed Elmohamady dragged the hosts level.
The second-half was never going to match the first for drama, as the sides settled for a share of the spoils to leave them each with a modest return of a single victory from their opening seven league games.
Lee Cattermole was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card for a horror challenge on Albion defender Steven Reid. The Sunderland skipper was hauled off for his own protection by Bruce soon afterwards.
THE GOALS
4 mins: Sunderland fail to deal with a routine free-kick into the box from Chris Brunt, and Morrison is left with a free header to glance the ball past a stranded Simon Mignolet (0-1).
5 mins: Long races on to a loose ball to easily hold off Michael Turner before slotting the ball past Mignolet (0-2).
23 mins: Bendtner opens his account on loan from Arsenal with a cool close-range finish after good work from Seb Larsson (1-2).
27 mins: Bendtner's inviting cross from the left is met be a towering header from Elmohamady from 10 yards (2-2).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
12 mins: Cries of "Bruce out" from home fans ring round the ground.
14 mins: Sunderland show their first signs of life as Bendtner forces a save from Ben Foster.
15 mins: They're soon on the back foot as Mignolet is forced to beat out a venomous long-range drive from Morrison.
20 mins: Larsson has the ball in the Albion net, but is a yard offside when he deflects home a Stephane Sessegnon shot.
35 mins: Foster saves well from Bendtner, who shoots on the turn from 25 yards.
37 mins: Jonas Olsson aims a far psot header wide from Brunt's corner when it looked easier to score.
48 mins: Wes Brown heads weakly wide when meeting Larsson's free-kick six yards out.
59 mins: Foster saves with his knee from Elmohamady after neat build-up play by Sessegnon.
65 mins: Cattermole lucky to escape a second yellow for a horrible challenge on Reid. The Sunderland skipper is hauled off by Bruce soon afterwards.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Sunderland's stirring fight-back buys Bruce a little more time but Roy Hodgson must wonder how his side let a comfortable two-goal lead slip to see them have to settle for a share of the spoils.
UP NEXT: ALL THE REACTION
SUNDERLAND 2 (Bendtner 23, Elmohamady 27) WEST BROM 2 (Morrison 4, Long 5)
PLAYER MARKING:
Sunderland (4-4-2): Mignolet 6; O'Shea 6, Turner 4, Brown 4, Richardson 5; Elmohamady 7 (Ji 82, 6), Cattermole 6 (Colback 70, 6) Gardner 6 (Meyler 90, 5), Larsson 7; Sessegnon 6, Bendtner 7.
Subs (not used): Westwood, McClean, Cook, Laing.
West Brom (4-4-2): Foster 6; Reid 5, McAuley 6, Olsson 6, Shorey 6; Brunt 7, Mulumbu 5 (Scharner 74, 6), Dorrans 6 (Thomas 88, 5), Morrison 7; Long 7, Odemwingie 4.
Subs (not used): Fulop, Jones, Tamas, Tchoyi, Cox.
REFEREE: Lee Mason
ATTENDANCE: 34,815
NEXT UP:
- Sunderland v Arsenal (away), Premier League, 16/10/11, 1330 BST
- West Brom v Wolves (home), Premier League, 16/10/11, 1200 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Nicklas Bendtner (Sunderland): Opened his Sunderland account in fine style, and could have had more with a little more luck. Led the line superbly.
Norwich 2 Sunderland 1: Canaries Rise to Occasion to See Off Black Cats
by Jon WestFiled under: Sunderland, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Norwich piled the pressure on Sunderland manager Steve Bruce with a deserved victory at Carrow Road.
Norwich bossed most of the first 45 minutes and led through Leon Barnett's 31st-minute tap in, the defender's first Premier League goal.
And the second half was just three minutes old when Steve Morison doubled the Canaries' lead.
Kieran Richardson pulled one back late on but Norwich held on to add to their first win of the season, last week's 2-1 win at Bolton.
Bruce was a former Norwich favourite and helped them beat Sunderland in the 1985 Milk Cup final.
But this reverse was an embarrassment for the former Manchester United man, who saw his players out-performed by a Canaries side that is continuing an amazing journey under Paul Lambert that began in League Two just two seasons ago.
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GOALS:
31 mins: Elliott Bennett plays a swift one-two with David Fox and his cross eludes the Sunderland defence to allow Barnett a tap in.
48 mins: Marc Tierney's cross from the left is met by the head of Morison, who scores from six yards out having out-jumped Wes Brown.
86 mins: Richardson pulls one back with an effort from the left of the box.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
6 mins: Wes Hoolahan seizes on an error by Titus Bramble but can only lob over the Sunderland bar.
26 mins: Nicklas Bendtner sees his snapshot on the turn saved by Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.
63 mins: An error lets bendtner in but Ruddy saves again.
68 mins: Sunderland substitute Connor Wickham sees close range connection fly straight to Ruddy.
REACTION:
Lambert paid tribute to his side's team spirit - which he reckoned had been created by being stuck in Norfolk together all week, every week.
"I think that comes from where this club is, in the Norfolk area. There not much you can do here other than travel nine hours to get somewhere. You have got to hang about with each other, so I think that certainly helps you.
"I am proud as anything of them. I have been since the day I walked through the door. The players that have left, the new ones coming in and the ones who were already here have been a credit to the club."
Bruce admitted his side had been poor.
"It was disappointing. We simply didn't perform. We have international players who unfortunately played poorly. It wasn't our night.
"I can't criticise their work-rate but simple mistakes made it a very difficult game for us. We switched off for both goals and that sums up our evening. They were poor goals to give away."
WHAT IT MEANS: That Norwich can enjoy the rest of the week and if they look at the table they will see themselves in the top half. As for Sunderland, performances must change on the pitch or they will take place elesewhere.
NORWICH 2 (Barnett 31, Morison 48) SUNDERLAND 1 (Richardson 86)
PLAYER MARKING:
Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy 8; Naughton 7, R Martin 7, Barnett 7, Tierney 7; Bennett 8 (Crofts 84, 5), Johnson 7, Fox 7, Pilkington 7 (Vaughan 78, 5); Hoolahan 7; Morison 8 (Holt 78, 5).
Subs (not used): Rudd, Surman, C Martin, de Laet.
Sunderland (4-4-1-1): Mignolet 6; O'Shea 6, Brown 6, Bramble 5, Richardson 7; Elmohamady 6, Gardner 7, Vaughan 6, Larsson 5 (Dong-won 67, 6); Sessegnon 5 (Wickham 67, 6); Bendtner 7.
Subs (not used): Westwood, Turner, Cattermole, Colback, McClean.
REFEREE: Chris Foy
ATTENDANCE: tbc
NEXT UP:
- Norwich v Manchester United (Away), Premier League, 01/10 1500 BST
- Sunderland v West Bromwich (Home), Premier League 01/10 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH: Elliott Bennett (Norwich): The way he set up the first goal was the best example of how the former Brighton winger is taking to life in the top division but there were plenty of others too. Pacy.
QPR 1 Aston Villa 1: Richard Dunne Own Goal Denies Victory for Visitors
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Aston Villa, QPR, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne scored the ninth own goal of his Premier League career to deny his team a controversial victory at Loftus Road.
Villa midfielder Barry Bannan had earlier tucked away a penalty when referee Michael Oliver awarded the spot-kick for Armand Traore pulling the shirt of Gabriel Agbonlahor.
The hosts, who had the better of the first half, were furious and also felt they should have had a penalty when Alan Hutton appeared to use his arm in the area when he blocked a shot.
There was another penalty shout turned down later on when the ball hit Hutton's hand, and Traore also was dismissed for his second-bookable offence. It looked like Villa were heading for victory until Dunne went through his own net with seconds remaining.
GOALS:
58 mins: Bannan tucks home his penalty but QPR are furious with Oliver as no Villa players or supporters appealed.
94 mins: Stephen Warnock's clearance from Heidar Helguson's cross hits Dunne and goes in.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
5 mins: Adel Taarabt gets a shot away after a couple of step-oers outside the area but it strikes the post after beating the goalkeeper.
15 mins: Taarabt gets sight of goal but Hutton closes in to block.
18 mins: Jay Bothroyd meets Joey Barton's free-kick but heads wide.
44 mins: Bannan sends a free-kick over the wall and towards the top corner but Paddy Kenny dives across to save.
55 mins: Bannan sends through Fabian Delph but the midfielder's finish goes wide after he lifts the ball over Kenny.
69 mins: Taarabt's skill leads to DJ Campbell nodding down for Shaun Wright-Phillips, but the finish is saved well by Shay Given.
72 mins: Big penalty shout turned down when Hutton appeared to block a header with his arm.
88 mins: Hutton deflects a cross with his arm but the penalty appeal is turned down.
90 mins: Traore gets his second yellow card, for lunging in on Marc Albrighton.
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REACTION:
QPR manager Neil Warnock felt his side deserved a point, and told Sky Sports:
"You saw the character of the players, that type of spirit got us promoted last year and now we're in the in the top league. We had 10 men and never said we were beaten."
On the decisions:
"We're all disappointed with the decisions, obviously, but we responded in the right way. There could have a couple of Villa players sent off for two bookable offences. Traore's a bit thick and naive but we don't make a meal of it or try to con the referee. They've stayed on the pitch, Collins and their number 10 should have been booked twice. It's disappointing to talk about the decision because I don't think they are given anywhere else."
On referee Oliver:
"He's a young referee. I think he's does well. There was nothing to referee in that game. Not one Aston Villa supporter appealed for a penalty. I bet there are 25,000 tugs elsewhere on the pitch. He has to be (in the) limelight and that is not what referees are for. They should be seen and not heard. It's everything about the referee today and that takes away from our superb performance."
On Villa's penalty:
"He blows on him. I've never seen anything like that. He wants to give the penalty, and it's wrong."
On the two penalty appeals against Hutton:
"For the first one, the statisticians will have it down as a save. How can a referee and linesman not see it? Hutton deliberately handballs it. It's embarrassing. For the second, we're told if you raise your hands it's handball, and he did that. My boys deserve better than that."
Villa manager Alex McLeish was disappointed with his team's first-half performance:
"I had to tell them a few home truths because it was very poor in the first half. We were chasing shadows, not putting challenges in and not passing the ball. It was insipid, not an Aston Villa performance."
On the second-half performance:
"It was much better. We made forward runs and started to look really dangerous. We should have done better in the final third to increase our lead. We need individuals to improve and we will work hard on these guys to get them to the level we're expecting."
On the penalty:
"I was surprised nobody complained. I thought Gabby was impeded. I haven't seen it again, maybe it was soft."
WHAT IT MEANS:
QPR are still looking for their first win in front of their own fans this season. Villa will be encouraged by their performance, particularly as they have important players still to come back from injury.
QPR 1 (Dunne og 90+4) ASTON VILLA 1 (Bannan pen 58)
PLAYER MARKING:
QPR (4-2-3-1): Kenny 7; Young 7, Hall 6, Ferdinand 7, Traore 6; Faurlin 7, Derry 7 (Helguson 79); Wright-Phillips 7 (Smith 87), Taarabt 6, Barton 7; Bothroyd 6 (Campbell 66, 6).
Subs (not used): Murphy, Orr, Connolly, Buzsaky.
Aston Villa (4-5-1): Given 6; Hutton 6, Dunne 7, Collins 7, Warnock 7; Bannan 8 (Albrighton 72, 6), Ireland 6, Petrov 7, Delph 6, N'Zogbia 7 (Weimann 86); Agbonlahor 6.
Subs (not used): Guzan, Beye, Lowry, Albrighton, Gardner, Delfouneso.
ATTENDANCE: 16,707
REFEREE: Michael Oliver
NEXT UP:
- QPR v Fulham (away), Premier League, 02/10, 1500 BST
- Aston Villa v Wigan (home), Premier League, 01/10, 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa): Plenty of creativity from the young midfielder. He set up chances for others and had another himself with a free-kick. Showed nerves of steel to tuck away his penalty to break the deadlock.
Chelsea 4 Swansea 1: Fernando Torres Scores and Is Sent Off as Blues Cruise
by Ben HuntFiled under: Chelsea, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Fernando Torres scored and was sent off in Chelsea's victory over Swansea.
The Spain international opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a neat finish.
However, he was sent off by referee Mike Dean in the 39th minute for a two-footed lunge on Mark Gower.
Ramires scored twice and substitute Didier Drogba added a fourth for the Blues.
Ashley Williams was on target for Swansea in the 86th minute.
THE GOALS:
29 mins: Torres took his goal well with some neat control and a shot on the turn past Michel Vorm.
36 mins: A cool finish from Ramires to cap a swift move involving Torres and Ashley Cole.
76 mins: Raul Ramires gets his second with another low finish past Vorm.
86 mins: Williams heads home from Mark Gower's cross.
90 mins: Drogba adds a fourth from Malouda's pass.
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
12mins: Anelka has the first shot at goal from Raul Meireles' pass.
15 mins: Meireles then fires over the bar from 12 yards.
28 mins: Branislav Ivanovic shoots over from distance.
32 mins: Mikel headed wide from Meireles's free-kick.
39 mins: Torres is sent off for a two-footed tackle on Rangel.
49 mins: Nathan Dyer hits the bar for Swansea.
61 mins: Anlelka hits the bar.
WHAT IT MEANS:
There will be even more pressure on Torres once he returns from suspension. He was beginning to hit form here until his over-the-top challenge. Perhaps it was a case of trying too hard, but he must now pay the consequence. The result however, proves Chelsea can respond as a team under Andre Villas-Boas, as they recovered from their defeat at Old Trafford. For Swansea, they will use this experience as a positive, as they held their own at times and managed a consolation goal.
The Chelsea manager, Villas-Boas, had no complaints with Torres' red card:
"On the sending off, I have nothing to say. It looks to be a good decision from the referee.
"The challenge was just in the nature of the game and the referee has decided like that.
"It is a pity because the game was become a spectacle for us and for the fans, but in the end it is what the referee decided and we had to adjust to it.
"He has not said sorry, there was nothing to apologise for. It was the referee's decision."
On the performance:
"It was a good performance with 10 men, especially with the effort on Wednesday.
"The first goal was important because it opened more spaces in Swansea's defence, which was very tight. Eventually the first goal opened them a little bit.
"But with 10 men we continued to attack and it was a good score-line for us. It was also good for us after the defeat to Manchester United. It showed a good resilience."
On the change of formation:
"Going a man down meant that we had to go to two lines of four and one man up front and Nicolas Anelka did a fantastic job and eventually we found good possession with 10 men.
"It was a good team performance and we created enough scoring opportunities and it is good that even with 10 men you can create these changes.
"It shows that these players are committed to the objectives. We were five points behind the leaders and now we have shortened the distance."
On other players getting their chances as Torres is suspended:
"We have four wonderful strikers and all of them are playing well. All of them compete for a place in this 4-3-3 system.
"I'm not sure how many games Fernando is away for but it will open up opportunities for the other three to challenge for the position."
The Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers admitted his side were second best:
"The best team won so I won't sit here and say we deserved to win. I'm proud of the players and we made a terrific start in the first ten minutes when we were full of confidence.
"The first goal rocked us and great touch finish by Torres, and I said before the game he looked back to where he was at before.
"The second-half came and we looked to get on ball more, but I was a bit disappointed with our final ball. But congratulations to Chelsea, they need to win these types of games to press on."
On the red card:
"Torres was the right decision, but more for intent than actual contact which was minimal. It was a difficult one for the ref.
On performance:
"I felt our organisation was very good. We understood where the penetration and threat would come from, but we lost our concentration, didn't close the space and Torres got the finish.
"You try to keep it tight for as long as you can and that goal gave them confidence. At half time I said 'continue with the belief'."
West Brom 0 Fulham 0: Cottagers Frustrated as Winless Run Continues
by Brendan McLoughlinFiled under: Fulham, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
West Brom were booed off despite climbing off the bottom after escaping with a plucky point against Roy Hodgson's former club Fulham.
Despite the absence of Bobby Zamora, the Cottagers, who remain without a win in the Premier League this season, twice hit the woodwork at The Hawthorns but were unable to force their way through in what was a low-key affair.
The Baggies hit the woodwork themselves in injury-time when Chris Brunt's low drive hit the left post but it was not to be their day.
The point was enough to move the Baggies above Bolton, however Hodgson will have been left unimpressed by another poor display from his struggling team.
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THE HIGHLIGHTS:
2 mins: Nicky Shorey swings in an inviting cross from the left but Brunt's powerful header is too close to Mark Schwarzer.
8 mins: Gareth McAuley is alert to the danger to block a vicious Orlando Sa volley.
11 mins: Schwarzer is down quickly to his right to hold Youssouf Mulumbu's stinging low drive from 25 yards.
12 mins: Ben Foster can count himself lucky after he calamitously spills Clint Dempsey's shot straight to Pajtim Kasami only for his close-range strike to be ruled out for the most marginal of offsides.
48 mins: Dempsey's shot takes a wicked deflection off Jonas Olsson and cannons off the upright.
63 mins: Peter Odemwingie is sent clean through by Mulumbu's pass but, much to the home fans' despair, he fires straight at Schwarzer.
68 mins: Fulham substitute Bryan Ruiz almost scores with his first touch when he reacts first to John Arne Riise's spilt free-kick five minutes later only to fire against the right post.
90 mins: The Baggies hit the woodwork themselves in injury-time when Chris Brunt's low drive cannons off the left post.
Arsenal 3 Bolton 0: Robin Van Persie Strikes Twice in Confidence-boosting Win
by Ian WinrowFiled under: Arsenal, Bolton, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Robin Van Persie struck twice as Arsenal showed signs of a return to form with a comfortable win over a struggling Bolton side reduced to ten men by the dismissal of David Wheater.
Arsene Wenger's side stuttered their way through the first half but Van Persie fired them ahead immediately after the restart. Wheater was dismissed for a foul on Walcoot in the 55th minute and from that moment the game was effectively over.
Van Persie flicked home his second in the 71st minute and Alex Song confirmed the victory in the 89th minute.
GOALS:
47 mins: Robin van Persie catches out Jussi Jaaskelainen from a tight angle after being sent clear by Aaron Ramsey's pass.
71 mins: Van Persie turns home Theo Walcott's cross with a neat flick.
89 min: Alex Song completes the scoring with a powerful shot.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
2 mins: Arsenal's back four is soon caught out when Darren Pratley heads on Martin Petrov's free kick and it takes a full-length dive from Wojciech Szczesny to deny David Ngog's volley.
7 mins: Gervinho wastes a great opportunity when he is sent clear of the Bolton defence but the forward overruns the ball, allowing Jussi Jasskelainen to save.
9 mins: Robin van Persie sends a curling free kick inches wide.
34 mins: Gervinho cuts in from the left and fires narrowly over from the edge of the Bolton area.
45 mins: David Wheater's block denies Van Persie's shot.
55 mins: Wheater is sent off for holding Walcott back.
67 mins: Jaaskelainen denied Van Persie's header with a good save.
78 mins: Walcott shows Jaaskelainen too much of tyhe ball after breaking clear.
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REACTION:
Arsene Wenger admitted his side initially suffered a hangover from the defeat at Blackburn but that the result was never in doubt:
"It was a question of nerves at the start of the game and patience. And intelligence.
"I think we controlled the whole game even if Szczesny made a good save at the start of the game. But in the second half I could not see Bolton scoring a goal. And when they were down to ten it made it even more difficult for them."
On Van Persie's contribution?
"I think he is one of these guys who develops with responsibilities. You would think he is not naturally at the start but he really grows well into the role. I have observed him and he does well there."
Owen Coyle was uncertain whether Wheater's red card was justified:
"Whether there was real contact I don't know. I will need to see it back with David Wheater but Walcott looked as though he was ready and there was some sort of collision and if David's pulled him back,
"We all understand the rules if it was a goal scoring opportunity but I will need to look back at it. There certainly looked like there to some sort of contact."
On Gary Cahill's absence:
"He has not been well. He did not travel with us. That was a huge blow because we are a better team with him in it. Stuart Holden as well there was a little bit of puffiness in his knee which we couldn't take a chance on to cause any ill effect.
On his side's predicament:
"We can't feel sorry for ourselves have to work hard and do something about and that's what we have to do.
"We have played four of the top six, or who I think will finish in the top six. We have Chelsea next week. That wil be five. So its a tough set of fixtures."
WHAT IT MEANS:
Wenger's side were fortunate they faced a Bolton side who were so meek and willing to allow Arsenal to play their way back into something resembling their normal form. There is still a long way go go before they are back to their best and defensively they remain suspect, but confidence will grow after this result. Bolton look in desperate trouble and will go sown unless they improve dramatically. Tellingly, they provided weaker opposition than Shrewsbury had done five days earlier.
ARSENAL 3 (Van Persie 46, 71, Song 89) BOLTON WANDERERS 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Szczesny 7; Sagna 6, Koscielny 6, Mertesacker 6, Gibbs 7; Ramsey 6, Song 7; Walcott 5, Arteta 8 (Rosicky 6,82), Gervinho 6 (Arshavin 6,80); Van Persie 9 (Chamakh 6,86).
Subs (not used): Fabianski, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Frimpong.
Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen 8; Steinsson 5, Knight 5, Wheater 4, Robinson 5; Petrov 5, Reo-Coker 6, Muamba 69 (Boyata 6,55), Pratley 6, Eagles 5 (M Davies 6,70); Ngog 6 (K Davies 5, 20).
Subs (not used): Bogdan, Tuncay, Gardner, Kakuta.
ATTENDANCE: Tbc
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg
NEXT UP:
- Arsenal v Olympiakos (home), Premier League 28/09, 1945 BST
- Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea (home), Premier League 02/10, 1330 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Robin van Persie (Arsenal): Confirmed his value with two goals and was a constant threat. Arsenal would be in trouble without him.
Wigan 1 Tottenham 2: Gareth Bale Helps Spurs to Victory
by Neil JohnstonFiled under: Tottenham, Wigan, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale scored their first league goals of the season as Tottenham clocked up a third straight top-flight win.
Despite the narrow scoreline, it was far too comfortable for Harry Redknapp's side as Wigan, who have now lost their last four, found themselves 2-0 down midway through the first half after some dreadful defending.
A howler by Maynor Figueroa gifted Van der Vaart a third minute goal before Bale's 23rd minute header ended the home side's six-game unbeaten run at home.
Mohamed Diame reduced the deficit early in the second half, but Wigan's hopes of a comeback ended when Steve Gohouri was sent off for a second bookable offence.
THE GOALS
3mins: Horrendous mistake by Figueroa allows Emmanuel Adebayor to square for Van der Vaart to lash his first Premier League goal of season into the top corner from 12-yards. Far too easy. (0-1)
23mins: Memories of that horrendous 9-1 defeat Martinez's Wigan suffered at White Hart Lane in November 2009 are flooding back as Bale's perfectly placed header from Luka Modric's corner doubles the lead midway through the first half. (0-2)
50mins: Hope for the home side as Diame finds the net after substitute Ronnie Stam had latched on to Benoit Assou-Ekotto's poor clearance. (1-2)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
7mins: And that should have been 2-0. Adebayor presented with glorious chance but cannot keep his composure as he fires high over the bar when should have done much better.
15mins: More woeful defending from Wigan as Kyle Walker is allowed a free header from six-yards. Fortunately for the hosts, the full-back is unable to find the target.
28mins: Home fans cannot believe what they are seeing following a carbon copy move to the second goal. This time, however, Bale's header flies over the bar.
39mins: That's a fine save by Ali Al Habsi as he beats away Adebayor's powerful strike with the visitors still well on top.
62mins: And that looks like the end of Wigan's hopes of a comeback as Gohouri is given his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card.
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REACTION:
Redknapp was not happy after his side allowed Wigan a lifeline in the second half:
"It was complete domination in the first half. We could have come in three or four goals up at half time. I said to the player that they only way they were going to get back into the game is if you go and do something stupid and give them a goal.
"And that's exactly what we did. Their goal lifted them, and the fans went from giving them stick to getting behind them. The keeper's not really had too much to do but It was still too close for comfort in the end."
On the absence of Jermain Defoe due to an upset stomach:
"We sent him home this morning. We got a car to drive him back to London. He was really ill, he had a real high temperature."
On the way his team has responded after losing the first two matches:
"We've got a strong squad and I've got some good players. I think we'll only get better. We're going to be strong. It's three good points and it's now nine points out of nine. I never had any doubts because I have a really good team. I didn't have a fit midfield at the start of the season."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez tried to stay positive after another defeat:
"It would have been very easy for the players to feel sorry for themselves after going 2-0 down. But we stopped Spurs from having momentum and coped well after the sending off."
On his team's slow start to the game:
"Tactically, we couldn't cope with Spurs in the first 45 minutes. We needed to develop our performance. It was a mistake that led to the first goal and the second was from a corner."
WHAT IT MEANS:
Tottenham's season goes from strength to strength. They demonstrated they can cope without striker Defoe, and head into next weekend's north London derby with Arsenal on the back of a good run of league form. Wigan quickly need to find a cure for their defensive problems - or get used to another long seaon of struggle.
WIGAN 1 (Diame 50) TOTTENHAM 2 (Van der Vaart 3, Bale 23)
PLAYER MARKING:
Wigan Athletic (4-1-4-1): Al Habsi 6; Gohouri 5, Caldwell 6, Figueroa 5, Van Aanholt 6; Watson 6 (McArthur 73, 5); Gomez 4 (Stam 46, 5), McCarthy 6, Diame 6, Moses 6; Di Santo 6 (Sammon 73, 5)
Subs (not used): Kirkland, Crusat, Maloney, Jones.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Friedel 7; Walker 7, Kaboul 8, King 7, Assou-Ekotto 7; Modric 7, Parker 7, Sandro 7 (Livermore 90), Bale 7; Van der Vaart 7 (Giovani 78, 6) Adebayor 7.
Subs (not used): Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Townsend, Carroll.
REFEREE: Jonathan Moss
ATTENDANCE: 18,788
NEXT UP:
- Wigan v Aston Villa (away), Premier League, 01/10, 1500 BST
- Tottenham v Shamrock Rovers (home), Europa League, 29/09, 2005 BST