Tottenham v West Brom
A 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane saw the ferocious form of West Brom continue as the Baggies reach the magic 40 point mark.
Odemwingie opened the scoring after just a couple of minutes, the striker latching onto on loan Carlos Vella's pinpoint ball and shrugging off Ekotto before curling his effort past Gomes to place more pressure on Harry Redknapp's desperate Spurs.
Their reply was instant, heaping pressure on West Brom defensive line and keeping the Baggies on the back foot for the majority of the half. Eventually the line broke and Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbed his 8th league goal of the campaign with a fierce left foot strike from the edge of the area that struck the foot of the post before pinging into the back of the net.
Tottenham piled on the pressure in search of the lead as Pavlyuchenko and Van der Vaart kept Carson busy between the posts, so much so that the visitors seemed relieved to hear the half time whistle. One man who was unable to see the half time whistle was former Ireland international Steven Reid, who had to be replaced by Jara just before the break after another injury continues to hamper his 2010/11 season.
The Baggies looked almost dead and burried after the break when Jermain Defoe fired home his 100th goal for Spurs which also happened to be their 1000th Premier League goal. His left footed strike from the edge of the West Brom box gave the home side the lead and what would have been a vital 3 points towards their 4th place fight.
But it was not to be when substitute Simon Cox curled a beautiful right foot effort into the far top corner that sucked the wind out of Spur's sails and snatched an equal share of the points for the Baggies.
Speaking after the game Baggies' boss Hodgson seemed delighted with a well earned point.
“I think it was a splendid effort to come back from 2-1 down and draw."
"It looks like it's an important point for us given the way the other results have gone today," Hodgson added.
"It's taken us at least to a psychological point of 40, which most people would say is enough - I don't say that.
"I'm still concerned we might need a point or two more.
"I have to say I'm a damn sight happier with 40 than 39."
West Brom look almost safe right now but with 4 games to go things can change quickly, but Hodgson seems to be relishing the prospect of another season in the top flight next year.
“I'm really pleased with the way things have gone since I joined the club.
"It would be very nice, if we sustain our position in the Barclays Premier League, if we can bring in a few more players that can really help some of these ones out.
"A lot of people like Mulumbu, Odemwingie and Carlos Vela are talented players but not with an awful lot of experience.
"So, I'm hoping, if we do stay up, we'll find those necessary reinforcements just to make life that little bit easier.”
25 Apr 2011
Walsall v Sheffield Wednesday
One Point Walsall slide back into the drop zone.
Walsall's season is going down to the final games as the Saddlers grabbed a vital point against a visiting Sheffield Wednesday.
John Macken's early strike set the home fans into delight, the Irish striker firing past O'Donnell after Julian Gray's cross deflected into his path.
But their delight lasted just 15 minutes when Jimmy Walker parried Lewis Buxton's effort straight to the feet of Neil Mellor who slotted home the easy finish.
With the points shared Walsall now sit in 21st spot, level on points with both Bristol Rovers in 22nd and Dagenham in 20th. With just 3 games to go and only one at the Bescot Walsall will be relying on their away form to keep them from the drop come May 7th.
Walsall's season is going down to the final games as the Saddlers grabbed a vital point against a visiting Sheffield Wednesday.
John Macken's early strike set the home fans into delight, the Irish striker firing past O'Donnell after Julian Gray's cross deflected into his path.
But their delight lasted just 15 minutes when Jimmy Walker parried Lewis Buxton's effort straight to the feet of Neil Mellor who slotted home the easy finish.
With the points shared Walsall now sit in 21st spot, level on points with both Bristol Rovers in 22nd and Dagenham in 20th. With just 3 games to go and only one at the Bescot Walsall will be relying on their away form to keep them from the drop come May 7th.
Coventry City v Scunthorpe
A 1-1 draw for Coventry left caretaker boss Andy Thorn pleased and Scunthorpe 3 points off saftey.
Marlon King tucked home his 3rd goal in two weeks to give the Sky Blues the early lead after just 5 minutes. His one-two with David Bell opened up the Scunthorpe defence allowing King to bare down on goal and hammer past keeper Joe Murphy.
But after Coventry failed to capitalize on their opportunities, Lukas Jutkiewicz failing to find a finish with the goal at his mercy while King blazed another effort over the bar, Scunthorpe found a reply to Kings early goal, Nunez's effort deflecting off Martin Cranie and wrong-footing Westwood to give the struggling Iron their equalizer.
Eastwood and King both missed chances in the second half but the relegation fighting visitors hung on to creep away with a valuable point leaving them just 3 points away from saftey.
Despite not taking all three points caretaker boss Andy Thorn was pleased with his sides performance and the way things are gelling at the club.
"We spoke about this fixture and we knew it would be the toughest fixtures we had but I felt we set about it well," he said.
"We got in front and missed some chances but it was an entertaining game, it was end to end stuff, and it was a big test and a different test for us so we're happy with the point because there was a lot on this game so I was really proud of the boys.
"The lads are enjoying their football. I had a big say in them coming to the club and they are very talented. Now it's just about getting that mix. We got stuck in because Scunthorpe came at us so I was pleased with how they went about it.
"To be honest I've been proud with how the players have reacted to everything. We're not the finished article by a long shot but we're on the right track and that can only be good for the club."
Marlon King tucked home his 3rd goal in two weeks to give the Sky Blues the early lead after just 5 minutes. His one-two with David Bell opened up the Scunthorpe defence allowing King to bare down on goal and hammer past keeper Joe Murphy.
But after Coventry failed to capitalize on their opportunities, Lukas Jutkiewicz failing to find a finish with the goal at his mercy while King blazed another effort over the bar, Scunthorpe found a reply to Kings early goal, Nunez's effort deflecting off Martin Cranie and wrong-footing Westwood to give the struggling Iron their equalizer.
Eastwood and King both missed chances in the second half but the relegation fighting visitors hung on to creep away with a valuable point leaving them just 3 points away from saftey.
Despite not taking all three points caretaker boss Andy Thorn was pleased with his sides performance and the way things are gelling at the club.
"We spoke about this fixture and we knew it would be the toughest fixtures we had but I felt we set about it well," he said.
"We got in front and missed some chances but it was an entertaining game, it was end to end stuff, and it was a big test and a different test for us so we're happy with the point because there was a lot on this game so I was really proud of the boys.
"The lads are enjoying their football. I had a big say in them coming to the club and they are very talented. Now it's just about getting that mix. We got stuck in because Scunthorpe came at us so I was pleased with how they went about it.
"To be honest I've been proud with how the players have reacted to everything. We're not the finished article by a long shot but we're on the right track and that can only be good for the club."
17 Apr 2011
Liverpool Leave It Late
On a day where Liverpool fans held signs asking for justice for the 96 dead at the Hillsbrough disaster 22years ago Robin Van Persie's late penalty deep into injury time gave his side the lead and seemingly 3 points. But Emanuel Eboue's clumsy challenge on Lucas gave Dirk Kuyt the opportunity to pull Liverpool level with the last kick of the game. Despite Szczesny guessing the right way the Dutchman was able to rattle the net and rush toward the traveling fans in celebration as referee Andre Marriner blew for full time.........
more to come
more to come
Arsenal v Liverpool: Team Sheet
Arsenal:
53 Szczesny
06 Koscielny
20 Djourou
22 Clichy
27 Eboue
02 Diaby
04 Fabregas
08 Nasri
14 Walcott
19 Wilshere
10 Van Persie
Liverpool:
25 Reina
06 Aurelio
23 Carragher
37 Skrtel
38 Flanagan
04 Meireles
21 Lucas
26 Spearing
07 Suarez
09 Carroll
18 Kuyt
53 Szczesny
06 Koscielny
20 Djourou
22 Clichy
27 Eboue
02 Diaby
04 Fabregas
08 Nasri
14 Walcott
19 Wilshere
10 Van Persie
Liverpool:
25 Reina
06 Aurelio
23 Carragher
37 Skrtel
38 Flanagan
04 Meireles
21 Lucas
26 Spearing
07 Suarez
09 Carroll
18 Kuyt
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