22 January 2012
BOLOGNA 0
PARMA 0
Attendance : 19,000
Assists : n/a
CAGLIARI 0
FIORENTINA 0
Attendance : 6,000
Assists : n/a
LECCE 2 (Esposito 30, Di Michele 93)
CHIEVO 2 (Paloschi 3, Paloschi 24)
Two Lecce defenders ran into each other in a Keystone Cops style moment (I realise many people out there won't even know what that means anymore) and Paloschi fired the rebound into the roof of the net. As Esposito tackled a Lecce player on the edge of the box the ball spun in the air and Paloschi volleyed over Benassi as he came off his line. Esposito made amends when he headed in Olivera's fabulous inswinging corner. Chievo threw away the points in injury time when they failed to pick up Di Michele who arrived at the back post to turn in a cross.
Attendance : 6,500
Assists : n/a, n/a, Olivera (ck), Pasquato
NOVARA 0
MILAN 3 (Ibrahimovic 57, Robinho 68, Ibrahimovic 90)
Ibrahimovic juggled an Ambrosini cross off his right thigh before volleying past Ujkani. In trying to control a cross Nocerino handled the ball, El Shaarawy miscued his center and Robinho arrived at the back post to end his goal drought. Ibrahimovic scored an outrageous third. Ujkani punched out an El Shaarawy cross and the giant Swede, side on to goal, nonchalantly flicked the ball into the empty net.
Attendance : 17,000
Assists : Ambrosini, n/a, n/a
PALERMO 5 (Budan 27, Silvestre 37, Mantovani 42, Miccoli 70, Migliaccio 79)
GENOA 3 (Palacio 14, Palacio 59 Pen, Jankovic 89)
Palacio tapped in a Gilardino cross to give Genoa the lead. Palermo coach Bortolo Mutti's job was on the line in this match but his players produced a rousing comeback. Budan headed in the equaliser from a Miccoli cross and Silvestre headed in the second from another left wing cross. Mantovani made it 3-1 at half-time when he slid home a Miccoli center. Palacio converted a penalty for handball. Miccoli, having laid on two goals, scored Palermo's fourth when he beat Genoa's offside trap. He completed a hat-trick of assists with the cross for Palermo's fifth - another header. Jankovic tapped in a late consolation goal after Palermo failed to clear a corner.
Attendance : 15,658
Assists : Gilardino, Miccoli, Ilicic, Miccoli, n/a, Budan, Miccoli (fk), n/a
SIENA 1 (Calaio 67)
NAPOLI 1 (Pandev 86)
Calaio failed to connect with a center, the ball came to Vergassola, he swung a cross the back post and Calaio got to his feet to power home a header. Siena should have been more than a goal to the good at this point. Lavezzi made the most of a stupid challenge to win a penalty but Pegolo denied Cavani with a brilliant save. Pandev headed in the equaliser from a Lavezzi cross. Too little, too late. Napoli won't be back in the Champions League for 2 seasons at least.
Attendance : 14,643
Assists : Vergassola, Lavezzi
UDINESE 2 (Izco 20 og, Di Natale 53)
CATANIA 1 (Lodi 95 Pen)
Udinese scored 4 seconds after defending a corner. They sprung a counter attack, Isla threaded a ball between two defenders and Armero beat them for pace before poking the ball past Campagnolo. Di Natale scored a fantastic second, a thundering left foot volley from Armero's cross. Lodi converted a late penalty.
Attendance : 13,000
Assists : Isla, Armero, Catellani (won pen)
INTER 2 (Milito 44, Pazzini 63)
LAZIO 1 (Rocchi 30)
Lucio tried to clear a longball but didn't get enough purchase, Rocchi pounced but hit the woodwork. Minutes later however he ran into a huge gap between Lucio and Samuel and finished with a shot into the bottom corner. Three of Inter's Argentinean's combined for the equaliser. Milito played Zanetti's pass into Alvarez, he returned it and Milito fired in off Marchetti - who should have saved. Lazio's offside trap failed to catch Pazzini and as Marchetti came off his line Pazzini dropped the ball over his head. Klose missed a sitter and Lazio were jobbed out of a penalty for handball in a poor second half which means Inter keep their delusions of a title challenge alive for a few more weeks.
Attendance : 57,893
Assists : Ledesma, Alvarez, Lucio
21 January 2012
ROMA 5 (Totti 1, Totti 8, Borini 8, Juan 62, Pjanic 70)
CESENA 1 (Eder 58)
Totti scored inside the first minute, around the 45 second mark, when he fired a first time shot through former team-mate Antonioli's legs. Lamela, who made the first with a back heal, lofted a ball over the Cesena defence and as they appealed for offside Totti slammed a volley into the bottom left corner. It was his 211th Serie A goal for Roma, breaking the legendary Gunnar Nordahl's record for most goals scored for one club (210 for Milan). Chelsea reject Borini arrived at the back post to tap in Roma's third seconds later.
Stekelenburg raced off his line to clear a cross but Eder kept his composure and lifted the ball over him before tapping into an empty net. Juan tapped in the fourth, punishing another mistake by Antonioli and he completed a truly miserably performance by punching a Pjanic effort straight back to him and this time he found the back of the net. One season too many for Antonioli.
Attendance : 32,341
Assists : Lamela, Lamela, Greco, Candreva, n/a, n/a
ATALANTA 0
JUVENTUS 2 (Lichtsteiner 54, Giaccherini 82)
Lichtsteiner headed in a superb Pirlo cross at the back post. Giaccherini scored a beautiful second. Italy youth international Morrone flicked a Pirlo centre through the Atalanta defence and the former Cesena player caught the ball on the drop, volleying inside the left post.
Attendance : 21,000
Assists : Pirlo, Marrone
LEADERS
41 points - Juventus
40 points - Milan
38 points - Udinese
35 points - Inter
16 January 2012
WIGAN 0
MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Dzeko 22)
Man City restore their three point lead at the top after a frantic, end to end game at bottom club Wigan. The only goal came midway through the first half as Edin Dzeko to head home superbly from David Silva's free kick on the left.
Attendance : 16,026
Assist : Silva
15 January 2012
NEWCASTLE 1 (Best 37)
QPR 0
Newcastle move into sixth place after seeing off QPR in a largely uneventful game at St James Park. The only goal came late in the first half as Danny Guthrie found Leon Best in the area and after a sharp turn, he slotted the ball neatly inside the far post.
Attendance : 49,865
Assist : R Taylor
SWANSEA 3 (Sinclair 16 Pen, Dyer 58, Graham 70)
ARSENAL 2 (RVP 5, Walcott 69)
Swansea move into the top half after coming from behind to beat Arsenal at the Liberty. The Gunners led early when Andrey Arshavin found Robin Van Persie in the area and although he seemed to take his time, he clipped the ball over keeper Michel Vorm and inside the near post. Swansea weren't rocked back by such a poor start and levelled when Aaron Ramsey clipped the heel of Nathan Dyer in the area and Scott Sinclair made no mistake from the penalty spot. Replays showed that Dyer seemed to step on Ramsey's leg rather a foul the other way around. Swansea went ahead for the first time after the break as Joe Allen won the ball from Ramsey in midfield, found Dyer who arrowed in a powerful shot from the edge of the area. The visitors levelled matters when Johan Djourou's excellent through ball sent Theo Walcott clear to scoop the ball over Vorm as he came out but straight from the kick off, they switched off and a pass from Sigurdsson put Danny Graham clear to fire across goal and inside the far post to put Swansea back ahead.
Attendance : 20,409
Assists : Arshavin, Allen, Allen, Djourou, Sigurdsson
14 January 2012
ASTON VILLA 1 (Bent 56)
EVERTON 1 (Anichebe 69)
Aston Villa and Everton remain in mid-table safety after a point each at Villa Park. After a goalless first half, Villa went ahead when Stephen Ireland's ball across was bobbled into the roof of the net by Darren Bent at the near post. Everton levelled with a lovely through ball from Landon Donavon which sent Victor Anichebe clear to slot in.
Attendance : 31,853
Assists : Ireland, Donovan
BLACKBURN 3 (Pedersen 45 fk, Dunn 46, Formica 79)
FULHAM 1 (Duff 56)
Blackburn's roller-coaster of a season took over twist as they beat Fulham despite being down to ten men for three quarters of the game. The red card went to Yakubu whose waist high challenge for the ball with Danny Murphy caught the Fulham man on the knee. Despite that, Rovers netted either side of the break as Morten Gamst Pedersen curled in a beauty of a free kick from the edge of the area and then 56 seconds into the second half, David Dunn drilled in a low shot after David Goodwillie's effort was blocked. The visitors pulled one back when Damien Duff fired low across goal and inside the far post after being found by Murphy but Rovers wrapped up the points when Stephen Nzonzi's looped pass found Mauro Formica to volley in.
Attendance : 18,003
Red Card : Yakubu 23 (Blackburn)
Assists : Dunn (fk), Goodwillie, Murphy, Nzonzi
CHELSEA 1 (Lampard 13)
SUNDERLAND 0
Chelsea maintain their unlikely title challenge with a narrow win at home to Sunderland. Frank Lampard grabbed the only goal although he knew little about it as Fernando Torres thumped a superb volley against the bar and the ball bounced in off Lampard's leg.
Attendance : 41,696
Assist : Torres
LIVERPOOL 0
STOKE 0
Stoke held Liverpool to their 7th home draw of the season as neither club found the net at Anfield. The hosts had the better of things and should have won it when Dirk Kuyt's diving header was just wide.
Attendance : 44,691
Assists : n/a
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 (Scholes 45, Wellbeck 74, Carrick 83)
BOLTON 0
Man United move level on points with Man City after comfortably seeing off Bolton. They even had the luxury of a penalty miss as Wayne Rooney's effort was brilliantly kept out by Adam Bogdan after Zat Knight had fouled Danny Wellbeck. They led on half time when Rooney's low cross was turned in by out-of-retirement Paul Scholes. Wellbeck doubled the lead with a slotted finish after being set up by Rooney and then Michael Carrick added a third with a low long range shot after being set up by Ryan Giggs.
Attendance : 75,444
Assists : Rooney, Rooney, Giggs
TOTTENHAM 1 (Modric 51)
WOLVES 1 (Fletcher 22)
Spurs missed the chance to go level on points with the two Manchester clubs after they were held at home by Wolves. The visitors took a surprise lead when Roger Johnson's header was saved and Steven Fletcher thumped in the loose ball. Spurs were level in the second half when Gareth Bale's pass was drilled in by Luka Modric from the edge of the area.
Attendance : 36,194
Assists : Johnson, Bale
WEST BROM 1 (Long 68 Pen)
NORWICH 2 (Surman 43, Morison 79)
Norwich collected an excellent win at West Brom to move up to ninth. They led just before the break as Andrew Surman volleyed home a cross from Wes Hoolahan. The Baggies levelled with a Shane Long penalty after an awful challenge by Daniel Ayala on Jerome Thomas, however Norwich regained the lead thanks to a breakaway goal which saw Grant Holt cross for Steve Morison to nod in.
Attendance : 22,474
Assists : Hoolahan, Thomas (won pen), Holt
LEADERS
51 points - Manchester City 48 points - Manchester United 46 points - Tottenham 40 points - Chelsea
WIGAN 0
MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Dzeko 22)
Man City restore their three point lead at the top after a frantic, end to end game at bottom club Wigan. The only goal came midway through the first half as Edin Dzeko to head home superbly from David Silva's free kick on the left.
Attendance : 16,026
Assist : Silva
15 January 2012
NEWCASTLE 1 (Best 37)
QPR 0
Newcastle move into sixth place after seeing off QPR in a largely uneventful game at St James Park. The only goal came late in the first half as Danny Guthrie found Leon Best in the area and after a sharp turn, he slotted the ball neatly inside the far post.
Attendance : 49,865
Assist : R Taylor
SWANSEA 3 (Sinclair 16 Pen, Dyer 58, Graham 70)
ARSENAL 2 (RVP 5, Walcott 69)
Swansea move into the top half after coming from behind to beat Arsenal at the Liberty. The Gunners led early when Andrey Arshavin found Robin Van Persie in the area and although he seemed to take his time, he clipped the ball over keeper Michel Vorm and inside the near post. Swansea weren't rocked back by such a poor start and levelled when Aaron Ramsey clipped the heel of Nathan Dyer in the area and Scott Sinclair made no mistake from the penalty spot. Replays showed that Dyer seemed to step on Ramsey's leg rather a foul the other way around. Swansea went ahead for the first time after the break as Joe Allen won the ball from Ramsey in midfield, found Dyer who arrowed in a powerful shot from the edge of the area. The visitors levelled matters when Johan Djourou's excellent through ball sent Theo Walcott clear to scoop the ball over Vorm as he came out but straight from the kick off, they switched off and a pass from Sigurdsson put Danny Graham clear to fire across goal and inside the far post to put Swansea back ahead.
Attendance : 20,409
Assists : Arshavin, Allen, Allen, Djourou, Sigurdsson
14 January 2012
ASTON VILLA 1 (Bent 56)
EVERTON 1 (Anichebe 69)
Aston Villa and Everton remain in mid-table safety after a point each at Villa Park. After a goalless first half, Villa went ahead when Stephen Ireland's ball across was bobbled into the roof of the net by Darren Bent at the near post. Everton levelled with a lovely through ball from Landon Donavon which sent Victor Anichebe clear to slot in.
Attendance : 31,853
Assists : Ireland, Donovan
BLACKBURN 3 (Pedersen 45 fk, Dunn 46, Formica 79)
FULHAM 1 (Duff 56)
Blackburn's roller-coaster of a season took over twist as they beat Fulham despite being down to ten men for three quarters of the game. The red card went to Yakubu whose waist high challenge for the ball with Danny Murphy caught the Fulham man on the knee. Despite that, Rovers netted either side of the break as Morten Gamst Pedersen curled in a beauty of a free kick from the edge of the area and then 56 seconds into the second half, David Dunn drilled in a low shot after David Goodwillie's effort was blocked. The visitors pulled one back when Damien Duff fired low across goal and inside the far post after being found by Murphy but Rovers wrapped up the points when Stephen Nzonzi's looped pass found Mauro Formica to volley in.
Attendance : 18,003
Red Card : Yakubu 23 (Blackburn)
Assists : Dunn (fk), Goodwillie, Murphy, Nzonzi
CHELSEA 1 (Lampard 13)
SUNDERLAND 0
Chelsea maintain their unlikely title challenge with a narrow win at home to Sunderland. Frank Lampard grabbed the only goal although he knew little about it as Fernando Torres thumped a superb volley against the bar and the ball bounced in off Lampard's leg.
Attendance : 41,696
Assist : Torres
LIVERPOOL 0
STOKE 0
Stoke held Liverpool to their 7th home draw of the season as neither club found the net at Anfield. The hosts had the better of things and should have won it when Dirk Kuyt's diving header was just wide.
Attendance : 44,691
Assists : n/a
MANCHESTER UNITED 3 (Scholes 45, Wellbeck 74, Carrick 83)
BOLTON 0
Man United move level on points with Man City after comfortably seeing off Bolton. They even had the luxury of a penalty miss as Wayne Rooney's effort was brilliantly kept out by Adam Bogdan after Zat Knight had fouled Danny Wellbeck. They led on half time when Rooney's low cross was turned in by out-of-retirement Paul Scholes. Wellbeck doubled the lead with a slotted finish after being set up by Rooney and then Michael Carrick added a third with a low long range shot after being set up by Ryan Giggs.
Attendance : 75,444
Assists : Rooney, Rooney, Giggs
TOTTENHAM 1 (Modric 51)
WOLVES 1 (Fletcher 22)
Spurs missed the chance to go level on points with the two Manchester clubs after they were held at home by Wolves. The visitors took a surprise lead when Roger Johnson's header was saved and Steven Fletcher thumped in the loose ball. Spurs were level in the second half when Gareth Bale's pass was drilled in by Luka Modric from the edge of the area.
Attendance : 36,194
Assists : Johnson, Bale
WEST BROM 1 (Long 68 Pen)
NORWICH 2 (Surman 43, Morison 79)
Norwich collected an excellent win at West Brom to move up to ninth. They led just before the break as Andrew Surman volleyed home a cross from Wes Hoolahan. The Baggies levelled with a Shane Long penalty after an awful challenge by Daniel Ayala on Jerome Thomas, however Norwich regained the lead thanks to a breakaway goal which saw Grant Holt cross for Steve Morison to nod in.
Attendance : 22,474
Assists : Hoolahan, Thomas (won pen), Holt
LEADERS
51 points - Manchester City 48 points - Manchester United 46 points - Tottenham 40 points - Chelsea
16 January 2012
NAPOLI 1 (Cavani 71 Pen)
BOLOGNA 1 (Acquafresca 14)
Acquafresca punished a Campagnaro slip to give Bologna the lead. Napoli huffed and puffed and did little else. Cavani equalised from the spot after a cross struck Perez.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Pulzetti, n/a
15 January 2012
MILAN 0
INTER 1 (Milito 54)
Pato ballooned over the bar from a lucky deflection off Emanuelson. A clutch of Milan players were drawn to Milito as Nagatomo swung over a cross leaving Alvarez free but Abbiati saved brilliantly with his feet. At the other end Pato, who was horrifically poor, pulled back a centre which Van Bommel crashed against the crossba and Julio Cesar denied Emanuelson on the follow-up. Pato lost the ball (again) after trying to juggle it in the Inter box and Zanetti lead a counter attack, Abate should have cleared his cross but sliced the ball and Milito ran clear before squeezing the ball into the corner. Nagatomo could have made the game safe but shot straight at Abbiati. Milan came to life once Seedorf replaced Zambrotta and Pato made way for El Shaarawy. Seedorf stung Julio Cesar's palms with a terrific shot from distance. Nocerino couldn't get enough on an Ibrahimovic center, the ball rolled to Pato and he predictably failed to make contact. With his back to play El Shaarawy trapped a Robinho pass and played him in with a great ball inside two defenders but Julio Cesar saved. A minute or so late Robinho kicked free air following a goalmouth scramble.
This was a case of Ranieri doing what he does best - playing spoiler. Inter are not back in the title race despite what idiots in the media say. They have to chase down four teams not one. One bad week and their 'title' chances in tatters. As for Milan Allegri got it spectacularly wrong. Playing Pato was a case of letting sentiment get the better of him - rewarding the Brazilian for his 'loyalty' after turning down a move to PSG. Allegri was right to bench the lazy bastard last season and he was right to do it again this season. This performance epitomised the glaring holes in the Brazilians game. A poor touch, running into traffic, not tracking back and not combining with team-mates. Robinho is a much better option and combines brilliantly with Ibrahimovic and helps link the midfield but his finishing has been even more wayward than usual which is why Milan are chasing Tevez. The Emanuelson experiment is one experiment too far. He has pace and lungs but he has no finesse and certainly no eye for a pass. Seedorf should have started. Maicon had his way with Zambrotta which is why Mesbah is expected to complete his move from Catania this week. If Milan don't make the right moves in the transfer market they could blow the scudetto. It's still theirs for the taking.
Attendance : 79,952
Assist : n/a
LAZIO 2 (Hernanes 20 Pen, Klose 91)
ATALANTA 0
Masiello gave away the penalty with a needless foul on Radu. After Hernanes converted the penalty he did a cartwheel into a somersault! Never would have believed he was capable of that if I didn't see it myself. An unmarked Klose turned onto a pass switched the ball between his feet then tapped in the second. He gave his post match interview in Italian.
Attendance : 18,000
Red Card : Lucchini 53 (Atalanta)
Assists : Radu (won pen), Lulic
CESENA 3 (Mutu 19, Mutu 39 Pen, Rinaudo 46 og)
NOVARA 1 (Morimoto 89)
Parolo met a corner with a spectacular scissor kick, Ujkani saved and Mutu tapped in the rebound. Candreva ran into Morganella and went over in the box to win an extremely soft penalty. Rinaudo scored the third when Mutu's centre hit Eder before bouncing in off the Cesena defender. Mutu could have had a hat-trick but was injured when Rinaudo chopped him down in the box. Candreva took over penalty duties and missed. Morimoto scrambled in a consolation goal from a corner.
Attendance : 22,413
Assists : n/a, Candreva, n/a, n/a
CHIEVO 1 (Sammarco 50)
PALERMO 0
Attendance : 6,000
Assist : Luciano
FIORENTINA 0
LECCE 1 (Di Michele 66 Pen)
Attendance : 18,474
Assist : Muriel (won pen)
GENOA 3 (Granqvist 49, Jankovic 50, Palacio 71)
UDINESE 2 (Ferronetti 13, Di Natale 75 Pen)
Both 'keepers made unbelievable saves before the first goal arrived from an Armero corner. Jankovic tried his luck from the edge of the box, Handanovic spilled the ball and Granqvist tapped Genoa level. Less than a minute later Genoa were back in the Udinese half, Constant swung in a cross from the left and Jankovic thundered a low volley past Handanovic. Palacio pounced on a mistake by Ekstrand to put Genoa 3-1 up. Genoa lost their captain to a ridiculous red card when he tackled Di Natale in the box. Frey, who made several fantastic saves throughout, pulled off a stunning one handed save at the death to deny Pinzi.
Benatia and Asamoah, away on African Nations Cup duty, will be a huge loss. It makes a good story for the neutral but Udinese's success is damaging to Serie A. It would be a disaster if Udinese claimed a Champions League place. They've got no ambition and will inevitably sell off more stars and tank in Europe.
Attendance : 20,000
Red Card : Rossi 74 (Genoa)
Assists : Armero (ck), n/a, Constant, n/a, Di Natale (won pen)
JUVENTUS 1 (Vucinic 7)
CAGLIARI 1 (Cossu 47)
Juve scored a beautiful opening goal. Lichtsteiner shaped to cross but ran inside Merkel and passed into Pepe who back healed the ball to Marchisio, Marchisio poked the ball through to Lichtsteiner who had continued his run and he unselfishly centred to Vucinic, 1-0. Ibarbo made a storming run into the Juventus half before laying the ball off to a team-mate, Bonucci should have cleared but sliced the ball and Cossu hammered the rebound past Buffon.
Attendance : 30,874
Assists : Lichtsteiner, n/a
PARMA 3 (Biabiany 24, Valiani 66, Giovinco 94)
SIENA 1 (Grossi 79)
Pegolo made a point blank save from a Biabiany header and he beat team-mate Morrone to the rebound. Valiani headed in an absolutely brilliant Giovinco cross. Grossi turned onto a pass and fired Siena back into the match with a 20 yard drive but with Siena chasing Parma hit them on the break, Palladino seized on a mistake and cantered for Giovinco to tap in at the back post.
Attendance : 11,628
Assists : n/a, Giovinco, Vergassola, Palladino
14 January 2012
CATANIA 1 (Legrottaglie 24)
ROMA 1 (De Rossi 28)
Match abandoned on 65 minutes due to waterlogged pitch.
LEADERS 38 points - Juventus 37 points - Milan 35 points - Udinese 33 points - Lazio
NAPOLI 1 (Cavani 71 Pen)
BOLOGNA 1 (Acquafresca 14)
Acquafresca punished a Campagnaro slip to give Bologna the lead. Napoli huffed and puffed and did little else. Cavani equalised from the spot after a cross struck Perez.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Pulzetti, n/a
15 January 2012
MILAN 0
INTER 1 (Milito 54)
Pato ballooned over the bar from a lucky deflection off Emanuelson. A clutch of Milan players were drawn to Milito as Nagatomo swung over a cross leaving Alvarez free but Abbiati saved brilliantly with his feet. At the other end Pato, who was horrifically poor, pulled back a centre which Van Bommel crashed against the crossba and Julio Cesar denied Emanuelson on the follow-up. Pato lost the ball (again) after trying to juggle it in the Inter box and Zanetti lead a counter attack, Abate should have cleared his cross but sliced the ball and Milito ran clear before squeezing the ball into the corner. Nagatomo could have made the game safe but shot straight at Abbiati. Milan came to life once Seedorf replaced Zambrotta and Pato made way for El Shaarawy. Seedorf stung Julio Cesar's palms with a terrific shot from distance. Nocerino couldn't get enough on an Ibrahimovic center, the ball rolled to Pato and he predictably failed to make contact. With his back to play El Shaarawy trapped a Robinho pass and played him in with a great ball inside two defenders but Julio Cesar saved. A minute or so late Robinho kicked free air following a goalmouth scramble.
This was a case of Ranieri doing what he does best - playing spoiler. Inter are not back in the title race despite what idiots in the media say. They have to chase down four teams not one. One bad week and their 'title' chances in tatters. As for Milan Allegri got it spectacularly wrong. Playing Pato was a case of letting sentiment get the better of him - rewarding the Brazilian for his 'loyalty' after turning down a move to PSG. Allegri was right to bench the lazy bastard last season and he was right to do it again this season. This performance epitomised the glaring holes in the Brazilians game. A poor touch, running into traffic, not tracking back and not combining with team-mates. Robinho is a much better option and combines brilliantly with Ibrahimovic and helps link the midfield but his finishing has been even more wayward than usual which is why Milan are chasing Tevez. The Emanuelson experiment is one experiment too far. He has pace and lungs but he has no finesse and certainly no eye for a pass. Seedorf should have started. Maicon had his way with Zambrotta which is why Mesbah is expected to complete his move from Catania this week. If Milan don't make the right moves in the transfer market they could blow the scudetto. It's still theirs for the taking.
Attendance : 79,952
Assist : n/a
LAZIO 2 (Hernanes 20 Pen, Klose 91)
ATALANTA 0
Masiello gave away the penalty with a needless foul on Radu. After Hernanes converted the penalty he did a cartwheel into a somersault! Never would have believed he was capable of that if I didn't see it myself. An unmarked Klose turned onto a pass switched the ball between his feet then tapped in the second. He gave his post match interview in Italian.
Attendance : 18,000
Red Card : Lucchini 53 (Atalanta)
Assists : Radu (won pen), Lulic
CESENA 3 (Mutu 19, Mutu 39 Pen, Rinaudo 46 og)
NOVARA 1 (Morimoto 89)
Parolo met a corner with a spectacular scissor kick, Ujkani saved and Mutu tapped in the rebound. Candreva ran into Morganella and went over in the box to win an extremely soft penalty. Rinaudo scored the third when Mutu's centre hit Eder before bouncing in off the Cesena defender. Mutu could have had a hat-trick but was injured when Rinaudo chopped him down in the box. Candreva took over penalty duties and missed. Morimoto scrambled in a consolation goal from a corner.
Attendance : 22,413
Assists : n/a, Candreva, n/a, n/a
CHIEVO 1 (Sammarco 50)
PALERMO 0
Attendance : 6,000
Assist : Luciano
FIORENTINA 0
LECCE 1 (Di Michele 66 Pen)
Attendance : 18,474
Assist : Muriel (won pen)
GENOA 3 (Granqvist 49, Jankovic 50, Palacio 71)
UDINESE 2 (Ferronetti 13, Di Natale 75 Pen)
Both 'keepers made unbelievable saves before the first goal arrived from an Armero corner. Jankovic tried his luck from the edge of the box, Handanovic spilled the ball and Granqvist tapped Genoa level. Less than a minute later Genoa were back in the Udinese half, Constant swung in a cross from the left and Jankovic thundered a low volley past Handanovic. Palacio pounced on a mistake by Ekstrand to put Genoa 3-1 up. Genoa lost their captain to a ridiculous red card when he tackled Di Natale in the box. Frey, who made several fantastic saves throughout, pulled off a stunning one handed save at the death to deny Pinzi.
Benatia and Asamoah, away on African Nations Cup duty, will be a huge loss. It makes a good story for the neutral but Udinese's success is damaging to Serie A. It would be a disaster if Udinese claimed a Champions League place. They've got no ambition and will inevitably sell off more stars and tank in Europe.
Attendance : 20,000
Red Card : Rossi 74 (Genoa)
Assists : Armero (ck), n/a, Constant, n/a, Di Natale (won pen)
JUVENTUS 1 (Vucinic 7)
CAGLIARI 1 (Cossu 47)
Juve scored a beautiful opening goal. Lichtsteiner shaped to cross but ran inside Merkel and passed into Pepe who back healed the ball to Marchisio, Marchisio poked the ball through to Lichtsteiner who had continued his run and he unselfishly centred to Vucinic, 1-0. Ibarbo made a storming run into the Juventus half before laying the ball off to a team-mate, Bonucci should have cleared but sliced the ball and Cossu hammered the rebound past Buffon.
Attendance : 30,874
Assists : Lichtsteiner, n/a
PARMA 3 (Biabiany 24, Valiani 66, Giovinco 94)
SIENA 1 (Grossi 79)
Pegolo made a point blank save from a Biabiany header and he beat team-mate Morrone to the rebound. Valiani headed in an absolutely brilliant Giovinco cross. Grossi turned onto a pass and fired Siena back into the match with a 20 yard drive but with Siena chasing Parma hit them on the break, Palladino seized on a mistake and cantered for Giovinco to tap in at the back post.
Attendance : 11,628
Assists : n/a, Giovinco, Vergassola, Palladino
14 January 2012
CATANIA 1 (Legrottaglie 24)
ROMA 1 (De Rossi 28)
Match abandoned on 65 minutes due to waterlogged pitch.
LEADERS 38 points - Juventus 37 points - Milan 35 points - Udinese 33 points - Lazio
8 January 2012
UDINESE 4 (Di Natale 1, Asamoah 54, Basta 75, Di Natale 82)
CESENA 1 (Eder 39)
Seconds after kick-off Isla found Floro Flores in space down the left and he ran clear of Cesena's offside trap before laying on a goal for Di Natale. Lauro's cross hit the woodwork, Ceccarelli's wayward header fell kindly to Eder and he smashed Cesena level. Antonioli undid his team-mates hard work when he let Asamoah's speculative effort squirm under his body. Minutes later Lauro tripped Armero to earn a second yellow. Basta turned onto a pass and let rip with a magnificent effort which arched over a posse of players before dipping inside the left post. More like a free kick than a shot. Antonioli was beaten on his left side again when Di Natale thumped in the fourth from the edge of the box.
Attendance : 13,000
Red Card : Lauro 61 (Cesena)
Assists : Floro Flores, Ceccarelli, Armero, Asamoah, Armero
ATALANTA 0
MILAN 2 (Ibrahimovic 22 Pen, Boateng 82)
Manfredini chopped down Pato to concede the penalty. Ibrahimovic took a crossfield pass on his chest ran into the box and pulled back a centre which Boateng smashed in first time.
Attendance : 22,172
Assists : Pato (won pen), Ibrahimovic
BOLOGNA 2 (Cherubin 50, Di Vaio 91)
CATANIA 0
Cherubin headed in a fantastic Diamanti free kick. Vantaggiato flicked on a goal kick to Ramirez, he lobbed the ball over a square Catania defence who immediately appealed for offside as Di Vaio ran through and scored albeit at the second attempt.
Attendance : 14,572
Red Card : Biagianti 78 (Catania)
Assists : Diamanti (fk), n/a
CAGLIARI 3 (Larrivey 12 Pen, Ibarbo 56, Granqvist 72 og)
GENOA 0
Cossu made the most of slight contact with Kukca to go over and win the penalty. Cossu released Ibarbo on the counter and he used his pace and power to hold off Seymour and lob over Frey. Moretti was sent off for tripping Ibarbo. Granqvist compounded Genoa's misery with an own goal. Cagliari could have scored 10.
Attendance : 6,000
Red Card : Moretti 66 (Genoa)
Assists : Cossu (won pen), Cossu, n/a
LECCE 0
JUVENTUS 1 (Matri 27)
Attendance : 23,300
Assist : n/a
NOVARA 0
FIORENTINA 3 (Jovetic 20 Pen, Montolivo 42, Jovetic 49)
Centurioni floored Jovetic with a poorly timed sliding tackle. Montolivo scored a brilliant second, he checked inside a defender onto Vargas ball down the left and whipped a high shot over Ujkani. Ljajic made the third with a superb cross.
Attendance : 9,000
Assists : Jovetic (won pen), Vargas, Ljajic
ROMA 2 (Totti 34 Pen, Totti 78 Pen)
CHIEVO 0
Before the match the Roma squad got together in a giant American football style huddle. Lamela was bumped over for the first penalty. After Totti converted he revealed a T-Shit which read 'Scusate Il Retardo' which unfortunately does not translate to 'Excuse me I'm Retarded' but 'Sorry for the delay'. The second penalty was awarded for handball.
Attendance : 38,050
Assists : Lamela (won pen), n/a
PALERMO 1 (Miccoli 89)
NAPOLI 3 (Pandev 35, Cavani 54, Hamsik 60)
Budan and Vasquez wasted 100% chances when clean through. Cavani released Gargano down the left and Pandev turned his marker before putting away the Uruguayan's centre. Cavani scored a second from absolutely nothing, from the edge of the D he whipped a shot inside the right post. Inler played in the overlapping Hamsik with a gorgeous reverse pass and he sidestepped Benussi as he dived at his feet before tapping into an empty net. Miccoli scored with a tremendous header.
Attendance : 22,110
Assists : Gargano, Hamsik, Inler, Balzaretti
7 January 2012
SIENA 4 (Destro 11, Calaio 35 Pen, Calaio 49 Pen, Destro 81)
LAZIO 0
Destro ran through on a quick counter and angled his shot into the bottom left corner. Stankevicius conceded the first of two penalties with a clumsy challenge on Brienza. In between the goals the awful Sculli missed two good chances. A longball sent Destro against Lulic and Stankevicius, he brushed aside Lulic and ran through Stankevicius, Bizzarri came off his line and dived in with a two footed tackle, sending the youngster to the turf, he got back on his feet as the ball bounced off a post and tapped in the rebound but the ref awarded a penalty and showed Bizzarri a red card. Destro scored the fourth with a great header but was denied the chance of a hat-trick by the stupid tradition Italian coaches have of substituting players on two goals late on in games.
Attendance : 10,270
Red Card : Bizzarri 47 (Lazio)
Assists : Rossettini, Brienza (won pen), Destro (won pen), Del Grosso
INTER 5 (Milito 13, Motta 18, Milito 41, Pazzini 56, Faraoni 79)
PARMA 0
Milito volleyed in a fantastic Alvarez cross. Motta ran onto a deflected shot and from the edge of the area drilled a left foot shot inside a post. Milito played a ball out wide to Maicon, ran into the box and met Brazilian's cross with a bullet header. Milito sent a midfielder on his arse with a lovely nutmeg then slipped in Pazzini with a brilliant pass inside two defenders and Pazzini lobbed first time over Mirante. 20 year old full-back Marco Faraoni struck through a clearance on the half volley and the ball flew over the defence before bouncing in off the underside of the crossbar.
Despite the scoreline Parma created and wasted numerous chances. Inter's most emphatic victory since the Mourinho era.
Attendance : 37,326
Assists : Alvarez, n/a, Maicon, Milito, n/a
LEADERS
37 points - Milan, Juventus
35 points - Udinese
30 points - Lazio
29 points - Inter
UDINESE 4 (Di Natale 1, Asamoah 54, Basta 75, Di Natale 82)
CESENA 1 (Eder 39)
Seconds after kick-off Isla found Floro Flores in space down the left and he ran clear of Cesena's offside trap before laying on a goal for Di Natale. Lauro's cross hit the woodwork, Ceccarelli's wayward header fell kindly to Eder and he smashed Cesena level. Antonioli undid his team-mates hard work when he let Asamoah's speculative effort squirm under his body. Minutes later Lauro tripped Armero to earn a second yellow. Basta turned onto a pass and let rip with a magnificent effort which arched over a posse of players before dipping inside the left post. More like a free kick than a shot. Antonioli was beaten on his left side again when Di Natale thumped in the fourth from the edge of the box.
Attendance : 13,000
Red Card : Lauro 61 (Cesena)
Assists : Floro Flores, Ceccarelli, Armero, Asamoah, Armero
ATALANTA 0
MILAN 2 (Ibrahimovic 22 Pen, Boateng 82)
Manfredini chopped down Pato to concede the penalty. Ibrahimovic took a crossfield pass on his chest ran into the box and pulled back a centre which Boateng smashed in first time.
Attendance : 22,172
Assists : Pato (won pen), Ibrahimovic
BOLOGNA 2 (Cherubin 50, Di Vaio 91)
CATANIA 0
Cherubin headed in a fantastic Diamanti free kick. Vantaggiato flicked on a goal kick to Ramirez, he lobbed the ball over a square Catania defence who immediately appealed for offside as Di Vaio ran through and scored albeit at the second attempt.
Attendance : 14,572
Red Card : Biagianti 78 (Catania)
Assists : Diamanti (fk), n/a
CAGLIARI 3 (Larrivey 12 Pen, Ibarbo 56, Granqvist 72 og)
GENOA 0
Cossu made the most of slight contact with Kukca to go over and win the penalty. Cossu released Ibarbo on the counter and he used his pace and power to hold off Seymour and lob over Frey. Moretti was sent off for tripping Ibarbo. Granqvist compounded Genoa's misery with an own goal. Cagliari could have scored 10.
Attendance : 6,000
Red Card : Moretti 66 (Genoa)
Assists : Cossu (won pen), Cossu, n/a
LECCE 0
JUVENTUS 1 (Matri 27)
Attendance : 23,300
Assist : n/a
NOVARA 0
FIORENTINA 3 (Jovetic 20 Pen, Montolivo 42, Jovetic 49)
Centurioni floored Jovetic with a poorly timed sliding tackle. Montolivo scored a brilliant second, he checked inside a defender onto Vargas ball down the left and whipped a high shot over Ujkani. Ljajic made the third with a superb cross.
Attendance : 9,000
Assists : Jovetic (won pen), Vargas, Ljajic
ROMA 2 (Totti 34 Pen, Totti 78 Pen)
CHIEVO 0
Before the match the Roma squad got together in a giant American football style huddle. Lamela was bumped over for the first penalty. After Totti converted he revealed a T-Shit which read 'Scusate Il Retardo' which unfortunately does not translate to 'Excuse me I'm Retarded' but 'Sorry for the delay'. The second penalty was awarded for handball.
Attendance : 38,050
Assists : Lamela (won pen), n/a
PALERMO 1 (Miccoli 89)
NAPOLI 3 (Pandev 35, Cavani 54, Hamsik 60)
Budan and Vasquez wasted 100% chances when clean through. Cavani released Gargano down the left and Pandev turned his marker before putting away the Uruguayan's centre. Cavani scored a second from absolutely nothing, from the edge of the D he whipped a shot inside the right post. Inler played in the overlapping Hamsik with a gorgeous reverse pass and he sidestepped Benussi as he dived at his feet before tapping into an empty net. Miccoli scored with a tremendous header.
Attendance : 22,110
Assists : Gargano, Hamsik, Inler, Balzaretti
7 January 2012
SIENA 4 (Destro 11, Calaio 35 Pen, Calaio 49 Pen, Destro 81)
LAZIO 0
Destro ran through on a quick counter and angled his shot into the bottom left corner. Stankevicius conceded the first of two penalties with a clumsy challenge on Brienza. In between the goals the awful Sculli missed two good chances. A longball sent Destro against Lulic and Stankevicius, he brushed aside Lulic and ran through Stankevicius, Bizzarri came off his line and dived in with a two footed tackle, sending the youngster to the turf, he got back on his feet as the ball bounced off a post and tapped in the rebound but the ref awarded a penalty and showed Bizzarri a red card. Destro scored the fourth with a great header but was denied the chance of a hat-trick by the stupid tradition Italian coaches have of substituting players on two goals late on in games.
Attendance : 10,270
Red Card : Bizzarri 47 (Lazio)
Assists : Rossettini, Brienza (won pen), Destro (won pen), Del Grosso
INTER 5 (Milito 13, Motta 18, Milito 41, Pazzini 56, Faraoni 79)
PARMA 0
Milito volleyed in a fantastic Alvarez cross. Motta ran onto a deflected shot and from the edge of the area drilled a left foot shot inside a post. Milito played a ball out wide to Maicon, ran into the box and met Brazilian's cross with a bullet header. Milito sent a midfielder on his arse with a lovely nutmeg then slipped in Pazzini with a brilliant pass inside two defenders and Pazzini lobbed first time over Mirante. 20 year old full-back Marco Faraoni struck through a clearance on the half volley and the ball flew over the defence before bouncing in off the underside of the crossbar.
Despite the scoreline Parma created and wasted numerous chances. Inter's most emphatic victory since the Mourinho era.
Attendance : 37,326
Assists : Alvarez, n/a, Maicon, Milito, n/a
LEADERS
37 points - Milan, Juventus
35 points - Udinese
30 points - Lazio
29 points - Inter
21 December 2011
UDINESE 0
JUVENTUS 0
Attendance : 30,000
Red Card : Guidolin 92 (Udinese C)
Assists : n/a
ATALANTA 4 (Denis 17 Pen, Marilungo 18, Marilungo 44, Peluso 71)
CESENA 1 (Candreva 12)
Mutu backed into a defender, pulled down a goal kick on the half-way line and laid the ball into Candreva, he ran 20 yards before letting rip with a terrific left foot shot which flew past Consigli. Rodriguez kicked Marilungo to concede the penalty. Cesena pushed offside when defending a free kick, Manfredini chipped the ball back into the box and Marilungo trapped it on his chest before lifting over Antonioli. More dreadfully lazy defending gifted Atalanta a third. Peluso passed to Denis on the edge of the box and made a run beyond Cesena's square backline onto his pass, centred and Marilungo tapped in at the back post. Peluso scored a brilliant fourth. Hugging the left touchline he cut inside Ghezzal and jumped over Von Bergen's challenge inside the box then shot into the roof of the net.
Attendance : 16,081
Assists : Mutu, Marilungo (won pen), Manfredini, Peluso, Padoin
BOLOGNA 0
ROMA 2 (Taddei 17, Osvaldo 40)
Taddei gave Roma the lead with a deflected shot from the edge of the box. Osvaldo showed great footwork to dance past Gillet then missed an open goal. He turned onto Lamela's pass before smashing a right foot shot wide of Gillet. It was his 7th goal of the season which isn't bad on the surface but it's no exaggeration to say he could have easily scored double. His positioning is great but his finishing is awful.
Attendance : 16,055
Red Card : Portanova 77 (Bologna)
Assists : n/a, Lamela
INTER 4 (Pazzini 34, Milito 49, Cambiasso 73, Alvarez 81)
LECCE 1 (Muriel 19)
Obodo tackled Motto in midfield and thread a pass through to Muriel who turned Lucio and Maicon before drilling a shot inside a post. Inter hit the woodwork four times in the next 15 minutes before Pazzini, whose wife gave birth to a baby boy while he was travelling to the stadium, jumped to volley in a deserved equaliser. Inter's second was a carbon copy of Lecce's first. Corvia missed two great chances as Lecce continued to expose Inter's horribly slow centre backs. Nagatomo hosed Cuadrado twice as he cut in from the left and laid on the third and fourth goals. It was Alvarez' first Serie A goal.
Attendance : 39,602
Assists : Obodo, Maicon, Alvarez, Nagatomo, Nagatomo
LAZIO 0
CHIEVO 0
Attendance : 18,000
Assists : n/a
NAPOLI 6 (Cavani 12, Hamsik 17, Cavani 24, Pandev 46, Gargano 48, Zuniga 79)
GENOA 1 (Jorque 27)
Cavani looked miles offside as he brought down a high ball and shot past Frey. Hamsik tried to pick out Gargano but his centre was blocked so he converted the rebound himself. Cavani ran clear of Genoa's suicide trap to score his second. Jorque reduced the arrears with a crisp low strike. Pandev raced through on a counter attack to kill off Genoa's hopes of a comeback. Gargano made it 5-1 with a punishing drive from the edge of the box and Zuniga hammered in the sixth off the underside of the bar.
Let's hope Napoli do this to Chelsea.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Maggio, n/a, Pandev, Seymour, Hamsik, Hamsik, Campagnaro
NOVARA 2 (Mazzarini 77, Rigoni 84)
PALERMO 2 (Ludi 20 og, Bertolo 73)
The first three goals were deflections. The second and third presumably credited to the player who shot because of the distance from goal. Rigoni swivelled to volley Morganella's cross inside the right post. Benussi should have done better. Bertolo could have won it at the death but sliced his shot wide.
Attendance : 9,000
Red Card : Ilicic 43 (Palermo)
Assists : n/a, n/a, n/a, Morganella
PARMA 3 (Modesto 5, Biabiany 23, Floccari 44)
CATANIA 3 (Almiron 22, Lodi 74 Pen, Catellani 85)
Modesto headed in the first goal then sliced a clearance to Almiron when defending a corner to concede the equaliser. Giovinco tackled Lodi in midfield before passing to Biabiany, he recovered from a terrible first touch on the edge of the box before blasting in Parma's second. Floccari lead a counter from the edge of his own penalty area, he played a one-two with Giovinco before hammering a shot into the bottom left corner. Santacroce floored Gomez to concede the penalty and having rescued a point with a late goal at the weekend in another six goal thriller, Parma dropped 3 when Catellani volleyed Lodi's cross past Mirante.
Attendance : 10,814
Assists : Galloppa, n/a, Giovinco, Giovinco, Gomez (won pen), Lodi
20 December 2011
SIENA 0
FIORENTINA 0
Attendance : 9,117
Assists : n/a
CAGLIARI 0
MILAN 2 (Pisano 4 og, Ibrahimovic 60)
Though a good shot stopper Agazzi's decision making is awful and once again he was punished for straying off his line. He ran to close down Robinho, the Brazilian skipped past him and pulled back a center which Pisano, under pressure from Nocerino, put the ball into his own net. On Milan's second he made another early dash off his line as Ibrahimovic ran onto a Robinho header and poked into the corner.
Milan end the year as they began - top of Serie A.
Attendance : 20,000
Assists : n/a, Robinho
LEADERS
34 points - Milan
34 points - Juventus
32 points - Udinese
30 points - Lazio
18 December 2011
ASTON VILLA 0
LIVERPOOL 2 (Bellamy 11, Skrtel 15)
Liverpool move above Newcastle into sixth place after a win at Aston Villa where they barely needed to break sweat. Liverpool tore into an early lead with two quick fire set piece goals as Stuart Downing's corner against his former club was helped on by Shelvey and tapped in by Craig Bellamy after a back heel from Luis Suarez was blocked. The goalscorer turned provider for the second as Bellamy's corner was headed in by Martin Skrtel. Suarez should have added a third early in the second half but walloped a shot against the bar when a goal looked certain and he then hit the post ten minutes later with a lovely chip.
Attendance : 37,460
Assists : Suarez, Bellamy
MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Silva 53)
ARSENAL 0
Man City regain top spot - lost earlier in the day to Man United - with a narrow, but deserved, win against Arsenal. The only goal came when Mario Balotelli cut inside and although his shot was saved and Sergio Aguero couldn't head home the loose ball, David Silva managed to slide in at the far post to convert.
Attendance : 47,303
Assists : Aguero
QPR 0
MANCHESTER CITY 2 (Rooney 1, Carrick 56)
Man United go top ahead of Man City's game with Arsenal after a comfortable win at QPR. They led early on when Wayne Rooney headed in Antonio Valencia's cross after just 53 seconds. They secured the win early in the second half thanks to Michael Carrick's run from midfield and shot from the edge of the area which the keeper perhaps should have done better with.
Attendance : 18,033
Assists : Valencia, n/a
TOTTENHAM 1 (Pavlyuchenko 61)
SUNDERLAND 0
Spurs continued their decent season by bouncing back after a tricky week with a home win against Sunderland. Roman Pavlyuchenko netted the only goal with a low shot after being found by Rafael Van Der Vaart. Luka Modric could have doubled matters but blazed over an open goal from eight yards.
Attendance : 36,021
Assist : van der Vaart
17 December 2011
BLACKBURN 1 (Dann 72)
WEST BROM 2 (Morrison 53, Odemwingie 89)
West Brom heaped more pressure on Blackburn boss Steve Keen with a late winner at Ewood. After a goalless first half, the Baggies took the lead when a corner was only cleared to the edge of the area and James Morrison walloped in a beauty of the first time volley. Rovers equalised after a long kick from keeper Paul Robinson was nodded on by Chris Samba and scrambled inside the near post by Scott Dann. The game was heading for a draw until Peter Odemwingie cut in from the right and arrowed a cracking drive which flew inside the post.
Attendance : 22,909
Assists : Brunt, Samba, Reid
EVERTON 1 (Osman 81)
NORWICH 1 (Holt 28)
Everton needed a late goal at home to Norwich to salvage a draw as their awful recent form continues. The Canaries led at half time as Steve Morison found Grant Holt in the area and he showed excellent close control to turn his man and shoot inside the far post. Everton's point came courtesy of Leon Osman who deflected in a shot from Royston Drenthe.
Attendance : 31,004
Assists : Morison, Drenthe
FULHAM 2 (Dempsey 33, Ruiz 34)
BOLTON 0
Bolton remain rooted at the bottom after slumping to two quick fire goals at Fulham. Both strikes came inside three first half minutes as Bryan Ruiz crossed for Clint Dempsey to head superbly in and then the
roles were reversed as Dempsey sent Ruiz clear and he beat the keeper with a cheeky looping lob which looked to be going over initially.
Attendance : 25,643
Assists : Morison, Drenthe
NEWCASTLE 0
SWANSEA 0
Swansea's good defensive record continues as they held Newcastle to a goalless draw at the Sports Direct Arena (St James Park!). The hosts had the better of things with both Fabricio Coloccini and Demba Ba hitting the post.
Attendance : 51,767
Assists : n/a
WOLVES 1 (Hunt 17 Pen)
STOKE 2 (Doyle 58 og, Crouch 70)
Stoke move up to eighth ahead of the Sunday games after coming from behind to win at Wolves. The home side led at the break thanks to a penalty from Stephen Hunt after Jonathon Woodgate had fouled Matt
Jarvis. It needed a major stroke of luck for Stoke to level as Robert Huth's shot took a huge deflection off of Kevin Doyle to find the net and they won it as Matt Etherington's far post cross was nodded in by a stooping Peter Crouch.
Attendance : 24,684
Assists : Jarvis (won pen), n/a, Etherington
WIGAN 1 (Gomez 88)
CHELSEA 1 (Sturridge 59)
Wigan netted a late equaliser to earn a point in a game which Chelsea looked to have wrapped up but ultimately paid the price for not killing their hosts off. Chelsea failed to make any major impact on the game until just before the hour when they went long ball to take the lead. The provider was Ashley Cole whose excellent cross-field pass was superbly controlled by Daniel Sturridge who then drilled a shot across
goal and inside the far post. Chelsea almost shot themselves in the foot as a mix-up at the back resulted in Franco Di Santo's goalbound shot being deflected wide by Branislav Ivanovic whose original error caused
the chance in the first place. It proved to be a warning as Wigan levelled totally out of the blue as Hugo Rodallega burst into the area and after his shot was spilled by Petr Cech, Jordi Gomez was on hand to thump in from a matter of yards.
Attendance : 18,320
Assists : Cole, Rodallega
LEADERS 41 points - Manchester City
39 points - Manchester United
34 points - Tottenham
32 points - Chelsea
Gary Dowden - Joint Admin YahooGroups Premier-L list http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/premier-l/ Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it
LEADERS 41 points - Manchester City
39 points - Manchester United
34 points - Tottenham
32 points - Chelsea
Gary Dowden - Joint Admin YahooGroups Premier-L list http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/premier-l/ Leeds United and Scotland and proud of it
18 December 2011
CATANIA 2 (Lodi 32 fk, Maxi Lopez 61 Pen)
PALERMO 0
Given Palermo's away form there was always only likely to be one winner in the Sicilian derby. Dead ball specialist Lodi curled in a fantastic left footed free kick. Silvestre wrestled Maxi Lopez to the ground to concede the most blatant penalty of the season.
Lopez broke down in tears after he scored, fuelling speculation that he's off to Milan although his coach Montella suggested he cried because he knows he's staying!
Attendance : 7,265
Assists : Barrientos (won fk), Maxi Lopez (won pen)
CESENA 0
INTER 1 (Ranocchia 63)
Attendance : 20,138
Assist : Maicon (fk)
GENOA 2 (Rossi 39, Pratto 85)
BOLOGNA 1 (Ramirez 51)
Eduardo played in Pratto with a reverse pass, he rounded Gillet and centred for Rossi to tap in. Di Vaio back healed a Diamanti free kick to Ramirez for the equaliser. Di Vaio hit the inside of a post, Crespo (not that one) and Jimenez also wasted great chances. Veloso touched on a cross and Pratto shot first time past Gillet. It was his first Serie A goal. Hard on Bologna who had more than enough chances to win.
Attendance : 19,278
Assists : Pratto, Di Vaio, Veloso
JUVENTUS 2 (Pepe 4, Quagliarella 75)
NOVARA
De Ceglie fired in a cross and Pepe threw himself at the ball to score his fourth goal of the season. In between the two goals Del Piero missed a hundred chances and at the other end Buffon made sure they didn't pay for it with some great saves. Quagliarella made the points safe with a bullet header from Pirlo's corner.
Attendance : 39,836
Assists : De Ceglie, Pirlo (ck)
PARMA 3 (Floccari 18 Pen, Pelle 86, Galloppa 93)
LECCE 3 (Di Michele 58, Di Michele 61, Cuadrado 77)
Biabiany went down theatrically in the box after carrying the ball 50 yards. Maybe he was tired. Di Michele equalised from a Brivio center then put Lecce a goal up with a spectacular overhead kick. Cuadrado's rasping left foot drive appeared to put Lecce out of sight but Parma hit back with two late goals. Lecce's reserve goalkeeper charged off his line to punch out of a cross and crashed into Floccari, Biabiany gave the ball to Pelle and he tapped into an empty net. Parma should have been awarded a second penalty for handball but from the resulting corner Galloppa smashed in the equaliser from the edge of the box. All this without Giovinco.
Attendance : 12,161
Assists : Biabiany (won pen), Brivio, Ferrario, Muriel, Pelle, n/a
LAZIO 2 (Lulic 43, Klose 51)
UDINESE 2 (Floro Flores 27, Pinzi 73)
Pinzi found Pasquale with a great first time pass and Floro Flores met his cross with a diving header. The Udinese defence back off as Lulic lined up a shot then crashed the ball into the bottom corner. Not the best way of dealing with a player known for his long distance shooting. Rocchi flicked on a Ledesma cross and Klose volleyed into the bottom corner. Klose should have made it 3-1 but shot straight at Handanovic when Hernanes sent him clear. Pinzi made no such mistake when he beat the Lazio offside trap and shot wide of 34 year old stand in goalkeeper Bizzarri.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Pasquale, Gonzalez, Rocchi, Di Natale
NAPOLI 1 (Hamsik 82)
ROMA 3 (De Sanctis 3 og, Osvaldo 59, Simplicio 90)
Lamela slalomed his way between two defenders before pulling back a center, Aronica almost turned the ball into his own net, De Sanctis did. Hamsik should have equalised when free at the back post but shanked his shot high over the bar. Lavezzi slammed a shot against the outside of the right post. Osvaldo did what he does best - miss from six yards and Lamela also hit the woodwork.
Totti flashed a low inswinging cross across the face of goal and Osvaldo got the jump on Campagnaro to tap in Roma's second. Hamsik briefly got Napoli back in the match but Simplicio killed off any hopes of a comeback with a shot that took a huge deflection off Cannavaro.
Napoli have beaten a host (apparently) of clubs to Eduardo Vargas' signature and it's true Cavani has gone off the boil but it's in defence that the club need reinforcements. They're 10 points off third place and are now behind even Inter.
Attendance : 35,000
Assists : n/a, Totti, Zuniga, n/a
17 December 2011
CHIEVO 2 (Thereau 35, Sardo 57)
CAGLIARI 0
Paloschi headed on a longball and Thereau held off a defender before bouncing a volley past Agazzi. Chievo's second was also a route one special. A long ball down the left found Thereau and he outran Biondini before overcooking his centre but Sardo arrived late and tapped the ball into the bottom left corner.
Attendance : 6,000
Assists : Paloschi, Thereau
MILAN 2 (Nocerino 54, Ibrahimovic 63 Pen)
SIENA 0
Del Grosso had the best chance of the first half but Amelia rushed off his line as he chased after a deflection
and did enough to make his misfire. Robinho touched back a corner and Nocerino's shot took a deflection wrong footing Brkic. Robinho played in Boateng on the counter attack, he could have easily rounded Brkic and tapped into an empty net but ran straight into him to win the penalty.
Attendance : 41,759
Assists : n/a, Boateng (won pen)
FIORENTINA 2 (Gilardino 9, Jovetic 88)
ATALANTA 2 (Masiello 81, Denis 85)
Gilardino turned in a glorious Vargas cross and the game was largely a none event until the last 10 minutes. Masiello caught the ball on the drop after Lazzari failed to get enough distance on a clearance and his shot went in via a deflection. Carmona clipped a ball inside two defenders, Schelotto ran between them before floating a low inswinging cross to the back post for Denis, 1-2. Jovetic, who has cut off his trademark perm, scored a brilliant equaliser. In attempting to clear a cross, Bonaventura kicked the ball against De Silvestre, it spun up off his arm and Jovetic, standing side one, leapt in air to score with a spectacular scissor kick.
Attendance : 15,812
Assists : Vargas, n/a, Schelotto, De Silvestre
LEADERS
33 points - Juventus
31 points - Milan
31 points - Udinese
29 points - Lazio
12 December 2011
ROMA 1 (De Rossi 5)
JUVENTUS 1 (Chiellini 61)
De Rossi, forced to play in defence due to injuries and suspensions, scored what would have been a great goal but for the fact Vidal was guarding the post and should have cleared. Roma worked a short corner, Totti hung up a cross and De Rossi leapt in the air and hooked a volley into the bottom corner. Roma systematically fouled Marchisio, the real star of the Juve midfield. Estigarribia hit a shot into the ground, Stekelenburg ran off his line to catch the ball but Chiellini beat him to it, 1-1. Roma went down the other end and won a penalty which bottler Totti shot down to Buffon's right and he saved.
Attendance : 49,547
Assists : Totti, Estigarribia
11 December 2011
ATALANTA 1 (Tiribocchi 71)
CATANIA 1 (Legrottaglie 18)
Legrottaglie gave the visitors the lead with a terrific header. Spolli was sent off for pushing Denis and Atalanta inevitably equalised against the ten men. Tiribocchi met a corner with an ugly volley into the ground, the bounce took the ball over Andujar.
Attendance : 13,716
Red Card : Spolli 43 (Catania)
Assists : Marchese, Moralez (ck)
BOLOGNA 2 (Di Vaio 11, Diamanti 72)
MILAN 2 (Seedorf 16, Ibrahimovic 71)
Milan's reserve goalkeeper cost his team 3 points. He ran of his line to chase down a longball and Di Vaio lobbed it over his head and into an empty net. Seedorf equalised with a brilliant shot from the edge of the box and then should have been booked for blatant handball in the Milan penalty area in full view of the ref. Raggi kicked Ibrahimovic to concede the penalty. Amelia let Diamanti's speculative effort slip through his fingers. The ref ended a miserable performance by missing a blatant handball in the Bologna penalty area. At least he was consistently awful for both teams.
That's two draws against lowly opposition since Cassano went down. The Milan attack needs a spark. Milan are unlikely to outbid PSG for Tevez and Maxi Lopez is certainly not the answer.
Attendance : 25,736
Assists : Diamanti, Boateng, Ibrahimovic (won pen), Perez
CAGLIARI 0
PARMA 0
Attendance : 7,100
Assists : n/a
UDINESE 2 (Di Natale 67, Basta 79)
CHIEVO 1 (Paloschi 83)
Chievo wasted three chances to clear a corner, Badu dropped a ball out wide to Isla and Di Natale headed in his cross. Basta took a kick to the face as he ran in and met a cross with a low header. Paloschi scored a nice but irrelevant equaliser.
Attendance : 14,000
Assists : Isla, Di Natale (ck), Thereau
NOVARA 1 (Radovanovic 70)
NAPOLI 1 (Dzemaili 84)
Gemiti touched a free kick to the right, Radovanovic ran forward and hit a tremendous shot inside a post from about 35 yards out. Fantastic shot. Lavezzi pulled back a center for Hamsik, he sliced his shot so badly it spun backwards to Dzemaili who scored with a thumping drive for the second successive game.
Attendance : 16,282
Assists : Gemiti, Hamsik
10 December 2011
LECCE 2 (Di Michele 12 Pen, Ferrario 59)
LAZIO 3 (Klose 28, Cana 47, Klose 87)
Marchetti was lucky not to see red for bringing down Di Michele as a failed offside trap left him with a clear run on goal. Klose volleyed in the equaliser after Diakhate headed on a corner. Klose played a lovely ball inside a defender and Cana angled his shot inside the left post. Ferrario headed in the equaliser at the back post. Di Michele missed a great chance to put Lecce 3-2 up when he flashed a lob over the bar. Minutes later Klose headed a Cisse cross into the bottom corner.
Attendance : 6,850
Assist : Di Michele (won pen), Diakhate, Klose, Muriel, Cisse
SIENA 0
GENOA 2 (Rossi 57, Palacio 92)
Brkic jumped off his line for a cross, ran into Merkel, couldn't get enough on his punch and Rossi tapped into an empty net. Destro missed an open goal, hammering a shot against the underside of the bar. Up to that point Siena were the better side and but for Calaio's wasteful finishing would have been in front. Destro's miss knocked the fight out of them and a clever Merkel header sent Palacio clear on the counter to score a second and ease the pressure on madman Malesani.
Attendance : 9,190
Assists : n/a, Merkel
INTER 2 (Pazzini 41, Nagatomo 49)
FIORENTINA 0
Coutinho chipped a ball over the top of the Fiorentina defence, Pazzini ran past his marker and stuck out a foot to lob over Frey from a tight angle. Great finish. In trying to clear from Nagatomo, Pasqual smashed the ball against him and it bounced past Frey.
Attendance : 39,917
Assists : Coutinho, n/a
PALERMO 0
CESENA 1 (Mutu 64)
Attendance : 18,474
Red Card : Munoz 65 (Palermo)
Assist : Candreva (ck)
LEADERS
30 points - Juventus
30 points - Udinese
28 points - Milan
28 points - Lazio
7 December 2011
MANCHESTER CITY 2 (Silva 36, Y Toure 52)
BAYERN MUNICH 0
With his back to goal Dzeko flicked on a Barry pass and Silva hammered it past Butt. Badstuber didn't get enough on a back pass and Yaya ran through to poke a second past Bayern's reserves.
Attendance : 46,002
Assists : Dzeko, Dzeko
VILLARREAL 0
NAPOLI 2 (Inler 65, Hamsik 76)
Mazzarri was sent off for shoving Nilmar as he ran a ball out of play near the Napoli bench. Inler let a Hamsik centre roll across him and from 20 yards cracked a left foot drive inside the right post. Hamsik sealed qualification with a tap-in after Cavani flicked on a corner.
Attendance : 15,350
Red Card : Mazzarri 54 (Coach Napoli)
Assists : Hamsik, Cavani
LILLE 0
TRABZONSPOR 0
Attendance : 16,000
Assists : n/a
INTER 1 (Cambiasso 51)
CSKA MOSCOW 2 (Doumbia 50, Berezutski 87)
Berezutsky intercepted Nagatomo's lazy pass out of defence and passed inside to Dzagoev, Doumbia dummied his center, ran outside Ranocchia and onto Love's pass, 0-1. Inter were level immediately when Mr. Lightweight stabbed in a rebound. Milito should have put them in front but headed a great Zanetti cross against the bar. Berezutski headed in a later winner. The defending on the corner was something else.
Inter are the weakest of the last 16 teams left in the competition. APOEL will put up a better fight and have infinitely more spirit. Ranieri is a dinosaur and has to go, he has to go.
Attendance : 49,000
Assists : Love, n/a, Cauna (ck)
BASEL 2 (Streller 9, A Frei 84)
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (Jones 89)
Today was a truly joyous day in the history of European football. Vidic knocked down Smalling when clearing a cross from the right, Shaqiri fired in a center from the opposite flank, De Gea stuck out a leg but only succeeded into deflecting the ball to Strellar and he smacked a half volley into the ground and over De Gea. Rooney missed an open goal and to further compound United's first half misery Vidic had to be stretchered off when landing awkwardly on his right knee after a challenge with Strellar. Steinhofer came within a lick of paint of scoring a spectacular own goal, his volley smashed off the underside of the crossbar. Shaqiri dispossessed Rooney on the edge of his own penalty area, ran wide, whipped in a cross, Evans should have cleared but missed and Frei pulled off Smalling's shoulder to head through De Gea's legs. Sommer made a brilliant point blank save from Wellbeck, Macheda smashed the rebound against the bar and Jones header crept over the line. Much to everyone's surprise Basel held on in 3 minutes of injury time to cause one of the biggest ever shocks in the group stages.
It's nice to see United return to their pre 2008 form and suffer an early exit. I've read some utter bullshit about how Taggart will rebuild and United will bounce back. Happen not gonna. The list of teams the scummers can't compete with in the transfer market continues to grows which makes rebuilding very difficult. Additionally the talent from the youth team is mediocre. Wellbeck & Cleverly are exceptions to the rule and even then they are the first players to break into the starting XI since Fletcher in 2003. Pique doesn't count as he's no longer at the club. O'Shea and Brown don't count because of the same reason and because they're shit as it Johnny Evans.
Attendance : 36,894
Assists : Shaqiri, Shaqiri, n/a
BENFICA 1 (Cardozo 7)
OTELUL GALATI 0
Attendance : 50,000
Assist : Gaitan
DINAMO ZAGREB 1 (Kovacic 40)
LYON 7 (Gomis 45, Gomis 48, Gonalons 48, Gomis 52, Lopez 64, Gomis 70, Briand 76)
Leko was sent off for pulling down Gomis but despite their numerical disadvantage the hosts took the lead when Kovacic stabbed in a rebound. Gomis poked in a deflected cross. Briand's corner bounced in off Gonalons and he picked the pocket of a Dinamo defender before laying on Gomis' second. He completed his hat-trick goal from a center on the opposite end. Lacazette sent Lopez clear of the Dinamo offside trap for goal number 5. Gomis became the 7th player to score 4 Champions League goals in a match and did it in style. With a deft flick of his right boot he sent the ball spinning wide of Kelava. Fofana played a first time pass into Lopez who let the ball run through his legs and while Briand's first touch was heavy his second was not.
Lyon needed seven goals to go through. The conspiracies theories will run and run.
Attendance : 27,000
Red Card : Leko 28 (Dinamo Zagreb)
Assist : n/a, n/a, Briand (ck), Briand, Cissokho, Lacazette, Cissokho, Fofana
AJAX 0
REAL MADRID 3 (Callejon 14, Higuain 42, Callejon 92)
Ajax screwed up offside on the first goal then got jobbed out of two goals by a linesman's flag. A fantastic crossfield pass sent Higuain racing clear of Ajax's trademark idiotic high line and any sympathy you can have for Ajax disappeared when they allowed that useless bastard Xabi Alonso a rare assist for the third.
Attendance : 50,000
Assist : Kaka', Benzema, Alonso
1st place finishers : Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, Real Madrid, Benfica 2nd place finishers : Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon Potential Last 16 Draw : Chelsea v Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon Arsenal v Leverkusen, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon APOEL v Leverkusen, Marseille, Milan, Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon Barcelona v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon Bayern Munich v Marseille, Zenit, Milan, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon Inter v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Basel, Lyon Real Madrid v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA, Basel Benfica v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Lyon Potential Last 16 Draw : Leverkusen v Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Benfica Marseille v Chelsea, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, R Madrid, Benfica Zenit v Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, Real Madrid, Benfica Milan v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Bayern, Real Madrid, Benfica Napoli v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Benfica CSKA v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Real Madrid, Benfica Basel v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, Real Madrid Lyon v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter, Benfica Breakdown : Serie A x 3 EPL x 2 La Liga x 2 Bundesliga x 2 Ligue 1 x 2 Russia x 1 Cyprus x 1 Portugal x 1 Switzerland x 1 Ukraine x 1
1st place finishers : Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, Real Madrid, Benfica 2nd place finishers : Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon Potential Last 16 Draw : Chelsea v Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon Arsenal v Leverkusen, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon APOEL v Leverkusen, Marseille, Milan, Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon Barcelona v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon Bayern Munich v Marseille, Zenit, Milan, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon Inter v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Basel, Lyon Real Madrid v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA, Basel Benfica v Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit, Milan, Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Lyon Potential Last 16 Draw : Leverkusen v Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Benfica Marseille v Chelsea, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, R Madrid, Benfica Zenit v Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, Real Madrid, Benfica Milan v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Bayern, Real Madrid, Benfica Napoli v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Benfica CSKA v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Real Madrid, Benfica Basel v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter, Real Madrid Lyon v Chelsea, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter, Benfica Breakdown : Serie A x 3 EPL x 2 La Liga x 2 Bundesliga x 2 Ligue 1 x 2 Russia x 1 Cyprus x 1 Portugal x 1 Switzerland x 1 Ukraine x 1
5 December 2011
FULHAM 1 (Dempsey 77)
LIVERPOOL 0
Fulham edged out ten man Liverpool to move up to 13th. Move clubs came close as Jordan Henderson hit the inside of the post for Liverpool whilst Stuart Downing had a shot tipped onto the post by home keeper Mark Schwarzer. Clint Dempsey clattered the bar for Fulham before the major talking point as Jay Spearing was shown a straight red card despite winning the ball but catching Moussa Dembele on his follow-through. Fulham clinched the win late as Danny Murphy's shot was fumbled by Jose Reina and Dempsey scored with the follow up from close range.
Attendance : 25,688
Assist : n/a
4 December 2011
EVERTON 0
STOKE 1 (Huth 15)
Stoke ended a good week with a superb win at Everton. The hosts were rarely in the game and Stoke won it early on as Robert Huth helped in a shot from Dean Whitehead.
Attendance : 35,000
Assists : Whitehead
WOLVES 2 (Fletcher 73, Fletcher 81)
SUNDERLAND 1 (Richardson 52)
Wolves edged the battle of the strugglers as they came from behind to see off Sunderland who new boss, Martin O'Neill, was watching from the stands. Wolves had the better chances in a tepid first half as Steven Fletcher's header was saved right on the line by keeper Kieran Westwood whilst the stopper also made a stunning close range save from Steven Hunt's goalbound shot. Sunderland came close when Stephane Sessegnon's effort was blocked on the line by Stephen Ward. The second half was a vast improvement and saw Sunderland take the lead when the broke quickly from defending a corner and after Sessegnon found Kieron Richardson, he unleashed a belter which flew into the roof of the net. They then blew a golden chance to double the lead when Jody Craddock was judged to have fouled Sebastien Larsson who did make a meal of it, however justice was done when Larsson's spot kick was saved by Wayne Hennessey. Wolves took full advantage and levelled within half a minute as Matt Jarvis crossed for Fletcher to head home. The hosts won it late on as Fletcher was again on hand to turn and drill home after being set up by Jamie O'Hara, possibly after a hand ball.
Attendance : 25,145
Assists : Sessegnon, Jarvis, O'Hara
3 December 2011
NEWCASTLE 0
CHELSEA 3 (Drogba 38, Kalou 89, Sturridge 93)
Chelsea leap above Newcastle after inflicting the Geordies first home defeat of the campaign. The hosts will feel unlucky as Chelsea should have been down to ten men very early on as David Luiz was only shown a yellow for bundling over Demba Ba as he burst through on goal whilst Ba also hit the post. The visitors were then awarded a penalty after Daniel Sturridge was tripped by Cabaye however Frank Lampard's effort was tipped onto the post by Tim Krul. Shola Ameobi almost broke the crossbar with a bullet shot after the break whilst his brother, Sammy, had a shot kicked off the line by John Terry. Chelsea were ahead at half time as Juan Mata crossed for Didier Drogba to head home. It was in the balance until very late on as Chelsea doubled the lead when late sub Salomon Kalou converted after a decent run and cross by fellow sub Fernando Torres, the ball just dribbling in after the keeper got a hand to it. In stoppage time, Chelsea rubbed salt into the wounds when Sturridge capped a fine display as he fired in after cutting in from the right.
Attendance : 52,305
Assists : Mata, Torres, Ramires
BLACKBURN 4 (Yakubu 20, Yakubu 45, Yakubu 57, Yakubu 82 Pen)
SWANSEA 2 (Lita 35, Moore 66)
Blackburn moved off the foot of the table as Yakubu netted all four goals as they saw off Swansea. His first came midway through the first half as he found the roof of the net having been set up by Gael Givet.Swansea pushed them all the way and levelled when Leroy Lita headed in off the post from Mark Gower's deep cross. Rovers regained the lead in first half stoppage time as Yakubu headed in Simon Vukcevic's volleyed cross and he completed his hat trick with a close range header after Chris Samba had kept Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner alive. The Welsh side pulled another back as Wayne Routledge's cross was parried by keeper Paul Robinson, Luke Moore belted in the loose ball. It all then collapsed for Swansea in the space of a minute when Joe Allen was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Junior Hoillet and from the free kick, Vukcevic was fouled in the area by Neil Taylor allowing Yakubu to grab his fourth with a confident penalty.
Attendance : 23,080
Assists : Givet, Gower, Vukcevic, Samba, Routledge, Vukcevic (won pen)
MANCHESTER CITY 5 (Aguero 32, Nasri 51 fk, Toure 68, Balotelli 88, Johnson 91)
NORWICH 1 (Morison 81)
Man City remain clear at the top as they blitzed Norwich at the Etihad. They took a while to break through but did so when Micah Richards cut the ball back for Sergio Aguero and as he twisted and turned a number of defenders around the six yard box, he somehow threaded a low toe-poke inside the far post. Early in the second half, Samir Nasri's free kick drifted past everyone and keeper John Ruddy reacted too late and could only help the ball into the net. Yaya Toure added a third when he collected Nasri's pass to curl in from the edge of the area although Norwich did grab one back as Steve Morison headed in Marc Tierney's cross, however it only delayed the inevitable. City's fourth came from sub Mario Balotelli who was found by Adam Johnson and after his first effort was saved, the ball looped up and he helped it over the line with his shoulder! Johnson wrapped the rout up when he slotted in a low shot after being set up by Vincent Kompany.
Attendance : 47,201
Assists : Richards, Dzeko (won fk), Silva, Tierney, Johnson, Kompany
QPR 1 (Helguson 20)
WEST BROM 1 (Long 81)
Honours even at Loftus Road as West Brom grabbed a late equaliser to deny QPR a win. Rangers led when Joey Barton's cross was nodded in by Heidar Helguson. The leveller came from Shane Long who bundled in at the far post from Peter Odemwingie's cross.
Attendance : 17,290
Assists : Barton, Odemwingie
TOTTENHAM 3 (Bale 7, Lennon 50, Defoe 60)
BOLTON 0
A walk at the Lane for Spurs who won six Prem games in a row for the first time as they made short work of Bolton. They led early on as Gareth Bale flicked in Luka Modric's corner and then held up his boot in tribute to his Welsh boss Gary Speed. Bolton were reduced to ten men when Gary Cahill lost the ball to Scott Parker in midfield and then brought him down to he looked to break clear. Somewhat surprisingly, a red card was produced - a crazy decision especially considering the yellow shown to David Luiz at St James Park! Spurs took full advantage and went two ahead early in the second half as Jermaine Defoe found Aaron Lennon who cut inside before firing home and then on the hour Defoe added a third from close range as Bale helped on another Modric corner.
Attendance : 35,896
Assists : Modric, Defoe, Bale
WIGAN 0
ARSENAL 4 (Arteta 28, Vermaelen 29, Gervinho 61, RVP 79)
No problems for Arsenal at Wigan and their revival continues. Two goals in as many minutes set the Londoners a good foundation as firstly Mikel Arteta collected a pass from Thomas Vermaelen and his speculative shot from 30 yards seemed to go through the hands of diving keeper Ali Al Habsi and then Vermaelen added the second himself with a header from Robin Van Persie's corner. The third came on the hour as Van Persie's shot was saved and Gervinho made no mistake with the rebound and it was Van Persie who wrapped it all up from Theo Walcott's cut back.
Attendance : 19,280
Assists : Vermaelen, RVP, RVP, Walcott
ASTON VILLA 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (Jones 20)
Man United remain five points behind Man City after a narrow, yet comfortable, win at Villa Park. United dominated the opening stages despite an early injury to Javier Hernandez which saw him replaced by Antonio Valencia and their dominance was rewarded when Patrice Evra found Nani who crossed from the left for Phil Jones to sweep in his first ever league goal. Villa were also forced into a change before the interval as keeper Shay Given seemed to pull a hamstring as he burst from his area to clear the ball and was replaced by Brad Guzan. Both injuries led to eight minutes of first half stoppage time although much
like the rest of the half, Villa never threatened and United never needed to break into a sweat. After the break, very little changed although after an hour, United keeper Anders Lindegaard actually had a shot to save although it was more of a cross from Gabriel Agbonlahor. Enter sub Emile Heskey for the hosts who came as close as any of his team mates as he headed a corner over the bar whilst James Collins forced a good save from Lindegaard as Villa woke up for the latter stages.
Attendance : 40,053
Assists : Nani
Gary Dowden - Joint Admin YahooGroups Premier-L list
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