Saturday, 28 December 2013

FFTs whistle-stop preview of the weekends Premier League action

15:16

By: TBMU Admin On: 15:16   In:   No comments

FFTs whistle-stop preview of the weekends Premier League action

FFTs whistle-stop preview of the weekends Premier League action

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 08:48 AM PST

The fact the teams who spent Christmas Day on top and in fourth switched places after just 90 minutes of action tells you everything you need to know about how tight it is towards the summit of the Premier League. This time of year is always cited as a key period of a top-flight season with games coming thick and fast, but with so many meetings between the elite sides this festive season, it really could be a fortnight in which title and top four aspirations are boosted or broken. There are two more such clashes this weekend, as the Premier League season reaches the halfway point. Liverpool will look to bounce back from their unfortunate defeat at the Etihad by returning to winning ways against Chelsea. In 2010/11 and 2011/12, the Reds won at Stamford Bridge when in a far worse state than they are at present, which should see them arrive in west London in a positive state of mind. Chelsea may not be playing with quite the same swagger as Liverpool or City (they have scored 10 fewer goals than this weekend's opponents, and 20 fewer than free-scoring City), but Jose Mourinho's team are still – bar the odd hiccup – a highly efficient side. How the Blues approach this match will give a good indication of how seriously Mourinho takes Liverpool as a title rival. Traditionally, the Portuguese has looked primarily to nullify his biggest rivals, often leading to slow-paced, chess-like matches, such as the recent draw at Arsenal or the early-season stalemate at Old Trafford. The fact this match is at home may necessitate a slightly more expansive approach, but it is unlikely to be a thrill-a-minute barnstormer of a fixture like many of Liverpool's recent outings against the league's stronger sides. Newcastle's home clash with leaders Arsenal appears far more likely to be a breathless end-to-end festive treat. The Gunners have lost just one of their previous 12 league fixtures at St James' Park, winning four and drawing the other seven, and with 19 points from their nine away matches this season, only north London rivals Spurs can equal their away record. Yet Sunday's match will be no walkover, as Newcastle have won seven of their last nine in the league, and are fresh from blasting five past Stoke on Boxing Day. The Magpies' fine form has gone under the radar, perhaps thanks to Everton's long unbeaten run, but Alan Pardew's team now sit just one point behind the Toffees, and three off the top four. That gap closed in part thanks to a surprise win for their North East rivals Sunderland at Goodison Park, a result that may knock Everton out of their stride ahead of their own weekend match against Southampton. Roberto Martinez will be without Tim Howard for the visit of the Saints, thanks to the early red card doled out to the American against the Black Cats, as well as in-form loanee Gareth Barry. With Adam Lallana in form and Southampton finally ending their winless run with a 3-0 mauling of Cardiff in South Wales, this suddenly feels like a challenging hurdle for the Toffees. Sunderland's win may not have moved them off the bottom, given Crystal Palace and Fulham also both selfishly won away from home, but it could prove a confidence-boosting launchpad for the second half of the season. They'll look to exploit the chaos surrounding now-managerless Cardiff when they arrive in the Welsh capital for Saturday's Premier League showdown. The news that Vincent Tan had dispensed of Malky Mackay was as unpopular as it was unsurprising, and it will be interesting to see how the players react. Their form had hardly been sensational of late – the Bluebirds had scored just five goals in their last 10 league matches, picking up seven points along the way. Could a change in manager and approach – as ugly and unsavoury as the whole drawn-out process has been – actually prove the spur to Cardiff securing safety? It will also be interesting to see how Crystal Palace line up for their match at Manchester City. Tony Pulis has helped turn the Eagles' season round – nine points from their last five matches have even helped drag them out of the relegation zone – but with what appears to be a six-pointer against Norwich coming just three days after the trip to the Etihad, could the arch-pragmatist rotate his squad with a view to saving his key players for the bigger match? Either way, it's hard to see City failing to win. One team who may well take encouragement from Palace's upturn in fortunes is West Brom. The Baggies are now eight without a win and slowly sliding down the table, and will hope the arrival of a new manager can bring fresh ideas and impetus to a crumbling campaign. Caretaker Keith Downing made several changes for Thursday's trip to White Hart Lane – possibly with one eye on Saturday's match at West Ham - and will have been encouraged by a resolute showing and a hard-earned point. The now-unemployed Mackay may be watching this match closely. He has already been strongly linked with the aforementioned vacancy at The Hawthorns, and the mounting pressure on Sam Allardyce could soon lead to another at one of the Scot's former clubs. Hull once again played well against one of the Premier League's glamour clubs but left their Boxing Day fixture with Manchester United empty handed. The Tigers are doing a good job of keeping their heads above water, but a second away win of the week for Fulham would drag the Tigers back towards the mire. The Cottagers ended Norwich's mini-renaissance thanks to a late Scott Parker winner at Carrow Road, and things don't look like getting any jollier for the Canaries, as they host a rejuvenated Manchester United on Saturday afternoon. The champions have recovered well from the ignominy of losing back-to-back home matches by winning three on the spin. Extending that run to four would likely drag David Moyes' side closer to the title-chasing pack, given four of the six teams above them face one another. United may be sensible to exercise some caution in Norfolk – they've lost two of their last three trips to Carrow Road – but their recent away showings have been enough to suggest they could and should win again on Saturday. Given their dismal home record, Aston Villa won't be relishing their second Villa Park fixture in three days, not least as they lost Thursday's to Crystal Palace. Paul Lambert's side have lost six of their nine home league matches this term, which will be music to the ears of a Swansea side who haven't won in four matches. Villa started December with an impressive win at Southampton, but that hasn't proven to be a springboard. Another defeat on Saturday would be a fifth on the bounce, and would leave Lambert with some difficult questions to answer. If the Swans show the same application they did in their narrow defeat at Chelsea, they'll have more than half a chance. Tim Sherwood will certainly be looking for more commitment from his new Tottenham charges, when they host Stoke at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Spurs looked disorganised and lethargic in Thursday's draw with West Brom, perhaps suggesting that Andre Villas-Boas persisting with only one striker wasn't as big an issue as was being suggested in some quarters. Their hopes of a top-four spot may currently appear faint, but a win at home to a Stoke side reeling from a 5-1 shellacking at Newcastle would leave Spurs no more than three points off fourth, regardless of results elsewhere.

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Hughton relishing Man United challenge

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 08:22 AM PST

The Norwich manager oversaw a frustrating 2-1 home defeat to Fulhamon Thursday and his side are now just three points above the relegation zone. But they will have happy memories of Uniteds last visit to Carrow Road in November 2012, when the hosts prevailed 1-0 courtesy of Anthony Pilkingtons second-half strike.. And Hughton is eager for his charges to spring another surprise on the Premier League champions and boost their own survival hopes. Were playing at home again and any game against Manchester United is a game to look forward to for everyone, the 55-year-old said. Psychologically we can take something from our win over Manchester United last season, it was a great result and performance. Hughton has no new injury problems to contend with, and hinted that midfielder Jonny Howson could return from a back problem. We will continue to assess Jonny Howsons injury, he added. But were not ruling him out of anything.

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Mid-season break inevitable, says Rooney

Posted: 27 Dec 2013 06:25 AM PST

The reigning Premier League champions are preparing themselves for their second game in the space of three days, with Saturdays trip to Norwich City following Thursdays dramatic 3-2 success over Hull City. Uniteds visit to Carrow represents the third of four matches in the space of 12 days, in a hectic end-of-year schedule. The fixture pile-up has caused concern among many in the top flight, with Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger among those to criticise the schedule. And Rooney feels it is inevitable a break will be introduced in England, and also believes it could benefit the international side. Speaking toMUTV,he said: Two days after a game we are normally in a pool and in the gym, recovering from the last game. Obviously its a bit different at this time of year. I still think that in England there should be a winter break, I think that would benefit everyone but we have to get on with it, were professionals and were looking forward to it. In terms of recharging your batteries and getting the team ready it would help. I also think it would benefit the international set-up too. Hopefully that will come in. I think its only a matter of time. United head into the Norwich fixture after a difficult encounter with Hull, in which David Moyes men had to overcome a 2-0 deficit, with Rooneys superb volley the pick of the goals. The England international is now expecting a difficult challenge from Chris Hughtons men. He added: Saturdays match will be different to what we faced today and Norwich will be different as well. Its always a good atmosphere at Carrow Road and Im sure theyll come out running and trying to get in our faces, but we have to show our quality and hopefully that will win us the game.

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Moyes insists Man United are still in title race

Posted: 26 Dec 2013 08:04 AM PST

The reigning champions found themselves 2-0 down within 15 minutes at the KC Stadium on Thursday, James Chester volleying home against his former club before David Meyler's strike found the net via a deflection from Jonny Evans. United refused to wilt, however, and soon restored parity thanks to Chris Smalling's header and a superb volley from Wayne Rooney - his 150th goal in the Premier League for United. In the second half, Bruce hit the crossbar when he met Tom Huddlestone's corner as Hull searched for a winner. But it was United who managed to find the breakthrough, as Chester put past his own goalkeeper from Ashley Young's cross, as United made it 17 Premier League wins from their last18 Boxing Day fixtures. Speaking after the game, Moyes praised his side's fighting qualities, while endorsing their title credentials. "To be two down and come back to win is a great result," he told BBC Sport. "I thought it would be a long road back but these players have done this in the past and we did well to get back in the game. "For us to get in at half-time 2-2 was great but when we were at 3-2 Hull gave us a few scary moments. However, I'd take that after being 2-0 down after 10 minutes. "We're going to try to get the gap as narrow as we can. There's a long way to go in the league and we have to keep picking up points. "There's a lot to do but we'll keep at it. I believe we can be in the mix and challenge whoever is near the top." The victory was United's third win in a row in the Premier League, and Moyes' charges can make it four straight triumphs in the top flight in Saturday's visit to Norwich City.

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Premier League: Hull 2 Man United 3

Posted: 26 Dec 2013 06:49 AM PST

The centre-back, who formerly played for United, opened the scoring for Hull but his second-half own goal capped a remarkable turnaround from the visitors. Hull made a dream start with two goals inside the opening 15 minutes. First Chester volleyed home Alex Bruce's knock-back and then David Meyler's shot found its way home via a deflection off Jonny Evans. But Chris Smalling's header reduced the arrears and a stunning Wayne Rooney volley levelled proceedings with 26 minutes gone. The goal was Rooney's 150th Premier League strike for United, making him only the second player after Thierry Henry to reach the landmark with one club. Hull created the better of the second-half openings, with Bruce hitting the crossbar, but United, who finished with 10 men, made it 17 wins from their last 18 Boxing Day fixtures when Chester headed Ashley Young's cross past his own goalkeeper. Remarkably, Chester nearly earned a point in injury time after Antonio Valencia had been sent off for United, but took a heavy touch in the penalty area, allowing David de Gea to make the save. United's comeback wrapped up their fifth consecutive win in all competitions, while Hull have gone five games without victory in the top flight. Hull named the same side for the fourth straight match, while United included Darren Fletcher in their starting XI for the first time since December 1, 2012. The hosts stormed into the lead as early as the fourth minute. Tom Huddlestone's corner was headed across goal by Bruce and Chester volleyed home from close range. Replays suggested a corner should not have been awarded as Ahmed Elmohamady had kicked the ball straight out of play. Hull doubled their advantage nine minutes later to leave the home supporters in dreamland. A bout of pinball in the United box resulted in Meyler's goalbound effort deflecting off Evans and deceiving goalkeeper De Gea. United needed a swift response and duly delivered after 19 minutes when Rooney's teasing free-kick was headed home by Smalling to halve the deficit. The visitors twice came close to levelling with a Danny Welbeck header and Tom Cleverley's long-range strike. And the pressure was rewarded when Rooney played a one-two with Welbeck before teeing himself up for a volley that he rifled into the top corner from 25 yards. Hull were forced into a change at half-time with goalkeeper Allan McGregor - who was involved in a first-half collision with Welbeck - being replaced by Steve Harper. The hosts twice forced good opportunities in the early stages of the second half. First Yannick Sagbo had an effort beaten away be De Gea before Curtis Davies glanced Huddlestone's corner wide. Bruce came even closer just after the hour mark when his header rebounded off the crossbar. The visitors punished Hull for their profligacy in the 66th minute as Young got past Maynor Figueroa and Chester headed past substitute goalkeeper Harper when under pressure. Hull pushed for a leveller in the closing stages and Danny Graham should have done better with a tame back-post header. Valencia added to the tension in injury time when his petulance in kicking the ball away earned him a second yellow card, and Chester almost redeemed himself but saw his late toe-poked effort smuggled to safety.

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Jones faces fortnight out with knee injury

Posted: 26 Dec 2013 05:16 AM PST

Jones, who can also operate in midfield, was ruled out of the Boxing Day clash at Hull City on Thursday with the problem. He now looks poised to miss Premier League games against Norwich City and Tottenham and the FA Cup third-round tie with Swansea City in January. It remains to be seen whether the 21-year-old will be back in time for the first leg of United's League Cup semi-final at Sunderland on January 7, with David Moyes' men set to welcome Swansea to Old Trafford in the league four days later. The England international had played in all but four of United's 17 league games this season prior to the trip to the KC Stadium.

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