Saturday Analysis: Chelsea lead goal chase but Liverpool and Man City respond in kind

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• Saturday Analysis: Chelsea lead goal chase but Liverpool and Man City respond in kind
• Moyes marvels at majestic Rooney strike
• Rooney: Wonder-goal not my favourite
• Premier League: West Ham 0 Manchester United 2

Saturday Analysis: Chelsea lead goal chase but Liverpool and Man City respond in kind Posted: 22 Mar 2014 02:12 PM PDT Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser Well now. Having built it up as Wenger's 1000th fixture in charge of Arsenal, history will remember this as the game in which the referee sent off the wrong Arsenal player, Andre Marriner expelling Kieran Gibbs after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saved a shot which may have been going wide anyway. But the manner of Chelsea's victory over title rivals shouldn't be lost in the fuss and tutting. True, Jose Mourinho's side faced 10 men for the majority of the game. But by the time Gibbs got the first go with the soap Chelsea were already 3-0 up: Eden Hazard's penalty merely augmenting a two-goal seven-minute opening in which Andre Schurrle, deputising for the suspended Willian, set up the opener for Samuel Eto'o before doubling Chelsea's lead. Having been accused of either wasting or failing to create clear chances, Chelsea corrected both errors this week. They scored with three of their first four shots – the exception being the Ox's save – then rained in a further 17 on a depleted, demoralised defence. Of the 34 league goals Arsenal have conceded, half have come in visits to the current top three. David Luiz replaced suspended stalwart Ramires but it was the other central midfielder Nemanja Matic who controlled the game. He topped the lists for chances created (4, including 2 assists) and ball recoveries (10), while only Mikel Arteta attempted or completed more passes than his 60 successes out of 70. Mourinho's teams may have settled on a two-goal cushion in the past, but here they set about reducing the goal-difference deficit on their two other title rivals: having started this match eight goals' difference behind Liverpool and 11 behind Man City, they almost closed one gap and halved the other, thanks to Oscar's double (his first goal return since New Year's Day) and sub Mohamed Salah. Both the northern contenders responded with their own goal-gluts in the 3pm kick-offs but after scoring 14 in four league games it seems Chelsea's rotating squad may no longer be content with comfort, instead seeking to crush teams they are beating: potentially bad news for forthcoming opponents Palace, Stoke, Swansea, Sunderland, Norwich and Cardiff. Cardiff 3-6 Liverpool Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser A couple of months ago, many wondered if Liverpool could be challengers while conceding so frequently on their travels. They're still in the hunt because although they're still porous away – only Fulham, Norwich, Stoke, Cardiff and now Arsenal have conceded more goals on the road – they simply outscore the hosts: they have now bagged 40 (13 more than the next-highest total) in 16 games, averaging 2.5 goals per trip, nearly 33% more than anyone else. Just like last week at Goodison, Cardiff gave a good account of themselves against Scouse opposition – but whereas Everton left it very late, Liverpool were in control by the hour mark. Indeed, although they totalled twice as much possession as their hosts, the visitors lowered the pass rate in the second half, particularly once Philippe Coutinho – who set up both of Martin Skrtel's goals – was replaced behind the front two by the more pacily direct but less penetratively devilish Raheem Sterling. Three more from Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge means they have now scored 47 league goals between them, the fourth-highest combo in Premier-era history. They're eight behind record-holders Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley (55 for Newcastle in 1993/94) with eight games left, and you'd be mad to back against them – whether or not their defence continues to leak goals. Everton 3-2 Swansea Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser Something of a managerial lesson for Garry Monk from the man who started The Swansea Way (with respect to Kenny Jackett). Not many visitors control possession at Goodison – Swansea had 59% of the ball, topping 500 completed passes to their hosts' 316 of 403 – but the points stayed on Merseyside thanks to Everton's efficiency. Of their 9 shots, Roberto Martinez's side got six on target and scored three: Swansea had 21 attempts but only 7 were accurate and Tim Howard made 5 saves, a couple at 3-1 being particularly noteworthy. And while Everton held firm – blocking 7 shots, winning 21 of 22 attempted tackles and making 39 clearances – Swansea were wasteful, firing across an eyebrow-raising 40 crosses, of which 80% were uncompleted, and failing in a frightening 12 of 13 attempted take-ons. Hull 2-0 West Brom Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser The one that got away for West Brom, as Shane Long's interventions won the game for his new side. He won the penalty from which Liam Rosenior scored the rebound, before scoring against the club that sold him in January. As usual, Long and fellow window signing Nikica Jelavic were busy boys up top with three shots each – and like Everton against Swansea, Hull were much more efficient than their visitors. The Baggies had majority possession (56.7%) and fired in 17 shots to Hull's 12, but the Tigers got 5 on target to their 4 as Steve Bruce's men blocked an impressive 10 efforts. Although an optimist would say this was only West Brom's second goalless return in nine attempts, a pessimist would counter that it was also their second in three… and that they've still only won three times since September. Man City 5-0 Fulham Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser This result will decide neither team's season, but somehow sums both up: City punishing their opponents with a relentless pursuit for goals, Fulham being only too happy to oblige. The Cottagers looked like country bumpkins as they allowed the Citizens 12 shots on target without reply. Fulham could say that they were in this until the 54th minute, when Fernando Amorebieta was sent off for hacking down David Silva and allowed Yaya Toure to score his second penalty. To an extent, they might have a point: in the first half they had 5 shots to City's 6. But none of theirs were on target, whereas 4 of City's were; by the turnaround City had racked up 310 completed passes to Fulham's 120. It's not just in retrospect that this game was merely a matter of time; Fulham's worry is that the same phrase may start to apply to their relegation. Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser Had this ended 0-0, the visiting fans up in the clouds above St James' Park would doubtless have cheered wildly and Tony Pulis would have hailed a job well done. But it didn't, and the stats tell a damning story. Against a side with nothing to play for and no manager to guide them, Palace managed a single shot on target (to Newcastle's 8), their paltry 26.8% possession yielding just 171 completed passes to Newcastle's eye-watering 625. It's not the first time Palace have ceded the initiative – Pulis has made a big reputation from maximising not just his players but their minority use of the ball – but it's stopped producing the necessary results: in the last five games Palace have gained two points and just one goal. For their part, Newcastle now have three wins in four heading into three successive fixtures against teams in their second-tier mini-league: Everton away on Tuesday, Southampton away on Saturday, Manchester United at home the following Saturday. Norwich 2-0 Sunderland Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser Although the top three teams scored 17 goals, the day's big winners were Norwich. For the first time this season they enjoyed a two-goal cushion for much of the match (their only two previous wins by more than one goal, against West Ham and at West Brom, were boosted by late confirmers from Leroy Fer) with an enjoyably competent performance against potential relegation rivals in apparent disarray – it's never a good sign when the manager makes a double substitution before half-time. With Jonny Howson and spectacular goalscorer Alexander Tettey dominating the centre of midfield, no Sunderland player reached double figures for completed passes in the final third. But what really made the Canaries sing was that they were the only side in the bottom seven to win; leapfrogging above Swansea and West Ham into 13th, Norwich have started to get the necessary points on the board before those frightful final four fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. West Ham 0-2 Manchester United Analyse it with Stats Zone in your browser They call it the week that defines David Moyes's season, and so far it's going well: two wins, five goals without reply, through to the Champions League quarter-finals and a Goal of the Season contender from Wayne Rooney. With only one fit centre-back Moyes opted for Michael Carrick alongside Phil Jones, and the thirtysomething didn't do too badly against his fellow Geordie Andy Carroll: Carrick won 2 of his 3 aerial duels and made 6 headed clearances. As expected, West Ham fired in crosses – 48 in total – but the outgoing champions stood firm, making 53 clearances. 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Moyes marvels at majestic Rooney strike Posted: 22 Mar 2014 02:03 PM PDT The England forward opened the scoring after eight minutes with a looping half-volley from just inside the opposition half, having spotted that West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was off his line. United were without the injured Robin van Persie, who had scored a hat-trick against Olympiacos on Wednesday to send his side into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Van Persies absence was not felt at Upton Park, however, as Rooney followed up his spectacular opener with a second first-half goal after Mark Nobles clearance had fallen into his path. Moyes was delighted with Rooneys contribution and hailed the 28-year-olds long-range strike. It was a great goal by a top, top player, said Moyes. His technical ability, his awareness to know where the goalkeeper was in the build-up, youd have never thought hed be aware of where the goalkeeper is. To actually execute it, to have the power and the ability to drift it in the way he did (was fantastic). My only worry was the bounce, was it going to go under the bar or not? His second goal was (also important) because he led the line well. He got a bit fortunate, but all the top forwards get fortunate because they get in the right positions and he did that. Moyes expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of his team and both Shinji Kagawa and Juan Mata also came in for praise. The goal (Rooneys first) will take centre stage but I thought our performance was excellent, he added. Shinji, Juan Mata and Wayne were outstanding. The only disappointment is we didnt score more goals from the excellent football we had. Shinji had a great chance, Juan Mata had a really good chance. Marouane Fellaini should have scored a header before that as well, so before we scored (the opening goal) we probably should have been ahead. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Rooney: Wonder-goal not my favourite Posted: 22 Mar 2014 01:28 PM PDT The 28-year-old found the net twice as United beat West Ham 2-0 at Upton Park, with his first a goal-of-the-season contender. Rooney caught West Ham goalkeeper Adrian off guard in the eighth minute to score with a superb half-volley from more than 50 yards. The goal prompted inevitable comparisons with former United winger David Beckhams famous strike from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996. Beckham was in attendance at Upton Park on Saturday, with the ex-England captain allowing himself a wry smile at Rooneyseffort while watching from the stands. While Rooney may not class the goal as the best of his career, he was still thrilled to help United to three points on the back of Wednesdays UEFA Champions League triumph over Olympiacos at Old Trafford. Speaking toSky Sports,he said: Its just instinct, Ive turned, had a look and seen him (Adrian) off his line. Ive tried it many times and thankfully today its gone in. I wouldnt say its my favourite. Theyre ones you try in training, they dont always come off, so when they do its great and great to put us in that position. I think the Olympiacos result was massive in terms of picking the fans up and picking ourselves up. Today we played some lovely football and were disappointed we didnt take more chances. Having lost 3-0 to rivals Liverpool last weekend, Manchester United now face another derby against Manchester City on Tuesday. Rooney feels that United can face Manuel Pellegrinis men with renewed optimism after bouncing back from the Liverpool defeat with successive victories. He added: Today was a good result, a much-needed result after last week. The win against Olympiacos has given us a big lift. You can see the confidence in the team. Its (the City match) a massive game. Its a big game for the city, the fans and the players. Were looking forward to a big challenge. We go into the game confident after the last two results. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Premier League: West Ham 0 Manchester United 2 Posted: 22 Mar 2014 12:23 PM PDT After Robin van Persies hat-trick against Olympiacos fired David Moyes men into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday, Rooney - stand-in captain due to Nemanja Vidics suspension - gave everyone a timely reminder of his match-winning ability at Upton Park on Saturday. Rooney was employed in a more advanced role due to Van Persies absence with a knee injury, and the 28-year-old broke the deadlock with an ingenious looped half-volley from almost 50 yards in a goal reminiscent of David Beckhams memorable strike against Wimbledon in 1996. It was fitting that the former England captain was in attendance to witness the goal, watching from the stands, and Beckham saw Rooney add a second after 33 minutes when the ball fell to him fortuitously eight yards out. Rooney had the chance to complete his hat-trick nine minutes after the break when he met Ashley Youngs cross with a looped header, but United had to settle for the two-goal cushion. Moyes was able to reflect on a rare successful week in a season of disappointments in his maiden campaign at Old Trafford, while Sam Allardyces West Ham are not yet out of relegation trouble, though they remain six points clear of the drop zone in 14th. The visitors could have moved ahead as early as the third minute when Marouane Fellainis downward header was cleared just in front of goal by Andy Carroll. But the away fans were soon celebrating Rooneys wonder-goal five minutes later. The England international spotted goalkeeper Adrian off his line and struck an audacious half-volley from almost the half-way line, with the ball looping over the flailing Spaniard before bouncing into the roof of the net. With Upton Park still stunned, Juan Mata then led a swift breakaway in the 25th minute and picked out Shinji Kagawa on the left, but the Japanese fired straight at Adrian. West Ham were causing problems of their own from wide areas and captain Kevin Nolan saw his penalty appeal for a tussle with Darren Fletcher waved away by referee Lee Mason in the 33rd minute. That proved to be a double blow for the home side as, from the resulting counter-attack, Mark Noble cleared Youngs cross straight at Rooney and he took advantage of the good fortune with a cushioned side-foot finish. West Ham made a sprightly opening to the second period without troubling the Manchester United goal. After settling into the half, Rooney missed the chance for his hat-trick by floating a header wide from Youngs cross in the 54th minute. Young was involved again 11 minutes later as his whipped cross was headed over the crossbar by Fellaini, who was put under pressure by James Collins. Rooney was replaced by Javier Hernandez in the 77th minute and left the field to a rapturous reception from the visiting supporters, as United comfortably saw out the closing stages. Fellaini had a tentative claim for a penalty in the closing stages when he went to ground under Antonio Nocerinos challenge, but Mason was unmoved. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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