Posted: 05 Apr 2014 03:08 PM PDT

Manchester City 4-1 Southampton Southampton had racked up 61% of the possession at half time and nearly twice as many completed passes as their illustrious and significantly more moneyed opponents. City's razor-sharp cutting edge however proved irresistible, and they hit two goals in first half stoppage time to head into a 3-1 lead, after opening the scoring through Yaya Toure before Rickie Lambert's equaliser (both from the penalty spot). Goals from Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko were very warmly received by Manuel Pellegrini, as before that two-goal cushion things were looking ropey for a City team that looked flat-footed compared to their spritely, exciting opponents. Southampton have been one of the most refreshing and tactically interesting teams in the Premier League this season, but they also come with a rather soft underbelly - as best displayed in a 3-2 defeat at Spurs in late March. Again Pochettino's side played nice, neat football, dominating the passing and possession stats, but lost to a side with superior know-how when it came to actually getting the job done. City struck three times the number of shots and were largely inspired, once again, by David Silva. Silva bested the attacking third passing stats and created 6 chances, with one assist - though Southampton were unhappy at what looked a disputable offside call not given against the quicksilver Spaniard for City's second goal. Analyse all the action using StatsZone Newcastle 0-4 Manchester United This game started as the Juan Mata Show and ended a complete stroll. For the second week running Newcastle were battered 4-0, leaving Alan Pardew's men with a record that reads Lost 3, Goals Scored 0, Goals Conceded 11 from their last three outings. Newcastle are decaying rapidly at the moment and look like going nowhere, fast. Ironically, the Magpies actually forged twice the number of shots as visitors Manchester United - 14 to the visitors' 7 and post-match David Moyes lamented his team's slow start and sloppy passing. Few of Newcastle's attempts caused any real panic however and those that did were well saved by Anders Lindegaard, who had a fine game in the absence of David De Gea, who was rested. Mata's brilliant free-kick swung the game in United (the Manchester version)'s favour and his second goal was sumptuously taken. Having lost Ashley Young through injury early on, Moyes was forced to bring on Adnan Januzaj, and some of the combination play between Januzaj, Mata and Shinji Kagawa was a joy to behold. Darren Fletcher knitted the midfield together with customarily intelligent distribution, but it was the little lads in the attacking band in behind Javier Hernandez that did the damage, Mata in particular. Moyes' team pick up a welcome three points ahead of the biggest game of the Scot's career in Bayern this Wednesday, and the Red Devils move above Spurs into sixth. Newcastle, hopeless and disinterested, look like they're counting the days until summer already. Analyse all the action using StatsZone Cardiff 0-3 Crystal Palace So long, you crazy Bluebirds. It's not over yet, and under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Cardiff will certainly fight to the end, but this defeat had a 'nail in the coffin' feel to it. A 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace means Cardiff are now six points behind 17th place Norwich with an inferior goal difference and only 15 points to play for. The demoralising manner of the defeat, as well as wins for West Brom and Fulham, only added to the feeling that this was the day when relegation became less a possibility and more a virtual reality. This was a typical Tony Pulis patented smash n' grab for Crystal Palace, who saw far less of the ball (36%), completed practically half the number of passes (215 v 406) and mustered 7 less corners, yet managed double the number of attempts on goal and, crucially, three goals without conceding. Just like in the 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend, the Eagles were also defensively strong and resolute, sitting deep and repelling all that came their way. Percentage football the Pulis way - nobody can say it ain't effective. Two goals from Jason Puncheon and one from Joe Ledley did the damage, lifting Palace up to 14th - 7 points clear of the dropzone with a game in hand. That Ledley scored in his home city against a club he spent six years playing for only seemed to add to the pain of a bitter day for Cardiff fans. "We need a miracle now," Solskjaer lamented post-match. Few disagree. Analyse all the action using StatsZone Aston Villa 1-2 Fulham A late goal from Hugo Rodallega, a massive win for Fulham. If the Cottagers do stay up this season they may well have not only Felix Magath to thank, but also Tottenham Hotspur. Rene Meulensteen's decision to bring in the German international in the January window looks as inspired as Spurs' call to only provide Holtby with limited game-time before loaning him out looks questionable. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder was once again integral to his adopted team, grabbing an assist for Rodallega's winner and performing to a high level in almost all that he did, completing a remarkable 6/6 dribbles and leading the game for attacking third passes and, for Fulham at least, chances created. Without Christian Benteke, Villa had gone 1-0 down just after the hour mark thanks to Kieran Richardson's howitzer, before Grant Holt equalised for the hosts. Despite this, Holtby helped his team have the final say. Fulham had matched Villa in nearly every area of the field and tested Brad Guzan more times than Villa troubled their own keeper. Paul Lambert had admitted before the game that he too had tried to sign Holtby in January. The former Schalke star made the difference today as Fulham climbed to 18th, giving their survival chances a welcome jolt. Analyse all the action using StatsZone Hull City 1-0 Swansea Hull picked up the win in a game between two teams without too much to play for at the KC Stadium. The result keeps Swansea looking over their shoulders - Garry Monk's side now sit only six points above the relegation zone and will need to be careful, particularly as their next game is against Chelsea. Lose that (a distinct possibility) and things could really start to look worrying for the Swans. For their part, Hull have one eye on Wembley and their FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. The win keeps Steve Bruce's side in midtable - 12th and four points off the top 10 - and the Tigers can take satisfaction from a job well done in avoiding a relegation tussle on their return to the top-flight. While George Boyd scored the winner, wide players from either side featured prominently, with Wayne Routledge and Ahmed Elmohamady heavily involved. The duo completed the first and second-most attacking third passes respectively, and Routledge in particular played well creating 4 chances, completing 5/7 take-ons and managing a shot on target. Michu and Wilfried Bony failed to get a shot on target between them. Analyse all the action using StatsZone Norwich 0-1 West Brom After Berahino-gate, West Brom recovered their team spirit and togetherness to pick up a vital 1-0 win on the road against Norwich, giving Pepe Mel's side a massive boost as they too tussle to avoid the tumble to Championship football. Inspired by Morgan Amalfitano's neat finish, the Baggies leapfrog Norwich and hold a five-point lead over Fulham in the drop zone - a welcome buffer as the games tick by. Like Palace, West Brom were statistically inferior to their opponents in key areas on the day. Norwich dominated the passing and ball retention stats, seeing 69% of possession with 411 passes completed to 162, but once again their Achilles heel was an inability to find the back of the net. Johan Elmander and Gary Hooper mustered 2 shots on target between them all game, and the result leaves the Canaries staring down the barrel of an almost impossibly daunting run-in, with games against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to come after Fulham next weekend. "I understand the frustration and we just have to get on with it," said Hughton after the home fans booed off their team. Despite a five-point margin separating them from the bottom three, Norwich face an almighty battle to stay up given who they must face. Analyse all the action using StatsZone Chelsea 3-0 Stoke City "City have the destiny in their hands," Jose Mourinho continued post-match. "We depend too much on other results." Chelsea's comfortable 3-0 win over Stoke took them back to the top of the league, but Mourinho persists in writing off his team. After a thinly-veiled dig at Fernando Torres in the post-match spiel against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, Torres was restored to the side for this walk in the park against Mark Hughes' team, who had been in impressive form heading into the match. Torres showed far greater urgency against Stoke and looked sharp - particularly in the first half, despite never really testing Asmir Begovic in goal. Stoke's early mastery of possession and passing delighted the travelling Stoke fans, but even then it was Chelsea who posed the more ominous threat, carving a number of 'nearly's and 'almost's in a final third missing benched Belgian Eden Hazard. Willian and Mohamed Salah however made the difference. "Salah was very lively," raved Mourinho post-match and the Egyptian international also earned praise from Frank Lampard after scoring one and winning the penalty for the England international to convert on the rebound - having seen his spot-kick saved. Willian and Salah were both livewires all game, and both got their name on the scoresheets in what ended as a routine win. Their manager may not believe in them publicly, but Chelsea are still in this title race. Analyse all the action using StatsZone

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Posted: 05 Apr 2014 11:53 AM PDT

Juan Mata opened the scoring six minutes from the end of a keenly contested first half at St James Park through an excellent free-kick. Pardew felt an offside call went against his team in the move leading up to Dan Gosling being penalised for a foul on Darren Fletcher - a verdict from referee Kevin Friend that Newcastles manager believed was generous towards the Scotland international. I thought (in the) first half it was pretty tight - a little bit tense for both teams, trying to find their way, Pardew said. The first goal, really and truly, was a tough decision on us. I thought it was offside and wasnt a foul either. When Mata scored I thought it settled United down and they looked a much better outfit after the goal. Unfortunately for us we just couldnt get into the game. The second goal was a mistake and then we had an uphill task in the form that were in. Following their last-gasp 1-0 win over Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, Newcastle have conceded 11 unanswered goals in consecutive losses to Everton, Southampton and United. Untimely injuries have taken their toll, although Pardew is hopeful of having top scorer Loic Remy available for the trip to Stoke City next weekend. The Britannia Stadium assignment represents the penultimate match for which Pardew is banned from the touchline after he headbutted Hull Citys David Meyler. Newcastle have lost four out of five games since Pardew was punished by the Football Association, with the incident continuing to cast a shadow over the club. Theres no doubt that were lacking a bit of cutting edge, Pardew added. Loics not far away. It would be a boost for all the squad if we could get him back in and around us - hopefully we can for Stoke because thats a big game for us. Weve lost two (games) heavily at home, we lost at Southampton. We need to make sure we get back on track - (we have) 46 points. We need to push on if we can.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Moyes marvels at Mata masterclass

Posted: 05 Apr 2014 11:09 AM PDT

Old Trafford boss Moyes smashed his clubs transfer record during the January transfer window to bring Mata to Manchester from Chelsea. The Spain international failed to find the net in his first nine appearances for the reigning champions but opened his account in last weekends 4-1 home triumph over Aston Villa. He doubled that tally with a sublime first-half free-kick at St James Park, added a second after the interval and rounded off matters with a cute backheel that allowed Adnan Januzaj to complete the scoring. I think Juan Matas played really well and I think hes made us better, Moyes said. He hasnt had the goals in the early games but I think he played fine. Recently hes started getting the goals and, more importantly, the assists as well. I think, over the last two seasons in the Premier League, Juan Mata was one of the best assist-makers. Hes always got himself a good tally of goals and we needed that. Hes coming up with the goods now. Moyes also paid tribute to Matas co-star in the creativity department, Shinji Kagawa. A lack of game time for the former Borussia Dortmund star has been a source of frustration for sections of the United support. However, Japan international Kagawa was handed a chance on Tyneside as Moyes made eight changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night - casting an eye towards next weeks return leg in Germany. Shinji played well, Moyes added. Maybe a bit slow at the start but I thought as the game gathered momentum he was influential.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Premier League: Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 4

Posted: 05 Apr 2014 08:54 AM PDT

David Moyes men made it four league wins in a row on the road without conceding on Saturday, boosting morale ahead of Wednesdays trip to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Mata netted either side of the break - his first goal coming via a stunning free-kick - before Javier Hernandez and substitute Adnan Januzaj scored to wrap up the defending champions 10th away league win of the campaign, which lifts them to sixth. Newcastle, still hampered by manager Alan Pardews touchline ban, have now lost three in a row and drawn a blank in all of those games, conceding 11 goals in the process. Yet Moyes, who was without the injured Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, will take his charges to Munich high on confidence as United seek to follow up last weeks 1-1 draw with Bayern by progressing to the last four of Europes premier club competition. Ashley Young and Hernandez linked up twice in quick succession early on to force Mike Williamson into carbon-copy near-post clearances, before Marouane Fellaini was penalised for handball when trying to control and shoot inside the box. Winger Young was forced off the field for treatment on a hand injury with 14 minutes on the clock and Newcastle looked to capitalise as Cheick Tiote flashed a powerful effort over the bar from 15 yards. The injury ultimately brought a premature end to Youngs afternoon, with Januzaj introduced in his place. An ambitious overheard kick from Papiss Cisse proved simple for Anders Lindegaard to gather as the Dane settled into his first top-flight game since the 5-5 draw at West Brom on the final day of last season. The stand-in goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the half, tipping Cisses powerful header over the bar. Opposite number Rob Elliot was less convincing when he came out to punch away a free-kick from Mata, with the close attention of Chris Smalling causing the ball to fall loose for Shinji Kagawa, who could only drag his shot wide. However, there was nothing Elliot could do to keep out Matas superb set-piece effort six minutes before the break as the Spain international lifted a curling effort into the top-right corner from the edge of the box for his second goal in as many league games. The lead could have been doubled on the stroke of half-time but Hernandez struck Elliots left-hand post with a low shot after racing clear. Undeterred by that near miss, the away side did extend their advantage just five minutes into the second half, Mata collecting Hernandezs pass before wrong-footing Fabricio Coloccini and Elliot to stroke home. The impressive Hernandez gave his side breathing space with a close-range finish from Kagawas 65th-minute cut-back, the Mexicans fourth top-flight goal of the season. Cisse forced two excellent late saves from Lindegaard but Januzaj added a fourth for the visitors after an excellent one-two with Mata, handing United a measure of revenge for Decembers 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Horror season to spur on United, says Smalling

Posted: 05 Apr 2014 12:59 AM PDT

Manager David Moyes has overseen Uniteds a torrid Premier League campaign following Alex Fergusons departure last year. The defending champions have lost 10 games to languish in seventh spot, 17 points behind league leaders Liverpool and 10 points adrift of UEFA Champions League qualification. United will relinquish their crown with five games still to play if they lose to Newcastle United at St James Park on Saturday. But for all of this seasons disappointments, Smalling says the players will be better for the experience. You learn that you cant take whats happened in the previous years for granted, said the England international, who is back in training after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. I think this experience will help us make sure we never let this happen again. We gave ourselves an uphill task by not starting the season well and, come next season, we will make sure we work harder than ever. This club deserves to be at the top and, hopefully, well be back there soon enough. We definitely want to finish this season on a high. We need to stick together and, if we can get a good run going now and finish strongly, I think we can go into the new season stronger than ever. Its a strange feeling for a lot of us to be in the position that we find ourselves in. Even before I joined, and since Ive been here, weve always been competing at the top of the league. It hurts. I know how much the fans are hurting as well. I want the supporters to know that were always striving to improve. Hopefully, we can build up a run between now and the end of the season, as the fans deserve it.

Sunday, 6 April 2014

Saturday Analysis: Man City take first step, Mata magic, Palace sucker-punch Cardiff

Saturday Analysis: Man City take first step, Mata magic, Palace sucker-punch Cardiff

No comments:

Post a Comment