Theo Walcott’s 20th goal of the season gave Arsenal a 1-0 win at QPR that puts them third in the Premier League – for now.
With less than half a minute on the clock, Walcott scored his 13th Premier League goal of the season but that was as good as it got for the Gunners who, while dominating possession, toiled for much of a tepid encounter.
QPR were little better, although they went closest to scoring in the second half when Loic Remy was denied by a fantastic Wojciech Szczesny save.
But the Gunners held on for a victory that puts them third, although Chelsea face Manchester United on Sunday, after which they will have a game in hand, as do Tottenham in fifth.
Totenham 1 0 Southampton
Tottenham relied heavily on the outrageous talent of Gareth Bale once again as a brilliant strike from the Welsh star masked a horrid team effort in a 1-0 win over Southampton at White Hart Lane.
Spurs had produced an awful, insipid performance until 86 minutes, when the newly-crowned Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year cut in from the right and thundered a lovely effort inside the far post.
It was Bale's 20th of the season in the Premier League - only Teddy Sheringham and Juergen Klinsmann have scored more for Spurs in one campaign - and put Tottenham back in fourth, a point ahead of Arsenal prior to their rivals' game at QPR in the late kick-off.
Swansea 0 0 Manchester City
Swansea held Manchester City to a goalless draw in an uninspiring Premier League affair at the Liberty Stadium.
An even and mildly entertaining first half was followed by a pedestrian second, in which City controlled the game territorially without threatening the deep-defending hosts until a frantic closing spell that saw Edin Dzeko and David Silva spurn great chances.
Both sides had decent penalty calls ignored by referee Mike Jones, Swansea’s in the first half and City’s in the second, but neither side deserved anything from a match that had a strong air of the dead rubber about it.
The result means second-placed City are on 72 points, all-but confirming an automatic Champions League slot, while Swansea move up to eighth after West Brom’s defeat to Wigan.
West Brom 2 3 Wigan
Wigan Athletic boosted their hopes of Premier League survival with a crucial 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.
Despite the threat of relegation hanging heavy, Wigan began in the ascendancy but Shane Long gave the hosts the lead on the break with 29 minutes gone before Arouna Kone rose majestically to head the Latics level 10 minutes later.
Having reacted magnificently well to going behind, Wigan conceded straight after the restart with Gareth McAuley left unmarked at a free-kick to head the hosts back into the lead.
Roberto Martinez reacted by making a double change, and one of those substitutes, James McArthur, headed the visitors level with 58 minutes gone before Callum McManaman tapped in with 10 minutes to go to give the Latics a precious three points.
Aston Villa's beating of Sunderland Monday night lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone meaning that if Wigan failed to win at the Hawthorns, the best they could hope for was to still have a chance to stay up on the last day of the season, and Martinez had to re-shuffle at the back with the news that Maynor Figueroa was ruled out for the rest of the season.
Fulham 2 4 Reading
QPR were little better, although they went closest to scoring in the second half when Loic Remy was denied by a fantastic Wojciech Szczesny save.
But the Gunners held on for a victory that puts them third, although Chelsea face Manchester United on Sunday, after which they will have a game in hand, as do Tottenham in fifth.
Totenham 1 0 Southampton
Tottenham relied heavily on the outrageous talent of Gareth Bale once again as a brilliant strike from the Welsh star masked a horrid team effort in a 1-0 win over Southampton at White Hart Lane.
Spurs had produced an awful, insipid performance until 86 minutes, when the newly-crowned Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year cut in from the right and thundered a lovely effort inside the far post.
It was Bale's 20th of the season in the Premier League - only Teddy Sheringham and Juergen Klinsmann have scored more for Spurs in one campaign - and put Tottenham back in fourth, a point ahead of Arsenal prior to their rivals' game at QPR in the late kick-off.
Swansea 0 0 Manchester City
Swansea held Manchester City to a goalless draw in an uninspiring Premier League affair at the Liberty Stadium.
An even and mildly entertaining first half was followed by a pedestrian second, in which City controlled the game territorially without threatening the deep-defending hosts until a frantic closing spell that saw Edin Dzeko and David Silva spurn great chances.
Both sides had decent penalty calls ignored by referee Mike Jones, Swansea’s in the first half and City’s in the second, but neither side deserved anything from a match that had a strong air of the dead rubber about it.
The result means second-placed City are on 72 points, all-but confirming an automatic Champions League slot, while Swansea move up to eighth after West Brom’s defeat to Wigan.
West Brom 2 3 Wigan
Wigan Athletic boosted their hopes of Premier League survival with a crucial 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.
Despite the threat of relegation hanging heavy, Wigan began in the ascendancy but Shane Long gave the hosts the lead on the break with 29 minutes gone before Arouna Kone rose majestically to head the Latics level 10 minutes later.
Having reacted magnificently well to going behind, Wigan conceded straight after the restart with Gareth McAuley left unmarked at a free-kick to head the hosts back into the lead.
Roberto Martinez reacted by making a double change, and one of those substitutes, James McArthur, headed the visitors level with 58 minutes gone before Callum McManaman tapped in with 10 minutes to go to give the Latics a precious three points.
Aston Villa's beating of Sunderland Monday night lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone meaning that if Wigan failed to win at the Hawthorns, the best they could hope for was to still have a chance to stay up on the last day of the season, and Martinez had to re-shuffle at the back with the news that Maynor Figueroa was ruled out for the rest of the season.
Fulham 2 4 Reading
Hal Robson-Kanu’s two goals against Fulham inspired Reading to record their first win in 11 and lifted them off the bottom of the Premier League.
Bryan Ruiz struck twice for Fulham but further goals from Adam Le Fondre and Jem Karacan took the game away from the home side.
Robson-Kanu was tripped by John Arne Riise just inside the penalty area as he nipped in front of the Norwegian as he attempted to clear the ball.
The Reading winger picked himself up to take the penalty and coolly passed the ball into the bottom left corner sending Mark Schwarzer the wrong way.
Norwich City 1 2 Aston Villa
A second-half brace from Gabriel Agbonlahor fired Aston Villa to the much-coveted 40-point mark as Paul Lambert left his former side reeling.
Gabriel Agbonlahor’s 55th-minute strike opened the scoring to the stun the home support, his long-range effort finding the bottom left corner after curling away from the outstretched Mark Bunn.
Norwich were thrown a lifeline in the 72nd minute after Joe Bennett dragged down Robert Snodgrass in the box for a penalty. Skipper Grant Holt sent the home faithful into raptures as he duly nestled his effort coolly into the bottom corner.
But the Canaries were left crestfallen after Agbonlahor found the back of the net in the 89th minute to deal the critical blow to the hosts.
Norwich now find themselves perched precariously just three points clear of the relegation zone after Wigan’s victory over West Brom, the latter of which they face next week before taking on Manchester City on the last day of the season.
Bryan Ruiz struck twice for Fulham but further goals from Adam Le Fondre and Jem Karacan took the game away from the home side.
Robson-Kanu was tripped by John Arne Riise just inside the penalty area as he nipped in front of the Norwegian as he attempted to clear the ball.
The Reading winger picked himself up to take the penalty and coolly passed the ball into the bottom left corner sending Mark Schwarzer the wrong way.
Norwich City 1 2 Aston Villa
A second-half brace from Gabriel Agbonlahor fired Aston Villa to the much-coveted 40-point mark as Paul Lambert left his former side reeling.
Gabriel Agbonlahor’s 55th-minute strike opened the scoring to the stun the home support, his long-range effort finding the bottom left corner after curling away from the outstretched Mark Bunn.
Norwich were thrown a lifeline in the 72nd minute after Joe Bennett dragged down Robert Snodgrass in the box for a penalty. Skipper Grant Holt sent the home faithful into raptures as he duly nestled his effort coolly into the bottom corner.
But the Canaries were left crestfallen after Agbonlahor found the back of the net in the 89th minute to deal the critical blow to the hosts.
Norwich now find themselves perched precariously just three points clear of the relegation zone after Wigan’s victory over West Brom, the latter of which they face next week before taking on Manchester City on the last day of the season.
West Ham 0 0 Newcastle
Andy Carroll endured a frustrating afternoon against former club Newcastle as the visitors won a valuable point in the fight for Premier League survival with a goalless draw at West Ham United.
However with Wigan winning at West Brom, the Latics can go above Newcastle on goal difference by winning their game in hand. Hated rivals Sunderland are now a point below the Toon with a game in hand ahead of their clash with Stoke. Of the other troubled sides, Aston Villa won while Norwich and Southampton lost.
Andy Carroll endured a frustrating afternoon against former club Newcastle as the visitors won a valuable point in the fight for Premier League survival with a goalless draw at West Ham United.
However with Wigan winning at West Brom, the Latics can go above Newcastle on goal difference by winning their game in hand. Hated rivals Sunderland are now a point below the Toon with a game in hand ahead of their clash with Stoke. Of the other troubled sides, Aston Villa won while Norwich and Southampton lost.
Arsenal played shit 2dae.. they wlb so lucki 2 pick up a champs lge ticket as they stl gonna face Wigan who r goin 2 fight to the very end... Bale's goal is the highlight of the day
ReplyDeleteCommon You GUnners! all we av to do is to humble wigan and beat newcastle.. #Thatsall
ReplyDeleteThis Reading ppl r jus foolish ppl.. They rtakin medicine after burial
ReplyDeleteCeteris Paribus, If Chelsea wins @ Mnchester n loses against Totenham, then Arsenal wlb chaasing shadows
ReplyDeleteItunu u like discriminating, u dnt even talk abt the local league UP ENYIMBAA!!!
ReplyDelete