..::Football II::..

[මුගටියා]

Carlos Tevez arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified
• Striker could face possible prison sentence if charged
• Manchester City player was banned from driving for six months

Carlos Tevez has been arrested for allegedly driving while disqualified and is now waiting to hear whether he could face a charge that could bring a possible prison sentence of up to six months.

Tevez, banned from driving in January, was taken to Macclesfield police station on Thursday evening after being stopped in a high-powered car on the edge of the town.

A statement from Cheshire police said: "At 5.13pm on Thursday 7 March police arrested a 29-year-old man from Alderley Edge on the A538 in Macclesfield on suspicion of driving while disqualified. He has since been released on police bail."

Tevez had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to supply information over incidents in which his car was clocked speeding. As well as being banned for six months, he was ordered to pay fines and costings totalling £1,540. His legal team had told Manchester Magistrates' Court their client did not understand the word 'constabulary' on official letters from the police.

Driving whilst disqualified is considered a serious offence with a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a £5,000 fine. Often the courts also consider community service or anti-social behaviour orders.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

mama hithan na roony yai kiyala!

Ow bro Rooney wa aniwa thiyaganna oneSAF confirm karala neda Rooney next season 1keth Manchester United innawa kiyala

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney WILL stay! Ferguson insists star forward isn't leaving United after Real snub
Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney will remain at Manchester United next season
Ferguson stands by decision to start Real Madrid clash with Rooney on the bench
United manager reveals he thought he'd get 'more stick' for leaving out Shinji Kagawa
Ferguson admits he had expressed concern to his staff about the appointment of referee Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir prior to Tuesday's defeat

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Wayne Rooney will be at Manchester United next season.
The England international's future was thrown into doubt after Ferguson sensationally axed him for the visit of Real Madrid earlier this week.
But speaking ahead of United's FA Cup sixth-round showdown with Chelsea on Sunday, Ferguson says he has not plans to sell Rooney in the summer.

Facing the media: Sir Alex Ferguson hit back at suggestions Wayne Rooney would be ditched in the summer


'He'll be here next year,' Ferguson said. 'You can have my word on that.'
'The issue you're all going on about in the papers is absolute rubbish.
'There is absolutely no issue between Wayne Rooney and I. To suggest we don't talk to each other on the training ground is absolute nonsense.
'He understood the reasons for not playing him and that was completely tactical. And I think I was right. We don't always get it right but I think we did get it right.

All smiles: Rooney appeared in good spirits yesterday despite being omitted from United's startling line-up


'Danny Welbeck is the best player we have in terms of operating in a double role. We had to choke Xabi Alonso's ability to control the game, which Danny did, and that took away Alonso's control of the game and his ability to go further forward and be an attacking player.
'We don't always get it right but we definitely did on Tuesday.
'I left out Shinji Kagawa after he scored a hat-trick. I thought I would get more stick for that.'
Ferguson is still bitter about the circumstances of Tuesday's defeat, in particular the dismissal of Nani, on which the entire contest turned.

'It is hard to keep your faith when you have things like that,' added the Scot.
Ferguson refused to say whether Rooney would actually start on Sunday.
And he again repeated his belief that the 27-year-old needed to play matches in order to retain full fitness, an assessment that has raised so much debate over the past few days.
'Why should I help anyone by telling them my team? We don't do that,' said Ferguson. 'But Wayne does need a lot of football. He has always been that type. That has always been the case.'
Ferguson was speaking for the first time since United were dumped out of the Champions League with assistant United boss claiming the Scot was 'too distressed' to engage with the media.
'Mick was the right one to go out,' added Ferguson. 'He’s calm, he’s very good with the press and I’m going to use him more.
'That was a nice time to have a chat with Jose have a glass of wine and relax a bit.'
Ferguson said he had been concerned about the appointment of Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir prior to Tuesday's game.
Cakir has now sent off seven players from English teams, but never one against them.
'I was concerned. I said that to my staff,' he said. 'I had a big worry about it but it is gone now. There is nothing we can do about it.'
'However, a meeting with Chelsea offers the perfect pick-me-up.
'In the cold light of day, though, we're Manchester United and we have to get on with it,' said Ferguson. 'There's nothing that can be done now. We have an important issue of a quarter-final on Sunday.
'I've cleared my mind. It's just another day in the history of our club. Not a good day, but another day.'



DailyMail

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fergie: Rooney not leaving United

Sir Alex Ferguson has said at his Friday morning press conference that Wayne Rooney will be at Manchester United next season.Speculation over Rooney's future at Old Trafford has been rife after he was not named in United's starting XI for their Champions League exit against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The striker, who has scored 11 goals in 20 Premier League games this season, was introduced as a second-half substitute following the dismissal of Nani that helped swing the game in Real's favour.ESPN understands the club would be willing to listen to offers for the player this summer, but Ferguson has insisted the England international will be plying his trade at Old Trafford in the 2013-14 campaign.

Ferguson said to the assembled press ahead of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea: "The Wayne Rooney issue first? Or do you want to talk sense?
"The issue you're all going on about in the papers is absolute rubbish. I've banned two papers from the press conference and they won't get back in here until they apologise.

"There is absolutely no issue between Wayne Rooney and I. To suggest we don't talk to each other on the training ground is absolute nonsense."He understood the reasons for not playing him and that was completely tactical. And I think I was right. We don't always get it right but I think we did get it right.

"Danny Welbeck is the best player we have in terms of operating in a double role. We had to choke Xabi Alonso's ability to control the game, which Danny did, and that took away Alonso's control of the game and his ability to go further forward and be an attacking player. We don't always get it right but we definitely did on Tuesday.

"Wayne will be here next year. You have my word on that. I have no issues at all with the player and he'll be involved on Sunday."

Rooney, who signed for United from Everton for £20 million in 2004, inked a new five-year contract with the Red Devils in 2010, after announcing that he intended to leave the club amid concerns over the strength of their squad.
Manchester City have previously been mooted as potential suitors for Rooney as have affluent Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, with the striker's wages said to be in the region of £200,000-a-week.

Ferguson, though, appears to have ruled out a summer exit, despite numerous reports that the club would consider offers in excess of £25 million.

 

[මුගටියා]

Let's get Ronaldo! Man United start talks with Nike over funding for return of Madrid megastar (and Rooney STAYS, says Fergie)

Sir Alex Ferguson promised Wayne Rooney will not be sold as Manchester United prepared an attempt to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
United manager Ferguson came out fighting in response to suggestions Rooney, 27, could be on his way out this summer.
Despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain — who believe they have been given encouragement over a £24million deal — Ferguson said: 'There’s absolutely no issue between Wayne Rooney and me. He will be here next year.'

It is understood United officials have discussed a deal to bring Ronaldo back at a meeting with kit manufacturers Nike on Friday.
They discussed extending their sponsorship deal but also on the agenda was the subject of funding a bid to sign Real Madrid’s Ronaldo, who they sold to the Spanish club in 2009.
Ferguson has played down talk of a return for the forward and it remains unlikely, but it is understood the finer details of financing a move will be considered today at the meeting in London.
Ferguson said during his Friday press conference: '[Rooney] will be here next year. You can have my word on that.

It is understood United officials have discussed a deal to bring Ronaldo back at a meeting with kit manufacturers Nike on Friday.
They discussed extending their sponsorship deal but also on the agenda was the subject of funding a bid to sign Real Madrid’s Ronaldo, who they sold to the Spanish club in 2009.
Ferguson has played down talk of a return for the forward and it remains unlikely, but it is understood the finer details of financing a move will be considered today at the meeting in London.
Ferguson said during his Friday press conference: '[Rooney] will be here next year. You can have my word on that.


| DailyMail

 

[Banks PLK]

Fergie: Rooney not leaving United

Sir Alex Ferguson has said at his Friday morning press conference that Wayne Rooney will be at Manchester United next season.Speculation over Rooney's future at Old Trafford has been rife after he was not named in United's starting XI for their Champions League exit against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The striker, who has scored 11 goals in 20 Premier League games this season, was introduced as a second-half substitute following the dismissal of Nani that helped swing the game in Real's favour.ESPN understands the club would be willing to listen to offers for the player this summer, but Ferguson has insisted the England international will be plying his trade at Old Trafford in the 2013-14 campaign.

Ferguson said to the assembled press ahead of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea: "The Wayne Rooney issue first? Or do you want to talk sense?
"The issue you're all going on about in the papers is absolute rubbish. I've banned two papers from the press conference and they won't get back in here until they apologise.

"There is absolutely no issue between Wayne Rooney and I. To suggest we don't talk to each other on the training ground is absolute nonsense."He understood the reasons for not playing him and that was completely tactical. And I think I was right. We don't always get it right but I think we did get it right.

"Danny Welbeck is the best player we have in terms of operating in a double role. We had to choke Xabi Alonso's ability to control the game, which Danny did, and that took away Alonso's control of the game and his ability to go further forward and be an attacking player. We don't always get it right but we definitely did on Tuesday.

"Wayne will be here next year. You have my word on that. I have no issues at all with the player and he'll be involved on Sunday."

Rooney, who signed for United from Everton for £20 million in 2004, inked a new five-year contract with the Red Devils in 2010, after announcing that he intended to leave the club amid concerns over the strength of their squad.
Manchester City have previously been mooted as potential suitors for Rooney as have affluent Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, with the striker's wages said to be in the region of £200,000-a-week.

Ferguson, though, appears to have ruled out a summer exit, despite numerous reports that the club would consider offers in excess of £25 million.

its stupid how media writes articles damn
just he didnt stat the game and united will sell him lol
sure thing rooney wont leave

 

[Banks PLK]

Carlos Tevez arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified
• Striker could face possible prison sentence if charged
• Manchester City player was banned from driving for six months

Carlos Tevez has been arrested for allegedly driving while disqualified and is now waiting to hear whether he could face a charge that could bring a possible prison sentence of up to six months.

Tevez, banned from driving in January, was taken to Macclesfield police station on Thursday evening after being stopped in a high-powered car on the edge of the town.

A statement from Cheshire police said: "At 5.13pm on Thursday 7 March police arrested a 29-year-old man from Alderley Edge on the A538 in Macclesfield on suspicion of driving while disqualified. He has since been released on police bail."

Tevez had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to supply information over incidents in which his car was clocked speeding. As well as being banned for six months, he was ordered to pay fines and costings totalling £1,540. His legal team had told Manchester Magistrates' Court their client did not understand the word 'constabulary' on official letters from the police.

Driving whilst disqualified is considered a serious offence with a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a £5,000 fine. Often the courts also consider community service or anti-social behaviour orders.

 

[මුගටියා]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Genoa 0-2 AC Milan: Resilient Rossoneri maintain momentum to close on second place


AC Milan maintained its fine form ahead of its Champions League showdown with Barcelona by strengthening their grip on third place in Serie A with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Genoa on Friday night.

The Rossoneri were nowhere near their best at the Luigi Ferraris, breaking the deadlock against the run of play through Giampaolo Pazzini 22 minutes in.

Massimiliano Allegri's men then survived three strong penalty appeals before bagging a crucial second goal through the returning Mario Balotelli on the hour mark. Kevin Constant saw red for violent conduct soon after but Milan held on to move to within two points of second-placed Napoli.

The resurgent Rossoneri went into the game on the back of a rousing victory over Lazio that had propelled them into third in the Serie A standings. However, they made a subdued start at the Luigi Ferraris, with Genoa looking the more likely scorer during a cagey opening quarter.

However, the visitors suddenly sparked into life midway through the first half when M'baye Niang unleashed a terrific curling effort from the right-hand side of the area that Sebastien Frey acrobatically pushed away to safety. Just two minutes later, Milan was ahead, Pazzini crashing home a wonderful drive from the edge of the area via the underside of the crossbar.

It was a terrific strike made all the more remarkable by the fact that Pazzini had, just moments beforehand, suffered an ankle injury that would force him from the field immediately after his goal. Indeed, the former Sampdoria striker had only been positioned on the edge of the box because he was struggling so badly to keep up with an attack that he himself had instigated.

Pazzini's withdrawal resulted in an early introduction for the fit-again Balotelli, who announced his return with a needless push on Juan Manuel Vargas that earned the volatile striker a booking.

If that foul irked the home fans, they were positively livid when referee Antonio Damato waved away three penalty appeals in the space of 10 minutes. In the first instance, it was highly debatable whether Cristian Zapata, who had his arms by his side, intended to handle a ball that came at him rapidly via a deflection. However, in the second instance, Niang had blatantly blocked an attempted header back across goal from Borriello with an outstretched arm.

Niang was at it again just over five minutes before the break when he blatantly pushed Andreas Granqvist as the Swede was attempting to connect with a free kick from the left wing. Once again, though, Damato was inexplicably having none of it. Consequently, Genoa went into the half-time interval feeling extremely hard done by.

Genoa's sense of frustration was only exacerbated five minutes into the second half when Cesare Bovo struck Abbiati's left post with the most sweetly struck free kick from all of 35 yards. Balotelli threatened for the first time moments later, with a shot that flew just over, but Genoa was still bossing proceedings and it responded with a Borriello snapshot that was easily dealt with by Abbiati.

However, the previously anonymous Mathieu Flamini suddenly came to the fore for Milan, driving into the area before needlessly trying to win a penalty with an obvious dive, before then redeeming himself somewhat by drawing a stunning fingertip save out of Frey after another awesome surge from midfield. Indeed, from the resulting corner, Milan claimed the killer second goal, Zapata deftly flicking a half-clearance into the path of Balotelli, who was calmness personified as he whipped the ball past Frey into the bottom left corner of the Genoa goal.

Just seven minutes after effectively breaking Genoa's resistance, Kevin Constant stupidly offered the hosts a route back into the game by getting himself sent off for throwing his forehead into the face of Cesare Bovo, who had chopped the Milan fullback down seconds beforehand. However, despite irs best efforts, Genoa could not force the goal that would have set up a frantic finale.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Matuidi lauded for 'explosive' PSG season

The midfielder has hit the heights with some stellar performances for les Parisiens, and he is not short in admirers with Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Deschamps singing his praises Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi is the best French footballer at the moment, according to his agent Jean-Pierre Bernes.

Matuidi signed for PSG from Saint-Etienne last summer and has made 39 appearances for the Ligue 1 leader.

And his agent is not the only one who has been delighted with the way the 25-year-old has performed so far for les Parisiens."He has exploded this year; he came to Paris for that. He is the best French player right now,” Bernes told Le Parisien.

His coach at PSG, Carlo Ancelotti, was also full of praise for his young midfielder, particularly for his impressive performances in the Champions League.Ancelotti said: "I have no words for Matuidi; He is one of the best places in Europe. Against Valencia he was fantastic but it wasn’t just against Valencia, he is like that all the time.”The France boss, Didier Deschamps, has also commented on Matuidi’s performances but is worried that he may pick up an injury if he is overused.

"His performance against Valencia does not surprise me. But I am a little worried to see him play ninety minutes every four days. There was a moment when I saw him on the ground and I had some chills.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 'couldn't recover' from Nani dismissal, admits Sir Alex Ferguson

The 71-year old says his players' "legs went to water" after the Portuguese received a red card during Tuesday evening's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted his players “couldn’t recover” from the blow of losing Nani during their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The Red Devils held a 2-1 aggregate lead over the Spaniards in the last-16 second-leg clash at Old Trafford before the Portuguese was red carded for a high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa in the 56th minute.

The visitors subsequently scored two goals in quick succession to put themselves 2-1 ahead on the night, and held on to seal passage to the last eight courtesy of a 3-2 aggregate victory.

And Sir Alex has claimed that his players' disbelief at the "astonishing" decision to give Nani his marching orders changed the game.

"You just couldn't believe it [the red card]. Quite astonishing. I think, in general, we know it was the wrong decision. I think, after looking at the game again a few times, the players were shocked,” he told MUTV. "They couldn't recover from it until we lost the second goal and then they galvanised themselves and were fantastic in the last 15 minutes of the match.

"They were absolutely brilliant and we could've scored five goals. It was a fantastic performance by the players with 10 men but, in that period after the sending off, they played in shock.

"Knowing we'd had a bad decision against us again, we couldn't get going for 10 minutes. Their legs went to water. That cost us. It really did.

"If it was a justified sending off, in our eyes, it'd have been okay because it was an absolutely brilliant performance tactically. They never made a chance so I think we'd have got through the game."

The 71-year-old took the controversial decision to omit Wayne Rooney from his starting line-up against Los Blancos but believes the risk paid off in the form of a tactically "perfect" performance.

"Our analysis of Real was perfect with exactly all the qualities all the players have. We made sure we were going to be a problem for them," he added.

"Playing Ryan Giggs in off the right-hand side gave the left back a big problem, whether he should push in or stick and protect the area because Rafael was hunting that space all the time. And Nani's performance in wide left against the boy [Alvaro] Arbeloa was terrific."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Santiago Bernabeu to host Copa del Rey final

Real Madrid will have home advantage in the Spanish cup final which is to be played on a Friday to avoid a broadcasting clash with the Eurovision Song Contest the following day The Copa del Rey final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday, May 17.

The decision to play the match on the Friday is to avoid television scheduling problems with the Eurovision Song Contest which is being hosted in Malmo, Sweden, on the following day.

Each team will have an allocation of 35,000 tickets to distribute to their supporters, leaving just over 10,000 in the hands of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

The final will be the third meeting between the two sides this season. The last time they did battle at the Bernabeu was in December when Real ran out a comfortable 2-0 winner. The return Liga match takes place at the end of April.

On their way to the final los Blancos knocked out Barcelona, Valencia and Celta while Atletico came through tests against Sevilla, Betis and Getafe.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FA Cup 2013.03.09 Fixture

FA Cup 2013.03.09 Fixture

Manchester City Vs Barnsley​

 

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La Liga 2013.03.09 Fixtures

La Liga 2013.03.09 Fixtures

Real Valladoid Vs Malaga

Barcelona Vs Deportivo

Mallorca Vs Sevilla​

 

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Serie A 2013.03.09 Fixture

Serie A 2013.03.09 Fixture

Udinese Vs Roma​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 5-0 Barnsley: Tevez treble sends rampant hosts to Wembley semifinal

If Carlos Tevez is being driven round the bend by the latest controversy in his endlessly problematic career, then he did a good job of hiding it as he steered Manchester City into the semifinals of the FA Cup with a 5-0 rout of Barnsley.

Forty-eight hours after being arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified, the Argentine demonstrated the gulf between the top of the Premier League and the lower echelons of the Championship with a virtuoso forward’s display. Tevez clinically dispatched three goals and set up the other two for Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva, with his most memorable contribution being a quite sumptuous pass to lay on the second for his left-back colleague.

The 28-year-old’s hat trick extended his recent goal-scoring run to six in four games, lifting him to 15 in total for the season.

Tevez normally looks as if he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, but an Etihad Stadium support who have never stopped holding him in high esteem during his rollercoaster spell at the club were treated to the rare sight of a broad grin when he swept in his third at the 49-minute mark.

At least it should put him in good heart for Tuesday’s appearance at Macclesfield police station, when he could be charged with another motoring offense.There was a relaxed, low-key atmosphere for most of this David v Goliath clash, with Barnsley forced into damage-limitation following an early attacking onslaught by Roberto Mancini’s team.

By the time that Tevez, Silva and Samir Nasri had been substituted in the second half, the City fans were in party mode and amusing themselves by doing The Poznan.Barnsley’s mixture of lower league journeymen and former high rollers, like Marlon Harewood and Kelvin Etuhu, who have lost their way were no match for the Premier League’s second-highest placed team.

Anything other than a City win would have been the shock of the sixth-round FA Cup weekend, but the visitors were never given a sniff from the moment that Tevez put City in the driving seat with the 10th minute opener.

First-half goals from Kolarov, the best of the game, and Tevez followed, with the Argentine completing his hat trick shortly after the break before Silva completed the evening’s scoring with the fifth at the 64-minute mark.They rout helped Roberto Mancini’s team book its second FA Cup semifinal place in three years and stay on course for a repeat of the club’s 2011 triumph.

With Wigan Athletic eliminating Everton earlier on Saturday and Manchester United and Chelsea slugging it out on Sunday for a single last-four place, City will be confident of book-ending last year’s Premier League title with a second FA Cup pot in three seasons.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich City 0-0 Southampton: Boruc the hero with dramatic late penalty save

NORWICH, England -- Artur Boruc brilliantly saved Grant Holt's penalty in stoppage time to preserve a 0-0 draw for Southampton against Norwich at Carrow Road.

Poor finishing troubled both sides but Holt had a chance to seal the points at the death only to see the Polish goalkeeper fly across goal to palm away his spot kick.

The Canaries had the better of the chances, two of which were passed up by Robert Snodgrass, but Southampton threatened too and Adam Lallana failed to hit the target from 10 yards.

Chris Hughton handed Sporting KC loanee Kei Kamara his first start since joining on loan from Sporting Kansas City after an impressive goalscoring cameo in Norwich's last home match against Everton. Luke Shaw and Jos Hooiveld came into the Southampton defense, while Jay Rodriguez replaced Jason Puncheon on the left flank.

In pouring rain, the Saints had the better of the opening 20 minutes and Mark Bunn made the first save of the match when he pushed Lallana's powerful shot from 20 yards over the crossbar.

Gaston Ramirez had flashed a corner across goal prior to that and threatened again when released by Rickie Lambert, but Bunn anticipated his attempted chip and stood up tall to divert the ball to safety.

Norwich had lacked quality in the attacking third but Snodgrass tested Artur Boruc for the first time with a 25-yard free kick that nearly deceived the Polish goalkeeper.

The Canaries would ramp up the pressure before the half was out despite their frustrating sloppiness in midfield, though, and Grant Holt was twice unlucky to be denied by controversial officiating.

It seemed the striker was onside on the right when he latched on to a chipped pass behind the defense but the flag was raised and the displeasure of the home supporters became even more vocal when Mark Clattenburg was unmoved by a tug on Holt's shirt as he looked to turn home Snodgrass' low cross.

The two sides exchanged remarkably similar chances to break the deadlock just after halftime. Driven crosses from Rodriguez and Wes Hoolahan just evaded Ramirez and Holt and Lallana and Snodgrass could not take advantage of subsequent chances inside the penalty area.

The cutting edge needed continued to be sorely lacking. Jose Fonte denied Holt a tap-in with an important interception from a Snodgrass cross and the striker then failed to pick out Kamara's run into the box.

Lambert then fired over the bar after Bunn had only been able to parry a Ramirez attempt, but Southampton's chances were becoming fewer and further between.

Norwich, though, was pushing for a winner and Snodgrass had arguably the best chance of the match when released by Hoolahan. The Scottish winger attempted to round Boruc but lost his balance at the vital moment and fired wildly off target with the goal at his mercy.

It looked as if it wouldn't matter when Clattenburg pointed to the spot, to the fury of the Southampton players, after a challenge from Shaw on Holt, but the Norwich captain was denied by Boruc's spectacular save.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Brom 2-1 Swansea: Baggies boosted by De Guzman own goal

A first half Romelu Lukaku strike and a second half own goal from the Swans' Dutchman earned the home side only its third win of 2013 to keep its Europa League hopes alive A Romelu Lukaku strike and a Jonathan De Guzman own goal helped West Brom pick up a vital 2-1 win against an ever-threatening Swansea side.

Twenty years ago, the two sides were battling it out for promotion from the old Division Two. Today, both are well-established top flight sides, and from their performances today at the Hawthorns, it was clear to see why both West Brom and Swansea currently find themselves firmly rooted in the top half of the table.

Early pressure from Swansea paid off after 33 minutes when Luke Moore headed his side into the lead, but the hosts immediately sprung into life and Lukaku equalized just before half time after a swift Baggies counterattack.

Lukaku missed the opportunity to put his side ahead from the penalty spot after 56 minutes, but De Guzman was on hand to accidentally put the ball in to the back of his own net five minutes later to wrap up all three points for West Brom.

Swansea's constant pressure finally paid off after 33 minutes when Moore headed his side into the lead, the former West Brom player escaping Jonas Olsson in the West Brom defense to divert De Guzman's corner into the back of the net for his second goal in as many games.

Despite being second best for the vast majority of the first half, the Baggies managed to find an equalizer seven minutes later through Lukaku, after a swift counterattacking movement down the right wing allowed Graham Dorrans to cross in for the Belgian teenager to poke past Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Ten minutes into the second half, the youngster had the opportunity to put his side ahead from the penalty spot after Wayne Routledge was fouled on the edge of the area by James Morrison, but a poor spot kick from the Belgian was comfortably saved by Vorm in the Swansea goalmouth.

West Brom seemingly wasn't fazed by the miss, however, and it only took five minutes to go ahead when Angel Rangel cleared a Gareth McAuley headed effort off the line, only for his clearance to rebound off the back of De Guzman and into the corner of the net.

Swansea thought that it had rescued a point in the final minutes when Roland Lamah hit the back of the net with only three minutes left to play, but the linesman flagged for offside, much to the relief of West Brom, despite replays showing that the ball did not touch another Swans player in the build-up to the goal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

QPR 3-1 Sunderland: Townsend and Jenas wonder-strikes secure vital victory

A wonder-strike each from Andros Townsend and Jermaine Jenas gave QPR its first back-to-back wins of the season as Harry Redknapp's side beat Sunderland 3-1 at Loftus Road on Saturday.

A bright start from the hosts was seemly counteracted by an early strike from Steven Fletcher but Loic Remy coolly dispatched the equalizer 10 minutes later before brilliant second-half volleys from Townsend and Jenas secured the points for the home side.

It was the home side and Junior Hoilett in particular who started most dynamically. The 22-year-old showed promise early on as he first almost played Zamora in and then nearly opened the scoring himself after cutting inside and curling a powerful strike just wide.

Yet it was Sunderland – and who else but top scorer Fletcher – which made the early breakthrough on 20 minutes. An Alfred N’Diaye-led counterattack ended with Adam Johnson firing in a shot from close-range and the Scotland striker managed to redirect into the back of the net for his 11th of the season.

But the hosts retaliated on the half-hour mark through a clinical striker of their own. A blocked shot from Townsend fell straight into the path of Remy, who made no mistake inside the area to score his third goal in four league starts.

And the 26-year-old almost doubled his tally with a smart header three minutes later before fluffing a great opportunity to volley shortly after. Simon Mignolet was on guard to deny the initial header but had the Frenchman connected properly the second time around, there would have been very little the Belgian keeper could have done.

Nevertheless, the hosts were now firmly on top and headed into the break with real hope of achieving only their fourth Premier League win of the season.

On 56 minutes, Martin O’Neill brought Danny Rose on for Graham in a seemingly defensive move. With Sunderland not having won in its last five, the Northern Irishman appeared content to leave Loftus Road with a point.

But there seemed an inevitability about QPR taking all three points as set-piece after set-piece was whipped into the box and soon, the hosts had the lead – and in some style.

A loose ball found its way towards Townsend roughly 30 yards from goal and the 21-year-old took a touch with his chest before thumping a beautifully-struck volley straight into the top corner.

And minutes later, another January signing confirmed victory as substitute Jenas thumped a right-foot volley home. Redknapp's magic had worked once again.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Reading 1-2 Aston Villa: Benteke and Agbonlahor lift Lambert's men out of bottom three

Aston Villa came from behind away from home to bag a vital 2-1 win over fellow struggler Reading on Saturday.

The hosts started well and took the lead through an own goal, however it didn't last long with Christian Benteke levelling the scores a minute later. And things went from bad to worse for the Royals just before the break, with Gabriel Agbonlahor securing the points for Villa.

The hosts were quickest out of the blocks and almost took the lead with about a minute played, however Brad Guzan made a superb acrobatic save to tip Le Fondre's header wide of the post.

Villa responded well, though, as it managed to slow the Royals play down before its own striker forced the opposition keeper into an equally good save, Taylor palming Benteke's headed effort onto the bar at full stretch.

Back came the Royals, with Hal Robson-Kanu sending a low effort just wide of the post, but it was Paul Lambert's men who should have took the lead when Andreas Weimann dragged a shot wide.

With around 10 minutes to go until halftime Reading managed to find a breakthrough, albeit with some fortune. Jobi McAnuff crossed low from the left, with Hope Akpan flicking the ball on neatly before Nathan Baker embarrassingly sliced the ball into his own net.

A minute later, however, and again with an element of luck, Villa was level. Weimann broke free on the right before pulling the ball back for Benteke, whose shot deflected off Stephen Kelly and past Taylor.

And it was the visiting side that then took the initiative and went in front right before halftime. Weimann was involved again on the right before his cross was thrice unsuccessfully dealt with by the Royals defense, leaving Gabriel Agbonlahor to slam the ball home.

The action continued after the break with Baker, Sylla and Benteke all going close for Villa, before Reading forward Noel Hunt had the ball in the net after McAnuff's low-driven cross, however it was correctly ruled out for offside.

The hosts should have been level soon after, however, with substitute Nick Blackman's fine chest control giving him a fantastic chance just yards out, however he shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

Robson-Kanu, who was the Royals brightest spark by a long way, nearly grabbed a late equalizer with a fine curling effort, however it was the Villans who held on for what could be their biggest win all season.