Simon Sparrowhawk
Embarrassed by Liverpool one week. Embarrassed by themselves the next. It has been a terrible fortnight for Manchester United. In fact, it has been so bad that Sir Alex Ferguson might, for possibly the first time, be welcoming an international break.
At 13:05pm on March 14th, it all looked rosy in the Old Trafford garden. World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo had just scored from the penalty spot against title rivals Liverpool to give Fergie’s men a 1-0 lead on home turf. They looked solid and appeared to be closing out the title race. However, it has gone quite spectacularly pear-shaped since.
Perhaps they believed the hype. The Quintuple has been the talk of the country in recent months, but it looks impossible now. Liverpool roared back that afternoon to send the Red Devils crashing to an demoralising 4-1 defeat. So much for the unbreachable defence! Nemanja Vidic floundered against the raw pace of Fernando Torres, before receiving his marching orders for a professional foul on Steven Gerrard in the second half.
A blip. A bad day at the office. A freak. That was the general consensus in the aftermath. The men from the red half of Manchester were still well clear in the title race and an away trip to Fulham looked like the perfect chance to get back on track. Remember, they waltzed past the same opponents 4-0 just two weeks before in the FA Cup Quarter Final, at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers must have expected a backlash, I bet they couldn’t believe their luck! United were not ‘at it’ again and Roy Hodgson's side took advantage. More defensive calamities and poor discipline meant catastrophe once again. Paul Scholes picked up a red card for handling on the goal-line after just 18 minutes. Danny Murphy (who else?) tucked home the penalty and the belief simply drained out of the two-time reigning Champions.
They tried to hit back after the break – no doubt after a Fergie hairdryer – but Mark Schwarzer was in no mood to let Rooney and Ronaldo spoil the Cottagers party. Frustration grew. Tensions surfaced. Ronaldo stomped. Rooney lost his rag, and followed Scholes down the tunnel.
It all fell apart. Zoltan Gera added a second in injury time. Fulham took the three points and Liverpool clawed back to within touching distance of the title.
The title race is alive and kicking again. Last month Ferguson warned his side how a mini-collapse from Barcelona let Real Madrid back into the equation could mirror itself in England. He was right. But I doubt he really believed it would happen - not to him.
United’s players will be delighted to escape the Carrington Training Complex where the boss will be on the war path. Fergie will hope they return with this shock to their confidence out of their system.
Aston Villa are up next. They are in even worse form than the Champions, so United will hope to turn it around.
As yet, we don’t know how United will react, but what we can be sure of is that when the Villains travel to Old Trafford a week on Sunday, the home fans will be expecting a dramatic improvement. However, no Rooney, no Vidic, no Scholes, and possibly no Berbatov, could spell further trouble for the Champions. Liverpool lie in wait!
Monday, 23 March 2009
Friday, 27 February 2009
Head to Head with Lawro
Callum Sparrowhawk
Each week I will predict the scores of the Premier League games, compare them with Mark Lawrenson’s, and then see who comes out on top. For each prediction, 1 point will be given for guessing the correct result and 3 will be given for guessing the correct score.
This Week
Saturday
Everton v West Brom (1245 GMT)
I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-0
Arsenal v Fulham (1500 GMT)I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-0
Chelsea v Wigan (1500 GMT)I say, 2-0
Lawro says, 2-1
Middlesbrough v Liverpool (1500 GMT)I say, 1-1
Lawro says, 2-0
SundayHull v Blackburn (1230 GMT)I say, 0-0
Lawro says, 1-1
West Ham v Man City (1230 GMT)I say, 2-2
Lawro says, 0-1
Bolton v Newcastle (1300 GMT)I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-0
Aston Villa v Stoke (1500 GMT)I say, 2-0
Lawro says, 2-1
Carling Cup FinalMan United v Tottenham (1500 GMT)I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-1
Fancy getting involved? Send your scores for the week’s Premier League games to callum.gs-uk@hotmail.com
So, if you think you can beat Lawro, and beat me, then join in the action!
Each week I will predict the scores of the Premier League games, compare them with Mark Lawrenson’s, and then see who comes out on top. For each prediction, 1 point will be given for guessing the correct result and 3 will be given for guessing the correct score.
This Week
Saturday
Everton v West Brom (1245 GMT)
I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-0
Arsenal v Fulham (1500 GMT)I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-0
Chelsea v Wigan (1500 GMT)I say, 2-0
Lawro says, 2-1
Middlesbrough v Liverpool (1500 GMT)I say, 1-1
Lawro says, 2-0
SundayHull v Blackburn (1230 GMT)I say, 0-0
Lawro says, 1-1
West Ham v Man City (1230 GMT)I say, 2-2
Lawro says, 0-1
Bolton v Newcastle (1300 GMT)I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-0
Aston Villa v Stoke (1500 GMT)I say, 2-0
Lawro says, 2-1
Carling Cup FinalMan United v Tottenham (1500 GMT)I say, 1-0
Lawro says, 2-1
Fancy getting involved? Send your scores for the week’s Premier League games to callum.gs-uk@hotmail.com
So, if you think you can beat Lawro, and beat me, then join in the action!
Thursday, 26 February 2009
I Hate Baseball!
Callum Sparrowhawk
What exactly is the attraction? Dubbed, “America’s Pastime” Baseball surely has to be the worst national sport in the world.
Now, there are a number of reasons I despise baseball and almost everything associated with it, but the biggest bone I have to pick is with the “World Series”. It’s not the ‘World’ Series at all, it’s the American championship and perhaps you could include Canada. I know that the US government generally like to consider themselves the ‘Governors of the World’ but America is absolutely and inexplicably not, the world. I just don’t understand how the winners of the Major League can be proclaimed World Champions until they accept challenges from teams from other nations. The European champions of soccer are likely to be the best team in the world, and they are, but they had to prove it. Similarly, the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to be the best American Football team in the world, but they cannot be proclaimed world champions as they have not proven it.
Secondly, the game is incredibly dull, so dull in fact that I would rather watch a live debate at the Houses of Parliament, which is just like Congress for my Colonial cousins. A game of baseball has nine innings, and the MLB games frequently last for longer than 3 hours. Pitchers can throw a perfect game where the other team does not hit a single ball. How unbearably boring…! Baseball to me just seems so un-American. The finest attributes of American sports are that they are fast-paced and exhilarating affairs. Basketball, for example, is a fine game that captures the hearts and minds of sports fans all over the globe. Baseball doesn’t, period.
At this point, I’m sure many of you are wondering how my complaints about Baseball are any different to the groans of those who fail to see the attraction of cricket. Admittedly, test cricket can be very, very tedious. Fortunately, I don’t watch test cricket and there is this wonderful new thing known as Twenty20. Baseball must be a dying sport; the sheer length of the game alone must be causing it to lose its appeal in a society obsessed with speed and convenience. In my opinion, baseball needs to move with the times. Chop down the innings, make the fielding side get every batsman out. I can’t imagine anything more exciting than being at Yankee Stadium when A. Rod is the last man left in needing to smash two consecutive home runs to win the World Series. Well, perhaps if I was watching a more exciting sport such as basketball, or curling for that fact.
What exactly is the attraction? Dubbed, “America’s Pastime” Baseball surely has to be the worst national sport in the world.
Now, there are a number of reasons I despise baseball and almost everything associated with it, but the biggest bone I have to pick is with the “World Series”. It’s not the ‘World’ Series at all, it’s the American championship and perhaps you could include Canada. I know that the US government generally like to consider themselves the ‘Governors of the World’ but America is absolutely and inexplicably not, the world. I just don’t understand how the winners of the Major League can be proclaimed World Champions until they accept challenges from teams from other nations. The European champions of soccer are likely to be the best team in the world, and they are, but they had to prove it. Similarly, the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to be the best American Football team in the world, but they cannot be proclaimed world champions as they have not proven it.
Secondly, the game is incredibly dull, so dull in fact that I would rather watch a live debate at the Houses of Parliament, which is just like Congress for my Colonial cousins. A game of baseball has nine innings, and the MLB games frequently last for longer than 3 hours. Pitchers can throw a perfect game where the other team does not hit a single ball. How unbearably boring…! Baseball to me just seems so un-American. The finest attributes of American sports are that they are fast-paced and exhilarating affairs. Basketball, for example, is a fine game that captures the hearts and minds of sports fans all over the globe. Baseball doesn’t, period.
At this point, I’m sure many of you are wondering how my complaints about Baseball are any different to the groans of those who fail to see the attraction of cricket. Admittedly, test cricket can be very, very tedious. Fortunately, I don’t watch test cricket and there is this wonderful new thing known as Twenty20. Baseball must be a dying sport; the sheer length of the game alone must be causing it to lose its appeal in a society obsessed with speed and convenience. In my opinion, baseball needs to move with the times. Chop down the innings, make the fielding side get every batsman out. I can’t imagine anything more exciting than being at Yankee Stadium when A. Rod is the last man left in needing to smash two consecutive home runs to win the World Series. Well, perhaps if I was watching a more exciting sport such as basketball, or curling for that fact.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Welcome Home Tiger!
Simon Sparrowhawk
Tiger Woods is back and not a moment too soon for the world of golf.
Never has the return of one golfer been so eagerly anticipated. Little did we know when Tiger Woods won the 2008 US Open that we would not see the World Number One for eight months. And how we have missed him!
Viewing figures are reportedly down 50 per cent in Tiger’s absence and, in all honesty, the game has lost a lot of its appeal. Did anyone capitalise? Nobody has surpassed him for the number one spot, but Padraig Harrington has cashed in. The Irishman collected back to back major championships in the back half of 2008. But can he take that form into 2009?
Missed chance
However, the Irishman is the only leading player to further his reputation in Woods’ absence. Phil Mickleson, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh have all been off the boil, although Sergio Garcia has also benefited. The Spaniard though has often faltered when faced with the might of Woods’ armoury so it will be interesting to see if the fear factor has left the talented Iberian.
The sad truth is that, without Tiger, golf has regressed. Crowds and audiences are down – particularly on the PGA Tour. Sponsors are being driven away by the lack of interest. The future of a number of tournaments is at risk as a result of the recession’s damaging effect on the car industry, which is associated with numerous events. Buick have two of their own – oh and they sponsor Tiger too!
Tiger’s comeback has been treated like the return of the Messiah. The expectations are that Woods will return and, all of a sudden, the problems in the world of golf will be fixed. And in all likelihood, they will.
The problem for golf is, that Tiger Woods is golf. Without him they have no selling point. Why do you think the MLS are so keen to hold onto David Beckham? He is their selling point. Tiger is golf’s selling point.
Chasing history
So, how good will he be? Can he possibly return to immediate success at the WGC Accenture World Match-Play event? With his penchant for drama, he probably will!
However, immediate success is probably not Woods’ major concern. Although he will want to win this week, he has bigger fish to fry. Tiger is chasing history. He is chasing the Golden Bear. He is still four major championships behind Jack Nicklaus and the Tiger will not rest until he has surpassed the Bear.
What do you think? Will Tiger win this week? Will he be the same? Will be continue to make history? Or, could this all be a step too far?
The Carling Cup – Is it really a ‘major’ trophy?
Callum Sparrowhawk
Since the Football League Cup became the Carling Cup, naturally the sponsors have been trying to build it up as a major trophy, but on merit, can it really be called ‘major’?
Looking at the winners of the trophy since Carling took over the sponsorship in the 2003/04 season; it would certainly seem that the trophy attracts the top sides. The first winner of the Carling Cup was Middlesbrough who despite their slump this year finished 7th in 2004. For the next three seasons the Carling Cup was won by Chelsea twice and Manchester United, no arguments about their status as major European clubs. The current holders are Tottenham Hotspur who defeated Chelsea to claim the trophy with a dramatic extra time winner from centre-half Jonathan Woodgate.
Of course, drama is a crucial part of making any championship an integral part of the season. However despite last season’s breath taking final, the structure of the Carling Cup lends itself less to drama than its more prestigious counter-part the FA Cup. Only 92 teams enter the League Cup, the 20 Premier League teams as well as the 72 from the Football League, whereas the FA Cup comprises of over 700 teams. This allows for two sides of much greater contrasting quality and standing to be drawn against one another and the prospects of a ‘giant killing’ to excite the minnow’s fans as well as the neutrals.
The two-legged semi finals of the Carling Cup further decrease the chances of an upset. Take this season’s clash between Premier League leaders Manchester United and Championship strugglers Derby County as a prime example. The first leg saw Derby take the game to United at Pride Park and a wonder strike from Kris Commons gave the Championship side a 1-0 victory. However, in the second leg, Sir Alex Ferguson brought back some of his bigger name players and Manchester United cruised past Derby to overcome the deficit and win the tie, and a place in the final, comfortably.
Despite the opportunity for silverware, the biggest sides in the Premier League seem to take a more relaxed approach to the Carling Cup. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in particular, use the earlier rounds of the competition to blood their youngsters and give them experience in front of a full crowd. This exciting brand of new talent on display in the Carling Cup does make it a more attractive competition for sponsors and spectators who want to see the next generation of Premier League stars develop. Hot prospects Danny Welbeck, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere have all shown their ability to play in a top side with a run of games in the Carling Cup this year. The form of top players such as Carlos Tevez and Roman Pavluychenko firing in six goals each has also helped the competition to grab the headlines.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have been dominant in English football for several years and this season, the likes of Aston Villa and Everton have also moved ahead of the rest of the Premier League. With the divide in class growing within the division the Carling Cup presents the most realistic chance of silverware for the other fourteen Premier League sides. This certainly encourages sides like Tottenham, who have reached the final again this year, Blackburn, who made the quarter-finals, and Newcastle to place emphasis on a successful Carling Cup run. With this desire to win the intensity of the competition is growing and the prize of a UEFA cup spot makes the trophy a crucial part of several Premier League sides’ seasons.
The Carling Cup prevents a realistic chance of silverware and prestige for clubs that would not usually pick up the Premier League or FA Cup. The attitudes regarding team selection of the top sides, especially in the earlier rounds, would suggest that they see it as a supplement to their season. However, judging by the recent winners, it certainly seems that provided one of the top sides makes it to the later stages, they will commit to winning the trophy. Perhaps if the structure of the competition was altered to increase the chances of an upset the competition would be more appealing to neutral fans. If I was in charge, I’d eliminate the possibility of replays from the ties to encourage top sides to play more big names. The Premier League schedule is crowded enough and many sides resent the Carling Cup for adding fixtures. By making it more of a shoot-out, the competition would add a new dimension to the football season and make the Carling Cup an exciting trophy that clubs would throw their weight behind winning.
Since the Football League Cup became the Carling Cup, naturally the sponsors have been trying to build it up as a major trophy, but on merit, can it really be called ‘major’?
Looking at the winners of the trophy since Carling took over the sponsorship in the 2003/04 season; it would certainly seem that the trophy attracts the top sides. The first winner of the Carling Cup was Middlesbrough who despite their slump this year finished 7th in 2004. For the next three seasons the Carling Cup was won by Chelsea twice and Manchester United, no arguments about their status as major European clubs. The current holders are Tottenham Hotspur who defeated Chelsea to claim the trophy with a dramatic extra time winner from centre-half Jonathan Woodgate.
Of course, drama is a crucial part of making any championship an integral part of the season. However despite last season’s breath taking final, the structure of the Carling Cup lends itself less to drama than its more prestigious counter-part the FA Cup. Only 92 teams enter the League Cup, the 20 Premier League teams as well as the 72 from the Football League, whereas the FA Cup comprises of over 700 teams. This allows for two sides of much greater contrasting quality and standing to be drawn against one another and the prospects of a ‘giant killing’ to excite the minnow’s fans as well as the neutrals.
The two-legged semi finals of the Carling Cup further decrease the chances of an upset. Take this season’s clash between Premier League leaders Manchester United and Championship strugglers Derby County as a prime example. The first leg saw Derby take the game to United at Pride Park and a wonder strike from Kris Commons gave the Championship side a 1-0 victory. However, in the second leg, Sir Alex Ferguson brought back some of his bigger name players and Manchester United cruised past Derby to overcome the deficit and win the tie, and a place in the final, comfortably.
Despite the opportunity for silverware, the biggest sides in the Premier League seem to take a more relaxed approach to the Carling Cup. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in particular, use the earlier rounds of the competition to blood their youngsters and give them experience in front of a full crowd. This exciting brand of new talent on display in the Carling Cup does make it a more attractive competition for sponsors and spectators who want to see the next generation of Premier League stars develop. Hot prospects Danny Welbeck, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere have all shown their ability to play in a top side with a run of games in the Carling Cup this year. The form of top players such as Carlos Tevez and Roman Pavluychenko firing in six goals each has also helped the competition to grab the headlines.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have been dominant in English football for several years and this season, the likes of Aston Villa and Everton have also moved ahead of the rest of the Premier League. With the divide in class growing within the division the Carling Cup presents the most realistic chance of silverware for the other fourteen Premier League sides. This certainly encourages sides like Tottenham, who have reached the final again this year, Blackburn, who made the quarter-finals, and Newcastle to place emphasis on a successful Carling Cup run. With this desire to win the intensity of the competition is growing and the prize of a UEFA cup spot makes the trophy a crucial part of several Premier League sides’ seasons.
The Carling Cup prevents a realistic chance of silverware and prestige for clubs that would not usually pick up the Premier League or FA Cup. The attitudes regarding team selection of the top sides, especially in the earlier rounds, would suggest that they see it as a supplement to their season. However, judging by the recent winners, it certainly seems that provided one of the top sides makes it to the later stages, they will commit to winning the trophy. Perhaps if the structure of the competition was altered to increase the chances of an upset the competition would be more appealing to neutral fans. If I was in charge, I’d eliminate the possibility of replays from the ties to encourage top sides to play more big names. The Premier League schedule is crowded enough and many sides resent the Carling Cup for adding fixtures. By making it more of a shoot-out, the competition would add a new dimension to the football season and make the Carling Cup an exciting trophy that clubs would throw their weight behind winning.
Head to Head with Lawro - Review of the Week
Well the weekend of football is over, time to see who won the head to head!
The Results
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Bolton 2-1 West Ham
Middlesbrough 0-0 Wigan
Stoke 2-2 Portsmouth
Man United 2-1 Blackburn
Fulham 2-0 West Brom
Liverpool 1-1 Man City
Newcastle 0-0 Everton
Hull 1-2 Tottenham
The Scores
This week, Lawro got 1 correct score and 3 correct results. Lawro gets 6 points.
Callum got 1 correct score and 3 correct results. I also get 6 points.
Unfortunately it ends in a draw, but 6 all is barely a bore draw.
Come back soon to see next week's head to head and have a go yourself!
Email any enquiries to callum.gs-uk@hotmail.com
The Results
Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Bolton 2-1 West Ham
Middlesbrough 0-0 Wigan
Stoke 2-2 Portsmouth
Man United 2-1 Blackburn
Fulham 2-0 West Brom
Liverpool 1-1 Man City
Newcastle 0-0 Everton
Hull 1-2 Tottenham
The Scores
This week, Lawro got 1 correct score and 3 correct results. Lawro gets 6 points.
Callum got 1 correct score and 3 correct results. I also get 6 points.
Unfortunately it ends in a draw, but 6 all is barely a bore draw.
Come back soon to see next week's head to head and have a go yourself!
Email any enquiries to callum.gs-uk@hotmail.com
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Premier League Review
Simon Sparrowhawk
A tale of bad tackles, great goals, poor refereeing and endless controversy - just another week in the Barclays Premier League!
Manchester United end the weekend with a seven point advantage at the top of the table after Liverpool slipped up at home to Manchester City. The Red Devils looked vulnerable at times and their stunning run of 14 consecutive clean sheets came to an end as Roque Santa Cruz cancelled out Wayne Rooney's early goal. Nerves and frustration were getting the better of United until World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo sent Old Trafford into raptures with a trademark free-kick that bemused and confused Paul Robinson. Referee Howard Webb had a poor afternoon as he disallowed a perfectly good Jonny Evans header before controversially denying Rovers a penalty.
The result from Old Trafford put the pressure back on Liverpool and, not for the first time this season, Rafa Benitez and his side blinked as Manchester City left Anfield with a point. Former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy returned to haunt his former club with the opening goal before Dirk Kuyt restored order with a late equaliser. However, the Reds could not force a winner and there was more bad news to come as rumours emerged that Benitez had turned down yet another contract.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Everton failed to break down ten man Newcastle United at St. James' Park after Kevin Nolan had been dismissed for a truly awful tackle on Victor Anichebe. Perhaps more concerning for Toffees fans was the departure of Mikel Arteta who is awaiting the results of a scan on a potentially serious knee injury. While in the lunchtime kick-off, Fulham dispatched West Brom with consumate ease as the Baggies once again proved impotent on the road. They even allowed Bobby Zamora to score the opening goal in 2-0 Cottagers cruise, the former West Ham striker hadn't found the net since September.
Guus Hiddink got off to the perfect start as Caretaker boss of Chelsea (how long that will last is debatable) with a priceless 1-0 victory over Champions League qualification rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park. Nicolas Anelka grabbed the only goal, although the men from Stamford Bridge rode their luck as Martin O'Neill's side forced them onto the backfoot.
Chelsea fellow Londoners West Ham United somehow failed to take at least a point from a trip to Bolton where they dominated throughout the game but two early lapses cost them dear as the Trotters held out for a 2-1 win to collect three vital points.
It was draws a plenty on Saturday in the Premier League though as Arsenal, with new signing Andrei Arshavin on show, failed to break down Sunderland at the Emirates while Middlesbrough's appalling run of form continued with a 0-0 draw at home to Wigan. The Teesiders are now 14 games without a win and Gareth Southgate's men are in a real battle for survival.
The game at the Brittania Stadium was forgettable for 75 minutes as Portsmouth and Stoke battered the ball into submission, until Niko Kranjcar fired the South Coast side ahead. Tony Pulis' side are made of stern stuff though and James Beattie capitalised on a shocking penalty award to equalise before firing the hosts ahead with ten minutes to go. However, with the clock ticking down Ryan Shawcross diverted the ball into his own net and the sides had to share the spoils.
So, is the title race over? Are West Brom on their way out? Can Boro' turn around their fortunes? What do you think?
A tale of bad tackles, great goals, poor refereeing and endless controversy - just another week in the Barclays Premier League!
Manchester United end the weekend with a seven point advantage at the top of the table after Liverpool slipped up at home to Manchester City. The Red Devils looked vulnerable at times and their stunning run of 14 consecutive clean sheets came to an end as Roque Santa Cruz cancelled out Wayne Rooney's early goal. Nerves and frustration were getting the better of United until World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo sent Old Trafford into raptures with a trademark free-kick that bemused and confused Paul Robinson. Referee Howard Webb had a poor afternoon as he disallowed a perfectly good Jonny Evans header before controversially denying Rovers a penalty.
The result from Old Trafford put the pressure back on Liverpool and, not for the first time this season, Rafa Benitez and his side blinked as Manchester City left Anfield with a point. Former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy returned to haunt his former club with the opening goal before Dirk Kuyt restored order with a late equaliser. However, the Reds could not force a winner and there was more bad news to come as rumours emerged that Benitez had turned down yet another contract.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Everton failed to break down ten man Newcastle United at St. James' Park after Kevin Nolan had been dismissed for a truly awful tackle on Victor Anichebe. Perhaps more concerning for Toffees fans was the departure of Mikel Arteta who is awaiting the results of a scan on a potentially serious knee injury. While in the lunchtime kick-off, Fulham dispatched West Brom with consumate ease as the Baggies once again proved impotent on the road. They even allowed Bobby Zamora to score the opening goal in 2-0 Cottagers cruise, the former West Ham striker hadn't found the net since September.
Guus Hiddink got off to the perfect start as Caretaker boss of Chelsea (how long that will last is debatable) with a priceless 1-0 victory over Champions League qualification rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park. Nicolas Anelka grabbed the only goal, although the men from Stamford Bridge rode their luck as Martin O'Neill's side forced them onto the backfoot.
Chelsea fellow Londoners West Ham United somehow failed to take at least a point from a trip to Bolton where they dominated throughout the game but two early lapses cost them dear as the Trotters held out for a 2-1 win to collect three vital points.
It was draws a plenty on Saturday in the Premier League though as Arsenal, with new signing Andrei Arshavin on show, failed to break down Sunderland at the Emirates while Middlesbrough's appalling run of form continued with a 0-0 draw at home to Wigan. The Teesiders are now 14 games without a win and Gareth Southgate's men are in a real battle for survival.
The game at the Brittania Stadium was forgettable for 75 minutes as Portsmouth and Stoke battered the ball into submission, until Niko Kranjcar fired the South Coast side ahead. Tony Pulis' side are made of stern stuff though and James Beattie capitalised on a shocking penalty award to equalise before firing the hosts ahead with ten minutes to go. However, with the clock ticking down Ryan Shawcross diverted the ball into his own net and the sides had to share the spoils.
So, is the title race over? Are West Brom on their way out? Can Boro' turn around their fortunes? What do you think?
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