English Premier League to go to the Wire
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Last chance efforts grant victories for England’s top football teams.
Last weekend was a thrilling action-packed two days of football in the Premier League which could define the season for Liverpool and Manchester United.
At the top, it was all about last gasp winners. Fulham nearly brought Liverpool to a 0-0 standstill on Saturday at Craven Cottage before the away side slotted in a 12-yard strike courtesy of Yossi Benayoun in the dying moments of the game. With the pressure on, Manchester United were also staring down the barrel of a draw against Aston Villa before an emphatic goal from debutant Federico Macheda.
Keen to keep the pressure on the current champions, Liverpool travelled down to London to meet Fulham, the team that had surprisingly scalped United 2-0 just two weeks ago. Fulham have been formidable at home this season with the second best home record in the Premier League.
Liverpool however, awarded a second shot at the title, dismantled Fulham completely, who looked a different side from the team that had so confidently thwarted United. Fulham had managed to contain Cristiano Ronaldo brilliantly in the Manchester encounter, but the same tactics failed to nullify Liverpool’s wonderchild Steven Gerrard.
The twin talismans of Liverpool, Gerrard and Torres were at the centre of almost every creative attack Liverpool unleashed against the home side, and there were many. Were it not for some outstandingly solid woodwork, Liverpool could have scored six or seven times, but an incredible number of shots were blasted against bar and post which kept the score 0-0.
It seemed like Fulham had pulled off another unlikely result when in the 92nd minute, substitute Benayoun scored to secure Liverpool a much deserved victory. Having witnessed Liverpool comprehensively defeat Fulham in everything but the scoreline, Sir Alex Ferguson gathered his United players for a tough match against Aston Villa.
United, who have relied on solid performances at home all season , looked thoroughly ordinary in the opening moments of the match, missing five or six key players through injury and suspension. It took a special goal from a teenage reserve player to win the match.
Salvation arrived with a superb goal from 17-year-old Italian Federico Macheda. Macheda, in his first appearance for the United senior team looked comfortable and natural on the ball. His deft turn and right footed flick into the goal in injury time gave United the victory they needed, even if they didn’t necessarily deserve it.
Ronaldo, who did not have the best of games, still managed to put in a performance which earned him two goals. It is a credit to the strength of the squad though, that even on ordinary days, United have the players to win matches.
In other games involving the top flight clubs, Arsenal comfortably beat Manchester City at home 2-0 and Chelsea gave Newcastle boss Alan Shearer a dose of reality by seeing off his side 2-0 at St James’ Park.
The top four will all be in action this week in their Champions League matches this Tuesday and Wednesday. The focus will be on the all-English showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool which starts on Wednesday evening.
May I add two points I observed at Saturday’s game, to your well written article?
1. Almost in/hitting woodwork… does not add up to dominating the game, full time score 0:0
2. The referee seemed to scared to give any decisions against Liverpool, but let rip against Fulham, fact; why…?