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.jpg "Lee Bowyer of Birmingham City scores during the Barclays Premier League match between Birmingham City and Chelsea at St Andrews on Nov. 20 in Birmingham. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)")
A 17th minute goal from veteran Lee Bowyer was enough to consign Chelsea to its second defeat in a row, going down 1-0 to Birmingham City at St Andrews. The London club remains top of the table, but now leads Manchester United only on goal difference.
The much travelled 33-year-old Bowyer latched onto a Cameron Jerome downward header that put him clear of three defenders, and calmly slotted the ball past the Chelsea keeper in a manner reminiscent of his glory days at Leeds.
Chelsea can feel somewhat hard done by because for the most part the game was one-way traffic in the opposite direction towards the goal defended by Ben Foster. The current England incumbent does have his critics who talk about inconsistency and a lack of concentration, resulting in a tendency to commit basic errors at times. But on this occasion Foster was at his brilliant best and played an absolute blinder as the league leaders peppered his goal.
Even when Foster was stranded, the Chelsea forwards were profligate, with Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda both missing good chances.
Didier Drogba had several efforts thwarted by Foster, but was most unlucky in the 38th minute when his powerful header struck the crossbar with the Birmingham goalie well beaten. Had that gone in seven minutes before the break, the flood gates might have opened in the second half, but it was not to be Chelsea’s day.
Two players do not make a team—especially when you have a star-studded squad like Chelsea—but everyone knows that John Terry and Frank Lampard are the heart and soul of that side, and while they are absent, the rest of the Premier League hopefuls will be encouraged.
Manchester United extended its unbeaten run in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at home to Wigan Athletic. The visitors started well against a lackluster United and had several good chances to take the lead. But United survived and, as so often happens, drew first blood on the stroke of half time.
Park Ji Sung floated over a cross from the right flank to the far post which was met perfectly by the head of Patrice Evra powering in from the left. The Frenchman’s downward header was unstoppable. It was his first league goal in three and a half years.
Wayne Rooney’s much vaunted comeback came to pass when he was brought on for Federico Macheda at the 57 minute mark. Two minutes later Wigan was down to 10 men when skipper Antolin Alcaraz was red carded for a second bookable offence.
The game was ended as a contest when Alcarez was followed almost immediately by Hugo Rodallega, who was guilty of a nasty two-footed challenge on Rafael, and Wigan were reduced to nine.
Javier Hernandez came on for Michael Carrick and extended United’s lead with a well taken diving header on 76 minutes.
Wayne Rooney had a couple of chances to get on the score sheet but remains with only a single goal from the penalty spot to his name in the league this season. All associated with United will want that goal drought to end as soon as possible. One feels that once the first one goes in for him then they may come thick and fast.
Heady days at the Reebok, as Bolton Wanderers jumped into the fourth Champions League slot, albeit level on points with Manchester City and Tottenham.
Kevin Davies and Johann Elmander each bagged a double with Lee Chung-Yong adding a fifth as Owen Coyle’s team dished out a caning to inconsistent Newcastle United.
The Magpies, for whom fresh England recruit Andy Carroll scored a consolation goal, played the final quarter of an hour with 10 men after Fabricio Coloccini received his marching orders.
Blackpool held on for a hard fought 2-1 win at home to Wolves. Luke Varney and Marlon Harewood put the Seasiders two up in the first half. Wolves came back strongly but it was not until the 86th minute that Kevin Doyle managed to pull one back, and that was all they could muster.
West Brom’s slump continued as they went down 3-0 at home to Stoke. The nerves will be starting to jangle at the Hawthorns, but they need to keep the faith as this scoreline really flattered the visitors, who owed their win to a pair of second half penalties with Jon Walters adding a goal from open play on the stroke of full-time.
Liverpool also beat West Ham by a score of 3-0. Goals from Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt (penalty) and Maxi Rodriguez wrapped up the points by half time, leaving the Hammers in deep trouble, while the Reds are up into the top half of the table.
The much travelled 33-year-old Bowyer latched onto a Cameron Jerome downward header that put him clear of three defenders, and calmly slotted the ball past the Chelsea keeper in a manner reminiscent of his glory days at Leeds.
Chelsea can feel somewhat hard done by because for the most part the game was one-way traffic in the opposite direction towards the goal defended by Ben Foster. The current England incumbent does have his critics who talk about inconsistency and a lack of concentration, resulting in a tendency to commit basic errors at times. But on this occasion Foster was at his brilliant best and played an absolute blinder as the league leaders peppered his goal.
Even when Foster was stranded, the Chelsea forwards were profligate, with Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda both missing good chances.
Didier Drogba had several efforts thwarted by Foster, but was most unlucky in the 38th minute when his powerful header struck the crossbar with the Birmingham goalie well beaten. Had that gone in seven minutes before the break, the flood gates might have opened in the second half, but it was not to be Chelsea’s day.
Two players do not make a team—especially when you have a star-studded squad like Chelsea—but everyone knows that John Terry and Frank Lampard are the heart and soul of that side, and while they are absent, the rest of the Premier League hopefuls will be encouraged.
United Level on Points at the Top
Manchester United extended its unbeaten run in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at home to Wigan Athletic. The visitors started well against a lackluster United and had several good chances to take the lead. But United survived and, as so often happens, drew first blood on the stroke of half time.
Park Ji Sung floated over a cross from the right flank to the far post which was met perfectly by the head of Patrice Evra powering in from the left. The Frenchman’s downward header was unstoppable. It was his first league goal in three and a half years.
Wayne Rooney’s much vaunted comeback came to pass when he was brought on for Federico Macheda at the 57 minute mark. Two minutes later Wigan was down to 10 men when skipper Antolin Alcaraz was red carded for a second bookable offence.
The game was ended as a contest when Alcarez was followed almost immediately by Hugo Rodallega, who was guilty of a nasty two-footed challenge on Rafael, and Wigan were reduced to nine.
Javier Hernandez came on for Michael Carrick and extended United’s lead with a well taken diving header on 76 minutes.
Wayne Rooney had a couple of chances to get on the score sheet but remains with only a single goal from the penalty spot to his name in the league this season. All associated with United will want that goal drought to end as soon as possible. One feels that once the first one goes in for him then they may come thick and fast.
Bolton up to Fourth
Heady days at the Reebok, as Bolton Wanderers jumped into the fourth Champions League slot, albeit level on points with Manchester City and Tottenham.
Kevin Davies and Johann Elmander each bagged a double with Lee Chung-Yong adding a fifth as Owen Coyle’s team dished out a caning to inconsistent Newcastle United.
The Magpies, for whom fresh England recruit Andy Carroll scored a consolation goal, played the final quarter of an hour with 10 men after Fabricio Coloccini received his marching orders.
Blackpool held on for a hard fought 2-1 win at home to Wolves. Luke Varney and Marlon Harewood put the Seasiders two up in the first half. Wolves came back strongly but it was not until the 86th minute that Kevin Doyle managed to pull one back, and that was all they could muster.
West Brom’s slump continued as they went down 3-0 at home to Stoke. The nerves will be starting to jangle at the Hawthorns, but they need to keep the faith as this scoreline really flattered the visitors, who owed their win to a pair of second half penalties with Jon Walters adding a goal from open play on the stroke of full-time.
Liverpool also beat West Ham by a score of 3-0. Goals from Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt (penalty) and Maxi Rodriguez wrapped up the points by half time, leaving the Hammers in deep trouble, while the Reds are up into the top half of the table.
