Manchester United took a step closer to retaining their English Premier League title with a convincing 2–0 win away to Middlesbrough.
Ryan Giggs, who topped off a great week after being crowned PFA Player of the Year and making his 800th appearance for United mid-week, scored the first goal with clinical execution.
Ji-Sung Park found his scoring boots to finish off a delightful move and put the game beyond ‘Boro in the 51st minute.
United played a 4–4–2 formation without much attacking effect from the front line.
It was no surprise that the breakthrough came from Giggs when central defender Nemanja Vidic, who was in an attacking position, laid the ball square for the Welshman to blast a low shot into the corner, leaving ‘Boro keeper Brad Jones with his feet stuck in the ground.
United was able to seal the match with a fine move that started with Giggs and Federico Macheda playing a one-two before Rooney split the ‘Boro defense, and Park finished at the far post.
Middlesbrough now face a big battle to stay in the Premiership with only three games left and a six-pointer next Monday with fellow strugglers Newcastle United.
“We’ve gone into the last two games against teams in the Champions League semifinals [Manchester United and Arsenal] and were looking for a miracle. To have a chance you need to take the lead,” said Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate.
“But we did get stuck into them early on but it is very tough mentally when you fall behind because they are so good defensively.
“The second goal killed the game but I have to give credit to my players because they never gave up.
“We have got to put this game behind us and start preparing for our next match against Newcastle, which is a huge game for both sides.”
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the BBC, “It’s a big step forward with only four games left now. I keep saying you whittle the games away until there are none left.”
Manchester United now focus on finishing the job they started against Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. The Red Devils hold a slender 1–0 advantage but know that an away goal will probably do the trick against the Gunners.
Liverpool remained three points back of Manchester United in the title race with a convincing win against Newcastle, leaving the Magpies in the relegation mire.
Yossi Benayoun got the first and headers from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva took the game out of reach for the North Easterners.
Newcastle manager Alan Shearer left out Michael Owen up front and opted to play Mark Viduka with Peter Lovenkrands and Obafemi Martins sitting deeper.
The visitors started well and dominated possession as the attacking line up looked promising but their defense was not solid. After 14 minutes, Liverpool had their first chance of the match when Steven Gerrard was pulled down by Fabricio Coloccini who managed only to receive a yellow card. Gerrard’s free-kick was comfortably saved by keeper Steve Harper.
Liverpool got the breakthrough when Viduka gave the ball away with a curious back header. Alan Smith then failed to clear Gerrard’s cross and Benayoun scrambled in from close range in the 22nd minute.
Kuyt got on the end of a Gerrard corner with a diving header to make it two just six minutes later.
Xabi Alonso came close to scoring with a long range curling shot which hit the woodwork and then not long after hit the bar again with another effort.
Bad boy Joey Barton was given a straight red card when he dangerously tackled Alonso. Manager Alan Shearer did not hold back his disappointment at the tackle and said it marked the end of Barton’s season.
Meanwhile, Alonso was given an ovation as he was stretchered off and the applause continued as Michael Owen came on with 10 minutes to go.
But the ex-Liverpool man did not have a chance to make an impact as Lucas Leiva headed in Fabio Aurelio’s free-kick for a well deserved three-goal win.
Chelsea warmed up for the Wednesday Champions League clash with Barcelona with a London Derby victory.
The Blues were quick off the mark with Nicolas Anelka scoring within the first minute but then Fulham leveled three minutes later through Erik Nevland.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink opted to partner Didier Drogba and Anelka up front. The interplay was good with them linking for the second Chelsea goal.
Anelka set up the final goal, playing in Drobga who controlled with one touch and then dispatched.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said, “We needed the points for today, but we are always trying to look ahead as well, especially with such a big game coming up.
“We wanted to give Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba the chance to play up front together, to increase our options in the future.
“If we ever need another gear in another game we must be able to adjust, to play differently.”
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson commented, “We made a bad start and then went 2–1 down after our defender slipped, so you’re trying very hard not to concede another goal after that.
“Unfortunately they caught us on the break with a third and from then on you are just trying to avoid embarrassment.
“We thought we could come here and get a result, but we were nowhere near our best today and we paid the price.”
Arsenal secured their place in next season’s Champions League by securing fourth spot in the Premier league.
David James gifted the opener to Nicklas Bendtner when he fumbled the Dane’s header.
Bendtner got the second from the penalty spot when Sean Davis fouled captain Andrey Arshavin.
Arshavin was instrumental in the third as well when his blocked shot rebounded to Mexican striker Carlos Vela who placed a left-footer in the far corner.
A second-string Arsenal team, whose biggest game of the season is Tuesday’s Champions League second-leg semifinal against Manchester United, gave a solid performance.
In Monday night’s Premier League action, Aston Villa defeated struggling Hull 1–0 to guarantee themselves a place in Europe next season.
Ryan Giggs, who topped off a great week after being crowned PFA Player of the Year and making his 800th appearance for United mid-week, scored the first goal with clinical execution.
Ji-Sung Park found his scoring boots to finish off a delightful move and put the game beyond ‘Boro in the 51st minute.
United played a 4–4–2 formation without much attacking effect from the front line.
It was no surprise that the breakthrough came from Giggs when central defender Nemanja Vidic, who was in an attacking position, laid the ball square for the Welshman to blast a low shot into the corner, leaving ‘Boro keeper Brad Jones with his feet stuck in the ground.
United was able to seal the match with a fine move that started with Giggs and Federico Macheda playing a one-two before Rooney split the ‘Boro defense, and Park finished at the far post.
Middlesbrough now face a big battle to stay in the Premiership with only three games left and a six-pointer next Monday with fellow strugglers Newcastle United.
“We’ve gone into the last two games against teams in the Champions League semifinals [Manchester United and Arsenal] and were looking for a miracle. To have a chance you need to take the lead,” said Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate.
“But we did get stuck into them early on but it is very tough mentally when you fall behind because they are so good defensively.
“The second goal killed the game but I have to give credit to my players because they never gave up.
“We have got to put this game behind us and start preparing for our next match against Newcastle, which is a huge game for both sides.”
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the BBC, “It’s a big step forward with only four games left now. I keep saying you whittle the games away until there are none left.”
Manchester United now focus on finishing the job they started against Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. The Red Devils hold a slender 1–0 advantage but know that an away goal will probably do the trick against the Gunners.
Liverpool 3, Newcastle 0
Liverpool remained three points back of Manchester United in the title race with a convincing win against Newcastle, leaving the Magpies in the relegation mire.
Yossi Benayoun got the first and headers from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva took the game out of reach for the North Easterners.
Newcastle manager Alan Shearer left out Michael Owen up front and opted to play Mark Viduka with Peter Lovenkrands and Obafemi Martins sitting deeper.
The visitors started well and dominated possession as the attacking line up looked promising but their defense was not solid. After 14 minutes, Liverpool had their first chance of the match when Steven Gerrard was pulled down by Fabricio Coloccini who managed only to receive a yellow card. Gerrard’s free-kick was comfortably saved by keeper Steve Harper.
Liverpool got the breakthrough when Viduka gave the ball away with a curious back header. Alan Smith then failed to clear Gerrard’s cross and Benayoun scrambled in from close range in the 22nd minute.
Kuyt got on the end of a Gerrard corner with a diving header to make it two just six minutes later.
Xabi Alonso came close to scoring with a long range curling shot which hit the woodwork and then not long after hit the bar again with another effort.
Bad boy Joey Barton was given a straight red card when he dangerously tackled Alonso. Manager Alan Shearer did not hold back his disappointment at the tackle and said it marked the end of Barton’s season.
Meanwhile, Alonso was given an ovation as he was stretchered off and the applause continued as Michael Owen came on with 10 minutes to go.
But the ex-Liverpool man did not have a chance to make an impact as Lucas Leiva headed in Fabio Aurelio’s free-kick for a well deserved three-goal win.
Chelsea 3, Fulham 1
Chelsea warmed up for the Wednesday Champions League clash with Barcelona with a London Derby victory.
The Blues were quick off the mark with Nicolas Anelka scoring within the first minute but then Fulham leveled three minutes later through Erik Nevland.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink opted to partner Didier Drogba and Anelka up front. The interplay was good with them linking for the second Chelsea goal.
Anelka set up the final goal, playing in Drobga who controlled with one touch and then dispatched.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said, “We needed the points for today, but we are always trying to look ahead as well, especially with such a big game coming up.
“We wanted to give Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba the chance to play up front together, to increase our options in the future.
“If we ever need another gear in another game we must be able to adjust, to play differently.”
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson commented, “We made a bad start and then went 2–1 down after our defender slipped, so you’re trying very hard not to concede another goal after that.
“Unfortunately they caught us on the break with a third and from then on you are just trying to avoid embarrassment.
“We thought we could come here and get a result, but we were nowhere near our best today and we paid the price.”
Portsmouth 0, Arsenal 3
Arsenal secured their place in next season’s Champions League by securing fourth spot in the Premier league.
David James gifted the opener to Nicklas Bendtner when he fumbled the Dane’s header.
Bendtner got the second from the penalty spot when Sean Davis fouled captain Andrey Arshavin.
Arshavin was instrumental in the third as well when his blocked shot rebounded to Mexican striker Carlos Vela who placed a left-footer in the far corner.
A second-string Arsenal team, whose biggest game of the season is Tuesday’s Champions League second-leg semifinal against Manchester United, gave a solid performance.
In Monday night’s Premier League action, Aston Villa defeated struggling Hull 1–0 to guarantee themselves a place in Europe next season.
