Champions League Report.

Barcelona sealed a 3-1 away win to give them a great chance of progressing to the last 8.

Barcelona took the lead 4 minutes from the break when Messi's through ball reached Alexis Sanchez who slipped under Bernard Leno for 1-0. The Germans however found a goal soon after the break to level Corluka crossing it in for Michal Kadlec to head it in for 1-1. The lead lasted only minutes as through ball carved the Germans open again allowing Sanchez to skip through round Leno to bury it in to an empty net for his second of the night. The Champions' sealed the victory when Dani Alves' shot was saved by Leno however the ball fell to player Bayer didn't want it to and Messi tucked away his 7 Champions league goal of the season. This will give Barcelona a real advantage going into the 2^nd leg at the Nou Camp.

Lyon won their home leg 1-0 against knockout newsboys, Apoel. The only goal of the game coming from French U21 international, Alexandre Lacazette who looped the ball over Chiotis in the Apoel goal for 1-0 after 58 minutes. Giving Apoel a real chance in the 2nd leg as 1-0 may not be a big enough advantage.

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Championship Round up.

Southampton closed the gap to 1 point defeating Burnley 2-0. 

With West Ham not playing due to their game at London Road being called off, Southampton took full advantage and closed the gap to 1 point. Defeating, the Clarets 2-0 at St Mary's. Billy Sharp scoring his first goal since signing from Doncaster in January. Hull broke into the top six winning their respected home game, easing past Bristol City 3-0. While Reading inflicted further misery on Coventry with the help of their goalkeeper, Adam Federici winning 2-0 to move up to 7th. Meanwhile, Leeds’ search for a new manager will continue following their home loss to Brighton, Alan Navarro's low shot beating Andy Lonergan to give the seagulls all three points. Cardiff will kick themselves for letting a chance slip to close the gap with automatic promotion zone, losing 2-1 at the King Power to Leicester City. Bore draw was the game between Millwall and Derby at the den, Craig Byrson's point blank miss the pick of the game. Forest did not help their relegation fight only drawing 1-1 with Watford at the City Ground.

The cold snap dominated the Championship yesterday 4 games being defeated by the weather, with Ipswich v Middlesbrough called off after 37 minutes due to the frozen pitch, much to the anger of both sets of fans. Barnsley v Birmingham, Peterborough v West Ham and Crystal Palace v Doncaster all succumbed to the cold. Making it seem as under soil heating is in order for a lot of these teams.

Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough

Championship Boro hold back revitalized Sunderland following a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of light this afternoon.

The Teessiders put their dismal start to 2012 behind them for a derby cup fixture against the Stadium of light, the home side, Sunderland had been in great form since, Martin O'Neil had took charge winning their last 2 home games. However it was Middlesbrough who took the lead, Barry Robson catching John O'Shea's poor clearance with a sweet volley to send the Boro fans delirious. Sunderland went in search of an equalizer and thought they had one close to halftime, When Craig Gardener finshed cooly past, Danny Coyne, however the goal was ruled out after it was thought by the referee that Connor Wickham had interfered with play from an offside postion. Sunderland protested this although a quite clear handball from Gardener made it just. Boro came close to doubling their lead near halftime, when Lukas Jutkiewicz raced through to have his intial shot saved by Mingolet however Haroun was quick to get the ball to Jutkiewcz who dragged his effort wide of the post to the annoyance of the Boro fans. Boro went into halftime holding a 1-0 lead , something many didn't expect.

Sunderland eventually got their equalizer after 59 minutes when Barry Robson poor backpass was picked by pacey Northern Irish winger, James McClean who raced through to play it to Fraizer Campbell who could make no mistake in finishing excellently past, Danny Coyne. The goal saw Campbell end a 500 days since scoring a goal. Sunderland could have stole the tie late on however James McClean effort went into the sidenetting rather than the goal.

The result meant the tie will go back to the Riverside on Tuesday 7th Febuary and Boro will be expecting a energetic atmosphere. The 5th round tie also pulled out the winner of the tie with a game against Arsenal at home.

Wolves 0-1 Birmingham City

Wade Elliot scored the only goal of the game as Birmingham beat Wolves in the Fa cup 3rd Round replay.

Wolves can now 'focus on the league' after crashing out of the Fa cup following a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham at Molineux tonight. Wolves started the game on the upper hand, creating chances through Ebanks -Blake, who fired a shot from 20 yards straight at Doyle after 7 minutes and headed a Adam Hammill cross into the ground and over. Wolves came close to taking the lead after 21 minutes, when Hammill and Doherty combined for Hammill to get the cross over however Ebanks- Blake was unable to get the clinical header. Birmingham were temporarily down to 9 men after David Murphy and Chilean, Beasujour clashed heads resulting in them both recieving treatment. Birmingham then squandered a great chance after 34 minutes, when Adam Rooney beared down on goal however he took far too long on the ball and seemed to be content with trying to win a penatly off a George Elokobi challenge, however Howard Webb wasn't going to give anything. Birmingham also came close to having a half time lead, when American defender, Johnathon Spector, surged forward and struck it low from 30 yards however the shot went inches wide.

The first incident of the second half came after 54 minutes when Ebanks Blake went down under the challenge of Curtis Davies, however it was deemed he slipped rather than contact. Colin Doyle had to be alert after 59 minutes when Doherty strike from 25 range deflected upwards, however Colin Doyle was able to grab the ball. There was evidence of Wolves' fear when , Stephen Fletcher started to warm up, Mick Mccarthy was clearly fearing the lack of goals at this point. Wolves again tested, Colin Doyle with after Jonsson struck it low in to the corner, however Colin Doyle was equal to the strike. Birmingham then wasted a decent oppourtunity when youngster, Nathan Redmond was alert to a ball into the Wolves box, but his strike was poor and resulted in a throwing. Wolves then gave an Fa cup debut to Algerian Midfielder, Adlene Guedioura who came on as a substitute for new signing, Jonsson. Stephen Fletcher finally came on after 72 minutes for Kevin Doyle, it was hoped the scottish forward could add some fire to the Wolves attack that had failed to find the net so far. Wolves goal would never come however, but Birmingham managed to find the net after 76 minutes, after Wolves had failed to clear the corner David Murphy managed to keep the ball in the danger the ball ran to midfielder, Wade Elliot who struck the post although he had a second chance and managed to scramble the ball past Wolves goalkeeper, Dorus De Vries. Sending the away fans into huge celebration. Wolves came close their closest to equalizing after 88 minutes when Fletcher came close to beating, Colin Doyle scramble but the ball deflected up for Irish man, Stephen Hunt however his effort was tipped over by the Birmingham goalkeeper. Wolves had lost the chance and Birmingham had completed the upset.

The result meant, Birmingham continued their unbeaten run to 2012, however Mick Mccarthy's men are still yet to win their first game of the season.

Liverpool 0-0 Stoke

Liverpool continue their unbeaten home record with a 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City. 

The same story continues at Liverpool , they are not losing at home however they are not winning. Liverpool had the first chance when Charlie Adam failed to make a clear connection from a Gerrard corner. Johnathon Woodgate had to count himself lucky after going in rash on Liverpool midfielder, Stewart Downing. Stoke had the oppourtunity to take the lead after Matthew Etherington skipped through the Liverpool midfielder however his effort was a simple catch for Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal. Downing also came close to giving Liverpool the lead evading the challenge of Whelan to fire over the bar from range.


The main talking of the game came in second half when  Liverpool were denied some penalties when Robert Huth was not penalized for holding Carroll in the area on the corner. As wasn't Woodgate for holding in the area. Much to the frustration of the kopties, Howard Webb was having none of it. Liverpool had further chances to score with Kuyt squandering the chance off a Enrique deflected cross, in which he fired wide of the goal. Stoke had to rely on last ditch defending to keep them in the tie with Bellamy being denied by a Shawcross header at the backstick. Liverpool finally wasted their last oppoutunity off the subsequent corner when Skertel headed over the crossbar much to the agony of the Liverpool fans.

The draw meant Stoke moved closer off the bottom half of league, moving 5 points clear. While Liverpool moved within a point of 5th Arsenal.

Aston Villa 1-1 Everton

A second half Anichebe goal gives Everton a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

The most played fixture in premier league history started with goalkeeper Shay Given showing his true talent with 2nd wonderful saves. Firstly he got down low to save a glancing by Louis Saha following a Baines freekick and then save his own defenders blushes by saving a Stephen Warnock header on the corner of his goal. It was the turn for the american goalkeeper, Tim Howard to show his goalkeeping talent saving from a long range Agbonlahor strike. The first ended with the scores still at 0-0

Given again stood like a brick wall early in the second half saving with his shoulder after Felliani had been played in by the freekick. Aston Villa got the first goal of the game 56 minutes when Stephen Ireland square ball was tucked away neatly by the prolific Darren Bent for his 8th goal of the campaign. Villa joy lasted around 13 minutes until after 69 minutes as Victor Anichebe was allowed to tuck it past Shay Given following a neat through by American, Landon Donavon. It was Anichebe's 2nd league goal of 2012.

The draw meant Everton pushed into the top half while Aston Villa picked their first point of 2012.

West Brom 1-2 Norwich

A Steve Morison header ensures Norwich take 2-1 victory at the Hawthorns. 

Norwich went to the hawthorns hoping to seek revenge following a 1-0 defeat to West Brom in september at Carrow Road. However it was the hosts who had the first chance when Peter Odemwingie had his long range effort tipped on to the bar by Canaries goalkeeper, John Ruddy. Norwich could of had the lead when Steve Morison chased down Ben Fosters kick but the effort came of the wrong side of the post. West Brom were the next side to have an oppourtunity, forcing Ruddy into a fine stop from the oncoming Simon Cox after he was played in by James Morrison. The vistors took the lead against the run of play on 43 minutes when Andrew Surman met a Wes Hoolhan cross on the volley in the box for Norwich's first goal of the afternoon and his third of the season.

West Brom sought after a equalizer with James Morrison's dipping half volley hitting the roof of the net. It was then Shane Long's turn to come close after his turn and shot was blocked by the Norwich defender. However the hosts eventually got a lifeline on 66 minutes when Jerome Thomas was brought down in the area following a challenge from Daniel Ayala. West brom were level as Shane Long cooly slotted his penalty to the other side of John Ruddy's dive. Ayala recieved a yellow card for the foul. West brom's joy was short lived after Norwich grabbed the winner just ten minutes later when Steve Morison rose highest to guide the ball past Ben Foster off a Grant Holt cross. Depsite the keepers best efforts to keep the ball out.

The win meant Norwich retained their 100% start to 2012, whilst West Brom were still after their first points of the new year following three league defeats on the bounce.

Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland

A solitary goal from Frank Lampard seals a 1-0 win for Vilas Boas' men.

Sunderland headed to stamford bridge hoping to inflict a similar fate on Chelsea as they did last season, when they took the game 3-0 and it was Sunderland who had the first oppourtunity when Sessegnong skipped into the area only to have his square ball squandered by youngester, James Maclean. Chelsea got their goal after 13 minutes when Mata's cross was wonderfully met by Torres on the backpost however it rebounded off the bar only to hit Lampard and roll in past Mignolet to the Belgian's horror. Sunderland had a great chance to equalize but Cech saved easily from the header by Bentender after the cross from Larsson. Bentender had another oppourtunity later in half however his effort rolled just wide of Cech's post. Chelsea could have doubled their lead on half time when Torres turn and shot wide from range. The sides went into the break at 1-0 Chelsea.

Torres started the 2nd half off as he ended the first forcing Mignolet into a save at his near post. Their were penalty shouts at both end''s in a matter of minutes when firstly, Torres felt he was brought illegally however play went on and Mata's effort was saved by the oncoming Simon Mignolet. Sunderland felt they had a penalty shout a the other end when Bentender felt he was pushed in the area after meeting the cross from the left.
Sunderland really should have grabbed an equalizer on 64 minutes, when Larsson skipped into the area and squared it across to Maclean however the youngester squnadered the oppourtunity failing to get a connection on the ball. Pressure was again on Referee, Anthony Taylor when Torres was clipped by Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley when he ran into the Sunderland area. The whole crowd shouted for the penalty however Anthony Taylor was having none of it, instead deciding to pull out the yellow card for diving for Torres.
A bit of individual skill could have saw Chelsea double their lead when Meireles attempted to lob the Belgian goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet however the Goalkeeper was alert to the danger tipping the effort over the bar.
Sunderland then could have grabbed a equalizer when firstly Craig Gardener put his effort wide of the post when the goal was gaeping following a Sessegnon cross. Then Bentender could have had his goal but pressure from Cech proved to be the difference as he blazed the chance high into the side netting.

The win meant chelsea steered 4 points clear of fifth place Arsenal, while Sunderland fell out of the top half with the defeat.

Blackburn 3-1 Fulham

10 man Blackburn seal precious 3-1 victory over londeners at Ewood Park.

Fulham had the first oppourtunity when Zamora met a Duff cross after 21 minutes , however his header hit the post. The first real action came when Yakubu put the high boot on Danny Murphy, with no hesitation referee Anthony Taylor, showed the yak the red card and Blackburn were down to 10 men. This was oppourtnity for Martin Jol's men and Senderson must have thought he had given them the lead after his header off the freekick   was quiet amazingly saved by Robinson. Blackburn were the team who took the lead against the run of play, Dunn skipped towards the Fulham area and won a freekick just outside the area. Pedersen subsequently struck the ball low under Stockdale and into the far post to give Blackburn a 1-0 advantge at the break.

The second half started with a bang for Blackburn as they soon doubled their lead, when a low strike from Dunn in the penalty area was placed neatlty into the corner of the net. Sending the home fans into jubilation. Fulham thought they had a goal back after Riise strike after being teed off from the freekick was saved by Robinson, Dempsey follow up header was ruled offside. However they did get a goal back after 55 minutes when Duff picked up a Zamora pass on the right to drill his shot low into the far corner to make it a close affair. Blackburn sought out to seal the victory, their first significant chance being a strike that was well saved by Stockdale after the strike of Holliet. Blackburn eventually did wrap up the win on 79 minutes when Stephen N'zonzi chipped in Formica who finshed as cooly on the half volley. To pull the premier league bottom club out of the relegation zone.

The win meant Blackburn pulled out the relegation zone on goal difference and Fulham were made to look over their shoulder only 6 points from the relegation zone. 

Manchester United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers

Scholes returns to the premier league to help guide Manchester United to 3-0 win over Bolton and ensure they go level with Leaders Manchester City.

Manchester united started brightly with Danny Welbeck having the first chance after being played through by Carrick however Adam Bogdan stood strong to keep the scores tied. Rooney then had a couple of chances, first his strike was blocked by Bolton defender, Sam Ricketts and then his header from the corner was blocked by Mark Davies on the line. Manchester United eventually got a great oppourtunity to get the goal they were looking for, when Zat Knight clumsly brought down, Danny Welbeck in the area. Wayne Rooney stepped up to spot only to have his penalty save by Adam Bogdan, Bolton thought they were in luck. Manchester United were still in search of their first goal of the afternoon however Welbeck couldn't find it when he cut in from the right only to have his effort pushed away by the Hungarian shot stopper, Bogdan. United finally got their goal on the stroke of half time, when their age old midfielder, Paul Scholes tucked away a Rooney cross in the box to score his first goal for United since his return.

Bolton had a chance to draw level, early in the second half when Mark Davies skipped foward and squared it to David N'gog in the box, but the Frenchman's effort went high into the stands behind the goal. Rooney could have made it two for United but he put Valencia's cross wide after sliding in a the backpost to reach it. United lead was not entirely safe after a Steinsson had his header blocked off the line by Brazillian, Rafael. United finally doubled their lead when, Welbeck beat Sam Ricketts to the through ball from Rooney to cooly slot past the goalkeeper. Manchester United could have had a third although Valencia's cross was missed by everyone in the box. United sealed the win on 83 minutes when Carrick strike from range bounced over Bogdan's hands and beat him in his corner.

The win meant Manchester united draw level with leader City on points. Whilst Bolton sink further into the theart of relegation.

Tottenham 1-1 Wolves

Tottenham failed to go on level points with leaders after stubborn Wolves held them to a 1-1 draw.

 Tottenham started brightly with Modric striking it wide from range early on. However it was Wolves who took the lead when a corner was met by Roger Johnson and save brilliantly by Brad Friedel but Stephen Fletcher was there to tuck away his 5th goal of the season and Tottenham had conceded their 1000th Premier League goal. Wolves could have even doubled their lead however David Edwards made a hash of a Jarvis cross, blazing the oppourtunity wayward. Tottenham thought they had grabbed an equalizer after 44 minutes, when Adebayor tapped in a a Bale flick from a Assou Ekotto cross the celebrations were short lived after Adebayor was offside.

The 2nd half started with Wolves having the first oppourtunity after Loanee, Emmanuel Frimpong had his volley wonderfully saved by the age old, Brad Friedel. Tottenham evenutally grabbed their equalizer when a low Modric shot when under the body of Hennessy from range. Hennessey sought out to reedeem himself and was forced to make a cracking stop from Lennon in the box after a scramble in the area. Tottenham were keen to get a 2nd and go for the win however the welsh goalkeeper was having none of it and made a great save with his feet from a Defoe shot at his near post. The 2nd goal never came for Tottenham with a Modric strike over the crossbar being the last chance of the fixture.

The draw meant Wolves remained in 16th place whilst it meant Tottenham failed to make serious ground on the leaders.

Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool will have the advantge in the second leg of the carling cup semi final against Manchester city after a Steven Gerrard penalty was enough to beat the premier league leaders.

Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory at eastlands yesterday to give themselves a great chance of making this years carling cup final. The mersysiders started the brightess forcing some fine stops from goalkeeper, Joe Hart. First from Andy Carroll then from a fine strike by Steven Gerrard. However Liverpool's early dominace payed off after 11 minutes when a Savic challenge on Agger resulted in referee, Lee Mason pointing to the penatly spot. The penatly was cooly slotted away by liverpool Captain, Steven Gerrard.

The controversy in the game came late on when Glenn Johnson two footed the city defender,  Joleon Lescott. Much to the fury of Roberto Mancini, Referee, Lee Mason pulled out no card for the liverpool right back.

Liverpool held on to claim a 1-0 victory but both manager, Kenny Dalglish and Captain, Steven Gerrard are still aware the tie is very much an open affair.

Tottenham 2-0 Everton

Everton suffer a second  league defeat on the bounce as goals from Lennon and Assou Ekotto are enough to sink the merseyside club.

Tottenham remain in third place following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Everton. However the first chance fell to Everton foward , Louis Saha who struck it wide of Friedel's goal. Tottenham felt they had penatly shout after 30 minutes when Modric took a tumble in the box from a challenge by Tim Cahill. Spurs contiued to pressurise with first Adebayor placing it wide and then Van Der Vaart firing over the everton net. The first goal of the game came after 35 minutes when Aaron Lennon latched on to the end of a crossfield ball by Assou Ekotto to dance into the Everton penatly area past leighton Baines and cooly slip through the legs of the Tim Howard.

The second half started off with real fire with Gareth Bale skipping foward and forcing the american goalkeeper into action after 49 minutes. The londeners sealed the deal when the left back, Assou Ekotto struck it into the everton goal from 30 yards with a slice of luck from a Cahill deflection.

The victory gives Tottenham fans reason for optimism putting them 9 points clear of rivals, Arsenal and most importantly helping towards securing a champions league finish. However on Everton's point of view the defeat could have them looking towards the wrong end of the premier league rather than the right side. 

Birmingham 2-1 Ipswich

Ipswich's fortuante got from bad to worse last night after a late goal ensured a 2-1 victory for Birmingham. 

The midlands club took the lead after just 9 minutes, when Zigic got his head on the end of a David Murphy throw in. However the tractor boys were not lying still, young midfielder Lee Martin picked the ball up from the half way line and skipped into the birmingham half to lash a fine strike into the corner past goalkeeper, Boaz Myhill and the scores were tied after 18 minutes.

Ipswich dominated most of the second half and Paul Jewell was furious when a penalty was denied by referee, Ray Lewis. After Michael Chopra was brought down by Stephen Caldwell. However Birmingham grabbed their second and the winner in similar fashion to their first goal, David Murphy's throw was poorly defended by the ipswich back line and Serbian foward Nikola Zigic applied the finish over Alex Mccarthy to send the St andrews faithful into jubilation.

The win has lifted Birmingham into 9th place in the championship with manager, Chris Hughton possibly eyeing the playoff places. On the other hand Ipswich slipped futher down the league to 20th, meaning the theart of relegation is becoming more imminant for the suffolk  based club.