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The
Premier League title race might be all but over but the relegation battle
certainly is not. An error-strewn Blackpool
performance has left Ian Holloway’s side in the relegation zone, with Wigan leaping above The Tangerines
after a comprehensive 3-1 victory. Roberto Martinez described the win as a
“huge victory” and praised his side for controlling the game and continuing to
heap pressure on the sides around them. The Latics pressured Blackpool early on
and, within three minutes, Hugo Rodallega gave them the lead, capitalising on a
lazy Craig Cathcart pass in the middle of the pitch.
The
early goal seemed to unsettle the hosts and, just before half-time, Wigan
extended their lead, Charles N’Zogbia finishing off an unchallenged run to slot
home. The game was finished as a contest by the 66th minute, Diame’s shot going in off Neal Eardley,
although DJ Campbell did get a goal back for Blackpool late on.
Wigan
are now just above the relegation zone on thirty-four points, with Blackpool
below them on thirty-three. Just eight points separates bottom-placed Wolves
and Aston Villa, who sit in ninth
after a late Gabriel Agbonlahor header gave them victory over struggling West Ham. The Hammers had got off to
the perfect start as Robbie Keane gave them the lead after two minutes, but
Darren Bent equalised for Gerard Houiller’s side before half-time with a simple
header, before Agbonlahor scored from three yards out to ease fears of
relegation.
Villa’s
local rivals, Birmingham, also
recorded a victory, beating out-of-form Sunderland
2-0 at St Andrews. Sebastien Larsson gave The Blues the lead and Craig Gardner
scored a fine volley midway through the second half, but Sunderland did have
their chances; Asamoah Gyan and Lee Cattermole both forced saves from Ben
Foster, while Jordan Henderson and Sessegnon
also went close. Sunderland have struggled since Darren Bent left for Villa in
January but they have also suffered from injuries, which has clearly knocked
the confidence of the Black Cats.
In
contrast to Sunderland’s poor run of form, Everton,
who had a shocking start to the season, continued their rise up the table with
a 2-0 win against a hapless Blackburn.
In-form Leon Osman put the Merseysiders in front just after half-time and
Leighton Baines smashed home a penalty with fifteen minutes left after Rovers
defender Paul Jones brought down Seamus Coleman in the area.
Blackburn
rarely threatened, although Pedersen should have scored late on for Steve
Kean’s side, who are now just two points above the relegation zone, from six
yards out. Everton are now 7th, six points off a Europa League spot.
West Brom have been
revitalised under manager Roy Hodgson but The Baggies suffered their first
defeat under the former-Liverpool and Blackburn man as Chelsea kept their slip title hopes alive. Peter Odemwingie gave
West Brom the dream start with a tidy finish after seventeen minutes, but poor
goalkeeping from Scott Carson allowed The Blues back into the game. First,
Didier Drogba profited, smashing home from close range and, just four minutes
later, Kalou neatly finished to give
Carlo Ancelotti’s side the lead.
Foster
did redeem himself somewhat with a great save from a Frank Lampard freekick but
the midfielder was not to be denied his tenth goal of the season, finishing off
well after a splendid solo run from Florent Malouda. Chelsea did hit the bar
late on and Fernando Torres had a goal ruled out for offside but the points
were in the bag; they are now eight points behind leaders Manchester United.
West Brom are 11th, six points above the drop zone and surely safe.
On
Sunday, Arsenal and Liverpool both left it late to register
a goal each. Robin Van Persie fired home a penalty after Jay Spearing had
fouled Cesc Fabregas in the box in the eighth minute of injury-time, surely
securing the win for The Gunners. Three points would have kept Arsenal’s slim
title hopes alive but, after Emmanuel Eboue clumsily fouled Lucas in Arsenal’s
penalty area, Dirk Kuyt smashed in the penalty to equalise in the twelfth
minute of added-on time.
Matchday 33 results:
Birmingham 2-0 Sunderland; Blackpool 1-3 Wigan; Everton 2-0 Blackburn; West
Brom 1-3 Chelsea; West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa; Arsenal-Liverpool
(Manchester United face Newcastle on Tuesday night, with Chelsea-Birmingham and Tottenham-Arsenal the following night. Manchester City defeated local rivals United 1-0 on Saturday in the FA Cup,
with Stoke thrashing Bolton 5-0 in the other semi-final.)
Matchday 34
fixtures: Manchester United-Everton; Aston Villa-Stoke; Blackpool-Newcastle;
Liverpool-Birmingham; Sunderland-Wigan; Tottenham-West Brom; Wolves-Fulham;
Chelsea-West Ham; Bolton-Arsenal; Blackburn-Manchester City.
This
article originally appeared on Sports Haze.
