Chelsea beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park overnight to reach within two points of leaders Manchester United albeit having played an extra game. The win keeps the pressure on the reigning Premiers with a possible title decider awaiting the two clubs at Stamford Bridge on April 26.
A first-half goal from midfielder Michael Essien just before the break was the difference between the two sides with the likes of Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Shaun Wright-Phillips returning for the visitors.
England midfielder Joe Cole's creativity was badly missed against Wigan on Monday and his return to the side gave the visitors a creative impetus that was lacking in their last game. Despite having 10 shots on goal with 5 of them on target, the home side failed to breach Petr Cech's goal with stern resistance coming from defensive lynchpins John Terry and Carvalho.
As it were, Chelsea grounded out an efficient 1-0 victory that leaves Everton's chances of clawing back a 5-point deficit on bitter rivals Liverpool for the coveted 4th place in tatters.
Arguably, the highlight of the match came afterwards in the post-match conference when Chelsea manager Avram Grant chose to answer questions from the press with short responses only.
Here's a transcription courtesy of Soccernet.com:
A deserved win Avram?
Grant said: 'Yes.'
What particularly pleased you about the performance?
'I'm pleased.'
What in particular pleased you?
After an eight second delay: 'I don't know.'
Is it a relief to win here?
'Yes.'
You seem lost for words by the performance. Are you more satisfied with the performance or the victory?
'Both.'
You seem distracted. Do you have a problem?
'No problem.'
Is there an issue?
'No. I'm ok. I have nothing to say.'
Do you have a message for the Chelsea fans?
'You represent the Chelsea fans?'
They must believe you are still in the title race, do you have a message for them?
'No message.'
Does this result mean you are back in it now?
'I don't know.'
How many steps have you climbed to undertake this press conference?
'I don't know.'
You seem less voluble than usual. Is it because of Sky TV moving the game to a Thursday?
'Maybe it's because of you. I don't know. I am ok.'
You are saying that you don't know if you are still in the title race?
'No.' Is it easier to say nothing Avram?
'I don't what to answer. It is a good question. I don't know what to answer.'
Is this because of Sky?
'No. Sky is ok. I enjoy watching them.'
Is it a protest against newspapers?
'No. Why?'
Why else would you come in and refuse to answer our questions?
'I answer every question.'
You are two points behind Manchester United and you don't know if you are still in the title race?
'No.'
Have you told the players that you don't know if you are back in the title race?
'What I tell the players is something else. You want me to tell you what I say to the players?'
We just want you to answer the question really. Are you in the title race?
'I don't know.'
Would you not like to gain some positive publicity for the result rather than this bizarre silence?
'I'm sorry. You can write whatever you want and I can answer what I want.'
Do you feel under pressure to deliver a trophy. Is that the reason for the monosyllabic answers?
'No.'
Are you upset? Do you feel you have been misrepresented?
'Maybe I have said because it is a bad season.'
Did Michael Essien faint?
'He had some problems, but he is ok.'
Michael Ballack?
'Injured.'
What's his problem?
'Ask the doctor.'
He's not here Avram.
'Well call him then.'
Have you ever played the yes/no game Avram?
.....
[Transcript & Video source: Soccernet.com & DailyMotion]
Man Utd 4 - 1 Bolton
Chelsea 3 - 0 Sheff Utd
Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man City
Reading 0 - 0 Portsmouth
Tottenham 3 - 1 Watford
Wigan 0 - 0 Fulham
Blackburn 1 - 2 West Ham
Sun, Mar 18:
Charlton 2 - 0 Newcastle
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Liverpool
Everton 1 - 0 Arsenal
SUMMARY:
Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung and Wayne Rooney both scored a brace in their team's 4-1 victory over Bolton at Old Trafford.
However, the chief tormentor for Bolton was none other than in-form Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo who played a part in three of the four goals, including a stunning 80 yard run from the edge of his own box to setup Wayne Rooney for a chipped goal.
A serious-looking ankle injury to skipper Gary Neville in the 10th minute was the only sour-note of a dominant Red Devils performance and with six senior players already on the treatment table, the latest injury blow will truly test the depth of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad.
Chelsea are still in hot pursuit of the league leaders with a comfortable 3-0 demolition job on struggling Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Andriy Shevchenko, Salomon Kalou and substitute Michael Ballack were more than enough to settle a game in which the home side were rarely in trouble.
Arsenal and Liverpool, however, were unable to keep up with the top two sides with a loss and draw respectively.
The Gunners lost to an injury time winner from Everton's Andy Johnson which came from Mikel Arteta's corner. Arsenal chose the worst time to lose concentration and failed to clear the ball allowing the striker to drill home with a left-foot shot.
Meanwhile, Liverpool dominated possession at Villa Park but was unable to find a way past a resilient Aston Villa defence, reinforcing the need for a world-class striker in the off-season.
The man known as "God" to Liverpool fans, Robbie Fowler, replaced Gerrard with six minutes left and almost won the game for Liverpool when his header was turned around the post by Sorensen.
Oh what might have been had Fowler been brought on earlier when it was clear that a goal-poacher of his quality would not go amiss.
Liverpool 0 - 1 Man Utd
Arsenal 2 - 1 Reading
Fulham 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Man City 0 - 1 Wigan
Newcastle 0 - 0 Middlesbrough
Sheff Utd 1 - 1 Everton
Watford 2 - 2 Charlton
Portsmouth 0 - 2 Chelsea
Sun, March 4:
Bolton 1 - 2 Blackburn
West Ham 3 - 4 Tottenham
SUMMARY:
Liverpool's unbeaten home run was ended in dramatic fashion when Manchester United defender John O'Shea's shot from a loose ball ended in the back of the net in the dying seconds.
Manchester United visited Anfield knowing that a win would give them a hand on the prized Premiership trophy but Liverpool had other ideas and dominated the game throughout the match.
However, in the dying seconds, the Red Devils pulled off an amazing "smash and grab" when O'Shea scored after a Ronaldo free-kick had rebounded off Liverpool keeperJose Reina.
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester United were lucky to beat Liverpool - and admitted the referee was right to send off Paul Scholes, who flung a stray arm at Xabi Alonso, for violent conduct.
Manchester United now has a nine-point lead in the Premiership race with just nine games remaining and the win at Anfield may have just sealed it for the Red Devils.
Chelsea remains within sight of the leaders with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park courtesy of Didier Drogba's 29th goal of the season and Salomon Kalou's 82nd minute goal.
Arsenal bounced back from their recent disappoint to beat Reading at home to move within a point of third place Liverpool.
Elsewhere, West Ham's relegation battle looks doomed after throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-4 to Tottenham. The Hammer's defensive frailities were cruelly exposed when Tottenham scored twice in as many minutes to down the fellow Londoners.
Reading 2 - 0 Aston Villa
Chelsea 3 - 0 Middlesbrough
Everton 1 - 0 Blackburn
Man Utd 2 - 0 Charlton
Newcastle 2 - 1 Liverpool
Sheff Utd 2 - 1 Tottenham
West Ham 0 - 1 Watford
Portsmouth 2 - 1 Man City
Sun, Feb 11:
Bolton 2 - 1 Fulham
Arsenal 2 - 1 Wigan
SUMMARY:
The results from the Premier League this weekend was "same old, same old" with Manchester United and Chelsea achieving 2-0 and 3-0 wins respectively.
The Red Devil's 6-point cushion remained intact despite never hitting top form after goals from midfielders Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher secured a 2-0 victory.
Didier Drogba's brace helped Chelsea on their way to a 3-0 victory against Aussie Mark Viduka's Middlesbrough with the Aussie guilty of missing a sitter after superbly pulling away from his marker, England captain John Terry, no less.
Rather than celebrating their first win under new American owners, Liverpool came unstuck against Newcastle at St James' Park having taken the lead through ex-Newcastle player Craig Bellamy (who was roundly booed, as one would expect) before the Toon brigade fought back to snatch a 2-1 home victory.
On Sunday, Arsenal came from behind to earn a hard fought victory over Wigan to keep their unbeaten home record intact.
Wigan stole the lead in the first half with a screamer from Denny Landzaat and it took until the 81st minute for the Gunners to equalise through a fortuitous own goal.
Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky then scored the winner for Arsenal with a header in the dying minutes of the game to seal the three points for the home side.
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