Premier League Report

Chelsea 2-3 Manchester United

Van Persie, Chicharito & card-happy Clattenburg end Blues' unbeaten run

Roberto Di Matteo's team's lead is reduced to a point as they suffer their first league defeat of the season in controversial circumstances

On an afternoon strewn with goals, red cards, drama and controversy, Manchester United climbed to within one point of the league summit with a 3-2 victory over nine-man Chelsea.

Roberto Di Matteo's team recovered from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 early in the second half but had Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres sent off before substitute Javier Hernandez scored a 75th minute winner from what appeared to be an offside position.

A David Luiz own goal and Robin van Persie's ninth goal of the season had put United in command after 12 minutes but Chelsea responded in style, with Juan Mata's free-kick and Ramires' header either side of the break.

Just as the visitors gained control, Ivanovic and Torres were sent off within five minutes of one another midway through the second period, ensuring the hosts played the last 22 minutes with only nine men.

United took full advantage, but it needed a controversial goal from Hernandez to give Sir Alex Ferguson's team their first win at Stamford Bridge in a decade.

With John Terry serving the second match of a four-game domestic suspension, Chelsea picked the same starting XI that won so handsomely at Tottenham in their previous Premier League engagement. United brought in Tom Cleverley to partner Michael Carrick in central midfield and Ashley Young got the nod on the left flank in his first league start in two months.

Before the action began, all eyes were on the pre-match handshake. Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole drew a line under all that has happened over the past year by ignoring their lingering grievances to shake one another's hand.

It was Cole's defending, rather than his manners, that soon came under the microscope. Both of United's goals inside the opening 12 minutes were forged on his flank as the visitors focused on the lack of protection the left-back was getting in front of him.

After four minutes, Rooney received the ball out wide and his expert cut-back was whacked right footed against the post by van Persie but the rebound struck the helpless Luiz and bounced past Petr Cech for an own goal.

Eight minutes later, Van Persie was unerring with the accuracy of his second right-footer. Antonio Valencia spotted him unmarked in the box and, with complete concentration on the task, the former Arsenal man slotted in his sixth goal at Stamford Bridge.

The statistics suggested Chelsea had a mountain to climb. Before today, United had been two or more goals up in 346 Premier League games and never lost, winning 336 and drawing 10.

With Rooney playing more as a third central midfielder than a second striker, the home side initially found it hard to break down what was a 4-5-1 formation.

But Chelsea raised their game leading up to the break, forcing three athletic saves from David de Gea before Mata made Rooney pay for hauling down Eden Hazard outside the box with a beautiful curling free-kick after 44 minutes.

The hosts had the bit between their teeth at the start of the second half as they reminded the visitors whose house it was.

After 53 minutes, United failed to clear following more excellent play from Mata and Ramires rose above Cleverley to emphatically head in Oscar's byline cross for the equaliser.

It all unravelled for Chelsea after that point. Ivanovic deservedly received a red card for a professional foul on Young after 63 minutes, cynically clipping the winger as he raced through on goal.

Inexplicably, Fernando Torres followed the right-back down the tunnel five minutes later. The Spaniard received a second yellow for simulation, even though replays clearly showed there was contact from Jonny Evans.

Down to nine men, Chelsea struggled to contain United but the officials ensured Di Matteo's post-match press conference would be an all-ticket affair by failing to spot that Hernandez was offside when he tapped in the winner.

Everton 2-2 Liverpool

Suarez and Naismith make their mark in pulsating Merseyside derby

The Uruguayan put the visitors in the driving seat but Brendan Rodgers' side threw away a two-goal cushion as David Moyes' men responded well to claim a point at Goodison Park

City rivals Everton and Liverpool shared the points in a pulsating Merseyside derby at Goodison Park which ended in a 2-2 draw after Brendan Rodgers' side blew a priceless two-goal advantage.

Two early Liverpool goals - with Luis Suarez at the heart of them - left David Moyes' team shell-shocked, but the Toffees responded superbly with Leon Osman and Steven Naismith cancelling out a Leighton Baines own goal and Suarez's header.

The Reds were left bemoaning a controversial decision by the officials in injury time, however, when Suarez appeared to be incorrectly flagged for offside after beating Tim Howard from close range.

Marouane Fellaini returned for the hosts after recovering from a knee injury, while Kevin Mirallas took the place of the suspended Steven Pienaar on the left wing.

Brad Jones continued in goal for the visitors despite Pepe Reina being fit enough to take a place on the bench, and Jose Enrique started as the injured Glen Johnson missed out.

After a slow start the game sprang into life after 13 minutes when the visitors took a fortuitous early lead.

Raheem Sterling appeared to be pushed over by Baines as he shaped to finish an Enrique cross, but referee Andre Marriner waved play on and Suarez's fierce strike across goal hit the England left-back and ricocheted into the net.

The Uruguayan forward ran the risk of inflaming tensions further with a mock dive celebration in front of Moyes, who had criticised the striker for simulation before the match.

Suarez added a second quickly afterwards, nodding in a fine Steven Gerrard free kick to send the travelling fans into ecstasy after just 20 minutes with the home defence nowhere to be found.

The two-goal cushion was short-lived though - Fellaini went close with a deflected shot and the subsequent corner saw Osman fire the hosts back into contention. Jones could only punch the ball to the edge of the area, and the midfielder struck from 20 yards courtesy of a deflection off Joe Allen.

Suarez almost added another with a rasping 25-yard volley, but Everton drew level after 35 minutes. After winning a contentious throw-in, Kevin Mirallas' cross hit Fellaini, but the tall Belgian reacted well to hook in a low ball which Naismith tapped in unmarked from two yards out.

Mirallas' fine display continued as the winger almost put the hosts ahead after 42 minutes, spinning away beautifully from Wisdom but injuring himself as the shot was deflected wide. He was replaced by Magaye Gueye at the interval.

Sterling had a golden opportunity three minutes after the break following a delightful pass from Enrique, but the youngster got his attempted chip all wrong, leaving an unmarked Suarez waiting in fury on the penalty spot.

Gerrard could have won it for the visitors with eight minutes remaining but his drive from the edge of the area was well blocked by Jagielka. Suarez thought he had gone one better in the 93rd minute, but stabbed finish from another Gerrard free-kick was ruled out by the assistant referee.

Sebastian Coates climbed on the back of Jagielka to win the initial header but it was unclear whether the official had stopped play for a foul or for offside, with Suarez in line with the last defender.

Manchester City 1-0 Swansea City

Tevez stunner marred by injury sickener for Richards

Michael Laudrup's side gave a good account of themselves at the Etihad Stadium, but the hosts scraped through to claim all three points despite a rather unconvining performance

Manchester City have moved into second in the Premier League after a less-than-convincing 1-0 win over Swansea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening, leapfrogging Manchester United in the process.

The first half was a rather drab affair until a late flurry from Swansea, with Michu going close on a couple of occasions, but the scores remained level at the break.

A much more potent start to the second half saw City make the breakthrough with 60 minutes on the clock as Carlos Tevez found the net from distance.

Roberto Mancini made three changes from the side which beat West Brom last weekend with Joleon Lescott and Mario Balotelli being replaced by Matija Nastasic and Sergio Aguero, while Aleksandar Kolarov came in for the suspended James Milner. Meanwhile, Michael Laudrup opted to name an unchanged Swansea side from the team who beat Wigan last time out.

The first quarter of the match was somewhat of a non-event, but a deep free kick delivered by Jonathan De Guzman around the 15-minute mark had Joe Hart all at sea but, luckily for the England international the ball went harmlessly out of play.

A Carlos Tevez shot five minutes before the interval sparked some life into the match, and Laudrup’s side immediately sprang a marvellous counter-attack that ended with Vincent Kompany booting the ball clear ahead of the lurking Michu after good work down the right from Pablo Hernandez.

A matter of seconds later, Leon Britton threaded an inch-perfect through ball between several defenders for Michu and, after getting clear of the City backline, the Spaniard looked destined to score but Hart rushed out and blocked the shot.

City began the second half with purpose as Aguero spun away from De Guzman and curled an effort towards the far top corner, but it whistled just wide as the match started to liven up.

A couple of minutes later, half-time substitute Mario Balotelli almost got on the end of Samir Nasri’s cross, but Ashley Williams put it behind, while the Italian was soon involved again as it appeared he was brought down in the area by Williams only for the referee to wave play on.

However, the reward for City’s good start to the second half came on the hour mark as Gael Clichy burst in towards the centre before laying the ball off to Tevez, who fired into the bottom corner from 30 yards.

Despite being behind, Swansea were not giving up and could have won a penalty with 20 minutes to go as a Michu header appeared to hit Kompany on the arm, while a long-range De Guzman strike narrowly missed the top corner four minutes later.

Twelve minutes of stoppage time were given due to rather nasty looking injuries to Vorm and Micah Richards – the latter being stretchered from the field clutching his knee - but Swansea were unable to conjure up an equaliser.

Source: goal.com

Goalkeeper Tim Howard scores for Everton

Tim Howard amazing goal

Everton 1 - 2 Bolton

goal from Everton: goalkeeper Tim Howard

goals from Bolton: N'Gog and Cahill

Although Everton fans would have doubtless left Goodison Park bitterly disappointed after a defeat to relegation-threatened Bolton, there was at least one uplifting talking point to discuss over a post-match pint. 

Goalkeeper Tim Howard's second-half goal provided one of the most bizarre moments of the Premier League season so far as his upfield punt deceived Trotters shot-stopper Adam Bogdan and nestled safely in the goal. Though the wind can claim an assist, given the terrible conditions in Merseyside on Wednesday, the strike was a remarkable feat. 

That said, it is far from a unique one. 

Here is a look at 10 of the most impressive and most important strikes from men whose job is actually supposed to be the prevention of goals.

Sinan Bolat seals Europa League place for Liege

With Standard Liege trailing AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in the 95th minute of their final Champions League group game in 2010, the Belgians were facing not only an exit from Europe's premier competition but European football altogether for that season. The Jupiler league side needed a hero to step up, and most likely didn't expect it to come in the shape of goalkeeper Sinan Bolat. The Turkish shot-stopper leapt highest to meet a Liege free kick with a header most centre forwards would be proud of, ensuring his side finished third in their group and entered the Europa League at the expense of their Dutch opponents.

Rogerio Ceni nets 100th career goal

When goalscoring goalkeepers are discussed, the name of Sao Paulo's Rogerio Ceni inevitably pops up. It is difficult to single out one of the numerous goals the Brazilian keeper has scored but one of his most recent in March last year not only marked his 100th career strike but also had further significance. It came as the winner in a 2-1 victory over Brazilian giants Corinthians and, of course, was scored from a free kick 20 yards out. The ball hit the top corner with trademark venom and, rather unfairly considering the 38-year-old is part of the goalkeeper's union himself, gave Corinthians' shot-stopper absolutely no chance.

Jose Luis Chilavert grabs a hat-trick for Velez

Another South American goalkeeper with a penchant for goalscoring was Jose Luis Chilavert. Whilst there was seemingly little out of the ordinary about his penalty during Velez Sarsfield's 6-1 victory over Ferro Carril Oeste in 1999, it capped off a trio of goals in the game. All three of Chilavert's strikes that day came from the spot as he became the first ever keeper to achieve the feat of notching three times in one match. The Paraguayan netted 44 career goals.

Jimmy Glass saves Carlisle from relegation

The story of Jimmy Glass and Carlisle is so unlikely that it would perhaps be laughed off as an unrealistic film premise. The Cumbrian outfit stood on the brink of relegation to the Football Conference on the final day of the 1998/1999 Division Three season, being held by Plymouth Argyle when only a win would ensure survival. With 90 minutes on the clock, on-loan goalkeeper Glass, playing for only the third time for Carlisle, entered the box for a corner kick in a desperate attempt to salvage his side's league status. Famously, the ball did in fact fall to Glass, who volleyed home with aplomb to spark a pitch invasion and condemn Scarborough to relegation instead. Bizarrely, Glass' move was never made permanent and he never played for Carlisle again. 

Columbus' Will Hesmer halts Toronto in derby

America's MLS is also not immune to its goalkeepers getting involved in the action either it seems. In 2010, Columbus Crew trailed their biggest rivals, Toronto FC, 2-1 away from home in a hard-fought league clash. As is the trend with last-minute set pieces in these tales, their keeper Will Hesmer made the long walk into the opposition area. The ball was nodded neatly into Hesmer's path before he coolly took a touch and, with the precision of an outfield player, slotted the ball home to send his team-mates and the travelling fans wild.

Pat Jennings shocks Old Trafford

An oldie but a goody, this. You'll have to look back to rather grainy black and white footage to see this goal, scored in a 1967 Charity Shield clash between Tottenham and Manchester United at Old Trafford. Legendary keeper Pat Jennings, who made 472 appearances for the north London outfit, kicked the ball to see it bounce just once at the edge of the United box and loop over opposition keeper Alex Stepney. Jennings' goal proved crucial as his side went on to draw the match 3-3, meaning they shared the trophy as was the custom then.

Hans-Jorg Butt scores and then...

The most amusing entry on the list, Hans-Jorg Butt's goal is perhaps more famous for the events which followed it than the goal itself. The German keeper successfully netted a penalty for Bayer Leverkusen in a 2004 league clash against Schalke and was understandably enthusiastic in his celebrations. However, as he signalled to the referee to indicate his readiness for the game to restart after celebrating, he turned in horror to see the ball flying over his head and into his own net. Schalke's quick-thinking forward Mike Hanke had seen Butt with his back turned and shot at goal straight from the kick off. Fortunately, the mistake mattered little in the end as Butt's side went on to win 3-2.

Jens Lehmann nets in fierce Ruhr derby

Jens Lehmann was more famed for his sharp temper than goalscoring exploits during a spell in England with Arsenal. Yet in Germany, and particularly with former club Schalke, the keeper has something of a reputation for finding the net. Having already netted a penalty years before for the German side, Lehmann added another strike to his record in the biggest game of all. With his side trailing in the final minutes of a typically intense Ruhr derby against Bayer Leverkusen, Lehmann was the furthest man forward for Schalke and nodded home brilliantly after the ball was lofted back in from an initially repelled corner. However, that strike in December 1997 proved to be the last of his career and the German made more of a reputation for his work in front of his own goal from that point on.

Paul Robinson improves England chances against Ben Foster

Paul Robinson enjoyed a prolonged spell as England's No.1 keeper and was in the midst of a successful period with Spurs in March 2007. His side faced a Watford containing a then pretender to the England goalkeeping throne in the shape of a young Ben Foster. Whilst he will have entered that game hoping to get one over on his direct competition, he did not perhaps believe that he would be the man to make Foster concede. Robinson's free kick from within his own half took that familiar solitary bounce in front of the Watford keeper before looping out of reach and into the net. Robinson promised soon after that he would not remind his compatriot of the matter when they met up for England duty, though whether he kept his promise or not we may never know.

Peter Schmeichel gives United hope against Rotor

If one person is most famed in English football for making the last-minute dash to the opposition penalty box, it is former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. The Dane's propensity for getting forward best summed up the never-say-die attitude of some of United's most successful sides and this is perhaps the reason they are so widely known, rather than for any particular success in netting. Schmeichel in fact scored just once for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, the equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Russia's Rotor Volgograd in a 1995 Uefa Cup tie. The goal itself was a brilliantly taken header but could not prevent the Red Devils from exiting on the away goals rule.

Source: goal.com