Arsenal 1-1 Wolves

Steven Fletcher strike cancels out early Gervinho opener as 10-man visitors earn their point

Gunners frustrated as Hennessey produces a fine performance to nullify the hosts' attack after a header from Fletcher restored parity following Gervinho's opener

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw with Wolves as they failed to leapfrog Chelsea into fourth in the Premier League.

A goal from Gervinho gave the hosts the perfect start after 10 minutes, but the Gunners were pegged back by a Steven Fletcher header in the first half, and some fine saves from Wayne Hennessey throughout the game helped earn the Midland side a point, even after Nenad Milijas' sending off in the second half.

For the hosts, Johan Djourou was back in the team after a short spell on the sidelines following an injury picked up against Manchester City, while Theo Walcott was absent through illness. 

Tomas Rosicky filled in for the pacy winger, and Aaron Ramsey was dropped to the bench in favour of Yossi Benayoun.

And it was the Israeli who played a pivotal role for the home team, sending Gervinho through on goal in the opening 10 minutes. The Ivorian then rounded Hennessey before coolly dispatching the ball into the bottom corner.

Robin van Persie almost extended his account for the season, but slipped as he pulled the trigger with his right foot, and dragged his shot wide after being put through by Gervinho.

The Dutchman was later denied by a good block from Roger Johnson, and then a fine stop by Hennessey as he dived low to his right to turn the ball around the post.

Arsenal seemed very comfortable in possession, but Wolves earned themselves a way back into the match with a little over five minutes to half time.

A corner was whipped in by Nenad Milijas, but only partially cleared by the Arsenal defence. Stephen Hunt juggled the ball past Rosicky on the edge of the area, but his volleyed shot was deflected by Vermaelen into the path of Steven Fletcher. 

His header across the face of goal just evaded Wojciech Szczesny and crept into the Arsenal goal for a shock equaliser.

The first half played out without any more events, but the second half began with a blow for Wolves as Zubar was forced off through injury.

Arsenal were dominant in possession as they went in search of a second goal, and had claims for a penalty turned down as Laurent Koscielny's cross struck Christophe Berra on the arm.

The hosts created more and more chances as the game progressed towards the final moments, with Van Persie forcing a good save from Hennessey with a free-kick before Mertesacker's header was brilliantly stopped by the Welshman.

The game threatened to turn nasty as Alex Song was put into the book for kicking Fletcher before catching Hunt high on the shin, and Thomas Vermaelen tangled with Roger Johnson. Arsene Wenger then withdrew Song for Aaron Ramsey with time running out.

Minutes later, referee Stuart Attwell produced a red card for Milijas. The midfielder lost control of the ball and slid in one-footed with his leg on the floor, connecting with the ball and Mikel Arteta.

Arshavin almost found the top corner with a toe-poked effort with 10 minutes to go, but saw his effort slide just past the post.

Hennessey proved to be a fine last line of defence as he blocked everything coming his way, including a good chance from Vermaelen as time ticked away, and earned the draw for his team.

Source: goal.com

Serie A matches 2 & 3 december

Genoa 0 - 2 AC Milan

Milan overcome tear gas scare to go top

AC Milan had to overcome tear gas at Genoa's Stadio Luigi Ferraris before downing the 10-man home side 2-0 to go top of Serie A.

The match was suspended for over five minutes as tear gas filled parts of the stadium with fans and some players visibly affected by the effects wafting down from the stands.
Local media reports suggest the gas was released by Police to disperse supporters outside of an ageing venue that is perhaps best remembered for hosting several matches at the 1990 World Cup finals.
Most of the home players returned to the refuge of the dressing room before the players re-emerged to begin play with the score level at 0-0.
Milan - dominating possession against a side who have now won only two over their past nine Serie A games - had always looked the likelier side up to that juncture, but had to wait until the 56th minute to make their superiority count when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was taken out by home defender Kakha Kaladze, who was rightly sent off for a second yellow card.
Ibrahimovic sent the home goalkeeper Sebastien Frey the wrong way from the penalty spot before the busy Antonio Nocerino finished off the 10 men when he converted Kevin-Prince Boateng's cross from close range on 79 minutes.
Milan are one point ahead of Juventus, who will regain top place if they defeat Cesena at home on Sunday.
Milan were busy from the opening minutes when Marco Rossi did superbly well to tackle Nocerino as prepared to pull the trigger before the Frey dived bravely at the feet of the midfielder to prevent a certain goal.
Frey kept out a shot by Robinho on 15 minutes with Milan keeper Marco Amelia doing similarly well to swat a wicked free-kick by Miguel Veloso that was dipping under the bar from out wide.
Veloso saw another effort clawed out by Amelia before half-time before Milan assumed control of matters in the second period.
Robinho somehow managed to flick Alberto Aquialni's cross over the bar from two yards out just before the hour mark, but it was never likely to alter the destination of the three points once Kaladze had been sent off.

Source: Eurosport

Inter 0-1 Udinese

Mauricio Isla and Giampaolo Pazzini penalty miss condemn Claudio Ranieri's side to another home defeat

The Nerazzurri's poor home form continued as Francesco Guidolin's Scudetto-chasers emerged winners in a thrilling game, which saw two penalties and two red cards

Udinese grabbed a pulsating 1-0 victory over Inter at San Siro in a fiery match in Serie A, which offered plenty of action and excitement. Mauricio Isla gave the visitors the lead midway through the second half and shortly after, Javier Zanetti was sent off and conceded a penalty, which Julio Cesar managed to save.

Damiano Feronetti received his marching orders late in the game after he brought down Diego Milito in the box, but Giampaolo Pazzini also missed from the spot as both teams finished with ten men and a spurned penalty each.

Inter were the better team in the early minutes of the game as they were superbly shutting out Udinese's midfield and attack. Milito was the first to seriously threaten Samir Handanovic's goal as in the eighth minute but the Argentine sent a volley well over the bar from a difficult angle.

'El Principe' was guilty of another miss later on, when a through ball by Zanetti found the striker in space inside the penalty area, but he once again failed to find the target. Udinese, however, started to wake up from their lethargic start and soon began creating chance of their own.

In the 22nd minute, a good pass by Antonio Di Natale found Isla free in the box, but the Chilean could only strike wide with just Julio Cesar to beat. Inter were struggling to repel Udinese's attacks, which were growing more dangerous by the second.

The visitors' over-eager play, however, was leaving them vulnerable at the back, and on the half-hour mark Thiago Motta nearly put the Nerazzurri in front after a delightful one-two with Milito. 

The two teams continued to trade chances in the second half as shortly after Gabriel Toje had a header saved in the 54th minute, Pazzini missed a similar opportunity on the other side of the pitch.

Still, Udinese's abundance of pace was causing Inter problems and the visitors were finally rewarded for their efforts. In the 73rd minute, a quick break saw Antonio Floro Flores rush between Walter Samuel and Andrea Ranocchia before teeing up for Isla on the right side of the box, and the Chilean made no mistakes with his thunderous finish.

Inter tried to mount a late comeback, but often found themselves exposed on the counter. One such break saw Zanetti foul Kwadwo Asamoah in the box, which resulted in a penalty for Udinese and a second yellow card for the captain. Di Natale, however, saw his spot-kick kept out by Julio Cesar.

Just as things looked hopeless for the Nerazzurri, Feronetti brought down Milito in the box in a moment of madness, which earned him two bookings in two minutes. The drama was completed, when Pazzini skied his penalty over the bar, wasting a chance to earn a point for his team.

This result sees Udinese draw level on 27 points with leaders AC Milan, while Inter sit 15th, four points above the relegation zone but could drop further down after Sunday's round of matches.

Source: goal.com