The Barclays Premier League entered its round of 32 on Saturday, and matches were played in various parts of the country. Relegation strugglers and teams vying for a slot in European competitions took to the pitch.
At the early hours of Saturday, relegation threatened Reading hosted Southampton at the Madgeski Stadium. Reading who presently sits at the bottom of the table could hardly withstand the pressure from the saints as they went on to win the fixture by a two goal margin. Goals from Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana saw the Saints ease out of the relegation threat, climbing up to the 11th place with 37 points. The match was Nigel Adkins first game against the club he guided to the Premiership.
West Bromwich Albion played at home against Arsenal at the Hawthorns. The gunners had most of the game, knowing that a slip in point could dent their chances of making it to Europe next season. A brace from Thomas Rosicky handed the North Londoners the win. West Brom will go on to equalise a goal when Per Matersacker brought down Albion striker, Shane Long inside the box. The German got his marching order reducing the London club to ten men. James Morrison converted the spot kick to end the game 2- 1, despite the sustained period of pressure from the home team at the closing minute.
Aston Villa eased their relegation worries playing away at Stoke en Trent. Goals from Gabby Agbolahon, Matt Lowton and Christian Benteke eased the tension in Villa’s dressing room. Michael Kightly scored the only goal for the host; 3- 1 the game ended. Matt Lowton’s winning goal 3 minutes from time was a ‘world class’ finish rarely scored by defenders and Paul Lambert was quick to accord praises to the defender at the post match conference. Aston Villa now occupies the 16th spot with 1 point separating them and the host.
The other match of the day was Swansea away to Norwich. The match ended two goals apiece with the home team still having to nurse relegation fears. This means Chris Hughton’s side remains five points above the Premier League’s bottom three. Goals from Miguel Michu, Jonathan de Guzman, Michael Turner and Robert Snodgrass came as the only goals of the game. Norwich now have three teams between them and the bottom three yet they have played 1 more, than four of the relegation threatened teams.
On Sunday, it took a late leveler from Gylfi Sigurdsson to deny Everton a win at White Hart Lane. Spurs took the lead after just 34 seconds when Emmanuel Adebayo made use of his height stretching to toe in Jan Vertonghen’s cross past Tim Howard. Phil Jagielka equalised in the 15th minute rising to nod Leighton Baines’ corner between the legs of Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Eight minutes into the second half, Kevin Mirallas then put the visitors in front. Sigurdsson tapped home an equaliser in the 87th minute to deny Everton the chance of qualifying for next year Champions League as it stands.
Liverpool’s bid for a spot in European tournament suffered a huge blow as the Kops played a goalless draw against visiting West Ham. The loss of Stewart Downing to injury in the 25th minute weakened the Brendan Rodgers’ formation as the game went on to end in stalemate. The result meant Liverpool remained in 7th place, 6 points below the European Qualifying places.
Chelsea came from behind to beat Sunderland 2- 1 at Stamford Bridge. An own goal from Cesar Azpilcueta saw the visitor take the lead, while in the 47th minute another own goal from Mathew Kilgallon gifted Chelsea the equaliser. Branislav Ivanovic scored the remaining goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half as Chelsea climb above both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur into third place. Sunderland remains just a point above relegation zone.
The final game played on Sunday was Queens Park Rangers Playing at home against Wigan. QPR had to play for 70 minutes with 10 men after Bobby Zamora saw red in the 20th minute. QPR almost got away with a win after Loic Remy scored a stunning goal in the 85th minute, but it took a late equalizer at the dead seconds of added time by Maloney to increase the home team’s relegation fears; 1- 1 the game ended.
