united go clear

MAN UTD 1-0 EVERTON

Manchester United turned up the pressure on the Premier League's chasing pack and re-wrote the record books with victory over Everton at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 44th-minute penalty - awarded after Mikel Arteta fouled Michael Carrick - put them five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea before they meet at Anfield on Sunday.

And in recording a 12th successive top-flight clean sheet, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar eclipsed the previous league record of 1,104 minutes without conceding a goal, set by Reading's Steve Death in 1979.

United deserved their victory and could have won by more, but they were made to work for the win by an Everton side displaying all their trademark defensive resilience.

Former United keeper Tim Howard saved well from Ji-Sung Park and Carlos Tevez, while Ronaldo also hit the post from 20 yards in the first half.

Everton - admittedly stripped of almost all of their recognised attacking strength - created few openings and Van der Sar rarely looked in danger of missing out on his place in history.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson can now relax after another efficient rather than spectacular display, and watch his two closest rivals go into combat on Sunday knowing victory is essential if they are to keep United firmly in their sights.

Carrick orchestrated United's performance in midfield and Tevez was busy in attack, but in the end they had to be grateful for a narrow victory.

United were presented with the opportunity to move away from the pursuing pack in the title race - but they faced an Everton side lifted by influential pair Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini passing fitness tests.

The first 45 minutes took the predictable shape of United working all their attacking options, but running into Everton's blue wall of defiance.

Former United goalkeeper Howard was in early action, making a last-ditch save to turn away Park's cross and then blocking Tevez's effort from only eight yards with his legs.

Ronaldo came close to piercing the Everton rearguard after 25 minutes when his low shot took a deflection, only to strike a post and roll agonisingly across the goal-line to safety.

Everton's best form of response was the left-sided partnership of Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines. They worked a succession of promising openings, but the quality of delivery was poor and Van der Sar was rarely troubled.

The breakthrough came only a minute before half-time, and in the most frustrating manner possible for Everton as Arteta conceded a needless penalty.

Everton's Spanish midfield man flicked out a leg at Carrick as he raced into the area, and even though referee Mark Halsey let play progress, he then awarded a penalty when United gained no immediate advantage.

Ronaldo scored comfortably from the spot - and in the process put an entirely different complexion on the second half.

United were denied what looked an even more clear-cut penalty than the one they were awarded when Carrick was once again brought down, this time by Joleon Lescott, two minutes after the break but Halsey waved away their justified appeals.

Tevez had been an industrious figure for United, and he twice threatened to grab the crucial second goal, firing narrowly over then forcing a low save out of Howard from 20 yards.

Van der Sar had been largely unemployed, but he was in the action on the hour when he held on to Arteta's low free-kick from fully 30 yards.

Everton needed to find a cutting edge from somewhere, and with 23 minutes left Moyes decided it should come in the shape of substitute Victor Anichebe, who replaced Fellaini.

But it was still United posing all the serious questions and Howard needed to be alert to turn Tevez's deflected free-kick over the top.

Everton tried to press as time ran out, but they were lightweight in attack and United ended in the ascendancy, with Howard again saving well from Howard.

It was not United at their free-flowing best, but they will be satisfield to succeed against tough opponents who have taken points off Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in recent times.


ARESENAL 0-0 WESTHAM

West Ham stretched their unbeaten run to eight games as Arsenal's Champions League hopes suffered a dent.

Neither side managed a chance on target in a dire first half dominated by Arsenal, and this was to prove costly.

After the break Arsenal were all over West Ham but Emmanuel Adebayor wasted the game's two best chances with a shot wide and header straight at the keeper.

The visitors were on the back foot for almost the entire second half but their stout defending earned them a point.


Arsenal nearly made an ideal start when West Ham defender James Collins was forced to head against his own bar from a corner, but it turned out to be a false dawn for what proved to be a dismal first 45 minutes.

Neither side mustered a serious effort on target, with Arsenal comfortably on top in terms of possession, but doing very little to stretch the West Ham defence or threaten Robert Green's goal.


Emmanuel Eboue was industrious and involved in most of Arsenal's attacks, but his afternoon came to a premature end when he limped off, to be replaced by Carlos Vela, following a challenge by Scott Parker.

Collins had West Ham's only vaguely threatening chance with a header in first-half injury-time, and the Welshman was at the centre of the action once again shortly after the restart when he cleared the best chance of the game so far.

Green's poor punch clear only went as far as Kolo Toure, near the edge of the box, and he hooked the ball back over his shoulder towards the goal, but Collins was on hand to head clear.


Twice in quick succession Matthew Upson had to make blocks from Denilson efforts as Arsenal continued to play at a higher tempo, and Adebayor wasted the best chance of the game so far when he poked Bacary Sagna's cross wide of the post.



Hammers hard work paying-off - Clarke
Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure, but another great chance went begging when Adebayor put his free header straight into the arms of Green.

West Ham barely left their own half as they soaked up Arsenal's punches, but Carlton Cole's easily held shot from distance showed the home side they could not afford to be too complacent.

The longer the game went on the more desperate Arsenal became, and the full price of Adebayor's missed chances became clear.

Adou Diaby was stretchered off after a collision with Savio in injury time, which summed up a frustrating afternoon for the Gunners.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

"We had 70-30 possession but they defended very well as a team.

"We were very close to scoring and gave everything, but couldn't get the goal which would get us the three points.

"You have to continue fighting, usually we get a goal in last 15 minutes when they defend like that us against us."

West Ham coach Steve Clarke:

"It's always difficult when you come here against a team who pass so well, you have to be disciplined and do the right things.

"Maybe I'm disappointed we didn't do more with the ball, but today was more a defensive performance.

"We came here with the intention of playing as we have been playing recently and didn't concede too many clear-cut chances which was pleasing.

"If you want success at a club, you have to start with basics. They're working hard for the manager and themselves, and you can see the result of that on the pitch."

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Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Vela 36), Diaby (Song Billong 90), Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor, Bendtner (Van Persie 68). Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Djourou, Gibbs.

Booked: Diaby, Vela.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Noble (Nsereko 70), Collison, Cole, Di Michele (Boa Morte 83).

Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Spector, Tristan, Sears.

Booked: Collins, Neill.

Att: 60,109

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).


ASTON VILLA 0-0 WIGAN


Aston Villa missed out on the chance to overtake Chelsea and Liverpool and go second in the Premier League on a frustrating day against resolute Wigan.

Villa were lacklustre in a dull first half, which saw Wigan's Maynor Figueroa denied by keeper Brad Friedel.

But the home side upped the pace after the break and bombarded the Wigan goal.

Zat Knight hit the post, Paul Scharner twice cleared off the line and Gabriel Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey and John Carew were all denied by last-ditch blocks.

The frantic finale seemed unlikely for more than an hour in a below-par home display, but Villa created enough chances in the last quarter to have won two home matches.


Bruce pleased with resilient Wigan
The day began with a minute's applause for former Villa manager Vic Crowe and 1957 FA Cup winning captain Johnny Dixon, who both died earlier this month.

And Villa started in confident fashion, looking eager to mark the occasion in fitting style and build on their fine 1-0 win over Portsmouth in midweek.

Agbonlahor and home debutant Heskey saw plenty of the ball in the early exchanges, and all signs pointed to a victory that would put Martin O'Neill's side at least temporarily level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Heskey almost got on the end of a hanging Gareth Barry free-kick, and the Villa skipper had a shot deflected wide after a driving run from midfield.

But apart from Heskey's pace and power, the home side offered little in attack and Wigan coped with the minimum of fuss.

Chris Kirkland easily tipped over a looping Agbonlahor header and the lively Heskey, facing his former side just eight days after leaving them, also headed straight at Kirkland.

But the Latics, who were thumped 4-0 in the reverse fixture in October, finished the half stronger and started to play with confidence.


Bruce pleased with resilient Wigan
Scharner tried his luck from 30 yards but was off target before Wigan created two excellent chances to take the lead.

Brad Friedel superbly blocked with his feet as Daniel De Ridder raced through on goal following a lovely dummy from Scharner.

And the American keeper then stretched to tip over Figueroa's header from Michael Brown's clipped cross when Villa failed to clear a corner.

But O'Neill's men stepped up a gear on the resumption and started to create chances.

Knight's downward header bounced up and beyond Kirkland and onto the far post but Curtis Davies was unable to tap in the rebound and the visitors somehow cleared their lines.

Agbonlahor also blazed over the bar after a neat turn on the edge of the box, and another goalmouth scramble saw Wigan escape with their goal intact when Agbonlahor's close-range header was cleared off the line and then bobbled onto the post.

And within minutes Wigan had another remarkable escape after the third almighty goalmouth scramble of the second half.

A Villa break saw Brown's defensive lunge penalised as a pass-back.

Carew, playing his first game since November, had his shot superbly blocked by Scharner and the same player then reacted brilliantly to stop Luke Young's stinging volley.

But despite the constant late pressure, Wigan held on for a valuable point.

---

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:
"A draw was frustrating in that we had some great chances but could not score, but apart from that I was delighted with all the other areas of our play.

"We are 12 games unbeaten in the Premier League, which is great. Wigan had drawn with Liverpool only a couple of days ago and they are a fine side.

"They had a couple of chances but the second half belonged to us but we could not force the ball in.

"But the effort from my players was phenomenal."

Wigan manager Steve Bruce:
"It was backs to the wall for us for much of the time.

"We were out on our feet after the midweek game we had against Liverpool.

"We rode our luck a bit but we had two good chances and should have scored from both.

"In the second half it was an onslaught and we had to hold on.

"Our attitude was terrific and we got away with a point."

---

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Gardner (Carew 62), Petrov, Barry, Milner, Heskey, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Osbourne.

Booked: Davies.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, De Ridder (Rodallega 46), Cattermole, Scharner (Watson 77), Brown, Koumas, Mido.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Edman, Cywka, Kapo, Camara.

Booked: Brown.

Att: 41,766.


BOLTON 3-2 SPURS

Kevin Davies struck four minutes from time to snatch an unlikely victory for Bolton after Spurs had bravely fought back from two goals down late on.

Bolton controlled the early proceedings and deserved their lead when Sebastien Puygrenier headed in, before Davies fired into the corner to make it 2-0.

Substitute Darren Bent scored twice in two minutes from close-range, though, to put Spurs right back into the game.

But Davies had the final say when his header earned Bolton a thrilling win.

Three points see Bolton leapfrog their fellow strugglers and up into 12th in the table, and also spared boss Gary Megson's blushes after his side had contrived to throw away a two-goal lead for the second time in four days.


Megson relieved to get crucial win
It was cruel luck in the end for Bent, though, who marked his first appearance since his now infamous miss against Portsmouth denied Spurs a home win a fortnight ago with two goals that looked like securing an unlikely point for the visitors.

The brace might yet secure his short-term future at the club, especially with Jermain Defoe absent with a foot injury, but in the end it counted for little thanks to Davies's late strike - a goal which made it six straight away defeats for the Londoners.

Bolton's win - their first in six matches - and the performance was a timely boost for Megson, though, after his barracking from his own fans in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Blackburn
Davies was the inspiration and a constant thorn in the side of Spurs' defence, while Ariza Makulula had the best of the early chances when he sliced wide from 18 yards out.

Full debutant Mark Davies also went close for the hosts, looping a header over unmarked from 12 yards, while namesake Kevin headed a Matt Taylor free-kick over with the visitors' apparent aerial frailty exposed all too often.

Spurs' best moments often came through the resurgent David Bentley, who twice tested home keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen with drilled efforts from range, while debutant Wilson Palacios was full of hassle and harry.


Redknapp bemused by defeat
But for large parts of the game Spurs were bereft of inspiration and it was hardly against the run of play when Bolton took the lead and even less surprising it came from a set piece.

Mark Davies was the creator with a free kick, Puygrenier making the most of some hopeless marking in the Spurs box, losing Didier Zokora to head home from six yards for his first goal for Bolton since joining from Zenit St Petersburg.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp's response at the break was to replace the ineffective Luka Modric and Zokora with Bent and Jermaine Jenas, but despite a wealth of possession, the visitors' continued lack of sparkle ensured the Trotters remained comfortable.

And when Kevin Davies latched on to Gary Cahill's flick to drive across Carlo Cudicini and into the far corner of the Spurs net, the hosts' win looked assured.


Great day for proud Davies
However, the Trotters reckoned without Bent and Chimbonda's intervention.

The former reduced the deficit when he swept in Chimbonda's cut-back from close range and, just two minutes later, levelled it up when he pounced after Jaaskelainen could only parry a snapshot from Palacios.

There was yet another twist in the tail, though, as Davies stooped to head in Matt Taylor's corner, the ball squeezing past Bentley on Tottenham's near post, to seal the victory.

---

Bolton boss Gary Megson:
"When we were pegged back to 2-2, I didn't think the game at that stage was a drawn game, I thought we much better than they were and a lot more positive - they've got some quality players but I felt we deserved our lead.

"Thankfully, though, we've got Matty Taylor's fantastic deliveries and Kevin Davies's heading ability and that's pulled us through.

"As for any transfer activity - the Miguel Veloso deal is not going to happen. We don't want to run a fool's errand, and that looks a bridge too far.

"But we've got two bids in at the moment - one for a Premier League player and one Championship player - and I would expect some business to happen over the next couple of days."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp:
"That's the last four away games in which we've dominated proceedings and then gifted the opposition - and these are teams that are around us at the bottom end of the table - a winner two or three minutes from time.

"Sitting there with five minutes to go I wouldn't have taken a draw because we were pummelling them and there was only one team who I thought would win it and that was us. But we've thrown it away again.

"As far as transfers go, no-one will be leaving this club in the next few days, I'll tell you that, because we can't afford for anybody to leave. But I definitely think we need one or two more players - strong players - to come in, so if something can be done, we'll do it.

"And as for Darren Bent - he has absolutely nothing to prove to me, I know he's a good player. He was excellent today, has 14 goals for the season, and we need him here - especially with Jermain Defoe out with what looks a nasty injury."

---

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier (Andrew O'Brien 79), Samuel, Taylor, Mark Davies, Muamba, Gardner, Kevin Davies, Makukula (Smolarek 61).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Riga, Shittu, Basham, Obadeyi.

Goals: Puygrenier 31, Kevin Davies 64, 87.

Tottenham: Cudicini, Corluka (Chimbonda 67), Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Zokora (Jenas 46), Palacios, Lennon, Modric (Bent 46), Pavlyuchenko.
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Bale, Huddlestone, Campbell.

Booked: Dawson.

Goals: Bent 73, 75.

Att: 21,575

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Thanks Hibernian.

Apologies to all the Licerpool, Arsenal and Chelsea supporters; we were tired, and United, on the day, were much better than us.

Sad but true...

Fernando Torres struck two late goals at Anfield to sink Chelsea and ensure


Liverpool kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United.

The game looked destined for the draw that would have suited only Sir Alex Ferguson until Torres made his dramatic intervention to close the gap on United to two points, although Liverpool have played a game more.

Chelsea saw Frank Lampard sent off on the hour for a foul on Xabi Alonso, a decision they contested bitterly as they claimed he took the ball first before making contact with the Liverpool midfield man.

But they can have no serious complaints about the result after Liverpool dominated throughout, taking the game to Chelsea in a game played out in blizzard conditions.

Torres broke the deadlock a minute from time when he headed in a near-post cross from Fabio Aurelio, then set the seal on the win in stoppage time with a simple finish after substitute Yossi Benayoun had robbed Ashley Cole.

Anfield was ecstatic at the final whistle, with recent traumas seemingly forgotten and hopes of a first title since 1990 revived again.


Chelsea now face a massive task to rebuild their challenge and on this evidence there must doubts about whether they have the desire to perform the task.

They have picked up only one point this season in five games against their closest title rivals, with Liverpool completing a double over the Londoners.

Liverpool were the hungrier side from the first whistle, with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech saving well from Alonso and Benayoun and Alex performing heroics in defence to keep Rafael Benitez’s side at bay.

For manager Benitez, with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett looking on, it was a crucial victory and one the Spaniard and Liverpool needed desperately to over-shadow the off-the-field politics that have proved such a distraction in recent times.

Liverpool, as expected, did not even include Robbie Keane on the bench – only intensifying speculation that his short and unfulfilling Anfield career is drawing to a close.

Chelsea keeper Cech was swiftly in the action, acrobatically turning over a rising 25-yard drive from Alonso as Liverpool made the more forceful opening.

Cech was less convincing after 18 minutes when he fumbled a routine shot from Javier Mascherano, but no Liverpool player was in the vicinity to take advantage of his moment of poor handling.

Chelsea’s best performers were all in defence, and Alex came to the rescue with a crucial block on Torres after he worked an opening in the penalty area.


Lampard was unfortunate to see red for an apparent lunge at Alonso

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side were fortunate to escape four minutes before the interval when Cech saved well from Albert Riera, with the rebound striking Cole and rolling inches wide.

Liverpool had hardly been sparkling, but at least they had shown the attacking intent, while Chelsea had offered nothing in the way of threat to keeper Pepe Reina.

That same pattern resumed after the break, with Dirk Kuyt hooking an effort off target after Gerrard’s corner found him unmarked at the far post, and Alex then made another vital intervention to halt Torres.

Old enemies Lampard and Alonso were involved in a flashpoint on the hour that saw Chelsea’s England midfield sent off.

Lampard challenged with his studs up and referee Mike Riley had no hesitation in brandishing the red card.

It was a moment laced with irony, as prior to the game Lampard had spoken of a lingering feud with Alonso following an incident in 2004 when Spaniard suffered a broken ankle after a tackle from the Chelsea midfielder.

After receiving medical attention Alonso almost added insult to Chelsea’s perceived injury eight minutes later when he saw a shot deflected off Alex on to the bar.

Scolari decided it was time for a change, seningt on Deco and Didier Drogba for the anonymous Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka.

It led to Chelsea’s first serious effort on target with 16 minutes from time, a tame shot from Salomon Kalou that was comfortably collected by Reina.

Liverpool were still doing all the pressing, however, and Cech had to be at his best to turn away a curling 25-yard drive from substitute Benayoun.

The Israeli midfielder then sent a searing volley inches over as Liverpool set themselves up for one last big effort to break Chelsea’s resolute rearguard.

The breakthrough came two minutes from time when Torres glided in Aurelio’s cross – then turned into an empty net after Cole was caught in possession by the lively Benayoun.

Liverpool merited the three points and continue their pursuit of United, but for Chelsea the title race may now be run.

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Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano (Babel 83), Riera (Benayoun 74), Gerrard, Torres (Ngog 90).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Leiva Lucas.

Booked: Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Arbeloa.

Goals: Torres 89, 90.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou (Stoch 85), Anelka (Drogba 69), Malouda (Deco 69).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Mancienne.

Sent Off: Lampard (60).

Booked: Ashley Cole, Mikel, Terry.

Att: 44,174

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).