Weekend review

Blunt top five fail, while pressure mounts on Blackburn boss

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 24th November 2008  

Weekend review

Rooney: Found row z at Villa Park

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New Zealand defeating Australia in the rugby league world cup final was as much of an upset as England losing a One Day International in Bangalore was a certainty but what odds would have been available on the Premier League's top five failing to find the back of the net this weekend?

In a freakish round of fixtures in English football's top division, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal all found scoring as difficult as Shane MacGowan in a nunnery.

Chelsea huffed and puffed but could not blow down Newcastle's defence, Liverpool were aggravated by Fulham, United and Villa played out a stalemate while, after a week to forget, Arsenal were thumped at Manchester City in a scenario of results which would - to demonstrate a gambling knowledge away from the world of sport - likely generate as wide odds as Brian Paddick being crowned King of the Jungle.

Elsewhere, Tottenham returned to winning ways under Harry Redknapp - increasing the pressure on Blackburn boss Paul Ince - Bolton stunned Middlesbrough, West Ham recorded a first win in eight games, Portsmouth and Hull played out a memorable encounter, and Stoke ensured West Brom remain bottom of the pile.

If you had a flutter on the quintet of clubs which occupy the top places in the table failing to trouble the scorers this weekend, you are most likely stopping off at sky.sports.com while en route to booking flights for a money-is-no-object, sun-kissed, jolly up in The Bahamas and we will, therefore, offer are very own, 'happy landings' in the shape of a review of the latest Premier League action.

Starting at the top, Chelsea failed to net for only the third time this season in all competitions as Luiz Felipe Scolari's Blues could not find a way past Newcastle, or more specifically Shay Given, at Stamford Bridge.

The Magpies shot-stopper produced a couple of excellent saves to ensure Joe Kinnear - who will remain in the hot-seat for another month - and his side left West London with a point.

At Anfield, the F-word was in full use. The potty-mouthed will be thinking of one short, sharp, exclamation, but the utterance referred to here is 'frustration', following a 0-0 draw with a highly-effective Fulham.

Rafa Benitez's Liverpool side failed to threaten their visitors, who could be forgiven for feeling they may have left Merseyside with more, as, with Steven Gerrard injured, Fernando Torres offered the only bright spark on his first XI return, while £20million strike partner Robbie Keane continues to look devoid of confidence and form.

Fulham's rock-solid defence, which has conceded only 11 league goals this season, was in full evidence and the Cottagers - tipped by many for relegation following last year's narrow escape - have quietly climbed to ninth in the table. Manager Roy Hodgson has done an excellent job and deserves credit.

Defending champions United and UEFA Champions League hopefuls Villa also failed to add to their 'goals for' tally as neither could break the deadlock in Birmingham, with Wayne Rooney the especially guilty party.

With frontrunners Chelsea and Liverpool slipping up, Villa - who spent large periods of the encounter with their backs well and truly to the wall - will be the more satisfied with the draw, but United could have grabbed the points had Rooney not blazed a golden opportunity over the bar from close range. The fingertips of the individual in row z that fielded the wild volley are most likely still stinging.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, with a sense of inevitability, were soundly beaten at Eastlands as recollections of a miserable first half were erased by a Stephen Ireland and Robinho-inspired City after the break to allow Mark Hughes' men to earn a 3-0 success.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger's problems over the course of this season have been much publicised, while the midweek comments of William Gallas have added controversy, but City showed no sympathy as Ireland demonstrated his continual improvement and Robinho produced a chipped contender for Goal of the Month.

Speaking of spectacular strikes, Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson offered a candidate for the standout effort of the campaign during his side's 2-2 draw with never-say-die Hull City at Fratton Park.

On his weaker foot, Johnson volleyed a stunning 30-yarder past goalkeeper Boaz Myhill to give Pompey a 2-1 lead, but Phil Brown's Tigers displayed that they do not know when they are beaten - a trait essential for any side intent on avoiding an immediate return to the Championship - as a late Noe Pamarot own goal earned a point.

While the lack of goals at the top of the table led to a few double-takes, the news that Rory Delap was not involved in Stoke's goal in their 1-0 win over West Brom at the Britannia Stadium caused almost as many raised eyebrows.

Mamady Sidibe headed the only goal of the game as 14th-placed Stoke, who have won as many home matches this season as Liverpool and United (5), continue their quest to avoid the drop, ensuring West Brom stay rock-bottom and three points from safety in the process.

Middlesbrough, who were five games unbeaten before kick-off, continued their Jekyll and Hyde season with a 3-1 defeat to Bolton at The Riverside. Gretar Steinsson, Matthew Taylor and Johan Elmander grabbed the goals as Emanuel 'I'm not dirty' Pogatetz scored Boro's consolation having earlier been booked with only seven minutes on the clock.

Sunday's action saw contrasting fortunes for two under-fire managers as West Ham chief Gianfranco Zola recorded a much-needed win, while Ince sees his side sat in the bottom three. Both were stars in their playing days, but both also represented risky appointments earlier in the season and they have failed to reach particularly high standards.

However, Zola earned slight relief as his Hammers could even afford for goalscorer Valon Behrami to produce a howler of a miss when offered the opportunity to add to his 20th-minute opener at the Stadium of Light, as Sunderland manager Roy Keane - who continues to leave the razor in the bathroom cupboard to resemble Zak Dingle - saw his side sunk.

But Ince's misery continues as Blackburn, who had Martin Olsson sent off, have now gone eight games without a win after Redknapp guided Spurs to another three-point haul courtesy of the fast-improving Roman Pavlyuchenko's first-half strike.

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