Sunday, March 31, 2013

Chelsea's FA Cup


Chelsea's FA Cup pedigree down to easy draws, claims Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a dismissive assessment of Chelsea’s FA Cup pedigree by claiming their haul of four successes in six seasons is down to Manchester United’s quarter-final opponents not having “one hard game” in the early rounds of recent campaigns.

Chelsea's FA Cup pedigree down to easy draws, claims Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Ferguson, whose handshake row with Rafael Benítez overshadowed last month’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, is expected to restore Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Javier Hernandez to the starting line-up on Monday after resting the trio for the 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Saturday.
Premier League leaders United must overcome FA Cup holdersChelsea in Monday's replay at Stamford Bridge to maintain hopes of a domestic double and a clash with neighbours Manchester City in the semi-final on April 14.
Having allowed Chelsea to claw back a 2-0 deficit at Old Trafford last month in order to force a replay, Ferguson accepts that United face a difficult opponent. But the United manager says his team will not be affected by Chelsea’s ability to succeed in the Cup in recent years.
“Chelsea have [got a good record], but we try to win it every year,” Ferguson said. “But over the last few seasons, we’ve had some very difficult draws.
“I think Chelsea have enjoyed the benefit of home draws over the past few years, though, and I don’t think they have had one hard game in their run to semi-finals over the years. And that helps, there is no doubt about that, but they have us to play at Stamford Bridge and that won’t be easy.”


For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Andy Brassell votes for Chelsea star Ramires in Samba Gold Trophy 2012




Renowned European football writer Andy Brassell has cast his votes for the 2012 Samba Gold Trophy, with Ramires taking the top spot.
The BBC, ESPN and The Independent journalist cast his vote earlier this week as the end of the voting period nears, with the winner of the 2012 trophy set to be announced on 31 December.
Andy's vote was as follows:
3) Fernandinho (Shakhtar) The midfielder came back superbly from a broken leg to lead Shakhtar out of a difficult spell and on to a record run of consecutive Ukrainian league wins. He then capped it internationally with a tremendous winner in the Champions League match with title holders Chelsea.
2) Thiago Silva (PSG) Even if the Serie A title slipped away from Milan, few would argue against the widely-held belief that Silva is the best central defender in the world - which is exactly why PSG pursued him so doggedly.
1) Ramires (Chelsea) He made astonishing progress during his second season in England. Even if he missed the Champions League final, he had a huge influence on Chelsea winning the trophy, scoring crucial goals in the final group game against Valencia and in the semi-final at Barcelona.

For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.


Neymar admits talks to extend contract with Santos



Santos star Neymar has been linked with a move to top teams like Chelsea, Bayern and Barcelona.
The player however has admitted he might extend his contract with Santos. He was asked by Brazilian TV channel ESPN Brasil if there is a possibility of staying at Santos beyond the 2014 World Cup, he said: "Why not?"
Neymar added: "Talks to extend my contract are underway, but they are being handled by by father".
Santos reportedly plan to increase his salary by R$ 1 million (about 385,000 Euros) a month, from his current R$ 3.5 mllion a month to R$ 4.5 million a month (about 1.7 million Euros a month).
If Neymar does not renew his contract with Santos, he can leave the club for free after the World Cup.
The Brazilian star has however promised not to leave the club for free, and by signing a new contract, any buyer would have to pay a transfer fee to sign him from Santos.



For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Santos set to offer Neymar new contract says father



Neymar has been offered a new contract to by Santos to extend his stay at the club beyond 2014, according to his agent and father.
Neymar Sr. says the club have moved to secure the forward's future in light of interest this summer from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
"Santos have now offered us a deal for him to renew his contract, but we will have to wait and talk to them," Neymar's father and agent explained at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Brazil.
"It is very difficult to see him leaving before 2013 although we will have to think about what is best for him."
The Santos sensation has already been linked with moves to Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid but his club believe they have a chance of keeping him in Brazil.
Bayern Munich were recently ruled out as a possible destination after club legend Franz Beckenbauer believes they do not need the Seleção star.



For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Ronaldinho: Manchester United would have won more European Cups with me



Ronaldinho has expressed his belief that Manchester United would have won more European trophies if they had signed him, as the Brazil star spoke about England ahead of Wednesday’s Wembley friendly.
The 32-year-old was widely expected to sign for the Old Trafford outfit before a deal broke off and he instead joined Spanish giants Barcelona.
Now plying his trade in his homeland, the Atlético Mineiro man told the Daily Mail that he doesn’t regret not moving to the Premier League.
He said: "That was the only time it has been a real option. If Manchester United had signed me they would have won more European Cups.
"I have played for some of the biggest teams in the world and won everything. The only regret is not playing more seasons with Lionel Messi."
Ronaldinho won numerous trophies and individual accolades during his five years at Camp Nou, including two FIFA World Player of the Year awards.
The Brazilian has also represented the national side since 1999, winning one World Cup title, and went on to discuss some of his upcoming English opponents.
Ronaldinho added: "Rooney is a player I like. There is not a national squad in the world he would not improve. Ashley Cole is a fantastic defender also, I have seen him keep the best players in the world quiet.
"There are so many good English players, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, all players who, at their peak, would have got into any team in the world."
The former PSG and Milan star also gave his opinion of the English game and why he believes the national side have failed to win a major tournament since their 1966 World Cup victory.
He concluded: "The game is far more physical. I have played against some great players in England, but also the mentality is that we don't mind kicking you as well.
"You look at the Brazil, France and Spain teams who have been successful and I don't think England have ever been at that level in these years."


For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.


Saturday, March 30, 2013

Heynckes mellows to be record breaker


There is a chance that Bayern Munich will wrap up the Bundesliga title this weekend, with a stunning seven rounds of games still to be played. This could be an international record of sorts, at least for the big leagues. I recall Inter winning Serie A in 2007 with five games left, but seven is pretty hefty.

• Blog: Mueller shines, Neuer flops
Jupp Heynckes is finally enjoying management at runaway leaders Bayern Munich
In any case, the domestic record will probably fall, if not this weekend then on the next one or the one after that. Because it currently stands at winning the Bundesliga with four games left (Bayern set it in 1973 and equalled it in 2003). And even if it should miraculously not fall, there are still literally a dozen records Bayern are going to finish the season with. They already have set a few, like the longest winning run at the beginning of the season, and have their sights firmly set on many more, from most wins to least goals conceded.
But the record I like best is this: Jupp Heynckes will be the oldest coach to win the Bundesliga. He's 67 now and will turn 68 in early May, nine days before the end of the league season. For the past five decades, the record was held by Willi Multhaup, who coached Werder Bremen to the 1965 title at age 61.
The reason I like this record best is that it puts the finishing touch on the great Heynckes metamorphosis. Because the man we see today at the sidelines, in the press room or on television is not at all the Jupp Heynckes as we knew him until a few years ago. So powerful is his current image as a quiet-but-knowing, benevolent elder statesman that many people have completely forgotten about the other Heynckes.
In June 2003, when he was set to leave his beloved Spain and return home to take over at Schalke 04, his goalkeeping coach Walter Junghans told a newspaper: "He is a fantastic person. Outgoing, loyal, generous to the people he works with." This wouldn't be out of a place in a contemporary Heynckes piece, but back then, ten years ago, Junghans felt forced to add: "Totally different from his image in the media."
At that time, his image was that of a man driven by an almost unhealthy ambition, a man who was such a stern disciplinarian that particularly younger players almost feared him, a man who was both quick-tempered and distanced. So quick-tempered was he that one of his players at Mönchengladbach dubbed him "Osram", after the light-bulb, because Heynckes's head - fairly Fergusonesque at the best of times - would turn a deep red when he was angry.
And he was so distanced that he triggered a player revolt. That was in 1994. Eintracht Frankfurt had appointed him precisely because he was supposed to be some sort of slave-driver, as the club felt an excellent team was underachieving due to the players' lack of discipline or commitment.
There may have been something to it, because in early December Heynckes was so unhappy with the effort put in by his three star players - Jay-Jay Okocha, Anthony Yeboah and Maurizio Gaudino - that he punished them with an extra training session just for the three of them. The trio retaliated by refusing to play in the next league game, whereupon Heynckes suspended them indefinitely.
Okocha was eventually pardoned, but Gaudino was loaned out to Manchester City and Yeboah sold to Leeds United. The rift, though, never healed and only four months later Heynckes stepped down, saying he and the club were "ill-matched".

Jupp Heynckes had a troubled time at Monchengladbach
But these days are so long gone they have been all but erased from the public perception of Heynckes. "This stage is all ancient history," says Ewald Lienen, who was a player under Heynckes and later his assistant coach in Spain. "Today it's one of his biggest strengths to handle people the right way and get the best out of them."
The most obvious example is Franck Ribéry, who'd lost his form and even, it sometimes seemed, his love of the game under Louis van Gaal in 2011. But when Heynckes came in, Ribéry blossomed again. "He's almost like a daddy to me," the Frenchman said. A few weeks ago, he even suggested that Heynckes should become the national coach if and when Joachim Löw steps down after the 2014 World Cup.
Confronted with that statement, Heynckes said: "I have turned down the job of national coach three times in the past already, now I don't have any motivation whatsoever to do it." It was yet another suprising Heynckes moment, because until that press conference the media had known of only one such job offer - back when Berti Vogts had stepped down in late 1998.
Heynckes declined the offer back then because his wife was severely ill. Two years later, his father-in-law was partially paralysed. Around that time, in 2001, he said in an interview with the Welt newspaper: "So many people in this society complain about petty things. Everywhere, I sense discontent. But everything is put into perspective when you experience illness."
There were many similar moments of thoughfulness in that interview - he also lamented "egotism" in football, the way "people assign priority to themselves and their clubs but not to the whole" - but it seems Heynckes was not quite ready to translate a different outlook on life into his daily work.
In September 2004, he was fired at Schalke and once again one of the reasons given, in this case by Schalke's business manager Rudi Assauer, was that "the relationship between coach and team was not intact". Assauer also hinted time had passed Heynckes by: "Jupp is a coach from the old school and he categorically wanted to continue in that vein. We can't do more than offer help."
But even this condescending tone wasn't the lowpoint. That came a bit over two years later. At the club that is dearest to his heart and in the city where he was born, Mönchengladbach, Heynckes had to coach two Bundesliga games under police protection because there had been death threats against him. In late January 2007, he'd had enough and stepped down. Not only from this coaching post - he became a pensioner.
For all we know, the years of retirement were not easy for Heynckes. In interviews, he's mentioned "various operations" he had to undergo, he referred to "news that make you wonder if things will work out" and he also alluded to losing a friend. Maybe these strokes of fate brought about a change in his manner. Or maybe it was simply that he had put football behind him and had made his peace with the game.
In any case, when his good friend Uli Hoeness fired Jürgen Klinsmann in April 2009 and needed a coach for the final five games of the season, Heynckes stepped in - and suddenly, maybe for the first time in his entire managerial career in Germany, he looked like a man who was enjoying himself, and football, in a quiet, satisfied way.
A few months later, after he had taken over Bayer Leverkusen and was working wonders with young players, a reporter asked him: "Are you still driven by the desire for titles?" Heynckes smiled. "You know what?," he replied. "I don't need that anymore."

For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Juve beat Inter to extend lead


Juventus beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro to extend their lead at the top of Serie A thanks to goals from Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri.

 Fabio Quagliarella
• Rzouki: Juve's character leads to derby win
• Blog: Roma what we hoped they no longer were
• Whittaker: Frustration as Juve triumph over Inter
• Paul: Milan enjoying that winning feeling
League leaders Juve were also eager to avenge November's 3-1 home defeat to the Nerazzurri, which saw their unbeaten run ended one game shy of 50, and Quagliarella drew first blood within minutes.
Inter dominated for long spells but, despite Rodrigo Palacio's second-half equaliser, they could not break down a resilient Bianconeri defence after Alessandro Matri found a winner 30 minutes from time.
Esteban Cambiasso's late dismissal for a foul on Sebastian Giovinco then summed up a frustrating afternoon for Andrea Stramaccioni's men, who remain in sixth place.
Palermo claimed an invaluable win in their battle to avoid relegation from Serie A by downing European hopefuls Roma 2-0 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
A 15-match winless streak had seen the Rosanero tumbling towards the second tier after nine seasons at the top table, but an early goal from Josip Ilicic gave the home faithful reason to believe.
And towards the end of a season where Palermo have so often surrendered any advantage, Fabrizio Miccoli rubber-stamped all three points against an under-par Roma side who never really got going.
Palermo are now three points shy of 17th-placed Genoa with eight games remaining while Roma drop to seventh.
A Nicola Legrottaglie own goal and an Antonio Candreva strike late on earned Lazio adramatic 2-1 win over Catania at the Olimpico.
Catania went into the match knowing a victory could see them jump from eighth to fifth and they looked set to move just six points behind Milan - who occupy the third and final Champions League spot - when Mariano Isco put them into the lead in the 50th minute.
However Lazio scored in the 79th and then 81st minutes to snatch what could be a vital three points as they moved to 50 points, four off Massimiliano Allegri's men.
Antonio Di Natale spurned the chance to get Udinese's Serie A season back on track as he missed a second-half penalty in his side's goalless draw against Bologna.
The home side won the spot-kick in the 65th minute after Saphir Sliti Taider fouled Roberto Pereyra in the box, but Di Natale was denied by a fine save by Bologna keeper Gianluca Curci.
Serie A strugglers Genoa and Siena shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at the Luigi Ferraris, a result which will leave both teams with mixed feelings.
Marco Borriello gave the hosts an early lead but Siena turned the game around with goals either side of half-time from Innocent Emeghara and Alessandro Rosina, the latter from the penalty spot.
That put them on course for a crucial three points but Bosko Jankovic's equaliser dumped them back into the final relegation place, one point and one place below Genoa.
Pedro Obiang missed a late chance to snatch a late victory for Sampdoria against 10-man Atalanta as the sides drew 0-0 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri.
Obiang twice fired wide in the last 10 minutes as the visitors piled on the pressure following Stefano Lucchini's red card for a professional foul on Gianluca Sansone. The result meant Atlanta failed to nudge any further clear of the Serie A relegation zone while Sampdoria's hopes of a top 10 finish were hit by their second game without a win.
Cagliari continued to prosper despite their supporters' exile from the Stadio Is Arenas as a brace from Mauricio Pinilla sealed a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.
It was a third straight win behind closed doors at the controversial stadium, from which Rossoblu fans are barred due to ongoing safety concerns, and on today's evidence they may choose not to apply for re-entry for the four remaining home games.
Pinilla needed 11 minutes to beat Emiliano Viviano before firing the winner from the penalty spot just before half-time. Juan Cuadrado's second-half response gave Fiorentina brief hope they could make up ground on third-placed AC Milan, but they remain fourth while Cagliari climb to 11th.

For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Bayern hammer Hamburg for nine


Bayern Munich scored nine goals in 76 minutes to hammer Hamburg 9-2 on Saturday, as Claudio Pizarro netted four goals and Arjen Robben a brace.
Bayern are now just one win away from their 22nd Bundesliga title after the destruction of a shell-shocked Hamburg which, apart from Pizarro's contribution, featured a double strike from Arjen Robben and one apiece for Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xherdan Shaqiri and Frank Ribery.
It could have been even worse for Hamburg with the hosts 7-0 up with 35 minutes remaining, although they managed to get on the scoresheet through Jeffrey Bruma and Heiko Westermann. The scale of victory will also have been noted in Turin with the German side facing Juventus in the Champions League quarter-final next week.
Borussia Dortmund ensured Bayern Munich have to wait at least another week before sealing the 2012-13 Bundesliga title as they took the spoils in a dramatic 2-1 win at Stuttgart.
Lukasz Piszczek gave Dortmund the lead in the 29th minute, but Alexandru Maxim's first Bundesliga goal brought the Swabians level before a red card to Georg Niedermeier tipped the scales back in Dortmund's favour.
Just over 10 minutes after being given a one-man advantage, Robert Lewandowski struck to earn Dortmund all three points and keep the title race alive, at least for a further seven days.
Bayer Leverkusen cemented third spot with a convincing 4-1 away win at Fortuna Dusseldorf in a Rhine derby at the Dusseldorf Arena.
Two goals apiece for Stefan Kiessling and Andre Schurrle ensured Leverkusen kept pace with second-placed Borussia Dortmund and maintained a six-point cushion over Schalke in fourth to remain on course for a place in the Champions League next season.
Schalke reinvigorated their top-four hopes and pushed Hoffenheim a step closer to relegation thanks to three goals in the final 20 minutes.
Marco Hoger broke the deadlock in the 71st minute before two substitutes, Raffael and Teemu Pukki, wrapped up the victory. The win moved the Royal Blues, dumped out of the Champions League by Galatasaray and beaten 3-0 at Nurnberg in their last two games, three points clear of Mainz in fourth.
Max Kruse scored twice as Freiburg moved ahead of Borussia Monchengladbachin the race for Europa League qualification after a 2-0 win.
Kruse, a summer signing from St Pauli, took his tally for seven in the league this season with a second-half double. It put his side a point ahead of their opponents, and level with Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz in the Europe League spots.
Aaron Hunt saved Werder Bremen from defeat and made it three draws in a row for Thomas Schaaf's men as they picked up a point from Mainz in a 1-1 draw.
One of the quickest goals in Bundesliga history after just 12 seconds from Adam Szalai gave Mainz a flying start, but Hunt levelled midway through the second half to give Bremen a seven-point cushion over the bottom three.
Hannover won away from home for only the third time this season thanks to a bracefrom Konstantin Rausch which leaves Augsburg in serious relegation danger.
Rausch struck twice in the second half of a game largely dominated by the home team, who could just not find a goal to round off their almost constant pressure.

For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Messi makes history as Barca draw



Lionel Messi scored in his 19th successive game with Barcelona's second goal against Celta Vigo
Lionel Messi again made history but his goal was not enough to earn Barcelona a win over relegation-threatened Celta Vigo as they drew 2-2.
The Argentina international is no stranger to treading new ground and his 73rd-minute goal meant he has scored in 19 successive Primera Division matches.
In doing so he has found the net against every other side in the competition - the first player to ever do that in consecutive matches - and he has 29 goals from his last 19.
It would not be the winner, though, with Borja Oubina`s late header earning Celta a point, with Naxto Insa`s opener having been earlier scrubbed out by Cristian Tello`s goal.
It was a good day for Barca, however, with Messi`s latest record being set and Eric Abidal on the bench for the first time since a liver transplant over a year ago.
The France defender did not make it on to the field but his return is a significant one, as is that of coach Tito Vilanova who was not at the game but is back in the country after undergoing chemotherapy in America.
He will have been relatively pleased with his side, too, although they were a little off the pace to start with as Celta, who remain in the bottom three, did all the running.
Augusto Fernandez`s shot was tipped around the post by Jose Pinto and with 38 minutes gone Insa put the home side ahead, slotting in from close range after a smart cross from Fabian Orellana.
Barca would level before the break, though, with Tello being played in down the left by Messi and opening his body before curling a shot across the body of Javi Varas and in to the far corner.
In between times, both sides had seen penalty appeals turned down, with Messi and Chu-young Park both claiming to have been tripped, but both were waved away.
Messi would have an impact after the interval, having a shot smartly saved by Varas and then securing another piece of history with 17 minutes left.
The first goal was reversed, with Tello pulling back from the left and Messi arriving just in time to convert.
It would not secure the points, though, with Oubina`s looping header off Fabian Orellana`s 88th-minute cross and levelling things up.


For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Tottenham climb above beaten Chelsea


Manchester United need ten points to clinch the Premier League title after both they and champions City won on Saturday, but the real story of the afternoon came at Southampton where Chelsea suffered a huge setback in their fight for Champions League football. Arsenal and Tottenham both won as the London trio continue their battle for a top-four finish, and it was a big day for West Ham and Wigan who boosted their survival bids at the bottom.
Rickie Lambert

• Heneage: United bury demons
• Brewin: Adkins shown size of task
• Brassell: Spurs get back on track
• Jolly: Kompany comeback fires City
• Delaney: Hammers buck trend
Chelsea are in great danger of missing out on Champions League football next season after they came away from Southamptonwith a 2-1 defeat, following Rafael Benitez's decision to rest star names for Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay with United. Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert were on the scoresheet for Saints, leaving Chelsea only two points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
Benitez excused Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Demba Ba from his starting XI as he left one eye on the Cup, and Chelsea were punished when Rodriguez exchanged a one-two with Steven Davis before slotting past Petr Cech.
John Terry capitalised on poor Southampton marking to equalise at a corner, but within two minutes Lambert restored Saints' lead prior to half-time, slamming home a wonderful free-kick. Chelsea searched desperately for a route back into the match but Hazard fired agonisingly wide with one of their better efforts, as Saints moved four points clear of danger.
Arsenal capitalised as they welcomed a Reading side guided by new boss Nigel Adkins to Emirates Stadium, chalking up a 4-1 victory without England internationals Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott. Defeat, which was inflicted by Gervinho, Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Mikel Arteta, leaves the Royals seven points from safety with only another seven games to play.
Arsene Wenger had warned his players they are playing for their futures until the end of the season, and the scorer of the opening goal, Gervinho, may have been one of those feeling he had a point to prove. The enigmatic forward struck after 11 minutes - tapping home Cazorla's centre - and the Gunners were then denied a blatant penalty when Giroud was clattered inside the area.
It mattered little when Cazorla capped a fine move with a beautiful curling effort three minutes into the second period, and then Giroud swept home a third after Gervinho's 40-yard run down the flank. Hal Robson-Kanu headed a consolation for the Royals, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ended any hopes of a fightback by winning a penalty that Arteta converted.
Victory for Arsenal keeps them within four points of third-placed Tottenham with a game in hand after Spurs beat Swansea 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium. Andre Villas-Boas may have feared another end-of-season collapse after Spurs suffered back-to-back league defeats prior to the international break, but goals from Jan Verthonghen and Gareth Bale got them back on track.
It took seven minutes for Verthonghen to open the scoring, and it was a finish of which any striker would have been proud as he slotted past Michel Vorm after Bale had hooked the ball into his path. However, Tottenham's second - by Bale - was special. Receiving the ball around the edge of the area he swiped it past Vorm in a flash - leaving the Swansea keeper motionless.
Michael Laudrup's side found a reply with 19 minutes remaining when Michu sent a powerful header off the inside of a post, but an equaliser failed to arrive.
Titus Bramble's unfortunate own goal allowed Manchester United to tighten their stranglehold on a 20th league title with a narrow 1-0 victory at Sunderland. The luckless defender unwittingly turned Robin van Persie's 27th-minute shot past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet after it had also clipped Phil Bardsley on its way to goal.
It proved enough to hand United a seventh successive league victory on a day when they became the first side in Premier League history to record 25 wins from their opening 30 games of a campaign.
The Black Cats were barely in the game before the break but, buoyed by United's failure to build upon their lead, rallied after it without ever testing keeper David De Gea as they extended their run without a league win to eight games, leaving them one point above the drop zone.

Van Persie's shot is deflected in by Sunderland's Titus Bramble
United probably should have killed the game off long before the final whistle, but they did enough to extend their lead at the top of the table, for a few hours at least, to 18 points, the ideal preparation for Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Chelsea.
Manchester City maintained their feint hopes of a title defence with a thumping 4-0 win over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium. Goals from Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Vincent Kompany - in addition to a James Perch own goal - returned the gap at the top to 15 points, while defeat for Alan Pardew's Magpies has them sitting extremely precariously three above the drop zone.
Samir Nasri was at the heart of everything City produced for most of the first half, but it was Tevez who made the breakthrough five minutes before the interval after Gael Clichy's assist. Silva then effectively ended the game by half-time, ramming home at the near post after more good work from Nasri.
City will still hope to end the season with silverware as the FA Cup remains a significant prospect for them, and they helped themselves to more goals in the second period as Kompany diverted Gareth Barry's shot past Rob Elliot. Yaya Toure then rattled in a deflected effort off Perch for number four.
Forward Kevin Mirallas kept Everton's bid for Champions League football alive withthe only goal to increase Stoke's worries as their slide down the table continued.
The Belgium international struck from an electrifyingly quick counter-attack in the first half which left defenders trailing in his wake.
His sixth goal of the season, although only his third in 18 league appearances, was enough to ensure David Moyes' side built on their victory over champions Manchester City before the international break.
At the bottom, Wigan are in the mood for another great escape after they beatNorwich 1-0 at the DW Stadium. Arouna Kone's 81st-minute strike, which should have been saved by Lee Camp, moves the Latics above Aston Villa on 30 points with goal difference keeping them out of the bottom three.
In the day's other 3pm kick-off, West Ham eased any fears they might have had about relegation with a 3-1 victory over West Brom. The Hammers, who netted through Andy Carroll (2) and Gary O'Neil, are now up to 36 points - six clear of the drop.
Carroll opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a booming header, and then O'Neil's delightful clip doubled the advantage inside the half-hour. Carroll then added another, before Graham Dorrans' late penalty for the Baggies. Youssouf Mulumbu was sent off at the death for kicking the ball at O'Neil.



For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.