Chelsea 0 Sunderland 3: Black Cats spring surprise of the season with stunning win at Stamford Bridge to dent leaders

By MATT BARLOW

Three and easy: Danny Welbeck scores Sunderland's third goal


Strange goings-on at the top of the Barclays Premier League and never before has Ray Wilkins looked like such a tactical genius.

Chelsea were destroyed by Sunderland, plain and simple. Nedum Onuoha, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck scored the goals and it would have been several more but for the brilliance of Petr Cech. Craig Gordon, meanwhile, barely had to make a save.

Steve Bruce deserves credit for storming Stamford Bridge and moving up to sixth a fortnight after humiliation in Newcastle, but it is Carlo Ancelotti's season teetering.

The shock sacking of Wilkins last week, after a win over Fulham, may have had little technical impact on this defeat - the absence of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien was a far bigger factor - but it rocked a club who were making serene progress at the top of the table.

Manager Ancelotti opposed the move and captain Terry was upset, devoting a third of his programme notes to his sadness at 'an unexpected decision'. 'Ray was a great person to have around,' said Terry. 'He would pick you up when you were down.'


On target: Asamoah Gyan doubles Sunderland's lead at Stamford Bridge


In which case, he will be missed this week. Chelsea have not been thrashed this soundly at home since Roman Abramovich bought the club. The last time was a 3-0 loss to Manchester United in April 2002.


Luckily for Ancelotti, Abramovich was absent. The Chelsea boss, a Double winner in his first season at the club, was jeered by the home crowd for taking off Florent Malouda, but cheered for removing Ramires 11 minutes later.


The £18million Brazilian is not quite up to the pace of the English game. A win would have eased Chelsea five points clear of Arsenal at the top, but Sunderland fancied their chances of an upset against a skinny squad, with Ramires, John Obi Mikel and Yury Zhirkov starting in midfield.

The trio who began the defeat at Liverpool a week earlier lacked the resonance of Lampard, Essien and Michael Ballack.

Terry pulled out hours before kick-off, after a nagging sciatic nerve problem flared up on Saturday and worsened overnight.

With Alex also injured, Ancelotti overlooked teenage centre half Jeffrey Bruma and paired full back Paulo Ferreira with Branislav Ivanovic. Last time they played together, they conceded three in a Carling Cup defeat at Blackburn. Yesterday they were torn to shreds by Welbeck, Gyan and Sunderland's midfield movement.

Ivanovic's normal consistency evaporated and he was lucky not to be sent off for a cynical foul on Welbeck.


Giving Chelsea the Blues: Nedum Onuoha takes on Branislav Ivanovic before scoring Sunderland's opener


In recent years, when Chelsea have slipped, big personalities have saved the day.

They were missing here, with Didier Drogba out of sorts after a bout of malaria. Sunderland were without Darren Bent, but seized the chance to dominate the champions.
Cech made two terrific first-half saves from Welbeck within minutes. The first was exceptional, a strong left hand to a header from Onuoha's cross. He then spread his body to block a shot after Welbeck had raced on to Gyan's pass.

Then came a double save. Cech denied Gyan in a one-on-one, then scrambled to block Kieran Richardson's attempt to squeeze the rebound in from a narrow angle.


Happy days: Onuoha celebrates after putting Sunderland in front


No-one had got past him in the Premier League at the Bridge since John Carew's consolation during Aston Villa's 7-1 defeat in March.


The shut-out had reached 916 minutes when Sunderland right back Onuoha, on loan from Manchester City, collected a clearance and danced past feeble challenges from Mikel, Jose Bosingwa and Ivanovic for a cool finish.

Gyan scored the second soon after the break. His clinical finish matched the sweetest of passing moves, with the defence-splitter coming from Jordan Henderson, in a fine display for Fabio Capello ahead of his first England game.

At a glance, there was little to satisfy Capello yesterday, with Terry forced out, still no Lampard, and Ashley Cole hobbling on his troublesome ankle before a lapse that gifted Welbeck the killer third in the 87th minute.

But seven Englishmen started for Sunderland. Henderson, Richardson and Lee Cattermole were impressive. Titus Bramble, Michael Turner and Onuoha were solid in defence, as they were at Tottenham in midweek. Above all, Welbeck looked fresh and dangerous.

With English strikers an endangered species, Capello could do worse than promote the teenager, on loan from Manchester United, from the Under 21 squad.

Welbeck's first goal for Sunderland was simple, as Cole's pass to Cech went straight to him. Bruce's team pushed for more. Cattermole went close and it was Chelsea who were grateful for the final whistle.




source: dailymail

Stoke 2 Liverpool 0: Fuller and Jones lift City into top half and end Reds' mini revival

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

Lucky break: Ricardo Fuller (2nd L) celebrates scoring against Liverpool


Liverpool's stuttering mini-revival petered out in dismal fashion as they lost 2-0 to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

A six-match unbeaten run came to end as they were outfought, outplayed and outmanoeuvred by Tony Pulis' side.

Ricardo Fuller opened the scoring just after half-time and Kenwyne Jones completed a comprehensive victory in the final minute before Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The Potters were more than worth their win against a team who appear to have lost their way as quickly as they found it.
They have won away from home only once this season and only three times since last November.

Their first 45 minutes appeared to be a direct continuation of the second half at Wigan, where they had found themselves under almost constant pressure and were lucky to come away with a draw

Only the returning Sotirios Kyrgiakos had not played in the previous two matches so there may have been an element of fatigue, especially as Stoke played a day earlier on Tuesday.

But no team in the Premier League, let alone a club like Liverpool, can expect to use that as an excuse for an abject and disjointed first-half display.

Roy Hodgson's side appeared unprepared and unable to deal with their hosts' brash, energetic approach which allowed them to dominate the game from first to last.

Stoke were appealing unsuccessfully for a penalty in only the second minute when Maxi Rodriguez leant heavily on Ricardo Fuller as they challenged for Rory Delap's long throw.

It was a sign of things to come as the visitors found themselves being forced back, looking worrying susceptible to Delap's trademark set-piece.

Midfielder Dean Whitehead benefited from weak headed clearances to fire in a low shot which Jose Reina turned around a post and then drill a similar 30-yard effort just past the angle of upright and crossbar.

Jones and former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant also had chances before Steven Gerrard registered Liverpool's first shot in the 29th minute, forcing Asmir Begovic to tip the low effort behind, although the goalkeeper dealt more comfortably with Raul Meireles strike from the resulting corner.


Flippin' marvellous: Kenwyne Jones celebrates his strike in acrobatic fashion


It was a brief retort which was soon forgotten when Jones rounded Paul Konchesky to cross low into the six-yard box, forcing Jamie Carragher to dive in front of Matthew Etherington to prevent the opening goal.

Less than two minutes into the second half Fernando Torres, who had been anonymous previously, was booked for tackling Pennant from behind.

But the real threat was still coming from Delap and Liverpool's inability to cope with his party trick finally cost them in the 56th minute.

A scramble saw the ball break to Etherington at the far post and his cross-shot bounced back off Konchesky to Fuller, whose had his first effort blocked but stabbed home the second from close range.

Despite the stereotype, it was Stoke's first goal from a Delap party-piece in 23 league matches.

Jones almost made it two when Martin Skrtel mistimed his jump but his left-footed effort beat both Reina and the far post.


Hot under the collar: Less than a week after beating Chelsea, Roy Hodgson heard calls for Kenny Dalglish


Liverpool, as they did in the first half, had two chances in quick succession with Rodriguez shooting straight at Begovic from Dirk Kuyt's cut-back and Skrtel firing wide from Kyrgiakos' knockdown of Gerrard's free-kick.

David Ngog and Ryan Babel replaced Meireles and Rodriguez but with Liverpool still unable to gain decent possession of the ball it made little difference they effectively had four strikers on the pitch.

Their embarrassment was completed in the 90th minute when Gerrard gave the ball away and Jones was able to skip past Skrtel to fire home.

The dismissal of Lucas just compounded matters.

In terms of territory and control Liverpool have now lost the last five halves they have played in.

The 45 minutes prior to that had been the electrifying first-half display against Chelsea but team now appear to be on a downward spiral again.

It is a descent Hodgson has to arrest quickly. He left the Britannia Stadium with chants of 'Dalglish' - a reference to former player and manager Kenny - ringing in his ears.




source: dailymail

Manchester City 0 Birmingham 0: Fans turn on Mancini as Blues stutter to hapless draw

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

Making the change: Mancini withdrew Tevez from the game to the anger of the City faithful


Roberto Mancini felt the full weight of frustration as his Manchester City side were booed off after their second goalless draw in four days at Eastlands.

Just as against Manchester United on Wednesday, the entertainment value was sadly lacking, except this time City were playing against a side who could be in the bottom three by tomorrow evening.

James Milner came closest to breaking the deadlock, 15 seconds after the interval, when his shot was cleared off the line by Stephen Carr.

It was not impressive stuff though for a side who, whilst remaining in a Champions League position, have now won just one match from their last five Premier League outings and have not scored a league goal on home soil since the beginning of October.

That Mancini compounded this by taking crowd favourite Carlos Tevez off before the end, and replacing him with Gareth Barry, just heightened a sense of unhappiness at the sight of an obdurate Birmingham outfit heading back down the M6 with a precious point.

As Birmingham turned out in a red away kit that could have passed for Manchester United, it was easy to believe this was simply a continuation of Wednesday night's awful fare.


Scrappy: Vincent Kompany and Nikola Zigic fight for the ball


There were obvious differences. For a start, Birmingham were intent on defending their penalty area, a tactic that became apparent within the first five minutes.

Aleksandar Kolarov was introduced for only his second start of the season, a notable figure if only because he came across from his left-back station to take City's right-wing corners.

And Adam Johnson was picked, offering the England star to match his words of discontent about forcing himself into Mancini's plans so infrequently, with meaningful action.


Throwing caution to the wind: Roberto Mancini's late substitution of Carlos Tevez for Gareth Barry told its own story


Unfortunately, the end product was depressingly similar to a midweek derby generally acknowledged to be one of the worst of recent times.

If anything, due to a chronic lack of atmosphere mainly, this was even worse.

Ben Foster did not have a first half save to make, or at least the one he did need to make but failed, turned out to be of no consequence anyway as Carlos Tevez was ruled to have handled David Silva's cross to get it past the England man.


Deadlock: James Milner came closest to opening the scoring for Manchester City


Referee Mike Jones got that call right, just as he was probably correct to rule it was not a penalty when Liam Ridgewell went down under Johnson's challenge.

It was more a case of accidentally tripping over someone's feet by the Birmingham full-back, who did not complain, even if manager Alex McLeish did.
Kolarov, Tevez and Johnson drove ambitious efforts wide, drawing groans from home supporters who clearly expect much better.

They came very close to getting it within 15 seconds of the restart.

Having organised his defence so well, McLeish must have been startled at how easily they were undone in route one fashion when James Milner breached their defences.

Foster repelled the midfielder's first effort but Milner seemed sure to tuck the rebound home, only for Carr to pop up and make a fine goalline clearance.
It emphasised the greater purpose City had found during the interval, even if Tevez, Milner and, most glaringly, Yaya Toure wasted decent chances.

Toure is yet to win over the Blues support since his summer arrival from Barcelona on a reputed salary in excess of £200,000 a week.

For that money, more is anticipated that a rushed finish to a move in which both Milner and David Silva created space for the imposing Ivorian to shoot.
Toure has been part of a spending spree over the past two transfer windows that has turned Roque Santa Cruz into City's forgotten man.

The Paraguayan, signed by Mark Hughes from Blackburn in an £18million deal 17 months ago, admitted earlier this week that he would be seeking pastures new in January.

However, with Emmanuel Adebayor missing due to a bruised heel and his side starting to run out of ideas, Mancini opted to introduce Santa Cruz into a Premier League encounter for the first time this season.



Committed defending: A rare outing for Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz was thwarted by Ben Foster and Roger Johnson


The Paraguayan almost had an instant impact too, slipping an intelligent pass through for Tevez, who dragged his shot wide.

As thoughts of an upturn in fortunes increasingly looked like being an illusion, frustration in the stands turned to fury when Tevez was replaced by Gareth Barry seven minutes from time.

Tevez raised a rueful eyebrow as he took his place in the dug-out, leaving Mancini to face the ire of his own supporters.


source: dailymail

Wolves 0 Arsenal 2: Let-off for skipper Cesc Fabregas as quick-fire Marouane Chamakh seals win

By NEIL MOXLEY

Early doors: Marouane Chamakh put Arsenal ahead in the first minute


Cesc Fabregas faced the wrath of Molineux after Marouane Chamakh provided Arsene Wenger with the perfect response to his weekend woes.

Arsenal skipper Fabregas left the field in the knowledge that Arsenal had secured three points thanks to a classy double from the Moroccan international. But he did so too with the jeers of an angry crowd ringing in his ears.

A horrible lunge on Wolves' Stephen Ward three minutes from time had invoked the ire of the home fans, who were incensed by the tackle itself, the fact that referee Mark Halsey had given a yellow card instead of a red and the sight of the player departing down the tunnel on a stretcher.

Chamakh scored the fastest goal by Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League, finding the net after 38 seconds. After the incident involving Fabregas that caused such a vicious reaction, the former Bordeaux striker wrapped up the points with the last kick of the game.

It was enough to tip a home fans over the edge as Fabregas left the field. A water bottle and a few coins were hurled in his direction as he was shepherded down the tunnel.

Managers Mick McCarthy and Arsene Wenger seemed to exchange words at the final whistle but it was as if the incident had never happened afterwards as both feared a public relations backlash for different reasons.


Floored: The Wolves medical staff attend to Stephen Ward


Fabregas went to the home dressing- room to apologise. That was accepted. McCarthy spoke out in defence of everyone 'manning-up' and accepting that tackles are made and sometimes mis-timed. Wenger has been a vociferous critic of reckless tackles. With some justification.

However, before last night, his team were bottom of the Fair Play League with four red cards to their credit already. The last thing he needed was another inquest into Arsenal's own disciplinary shorcomings.



'I have always said I like tackling and the physical game and the commitment of the physical game in England,' said Wenger. 'But it's down to the referees to make the rules respected.'


McCarthy added: 'I've not problem with the tackle and I appreciate the apology from him.'

Wolves' fans reacted after being cast in the role of fall-guys this season. McCarthy admitted that the reaction to Karl Henry's challenge on Wigan's Jordi Gomez had caused unwanted distraction. No wonder he was anxious to draw a line under the affair.

Just as desperate as Wenger to grab the points after Lukasz Fabianski's blunder helped Newcastle to victory on Sunday. The Poland internat ional however, was certainly in credit last night.

He kept out one deflected Matt Jarvis cross, pulled off a magnificent tip-over to deny Kevin Doyle. But his stop in injury-time, denying Nenad Milijas was the pick of the bunch. Moments later, Chamakh raced on to a pass from Fabregas, just to rub salt into the wounds, to wrap up the points.

It did not look like Fabianski would be needed at all early on as Wolves failed with the basics. Tomas Rosicky fed Alex Song on the right and the midfielder delivered a superb cross for Chamakh to head his seventh goal of the season.


Andrey Arshavin caused all sorts of problems. Marcus Hahnemann blocked well and did so again from Fabregas as Arsenal threatened to overwhelm the hosts.


But slowly Wolves gained a foothold. Fabianski had been called into action in the first-half and made a laudable attempt to keep out a deflected shot. But his stop as the hour approached from Doyle was truly top-class.

Suddenly, from nowhere, Wolves were on the front foot. Stephen Hunt's corner was flicked on at the far post and, had Stearman connected cleanly, Rosicky would not have been able to hack clear.

Fabianski saved his best until last with his breath-taking stop from Milijas, who fired through a group of players from the edge of the area.

Even though most of the crowd's attention was still upon Fabregas, the keeper was swamped by his delirious team-mates at the final whistle.

'Someone gave me a bit of duff information,' said McCarthy wistfully at the final whistle. 'They told me he wouldn't be playing. Typical.'


source: dailymail

Stoke City 3 Birmingham City 2: Dean Whitehead's late show gives Tony Pulis reason to smile

By NEIL MOXLEY

Decider: Dean Whitehead wheels away in delight after scrambling home Stoke's winner late on


Tony Pulis has bemoaned his luck with referees in recent weeks but the Stoke manager had just cause to toast Mark Clattenburg on Tuesday night.

Pulis has been on the wrong end of several decisions this season but Tyneside official Clattenburg went some way to redress the balance on a night of vastly contrasting emotions.

Alex McLeish's Birmingham side had looked down and out as they chased a two-goal deficit going into the final quarter of the game, only for strikes by substitute Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome to put them within sight of an unlikely point.

But then Dean Whitehead burst forward to fire a controversial winning goal. The midfielder clearly handled the ball, as he chased Ricardo Fuller's knock-down and Birmingham's defenders dithered as they appealed for the infringement.

Whitehead continued his run and lifted the ball over Birmingham goalkeeper Ben Foster after it had bounced into his path off Scott Dann, ending Stoke's four-match run of defeats.


Stunner: Ricardo Fuller curls in a brilliant effort to put Stoke 2-0 up early in the second half


Pulis promoted relegation for poor officials in the build-up. But he failed to spot any problem with the winning goal.

'I didn't see it,' he said. 'Not at all. I'm being serious. I have to say that I thought Mark was very good. If he didn't see that, then we are very pleased.'

Stoke had bossed the first half and Birmingham had not looked comfortable as the home side showed no hint of nervousness despite their lowly league position.

It was only a combination of desperate last-gasp defending and two superb stops from Foster that had kept the visitors in it.

However, Foster could do little with the opening goal. Fuller's shot was halfblocked by Barry Ferguson and defender Robert Huth drilled home.


Volley good: Moments after Fuller's goal, Keith Fahey produces another fantastic strike to get Birmingham back in the game


Incredibly, Huth saw another header blocked on the goal-line by Fuller and Foster also pulled off a superb block to deny Rory Delap. Pulis's frustration was clear as he threw his water bottle on to the floor.

Birmingham had been desperately poor in the opening half but it was a different story after the break. Moments before Fuller added a second, Danny Higginbotham hacked the ball wildly against his own post.

But from a Birmingham corner, Stoke broke superbly. Fuller was chased by Ferguson as he collected the ball on the right. He cut inside before curling a superb shot into the corner.


Level pegging: Cameron Jerome celebrates after scoring Birmingham's second goal to bring the scores level


That appeared to be that. Not so. McLeish threw on Keith Fahey for the ineffective Jean Beausejour and the Ireland international responded by firing a superb shot into the bottom corner of Asmir Begovic's net.


Three minutes later, Birmingham were level. Seb Larsson's cross was deftly glanced past Begovic and the Britannia Stadium, which had been jumping five minutes earlier, was suddenly nervous.

Craig Gardner burst forward and forced Begovic to tip the ball over the bar but the good fortune that Pulis had been seeking arrived when the ball arrived at Whitehead's feet.

McLeish said: 'It was a bittersweet evening. We never really got going in the first half. They unnerved us. Our passing was all over the place.

'Then, after about 60 minutes we looked a different team. But we are where we are because we are giving away too many goals. We have had some decisions not go for us and we are giving away sloppy goals.

'We got away with it last season but we aren't going to go anywhere unless we cut out the silliness at the back.'


One up: Robert Huth raises his arms aloft after giving Stoke a first half lead


source: dailymail