Premier League round-up: Top three held goalless; Arsenal crashed
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Chelsea squandered the chance to pull clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after a stubborn rearguard action from Newcastle resulted in a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea thought they had taken the lead in the 54th minute when Joe Cole stabbed home from close range after goalkeeper Shay Given parried a shot from Florent Malouda, but his effort was ruled offside.
A free-kick from Frank Lampard was then held by Given on the line with the crowd claiming it was a goal.
The Blues were camped in Newcastle’s half but the lack of penetrating final ball was the real problem as they were being forced to try and break the deadlock with long shots.
The result was a triumph for interim Magpies manager Joe Kinnear, whose contract has been extended for another month.
Liverpool endured a frustrating home match as Fulham battled hard for a 0-0 draw against the title contenders.
The hosts laboured against a well-organised side, who took only their second away point of the campaign.
Not even the return of Fernando Torres to the starting lineup for the first time since October 5 could inspire the Reds.
Liverpool’s best chance fell to Robbie Keane but Mark Schwarzer was out bravely to get his body in the way of the Irishman’s shot from eight yards.
Arsenal slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, deepening their crisis after William Gallas had been dropped and stripped of the captaincy following his outburst in an interview earlier in the week.
A disappointing first half came to life in stoppage time when City took the lead after a mistake in the Arsenal defence.
Stephen Ireland took advantage of a mix-up between Gaël Clichy and Mikaël Silvestre and he coolly lobbed stand-in captain Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal, who were missing Theo Walcott, Cesc Fàbregas, Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Adebayor, fell further behind on 56 minutes when Shaun Wright-Phillips won possession in his own half before releasing a precise pass for Robinho, who lifted the ball over Almunia to claim his ninth goal of the season.
Robin van Persie did find the net after clipping the ball out of Joe Hart’s hand but it was disallowed.
Daniel Sturridge completed the rout in stoppage time from the penalty spot after the substitute had been tripped by Johan Djourou.
The Gunners' fifth defeat of the season - and second in a row - leaves them 10 points behind Chelsea and Liverpool.
After Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal had all failed to score earlier in the day, Manchester United also drew a blank after being held to a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.
February 1993 was the last time a Premier League weekend went by none of the "Big Four" clubs could score.
The hosts could have been awarded a penalty on 58 minutes when Nemanja Vidić hauled Gabriel Agbonlahor to the ground, but the referee amazingly waved play on.
Wayne Rooney had United's best chance of the match but he blazed the ball high into the crowd from just six yards after being played in by a perfect through ball by Michael Carrick.
The draw leaves United remain eight points behind the leading duo Chelsea and Liverpool.
Elsewhere in Premier League on Saturday:
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Technorati tags:Soccer news Football news Premier League Manchester United Chelsea Arsenal Liverpool
Chelsea thought they had taken the lead in the 54th minute when Joe Cole stabbed home from close range after goalkeeper Shay Given parried a shot from Florent Malouda, but his effort was ruled offside.
A free-kick from Frank Lampard was then held by Given on the line with the crowd claiming it was a goal.
The Blues were camped in Newcastle’s half but the lack of penetrating final ball was the real problem as they were being forced to try and break the deadlock with long shots.
The result was a triumph for interim Magpies manager Joe Kinnear, whose contract has been extended for another month.
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Liverpool endured a frustrating home match as Fulham battled hard for a 0-0 draw against the title contenders.
The hosts laboured against a well-organised side, who took only their second away point of the campaign.
Not even the return of Fernando Torres to the starting lineup for the first time since October 5 could inspire the Reds.
Liverpool’s best chance fell to Robbie Keane but Mark Schwarzer was out bravely to get his body in the way of the Irishman’s shot from eight yards.
| 3 - 0 |
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| Stephen Ireland 45 | ||||||||
| Robinho 56 | ||||||||
| Daniel Sturridge(pen) 90 |
Arsenal slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, deepening their crisis after William Gallas had been dropped and stripped of the captaincy following his outburst in an interview earlier in the week.
A disappointing first half came to life in stoppage time when City took the lead after a mistake in the Arsenal defence.
Stephen Ireland took advantage of a mix-up between Gaël Clichy and Mikaël Silvestre and he coolly lobbed stand-in captain Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal, who were missing Theo Walcott, Cesc Fàbregas, Kolo Touré and Emmanuel Adebayor, fell further behind on 56 minutes when Shaun Wright-Phillips won possession in his own half before releasing a precise pass for Robinho, who lifted the ball over Almunia to claim his ninth goal of the season.
Robin van Persie did find the net after clipping the ball out of Joe Hart’s hand but it was disallowed.
Daniel Sturridge completed the rout in stoppage time from the penalty spot after the substitute had been tripped by Johan Djourou.
The Gunners' fifth defeat of the season - and second in a row - leaves them 10 points behind Chelsea and Liverpool.
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After Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal had all failed to score earlier in the day, Manchester United also drew a blank after being held to a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa.
February 1993 was the last time a Premier League weekend went by none of the "Big Four" clubs could score.
The hosts could have been awarded a penalty on 58 minutes when Nemanja Vidić hauled Gabriel Agbonlahor to the ground, but the referee amazingly waved play on.
Wayne Rooney had United's best chance of the match but he blazed the ball high into the crowd from just six yards after being played in by a perfect through ball by Michael Carrick.
The draw leaves United remain eight points behind the leading duo Chelsea and Liverpool.
Elsewhere in Premier League on Saturday:
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Related links:
Also see:
- Premier League round-up: Arsenal's title dream could be over
- Premier League round-up: Anelka fires Chelsea back to top
- Premier League round-up: Nasri stuns United
- Premier League round-up: Martins shoots down Villa
- Premier League round-up: Bolton see off City
Technorati tags:Soccer news Football news Premier League Manchester United Chelsea Arsenal Liverpool
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