Son of a Beach: Liverpool Lose to Freak Goal – EPL Round up
A Beach Ball Outsmarted Liverpool's Defence
On Saturday the Anfield men traveled to Wearside and were soundly defeated by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. This match will be recounted on blooper reels for years to come, as Darren Bent’s lone strike careened into the Liverpool goal off of a beach ball in the 5th minute. The traveling Liverpool fans had thrown this item onto the pitch in their pre-match celebrations, and goalkeeper Pepe Reina was helpless as Bent’s shot splintered off of the comically red inflatable ball. Manager Rafael Benitez did not bother to blame this obstruction as the reason for his side’s loss, as Liverpool were thoroughly outplayed by Sunderland on this occasion. The loss vaults Steve Bruce’s men over the Merseyside club in the league table, with the Reds now sitting in eighth place.
Meanwhile Aston Villa continued to show why they are club to be feared, as the Second City side defeated Chelsea 2-1 at home. The Holte End was in full voice as Richard Dunne and James Collins both scored on set pieces, enraging Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti. The loss drops Chelsea behind Manchester United in the table, with the Red Devils defeating Bolton 2-1 at Old Trafford. Wanderers defender Zat Knight put his side at a disadvantage with a 5th minute own goal, while rising star Antonio Valencia scored the second strike for United in the 33rd minute.
Harry Redknapp returned to Fratton Park as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, watching the north London side claim a 2-1 victory over his former club. Redknapp helped Pompey escape relegation three years ago and guided the south coast club to FA Cup victory in 2007. He was well received by the Fratton Park faithful, but Ledley King and former Pompey striker Jermain Defoe has the last laugh, as both players netted for Spurs in route to their victory. This triumph keeps Tottenham at the top of the table in third place, and Redknapp will hope to continue this trend as his side pursues Champions League football.
Everton drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton at Goodison Park in an incredibly heated affair. Brutal challenges were flying left and right between two sides desperately in need of points (albeit for different reasons). Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard violently shoved a Wolves player to the ground in the dying stages of the match, as the attacker fouled the American in his 18-yard box.
Arsenal thumped Birmingham City 3-1 with Robin Van Persie, Abou Diaby, and Andrei Arshavin all on target for the Gunners. Former Leeds striker Lee Bowyer pulled a goal back for the Blues, but it was not enough to prevent Birmingham from falling into the relegation scrap.
Stoke City delivered a spirited performance at the Britannia Stadium, as James Beattie scored a brace to give the Potters a 2-1 victory over the east London side. The Hammers continue to be in free fall after enjoying a successful 2008 campaign. Manager Gianfranco Zola has only been able to guide his club to five points this term, and if things to do improve changes could be on the horizon.
On Sunday Blackburn faced Burnley in the first top-flight east Lancashire deby in nearly fifty years. This back and forth encounter had both sets of supporters on the edge of their seats, but ultimately the three points fell to Rovers, as Pascal Chimbonda claimed Blackburn’s third goal in the 3-2 thriller.
Manchester City split the points with Wigan at the DW Stadium, as Charles N’Zogbia put the home side ahead only to be equalled by a Martin Petrov wonder strike two minutes later. Despite the draw, City have been relentless in their pursuit of the Premier League title this season, and Mark Hughes’ men are now only five points away from their intercity rivals.
Fulham beat Hull City 2-0 on Monday at Craven Cottage.
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