Sunday 29 April 2012

2-Day EPL Weekend Special LIVE:





Yesterday's EPL Results:


15:00:


Stoke City 1 Arsenal 1
This match was played at The Britannia Stadium, as Stoke hosted 3rd placed Arsenal.


Striker Peter Crouch broke the deadlock in the 9th minute from a deadly header.


Deadly header: Crouch heads past Szczesny to score for Stoke against Arsenal.
'Player of the Year' striker Robin Van Persie equalised for Arsenal, 6 minutes later to make it 1-1.

Van Persie scores his 27th goal in the EPL this season to make it 1-1 against Stoke after 15 minutes.

Pure delight: Robin Van Persie celebrates his goal against Stoke with midfielder Tomas Rosicky.
This is how the match finished. 1-1.

Arsenal stay in 3rd place, with Stoke are in 14th place.




Wigan Athletic 4 Newcastle United 0
This match came from DW Stadium as Wigan hosted 4th placed Newcastle who are fighting for a Champions League qualification place.
Winger Victor Moses scored in the 13rd minute to give Wigan an early lead.
He doubled the lead, 2 minutes 


Swansea City 4 Wolverhampton Wanderers 4


Sunderland 2 Bolton Wanderers 2


Everton 4 Fulham 0


West Bromwich Albion 0 Aston Villa 0


17:30:


Norwich City 0 Liverpool 3




Today's EPL Matches:

Chelsea vs QPR: LIVE at 13:30pm

Tottenham Hotspur vs Blackburn Rovers: LIVE at 16:00pm


Chelsea vs Wigan:

Team Line-ups:

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Cole, Mata, Essien, Lampard, Sturridge, Torres, Kalou.
Subs: Turnbull, Romeu, Ramires, Drogba, Malouda, Meireles, Hutchinson.


QPR: Kenny, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Hill, Taiwo, Mackie, Barton, Derry, Buzsaky, Cisse, Zamora.
Subs: Cerny, Gabbidon, Campbell, Traore, Young, Smith, Wright-Phillips.

Live Commentary:

0: The referee blows the whislte to start this match-up at Stamford Bridge.
Former room-mates Roberto Di Matteo and Mark Hughes are the opposite managers in the dugout today. 
1: GOAL!
Daniel Sturridge takes a stinging drive from 20 yards out which spins and swerves past Paddy Kenny.

Chelsea players mob Daniel Sturridge after his 20-yard opener in the first 45 seconds of the match against QPR.


Dream start for Matteo and Chelsea.

13: GOAL!
Corner whipped into the box by Mata for John Terry who is unmarked.... He heads the ball past Kenny into the net. 
2-0, and Terry waves his hand in the air, (something to do with his dismassal on Tuesday against Barca) before patting his badge.

Defender John Terry heads the ball past Paddy Kenny to make it 2-0 to Chelsea against QPR.
He's earnt it: JT thanks the fans for their continued support after what happened on Tuesday.



18: GOAL!
Fernado Torres is played through in-front of goal and like his goal against Barcelona on Tuesday, gets past the keeper before slotting the ball in the far right corner of the net. 3-0, and it is probably home and dry for Chelsea.


3-0: Torres gets past Kenny with ease before slotting the ball into an empty net.



23: Chelsea are pasing the ball well and ensure ensuring QPR do not get any chance.


24: Defender Nedum Onouha heads the ball towards his goalkeeper Paddy Kenny who drops the ball towards open play, but Torres is there and cooly splots the ball into an empty net. 4-0 now and it's not even half-time yet! Poor defending by QPR, and this could get ugly very soon. 

Celebration time: Fernando Torres celebrates his 2nd goal of the day against QPR to make it 4-0.



28: Nice play by Chelsea, with one touch football from Sturridge, Mata and Torres. The ball comes to Lampard who is closed down well inside the box by Paddy Kenny to stop the scoreline being 5-0.


34: Chelsea still pressing for another goal, possession stats show that The Blues are dominating Rangers right now with 70% to 30% in Chelsea's favour.


35: Chelsea fans are booing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand now after the racial allegations involving him and John Terry.

Not surprising, but disgraceful nonetheless.


41: Foul by QPR midfielder Joey Barton on Chelsea forward Juan Mata. Free-kick to Chelsea, as Mata limps on. 
Replays show that Barton stomped on Mata on purpose to stop the dangerous attack. Lucky to get away without a yellow card.


45: The fourth official on the far side indicates that there will be 2 minutes of stoppage time to be added on here. 


45+2: Referee Howard Webb blows the whistle for half-time at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea comfortably lead 4-0 against their West-London rivals QPR who are still in the relegation battle.


2:25:

45: 
Howard Webb waits for Michael Essien and Daniel Sturridge to get back on the pitch for Chelsea, and we are now underway for the second half. 
Chelsea 4 QPR 0.


49: Sturridge has the ball at his feet inside the QPR half looking to strike at goal, before slipping on the floor and losing the ball.

51: Full-back Ashley Cole with the ball at his feet, he flicks the ball through the defence to forward Juan Mata who is onside and takes a shot at goal..... SAVE by Paddy Kenny!!

Weak shot by Mata, and it was straight at Kenny who comfortably saved (and held!) the ball.

52: QPR are trying to ensure that Chelsea are not getting the ball, or any more clear cut chances as they did in the first half, by passing the ball around well.

54: Striker Jamie Mackie runs on the ball and takes a shot from 20 yards out which is deflected by defender John Terry towards goal... GREAT SAVE!! by Petr Cech!
It was a swerving ball, and the deflection made it worse for Cech to save.. but it is still a clean sheet for Cech. Still 4-0.

59: Torres takes a shot from just outside the box, but the shot is parried by Kenny.

61: Yellow card given to Joey Barton after a late tackle on Juan Mata. He pretends as if nothing happens, trying to con Howard Webb.
I don't think the best referee in England will fall for that...


64: Juan Mata with a through ball to Fernando Torres who calmy placing the ball towards goal.... GOAL!!!

Fernando Torres places the ball past Paddy Kenny for his 3rd goal against QPR and Stamford Bridge.
It's been a long time coming: Torres celebrates his 3rd goal for Chelsea with their loyal fans.


Torres beats Kenny and completes his hat-trick today.

FACT: That is Fernando Torres' first hat-trick for Chelsea, and his first for over 2-and-a-half years.

5-0 to Chelsea.

67: Chelsea SUB:
Florent Malouda ON
Juan Mata OFF


71: Fernando Torres' stats today:
5 shots, 4 on target, 3 goals
Looks like a £50million striker again.

73: QPR striker Djiribil Cisse has a headed shot which narrowly goes over the bar. Close.

75: Chelsea SUB:
Ramires ON
Salomon Kalou OFF

77:  
QPR SUB: 
Shaun Wright-Phillips ON
Bobby Zamora OFF
Zamora has failed to get into this match at all so far and Wright-Phillips' pace will get Chelsea's defence something to think about.

80: Ramires crosses the ball into the box for Malouda. Ferdinand fails to clear the ball out of danger and Malouda simply powerfully taps in a shot past Kenny to make it 6-0.

Too easy: Florent Malouda scores for Chelsea to make it 6-0 against QPR in the 80th minute.


Destruction by Chelsea, and QPR will feel disgusted now.
'Refunds please'

82: Chelsea SUB:
Sam Hutchinson ON

Jose Bosingwa OFF


Hutchinson replaces Bosingwa to partner John Terry in the heart of defence. 
He had to retire due to a serious injury in 2010 (and he is only 19!), but made a remarkable comeback.


Well done, Hutchinson!
Great example to a rising star like me! Never give up!
 

Anyways,

84: Djirbil Cisse hits the ball low and hard past Petr Cech into the net from a good cross by Onouha.

90: The fourth official signals for 3 minutes of stoppage time to be added on here at Stamford Bridge.

90+3: The referee blows the whistle for full-time here. 

Chelsea thrash QPR 6-1 with Torres scoring his first hat-trick in over 2 years.
To be honest, they hardly need to get past fourth gear as QPR were poor in defence and attack, with Cisse providing a consolation goal.
Chelsea move ahead of Tottenham who are yet to play against Blackburn later today, while close behind Newcastle in 4th place.

QPR have more problems as they have to play well against Manchester City and Stoke City if they want to stay in the EPL next season.

They stay in 16th place. 


15:35:

Tottenham Hotpsur vs Blackburn Rovers:

Team Line-ups:


Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Rose, Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale, Van der Vaart, Adebayor.  
Subs: Cudicini, Saha, Giovani, Defoe, King, Livermore, Nelsen.


Danny Rose and Sandro both start for Tottenham.
Jermain Defoe and Louis Saha are the attacking options available for Harry Redknapp on the bench.


Blackburn: Robinson, Orr, Dann, Givet, Marcus Olsson, Formica, Dunn, Lowe, Pedersen, Hoilett, Yakubu.
Subs: Kean, Martin Olsson, Modeste, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Rochina, Goodwillie.

David Goodwillie and Ruben Rochina are both on the bench.
If David Hoilett (pace master, long shot taker) and Yakubu (clinical finisher) can strike up another good performance, they can give Spurs a run for their money.  


16:00: The referee blows the whistle to start the match at White Hart Lane.
Blackburn start the match in 19th place, with Tottenham are in 6th place.


16:45:
Half-time at White Hart Lane.
The home side have dominated throughout and deservedly are ahead at the break.
They were denied a couple of times by the woodwark and the post.
Midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, after winger Gareth Bale's header hit the crossbar and came back to VDV who hit the ball into the net (but the defender tried clearing the ball to protest).


Rafael Van Der Vaart scores a rebound to put Tottenham ahead against Blackburn.
10th of the season: VDV wheels away to celebrate his goal to put Spurs ahead in a crunch match for a CL spot next season.


18:00:
Full-time here at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham comfortably beat Blackburn Rovers by 2 goals to nil.
Blackburn failed to defend properly and will be happy that they were saved by the woodwork and post on several occasions.
Full-back Kyle Walker scored a 30-yard screamer from a free-kick in the 74th minute to give Spurs all three points at home.

Full-back Kyle Walker hits a superb free-kick from 30 yards out to give Tottenham a 2-0 lead against Blackburn.
Absolutely brilliant: Walker celebrates his amazing goal against Blackburn to cap off a great fortnight after winning the PFA 'Young Player of the Year' award last weekend.








See Kyle Walker's screamer against Blackburn here:






Tomorrow:

Manchester City vs Manchester United: LIVE from 20:00pm at The Ethiad Stadium

The title race is all on this match.
If United win tomorrow, they have virtually won the title with 2 matches left and 6 points ahead of Manchester rivals City.
If City win, then only goal difference will be between the two teams.



19:35:
BREAKING NEWS:


West Bromwich Albion have granted permission for The FA to speak to their manager Roy Hodgson about the England job.

Sunday 22 April 2012

Super Sunday EPL Special LIVE, PFA Player (and Young) of the Year Coverage:


Super Sunday EPL Special LIVE:

Today:

12:30pm:

Manchester United 4 Everton 4

This match was played at Old Trafford, as 1st placed United hosted 7th placed Everton. 

Striker Nikica Jelavic broke the deadlock in the 34th minute after heading the ball from an impossible angle past De Gea which hit the post before hitting the net.

Deadlock broken: Jelavic heads Everton ahead against Manchester United in the 34th minute at Old Trafford to make it 1-0.
Shock start: Jelavic celebrates his goal with his team-mates, after he opened the scoring against Manchester United.



Wayne Rooney equalised just before half-time in the 41st minute to ensure Everton would not take a lead into the second half.

Striker Wayne Rooney's header beats goalkeeper Tim Howard to equalise for United in the 41st minute.
After half-time, in the 57th minute striker Danny Welbeck did a fake shot past two defenders before placing the ball into the top right hand corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Power over placement: Young striker Danny Welbeck makes it 2-1 to United with a beautiful effort.
Winger Nani used his incredible pace to push past the Everton defenders before chipping the ball over Tim Howard's head into the goal-mouth in the 61st minute to make it 3-1 to United.

Cheeky chip: Winger Nani chips 'keeper Howard to give United a 3-1 lead in the 61st minute.
If only you knew: Nani celebrates with Evra, Welbeck and Carrick, thinking that the match is over.
In the 69th minute, midfielder Marouane Fellani hit a clean volley past goalkeeper David De Gea to put Everton back into the match from a cross.
Back in the match: Fellani celebrates his goal with his team-mates to make it 3-2 against Manchester United.
2 minutes later, striker Wayne Rooney scored his second goal of the match to give United a 4-2 lead.

Is it over yet? Wayne Rooney scored his 34th goal of the season to make it 4-2 against Everton.
In the 83rd minute, striker Nikica Jelavic scored a late goal to give Everton  hope of getting something out off the match..


6th goal in the EPL: Nikica Jelavic scores his second of the match, to make it 4-3 against United with 5 minutes to play.




2 minutes later, midfielder Steven Pienaar took a shot from inside the box in the 85th minute which beat De Gea before hitting the back off the net to make it 4-4, and complete an amazing comeback.

Steven Pienaar scores his 5th goal of the season, and it was his most important as he made it 4-4 against United.
Comeback kings: Everton celebrate Pienaar's goal to equalise against United and earn a point in the race against their rivals Liverpool for 7th place.



United pressed for a late goal, but Everton stayed strong for the last 10 minutes (5 minutes of stoppage time), and took a well earned point from Old Trafford (while scoring 4 at OT), which is not an easy thing to do.




16:00pm:
 
Wolves 0 Manchester City 2 

This match was played at Molienuex, as 20th placed Wolves HAD to win against Manchester City, or they would be relegated to the Championship.
Manchester City needed a win, to close the gap between them and 1st placed rivals United to only 3 points after United failed to beat Everton earlier in the day.


Striker Sergio Aguero finally broke the deadlock for the away side in the 27th minute after a heap of chances were all wasted.

Finally: Sergio Aguero breaks the deadlock in the 27th minute to give Manchester City the lead at Molienuex.

22nd goal in the EPL: Aguero wheels away to celebrate his goal against Wolves.



Liverpool 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 
This match was played at Anfield, as 8th placed Liverpool had the chance to overtake rivals Everton into 7th place.

Striker Peter Odemiwngie scored the only goal of the match in the 78th minute, to give the away side the three points at Anfield.


PFA Player of the Year Winner:

Robin Van Persie  (Arsenal)

Captain Fantastic: 34 goals this season in all competitions for Van Persie.
2nd place: David Silva (Manchester City)

3rd place: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Untied)


PFA Young Player of the Year Winner:

Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Young startlet: Full-back Kyle Walker is a favourite to play for England at Euro 2012.
2nd place:
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

3rd place:
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea) 

PFA EPL Team of the Year:


Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defenders: Vincent Kompany, Fabricio Coloccini, Leighton Baines, Kyle Walker. 
Midfielders: Yaya Toure, David Silva, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale.
Strikers: Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.



Saturday 21 April 2012

Today's EPL Results, News and Analysis:

Today's EPL Results and Analysis:


12:45:


Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

This match was played at The Emirates Stadium, as 3rd placed Arsenal hosted 6th placed Chelsea on the back of a 1-0 win against Barcelona on Wednesday. 

Full-back Kieran Gibbs scored an offside goal in the second half for Arsenal, but apart from this nothing went into the net.
Captain Robin Van Persie had a few chances at goal, but he was denied by the woodwork and Petr Cech's solid goalkeeping. 
Winger Theo Walcott had to come off, with a hamstring injury in the second half.

Striker Robin Van Persie takes an aerial shot inside the box but is denied by the woodwork.
Denied: Van Persie's shot is well saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Seen: Mikel Arteta is shown with a crutch and a protective boot after the injury suffered against Wigan watching Arsenal.



There were 7 yellow cards throughout this match:
3 for Arsenal, 4 for Chelsea.
(Van Persie, Rosicky, Diaby, Cahill, Cole, Malouda and Bosingwa)


Arsenal missed the chance to move further away from Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea with a goal-less draw against London rivals Chelsea who are in 6th place...



15:00:


Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 0

This match was played at Villa Park, as Aston Villa hosted Sunderland. 

Goal-less draw was the score at full-time, which was not a good result for either side who have seperate goals. Villa move closer towards the relegation zone while Sunderland have slipped down the pecking order in the EPL with a few draws of late.


Fulham 2 Wigan Athletic 1

This match was played at Craven Cottage, as 11th placed Fulham hosted 17th placed Wigan who are on the back of two big wins against Manchester United and Arsenal, but still have a long way to go if they want to stay up in the Prem this season.. 

In the 57th minute, Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce gave the visitors the lead to make it 1-0.

Delight: Defender Emmerson Boyce celebrates his goal to break the deadlock against Fulham.


1 minute later, the home side equalised after striker Pavel Pogrebnyak scored his 6th goal for Fulham after returning to action from an ankle injury. 

I'm back to business: Pavel Pogbrenyak celebrates with his team-mates after equalising against Wigan.


Defender Phillipe Senderos scored a header in the 89th minute to give Fulham the late win. 

Heads I score: Senderos heads Fulham into the lead in the 89th minute to give Fulham all three points at home.



Fulham move up to 9th place with only a point behind 7th placed Everton.
Wigan stay in 17th place, but fail to move further away from the relegation zone, with only 34 points from 35 matches.



Blackburn Rovers 2 Norwich City 0

This match was played at Ewood Park, as 19th placed Blackburn hosted 12th placed Norwich.
Midfielder Mauro Formica opened the scoring for Blackburn in the 41st minute. 

Winger David 'Junior' Holiett made it 2, in the 49th minute.


This was how the match finished, with Blackburn moving one place up into 18th.
Norwich stay 12th.



Newcastle United 3 Stoke City 0
This match was played at Sports Direct Arena as 5th placed Newcastle looked to boost their Champions League qualification hopes.


Bolton Wanderers 1 Swansea City 1 



17:30: 


Tottenham Hotspur 0 QPR 1


This match was played at White Hart Lane, as 5th placed Spurs had the chance to move back into 4th place against a QPR side who are unpredictable.


Former Spurs player Adel Taarabt scored the only goal for the away side in the 23th minute from a free-kick, to break the deadlock.
QPR winger Adel Taarabt scores a free-kick at Loftus Road to break the deadlock against Tottenham.




He got a yellow card in the 43rd minute, and after a stupid decision, he was given a red card in the 78th minute, (when a free-kick was awarded to Tottenham and he kicked the ball away, he got a second booking).



EPL News: 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that although winger Theo Walcott is ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury suffered against Chelsea this afternoon, he should be ok for Euro 2012.

Wenger also hopes that world class captain Robin Van Persie signs a new contract with The Gunners, before Euro 2012.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that he is interested in Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, but said that wages could be a problem for him.

Everton manager David Moyes says that a top 10 finish this season would be 'great'.
Try 'top 8'. 


Villa boss Alex McLeish expects captain Gabriel Agbonlahor to stay at Aston Villa throughout the rest of his career.
Is he sure?!


Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill admits he will have to strengthen his squad in the summer, if he wants a 'top 10' finish next season.

Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is out for the rest of the season with a torn cruciate ligament.
Surely they are going back into the Championship now?! 

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admits that he is interested in Manchester City full-back/defender Micah Richards, and could line up a £15million bid in the Summer. 


Shakhtar Donetsk have told Chelsea that they can have winger Willian, but only for £24million.


Both Manchester United and Manchester City are in a battle to sign Valencia left-back Jordi Alba.


Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt will leave Liverpool this summer, with Roma and Fiorentina both interested.


Newcastle United are looking at FC Twente striker Luuk de Jong to replace Demba Ba.


Arsenal are planning a £15million bid for Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge.


Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is on the shortlist for the GB squad, even though interim manager Stuart Pearce has promised not to pick anyone selected for Euro 2012 for the London Olympics...


French side Marseille have reportedly won the chase to sign Blackburn winger Junior Holiett.





PFA Player of the Year Award Nominees:

Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)
Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)
Sergio Aguero (Man City)
Joe Hart (Man City)
Scott Parker (Tottenham)
David Silva (Man City)

Favourite:
Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie 


The Arsenal captain has scored 34 goals this season in all competitions - more than any other player in the EPL.


PFA Player of The Year Award Nominees: 


Sergio Aguero (Man City)
Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
Danny Welbeck (Man Utd)
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain (Arsenal)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham)


Favourite to win:
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero


Favourite: Manchester City's leading top scorer this season, with 28 goals.



(MORE TO FOLLOW SOON) 

Sunday 15 April 2012

LIVE Coverage of the EPL (Round 34) and FA Cup Semi-Final:

LIVE Commentary and Coverage of Manchester United vs Aston Villa and Chelsea vs Tottenham:

Manchester United vs Aston Villa: LIVE from 16:00pm
This match will come from Old Trafford as EPL leaders Manchester United have the chance to move 5 points clear of rivals Manchester City in 2nd placed who beat Norwich 6-1 yesterday.
Aston Villa who are in 15th place, have a job to do if they are to beat United.
Team news coming from 15:00pm




Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur:

Two London rivals face each other at Wembley for a place in the final of the FA Cup.
Chelsea may rest some of their most experienced players, as they have to play against Barcelona in the semi-final of the Champions League early next week.
Liverpool will face the winner of this match, in the final in May.

Team news coming from 17:30pm

This has all of the makings of being an epic semi-final between these two. 
Expect controversy, drama, tackles, fouls, cards galore and a lot of talent. 

Manchester United vs Aston Villa:
Team Line-ups:

Man Utd:

De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Young, Scholes, Rooney, Welbeck. 
Subs: Amos, Jones, Berbatov, Nani, Cleverley, Hernandez and Giggs.

United have a strong first team, with a strong bench also. Nani, Ryan Giggs and Javier Hernandez are among the subs. 
Winger Ashley Young starts against his old club Aston Villa.


Aston Villa:

Given, Hutton, Lichaj, Collins, Baker, Bannan, Ireland, Clark, Gardner, Agbonlahor, Weimann. 
Subs: Guzan, N'Zogbia, Heskey, Delfouneso, Cuellar, Johnson and Carruthers. 

Midfielder Charles N'Zogbia and strikwe Nathan Delfouneso are both the attacking options that manager Alex Mcleish has on his subs bench today against United. He may need them... 


FACT: Villa last beat Manchester United in 2009. Can they shock them again today?!

EPL News: 

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed young defender Fabio will go out on loan next season.
He is not getting as much first-team action, as he could so a loan spell is not a bad idea.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has thanked manager Roberto Mancini for keeping faith in him. 

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko wants midfielder Luka Modric to join Manchester City this Summer. 
Modric may want to leave Tottenham in the summer, if they fail to get Champions League football.

Winger Royston Drenthe is ready to move to the other side of Merseyside to join Liverpool on a permanent deal in the Summer from Real Madrid.

Chelsea's £8million goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois wants to stay another season at boyhood club Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka wants to leave Tottenham at the end of the season, and join German side Bayer Leverkusen in a permanent deal, after having a successful loan spell.

Manchester United coaches are scouting in Spain for Athletic Bilbao winger Iker Muniain. Reports suggest that a £20million bid is being lined up by Sir Alex Ferguson.

15:45:
Manchester United vs Aston Villa: LIVE
It is half-time at Old Trafford here.
Striker Wayne Rooney broke the deadlock for the home side in the 7th minute, from the penalty spot after winger and former Villa player Ashley Young was tripped by defender Ciaran Clark inside the box. 

Should be in the Olympic Diving team: Ashley Young with a dive inside the box after a small trip by Ciaran Clark.
Striker Wayne Rooney cooly slots away a goal from the penalty spot to give United the lead after 7 minutes.
Mobbed: Manchester United celebrate scoring from the penalty spot. Rooney has now scored 23 goals this season.


In the 44th minute, striker Danny Welbeck doubled United's lead after some poor defending which allowed him to strike at the far post.


Danny Welbeck takes advantage of some poor Villa defending to slide in a goal at the far end to give United a 2-0 lead going into half-time.


FACT: Manchester United have now been awarded 11 penalties this season.
More than any other side in the EPL this season, and the most since Chelsea in the 2009-10 season.


We are into the last 10 minutes, with Wayne Rooney scoring his 2nd goal of the day with the outside of the foot in the 74th minute before being substituted for Dimitar Berbatov.
Paul Scholes and Ashley Young have both been subbed and Tom Cleverley and Luis Nani have both come on.

Aston Villa have looked more lively in the second half, especially when striker Emile Heskey replaced injured defender Ciaran Clark. 


17:55:
FULL-TIME:
Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 0

Winger Nani chipped goalkeeper Shay Given in the 90+2nd minute to make it 4-0 to United, to complete a thrashing against Villa, and keep the presure on 2nd placed rivals City who are now 5 points away from United...



Aston Villa did not help themselves in the match, with comical and sloppy (not to mention!) poor defending which gave United three points without getting into top gear.

For instance, Wayne Rooney who hardly played well today, scored twice.
United had 18 shots at goal, and could have easily scored 6 or 7 goals today.
Alex McLeish should have started Charles N'Zogbia and Emile Heskey, as they had a direct impact on the match and made United sweat in defence.



FA Cup Semi-Final LIVE from Wembley:


Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea: LIVE
60 minutes gone at Wembley, as London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea face each other in a tense derby match.

Striker Didier Drogba scored a bullet from 16 yards out to beat goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead going into half-time.

Bullet: Didier Drogba avoids a tackle from Tottenham defender William Gallas to score a belter past Cudicini.


Celebration time: Didier Drogba scores his 1st goal of the FA Cup this season to give Chelsea the lead against Tottenham in the semi-final.


Controversy gave Chelsea another goal in the 49th minute, after defender David Luiz's header was parried by goalkeeper Brad Friedel before winger Juan Mata's shot hit two defenders near the goal-line before being cleared away by full-back Assou-Ekotto, WITHOUT actually crossing the line.

Controversy: The referee gave Chelsea the goal, even though the ball CLEARLY DID NOT cross the line and was cleared away.

Winger Gareth Bale scored a tap-in after Adebayor was fouled by Petr Cech inside the box in the 56th minute, to give Tottenham hope of a Wembley final against Liverpool in May. 

12th of the season: Winger Gareth Bale's tap-in made it 2-1 against Chelsea.
Midfielder Ramires made it 3-1 with a delicate chip past Cudicini in the 77th minute, after a long run with pace.

Before key midfielder Frank Lampard ended the match and Tottenham's FA Cup for another season in the 81st minute after a curling and fast free-kick which flew past the wall and the goalkeeper before feriously hitting the back of the net.

Midfielder Frank Lampard's curling free-kick from 30 yards out beat the wall and Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini to make it 4-1 to Chelsea.



FA Cup Final:

Chelsea vs Liverpool: LIVE from Wembley on Saturday May the 5th.