The Weekend's Fixture Previews, EPL Transfers and News:

Hello and welcome to my EPL Blog, where I will be talking about the upcoming weekend's fixture previews, the LATEST transfer news and general news in the EPL.

EPL Transfer News and General News:

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Marseille and Spainish right-back Cesar Azpilicueta for £7million.

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta for £7million.

New Blue: Azpilicueta has been seen training at Chelsea after transferring from Marseille.

Building chemistry: Azpilicueta trains with news team-mates Lampard, Torres, Merieles and Benayoun.

West Ham United have confirmed that they have broken the club record transfer fee, by signing Wolves winger Matthew Jarvis for £10.75million on a five-year contract deal. 

Bye Bye Wolves: Winger Matthew Jarvis joins London club West Ham for a club record fee of £10.75million.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out making any more signings before the close of the transfer window closes next Friday night.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he could spend again before the transfer window closes and admits there could also be further departures at the club.

Sunderland have completed the £12million signing of Wolves striker Steven Fletcher on a four-year deal.

More attacking options: Sunderland have confirmed the £15million signing of Wolves striker Stephen Fletcher.

Bolstering the attack: Wolves striker Steven Fletcher has joined Sunderland for £12million.

Spainish giants Barcelona are both interested in signing defender David Luiz, and are ready to test the waters with a £30million offer. 

Manchester City have had a £30million bid for Chelsea defender David Luiz rejected. Can Barca tempt Chelsea with an improved offer?

Liverpool look to have won the race against Arsenal for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.

Sunderland have had a £10million bid accepted by Manchester City for winger Adam Johnson. He has agreed personal terms with the club and has signed a four-year contract deal with Sunderland. 

Big transfer news: Sunderland have confirmed the £10million signing of Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.

(MORE TO FOLLOW SOON) 

Saturday's Matches (15:00 unless stated):

Swansea City vs West Ham United: LIVE at 12:45pm

This match will be played at The Liberty Stadium, as Swansea host West Ham in South Wales.  
Both sides won their opening match last weekend, and they will be hoping for another three points tomorrow.

Team News:

Swansea:

Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng has joined Swansea today, but will not be included in the squad.

Swansea have confirmed the £5.5million signing of Celtic midfielder Ki Sung Yueng, but he will not be available for tomorrow's match because of international clearance.

Winger Scott Sinclair will feature again in  the squad, despite rejecting to sign a new contract and wanting a move (City making a £5million bid). 
Defender Chico Flores is a fitness doubt for the match, having a groin problem and will undergo a fitness test with new signing Kyle Bartley a potential replacement for him.


West Ham:

New £10.75million signing Matthew Jarvis will go straight into new manager Sam Allardyce's squad for the match tomorrow against Swansea.

Midfielder Jack Collison (knee) remains sidelined while new defensive midfielder Alou Diarra and Modibo Maiga are in contention to break into the starting 11.

PREDICTION:

Swansea should have too much quality with new signing Michu, Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer for a West Ham side who do have a secret weapon in Kevin Nolan and Matthew Jarvis. Swansea should win, but it could be a draw or a slight shock on the cards.

Aston Villa vs Everton:

This match will be played at Villa Park, as Aston Villa host Everton looking for their first win against a strong Everton squad that beat Manchester United on Monday night.

Team News:

Aston Villa: 

Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso will boost manager Paul Lambert's attacking options after being cleared to face Everton tomorrow afternoon.

The forward missed last weekend's opening defeat against West Ham with a thigh problem but, like defender Chris Herd, will be included in the squad.

Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (knee), defender Richard Dunne (groin) and winger Marc Albrighton (foot) are still sidelined while youngster Samir Carruthers has an ankle problem and is unavailable to play.


Everton: 

Major team news for Everton is that manager David Moyes will make a late decision on whether to include Kevin Mirallas in his squad to face Aston Villa.

The £6million signing from Belgium has only had a couple of days' training since signing last Sunday and although he has had intensive sessions, Moyes is unsure about the player's fitness.
  
Defender Sylvain Distin (back) and striker Nikica Jelavic (groin) are minor injury concerns.

PREDICTION:
Everton will be on a high from beating Manchester United on Monday, and will be high on morale also. Baines, Fellani and Pienaar will all be key for them in the match.

Aston Villa do not look very strong, and could get comprehensively beaten, unless they pass well and Darren Bent and co are on form.

Manchester United vs Fulham:

This match will be played at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Fulham at home as they look to regain their EPL crown from rivals Manchester City this season. 

Manchester United lost to Everton on Monday night, meanwhile their opponents Fulham thrashed Norwich 5-0 on Saturday.

Team News:

Manchester United:

The major news from United is that new £24million signing Robin van Persie is set to make his first start for Manchester United tomorrow.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that he will be promoted to the first team for the match at Old Trafford.

Starts: New £24million striker Robin Van Persie will get his first start for his new club against Fulham tomorrow.

Sir Alex has also confirmed to the media that new full-back Alexander Buttner will be involved but will most likely start on the bench.

May feature: Manchester United's new full-back Alexander Buttner may play against Fulham tomorrow.

Defenders Phil Jones (back), Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling (both foot) and Rio Ferdinand (leg) will be unvailable due to injury.

Fulham:

The major news from Fulham is that key midfielder Clint Dempsey is missing from the squad.

Unsettled: Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey has been left out of the squad to face Manchester United tomorrow.

According to manager Martin Jol, he is not in the right frame of mind to play after transfer interest from Liverpool has unsettled him. 

Winger Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Philippe Senderos (foot) are unavailable, but Zdenek Grygera (knee) has been passed fit.

PREDICTION:
Fulham will not be an easy team to face for United, and they will press throughout the match, looking for a result.
However even though you would expect United to win you never know.


Norwich City vs QPR:

This match will be played at Carrow Road as Norwich host 'mini moneybags' QPR.

Both teams lost their opening matches last weekend against Fulham and Swansea - by 5-0 scorelines.

Team News:

Norwich:


Norwich will be without winger Elliott Bennett, who has a knee problem.

New signings Sebastien Bassong and Javier Garrido, who now has international clearance on his season-long loan from Lazio, are both in contention as manager Chris Hughton could make changes following the 5-0 thrashing against Fulham.

Defender Steven Whittaker (ankle), midfielders Jacob Butterfield (knee) and David Fox (knee) and defender Elliott Ward (ankle) all continue their rehabilitation to get back to 100% fitness.


QPR: 

Major news from QPR is that former Chelsea full-back and new signing Jose Bosingwa could make his QPR debut against Norwich tomorrow at Carrow Road. 

Jose Bosingwa may start for QPR against Norwich. He will be needed after QPR were poor last week.

Manager Mark Hughes is expected to change his squad massively after the 5-0 defeat last Saturday to Swansea.

Only midfielders Alejandro Faurlin and Kieron Dyer are definite absentees as they both lack match sharpness following long injury lay-offs.

PREDICTION:
Wingers Junior Holiett and Adel Taarabt will be essential to QPR's play tomorrow as they look to beat Norwich away from home.

If Norwich do not use striker Grant Holt to the best of his ability, they may not get anything from the match. 

Southampton vs Wigan Athletic:

This match will be played at St. Mary Stadium, as Southampton face Wigan in an interesting match between two teams who are expected to be in the relegation fight come April and May of next year.

Southampton were unlucky not to get anything at The Ethiad last Sunday against Manchester City, while Wigan did not took their chances against Chelsea and lost 2-0 on Sunday aswell. 

Team News:

Southampton:

The only team news is that midfielder Jack Cork remains Southampton's only injury concern ahead of the match tomorrow against Wigan.

He is recordvering from an ankle knock picked up in pre-season and should miss the match tomorrow. 

Apart from that Southampton have a fully fit, injury-free squad.


Wigan:


Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is monitoring the fitness of three midfield players before the match against Southampton.

Defensive midfielder Jean Beausejour missed last Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea due to a soft tissue problem and will be assessed.

Fellow midfielders James McArthur (back) and Shaun Maloney (dead leg), both had to be substituted during the match against Chelsea, and also will be assessed.

PREDICTION:

Southampton will feel motivated by their good play against Manchester City, and if they unleash Clyne, Davis and Rickie Lambert then they should beat a weak Wigan side who are missing forward Victor Moses with a £9million move to Chelsea (on the cards in the next few days). 


Sunderland vs Reading:

This match will be played at The Stadium Of Light as Sunderland and Reading both look for their first win in the new 2012-13 EPL season. 

Both teams drew last Saturday against Arsenal and Stoke respectively (who play each other on Sunday coincidentally!)

Team News:

Sunderland:

The major news from Sunderland is that new £15million signing and striker Steven Fletcher could make his debut for his new club tomorrow against Reading after his transfer from Championship club Wolves was completed before the deadline today.

Defenders Wes Brown (knee ligaments), Phil Bardsley (ankle) and David Vaughan (ankle) are all still recovering from injuries and will miss the match.

Reading:

Reading manager Brian McDermott has no fresh injury doubts for the match against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

Jem Karacan is still working his way back from a broken ankle while Jimmy Kebe (hamstring) will not be available until after the international break.

Experienced striker Jason Roberts is back from suspension but a calf problem, along with a lack of match fitness, means that it is unlikely that he will start the match. 

PREDICTION:
Sunderland should win their first match at home tomorrow with a strengthened squad.
New signing Steven Fletcher should combine with Sebastien Larsson, Stephane Sessegnon and James McClean to win the match comfortably. 

Having said that, Reading gave Chelsea quite a shock on Wednesday night and were unlucky to not go back home with three points.
If striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and Adam Le Fondre both link up together, then they could get a point, or even win the match against Sunderland away from home.


Tottenham Hotspur vs West Brom:

This match will be played at White Hart Lane as Tottenham host West Brom.

Tottenham lost their opening match against Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday, while West Brom beat Liverpool comfortably 3-0.

Team News:

Tottenham:

The major team news for Tottenham is that new signing and defender Jan Vertoghen may start for his new club after defender Younes Kaboul has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Midfielder Luka Modric will not feature tomorrow as Tottenham look to finalise his move to Real Madrid this weekend.

Wanted defender Michael Dawson is available to play despite holding talks with QPR over a potential £9million move this week. 

New striker Emmanuel Adebayor is available after his £5million transfer from Manchester City went through earlier this week but defensive midfielder Scott Parker (Achilles), forward Giovani Dos Santos (muscle) and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes (ankle) are all on the sidelines.

West Brom:

West Brom manager Steve Clarke has a fully fit, and injury free squad to choose from for tomorrow's trip to London to face Tottenham. 

His secret weapon will be strikers Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukaku.

PREDICTION:
Tottenham will be expeceted to win especially against West Brom and at home.

West Brom have shocked the EPL once already this season with a 3-0 win against Liverpool last week. Can they do it again? 

 
Chelsea vs Newcastle United: LIVE at 17:30pm

This match will be played at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea host Newcastle United in a very interesting match. 

Chelsea beat Wigan and Reading in their last two matches, while Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-1 last Saturday.

Team News:

Chelsea:

The major team news from Chelsea is that captain John Terry will not feature against Newcastle, due to a neck injury sustained against Reading on Wednesday.

Down: Chelsea captain and defender John Terry sustained a neck injury against Reading on Wednesday night.

Wanted defender David Luiz is expected to be fit after not playing against Reading during midweek.
The only other injury setback for Chelsea is that new winger Marko Marin is still unavailable to play because of a hamstring injury.


Newcastle:

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will make late fitness checks on defender and captain Fabricio Coloccini (thigh problem) and striker Demba Ba (shin).

Midfielder Cheick Tiote (calf) and striker Shola Ameobi (hamstring) remain doubts for the match.

PREDICTION:
Chelsea will be desperate to win against Newcastle, but they will not be an easy side especially with Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa all on form and dangerous targets. 

It does not help when your captain is out injured but new signing Eden Hazard will look to weave his magic once again and play very well alongside Juan Mata and Fernando Torres.

Sunday's Matches:

Stoke City vs Arsenal: LIVE at 13:30pm 

This match will be played at The Britannia Stadium as Stoke host a slightly weak Arsenal side. 

Both teams drew their opening matches last Saturday, and will be desperate to win on Sunday.

Team News:

Stoke:

Stoke manager Tony Pulis does not have any injury problems but defender Dean Whitehead is serving a one-match ban after he was sent off (two yellow cards) last weekend against Reading. 

Winger Jermaine Pennant could return to the squad, after having recovered from the thigh injury which kept him out of the match last week.



Arsenal:

Arsenal will assess goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who has a minor ib problem ahead of the match on Sunday.
If he is not 100% fit, 2nd choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will take his place 'in between the sticks'.

The major news is that Arsenal's young startlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has




recovered from an ankle injury and may feature (possibly even start)

Defender Laurent Koscielny (calf) and midfielder Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are both injured and will miss the match.





Midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) continues his rehabilitation from an long-term ankle injury as does full-back Bacary Sagna (broken leg).


PREDICTION:
Stoke's ('men behind the ball') style of play may be tested like Sunderland's last week as new signing Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla will knock on the goal throughout the match.

Arsenal have already started life without RVP, and even though they have also lost Alex Song - they have not played poorly so far, and the new signings just need time to settle in.

I expect Arsenal to win, but Stoke will give them a hard time and do not be surprised if there is a shock on the cards.




 

Liverpool vs Manchester City: LIVE at 16:00pm

This match will be played at Anfield, as Liverpool look to bounce back from their 3-0 loss to West Brom last Saturday, while Manchester City look to prove a point to the rest of the EPL by disposing of a weak Liverpool side who are without the suspended defender Daniel Agger.

Team News:

Liverpool:

Defender Daniel Agger (as I said earlier up the page) is suspended after his straight red card against West Brom but full-back Jose Enrique could return after a knee injury kept him unavailable.

Striker Andy Carroll missed the match against Hearts with a hamstring problem and will be assssed in the next day or two.

Manchester City: 

The major news for Manchester City is that striker Sergio Aguero is unavialable due to the knee injury that he suffered against Southampton last Sunday.

Midfielder Gareth Barry and full-back Micah Richards are the only other injured players, as City look to beat Liverpool away from home with an otherwise fully fit squad.

PREDICTION:
Liverpool were well beaten against West Brom last week, and unfortunately for them unless Suarez and Gerrard delive a miracle they will probably be well beaten against Manchester City aswell without key defender Daniel Agger.

Thank you for reading my EPL Blog, and I will speak to you all tomorrow for LIVE Coverage throughout, as Week 2 of the 2012-13 EPL season continues.

Today's EPL and FA Cup Results:

Today's EPL (Round 33) and FA Cup Semi-Final Results, Analysis:

Today's EPL Matches:

Norwich City 1 Manchester City 6
This match was played at Carrow Road as 10th placed Norwich hosted 2nd placed Manchester City. 

Striker Carlos Tevez broke the deadlock in the 18th minute to make it 1-0.

Sergio Aguero doubled City's lead, 9 minutes later to make it 2-0.

Sergio Aguero celebrates his first goal of the afternoon against Norwich to make it 2-0 to City.

After half-time, midfielder Andy Surman halved the defiecit in the 52nd minute, to give Norwich hope of an equaliser.

If only they knew: Andy Surman scores Norwich's only goal of the match in the 52nd minute to give the Canaries faint hope.

But two goals in quick succession from strikers Tevez (73) and then Aguero (75), 2 minutes later made it 4-1 to the away side. 

Carlos Tevez completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute to make it 5-1.

Hat-trick hero: Striker Carlos Tevez scores his 4th goal of the season, and the 4th this week to make it 5-1 to City.

Before winger Adam Johnson rubbed the salt into Norwich's wounds in the 90th minute, to make it 6-1 to City.  

Unsung hero: Winger Adam Johnson scores in the 90th minute, to make it 6-1 to City.

What a result for Manchester City, but despite this manager Roberto Mancini still says that it is too late for a title win.
Really Mancini?!?!


City move within 2 points of Manchester United who face Aston Villa tomorrow at Old Trafford.
Striker Carlos Tevez has now scored 4 goals in one week, with 4 goals this season from 2 matches (which is more than a lot of players in the EPL). 
You have to wonder whether if Tevez was NOT suspended in October, City could be far ahead in the title race...


Norwich drop 1 place into 11th place with 43 points this season, which secures their place in the EPL next season.

Sunderland 0 Wolves 0
This match was played at Stadium of Light as 9th placed Sunderland hosted bottom club Wolves. 

There were lots of chances for both sides as both pressed for the opening goal and looked for clean sheets. Wayne Hennessey stopped Sunderland from scoring a late goal in the last minute, after midfielder James McClean's header was saved with his feet from 9 yards out. 

A point for both sides was probably the best result, although as a football fan, I would have liked for there to be some goals in this match.
Both teams stay in their respective positions.

Swansea City 3 Blackburn Rovers 0
This match came from Wales at The Liberty Stadium, as 14th placed Swansea hosted a dejected Blackburn side who unluckily lost 3-2 to Liverpool on Tuesday, in the last few seconds. 

In-form striker Glyfi Sigurdsson broke the deadlock for the home side to put Swansea ahead after 37 minutes.

What a loan signing! Striker Glfyi Sigurdsson scores his 7th goal for Swansea to put Swansea ahead against Blackburn in the 37th minute.

Winger Nathan Dyer doubled the lead before half-time in the 43rd minute to give The Swans a 2-0 lead going into the break.

2-0 up: Winger Nathan Dyer's goal helps Swansea to go into the break 2-0 ahead of Blackburn Rovers.

Defender Scott Dann scored an own goal in the 64th minute, to give Swansea all the points at home and complete a 3-0 win. 


Swansea move two places into 12th, while Blackburn are back in the bottom three, in 19th place.

West Bromwich Albion 1 QPR 0
14th placed West Brom hosted a QPR side full of confidence after their 3-0 win against Swansea on Wednesday.

Midfielder Graham Dorrans scored the only goal of the match for WBA, in the 22nd minute to make it 1-0 to West Brom.


QPR tried but did not succeed to equalise and get back into the match. 


 

 

 

Today's FA Cup Semi-Final Match:

Liverpool 2 Everton 1  

This match was played at Wembley as hot Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton went head-to-head.

Striker Nikica Jelavic broke the deadlock in the 24th minute to make it 1-0 to Everton.

Striker Nikica Jelavic places the ball nicely past 3rd goalkeeper Brad Jones to give Everton the lead at Wembley after 24 minutes.

Perfect start to his Everton career: Jelavic has now scored 6 goals in 11 matches for The Toffees.

Luis Suarez equalised for The Reds in the second half, after 62 minutes to make it 1-1 and gived Liverpol hope of a second final this year.

Striker Luis Suarez beats defender Heitinga to the ball before striking past goal to equalise for Liverpool in the 62nd minute.

Red half of Wembley: Luis Suarez celebrates his 14th goal of the season to equalise for Liverpool.

Guess who?
Striker Andy Carroll's header from a free-kick in the 87th minute, secured Liverpool's final hopes!

Striker Andy Carroll heads from a free-kick inside the box to beat the defenders and Tim Howard and gift Liverpool into the final.

Am I worth £35million now? Andy Carroll celebrates his 2nd goal of the week to put Liverpool in the FA Cup final against either Chelsea or Tottenham.

(MORE TO FOLLOW SOON)

EPL Sunday Special including Newcastle vs Liverpool and Tottenham vs Swansea, EPL News:

EPL Sunday Special:

Fernando Torres ended his 6 month scoring drought in the league yesterday, as Chelsea cruised to a 4-2 win over Villa. QPR shocked 3rd placed Arsenal with a 2-1 win while City cameback from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 against Sunderland.

There were also wins for Fulham, Bolton and Everton, while Wigan beat Stoke 2-0 at the DW Stadium for their first home win in 7 months.

Newcastle United vs Liverpool: LIVE from 13:30pm

This match will be played at The Sports Direct Arena, as 6th placed Newcastle host 7th placed Liverpool in a crucial match for both sides in the race for a European spot.
FACT: If Newcastle can pull off a win here today, they will be 11 points ahead of Liverpool.

and,

Tottenham Hotspur vs Swansea City: LIVE from 16:00pm

4th placed Tottenham host underdogs Swansea City at White Hart Lane where Spurs can leapfrog 3rd place rivals Arsenal if they win today (comfortably with goal difference)
FACT: Tottenham have only lost 2 matches at home this season.

While we await team news from Newcastle, let's talk.. EPL News:

Gareth Bale has told Harry Redknapp he can't turn down the England job.


Arsenal will reportedly buy Cologne striker Lukas Podolski for £11million after the £11m striker snubbed Manchester United.



Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has a release clause on his contract, which means that hif he left Swansea,

Tottenham are closing in on an £8m summer deal for Real Madrid's Lassana Diara.


West Ham are after Kieran Richardson from Sunderland.


Brendan Rodgers has risked pricing himself out of the Tottenham job by having a £5m compensation clause written into his Swansea contract.


Yakubu is set to quit Blackburn in the summer even if they stay up.


PSG are still very interested in Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.


Wigan striker Victor Moses will reject a new contract, to move to a bigger club in the summer.
Liverpool are interested. 


Arsene Wenger wants to snap up French striker Olivier Giroud before Euro 2012.


Aston Villa are ready to move for Huddersfield top striker Jordan Rhodes.
This could be a big cultural change for a young player like this, from League 1 to the EPL (one of the best leagues in the world).
Is this a wise move?


EPL leaders Manchester United are ready to bid £15million have lined up a £15m deal for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Kevin Strootman.



West Brom defender Jonas Olsson is wanted by Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.


Newcastle and Sunderland are on red alert, after news that Manchester City may sell winger Adam Johnson in the summer.
Newcastle are the favourites, with £10-15million in the bidding war starting price.Team News:

Newcastle:

Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Perch, Gutierrez, Tiote, Guthrie, Ba, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Cabaye.
Subs: Elliot, Santon, Gosling, Taylor, Amoebi, Ferguson, Vuckic.

Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse both start in strike for the home side, along with in-form Hatem Ben Arfa.

Liverpool:

Reina, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Shelvey, Gerrard, Bellamy, Carroll, Spearing, Suarez.
Subs: Doni, Aurelio, Henderson, Kuyt, Maxi, Coates, Downing. 
Jose Enrique and Andy Carroll both start against their old club Newcastle.
Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing also both start for The Reds.
Liverpool have attacking flair on their bench, including Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez.


0: The referee blows the whistle and this match has officially kicked off at Sports Direct Arena.
2: Great atmosphere here, and reception for striker Andy Carroll who is back at home for the first time since leaving to move to Liverpool in 2011.
4: First corner taken by Steven Gerrard, cleared away by Cisse.
7: Liverpool free-kick taken by Gerrard, in the box for defender Martin Skrtel whose header goes over the bar! 
10: Former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is the first player to be booked this match, after an obstruction on Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.
11: Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye takes a free-kick into the box, for striker Papiss Cisse who heads the ball from 12 yards out......... into Pepe Reina's gloves.
15: Corner by Craig Bellamy into the box for Carroll, whose header is wide of the goal. Still 0-0.
17: Foul by Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey on Papiss Cisse. Yellow card given to the midfielder for a late challenge.
19: Cross by Newcvastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa into the 6-yard box to striker Papiss Demba Cisse who heads towards goal.... GOAL!!!! The home side are in-front in the first 20 minutes!

Cisse time: Papiss heads the ball towards goal before beating Reina and scores in the 19th minute against Liverpool.

Hand to the sky: Papiss Demba Cisse celebrates his 5th goal in the EPL since moving from Freiburg in January.

28: Andy Carroll has missed another chance here.... Not looking good in terms of goalscoring action for the former Newcastle no.9....
29: Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has been booked, for a challenge on striker Luis Suarez. Captain Gerrard was about to take a quick free-kick, but Cisse blocked the free-kick with his leg as his team-mates were not ready. Yellow card to him also, for wasting time and decent...
35: Newcastle defender Mike Williamson with a header from 12 yards out.... OVER THE BAR!!
45: Cheeky foul by Liverpool defender John Flanagan on midfielder Tiote. Clipped the leg hard and was a late tackle.
Yellow card for the youngster.
45+2: The referee blows the whistle for half-time.
Newcastle are in-front by a goal.

45: The referee blows the whistle to start the second half at The Sports Direct Arena.
48: Foul by Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote on Liverpool defender John Flanagan.
Yellow card given to the Ivorian. Revenge from the earlier tackle in the first half.
57: Fouls galore so far in this match. Flanagan takes a shot from 20 yards out..... saved (caught)! by goalkeeper Tim Krul.
59: Pass by midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa to Cisse who shoots from 6 yards out... GOAL!!! 2-0 to Newcastle and Liverpool are in trouble!

Deadly No.9: Cisse celebrates his second goal of the match in the 59th minute against Liverpool.

65: Newcastle SUB:
Danny Guthrie OFF
Danny Gosling ON (injury)

74: Liverpool desperately trying to get back into this match-up, with Suarez, Bellamy and Carroll trying to work the goalkeeper. A lot of fouls still nonetheless, as Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi is replacing no.9 Cisse (who gets a warm reception after his two goals, one each half)

75: Liverpool SUB:
Jonjo Shelvey OFF
Stewart Downing ON

79: Liverpool making a double substitution here:
Andy Carroll OFF
Craig Bellamy OFF
Stewart Downing ON
Dirk Kuyt ON
Desperate times call for desperate measures....

81: Foul by James Perch on Pepe Reina. Obstruction from a clearance.
Reina is not happy though.... and headbutts Perch after pushing him.
82: Everyone is surrounding the referee and the two players..... Perch is on the floor... Reina has been given a card, and it is RED!!!! 10 men Liverpool now, and all their subs have been used...
Perch gets a yellow card for his part in the fracus.

83: Full-back Jose Enrique is going to play in goal for the rest of the match now.

90: The fourth official signals 5 minutes of stoppage time to be added on here. Still 2-0.
90+1:
Newcastle SUB:
Hatem Ben Arfa OFF
Davide Santon ON
Well played by Ben Arfa. Had lots of attacking flair throughout the match, and set up both of Cisse's goals.
90+3: Liverpool trying to get a consolation here with Suarez causing the Newcastle defence problems.
90+5: The referee blows the whistle here at The Sports Direct Arena. Newcastle beat Liverpool by 2 goals to nil.

FACT: This is Liverpool's worst league run for 59 years, and they are now in 8th place, 11 points off 5th placed Chelsea.

Now, Newcastle are 11 points ahead of 8th placed Liverpool in 6th. They are level on points with Chelsea in 5th place.
Liverpool drop a place into 8th, a point behind rivals Everton who beat West Brom yesterday.
Newcastle dominated the match, and deserved to score more goals with their chances at goal.
The foul count was 22, so it was packed with late and fiesty challenges.


17:45:
Tottenham Hotspur 3 Swansea City 1:
This match was played at White Hart Lane, as 4th placed Spurs hosted Swansea in an important match.

Midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart put the hosts in-front in the 19th minute.

Spurs winger Rafael Van Der Vaart scores his 11th goal of the season against fellow Dutch team-mate Michel Vorm.

Goal time: Van Der Vaart celebrates with fellow team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor after breaking the deadlock against Swansea.

On-loan striker Gylfi Sigurdsson equalised for The Swans, in the 59th minute to make it 1-1.

Striker Sigurdsson shoots (and scores)! a downward volley to equalise for Swansea against Tottenham.

6th of the season: Gylfi Sigurdsson is proving to be a super loan signing!

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor scored in the 73rd minute to make it 2-1 to Spurs from a header from a corner.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor heads home his 13th goal in the EPL this season.

He scored again in the 86th minute to ensure all 3 points for Tottenham who are now level on points with 3rd placed rivals Arsenal.

Finshed product: Spurs players celebrate their 3-1 win over Swansea, which is their 1st win in 6 matches.

Tomorrow:

Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester United: LIVE from 20:00pm

United have the chance to move 5 points clear of 2nd placed rivals Manchester City who drew 3-3 yesterday against Sunderland.
It will not be easy though against a Blackburn side that will be the underdogs but beat United in the most recent match, 3-2.

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