Nathan Alder,

Correspondent (Sport)

 

English Premier League

Super Sunday doesn’t disappoint as a thrilling Merseyside derby is only outshone by a real classic at Stamford Bridge.

The game of the weekend came at Chelsea, as they faced title rival Manchester United for the first time this season with Ferguson’s men knowing that victory would close the gap to the league leaders to just a point. The visitors started off brightly and took the lead within ten minutes as Robin Van Persie’s point blank shot cannoned off the post, only to go back in off the back of a helpless David Luiz. It wasn’t long before United were 2-0 to the good as this time a decisive move down the right wing led to Antonio Valencia neatly cutting the ball back, to again find Van Persie, who this time made no mistake as he slotted past Petr Cech.

A resurgent Chelsea side refused to give in, however, when Juan Mata’s sublime 25-yard free kick beat David De Gea on the stroke of half time, the blues began to believe that a comeback was on the cards. And sure enough it was 2-2 when Oscar chipped the ball into the box at 53 minutes to find Ramires, who thundered home an unstoppable header. All their good work was undone, however, when Ivanovic found himself the wrong side of Wayne Rooney, who was in on goal with the big Serbian defender having no choice but to bring the striker down. Not soon after Javier Hernandez snatched victory for United with a typical poachers effort, before Torres also saw red for the home side in controversial fashion.

Brendan Rodger’s first Merseyside derby started brightly as two early goals from Luis Suarez helped put the reds into a commanding position. But with a bumper Goodison crowd on their backs, Everton fought back immediately as Leon Osman pounced on a mistake by Liverpool goal keeper Brad Jones to rifle a low shot home. Shortly after, Steven Naismith made it 2-2 as a sharp Fellaini cut back found the Scottish forward free in the box just two yards from goal.

Elsewhere, champion Manchester City edged out Swansea 1-0 thanks to a fine 25-yard effort from Carlos Tevez early in the second half, which ensures that the sky blues keep pace with the front-runners. Nevertheless, the game was overshadowed by the horrific injury to Swansea goalkeeper Michele Vorm, which led to their being 12 minutes of injury time played, a premier league record.

Villas-Boas picked up yet another win as his Tottenham side came away from Saint Mary’s with a 2-1 victory over bottom side Southampton. Jay Rodriguez’s second half consolation wasn’t enough to cancel out early efforts from Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey.

Mikael Arteta controversially relieved some of the pressure that had built up on his boss Arsene Wenger after Arsenal’s poor showing in Europe midweek. The Spaniards scrappy late header was enough for the gunners to clinch a 1-0 victory over a struggling Queens Park Rangers team.

Newcastle and Wigan also managed impressive wins. Whilst Fulham and Reading played out a remarkable 3-3 draw at Craven Cottage, where a 90th minute leveller from Hal Robson Kanu had the travelling fans in hysterics.

 

 Spanish La Liga

Both Madrid sides keep pace with Barcelona as top three all win in La Liga.

Jose Mourinho saw his rampant Real side stick five past a hapless Real Mallorca, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace ensured a comfortable 5-0 victory. Ronaldo has now scored in eight successive matches for Los Blancos taking his overall tally to eleven league goals for the season. Gonzalo Higuain (2) and Jose Callejon completed the scoring, as Madrid looked somewhat back to their best after a shaky start to the season.

Barcelona also hit five away to Real Vallecano as Lionel Messi and co continued to dominate. Messi helped himself to another two well-taken goals at either end of the second half to make sure that Tito Vilanova’s side continue their impressive start to the season. David Villa, back from injury, scored with a neat finish on 20 minutes before further second half goals from Xavi and Cesc Fabregas added a much deserved gloss to the score line.

Diego Simeone’s men kept the pace with league leaders Barcelona with an impressive 3-1 win at home to Osasuna. Falcao scored for the 17th time in just eleven matches as he added the third goal to earlier first half efforts from Miranda and Raul Garcia.

Elsewhere in La Liga, there was a surprise 1-0 defeat for Valencia at the hand of Real Betis who move up to fourth as a result, with Salva Sevilla helping himself to a goal on 9 minutes.

The Galician derby ended in stalemate as Deportivo and Celta Vigo played out a feisty 1-1 draw. Celta, who were reduced to ten men late in the second half, opened the scoring on eight minutes through Mario Bermejo. But when Juan Domiquez latched onto a neat Valeron pass he drew the sides level with a confident low drive.

There we also wins for Levante, Getafe and Zaragoza this weekend whereas the Monday evening game between Valadolid and Sociedad ended 2-2.

 

Serie A

Juventus win to remain top but rivals Napoli and Inter both win to keep the pace.

League leaders Juventus ground out a 1-0 victory away to Catania but only thanks to some generous refereeing decisions turning the game for the Azzuri. Arturo Vidal scored the only goal in the game early in the second half but Catania felt aggrieved as they had a first half strike unjustly ruled out for offside.

Napoli kept the pace with Juventus as they too struggled to a 1-0 victory against 10-man Chievo. The home side looked impotent upfront without hitman Edison Cavani and with the replacements failing to do the business in front of goal, Marek Hamsik took the responsibility and found the back of the net with a fine low drive to claim all three points.

Inter Milan were more convincing winners at Bologna were they ran out 3-1 victors thanks to goals from Andrea Ranocchia, Diego Milito and a first of the season from veteran midfielder Esteban Cambiaso.

The game of the day in Italy came as Udinese fought back from 2-0 down at Roma to win 3-2. Erik Lamela had scored twice early on to give Roma a commanding lead. However a goal just before half time from Maurizio Domizzi and then two-second half strikes from Antonio Di Natale, one from the penalty spot, made the comeback complete.

Elsewhere two fantastic strikers from Adam Llajic and Luca Toni gave Fiorentina a 2-0 win over the ten men of Lazio. Also, Parma won for just the first time this season away from home with three goals proving enough to finish off Torino. There were also wins for Cagliari and AC Milan this weekend.