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Sunday, December 2, 2012

CHELSEA,ARSENAL NA MANCHESTER CITY ZAANGUKIA PUA HUKU Reading 3 Manchester United 4,TAZAMA PICHA ZA MECHI ZOTE HAPA.



Wayne Rooney answered the goalscoring rallying cry of his manager as Manchester United twice came from behind to beat Reading and move three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson said he wanted to see his striker find the back of the net more often and Rooney responded with two strikes in a thrilling match at the Madejski Stadium, where all seven goals came in a 34-minute spell in the first half.
Hal Robson-Kanu gave Reading an early lead before United hit back with Anderson levelling and Rooney putting them ahead from the spot.
Reading stunned the visitors with two quick-fire goals to regain the lead as Adam Le Fondre and Sean Morrison capitalised on lapses in United's defence to both score with close-range headers.
But another effort from Rooney and a neat finish from Robin van Persie saw United take the spoils.
The second half was less entertaining but both sides still created decent chances on a day where neither team's defending was deserving of praise.
1-0: Reading's Hal Robson-Kanu (centre right) put the home side a goal up after eight minutes
1-0: Reading's Hal Robson-Kanu (centre right) put the home side a goal up after eight minutes

1-1: Anderson equalised for Manchester United shortly afterwards
1-1: Anderson equalised for Manchester United shortly afterwards
1-2: Wayne Rooney found the bottom corner with a penalty to give United the lead after Jonny Evans had been fouled
1-2: Wayne Rooney found the bottom corner with a penalty to give United the lead after Jonny Evans had been fouled

Match facts

Reading: Federici, Shorey, Mariappa, Morrison, Cummings, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Tabb, Robson-Kanu (Hunt 83), Le Fondre, Roberts (Pogrebnyak 69)
Subs not used: Taylor, Pearce, Harte, Guthrie, McCleary 
Scorers: Robson-Kanu 8, Le Fondre 19, Morrison 23
Booking: Tabb

Manchester United: Lindegaard, Rafael (Smalling 31), Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Anderson (Jones 45), Carrick, Young, Fletcher, Rooney, Van Persie (Welbeck)
Subs not used: De Gea, Giggs, Cleverley, Hernandez
Scorers: Anderson 13, Rooney 16 (pen), 30, Van Persie 34
Booking: Rafael

Referee: Mark Halsey
Attendance: 24,095 
The latest Premier League table, fixtures and results
The home side went ahead in the seventh minute after Jonny Evans could only head Jobi McAnuff's cross into the path of Robson-Kanu, who volleyed past Anders Lindegaard.
United found themselves in the familiar position of chasing a game and soon showed their ruthlessness when coming from behind.
Anderson picked out Ashley Young wide on the left and the Brazil international continued his run before Young picked him out and he lashed United level.
Just nine minutes after falling behind the visitors were ahead after Jay Tabb bundled into the back of Evans.
Reading were level just three minutes later as United fan Le Fondre wriggled free of Evans in the area to head home a Nicky Shorey corner.
Brian McDermott's side have shown great resolve this season and took advantage of further poor defending from United to re-take the lead.
Moments after Rio Ferdinand had headed away a cross ta the back post, Morrison beat Evans to a corner and powered a close-range header past Lindegaard.
With title rivals Manchester City being held at home to Everton earlier in the day, United knew a win was vital ahead of the Manchester derby next weekend and they were soon back on top.
A sublime piece of skill from Young freed Patrice Evra down the left and his low cross was tucked away by Rooney to make it 3-3 with only half an hour gone.
2-2: Adam Le Fondre (centre) scores a header to restore parity once again
2-2: Adam Le Fondre (centre) scores a header to restore parity once again
3-2: Reading then took the lead with another header through Sean Morrison
3-2: Reading then took the lead with another header through Sean Morrison

3-3: Wayne Rooney levelled things again with a close-range finish from Patrice Evra's cut back
3-3: Wayne Rooney levelled things again with a close-range finish from Patrice Evra's cut back

3-4: Ten minutes before half-time, Robin Van Persie raced through to score what proved to be the winner
3-4: Ten minutes before half-time, Robin Van Persie raced through to score what proved to be the winner
Ferguson decided to make a tactical substitution and replaced Rafael, who had been cautioned moments earlier, with the more powerful Chris Smalling, although the Brazilian did not take kindly to being hauled off.
Just four minutes after Rooney's effort United took the lead yet again.
Michael Carrick's through-ball was deflected into the path of Van Persie by a clever Rooney touch and the Dutchman slotted past Federici with his weaker right foot.
United were denied a fifth goal before half-time as Van Persie pounced on a smart Federici save and directed an effort goalwards. Adrian Mariappa was in the right place to clear but it appeared the whole of the ball had crossed the line before the former Watford man hacked it away.
Disallowed: Van Persie then had this clear goal chalked off
Disallowed: Van Persie then had this clear goal chalked off

Facetime: Adam Federici keeps out Chris Smalling with his head
Facetime: Adam Federici keeps out Chris Smalling with his head

Aerial combat: Michael Carrick and Pavel Pogrebnyak challenge for the ball in the air
Aerial combat: Michael Carrick and Pavel Pogrebnyak challenge for the ball in the air
The second half started much calmer but it was the home side who were pressing forward.
Lindegaard fumbled a simple catch from a Shorey corner before Halsey waved away Reading appeals for a penalty after Evra won the ball in a challenge with Mariappa.
Van Persie wasted a good chance to put United two clear when he shot wide after being picked out by Phil Jones, although the ball into the ex-Arsenal striker was slightly behind him.
The 29-year-old missed an even better opportunity moments later as he robbed the ball off a dallying Federici but could not hit the empty net from a relatively tight angle.
McDermott introduced Pavel Pogrebnyak for the tiring Jason Roberts as his side went in search of an equaliser.
Smalling found himself in space on the right flank with just three minutes left on the clock but he could only blaze an uncontrolled effort into the United fans behind Federici's goal.
Reading pushed on in stoppage time and a Morrison header was tipped over by Lindegaard with the same player heading wide from the resulting corner as United just held on.

Put a sock in it! Patrice Evra expresses his delight at the final whistle
Put a sock in it! Patrice Evra expresses his delight at the final whistle

West Ham 3 Chelsea 1: Rafa's revolution in tatters as Blues' winless streak extends to seven games


Rafael Benitez's Chelsea nightmare continued as West Ham hit back to inflict his first defeat in charge and extend his winless start as interim manager.
Already the first boss of the Roman Abramovich era not to oversee a victory in his opening two games under the Russian, it got worse for Benitez at Upton Park this afternoon as the Blues made it seven Barclays Premier League games without maximum points.
Juan Mata appeared to ease the pressure on the former Liverpool boss by ending the European champions' five-hour, 34-minute goal drought after 13 minutes.
Scroll down to hear from the managers
Sealing the deal: Modibo Maiga ensures the three points for West Ham
Sealing the deal: Modibo Maiga ensures the three points for West Ham

At full stretch: Rafa Benitez has claimed just two points from a possible nine
At full stretch: Rafa Benitez has claimed just two points from a possible nine

Match facts

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien, Tomkins (Taylor, 46), Noble, O'Neil (Diame 46), Nolan, Jarvis, Cole (Maiga 87). Subs not used: Spiegel, Spence, Fanimo, Moncur.
Booked: Noble.
Goal: Cole 63, Diame 86, Maiga 90+1.
Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Moses (Marin 78), Hazard (Oscar 73), Mata, Torres. Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Romeu, Piazon.
Booked: Cech, Mikel.
Goal: Mata 13.
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Attendance: 35,005.

But the visitors squandered several chances to score again and were deservedly made to pay through a controversial Carlton Cole equaliser and goals from substitutes Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga.

West Ham fans taunted Benitez with, 'You're getting sacked in the morning', while the torrent of abuse from Chelsea supporters also continued.

There were early warning signs for Chelsea today, with a defence reshaped by David Luiz's suspension failing its first real test in the 10th minute when a straight free-kick from James Collins sailed over everyone to Winston Reid, whose header across goal was scrambled to safety by Cesar Azpilicueta.

Fernando Torres was dropping into midfield to get involved with mixed results but it was the return of his striking instincts that helped Chelsea end their longest goal drought of the Abramovich era.
The Spaniard burst in behind onto Victor Moses' 13th-minute through ball and coolly cut it back for Mata to sidefoot home easily,

Benitez kept his promise not to celebrate the first goal of his reign, which did not spare him chants of 'One Di Matteo' and 'You're not welcome here' from the visiting fans, along with the ubiquitous 'Rafa Out' banner.


On a run: West Ham won against Chelsea for the first time since 2003
On a run: West Ham won against Chelsea for the first time in the Premier League since 2003

In the ascendancy: Mohamed Diame blasts West Ham's second of the game
In the ascendancy: Mohamed Diame blasts West Ham's second of the game

Chelsea should have given their supporters something else to cheer about, Moses horribly mis-hitting his 20th-minute finish from Ramires' pass.

And after Carlton Cole - in for the injured Andy Carroll - saw a shot blocked, Ramires and Torres blew a four-on-two break, the latter skying his finish to spark the inevitable "What a waste of money" chants.

West Ham were also causing problems and thought they had equalised in the 33rd minute through Kevin Nolan's close-range overhead kick but referee Martin Atkinson controversially chalked it off for a push.
Happy Hammers: Players mob Carlton Cole after he came back to haunt his former club
Happy Hammers: Players mob Carlton Cole after he came back to haunt his former club

Lean on me: Carlton Cole fends off Branislav Ivanovic to nod West Ham level
Lean on me: Carlton Cole fends off Branislav Ivanovic to nod West Ham level
Mata could have made it 2-0 in the 40th minute when he fired Moses' cutback too close to Jussi Jaaskelainen and saw his follow-up blocked by Joey O'Brien.

The home side had the final attempt of the first half when Petr Cech was booked for punching the ball clear outside his area the goalkeeper redeeming himself by tipping Nolan's header over the bar from the resultant free-kick.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce had seen enough by the break, sending on Matt Taylor and Diame for James Tomkins and Gary O'Neil after what could only have been a half-time roasting.
No mistake: Juan Mata beats Jussi Jaaskelainen from close range to put the visitors ahead
No mistake: Juan Mata beats Jussi Jaaskelainen from close range to put the visitors ahead
Pointing the way: Juan Mata fired Chelsea ahead after 13 minutes
Pointing the way: Juan Mata fired Chelsea ahead after 13 minutes
Both had the desired effect, Carlton Cole's header from just inside the box sailing over before he got in the way of Diame's effort.

Chelsea's defending became more desperate, Branislav Ivanovic getting a vital touch to prevent Carlton Cole turning in Nolan's pass after Cech went AWOL.

An equaliser looked only a matter of time and it arrived in the 63rd minute in controversial fashion.
Matt Jarvis' cross looped up off Azpilicueta and Carlton Cole climbed all over Ivanovic to nod it in, Chelsea's protests only resulting in a booking for John Mikel
Obi.
Celebration time: Victor Moses joins Fernando Torres and Juan Mata after the latter's goa
Celebration time: Victor Moses joins Fernando Torres and Juan Mata after the latter's goa
Mayhem ensued and Jarvis tested Cech before the visitors surged down the other end, Torres scuffing a glorious rebound chance straight at Jaaskelainen after the keeper saved from Eden Hazard.

Mark Noble was booked for clattering into Ramires and Mata almost added further punishment when he hit the inside of the post with a brilliant free-kick.

Moses appealed in vain for a penalty under Taylor's challenge and Hazard failed to chip Jaaskelainen after the keeper threw the ball straight to him.
The drought goes on: Fernando Torres was once again a shadow of his former self
The drought goes on: Fernando Torres was once again a shadow of his former self
Oscar immediately replaced the Belgian but West Ham were still on top and Moses soon departed for Marko Marin.

Although Chelsea enjoyed some pressure, they were almost undone when Noble sent Jarvis clear and Cech came to the rescue again.

Ashley Cole did likewise from the resultant corner, nodding Reid's header off the line but West Ham were not to be denied.
Caught out: Petr Cech reacts to his yellow card after handling outside the area
Caught out: Petr Cech reacts to his yellow card after handling outside the area
With four minutes remaining, a throw-in found its way to Carlton Cole, who laid the ball off to Diame to drill home and it got worse in stoppage time when fellow substitute Maiga followed up after Taylor's shot was parried.

Torres had the final say with a header that was saved but it was already too late.
Watching brief: Sam Allardyce and Rafa Benitez look on as Cesar Azpilicueta tackles Joey O'Brien
Watching brief: Sam Allardyce and Rafa Benitez look on as Cesar Azpilicueta tackles Joey O'Brien

Arsenal 0 Swansea 2: Michu's late double piles more misery on Wenger on day of protest at The Emirates

By Jim Van Wijk, Press Association
|

Swansea condemned Arsenal to a 2-0 home Barclays Premier League defeat as Michu fired in two late goals at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners had been second best for long spells, and despite an improved performance after the break, the Swans earned reward for their persistence when Spain forward Michu grabbed a late brace.
Jeers greeted the final whistle at Emirates Stadium, as manager Arsene Wenger's side dropped more points and fell further behind in the battle to break back into the top four.
Gunners fans backing the 'Black Scarf Movement' had demonstrated around the ground before kick-off, complaining at the perceived commercialisation of the club following their move to the Emirates Stadium.
Double blast: Swansea's Michu netted twice to settle this match 2-0 in their favour after Arsenal again failed to perform
Double blast: Swansea's Michu netted twice to settle this match 2-0 in their favour after Arsenal again failed to perform

Great finish: Michu curls a shot home to give Swansea the lead on 87 minutes
Great finish: Michu curls a shot home to give Swansea the lead on 87 minutes
Wild celebrations: Michu soaks up the acclaim of the travelling supporters after scoring
Wild celebrations: Michu soaks up the acclaim of the travelling supporters after scoring
Another painful afternoon: Olivier Giroud looks dejected as Arsenal slumped to a 2-0 home loss to Swansea
Another painful afternoon: Olivier Giroud looks dejected as Arsenal slumped to a 2-0 home loss to Swansea
On the pitch, Wenger opted to deploy Ivory Coast forward Gervinho in the central striker role ahead of Theo Walcott, who had netted an early goal in the midweek 1-1 draw at Everton.
However, it was Swansea who were the first to press, with a free-kick into the Arsenal penalty area eventually being hacked away by Per Mertesacker.
In the 14th minute Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a fine double save after Angel Rangel had been played in on the overlap down the right and fired in a low, angled drive with his follow-up effort also blocked by the agile Pole.
Arsenal failed to get any sort of rhythm together in the first 20 minutes, far too careless in possession and lacking ideas in the final third.
Duck and cover: The result piles more pressure on Arsene Wenger, who was booed at the final whistle
Duck and cover: The result piles more pressure on Arsene Wenger, who was booed at the final whistle

Dejection: Theo Walcott can only stare into space as Swansea celebrate Michu's first goal with three minutes to play
Dejection: Theo Walcott can only stare into space as Swansea celebrate Michu's first goal with three minutes to play
Pot shot: Jack Wilshere sees his effort blocked by Swansea's Angel Rangel
Pot shot: Jack Wilshere sees his effort blocked by Swansea's Angel Rangel
Bounce: Arsenal Santi Cazorla leaps for the ball with Sung-Yeung Ki at the Emirates
Bounce: Arsenal Santi Cazorla leaps for the ball with Sung-Yeung Ki at the Emirates

Midfield tussle: Ki and Mikel Arteta battle for the ball in the middle of the park
Midfield tussle: Ki and Mikel Arteta battle for the ball in the middle of the park

Match facts

Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Cazorla, Arteta, Wilshere (Rosicky 78), Walcott, Gervinho (Oxlade-Chamberlain 66), Podolski (Giroud 67)
Subs not used: Mannone, Ramsey, Squillaci, Coquelin
Bookings: Vermaelen
Swansea: Tremmel, Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies, Dyer, Britton, Ki, de Guzman (Tiendalli 73), Schechter (Moore 67), Michu
Subs not used: Cornell, Monk, Agustien, Richards, Donnelly
Goals: Michu 87, 90
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Attendance: 60,098 
The latest Premier League table, fixtures and results
Carl Jenkinson, in for injured right-back Bacary Sagna, whipped a cross through the six-yard box, but Gervinho could not make contact.
The hosts finally got some momentum, with Santi Cazorla headed at Swans goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel after another good cross from Jenkinson.
Nathan Dyer suddenly burst clear through on goal from a flick by Miguel Michu, but Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen made up the ground to produce a brilliant sliding block just as the Swansea forward shaped to shoot.
Eight minutes before the break Michu was bundled over by Mikel Arteta at the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. Jonathan de Guzman whipped his free-kick up over the wall, but also the crossbar.
Arsenal offered little in way of attacking threat, and when Podolski did send over a good cross from the left, Gervinho failed to make a clean connection as the ball bounced away to the corner flag - which just about summed up the first half for the hosts.
Arsenal emerged with much more vigour for the restart.
Cazorla shot straight at the goalkeeper following good work by Jack Wilshere.
Gervinho's run to the edge of the Swansea box was halted by Chico, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on.
Aerial battle: Angel Rangel outjumps Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski
Aerial battle: Angel Rangel outjumps Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski

Anger: Fans protested in the streets outside the Emirates Stadium before the match with Swansea
Anger: Fans protested in the streets outside the Emirates Stadium before the match with Swansea over the way they perceive the club is being run

Protest: A group of Arsenal supporters marched outside the Emirates Stadium before kick-off in protest at the way the club is being run
Protest: A group of Arsenal supporters marched outside the Emirates Stadium before kick-off in protest at the way the club is being run

There was still threat on the counter-attack from Swansea, though, as Rangel got clear again down the right, with Szczesny making another important block at the near post.
With 24 minutes to go, Wenger made a double change as Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Podolski and Gervinho.
French striker Giroud was put clean through straight away, but was caught by a desperate lunge from Chico - with referee Clattenburg indicating he felt the Swansea defender got the slightest of touches, much to the disbelief of Wenger.
With 11 minutes left, Wilshere was replaced by Tomas Rosicky as the injury-plagued Czech midfielder made his first appearance since May.
Swansea created another good opening when substitute Dwight Tiendalli cut into the right side of the Arsenal box, but again Szczesny produced a smart block.
With five minutes left, Vermaelen's flying header just lacked the pace to beat Tremmel.
Swansea, though, took the lead when Michu broke clear after a neat one-two with substitute Luke Moore to slot past Szczesny and leave more questions for Wenger to answer about the character of his side.
It got worst for the Gunners in stoppage time when Michu again latched onto a long clearance, racing through to beat the keeper again.


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