soccer-europe.com

9 April 2007

CHARLTON 0
READING 0

Charlton move a point clear of safety after another televised stalemate against Reading. The best chance came early on when Talal El Kharkouri hammered a header against the underside of the bar and about a yard in front of the line.

Attendance : 26,271
Assist : n/a


ASTON VILLA 1 (Agbonlahor 50)
WIGAN 1 (Heskey 21)

Wigan are just three points above third from bottom Sheffield United and have played a game more after a draw at Villa Park. They went ahead when Denny Landzaat's corner was met by the head of Lee McCulloch at the far post and bundled in from close range by Emile Heskey. Wigan's cause wasn't helped by Antonio Valencia who was sent off for a two footed tackle on Wilfred Bouma and Villa took advantage early in the second half with an equaliser. Gareth Barry played in Patrik Berger down the left and although he was miles offside, no flag was raised and the Czech star crossed for Gabriel Agbonlahor to slide the ball just over the line before it was cleared.

Attendance : 31,920
Red Card : Valencia 34 (Wigan)
Assists : McCulloch, Berger


BOLTON 1 (Davies 18)
EVERTON 1 (Vaughan 33)

Bolton and Everton remain in the battle for European places are they shared first half goals at Goodison. Bolton's opener was a classic example of how a well worked offside trap can go wrong if not all defenders are on the same wavelength. So, as most of the Everton back line came out en masse when Ivan Campo floated a free kick in, Joleon Lescott stayed in the area playing FOUR Bolton players onside, one of which, Kevin Davies, volleyed the ball in. Everton grabbed an equaliser when Leon Osman found James Vaughan and although the youngster was originally blocked on the edge of the area, it fell nicely back to him to score with a low drive. The game was slightly overshadowed by two tackles. The first - a studs first challenge into the knee of Phil Neville by El Hadji Diouf - was dangerous but the Bolton man stayed on and the second was a total accident as Vaughan kicked the studs of Abdoulaye Meite and was left in agony with blood covering part of his boot. It was later discovered that Vaughan severed an artery in his leg!

Attendance : 25,179
Assists : Campo (fk), n/a


FULHAM 1 (Bocanegra 76)
MANCHESTER CITY 3 (Barton 21, Beasley 36, Vassell 59)

Fulham are in free fall and are just four points above the drop zone having played a game more after a heavy home defeat against Man City. The game was all but over by half time as Emile Mpenza helped set up Joey Barton who made space before finding the bottom corner and then Barton sent DeMarcus Beasley clear and his shot flew inside the far post. After the break, Mpenza played Darius Vassell through, helped by a slip from Liam Rosenior and he slotted in the third. Fulham netted a late consolation when Carlos Bocenegra powered from a header from a corner by Simon Davies but it was all too late.

Attendance : 22,435
Assists : n/a, Barton, Mpenza, Davies (ck)


NEWCASTLE 0
ARSENAL 0

Goalless and boring at St James Park as Newcastle and Arsenal cancelled each other out. Although the game was televised, I'd switched over long before the best (only?) chance fell to Arsenal when a scramble ended with Nol Solano heading off the line from Gilberto Silva.

Attendance : 52,293
Assist : n/a


WATFORD 4 (Bouazza 28 Pen, Mahon 45, Priskin 51, Bouazza 73)
PORTSMOUTH 2 (Taylor 16, Mvuemba 81)

Bottom club Watford gave themselves a glimmer of hope after coming from behind to thump Portsmouth at Vicarage Road to record only their fourth win of the season. The visitors went ahead when Matt Taylor curled in a low shot from 25 yards after Watford lost possession to Gary O'Neil in midfield, however the hosts came battling back and equalised when Djimi Traore tripped Tamas Priskin in the area and Hameur Bouazza sent David James the wrong way from the penalty spot. On half time, Watford went ahead when Tommy Smith's cross was punched to the edge of the area by James, however Gavin Mahon smashed an unstoppable first time volley into the top corner to register his first league goal of the season and what a belter it was! The lead was increased when Steve Kabba crossed for Priskin to bobble an effort back across goal and inside the far post early in the second half although it was almost back to a one goal lead shortly afterwards when Nwankwo Kanu hammered a shot against the bar. The fourth came from a superb one-two between Kabba and Bouazza and although the latter's first shot was saved, he took his time to fire in the rebound. It was welcome relief for Bouazza who denied by James in a similar situation a few minutes earlier. Watford had a nervy last few minutes when O'Neil crossed for sub Arnold Mvuemba to turn and volley into the net just seconds after coming on although Bouazza almost grabbed his hat trick with an identical effort to Mahon's only for it to sail inches wide.

Attendance : 18,119
Assists : O'Neil, Priskin (won pen), n/a, Kabba, n/a, O'Neil

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