Match previews - Sat 01 Jan 2011

A look ahead to Saturday's fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.     The  first fixtures of 2011 have thrown up some intriguing encounters which could have a major impact on the Barclays Premier League table.  The programme kicks off with unbeaten Manchester United heading for the Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion.   Neighbours and title rivals Manchester City host Blackpool while Tottenham Hotspur have a home match against London rivals Fulham and Blackburn Rovers travel to Sunderland.  There is a key battle at the foot of the table as West Ham United host Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton go to Stoke City and Liverpool meet Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.  The day's fixtures conclude with Arsenal going to Birmingham     West Brom v Man Utd  Manchester United lay their unbeaten record on the line as they travel to West Bromwich Albion.  Sir Alex Ferguson's men have drawn seven of their last eight away matches but are still the only side in the country yet to taste defeat.  The Baggies have lost three of their last four home fixtures and have not beaten United in the league since their 2-0 success in March 1984. However they did draw 2-2 at Old Trafford in October.  Liverpool v Bolton  Bolton will be keen to avenge their late home defeat by Liverpool back in October. Maxi Rodriguez netted the only goal of the match four minutes from time to give the Merseysiders' their eighth successive victory over the Trotters.  That remains Bolton's only home defeat of the season but they have lost their last three on the road.  Liverpool had won their last previous four home matches before losing to Wolves in midweek.  Man City v Blackpool  Newly-promoted Blackpool have already secured five wins and two draws from their 11 away fixtures during an impressive start to life in the Barclays Premier League.  The Seasiders are unbeaten in five, winning three while Man City have won four of their last five outings.  Blackpool have not beaten City in the league since May 1963 and lost 2-3 when the sides met at Bloomfield Road in October.  Stoke v Everton  Stoke are keen to avoid a hat-trick of home defeats after losing to Blackpool and Fulham in front of their own fans.  Everton are unbeaten in their last eight away matches and have drawn five of their last six on the road. They are unbeaten in four home or away.  The Merseysiders have not lost to the Potters in five Premier League meetings and won 1-0 at Goodison Park in October. Sunderland v Blackburn  Sunderland need to bounce back after suffering their first home defeat of the season with 0-2 loss to Blackpool.  Rovers halted a run of three successive away defeats with their 3-1 success at West Brom.  Last season's corresponding fixture ended in a 2-1 home win and the sides drew 0-0 when they met at Ewood Park in October.  Spurs v Fulham  Fulham gained their first away win since the opening day of last season when they won 2-0 at Stoke City and they now aim to follow it up at White Hart Lane.  Tottenham are unbeaten in their last eight Barclays Premier League fixtures and have not lost in eight outings in front of their own fans.  Harry Redknapp's men have not lost in six meetings with Fulham in all competitions and won 2-1 at Craven Cottage earlier in the season.  West Ham v Wolves  This fixture could have a major impact on the outcome of the survival struggle with the Hammers keen to open a gap over their relegation rivals.  West Ham have taken five points from a possible nine while Wolves had lost seven in a row on the road before springing a surprise at Anfield in midweek to gain their first away sucess since March.  The sides have already drawn 1-1 at Molineux this season  Birmingham v Arsenal  Birmingham are unbeaten in their last five home matches after snatching a late 1-1 draw against Manchester United in midweek.  The last two meetings between the sides at St Andrew's have finished all-square but Arsene Wenger's men won 2-1 when the sides met at Emirates Stadium in October.  The Blues have not beaten the Gunners since May 2005 when they won 2-1 at St Andrew's.

Martinez expects N'Zogbia to stay

Roberto Martinez expects Charles N'Zogbia to see out the remainder of the season at Wigan Athletic.

The French winger continues to attract interest, with transfer speculation mounting as the January window approaches.
Wigan, though, have fended off similar rumours in the past, with N'Zogbia having been a regular in gossip columns for some time.
They are confident they can see out another window without parting with one of their prized assets, with the club under no pressure to sell.
Chairman Dave Whelan has assured Martinez there is no need to generate funds and the Spaniard takes that to mean that N'Zogbia will not be sold.
"He is enjoying his football," said the Spanish coach. "We have not had an approach, there are no issues, and the chairman is very clear about it."
N'Zogbia, who joined the Latics from Newcastle in 2009, still has 18 months left to run on his contract at the DW Stadium.

Pennant signs for Stoke

Stoke City have signed winger Jermaine Pennant on a permanent deal from Real Zaragoza.

The former Arsenal player arrived at the Britannia Stadium on a temporary deal in the summer after an unsuccessful spell in Spain.
The Potters have now handed him a two-and-a-half-year deal having completed a deal for an initial £1.725m, which could eventually rise to £2.8m.
Stoke are now awaiting international clearance and the completion of the 27-year-old's registration with the Premier League and Football Association.
Pennant told the official club website: "I think everyone knows how I feel about being at this football club.
"The supporters, players and management have been absolutely fantastic to me over these past four months and I desperately wanted to stay here because I love it so much.
"I know I have only been here a few months, but it really does feel like I have been here for years. The atmosphere around the place is brilliant, so I am looking forward to the fact that I am here at Stoke now for the long term and back in the best league in the world."

Potters boss Tony Pulis added: "This is fantastic news, just what we all wanted.
"Jermaine has made such a big impact since he has been with us and he has become a big favourite with the supporters, so I know that everyone will be delighted that we have completed this signing.
"The important thing has been getting him comfortable and settled, and now that we have done that I am sure he can go on to play an even bigger part in our plans.
"Natural wingers are hard to come by, but we have two of them with Jermaine on the right and Matty Etherington on the left, so that gives us a real threat down both flanks.''

Chelsea 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Chelsea bounced back to winning ways with a narrow victory over Bolton Wanderers.

After six Barclays Premier League matches without a victory, the champions ground out a narrow victory over the side just below them in the table.
The only goal of the match came in the 61st minute when Michael Essien released Didier Drogba down the right and the striker squared for Florent Malouda to tap home his first league goal since October.

Wigan Athletic 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal were pegged back for a draw by 10-man Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

Ben Watson's penalty had given the home side a deserved lead In the 17th minute. Wigan broke swiftly and Charles N'Zogbia burst down the right and tumbled over Laurent Koscielny's trailing leg just on the edge of the box. Watson hammered home the spot-kick.
Arsenal equalised six minutes before the break. Marouane Chamakh lobbed the ball on for Nicklas Bendtner to hit a shot on the bounce and when Ali Al Habsi managed to keep it out, it dropped for Andrey Arshavin to strike a lovely scissor-kick back past the Wigan keeper.
Arshavin then created a goal for Bendtner in the 43rd minute. The Russian won, possession in the centre circle, then bustled forward and found Bendtner who used his strength to brush off a couple of weak challenges and then make no mistake from 12 yards out.
N'Zogbia was sent off for a head-butt on Jack Wilshere 12 minutes from time but two minutes later the home side levelled when Sebastien Squillaci headed into his own net.

Liverpool 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers moved off the foot of the Barclays Premier League with a shock win at Liverpool.

The visitors grabbed the winner in the 56th minute when a mix-up between Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos allowed Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's through-ball to squeeze between them.
Stephen Ward raced in behind to poke home his first Premier League goal and the first conceded at Anfield in 478 minutes in all competitions.

Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United

Birmingham City scored a late equaliser against Manchester United, leaving both sides forced to settle for a point.

United striker Dimitar Berbatov followed his double in the Boxing Day win over Sunderland with what looked another decisive contribution to take his tally for the campaign to 15 goals.
But Lee Bowyer, who had scored the winner against Chelsea last month, equalised late on to lift Birmingham out of the bottom three.

West Ham United 1-1 Everton

West Ham United and Everton shared the spoils after playing out a draw at Upton Park.

The Hammers, who climbed off the foot of the table thanks to Sunday's victory at Fulham, took the lead when Tony Hibbert diverted Radoslav Kovac's tame overhead kick into his own net.
The visitors hit back three minutes before half-time through Seamus Coleman, although Carlton Cole couldn't make the most of a glorious opportunity to win it for the home side.

Stoke City 0-2 Fulham

Fulham lifted themselves out of the relegation zone at Stoke City with their first away league win since August 2009.

Defender Chris Baird, who had never scored for the Cottagers before, struck twice from outside the area in the opening 10 minutes to lift some of the pressure on his manager Mark Hughes.
It was an unlikely goal source sealing an unlikely result, as the London outfit recorded their first away win in the league in 27 attempts.

West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers claimed a fine away victory at West Bromwich Albion with both sides having a man sent-off.

Nikola Kalinic scored twice and was sent off as Blackburn won for the first time under new manager Steve Kean at West Brom.
Kalinic twice gave Rovers the lead at The Hawthorns before being dismissed for a poor challenge on Paul Scharner shortly after Mame Biram Diouf added a third.
The Baggies had been level midway through an eventful Barclays Premier League encounter after Jerome Thomas cancelled out Kalinic's first goal, but later on their misery was compounded when Gabriel Tamas was also sent off. 

Sunderland 0-2 Blackpool

Blackpool were under the cosh for long spells but emerged with an excellent win at Sunderland.

DJ Campbell returned to haunt Steve Bruce as Blackpool became just the second team to win a Barclays Premier League match at the Stadium of Light in 2010.
Bruce had given Campbell his first chance in the Premier League during his time as Birmingham City manager, but saw his former charge produce a 52nd-minute volley and a late second goal which handed the Seasiders their fifth league win on the road this season.

Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa

Mario Balotelli scored a hat-trick as Manchester City eased past Aston Villa.

The Italian international put City ahead from the penalty spot, before Joleon Lescott doubled the lead.
Another from Balotelli sent City in 3-0 up at the break and he completed his hat-trick from the spot in the second-half.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur climbed up to fourth in the table after beating Newcastle United at White Hart Lane.

Gareth Bale's 10th goal of the season ensured that 10-man Tottenham leapfrogged Chelsea into the Champions League places after a hard-fought battle with Newcastle.
Bale's electric pace allowed him to beat Steven Taylor down the left before unleashing a powerful drive that beat Tim Krul after Aaron Lennon put the hosts ahead just before the hour.

Spurs ended the match with 10 men for the second time in two days after Younes Kaboul was dismissed for a foul on Cheik Tiote.

Taylor signs new deal

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the club.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Greenwich but raised on Tyneside, has ended speculation over his future by putting pen to paper on the new agreement.
The powerful centre-back was transfer-listed earlier in the season after talks over a new deal stalled.
However, both Taylor and new manager Alan Pardew had confirmed in recent days that progress had been made and Monday's announcement will keep the academy graduate at St James' Park until the summer of 2016.
Taylor becomes the third Newcastle player to sign a long-term deal in a matter of weeks, following in the footsteps of Mike Williamson and Nile Ranger, with striker Andy Carroll having earlier also committed his future to the club.
The defender said: "I am absolutely delighted to have agreed terms with the club on a new long-term contract that will see me play for Newcastle United in my prime years.
"I joined the club as a boy and feel confident that I can fulfil all my professional ambitions here at my hometown club.
"Throughout the past few months, I have never lost hope that everything could be sorted and that I could stay here and play for this fantastic football club."
"I would like to thank the fans for their support throughout the contract negotiations and I'll look to repay them with my performances in the black and white shirt.
"Also (I would like to thank former boss) Chris Hughton for bringing me back into the team, Alan Pardew who made it clear from day one that he wanted me to stay at the club, the board and management for their willingness to work together to find an agreement and finally my agent Paul Stretford for always having my best interests at heart."
Former England Under-21 skipper Taylor has made 177 appearances for the club but looked to be heading away from Tyneside when his contract talks reached an impasse.
Several Barclays Premier League rivals were understood to be monitoring his situation, and this news will come as a boost to Pardew who is desperate to keep the first team he inherited from Hughton together and add to it if possible.
The manager said: "I've always really admired Steven Taylor and I thought it was imperative that we kept him here.
"He's still young, he's a Geordie and he's a top defender.
"He's played a lot of games for somebody his age, played in Europe and captained his country at under-21 level, and that says everything you need to know about him.
"Steven is somebody who can be a bedrock of our defence for a long time to come, and it's great news that he's staying.
"I made it one of my priorities when I arrived. Steven is just the sort of player that we need to keep at this club."

Giggs guards against complacency

Ryan Giggs is taking nothing for granted even though Manchester United are tightening their grip on top spot.

United head to Birmingham City on Tuesday still unbeaten following their Boxing Day win over Sunderland and with daylight starting to appear between them and their nearest challengers.
A quirk of the fixture list means Sir Alex Ferguson's men might well have been overhauled by local rivals Manchester City when they kick off at St Andrew's.
 Yet City would have played three matches more for their single-point advantage, which leaves Ferguson with plenty of breathing space before that particular initiative is surrendered.
However, Giggs is not getting carried away.
The veteran Welshman is acutely aware United have had two away fixtureres - at Blackpool and Chelsea - postponed and that, in this of all seasons, shock results can crop up at any time.
"You are obviously wary because of the way the league has been this year," said Giggs.
"Anyone can beat anyone. We are thankful we remain unbeaten and confidence is high. But we realise that nothing can be taken for granted.
"It is a tough league and we need to be at our best in every game."
Yet the self-belief at Old Trafford must be fuelled by the knowledge United traditionally improve at this time of year.
It is rare for United not to kick on during January and there is a possibility that by the time they encounter Chelsea for the first time in March, they could be too far in front for Carlo Ancelotti's men to do anything about it.
"We hope to get better in the second half of the season," said Giggs.
"Our form over the last few weeks has been really good. We looked sharp against Arsenal and Blackburn, and it was the same against Sunderland.
"Some of the play we produced, the one-touch passing and the movement, was great to be involved in."
Giggs is too modest to claim a significant part in it, but his role running at the Sunderland defence, allied to Wayne Rooney's unselfish work up front and Dimitar Berbatov's hot streak in front of goal mean that United look a fairly formidable force.
Yet Giggs is anxious that a defence built around the axis of skipper Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand receives its share of the credit too.
"You need stability at the back and we definitely have that," he said.
"It gives you a platform to go and attack. United have always had exciting, quality players going forward."
If there are negatives they come through the continued absence of Paul Scholes with a groin injury and the loss of Park Ji-sung to an Asian Cup campaign with South Korea, which is likely to mean his absence until February.
"We are disappointed Ji is going away at this time because he has been playing so well," said Giggs.
"Any of the lads would have Ji in the team every time because of his work rate and what he puts into the game.
"But this is what the squad is for. We have players who aren't getting games but will be ready to come in and do a job."

Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

Arsenal gave their title chances a major boost with a comfortable win over Chelsea.

The Gunners ended their five-match losing run against Chelsea with this stunning victory at the Emirates Stadium.
The North Londoners reclaimed second place in the Barclays Premier League after running riot with goals from Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott.
Branislav Ivanovic pulled a goal back for Chelsea, but it was another torrid match for the champions who have now won just one of their last eight fixtures.

Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

Unbeaten Manchester United powered on at the top of the Barclays Premier League with victory over Sunderland.

A Dimitar Berbatov double extended United's unbeaten run to 17 matches and consolidated their position at the summit as Sunderland were brushed aside at Old Trafford.
Victory provided United with a healthy advantage over Arsenal and Chelsea, who meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and nearest challengers Manchester City, who have played two matches more.
And while Wayne Rooney's wait for a goal in open play goes on, Berbatov continues to fill the void superbly.
The Bulgarian is now on 13 for the season, although his second did require a massive deflection off Anton Ferdinand after he had provided United with a fourth-minute opener in a one-sided contest.

Coyle keen to improve squad

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is keen - but not desperate - to bolster his threadbare squad next month.

The Trotters are short on numbers with just 19 fit senior players available for the Barclays Premier League match with West Bromwich Albion at the Reebok Stadium on Boxing Day.
That figure will be reduced by at least one after the match as South Korea winger Lee Chung-yong joins his international colleagues in preparation for January's Asia Cup.
Coyle said: "We have the smallest squad in the Barclays Premier League but we don't moan about it, we get on with it.
"We would love to add to the squad, we would love to help the group we have, add a bit of freshness.
"But that takes a number of things to come to fruition - player availability, finance, does the player want to come.
"There are a few boxes to be ticked before that could happen but it wouldn't ever stop us from looking to add the right type of player and the right type of character to the group.
"But I won't bring players in for the sake of numbers. If I bring players in it is because I believe they are going to help the squad we have got and improve the football club."

Ancelotti: Our squad can cope

Carlo Ancelotti says Chelsea's squad is strong enough to cope with four matches in 10 days.

Some believe that Chelsea no longer have the strength in depth to handle the kind of injuries that have co-incided with their worst run in the Premier League for more than a decade.
But manager Ancelotti is adamant that now all his key players have returned, there was no reason why they could not get their title challenge back on track, starting at Arsenal on Monday.
"We had a problem because we had, at the same time, a lot of players injured," said the Italian, whose side have won just one of their last seven league matches to slump from top to fourth.
And Ancelotti backed his fledglings, saying: "When you are not in a good moment, it's very difficult to put in the young players because you don't want to put responsibility on their shoulders.
"But now it's different. The squad is good, the players are in good condition, players without injury, and the squad is enough in this moment to play this game well - at our best."
Sunday's postponed match with Manchester United means Chelsea could find themselves six points behind the leaders when they take to the field on Monday.
"We don't want that gap to widen, so it's important to obtain an important result in this game," said Ancelotti, who will give his players Christmas Day off this year.

Arsenal VS Chelsea

Arsenal (2nd) v Chelsea (4th)
Last Season: 29/11/09, Arsenal 0 - 3 Chelsea W W L W W L Form W L L D D D

Arsenal aim to boost their title challenge against the champions who have not won in their last five Barclays Premier League outings.

Arsenal team news

Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are available to make their first start together since August when Arsenal host Chelsea on Monday.
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski returns to the squad for the Barclays Premier League match, so Wojciech Szczesny is likely to drop to the bench.
Abou Diaby (ankle) is available, but Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Manuel Almunia (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (ankle) are out.

Chelsea team news

Jose Bosingwa returns to the Chelsea squad.
Portugal full-back Bosingwa has been out for two weeks with a hamstring injury and would have missed last weekend's postponed match with Manchester United.
Alex, Yuri Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun remain sidelined.

squads

Arsenal: Fabianski, Szczesny, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Sagna, Nasri, Fabregas, Wilshere, Song, Walcott, van Persie, Chamakh, Arshavin, Vela, Rosicky, Djourou, Denilson.
Chelsea: Cech, Turnbull, Bosingwa, Hilario, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Cole, Terry, Essien, Lampard, Mikel, Ramires, McEachran, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka, Bruma, Sturridge, Kakuta, Van Aanholt.