Enlgish_Premier_League_review_April_14th

Sheffield United 3 West Ham 0
The Blades saved their best performance of the season for when it mattered most as they climbed out of the drop zone and left their opponents staring at the drop.  Michael Tonge’s wonderful free-kick put United ahead six minutes from half-time after the ball crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.  Having taken just one point from the last 15, United doubled their advantage when a corner was met by Phil Jagielka, who climbed above his marker and powered a downward header into the far side of the net.  The game was over when Jon Stead completed the scoring 12 minutes from time with a fine individual strike.

Arsenal 2 Bolton 1
Cesc Fabregas scored his first league goal of the season as Arsenal were forced to come from behind against Bolton Wanderers to hold on to the fourth and final Champions League spot.  Bolton threatened to climb above them when ex-Gunners striker Nicolas Anelka netted his third goal against his former club this season but Tomas Rosicky levelled before half-time and Fabregas netted 30 seconds after the restart before Ivan Campo’s sending-off.  Both first-half goals came from defensive errors; Jens Lehmann was only able to parry a free-kick straight to Anelka, who scored, while the Gunners’ equaliser arrived when Nicky Hunt tried to chest down Emmanuel Adebayor’s cross but Rosicky stole in to prod the ball home.  Despite finding the winner so soon after the interval, Fabregas took his time before firing past Jussi Jaaskelainen. The game was up for Bolton when Campo was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Reading 1 Fulham 0
Lawrie Sanchez’s first match as Fulham caretaker boss did not go to plan as Reading beat them 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium.  Looking to halt an eight-match winless run in all competitions that cost Chris Coleman his job this week, the Cottagers lost to Stephen Hunt’s 15th-minute effort, leaving them just three points clear of the bottom three.

Portsmouth 2 Newcastle 1
Matt Taylor scored another screamer as Portsmouth reignited their European push with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United.  Steven Taylor’s mistake handed Pompey a seventh-minute lead at Fratton Park, the defender getting the ball caught under his feet, allowing Benjani Mwaruwari to send Steve Harper the wrong way.  For the second Pompey’s Taylor unleashed a trademark 30-yard drive, which flew across Harper and into the far corner of the net.  The visitors were given hope when Portsmouth captain Dejan Stefanovic tripped James Milner in the penalty area and Emre stepped up to narrowly beat David James, meaning the veteran keeper will be forced to wait at least another week to claim the Premier League’s clean sheet record.

Middlesbrough 1  Aston Villa 3
Aston Villa’s resurgence continued as they recovered from Thomas Sorensen’s howler to beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at the Riverside.  Vlla keeper Sorensen gifted Boro a 13th-minute lead when he spilled Fabio Rochemback’s 30-yard free-kick into the net. Craig Gardner slotted home his first Barclays Premiership goal on the stroke of half-time to equalise before substitute Luke Moore and Stiliyan Petrov scored in a convincing second-half performance for the visitors.

Man City 0 Liverpool 0
The only goalless game was at the City of Manchester Stadium, where Manchester City and third-placed Liverpool cancelled each other out.