Arsenal got their challenge for the Premier League title back on track with a 3-1 win against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger’s side closed within seven points of leaders Manchester United as first half goals from Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue and a late strike from Robin van Persie clinched their first win in four league games.
The Gunners will still believe they can catch United as they have a game in hand on Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who also have to travel to the Emirates Stadium for a potentially decisive clash on May 1.
Photo: AFP
Blackpool’s fourth defeat in five games left Ian Holloway’s men just one place and one point above the relegation zone.
“We are on a long unbeaten run and I knew we’d still have a chance if we won this game,” Wenger said. “We must win the game in hand, but let’s first win our next game against Liverpool on Sunday.”
Wenger was forced to give 41-year-old goalkeeper Jens Lehmann his second Arsenal debut following his return from retirement after Manuel Almunia was ruled out during the warm-up.
Photo: AFP
The German gave a solid performance despite a few nervous moments and Wenger added: “Jens can be very proud. The way he practises every day is outstanding.”
“He has helped the club win a big game and it will have an impact at the end of the season. He’s intelligent and committed,” the Frenchman said.
Arsenal survived a promising opening from Blackpool, which included a rejected penalty appeal for Laurent Koscielny’s challenge on Gary Taylor-Fletcher, and took the lead in the 18th minute.
With Blackpool’s defense backing off, Van Persie’s cross allowed French midfielder Diaby to slot past Richard Kingson.
Wenger’s side increased their lead three minutes later as Eboue ran onto Andrei Arshavin’s pass and lashed in his first league goal of the season.
Taylor-Fletcher gave Blackpool a lifeline in the 52nd minute when he scored after referee Lee Mason waved played on when Lehmann rushed off his line to foul DJ Campbell.
However, Mason turned down another Blackpool penalty appeal after Koscielny appeared to trip Taylor-Fletcher and Dutch forward van Persie made the points safe when he converted Theo Walcott’s cross in the 76th minute.
VILLA 1, NEWCASTLE 0
AFP AND AP, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND
James Collins eased the pressure on Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as his header secured a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Collins had been fined two weeks wages by Houllier in March for his part in a health spa altercation with the Frenchman’s coaching staff, but the Wales defender doesn’t seem to hold a grudge judging by his impressive efforts at Villa Park.
He headed the only goal midway through the first half and spent the rest of the match keeping Newcastle’s forwards at bay as Villa moved five points clear of the relegation zone.
It was hardly a classic performance, but even so it was a vital victory for Houllier after Villa fans vented their anger at the former Liverpool boss following a recent home defeat against Wolves.
As an added bonus, the win also went some way to avenging Villa’s 6-0 thrashing at Newcastle in August.
The Magpies were the first to threaten and a dangerous left-wing cross from Jose Enrique picked out the run of Joey Barton at the far post, only for the midfielder to head well over.
Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel went down to his left to gather Nile Ranger’s low attempt from Jonas Gutierrez’s through-ball.
However, that bright start from Newcastle quickly faded after 24 minutes when Collins put Villa ahead.
Barton was penalized for bringing down Ashley Young, who took the free-kick himself and Collins’ glancing header flew past goalkeeper Steve Harper into the far corner of the net.
Young had a shot deflected wide after finding plenty of space 20m out, then a goalbound header from Richard Dunne was blocked from the resulting corner by Young.
Villa thought they had scored again just before half-time but Darren Bent’s effort was harshly ruled offside.
The hosts started the second period on the offensive and a mistake by Barton allowed Stiliyan Petrov to find Gabriel Agbonlahor in space on the left flank.
He had time to make ground into the Newcastle box but his curling shot was parried away by Steve Harper.
Villa were in the ascendancy and Harper went down to cling on to Agbonlahor’s low shot on the turn.
The home side appealed in vain for a penalty when Steven Taylor barged into England striker Bent after an hour.
Houllier’s side were still searching for the second goal and Collins had a goalbound header cleared from a Young corner.
Newcastle finally mounted a late rally and Friedel clung on to a Peter Lovenkrands header before blocking a low drive from Danish striker in injury-time.
“We knew before the game it was massive for us, so to get one goal up and hang on showed the spirit here is fantastic,” Collins said.
“Everyone felt it, the players and the fans, because obviously the position we’re in is not good. Hanging on to a 1-0 lead is massive,” he said.
The victory exacted revenge on Newcastle for a 6-0 rout earlier in the season.
“We put in a gallant effort but the passing could have been better, crisper. Villa were nervous and we still could have nicked something,” Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and