Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes suffered a setback with a 1-1 draw at Stoke City on Saturday as Bolton Wanderers paid tribute to stricken star Fabrice Muamba with a morale-boosting win over Blackburn Rovers.
With leaders Manchester United expected to beat Fulham today, City desperately needed a win at the Britannia Stadium to keep the pressure on their cross-town rivals.
However, City were forced to scramble a draw via a deflected long-range shot from Yaya Toure after Stoke striker Peter Crouch had fired the Potters ahead with a spectacular 30m volley.
Photo: AFP
The draw returned City to the top of the table on goal-difference, but it means that United can now open up a crucial three-point lead if they beat Fulham today.
“We’re a little bit disappointed, but a draw is a good result,” City defender Kolo Toure said. “Every point now is very important. We have to treat every game like a final now.”
Elsewhere, Bolton gave Muamba the perfect get-well present with a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Rovers at the Reebok Stadium, one week after the midfielder collapsed from a heart attack.
Two first-half headers from David Wheater settled the game in Bolton’s favor with Steven Nzonzi getting on the scoresheet for Blackburn.
“In a football context it’s a great end to the week to get three points, but the perfect end will be for Fabrice to come out of that hospital better with that big smile of his,” Bolton boss Owen Coyle said. “Our thoughts are still with him. He’s not only a footballer and a colleague to those players in the dressing room, but an outstanding young man.”
Arsenal tightened their grip on third place with a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa — the Gunners’ seventh victory in a row.
First-half goals from Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott, and a stunning long-range free-kick from Mikel Arteta were enough for Arsene Wenger’s side, who moved three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place.
Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw by Chelsea in the early kickoff, a result which leaves the fifth-placed Blues struggling to close the gap on Spurs in the race for a Champions League qualifying place.
Liverpool’s slim hopes of a top four finish were effectively extinguished after Kenny Dalglish’s men suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against Wigan Athletic at Anfield.
Wigan stunned Liverpool when Shaun Maloney put the Latics ahead from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after Martin Skrtel’s challenge on Victor Moses.
Liverpool drew level through Luis Suarez immediately after halftime, but Gary Caldwell’s 63rd-minute winner clinched victory for Wigan and left Dalglish’s side 13 points adrift of fourth place.
Queens Park Rangers — who had stunned Liverpool 3-2 in midweek — were brought down to Earth after an emphatic 3-1 loss at Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers remain rooted to the foot of the table after a 2-1 defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Wolves snatched a 25th-minute lead through Matt Jarvis, but Norwich drew level inside a minute through a Grant Holt strike, before the Canaries striker made it 2-1 with a penalty on the stroke of halftime.
Norwich endured a nervous finish when Holt was sent off in the second half, but Paul Lambert’s side dug in for the win.
Everton ended a run of two straight defeats with a 2-0 win at Swansea City courtesy of goals from Leighton Baines and Nikica Jelavic.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely