BY NISAR KHAN
A delightful offering of Easter Sunday Premier League football saw Liverpool go five points clear at the top with a win over Norwich, while Arsenal won at Hull and Everton caused misery for Moyes to keep up the pressure on one another in the race for the coveted fourth spot.
Easter Sunday was marked with a terrific triple-header of Premier League football, that featured fresh developments in the battle for fourth place, and a big gap opened at the top – all hand-in-hand with significant implications in the relegation battle.
SEE ALSO: Power Rankings – Top 10 Sports Stars of the Week (20 April 2014)
This article features in-depth analysis and comment for the games, reports and plenty more information including attendance figures – get your fix for all the games on Sunday 20th April 2014.
Following a day of penalties in the Premier League the day prior, which saw Chelsea stunned at the Bridge by Sunderland, Tottenham thump Fulham and Crystal Palace and Swansea were victors, there were advantages to be seized upon along with trepidation to avoid.
Liverpool Defy Late Norwich Surge At Carrow Road
Score: Norwich 2 – 3 Liverpool
Goalscorers: Raheem Sterling (4′, 62′), Luis Suarez (11′), Gary Hooper (54′), Robert Snodgrass (77′)
Location: Carrow Road, Norwich, England.
Time: Sunday 20th April 2014, 12:00pm
Attendance: 26,857
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling
The Reds extended their blitzing league form to an 11-game win streak after holding on against the tide of a late onslaught from hosts Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Their victory, aided by Raheem Sterling’s standout performance, put them five points clear at the top of the league following Chelsea’s loss to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge the day prior.
Nineteen-year-old Raheem Sterling got in on the act as early as the fourth minute with a thunderous long-range strike leaving keeper Ruddy hopeless.
As Liverpool marched on and took a firm grasp of the game, the goalscorer Raheem Sterling would set up his Uruguayan teammate Luis Suarez for the second. A curling, low ball was slotted in the path of the striker, allowing him to guide it in the bottom right corner.
However, Liverpool seemed to slack slightly following the extension of the lead. Complacency may have been at fault for the Reds as they sat back and passed the ball around leaving the Canaries agitated.
While Liverpool may have been comfortably leading during the interval, Norwich had something to represent for their pressure in the second half, as Gary Hooper capitalized on keeper Simon Mignolet’s error. The Belgian keeper was poor in his effort to punch the ball to safety, allowing Hooper to score at ease and put Norwich back into contention.
Around eight minutes later, Raheem Sterling completed his magnificent duo of goals where he displayed great composure and maturity to strike at goal. After running through the central area, the option to Luis Suarez faded, so Raheem Sterling charged towards Ruddy, with his shot deflecting off the keeper and fortunately trickling into goal.
Again, though, Liverpool were not in for a comfortable culmination. Robert Snodgrass made sure of it with a headed goal in the 77th minute to put his side at reach of the illusive point.
Liverpool managed to hold on, after Mignolet saved Van Wolfswinkel’s header, and secured their eleventh straight league win, going five points clear at the top.
Analysis & Comment
Yet another thrilling game of football, from the neutral perspective at least.
Liverpool have the habit of nervy finishes to the game as they progress to a anxious and marginal victories time and time again. Fortunately for the Reds though, none have proved too costly, yet.
With three games remaining, Liverpool have opened up a crucial gap at the top of the table, with Sunderland beating Chelsea presenting itself as an absolute gift to Liverpool’s title surge.
A problem for Liverpool could come back to bite them. In the game they complacently sat back and attempted to drown out the Canaries – Liverpool could have very well beat themselves.
Raheem Sterling is Man of the Match with a marquee performance. Over the course of the season he has matured by great lengths to secure a stable position in the starting XI. His first goal was sublime while his second may have been gifted some fortune, though he still was clinical in taking the chance. Not to mention, his assist to Luis Suarez was mastering a difficult ball – artistry. He continues to improve game by game.
Norwich put up a good showing but got nothing from it. Facing a daunting conclusion to their season, they’ll hope for more performances of the same, but ones which will get them points to edge safety in a heated relegation battle.
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| Liverpool’s key players against Norwich celebrate during the big win INDEPENDENT.CO.UK |
Podolski On Form As Gunners Tame Tigers
Score: Hull City 0 – 3 Arsenal
Goalscorers: Aaron Ramsey (31′), Lukas Podolski (45′, 54′)
Location: KC Stadium, Hull, England.
Time: Sunday 20th April 2014, 2:05pm
Attendance: 24,762
Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski
Lukas Podolski scored twice as Arsenal eased past Hull at the KC Stadium to maintain control of the race for Champions League football.
Arsenal comfortably passed the ball around the pitch in search of a switch to flamboyant football, as Hull City pressed forward. Shane Long struck fright early for the Gunners, alas in vein though as his shot fizzed over the bar.
After half-an-hour, Arsenal would be leading at the hands of Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman put an emphatic exclamation mark on his return beating keeper Steve Harper to cap off a sublime passing build-up.
Then, on the brink of half-time, the German would get in on the act with a terrific volley that left the Tigers out of it going into the break. A lofted ball to Ramsey was chested into the path of the German, lashing at it with the perfect balance of power and accuracy.
Nine minutes into the second half and any small hopes of Hull’s comeback were tarnished. Lukas Podolski got his second goal after Ramsey’s blistering shot was saved, allowing the German to tap in to an open goal.
Olivier Giroud, who picked up a slight knock ruling him out for a few moments, hit the crossbar after the wind delayed the ball from reaching goalkeeper Steve Harper. The Frenchman slid to get the ball that went up and hit the crossbar, rebounding out to Tigers’ relief.
Speaking of wind, it was exactly that which delayed the game just a few minutes in. Around a dozen advertising boards were blown onto the pitch from the wind, and the players carried them off before playing again. When you think you’ve seen it all…
Hull City hit the bar on one occasion, and that would be the closest they would come after Arsenal eased past them, increasing their woes while the Gunners are edging closer to securing more Champions League football.
The two teams will meet again at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 17th May 2014 for the FA Cup Final.
Analysis & Comment
While Hull may not have taken away anything in points from the game, there was plenty of lessons for the Tigers going into their FA Cup final meeting – they’ll be hoping, though, that they will be safe when the season closes a week prior.
One thing to change maybe is the two forwards. It was clear throughout the duration of the match that a lot of gaps were exposed, allowing the Gunners to move at will and set up for goals like Aaron Ramsey’s opener – speaking of Ramsey, what a way to return, Arsenal will definitely value his presence.
Hull City really didn’t get much of a shout throughout the one-sided contest. Arsenal, looking sharp and upbeat made a dominant statement for fourth place intentions.
Lukas Podolski has emerged as the solution, possibly, for Arsenal to find more goals like they did against Hull City. He’s been on great form, and should Giroud follow the same, Arsenal could ease to fourth. You can’t forget Ramsey either, whose contributions will no doubt be vital.
On a day where they were mathematically ruled out of winning the title, Arsenal were determined in their pursuit to make something of a season – a season which has seen them turn a sharp corner from a prosperous start at the top to battling for Champions League football.
Toffees Spoil Moyes’ Goodison Return
Score: Everton 2 – 0 Manchester United
Goalscorers: Leighton Baines (38′ penalty), Kevin Mirallas (43′)
Location: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England.
Time: Sunday 20th April 2014, 4:10pm
Attendance: 39,436
Man of the Match: Kevin Mirallas
Everton spoiled David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park with an impressive 2 – 0 win over Manchester United to keep up the race for fourth place.
The Toffees made a good response to the game prior, which saw Arsenal win at Hull.
Leighton Baines scored the opener in the 38th minute from the penalty spot, after Phil Jones handballed Romelu Lukaku’s shot in the box.
Kevin Mirallas extended the lead five minutes later after Seamus Coleman put the Belgian through to fire past David De Gea.
Although having plenty of possession, Moyes side were far too poor, lacking creativity and urgency.
One fan, dressed as the Grim Reaper in the stands, proved an illustrious image for the Scots’ possible future after another devastating blow to his side.
Manchester United’s loss meant it is now mathematically possible for Champions League qualification next year.
Analysis & Comment
Its another tough blow for Manchester United. The demise from glory days continues, and its misery for Moyes at Goodison Park.
The Red Devils really looked short of motivation, a sense of dejection seemed to cloud their hopes throughout the game.
Manchester United eagerly await the final day of the season so they can rebuild and rejuvenate after a dreadful season.
Everton move within one point of Arsenal (as of 20/04/2014 DD/MM/YYYY) to keep up the pressure as they squeeze for Champions League football.
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| Leighton Baines scored a penalty to sink the visitors IAN HODGSON / THE DAILY MAIL |
Easter Sunday brings a delightful offering of the Premier League.
We saw Liverpool hang on to ground the Canaries, and Everton keep up the pressure on Arsenal with both sides winning impressively. Hull City and Norwich are dealt with big blows at the bottom, while more misery consumes Manchester United.
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