Without even playing a match Arsenal were the big winners from Saturday as the likes of fellow Champions League contenders Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United all misfired in their respective matches.
Arsenal who hosts champions Manchester United on ‘Blockbuster Sunday’ remain in fifth place only due to the fact that Chelsea drew whilst both Liverpool and Newcastle United suffered shock defeats.
Chelsea who sits in that all important fourth place extended their lead over the Gunners to five-points following their frustrating 0-0 away draw against the European chasing Norwich City.
Record signing Fernando Torres, who hasn’t scored since October misfired, once again as he was denied in the first half by Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy before missing from right in front in the second half.
It was another frustrating day for the Blues who now sit 10-points behind league leaders Manchester City who host the third place Tottenham in the first match on ‘Blockbuster Sunday’.
“In the first half the chances were split between the two teams which made for an entertaining game, the second half was all ours and we finished with 12 shots on goal and we couldn’t find the back of the net again,” Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said on Sky Sports after the game.
“We tried to find the goal that we wanted but it was a frustrating day. We were dominant but couldn’t find a goal.”
“For a super-motivated Norwich (the result) is not bad, for us in the league it’s not enough.”
One of Chelsea’s main rivals for the last remaining Champions League spot in Liverpool suffered a shock 3-1 away loss to the relegation threatened Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton took the lead through a Mark Davies third minute strike before the home side doubled their advantage through veteran midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker just before the half hour mark.
The Reds pulled one back through veteran striker Craig Bellamy later in the first half before Owen Coyle’s side put the result beyond doubt through a Gretar Rafn Steinsson 50th minute strike.
Liverpool’s fifth loss of the season (all away from home) leaves the Anfield club in seventh place, six points behind the Blues and Reds manager Kenny Daglish was left fuming at his players saying they lacked desire.
The Reds will now head into the return leg of the Carling Cup Semi Final against Manchester City on Wednesday before entering archrivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Fourth Round on Saturday.
“As well as they [Bolton] did, I think we were equally as bad,” Daglish said on ESPN after the game. “If anybody has any aspirations of staying any length of time at the football club then they’ll not be here for much longer if that’s the way they want to perform. We expect a much higher level than that.”
“It’s all well and good saying there might have been distracted because there is a game on Wednesday and another game on Saturday, but every game is a massive game for us. And if they think they can turn the clock on and off, then they won’t be turning it on and off at this club.”
Like Liverpool another team to falter was Newcastle United who remain in sixth place following a 5-2 away defeat at the hands of Fulham.
The Magpies started off well as they took a 1-0 lead into the main break thanks to midfielder Danny Guthrie’s thunderbolt just before the interval but it all started to unravel for the visitors just after the main break.
Fulham equalised in the 52nd minute through a Danny Murphy penalty before American international Clint Dempsey started his scoring spree with a well taken goal in the 59th minute which handed the home side the lead.
The Cottages doubled their advantage six minutes later thanks to Dempsey’s second and secured all three points only moments later when English international striker Bobby Zamora converted his side second spot kick in under 20 minutes.
Hatem Ben Arfa netted a consolation goal in the 85th minute before Dempsey completed his hat trick on the stroke of full time.
Elsewhere a brace by on-loan signing Robbie Keane helped Aston Villa edge past the relegation threatened Wolverhampton 3-2 a result which leaves Wolves second from bottom on 18-points, just a point behind the 17th placed Bolton.
Two spectacular efforts has seen Queens Park Rangers record their first win under Mark Hughes and move out of the relegation zone following a 3-1 home win over cellar dwellers Wigan Athletic.
Goals from Stephane Sessegon and Craig Gardner was enough as Sunderland brought back Swansea City back down to earth with a 2-0 home win, whilst Australian Tim Cahill broke his long-scoring drought in Everton’s 1-1 home draw against strugglers Blackburn Rovers.
Tagged with: Back Of The Net, Blockbuster, Bolton Wanderers, Canaries, Craig Bellamy, Fernando Torres, Five Points, Goalkeeper, Gunners, League Leaders, Magpies, Manchester City, Mark Davies, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Relegation, Shots On Goal, Sky Sports, Veteran Striker, Villas Boas