Real Madrid 1-1 Man Utd: Advantage United as Real fail to find winner

By Peter Wells: It was crucial to leave the Bernabeu with a goal, and Manchester United succeeded there thanks to Danny Welbeck. But to leave the Bernabeu having held Real Madrid to only one goal could well be the deciding factor in this enthralling tie.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his side understand that home advantage in the second leg, may mean very little in terms of which team will be on top. Knowing they need a goal, Real will be the aggressors from the off, much like they were last night in Madrid.

The confidence that United will take into Old Trafford is second to none. They now know they can withstand heavy pressure from world class players like Ronaldo, Di Maria, Ozil, etc. They also know they have the artillery up front to score goals of there own.

After going in at half time level at 1-1, either side could have won it in the second half, Man Utd coming closest when Xabi Alonso denied Van Persie on the line.

Early in the the first half, Ronaldo was the key man for Real, picking up the ball on the left, the right, and in central areas. United weren't playing conservatively, which usually left Ronaldo one-one-one with Rafael. It was a no contest and Man Utd gifted Real the ball every time they had it. In the opening 10 minutes, Khedira, Di Maria, Contrao, Ramos and Ronaldo all had efforts, with Contrao going closest when his curling effort was tipped onto the post by David De Gea.

United's dreadful start went unpunished, something Jose Mourinho will be looking at after the game as a missed opportunity. Then came Man Utd's moment as Rooney whipped in a perfect corner, which was directed into the bottom corner by Danny Welbeck. The Bernabeu was stunned as United took an unlikely lead on 20 minutes.

Real Madrid were momentarily stunned themselves, as they looked bemused as to how they were the team behind at that point. The faze didn't last long and soon enough United were back under pressure. This time they had plenty behind the ball, but that mattered very little, when Ronaldo rose highest to head home Di Maria's perfect cross. No one in the area could contest as Ronaldo floated in the air, waiting for the ball to come off his head.

United's lead had lasted just 10 minutes, although they nearly regained it when Welbeck got the tiniest of touches on a cross only for Lopez to tip it away for a corner.

Just before the half time whistle Ronaldo almost replicated his first goal, when Contrao's cross from the left was headed over by the famous number 7.

United came charging out the gates to start the second half, but there spell of pressure was very brief. Real Madrid continued to shoot from outside the area, which was all credit to United who denied them the chance to enter the penalty area with the ball.

After having much of there success in the first half down the left, Madrid then explored how they could expose United down the right. The tactic nearly paid off as Khedira delivered a magnificent ball to the back post to Contrao who came sliding in only to see De Gea deny him with his foot. Higuain was the next to deliver from the right, this time to the near post where Evans just got there before Ronaldo.

Down the other end Van Persie saw his first meaningful effort tipped onto the post by Lopez before he was gifted an even better chance when beating the offside trap. Man Utd's hit man flicked the ball past Lopez but Xabi Alonso came to Real's rescue when he ran back to clear off the line. It was a golden opportunity for a player that usually scores for fun.

Khedira then forced De Gea into another good save, before Van Persie was left with the final chance of the game, when he tried to curl past Lopez on 93 minutes, but the Real Madrid keeper was equal to the shot, pushing it wide.

In all fairness, despite Madrid leading on pretty much all the stats a draw seemed the right result. Apart from a shaky opening 10 minutes, United looked comfortable, and mostly restricted Real Madrid to shots from outside the area.

Still the question remains, can Manchester United do that all over again?

Man of the Match: Sami Khedira - The Real Madrid playmaker had a solid game all round, he created plenty of chances, sending the ball on numerous occasions to Ronaldo or Di Maria. Mesut Ozil also had an excellent game, playing much the same role as Khedira, while Ronaldo, Di Maria, Welbeck and De Gea all had quality performances.

REAL MADRID 1
RONALDO 30

MAN UTD 1
WELBECK 20

Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle: Bale show at White Hart Lane

By Peter Wells: Before Newcastle United's French invasion, a tie for the Toon army at White Hart Lane, would have been an almost sure defeat, but since the arrival of Sissoko, Gouffran and Debuchy, who have made instant impacts, they were suddenly being considered as in with a shout. Yet despite Bale stealing the headlines in Tottenhams's 2-1 victory, Newcastle showed plenty of potential, and were no doubt in with a chance of taking all 3 points before the 78th minute.

Yoan Gouffran was stretchered off after lengthy treatment after he was caught on the shin by Kyle Walker. The goalscorer was in some pain, and has received an x-ray. Thankfully Gouffran has not suffered a broken leg as first feared, although Newcastle are yet to inform fans of the extent of his injury.

Gouffran was the star of the first half, having caused Spurs all kinds of trouble down the left wing. The injury he suffered on 56 minutes no doubt hindered Newcastle's attacking threat. Had he not suffered his injury maybe it would have been the Frenchman and not Gareth Bale who'd have taken all the plaudits. But as it is, Bale's double, which could easily have been triple, was the difference between the two sides. Bale was magical on and off the ball, and came into his own in the final 20 minutes, where he had several chances to add to his tally.

Tottenham started fast and were ahead after 5 minutes when Bale curled the ball over the Newcastle wall and into the bottom corner, just bouncing out of  Krul's reach. New signing Holtby, had more than one chance to double Tottenham's advantage but squandered both efforts from decent positions.

Tottenham were almost punished on 19 minutes, when Coloccini floated a ball to the back post for Cisse to attack, but the Senegalese front man couldn't direct his header on target. Holtby again was the culprit of wasting a chance when firing over Lennon's pull back. This time Newcastle didn't let the German off the hook. A brilliant flowing move started by Gutierrez down the right who found Sissoko, who in turn fed the ball to Gouffran in acres of space just inside the penalty area, he then hammered the ball into the top corner to level things up.

The rest of the half went by without incident, as Tottenham were happy to have the bulk of possession, while Newcastle tried to cause trouble off quick counters. Both sides though were dealing with the others tactics, resulting in a stale mate for the rest of the half.

The 2nd started the same, before Gouffran was sadly stretchered off the field, to applause from both sets of supporters.

It took till the final 15 minutes for the game to finally find some life, and how it found some life! At one end Taylor put his body on the line to block a red hot Gareth Bale's effort from 8 yards out, before Cabaye sent his outside the box effort over the bar.

Then some poor Newcastle defending allowed Bale through one-on-one with Krul, and the Welshman made no mistake, slotting past the goalkeeper. Coloccini was shrugged away by Bale too easily and it could have been worse on 81 minutes, when Krul miss judged the flight of a Tottenham corner, but Caulker headed wide, clearly loosing sight of the ball when Krul went up for it.

Still Tottenham pressed, when some more trickery from Bale saw him through on goal, but this time Krul got the better of the Welsh wizard.

Into the 4th minute of injury time, Shola Ameobi failed to control the ball, allowing Lloris to block the ball out for a corner, denying Newcastle a dramatic leveller.

Then in the dying minutes, Bale took over similarly to the way Kevin Durant takes over the game for OKC in the 4th quarter. Bale should have scored his 3rd goal when his initial shot was blocked by Krul before he fired over in front of an empty net. To Bale's defence he was slightly off balance, but he should have scored. Bale came close again in the 8th minute of stoppage time, but was this time denied by Krul who stretched to tip the ball wide.

So that was it, and after the game failed to ignite, it exploded in the final quarter of the game. It finished 2-1 although it could easily have been 3 or 4 for Tottenham. In fairness though, 2-1 was the right result and Newcastle deserve credit for such a solid display.

The Magpies will feel assured that they needn't worry too much about relegation, while Tottenham will be concentrating fully on 3rd place, in what is to be a tight race, between themselves, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton.

Man of the Match: Gareth Bale - Tottenham's winger is on a fine run of form and it's hard to see Tottenham losing when Bale plays like this.

TOTTENHAM 2
BALE 5' 19'

NEWCASTLE 1
GOUFFRAN 24'

Man City 2-2 Liverpool: Spectacular goals were the theme at the Etihad

By Peter Wells: Steven Gerrard doesn't score that often, but when he does his goals are pretty special. Three players that do score often are, Dzeko, Aguero and Sturridge, and yesterday they all added their names to the score sheet in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Coming into the game, City were 10 points behind league leaders Man Utd and were requiring a win, in a crucial home game. Liverpool on the other hand were still stinging after throwing away a 2-0 lead at the Emirates, last Wednesday.

In the first half, Liverpool were the team on top, keeping the ball well, although City pressured them enough, to deny them getting any quick breaks. Sturridge, who picked up where he left off against Arsenal, was picked out over the top of the Liverpool defence. The England striker, took the ball around Hart with an excellent piece of control, but the ball didn't come down kindly for him as he just about got an effort off which was blocked out for a corner by Zabaleta.

The pace of the game hadn't quite got up to full speed in the opening 20 minutes, but Sturridge was heavily involved again in a Liverpool chance, when he sprinted down the left before dragging the ball back to Luis Suarez, who kicked the air rather than the ball.

Lescott then nervously gave the ball away to Suarez on the edge of the box. This time he managed to connect with the ball but couldn't quite find the bottom corner. After so much possession and all the good chances, Liverpool found themselves behind when a swift counter by City was tapped in by Edin Dzeko.

Liverpool were unlucky to be behind, but they didn't feel sorry for themselves. Instead they once again seized control of the game, and were rewarded on 29 minutes. After it looked as though Dzeko was fouled, nothing was called. Liverpool carried on and Sturridge picked the ball up just outside the area, and then thundered past a sea of City players, beyond Joe Hart and into the back of the net.

Liverpool weren't settled their in the first half, and carried on seeing most of the ball. Zabaleta and Hart nearly gifted Liverpool a goal before the break, when Zabaleta didn't realise Hart was coming for the ball and knocked it past his own keeper only to gratefully see it got the wrong side of the post.

City needed a lift at the break, a draw wouldn't be enough, but Liverpool were again on the front foot as the 2nd half began. Liverpool had plenty of half chances, but Hart was untested in the 2nd half. Sturridge was then harshly judged to have dived in the box, and although it was rather theatrical there was contact, and he was going at some speed.

After 15 minutes of the 2nd half, City started to awaken. Dzeko should have done better than miss the ball entirely when Aguero played it in for him, before a Liverpool break ended in Suarez curling with the outside of his boot, wide.

Then on 73 minutes, Liverpool had their revenge. Just as City were looking on top, up popped Steven Gerrard to send the Liverpool faithful into pandemonium, which an outrageous 30 yard strike that had Hart beaten the moment it left his boot.

Like Liverpool, City didn't feel sorry for themselves and 5 minutes later they were level. Liverpool had failed to hang onto a lead again. Reina was to blame for coming out of his area, only for Aguero to beat him to the ball. But to be fair to Reina, no one could envision what was to come next. As from the tightest of angles, and while falling off balance, Aguero managed to curl the ball into the back of the net.

It was the sucker punch of all sucker punches for Brendan Rodgers team, who now we're braced for a final 10 minute onslaught. Yet Liverpool held firm and City's best chance came from a set piece when Maicon headed over, when he should have done better.

The best chance to win the game well to Liverpool, when Joe Hart made a brilliant save, low to his right from Sturridge's curling effort. It came as Sturridge's last act and ultimately the last chance of the game.

Man City now trail their rivals by 9 points, and although you can never rule City out, it's looking like an extremely tough task. Man City have lost 4 points on United in their last two games and will need to get back to winning ways, very soon.

Man of the Match: Daniel Sturridge - Sturridge put in an inspired effort all game, and certainly drove his side to a valuable point against the champions. His goal was excellent and his work rate was even better.

MAN CITY 2
DZEKO 23
AGUERO 78

LIVERPOOL 2
STURRIDGE 29
GERRARD 73

West Brom 0-1 Tottenham: Bale storms past 10 man WBA

By Peter Wells: In the wake of Peter Odemwingie's desperate attempts to leave the Hawthorns, manager Steve Clarke was given another headache, when Goran Popov spat at Kyle Walker, and was rightly given his marching orders. Popov's moment of stupidity ended the contest as a spectacle and also severely knocked any chance of a West Brom winner. Gareth Bale's wonderful strike on 67 minutes all put cemented WBA's fate. After that it turned to a routine Tottenham victory, which could have had more gloss on it had the players wanted.

Spurs have now moved within a point of 3rd place Chelsea, while West Brom remain in 9th, and set to stay at least 9th for another two weeks.

The first chance of a dull opening fell to West Brom loanee striker, Lukaku who struck low at Lloris' near post, but the effort was easily kept out. Tottenham's best chance of the 1st half came just a minute later when Aaron Lennon displayed his speed down the right hand side, before chipping the ball to Dempsey at the back post, who got his angles all wrong, heading into the side netting.

Tottenham dominated possession in the 1st half, but the best chance well to West Brom's, Shane Long. Dorrans did well to find Long, with a through ball on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area, but the front man's tame effort was well blocked by Lloris.

Bad news then for Tottenham, as Jermain Defoe, limped off after badly twisting his ankle, and things could have gotten worse, had it not been for Dawson, who just did enough to put off Lukaku when he was through on goal.

Bale, who had been Tottenham's biggest threat down the middle, brought a fine stop from Foster, who tipped over the Welshman's effort.

The 2nd half started with drama straight away, when Popov and Walker exchanged words, before the West Brom man spat at the Tottenham right back. Popov saw a straight red, leaving West Brom, which a monstrous task ahead of them.

Tottenham seized control, but despite a few blocked efforts, didn't threaten to make the man advantage count. That was until on 67 minutes, Gareth Bale, cut in from the right hand side, before curling past Foster. It was always going to take an amazing individual effort the separate the two sides, and Gareth Bale was the man to deliver.

Tottenham were cruising now, and looked content, with a 1-0 win. Long threatened at the other end, but lacked the power to trouble Lloris.

It was a crucial 3 points for Tottenham, who just about took advantage of Popov's stupidity, and can now feel much more confident about a top 4 spot.

Man of the Match: Gareth Bale - Who else? Bale took up his role down the middle, and caused West Brom all kinds of problems, and his brilliant finish, was the cherry on top.

WEST BROM 0

TOTTENHAM 1
BALE 67

Fulham 0-1 Man Utd: Rooney steals the show in end-to-end game

Rooney curls home the winning goal

By Peter Wells (@boxingpeter): Another game, another average performance, and no surprise it was another 3 points for league leaders Man Utd, who now lead rival Man City by 10 points, ahead of City's Sunday fixture against Liverpool. Man Utd had a small case to say they were the better side over the 90 minutes but the fact was that they were not at their best. But hence the 'no surprise', United are geniuses at winning when they are far from their best.

In a game that saw crossbars and posts struck and floodlights go out, Wayne Rooney was the man to win the game for United with just over 10 minutes to go. RVP rarely threatened and Hernandez only had one chance on goal as Rooney sent out a message to show he was still United's main front man.

Fulham will rightly feel unlucky not to finish the night with at least a point. They had multiple chances and forced plenty of quality saves out of David De Gea.

The first opportunity of the game fell to Man Utd. The ball though didn't quite fall kindly for United as it was firstly cleared off the line before Evra struck the crossbar. The pinball continued in the penalty area, and when it was finally out of the area, Nani swivelled brilliantly only to see his tame effort saved low at his near post by Mark Schwarzer.

After some sustained United pressure Risse found space down the other end before sending a powerful drive towards De Gea who tipped the ball over the crossbar. Bryan Ruiz then forced a remarkable fingertip save from De Gea. Ruiz's low drive from just outside the 18 yard box was tipped onto the post, before being cleared by United's defence. Straight down the other end Hangeland took the ball away from Nani just in time to deny the winger. From the resulting corner, Hangeland headed onto his own crossbar and Valencia followed up slamming the ball into the side netting.

More end-to-end football ensued as Dejagah went close one end while Rooney did the same at the other. Rooney continued to be United's biggest threat as he struck the inside of the post after Cleverly laid the ball off beautifully.

United were now looking the better team but failed to create any meaningful chances before the floodlights went out 3 minutes before the break. Players were lead off the pitch as the stadium was lit up by the crowds mobile phones.

The 2nd half failed to start with the same pace of the first as both sides had adventurous strikes at goal. Still it was a flowing game, that never stayed in one team's half for a considerably long time. A nice flowing move by United was thwarted by Chris Baird who blocked Nani's effort after he'd had his own strike saved well by De Gea.

As we entered the final 20 minutes, Fulham were looking the more likely team to find a winner as Reither was denied by De Gea, before Ruiz saw his header nodded off the line by Rafael.

But, just as Fulham were looking on top, along came Wayne Rooney to shake things up. He latched on to a ball over the Fulham defence, and as Hughes backed off he curled the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Schwarzer with no chance.

After looking for a winner, Fulham were left with 10 minutes to salvage a point against a United side that had been resilient all night, in a game full of chances.

On 81 minutes Rodallega found himself free in the penalty area but couldn't keep his header down. Van Persie then came to United's rescue on the defensive end has he headed Senderos's goal bound header off the line, although the drama may not have ended their.

Fulham were presented with one last chance in the 94th minute - much to Alex Ferguson's displeasure. Rodallega stepped up to take a free-kick from just outside the area, but it was straight into the United wall, before the referee called the curtains on a gripping game.

The Reds had done it again, and for the 2nd time this season Fulham were the victims of being beaten by a sub-par United. Just imagine what Man Utd would be like if they played at their best every week. Maybe they wouldn't be in the same glorious position they are in right now, and that is the beauty of it. That's the secret to United's success.

Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney- Rooney not only got the crucial goal of the match, but he was also United's stand out player. He was by far their biggest threat and he can be well and truly pleased with his nights work.

FULHAM 0

MAN UTD 1
ROONEY 79