Winners and Losers of this Week-end

WINNERS

Chelsea

The Billionaires Battle was meant to be the day that Manchester City show that the billions invested by their Arabs owners were ready to overtake the roubles of Abrahamovic. A defeat would have meant a total surrender of their title but Chelsea played out of their skins to record a fourth consecutive win which heaps the pressure on United.

Liverpool

Dalglish´s feel-good factor is leading the club to a late resurgence but it could still be one that see them challenge Spurs for a fifth place spot. In a tremendous run since January, Liverpool could even harbour hopes for the final top 4 berth.

West Ham

Out of the bottom three for the first time this season and a battling draw against rivals Spurs continues their good form. They now look in good shape to beat the drop.

LOSERS

Spurs:

Redknapp has boasted all season that his side can win the league. They are now five points behind Chelsea and the Top 4 looks like a distant dream after their latest draw. Liverpool are just four points behind and they could struggle to even finish fifth.

Manchester City

The end of their title ambitions despite spending 200m in two seasons. They must be happy with a Champions League place now but is it all what their massive investment was supposed to get?

Birmingham

In free-fall ever since their fortunate Carling Cup win over Arsenal. Three consecutive defeats and just one point in their last four games mean that McLeish´s men need to refocus fast if they are to remain a Premiership club.

Relegation battle: Who will beat the drop?

It is that time of the year again and Football Point takes a look at the teams in danger of a relegation fight with just eight games remaining. It is one of the tightest battles for years and even teams like Stoke and Everton are not entirely safe.

Wigan: Martinez can get credit for trying to play football the right way but the results have not come for his side. The Birmingham game will be a must-win if Wigan are to stand a chance. Odds to go down: 1/4

Wolves: Showing fighting spirit lately, including wins over Man U and an unlucky draw against Spurs. Fixtures remaining involve games against fellow relegation strugglers so a few wins could ensure survival again. 11/10

West Ham: Has been playing well since December but unable to get out of the bottom three all season. Great wins over Liverpool and Stoke but have a diabolical fixture list with games against Spurs, United, Chelsea and City. Will need to get points in one of the big games but recent form is promising. 6/4

Birmingham: Stunned everybody by beating Arsenal in the Carling Cup. It was a fluke goal but they managed to end their 48 year trophy-drought. However, it cannot still hide the fact that Premier League form has not been good. The home defeat to West Brom is a case in point and they need to refocus quickly if they are to save their Premier League status. 11/4

Blackburn: In free-fall as the Indian owners are realising (perhaps too late) that Steve Kean does not have the experience to guide them to safety. Has lost 4 in their last six and with fixtures against Arsenal, City and United left, it is not looking good. 11/4

WBA: Replaced Di Matteo with Hodgson in a desperate attempt to halt the poor results of the last three months. Big win at Birmingham and on-loan Arsenal striker Vela could prove the key. Also have Liverpool, Arsenal , Chelsea and Spurs as tough games left. It won´t be easy but they might scrape through. 15/8

Blackpool: Took the league by storm but Holloway has perhaps been guilty of believing his own hype, with attacks on both Houllier and Dalglish in January. Needs to keep focus but just two wins since December has added to the gloom at the club. 10/11

Stoke: Pulis is also another one who likes to blow his own trumpet and boasted that safety was already achieved in December. But a poor run of four points in the last six games mean  that they are living dangerously. The football on show has also made the club  the Premiership least favourite club. 14/1

Newcastle : Most people never understood the decision to replace Houghton with Pardew. Results have deteriorated under Pardew but Houghton may have done just enough to get the points to save Newcastle. 25/1

Everton: Moyes may have just saved Everton again even though the fans have realised that lack of investment have meant that Moyes is struggling to take the club to a different level. Odds of 50/1 are generous given their very small squad. Fans are questionning Moyes and the pressure is getting to him.

Vela saves Hodgson

Arsenal loanee Carlos Vela came off the bench to salvage a last minute draw for West Bromwhich Albion in their derby against Wolves. Wolves look like to be holding on to a precious win until the Mexican scored a poacher's goal to rescue a point in Hodgson's first game.

In other FA Cups games, Leyton Orient forced their illustrious opponents Arsenal to a replay at the Emirates. Orient's chairman Hearn says that the replay will help his club break even this year.

Manchester City destroyed Notts County with a Vieira double but their neighbour United struggled to beat non-league opposition Crawley Town at Old Trafford on Saturday. 

Ancelotti next to be sacked after latest set back?

David Moyes looked down and out in the FA Cup replay at Stamford Bridge until a last minute free-kick from Baines saved him. The Everton manager has been under pressure for some time now but his side eventually beat Chelsea's Ancelotti, who now looks under real danger.

Next to be sacked ( chances and betting):


Avram Grant: Never the Hammers fans choice (nor the Board) it seems and the uncharismatic Israeli manager remains in trouble despite his side showing spirit lately. The O'Neil fiasco has made things diffiicult for the West Ham board but Grant remains always two bad results from the sack. Odds: 8/13

Ancelotti: On a terrible run since the sacking of Ray Wilkins. The trigger happy Abrahamovic has remained loyal to the Italian, who has after all delivered the double last season. But the FA Cup exit will heap the pressure. Odds: 4/1

Moyes: Under intense scrutiny at Everton after a run of just 3 wins out of 11 games in the league. The FA Cup win is a huge relief but he will need to improve results in the league. Odds: 8/1

Martinez: Has just one win out of the last 12. Plays good football but Wigan fans are getting restless. 8/1


McLeish: Not liked by the Board or the owner Yeung but latest results have saved his job. A trip to the Carling Cup final has rejuvenated the side but a defeat and a bad run in the league could still cost him. 12/1

Houllier: Has not convinced the Villa fans despite being heavily backed in the transfer window. Has an impressive CV and has owner Lerner on his side but a team which finished sixth in the last three years is still very close to the relegation zone. 15/1

Allardyce talking himself up for the WBA job

Sam Allardyce is desperate to get back to management after a few months out of a job.

Commenting at length on the West Brom vacancy, Allardyce praised his own record and reiterated that he can make "top teams".

Allardyce was said to be frustrated for not being approached by West Ham when there were intense rumours about Grant's future.

He is now trying to make sure he lands the Albion job, even though the Baggies hierarchy are split over his hugely confrontational behaviour.

Gomez first choice ahead of Torres

Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez has revealed that Chelsea wanted to sign him before they swooped for Liverpool's Fernando Torres.

Chelsea made an offer of  €42m (around £33m)  for the German striker but Bayern Munich rejected the bid.

Gomez claimed that he was only told of the bid after it was rejected.

Chelsea did not go back to Bayern with an improved offer and instead smashed the British transfer record for Torres.

Tensions ahead of the Manchester derby

The temperature is rising ahead of the most eagerly awaited Manchester derby in years.

Manchester United fans are planning a "party" to "celebrate" City's lack of trophies for the past 35 years.

Joe Hart has reacted furiously to this lack of respect and claims that United fans know that this could be their "last party".

A City win would put enormous pressure on United as they will move to just two points behind, with Arsenal and Chelsea also in the hunt.

United could however extend their lead to eight points should they beat their rivals but confidence is not high after their defeat at bottom club Wolves.

Man Utd also face away trips to Chelsea and Liverpool in a month that could define their season.

Given disappointed at City stance

Shay Given has vented his frustration again at Manchester City's hierarchy.

The Irish stopper who has been a No.1 all his life is unhappy that Joe Hart was promoted ahead of him on the basis of one England call-up. Hart has made a number of errors recently but Given remained on the bench.

It is thought that both Fulham and Arsenal were interested in a move for the experienced keeper but Manchester City want him as a top back-up for their title push.

Bruce blast for officials

Steve Bruce was furious with the referring which cost them two points at Stoke's ground on Saturday.

The Sunderland manager felt that Stoke went overboad with their usual tactics of pushing and shoving the goalkeeper on set-pieces.

Bruce was appalled that the referee Lee Probert did not do anything to protect Craig Gordon.

Bruce said "It is difficult to lose any game, especially like this. We expected the officials to do their jobs and they did not."

Reina hints at departure again

Liverpool's goalkeeper Reina has hinted again that he is likely to depart Anfield this summer.

He says that he needs to be in a team playing in the Champions League.

Liverpool's resurgence might be a bit too late for them to be in the Top 4 this season but they will certainly be a different outfit next season.

Reina has made noises about leaving ever since Spanish manager Rafa Benitez was sacked. He also said that he "understood" fellow countryman Torres' move to Chelsea.

Manchester United and Arsenal are believed to be interested.

West Brom and West Ham battling it out for Allardyce

The race to take over at West Brom is on following Di Matteo's surprise sacking on Sunday.

Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson have thrown their names in the hat for the vacancy.

Allardyce is not a fan's choice but his ability to get teams out of trouble could play in his favour.

The Hammers board are also considering a move for him as Grant continues to flatter to deceive.

West Ham are currently back to last after Wolves stunned Man Utd at the Moulineux.

Ferguson blames pitch for end of unbeaten run !

Sir Alex Ferguson was stunned with his side's defeat at bottom club Wolves on Saturday.

He cited the bad pitch at Wolverhampton as one of the main reasons of the defeat.

Ferguson claimed his side was the better side: "The pitch was not very good.We made a lot of chances.Their keeper did not have many saves to make."

A win would have put daylight between United and Arsenal but they instead find themselves just four points ahead with a blockbuster looming with fiercest rivals City on Sunday.

Not that Mick McCarthy cared as his side lifted themselves after West Ham's defeat.

Round-Up

Kenny Dalglish made it four out four as Liverpool dented Chelsea's title hopes at Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres was making his debut after his record-breaking deal but he did not have it his way as a determined Liverpool pressed Chelsea all over the pitch.

Chelsea are ten points behind Man United but they do have two games against them.

As for Liverpool, they moved to sixth and are perhaps now an outside bet for a Champions League spot.

At the bottom of the table, Birmingham heaped more pressure on Avram Grant's West Ham. The Hammers dominated the game but Zigic settled the match.

West Brom sack Di Matteo

In a decision that came out of the blue, WBA have sacked their manager Roberto Di Matteo.

The Italian who guided WBA to promotion last term had a good start to the season.

However, a poor run has seen the team slide towards the relegation zone.

They are now only two points ahead of bottom side West Ham.

The former Chelsea player will feel hard done by though considering that his side has been playing quite well recently.

Round-Up

Manchester United's unbeaten run came to end today after they were beaten by bottom side Wolves.

The Red Devils could not cope with the Wanderers' high tempo game. Their dreams of equalling Arsenal's record unbeaten run are now over.

To make matters worse, ten-man Arsenal closed the gap on Manchester United despite drawing a thriller at St James Park. Newcastle benefitted from two controversial penalties but a spectacular goal rescued the points for them.

Manchester City also heaped the pressure on their rivals by storming past WBA. Tevez got a hat-trick.

Spurs struggled to beat Bolton at home but managed to draw level with Chelsea on points with a last minute strike. Chelsea are involved in a block buster against Liverpool tomorrow though.

At the end of the table, under-pressure Moyes saw his side concede three goals against Blackpool but Saha's tremendous display eased relegation fears for the Toffees.

Blackpool though have lost 7 out of their last 8 games and are being dragged into the relegation zone.

Wigan managed to move out of the relegation zone with a 4-3 win over Blackburn while in-form clubs Fulham and Aston Villa shared the points at Villa Park.

Newcastle fans unhappy over Carroll sale

A £35m bid for a player who has only half a season in the Premiership represents a good piece of business by any account.

However, the fact that Newcastle have been unable to get a replacement for Carroll have left many Newcastle fans worried about their future this season.

Contrast it with Liverpool who have lost their talisman Fernando Torres but have replaced him with Suarez and Carroll.

Newcastle made a number of late unsuccessful bids, including a £10m bid for Wigan's N'Zogbia which was flatly dismissed as there was so little time left for them to seek a replacement.

Torres to be involved against Liverpool

It has emerged that Liverpool have unsuccessfully tried to get Chelsea not to play Torres against them.

Chelsea have refused the suggestion and Torres could be involved as early as this Sunday against Liverpool.

Despite thrashing Sunderland yesterday, Chelsea cannot afford another slip-up if they are to maintain their title bid.

Torres is certain to be at least on the bench on Sunday.

Moyes blast for Redknapp

Under-pressure David Moyes had a right go at Harry Redknapp for his bid for 34-year old Phil Neville.

Moyes who just lost Piennaar to Spurs was unhappy with a £500,000 offer for his captain. A bid he has labelled as "disgraceful".

Moyes has been unable to strenghthen Everton in January and they continued their slide towards the relegation zone after being beaten by Arsenal.

Is Ferguson playing a dirty game with Liverpool?

Sir Alex has claimed that Charlie Adam could be a potential successor to Paul Scholes.

He also said that the 25-year old's "corners were worth £10m" each, a ludicrous statement if he were ever interested in the player.


It sounds more like Ferguson is trying to hike up the price for the Blackpool player, just as he did with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (whose deal to Arsenal has collapsed because of Man United's "interest").

Newcastle reject stunning Carrol bid

Spurs have made a massive bid to land Andy Carroll by the end of the transfer deadline.

A stunning £23m was turned down by Newcastle, who will only do business if a bid closer to £30m is made.


It remains to be seen if Spurs will smash their transfer record for a player who has just six months of Premiership experience on board.