Do take a bow Ref

In a much anticipated game where the excitement was over flowing, it turned out to be a very eventful second half.
A second half blunder by the ref, changed the game for the worse giving the last 30 min a a bitter taste in the mouth for everyone.

First half consisted of each team getting past the nerves and getting settled in by knocking the ball around and not really posing a threat until Vidic hit the right hand bar off a corner that rebounded back off Welbeck and in between the fortunate keeper. At half time this looked like a game that would end up level which would send Man United through by the hair on there chinny chin chin.

Second half started off with a bang where Man U dominated and got what they deserved for their presure which came from a scramble by Nani who won the ball on the left hand side of the box then placing a low cross towards welbeck who got a slight touch leading to Saergio Ramos scoring in his own net without his knowledge. This gave Man United an extra spring in there step by taking control but Madrid were never out of it with a scrambled clearance by Evra on 56 min, which lead to Nani trying to control the ball in the air and catching Arbeleo on the way down. This in the refs eyes proved to be an extremely dangerous challenge which then after some time produced a Red card...
SHOCK, SILENCE, the reactions of the Stadium. Was it a Red or was nani going for the Ball? The commentators thought otherwise and thought Nani was harshly delt with.
Nothing against Real Madrid they took this oppotunity as the game changed with a stunning strike by the substitute Modric. and not two minutes later the Reliable Ronaldo turned in a goal at the far post by a low cross/shot by Higuain. From then on Man United threw themselves up and never gave up however a man down and needing two goals against the class of Madrid is next to impossible.
The final whistle blew and in the words of Marinho "Independant to the decision the better team lost tonight".

Robin van Persie hurt his hip in Manchester United's 2-0 win at QPR

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Robin van Persie will be fit to face Real Madrid after the Manchester United striker picked up an injury in the 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

Van Persie hurt his hip after colliding with a camera in the build-up to United's first goal and he was eventually replaced six minutes before half-time by Danny Welbeck.
The Premier League's top scorer will be assessed in the next few days, but Ferguson expects the Dutchman to be available for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League tie against Real on Tuesday 5th March.
"He collided into a camera which was dug out of a piece of ground, he collided into the base of it and that's given him a sore hip," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"I imagine it will be tender and sore for a few days, but hopefully he'll be alright, particularly for the Real game."
The victory at Loftus Road was secured by a stunning goal from Rafael and a late finish from the evergreen Ryan Giggs, and opened up a 15-point gap to reigning champions Manchester City.
Ferguson added: "We're in a better position today than we were yesterday. It's one game less and it's really important that the only way we approach it is by winning the next game and then try winning the next game.
"It was a lively pitch, a tight ground and it was a game more about determination and concentration, particularly the defending part, which we did very well.
"It was a little scrappy at times, but we got a fantastic goal to set us up to make us hard to beat. It was a great strike from Rafael and he has made a great contribution this season."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8519937/Robin-van-Persie-hurt-his-hip-in-Manchester-United-s-2-0-win-at-QPR

Premier League round-up

Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to a whopping 15 points with a 2-0 win against seemingly doomed Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

There was also a 2-1 win for Arsenal at home to Aston Villa to ease the pressure on Arsene Wenger, while Wigan picked up an emphatic 3-0 win at Reading down at the bottom.
Elsewhere, there was a dramatic late win for Norwich at home to Everton, West Brom picked up the points against Sunderland at the Hawthorns and Fulham edged past Stoke at Craven Cottage.
QPR went into their game against Manchester United knowing they are running out of games to haul themselves off the foot of the table but they weren't expecting a Rafael thunderbolt to dash their hopes.
Ryan Giggs played in Robin van Persie down the right channel and while Julio Cesar parried the Dutchman's effort well clear of goal there was Rafael to drill the ball outrageously into the top corner.
And it was the 39-year-old Giggs who sealed the points for the Red Devils when he finished in fine style late on to heap further pressure on rivals Manchester City who play on Sunday and leave QPR cut adrift at the bottom.

Click below for individual match previews and stats:

Fulham 1 Stoke 0
Arsenal 2 Villa 1
Norwich 2 Everton 1
QPR 0 Man Utd 2
Reading 0 Wigan 3
West Brom 2 Sunderland 1

Arsenal survived a scare against Aston Villa to bounce back from cup defeats to Blackburn and Bayern Munich with three Premier League points.
Wenger's side began brightly and Santi Cazorla looked to have lifted some of the gloom at the Emirates Stadium when he forced the ball past Brad Guzan at the second attempt early on.
But the Gunners were unable to extend their lead and paid the price when Andreas Weimann was allowed to run through unchallenged midway through the second half before firing a shot in from distance that Wojciech Szczesny should have saved.
Just when the inquests were beginning all over again in North London, the Gunners found an equaliser with five minutes remaining through that man Cazorla, who swept the ball home left footed to break Villa hearts.

Brace

Wigan went into their game at in-form Reading on a run of six without a win but Arouna Kone scored twice towards the end of the first half to set them on their way to a 3-0 win at the Madejski Stadium.
Kone did not know too much about the first as Maynor Figueroa's header from a corner brushed off the former Levante man and past Adam Federici in the Royals net. But the finish for his second effort just moments later was a classy one as he dinked the ball home after being given far too much space.
Reading have launched some impressive comebacks this season but any hope of doing so against the Latics was dashed shortly after the interval when Figueroa slid the ball between Federici's legs after latching onto a fine ball from Franco Di Santo.
Things got worse for Brian McDermott's men when Pavel Pogrebnyak received a straight red card for an ugly challenge on Figueroa and the result sees Wigan jump above them in the table and out of the bottom three.
At Carrow Road, Norwich grabbed a last-gasp winner to beat Everton 2-1 and snatch their first Premier League victory of 2013.
The Toffees had opened the scoring in characteristic fashion, knocking the ball up to Marouane Fellaini before Steven Pienaar found Leighton Baines down the left and his quality cross was headed home by Leon Osman.
The Canaries were never out of it and a bullet header from Kei Kamara, a January arrival on loan from Sporting Kansas, looked to have secured a valuable point when he beat Fellaini in the air.
But there was a final twist when Norwich put another ball into the box with seconds remaining and Grant Holt was there to turn in a Sebastien Bassong knockdown and nick all three points.

Scare

West Brom survived a late scare of their own at the Hawthorns but held on to win 2-1 against Sunderland with Romelu Lukaku the two-goal hero for the home side.
Lukaku had been a little unfortunate to see an earlier effort disallowed but soon found the breakthrough after Liam Ridgewell's shot was handled by Craig Gardner. The on-loan Chelsea man comfortably slotted in the resulting penalty to give the Baggies the lead at the break.
Sunderland had their moments in the second half but Albion - and Lukaku - extended the home side's lead in bizarre fashion. Titus Bramble could have cleared the ball but instead opted to pass back to Simon Mignolet and the Black Cats goalkeeper saw his attempted clearance ricochet off Lukaku and into the empty net.
Stephane Sessegnon scored after good work from substitute James McClean but despite late pressure Martin O'Neill's men could not force an equaliser and it was the home fans who went home happy, even getting a glimpse of Peter Odemwingie who came on as a late substitute.
In the early kick-off, Fulham beat Stoke 1-0 at Craven Cottage thanks to a moment of magic from Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian striker came up with the bit of quality needed as he spectacularly volleyed the ball past the helpless Asmir Begovic in the Potters goal.
The visitors did have the chance to get back into the game after the break when Ashkan Dejagah was ruled to have handballed in the box but Jonathan Walters could only produce a weak penalty that Mark Schwarzer saved well down to his right. The three points move Fulham within a point Stoke and eyeing a place in the top half of the table.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8519842/Premier-League-round-up

Champions League: Arsene Wenger's Arsenal outplayed by Bayern Munich

Arsenal face an immense challenge if they are to qualify from the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after a 3-1 first leg defeat by Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium.

Away goals from Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic added to the pressure on the already under-fire Arsene Wenger as his side were largely outplayed.
A second-half header from former Bayern player Lukas Podolski had given Arsenal, who were embarrassed by Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup at the weekend, some hope at 2-1 as they threatened a comeback.

But runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern are now very strong favourites to reach the quarter-finals ahead of the second leg in Germany on 13th March.
Wenger must now lift his beleaguered players for the Premier League run-in, where they face crucial games against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in their bid to salvage something from the campaign with a top-four finish to again play among Europe's elite clubs next season.
The high-octane opening atmosphere from the home support fell flat as Bayern - some 15 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga - grabbed a crucial away goal on seven minutes, when Muller's cross from the right was not dealt with and Kroos crashed the ball off the turf and past Wojciech Szczesny from 18 yards.
It was 2-0 after just 21 minutes when Daniel van Buyten's header at a corner the near post was parried by Szczesny, and Muller stabbed the ball straight back in back into the net from close range.
Arsenal were in danger of being overrun, with few cool heads as first Bacary Sagna and then Mikel Arteta were shown yellow cards for clumsy challenges.

Having left the field to a cacophony of boos from their own beleaguered fans, Arsenal needed to regroup at half-time.
The Gunners suddenly sparked into life on 55 minutes when Podolski, who had a disappointing three-season spell at Bayern, headed in Jack Wilshere's incorrectly-awarded corner at the far post after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer - who had conceded just once in eight matches - had wandered into no-man's land.
Bayern then scrambled what could be a tie-clinching third goal on 77 minutes, with substitute Arjen Robben sidestepping Thomas Vermaelen before releasing Philipp Lahm on the overlap down the right.
His cross flew through the six-yard box, where Mandzukic got ahead of Sagna, the ball looping up off the Bayern striker's shin, over the goalkeeper and into the net.
Some Arsenal fans had seen enough, and headed for the exit, unsure of when they might see Champions League football at the Emirates again.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/280780/report 

Premier League Chelsea too good for Brentford in FA Cup

On a weekend of FA Cup upsets a professional display from Chelsea ensured there was no further embarrassment in the capital as they beat Brentford 4-0 at Stamford Bridge to earn themselves a spot in the fifth round.

Brentford proved difficult to break down in the opening 45 minutes of an engaging replay but Chelsea improved beyond recognition after the interval as goals from Juan Mata, Oscar, Frank Lampard and John Terry extinguished the League One side's hopes of pulling off the unlikeliest of scalps.
Rafa Benitez gave the competition the respect it deserves in selecting a strong Chelsea XI but it was largely a flat first half performance from the hosts, who started the contest 48 places above their visitors. Brentford kept a solid shape throughout and while only threatening intermittently they grew in confidence as the half progressed, with Chelsea and Lampard in particular left to rue profligacy in front of goal.
The England man twice squandered gilt-edged chances in failing to make a proper connection when well-placed from Branislav Ivanovic right wing deliveries.
The Serbian had earlier gone close himself to breaking the deadlock when a looping header drifted over the top of Bees goalkeeper Simon Moore's far post.
For Brentford it was the industrious and highly-rated Adam Forshaw who looked the likeliest bet for Uwe Rosler's side as two decent strikes had power but lacked precision from range.
The closest either side came to threatening the score-sheet arrived on 25 minutes when Oscar, Chelsea's brightest spark, clipped the outside of the post after being fed in by Mata.
An over eager whistle from Neil Swarbrick angered Brentford's players towards the end of the first period when Marcello Trotta had the ball in Chelsea's net but not before the match official had blown for a foul on Forshaw on the edge of the area.
Presumably with a flea in their ear Chelsea came out for the second half with more purpose as Moore was forced into a smart early stop when he repelled Ivanovic's powerful header from a corner.
There was nothing he could do though in the 54th minute to prevent Chelsea from taking the lead. Petr Cech's long clearance downfield set up an aerial duel won by Demba Ba and when the ball broke to the Spaniard 20 yards from goal, he set his sights before rifling a trademark daisy cutter past Moore in some style.
It was a lead doubled by Oscar's impudent flick from close range after substitute Eden Hazard had picked off some wasteful Brentford passing to feed-in a marauding Ivanovic, whose cross was beautifully finished by the Brazilian.
Thereafter it was a question of how many Chelsea might score as Lampard bagged himself another club record when his tap-in from Mata's clipped cross, his 199th goal for Chelsea, saw him surpass Bobby Tambling record for FA Cup strikes on 26.
An almost perfect second half was capped by a Terry goal on his return from injury as he rose at the far post to nod in Oscar's clever looping cross. The only sour note of the afternoon came five minutes from time when David Luiz needlessly crashed into Bees substitute Jake Reeves in a reckless challenge that could have earned him a red card from a less lenient referee.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/282412/report

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger demands response after FA Cup elimination

Arsene Wenger has admitted it was 'very painful' for Arsenal to crash out of the FA Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, but he is already focused on the next match.

The Gunners' hopes of ending an eight-year trophy drought are now resting on the UEFA Champions League after Colin Kazim-Richards netted the only goal of their fifth-round tie at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger acknowledged after the match that Arsenal's performance was poor, but has challenged his players to bounce back against Bayern Munich in midweek.

 

"It is very painful and disappointing to lose a game like that. It is now important to focus on the next game," he said.
"We were not good enough to win today. It's as simple as that.
"Not one defeat is acceptable. You are in this job to win every single game.
"The season is not over. For you maybe, not for me.
"If we feel sorry for ourselves we would be completely wrong. We have a massive game on Tuesday night and we have to show that we some response in the team.
"I couldn't see how we could lose the game because we had a lot of the ball and they had one shot on goal but they defended well and it's the kind of game you can lose if you make a mistake at the back like we did."

Wenger, who controversially left Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla on the bench, only for Kazim-Richards to score shortly after the trio all came on, said he had no problem with Arsenal fans' jeers at the end of the match.
He said: "What do you expect, people to applaud when you lose a game like that? It's absolutely normal."
Wenger was also upset with the way Arsenal conceded as Kazim-Richards scuffed in a shot on the rebound after Wojciech Szczesny had parried a Martin Olsson shot.
He said: "We made a massive mistake on the goal. I don't want to go into much detail about it."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8505022/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-demands-response-after-FA-Cup-elimination

Spain beat Uruguay 3-1 in an international friendly in Qatar

Spain gave themselves the perfect confidence booster ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers next month by recording a comfortable 3-1 victory over Uruguay in an international friendly in Doha, Qatar.

Cesc Fabregas gave the European and world champions the lead after 15 minutes at the Khalifa Stadium but Cristian Rodriguez levelled for Oscar Tabarez's side on the half-hour mark.
Pedro Rodriguez restored Spain's lead just after half-time and then secured the victory with a close-range finish with 15 minutes to go.
The game was coach Vicente Del Bosque's 68th game in charge of the national side, which took him level with Ladislao Kubala as the man who has coached Spain for the most games.
The match also saw centre-back Carles Puyol make his 100th appearance for Spain and he captained the side to mark the occasion, while Cesar Azpilicueta, Isco and Mario Suarez all made their international debuts.
Spain started the brighter of the two sides but took the lead in fortuitous fashion. Fabregas received the ball in plenty of space from Juan Mata and tried his luck from 30 yards out, but was amazed to see his shot go through the hands of Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and drop into the net.
Cristian Rodriguez made Uruguay's pressure count and grabbed the equaliser, receiving a through-ball from Martin Caceres and using his strength to turn Puyol and then shoot past Valdes.
The Copa America holders could even have taken the lead before half-time but Sergio Ramos made an important tackle on the edge of the area to deny Edinson Cavani a clean run on goal.
Puyol was replaced by Barca team-mate Gerard Pique at half-time and the substitute had the desired impact within little more than five minutes of coming on, providing a pass from the edge of the area to Pedro who shot past Muslera into the far corner to put the Spaniards in front again.
Uruguay's best chance to equalise came when Cavani fired a shot at goal from just inside the area, but Valdes tipped the ball away for a corner.
With half an hour remaining the lively Andres Iniesta made way to allow 20-year-old Isco to make his first appearance for his country, and the Malaga midfielder showed he has plenty to offer in the future.
Spain rounded off the victory with a goal to savour with 15 minutes remaining. Substitute David Villa received the ball from outside the area and passed to Fabregas on the left-hand side. The former Arsenal man was under pressure from a defender but swung in a perfect cross to the back post which was met by Pedro, who could not miss from barely five yards out.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/280465

Frank Lampard came off the bench to score winner for England against Brazil

England claimed their first win over Brazil in nearly a quarter of a century as they won 2-1 at Wembley.

On a memorable night, which saw Ashley Cole claim his 100th cap for his country, England went ahead on 27 minutes through Wayne Rooney.
His goal came just moments after Joe Hart had brilliantly kept out Ronaldinho's penalty but, just after the break, Brazil substitute Fred flashed home an excellent equaliser and not long after he struck the woodwork.
But it was another replacement - Frank Lampard - who ensured England beat Brazil for the first time in 23 years as the midfielder side-footed home clinically from the edge of the box to give Roy Hodgson's side victory.
England looked dangerous early on with Jack Wilshere impressing on his return to the international stage, but he was adjudged to have handled a Ronaldinho cross, which gave the Atletico Mineiro man a chance to open the scoring.
However, on his 100th appearance for his country, Ronaldinho saw his shot parried by Hart and the Manchester City keeper beat him to the rebound before Neymar was unable to convert from close range.
It was no surprise, though, that Arsenal midfielder Wilshere played a major part in the build-up to England's opening goal after 26 minutes from Rooney.
His pass picked out the surge forward of Gunners team-mate Theo Walcott, whose low drive was blocked by QPR keeper Julio Cesar. However, Rooney seized on the rebound and coolly tucked away his 33rd goal for his country with a low drive straight down the middle of the goal.
England attacked with plenty of pace and Walcott fired over the bar but they had a let-off after 37 minutes when the highly-rated Neymar slid in at the far post and shot over from close range after Oscar had outpaced Chelsea team-mate Cole before crossing.

Leighton Baines and Lampard replaced Cole and Tom Cleverley respectively at the start of the second period, whilst Brazil made a hat-trick of substitutions with Fred, Arouca and Lucas replacing Fabiano, Ramires and Ronaldinho.
Steven Gerrard forced Cesar to parry his dipping drive two minutes into the second half but a mistake by Gary Cahill saw Fred equalise 60 seconds later.
The Chelsea defender was caught in possession bringing the ball out from defence and in an instant Fred drilled a fierce shot past Hart from the edge of the box. The goalscorer almost struck again when his shot rattled the bar after Hart's clearance had bounced off Cahill.
But Cahill almost made amends for his error when he got on the end of a Gerrard corner and saw his header tipped over the bar by Cesar. The keeper then fingertipped away Walcott's ball into the danger area but Gerrard could not keep his follow-up shot down.
England were not to be denied the win over Brazil as Lampard restored their lead on the hour. Walcott's centre was only partially cleared and Wilshere turned the ball back to Lampard, whose curling shot hit the inside of a post and crossed the line for his 27th England goal.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/274567/report

Premier League Round-Up

There were late goals galore in the Premier League as Newcastle beat Chelsea, Everton rescued a draw with Aston Villa and Wigan drew with Southampton.

Click below for individual match reports and stats:

QPR 0 Norwich 0
Arsenal 1 Stoke 0
Everton 3 Aston Villa 3
Newcastle 3 Chelsea 2
Reading 2 Sunderland 1
West Ham 1 Swansea 0
Wigan 2 Southampton 0
Fulham 0 Man Utd 1

Arsenal boosted their top four hopes with victory over Stoke, while Reading left it late again as they overcame Sunderland 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium thanks to two goals from Jimmy Kebe and Manchester United opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the table.
Shaun Maloney's last-gasp goal rescued Wigan a 2-2 draw with Southampton at the DW Stadium.
Moussa Sissoko's late goal earned Newcastle a thrilling 3-2 win over Chelsea to climb further clear of trouble at the wrong end of the table and pile the misery on Rafa Benitez.
Demba Ba endured a painful return to St James' Park when he took a boot in the face from former team-mate Fabricio Coloccini and, after lengthy treatment, was forced off before half-time.
Newcastle broke the deadlock four minutes before the break when Davide Santon sent over a superb cross from the left and Jonas Gutierrez ghosted into the box unmarked to flash his header into the bottom corner past Petr Cech.
Chelsea equalised ten minutes into the second half when Ashley Cole picked out Frank Lampard 25 yards from goal and the midfielder smashed a swerving shot past Tim Krul to hit double figures in the Premier League for a tenth consecutive season.
The visitors turned the game on its head just past the hour mark when Fernando Torres teed up Juan Mata inside the box and he curled a superb shot into the far corner past a stranded Krul.
Newcastle refused to lie down and they drew level on 68 minutes with Sissoko scoring his first goal for the club. Papiss Cisse sent Yoan Gouffran through on goal and he saw his effort palmed out by Cech, but Sissoko was on hand to fire home the rebound.
Just when it seemed like it would end all-square Sissoko popped up with his second goal of the game in the closing seconds to give Newcastle back-to-back wins.
Wayne Rooney's second-half goal earned Manchester United a second win over Fulham in a week following a 1-0 success at Craven Cottage.
The Premier League leaders struck the woodwork three times in a first half which was temporarily halted when the floodlights went out.
An end-to-end game was decided by Rooney's composed finish 11 minutes from time, with Fulham twice seeing attempts cleared off the line.
Arsenal closed the gap on Tottenham and Chelsea with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke at the Emirates.
After being denied on several occasions by Asmir Begovic, Arsenal finally made the breakthrough 12 minutes from time with a controversial goal from Lukas Podolski.
Podolski's low-free-kick took a wicked deflection off Geoff Cameron to wrongfoot Begovic, but it looked like referee Chris Foy was preparing to disallow the goal before awarding the strike after consulting his assistant.
Everton came from two goals down to earn a 3-3 draw with Aston Villa at Goodison Park to deny Paul Lambert's side a much-needed win.
Villa made the perfect start with Christian Benteke firing the visitors in front after just two minutes to stun the home fans.
Benteke easily beat Johnny Heitinga as he powered past the Everton defender before firing low past Tim Howard.
Everton drew level on 21 minutes when Victor Anichebe held off Ciaran Clark and rolled the defender before hitting his shot low past Brad Guzan.
Parity proved short-lived as three minutes later Villa restored their lead when Gabriel Agbonlahor rose above Heitinga to arrow his header from Matt Lowton's cross into the bottom corner.
Villa made it 3-1 just past the hour mark when Benteke got ahead of Heitinga to head home Lowton's inviting cross from close range.
Everton pulled a goal back on 69 minutes when Marouane Fellaini played a one-two with Anichebe before firing low past Guzan.
The home side threw everything at Villa and in injury-time Fellaini rose highest to head home Leighton Baines' corner to break the visitors' resistance and earn Everton an unlikely point.
Reading continued their recent improvement with a 2-1 win over Sunderland.
Reading got off to a flying start by going in front after just seven minutes when Jobi McAnuff picked out Jimmy Kebe inside the box and he controlled superbly before smashing his shot high into the net past Simon Mignolet.
Sunderland drew level just before the half-hour mark when Pavel Pogrebnyak fouled John O'Shea inside the box to concede a penalty and Craig Gardner drilled his spot-kick past Adam Federici.
Reading grabbed the winner five minutes from time when Kebe got on the end of Ian Harte's cross at the far post to head in off the underside of the crossbar.
Andy Carroll's second goal for West Ham earned Sam Allardyce's side a much-needed win over Swansea at Upton Park.
Carroll netted the only goal of the game 13 minutes from time when he headed home past Gerhard Tremmel.
Mark Bunn saved Adel Taarabt's second-half penalty as Norwich earned a goalless draw with basement boys Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Bunn conceded the penalty when he brought down Jamie Mackie inside the box, but the Norwich keeper made amends for his mistake with a superb save to keep out Taarabt's spot-kick and deny QPR all three points.
Wigan picked up a precious point after a late 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Southampton to deny Mauricio Pochettino his first win as manager.
Wigan made the breakthrough on 25 minutes when Gary Caldwell headed Jean Beausejour's corner powerfully past Artur Boruc.
Southampton deservedly drew level on 64 minutes when Rickie Lambert bravely headed home past Ali Al Habsi.
Southampton hit the front five minutes from time with Morgan Schneiderlin finishing off a flowing move from the visitors with a close-range finish from Jay Rodriguez's cross.
Wigan hit back to level matters in the final minute when Maloney got on the end of Paul Scharner's header to score from close range.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8465490/Premier-League-Round-Up

Transfer news: Mario Balotelli 'ran to Milan' from Manchester City

Mario Balotelli has admitted that he 'ran to Milan' as he prepares to complete the formalities of his return to Italy from Premier League champions Manchester City.

The enigmatic Italy international flew into Milan's Malpensa airport prior to undergoing a medical after the two clubs agreed a fee for the 22-year-old on Tuesday.
Balotelli, who moved to the Premier League from Inter Milan in August 2010, is expected to put pen-to-paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract before Thursday's transfer deadline.
The striker has endured a miserable time with City this season, scoring just one Premier League goal, and with his last start coming in the 3-2 derby defeat by Manchester United on 9 December, when he was hauled off after 52 minutes by a clearly frustrated Roberto Mancini.

 

Balotelli is confident he will rediscover his best form away from the Etihad Stadium and is hoping that he will receive nothing but the full backing of the Milan supporters.
Speaking to the Milan Channel, he admitted: "I ran to Milan.
"I had wanted to play here for a long time. The start of this season was negative, but with this jersey I will do better.
"I made some important choices, so I hope they can bring good luck to me and the team. I just want the fans to love me."
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has admitted the transfer is a 'dream come true' and believes the arrival of Balotelli can only drive the Italian giants on to greater heights.

Galliani told the club's official website: "It is a dream come true and something that we all wanted, with the president Silvio Berlusconi at the forefront.
"With the arrival of Mario, we have strengthened our team a lot.
"We have worked so hard and Mario has been in our hearts for a long time and finally we have succeeded in signing him."
 http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8456336/Transfer-news-Mario-Balotelli-ran-to-Milan-from-Manchester-City

Premier League round-up

Reading produced another astonishing last-gasp comeback to climb out of the relegation zone with a home draw against Chelsea, while Manchester United moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a narrow success at home to Southampton.

Arsenal and Liverpool went toe-to-toe at Emirates Stadium and ended honours even after the Reds blew a 2-0 lead, allowing Everton to move further clear of the duo in the standings courtesy of their 2-1 victory against West Brom at Goodison Park.
Tottenham now only have a one-point cushion over the Toffees in fourth place and were forced to come from behind to take a point at Norwich, who have still not won in the Premier League since December 15, while Fulham took the points in their London derby at home to West Ham.

Click below for individual match reports and stats:

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2
Everton 2 West Brom 1
Norwich 1 Tottenham 1
Fulham 3 West Ham 1
Man Utd 2 Southampton 1
Reading 2 Chelsea 2

Super-sub Adam Le Fondre stepped off the bench to score twice in the final three minutes as Reading climbed out of the bottom three following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Chelsea the Madejski Stadium.
The Blues looked to be cruising to victory with a 2-0 advantage and time running out after Fernando Torres set up Juan Mata for the opener in the first half before Frank Lampard headed home a corner midway through the second period.
But Reading, who produced a similarly stunning comeback at home to West Brom earlier in the season, reduced the deficit when Hope Akpan found Le Fondre with three minutes to go, before the former Stockport, Rochdale and Rotherham man volleyed over Ross Turnbull in the fourth minute of added time.
Wayne Rooney grabbed a first-half brace as Manchester United recovered from the shock of falling behind at home to Southampton to extend their advantage at the top of the table.
The Saints stunned Old Trafford by taking the lead in the third minute after Michael Carrick's back-pass sold David de Gea short, although the goalkeeper then compounded the error by jumping over the ball, allowing Jay Rodriguez to roll into the empty net.
But the Red Devils were swiftly back on terms as Shinji Kagawa lifted his pass over the static Southampton defence for Rooney to run onto and slot confidently beyond Artur Boruc, before they took the lead in the 27th minute when Robin van Persie's free-kick was headed back across goal by Patrice Evra for the England international to convert from point-blank range.

Enthralling

Arsenal hit back from 2-0 down at home to Liverpool as Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud rescued a point for the Gunners in an enthralling Premier League encounter.
Luis Suarez fired Liverpool ahead with just five minutes gone after defensive stumbles from Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen allowed Glen Johnson's cross to reach Daniel Sturridge, and although his shot was saved, Jordan Henderson picked out the Uruguay international to drill home.
And it was 2-0 on the hour mark as the much-maligned Henderson burst into the Arsenal box, evading some weak challenges on the way, before riding his luck with a deflection off Andre Santos and then guiding the ball home.
But the Gunners roared back and immediately halved the deficit as Giroud headed home Santi Cazorla's free-kick, before the same duo combined to set up Walcott to drill an unstoppable shot across a static Pepe Reina and into the far corner.
Leighton Baines' first-half double helped Everton triumph 2-1 at home to West Brom and lifted David Moyes' men to within a point of Tottenham in the final UEFA Champions League berth.
Baines broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark, racing towards the West Brom box after being found by Leon Osman before unleashing a vicious strike which Ben Foster will feel he could have done better with as it flew home at the near post.
And the left-back stepped up to double Everton's advantage from the penalty spot after Claudio Yacob, who had only been on the field a matter of moments after George Thorne was stretchered off with what looked to be a serious knee injury, tripped Victor Anichebe.
The Baggies were handed a route back into the match when John Heitinga attempted to control Romelu Lukaku's shot after he had rounded Tim Howard, but only succeeded in lifting the ball into the area and allowing Shane Long to sneak in and nod home.

Stunning

Gareth Bale scored a stunning individual goal as Tottenham had to come from behind to take a point against out-of-form Norwich at Carrow Road.
Wes Hoolahan fired the Canaries ahead in the 32nd minute, taking advantage of complete confusion in the Spurs defence as Robert Snodgrass' deep, hanging, cross was headed back into play by Anthony Pilkington and then into the danger area by Grant Holt.
New Spurs signing Lewis Holtby came on for his debut in second half, but the headlines were made by Bale 10 minutes from time as he picked up possession near the halfway line before driving towards the Norwich box and unleashing an unstoppable shot beyond Mark Bunn.
Hugo Rodallega headed home in the second-half as Fulham moved above West Ham in the Premier League table following a 3-1 victory in their London derby at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers were gifted the opening goal in the 10th minute as Damien Duff's curling free-kick from the right was missed by all the big men in the middle, with the unmarked Dimitar Berbatov stealing in at the far post to head home from an acute angle.
West Ham briefly levelled at the start of the second period as Mark Noble's clever free-kick allowed Kevin Noble to rifle home, but just over one minute later some sloppy defending saw Rodallega show more desire than three defenders and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to convert Duff's cross.
The result was put beyond doubt in the closing moment as Joey O'Brien could only turn the ball into his own net after Mladen Petric hit the post from an acute angle after Jaaskelainen could only parry Rodallega's low drive.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8456743/Premier-League-round-up

Premier League round-up

Newcastle eased their relegation worries and increased Aston Villa's woes as QPR picked up an important point which could further dent Manchester City's Premier League title bid.

Wigan showed impressive fighting spirit to come back from 2-0 down to draw with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, while Sunderland and Swansea played out a goalless stalemate at the Stadium of Light.
Newcastle opened up a four-point cushion over the relegation places with a crucial 2-1 victory away to Aston Villa to add to the ever-growing pressure on Paul Lambert's shoulders, with the Midlands club having now slipped into the bottom three.

Click below for individual match reports and stats

Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 2
QPR 0 Man City 0
Stoke 2 Wigan 2
Sunderland 0 Swansea 0

Alan Pardew's men took the lead with 19 minutes gone as a superb pass from new signing Moussa Sissoko cut open the Villa defence and allowed Papiss Cisse time to control and beat Brad Guzan.
It was 2-0 just after the half-hour thanks to a simply stunning finish from Yohan Cabaye, with the Frenchman controlling Ron Vlaar's headed clearance just outside the area before firing into the top corner of the net with his second touch beyond Guzan's despairing dive.
The hosts were handed a lifeline early in the second half as Christian Benteke converted from the penalty spot after Mathieu Debuchy was very harshly penalised for tangling with substitute Gabriel Agbonlahor, but despite an improved showing they could not find an equaliser.

City held at QPR

Queens Park Rangers remain bottom of the Premier League despite taking an important point from their home meeting with reigning champions Manchester City, who could now fall seven adrift of Manchester United as the leaders prepare to face Southampton on Wednesday.
Much of the focus was on one man who was not even present at Loftus Road, with City striker Mario Balotelli expected to complete his move to AC Milan in the coming hours.
The Rs were indebted to another excellent display from goalkeeper Julio Cesar, with the former Inter man denying Gareth Barry in the first half and then David Silva from close range in the closing stages.
Franco di Santo and James McArthur rescued a precious point for Wigan in their Premier League relegation battle as they hit back from 2-0 down away to Stoke to draw 2-2.
Stoke were gifted the opener in comical fashion when Charlie Adam's poor free-kick was headed into the back of James McCarthy by Jean Beausejour, with the ball falling kindly to Ryan Shawcross to hook home from close range in the 23rd minute.
The Potters doubled their lead early in the second half as Adam was allowed to advance unchecked towards the Wigan box before firing in a shot which Ali Al-Habsi could only parry into the path of Peter Crouch to slot home.
But the Latics responded immediately as Roger Espinoza fed McArthur with a clever pass and the midfielder produced a sublime finish with the outside of his boot, before the Honduras international's cross was headed back across goal by McArthur for Di Santo to fire home.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill was only able to take a quick look at reported transfer target Danny Graham during the 0-0 draw with Swansea at the Stadium of Light.
The Swans striker, who has been linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium this month, came on for the final 15 minutes of an uninspiring encounter in the North East, but could not break the deadlock despite a glorious late chance as he was denied by Titus Bramble's last-ditch challenge.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/8454553/Premier-League-round-up

Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 2: Visitors survive spirited second-half fightback

Newcastle United resisted a valiant second-half fightback from Aston Villa to claim a first away win of the season with a 2-1 triumph at Villa Park.

The visitors controlled the first half and deservedly led 2-0 at the break thanks to fine goals from Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye.
Villa responded brilliantly in the second period, but although Christian Benteke pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, they were unable to force what would have been a warranted equaliser.
Newcastle handed debuts to Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko and signalled their intentions with a high-tempo start in which they dominated both territory and possession.

Best of the Match:

• Man of the match: Sissoko. Villa were powerless to resist as the debutant tore through the hosts' midfield during the first half, setting up Cisse for Newcastle's first and impressing hugely with his strength and vision.
• Goal of the game: Cabaye's stunner was simply sensational and left Guzan clutching air as it nestled into the top corner.
• Moment of the match: Benteke's penalty gave belief to the Villa faithful as they looked to salvage something after being 2-0 down.
• Attempt of the match: N'Zogbia's remarkable first half drive stung the post and denied Villa what would have been a magical equaliser.
• Talking point: Newcastle secure a priceless rare away win, but Villa look like a team heading for the Championship unless a dramatic change of fortune occurs imminently.

Their energy was rewarded after 19 minutes, when Sissoko split the Villa defence with a divine threaded pass to Cisse, who took a touch before beating Brad Guzan with a low, right-footed shot.
The goal stunned Villa into life and although they remained second best, Charles N'Zogbia almost drew them level with a superb left-footed half-volley from 22 yards that cannoned back off the post.
But they soon found themselves 2-0 down after a moment of brilliance from Cabaye, who swept a brilliantly struck right-footed half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards.
Villa made two changes at the break, sending on Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann, and twice went close to pulling a goal back within seconds of the restart.
Weimann had the first, turning and letting a right-foot shot fly from 12 yards that Tim Krul did well to save, before Benteke drew a similarly smart stop from the Newcastle goalkeeper with a left-footer from just inside the box.
Villa's tails were suddenly up and they deservedly got on the score-sheet through Benteke's penalty after Agbonlahor went down easily in the box under a challenge from Mathieu Debuchy.
The hosts continued to push and it took another fine stop from Krul to deny Weimann's low drive after a fine cross-field pass from Benteke.
With Newcastle digging in, Villa forced one final chance, when Nathan Baker met a corner unmarked but saw his point-blank header blocked on the line.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261792/report

Premier League: Julio Cesar helps QPR hold Manchester City to goalless draw

oalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero as QPR held Manchester City to a goalless draw at Loftus Road to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation and put a dent in City's title chances.
The summer signing from Inter Milan made a series of fine saves to deny Roberto Mancini's men, who missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Manchester United to two points.
Rangers boss Harry Redknapp wasn't kidding when he promised "a different team" from the one that lost to MK Dons in the FA Cup on Saturday, making eight changes to his starting XI, including recalls for Loic Remy, Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen.

Best of the Match

• Man of the match: QPR had Julio Cesar to thank for emerging from the contest with a point. The Brazilian made some outstanding saves to keep the scoreline goalless.
• Save of the match: The pick of Cesar's stops came in the first half. Gareth Barry struck a shot sweetly from just inside the box but Cesar somehow managed to dive across and tip it round the post.
• Chance of the match: Adel Taarabt could have put QPR one-up when he shimmied past Gael Clichy to play himself through on goal. But Joe Hart made himself big and the Moroccan could not beat him.
• Talking point: City had a big penalty shout late on when Scott Sinclair went down under a challenge from Nedum Onuoha. Replays showed the QPR defender may just have got a toe on the ball.

Much of the talk surrounding City pre-match was about who wasn't at Loftus Road rather than who was, with enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli absent as he put the final touches on a move to AC Milan.
On a wet and windy night in west London, City's first opening came after 20 minutes when Pablo Zabaleta, who grabbed the winner in the FA Cup against Stoke on Saturday, thumped a header off the crossbar from eight yards following great play by David Silva down the left.
Just after the half hour mark Esteban Granero's block tackle span off James Milner and fell for Sergio Aguero, who calmly slotted home, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Mancini had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for keeping his side level after 39 minutes. The England international spreading himself to block Adel Taarabt's shot following a surging run into the box by the Moroccan.
Whatever Hart could do, Cesar could do better, the Brazilian diving full stretch to his right to superbly palm away Gareth Barry's goalbound effort three minutes later.
Silva continued to cause problems down the QPR left after the break, his neat one-two with Aguero on 68 minutes affording him space to have a low shot from the left hand side of the penalty area that was well held by Cesar.
QPR were screaming for a penalty seconds later when Remy went down in the area as he skipped past Joleon Lescott, but referee Phil Dowd turned down their appeals.
With the clock ticking down towards full time Cesar came to QPR's rescue yet again, superbly denying Silva from point blank range after the Spaniard latched onto Dzeko's low cross.
Referee Dowd was the centre of attention once more in the closing stages, correctly adjudging that Nedum Onuoha got the ball when tackling Scott Sinclair in the box and waving away City's appeals for a spot kick.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261795/report

Transfer News: Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli to sign for AC Milan

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has agreed a four-and-a-half year deal with AC Milan.

The Italian giants claim the deal has been done, although City sources say it will be completed on Wednesday morning once the Italian has passed a medical.
City had also been negotiating with Juventus, but Milan director Umberto Gandini insists the fee - believed to be around £20million - has been agreed and the 22-year-old has committed his future until the summer of 2017.
The deal will bring to an end Balotelli's two-year rollercoaster at the Etihad, a stint which saw him famously provide the crucial injury-time pass which set up Sergio Aguero for the dramatic Premier League title-winning goal against QPR last May.
That memorable afternoon came just five weeks after City boss Roberto Mancini said Balotelli would never play for the club again following the striker's red card at Arsenal.

Lapses in professionalism and numerous training-ground bust-ups have been characteristics of Balotelli's time at the club, the latest when he had to be separated from his manager after he lunged at team-mate Scott Sinclair.
Mancini has - for the most part - stood by the Italy international, who shone for his country in Euro 2012.
This season though he has barely featured, making just two substitute appearances since a dreadful performance against Manchester United at the beginning of December.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes Balotelli will be making the right move.
"Now a lot depends on him. He has everything he needs to show his true worth," Prandelli said.
"It's what Mario was looking for. He's gone to a club which knows how to work with young players, including all the aspects off the pitch. Now it's up to him."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8452988/Mario-Balotelli-agrees-contract-with-AC-Milan

Leeds beat Tottenham 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round at Elland Road

Leeds United continued the trend for fourth round upsets in the FA Cup after holding on to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Elland Road.

Ross McCormack's goal five minutes into the second half sent Leeds into the last 16 and ensured Spurs befell the same fate as Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers, who were knocked out on Saturday.
Luke Varney had given the Whites a first-half lead and, though Clint Dempsey pulled a goal back, Spurs were unable to find an equaliser as some brilliant last-ditch defending denied Jonathan Obika in the last minute.
Leeds were in front through the game's first real chance on 15 minutes as Michael Brown's pass sent Varney clear of the Spurs defence and he kept his composure to finish past the recalled Brad Friedel.
Spurs' response saw Gylfi Sigurdsson head over and Dempsey flicked a shot straight at Jamie Ashdown, while in between, Varney fired over for Leeds.
More slack defending from Spurs presented the hosts with another opportunity just before half-time, but Friedel was out smartly to deny McCormack.
However, there was nothing the veteran keeper could do five minutes after the interval when McCormack raced on to El Hadji Diouf's through ball before arrowing a left-footed shot past Friedel after cutting inside Steven Caulker.
The Premier League side were much more purposeful in their response to conceding the second goal as former Leeds winger Aaron Lennon's dangerous cross was turned wide by Dempsey.
Dempsey was more clinical on 58 minutes, though, darting to the near post to glance Gareth Bale's left-wing delivery beyond the reach of Ashdown.
Andre Villas-Boas promptly introduced Obika and Mousa Dembele, who saw a shot from outside the box deflected wide on 71 minutes.
But, just 60 seconds later, Spurs could have fallen further behind after McCormack scampered clear of the defence again, only to see his shot strike Friedel's leg.
Spurs had one last chance to force a replay after Benoit Assou-Ekotto's raking long pass sent Obika clear, but the substitute took too long to bring the ball under control and Lee Peltier produced a superb block to ensure Leeds' progression.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/281704/report

Transfer news: AC Milan keen to sign Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli

Sources in Milan have confirmed to Sky Sports that AC Milan would like to bring in Mario Balotelli from Manchester City this month.

While no formal offer has been made, it is believed that talks are continuing between both clubs and Balotelli's agent.
Manchester City have maintained throughout this window that Balotelli will not be sold in January.
The Italian has regularly been linked with a move back to his homeland since arriving at City in the summer of 2010, and Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri was questioned on his interest in the striker after side's 1-0 victory over Atalanta on Sunday.
Allegri was reluctant to discuss another club's player but admitted he was an admirer and indicated that Balotelli's controversial character would not be a problem.
"Balotelli? I won't think about him because he is a Manchester City player," Allegri told Sky Italia.
"If he arrives here, then I'll consider how to approach him. Obviously, I wouldn't say no.
"We are setting up a good, disciplined group and that is important in a difficult League like Serie A."
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8447241/Transfer-news-AC-Milan-keen-to-sign-Manchester-City-striker-Mario-Balotelli

Oldham spring FA Cup shock as Liverpool lose Boundary Park thriller

Liverpool fell victims to an FA Cup shock at Boundary Park as Oldham Athletic moved into round five thanks to a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Matt Smith's early opener was cancelled out by Luis Suarez but a howler by Reds goalkeeper Brad Jones allowed Smith to restore Oldham's lead on the stroke of half-time.
Reece Wabara powerfully headed in a third for the League One club and, even though Joe Allen reduced Liverpool's arrears with a deflected volley, Oldham clung on to seal a famous win.
Smith gave indication of his threat in just the third minute with the sort of goal you associate with a player of his physical stature. Youssouf M'Changama swung over a cross from the left and the 23-year-old used every inch of his 6ft 6in frame to out-muscle Sebastian Coates and head past Jones.
The first half had an edge to it as Raheem Sterling was booked for challenge on M'Changama which ultimately forced the Oldham midfielder off after just 10 minutes.
Robbie Simpson, a scorer at Anfield in Oldham's 5-1 third-round defeat last season, was also cautioned for going in on Jones after the goalkeeper had failed to hold the ball - which turned out to be a pre-cursor of what was to come.
Suarez, captaining on the day, brought Liverpool level in the 17th minute when he set off on a driving run from deep and looked to pass but got a lucky rebound off defender Cliff Byrne and reacted quickly to hammer the ball inside Dean Bouzanis' left-hand post.
The Uruguayan's touch to Jordan Henderson's inswinging free-kick then diverted the ball into the net only to be denied by an offside flag, while Sterling should have scored after Suarez's pass was backheeled into his path by Fabio Borini but he shot straight at the keeper.
But Oldham remained unbowed as they took great heart from the physical battles they were winning and were rewarded with a second goal moments before the interval.
Smith, who had already had a header tipped over by Jones in added time, converted the simplest of chances after a howler by the Liverpool goalkeeper who fumbled Wabara's cross to allow Lee Croft to square a pass for the striker to poke home.
Borini had the chance to equalise from Jack Robinson's cross with the second half less than a minute old but he side-footed over and it proved costly.
The visitors' defensive fallibility in the air was exposed again on 48 minutes as Carl Winchester swung a cross to the far post and Wabara rose above Robinson to head over Jones into the far corner.
Steven Gerrard's introduction from the bench was not long in coming and the England captain soon had a shot blocked from which Daniel Sturridge blazed over.
Allen pulled one back with 11 minutes to go to with a shot which deflected in off Joe Baxter but Oldham held on to reach the fifth round for the first time in 19 years.
www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/281514/report