Gareth Bale was the star of the show for Tottenham, as they defeated West Brom 1-0 at the Hawthorns
In yesterday’s Premier League games Tottenham defeated West Brom 1-0 at the Hawthorns and Manchester City and Liverpool drew 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium.
Bale-d out
Welsh wing wizard Gareth Bale was again the hero for Tottenham, as they defeated ten men West Brom 1-0. At times it almost felt like Bale against the home side, such was his influence on his team performance.
It came as no surprise that Bale was the player that scored the winning goal. The 23 year-old Welsh international cut inside to the edge of the penalty area and blasted home a swerving effort that beat Ben Foster all ends up.
Problem
Tottenham won the game despite losing England striker Jermain Defoe in the first half. The England international had to go off injured with an ankle injury. Spurs only have two senior strikers in the shape of Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor, who will return from the African Cup of Nations shortly.
Tottenham tried to bring in another attacker in the transfer window, but failed in an attempt to sign Brazilian international Leandro Damiao from Internacional, but couldn’t agree a fee with the Brazilian outfit.
Tottenham will now have to shoulder on with the two strikers. However, Defoe is expected to be out for a few weeks and will miss next weekend’s home game against Newcastle. Leaving Adebayor as the only fit striker and the Togo star is likely to start as a lone striker in the home game against the Magpies.
Third
The win at West Brom means that Andre Villas-Boas’ side are just one point off third place Chelsea and three points clear of fifth placed Everton. Spurs have now put themselves in with a great chance of claiming a top three finish.
Draw
The late kick-off produced an entertaining 2-2 draw between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium. City took the lead in the 23rd minute slightly against the run of play. Edin Dzeko getting on the end of James Milner’s superb cross to fire past Pepe Reina.
The lead didn’t last however, as the Reds were back on level terms on 29 minutes. Former-Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge flashed home a superb effort from the edge of the penalty box for the equaliser.
Liverpool looked arguably the stronger team in the second half and took the lead on 73 minutes through a typical Steven Gerrard effort. The Liverpool captain controlled the ball on his chest, before producing a volley from 25 yards which flew past Joe Hart in the City goal.
That lead only lasted five minutes though, as a horrendous lapse in judgement from Pepe Reina led to a City equaliser. The Liverpool keeper dashed out of his goal in attempt to clear the ball, only for Sergio Aguero to steal the ball and find the net from what looked like an impossible angle.
In the end the draw was probably a fair result, although Liverpool will be disappointed with a point after producing such a good display at the home of the champions.
Encouraging
Everybody attached to Liverpool will feel encouraged by their teams display at the Etihad Stadium. The team as a whole were superb, but for an error from keeper Reina the Reds could have claimed three points.
The combination play between Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard was really encouraging and the Reds are starting to look like a far more balance outfit in recent weeks.
Daniel Sturridge has made a bright start to his Liverpool career. If he can keep coming up with performances like yesterdays then he could become a very good player for Liverpool and England.
Flat
Manchester City’s performance was really flat. It seemed to lack energy and imagination, apart from Aguero’s fantastic finish for the second goal of course. City must improve on their performances if they are to be in with any chance of retaining their Premier League crown.
Behind
City are now nine points behind arch-rivals Manchester United in the race for the title. The title race isn’t over just yet, but it’s going to be very difficult for the Citizens to catch their bitter-rivals.
Can Manchester City still win the Premier League title?
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