Newcastle United have been relegated from the Premier League after a cruel own goal by Damien Duff saw them lose to Aston Villa 1 - 0 on Sunday.
Newcastle followed North-East rivals Middlesbrough through the trap door after Boro’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham United ended their slim chances of staying up. West Bromwich Albion, who drew 0-0 at Blackburn Rovers, were already doomed.
Newcastle needed to better Hull City’s result against Manchester United on a tense final day of the season but faded badly in the second half against Villa despite the fact that an equaliser would have saved them.
“I am disappointed and angry. We did not lose our status today, we’ve lost it over 38 games and we’ve not been good enough over 38 games,” Alan Shearer, who was handed the job of saving Newcastle on April 1, told the BBC.
Read the rest of this entry »
Alan Shearer experienced his first victory as Newcastle United’s manager with a win over Middlesbrough in a St James’ Park relegation battle. Precious goals from Steven Taylor, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands ensured a 3-1 scoreline.
They are goals that could be worth up to 50 million pounds (70 million dollars) to Newcastle, who would lose a substantial portion of their income if they drop out of the Premier League.
With two games remaining against Fulham and Aston Villa, they are still far from safe, but they are out of the bottom three following a game Shearer described as the most important of his Newcastle career.
Middlesbrough, in contrast, must now accept they are heading for the Championship next season after losing a game where they took the lead and wasted several other chances.
Read the rest of this entry »
Yossi Benayoun struck in injury time to give Liverpool a hugely important 1-0 victory at Fulham that took them top of the Premier League on Saturday.
Liverpool hit the woodwork four times but looked to be set for a second goalless draw this season against the Londoners until Benayoun came off the bench to lash in the winner.
The win takes Liverpool to 67 points, two ahead of champions Manchester United, who have two games in hand and host Aston Villa on Sunday.
Chelsea are third on 64 after goals by Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda early in the second half beat Newcastle United 2-0 to spoil the St James’ Park comeback of temporary manager Alan Shearer and leave his club in real relegation danger.
Arsenal’s long-term absentees Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor combined to create two goals for the Togo striker in a comfortable 2-0 home win over Manchester City that consolidated their fourth place on 58 points.
Fulham, who had beaten Arsenal and Manchester United at Craven Cottage this season, were outclassed on Saturday but somehow stayed in the game.
Liverpool had put 13 goals past Real Madrid, United and Villa in their last three games but Fulham rode their luck.
Read the rest of this entry »
