{"id":324886,"date":"2011-03-20T18:43:24","date_gmt":"2011-03-20T18:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/"},"modified":"2011-03-20T18:43:24","modified_gmt":"2011-03-20T18:43:24","slug":"sunday-football-as-it-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunday football as it happened"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><p><span>To get involved use <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/search\/%23bbcfootball\"><b>Twitter <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/search\/%23bbcfootball\"><b>#BBCFootball<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>) or text us via <b>81111<\/b> with <b>FOOTBALL <\/b>before your message. (Not all contributions can be used. Messages will be charged at your standard operator rate.)<\/span><\/p>\n<div readability=\"447.329574812\">\n<div readability=\"32.5975609756\"><b>1840:<\/b> All in all, so many reasons for you to check out <b>Match of the Day 2 <\/b>tonight from 2200 on BBC Two and online that should you miss it, all your friends would be justified in pointing and laughing in your general direction. No excuses. A big weekend for the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool, Wolves and Wigan, not so good one for Man City, Aston Villa and Newcastle, and a fair-to-middling one for Tottenham, Arsenal, Blackburn and Blackpool I&#8217;d say. I tell you what, Premier League, have yourself a break. I, <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/sampatricklyon\"><b>Sam Lyon,<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> will see you all again right here in two weeks yes? Before then it&#8217;s the international break, a good reason for you to look out for <b>Fabio Capello&#8217;s England squad announcement<\/b> later. Until 2 April, though, adios!<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.41891891892\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/HenryWhitfield\"><b>HenryWhitfield on Twitter: <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;How about that Chelsea team, just when you think they&#8217;re down and out they get back in the race. What a season this is.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1832: <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/eng_prem\/9425606.stm\">CHELSEA 2-0 MAN CITY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">Alistair Magowan <\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>at Stamford Bridge reports:<\/b> &#8220;Huge relief for Chelsea, their fans and boss Carlo Ancelotti and they should send their thank you cards to a Mr David Luiz c\/o Brazil. The result leaves City fourth with Tottenham breathing down their necks but you have to wonder if this was the time of season for them to go for broke.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9.55160142349\"><b>1829: <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/eng_prem\/9425608.stm\">SUNDERLAND 0-2 LIVERPOOL<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/sajchowdhury\">Saj Chowdhury<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>reports:<\/b> &#8220;There was plenty of bad luck for these Black Cats today. Three injuries, a debatable penalty and a sending off. Meanwhile for Liverpool, victory means that their last hope of qualifying for Europe still remains a possibility.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>1826:<\/b> Here&#8217;s what our match reporters made of things, then&#8230;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\"><b>1823: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti on Sky Sports:<\/b> &#8220;We showed good focus, spirit and attitude and we worked hard for 90 minutes. Defensively we were good, the transition was good &#8211; and the longer the game went on the better we got going forward. It was a big win for us.&#8221; On John Terry: &#8220;He doesn&#8217;t have an injury problem. He will play for England against Wales next week.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>Exasperated Citizen, Notts via text: <\/b>&#8220;Title challengers? Champions League contenders? Europa League again? They may say City play boring football, but supporting them is anything but.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1818: Man City boss Roberto Mancini on Sky Sports:<\/b> &#8220;We played two days ago against Dynamo Kiev and in the last 20 minutes today we were so tired. Until 70 minutes it was normal that Chelsea had more ball possession, we didn&#8217;t concede anything before then. After yesterday the result today was a very important and had we won it would have been fantastic. But now it is the same as before so we carry on. With eight games until the end of the season it will be important to recover all our injured players.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>Howard, West Yorks via text:<\/b> &#8220;The two games in hand are Chelsea v Birmingham &#038; Spurs v Arsenal. Interesting?&#8221; <\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.60714285714\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/Gambeanosnitch\"><b>Gambeanosnitch on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;The Premier League IS a two-horse race &#8211; between Man Utd and Chelsea. Arsenal will slip away, while Chelsea have resources to get stronger.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1811: Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien on Sky Sports: <\/b>&#8220;It was a very important victory. It was a difficult game but we gave it everything to get three points. It was a tight game but we always go out and do our best. As far as the title is concerned, we have to keep believing and we will do our best to fight for every point.&#8221; <\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>Chris, London via text: <\/b>&#8220;This is shaping up to be one of the, if not the, best PL seasons we could ask for.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"14\"><b>1807:<\/b> Where does that leave the Premier League table then? Well Chelsea move to within four points of second-placed Arsenal and nine points of leaders Man Utd, over whom they have a game in hand. Man City meanwhile, remain four points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham but having played a game more. Is the battle at the top of the table going to finally start matching the battle at the other end for twists, turns, swings and roundabouts?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.69736842105\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/Zain_Patel\"><b>Zain_Patel on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;It looked like Man City would definitely be getting into the CL, but they have Liverpool and Spurs creeping behind their backs!&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.83969465649\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/OptaJoe\"><b>OptaJoe on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Manchester City have only won one of their seven 2010-11 Premier League games against last season&#8217;s top five.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1801:<\/b> So what do we think folks? The end of Man City&#8217;s title charge once and for all? The kick-start to Chelsea&#8217;s? The race for fourth well and truly back on? I told you there was a lot riding on this match.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>Martin from Manchester via text:<\/b> &#8220;Mancini&#8217;s problem is he&#8217;s too afraid of losing so just doesn&#8217;t take risks.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div>\n<b>1756: FULL-TIME Chelsea 2-0 Man City<\/b><\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1754:<\/b> Stamford Bridge is bouncing now as the home fans sense that&#8217;s the win all wrapped up. Man City, understandably, look like the wind has been knocked right out of them.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"14\">\n<b>Chelsea goal:<\/b> Samba magic. Moments after Man City force a desperate Chelsea clearance from a Mario Balotelli knock-down at one end, <b>Ramires <\/b>wraps up the victory at the other with a moment of real individual brilliance, the Brazilian dancing around two defenders and firing into the top corner past Joe Hart to put the seal on a precious three points. <\/div>\n<div><b>1752: GOALFLASH Chelsea 2-0 Man City (Ramires)<\/b><\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1750:<\/b> It&#8217;s just a brief spell in defence from the hosts, however, and now Didier Drogba is playing his part in a spot of keep-ball by the City corner flag.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1748: <\/b>Here, though, comes the hint of a Man City rally with the visitors starting to push the hosts deep into their own half.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1745: <\/b>Saying that, it&#8217;s been all Chelsea since the goal &#8211; and only a couple of Joleon Lescott blocks prevent the hosts extending their lead, the first from Ashley Cole&#8217;s drive on the angle and the second from a cross to deny Nicolas Anelka in front of goal.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1742: <\/b>It looks like we will &#8211; and it&#8217;s that man Mario Balotelli who is called upon to provide it. He comes on for Yaya Toure, with Adam Johnson also on in place of James Milner.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1741:<\/b> We&#8217;ve got 10 minutes of normal time remaining, surely now we&#8217;ll finally see some ambition from City?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\">\n<b>Chelsea goal: <\/b>Breakthrough! And <b>David Luiz<\/b> cements his place as a Chelsea cult hero in one fell swoop, earning the free-kick that Didier Drogba swings over and providing the finish with a firm glance header past City keeper Joe Hart.<\/div>\n<div><b>1739: GOALFLASH Chelsea 1-0 Man City (Luiz)<\/b><\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>1737: <\/b>Is Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov the man to provide it? He comes on as Blues&#8217; final change in place of Salomon Kalou.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1735:<\/b> My word this match could do with some inspiration. Seriously.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.04680851064\"><b><\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">BBC Sport&#8217;s Alistair Magowan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> at Stamford Bridge:<\/b> &#8220;Boos ring out as birthday boy Fernando Torres is brought off. The Spaniard did not look too happy and was muttering to himself as took his place on the bench. The goal drought goes on.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1730:<\/b> It will be Fernando Torres taken off &#8211; prompting a notably unhappy shake of the head from owner Roman Abramovich in the stands, I see &#8211; along with Florent Malouda as Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka stride on to the field.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1728:<\/b> Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are moments away from an introduction.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1727:<\/b> And that&#8217;s not a million miles away from the Bosnian either, Edin Dzeko&#8217;s back-header from James Milner&#8217;s free-kick from deep drifting narrowly wide.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1726:<\/b> Talking of defensive rocks, David Luiz has been impressive for Chelsea today and he has just stopped Edin Dzeko&#8217;s long-ranger with an outstretched foot.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1722: <\/b>Vincent Kompany has been an absolute rock for Man City this season and he has just saved them once again &#8211; though I&#8217;m not sure he knew too much about it &#8211; the Belgian defender blocking Branislav Ivanovic&#8217;s goalbound header from Frank Lampard&#8217;s cross from point-blank range. Would surely have been a goal without that.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.09677419355\"><b><\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">BBC Sport&#8217;s Alistair Magowan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> at Stamford Bridge:<\/b> &#8220;John Terry is not looking too well with his injured knee. He is still hobbling which much cause huge concern for Fabio Capello. This England captain situation is turning into a right mess isn&#8217;t it?&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<b>1718:<\/b> Oh that&#8217;s cynical. Michael Essien, on the charge as Chelsea look to break in numbers, is body-checked by Nigel de Jong to bring an end to what looked a potentially promising attack and the Dutchman is righly shown the yellow card. <\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1717:<\/b> A brief glimpse of City going forward, but with Yaya Toure threatening to break into the box, David Silva&#8217;s pass is overhit and Petr Cech is able to come out and clear.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12.2247838617\"><b>1715:<\/b> With Fabio Capello watching on, John Terry is down and receiving treatment on what looks to be a twisted leg. At first it looks serious &#8211; prompting thoughts about who <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/9430471.stm\">the Italian might appoint as England captain<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p><i>then <\/i>&#8211; but the Chelsea skipper gets up to jog it off. How ironic, after all the fuss it caused, would that have been for Capello?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1712:<\/b> Better. Much better. Fernando Torres kick-starts a Chelsea break involving Salomon Kalou and Frank Lampard, but Florent Malouda&#8217;s swept finish from 12 yards out is held low down by City keeper Joe Hart.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1709:<\/b> Four minutes into the second half and we&#8217;ve picked up exactly where we left off before the break. Unfortunately. Messier than a student bar crawl, so it is.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1705:<\/b> We&#8217;re back up and running at Stamford Bridge. <\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.48366013072\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/InfostradaLive\"><b>Infostrada Sports on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Man City have drawn their last four Premier League matches with a 0-0 half-time score and are unbeaten in their last six.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.45871559633\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/chris1ian\"><b>chris1ian on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;\u00a3501mill and a massive anti-climax. Missing Tevez&#8217;s energy, and Balotelli&#8217;s theatre.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"9.35943060498\">\n<b>1652: HALF-TIME Chelsea 0-0 Man City<br \/><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">Alistair Magowan&#8217;s <\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> HT snap-shot from Stamford Bridge:<\/b> &#8220;Not a thriller so far, but Chelsea are threatening down the left and you guess that a change up front might be on the cards if it stays this way. Roberto Mancini the happier boss, for sure.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1649:<\/b> There&#8217;s your half-time whistle. Ho hum.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1648:<\/b> That&#8217;s the first we&#8217;ve seen of Man City in an attacking sense for a while, Edin Dzeko leading a break before Aleksandar Kolarov&#8217;s cross is hacked clear by a Chelsea defender.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"13\"><b>1645:<\/b> A bit of soft-shore-shuffle earns Salomon Kalou a bit of space in the City box, but with nine men behind the ball the visitors were always favourite to clear that one. Moments later, the same Chelsea striker collects Florent Malouda&#8217;s cross to turn and shoot &#8211; but it&#8217;s straight at Joe Hart. Did well to get a shot off there, the forward.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8.13402061856\"><b><\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">BBC Sport&#8217;s Alistair Magowan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> at Stamford Bridge:<\/b> &#8220;There is a growing sense around the Bridge that it will take something special to break through this City defence. Looking rock solid so far and that is not counting Nigel de Jong who can cover too. Great challenge on Fernando Torres there.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1639:<\/b> And another, Ramires bursting into the box and pulling the ball back to Frank Lampard, Vincent Kompany the City defender across to block this time.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1637:<\/b> But here&#8217;s a chance for Chelsea, Fernando Torres found in the box by Salomon Kalou but the Spaniard&#8217;s effort is well blocked by Nigel de Jong&#8217;s desperate slide tackle. Better.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>1636:<\/b> Hhmm&#8230; after a bright start to proceedings, this game is now scrappier than Scooby&#8217;s nephew.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1633:<\/b> Half hour gone, honours even, Chelsea maybe ahead on points but City probably happy with things as they stand.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.42335766423\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/adamtillsley\"><b>adamtillsley on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Torres is looking a lot better today, starting to get in some better positions and running at defenders again!&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1629:<\/b> &#8230;which Frank Lampard slams straight into the wall.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\">\n<b>1628:<\/b> We have our first booking, James Milner cautioned for a tackle from behind Salomon Kalou. Free-kick Chelsea, 30 yards out&#8230; <\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1626: <\/b>Close. Ramires thinks he has released Frank Lampard in the box one-on-one but the linesman&#8217;s flag is raised for offside &#8211; replays show that decision was spot on. Chelsea building a head of steam, though, with City just struggling to get hold of the ball now.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1623: <\/b>Chelsea continue to press their claims and they want a penalty when Salomon Kalou&#8217;s cross hits Joleon Lescott&#8217;s arm, but referee Chris Foy rules it was a case of ball to hand.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1621: <\/b>He&#8217;s got four in four but he won&#8217;t add to that tally with this effort, Frank Lampard spooning over with a dipper from range.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1620:<\/b> Good work Joleon Lescott, the City defender just robbing Fernando Torres of the ball just as it looked like the Spaniard might be striding clear of the visitors&#8217; defence. Chelsea settling right into this game now.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1617:<\/b> Better from Salomon Kalou this time as his run into the box causes the odd heart flutter among the City defenders, the ball falling to Ashley Cole to slap over from 25 yards out.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1615:<\/b> First signs of life from Chelsea as they work the ball into the City area but Salomon Kalou, looking to get on the ball in the area, falls over team-mate Ramires and the visitors are able to clear.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9.01408450704\"><b><\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">BBC Sport&#8217;s Alistair Magowan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> at Stamford Bridge:<\/b> &#8220;Bright start by Manchester City, David Silva already causing problems for Chelsea down the left and in gaps between defence and midfield. City boss Roberto Mancini is asking James Milner to stay wider on the right to provide balance.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1612:<\/b> I must confess I wondered beforehand just how defensive City&#8217;s mindset might be today, but they&#8217;ve started firmly on the front foot in this game. Less surprisingly, David Silva is at the heart of most of what is good about their early play.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1609: <\/b>And that&#8217;s a stinging effort from City midfielder Yaya Toure, the Ivorian pinging a low effort at goal that Petr Cech does well to get down and palm away. Chelsea sitting very deep here.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1608:<\/b> Chelsea just looking a touch sloppy in these opening exchanges, giving the ball away far too easily, and as a result Man City are enjoying plenty of possession.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1606:<\/b> It does look like Chelsea are starting out in a 4-4-2 formation, with Salomon Kalou alongside Fernando Torres in the advanced positions, while Man City are set up in their usual 4-5-1\/4-3-3 formation. That midfield battle might just be key.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>1603:<\/b> Minute&#8217;s silence observed, Chelsea get us up and running&#8230;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"13\"><b>1559:<\/b> As <b>Paul<\/b>, below, points out &#8211; this is the most expensive Premier League game ever. Ever. A combined total of around \u00a3501m spent on both squads so I&#8217;m told. Incredible. For now it represents only a battle only for third &#8211; but the victors will surely have their tails up for a title charge in the run-in, no? We&#8217;re moments away from the start.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>Paul, Rotherham via text:<\/b> &#8220;In terms of transfer fees paid, the most expensive game ever. 0-0 then.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>1555:<\/b> A quick refresh folks and our audio commentary from Stamford Bridge will appear before your very eyes on the right-hand side. Nice.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"15.6365187713\"><b>1553: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti:<\/b> &#8220;It&#8217;s important we win to clarify our position in the table. At the moment, our position is not so clear. After this game, it&#8217;ll be clear what we&#8217;re going to do in the Premier League.&#8221; <b>Man City manager Roberto Mancini:<\/b> &#8220;&#8216;I hope to win by the same score again as their <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/eng_prem\/8530847.stm\">last trip to Stamford Bridge when City won 4-2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> but it will be very difficult. At this moment, Chelsea are playing very well. They are in good form and they also had one day&#8217;s extra rest because they played in Europe on Wednesday. We&#8217;ll try because it is an important game for us.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"13.6638370119\"><b>1547: CHELSEA v MAN CITY (1600)<br \/><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">Alistair Magowan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> at Stamford Bridge reports:<\/b> &#8220;<b>Chelsea <\/b>boss Carlo Ancelotti might not thank chief executive Ron Gourlay for publicly announcing this morning that his job <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/teams\/c\/chelsea\/9430548.stm\">would be up for discussion in May.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> The Blues already go into the game against <b>Manchester City<\/b> trying to overcome a three-game losing streak against their opponents but don&#8217;t be surprised if Chelsea skipper John Terry leads the resistance with extra puff in his chest after being <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/9430471.stm\">re-installed as the England captain.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> If City lose, the hosts will overtake them in the Premier League table. &#8220;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>Gavin, London via text:<\/b> &#8220;It&#8217;s Torres&#8217;s birthday. If he doesn&#8217;t score today, I don&#8217;t know when he will&#8230;&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9.81775700935\"><b>1542:<\/b> So what do we reckon this afternoon then folks? Well <b>Mark Lawrenson<\/b>, who is having a decent weekend to be fair, has called this as Chelsea <b>1-1<\/b> Man City among his <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/football_focus\/9428120.stm\"><b>predictions<\/b>.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/eng_prem\/predictor\/default.stm\">go yourself <\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>why don&#8217;t you?<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\"><b>1539:<\/b> Although, talking of Liverpool. Here&#8217;s <b>Jamie Carragher<\/b> on that Liverpool win: &#8220;I thought it was a penalty but then at half-time we saw it could have been outside the box. But it&#8217;s gone for us. It was a pretty even game.&#8221; And on Luis Suarez: &#8220;He&#8217;s a top player and has given everybody a lift. He made the difference today.&#8221; <\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.65671641791\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/Adam9309\"><b>Adam9309 on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;So anyone from Sunderland to Wigan could all be sucked down into the relegation scrap. 11 teams, and 3 spots&#8230;&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>ScouseMick via text:<\/b> &#8220;Chelsea v Liverpool? The modern game, huh? It&#8217;s just match after match.&#8221;<br \/><i>It&#8217;s fixture congestion gone crazy. This country&#8230;<\/i><\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1536:<\/b> Ooh, that&#8217;s not right is it? RE: 1529, it&#8217;s Chelsea v Man City. Obviously. Refresh please.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"16.7553191489\"><b>1535: CHELSEA v MAN CITY (1600)<br \/><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alistairmagowan\">Alistair Magowan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> at Stamford Bridge reports:<\/b> &#8220;<b>Chelsea <\/b>make five changes to the team which <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/europe\/9424170.stm\">drew with FC Copenhagen<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> in midweek. Fernando Torres and Salomon Kalou replace Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka up top, in midfield Michael Essien and Florent Malouda replace John Obi Mikel and Yury Zhirkov, while David Luiz comes in for Jose Bosingwa. For <b>Man City<\/b>, James Milner is in for the injured Carlos Tevez, leaving Edin Dzeko as the sole front man in place of Mario Balotelli. Presumably that apology did not work for Roberto Mancini?&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>Rachel Tyrrell, Desperate Spurs Fan, Lincoln via text:<\/b> &#8220;Can Chelsea and Man City both lose please?&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"43\"><b>1529: CHELSEA v MAN CITY (1600)<br \/>Chelsea:<\/b> Cech, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Kalou, Torres, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Drogba, Mikel, Bosingwa, Zhirkov, Ferreira, Anelka.<br \/><b>Man City:<\/b> Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, De Jong, Toure Yaya, Barry, Milner, Dzeko, Silva. Subs: Taylor, Wright-Phillips, Adam Johnson, Boateng, Vieira, Boyata, Balotelli.<br \/><b>Referee:<\/b> Chris Foy (Merseyside)<\/div>\n<div><b>1527:<\/b> Now let&#8217;s check out the <b>Chelsea v Man City<\/b> teams&#8230;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"13\"><b>1526:<\/b> That victory represents Kenny Dalglish&#8217;s 250th in his managerial career, which is nice. Liverpool stay in sixth but move to within four points of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have a game in hand, Sunderland stay in ninth &#8211; just six points off the drop zone. My word it&#8217;s close down the bottom isn&#8217;t it?<\/div>\n<div>\n<b>1524: FULL-TIME Sunderland 0-2 Liverpool<\/b><\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1522:<\/b> Keep ball from Liverpool, who are seeing this game out comfortably. Sunderland&#8217;s player look well and truly spent.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1520:<\/b> We&#8217;ll have four minutes of stoppage time.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1516:<\/b> Into the last five minutes at the Stadium of Light and Liverpool look bang on for a win and three points that takes them up to just four points off fifth spot. King Kenny continuing to work his magic.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"15\">\n<b>Sunderland red card: <\/b>More controversy and another reason why Kevin Friend has worked his way off the Christmas card list of all Sunderland fans. Pepe Reina launches a ball over the top to Luis Suarez, whose progress is halted by a tug on the shirt by <b>John Mensah<\/b>. Referee Friend, again advised by his linesman, gives the foul and decides it was a goal-scoring opportunity so brandishes a red card. Steve Bruce is aghast on the sidelines.<\/div>\n<div><b>1512: RED CARD, Mensah, Sunderland<\/b><\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1509: TEAM NEWS SNAP<br \/>Chelsea<\/b> start with Fernando Torres and Salomon Kalou up front, so no Didier Drogba or Nicolas Anelka. <b>Manchester City&#8217;s<\/b> Carlos Tevez has failed a fitness test, so Edin Dzeko is the lone striker. <\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<b>Liverpool goal:<\/b> That should seal it for the visitors &#8211; and it&#8217;s a lovely goal,<b> Luis Suarez <\/b>collecting Dirk Kuyt&#8217;s throw-in and bursting into the box before thrashing a superb finish home at the near post from right on the byeline. It looked an impossible angle.<\/div>\n<div><b>1507: GOALFLASH Sunderland 0-2 Liverpool (Suarez)<\/b><\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1505:<\/b> No no no, that&#8217;s no good. Asamoah Gyan throws himself over in the box near Daniel Agger in a bid to win a penalty for Sunderland, but referee Kevin Friend is not fooled and waves away the spot-kick appeals. Rightly so.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\"><b>1504:<\/b> Ooh, top strike, top save. Jay Spearing &#8211; who has impressed today &#8211; turns inside on the edge of the Sunderland box before firing a rising effort at goal that Simon Mignolet (who is Belgian, not French) does excellently to tip over the bar. The corner comes to nothing.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\"><b>1502: <\/b>Andy Carroll&#8217;s wait for first his Liverpool goal will go on for a while, the \u00a335m signing replaced by David Ngog for the closing stages. The Stadium of Light take the opportunity to show him their, ahem, &#8216;appreciation&#8217; of his efforts. <\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\">\n<b>1458:<\/b> And he is followed in swiftly by goalscorer Dirk Kuyt for a late challenge on Phil Bardsley. I make that six bookings in total this afternoon, three on each side. I think.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\">\n<b>1457:<\/b> Luis Suarez the latest man to work his way into the referee&#8217;s notebook after launching a verbal volley at the linesman in protest at a decision.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\"><b>1455:<\/b> Great chance for Sunderland, Ahmed Elmohamady beating his marker to a Jordan Henderson corner to send a header at goal, his effort blocked by Glen Johnson. There&#8217;s a half-hearted appeal for a penalty for handball, but Kevin Friend is having none of it.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1454:<\/b> Not for the first time this afternoon Sunderland fail to stick an end product on to some neat build-up play, Jordan Henderson&#8217;s wayward effort from outside the box to blame this time.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1451:<\/b> Danny Welbeck &#8211; who also looks to have picked up an injury, unbelievably &#8211; is the man replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1448:<\/b> Liverpool certainly having the better of things in the second half at the Stadium of Light &#8211; and Sunderland, with one remaining substitution up their sleeve, look like they&#8217;re going to introduce Ahmed Elmohamady in an effort to get back on top of things.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>1445:<\/b> &#8230;and Luis Suarez swings it all of 2.7 inches wide of the post with a low effort. Kevin Friend is no-one&#8217;s favourite man on Wearside right now.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"13\"><b>1444:<\/b> And now it&#8217;s Raul Meireles&#8217;s turn to miss a decent chance, blazing over from wide of the box after Titus Bramble&#8217;s tackle on Andy Carroll had seen the ball fall to the Liverpool midfielder. Sunderland&#8217;s sense of relief is only temporary, though, as referee Kevin Friend drags play back for Bramble&#8217;s earlier foul on the edge of the box&#8230;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\"><b>1442:<\/b> Off the line! Sunderland &#8211; for the umpteenth time this afternoon already &#8211; fail to deal with a Raul Meireles corner and with Simon Mignolet (who is Belgian, not French) in no-man&#8217;s land, the ball lands on the head of Andy Carroll unmarked at the back post only for Lee Cattermole to deny the Geordie a first Liverpool goal with an instinctive goalline clearance. Top work from the home midfielder.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1440:<\/b> So what will Sunderland&#8217;s response be to their feeling of injustice? Well the second half is more nip and tuck than a Lose Angeles boulevard at the moment, which is at least an improvement on the way the hosts finished the half.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1436: <\/b>Oh, also, even though I corrected it almost immediately it would appear some of you are still seeing me describing Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet as French. Please refresh this page and accept my humblest apologies. Merci beaucoup.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1435:<\/b> Right, second half up and running, Sunderland <b>0-1<\/b> Liverpool.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>Luke, Newcastle fan in Durham, via text:<\/b> &#8220;Although it wasn&#8217;t a penalty, what was Mensah doing trying to chest that ball?&#8221;<br \/><i>It was indeed frankly rubbish defending.<\/i><\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.5671641791\"><b>1430: <\/b>Now then, if you&#8217;re interested in the <b>Celtic v Rangers League Cup Final<\/b>, check out <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/scot_cups\/9430572.stm\">Colin Moffat&#8217;s live text<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> why don&#8217;t you? Aces.<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.77647058824\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/InfostradaLive\"><b>InfostradaLive on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Liverpool have won just one out of five Premier League matches in which they have lead by a one-goal margin at half-time (1-3-1) this season.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1427:<\/b> I know you all want me off the fence, so here I go&#8230; it should not have been a penalty, says I. The first contact was outside the box for me. Happy? *Puts hard hat on*<\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.8125\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/TLW1Dan\"><b>TLW1Dan on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Bruce said &#8216;these things happen&#8217; after beachball last season. I wonder if he&#8217;ll be so laid back this time?&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"10.525862069\">\n<b>1422: HALF-TIME Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool<br \/><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/sajchowdhury\">Saj Chowdhury&#8217;s <\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>HT snap-shot:<\/b> &#8220;Tough on Sunderland. They&#8217;ve had the majority of possession, but have seen two players leave the pitch with injuries before falling behind following a debatable penalty decision. Manager Steve Bruce&#8217;s face has already turned puce, he can&#8217;t turn an angrier shade of red can he?&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1420:<\/b> There&#8217;s the half-time whistle&#8230; and the inevitable chorus of boos from the home fans. Not happy.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\">\n<b>1417:<\/b> We&#8217;ll have three minutes of first-half added time. Lee Cattermole has gone into the book, meanwhile, for a foul on Luis Suarez. Was that because of the foul or because it&#8217;s Lee Cattermole, though? Hhmm.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1414:<\/b> Chance for Andy Carroll, the big striker rising unmarked to meet Raul Meireles&#8217;s corner but heading way off target from in front of goal. Should have done better there the Liverpool frontman.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1412: <\/b>There&#8217;s no doubt Sunderland have been rattled by that penalty decision. Now, for all their early dominance, they are looking to simply hold on before the half-time break. Liverpool tails are up.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1410: <\/b>Top save. Simon Mignolet comes to Sunderland&#8217;s rescue as Luis Suarez lashes a volley at goal from the angle underneath a high ball, the Belgian keeper getting down brilliantly to tip the effort around the post. <\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>1409: <\/b>I&#8217;ve now seen half a dozen replays of that penalty decision and changed my mind over whether it was a great shout or a terrible decision every time. Thoughts?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"14\">\n<b>Liverpool goal:<\/b> Controversy. John Mensah takes away the legs of Jay Spearing as he charges into the Sunderland box and Kevin Friend gives a free-kick on the edge of the box. On the advice of his linesman, however, the referee changes his decision to a penalty &#8211; much to the home side&#8217;s disbelief and annoyance &#8211; and up steps <b>Dirk Kuyt<\/b> to give Liverpool a barely-deserved lead.<\/div>\n<div><b>1405: GOALFLASH Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (Kuyt pen)<\/b><\/div>\n<div><b>1404: PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL<\/b><\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.01621621622\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/inside_my_mind\"><b>inside_my_mind on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Sunderland&#8217;s groundskeeper has really pulled it out of the bag with that mowing pattern.&#8221;<br \/><i>This is the kind of top-drawer analysis I&#8217;m after people. Seriously.<\/i><\/div>\n<div readability=\"14\"><b>1401:<\/b> Sunderland really are knocking the ball around lovely today. Asamoah Gyan, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are really enjoying themselves out there. No end product as yet, however, and plenty of vulnerability at the back on show, too. This quite simply can&#8217;t remain goalless for too long, can it?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1357:<\/b> We&#8217;re 25 minutes in and it remains Sunderland <b>0<\/b> Liverpool <b>0<\/b>. Injuries <b>2<\/b>.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1355: <\/b>Deary me, the Sunderland players are dropping like flies &#8211; now Kieran Richardson is forced off with an injury, Steed Malbranque on in his place.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1353:<\/b> Scramble! Simon Mignolet looks comfortable enough as he looks to collect a wayward pass but inadvertently palms it back into play for Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez to dance around. Neither can get a meaningful shot off, though, and Sunderland survive. <\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1352:<\/b> RE: 1349 &#8211; not Steed Malbranque, who is on the bench and therefore probably blameless for not getting on the end of a cross you&#8217;d have to say, Kieran Richardson. Ahem.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1351:<\/b> Enforced early change for Sunderland &#8211; Sulley Muntari limping off to be replaced by Lee Cattermole, who makes a first appearance in three months.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1349:<\/b> Liverpool counter immediately and despite some good feet on the edge of the box from Andy Carroll, he fails to find the unmarked Luis Suarez &#8211; much to the Uruguayan&#8217;s evident chagrin &#8211; and the move breaks down.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1349:<\/b> Oh, fine move from Sunderland &#8211; Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck swapping passes and combining brilliantly down the left before the former swings a doozy of a cross over that just eludes Kieran Richardson at the back post.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1346:<\/b> &#8230;referee Kevin Friend spots an infringement under the cross, though, and Sunderland are awarded a free-kick of their own.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1345: <\/b>Here&#8217;s a free-kick in a dangerous position for Liverpool, though, as Sulley Muntari is mugged by Luis Suarez on the right-hand side of the box. Raul Meireles is stood over it&#8230;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1343:<\/b> Those couple of early scares aside, Sunderland will be happy enough with their start to the match here I reckon. Plenty of buzz about their midfield and front two so far.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1340:<\/b> This, by the way, is Sunderland&#8217;s first league match at the Stadium of Light for a full five weeks. Blimey. How have the people of Wearside coped without football on Saturday afternoons for all that time? Sacrilege.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1337:<\/b> And from the resulting corner, Dirk Kuyt is again found unmarked, only for the Dutchman to head over in front of goal. Two let-offs in a minute for Sunderland.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"14\"><b>1336:<\/b> There&#8217;s Andy Carroll, though, and he causes problems straight away for Sunderland, his knock-down finding Dirk Kuyt, whose swiped finish is somehow turned around the post by Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet. Good chance, fine save.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1335:<\/b> Sunderland immediately on the front foot against Liverpool, resplendent in their black change kit. Few touches for Andy Carroll and\/or Luis Suarez as yet.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1334:<\/b> Still not sure about Asamoah Gyan, but apparently the Sunderland mascots refused to shake Luis Suarez&#8217;s hand. Hilarious.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>1332:<\/b> Let me know on that one, won&#8217;t you? Anyway, Sunderland kick us off at the Stadium of Light.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\"><b>1331:<\/b> I missed it! Did Asamoah Gyan and Luis Suarez shake hands? Did they???<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9.14084507042\"><b>1329:<\/b> Anyway, the players are out and warmed up at the Stadium of Light &#8211; we&#8217;ll have a minute&#8217;s silence in tribute to those affected by <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-asia-pacific-12798579\">the terrible recent events in Japan,<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> and then we&#8217;ll get down to the football.<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"9.82840236686\"><b>1327: BREAKING NEWS<br \/>Real Madrid<\/b> forward Cristiano Ronaldo could be sidelined for up to three weeks due to a hamstring injury, leaving him with a race against time to be fit for the first leg of <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/europe\/9428129.stm\">their Champions League quarter-final<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> against <b>Tottenham<\/b>. It would appears the \u00a380m man aggravated the problem against Atletico Madrid last night.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"10\"><b>1325: Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish:<\/b> &#8220;You control your own destiny in this league and we&#8217;ve got to gain points ourselves and not worry about teams around us. The boys are committed and up for it today &#8211; every time you play for Liverpool it&#8217;s an honour and something you should look forward to. It might take more than one game to get the Suarez-Carroll partnership right but everyone is excited about it.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"13.4754990926\"><b>1322: SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL (1330)<br \/><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/sajchowdhury\">Saj Chowdhury reports:<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p><\/b> &#8220;<b>Sunderland <\/b>have stuttered recently having been in a position to challenge for a European spot. The Black Cats have lost four of their last five matches and face a Liverpool side who they have beaten only twice in their previous 19 Premier League meetings. <b>Liverpool <\/b>go into today&#8217;s match on the back of <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/europe\/9424223.stm\">bowing out from the Europa League. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>The Reds need to take fifth spot to guarantee European football next season, so it is essential for them to pick up three points at the Stadium of Light.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"10.1588235294\"><b>1318:<\/b> FYI &#8211; we have a late substitution in the BBC office here, with<\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/sajchowdhury\"><b> Saj Chowdhury<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> now your man for the Sunderland-Liverpool match. Apart from that, as you were people&#8230;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"8\"><b>Anon via text:<\/b> &#8220;RE: Mattharding007 &#8211; two sub appearances and one starting berth and already we are to judge him? I hope that is a hook in the water I see and not an actual evaluation of Liverpool&#8217;s new number 9!&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"7\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/OptaJoe\"><b>OptaJoe on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Liverpool have lost all three of their Premier League away games directly following a Europa League matchday this season. Fatigue.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"16\"><b>1314:<\/b> A reminder, too, that the FA Cup semi-final draw &#8211; that guaranteed Man Utd or Man City will be in the final &#8211; means that in all probability only a top-five finish will earn you a European spot this season. Liverpool, largely resurgent under Kenny Dalglish since his appointment, are currently seven points off fifth-placed Tottenham with nine matches left to play, and Sunderland 11 points behind the Londoners. If either have European ambitions, you&#8217;d have to put today&#8217;s match down as a &#8216;must-win&#8217; wouldn&#8217;t you?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11.3669064748\"><b>1310: SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL (1330)<br \/><!-- S ILIN --><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/sajchowdhury\">Saj Chowdhury reports:<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p><\/b>&#8220;<b>Sunderland <\/b>striker Danny Welbeck will make his first start since January. Manager Steve Bruce has also named Nedum Onuoha and Lee Cattermole among the substitutes. <b>Liverpool<\/b> have handed \u00a335m striker Andy Carroll his first start, with fellow new signing Luis Suarez also in the starting XI. Jay Spearing and Lucas Leiva are picked in the Liverpool midfield.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>Tony, Sunderland via text: <\/b>&#8220;Sunderland due a win today. It&#8217;s a tough game but I reckon 2-1 to Sunderland, with Gyan &#038; Welbeck scoring.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1308: <\/b>News coming out of Stamford Bridge, by the way, that Carlos Tevez has been undergoing a late fitness test for Man City ahead of this afternoon&#8217;s clash against Chelsea. The rumours are that he passed&#8230; but how fit is he? And just how big a boost for Chelsea would it be if he were to miss out?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"12\"><b>Gary Jones via text:<\/b> &#8220;So did Liverpool&#8217;s season end on a depressing Thursday night against Braga? Well&#8230; win today, and with Spurs at home to come and them distracted by the Special One, we could just sneak up on the rails, unlike my horses at Cheltenham.&#8221;<\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.56551724138\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/mattharding007\"><b>mattharding007 on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Carroll looked out of his depth for Liverpool on Thursday. He needs to start justifying his inflated price tag soon.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"45\"><b>1300: SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL (1330)<br \/>Sunderland: <\/b>Mignolet, Ferdinand, Bramble, Mensah, Bardsley, Sessegnon, Henderson, Muntari, Richardson, Welbeck, Gyan. Subs: Gordon, Zenden, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Cattermole, Colback, Onuoha.<br \/><b>Liverpool:<\/b> Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Spearing, Carroll, Suarez. Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Ngog, Poulsen, Wilson.<br \/><b>Referee:<\/b> Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)<\/div>\n<div readability=\"8.46666666667\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/MitchWaddon\"><b>MitchWaddon on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;I can see Man city starting a slide down the table, and ultimately finishing 5th, starting today with a 2-1 loss to Chelsea.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"9\"><b>Frank via text:<\/b> &#8220;Carroll and Suarez will really work for Liverpool. I feel it is the start of a new era. This time next season, Torres will wish he&#8217;d never left.&#8221; <\/div>\n<div readability=\"16.4771573604\"><b>1255:<\/b> It&#8217;s not just <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/eng_prem\/9425606.stm\">Chelsea-Man City<\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/eng_prem\/9425608.stm\">Sunderland-Liverpool<\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/8537499.stm\">handshake-gate<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> on our hands. Woop-de-do.<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"7.30827067669\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/JackHawkins23\"><b>JackHawkins23 on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if Liverpool got complacent today &#8211; 3-1 Sunderland. As for Chelsea\/Man City, 2-2.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"11\"><b>1249: TEAM NEWS SNAP<\/b><br \/>Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll both start for <b>Liverpool <\/b>for the first time at <b>Sunderland<\/b>, who have Danny Welbeck up front following his injury return and Lee Cattermole and Nedum Onuoha on the bench. <\/div>\n<div readability=\"8.47133757962\">\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/Phil_McMahon\"><b>Phil_McMahon on Twitter:<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> &#8220;As a Man Utd fan I&#8217;m not Liverpool or City&#8217;s biggest fan, nor Chelsea&#8217;s either, but there is no doubt these are great games today.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div readability=\"6.6976744186\"><b>1246:<\/b> And this is how you all get involved&#8230; same drill as always&#8230; Tweet the commentary via the hashtag <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#!\/search\/%23bbcfootball\"><b>#BBCFootball<\/b>, <\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/sampatricklyon\"><b>@sampatricklyon<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> or text me via <b>81111 (UK)<\/b>.<\/div>\n<div readability=\"17\"><b>1234:<\/b> What you probably need as a manager ahead of the game, then, is a nice easy life. You know, a stress-free training environment, your players not being caught up in a media maelstrom, the ability to turn on the wireless without fear of listening to your boss casting a bit of a shadow over your long-term future at the club, for example. So just how many black cats have Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini run over then, I wonder?<\/div>\n<div readability=\"14.1138059701\"><b>1230:<\/b> Two days after pulling the red half of Manchester out of the hat in <\/p>\n<p>         <!-- S ILIN --><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/sport2\/hi\/football\/europe\/9428129.stm\">the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League,<\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"http:\/\/espn.go.com\/sports\/soccer\/blog\/_\/name\/martin_james\/id\/6236409\/the-plot-thickens-prem-title-race\">claim to be back in the title race.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- E ILIN --><\/p>\n<p> Lose and all of a sudden the push for fourth spot is in the balance. It&#8217;s a pressure game, no doubt about it.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Original post:<br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/go\/rss\/-\/sport1\/hi\/football\/9430567.stm\" title=\"Sunday football as it happened\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sunday football as it happened<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> To get involved use Twitter (via hashtag #BBCFootball ) or text us via 81111 with FOOTBALL before your message. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-324886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sunday football as it happened - Ghanamma.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Sunday football as it happened - Ghanamma.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"To get involved use Twitter (via hashtag #BBCFootball ) or text us via 81111 with FOOTBALL before your message.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ghanamma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ghanamma\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"29 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"\",\"@id\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"Sunday football as it happened\",\"datePublished\":\"2011-03-20T18:43:24+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/\"},\"wordCount\":6028,\"commentCount\":0,\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/\",\"name\":\"Sunday football as it happened - Ghanamma.com\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2011-03-20T18:43:24+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/\",\"name\":\"Ghanamma.com\",\"description\":\"News In Ghana - Latest Ghana News Headlines\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Sunday football as it happened - Ghanamma.com","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Sunday football as it happened - Ghanamma.com","twitter_description":"To get involved use Twitter (via hashtag #BBCFootball ) or text us via 81111 with FOOTBALL before your message.","twitter_creator":"@ghanamma","twitter_site":"@ghanamma","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"29 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/"},"author":{"name":"","@id":""},"headline":"Sunday football as it happened","datePublished":"2011-03-20T18:43:24+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/"},"wordCount":6028,"commentCount":0,"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/","url":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/","name":"Sunday football as it happened - Ghanamma.com","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website"},"datePublished":"2011-03-20T18:43:24+00:00","author":{"@id":""},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/03\/20\/sunday-football-as-it-happened\/"]}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/","name":"Ghanamma.com","description":"News In Ghana - Latest Ghana News Headlines","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=324886"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324886\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=324886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=324886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=324886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}