On Sunday, three matches of the 18th round were played in the top "Premier" league championship in England. Defending champions "Chelsea" easily dealt with "Everton" players as they reduced the gap from the leader to two points, as "Man Utd" lost to the newly inspired "West Ham". Meanwhile, in the third match, "Man City" had to admit defeat at home to "Tottenham".
In the first game of the day in Liverpool, the local "Everton" fought against London's "Chelsea", who were in second place. The first dangerous attack occurred when "Everton" forward Andrew Johnson found himself between "Chelsea" defender Khalid Boulahrouz and goalkeeper Hilario, but the referee decided not to award a penalty kick.
Then the visitors had a great chance when "Everton" defender Frank Lampard missed the target. However, in the 38th minute, a goal was scored in the "Chelsea" net - for the first time this season, "Everton" player Victor Anichebe was fouled in the penalty area by K.Boulahrouz. Spanish player Mikel Arteta stepped up to take the penalty kick and scored to put his team ahead.
In the second half, just a few minutes in, the champions were able to equalize the score when the ball hit the goalkeeper T.Howard and went into the net after Michael Ballack's penalty kick. Despite "Everton" regaining the lead with a goal from Joseph Yobo, "Chelsea" showed their champion character and managed to secure a difficult victory in the end.
In the 81st minute, England's national team player F.Lampard scored with a precise shot against T.Howard, and a few minutes before the end of the match, Didier Drogba scored his tenth goal of the campaign with a long shot.
Following this hard-fought victory, "Chelsea" coached by Jose Mourinho remained in second place on the tournament table, while "Everton" dropped to tenth place.
In the next match, "Man City" hosted visitors from London, "Tottenham". The guests immediately created chances, and in the 16th minute, Calum Davenport scored with a header after a penalty kick by Tom Huddlestone. Just eight minutes later, the visitors scored a second goal.
In the 24th minute, T.Huddlestone made it 2-0 with a goal of his own. In the second half, Manchester club manager Stuart Pearce introduced new forces, and then "Man City" took control of the game.
S. Ireland missed a good opportunity, and in the 64th minute, the most productive "City" player Joey Barton scored after a pass from the forward Paulo Dickov. Five minutes before the end of the match, S. Malbranque brought down J.Barton in the penalty area, but the appeals for a penalty kick were dismissed. With this victory, the "Tottenham" club moved up to 7th place, while "Man City" suffered a second consecutive defeat.
In the last match of the day, London's "West Ham" faced the league leader, "Man Utd". The match started very actively, with the hosts showing more initiative. In the 4th minute, "Man Utd" forward Wayne Rooney's long-range shot went over the crossbar. Five minutes later, a good opportunity arose for the visitors, but M.Etherington's header missed the target.
After just under ten minutes, "West Ham" forward Marlon Harewood's shot from outside the penalty area missed the goal. After three minutes, the visitors launched an attack, with Louis Saha's shot saved by goalkeeper Robert Green.
Towards the end of the first half, "West Ham" had one of the best chances to score - B. Zamora failed to outsmart E. van der Sar. At the end of the half, the "Red Devils" wasted two good chances when first W.Rooney's header missed the target, and then L. Saha's shot was blocked by R.Green.
In the second half, the "Man Utd" team played more aggressively. In the 48th minute, R.Green saved C. Ronaldo's penalty kick, and a minute later, B.Zamora shot over the bar after a pass from M.Etherington. In the 55th minute, C.Ronaldo's shot from under the defender's legs was again saved by R.Green. After four minutes, C.Ronaldo provided the ball to Ryan Giggs, but his shot from about five meters also went over the goal.
However, the 75th minute was decisive for the "Man Utd" team. M.Harewood passed to team captain N. Reo-Coker, who scored from a few meters. In the final moments of the match, the "Man Utd" club launched an attack on their opponents' goal.
In the 78th minute, after G. Heinze's pass, C.Ronaldo's low shot went just wide of the post. However, the "West Ham" defense held strong and did not allow the "Devils" to create more dangerous opportunities. During added time, goalkeeper E. van der Sar joined the attack, but it was in vain, and at the final whistle, "West Ham" managed to secure a historic victory.
After this win, "West Ham" remained in 18th place, while "Man Utd" still tops the table with the closest pursuers, "Chelsea", now trailing by just two points, keeping the intrigue alive in the league.
Results of Sunday's English "Premier" league matches:
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