Another Boost To Toon European Hopes

22 March 2012 12:51
This midweek has been a major boost for Toon fans. Not only did the Mackems crumble at Ewood Park, but defeats for Chelsea and Liverpool helped Newcastle's European push. Man City 2 Chelsea 1Tottenham 1 Stoke 1Everton 0 Arsenal 1QPR 3 Liverpool 2

Carlos Tevez returned from his six-month absence to help inspire Manchester City's thrilling comeback to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

With City trailing to Gary Cahill's deflected opener, Tevez was introduced 24 minutes from time.

The controversial South American helped win the corner that led to Sergio Aguero's equaliser from the penalty spot before providing the pass for Samir Nasri to score the winner five minutes from time and reduce Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premier League to a point.

Arsenal leapfrogged Tottenham to go third in the table after Thomas Vermaelen's early goal earned the Gunners all three points at Everton while Spurs could only draw at home to Stoke.

Indeed, Tottenham needed an injury-time Rafael van der Vaart just to pick up a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane.

The home side dominated proceedings without working Asmir Begovic enough, and were stunned when Cameron Jerome prodded home Jermaine Pennant's free-kick on 75 minutes.

Spurs redoubled their attacking efforts and at least ended a run of three straight league defeats when van der Vaart scored from Gareth Bale's pinpoint centre.

Arsenal, who trailed Spurs by 10 points just four games ago, now lead their north London rivals by a point. Spurs are five points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea ahead of Saturday's potentially crucial trip to Stamford Bridge.

QPR sensationally came from 2-0 down with three goals in the last13 minutes to beat Liverpool 3-2 at Loftus Road.

Rangers were staring at their eighth home Premier League defeat of the season when goals from Sebastian Coates and Dirk Kuyt put the Reds firmly in command but Shaun Derry, former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie struck to secure a vital three points for the relegation battlers.

 

Source: FOOTYMAD