It was another round of fixtures with few goals in the Premier League tonight but, just as at the weekend, that doesn’t mean it was without controversy.
We had Steve Bruce charging at Gus Poyet and being restrained by the fourth official, an awful challenge by Alan Hutton straight into Saido Berahino’s crotch, and one of the worst goalkeeping performances of the season by Ben Foster.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Results
Aston Villa 2 – 1 West Brom
Hull 1 – 1 Sunderland
Southampton 1 – 0 Crystal Palace
Performance of the day
It has to go to Aston Villa. The team who have scored the least amount of goals in all of English football dominated the match against local rivals West Brom, and got new manager Tim Sherwood his first win for the club with a late penalty.
They had a strong shout for a penalty waved away in the first half, and Fabian Delph also struck the post from distance. Ben Foster was spared when he stopped the ball going completely over the line after it slipped through his hands.
Ben Foster fumbles Gabby Agbonlahor's shot, but manages to stop it on the line – just! #AVLWBA pic.twitter.com/iP1c3jrRkJ
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 3, 2015
Saido Berahino scored an equaliser for the Baggies, but some awful goalkeeping from Ben Foster in the final minute of stoppage time meant he had to make a rash challenge to win the ball, giving away a penalty.
Christian Benteke put it away calmly – made easy by Ben Foster diving too early – to give Aston Villa their sixth win of the season.
Ben Foster just been voted Aston Villa fans player of the season 2014/15 #VILLAvWBA
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 3, 2015
Player of the day
Gabby Agbonlahor’s pace proved too much for the West Brom defence, especially Joleon Lescott who was at fault for Villa’s first goal. A long ball from the back was nodded on by Benteke to Agbonlahor, catching Lescott by surprise and slipped calmly through Foster’s legs for the lead.
Ian Darke was quick to praise Agbonlahor and while it was a great performance, the Agbonlahor we’ve come to know is a very inconsistent one.
Talking point
Steve Bruce lost his cool at the KC Stadium, but it was Gus Poyet sent to the stands. When Jack Rodwell was handed a yellow card for diving in the box, Poyet disagreed – a lot. He kicked over a bucket full of drinks, causing Mike Dean to make him watch the duration from the stand.
On his way though, Poyet went over to Bruce, said something, and clapped at the Hull manager. Bruce, who’s not known for losing his temper on the touchline, had to be restrained by the fourth official.
There have been some interesting suggestions as to what exactly happened between the two.
Steve Bruce getting into a fight, but not with Poyet, he really wanted something… pic.twitter.com/QgATsjW9S8
— TouchyFM (Josh) (@TouchyFm) March 3, 2015
Apparently Gus Poyet said something rather unflattering about Steve Bruce's beloved pigeons, and has been sent off pic.twitter.com/EsVx3vLjPu
— Football Mumble (@FootballMumble) March 3, 2015
Stat of the day
Gabriel Agbonlahor is now Aston Villa's leading Premier League goalscorer this season (4). pic.twitter.com/8fy9TK2iCE
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 3, 2015
It’s quite something when in March your leading goalscorer has four goals.
Quote of the day
Poyet on handbags with Bruce "I'm old fashioned. What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch." #SAFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) March 3, 2015
What happened elsewhere?
In the Championship, Middlesbrough reached the summit again after beating Millwall 3-0. Derby lost their second away game in four days 2-0 to Brighton, meaning they dropped to second, and Watford scored their 70th goal of the season to move up to third by beating Fulham 1-0.
What does it all mean?
Aston Villa are three points above the bottom three, but QPR below them have two games in hand. Southampton’s win against Crystal Palace put them in fifth, after scoring their first goal in almost a month – but the teams around them are yet to play.
Palace and West Brom sit 12th and 13th, while Hull are in 15th and Sunderland 16th.
Here’s to hoping tomorrow’s fixtures, including Newcastle v Man United and QPR v Arsenal, provide a bit more quality and a lot more goals.
Source: SNAPPA
