DIDIER DROGBA FANS

Movie Rating: 4 / five

RT: @mattspiro Drogba wants to play CB plainly is an April Fool. But judo legend Teddy Riner teaming up with Jonny Wilkinson at RC Toulon?! – by judophotos (David Finch)

Article by David Walker

Manchester United look set to push Chelsea all the way for the Premiership title following a convincing 2-0 win over Arsenal. Wayne Rooney struck confidently after 53 minutes while Ji Sung Park’s first league goal on 77 earned three precious points at 11/10.

Chelsea brushed aside West Ham United 4-1 at Stamford Bridge despite falling a goal behind and being reduced to 10 men early on. Defender James Collins gave the 12/1 Hammers a dream start after nine minutes and Maniche saw a straight red for a lunging tackle on Lionel Scaloni shortly after.

But two goals in as many minutes from Didier Drogba on 28 and Hernan Crespo on 30 put Chelsea back in control. Further strikes from John Terry on 53 and William Gallas on 68 ensured the 3/10 on a home win was never in doubt.

Liverpool recorded a fifth straight win as Bolton Wanderers suffered a fourth consecutive defeat as they succumbed 1-0 at Anfield. Robbie Fowler celebrated his 31sy birthday by netting the decisive goal for the 8/15 Reds on the stroke of half-time.

Tottenham Hotspur maintained their credentials for a Champions League place next season with a 2-1 win against Manchester City. Paul Stalteri gave 8/13 Spurs the lead a minute before the break while Michael Carrick added a second on 49. Georgios Samaras hit back three minutes later but Martin Jol’s side eased to victory.

Birmingham City’s good run of form continued as they picked up a useful point at Wigan Athletic. Paul Jewell’s side, without a home win this year, took the lead through Andreas Johansson three minutes after the break but David Dunn earned a 13/5 draw on 76.

Portsmouth salvaged a point against Blackburn Rovers. Craig Bellamy gave Rovers the lead after 32 minutes but Lomano LuaLua levelled four minutes before the break. Bellamy put the visitors in front again on 62 but substitute Svetoslav Todorov earned Pompey a share of the points at odds of 9/4 with 12 minutes left.

West Bromwich Albion saw two precious points slip from their grasp as they drew 0-0 with rivals Aston Villa in the Midlands derby. The draw, available before kick-off at 23/10 before, mean Brian Robson’s side remain two points adrift of safety.

Sunderland’s crunch-game against Fulham was abandoned after 21 minutes because of bad weather conditions at the Stadium of Light. Referee Mike Riley abandoned proceeding after 21 minutes after heavy snow made the pitch unplayable. Brian McBride gave the 5/4 Cottagers the lead but the result will not stand.

About the Author

David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is available at both of these websites.

Article by David Walker

Tottenham had one foot in fourth place until Thierry Henry equalised in the North London derby. Robbie Keane gave Spurs the lead after 66 minutes which left Arsenal outraged as their opponents did not play for an injury. However, substitute Henry secured a share of the spoils at odds of 5/2 six minutes before the end.

Newcastle remain on course for an UEFA Cup berth after a convincing 3-0 win against West Brom. Nolberto Solano gave the 4/5 Magpies the lead after half an hour and Shola Ameobi showed there was life after Alan Shearer with a penalty five minutes before the break and a second goal just before the final whistle.

Bolton remain hot on Newcastle’s tail after a 4-1 demolition of Charlton. Vaz Te scored for the 5/6 Trotters after 14 minutes, Kevin Davies on 21 and Jared Borgetti 10 minutes later gave Sam Allardyce’s team a commanding lead. Darren Bent struck a penalty for the Addicks on 76 but Davies netted his second a minute from time to ensure Bolton won by three goals.

Portsmouth left it late to beat relegated Sunderland to edge out of the bottom three. Sunderland, a speculative punt at 8/1 took the lead through Tommy Miller after 70 minutes but Svetoslav Todorov equalised three minutes later. With two minutes remaining, Kevin Kyle gave away a ridiculous hand-ball and Matthew Taylor converted the resultant penalty to ensure a 2/5 home win.

Birmingham gave their survival hopes a boost with a goalless draw at Everton. A dour match with few chances for either side was played out to a 9/4 stalemate.

Being six points away from Portsmouth, West Brom are now 1/100 for relegation while Birmingham City, two points behind Portsmouth, are 3/10. Harry Redknapp’s side are 5/2 outsiders to face the drop, although they have two tough matches remaining in Wigan Athletic and Liverpool.

The FA Cup semi finals were both all-Premiership affairs with Liverpool meeting West Ham in the final on Saturday 13 May.

Liverpool were 16/5 outsiders in their match at Old Trafford but stunned Chelsea by racing into a 2-0 lead. John Arne Riise stuck a free kick after 20 minutes and Luis Garcia fired in a second seven minutes after the break. Didier Drogba took full advantage of a defensive mix-up on 69 but the Reds held firm..

West Ham left it late to dump Middlesbrough out of the cup at Villa Park. Marlon Harewood struck the decisive goal with 12 minutes left for Alan Pardew’s 9/5 outsiders and secured a place in next season’s UEFA Cup as a result.

About the Author

David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: “Seven Days to Better Betting” is available at both of these websites.