Premier League Masters

Sunday, 2 December 2012

FA CUP LIVE: MK Dons v AFC Wimbledon - the action as it happened - Daily Mail

PUBLISHED: 04:36 EST, 2 December 2012 | UPDATED: 10:36 EST, 2 December 2012

Relive Sportsmail's coverage of the FA Cup second round as bitter rivals MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon met for the first time. Karl Robinson's MK Dons side are flying high in third place in League One and went into the match as favourites against Neal Ardley's side, who are struggling near the foot of League Two.

FT: MK Dons 2 AFC Wimbledon 1

Milton Keynes Dons: Martin, Otsemobor, Kay, Williams, Lewington, Gleeson, Potter, Bowditch, Chadwick, Balanta (Ismail 66), Lowe (Smith 80).

Subs not used: McLoughlin, Doumbe, MacDonald, Chicksen, Sekajja.

Goal: Midson 59.

AFC Wimbledon: Sullivan, Osano, Fenlon, Antwi, Mambo, Luke Moore (Johnson 81), Gregory, Long, Ajala, Harrison (Strutton 71), Midson.

Subs not used: Jaimez-Ruiz, Balkestein, Mitchel-King, McNaughton, Djilali.

Booked: Midson, L Moore, Ajala.

Goals: Gleeson 45, Otsemobor 90.

Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire)

12.00pm: Good morning everyone and welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the season so far as MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon meet for the first time.

12.10pm: I am sure most of you are aware of the significance of this fixture but for those of you who are not, here is a brief history lesson for you... Wimbledon FC - winners of the 1988 FA Cup - were relocated to Milton Keynes in 2003, by which time AFC Wimbledon had already been formed (in 2002) in protest against the proposed move. As AFC worked their way up through the non-league pyramid, Wimbledon FC were renamed MK Dons in 2004 and have continued to ply their trade in the lowest two tiers of the Football League. AFC Wimbledon were promoted to the Football League for the first time back in May 2011 and the club are now just one division apart, but today's FA Cup tie will be the first time the two sides have met each other.

12.15pm: Back to on-field matters and the teams are in. MK Dons will start as strong favourites and they have picked a first-choice starting XI for this one, including the selection of captain and left back Dean Lewington, who came through the ranks at Wimbledon FC. For AFC, veteran former Wimbledon FC goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has been granted clearance to play.

Protest: Wimbledon fans express their dislike of MK Dons owner Pete Winkelman

12.29pm: The players are out on the pitch and the atmosphere is very, very tense. here we go...
1 min: We're under way... Both sets of fans are belting out songs.

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at stadium:mk writes: 'They're playing Welcome to the Jungle. Its not exactly Istanbul, but there's a lively atmosphere and a few taunts knocking about. AFC fans holding "We are Wimbledon" banners. MK fans have a banner saying: "We're keeping the Dons... Just get over it" and another saying "AFC Hypocrites".'

3 mins: Dean Lewington sends the game's first shot high and wide into AFC Wimbledon supporters behind the goal, who greet the effort with ironic cheers.

6 mins: It's been all MK Dons so far, but Wimbledon are winning the battle of the fans.

7 mins: Sullivan saves at the near post from Otsemobor. the 'keeper is still going strong at the age of 42.

Die-hard: An AFC Wimbledon fan turns up with a mask

9 mins: A chartered plane has just flown over the stadium reading, 'we are Wimbledon'.

13 mins: David Martin does well to come out of his box and thwart Byron Harrison with a header after Jack Midson's throughball had sent him clear.

17 mins: MK Dons have dominated possession and look very comfortable on the ball. Wimbledon are holding firm though.

18 mins: Close! MK Dons winger Angelo Balanta bends one just wide of Sullivan's left-hand post from 20 yards out.

22 mins: Luke Chadwick is really pulling the strings here for MK Dons. The former Man United man is a top player at this level.

24 mins: The 3,000-or-so Wimbledon fans really are in fine voice. Their team just can't keep hold of the ball at the moment though, but they have defended stoically so far.

27 mins: Wimbledon have their first corner of the game... It comes to nothing though.

Standing firm: MK Dons fans display a banner for the Wimbledon supporters to read

32 mins: Route one stuff from Wimbledon so far, in keeping with their tradition. Byron Harrison is giving the MK Dons centre backs a hard time of it but the support runners haven't been arriving for him.

38 mins: The game has not been the best so far, though it was always going to be a sideshow to the battle of the fans... which is still going strong.

42 mins: Yado Mambo rises highest to clear a dangerous free-kick from Chadwick. The big centre half has been outstanding so far for the visitors.

GOAL!!! MK Dons 1 (Gleeson) AFC Wimbledon 0

What a strike! Gleeson spanks one from 30 yards that rises and swerves into the top corner leaving Sullivan with absolutely no chance.

HALF-TIME: Just as it looked as though Wimbledon would be heading into the break level, a rare moment of magic in an otherwise turgid game has given the advantage to Karl Robinson's side. The atmosphere inside the stadium:mk is absolutely rocking now with both sets of fans in full voice. Wimbledon will have to come out of their shell in the second half if they are to get at least a replay from this though as they have offered nothing going forward so far.

Screamer: Gleeson celebrates his wonderstrike

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at stadium:mk: 'Test for the AFC spirit now. Wonderful strike from Gleeson. Out of place with the rest of the half. Plenty in the stadium:mk were queuing up for a cuppa when it flew in to the top corner.'

46 mins: We're back under way...

47 mins: Close! Lewington's dinked free-kick nearly finds the top corner as the veteran Sullivan laboriously tips the ball over the bar.

51 mins: Chance! Balanta's attempted cross deflects off Mambo and nearly beats Sullivan at the near post.

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at stadium:mk: 'MK firmly in command at the start of the second half. Sullivan's goal under attack from Lewington, Balanta and Bowditch. Home crowd sing: "You're getting beat by a franchise" ... and the temperature has dropped alarmingly.'

57 mins: I'm afraid to see say you can really see why Wimbledon have struggled in League Two this season. They have offered very little other than hard work and graft.

GOAL!!! MK Dons 1 AFC Wimbledon 1 (Midson)

Can you believe it! And right in front of home fans... A neat little move started by Midson sees the big forward brilliantly glance home a header from Agala's cross and the travelling support go wild... and there's a pitch invasion! There's a delay in play as the stewards try to deal with it. Midson sensibly tries to calm the away fans down.

Pandemonium: Wimbledon go wild as Midson equalises

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at stadium:mk: 'That's caused a stir. A diving header from Midson levels and AFC fans fail to control their euphoria. Some of them spill onto the pitch to celebrate with the players as the home fans boo and whistle. Midson is booked for his role in inciting the invasion as AFC fans find their voices again. Yellow and blue balloons are bouncing in the away end again and it is still very chilly here.'

70 mins: MK Dons have a goal ruled out as Zeli Ismail is rightly flagged offside as he centres for Ryan Lowe to tap in.

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at stadium:mk: 'Interested to see the impact of MK teenager Zeli Ismail, on loan from Wolves. There's been a lot of hype about him, born in Albania and playing for England youth teams. He came on and set up a goal for Ryan Lowe to convert but the flag was up for offside.'

77 mins: As things stand then we're all set for a replay. One thing that is for sure is that the second half has been a far better spectacle than the first.

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at stadium:mk: 'MK Dons preparing to send on the former England striker Alan Smith.'

80 mins: Ryan Lowe is the man to make way for Smith. Wimbledon are growing in confidence though with Ajala enjoy some joy down the right flank.

Pitch invasion: Wimbledon's fans celebrate Midson's strike a bit too enthusiastically

86 mins: A few rash tackles are starting to fly in now as nerves begin to take affect on the two sides - will there be a winner?

89 mins: Chance!!! Gregory intercepts a pass from Potter and is millimetres away from sending Wimbledon into third round as David Martin gets his fingertips to the low drive, pulling off a quite brilliant save.

GOAL!!! MK Dons 2 (Otsemobor) AFC Wimbledon 1

That should settle it... heartbreak for Wimbledon! Otsemobor won the corner which has cleared by Gregory, Ismail's shot from the edge of the box is miscued but Otsemobor nonchalantly redirects it over Sullivan's dive with a very clever flick.

Sportsmail's Matt Barlow at stadium:mk: 'Now the MK fans are on the pitch. Mad scramble before Otsemobor scores, sparking a frenzy, including a sprinkling of idiots on the pitch, goading the AFC players. Karl Robinson came onto the pitch to urge them back into the stands. In fairness, they did as he asked.'

FULL-TIME: That's it... A sad way for the game to end for Wimbledon fans but I think every will breathe a sigh of relief that there won't be a replay. The game itself was a ponderous affair until Stephen Gleeson's wonderstrike on the stroke off half-time forced Wimbledon to come out of their shell in the second half, which they did so impressively. Both sides can hold their heads high from the football that they have played, and thankfully only a few pitch-invaders from either team marred the game. Thanks, as ever, for reading.

The comments below have not been moderated.

AFC Wimbledon - now shut up and go home.

- Kassa , Somewhere, United Kingdom, 02/12/2012 14:30

Your comments:Not a bad game really. Quite enjoyed it. Some half good games in the lower divisions and players to.

- JOSEPH767UK , ST HELENS, United Kingdom, 02/12/2012 14:28

The franchise might have won today, but there is only one real Wimbledon and it's not the one playing in MK.

- Solitary_One , Cornwall, United Kingdom, 02/12/2012 14:28

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Manchester United's Robin van Persie nets winner in seven-goal epic - The Guardian

After the storm came the drought. This was a contest that featured a seven-goal avalanche inside 34 minutes but then fell barren, yet was still unmissable and had Sir Alex Ferguson branding the experience "agony".

If it was the kind of pell-mell exchange all managers hate and neutrals love, the first-half count should have actually been eight – to break the record for an opening period – but Robin van Persie's strike near the break was ruled out wrongly.

For Ferguson a near-perfect day, in which Chelsea lost and Manchester City drew, ended with Manchester United's lead extended to three points before next Sunday's derby at the Etihad Stadium.

He told ESPN: "It was agony. The worst defending of this season and we needed to do something about it. We're needing to rescue the situation all the time. Fortunately we have players who can do that."

To call this the direst performance from a rearguard that had previously conceded the first goal 13 times in 21 matches in all competitions illustrates how manic an evening this was. To Ferguson's chagrin, his team contrived to take this tally to 14 as the breathless 26 minutes into which all seven strikes were compressed began.

Eight minutes had been played when this chronically leaky United defence allowed Jay Tabb to turn the ball to Jobi McAnuff. He swung in a cross, Jonny Evans's header went straight to Hal Robson-Kanu and his volley beat Anders Lindegaard via a deflection from the defender.

The first of United's two equalisers came when Michael Carrick found Anderson, who moved the ball on to Ashley Young, and when the Brazilian took the return he blazed a rocket of a shot past Adam Federici. Anderson's celebration featured a kind of strutting tap-dance on the spot.

That was after 13 minutes. Within 90 seconds Wayne Rooney gave the visitors the lead. From the Liverpudlian's corner Evans controlled the ball and, as he brought it down, Tabb decided to barge him over. Rooney beat Federici from the penalty spot.

Now came two Reading goals, each unmarked headers from corners delivered by Nicky Shorey.

This was simple, schoolboy stuff but United could do nothing to repel either. First Shorey's 19th-minute delivery found Adam Le Fondre and as Rio Ferdinand went wandering the No9 finished. Then Sean Morrison produced a carbon copy, rising to meet Shorey's kick to give Reading a hardly credible 3-2 lead.

By the time the clock showed 34 minutes it would be 4-3 to United, and Rafael had first been booked, then hooked by Ferguson (on 28 and 31 minutes, respectively), with the Brazilian apparently ignoring his manager's conciliatory gesture to embark on a sulky pout he still wore on half-time.

Of this reaction, the Scot said: "The boy was disappointed coming off. He has been one of our best players this season. I brought Chris Smalling on, which was an improvement in terms of height."

When the sides walked off for the break, what would prove United's winning advantage had derived from two slick moves. A Patrice Evra ball to Young became a one-two when the winger executed a backheel to his skipper, whose cross allowed an unmarked Rooney to slot a second.

Then Rooney created Robin van Persie's 13th of his debut United season. Carrick's pass was flicked sideways by the forward and the Dutchman, with his right boot, slid the ball beyond Federici.

Rooney, who ended with two goals to stretch his total to five, said of the goal glut: "It was crazy. It was end to end and I think we played some good attacking stuff but defended badly on set-pieces. We showed big character to see the game out. We're not happy about it [falling behind first, again]. If it keeps happening it will cost us. We need to try and get in front early and make it easier for everyone."

Although that was it for the period and match, Van Persie's case for a second appeared copper-bottomed: replays showed his finish was good before Adrian Mariappa cleared.

Rooney was in no doubt: "It certainly was over the line. It is difficult for officials to see because it is so quick. But I'm sure in the future there will be technology."

After Ferguson's pre-match exhortation to Rooney to score more, it had been a surprise to see him on the right of the 4-2-3-1 decided upon by his manager.

Yet, as with Van Persie, he was required to defend as Ferguson's midfield shield of Carrick and Darren Fletcher continued to struggle to slow this open game down.

Ferguson added: "There is a natural determination about the players. I just think we need to get the defending right from set-pieces. If we defend like that against Manchester City, I might need to play myself."

For Brian McDermott, whose side remain second-bottom, this was another case of so near yet so far: "It was a fantastic effort."

Benitez worst Chelsea boss under Abramovich - The Sun

RAFA BENITEZ admitted he is facing the biggest challenge of his career after the worst start of any Chelsea manager under owner Roman Abramovich.

Benitez has managed just two points and one goal from his first three games in charge since taking over from the axed Roberto Di Matteo 11 days ago.

And he was again subjected to chants of "f*** off Benitez, you're not welcome here" from disgruntled Chelsea fans after the Blues made it seven Premier League games without a win.

That represents the club's worst run since February 1995.

And it left interim boss Benitez struggling to explain away yesterday's embarrassing 3-1 defeat at West Ham.

The Spaniard even confessed he is not 100 per cent sure he will see out his contract, which runs to the end of the season.

He said: "This could be my most difficult challenge because we are a top club in the middle of a period when things are not at their best. We are trying to improve things but it will take some time.

"The kind of players we have need to be in possession because they cannot compete physically with strong opponents like West Ham. The balance needs to be better.

"We could have scored two or three goals in the first half and finished the game off but it was a completely different story after half-time.

"It's not easy for me to explain what happened out there today.

"We didn't start the second half well, they were on top of us and we couldn't manage.

"We lost the challenges for the first and second balls, we didn't use the spaces and we didn't do enough to win.

"West Ham's first goal was controversial and you can say we were unlucky not to be awarded a free-kick for Cole's challenge. But we cannot use that as an excuse for this result.

"We gave the ball away easily, we weren't comfortable in possession and we were never in control in the second half.

"It's difficult to explain how we could be so good in the first 45 minutes and yet couldn't manage after the interval.

"Physically, it's easier to control a game if you are two or three goals up. But we couldn't achieve that and now we need to work and analyse everything in training to improve."

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BLUES interim boss admits he has serious work to be getting on with after miserable defeat to West Ham

Juan Mata put Chelsea ahead on 13 minutes. Then Mata and Fernando Torres spurned a host of chances to sew things up before half-time.

Carlton Cole climbed all over Branislav Ivanovic to head West Ham's equaliser.

And late strikes from Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga put Hammers fans in dreamland. Even West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admitted: "Chelsea should have finished us off in the first half because they were much better than us.

"But they didn't do that and ended up paying the price. We beat them fair and square."

Only three Chelsea players acknowledged their travelling supporters after the game but Benitez denied that his team are struggling to cope with the poisonous atmosphere being generated by the fans.

He said: "We have to improve on the pitch and then the fans will be happy.

"We have experienced players who have played at this level for a while, so they know they have to manage.

"The reaction at the end was an indication of the disappointment the players have at this result."

Asked whether he was already having second thoughts about becoming Chelsea boss until the end of the season, Benitez insisted: "I'm here because I want to be here.

"It's a top side and we can compete for trophies."

But Sky TV analysts Alan Smith and Jamie Redknapp already fear that Benitez has bitten off more than he can chew with Chelsea.

Former Arsenal striker Smith said: "I've never known a situation like it in England. It's incredible when you see the anti-Benitez banners.

"Roman Abramovich must be doubting his decision."

And ex-Liverpool and Spurs midfielder Redknapp added: "It's been a terrible month for Chelsea.

"In terms of how they handled the Clattenburg situation I had some sympathy for them because they had to do what they did, but it's just been handled so badly.

"Then you get rid of Di Matteo and get Benitez in. It's just been calamity after calamity at the moment."

West Ham 3-1 Chelsea: Match report, pictures and video highlights - The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE knows that he will probably never feature on Roman Abramovich's wanted list when the Chelsea owner begins his search for yet another new boss.

So it was hardly surprising that the man derided as a managerial throwback to the days of blood and thunder took so much satisfaction from this well-deserved Hammers victory.

For 45 minutes yesterday Allardyce could only stand and squirm as his team were taken apart by Chelsea's ball-playing sophisticates.

Yet Big Sam did not panic and he did not get out the half-time hairdryer.

Instead, he made a couple of tactical changes to his team, cranked up the pressure on his opponents' egg-shell confidence and watched in satisfaction as every one of his second-half decisions paid dividends.

Key to the dramatic turn-around was the introduction of midfield enforcer Mohamed Diame as a half-time replacement for the out-of-sorts James Tomkins.

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WEST HAM boss says winning games is how to get fans onside - after beating under-fire Rafa Benitez

Suddenly Juan Mata was denied the space he had revelled in during the first 45 minutes as the hungry Hammers swarmed all over a team who do not know where their next win is coming from their visitors.

And the minute Carlton Cole climbed all over Branislav Ivanovic to head home West Ham's controversial 63rd- minute equaliser, you knew there was only going to be one winner.

It was West Ham's first win over their London rivals in 14 attempts and Allardyce said: "I wouldn't say we were dead and buried at half-time but the second half was all about our belief, our desire and our quality.

"We upped our level from the first minute of the second half and we kept going until they cracked.

"We over-complicated things in the first half but we changed it tactically and all three of our substitutes made a big contribution to what was an outstanding victory."

BLUES interim boss admits he has serious work to be getting on with after miserable defeat to West Ham

While Allardyce was left to celebrate three crucial points, Abramovich must be asking himself just what the hell is going on at Chelsea. The trigger-happy Russian might have given this one a swerve but could probably still have heard the howls of protest from the other side of London.

And his team haven't hit rock bottom yet. That comes on Wednesday night when they go out of the Champions League and surrender the crown they fought so long and hard for.

If Chelsea play anything like this against Danish minnows Nordsjaelland in midweek, the result of Juventus' trip to Donetsk will be immaterial.

This is their worst run of form since February 1995. Not since the days of Glenn Hoddle, 11 managers ago, have the Blues gone seven Premier League games without a win.

And, the way things are going right now, you would not bet against Rafa Benitez soon joining them.

It would be ludicrous to lay all of the blame for Chelsea's collapse at the door of an interim manager who has been in the job for only 11 days.

But none of the travelling fans were prepared to give the Spaniard the benefit of the doubt as they joined in with the West Ham taunts of "you're getting sacked in the morning'.

And that overwhelming mood of negativity has quickly spread to a "team' of players who showed neither character nor fighting spirit to resist West Ham's impressive second-half comeback. Even without the injured John Terry and Frank Lampard, the lack of leadership in the Chelsea ranks was alarming.

Benitez had complained before this game that his players were exhausted because the squad was too small and Roberto Di Matteo hadn't rotated enough. Yet he still didn't have the courage to leave out Fernando Torres, who has started more games than any other outfield player this season yet contributed less than most of them.

To be fair to Torres — and that's not a phrase we've used too often in the last couple of years — he did set up the first goal of Benitez's reign when he teed up Mata's emphatic 13th-minute finish.

But that was to be his last meaningful contribution of an afternoon in which Chelsea's lack of spine came home to haunt them.

And they have no-one but themselves to blame for their failure to take advantage of their overwhelming first-half dominance.

Yet as dreadful as West Ham were during those first 45 minutes, they were superior in every department following Allardyce's tactical tinkering.

Cole's 63rd-minute equaliser from Matt Jarvis' deflected cross was confirmation that the tide had turned.

Benitez desperately tried to shore things up by hauling off Eden Hazard to chants of "you don't know what you're doing" from the travelling Blues fans.

But there was no stopping West Ham now and they deservedly took the lead in the 86th minute when Cole held off John Obi Mikel to tee up Diame for an unstoppable low shot.

And any thoughts of an unlikely Chelsea comeback were extinguished when Ashley Cole gifted the hosts a third when his terrible pass allowed Matt Taylor to set up fellow sub Modibo Maiga deep into stoppage time.

DREAM TEAM

SUN STAR MAN - NOLAN (WEST HAM)

West Ham: Jaaskelainen 7, Demel 6, Collins 7, Reid 6, O'Brien 6, Tomkins 5 (Taylor 46), Noble 7, O'Neil 5 (Diame 46), Nolan 8, Jarvis 6, Cole 7 (Maiga 87). Subs Not Used: Spiegel, Spence, Fanimo, Moncur. Booked: Noble. Goals: Cole 63, Diame 86, Maiga 90.

Chelsea: Cech 7, Azpilicueta 6, Ivanovic 5, Cahill 6, Cole 5, Mikel 6, Ramires 6, Moses 7 (Marin 78), Hazard 6 (Oscar 73), Mata 8, Torres 5. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Romeu, Piazon. Booked: Cech, Mikel. Goals: Mata 13.

Att: 35,005

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE FROM MONDAY

Liverpool FC 1 Southampton FC 0 - Liverpool Echo

DANIEL AGGER'S header helped Liverpool secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Southampton in the Premier League at Anfield.

The Danish defender nodded home Glen Johnson's cross just before the break as the Reds claimed back to back home league wins for the first time since September 2011.

The margin of victory should have been much greater but once again Brendan Rodgers' side spurned a succession of chances.

Lucas Leiva made a hugely impressive return to action after three months out with a thigh injury and the only downside for Rodgers was the sight of Luis Suarez being booked for handball late on.

It was the Uruguayan's fifth yellow card of the season and he will now miss next Sunday's trip to West Ham.

Rodgers made two changes following the midweek defeat at Tottenham as Lucas and Jonjo Shelvey replaced Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson.

Shelvey was positioned out on the left flank with Jose Enrique reverting to his usual role at left-back after being played in an advanced position in recent weeks.

After a slow start the Reds clicked into gear and the visitors were indebted to keeper Paulo Gazzaniga for staying on level terms.

A poor defensive header from Jose Fonte was scuffed straight at Gazzaniga by Shelvey before Glen Johnson failed to convert Suarez's cross at the near post.

With Lucas back in the holding midfield role, Joe Allen was granted much greater freedom to get forward, while alongside him Steven Gerrard increasingly pulled the strings.

It was Gerrard's defence-splitting pass which sent Johnson scampering down the right but his cross towards Suarez was hacked behind by Fonte.

Lucas then picked out the skipper whose fierce strike was blocked by Morgan Schneiderlin.

Boyhood Reds fans Rickie Lambert had sent a 25-yarder whistling past the post early on but for the most part the Saints were camped in their own half.

Midway through the first half Gerrard fired wide from the edge of the box after Shelvey's quick free-kick had found Suarez.

Johnson and Shelvey were both thwarted by Gazzaniga and the Reds' frustration continued to grow.

Suarez vented his fury after referee Michael Oliver ignored appeals for a penalty after he had been pulled back by his shorts by Jack Cork.

The Saints continued to ride their luck with Shelvey's thunderous strike from a tight angle cannoning back off the far post.

Finally, two minutes before the interval the breakthrough arrived. Suarez's free-kick hit the bar but Johnson latched on to the rebound and crossed for Agger to head home.

Reina had been virtually a spectator but in stoppage time he had to be alert to tip behind Lambert's dipping long range effort.

In the second half Southampton showed more ambition with Jason Puncheon and Gaston Ramirez posing a threat.

However, the outstanding Lucas provided good protection for the Reds' backline and the hosts pressed forward in search of a second goal.

Enrique almost provided it after a classy exchange of passes with Suarez but the Spaniard's effort was deflected narrowly wide.

On 69 minutes Henderson replaced Allen as Rodgers sought some fresh legs in midfield.

Enrique saw his piledriver beaten away by Gazzaniga but with the lead still so narrow anxiety levels began to grow inside Anfield.

Fortunately for the Reds, Southampton were desperately short of quality in the final third and Reina remained largely untroubled.

With nine minutes to go Suarez was rightly booked after trying to turn home Gerrard's pass with his hand.

Enrique saw another long-range strike parried away before Suarez dragged his shot wide when well placed.

Lucas departed to a standing ovation late on as the Reds comfortably survived to climb to 11th in the Premier League – seven points adrift of third placed Chelsea.

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Chelsea slump at West Ham, Man City held - Reuters UK

By Martyn Herman

LONDON | Sat Dec 1, 2012 6:09pm GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea surrendered a halftime lead to lose 3-1 at West Ham United on Saturday to leave interim manager Rafael Benitez still without a win and Arsene Wenger was also the target of jeers as his Arsenal side were humbled 2-0 at home by Swansea City.

Champions Manchester City moved top of the Premier League table, for a couple of hours at least, after Carlos Tevez earned them a 1-1 draw at home to Everton, although Manchester United will open a three-point lead if they win at Reading later.

Juan Mata gave Chelsea a well-deserved lead but West Ham roared back to pile pressure on Benitez with former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole levelling just past the hour before substitutes Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga struck late on.

Benitez, whose appointment in the wake of Roberto Di Matteo's sacking has proved unpopular among fans, is the first Chelsea manager not to win any of his first three matches in charge since Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought the club.

"In the second half we didn't start well, they got on top of us and we couldn't manage," former Liverpool manager Benitez, whose first two matches in charge ended in 0-0 draws against Manchester City and Fulham, told Sky Sports.

The European champions, now without a win in seven league matches having topped the table, remain in third spot on goal difference from Tottenham Hotspur, who joined them on 26 points with a 3-0 victory at Fulham -- Jermain Defoe scoring twice.

West Bromwich Albion slipped to fifth, also on 26 points, after a 1-0 defeat at home by Stoke City.

Arsenal were booed off at the Emirates as they slipped to 10th following Michu's late double for Michael Laudrup's impressive Swansea, which took the 2 million pound summer signing's tally for the season to 11.

"Of course you can understand the fans when we lose a match the way we did today," Wenger told Sky Sports.

"We were maybe lacking a bit of maturity to keep it 0-0. It's a big blow because the games are coming very quickly. Today was not the way we want to play football."

Liverpool were 1-0 winners at home to Southampton and bottom club Queens Park Rangers drew 1-1 at home to Aston Villa as their search for a first league win of the season continues under new manager Harry Redknapp.

IN CONTROL

Banners protesting about Benitez's appointment were still in evidence at Upton Park, yet for 45 minutes Chelsea were in control and heading for victory.

When Fernando Torres cut the ball back from the byline for Mata to shoot Chelsea in front after 13 minutes, it seemed that Benitez could silence his critics, at least for a day.

Mata could have increased Chelsea's lead but Jussi Jaaskelainen made a great save to keep West Ham within touching distance.

West Ham's Kevin Nolan had a goal disallowed just before halftime and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech made a fingertip save to keep out Nolan's header from a corner.

The home side were far more adventurous after the break and deservedly drew level when Cole nodded past Cech from close range after appearing to climb over Branislav Ivanovic.

Mata nearly restored Chelsea's lead with a superb free kick that thudded against the woodwork and Chelsea looked the more likely winners as the game entered its closing stages.

However, West Ham, who had not beaten Chelsea for nine years, roused themselves for a final surge.

Ashley Cole had to head Winston Reid's header off the line, and with four minutes of normal time remaining Diame smashed a low shot past Cech.

Disgruntled Chelsea fans were already heading for the exit when Maiga converted a rebound for the third after Cech had saved Matt Taylor's shot.

Manchester City extended their unbeaten league run at home to 37 matches but they were given a scare when Marouane Fellaini scored for Everton after 37 minutes.

Argentine Tevez levelled just before halftime when Fellaini was adjudged to have dragged down Edin Dzeko.

"If teams come here and get soft penalties awarded against them it's going to be hard to get a result," Everton manager David Moyes told Sky Sports after his sixth-placed side's eighth draw in 15 league games.

(Editing by Ed Osmond and Stephen Wood)

Saturday, 1 December 2012

Manchester City 1 Everton 1: Mancini's men frustrated by sticky Toffees - Daily Mail

By Andy Hampson

PUBLISHED: 11:51 EST, 1 December 2012 | UPDATED: 12:34 EST, 1 December 2012

Marouane Fellaini made significant contributions at both ends as Everton frustrated champions Manchester City yet again in the Barclays Premier League.

Fellaini headed the Toffees, victors in eight of their previous 10 clashes with City, into a first-half lead but then conceded a controversial penalty to allow Carlos Tevez to level.

Everton felt Edin Dzeko had gone to ground too easily to win the award but Tevez made no mistake and City went on to dominate the second half.

Back on terms: Carols Tevez celebrates the equaliser

Match facts

Man City: Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov (Zabaleta 7), Toure, Barry, Silva,Tevez (Aguero 68), Nasri, Dzeko (Balotelli 80). Subs Not Used: Pantilimon, Javi Garcia, Sinclair, Toure.

Yellow cards: Lescott, Zabaleta.

Scorer: Tevez 43 pen.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Gibson,Osman, Naismith (Oviedo 73), Fellaini, Pienaar,Jelavic (Heitinga 90). Subs Not Used: Mucha, Hitzlsperger, Gueye, Barkley, Vellios.

Yellow card: Fellaini.

Scorer: Fellaini 33.

Att: 47,386

Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

The latest Premier League table, fixtures and results

The result preserved City's unbeaten start to the season in the Premier League and prolonged their run of home games without defeat to 37, a sequence stretching back to a loss to Everton two years ago.

It was also Everton's seventh draw in their last nine games.

The match took some while to warm up and City suffered an early blow as Aleksandar Kolarov limped off after just six minutes.

Manager Roberto Mancini had opted to rest the hard-working Pablo Zabaleta but the in-form Argentinian was summoned from the bench straight away.

Joleon Lescott made an unexpected return to the side, to face his former club, in place of impressive youngster Matija Nastasic.

The England defender looked composed as he resumed his partnership with Vincent Kompany after more than a month out of the starting line-up.

Everton playmaker Leon Osman gave the City defence plenty to think about in the early stages without creating a clear-cut opening.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard had to pick himself up from a collision with Dzeko after coming to claim a cross from Maicon, who looked dangerous in attack but vulnerable in defence.

Calm customer: Carlos Tevez slots the penalty

City threatened the Everton goal in the 20th minute when David Silva crossed and Dzeko headed wide.

Tevez controlled well in the area but was unable to shoot and Dzeko inadvertently took the full force of a Samir Nasri shot in the back of his head.

Everton's 33rd-minute opener came in familiar fashion as the ever-dangerous Leighton Baines, who passed a fitness test to feature, crossed and Fellaini eventually headed in.

Main man: Marouane Fellaini scores for Everton

Kompany did well to divert the cross away from Nikica Jelavic but it dropped for Fellaini, who headed home at the second attempt at the far post after Joe Hart saved his initial effort.

It was the Belgian's eighth goal of an impressive season.

Out in front: Marouane Fellaini celebrates yet another goal

That brought the game to life and City almost found an immediate equaliser as Tevez met a Nasri cross with a deft header that Howard did well to save.

Gareth Barry then chested down another Nasri cross for Dzeko to turn and shoot but again Howard was alert.

Controversy followed the resulting corner as Dzeko tangled with Fellaini and went to ground. Referee Lee Probert sparked immediate protest from Everton by pointing to the spot and Toffees manager David Moyes clearly thought the award was harsh.

Having words: Everton players protest against the penalty award

Tevez made no mistake as he stepped up to tuck home his eighth of the campaign.

Whether or not Fellaini was unfairly penalised, he almost produced the perfect response in the final moments of the first half with a glancing header from a Steven Pienaar cross, but Hart saved.

That proved the final on-field action before the players left the field but Moyes continued to voice his frustration, presumably about the penalty decision, to the fourth official.

Rough and tumble: Steven Pienaar goes down under a challenge from Manchester City's Joleon Lescott

City upped the tempo at the start of the second half but again it took time before the chances came, aside from a Tevez shot which was blocked by Phil Jagielka.

Tevez almost broke away after a miskick by Distin but the defender recovered quickly to nick the ball away from the striker. Tevez also headed over but it was not until just after the hour that City seriously threatened again as Maicon burst down the field and forced Howard to parry a powerful 18-yard drive.

No joy: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini reacts

City decided to freshen up their attack by sending on Sergio Aguero, but the crowd were not happy that it was Tevez he replaced and boos rang around the ground.

The game became scrappy as Everton's hard-working defence did their best to repel City's threat.

Mario Balotelli also entered the action for the last 10 minutes in place of Dzeko and did inject a bit of energy into the side.

Eight up: Marouane Fellaini scores

His first chance to aim at goal, however, was probably best forgotten as he screwed a shot well wide. Nasri then combined well with Silva in the area but could only win a corner.

Everton went close in injury time from a Jelavic free-kick but Hart saved and the ball squirmed wide.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Hahahahaha

- Graeme , Manchester, 01/12/2012 18:20

We're drawing far too many games at the minute. It will come back and bite us in the backside very soon because our luck can't last forever. Aguero, Dzeko, Yaya, Tevez are playing well within themselves, and aren't showing last seasons form.

- fordyboy40 , CHESTERFIELD, 01/12/2012 17:52

Well done Everton, great result, pity you didn't grab all 3 points.

- CF104 muscrat90 , Gateshead, 01/12/2012 17:45

TinkerMancini's continual rotation of City's squad is not doing them any favours whatsoever. Almost certainly out of the CL, there is no excuse whatsoever for not playing his strongest 11 every game in the league to try and build up a settled pattern of play. Aguero, Silve, Tevez, YaYa Toure should start every game, unless fatigued or injured. Dzeko, for all his protestations on MOTD, is quite clearly more effective coming on as a sub. How many games do City win when either Dzeko or Balotelli starts ? Nowhere near as many as when Tevez/Aguero/Silva start. Stop the continual rotation Mancini and you might just get back to a regular winning team again.

- T.Carter , London, United Kingdom, 01/12/2012 17:43

Everton came and gave 100%, deserved a point mainly because Mancini chose Dzeko and Tevez over Mario and Aguero, the players who given a chance can win a game!! Poor choice and failure to test their goalie from distance, a bored City fan.

- QueSera , Manchester, 01/12/2012 17:40

good result for Everton and well deserved.

- cdavies258 , Belfast, United Kingdom, 01/12/2012 17:33