Premier League Results 10th February

Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool
With Manchester United and Chelsea both dropping points, maybe Arsenal’s title bid isn’t quite over after all. Certainly, Arsenal have mostly only had trouble against the top sides – and I think they’ve played them all twice now. Manchester United and Chelsea, however, have been slipping up in all kinds of places you don’t expect and there will be plenty of opportunities for that to continue.
This wasn’t an easy game either but Arsenal fought and got there. Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott both played some part in this game and although they were short of match fitness and confidence, having some almost-fit strikers does seem to make a difference. Aaron Ramsey was omitted from the squad – no reason given maybe he just needed a rest.

Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United
Ryan Giggs passed to James Collins, who backheeled into the net. It would have been a beautiful move – but unfortunately they weren’t playing for Wales. They were on opposite sides and James’ goal was an own goal and Ryan has retired from playing for Wales anyway. But it was one unfortunate moment in another very solid performance for the Welsh centre back.
So Manchester United were denied another win – and they are also going to be denied the services of Ryan Giggs for up to a month after Ryan left the field with a broken arm.

Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Hull City
BBC Sport decided Blackburn’s goal was an own goal by Boaz Myhill but Match of the Day actually disagreed. I’m with Match of the Day on this one. I think the ball did hit Bo’s heel but it was already going in. And you certainly can’t blame Bo for the defeat. Without him, Blackburn would have scored more than one goal and if Hull’s strikers had done better, the one goal might not have mattered at all. Blackburn’s own Welsh goalkeeper, Jason Brown, was on the bench.

West Ham United 2-0 Birmingham City
It was a great result for West Ham, who really needed this win for their manager as much as for their league position – and considering Birmingham had only lost once in about the last 20 games and that was to Chelsea, a win for West Ham didn’t seem all that likely. Jack Collison was surprisingly dropped to the bench for this match and even more surprisingly, he stayed there.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Wolves haven’t won many Premier League games this season but two of the six have been against Tottenham. Wolves worked hard and played well and deserved their win although again Wayne Hennessey and Sam Vokes were left on the bench and played no part in it. Gareth Bale was Tottenhan’s best player again – he was their best attacking outlet and in no way to blame for the goal.