Last-gasp Gyan goal denies Newcastle, Villa fight back to secure vital point

LONDON: An injury-time goal from Sunder­land’s Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan denied Newcastle home-and-away victories over their north-east rivals as Birmingham and Aston Villa drew in the Premier League yesterday.

Newcastle, seeking to bounce back from their shock FA Cup exit to lowly Stevenage last week, looked to be heading to a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light after a Kevin Nolan goal put them ahead.

But with the game deep into injury time World Cup star Gyan scrambled in a fortunate equaliser to make it 1-1 and deny Newcastle a famous win.

Nolan, who scored a hat-trick in Newcastle’s 5-1 thrashing of Sunderland in October, was the Black Cats tormentor once again, firing the Magpies ahead on 52 minutes.

The midfielder pounced after a cross by Joey Barton was headed down by Shola Ameobi to cause panic in the Sunderland defence, allowing Nolan to backheel in from close range.

Yet just as Newcastle’s travelling fans prepared to celebrate victory, Gyan popped up in injury time with his eighth goal of the season after a rare mistake by Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper.

In the other early game, Aston Villa fought back from 1-0 down to secure a vital point in their derby clash with Birmingham at St Andrews.

Birmingham, who handed a debut to new signing David Bentley, took the lead on 49 minutes when Roger Johnson volleyed in from 12 yards past Brad Friedel.

The Blues looked to be in control of the game and heading for victory until Villa equalised against the run of play, when a cross by Marc Albrighton was touched on by Gabriel Agbonlahor before being swept home by James Collins.

Villa might even have snatched an unlikely victory in the final 10 minutes, when Nathan Delfounso hammered a 25-yard shot against the crossbar.

Earlier on Saturday, a sparkling two-goal display by Carlos Tevez overshadowed a promising debut by Edin Dzeko as Manchester City claimed a nervy 4-3 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers to go top of the league.

Dzeko, a £27mil buy from Wolfsburg, made a good first impression as City led 4-1 but they were hanging on at the end against the doughty visitors.

Third-placed Arsenal kept up the pressure with a 3-0 victory at West Ham in what, according to local media reports, could be Avram Grant’s last game in charge of the bottom club.

Chelsea were untroubled in beating Black­burn 2-0 with second-half goals by Branislav Ivanovic and Nicolas Anelka.

City’s victory takes them back to the top on 45 points from 23 games, a point ahead of Manchester United, who visited Tottenham Hotspur later yesterday and have three games in hand.

Arsenal have 43 points, Chelsea 38 and Spurs 36.

West Bromwich Albion beat Blackpool 3-2, Stoke City beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 and Wigan Athletic drew 1-1 with Fulham.

Wolves, who beat City at Molineux in October and have taken the scalps of Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks, took a deserved lead after 12 minutes through Nenad Milijas.

City rode their luck and levelled five minutes before half-time through Kolo Toure and went ahead four minutes after the restart when Tevez skipped past three challenges and finished superbly.

Dzeko set up Yaya Toure for a simple finish after 54 minutes and Tevez headed the fourth after 66, his 14th league goal of the season.

Wolves though hit back with a Kevin Doyle penalty and after Ronald Zubar headed their third four minutes from time City were hanging on desperately.

“I was worried in the last eight minutes as we conceded a lot of chances and we must improve in this situation,” City boss Roberto Mancini told BBC Radio 5-Live.

“We played good football in the second half but we had some problems at the back and shouldn’t concede three goals at home,” Mancini told the club’s website.

“But we are happy we can stay top for one day. Last time it was a few hours and maybe in May it will be for a long time,” added the Italian, who praised Tevez for his “fantastic goals”.

Chelsea have also looked a long way from title material in recent weeks with a return of 10 points from 11 games and there was relief all round Stamford Bridge when Ivanovic forced in a low shot after 57 minutes.

Anelka then diverted a goalbound Ivanovic header for the clincher after 76 minutes, his first league goal since Oct 30.

“We deserved it, we maintained good control for all the game but it was not easy because we took a long time to score the first goal,” Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“I hope the bad moment is over now. We are not at the same level but we will come back to that level.”

In a muted atmosphere at West Ham, Arsenal took control from the start and went ahead after 13 minutes when Robin van Persie lashed in a shot from the edge of the box.

Four minutes before half-time the Dutch­man crossed for Theo Walcott to bang in the second. After Wayne Bridge completed a hapless debut by fouling Walcott, Van Persie completed the cruise with a penalty.

  

Manchester City boss Mancini hails Tevez magic

MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini hailed un­­settled captain Carlos Tevez after his brace helped City move to the top of the Premier League on Saturday.

In an entertaining encounter at Eastlands, Tevez’s brilliant double, and goals from brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure, ensured Mancini’s men came from behind against Wolves to eventually win 4-3.

That helped them leapfrog neighbours Manchester United at the Premier League summit after their seventh home win of the season.

Mick McCarthy’s men started by far the brighter and more determined outfit and deservedly took the lead after 12 minutes as Nenad Milijas bundled in from close range.

However, a Kolo Toure finish just before the break was quickly followed up by two fine goals from Tevez – one with his feet, one with his head – as City became the stronger side.

A further finish from Yaya gave City some breathing space although a Kevin Doyle penalty and a late header from Ronald Zubar gave Wolves a glimmer of hope but they could not find a fourth to force a draw.

“I am very happy for him because he scored two fantastic goals and took his goals very, very well. The first goal he scored was fantastic,” Mancini said of Tevez, who stunned the club last month by demanding a transfer before withdrawing his request.

“I thought it was a difficult game and I told the guys before the game that.

“But I thought we were so-so in the first 20 minutes and Wolves pressed us well and we had some problems but we scored goals and had three of four other chances to score.

“However, I thought we lost our concentration towards the end because we thought it was finished but it is never finished.”

Mancini handed new £27mil signing Edin Dzeko his debut following his transfer from Wolfsburg and although he clearly lacked match sharpness, Mancini was still pleased with the Bosnian’s first afternoon out in City colours.

“He played well,” he added. “It was his first game in 30 days and his first game with a new team but he played well. He needs to improve and work hard but I think he showed he is a good player.

“We are happy after the result and I am happy for our supporters because they deserve this but the season is very long and we must improve because we cannot do the same mistakes as today in the last 10 minutes.”

  

Grant defiant over Hammers future

LONDON: Avram Grant stubbornly refused to confirm whether he expects West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at Upton Park to be his last game in charge.

The former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager has spent virtually all of the season with his position the subject of intense speculation, the result of West Ham’s lengthy residence in the relegation places.

And the Israeli began the day knowing that a number of media sources and bookmakers were reporting that he was to be sacked and that Martin O’Neill, the former Aston Villa manager, had agreed to take over.

Grant has been told the information came from within the club but steadfastly refused to confirm whether he was leaving after two goals from Robin van Persie and one from Theo Walcott had consigned his team to a comprehensive defeat.

“Why do you ask this question?” he replied. “There was a report? Where? On television? You need to ask the person who gave you these rumours. Ask them about the rumours. You say the source gave you this? Ask the source.”

Grant defiantly insisted that as far as he was concerned he was still the manager and would therefore continue to carry out his duties until told otherwise by co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

“I have a job to do,” he said. “The game is the most important thing. I’m doing my job, not asking questions.

“When I came here the club were not in a good position and my job was to make it better. And I think we are doing the right things.”

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, made it clear he supported the former Israel national team manager, who came within one penalty kick of winning the Champions League final with Chelsea in 2008.

“I have big sympathy for Avram Grant,” Wenger said. “Our job is difficult enough without some more on your back. You don’t need problems of that sort.”

Walcott set Van Persie up for a 13th-minute opener and the Dutch­­man responded by providing the pass that allowed the England winger to make it 2-0 four minutes before half-time, with Wayne Bridge, the England defender who had joined on loan from Manchester City, at fault for both goals.

Bridge’s misfortune continued into the second half when he brought Walcott down for a penalty that Van Persie converted and then was forced off injured.

“It was pretty comprehensive, yes, because we had a very sharp first half that affected West Ham’s morale. We put in a very mature performance,” added Wenger.

Van Persie had missed a large part of the season through injury but now looks to have made a complete recovery. Certainly Wenger thought so.

“You could see he is getting sharper physically and that is important,” he said.

  

QPR back on track, says boss Warnock after draw

LONDON: QPR manager Neil War­nock insists his Division Two leaders are back on track after they ground out a 0-0 draw at Burnley.

Warnock’s side failed to break down a Burnley team keen to impress Bour­nemouth boss Eddie Howe, who was watching from the stands ahead of his proposed move to Turf Moor.

But Warnock, whose side are three points clear of second placed Swansea with a game in hand, took heart from the way his players fought for a point even though they have now gone four games without a win.

“We were back to normal – it was good. We worked very hard and tried to win the match,” Warnock said.

“We’ve played eight out of the top 10 teams away from home and we have gone two (games) undefeated but we have to go on to another run now. A lot of teams would swap positions with us if I’m honest.”

Howe is poised to be confirmed as successor to Brian Laws after Stuart Gray presided over his final game as caretaker manager.

Gray added: “Eddie is inheriting a fantastic bunch of lads. He hasn’t seen how creative we can be but all credit to QPR, they came with a game plan and stuck to it.”

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers saluted his side’s free-flowing football as they handed Dougie Freedman a 3-0 defeat in his first game as Crystal Palace manager.

Rodgers’ team were always on top at the Liberty Stadium and Darren Prat­­ley’s first half opener was follow­ed by two penalties from Scott Sinclair.

The Swans are now just behind QPR and, just as significantly, they sit two points clear of third placed Cardiff in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

“Palace worked very hard and made it difficult for us but we played very well. We pressed the ball from the first minute and we showed creativity and imagination in the final third,” Rodgers said.

Fourth placed Norwich rescued a 1-1 draw against promotion rivals Cardiff as Russell Martin struck a last-minute equaliser at Carrow Road.

Martin rifled the ball home via the crossbar for the Canaries’ sixth injury-time strike this season after John Parkin put Cardiff ahead.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert was de­­lighted with his side’s latest display of resilience and he said: “I thought we were excellent, I really did, against a really good side.

“It would have been very tough on us if we hadn’t got anything from the game.”

  

Stoke boss Pulis shattered by Ba deal collapse

LONDON: Stoke manager Tony Pu­­lis admitted he was disappointed to see his swoop for Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba (pic) thwarted by the Senegal star’s failure to pass a me­­di­­cal after the £7.1mil fee had been agreed.

“I am desperately disappointed. You look at him and he has a tremendous scoring record,” said the Stoke boss after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bolton.

“We have been over to watch him three or four times. Everyone has come back with good reports. But we have to put the club first and I understand that.

“As we have progressed as a club, the medical side has progressed as well. They take great responsibility and great care when they look at the players we are trying to bring in. The money involved is huge. Obviously they found something which could cause problems later.”

The 25-year-old Ba, who needed knee surgery last summer, has now returned to Germany although Pulis refused to divulge what the problem was.

  

Winners take all in Jordan-Syria clash for last eight spot

DOHA: The winners take all when neighbours Jordan and Syria do battle today at the Asian Cup knowing a victory for either side will propel them into the last eight.

Jordan are in a slightly better position with four points from two games, with Syria on three points in Group B, meaning a draw for Jordan would also be enough for them to seal a place in the knockout stages.

Japan, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be looking to top the group when they play Saudi Arabia, who are already out of contention.

A dogged Jordan have impressed in drawing with Japan in their first match – the Japanese needing a last-gasp equaliser for a point – before beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 to turf the regional giants out of the tournament.

Jordan’s coach Adnan Hamad, who has reportedly had his contract extended until 2015 to take in World Cup qualifying, is hoping for more of the same from his unfancied side, who tend to soak up pressure and play on the break.

“We will play to win and we want to finish top of the group,” the Iraqi said. “I have good confidence in the players to achieve the expectations of the fans back home in Jordan and in the stadium.”

Hamad said captain and key defender Hatem Aqel, who injured his knee in the Japan draw and missed the Saudi game, would not play again in the tournament.

But he was confident nevertheless of pulling off victory and getting into the knockout stages, for what would be a major achievement.

“I call on the players to focus and concentrate, we need to forget about the last two games now. We are facing a very good and distinguished team supported by a good number of fans,” he cautioned.

“But I am very optimistic about the match, even though we are facing a very strong team. The pressure is on us now from the fans.”

Syria’s French-speaking Romanian coach Tita Valeriu acknowledged the odds were against his side, who started with a shock 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia before losing by the same scoreline to Japan in controversial circumstances.

“We played very well against Saudi Arabia and did pretty well against Japan,” he said.

“Jordan are a very good team and play well down the flanks and in the centre of the pitch.”

Like Jordan, Syria have surprised in staying in contention in a group that was widely expected to be dominated by Japan and three-time champions Saudi Arabia.

Valeriu’s achievement is even more admirable given he was only drafted in at the last moment to take over after the previous coach was fired after just one game.

The Romanian, however, has in-depth knowledge of football in the country because he is coach of Al Ittihad of Aleppo, whom he led to AFC Cup glory in November.

“I’ve been training the team only about three weeks but I am very satisfied with the players and I have full confidence in them,” he said. 

  

Victory was for Iraqi people, says star midfielder Akram

DOHA: Iraq’s Nashat Akram said he hopes the injury-time winner against the United Arab Emi­rates that put his side within touching distance of the Asian Cup last eight would bring happiness to the football-mad country.

The star midfielder, a key member of the side that won the tournament four years ago as war raged back home, also denied there was any disharmony among the players.

“I feel so proud because I love my country and I was able to help to bring some happiness to our people who are watching us and wanting us to win the game,” said the former FC Twente player.

Iraq celebrated wildly at the final whistle after Saturday’s victory – courtesy of an own goal – that means they are in prime position to reach the knockout stages again. They face North Korea in their last group match on Wednesday.

“We were lucky at the end but we were unlucky earlier in the game because we missed a number of chances including one of my efforts which hit the post,” said a beaming Akram, 26. “We had no choice but to try to win because we are the defending champions and we had to get three points and then another three points in our next game to guarantee our place in the next round.”

He denied media reports that there were problems among the players in Wolfgang Sidka’s team.

The German himself has been criticised by Iraqi journalists for his team selection.

Reporters at the post-match press conference also said the team was not as cohesive as four years ago, something Sidka disagreed with.

“We had a hard time because we are the champions and we lost the first game against Iran,” said Akram.