Premier League News - Results

Arsenal march on, Manchester United rescue a point and Chelsea falter

It was a day of draws in the Premier League as four of the eight games ended in stalemate. At the top, Premier League title-holders Manchester United, rescued a point at Tottenham thanks to a late, late goal from Carlos Tevez. Chelsea were also held to a draw at Portsmouth, with new boys Defoe and Anelka netting. While this was going on, Arsenal continued their seemingly relentless march, with a superb 3-1 win at Manchester City.

Over at Ewood Park, two of the teams chasing the Premier League fourth spot, Blackburn and Everton, played out a scoreless draw. This allowed Liverpool to move up into fifth position, as they eventually overcome Sunderland 3-0 at Anfield. Peter Crouch, given a rare start netted on 57 minutes, with Fernando Torres adding a second, and Steven Gerrard converting a penalty on 89 minutes to wrap up the points.

In the Premier League basement, Birmingham and Derby played out a 1-1 draw, which is no good to either side at this time of the season. Wigan meanwhile had a priceless 1-0 home win against West Ham. Of the other basement teams, Bolton had a great result away to Reading, winning 2-0. Nolan and Helguson the scorers.

Arsenal are now back on top of the Premier League on 60 points, Manchester United in second on 58, and Chelsea back in third on 54. Its certainly going to go to the wire, with Manchester United and Arsenal going head to head, to the end of the season. Those in the dreaded Premier League drop places are still Birmingham, Fulham and Derby.

Premier League: Derby 1-2 Liverpool, Gerrard saves Rafa from himself

Gerrard saves Rafa from himself

Gerrard's determination to hold onto his dream of leading Liverpool to a Premier League title won this game for Liverpool. With the game locked at 1-1 after a dreadful second half display, Liverpool's title hopes were looking dead and buried. Gerrard then picked the ball up in his own half, held off a challenge, beat one and knocked it wide to Benayoun. Benayoun beat a man, squared it for Torres who had his shot saved. Gerrard had continued his run and was there to smash it home and get a priceless win for Liverpool.

The game had started well enough for Liverpool, with Torres scoring a superb individual goal in the 14th minute. He picked the ball up 25 yards out, nutmegged Moore, drifted past Leacock and clipped it home past Price with ease. A truly splendid goal. After that Carragher and Babel had good chances to extend Liverpool's lead by half-time.

In the second half, Liverpool lost their way as Derby gamely fought to get back into the game. Liverpool made a dreadful hash of defending Lewis' free-kick and McEvely drove the ball past Reina. Liverpool then sensing the urgency of their situation began to have a string of shots at the Derby goal. Alonso and Aurelio had good efforts saved, while Gerrard had a superb effort from a great move, cannon off the cross bar.

Then cometh the hour, cometh the man, as so often for Liverpool Steven Gerrard dragged his team to victory.

Paul Jewell must be feeling 'gutted' as they say. He saw his limited Derby team fight with all they had to get back into the game, only to undeservedly lose it at the death. Following on from the performance at Newcastle, Derby fans have a glimmer of hope.

Overall Liverpool's performance started reasonable then fell away. They looked disjointed and lacklustre and weren't helped by Benitez's shuffling of his pack. A midfield of Riise, Gerrard, Alonso and Babel looked unbalanced with Babel particularly looking out of place on the right wing. Also Voronin and later Kuyt are looking simply punchless as forwards. They work hard, look neat in their play but in reality create nothing. Liverpool for the title? Not while Rafa picks unbalanced teams and shows respect to teams like Derby.

Premiership relegation battle - its tough at the bottom!

That was a priceless win for Sunderland against Derby in the premier leagues battle of the bottom clubs. If anyone can keep Sunderland up surely its Roy Keane. They were very lucky though getting a 93rd minute winner after Derby missed a couple of sitters. It was very a low on confidence display from both Sunderland and Derby which is not surprising given the relegation battle both are in. Its says it all for the Premier Leagues 'haves' and 'have-nots' with Sunderland resorting to Andy Cole up front. Derby meanwhile have all the hall-marks of a side in free-fall and I don't think appointing Paul Jewell will save the Rams from relegation.

Over at the 'Boro things aren't looking much brighter. Word is that Middlesborough haven't any cash to spend after losing 13 mill last financial year. Seems to me they have squandered millions in the last few years with manager after manager paying over the odds for guys after a big pay day at their expense. Middlesborough now appear in dire trouble and are gathering momentum for a freefall to the Championship.

Of the others I think Wigan could well stay up. Alex McLeish is a great manager and they actually do have some quality allied with a fighting spirit at Wigan. The same goes for Tottenham who will surely have too much to be dragged down into an end of season relegation battle. Bolton I suspect will continue to struggle though they also have some real quality in their team.

My tips to go down - Derby, Boro and Sunderland (though I hope not!)