RESULT: Morgan Amalfitano Strike Earns Three Points For West Bromwich Albion

Morgan Amalfitano's goal in the first half was enough to earn West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.

West Brom started the game brightly, with Graham Dorrans only just missing the target with a powerful effort from the edge of the box following a quick passing move.

It took the Baggies until the 16th minute for them to take the lead, and it was Morgan who scores his second goal in as many games with a low strike from 18 yards after taking advantage of Martin Olsson's slip.

Matej Vydra had an opportunity to double West Brom's lead after combining well with Stephane Sessegnon, but the striker was denied by John Ruddy's save.

Norwich struggled to create many clear opportunities in the first half, but they could have been level when Johan Elmander's flicked header was pushed away by Ben Foster.

The Canaries were inches away from equalising in the early stages of the second half when Gary Hooper fired a loose ball against the crossbar from inside the box.

Chris Hughton's side were denied by the woodwork once again as Robert Snodgrass saw a free kick tipped against the bar by Foster.

Norwich pushed for the equaliser until the final whistle, but they were fortunate not to lose by a wider margin when Saido Berahino's powerful strike was stopped by Ruddy.

The Baggies managed to hold off the hosts in the closing stages to secure the victory, and pile more pressure on Hughton.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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EPL PREVIEW: Norwich vs. West Bromwich Albion

Things went from bad to worse at relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion this week as news of a changing room bust-up become public knowledge.

James Morrison is said to have punched teammate Saido Berahino in the immediate aftermath of Albion's dramatic 3-3 Premier League draw with Cardiff City.

Berahino's conceding of possession in stoppage time allowed the Bluebirds to race up the other end and score a 93rd-minute equaliser, much to Morrison's displeasure.

England Under-21 international Berahino was believed to be considering suing the former Middlesbrough midfielder before the Baggies persuaded him that was not a necessary course of action.

In a show of unity, manager Pepe Mel could name both men on the field at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon as West Brom get back to fighting against the drop, rather than fighting each other.

The West Midlands side are only three points above safety and are being left in the thick of a survival battle while other teams around them, such as Norwich City, have moved clear of the bottom three.

It is a run of seven home games without defeat which has seen the Canaries climb six points away from the relegation zone, although Chris Hughton's men will not feel completely safe just yet.

A win against Albion on Saturday would go far to securing Norwich's Premier League status and therefore Hughton should continue with two forwards in the form of Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Johan Elmander.

Jonas Gutierrez could be recalled to the home starting lineup after making his return from six weeks out off the bench in the 3-0 defeat to Swansea, while Bradley Johnson is also pushing for a start.

Leroy Fer and long-term absentee Elliott Bennett remain sidelined and although Michael Turner and Joseph Yobo are both close to full fitness, Ryan Bennett may be retained in the centre of defence.

Mel, who has only won one game since being appointed Albion boss in December, is likely to choose between Berahino and Thievy for the lone striker role if Victor Anichebe's hamstring injury keeps him out.

The former Everton striker faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to East Anglia, but Chris Brunt, Claudio Yacob and Billy Jones are all at least one week away from making a first-term comeback.

Jonas Olsson is available again after completing a two-match suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards.

Recent form

Norwich: LWLDLW

West Brom: DLWLDD

Possible starting lineups

Norwich: Ruddy; Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Gutierrez, Tettey, Johnson, Snodgrass; Van Wolfswinkel, Elmander

West Brom: Foster; Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Amalfitano, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Morrison; Sessegnon; Berahino

Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk
 

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SPORTS: Hazard Fires Chelsea Top After Arsenal Crash

Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick as Chelsea capitalised on Arsenal's crushing defeat at Liverpool by beating Newcastle United 3-0 to claim top spot in the Premier League.

Arsenal's 5-1 demolition at Anfield earlier in the day handed their nearest rivals an opportunity to leapfrog them at the top of the table and Chelsea took full advantage at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City were unable to follow suit, however, drawing 0-0 at Norwich City and slipping to third place in the process.

Chelsea had served notice of their title credentials with an impressive 1-0 win at City on Monday and they were quick to take control against Newcastle despite captain John Terry missing out with a muscular strain.

Hazard broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with a first-time finish from a Branislav Ivanovic pass and the Belgian added a second seven minutes later following a neat back-heel by Samuel Eto'o.

A foul on Eto'o by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa presented Hazard with an opportunity to complete his first Chelsea hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute and he duly obliged by sending Tim Krul the wrong way.

"I know today we are top of the league, but I look to fifth place," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said.

"I look to Tottenham v Everton and Manchester United v Fulham tomorrow (Sunday) and I want to be far from fifth.

"When we are far from fifth and have a Champions League position under control, then it will be time to look at Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool and see where they are and see the distances."

Man City held at Norwich, Swansea win South Wales derby
Victory took Chelsea a point above Arsenal and two points clear of City, who were unable to repeat their 7-0 annihilation of Norwich from earlier in the season.

Manuel Pellegrini's side dominated proceedings at Carrow Road, but in the continued absence of top scorer Sergio Aguero they came no closer to scoring than a first-half Alvaro Negredo header that hit the crossbar.

"We are frustrated because we could not win, but we did all we could and in front of us there was a team who defended very well," City manager Pellegrini said.

"Every team will drop points, but we are still two points behind the leaders and we have 39 points to play for so we will continue exactly the same."

Elsewhere, Swansea City overwhelmed local rivals Cardiff City 3-0 in the south wales derby to begin life without Michael Laudrup in memorable style.

Laudrup was sacked as manager on Tuesday and replaced by former captain Garry Monk, who saw Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Wilfried Bony plunder second-half goals that left Cardiff rooted in the bottom three.

West Ham United leapt out of the relegation zone after captain Kevin Nolan took his tally of goals to four in two games with a brace in a 2-0 success at Aston Villa.

West Bromwich Albion slid into the space vacated by West Ham after going down 3-1 at Crystal Palace.

January signings Tom Ince and Joe Ledley marked their Palace debuts with goals, only for West Brom debutant Thievy Bifouma to hit back, but Marouane Chamakh sealed victory with a penalty mid-way through the second half.

Sunderland had Wes Brown sent off after three minutes in a 2-0 loss at home to Hull City that saw them fall to within one place of the drop zone, while Stoke City twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw at Southampton.

Source: Fifa.com

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SPORTS: Arsenal 4 - 1 Norwich

Arsenal went clear at the top of the Premier League once again with a comfortable 4-1 win over Norwich at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Jack Wilshere scored a stunning goal to give the home side the lead after 18 minutes. The Englishman started the move with his tenacity. But the culminating one-touch interplay with Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud was a sheer delight.

It was arguably the best goal to grace Emirates Stadium since it opened in August 2006.

In truth, Arsenal never quite kicked on after that and their second, via the head of Mesut Ozil midway through the second half, came against the run of play.

Jonathan Howson drilled home a low shot shortly afterwards to open the door for Norwich once more.

But the home side would soon slam it shut.

Aaron Ramsey scored a stunning solo strike to make it 3-1. The irrepressible Welshman then set up Ozil to grab his second just before the end.

In truth, Wenger’s men had been a little patchy in periods but sumptuous finishing had secured another stirring victory.

When it mattered Arsenal were efficiently lethal.
And that is a quality title-contenders tend to possess in abundance.

SETTING THE SCENE
Just before kick-off, Liverpool had gone to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle. The home crowd arrived expecting their side to respond.

The manager sprung a surprise by leaving out Ramsey, arguably Arsenal’s Player of the Season so far.

However his omission allowed Cazorla to return for his first game since the north London derby on September 1.

It was the first time the Spaniard and Ozil had played together. Emirates Stadium licked its lips at the prospect.

The other change from the draw at West Brom a fortnight ago saw Bacary Sagna replace Carl Jenkinson.

FIRST HALF
Arsenal began with understandable confidence though Norwich were resolute. Despite persistent pressure, the home side only had two sights of goal in the first 15 minutes – Cazorla’s low shot and Giroud’s blocked effort.

But, the first time they cut through, they created a masterful goal.

Wilshere started and finished the move. In the 18th minute the Englishman glided past a couple of opponents on the edge of his own area before laying it off.

Seconds later he was just outside the Norwich box and, after the most delightful one-touch interplay between himself, Cazorla and Giroud, volleyed the ball into the corner.

It was Wilshere’s first Premier League goal at Emirates Stadium.

The strike gave Arsenal a cushion and, in truth, Norwich showed little sign of causing them trouble. As a result, the home side cruised.

Eight minutes before the break, they woke up with a start. Kieran Gibbs robbed Russell Martin and crossed to the near post. Giroud’s first-time shot was low and crisp but John Ruddy made a fine save.

Immediately after that chance, Mathieu Flamini went off. The Frenchman was perhaps still groggy after a clash of heads with Alex Tettey. Ramsey came on.

Before the break, Ruddy also saved from Sagna’s volley.

But Norwich ended the half with a spell of pressure and they tested Wojciech Szczesny for the first time when Leroy Fer had a dip from distance.

SECOND HALF
Mikel Arteta went close to making it 2-0 within seconds of the restart with a couple of efforts from range.

However Norwich would respond with arguably their clearest sight of goal so far.

Michael Turner nodded the ball down for the unmarked Russell Martin on the penalty spot. But the defender shanked his effort wide.

Norwich seemed to be squeezing Arsenal now. They pressed forward with Robert Snodgrass and Martin Olsson having a go from long-range.

So Arsenal’s second was somewhat against the grain. The home side broke swiftly after the second of those Norwich efforts led to a corner.

Ramsey led the charge. He fed Cazorla who, in turn, found Giroud on the right. His clipped cross was glanced a header into the far corner of the net by Ozil.

It was the Frenchman’s fourth assist of the season – one more than the whole of last term.

Norwich were stung by the goal. They did not deserve to concede a second at that point.

In the 70th minute they changed they game when Howson drilled a low shot past Szczesny at the near post.

But Arsenal responded positively; Ramsey twice testing Ruddy with powerful efforts from distance.

Nicklas Bendtner then did likewise a couple of minutes after replacing Giroud.

Arsenal now had the bit between the teeth – and Ramsey was gripping the hardest.

The Welshman weaved one and then the other before firing home a gorgeous third goal seven minutes from time.

It was 11th strike of the nascent season for club and country.

Ramsey then provided the touchback for Ozil to slot home his second and Arsenal’s fourth.

Wilshere nearly added another and Ozil had a strong shout for a penalty.

However Arsenal’s quality at crucial times had seen them home with something to spare.


Source: Arsenal.com

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SPORTS: Chelsea Late Show Denies Norwich

Substitutes Eden Hazard and Willian were on target as Chelsea beat Norwich 3-1 to claim a first away win of the Premier League season.

Jose Mourinho's men made the 120-mile journey to Carrow Road by plane on Saturday and made a flying start when Oscar gave them a fourth-minute lead after Demba Ba's lay-off from Frank Lampard's lofted pass.

Victory from then seemed a formality for Chelsea but it appeared anything but until a late rally.

Ba might have netted early in the second half following a cross from Ramires, who was relieved not to concede a penalty when challenging Anthony Pilkington in the box.

Norwich levelled when Pilkington headed in from close range and had further opportunities, but Hazard finished off a ruthless counter attack and Willian curled in his first Chelsea goal to complete the win.

There were moments of alarm for England boss Roy Hodgson ahead of the World Cup qualifiers with Montenegro and Poland.

Ruddy, who had an opportunity to show he should be England's number one ahead of Joe Hart, should have done better in two aerial duels in the Norfolk sunshine with Ba and allowed Hazard's weak shot to beat him, while Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole departed 15 minutes from time clutching his ribcage.

Preferred to Samuel Eto'o in place of the injured and suspended Fernando Torres, Ba quickly got the better of his marker, Sebastien Bassong, who was the solitary Norwich change following the win at Stoke.

Chelsea might have had a penalty in the opening skirmishes, but referee Neil Swarbrick merely shook his head when Ba went down softly between Bassong and Michael Turner.

It mattered not as Chelsea soon took the lead through Oscar, who began in the play-maker role behind Ba, with Juan Mata on the right.

Lampard's pass from inside his own half was brought down by Ba inside the City box and the striker, with Turner backing off, laid the ball off for Oscar to hit it first time with the outside of his right boot into the bottom corner.

It was a fine goal, but Norwich made it all too easy for the visitors.

Mata was then granted space to pick his pass after drifting in field and found Ba, whose effort was well saved by Ruddy.

Ruddy lost an aerial duel with Ba, who turned and shot only for Bassong to block.

Norwich enjoyed some openings down Chelsea's right, with Martin Olsson and Leroy Fer's pace troublesome, but it was from down their own right flank that they nearly equalised when Ricky van Wolfswinkel's cross was prodded wide by Jonny Howson.

Ruddy recovered to concede a corner after Ba won another aerial challenge with Turner and the goalkeeper before Norwich pressed again without testing Petr Cech.

David Luiz had Ruddy back-pedalling with a shot from a yard inside Norwich's half as the ball landed on the roof of the net.

Cech was called into action for the first time when Bassong shot straight at him from a corner as the half came to a close which Chelsea dominated without adding to Oscar's early effort.

The visitors so nearly made a flying start to the second half as Schurrle and Ramires combined down the left and the latter crossed for Ba.

With just Ruddy to beat, Ba failed to cleanly connect and the ball went wide.

Ramires was soon in action at the other end, dispossessing Pilkington, who went down, but Swarbrick was unmoved as the hosts appealed for a penalty.

Terry got in ahead of Van Wolfswinkel and then blocked from Pilkington as Norwich threatened again before equalising.

Martin Olsson's deep cross from the left created havoc and found Van Wolfswinkel.

The Holland striker met the ball at the back post and centred for Pilkington, who got the wrong side of Luiz and headed past Cech, who should have done better.

Cole's departure forced a change in tactics for Chelsea, who threw players forward.

Branislav Ivanovic, popping up on the left, forced a save from Ruddy and then Eden Hazard, Cole's replacement, fired narrowly wide.

Norwich had chances, too. Nathan Redmond, on for Snodgrass, had an effort saved by Cech before Olsson lost his balance in the act of shooting.

Redmond was lively and won a corner with five minutes remaining - but it led to a goal for Chelsea.

The Blues broke and Alex Tettey was unable to deal with Oscar's cross-field pass, allowing Hazard to pounce.

The Belgium forward's shot squirmed under Ruddy, who could only scramble forlornly as the ball went over the line.

A minute later, Ruddy could do nothing as Willian put a gloss on proceedings by curling into the top corner.


Culled From espnfc.com

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