English Premier League Weekly Review

Weekly report : 4.5.2008

Ten-man Manchester United beat West Ham 4-1 with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo to increase the pressure on title rivals Chelsea in the English Premier League. Ronaldo brought his goal tally to 40 this season, while Manager Alex Ferguson's team played with 10 men from the 37th minute after Nani was sent off following an altercation with Lucas Neill. Manchester United's only rivals Chelsea have 81 points with a game in hand and play Newcastle on Monday.

Third-placed Arsenal beat Everton 1-0 and denied the Merseysiders the point they need to be certain of playing UEFA Cup football again next season. Fernando Torres' 23rd Premier League goal of the season was all that separated Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. Liverpool have already secured fourth place. West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City secured promotion to the Premier League after the final round of Championship fixtures.

Team of the week

Statistics

Weekly report : 27.4.2008

Michael Ballack scored an 86th-minute penalty kick to give Chelsea a 2-1 win over Manchester United that leaves the teams tied on points at the top of the Premier League. Ballack's second goal of the game lifted the London club to 81 points, trailing United only on goal difference with two games remaining. United, who have a goal difference of +53 to Chelsea's +37, hosts West Ham next weekend before a final match at Wigan. Chelsea are at Newcastle and then host Bolton.

Aston Villa's draw 2-2 with Everton ensured that Liverpool can finish no lower than fourth place, the final UEFA Champions League berth. Liverpool came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Birmingham, who stayed in the three-team relegation zone, a point behind both Reading, held 0-0 at Wigan Athletic, and Bolton Wanderers, who drew 1-1 at Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the win at Manchester City, Fulham remained deep in trouble on 30 points, two fewer than Birmingham.

Weekly report : 20.4.2008

Carlos Tevez scored an 86th-minute equalizer for Manchester United to draw 1-1 at Blackburn on Saturday and move three points ahead of second-place Chelsea with three rounds left. Manager Alex Ferguson's team can effectively defend their title by beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next week as they currently have a superior goal difference of 18. Ferguson is confident of ending Chelsea's 80-game unbeaten run at home. "Records are there to be broken," he said.

Arsenal bounced back from last week's 2-1 loss to Manchester United by beating relegation-threatened Reading 2-0. Liverpool rested several of their front line stars to keep them fresh for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, but still proved too strong for next to last Fulham and won 2-0. Aston Villa crushed Birmingham City 5-1 to move into the Premier League top six at Portsmouth's expense after their 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.