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Sat, Apr 05 2014 13:28:06
10.15pm -
FINAL WRAP!!!As the saying goes 'All good things come to an end'. And what an end to an exhilarating day of football action! Sundowns win against the log leaders to go level on points but Chiefs have a game in hand and would be quietly confident of winning all of them and in effect win the title at the end of the season but as we all know, nothing is a given in football and there are still twists and turns in the final games as the season draws to a close.
In the English Premier league, Chelsea go back to the summit of the Premier league table after a difficult week where they lost the first leg of their Champs League tie to PSG in France. Mourinho still insists that his team are not favourites as they've played two more games than Manchester City who won convincingly earlier in the day but never write the Blues off despite what their manager says.
Manchester United look primed for their mid-week game against Bayern Munich and it seems like Moyes is beginning to get a handle on things as his team are now beginning to look a lot steadier than they have been this whole season. Will they take confidence from this victory to their game at the Allianz Arena?
Thanks for being with us all day and don't forget to send your tweets tomorrow for more football action.
Abiye Opuamah.
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10.09pm - Sundowns go close as Billiat thinks he has beaten the offside flag but he is called back by the referee. Any minute now. Khune hoofs the ball forward but it is returned with interest by Sundowns. Chiefs get a throw in at the dead of the half but it is cleared out again by Sundowns who have bodies in the box. The referee finally blows the whistle for the end of the game.
10.08pm - There's four minutes of extra time and we are already into the second minute of added time.
10.05pm - Bernard Parker gets the ball outside the Sundowns box and shapes up to shoot as the Sundowns defenders bear down on him. He manages to wriggle free despite their attentions but it goes wide off the mark.
10.00pm - SUBSTITUTION - Chiefs
Chiefs bring on Matthew Rusike to replace George Lebese. There's less than 10 minutes of regulation time left.
9.55pm - Chiefs have been rocked by that goal and are now pushing men forward in numbers. Not exactly a wise move but i suppose they'd rather lose by two goals than not go for the draw.
9.50pm - GOAL - Chiefs 0-1 Sundowns (Modise)
Ohhhhhhh.... What a goal! Sundowns haven't looked like they'd hit a barnyard door with cannon all evening and yet they score the first goal of the game with a goal that is quite frankly really lucky. Teko Modise hits a long ball from the right side of the centre circle into the Chiefs box. Laffour and two Chiefs defenders go for the ball. Khune thinks his defenders will clear and it misses everyone and nestles into the bottom corner of the net. Will this be the title slipping from Chiefs?
9.45pm - SUBSTITUTION - Sundowns
Cuthbert Malajila comes on for Hlompho Kekana.
9.42pm - Parker is brought down by two Sundowns defenders at the edge of the their box. He takes the free kick himself but it is straight at Mweene who gobbles it up and starts play. It's a game that has a goalless draw written all over it.
9.38pm - SUBSTITUTION - Sundowns
Khama Billiat comes on for Surprise Moriri who has had a very quiet game by his standards.
9.33pm - Tsepo Masilela goes close with a speculative effort. Chiefs are the more impressive side going forward in the half but they've lacked the killer instincts that is required to put this game away.
9.30pm - CLOSE! UPRIGHT
Chiefs go really close to getting the opening goal. It's from a corner kick by Tshabalala. Sundowns fail to clear their lines and Parker rises highest at the back post to head against the upright. Nkatha follows up on the rebound but Laffour who has gone back to help his defence clears the ball.
9.28pm - Plenty of intricate passing in the middle of the pitch by both teams but no end product yet. Having said that Chiefs get into the Sundowns box and as Tshabalala looks to pull the trigger but the ball is put in for a corner kick by.
9.23pm - Chiefs get an early free kick as Modise takes out Kingston Nkhatha. He's got to be careful Modise. He's already on a yellow and would be foolhardy to test the referee's patience. Siphiwe Tshabalala restarts play with the free kick.
9.21pm -
SECOND HALF RESUMES - Chiefs 0-0 SundownsSecond half starts at the FNB.
9.05pm - HALFTIME - Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns
Not quite the classic we expected but it has been end to end at times. Hopefully, we'll see a goal in the second half.
9.00pm - A few niggly tackles have slowed the game now. We are just intering into 3 minutes of extra time. Where is the goal going to come from?
8.55pm - Chiefs are looking dangerous and should be ahead. George Lebese breaks away from the right and hits a stunner towards goal when he should have passed to a team mate in the box. Kennedy Mweene spreads himself and the ball comes off him and trickles away fro a corner kick which Tshababla takes.
8.50pm - YELLOW CARD - Sundowns
Hlompo Kekana gets a card for a cynical foul as well. The cards are coming up thick and fast now.
8.45pm - YELLOW CARD - Chiefs
Kingston Nkatha goes into the book for a very clumsy tackle. It was needles too as it is in the Sundowns half. The striker barges into Thabo Nthethe as the defender is about to clear the ball.
8.40pm - It's a midfield battle now for both sides. There's final through ball to let the strikers in. They seem to have cancelled each other out. Whoever gets the first goal in the game may go on to win it. There's a little over 15 minutes to half time.
8.35pm - YELLOW CARD - Sundowns
Mzikayise Mashaba goes into the book for dissent. Sundowns go forward in numbers and attack the goal area of Chiefs but lose the ball and are caught in a quick counter attack. Suddenly it's three against two for Chiefs in the Sundowns half but Gaxa is dispossessed easily by Mashaba. The referee instead gives a free kick against the Brazillians and the defender takes a dim view of the refs decision and hits the ball on the floor angrily. The ref issues a yellow.
8.30pm - Sundowns look to have been pegged back after their brilliant start. Chiefs are now asking all the questions with Tshabalala doing all the work in the middle.
8.26pm - CLOSE!!!
Chiefs go close as Letsholonyane beats the offside trap and gallops towards Mweene. he's however chased down by Mashaba and he hurries his shot which the Sundowns goalkeeper gathers effortlessly and starts play immediately.
8.22pm - Chiefs gradually get back into the game. Tshabalala dispossess Mphahlele on the left and deep inside the Sundowns half. Instead of looking for a teammate, the bafana midfielder opts to shoot from all 35 yards. The ball sails into the crowd. His teammates look disappointed by that effort.
8.19pm - Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns
Exciting opening minutes at the FNB stadium with Sundowns putting all the early pressure on Chiefs. Moriri has a shot at goal but it goes just wide off Khune's post and a moment later Laffour takes on two players outside the Chiefs box but is unable to cross for Zungu who's broken a neck to get into the box.
8.16pm - GAME OVER - Chelsea 3-0 Stoke
That's Chelsea at the top of the table once again until tomorrow when Liverpool take on West Ham.
8.14pm - KICK OFF - ABSA PREMIER LEAGUE - Chiefs 0-0 Sundowns
The FNB stadium is abuzz as Chiefs and Sundowns have a go at each other.
8.11pm - In the end it's actually been almost a practice match for Chelsea who look like they could have shifted into an extra gear if they wanted. There's two minutes of added time.
8.08pm - SUBSTITUTION - Stoke
Jonathan Walters comes in to replace the ineffective Peter Crouch for Stoke.
8.05pm - SUBSTITUTION - Chelsea
The forgotten man Ashley Cole comes in to replace goal scorer Willian. It's a consolidation move for Mourinho now.
8.00pm Fernando Torres has been trying his best all day but nothing seems to be working for the Spaniard. He looks a player short in confidence as he barges his way through a crowd and hits a misplaced shot that Bergovic gathers.
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7.55pm - GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Stoke (Willian)
How wonderful was that goal from Willian? Chelsea go 3-0 up! The Brazilian mesmerises the Stoke defence on the edge of area before he curls the ball past the outstretched hands of Begovic. That was definitely beautiful and had all the hallmarks of Brazil!!!!
7.53pm - SUBSTITUTION - Chelsea
Chelsea make a second chnage as Frank Lampard is taken off for David Luiz.
7.50pm - The way Stoke have played in this game, it's hard to see them come back from two goals down. They've kind of reminded me of Tony Pulis' team today with the long balls and ponderous movements. Can't see them scoring at all.
7.46pm - GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Stoke (Lampard)
Salah is tripped in the box and it's as stonewall as you'd see. Frank Lampard steps up and scores to double Chelsea's lead although his initial effort is saved by Begovic but Lmpard is quickest to get to the rebound.That's the cushion Chelsea needed.
7.45pm - PENALTY - Chelsea
7.40pm - SUBSTITUTION - Chelsea
Chelsea make their first change as Eden Hazard replaces Andre Schurrle.
7.35pm - Stoke have played with very little urgency. They look a different side from the team that beat Villa a week ago playing with so much zest and confidence. There's a chance that they could go behind again if they keep up with this tempo.
7.32pm - Chelsea continue to dominate in the possession stakes in the opening minutes but they've done little to seriously threaten Stoke. Stoke on the other hand, seem content to keep the hosts at arms length. Not a great game at all.
7.30pm - SECOND HALF RESUMES - Chelsea 1-0 Stoke
The second half gets underway and Stoke make two immediate substitutions. Andy Wilkinson and Charlie Adam come in to replace Geoff Cameron and Wilson Palacios.
7.15pm - HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Stoke
Referee signals for the end of the half. Both teams walk to the tunnel. It's advantage Chelsea.
7.09pm - DISALLOWED GOAL!
Chelsea score again through an Ivanovic header. It's a thumping one and the defender thinks he has increased the tally but it is ruled offside by the assistant ref. It is the correct decision.
7.06pm - The first half gradually grinds to a close. Not a spectacular display by both teams but not quite unexpected. Chelsea under Mourinho will hardly play with flair but they sure do know how to squeeze a team to submission. Stoke are now looking like a souffle that's been taken out of the oven a bit too soon.
7.03pm - CLOSE!
Salah almost scores again just minutes after the opener. Willian plays him in but a heavy first touch allows Begovic to rush off his line and grab the ball.
7.00pm - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Stoke (Salah)
And that's the opener for Chelsea who deserve to go in front. Lampard does brilliantly down the left, creating enough space to cross for the Egyptian who fired a first-time finish past Begovic from about 15 yards. You can feel the relief inside the stadium.
6.57pm - Not quite the kitchen sink yet but Chelsea are turning the screw. However Stoke are showing a bit of resilience themselves and although they haven't created much in the final third, they've been measured in their defence. Chelsea have to take this game to their visitors.
6.53pm - CLOSE!
Chelsea get another opportunity to take the lead as Pieters's header back to Begovic played Torres in. The Spaniard was able to take a touch inside the box, but the Stoke goalkeeper recovers in time to snatch the ball from his feet. Chelsea are getting closer. A goal can't be too far away now can it?
6.48pm - SAVE!
Great stop from Begovic to keep Stoke in the game. Willian tries to curl the ball into the top corner from about 25 yards, but Begovic was there to tip the ball away with his fingertips. The goalkeeper had to use his whole frame there.
6.45pm - Stamford Bridge is as quite as a court room at the moment. The Chelsea fans haven't had too much to shout about in terms of chances in front of goal, and they're waiting for a bit of inspiration. Meanwhile, Stoke are defending doggedly and looking organised at the back.
6.42pm - Chelsea go close again and it's looking like the first goal is not far away. Ivanovic rises highest to meet Lampard's corner, but the Serbian can only head wide from close range.
6.39pm - CLOSE!
Torres receives the ball about 25 yards from goals before firing an effort narrowly wide of Begovic's post. A minute earlier, Ivanovic smashes an outrageous free kick from 30 yards high into the stand behind the goal. Chelsea are imposing themselves now.
6.36pm - Crouch gets a half chance as he throws himself at Anautovic's free kick back across goal. However, the hosts just about do enough to get rid of the threat. Chelsea would have to keep an eye on Crouch all evening.
6.33pm - Not unexpected but Chelsea are enjoying a great deal of possession in the early minutes of the half. Stoke have been defending deep already. They look way too cautious. Willian tries to thread the ball through to Torres, but Begovic is quick off his line to collect.
6.30pm - GAME KICKS OFF - Chelsea 0-0 Stoke
It is Stoke that get us started.
6.25pm - The players make their way to the pitch as Lee Probert counts and looks set to start the game.
6.20pm - Cheklsea win tonight and they go back to the top of the table. And for all of Mourinho's talk about them no longer being in a position to win the league, I believe he'll be secretly hoping that his lads prove him wrong.
6.10pm - Stoke have improved a great deal under Mark Hughes but you just feel that Chelsea is a game too far for them. They are dangerous on the break though and in Peter Crouch and Odemwingie, they have strikers who know where the net is. But this is Stamford Bridge right?
6.00pm - LINE-UPS - Chelsea v Stoke
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Lampard, Matic, Willian, Schurrle, Salah, Torres.
Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Wilson, Shawcross, Pieters, Odemwingie, Whelan, Palacios, Nzonzi, Arnautovic, Crouch.
5.55pm - Next up, it's Chelsea who have gone off the boil in the past two weeks against a rapidly improving Stoke City.
5.50pm - ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SCORES
Manchester City 4-1 Southampton (FT)
Cardiff City 0-3 Crystal Palace (FT)
Aston Villa 1-2 Fulham (FT)
Hull 1-0 Swansea (FT)
Newcastle 0-4 Manchester United (FT)
Norwich City 0-1 West Bromwich Albion (FT)
5.46pm - FULL TIME - Newcastle 0-4 Manchester United
This has been probably United's best game this season. It's their fifth away game in the Premiership where they have not conceded a goal. Can Moyes build from this?
5.45pm - GOAL! Newcastle 0-4 Manchester United (Januzaj)
It's a fairytale of a goal for not only Januzaj but for United as well who have looked sublime in the lead up to the goal. Januzaj inherits possession the edge of the area and pokes the ball through for Mata. Having carried on his run, Mata is able to back-heal the ball back into the path of the Belgian, who the waits for Elliot to commit, before slotting the ball inside the opposite corner. It's as good a goal as you would see in a long time.
5.40pm - There's four minutes of extra time but Newcastle would hope the referee blows his whistle now and this game over with.
5.36pm - SAVE!
Oh my.... Give that Lindegaard a pat on the back! The Dane is determined to keep a clean sheet in the United goal. It looked absolutely certain that Cisse was going to score when he controlled the ball eight yards from goal, but his powerful strike is tipped to safety by United's deputy keeper. This will be United's fifth clean sheet away from home in a row if they hold out.
5.33pm - This has now become too easy for United. Newcastle look like they've decided to give up on this game. They've stopped attacking and United are actually strolling.
5.30pm - SAVE!
That is a top draw save from Lindegaard!!!! Cisse, who has been largely ineffective so far today, wriggles himself free to create enough space for a powerful half-volley, but United's Danish keeper is alert to palm the ball over the crossbar.
5.26pm - SUBSTITUTION - Manchester United
Fellaini comes off to be replaced by Nani.
5.23pm - GOAL! Newcastle 0-3 Manchester United (Hernandez)
United are basically strolling now as more Newcastle fans stream out. Januzaj, who has been quiet since coming on, slots a pass through inside the area for Kagawa. From there, the Japanese international shows good awareness to cut a pass back for Hernandez and the Unites striker finishes those sort of chances from six yards in his sleep! United really are running away with this.
5.19pm - SUBSTITUTION - Manchester United
United captain and full-back Evra comes off and has been replaced Alexander Butter.
5.16pm -
SUBSTITUTION - Newcastle United Newcastle finally make a change as Ben Arfa comes on to replace De Jong, who still has yet to score for the Magpies.