Soccer: Premier League: Bolton end Arsenal title charge
LONDON: Days after getting thrashed by Stoke City in the FA Cup semi-final, Bolton Wanderers lifted their game to optimum level on Sunday when they defeated one of the English Premier League title contenders Arsenal by 2-1 here.
Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal – Premier League. Courtesy: Getty Images
The defeat has put an end to all the hopes for Arsene Wenger and his Gunners to win the Barclays English Premier League 2011 title.
It all went to the last minute when substitute Tamir Cohen pulled up a stunner for the Trotters giving them 2-1 lead over The Gunners when he powered a header past Wojciech Szczesny into the net. The celebrations were a treat to watch as he removed his shirt revealing a picture of his late father who died in December in a motorcycle mishap and then bursting into tears.
Arsene Wenger. Courtesy: Reuters
Cohen’s last minutes strike left Arsenal nine points behind leaders Manchester United with only four games to play in the EPL 2010-11 season.
Bolton took lead in the 38th minute when on-loan Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge finished in style before Robin van Persie scored the equalizer in the 48th minute. Interestingly, Bolton Wanderers also missed a penalty kick when Kevin Davies hit the ball straight into the goalkeeper.
Bolton Wanderers' Cohen. Courtesy: Reuters
This was the first defeat for Arsenal as they came into this match keeping a 16-game winning streak but played a number of draws recently that helped the Red Devils to stretch their lead at the top after they defeated Everton 1-0 on Saturday when Mexican striker Javier Hernandez provided the loan goal for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Koscielny, Sturridge. Courtesy: Reuters
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger was confused about how things went against Bolton Wanderers. He told local media, “It is difficult to swallow the way we lost. We had chances to win it but didn’t take it and in the end we were caught in the way we feared today, from a corner. The week we have just had summed up our season — lots of quality in our game on Sunday, Wednesday and today but not enough rewards for our effort. We could have had nine points but we got two.”
Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal – Premier League. Courtesy: Getty Images
Now the English Premier League 2011 standings are presenting a far clear picture as Manchester United are comfortably placed at the top with 73 points with only four games left in the season, defending champions Chelsea sit at the second place with 67 points while Arsenal have slipped to third place with 64 points after they managed to win only one game in their last seven outings.
The fight for the next year’s UEFA Champions League is also heating up with Manchester City capturing the fourth position in the league standings just a point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur. City are due to visit Blackburn Rovers on Monday where they would try to build on the lead over Spurs.
Sturridge while talking to British media apologized for a flop show in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Stoke City. He said, “After last week, we wanted to show the fans we had the passion to prove to them that was just one bad day. I have done my team Chelsea a favour today but I came out here to work for Bolton and their fans.”
Bolton manager Owen Coyle was of the view, “I think everyone knows how bad we felt after the FA Cup semi-final and it was important we showed our character today — and we did that. We dealt Arsenal’s title hopes a big blow but more important for us was our performance. I think we showed the real Bolton Wanderers today and went a long way to putting the smile back on our fans’ faces.”
Arsenal now have Manchester United up next on Sunday where they will try to hand the leaders a blow by spoiling their EPL party.
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The difference between Man United and Arsenal is not the difference in team and individual talent but the difference in spirit of fighting and the difference in their managers talent .
With the hopeful progress almost 90% concluded to be 2010-2011 premier league title winners with United and discouraging defeat of Arsenal I predict Man United Will win the coming week end at Emirates stadium .
@Yoseph:
You’re very much right in your assessment because Arsenal have won only one game in their last seven games but they have been good in ending their games in a draw so one can’t rule out a draw at Emirates next Sunday.