Theo Walcott lifts Arsenal upto third
6 May 2013 9:50 AM GMT
Theo Walcott fired the fastest Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal moved back up to third place with a 1-0 victory at relegated QPR on Saturday.
England winger Walcott struck after just 20 seconds to help Arsene Wenger’s side establish a two-point gap ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, 24 hours before Rafael Benitez’s side travel to Manchester United.
The Gunners were given a late scare when keeper Wojciech Szczesny was forced into a save from Loic Remy, but otherwise this was a comfortable step towards qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish. For QPR, there was only more disappointment following a painful week after last weekend’s relegation at Reading.
OFF THE MARK
Theo Walcott’s strike after 20 seconds is Arsenal’s fastest in the Premier League era and beats Robin van Persie’s deflected goal after 32 seconds for Manchester United against West Ham
Ledley King holds the record for the fastest goal in Premier League history (since 1992). He netted after 10 seconds in Tottenham’s 3-3 draw at Bradford City on 9 Dec 2000
MERSEYSIDE DERBY FINISHES IN A DRAW
Everton remain on course to finish above Liverpool in the Premier League for the second season in a row after holding their city rivals to a 0-0 draw in a scrappy Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool’s best chance saw a goal-bound effort from man-of-the-match Steven Gerrard cleared by Everton defender Sylvain Distin, who had a goal contentiously disallowed at the other end.
It meant Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher failed to finish on the winning side in his 30th and final Merseyside derby, while Everton are still without an away win in this fixture since 1999.
The draw left Everton somewhat marooned in sixth place in the table, five points above their neighbours and five points below the European qualifying positions. AFP
ALEX FERGUSON REVEALS REGRET FOR NOT SIGNING FRANK LAMPARD
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has admitted that he regrets not signing Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard earlier in his career. Lampard visits Old Trafford with Chelsea later on Sunday, when he will be bidding to score a club record-equalling 202nd goal for the London side. The 34-year-old is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract with Chelsea, having been linked with United earlier in the season, and Ferguson says he once considered making an offer for Lampard when he was still at West Ham United. ‘Lampard has been unbelievable,’ said Ferguson, in comments reported in several British media outlets on Sunday.
‘I don’t think a midfield player will be able to do that figure (of goals) again. It’s quite phenomenal. ‘Like (former United captain) Bryan Robson, he has had a great knack of timing his runs into the box at the right time. John Wark was another one at Ipswich. ‘The other things is I can’t remember Lampard ever being injured. When he’s not been playing, it’s because they thought he was past it. The guy has had a great career. maybe regret not having done it. Where else could I get 200 goals?’
England winger Walcott struck after just 20 seconds to help Arsene Wenger’s side establish a two-point gap ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, 24 hours before Rafael Benitez’s side travel to Manchester United.
The Gunners were given a late scare when keeper Wojciech Szczesny was forced into a save from Loic Remy, but otherwise this was a comfortable step towards qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish. For QPR, there was only more disappointment following a painful week after last weekend’s relegation at Reading.
OFF THE MARK
Theo Walcott’s strike after 20 seconds is Arsenal’s fastest in the Premier League era and beats Robin van Persie’s deflected goal after 32 seconds for Manchester United against West Ham
Ledley King holds the record for the fastest goal in Premier League history (since 1992). He netted after 10 seconds in Tottenham’s 3-3 draw at Bradford City on 9 Dec 2000
MERSEYSIDE DERBY FINISHES IN A DRAW
Everton remain on course to finish above Liverpool in the Premier League for the second season in a row after holding their city rivals to a 0-0 draw in a scrappy Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool’s best chance saw a goal-bound effort from man-of-the-match Steven Gerrard cleared by Everton defender Sylvain Distin, who had a goal contentiously disallowed at the other end.
It meant Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher failed to finish on the winning side in his 30th and final Merseyside derby, while Everton are still without an away win in this fixture since 1999.
The draw left Everton somewhat marooned in sixth place in the table, five points above their neighbours and five points below the European qualifying positions. AFP
ALEX FERGUSON REVEALS REGRET FOR NOT SIGNING FRANK LAMPARD
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has admitted that he regrets not signing Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard earlier in his career. Lampard visits Old Trafford with Chelsea later on Sunday, when he will be bidding to score a club record-equalling 202nd goal for the London side. The 34-year-old is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract with Chelsea, having been linked with United earlier in the season, and Ferguson says he once considered making an offer for Lampard when he was still at West Ham United. ‘Lampard has been unbelievable,’ said Ferguson, in comments reported in several British media outlets on Sunday.
‘I don’t think a midfield player will be able to do that figure (of goals) again. It’s quite phenomenal. ‘Like (former United captain) Bryan Robson, he has had a great knack of timing his runs into the box at the right time. John Wark was another one at Ipswich. ‘The other things is I can’t remember Lampard ever being injured. When he’s not been playing, it’s because they thought he was past it. The guy has had a great career. maybe regret not having done it. Where else could I get 200 goals?’
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