Premiership (epl) Results - 21.04
Manchester United, Spurs, Arsenal Draw, Reading, Liverpool Win
The results of Saturday's matches have a bearing on the major issues to be decided as the season comes to a close - Champions, European places and Relegation.
Title Race:
Manchester United 2 Middlesbrough 2
United dropped two points as they could only draw their home game with Middlesbrough. Keiran Richardson gave them the lead after three minutes but Middlesbrough equalised when their Australian international, Mark Viduka scored just before half-time. Middlesbrough were unlucky when they were denied a certain penalty. United's injury problems increased when Rio Ferdinand limped off with a recurrence of his groin injury.
Chelsea will be hoping to take advantage of United's slip up when they face Newcastle United tomorrow. Chelsea are now only four points behind United and can reduce the margin to one point with a win at Newcastle.
European places:
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Arsenal 2
A game of two halves with Spurs holding the lead at half-time through Robbie Keane's goal. Arsenal took the second half and scored twice from free-kicks through Toure and Adebayor. Arsenal hit the woodwork three times during the match and when it looked as if they were going to take the three points a shot from Jermaine Jenas levelled the scores in the 95th minute. This keeps Arsenal in a Champions League spot but leaves Spurs needing to win their last games to be sure of a UEFA Cup place.
Bolton Wanderers 1 Reading 3
Three goals in the last ten minutes gave Reading the three points and improved their chances of gaining a place in next season's UEFA Cup. They now move into 7th place a point ahead of Tottenham and three points behind Bolton and Everton who also lost today. Portsmouth and Spurs both have a game in hand over the teams immediately above them.
Relegation:
West Ham United benefitted most from today's results. Their 1-0 victory at home to Everton dented the Merseyside club's quest for European football but most importantly boosted their own chances o f avoiding relegation. Bobby Zamora scored the vital goal.
The other relegation threatened teams each earned a point in drawn games so their League positions remain unchanged. Fulham drew 1-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers while the same score saw Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United earn a point at The Valley. Sheffield United remain just above the relegation zone, two points ahead of Charlton but West Ham are now only a point behind their London rivals.
Watford drew at home to Manchester City but that result sees them relegated after just one season in the Premiership while Wigan, just above the main relegation strugglers saw their position worsen with a two goal defeat at Liverpool. Dutch International striker, Dirk Kuyt scored both of Liverpool's goals, one in each half.
