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Premiership football: Manchester City into fourth place Ahead of Liverpool

January 3rd, 2008

Manchester City added to Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce’s stress levels with a 2-0 Premier League away win at St James’ Park on Wednesday and in the process leapfrogged Liverpool into fourth place.

Defeat meant Newcastle have taken just one point from a possible 12 as high-flyers City, managed by former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, went fourth after their first away league win since the opening day of the season.

Liverpool, who had been fourth, were held to a 1-1 draw by Wigan.

The result was a huge blow to Liverpool’s title hopes as it left them 12 points behind leaders Arsenal but saw Wigan move out of the relegation zone.

Allardyce, who recently received backing from United chairman Chris Mort amidst reports he was about to be replaced by former Newcastle and England forward Alan Shearer, brought on injury-prone striker Michael Owen at half-time.

England international Owen had been on the field for less than a minute when he had a shot saved by Joe Hart. Instead it was City substitute Fernandes Gelson, who made an immediate impact when, moments after coming on, he made it 2-0 in the 76th minute.

Liverpool were kept waiting until the 49th minute to break down a determined Wigan at Anfield before in-form striker Fernando Torres scored his 16th goal of the season. Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, then saw a 20-yard shot parried by Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. But Liverpool were made to pay for their failure to dominate this match when Wigan defender Titus Bramble scored his second goal in as many games to make it 1-1 with 10 minutes left. Kirkland – who had an injury-marred spell at Liverpool – then made a brilliant double-save from Gerrard as the England midfielder followed up his own long-range strike.

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Entry Filed under: English Football,Sports News & Results