QPR 1-2 West Brom

Albion dug deep to make it a couple of victories in a row at lowly Queens Park Rangers, who slipped back to the base of the table in the process.

Controversy surrounded Albion's ultimate winner, with Rob Green claiming Marc-Antoine Fortune had backed into him as he reached for the ball. Djibril Cisse had pulled one back after Chris Brunt opened the scoring in the first half.

Green continued in goal for Rangers, after Julio Cesar was not deemed fit enough to return. A well publicised disagreement between Harry Redknapp and Jose Bosingwa during the week prompted the manager to fill the right back role with youngster Fabio da Silva.

Youssouf Mulumbu came straight back in after his suspension in the place of Graham Dorrans, while Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced Peter Odemwingie on the wing, both players dropping to the bench. Romelu Lukaku started ahead of Shane Long once again.

Stephane M'Bia went close with a long rage shot early on, but Albion started the match the brighter, Mulumbu seeing a lot of the ball in the middle. Boxing day sales in the area and lengthy traffic forced officials to delay the kick off by 15 minutes.

The much talked about Adel Taarabt, who had found out before the game he wouldn't be representing Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations, tested Foster from distance and the goalkeeper did well to get down and concede the corner.

The Baggies weren't able to create too much in the way of a chance, but they looked tidy as the Hoops' defence held firm. Mulumbu did well to lay the ball off to Zoltan Gera, who rushed his shot and fired his first time effort well wide.

Up the other end, Shaun Wright-Phillips caused havoc down the left, sneaking past Billy Jones and crossing for Jamie Mackie, who should maybe have done better with his header.

Albion made their early dominance count by taking the lead in the 29th minute. Fortune cut inside from the right and laid the ball off to Chris Brunt. The captain unleashed a fierce, low drive from 25 yards beyond Green, his first of the season.

QPR replied immediately with another M'Bia strike, which Foster dealt with again. Mackie then robbed Popov on the far side, but McAuley's header behind spared the Macedonian's blushes. Popov had been claiming a foul and had to be substituted for Liam Ridgewell.

Taarabt whistled a free kick just wide of the post with Foster rooted, while Clint Hill headed a corner just wide after Mackie's persistence had earned the set piece initially.

Albion ended the half slightly more on top, as Morrison (with help from Lukaku) shrugged off a number of challenges but his shot just beat Green's post.

H-T: 0-1  

Whatever Redknapp had said at half time had taken effect, as pressure ensued on the visitors' box, Taarabt's free kick headed wide of goal by the dangerous M'Bia.

This pressure faded, and Albion took advantage, but questions will be asked about the legality of the goal. Continuous pressure involving Mulumbu and Jones resulted in a corner, and Brunt's kick was headed towards goal by Olsson. Green then proceeded to carry the ball into the net under pressure from Fortune. Comparisons were immediately made between this incident and that involving Victor Anichebe and Jussi Jaaskelainen when Everton met West Ham on Saturday, which resulted in a free kick to the goalkeeper.

This dented the Hoops' rhythm, and Albion threatened to score further goals. Fantastic football was played in the middle between midfielders Mulumbu and Morrison before Green thwarted Lukaku. Morrison's cross across the box a few seconds later was dangerous, but Lukaku couldn't reach it.

Green was on hand to prevent Belgian loanee Lukaku on the break following a splendid ball from Brunt, but Rangers were allowed back in on 68. A quick free kick allowed sub Samba Diakite to run at the defence, before the midfielder slipped the ball through to Cisse, who chipped over the onrushing Foster.

Rather than constant pressure from the hosts, the game opened up and the play was instantly more exciting. Green claimed the ball before the hard working Lukaku could get a shot in, while Fortune finished brilliantly only to see the offside flag go up.

The home side had a big shout against Liam Ridgewell for handball in the penalty area, which was waved away by Chris Foy, although on second glance there was substance to the appeal. 

Foster produced a wonder save to deny Hill's header late on, and Albion rode out the consummate pressure and series of corners to claim back to back victories.

Match ratings: QPR- Green 6, Fabio 6 (Hoilett 5), Hill 7, Ferdinand 6, Traore 6, Faurlin 6 (Diakite 5), M'Bia 6, Wright-Phillips 6, Mackie 6, Taarabt 7, Cisse 6

WBA- Foster 7, Jones 7, McAuley 7, Olsson 7, Popov 5 (Ridgewell 5), Mulumbu 7, Morrison (Tamas 85) 8, Brunt 6, Gera 6, Fortune 7, Lukaku 6 (Long 5)

Arteta miss costs Arsenal while Everton hold on to fourth

An missed penalty in the fifth minute of injury-time by Mikel Arteta cost Arsenal all three points at the Emirates in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Fulham. 

Veteran Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved low to his left to deny Arteta to extend the Cottagers' unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches.

The miss continued Arsenal's poor form from the spot as this was their 5th miss from their last 10 penalties, the joint-highest in the Premier League.

The Gunners remain one place above Fulham on goal difference in seventh, although Martin Jol's men will be much happier with their league standing than the side from North London. 

Olivier Giroud answered his critics when he headed in the opening goal, and when Lukas Podolski stabbed the home team two in front, it looked like there would be no way back for Fulham. 

However former Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov ignited his side into action with a header of his own to bring the scoreline back to 2-1 with just 29 minutes gone. The Bulgarian then set up Alex Kacaniklic to equalise five minutes before half-time. 

Berbatov then converted a penalty to grab his fifth goal in just seven Premier League games this season, before Giroud responded with his second, a header from a Theo Walcott cross. 

There was more drama to come, when in the 94th minute Sascher Riether conceded what looked to be a harsh penalty for hand-ball. The spot-kick came to nothing though as Schwarzer saved and referee Phil Dowd immediately brought an end to proceedings. 

At Goodison Park Everton came from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1 thanks to goals from Maroune Fellaini and Nikica Jelavic, their sixth and fifth league goals of the season respectively. 

Toffees boss David Moyes (after what was his 400th match in charge) admitted: "I thought it was going to be one of those days. It didn't look as if it was coming, I thought it looked like a 1-0 to Sunderland - but that was not for us not trying to keep knocking at the door.

"I thought we kept going and the players showed great character to come from a goal behind."

Steve Clarke's West Brom got their first league win of the season away from home as they beat Wigan 2-1 at the DW Stadium: http://asportinginsight.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/wigan-1-2-west-brom.html

James Morrison gave the Baggies the lead before Gary Caldwell found his own net. Despite an Arouna Kone goal the away team were well worth the three points that kept them level on points with fourth-placed Everton. 

Manchester United increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points after coming from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Villa Park.

Javier Hernandez scored two and made another as United completed their eighth winning come-back of the season: http://asportinginsight.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/uniteds-spirit-shows-no-signs-of.html

The young Mexican has now scored every 51 minutes he has played in the Premier League this season.

Struggling Southampton could not keep a first clean-sheet of the season as Nathan Dyer scored a 73rd minute equaliser to give Swansea a 1-1 draw after Schneiderlin had given the Saints the lead.

The young Saints team played well despite averaging only 23 years and 326 days old and under-fire manager Nigel Adkins said: "We're together as one. Everyone is having a right go, the performance was good. Listen, take the positives. We got a point. We wanted the three and a clean sheet but let's take the positives."

Premier League bottom club Queens Park Rangers remain without a win after losing 1-0 at Stoke courtesy of a Charlie Adam goal, his first Premier League striker in thirteen months. The Hoops missed several second half chances and have now trailed for more minutes than any other team (463) this season.

It also looks ominous for Hughes's men as they have extended their run without a win to 11 matches.

In the day's other top-flight match Reading also failed to chalk up their first victory as they played out a 0-0 stale-mate with Norwich.

Statistics courtesy of Infostrada Sports: http://infostradalive.com/

West Brom Secure Fourth Home Win On The Trot

By Joseph Chapman: http://www.ftbpro.com/joseph.chapman https://twitter.com/jcwba16

The last time West Brom won four consecutive home games, in 1919, they went on to win the league.

Albion saw off a battling QPR side, but they made it harder than it should have been.

The hosts were fancied going into the encounter, given the visitor's poor form, and early on it looked like it might head that way.

The Baggies welcomed back Peter Odemwingie from his ban, while Jonas Olsson took the captaincy after signing a new contract last night. Gabriel Tamas deputised at right back with Billy Jones and Steven Reid injured.

Mark Hughes gave a start to Adel Taarabt after his goal against West Ham, while Anton Ferdinand and Jose Bosingwa both passed fitness tests.

The home side took the lead within 6 minutes. Excellent work from Shane Long on the right wing resulted in the Irishman picking out James Morrison in the area. The Scot headed home from close range.

This settled the Baggies down, but the away side sparked into life and offered threats from free kicks around the penalty area. One of these set pieces ended in a swift counter attack involving Morrison and Long. The former looked to return the favour to the latter, but Long fired over the cross.

Albion doubled their lead on 22. Morrison was found on the right again, Clint Hill struggling to deal with the movement of the Baggies' midfielders. Anton Ferdinand beat Long to the ball, but his clearance was weak and fell to Gera on the edge of the area. The Hungarian put away his second of the season and it seemed as though normal service was being resumed at the Hawthorns after defeat to Liverpool in the Capital One cup.

West Brom continued to look the better side, but always had to be on alert whenever Taarabt was in possession. The Moroccan was causing problems for out-of-position Tamas and curled an effort over the bar when given too much time.

The winger did reduce his side's arrears before half time. Receiving the ball from the impressive Granero, Taarabt chested the ball before lashing a unstoppable volley past Foster- the first goal scored by the away side at the Hawthorns in the league this season.

Albion had chances through Mulumbu and Gera before the half time whistle, but it remained 2-1.

HT - 2-1

Both sides made one change apiece for the second half, Jara Reyes replacing Tamas at right back, Traore coming on for Hill at left back for QPR.

The away side started much the better side, Albion slack in possession and giving the ball carelessly more than once. The first half chance came to the hosts, as Jara's clever ball in eluded Long.

But Rangers continued to press, the man mountain M'Bia failing to reach a corner while Hughes introduced Junior Hoilett and Jamie Mackie to force the issue further.

Steve Clarke made changes of his own, sending on Lukaku and Rosenberg to see the game out.

QPR's midfield was a big test for duo Mulumbu and Yacob, Granero, Park and Taarabt all looking very smart.

Albion looked to have closed the game out when their two goal advantage was restored with five minutes to go. A clever one-two with Morrison saw Jara pull the ball back on the byline for Mulumbu to notch his first of the season.

But QPR wouldn't lie down. A fantastic performance from Granero was capped off when he scored with a lovely curling effort in injury time. Bosingwa nearly grabbed a late, and perhaps deserved, equaliser with the last kick, but the R's remain without a win, while West Brom move up to fourth.

Match ratings:

WBA- Foster 6, Tamas 5 (Jara 5), McAuley 7, Olsson 7, Popov 6, Mulumbu 8, Yacob 7, Gera 6, Odemwingie 6, Morrison 7, Long 7 (Lukaku 5) (Rosenberg 5)

QPR- Cesar 5, Hill 5 (Traore 6), Ferdinand 5, Nelsen 6, Bosingwa 6, Granero 8, Park 7, M'Bia 6, Taarabt 7, Zamora 5, Wright-Phillips 6 (Mackie 5) (Hoilett 5)

Berbatov Linked With Fulham After Dembele Joins Spurs

A busy day in the  the capital city saw Mousa Dembele complete his move from Fulham to Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee while Theo Walcott looks set to stay at The Emirates, but will not sign a new contract. Walcott refused to sign a five-year contract at £75,000 a week and it looks as though Arsene Wenger will take the chance that he might have to let him go for free. Dembele will strengthen Spurs's midfield after an impressive two seasons with Fulham. He did not score as many goals as he would have liked, however he did create plenty of chances and is a very talented player, showed by his tally of 40 caps and five goals for Belgium.

Fulham are rumoured to be in negotiations with Manchester United over a deal to bring striker Dimitar Berbatov to Craven Cottage. This would be a great signing for Martin Jol in a move that could open the door for Clint Dempsey to join Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool. Also in West London Queen's Park Rangers brought in Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar from Inter Milan in a shock move that was a real statement of intent by manager Mark Hughes. This could prove to be a great signing after Robert Green has faltered in the Rs' opening two league matches. Hughes was understandably delighted with the signing: "When you get an opportunity to possibly bring a player of Julio Cesar's quality, with his playing record and his mentality then I think you have to pursue it."

Walcott has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester City over the last couple of days but Wenger appears reluctant to let him go. Walcott has had a decent couple of years with 24 goals and 22 assists in 84 games in all competitions. However he has the tendency to drift in and out of games and only created one clear-cut chance every 91 minutes last year. After already losing talismanic striker Robin Van Persie and midfielder Alexandre Song, Arsenal are desperate to hold onto the winger. They do have other options on the flanks in the form of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho and Lukas Podolski, but Walcott's pace is important to their style of play. Manchester City are reported to still be interested but it appears unlikely that the England man will be leaving the Emirates in this transfer window.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas will be very happy to add Dembele to his ranks at White Hart Lane after the recent £30 million departure of Luka Modric to Real Madrid. He will be looking towards the Belgian and fellow summer signing Gylfi Sigurdsson to produce the midfield magic needed to propel Tottenham into the top four. A Fulham statement said: "Following two full seasons at Craven Cottage, the club would like to thank Mousa for his contribution and wish him well throughout the rest of his career." Dembele tweeted that he was 'happy to confirm [he] signed a new contract with Tottenham FC.'

Who Will Be Facing The Drop? (Premier League 2012/2013)

For many supporters across the country the football season is not about who will win the major trophies, but whether or not their club can hold onto their place in the promised land of the Premier League. It is always hard to pick who will stay up and who will go down.

The New-Comers

The newly promoted sides always have their survival hopes immediately put under scrutiny. Last season was the first season that all three promoted sides have stayed up and this term Southampton, West Ham United and Reading will all feel as though they have the squads to survive. The chances of them all staying up are slim, but not ridiculous. 

Southampton:

Last season the Saints held top spot in the Championship for long periods but ended up finishing second to Reading. Manager Nigel Adkins earned plenty of positive reviews for the way he handled the side on their first season back in the second-tier of English football. They have all the assets to do well in the Premier League and have made some shrewd signings. The defence is solid and will be hard to break down, especially at St Mary's and experienced Premier League players Kelvin Davis (goalkeeper) and Danny Butterfield will have important jobs to do. New signing, 21-year-old Nathaniel Clyne, will be hoping to bring his excellent Championship form to the top level and should impress. 

The midfield is better than many would expect and the addition of Uruguay winger Gaston Ramirez will be a huge boost for the club after they beat Tottenham and Liverpool to his signature. Richard Chaplow and Adam Lallana will be crucial for Adkins' side if they are to stay in the top-flight. Lallana has scored 44 goals in the last three seasons from midfield while Chaplow is always a reassuring influence on the side. Up front they shouldn't have too many problems getting the goals needed to stay in the league and Rickie Lambert could put his mark on the Premiership much like Grant Holt and Danny Graham did last season. 88 goals in the last three years says it all about the prolific 30-year-old who finally has a deserved chance to play alongside the big boys of English football. 

Prediction: 12th

West Ham United: 

The Hammers went up last season through the play-offs after an up and down campaign saw them finish the regular league season in third place. The expectation around Upton Park will be that they will stay up and they should meet that ambition relatively comfortably. There are plenty of goals in the squad in the form of strikers Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz Te, Nicky Maynard and effervescent midfielder Kevin Nolan. Jussi Jasskelainen is a good goalkeeper but there will be worries that the defence is still not up to Premiership quality, especially after leaking goals last year, and in the top-flight the year before. The likes of James Tomkins and Winston Reid will really have to step up if Allardyce's team are to keep a decent number of clean sheets. 

The squad is not particularly strong but they do have good home support and a decent enough strike-force. The East London club should stay up but there could be some nervy moments around Upton Park during the season. It will be interesting to see how youngsters Jack Collison and Sam Baldock fare after impressive campaigns last time out.

Prediction: 15th

Reading:

The Championship winners will be confident of staying up after last year's excellent efforts. Brian McDermott's team surprised many last season but could struggle this time around. If anything it will be a lack of goals that sends them down and despite the pace and trickery of Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kebe, they do not possess a proven out and out goalscorer. Jason Roberts will have a big job to do but he has never been more than a useful Premiership substitute and the Berkshire club will have to do better than expected if they are to survive. 

Pavel Pogrebnyak impressed on a short loan spell at Fulham last year but may find it hard to repeat that form at a smaller club. The Madjeski Stadium will be a hard place to go for any team and Reading will have to pick up the majority of their points there. Getting wins away from home is crucial though and the Royals will find that aspect of Premier League life very tough.

Prediction: 20th

Last Year's Survivors

Last season saw many teams flirt with the danger zone before pulling clear. Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa found themselves in a relegation battle for long periods of the season before getting themselves out of trouble. 

Aston Villa:

Under much-maligned boss Alex McLeish Aston Villa found life very difficult and almost found themselves relegated from the Premier League for the first time since its inception in 1992. Since then McLeish has been sacked and they have brought in former Norwich manager Paul Lambert. Lambert received rave reviews last campaign for the way his Nowrich side played as they stayed up comfortably in their first season back with the elite. Villa have a stronger squad on paper and it will be intriguing to see what the Scot can do with them.

The Birmingham club found goals hard to come by last year and will need star striker Darren Bent to find the form that forced them to part with £18 million for his services 18 months ago. Lambert is rumoured to be interested in Tottenham's Jermain Defoe and that would be a major coup if he could pull it off. The wingers Charles N'Zogbia and Gabriel Agbonlahor have the tendency to blow hot and cold, but can both be destructive on their day. The back line is solid with veteran Richard Dunne the leader along with fellow Irishman, goalkeeper Shay Given. 

Villa should stay up with relative ease as on paper have a better squad than quite a few other sides. It will be interesting to see what the new boss can do with the current crop of players as they look to improve drastically on last season's finish of 16th.

Prediction: 13th

Queen's Park Rangers:

In May QPR narrowly avoided the drop as Bolton Wanderers failed to win at Stoke City. Joey Barton's red mist at Eastlands will never be forgotten however, but he appears to be on his way to Marseille. The Rs will be hoping to do a lot better this season under Mark Hughes who has already made some good signings after wealthy owner Tony Fernandes dipped into his pocket. 

The likes of Andy Johnson, Junior Hoilett and January newcomers Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse will provide the goals and Park Ji-Sung and Samba Diakite will be welcome additions to the midfield. Ryan Nelsen and Nedum Onuoha should sure up the back four while Rob Green is a great signing in goal. Last season's better performers Jamie Mackie and Shaun Derry will fight for first-team spots along with Adel Taarabt and Shaun Wright-Phillips who are two players with points to prove.

The Loftus Road faithful will be very optimistic about what the new campaign holds and they have every right to be. Despite finding last season difficult there should be a big improvement over the coming months with lots of new faces in the squad and a top class manager. 

Prediction: 10th

Wigan Athletic:

Last season Wigan were touted as definite fallers by many but exceeded expectations as they came back brilliantly towards the back end of the season beating Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. Roberto Martinez has done a magnificent job there and will be hopeful of keeping them up against the odds yet again. Last year's finish of 15th was the Latics' best since 2008/09 and they are bound to be in the bottom quarter of the table again. 

It is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from with a lot of responsibility being placed on the shoulders of Arouna Kone and Shaun Maloney. The defence looks shaky at best with a severe lack of pace and if they are to survive they will need more heroics from inspirational goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi. It is hard to see how Wigan will stay up but they have proved their critics wrong time and time again; what is sure is that they will be in the relegation mix.

Prediction: 18th

Last Year's Surprising Success Stories

Last season new boys Norwich City and Swansea City took the Premier League by storm under youthful managers Paul Lambert and Brendan Rodgers. Both have since lost their top men to bigger clubs and it will be interesting to see how they deal with the dreaded 'second season' syndrome. 

Norwich City:

Last year Norwich surprised many in their first season back in the Premiership since the 2004/05 campaign. They played exciting attacking football and scored plenty of goals with Grant Holt improving his 'cult hero' status. The goal-scoring mantle will be given to Holt and Steve Morison again this year by new manager Chris Hughton. The Canaries have not been overly busy in the transfer window but have signed Robert Snodgrass and Javier Garrido. 

The defence was unorganised at times last season and Hughton will find it a difficult job to get his players to keep clean-sheets. They will score goals but may leak too many at the other end. The second season may prove to be too much but they will be sure to put up a fight and will Carrow Road will not be an easy place to visit for anyone. 

Prediction: 19th

Swansea City: 

The Welsh side did wonderfully well last season in their first ever campaign in the Premier League as they impressed many with their possession play and 11th placed finish. However since May they have lost manager Brendan Rodgers and centre midfielder Joe Allen to Liverpool while winger Scott Sinclair also looks to be on his way out of the Liberty Stadium. New boss Michael Laudrup will keep the same passing philosophy within the team's play but the loss of Rodgers will be felt. On-loan midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson was also a key cog in the second half of last season and will be missed. 

The defence will remain capable of keeping clean sheets, especially at home and this should be just enough to keep them up. May not find goals as easy to come by and will take time to get used to the new manager's ideals and style of play.

Prediction: 17th

Manchester City on the Brink

"As a team, I think it's going to be without doubt the most important game we've ever played in."

As said above by Pablo Zabaleta, this could be without doubt the most crucial game Manchester City have ever, and will ever, play. Their future lies on the line. Win today at home to Queens Park Rangers and the Premier League title is theirs; fail to win and Manchester United are victorious at Sunderland and it could be the most crushing result of their history. Without a title since 1968, the same year United first won The European Cup, the blue side of the city has never been so hopeful of ending the 44 years of hurt. 

Despite being underwhelming underdogs, United will be hopeful of securing a 20th league title. With so much at stake they are relying on the Blues to buckle under the pressure against relegation battling QPR today. The 'Rs' know that a point will all but confirm safety for them, while Sunderland have almost nothing to play for sitting comfortably in 11th place. 

After being eight points clear in the title race just weeks ago, the Red Devils are sure to be kicking themselves for letting that lead slip. Defeats to Wigan and City, as well as a 4-4 draw with Everton have left United wondering what might have been. The return of Carlos Tevez has been crucial to Mancini's team's return to form with four goals including a hat-trick against Norwich. Manchester City's reaction to losing their lead has been admirable but nothing but a win today will suffice. 

Another twist in the tale is the revisiting of former City boss Mark Hughes to the Etihad Stadium. After being sacked so acrimoniously by owner Sheikh Mansour he will be desperate for revenge to keep QPR up and help old team United win the league. However The Citizens will have other ideas and will be confident of sweeping the relegation candidates aside after dropping just two points at home in the league all season. Last year they ended a 35-year wait for a trophy with a 1-0 win over Stoke City in the FA Cup final and now are fingertips away from winning the biggest domestic trophy if them all. 

Considering they have won 6-1 and 1-0 against United this campaign City will feel a title victory over their old rivals is justified. Manager Roberto Mancini said: "We have played the better football, 100%, even if we don't win, we played the better football." 

Following last weeks impressive success over Champions League chasing Newcastle United people may think that City have the title in the bag. But on the other hand Manchester United have won 12 Premier Leagues under Sir Alex Ferguson and have plenty of experience in Ryan Giggs, 38 and Paul Scholes, 37. United have been there and done that; but despite this it might just be City's year.