Around the English Premier League – Round 33

United’s stumble at DW Stadium has put Wigan out of relegation and the Citizens 5 points away from the top.
By Camilla Mancini

It seems that the 15th time was a charm for Wigan, which after 14 previous losses against the Red Devils, was finally able to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s club. The match took place at the Latics home on April 11th, when the hosts put an end to the undefeated streak United had going on, which reach 13 games -one less than City’s record of this season. Wigan, that had spent most of the season in the 20th place, has managed to leave the bottom spot within the last four rounds and now thanks to the unexpected triumph over the leaders of the Premier League has climb 2 spots and left the relegation zone with a two-point advantage on Bolton (18th).

Although the Red Devils loss surprised us, it is also true that Wigan did a great job against them and that it was a well deserved victory. Nonetheless, Fergie stated that there were some wrong refereeing calls that help the Latics defeat his club, for the corner that allowed Shaun Maloney to score in minute 50 the stroke that crushed Ferguson’s mind -he did looked quite mad about his team’s performance-, should’ve never happened according to him. However the Scottish coach did agree with a goal that was taken away from the hosts, which otherwise would’ve won with a double lead.

Be that as it may, the Latics triumph held back the leaders of the board for this round, allowing the Sky Blues to close a bit the gap between them and their arch-rival. The Citizens added a 16th victory to their undefeated-at-home record on April 11th, when they received West Bromwich Albion, thanks to the Argentine forwards and the Spaniard Silva. From the very beginning Mancini’s side controlled the match and after 6 minutes Sergio Aguero was scoring the first goal with assistance from Samir Nasri; still the encounter continued 1-0 until second half. At 54′ once again the French Nasri lend a hand, or better said a “lend a ball”, to Aguero that from inside the box slid the ball into the right side of the goal.

Sergio Aguero indeed gave a great performance, helping to convert each goal, either scoring or assisting. For the third mark, which was Carlos Tévez first goal since May 2011, the 23-year-old Aguero made a cut-back that reached his older compatriot, who scored on the hour. Then almost immediately (64′) Aguero stole the ball from Jonas Olsson and passed over to David Silva, who placed the fourth with a shot from deep inside the box.

Although the Sky Blues celebrated the triumph and the rapprochement to United, still at the end of the match Roberto Mancini stated that he doesn’t believe his club will be able to win the Championship. After all as the Italian coach has admitted, Manchester United has been playing with a renovated spirit and now that it is so close from achieving its 20th title, it’s more probable that the Red Devils won’t permit themselves any more mistakes that stop them from conquering the Premier League 2011-12.

The other results from Round 33: Tottenham 1-2 Norwich; Newcastle 2-0 Bolton; Everton 4-0 Sunderland; Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke; Fulham 1-1 Chelsea; Blackburn 2-3 Liverpool; Wolves 0-3 Arsenal; QPR 3-0 Swansea.