Both Manchester clubs have been dominant and stand ready to top the table an hour from now. Elsewhere, Bolton’s taken a late first half league, Wigan’s posed to go a third match without a loss, while Blackburn and Stoke are showing how much trouble they’d give Barcelona. Here’s your halftime update:
English Premier League, Boxing Day: Halftime Updates
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland: Dimitar Berbatov's early goal looked like the beginning of an onslaught, with the Bulgarian hitting the post moments later. Anderson would hit the cross bar, Wayne Rooney would come within inches of ended his goal drought, and Ryan Giggs forced Craig Gordon into a driving stop, but Sunderland got to halftime with their one goal deficit in tact. United has been able to pass through the Black Cats midfield with ease, but with Lee Cattermole suspended, Steve Bruce has few options.
Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City: It's amazing the difference a motivated Carlos Tévez makes. Along with Tim Krul, he set-up the first goal, and getting a right leg on the end of a Jame Milner cross, he scored the second. He has been energetic, creative, and determined - the reason why a Citizens site that began Monday's Everton by allow two goals in 19 minutes has taken a 2-0 lead to half at St. James'.
Bolton 1-0 West Bromwich Albion: As anticipated, the match has been an open affair, though it's failed to produce the corresponding goals. Matthew Taylor's 40th minute tally separates the sides, but with Peter Odemwingie troubling in the likes of Zat Knight and Paul Robinson, Brom appears to have a goal in them.
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Stoke City: Stoke has been the more dangerous side, but the Potters are still granting Blackburn moments when one piece of execution on a set piece can define the match. But Stoke's own set piece chances plus long throw-ins from Rory Delap as well as the speed of Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington have the visitors looking the more dangerous side - as if that's even consolation against Blackburn,
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Wigan Athletic: Hugo Rodallega and Tom Cleverley have given the Latics control, but were it not for an acrobatic save from Ali Al Habsi late in the half, Wolves could have the momentum coming out of halftime. On a direct kick chance, Al Habsi drove away from a deflected ball, reaching out with his right leg for a save as he fell away from the shot. Wigan takes a clean sheet into halftime and is poised to leap out of the drop.
See More:
