Premier League, Week 20: Chelsea, Liverpool both get victories

The Harry Redknapp bump has passed already for Queen Park Rangers and things are still looking very bad after they were smashed at home 3-0 by Liverpool. Luis Suarez scored a brace and Daniel Agger added the third as the Reds did all their damage in the first half.

Suarez added a second in the 16th minute and it all started thanks to a bad header from Clint Hill. After Hill mishit the ball back in to his attacking third, Henderson hit a little flick-on to Suarez in space along the end line allowing the forward to move in to the box. His initial cross was blocked right back on to Suarez’s foot and he easily put the ball in the net to put Liverpool up 2-0.

The game may have had a familiar big-club-comeback feel to it, but it will probably produce a heated debate over the relative pros and cons of releasing Lampard in the summer, which the Blues appear set to go ahead with. His limitations are well-known, but he is still a player who can contribute important goals when required - it’s a tricky conundrum for Roman Abramovich to weigh up. For now, they can be glad they have him as the early troubles of Rafael Benitez’s reign appear to be over.

Both teams had very similar shapes, but they would take turn dominating one another on the different sides of the break.

The home side started the game brighter. They controlled the ball well and pressed quickly when they lost possession. Carrick and Cleverley dictated the midfield with very little pressure from the West Brom. However, it’s pretty clear from the passing chart above that United built their attack mainly down the flanks. With help from their overlapping fullbacks, Young and Valencia were lively on the wings: they found space to run into, time to cross and were able to connect Kagawa who moved across the attacking third.

Silliness. Congrats on your soon-to-be fat-ass contract, Mr. Walcott.

In the 71st minute, Steven Nzoni was sent off after coming in late and stamping on Southampton Jack Cork. Cork is lucky that Nzozni only clipped his leg with the stamp or he might have suffered a serious injury. There was far more intent than actual contact and that is likely what referee Mark Clattenburg dismissed Nzonzi for.

Jerome did actually put the ball in the net in the 88th minute with a lovely chip finish. Unfortunately for Stoke, Jerome was two body lengths offside and the assistant referee flagged him right away. He would get another chance.

That goal should have sealed a win for City, but Martin struck a second time for Norwich in the 75th minute, setting up a thrilling final 15. Both sides had their chances in a back-and-forth conclusion to the match, but Bunn and Hart both stayed composed in their respective goals as no more goals came, and City held on for three points.

West Ham’s best chance of the second half came in the 84th minute when Ricardo Vaz Te wasted an amazing chance to equalize. Matt Jarvis sent a speculative cross in to the Reading box that found Vaz Te completely unmarked, four yards from an open net. Vaz Te missed his header, sending the ball wide of the post in what might end up being the day’s most stunning miss.

In the end, West Ham simply were not good enough, losing for the third time in their last four matches. For Reading, it’s a huge three points as they try to somehow escape the relegation zone.

United will be hugely relieved to get the victory, but the game will be most notable for the performances of Nemanja Vidic and Shinji Kagawa. The former’s determination was instrumental in keeping the clean sheet, while the latter provided some wonderful flickers of imagination and gave United a more creative option between midfield and attack. It was far from one of their best performances, and they are still yet to really thrash a team, but there were more positives than negatives for Alex Ferguson.

Kickoff is at 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET from Carrow Road, and the game can be seen on FOX Soccer in the United States.

Arsenal suspensions and injuries

Newcastle United suspensions and injuries

Manchester United injuries and suspensions

West Bromwich Albion injuries and suspensions

Norwich City injuries and suspensions

Out: John Ruddy (thigh), Steven Whittaker (hip), Andrew Surman (knee). In doubt: Ryan Bennett (knee)

The Black Cats have struggled for form this season, but are still a tough outfit at home, as City found the hard way in the last round of fixtures. Tottenham’s task will be made harder by a number of minor injury problems, with doubts over the fitness of several key players.

Sunderland injuries and suspensions

Old Trafford; Saturday, 15:00 GMT/10:00 a.m. ET

Manchester United’s lead at the top is now seven points, and though there’s still half a season to play they’re very much in the driver’s seat for the title race. In a normal year a visit from the Baggies would be a welcome sight for the current leaders but, despite continual predictions of their demise, West Brom continues to hang around in the Champions League race. It’s fair to wonder if their pace is fully sustainable, but at this point wondering whether they’re “for real” looks patently ridiculous; this is a very good team, and it would be little surprise to see them take something from Old Trafford.

Pick: United, 3-2

Emirates Stadium; Saturday, 17:30 GMT/12:30 p.m. ET

This game probably seemed like it would be a very crucial mid-season clash back when the schedule was being put together. Realistically it still is, I suppose. Just for completely different and somewhat unforeseeable reasons.

Pick: Arsenal, 3-1