Saturday Soccerround -21st November

Premier League

Leicester City have gone top of the Premier League after a 3-0 demolition of Newcastle United. Jamie Vardy made history when giving Leicester the elad scoring in a history making 10th game in a row after latching unto a Leonardo Ulloa pass, beating defender Moussa Sissoko and scoring with a low shot. Ulloah added a second heading in a Riyad Mahrez cross, Shiji Okazaki added a third from close range after a scramble. Newcastle are now only a point off the drop zone, Leiecster sit proudly at the top.

Everton thrashed a poor Aston Villa side at Goodison Park racing into a three goal lead in the first half. Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku shared the goals getting two each in a comfortable 4-0 win. Barkley got the first after keeper Guzan failed to hold a Gerard Deulofeu shot, Lukaku’s header to make it two was his 50th goal for the club and both men added another leaving Everton 7th and right in the race for a European place.

In the late game Liverpool produced their best performance of the season to thrash Manchester City 4-1. The reds took the lead on 6 minutes after a smart passing mover led to Eliaquim Mangala putting the ball into his own net. Philippe Coutinho added a second after Roberto Firmino set him up with a low cross. Firmino added the third  magnificent back heel from Emre Can put Coutinho away to set Firmino up for his first goal for the club. City hit back beefore half-time with a first class strike from Sergio Aguerro but Liverpool added a fourth in the second half when Skrtel fired home after City failed to clear a corner to complete a big win for Jurgen Klopp and moved Liverpool within six points of the top four.

Championship

Nottingham Forest were beaten in the very last minute after a spirited performance at Brentford. The hosts took the lead after Harlee Dean’s header set up Sergi Canos to open the scoring. Henri Lansbury got an equaliser for Forest with a strike from range and Dean was dismissed with 20 minutes to go. However the 10 men stirred and after James Tarkowski hit the post it was Philipp Hoffman who got the winner in the stoppage time. Forest are only two points off the drop zone and need points on the board soon after this missed opportunity.

Derby County sit in 4th place after a solid home win against Cardiff. After a goalless first half the excellent Chris Martin unlocked the defence to set up George Thorne to give the Rams the lead. Thorne went close to a second forcing a good save from David Marshall, moments later Andreas Weimann added a second to secure Derby a deserved victory.

League 1

Blackpool were defeated at Southend in a game the Essex side dominated. Blackpool did well to go in level at half time, David Mooney and Kevan Hurst both went close for Southend. The game was decided by a goal from Adam Thompson who headed in a cross from David Worrall to win the game. Blackpool remain in the drop zone and despite better recent form, are still in a relegation fight.

League 2

Mansfield Town continue their form to move back into the play off places with a solid 3-1 win at home to Hartlepool. Matt Green was the main hero scoring two goals, Craig Westcarr set him up for the first and Adi Yussef set up the second, Yussef then got on the scoresheet himself. Mansfield scored all the goals today as the Hartlepool goal was an own goal when Krystian Pearce put the ball into his own net.

Notts County’s poor form continues with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Northampton Town. Nicky Adams set up Rod McDonald to head home the opener for the visitors, Jon Stead equalised in the second half but the winner came from Brendan Moloney with a left foot shot. Underachieving County are in 16th place after the defeat.

Newport County will consider it a chance wasted after a 0-0 draw at home to Yeovil. Scott Boden and Scott Bennett had chances to win it late on and Yeovil only had one shot on target in the whole game. Despite controlling most of the game Yeovil held out for a draw and a much needed point for the Somerset side who are still in the drop zone despite the point. Newport are four points clear of the drop zone.

National League

Despite a consolation in stoppage time, Chester went down at home to Woking at the Deva Stadium. Dan Homan gave Woking the lead from close range on 20 minutes and Woking sealed the game in the last minute When Jimmy Keohane crossed for John Goddard to seal the win. Ross Hannah got one back in stoppage time but it was too little to late.

Southport got a valuable away win at Welling United to close to two points away from moving out of the drop zone. Charlie Joyce put through Michael Phenix to score on 76 minutes to take the points in a tight, even game.The win continues Southport’s improving form.

A last minute penalty from James Norwood gave Tranmere the three points at home to Guiseley Celtic. Danny Boshell had given the visitors a surprise lead but Norwood equalised just before half time. With the game looking like it was heading for a draw, Norwood drew the foul from James Dench and got up to put away the spot kick to win the points. Tranmere sit 10th, five points away from the play off places.

Scottish Championship

En entertaining game in Dumfries saw Queen Of the South and Falkirk take a point a piece in a 2-2 draw.Craig Sibbald crossed for Will Vaulks to score first for Falkirk after Queens failed to defend a corner. A Derek Lyle Penalty saw the score even at half time. Lee Miller struck with six minutes to go and seemed to have won Falkirk all three points but Queens hit back straight away with an equaliser from Iain Russell to see the game end all square in an even game.

MOON OF LIBERTY SOCCER SCOREBOARD

Premier League

Everton (3) 4 (Barkley 2, Lukaku 2) Aston Villa (0) 0 – At Goodison Park, Walton, Liverpool

Newcastle United (0) 0 Leicester City (1) 3 (Vardy, Ulloa, Okazaki) – At ST James’ Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Manchester City (1) 1 (Aguerro) Liverpool (3) 4 (Mangala {OG} Coutinho, Firmino, Skrtel) – At The City Of Manchester Stadium, Manchester

Championship

Brentford (0) 2 (Canos, Hoffman) Nottingham Forest (0) 1 (Lansbury) – At Griffin Park, Brentford, Hounslow

Derby County (0) 2 (Thorne, Weimann) Cardiff City (0) 0 – At Pride Park, Derby

League 1

Southend United (0) 1 (Thompson) Blackpool (0) 0 – At Roots Hall, Southend On Sea

League 2

Mansfield Town (1) 3 (Green 2, Yussuf) Hartlepool (1) 1 (Pearce {OG}) – At Field Mill, Mansfield

Newport County (0) 0 Yeovil Town (0) 0 – At Rodney Parade, Newport

Notts County (0) 1 (Stead) Northampton Town (1) 2 (McDonald, Moloney) – At Meadow Lane, Nottingham

National League

Chester City (0) 1 (Hannah) Woking (1) 2 (Holman, Goddard) – At The Deva Stadium, Chester

Tranmere Rovers (1) 2 (Norwood 2) Guiseley Celtic (1) 1 (Boshell) – At Prenton Park, Birkenhead

Welling United (0) 0 Southport (0) 1 (Phenix) – At Park View Road, Welling

Scottish Championship

Queen Of The South (1) 2 (Lyle, Russell) Falkirk (1) 2 (Vaulks, Miller) – At Palmerstone Park, Dumfries

MOON OF LIBERTY STAR MAN OF THE WEEK – James Norwood – (Tranmere Rovers)

Soccerround

Premier League

Liverpool held on for a desperately needed win at Anfield against Aston Villa with the returning Daniel Sturrdige getting a brace to help the cause. A 20 yard strike from James Milner settled some Liverpool nerves with a goal after just 69 seconds. In the second half Milner combined with Sturridge with a neat one two setting Sturrdige clear to make it 2-0. But far be it for Liverpool to do it the easy way, Rudy Gestede converted a low cross from Alan Hutton to put Villa back in it. Within a minute Sturridge struck again after a classy back heal from Coutinho set it into the strikers path to make it 3-1/ Villa were not done and Gestede struck again with a header from a Jordon Amavi cross. Gestede could have had a hat trick forcing a save from Simon Mignolet but Liverpool finished the game strongly with another chance for Sturridge and the reds, despite making hard work of it, took the points.

An Alexis Sanchez hat trick saw Arsenal put an end to Leicester City’s unbeaten record at the King Power stadium. Jamie Vardy put the foxes ahead scoring from a tight angle finishing off a sweeping counter attack, Arsenal deserved their equaliser when Santi Carzorla’s through ball put Theo Walcott away to level the scores. Sanchez first came from a close range right foot shot just after the half hour. Mesut Ozil lobbed a through ball to Sanchez to head home his second and he completed his hat trick with a fine strike from long range. Vardy got a second for Leicester to give them some hope but Olivier Giroud rounded off the scoring getting on the end of a Nacho Monreal cross. The win moves Arsenal up to fourth place, Leicester drop down to sixth.

Championship

Nottingham Forest played in a Thursday night game at Huddersfield earning an away point.  Ryan Mendes put Forest ahead in the first half with a volley after getting on the end of an Eric Lichaj header and striking the ball with perfect technique to open the scoring. Chris Burke could have sealed the points 10 minutes from time when he hit the post and Chris O’Grady could not slot the rebound home. The miss was costly as moments later Emyr Hews strike was deflected and looped over the keeper Dorus De Vries hitting the bar and bouncing down over the line to grab a point for the Yorkshire side.

A late flourish from Derby County saw them earn a win at MK Dons to maintain their much improved recent form. All the goals came in the second period, Bradley Johnson gave Derby the lead with a strike after pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the box. Josh Murphy capitalised on some poor defending to level but Tom Ince then came into his own setting up Darren Bent with a low cross which Bent converted, and Ince himself sealed the win with a left foot shot to make it three and moved Derby just a point off the play off places.

League 1

Clinical finishing was the difference in a 10 minutes spell in which both Blackpool and Shrewsbury Town had chances, but it was Shrewsbury who had the finishing touch to keep Blackpool rock bottom of League 1. After a tight first half Shrewsbury took the lead on 70 minutes when smart work from Sullay Kaikai set up Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro to score. Mark Cullen could have equalised within 2 minutes but the shot was saved. Four minutes later Larnell Cole set up Akpa-Akpro again to add a second for the French born Ivory Coast striker. Again within two minutes Jack Redsham put a chance wide to get Blackpool back in it. The win moves Shrewsbury three points clear of the relegation zone, Blackpool are firmly stuck right in it.

League 2

Tyler Blackwood came on as a substitue for Newport County to give them a priceless away win at in form Carlisle. The goalscoring hero for Carlisle Alex Gilliead has a shot saved in a first half where Carlisle had more possession but could not find the opening goal. Luke Joyce for Carlisle and Scott Boden for Newport both had cahnces to score just before the break, but the deadlock was broken in the second half when a Lenell John-Lewis cross was met by Blackwood to head home the winner. Newport are still bottom but are now only one point behind Crawley and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Mansfield Town earned a point at home to in form Plymouth in an even game at Field Mill. There were late chances for either side to win it, Craig Tanner had a shot blocked and Hiram Boateng’s header was save by Mansfield keeper Brian Jensen. At the other end Mitch Close put an effort from range just wide and Lee Collins could not put a free header on target. A satisfactory point for both sides in the end will aid both sides play off push.

Notts County are creeping back into contention after a recent return to form. Izale Mcleod, who could have had a hat trick in the first 12 minutes, got the games only goal against York City after being sent through to score from a ball from Liam Noble. Adam Campbell had a header well saved and Michael Edwards hit the post in the second half in a game Notts controlled and could have had more goals. The win leaves them in 13th, however the division is so tight they are now only two points off the play off places.

National League

Southport were blown away by a first half storm from Grimsby Town at Haig Avenue to keep Southport in the relegation zone. Craig Clay got the first from range to give Grimsby the lead, A Craig Disley header from a tight angle converted Jack Mckreth’s cross to make it two and on 33 minutes Gregor Robertson crossed for Jon-Paul Pittman to head in and make it three. With the damage done, the second half was a formality, A Josh Gowling header from close range made it four to end the scoring and just before the end Gary Jones was sent off for Southport to complete a miserable day at home for the Seasiders.

High flyinmg Bromley moved up to fourth place after three first half goals saw off Chester City. Moses Emmanuel got the first after a curling shot beat keeper Jon Worshop. Ross Hannah put a chance to level wide before a powerful Louis Dennis effort from range made it two. Joe Anderson set up Emmanuel to volley home the third Chester made a fight of it in the second half and John Hunt had a shot well saved, but they could not break through and Bromley maintain their good form to take the three points.

Tranmere Rovers move up to sixth place in the table after a late winner gave them the points at Cheltenham. Aman Morgan-Smith had the ball in the net for Cheltenham but it was ruled out for offside. Tranmere controlled most of the game though, Matt Hill had an effort cleared off the line The game was won in the 90th minute when Andy Mangan was given time to turn and shoot and the smart finish gave Tranmere the deserved points in the end. Tranmere are now just one point away from the play off places as they appear to be coming back into form.

Scottish Championship

Queen Of the South and Falkirk played out a drab 0-0 draw at Falkirk stadium on Friday night. Falkirk’s Bob McHugh came closest for Falkirk with the only shot on target in the whole game, Will Vaulks missed a couple of chances as Falkirk had marginally the better of the game. On the face of it this is not a bad point for Queens but the Dumfries side were poor offering very little going forward and appearing happy to restrict Falkirk. They got there point but there is still little sign of Queens recovering from their thrashing by Rangers, since when their form has declined significantly..

Premier League

Liverpool (1) 3 (Milner, Sturridge 2) Aston Villa (0) 0 (Gestede 2) – At Anfield, Liverpool

Leicester Ciry (1) 2 (Vardy 2) Arsenal (2) 5 (Walcott, Sanchez 3, Giroud) – At The King Power Stadium, Leicester

Championship

Huddersfield Town (0) 1 (Huws) Nottingham Forest (1) 1 (Mendes) – At The John Smith Stadium, Huddersfield

MK Dons (0) 1 (Murphy) Derby County (0) 3 (Johnson, Bent, Ince) – At Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

League 1

Shrewesbury Town (0) 2 (Akpa-Akpro 2) Blackpool (0) 0 – At Gay Meadow, Shrewesbury

League 2

Carlisle United (0) 0 Newport County (0) 1 (Blackwood) – At Brunton park, Carlisle

Mansfield Town (0) 0 Plymouth Argyle (0) 0 – At Field Mill, Mansfield

Notts County (1) 1 (McLeod) York City (0) 0 – At Meadow Lane, Nottingham

National League

Bromley (3) 3 (Emmanuel 2, Dennis) Chester City (0) 0 – At Hayes lane, Bromley

Southport (0) 0 Grimsby Town (3) 4 (Clay, Disley, Pittman, Gowling) – At Haig Avenue, Southport

Cheltenham Town (0) 0 Tranmere Rovers (0) 1 (Mangan) – At Whaddon Road, Cheltenham

Scottish Championship

Falkirk (0) 0 Queen Of The South (0) 0 – At Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk