Manchester United striker scored his 200th English Premier League goal to salvage a point for his team in a 2 – 2 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.

Former Liverpool and England star Owen glanced in a 74th-minute header to give United a share of the points at the Reebok Stadium after Bolton had twice taken the lead through Zat Knight and Martin Petrov.

The draw saw United leapfrog Arsenal into second place in the table, three points behind league leaders Chelsea.

In a later kick-off, new Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier’s first league match in charge of the Birmingham club saw them move up into fifth place as they won 2-1 away to Midlands rivals Wolves.

Houllier was indebted to Emile Heskey for the second time in a week as the former England striker’s late goal sealed victory after he inspired a midweek comeback League Cup win over Blackburn Rovers.

(more…)

Chelsea went 4 points clear at the top of the English Premier League log when Nicolas Anelka’s goal saw them beat Bolton 1 – 0 on Tuesday.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were well below their best as they laboured to break down stubborn Bolton at Stamford Bridge, but Anelka’s header late in the first half was enough to ensure the Blues extended their lead over second placed Manchester United.

After United’s draw at Blackburn on Sunday, it was essential for Chelsea to press home their advantage and, with just four matches to play, the west London club are now firmly in position to win the league for the first time since 2006.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s claim that Bolton would be an “easy” game for Chelsea had drawn an amused response from Ancelotti, who was quick to dismiss the United manager’s mind games, and Wanderers made the leaders sweat right until the final whistle.

(more…)

Arsenal beat Bolton Wanderers 2 – 0 away on Sunday to keep them firmly in the running for the English Premier League title.

Goals from Spanish midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Fran Merida helped leave the third-placed Gunners just three points behind leaders Chelsea after Owen Coyle’s first match as Bolton manager ended in defeat.

The Gunners’ victory saw the ‘usual suspects’ at the top of the table with second-placed reigning champions Manchester United in between London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.

However, Arsenal will go into first place, on goal difference, if they beat Bolton at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in a match re-arranged following the recent cold snap in Britain.

(more…)