Liverpool And Chelsea frustrated by dour stalemate

Chelsea wasted a chance to get back in the Premier League title race as Avram Grant's side were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Liverpool on Sunday.The Blues could have moved within three points of leaders Arsenal with a win at Stamford Bridge but Liverpool had much the better of a lacklustre encounter.Rafa Benitez's team would have ended their woeful record here if Peter Crouch had shown more composure, but the England forward wasted their best opportunities, leaving Liverpool without a goal in their last eight visits to west London.It was a dour stalemate that did little for either side. Chelsea could be eight points behind Arsenal if the Gunners beat Blackburn on Monday, while Liverpool are now three points adrift of fourth-placed Everton.Chelsea at least managed to extend their unbeaten home league record to 76 matches, a run stretching back four years, but that was little consolation for Grant's men.Benitez has made it abundantly clear that he blames the breakdown of his relationship with the club's American owners for Liverpool's inconsistent campaign. But that ignores the fact that, despite spending millions in pre-season, Liverpool are still no closer to a title challenge.It said much that Benitez appeared satisfied to take a point. "It was a good situation. We were controlling the game and going forward but we couldn't take our chances," he said."It is better to get three points but at least we didn't lose. If we win our game in hand we will be in the top four."Grant conceded Chelsea had missed an opportunity to put pressure on Arsenal. "You can say that but it is not easy to play against Liverpool," he said. "They know how to play tactically and don't give you spaces to play." The Reds arrived in London reduced to trying to keep pace with local rivals Everton in the race for a top four finish. As if that wasn't dispiriting enough, they hadn't scored a goal at Stamford Bridge since Benitez took charge four years ago and were without injured striker Fernando Torres.They had the first chance after a tentative opening from both sides. Crouch, handed a rare start in Torres's absence, climbed above Ricardo Carvalho and headed down to Ryan Babel. The Dutch winger's flick gave Crouch a sight of goal and his low strike flashed just wide.Crouch had been sent off in his side's League Cup defeat at Chelsea earlier this season and his luck was out again. He took up a good position from Steven Gerrard's cross but Petr Cech saved his header easily.Manchester United's surprise defeat against Manchester City earlier on Sunday had given Grant's side a chance to close the gap on the top two.But, despite Frank Lampard's return from six weeks out with a thigh injury, they were lethargic from start to finish.They squandered possession with alarming frequency and could only offer a hopeful appeal for a penalty when Joe Cole tumbled under Javier Mascherano's challenge. At least Liverpool could be content after dominating for long spells but another half chance went begging when Crouch headed wide from Dirk Kuyt's cross.Claude Makelele tried to lift Chelsea's tempo early in the second half with a long range strike. But the visitors, superbly marshalled by the imperious Jamie Carragher, refused let them get the upper hand.France striker Nicolas Anelka, so lively in his first few Chelsea appearances, barely made a significant contribution.While the hosts laboured, Liverpool were hamstrung by their own lack of cutting edge. Benitez's side had drawn four of their last six league matches and it was easy to see why.The relentlessly physical nature of the contest was underlined when Carvalho was booked for a nasty elbow on Crouch.Finally Chelsea had a clear chance when Ashley Cole's cross picked out Michael Ballack, but the Germany midfielder volleyed wide of the far post.

The Coach Kevin Keegan accused his Newcastle players

Keegan's side led at half-time on Saturday thanks to a Michael Owen header, but Aston Villa turned the game around thanks to a goal from Wilfred Bouma and John Carew's first hat-trick in English football.
The result leaves Keegan without a victory since returning to the club in January and his side are on a nine-game winless run. He admits they need to find more spirit within their ranks to ensure they are not dragged into a relegation battle.
"I had no complaints at half-time and we built a very good base on which to go and win a football match," Keegan said.
"We had handled everything Villa threw at us, and I impressed on the players just how important the first 15 minutes of the second half were.
"I said to go and pick up where we left off. You can talk about a bit of luck on their first goal.
"But after that you look at how our players would respond and that is probably the disappointing part.
"Before you knew it we were getting bullied, especially by John Carew, and also Marlon Harewood. They were doing what they wanted with us at times.
"We are fragile at the moment and need spirit and togetherness. I believe we have enough to be a Premier League club next season but are under no illusions that we need to get to the 40-point mark."
Carew's hat-trick was made up of two headers and a last minute penalty. He now has nine goals since moving to Aston Villa in pre-season.
"That type of form he is capable of," said Villa boss Martin O'Neill. "He was superb and in second half unplayable. What we want is to get that kind of consistency.
"You don't have to be scoring three goals, but it would be lovely. He has been great and excellent in the dressing room. I think he can be better."
Newcastle dominated the opening 45 minutes, and deserved their half-time lead.
Their goal came after four minutes, through England international Owen. The striker muscled his way amongst Aston Villa's defence to guide a header in to the net from a James Milner left wing cross.
Villa had opportunities, the best of which was a Carew header that was pushed away by Shay Given.
After the break the roles were reversed however, and Newcastle collapsed.
On 48 minutes, Bouma scored his first goal in English football as his right foot shot was deflected into the net.
Three minutes later it was 2-1 as Carew flicked an Ashley Young corner into the net.
Newcastle did little to try and force a way back in to the game. The determination and commitment that had been so apparent in the first half seemed to disappear.
Carew's second goal virtually sealed the game. He was able to head home past substitute goalkeeper Steve Harper as Newcastle failed to clear a corner.
In the final minute of normal time, Stephen Carr handled in his own area.
Carew stepped forward to drill the ball into the roof of the net from the penalty spot.

Xavi Rescue Barca Again

MADRID (AFP) - For the second week running Spanish international Xavi came to Barcelona's rescue scoring a 75th minute equaliser to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw at ten-man Sevilla on Saturday.Barcelona are now five points behind leaders Real Madrid although the champions have the chance to move eight points clear when they host Valladolid on Sunday.Barca looked to be heading for defeat after 19-year-old Diego Capel had put Sevilla ahead in the first half but Xavi, who scored a late winner against Osasuna last weekend, levelled to snatch a draw."We came from behind to get a point so that is something," said Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta. "It is so difficult to win here at Sevilla. We tried but just came up short."Sevilla, who were reduced to ten men late on when Seydou Keita was sent off, stay seventh and will rue the missed chance to bolster their European push and enact revenge for last month's Kings Cup to Barcelona."I had lots of chances," admitted Capel. "I enjoyed the game and we played well but it is just a shame I couldn't score the vital goal to win the match."Barcelona were without Carles Puyol, Deco, Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto'o, Bojan Krkic and Gianluca Zambrotta so coach Frank Rijkaard brought in Mexican striker Giovanni Dos Santos, Oleguer and Edmilson in for rare starts.Sevilla welcomed back Keita and Freddy Kanoute into the starting line-up after the duo's return following Mali's elimination from the African Cup of Nations.Brazilian Daniel Alves also started after having a suspension lifted and almost opened the scoring after 10 minutes with his fierce free-kick punched away by Victor Valdes.Thierry Henry then had a good chance at the other end for Barca but the angle was tight for the Frenchman whose shot was stopped by the outrushing Andres Palop.The game was played at an incredible tempo with two of the most attacking teams in the league both going for the jugular.However, Sevilla always looked the more likely to score and on 34 minutes Capel arrived late to steer in a Jesus Navas cross for his first goal of the season.Ronaldinho came on at the beginning of the second half for Edmilson as Rijkaard pushed for an equaliser.It came from Xavi with a quarter hour remaining with the midfielder drilling a low shot through the hapless Palop who should have done better.Keita was red-carded 60 seconds later collecting a second caution for a late tackle on Lionel Messi.Both teams could have won it late on with Capel, a product of Sevilla's impressive youth academy, going agonisingly close after an incredible solo run. Earlier, Villarreal reclaimed third place with a last-gasp goal from Guille Franco clinching a 1-0 win over Real Murcia on Saturday.