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'Flat' Gunners confuse Wenger


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Updated Apr 3, 2011 11:01 AM ET
Arsene Wenger was at a loss to explain Arsenal's "flat" performance in their frustrating 0-0 draw at home to 10-man Blackburn on Saturday.
However, Wenger has refused to give up the Premier League title chase.


The Gunners - who now trail leaders Manchester United by seven points with match in hand - had plenty of possession at the Emirates, but were unable to really test Paul Robinson.
Rovers - who had lost five of the last eight matches - grew in confidence and survived the sending off of midfielder Steven Nzonzi to earn a useful point in their battle against relegation.
With United having coming from behind to win at West Ham earlier this afternoon, Arsenal could not afford another off day following two successive draws before the international break - but that is exactly what transpired.
It had been a positive start by the Gunners, with fit again Theo Walcott looking lively down the right.
However, after Rovers weathered the early onslaught, they dug in and were good value for a battling point.
Wenger was at a loss to explain the lacklustre display which resulted in a costly third successive draw.
"It was a frustrating performance because we had no pace in our game. Overall it was a flat performance with a lack of energy level, a lack of sharpness. It was quite a big concern to see what we have seen today," he said.
"It is difficult to identify one special thing.
"I felt we started okay and after our game became flat. Very few players looked to have the resources to put the pace up in the game.
"Part of it is down to the fact that Blackburn defended well but I don't put the majority of reasons down to that. I feel it is more down to our poor offensive performance today."

Sat., Apr. 2​
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | Recap
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3​
Fulham 3-0 Blackpool | Recap
Man City 5-0 Sunderland | Recap
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​


Despite the blow of seeing three other chances of silverware fall by the wayside in the past month, Wenger is not about to give up on overhauling United just yet.
However, the Gunners boss accepts his team must rediscover that winning feeling.
"We have to focus on our performance, not on Manchester United. Before we speak about the title I believe we have to come back to a good level of performance."
Wenger added: "I fear nothing, I am concerned about our performance today.
"I just say that before we speak about the title we have to focus on our performance level, because it was not good enough today.
"That is our first concern. After that we can see, but our performance was flat, so we have to come back to a better level."
Wenger elected to leave captain Cesc Fabregas on the bench for an hour, the Spain midfielder having been out for several weeks with a hamstring problem.
"It was a difficult decision but you could see that he still has some concern," Wenger said.
"He was fit, but there was some still reluctance in his head, so I decided not to start him.
"Cesc had a few setbacks, so he did not know completely if he could play 90 minutes."
Blackburn moved up to 14th after Saturday's results, but are only two points clear of the drop zone.
Nevertheless, Rovers boss Steve Kean felt his team are showing progress.
"We set out a plan to make sure their midfield three did not get as much time on the ball as they like and we did that well in the first half," he said.
"When we lost a man we thought 'here we go', but we showed good togetherness and the lads were tremendous with a fantastic appetite to get something.
"It is a very important point and keeps our momentum going."
On the sending-off, when Nzonzi was shown a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Laurent Koscielny after 76 minutes, the Rovers boss admitted it was a decision which could have gone either way.
"When I first saw it looked a bit nasty, but when I've seen it again got some of the ball," Kean said.
"But it is one of those which is sometimes a yellow and sometimes a red.
"The player is devastated because he is not a malicious player and thought he made a genuine attempt for a 50/50 ball."



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  • Report Abuse karlosthejackal
    • 4/4/2011 4:58:05 AM
    There you go again...slagging our quality players while beating the drum for rejects like Denilson, Almunia and Diaby.

    Sorry dude...you haven't a clue when it comes to football talent.
    Give it another decade.
  • Report Abuse RedWhiteAndOrange
    • 4/3/2011 7:10:09 PM
    I'm not so sure verms will ever be back.... its sad, but certainly possible he may be done....
  • Report Abuse benhashal
    • 4/3/2011 6:08:58 PM
    Vermaelen should be back to anchor the CD. Let Cesc go and use the money for a GK and a few backups. Hand the keys to Wilshere. He is THAT good. Along with Nasri and Ramsey you got the AM covered. Not crazy about Walcot. Would trade him for Aaron Lennon any day. Don't we have the Japanese magician coming...?
  • Report Abuse RedWhiteAndOrange
    • 4/3/2011 5:20:11 PM
    I don't really blame our bench so much. I mean I do, but I don't entirely. The problem with this team is all of our players are so much alike. We probably have a dozen players that could play central midfield, yet we lack a true winger and we are thin in defense. They other problem is all these guys bring very similar dimensions to our play. We really needed one of Bendtner or Chamakh to shine, and our crossing game to improve this season. Its come quite a way, but not nearly far enough. We don't have players that give us genuine tactical options. This team never showed the ability to sit back, defend and counter. We can't go particularly large against big tough opponents on crappy pitches. With one tactic, when things are the least bit off its hard to score and we have holes at the back.
  • Report Abuse jamrock1
    • 4/3/2011 4:33:10 PM
    almunia a GK?? i think he is in the wrong profession. he belongs in the bull pen because his attempted saves were better off being dodges. how he pull off sum off those fumbles and miss calculated dives only god can explain (maybe a twitch in his leg slowed him down or impaired vision)
  • Report Abuse jamrock1
    • 4/3/2011 4:20:18 PM
    FC.Unknown

    the mid is where the battle is won or loss.... every time cesc goes down this team looks lost and out of ideas. . every time there is a big match cesc is lost.... a CAM is needed. but like u said there will be non added.

    i hope wenger adds the hazard. and i wish for the Mertesacker (one of the cleanest tackling defenders in the game) plus we need the height around the back imagine him and DJ patrolling the box when the lame teams come in with their long throws, and set pieces (couple of AFC many weaknesses).
  • Report Abuse jamrock1
    • 4/3/2011 4:10:48 PM
    this team needs less waste and more talent. the bench is an important ingredient to winning any league. the quality of the bench is what pushes the 1st team to prove themselves. these bench players are miles behind the 1st team....this bench has no impact players or super subs... no GKs... no quality defenders and they provide no cover. and we are suppose to be a dominant force in 2-3 seasons or was it 4-5 -6,7,8 seasons when these players finally mature??? BS.
  • Report Abuse FC.Unknown
    • 4/3/2011 4:09:27 PM
    CB= Cahill, Sakho or Mertesacker(two of those is just wishful thinking)

    CDM= Vertonghen(best choice imo)

    CF/Winger= Hazard(in love with Wenger and Arsenal besides being perfect for the Gunners)

    GK= "ANYONE BESIDES ALMUNIA" as a backup to Arsenal's "Double Pole Goal"(and I mean "ANYONE", even Mad Jens)

    There will be no CAM added. However, Rosicky should be sold.
  • Report Abuse jamrock1
    • 4/3/2011 3:50:52 PM
    1 cdm, 1cb (with the kid gaining sum experience), 1 CF, 1 winger, 1 GK...... and a CAM. u guys can throwing the names.....

    if these additions are not made we are setting up ourselves for failure. we need another creative mid thats even more important than a striker..... cesc should be sold he is not a leader and frankly what is the use of having a puppet master if he cant pull strings on the big stage???
  • Report Abuse FC.Unknown
    • 4/3/2011 3:45:12 PM
    ... by the way, if there are any gooners out there that blame Cesc for wanting to leave London:

    "You are out of your mind."
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Rooney relishing title run-in


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Updated Apr 3, 2011 10:44 AM ET
Wayne Rooney is looking forward to the Premier League title run-in after his sensational hat-trick in Manchester United's 4-2 win at West Ham.
Rooney said "our season starts now" after firing United clear at the top of the table.


He was talking about United as a team but he could just as easily have been referring to himself after rediscovering his peak form almost a year to the day after it all started going so badly wrong for the striker.
The 25-year-old England striker was on fire at this point last season, scoring 35 times in just 46 matches for club and country before injury struck in United's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
He was never the same again for the remainder of 2010, enduring a miserable World Cup, unseemly revelations about his private life and a run of only three goals in 28 games.
But the turn of the year seemed to rejuvenate Rooney and signs he was slowly getting back to his best began to emerge.
Vital strikes against West Brom and Aston Villa were followed by his jaw-dropping overhead kick in the Manchester derby, but even that was arguably eclipsed by his virtuoso 14-minute treble at West Ham on Saturday.

Sat., Apr. 2​
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | Recap
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3​
Fulham 3-0 Blackpool | Recap
Man City 5-0 Sunderland | Recap
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​


His 99th, 100th and 101st Premier League goals for United almost single-handedly turned a 2-0 defeat, which would have opened the door for Arsenal and Chelsea, into a 4-2 victory that appeared to drain all confidence from their title rivals and left Sir Alex Ferguson's men a clear run at a record-breaking 19th championship.
Ferguson called it "a championship-winning performance" - the latest in a long line of turnarounds that has become one of the hallmarks of his reign, never more so than this season.
Indeed, United have been 2-0 down to Villa, Blackpool and West Ham and have taken seven points.
Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti will doubtless deny it but Rooney himself admitted witnessing those kinds of comebacks had a demoralising effect on rival players.
He told MUTV: "A few years ago, when Chelsea won the league, they seemed to keep doing that.
"They would be losing. Then, when we had finished the warm-up, they had won the game."
Rooney insisted his foul-mouthed tirade at a television camera after completing his hat-trick was not directed at anyone in particular, but Arsenal and Chelsea certainly got the message.
Now seven and 11 points adrift, respectively - albeit with a match in hand each and United still to play - the game is almost up for the London duo.
Rooney could smell the finishing line, saying: "Big games keep coming but you live for games like these.
"In some ways, we have to say our season starts now.
"We have seven more league games - four at home. Our home form has been brilliant.


"It is a great challenge for us and something all the players are looking forward to."
United's victory on Saturday arguably owed as much to luck as to Rooney and their sheer bloody-mindedness.
Returning captain Nemanja Vidic could easily have been sent off while it was still 2-0 and the penalty award which allowed Rooney to complete his hat-trick was debatable.
West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil claimed Vidic should have walked - more for persistent yellow card offences than for a straight red for hauling back Demba Ba.
Asked if the Hammers would have held on against 10 men, O'Neil said: "Yeah, I would've thought so. It makes it easier to hold on, obviously.
"But I think the main difference was the changes they made. They were positive changes.
"They didn't cause us too many problems in behind, first half, but as soon as (Javier) Hernandez came on and they brought (Dimitar) Berbatov on as well, it made a massive difference."
Defeat dragged West Ham back into the drop zone and later results also went badly against them.
O'Neil said: "If we'd have done okay and lost 1-0, everyone would have just said, 'That was Man United'.
"Because we were 2-0 up, it makes it feel that little bit harder to take.
"But we've got some big games coming up.
"We'll be ready for Bolton away next weekend and it's a game we fancy getting something from."
 
Ancelotti: Draw was fair result


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Updated Apr 3, 2011 6:32 AM ET
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti accepts the 1-1 draw at Stoke has made defending their Premier League title more difficult for themselves.
The visitors were fortunate to escape with a point at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday after a stirring display from the Potters, especially in the second half when they struck the crossbar twice and forced Petr Cech into a number of saves.


Having got themselves back into the game when Didier Drogba's 33rd-minute header equalised Jon Walters' early strike, the Blues failed to build on that.
They probably had the better of the remainder of the first half but after the interval most of the pressure came from the hosts.
Drogba was Chelsea's only threat, also hitting the woodwork late on, but for a team trying to keep pace with leaders Manchester United there was a distinct lack of chances created.
The draw, coming after Manchester United had turned around a 2-0 deficit to beat West Ham earlier in the day, leaves Ancelotti's team 11 points behind the leaders.
Although they have a match in hand there are only eight games remaining and it is difficult to see where the deficit will be made up in the final six weeks.
"We did our best. It was a good result because Stoke had opportunities," said Ancelotti.
"They could have won, we could have won. It was exciting.

Sat., Apr. 2​
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | Recap
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3​
Fulham 3-0 Blackpool | Recap
Man City 5-0 Sunderland | Recap
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​


"We have to continue to do our best. The gap (to United) was not easy before this game and now it is more difficult but we have to think game by game.
"We didn't think about this (the gap) before this game and we don't have to think about it after this game.
"The gap is more open now but we have to play our game. It is not about Manchester United.
"I think it is very difficult (to win league) - we said that before the game."
Ancelotti felt a draw was a fair result, even if it was not the correct one for his side.
"It was a really tough game. Both teams could have won," he added.
"We had a good reaction after we conceded a goal and the game was in balance.
"We are not so happy for the result but it was the right one for this game."
Stoke boss Tony Pulis was pleased with his side's performance against a team he rates highly.
"It was a great start and Jon scored a great goal but we sat back and gave them the impetus and in the last 20 minutes of the first half they showed what a great team they are," he said.
"We had too many players after we scored sitting back and watching them pass it around.
"In the second half we pushed on to them with better quality balls up to Kenwyne Jones and got more bodies up there and it made for an entertaining game.
"We had the chances to win it but Chelsea are a great side with great players and you have to give them credit.
"They have a massive Champions League game against Manchester United on Wednesday and I thought their attitude was first class.
"You have to give them and their manager full credit because that was a tough game for us."
 
Comeback fills Fergie with pride


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Updated Apr 3, 2011 6:20 AM ET
Sir Alex Ferguson felt Manchester United "played like champions" in Saturday's 4-2 win at West Ham, whose boss Avram Grant remains positive.
Sir Alex Ferguson declared Manchester United had "played like champions" after watching them add another entry to their pantheon of great comebacks by beating West Ham to edge closer to the Premier League title.


For the umpteenth time during Ferguson's legendary reign, United looked dead and buried with time running out of a game they could ill afford to lose.
But in a sensational 19 minutes that included a 14-minute Wayne Rooney hat-trick, the leaders turned a 2-0 defeat into a two-goal victory, propelling them eight points clear at the top of the table and piling the pressure back on Arsenal and Chelsea behind them.
"We played like champions," said a delighted Ferguson.
"It was a real championship performance as far as I'm concerned.
"I said to them at half-time, 'Look, goal difference doesn't matter now - you're getting something from this game'.
"'The next goal wins the game'.
"That's why I put Ryan (Giggs) back to left-back to have a go and just attack.
"It paid dividends and I'm pleased with that."
So often have United produced such remarkable fightbacks, it is no longer a surprise when they pull one off.
Ferguson added: "They've got the ability to turn it around - that's the first thing.

Sat., Apr. 2​
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | Recap
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3​
Fulham 3-0 Blackpool | Recap
Man City 5-0 Sunderland | Recap
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​


"But they've got great faith in themselves, faith in the team, faith in their team-mates.
"It doesn't always work but you can rest assured, they keep trying to create and play their football, and in the second half we dominated."
In truth, United dominated almost from start to finish and only found themselves 2-0 behind after Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic inexplicably conceded penalties.
Returning captain Vidic was also lucky not to see red, something acknowledged by Ferguson, who had spent the build-up to the game bemoaning decisions he felt had gone against his side this season.
The Scot could not resist questioning West Ham's second penalty today, with the offence arguably taking place outside the box.
"Bit fortunate," said Ferguson, who insisted his side fully merited their win.
He was also delighted with Rooney's first hat-trick of what has been a turbulent season for the England striker.
"Marvellous," he said.
"I hope there's another couple."
Ferguson, who confirmed goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was not risked due to a groin injury ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Chelsea, felt Saturday's win would hit United's title rivals hard.
He added: "It makes an impact on us.
"Seven games left. You can count the games down one by one.
"It ends up you run out of games and hopefully we're there.
"Arsenal have games in hand and it could go to goal difference but I somehow don't think so."
Defeat sucked West Ham back into the drop zone and manager Grant was left to rue referee Lee Mason's decision not to dismiss Vidic for hauling down Demba Ba in what appeared a last-man challenge.
Asked whether the United defender should have been sent off, Grant said: "I think so, but I don't want to talk about the referee."
United's penalty for Rooney's hat-trick goal was also controversial, with Fabio kicking the ball against Matthew Upson's arm.
Grant insisted he "didn't see" the incident but added "the players were very disappointed" at the award.
The Hammers boss nevertheless admitted his side had made it "too easy" for United.
"In the second half, they had nothing to lose," he said.
"But we have given them too much space.
"There were a lot of positive things. We wanted to win and did everything very good in the first half. But footballers need to complete two halves."
The result put the breaks on West Ham's bid to escape relegation.
Grant said: "The league will be very tight but I think we can do it because we have come into good shape at the right time.
"Against Manchester United, you want to take points but you do not count on winning against them.
"We still have good momentum."
 
FA decision on Rooney on Monday

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Updated Apr 3, 2011 6:24 AM ET
Wayne Rooney can expect to discover on Monday whether he will face disciplinary action for his foul-mouthed hat-trick celebration.
The Manchester United forward's three goals on Saturday helped his team to a 4-2 victory at West Ham which took them seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.


But, after completing his treble, the striker uttered an audible expletive into a television camera as he celebrated.
The Football Association's director Sir Trevor Brooking has confirmed the governing body will be investigating Rooney's behaviour at Upton Park.
"Tomorrow there will be a decision," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme on Sunday morning.
"It was a surprise, after scoring a hat-trick, to react that way.
"It is something we will have to look at."
Rooney has already apologised for swearing.
His outburst, beamed around the world by Sky Sports, prompted an on-air apology from the broadcasters.
In a statement released by United, Rooney said: "I want to apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my goal celebration, especially any parents or children that were watching.
"Emotions were running high, and on reflection my heat-of-the-moment reaction was inappropriate. It was not aimed at anyone in particular."


There is recent precedent of disciplinary action against a swearing sportsman, England cricketer Graeme Swann having been fined 10% of his match fee in the World Cup defeat by Bangladesh in Chittagong last month - although on that occasion, the player did not direct his words deliberately towards a camera or stump mic.
In football, the disciplinary procedure in such circumstances is less obviously established.
But FA rules state: "A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour."
Rooney upset England fans during last summer's World Cup when he turned to a television camera and verbally attacked them at the end of the dismal goalless draw with Algeria.
The apparent frustrations of both players and managers are under the spotlight, after Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore launched a campaign to target "unacceptable" criticism of and behaviour towards referees.
Rooney's boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already had his say on the issue, and today former United defender and Sunderland manager Steve Bruce admitted he is sometimes taken aback by his own behaviour when he sees it on television highlights. "Sometimes on a Saturday night I look at myself and say 'My God Steve, what are you doing there?'
"But you become involved, and the game takes over.
"It is part and parcel of the spectacle. I don't think it is that bad. If you see players in games abroad, for me that is much worse."
Bruce believes the best way to keep emotions in check is to allow technology to help referees with tight calls.
"I'm all for technology," he said.
"Week in week out, we keep seeing difficult decisions cost games."
 
Murphy: Cottagers almost safe


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Updated Apr 3, 2011 4:37 PM ET
Danny Murphy believes Fulham will need just one more win to ensure their survival in the Premier League after beating Blackpool 3-0.
A first-half brace from returning striker Bobby Zamora was followed by a Dickson Etuhu strike to move the Cottagers six points clear of the drop zone.

Sat., Apr. 2​
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | Recap
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3​
Fulham 3-0 Blackpool | Recap
Man City 5-0 Sunderland | Recap
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​


"One more win will probably do it," Murphy said on Sky Sports 1.
"I can't see the teams at the bottom winning the three or four games they'd need to go past us, but you never know it's been a funny season.
"The win calms us all down bit for sure.
"There is still work to do, but we're fairly confident."
Murphy's confidence looks well founded with Zamora, who made his first start since September following injury, proving his goal threat will be a major boost in the run-in.
"We've a fit squad now and we've got the 'big man' back," he added.
"He proved his worth didn't he? He's clinical and he's crucial to the way we play.
"Sometimes this season we've had good possession but not had that cutting edge.
"We had a healthy lead at half-time today due to his two clinical finishes."
Zamora was pleased to make an impression in his first start back before being substituted just after the hour mark.
"It's a comeback game, my first start, and I was just pleased to play and over the moon to score," he said.
"I was a little bit shattered when I came off, but I'm happy with my contribution. To hold up the ball and bring in other people is good and the goals are a bonus."
 
Benitez wants Premier League return


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Updated Apr 3, 2011 8:50 AM ET
Rafael Benitez will target a job with a Premier League club if and when he returns to football management.
The former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss has had offers of employment since his six-month stay in Serie A ended just before Christmas.

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But none has yet tempted him back.
Asked about his future on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme, the 50-year-old Spaniard said: "The priority is the Premier League, because the style is better for me."
He will not rush into a new job, though, because he knows he has to choose wisely.
"You can't say we will build something and spend three, four or five years waiting for trophies," he said.
"You have to find the right balance, a club that can win or try to win right now but at the same time prepare for the future.
"At this moment in time I don't have any offer. Before I did, but now I don't have any offers.
"I have had some offers abroad and some national teams, but I needed to stay with the family... relax a little bit and be ready for the next challenge."
 
Reds await Gerrard injury news


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Updated Apr 4, 2011 7:01 AM ET
Kenny Dalglish is waiting to learn the full extent of the injury setback that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard suffered in training.
Gerrard underwent groin surgery in March, but was back in training last week and hoped to feature in Saturday's game at West Bromwich Albion.


However, the midfielder was hurt in the build-up to the game and Dalglish is unsure how bad the latest injury is.
"Steven was training (on Friday) and innocuously tried to turn with the ball and felt a sharp pain," said Dalglish.
"Same injury but not the same thing.
"We'll get him assessed and by the end of the week we'll know better about everybody."
Liverpool also saw Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger pick up injuries in the early stages of the 2-1 defeat at West Brom to leave Dalglish bemoaning the loss of three players.
He added: "To lose three players in April would be a blow for anybody.
"It's disappointing for Steven because he was training really well and looking forward to being back in among the lads."
 
English Premier League Roundup, Apr. 3


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Updated Apr 3, 2011 2:11 PM ET
Manchester City thrashed Sunderland 5-0 to strengthen its chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League, and Fulham eased its relegation fears with a convincing 3-0 win over Blackpool on Sunday.
City had five different scorers in Adam Johnson, Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Patrick Vieira and Yaya Toure as the rampant hosts threw off the shackles to move into third place in the table, above reigning champion Chelsea.
The title appears beyond City - with crosstown rival Manchester United 10 points clear at the top - but a finish in the Champions League positions looks well within reach for Roberto Mancini's side, which climbed six points above fifth-place Tottenham.

Sat., Apr. 2​
West Ham 2-4 Man Utd | Recap
Birmingham 2-1 Bolton | Recap
Everton 2-2 Aston Villa | Recap
Newcastle 4-1 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea | Recap
West Brom 2-1 Liverpool | Recap
Wigan 0-0 Tottenham | Recap
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn | Recap
Sun., Apr. 3​
Fulham 3-0 Blackpool | Recap
Man City 5-0 Sunderland | Recap
BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures​


"In the last 45 days, we've played every three days and we've had more player injuries. That was the problem," said Mancini, whose team is out of Europe but through to play United in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley.
"Now all the players have recovered and we play Saturday to Saturday, we don't have a problem. We hope we continue to play very well like today."
Bobby Zamora marked his first league start for Fulham in seven months with a quickfire double before halftime against beleaguered Blackpool, guiding his team to a comfortable victory at Craven Cottage that lifts the London club into the top half of the table and six points clear of the bottom three.
Midfielder Dickson Etuhu scored Fulham's other goal to leave Blackpool just a point and a place from the relegation zone.
"We've never wavered from that view (that Fulham is a top-10 team) and we're in that position," Fulham manager Mark Hughes said. "We're three points from seventh. It's possible we can really establish ourselves from now until the end of the season in that top half."
Johnson opened the scoring for City in the ninth minute before Tevez reached 19 goals for the campaign - one behind leading scorer Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United - by converting from the spot six minutes later after he was brought down by Phil Bardsley.
Silva poked home a close-range finish in the 63rd, and Vieira - with his first touch after coming on as a substitute - slid home a cross by Aleksandar Kolarov in the 68th to make it 4-0.
Toure completed the rout by jumping on a crazy crossfield pass by Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole and clipping a neat finish past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
"Our main goal at the start of the season was to qualify for the Champions League and that's still our main target, so it was a helpful three points," City midfielder Nigel de Jong said. "There are still seven games to go and anything can happen, but this is a great confidence boost for our team - we are real contenders for the Champions League places."
City is three points behind second-place Arsenal and a point ahead of Chelsea, both of which have played one game fewer than City, as has Tottenham.
Zamora, Fulham's top scorer last season, has been sidelined with leg and ankle injuries for most of this campaign but showed the team what it's been missing with a fine display against Blackpool.
The England striker outpaced the defense to lash in the opener from 15 meters in the 23rd minute and doubled his tally five minutes later by glancing in a free kick from winger Damien Duff.
Zamora has struggled with illness this week and only lasted 62 minutes before being substituted.
"I haven't felt the greatest this week to be honest and I felt a bit shattered, but I'm happy with my contribution," Zamora said.



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