Protests mark Arsenal win, Toon saved
A quick-fire goal from substitute Danny Welbeck
united squabbling supporters as Arsenal defeated
Norwich City 1-0 on Saturday to advance...xx
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Sport24.co.za | PSL heading for
thrilling conclusion!
Midweek results threw the spanner in
the works and made for an exciting
photo-finish to the Absa Premiership,
writes S'Busiso Mseleku.
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Football | Barclays Premier League
Protests mark Arsenal win, Toon saved
30 April 2016, 20:36
A quick-fire goal from substitute Danny Welbeck united
squabbling supporters as Arsenal defeated Norwich City 1-0
on Saturday to advance their pursuit of a Premier League top-
four finish.
Fans protesting against long-serving Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger were drowned out by supporters backing him before
Welbeck's 59th-minute strike settled proceedings, keeping
Norwich in the bottom three.
Arsenal established a provisional eight-point cushion over the
teams below the Champions League places, ahead of next
weekend's high-stakes trip to Manchester City, who trail them
by three points ahead of their trip to Southampton on Sunday.
"We lacked pace and seemed subdued. It was better in the
second half and in the end we got a good win," said Wenger.
On the protesting fans, he added: "We respect the opinion of
everybody and we give absolutely the best.
"I think I have shown my commitment for this club and care
for this club, and for the fans. I'm really sorry if I cannot make
them all happy, of course. We'll continue to work hard to
achieve it."
Meanwhile, Andros Townsend scored a stunning free-kick as
Newcastle United edged Crystal Palace 1-0 to escape the
relegation zone at the expense of northeast rivals Sunderland.
In a pre-planned protest at the Emirates Stadium, a smattering
of fans held up A4 posters bearing the words "TIME FOR
CHANGE" in the 12th minute of the game, in a nod to
Arsenal's 12-year league title drought.
In response thousands of fans chanted "There's only one
Arsene Wenger!", with some holding aloft placards in support
of the under-fire Frenchman, who has been in place since
1996.
However, with Norwich creating the best of the first-half
chances, there were boos at the halftime whistle.
Injury forced Wenger to send on Gabriel for centre-back Per
Mertesacker early in the second half, but it was his second
change that was to prove decisive.
Welbeck replaced Alex Iwobi in the 56th minute, drawing more
boos, but less than three minutes later Olivier Giroud nodded
Hector Bellerin's cross into his path and the England striker
slashed home the winner.
Norwich finished the day two points from safety, but with a
game in hand on fourth-bottom Newcastle, who beat Palace
courtesy of Townsend's memorable strike and a Karl Darlow
penalty save from Yohan Cabaye.
"The victory means a lot. It gives us momentum, confidence
and a connection with the fans," said Benitez, who succeeded
Steve McClaren as Newcastle manager last month.
"We still have to play another two games. We will enjoy this
weekend because we won and then we will focus on the next
one against Aston Villa, which will be a tough one."
'TIME TO GO ROBERTO'
Townsend broke the deadlock in the 58th minute at St James'
Park, the one-time England winger sending a free-kick from
wide on the right whistling into the top-left corner.
Twelve minutes later, Cabaye had a chance to equalise, but
the France international, who angered Newcastle fans by
leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2014, saw his penalty
brilliantly turned away by Darlow.
Jermain Defoe scored a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a
1-1 draw at Stoke City for Sunderland.
Although Sam Allardyce's side were left a point behind
Newcastle in the bottom three, they, like Norwich, have a
game in hand.
"Where would you be without Jermain Defoe? Relegated
probably," said Allardyce after Defoe scored his 17th goal of
the season to cancel out Marko Arnautovic's 50th-minute
opener.
"I am going home satisfied it is a point gained rather than two
dropped."
West Ham United captain Mark Noble scored twice for the
second game in succession as his side won 3-0 at West
Bromwich Albion to replace Manchester United in fifth place,
with Cheikhou Kouyate also on target.
Leighton Baines scored the winner as Everton prevailed 2-1 at
home to Bournemouth, after Tom Cleverley's seventh-minute
opener for the hosts had been swiftly cancelled out by Marc
Pugh's deflected strike.
But it was an uncomfortable afternoon for Everton manager
Roberto Martinez, with protesting supporters paying for a plane
trailing the banner "TIME TO GO ROBERTO" to fly over
Goodison Park during the game.
Meanwhile, skipper Troy Deeney scored a last-gasp brace as
Watford twice came from behind to inflict a 3-2 defeat on
already-relegated Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Leaders Leicester City can become England's first new top-
flight title-winners since Nottingham Forest in 1978 if they win
at Manchester United on Sunday.
Should they fail to win, they will still be crowned champions
on Monday if second-place Tottenham Hotspur cannot better
their result when they visit Chelsea.
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