MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014 SPORTS Schurrle sparks Chelsea revival Cardiff 1 Chelsea 2 CARDIFF: Substitute Andre Schurrle’s introduc- tion proved decisive as Chelsea came from behind to defeat relegated Cardiff 2-1 with two goals in three second-half minutes in the Welsh capital. The Germany international scored one and made the other for Fernando Torres shortly after coming on as Jose Mourinho’s team, third in the LONDON: Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson celebrates scoring the second goal for Arsenal Premier League, ended a trophyless season on a during the English Premier League soccer match at Carrow Road. —AP winning note. Cardiff, in their final game before returning to the second-tier Championship, had led beyond the hour mark courtesy of Craig Norwich fall Bellamy’s early deflected strike in what seems likely to be his final game as a professional. The 34-year-old striker, who has scored for a record into drop zone seven clubs in the Premier League, is out of con- tract this summer and reportedly planning to Lukasz Fabianski, pulled off a save at his near call time on his career. post to deny Nathan Redmond before Lukas Wales international Bellamy was given a rous- Norwich 0 Podolski fired a long-range shot wide at the ing reception by the home supporters when other end. Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy replaced in the second period during a low-key then came out to make a good block of final-day contest which reflected the fact neither another Podolski effort but there was little side had much to play for. The victory will provide little consolation for Arsenal 2 urgency from either side in the opening half- LONDON: Cardiff City’s Craig Bellamy (right) and Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta clash during their Chelsea manager Mourinho following a disap- hour. Ruddy then pulled off an even better English Premier League soccer match at the Cardiff City Stadium. —AP save to deny Olivier Giroud, who had been pointing climax to a campaign which has seen NORWICH: Arsenal warmed up for next put through by Podolski as the Norwich the London club’s bid for Premier League and penalty area and with acres of space, yet once season’s collection to keep out Azpilicueta’s weekend’s FA Cup final with a 2-0 victory at defence napped. Champions League glory end in failure. The more Marshall was not tested. header from point-blank range following Oscar’s Norwich City yesterday, a result that finally The Frenchman soon had another go but Portuguese will know Blues owner Roman Hazard was the next guilty party with a weak inviting delivery. confirmed the hosts’ relegation from the again Ruddy made a top-quality save to Abramovich is unlikely to settle for a repeat out- glancing header from Ashley Cole’s left-wing The Spanish defender then found the cross- Premier League. Aaron Ramsey and Carl boost his chances of going to the World Cup come next term. delivery and the Belgium international blazed bar from the rebound before a volley into the Jenkinson were the scorers on a final day of finals with England. into the side-netting midway through the sec- ground from Schurrle-on the pitch six minutes- the Premier League season when there was BALLOON CHAOS ond half after more good work from the veteran finally broke the home side’s resistance. little at stake at Carrow Road. RAMSEY CLASS Cardiff fans made their feelings known England left-back. And another followed just three minutes later Both sides had known beforehand that The second half began with Podolski nod- towards the club’s Malaysian owner Vincent Tan, Finally, with 18 minutes remaining, when Don Cowie’s clearance was headed only a series of freak scores would enable ding over a corner from close range but with who has changed their home shirt from its tradi- Mourinho’s team made a breakthrough-yet even towards Torres by Schurrle and this time the for- them to rise any higher in the table, with little at stake the German was able to laugh tional blue to red, before kick-off by releasing a then it came at their third attempt. mer Liverpool forward made no mistake, slotting Arsenal beginning in fourth place and about it as he trotted downfield. bundle of blue balloons onto the pitch-and they Marshall added another stunning save to this beyond Marshall from close range. —AFP Norwich third from bottom. Ramsey improved the quality of proceed- almost contributed to an early Chelsea goal. Norwich’s cause was always going to be ings with a top-quality strike to put Arsenal Steven Caulker’s underhit backpass put David EPL results/standings forlorn as they required not just West ahead in the 53rd minute. Giroud picked him Marshall under pressure to clear his lines, how- Bromwich Albion to lose at home to Stoke out at the back post with a chip from the left ever the goalkeeper’s efforts were hampered by Cardiff 1 (Bellamy 15) Chelsea 2 (Schurrle 72, Torres 75); Fulham 2 (Woodrow 61, David 90+4) Crystal Palace 2 (Gayle but also to win and be the beneficiaries of an and the Wales midfielder volleyed into the a balloon and the swirling wind. 28, 84); Hull 0 Everton 2 (McCarthy 9, Lukaku 46); Liverpool 2 (Agger 63, Sturridge 65) Newcastle 1 (Skrtel 20-og); incredible 17-goal swing. top corner, giving Ruddy no chance. It left Torres seemingly with the goal at his Manchester City 2 (Nasri 39, Kompany 49) West Ham 0; Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 (Ramsey 53, Jenkinson 62); Arsenal though required an even bigger Jenkinson made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute mercy, albeit from a tight angle, yet the Spaniard Southampton 1 (Lambert 28) Manchester United 1 (Mata 54); Sunderland 1 (Borini 50) Swansea 3 (Dyer 7, Emnes by being the first to react in the Norwich box was equally troubled by the conditions and sur- 14, Bony 54); Tottenham 3 (Paulinho 14, Baker 35-og, Adebayor 38-pen) Aston Villa 0; West Brom 1 (Sessegnon 56) turnaround to prise third place from Chelsea. Stoke 2 (McAuley 22-og, Adam 87). In the end both sets of supporters witnessed when Podolski’s shot was half-blocked by a rounding balloons and it gave Caulker just an afternoon of little drama, although defender. It was the 22-year-old’s first Arsenal enough time to divert his goalbound effort away for a corner. It was a poor miss and it was made English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches on the final day of the season (played, won, drawn, lost, Ramsey’s goal was particularly impressive, goal. Arsenal immediately sent on Jack goals for, goals against, points): and Norwich ended their season three points Wilshere for the England midfielder’s first to look even more so in the 15th minute. With adrift of safety. appearance since suffering a broken foot Chelsea’s defence backing off, Bellamy, 22 yards Man City 38 27 5 6 102 37 86 Sunderland 38 10 8 20 41 60 38 Arsenal’s campaign will come to an end at while on international duty against Denmark out, was invited to try his luck. — champions Aston Villa 38 10 8 20 39 61 38 Wembley next Saturday when they will look at the start of March. It was very much in as his strike towards the Liverpool 38 26 6 6 101 50 84 Hull 38 10 7 21 38 53 37 left corner took a wicked deflection off Cesar Chelsea 38 25 7 6 71 27 82 West Brom 38 7 15 16 43 59 36 to beat Hull City and claim their first trophy Abou Diaby also made his long-awaited Arsenal 38 24 7 7 68 41 79 Norwich 38 8 9 21 28 62 33 since they won the FA Cup in 2005. comeback from injury, replacing Tomas Azpilicueta and flew beyond the wrong-footed Mark Schwarzer. Everton 38 21 9 8 61 39 72 — relegated The starting line-up selected at Carrow Rosicky for the final quarter of an hour, with Tottenham 38 21 6 11 55 51 69 Fulham 38 9 5 24 40 85 32 Road by manager Arsene Wenger, who has Giroud also replaced by Yaya Sanogo. Diaby Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to Man Utd 38 19 7 12 64 43 64 — relegated insisted he will sign a new Arsenal contract had been missing for 14 months with a knee sharpen up his attacking options for next sea- Southampton 38 15 11 12 54 46 56 Cardiff 38 7 9 22 32 74 30 soon, included five changes, most of which injury. Sanogo almost squeezed in a late third son, a point demonstrated when Mohamed Stoke 38 13 11 14 45 52 50 — relegated were defensive, but was nevertheless a strong goal but Ruddy was able to get a glove on it Salah shot over the bar from close range after Newcastle 38 15 4 19 43 59 49 Note: Top four teams qualify for next season’s side. One of those changes, goalkeeper and divert the ball away. —AFP excellent approach play by Eden Hazard. Crystal Palace 38 13 6 19 33 48 45 Champions League; teams finishing fifth and sixth qual- Another golden opportunity went to waste in Swansea 38 11 9 18 54 54 42 ify for Europa League; bottom three teams relegated to the 27th minute when some slack defending West Ham 38 11 7 20 40 51 40 Championship Stoke end season from the home side left Oscar onside inside the with West Brom win back in 1975.