SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013 SPORTS Welbeck lifts United Norwich 0 Man Utd 1 NORWICH: Danny Welbeck came off the bench to maintain Manchester United’s recent revival as his second half goal clinched a hard-fought 1- 0 win over Norwich at Carrow Road yesterday. BIRMINGHAM: Aston Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor (left) scores against Swansea City United rode their luck at times and Welbeck’s during the English Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham England yester- goal had an element of good fortune about it, day. — AP but the champions held on for their sixth succes- sive victory in all competitions. The reigning Premier League champions are up to sixth, two Villa suffer more points short of a top-four place, although four of the five clubs above them now boast a game in hand. United boss David Moyes made several home frustration changes to the side that fought back to win 3-2 at Hull on Boxing Day. Wayne Rooney, who level but Ben Davies headed the ball into scored his 150th United goal in that game, did the ground and over the bar from six yards not travel because of a groin strain and Antonio NORWICH: Manchester United’s English striker Danny Welbeck (right) scores the opening goal Aston Villa 1 when he was picked out by Jonathan De Valencia missed out through suspension as past Norwich City’s English goalkeeper John Ruddy (L) during the English Premier League Guzman’s corner. Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Ashley football match between Norwich City and Manchester United yesterday. —AFP However, Michael Laudrup’s team drew Young started. Norwich, who beat United 1-0 at level in the 36th minute when Jonjo Carrow Road last season, also changed their the ball away before Wes Hoolahan could a shot that only just cleared Ruddy’s crossbar. Swansea 1 Shelvey found Hernandez on the left and starting line-up following a 2-1 home loss to pounce. United had to soak up some intense Nathan Redmond was inches away from open- his cross was headed in at the back post by Fulham, with Wes Hoolahan, Russell Martin and pressure after that, which saw Gary Hooper’s ing the scoring at the other end but it was Lamah. Guzan was called into action early Ryan Bennett coming in. fierce drive saved by de Gea and Snodgrass United who found the net in the 57th minute in the second half, tipping over De The struggling Canaries looked nervous and twice fail to hit the target. Referee Phil Dowd through Welbeck. BIRMINGHAM: Aston Villa endured anoth- Guzman’s free-kick, before Wilfried Bony were unable to hold on to possession in the ear- then booked three players in the space of a few The substitute blocked Bennett’s clearance, er frustrating outing on home turf as fired well over the bar.Villa rarely looked ly stages. United, with Ryan Giggs controlling minutes - Giggs and Hernandez plus Norwich with the ball then bouncing off Hernandez and Swansea hit back to rescue a 1-1 draw at like winning it and even Fabian Delph’s midfield, tested the hosts on both flanks and midfielder Leroy Fer - but did not award Norwich allowing Welbeck to round Ruddy and score. Villa Park yesterday. Paul Lambert’s team well-struck shot was straight at Tremmel. Japan midfielder Kagawa saw a shot from a tight a penalty when Tom Cleverley brought Bradley United now looked the more likely to add to the were on course for a rare success in front of That turned out to be the final chance and angle blocked by Canaries goalkeeper John Johnson down while trying to clear. score-line and Ruddy had trouble dealing with a their own fans when Gabriel Agbonlahor Villa’s angry fans responded to the final Ruddy. The home side calmed their nerves even- Norwich continued to dominate and de Gea Hernandez long-range strike. Norwich boss Chris opened the scoring early in the first half. whistle with more boos.— AFP tually and almost took the lead in the 20th had to get behind a header from a corner from Hughton made his last roll of the dice, with Ricky But Swansea’s Roland Lamah equalized minute when Russell Martin, having played a Sebastien Bassong before Snodgrass shanked van Wolfswinkel replacing Hooper to derisive before the interval and the hosts were one-two with Robert Snodgrass, forced David de the last chance of the half wide. Welbeck jeers from the unhappy home fans. Netherlands unable to snatch a winner. That meant Villa Gea into a parrying save. replaced Giggs at the break as United switched international van Wolfswinkel was unable to have now won just one of their last seven Matches on TV Chris Smalling made a mess of clearing the to a 4-4-2 formation and that proved a key make much of an impact as United saw out the home matches, although the draw did at (Local Timings) rebound at the back post but was able to hook moment. Young perked up and a run ended with closing minutes with little alarm.— AFP least end a miserable run of four consecu- tive Premier League defeats. English Premier League Villa are four points above the relega- tion zone, with Swansea, who are without a Newcastle v Arsenal 16:30 win in their last six games, a further point West Ham, West Brom Aljazeera Sport 1 HD ahead of Lambert’s side in the table. Villa had left the field to jeers after losing at Aljazeera Sport +9 home to Crystal Palace on Thursday but Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD share spoils in goalfest they began positively, pressing high up the pitch and wasting no time breaking for- Everton v Southampton 16:30 ward. They got their reward after seven Aljazeera Sport +5 line by Carlton Cole. Maiga minutes as Andreas Weimann picked up Aljazeera Sport 4 HD replaced Carlton Cole at half-time the ball on the right and played in Tottenham v Stoke 19:00 West Ham 3 and after seeing Berahino flash a Agbonlahor, who exploited dreadful posi- Aljazeera Sport +5 shot just wide, West Ham set about tioning by the Swansea defence and found Aljazeera Sport 4 HD restoring their lead. himself all alone on the edge of the penalty Chelsea v Liverpool 19:00 Foster repelled Maiga’s first area. West Brom 3 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD effort of note with a fine diving Agbonlahor initially seemed to hesitate, save, but moments later the West Aljazeera Sport +9 but then showed good composure to slot Ham substitute found the back of his shot under Swansea goalkeeper Aljazeera Sport +10 the net with a low curling effort Gerhard Tremmel. Swansea’s first chance to Aljazeera Sport 6 HD LONDON: West Ham United and that the England goalkeeper equalize came in the 17th minute when West Bromwich Albion each squan- should probably have saved. Maiga Pablo Hernandez cut inside and tested WEST ASIAN FEDERATION dered opportunities to move away came to the fore again two minutes Brad Guzan, who spilled the ball before Lebanon v Kuwait 17:30 from the Premier League relegation later, nodding down a cross from gathering at the second attempt. Three Aljazeera Sport 1 zone in a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Noble for Nolan to hook home, only minutes later the visitors should have been Upton Park yesterday. After Joe for Berahino to equalize almost Cole put West Ham ahead in the immediately with a low drive that fourth minute, Nicolas Anelka went in off the right-hand post. Sunderland frustrate Cardiff scored his first two West Brom West Brom came closest to snatch- goals to give the visitors a 2-1 half- ing all three points, but Brunt could Mackay’s departure didn’t seem to have time lead. Substitute Modibo Maiga only shoot straight at Jaaskelainen shattered his former players’ morale and equalized for West Ham and then from a promising position and Cardiff 2 they made a flying start in the sixth minute. teed up Kevin Nolan as the hosts Berahino saw an 81st-minute free- Campbell stole possession in midfield went in front, but Saido Berahino kick come back off the post. and Mutch seized on the loose ball, surging struck two minutes later to earn towards the edge of the penalty area managerless West Brom a point. ANTI-SEMITIC CELEBRATION Sunderland 2 before driving in a powerful strike that took West Ham have won only once Meanwhile, West Bromwich’s a slight deflection off Modibo Diakite as it in 12 league games and the Anelka has denied performing an flashed past goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Tan dropped points prevented them anti-Semitic goal celebration in yes- CARDIFF: Cardiff’s chaotic week ended on celebrated with a broad smile and a thumb from climbing out of the relegation terday’s 3-3 draw at West Ham a frustrating low note as Sunderland scored up gesture to all corners of the stadium. zone, while West Brom remain in United, according to caretaker twice in the final minutes to snatch a dra- There was real energy about Cardiff and peril after seeing their own winless coach Keith Downing. Anelka, 34, matic 2-2 draw yesterday. Malky Mackay South Korean midfielder Kim Bo-Kyung run extended to nine matches. made his first appearance since was sacked as manager by Cardiff owner forced Mannone to tip over with a fierce West Brom caretaker coach Keith October in the Premier League Vincent Tan on Friday following the acrimo- long-range effort.