Germany thrash England 4-1 to secure a place in the World Cup quarter finals.

Thomas Mueller scored twice as Germany’s young side overwhelmed a sloppy English defence. The Germans counterattack was a skillful display. Germany brought about England’s biggest ever defeat in the World Cup finals.

England Vs Germany

Delighted Germany coach Joachim Loew said:

“It was a grandiose performance by our young team against a very good, experienced England team. It was first class and a lot of fun to watch.”

England bemoaned the linesman’s decision which disallowed Frank Lampard’s 20 meter shot, the ball hit the bar, dropped a meter behind the line, then bounced up and hit the bar again before it was gathered by keeper Manuel Neuer. It was clearly a goal and made an ironic comparison with Geoff Hurst’s disputed goal in the 1966 final between England and West Germany final which England won.

England coach Fabio Capello said of the referee’s decision:

“It is incredible. The game would probably have been different after this goal … I think (it was) the mistake of the linesman, but also I think the referee.”

England can have little complaints since their defense looked really sluggish.

Klose snatched the lead in the 20th minute and Lukas Podolski struck again in the 32nd minute.

Matthew Upson cut the deficit in the 37th minute, heading in a Steven Gerrard cross.

Germany now face Argentina in the quarter-finals.
3-1

Carlos Tevez sent Argentina through to the quarter-finals scoring two goals.

One of Tevez’s goals came from an offside position. After the replay flashed up on the big screen angry Mexico players surrounded the Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and linesman Stefano Ayroldi but the goal stood.

Argentina Vs Mexico

Until Tevez’s opener Mexico had looked the better side in this clash between the Latin Americans who had fought out a terrific contest at the same stage of the 2006 finals.

Any hopes Mexico had ended soon after the restart thanks to Tevez’s 52nd-minute blistering strike into the top corner from 25 yards out.

The Reds showed tremendous attacking force and overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Fernando Torres finished with two, while Dirk Kuyt and Lucas scored one each in a fantasic match night at Anfield.

Liverpool's Lucas goes past Julio Cesar of Benfica to score his team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final second leg match between Liverpool and Benfica at Anfield on April 8, 2010.

The performance was completely in contrast to Liverpool’s game in the Barclays Premier League.

The Reds have allowed late goals in both their Champions League matches against Lyon and now Fiorentina, which has damaged their chances of qualifying to the knockout stage. Both Lyon and Fiorentina have made it to the next round.
In the post match conference Rafael Benitez said:

“The result and the way it happened just about sums up our Champions League campaign. Another last minute goal, and we are disappointed with that for the third time in this group. Now we must be ready for the next game at home to Arsenal on Sunday. We worked so hard, we had chances, so they are the only positive that we can take from the game.”

Although there were positives that Liverpool can take from this match, Torres returned from a groin injury and Aquiliani made his full debut for the club.

Benitez commented:

“Aquilani showed his quality, his touch was good. His vision and passing were good, but obviously he will have to work on his match fitness.”

“Everyone is available for Sunday, if he trains well he could well be involved against Arsenal. We are still trying to see the positives, we are playing better and we must now must take that into a very important game. It is the beginning of a new season for us now, I hope.”

Liverpool have also learnt that they will not be seeded in the Europa League next season.

“We will not be seeded in the Europa League, we must cope with that and be strong to handle what ever comes our way now,”

Benitez added.

Bottom placed Portsmouth played well to earn a victory over Burnley. It was the first match for Avram Grant as Portsmouth manager, and it was a delightful welcome for him.

Brunley squandered quite a few opportunities to go ahead and will surely regret the missed chances.

Portsmouth didn’t give up and kept pushing forward. Portsmouth had a great chance to go one-up from a penalty but Dindane managed to miss it. However, later in the game he scored adding to the lead given to the home team through Hermann Hreidarsson’s brilliant left-footer.

Portsmouth are now temporarily off the bottom place.

Blackburn 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool earn another frustrating draw. The first half had nothing interesting happening. Both teams evenly matched up until the break.

At the start of the second half Blackburn had some great opportunities, through Chelesa’s loan signing- Di Santo. The youngster played well.

Liverpool also had decent opportunites, the most tlling one being a terrific run by Glenn Johnson to put N’gog on goal, but N’gog somehow skewed the shot on the top-bar. The rebound was hit off target.

Liverpool surely looked like they were missing Torres, The Reds were just unable to put the ball in the back of the net.

Wonder why Benitez wasn’t looking to bring Aquiliani on as a substitute, Nabil El Zhar was brought in as a late substitute.

Blackburn were also suffering from some kind of jitters in front of goal, like their counterparts. They also had numerous opportunities to seal the deal, but were unsuccessful.

Although Blackburn will be happy to gain a point after a rigorous mid-week game.

West Ham 0-4 Manchester United

It was a thumping win for the defending champions. Scholes opened the score just before half-time.

Wonder kid- Darron Gibbson scored another glorious strike just over the hour mark and added to the lead.

The Hammers had decent chances as well but couldn’t convert. Diamanti had an awesome shot on goal, but Kuzczak pulled an even better save.

Two quick goals were scored by Valencia and Rooney which took the match away from the home team.

Arsenal 2-0 Stoke City

Prior to the match Arshavin had stated that Arsenal were missing Van Persie upfront and also some tall statured players(Arshavin himself being around 5′ 8″).

Arshavin looked lively on the field and managed to win a penalty after forcing an error from Delap. Skipper Fabregas came up to take the spot-kick but Sorensen saved it.

Arshavin scored another brilliant goal from a Fabregas cross.

Ramsey scored the second to give Arsenal a 2-0 victory over Stoke City.

Wigan 2-3 Birmingham

Wigan took the lead in the first half through N’Zogbia’s 33rd minute strike.

Sebastian Larsson equalized for the visitors in the 61st minute and five minutes later Christian Benitez gave Birmingham the lead. Later Larsson extended the lead by scoring his second goal in the game.

Jordi Gomez pulled one back late in the match, but it was just too late for the homeside.

Until today’s loss, Wigan were undefeated at home after leading 1-0.

Aston Villa 3-0 Hull

Villa scored early in the game through Richard Dunne from a Milner assist. 15 minutes later Milner celebrated his own strike and also Villa’s 2-0 lead.

Aston Villa kept attacking Hull City, they won a penalty which was taken by Carew.

Wolves 2-1 Bolton

The fastest goal of the day was scored by Wolverhampton’s Jody Carddock in the 3rd minute.

Nenad Milijas added to the lead. Bolton struck a late goal through Johan Elmander.

Both sides looked to attack but the game ended 2-1 to Wolves.

Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea

The final match of the day was the most exhilirating encounter. Both sides were looking to attack from kick-off.

Chelsea took the lead when Anelka’s shot could have been saved by Given, but unfortunately the ball bounced into the net off Adebayor back. Adebayor took revenge later in the half, scoring from a corner.

The second half got into a high-tempo mode. Both sides were driving players forward and referee came into action many-a-times producing yellow cards and giving free-kicks. Chelsea and Man City had good chances, Chelsea didn’t manage to capitilize. City were awarded a free-kick just outside the box, which was wonderfully converted by Tevez to give City the lead.

Drogba won a penalty for Chelsea after drawing a foul from Onuoha, late in the game. Given came to City’s rescue by saving Lampard’s penalty and thus ensuring a win for Man City.

Shay Given saves Lampard's penalty

City’s Micah Richards and Wayne Bridge both seemed to be injured, Bridge was carried off on a stretcher after a sliding tackle from Belletti. Chelsea’s Terry also limped off late in the second half.

Berbatov and Skrtel battle for the ball

Last years top two teams will battle it out in Anfield on Sunday. However, Liverpool have been in a poor run-of -form lately, but have no option but to win the game, or else they can lose hopes for the title challenge. The Reds have suffered 4 defeats, their worst form in 22-years.

The Man U fans have decided to wear Eric Cantona masks when visiting their arch rivals, in revenge for the insult aimed at them during the thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool in 1994. The Kop had then unfurled a banner displaying: “Au revoir Cantona, come back when you’ve got 18 titles”. United have managed to match their rivals and will proudly exhibit it.

Team News

Manchester United

Wayne Rooney remains doubtful for United, out with a calf injury since England’s World Cup qualifier in Ukraine.

Veteran Ryan Giggs is set to return after suffering a knock last week and Patrice Evra has overcome a heel problem.

Darren Fletcher (groin) is another doubt while Park Ji-Sung (knee) is set for a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson have yet to prove their fitness. Although Gerrard started the match against Lyon, he came off within the first 25 minutes.

Winger Albert Riera (hamstring) and defenders Martin Kelly (ankle) and Sotirios Kyrgiakos (knee) are out

Midfielder Alberto Aquilani – who played for the reserves on Wednesday – will not be considered.

Possible Team Line-up:

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Insua, Mascherano, Babel, Lucas, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres, Voronin, Ngog, Spearing, Plessis, Dossena, Cavalieri.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, O’Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, J Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, Berbatov, Owen, Welbeck, Macheda, Nani, Fabio, Rafael, Fletcher, Rooney.

Bolton (2) V/s Liverpool (3) held at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton started off the match looking good and leading the score sheet twice with goals from Kevin Davies (33’) and Tamir Cohen (46’). Liverpool took time to warm-up but looked free flowing in the second-half.

The first goal of the match came from a Bolton corner which was smartly delivered by Taylor right into the penalty area and was converted by the Wanderers’ skipper. Tamir Cohen marked his successful return to the starting line-up with a goal against Aston Villa and the Israeli didn’t disappoint in this match either. Cohen gave Reina no chance with a powerful left-footed shot.

The first Kops equalizer was scored by Glen Johnson just before the first half came to an end, while the second was scored by Fernando Torres (50’). The 2^nd Reds equalizer came right after Davis was sent-off after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Lucas. Fabrice Muamba tried his best to man-mark Steven Gerrard, but a thrilling comeback by Liverpool was once again scripted by the inspirational captain. His powerful strike in the 82^nd minute was enough to see Liverpool home. Dirk Kuyt showed another impressive performance, he assisted the 2^nd goal by bringing down the ball right into Torres’ path and looked sharp throughout the match till he was substituted for Dossena in the 88^th minute.

Team Line-ups:

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Knight, Cahill, Ricketts, Davis, Muamba, Taylor, Cohen (Steinsson 77), Kevin Davies, Elmander (Basham 58) (Subs not used: Al Habsi, O’Brien, Riga, Chung-Yong, Robinson)

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Gerrard, Torres, Riera (Benayoun 63), Kyrgiakos, Kuyt, Mascherano (Voronin 73), Lucas, Insua, Carragher (Subs not used: Plessis, Kelly, Skrtel, Dossena, Gulacsi)

Roundup of other matches:

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Birmingham City

Stoke City 1-0 Sunderland

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Hull City

Blackburn Rovers 0-0 West Ham United

Chelsea 3-0 Burnley

Manchester United 2 – 1 Arsenal