United, City begin 2013 with big wins
Source: Agencies |
January 3, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini fears losing out to archrival Manchester United for the signature of Robin van Persie could prove the difference in this season's Premier League title race.
Van Persie ushered in 2013 by taking his league-high tally to 16 goals with a brace in United's 4-0 win at Wigan, maintaining the team's seven-point lead over City. Javier Hernandez also scored twice but Van Persie stood out again, scoring a sublime strike with his weaker right foot for the pick of the goals.
"We expected him to be a major player and add something to us and that is exactly what he has done," said United manager Alex Ferguson, who spent 24 million pounds (then US$38 million) on signing Van Persie from Arsenal in August.
"Robin is a completely rounded footballer. ... He came to us at the very peak of his career," Ferguson said. "His ability to make and take goals is fantastic."
City also made a statement of intent to kick off the New Year, easing past Stoke 3-0 at home. Goals by Pablo Zabaleta, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium ended Stoke's 10-match unbeaten run.
However, a hamstring injury sustained by Aguero late on saw the game end under a cloud for City.
Tottenham climbed provisionally to third, above Chelsea by a point, by beating Reading 3-1 after having fallen behind in the fourth minute.
Arsenal is provisionally fifth after a disappointing 1-1 draw at Southampton, needing an own goal to earn a point.
At the bottom, struggling Aston Villa ended a run of three heavy defeats by drawing 2-2 at Swansea but will rue conceding an equalizer deep into stoppage-time by Danny Graham.
Out-of-form pair Fulham and West Ham both won 2-1, against West Bromwich and Norwich, respectively, to stop their slide toward the relegation zone.
Van Persie ushered in 2013 by taking his league-high tally to 16 goals with a brace in United's 4-0 win at Wigan, maintaining the team's seven-point lead over City. Javier Hernandez also scored twice but Van Persie stood out again, scoring a sublime strike with his weaker right foot for the pick of the goals.
"We expected him to be a major player and add something to us and that is exactly what he has done," said United manager Alex Ferguson, who spent 24 million pounds (then US$38 million) on signing Van Persie from Arsenal in August.
"Robin is a completely rounded footballer. ... He came to us at the very peak of his career," Ferguson said. "His ability to make and take goals is fantastic."
City also made a statement of intent to kick off the New Year, easing past Stoke 3-0 at home. Goals by Pablo Zabaleta, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium ended Stoke's 10-match unbeaten run.
However, a hamstring injury sustained by Aguero late on saw the game end under a cloud for City.
Tottenham climbed provisionally to third, above Chelsea by a point, by beating Reading 3-1 after having fallen behind in the fourth minute.
Arsenal is provisionally fifth after a disappointing 1-1 draw at Southampton, needing an own goal to earn a point.
At the bottom, struggling Aston Villa ended a run of three heavy defeats by drawing 2-2 at Swansea but will rue conceding an equalizer deep into stoppage-time by Danny Graham.
Out-of-form pair Fulham and West Ham both won 2-1, against West Bromwich and Norwich, respectively, to stop their slide toward the relegation zone.
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