Barclays Premier League Results: March 09

With the big names missing in action due to FA Cup commitments, the Barclays Premier League saw the mid-table and relegation embattled teams take the field on Saturday.

West Brom 2-1 Swansea

The meeting between the Baggies and the Swans was really a game of two halves. Swansea were much the better side in the first half as they were content to sit back and hit West Brom on the counter. Michu spurned an easy chance early, but Luke Moore gave the visitors the lead on 33 minutes with a glancing header off a Jonathan de Guzman corner. West Brom couldn't get much going, but equalized through Romelu Lukaku 5 minutes from half-time when the Belgian ghosted into the penalty area to get in front of Gary Monk and slide in Graham Dorran's cross. The second half was a scrappy affair as neither side could get any sort of rhythm going and it suited the home side better as the Swans struggled to get going. Lukaku had a penalty saved but the hosts eventually did take the lead in the 66th minute when De Guzman headed into his own goal. Swansea were unlucky to not get anything from the game as substitute Roland Lamah found the back of the net in the 87^th minute, only for referee Lee Mason to have the goal disallowed for offside though replays showed otherwise.

QPR 3-1 Sunderland

QPR won two games back to back for the first time since December 1995 in a come from behind win over Sunderland at home. Rangers had three of their January signings to thank starting with Loic Remy who started the recovery when a friendly deflection saw the ball reach his feet, as he delivered a composed finish past Simon Mignolet for his 3^rd goal for Rangers. Steven Fletcher had earlier given the Black Cats the lead tapping in an Adam Johnson low cross. The teams went in level at the break before Andros Townsend unleashed an absolute screamer, unleashing a looping volley from 25 yards out, to put the Hoops in front. Jermaine Jenas then finished the job with a another long range effort from just outside the box to cap off a much needed win and 3 points for the London side. The win sees QPR move to 19^th, ahead of Reading on goal difference.

Reading 1-2 Aston Villa

The Madejski stadium played host to a relegation six pointer as Reading welcomed fellow strugglers Aston Villa. All 3 goals in the game were scored by Villa players, Nathan Baker putting through his own net to give the Royals the lead on 32 minutes. But, Villa failed to buckle and responded in fine fashion as leading marksman Christian Benteke leveled a minute later. Gabriel Agbonhalor then turned the game in Villa’s favor with a goal that almost ripped out the net in injury time in the first half. Paul Lambert’s men then held on in the 2^nd half to secure victory which saw them climb out of the bottom three and into 17^th place.

Norwich City 0-0 Southampton

The game at Carrow Road ended goalless, but not for lack of chances. Southampton were the better team on the day and fashioned many more chances than the home side who had goalkeeper Mark Bunn to thank as he pulled off a series of saves to keep Norwich in the game. The hosts chances were few and far between as the Saints took control of the game and threatened to come away from Carrow Road with a win. Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana all had chances to score, but found the firm hands of Bunn in the way. The game saw some late drama when Norwich were awarded a penalty for a foul on Grant Holt in stoppage time. But Artur Boruc saved Holt’s penalty to ensure both teams shared a point on a rainy afternoon in Norwich.