“There’s so much belief in our group” – Danny Röhl
Rangers were victorious in Paisley this afternoon as they defeated St Mirren by one goal to nil, however the performance was unconvincing. It was new January signing Tuur Rommens who separated the sides in the first half. And for the majority of the match, it was Rangers’ same old story as last weekend, lots of the ball but no real ruthlessness in front of goal. Youssef Chermiti had a great chance in the first half, which he should have scored, and ex-Rangers’ striker Kris Boyd had his say on the lack of attacking threat from The Gers. He said: “They don’t have a striker or strikers in there demanding the ball is crossed from the wide areas. “There’s no better feeling in the world than scoring goals on a regular basis and if you can do it to lead your team to a title. That is what’s at stake for Rangers right now. “I don’t see that ruthlessness from Rangers’ strikers.” However, the main task today for Rangers was to get nothing less than a win and narrow the gap at the top to just three points. And they managed to complete that task. After the match, Rohl said: “I felt this morning when we met each other, there was so much energy in the dressing room. It was fantastic. “There’s so much belief in our group, there’s no doubt that we can achieve something this season. But you have to take the results and today we did. “I think the table now looks better than before this matchday and this is great.” Wins are vital at this stage in the season, but The Gers support will be looking to see some more commanding victories in the weeks to come.
Man Utd 3-1 Aston Villa: Hosts tighten grip on third after enthralling second half
Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa Casemiro (53′) Cunha (71′) Sesko (83′) Barkley (64′) Two goals in the final twenty minutes secured a crucial three points for Manchester United at Old Trafford, as Michael Carrick’s interim reign continues to bear fruit. The top four match up with Aston Villa started slowly, but burst into life in an action-packed second half. United opened the scoring after a terrific corner kick delivery from captain Bruno Fernandes. The outswinging ball was headed past Emi Martinez by Casemiro, giving the hosts the lead in the 53rd minute. Aston Villa responded eleven minutes later. Ross Barkley’s wicked strike found the bottom corner after Lucas Digne’s low cross. But United seized control of the match in the final twenty minutes, again, their starman Fernandes was heavily involved. The Portuguese midfielder split the Villa defence with a deadly through ball. Matheus Cunha gathered and finished past Martinez with his right foot to reestablish the lead. Benjamin Sesko fired home his 9th league goal of the season, to add gloss to the scoreline in the 83rd minute, moving Carrick’s rejuvenated side three points clear in third place over Villa. Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro (Ugarte 91′) Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbuemo (Sesko 75′) Aston Villa: Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Mings (Maatsen 82′) Digne, Onana, Barkley (Luiz 82′) McGinn (Bailey 61′) Buendia (Garcia (86′) Rogers, Watkins (Abraham 60′)
Dundee 2-2 Dundee United: Dundee grab a point with two stoppage time goals in the derby
Goals by Stephenson and Fatah had United looking at victory but Hay and a Graham own goal sealed a point for Pressley’s men in the derby. An early chance for United, Fatah doing well to get past his man where he whipped a ball into the box which found Iovu who headed over the bar. After 12 minutes, Dundee had a huge chance as Congreve out wide delivering a great ball but Simon Murray unable to connect and fire a strike goal bound. Dundee had another chance after 26 minutes as Congreve fired a cross along the box which nearly went in but Maynard-Brewer catching. Moments later, Fatah had a chance from close range at a tight angle but well stopped by McCracken. Yogane had a brilliant chance on 37 minutes with a darting run goal bound, cut onto his right and unleashed a powerful strike but blocked by Sevelj to deny an opener. Fatah with a run from the Dundee half towards goal with a massive chance, the ball got caught up at his feet which looked like the chance was off but he regained the ball, worked it into the box with his effort being stopped by the foot of the Dundee number one. Another chance by Fatah just inside the box but fired wide of goal as the travelling support thought they had fired ahead in the derby. A flurry of chances, one initial save which then at the end landed at Sevelj who smashed it towards goal but a fantastic block by Samuels to keep the match goalless. Dundee United fired in front 5 minutes into the second 45 as Fatah struck the ball beyond McKracken following a handball in the process. Dundee United started the second period better with a lot more play and getting into good spaces. Dundee needing to up their game if they are to get back into it. The Tannadice side doubled the lead as Stephenson up high heading the ball of the bar which bounced into the net to send the away end into chaos. On 74 minutes, Will Ferry fizzled a great ball across the box but was too far ahead as no one could get onto it. Russell had a huge chance to make it three but a quality stop by McCracken denied Russell his first goal for United in his second stint. Dundee had the ball in the net as Hay struck the ball calmly which ended up going in off Sevelj but was flagged for offside. A very later corner for the Dees, whipped into the box which ended in a bit of a scramble but Hay managed to get onto it as his tapped it into an empty net as Dundee found one back deep into stoppage time. Dundee did the unthinkable and levelled right at the death with a ball into the box where United defender Ross Graham put the ball into his own net as both sides settle for a point in a dramatic ending at Dens. Dundee: McCracken (8), Astley (7), Wright (6), Samuels (7), Murray (6), Yogane (7), Dhanda (5), Graham (6), Cotterill (6), Hamilton (6), Congreve (6). Substitutes: Hay (8), Westley (7), Wright (6), Reilly (6), Robertson (6). Dundee United: Maynard-Brewer (7), Iovu (7), Sevelj (6), Graham (5), Ferry (7), Agyei (6), Fatah (9), Farrugia (7), Stephenson (8), Keresztes (6), Watters (7). Substitutes: Camara (7), Sapsford (6), Russell (6), Strain (6).
Man in the middle for real: Referee Paul Tierney caught in the middle of Chelsea’s new huddle tradition
An awkward moment for Paul Tierney saw him stuck in the centre circle surrounded by Chelsea players before clash with Newcastle. Newcastle took three points away from Stamford Bridge, but before the match, a rather strange moment occurred. The referee for the fixture, Paul Tierney, was stuck in the middle of the new Chelsea tradition, which is huddling in the centre of the pitch. Tierney seemed to look rather confused about what was happening, as cameras beamed right onto the official during the moment. Chelsea player Cole Palmer jokingly hugged the referee before Chelsea started their huddle. On the incident, Liam Rosenior said: “My players made the decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership. That is not my decision. That was a decision between the leadership group and the team. “We’re not being disrespectful to the opposition. If Paul had focused more on his job, which was to make the right decisions, we would have a penalty.” Rosenior is clearly not happy with the referee’s decision and plans to take further action by talking to the PGMOL.
