Spurs lost Rafael van der Vaart to injury but doubled their lead moments later through Modric, who drilled in from 20 yards.

Bale doubled his tally for night with a trademark finish into the bottom corner, before Wigan pegged the home side back through James McArthur’s deflected effort.

Bale, playing Wigan on his own at times, could have scored a hat-trick but was thwarted twice late on.

Tottenham’s title hopes seemed to have been derailed after their 3-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium last week.

But with Manchester City’s slip-up at Everton, Spurs, who were inspired by the exceptional Bale, were relentless early on against Wigan.

Younes Kaboul twice had clean headers cleared off the line – first by Al-Habsi and then by James McCarthy.

Spurs had Wigan pinned inside their own half for long periods and almost unlocked the Wigan defence when Van der Vaart’s extravagant lofted ball over the Wigan defence found Niko Kranjcar, but the Croatian couldn’t quite bring down the high ball.

Spurs eventually took the lead just before the half hour and, predictably, it came via the effervescent Bale.

Collecting Modric’s sweeping long pass on his chest, Bale cut in from the right before tucking the ball past Al-Habsi inside the near post.

But Spurs were dealt a blow moments later when Van der Vaart’s injury curse struck again as the Dutchman limped off with a calf problem.

If Tottenham were affected by the loss of their talisman they certainly didn’t show it, as they moved 2-0 up courtesy of Modric.

Maynor Figueroa’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Jordi Gomez and straight to Modric, who fired in from the edge of the box.

Wigan toiled for a route into the game with Victor Moses, who fired just over, coming closest to halving Tottenham’s lead.

But Spurs were never unduly worried and Bale made it three just after the hour with an expert finish.

Shifting the ball onto his left foot on the edge of the box, Bale bamboozled James McCarthy with a deft drop of his shoulder and explosive finish into the bottom corner.

But Wigan weren’t done and, on the balance of play, deserved their consolation when it came ten minutes from time courtesy of the substitute.

Latching onto a pass by Moses, McArthur squeezed a shot in that deflected off Parker, and looped over Brad Friedel and under the bar.

Rather than shut up shop, Tottenham’s attacking instincts got the better of them as they persistently pushed for a fourth.

Both big chances fell to Bale, who brought a one-handed save out of Al-Habsi after a mazy run and shot.

Then, deep into injury time, there were shades of the San Siro as Bale left Figueroa in his wake before forcing another first class from Al-Habsi with a low shot across the Omani goalkeeper.

The win was less of a spectacle than their record 9-1 routing of Roberto Martinez’s side in 2009, but leaves Spurs close enough to the Premier League summit to be considered challengers again.
Source: Eurosport

TEAM LINE-UP:
TOTTENHAM: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Modric, Parker, Bale, Adebayor, Van der Vaart. Subs: Subs: Cudicini, Dawson, Rose, Livermore, Sandro, Pienaar, Lancaster /// WIGAN: Al Habsi, Boyce, McCarthy, Caldwell, Figueroa, Moses, Watson, Stam, Beausejour, Gomez, Di Santo. Subs: Pollitt, Gohouri, Crusat, McArthur, Sammon, Jones, Rodallega. Referee: Lee Probert.

In a match at Liberty Stadium on Tuesday (31/01/2012), the home team winning once in the first half. The Swans goal scorer is former Chelsea youngster Scott Sinclair.

In the remaining time, Chelsea struggled to find the equalizing goal. But, their efforts more weight after Ashley Cole was sent off at the last minute.

Jose Bosingwa finally appears as the hero of the rescue team. Penetration in the extra time to force Neil Taylor did an own goal and the score finished 1-1 as strong.

A draw is not changing the position of Chelsea in fourth place standings with 42 points from 23 matches. Swansea is ranked 13th with 27 points.

The game

Chelsea had the opportunity in the 12th minute. After receiving feedback Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge fired a shot on goal, but still sideways.

Swansea hit back six minutes later. Bad luck for Danny Graham, though abandoned by the Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, kick can still be stopped by David Luiz.

Juan Mata business in the 31st minute also have led to goals. Volley shots continued Bosingwa’s cross was wide.

Three minutes later, Nathan Dyer had a chance to bring Swansea excel through long-distance shots. However, Cech still be in the right position to secure the ball.

Cech finally succumbed in the 40th minute after goalkeeper Sinclair uprooted. From a set-piece situations, Sinclair who exploit wild ball is apt to remove left-foot volley into the top corner Cech.

Until the end of the first half, Swansea still lead 1-0.

In the second half, Chelsea need goals appear more offensive. Michael Essien, who signed to replace Oriol Romeu has a chance by kicking distance away. However, the direction the ball is still thin on the slide.

Swansea chance to double the score in the 82nd minute through the efforts Dyer. But, his shot into the far still sideways.

Chelsea lost one player from the minute 86. Ashley Cole had to leave the field due to receive a second yellow card.

In the third minute of extra time, Chelsea were finally able to equalize. Bosingwa fruitful penetration action equalizing goal for his team.

Puncture of the right wing, Bosingwa trick Luke Moore and then opened fire. Turned toward the ball after hitting Taylor and then break through the goalkeeper Michel vorm.

Moments after the goal Bosingwa, the long whistle sounded. Equally strong score 1-1.

Team Line-up:
Swansea City: vorm, Rangel, Caulker, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Allen, Sigurdsson (Agustien 67 ‘), Dyer, Sinclair (Moore 78’), Graham

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole, Meireles, Romeu (Essien 65 ‘), Malouda (Lukaku 80’), Sturridge, Torres, Mata

At Molineux Stadium on Tuesday (31/01/2012), Liverpool have not the power to break the opponent’s goal in the first half of the match. Goal that ultimately awaited new born on 52 minutes through Andy Carroll.

1-0 up, Liverpool continued to press. The result, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt added another goal for the visitors.

Additional three points that make Liverpool are now collecting 38 points from 23 matches and temporarily climbed into the top five standings.

The game

Liverpool pressed since the early minutes. In three minutes, Carroll went on to Kuyt’s cross from Bellamy. The first attempt could be blocked Kuyt Hennessey while his second attempt fails.

Wolves back in the 11th minute. David Edwards successfully pushed into the Liverpool defense and Reina to make a rescue.

Three minutes later Edwards threatened again but this time the ball header was wide of the target.

Bellamy then in action on 21 minutes. Distance away swift kick goal against Wolves cruised though ultimately must end up in the hands of Hennessey.

Two minutes later Agger who threaten Wolves goalkeeper. Bellamy’s corner kick the ball despite Hennessey headlong Agger could still prevent the skin round into the net.

Wolves turn pressed again at minute 28. This time the ball at him headlong Fletcher although not right on target.

Liverpool finally lead in the 52nd minute. Cross successfully forwarded to kick Adam Carroll for Wolves goalkeeper.

Bellamy Liverpool doubled their advantage on 61 minutes. Receiving feedback Spearing, Bellamy, who then kicked the ball past Hennessey halauan.

Spearing again sent the ball on 75 minutes, this time to Kuyt. From outside the box, then Kuyt soccer ball toward the goal even though the position has not changed.

Liverpool’s third goal finally born on 78 minutes. From a quick attack, Adam passes the ball to Kuyt who then Wolves goalkeeper to make the score became 3-0.

Teams Line-up:

Wolves: Hennessey, Foley, Berra, Johnson, Ward, Knightly (Ebanks-Blake 61 ‘), Johnson (Hunt 61’), Frimpong (Milijas 83 ‘), Edwards, Jarvis, Fletcher.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger (Carragher 80 ‘), Enrique, Spearing, Adam (Shelvey 80’), Henderson, Kuyt (Aurelio 90 ‘), Carroll, Bellamy.

Two goals in the ‘Red Devils’ at Old Trafford on Tuesday (31/01/2012), both born from the spot after the occurrence of violations of the Stoke players in the forbidden box.

The first goal scored by Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in the 38th minute. The second penalty for Manchester United Dimitar Berbatov completed in the 53rd minute.

With the addition of three points Manchester United now have 54 points, equivalent to the City, which for a while still entitled to sit on top of the standings thanks to the benefits of productivity goals.

The game

Walters fired a shot from long distance speculation on five minutes to test the Amos but the ball was wide. Two minutes later, turn to Jones who opened fire with similar results.

Manchester United continued to press. The difficulty of finding a gap, so long-distance shot option, as did Carrick on 20 minutes although the ball still hit the opponent.

Long-distance shot back retainer MU is released, this time by one minute after the kick Carrick Scholes. Ball on the opposing player and inches wide of the target.

At minute 29, a breakthrough bait that could be pursued terkawal Valencia on the right side. He ran to the left of goal and fired a shot that can be pushed over Sorensen.

A slick attack carried out MU in 33 minutes. The ball bounced around from the foot of Carrick, Park, Berbatov, and then back to Carrick again. From the right side of goal, he sent the ball down the face of goal to eventually leave the field.

In the 37th minute after Chelsea get a penalty imposed Pennant Park. Hernandez advanced to be the executor and finish the job properly.

The referee pointed to the spot for the second time in the game after Valencia’s body pulled Walters in the forbidden box on 52 minutes. Berbatov ahead and sent the ball into the goal despite Sorensen guessing the right direction.

Opportunities to Stoke on 62 minutes. Jerome welcomes a cross to the face of goal with a header that leads right into Chelsea’s goal. Amos caught the ball, releasing it again at the first opportunity and secured on a second occasion.

Evra was dropped Stoke players in the forbidden box in the 70th minute. Showing reruns of the offense, although the referee did not penalize me anymore.

Teams Line-up:

MAN UTD: Amos, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Berbatov, Hernandez (Pogba 73 ‘).

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Pennant, Palacios (Delap 75 ‘), Whitehead, Walters (Fuller 75’), Jones, Crouch (Jerome 58 ‘)

City actually controlled the game at Goodison Park on Tuesday (31/01/2012). Statistics Soccernet noted they dominated possession up to 68 percent and fired 21 shots.

However, the above statistics is not enough to generate the points for City. They still lost to the host team.

The only goal in the second half Everton created. From a counter-attack, Darron Gibson goalkeeper Joe Hart.

This defeat did not shake the position of City at the top the standings with 54 points from 23 matches. But, the points they equaled by Manchester United who at the same time a 2-0 win over Stoke City. Everton is ranked ninth with 29 points.

The game

Everton threatened first in the fifth minute. Utilizing corner Royston Drenthe, Denis Stracqualursi header towards goal direct City. But, still there is Joleon Lescott of stemming the ball at the goal line.

Entering the 23rd minute, Sergio Aguero action could make a fuss Everton defense. Although faced with three defenders, Aguero could still outsmart them and opened fire. But, the ball was wide.

The home side threatened again in the 36th minute. However, Marouane Fellaini kick from the middle of the penalty box is still thin on the side of the goal Hart.

City’s best chance in the first half created a few moments later. From the counter-attack, Samir Nasri fired remotely. Although already out of reach of Tim Howard, the ball off the crossbar into the goal as thwarted.

After halftime, the City is increasingly showing its dominance. Edin Dzeko could not take advantage of good opportunities in the 48th minute when his header went Gael Clichy crossing right leads into the arms of Howard.

Busy attacking, City even conceded first. Through a counter-attack, Everton the lead thanks to goals from Gibson in the 60th minute.

Starting Leighton Baines cross, the ball fell at the feet of Landon Donovan. Donovan then gave the ball to Gibson, who immediately grabbed it with a hard shot. Had turned over the direction of the City players, the ball penetrating the goalkeeper Hart.

In the remaining time, the City’s defense shut the home team. But, none of opportunities that they can be fruitful goal.

At the long whistle sounded, Everton still lead 1-0.

TEAM LINE-UP:
Everton: Howard, Neville, Hibbert, Heitinga, Baines, Donovan, Gibson, Fellaini, Drenthe (Baxter 79 ‘), Cahill, Stracqualursi (Vellios 88’)

Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott (Kolarov 68 ‘), Clichy, Barry (De Jong 86’), Milner (Johnson 61 ‘), Silva, Aguero, Nasri, Dzeko