Mikel Arteta released Bacary Sagna down the right in the 19th minute and the full back’s excellent cross was headed firmly onto the post by Cazorla
Browsing: English Premier League
Just as the new EPL entrants is confident of having Osaze in their fold, the Jose Mourinho’s side are expected to parade yet another Nigerian in John Obi Mikel, who had just returned to London after assisting the Super Eagles beat Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia counterparts by 2-1 in Addis Ababa to inch closer to Brazil 2014 finals
Football fans in Nigeria say it will be a morale booster for MIkel after a long goalless spell in the club
Both the 32-year-old and boss, Steve Clarke, are keen for a parting of the ways but representatives of the forward are still awaiting a decision from Albion on the asking price for any transfer
The former Eagles skipper, speaking on a Super Sport programme on Sunday, said the home based-Eagles’ performance in the tournament did not meet the expected standard
The Nigerian international was last week linked with a move to Sunderland FC in the English Premier League as it was gathered that the club’s gaffer, Paulo Di Canio, is trusting Obi to bring stead into the club’s midfield
Martinez has also hinted he could go back to raid his old club, Wigan, with midfielders James McCarthy, former Evertonian Callum McManaman, James McArthur, Spanish defender Ivan Ramis, and striker Aroune Kone all possible targets
The Gunners just had to win at St James’ Park to ensure their spot in the top four and made no mistake on Tyneside
Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match in charge of Manchester United saw his side throw away a 5-2 advantage as West Bromwich Albion battled back to claim a share of the spoils in a 10-goal encounter
In an announcement on its website late on Monday, Manchester City said that despite the effort of everyone in the team, the club failed to achieve any of its set targets this season except qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for next season
Arsenal have no new injury worries with Arsene Wenger’s only selection dilemma being whether to select Kieran Gibbs or Nacho Monreal at left-back, while Jack Wilshere is also fighting to be given the nod over Tomas Rosicky
Ferdinand struck the winner three minutes from time, yet another one of the late goals, which have been a feature of Ferguson’s 26-year reign at the club
Obi, who missed the London derby against Tottenham at the Stamford Bridge due to a hand injury, will provide Chelsea boss, Rafa Benitez, more options in their race for the top four finish
Arsenal’s quickest Premier League goal and the swiftest of the season – surpassing efforts by Robin van Persie – secured Arsene Wenger’s side a straightforward win over hapless QPR, who are now without a goal in four games and six hours
Hull, relegated from the Premier League in 2010, had gone into the game without a win or a goal in their previous three matches
Meanwhile, it was gathered that QPR owner, Tony Fernandes, is still interested in bringing the Nigerian to the Loftus Road despite their relegation from the EPL to the lower league
John Terry, Ashley Cole, John Mikel Obi, Juan Mata, Oscar and Demba Ba are all expected to replace Gary Cahill, Ryan Bertrand, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Victor Moses and Fernando Torres from the previous starting XI
A win for either would have kept them mathematically in the hunt for survival and relegated the losers, whereas the draw condemned both clubs to the lower championship
It was, though, Arsenal – without suspended forward Olivier Giroud – who raced into the lead as Theo Walcott beat the offside trap to fire the hosts ahead inside two minutes
Chelsea’s next Premier League clash comes at Manchester United before the London derby with Spurs on May 8, which could prove decisive in the Champions League qualifying race