Premier League previews: Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle aim to boost European hopes

Everton v Sunderland (3pm)

(Everton will be hoping to bounce back from their draw with Norwich at the weekend)

SUNDERLAND WILL LOOK to build on a respectable home draw with Tottenham Hotspur when they travel to face Everton on Monday.

Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland team held Champions League hopefuls Spurs to a 0-0 draw in the teams’ English Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Sunderland’s Michael Turner credited his defensive colleague Matt Kilgallon with playing a key role in earning a point against third-placed Tottenham.

“It was always going to be a tough game for us against a side pushing for a top-four spot,” Turner said.

“We had to defend very well and try and get chances on the break and put pressure on them that way.

“It was similar to the game against Manchester City last week and it worked well then and again today,” he said, referring to Sunderland’s 3-3 draw at Etihad Stadium.

“It was top drawer again from Matt Kilgallon – he performed really well today (Saturday).
“We made it so that they had to break us down and they couldn’t today so that’s credit to us.

“I think everyone defended well and we’ve got a great point.”

Their next opponents, Everton, also drew in their most recent outing, 2-2 away to promoted side Norwich.

Twice Everton led through goals from January signing Nikica Jelavic, but Jonny Howson and Grant Holt levelled on each occasion to earn a share of the spoils.

Jelavic now has five goals from nine appearances in all competitions since arriving at Goodison Park from Glasgow Rangers.

He scored as Everton knocked Sunderland out of the FA Cup quarter-finals last month, and is likely to pose the chief threat to Martin O’Neill visitors again on Monday.

Moyes has now new injury worries to contend with, although midfielder Jack Rodwell remains in doubt due to a hamstring problem.

Sunderland will be without former Manchester United defenders John O’Shea (calf) and Wes Brown (knee), while striker Fraizer Campbell, also a former United player, is in doubt with a knee issue.

Newcastle v Bolton (3pm)

(Newcastle have enjoyed a fine run of form lately)

Newcastle continue to harbour hopes of an unlikely Champions League berth when they entertain Bolton on Monday in the Premier League.

There will be little respite for either side ahead of the clash – just three days rest for Newcastle who are buzzing after four wins on the bounce, while Bolton have been afforded just two after their disappointing 3-0 loss to Fulham on Saturday.

Newcastle sit level on 56 points with fifth-placed Chelsea and two behind Arsenal ahead of their home game with Manchester City.

And their recent run has been all the more impressive given the likes of Fabricio Coloccini, Chiekh Tiote (both hamstring), Leon Best (knee), Stephen Taylor (Achilles) and Gabriel Obertan (knock) are still on the sidelines.

The deadly Papiss Cisse has scored three consecutive braces in the run of wins for a staggering seven goals in four games and nine goals in eight games for the club since his move from Freiburg.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle was left bitterly disappointed after the 3-0 loss at home to Fulham put the skids on their recent push to avoid the drop.
Coyle’s men bore little resemblance to the side that had recently posted three crucial wins against relegation rivals QPR, Wolverhampton and Blackburn.

That run earned Coyle the manager of the month award earlier in the week but that momentum proved shortlived.

“The level of performance that we’ve had recently wasn’t there today. We have to bring that back,” Coyle said.

Bolton are in 16th but only one point clear of three rivals, QPR, Blackburn and Wigan, with two of that cluster likely to face relegation.

Tottenham v Norwich (3pm)

(Harry Redknapp will be hoping his side can secure a much-needed win - Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport)

Tottenham Hotspur must aim for maximum points at home to Norwich City on Monday as they bid to secure Champions League qualification.

Spurs climbed back to third place in the English Premier League courtesy of a 0-0 draw away to Sunderland on Saturday.

They are just one point above fourth-placed Arsenal, who can regain third spot if they avoid defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

The draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light might be viewed as two points dropped by some observers, but Spurs midfielder Scott Parker remains confident the team have what it takes to secure a top-four finish.

“We have to concentrate on what we can do,” Parker said.

“We need to go and win as many games as we can, six games left we need to keep picking up points and continuing that way.

“I think at the end of the day you have to worry about yourselves, if we win our games we’re fine. We know how good this league is.
“Newcastle have done fantastic along with Chelsea and Arsenal… so it’s all to play for but I think it’s in our hands and that’s where you want it to be.”

Tottenham’s next opponents Norwich managed a credible 2-2 draw at home to Everton on Saturday, twice coming from behind to earn a point.

Promoted as Championship runners-up last term, Norwich have impressed during their first season back among the elite.

They sit 12th on the table, a healthy 12 points clear of the drop zone, and firmly on course to retain their Premier League status.

But it remains to be seen if Paul Lambert’s men have what it takes to derail Spurs’ Champions League ambitions when the teams meet at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is without centre-back Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone for the rest of the campaign, but has no new injury worries to contend with.

Norwich meanwhile are missing striker James Vaughan (knee) and defender Marc Tierney (groin).

Full-back Kyle Naughton, on loan from Spurs, is ineligible to play against his parent club, while midfielder Anthony Pilkington is a doubt due to a hamstring problem.

Aston Villa v Stoke (5.30pm)

(Peter Crouch will be looking to continue his impressive recent form – Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

Peter Crouch can further his claim to a place in England’s Euro 2012 squad when Stoke City travel to Aston Villa on Monday.

Stoke defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 on Saturday, with Crouch netting the winner in the Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium.

Striker Crouch, 31, has netted eight goals in 26 league appearances this season, including a spectacular strike during a 1-1 home draw with Manchester City last month.

And Stoke manager Pulis believes the experienced front man would prove an asset to England at the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

“I’d definitely take Peter to the Euros because he’s a game changer and I don’t think foreign sides like playing against Peter. We found that in Europe,” he said.
“He gives you that aerial presence. Whoever is picking the team, and we don’t know who that is yet, but Peter is a game changer and you need them in your side.”

Next up for Stoke is a short trip to face fellow Midlands side Aston Villa, who earned a credible 1-1 draw away to Liverpool last time out.

Villa have struggled badly for consistency this season, and have managed just one win from their previous nine matches.

They are 16th in the table, six points clear of the drop zone, and by no means safe with seven rounds of the campaign still to come.

For Stoke, defender Andy Wilkinson is a doubt with a groin strain, while midfielder Salif Diao is yet to return from hamstring trouble.

Villa will be missing defenders Richard Dunne (shoulder), Ciaran Clark (knee) and Carlos Cuellar (thigh), while winger Charles N’Zogbia (knee) is a doubt.

The long-term absence of striker Darren Bent (ankle) continues to be felt, while midfielder Stiliyian Petrov’s footballing future is in doubt as he battles acute leukaemia.

Fulham v Chelsea (8pm)

(Di Matteo has been relatively successful since taking over at Chelsea)

Chelsea will continue their bid for Champions League qualification away to west London neighbours Fulham on Monday.

Following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas last month, Chelsea have enjoyed a revival in fortunes under interim manager Roberto di Matteo.

They have reached the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League, while also picking up three wins from five matches in the Premier League.

On Saturday Chelsea saw off Wigan Athletic 2-1 at home, moving to within two points of fourth-placed Arsenal, and three back from Tottenham Hotspur, who are third.

Dressing-room unrest was reportedly a major cause of Villas-Boas’ premature departure, but Di Matteo now appears to have united the squad behind a common goal.

“The players have accepted that we are a team, a group,” he said.

“They realise that everyone is needed to be able to achieve our targets. It’s the only way, we cannot just play with 11 players, we need the whole squad.

“I’m working my socks off to help this team become successful. But so far we have not proved anything and we have not achieved anything.

“We have to ensure we finish well to guarantee Champions League football for next season. That’s the big target.
“At the moment there are four teams fighting for the last two qualifying places and it will go right to the last game of the season.”

Chelsea’s opponents on Monday, Fulham, are a respectable 10th in the standings, and recorded a convincing 3-0 win away to struggling Bolton in their last fixture.

US international Clint Dempsey netted twice in the victory at the Reebok Stadium, and is likely to be among the chief threats to Chelsea’s ambitions when the two teams take to the field at Craven Cottage.

Di Matteo may have to make do without two key defenders, as club captain John Terry (rib injury) and fullback Ashley Cole (ankle sprain) are both in doubt.

A leg injury may also prevent the involvement of midfielder Frank Lampard.

Fulham, already without Zdenek Grygera (knee), Steve Sidwell (groin) and Andy Johnson (knee), look to have been robbed of Bryan Ruiz’s services after the forward suffered a suspected broken toe in the win over Bolton.