Norwich extend unbeaten run to 8
Sunderland dangling above drop zone EPL Results/standings
NORWICH, United Kingdom, Dec 2, (Agencies): Norwich City extended their unbeaten run to eight Premier League games with a 2-1 win at home to Sunderland on Sunday that left the visitors just a point above the relegation zone.
Goals from Sebastien Bassong and Anthony Pilkington put Norwich 2-0 up and although Craig Gardner replied before half-time, Martin O’Neill’s side could not find an equaliser despite a spate of secondhalf opportunities.
Sunderland remain one place above the bottom three, albeit with a game in hand on most of the teams around them, while Chris Hughton’s Norwich climb one place to 12th.
Beaten only once in their previous seven home games, Norwich began brightly at Carrow Road and went ahead in the eighth minute.
Robert Snodgrass’ inswinging freekick glanced off the arm of Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar and into the path of Bassong, who charged in to volley past Simon Mignolet from close range.
Sunderland threatened through Danny Rose, whose low strike from a corner forced a smart save from Mark Bunn, but in the 37th minute, the hosts doubled their lead with a neat goal. Bradley Johnson’s pass released Pilkington and he showed excellent composure to flick the ball inside Cuellar before curling a shot into the bottom-right corner.
Sunderland were floundering, but they grabbed a lifeline on the cusp of half-time when Gardner beat Bunn with a 20-yard shot from Adam Johnson’s lay-off. Pilkington stung Mignolet’s palms with an ambitious volley early in the second half but Sunderland were soon pressing their hosts back in search of an equaliser.
Their best chance arrived just before the hour, with defender Matt Kilgallon spooning the ball over an open goal from 10 yards after Gardner’s swerving 25-yard free-kick came back off the post.
Javier Garrido then had to hack a Gardner effort clear from just in front of the Norwich goal, while Bunn saved from Stephane Sessegnon, who also flashed an overhead kick wide.
Sunderland substitute Connor Wickham, a half-time replacement for injured top scorer Steven Fletcher, then had the ball in the net, only for his celebrations to be cut short by the assistant referee’s flag.
English Premier League clubs made more than 150 million pounds ($240.40 million) profit but paid less than three million pounds corporation tax in their most recent accounts, Britain’s Independent on Sunday newspaper has said.
Although the clubs have done nothing illegal, the newspaper’s investigation has led to criticism of the Premier League by some British politicians.
The news comes in the wake of big multi-nationals such as Starbucks, Google and Amazon being criticised by UK lawmakers for not paying more tax in Britain.
Labour member of Parliament and former sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe told the newspaper: “Even though this isn’t illegal, it’s not right. I will be raising this issue with the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee this week, as a matter of urgency.”
Simon Hughes, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats who form Britain’s governing coalition with the Conservatives, said: “Whatever the accounts of these clubs say, everyone knows that the Premier League is awash with money. This and many other examples that have emerged over recent months demonstrate that the Government should conduct a serious review of our corporate tax regime.” The Independent on Sunday, which noted that the 150 million of profit came off turnover of about 2.2 billion a year, said Manchester United were among five clubs not to pay any corporation tax in their most recent accounts.
“As with all businesses, when we make a profit we pay corporation tax. It’s as simple as that,” a United spokesman was quoted as saying.
A Premier League spokesman said that last season the league’s 20 clubs contributed in excess of 1 billion pounds to the UK Treasury from all taxes. An annual Deloitte review of football finance published last May found that Premier League revenues grew 12 percent to 2.3 billion pounds in 2010/11. However it said the clubs made a modest operating profit of only 68 million pounds combined and, once transfer spending and financing costs were taken into account, were in the red to the tune of 380 million pounds at pretax level.
Rafael Benitez’s position as interim manager at Chelsea is secure despite the Spaniard’s poor start since replacing Roberto Di Mattero, the club’s former assistant coach Ray Wilkins believes.
Benitez, appointed until the end of the season, is under pressure to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around quickly after two draws and Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham since he was recruited by owner Roman Abramovich.