Today’s Premier League programme started with Manchester City defeating a tough Everton side 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
City found it hard to break the visitors down until the 68th minute when substitute Mario Balotelli’s long range deflected effort beat Tim Howard in the Everton goal.
And City clinched victory in the dying minutes as another substitute James Milner poked the ball past Howard after Royston Drenthe gave the ball away in midfield. The victory put City temporarily top of the Premier League.
Chelsea got back with winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Swansea. However the score wasn’t the big talking point of the game. The Blues took the lead on 29 minutes through a superb right footed finish from Fernando Torres.
The lead was doubled on 36 minutes, Brazilian midfielder Ramires fired through the legs of Swans keeper Michel Vorm’s from an Ashley Cole cross. Two minutes later Chelsea were reduced to ten-men as Fernando Torres flew into a challenge with Mark Gower two-footed on the halfway line.
Ramires doubled his goal tally in the 77th minute as he side-footed past Vorm in the Swansea goal. The visitors got a consolation goal in the 86th minute, defender Ashley Williams heading home superbly from Mark Gower’s cross.
Striker Didier Drogba scored on his return to first team action to complete the victory in injury-time. It was a good reply to the defeat at Old Trafford last weekend for the Blues.
Arsenal claimed a vital three points with a 3-0 victory over Bolton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners struggled to make a breakthrough in the first half but went up a gear in the second. Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey produced a superb ball to Dutch striker Robin Van Persie who fired past Jussi Jaaskelainen to open the scoring.
The Trotters were down to ten men in the 55th minute as David Wheater was dismissed for pulling back Theo Walcott when he was through on goal. Van Persie doubled the Gunners lead with a tap-in 71st minute after good play from Theo Walcott.
Midfielder Alexandre Song finished the scoring off in the 89th minute with a superb effort from the edge of the penalty area. The victory will come as a big relief to beleaguered Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham also claimed three points with a 2-1 victory at Wigan. Tottenham were in the lead in the 3rd minute as midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart slotted home from 15 yards after Emmanuel Adebayor had latched onto a poor back pass and played in the Dutchman.
Spurs doubled their lead in the 23rd minute, Welsh winger Gareth Bale heading home from eight yards from a Luka Modric corner. Wigan were back in the game on 50th minute Mohamed Diame firing an effort into the bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box.
Wigan’s hopes of a come back were dented in the 63rd minute as defender Steve Gohouri was dismissed for a second bookable offence after catching Gareth Bale. Neither side could find the net again and Tottenham headed home with maximum points.
Liverpool got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Wolves at Anfield. Liverpool took the lead in the 11th minute, Wolves defender Roger Johnson deflecting Charlie Adam’s 25 yard strike past his own keeper.
The home side doubled their lead in the 38th minute, striker Luis Suarez blasting home from a difficult angle after latching onto a long ball from full-back Jose Enrique. Wolves came out stronger in the second half and got their reward in the 49th minute.
Wolves substitute Steven Fletcher firing high into the net from close-range from a Stephen Hunt centre. Wolves pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t find one. Liverpool will be happy to collect another three points.
Newcastle also claimed a home victory defeating Blackburn 3-1 at St James Park. Newcastle took the lead in the 27th minute through striker Demba Ba, who fired home from ten yards. The Senegal striker doubled his goal tally three minutes later heading past Paul Robinson in the Rovers goal.
Rovers were back in the game on 37 minutes as Canadian youngster Junior Hoilett smashed home a superb effort after a fantastic first touch. Ba ended hopes of a Blackburn come back in the 54th minute, as the Senegal striker headed a Cheikh Tiote cross past Paul Robinson. Rovers appealed for a foul but the goal was given and Newcastle’s good form continues.
Two strugglers West Brom and Fulham drew a blank at the Hawthorns. Fulham had the better of this poor encounter but couldn’t find a goal to go with their first half dominance. Fulham did have a 13th minute goal ruled out though.
The decision was a very tight one which could really have gone either way. Fulham will still be the happier of the two clubs after this encounter though. West Brom fans and boss Roy Hodgson will be concerned by the teams lack of confidence and poor form.
In the late kick-off Stoke held Manchester United 1-1 at the Britannia Stadium. United started without injured striker Wayne Rooney and found it hard to get going in the first half. However the champions took the lead in the 26th minute.
Portuguese winger Nani played a one-two with Darren Fletcher before firing past Asmir Begovic from just inside the penalty area. Stoke came out of blocks the faster in the second half and equalised in the 52nd minute.
England striker Peter Crouch headed home from close range from Matthew Etherington’s corner. Both teams had chances to win the game in the second half but neither could find a second goal. Stoke will consider this a big point against the champions.
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