Newcastle defeated Everton 2-1 in the Premier League early kick-off at St James Park to go temporarily second in the Premier League.
The home side took the lead in rather fortunate circumstances as Everton defender Johnny Heitinga poked past his own keeper from a Danny Simpson cross.
Newcastle’s second goal however was all class as full-back Ryan Taylor hit an unstoppable effort on the half volleyed in off the upright.
A superb strike from the boyhood Liverpool fan. Everton looked to have got back into the game on the stroke of half-time when midfielder Jack Rodwell headed home from Leighton Baines corner.
Newcastle tired in the second-half but the visitors couldn’t take advantage. Newcastle were relieved to hear the final whistle in the end as they held on to their unbeaten league record this season.
Elsewhere Arsenal eased to a 3-0 home victory over West Brom. The Gunners took the lead in the 22nd minute Robin Van Persie scoring after Theo Walcott’s shot was saved by Baggies keeper Ben Foster.
The home side doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Van Persie found defender Thomas Vermaelen inside the area and the Belgian international made no mistake. Van Persie also had a hand in the third goal in the 74th minute finding Spaniard Mikel Arteta before the midfielder found the net with neat finish.
Manchester United survived a scare in their home match beating Sunderland 1-0 at Old Trafford. United took the lead on the stroke of half-time as Danny Welbeck’s header hit Wes Brown and found the Black Cats net.
United failed to find their best form today but didn’t have to with Sunderland lacking a real cutting edge up front. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt be celebrating his 25th anniversary with a glass of wine. For Sunderland Steve Bruce’s problems continue to mount.
Chelsea scraped a 1-0 victory at struggling Blackburn Rovers. The first half was goalless but the visitors took the lead in the 51st minute. England international midfielder Frank Lampard headed home completely unmarked in the middle of the Rovers area from a Branislav Ivanovic cross for the only goal of the game.
Blackburn pushed for an equaliser and gave Chelsea a few scares. However the visitors held on and claimed their first clean sheet in ten games.
Aston Villa claimed a 3-2 victory over Norwich at Villa Park in a pulsating encounter. The visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute from a superb curling free-kick from Anthony Pilkington. Five minutes later Villa were back on level terms as Darren Bent fired home from a superb Gabriel Agbonlahor cross.
And the home side were ahead just after half-time. Norwich defender Leon Barnett under-hit a back-pass to his keeper and Agbonlahor nipped in to round John Ruddy and find the back of the empty net. Villa extended their lead and it was Darren Bent who produced a good finish after another brilliant cross from Agbonlahor.
The Canaries looked like they could get back into the game in the 75th minute as striker Steve Morison headed home from close-range. Both sides had chances to score in the last 15 minutes but neither could find the target.
Villa boss Alex McLeish will be pleased with the performance and the three points. Norwich boss Paul Lambert will be disappointed with the result but not his teams performance.
Liverpool and Swansea drew 0-0 at Anfield in a tight encounter. Liverpool were on top for long periods and hit the woodwork. Swansea however were no pushovers and had their own chances to snatch all three points.
Liverpool fans, players and staff will be frustrated by what they will see as two points dropped. However Swansea deserved to take a point home with them for their battling display.
Manchester City managed to win 3-2 at QPR, despite the home sides superb effort. The home side took a deserved lead in the 28th minute as striker Jay Bothroyd headed home from a Joey Barton free-kick. The visitors were back on level terms in the 43rd minute as City striker Edin Dzeko cut in from the wing and fired past Paddy Kenny.
City were back in the lead in style in the 53rd minute. Spanish midfielder David Silva controlled a Dzeko cross on the run before firing past Kenny. A superb finish from the little midfielder. QPR didn’t give up the fight though and in the 70th minute got their reward.
Armand Traore’s cross was headed towards goal by Jay Bothroyd, only for the ball to hit Heidar Helguson on the back and go past Joe Hart in the City goal. However City were back in the lead in the 74th minute, midfielder Yaya Toure powering a header past Paddy Kenny from a Alexander Kolarov cross.
QPR battled for an equaliser and Helguson was unlucky as he hit the woodwork with a header. The leaders held on to three crucial points though and regain their five point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
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