Review of Saturday’s Premier League games

Robin van Persie came back to haunt old club Arsenal, as Manchester United defeated the Gunners 2-1 at Old Trafford

Saturday’s Premier League action kicked off at Old Trafford, where Manchester United beat Arsenal 2-1.

All the talk before the game was about striker Robin Van Persie facing his old club and it’s the Dutchman that drew first blood in this clash.

United full-back Rafael broke down the right-wing in the 3^rd minute and produced a cross that Thomas Vermaelen failed to deal with and Van Persie was on hand to fire home from 20 yards.

England striker Wayne Rooney spurned the chance to double United’s lead from the penalty spot just before half-time.

However Rooney was involved in United’s second. Rooney crossed for full-back Patrice Evra to head the home side into a two goal lead.

It got worse for the Gunners in the 69^th minute as midfielder Jack Wilshere was shown a second yellow card and dismissed.

Arsenal got a consolation goal with the last kick of the game as Spanish international Santi Cazorla scored a superb curling effort from just inside the United box. The victory took the home side to the top of the Premier League table.

United replaced Chelsea at the summit after the Blues could only muster a 1-1 draw at Swansea City. Chelsea took the lead in fortuitous style just after the hour mark. Gary Cahill’s header hit Victor Moses’ back and found the net.

The home side rescued a point in the 88^th minute as Spanish midfielder Pablo Hernandez drilled home an equaliser.

Elsewhere champions Manchester City drew 0-0 at West Ham in the late kick-off. The Irons had an early Kevin Nolan goal disallowed, but replays showed that it was a very debatable decision. Italian striker Mario Balotelli wasted City’s best chance of the game.

Fulham scored in the 90^th minute to rescue a point against Everton at Craven Cottage in a 2-2 draw. The Cottagers took the lead in the seventh minute, as Bryan Ruiz’s free-kick hit the post and rebounded off Everton keeper Tim Howard and found the net.

The Toffee’s got a deserved equaliser in the 55^th minute, midfielder Marouane Fellaini side-footing home from Kevin Mirallas’ cross.  Ten minutes later and the Belgian international had his second. Fellaini controlled a Phil Jagielka through-ball superbly, before driving a low effort past Mark Schwarzer.

With the points set to head back to Merseyside substitute Steven Sidwell got in at the far post to score from a Riether cross from close range. Everton will feel hard done by, but it was a decent point in the end for the home side.

Wigan claimed a shock 1-0 win at Tottenham.  The only goal of the game came in the 56^th minute as midfielder Ben Watson scored from close range, after Brad Friedel palmed away Shaun Maloney’s corner.

Norwich defeated Stoke 1-0 at Carrow Road. The Canaries took the lead in the 44^th minute, midfielder Bradley Johnson heading home from winger Robert Snodgrass’ free-kick. The victory moved the home side up to 14^th place in the Premier League.

Aston Villa claimed a crucial 1-0 victory at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. The visitors took the lead in the 57^th minute. Full-back Matt Lowton’s free-kick was headed on by striker Christian Benteke and strike partner Gabby Agbonlahor fired home from close-range. The victory moved Villa five points clear of the relegation zone.

Are Arsenal good enough to finish in the top four of the Premier League?