Man City opens a three point gap as Man U falls to a resolute Newcastle United

It was an interesting and a very busy week in the English Premier League.

Man City recovered after that shocking defeat of 1 – 0 by Sunderland when they beat Liverpool 3 – 0 at home. Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina's error gifted Sergio Aguero an early goal and Yaya Toure rose to head home David Silva's corner for a second before the break. Milner converted the penalty for the third after a foul on Yaya Toure by Skrtel.

They opened a three point gap at the top of the premier league table after Manchester United lost their second game in a row when they were beaten by Newcastle United 3 – 0. Demba Ba was on target to net in his 15^th goal of the season. Yohan Cabaye doubled Newcastle's lead with a 30-yard free-kick before Phil Jones diverted in a late own goal.

Arsenal were on away duty to Fulham. They dominated for the first 45 minutes and their only reward was a headed goal from defender Laurent Koscielny in the 21^st minute. Gervinho was, however, unlucky not to win a penalty when he was tripped by Senderos after good work from Robin van Persie. Arsenal however were wasteful in attack, with Theo Walcott and Gervinho particularly frustrating in their inability to finish off some free-flowing moves.

Fulham had a great turn around in the second half. Steve Sidwell headed an equaliser in the 85th minute and Zamora volleyed home to seal a dramatic victory. Arsenal’s Manager, Arsene Wenger criticized the referee decisions among them the sending off of Djourou for a foul on Zamora.

Lampard steers in his 89th-minute winner.

Chelsea beat a determined Wolverhampton when Frank Lampard scored a last-gasp winner as Chelsea secured a first win in five matches with a gutsy and much-improved display against Wolves at Molineux. Stephen Ward seemed to have earned the hosts a point when he smashed Steven Fletcher's cross low into the net.

Tottenham kept up the pressure on the title-chasing Manchester clubs with a hard-fought victory over West Brom. The Baggies frustrated Spurs for more than an hour before striker Jermain Defoe broke their resolve. The diminutive striker, spun on the spot before firing in after good work by Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale.

Here is a snapshot of all the results during the week.

2 Jan 2012 23:59 UK

• Aston Villa 0-2 Swansea
• Blackburn 1-2 Stoke
• Fulham 2-1 Arsenal
• QPR 1-2 Norwich
• Wolves 1-2 Chelsea

3 Jan 2012 23:59 UK

·  Man City 3-0 Liverpool

·  Tottenham 1-0 West Brom
·  Wigan 1-4 Sunderland

4 Jan 2012 23:59 UK

• Everton 1-2 Bolton
• Newcastle 3-0 Man Utd

Today there is a cracker of a match in the FA Cup. It will be a derby at Etihad Stadium between Man City and Man U. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has claimed that rivals Manchester United are still the team to beat but I think he is playing mind games as usual. We wait and see how his team performs without his Talisman Yaya Toure and his Brother Koro Toure who are off to play for Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations.

United boss Alex Ferguson has played down the significance of "two bad results" ahead of the derby and Mancini also refuted suggestions that City's neighbours are on the slide.