It was yet another
exciting and busy weekend in the English Premier League with a clash of titans
in the late kick off on Saturday involving league leaders Arsenal and third
placed Liverpool at the Emirates.
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| Ramsey scores the second for Arsenal from 25 yards. |
Arsenal showed resilience and quality to maintain their fine start to the
season and stretch their advantage by beating Liverpool 2 – nil. Santi Cazorla
gave Arsenal the lead with a fine first-half strike after his header struck the
post and Aaron Ramsey scored his 10th goal of this campaign with a spectacular
long-range effort on the hour. It can be argued that the win was down to Cazorla
and Ramsey for their goals but captain Mikel Arteta gave a midfield masterclass
which overshadowed his Livepool counterparts, setting the platform for a
crucial win. The defensive discipline of Arsenal’s back four also contributed
significantly to the win because Sturridge and Suarez were kept quite the whole
game and had very few chances. Arsenal’s advanced midfielders; Carzola, Ozil
and Ramsey roamed the field with such worrying ease that resulted in a
comfortable win to push the Gunners five points clear at the top.
In the early kick off Chelsea were away to Newcastle United at St James
Pack and what was thought to be a routine three points in the bag and a chance
to move to the top of the league’s standings turned horribly wrong. Newcastle
who have had a bad start to this campaign turned the heat on Chelsea and beat
them by two goals to nil. They grew in confidence from a solid defensive first
half and their offensive play in the second half paid off when Gouffran headed
home Yohan Cabaye's free-kick. The final nail on Chelsea’s coffin came when Roic
Remy curled in a shot from Vurnon Anita's pass. Apparently Mourinho has never
won a single game at the Magpies home ground.
Manchester United who were away to Fulham continued
their resurgence with a 3 – 1 win over Fulham. They scored three goals in a span
of 13 minutes to pile pressure on Martin Jol. Antonio Valencia gave the
defending champions the lead with an easy finish while Robin van Persie scored
the second by rifling in at the near post before Rooney tapped in after 22
minutes. Fulham responded through Alex Kacanilic’s deflected shot with Darren
Bent hitting the bar.
Sunderland suffered their eighth defeat in 10
premier league games after Lee Cattermole and Andre Dossena were sent off in
the first half at Hull. An own goal by Carlos Cuellar earned Hull manager Steve
Bruce victory over his former club at the KC Stadium. The result means
Sunderland remain at second last with only 4 points.
Manchester City highlighted their credentials as title contenders with an emphatic win over jaded Norwich. City’s attacking took centre stage as the thrashed their opponents 7 – 0. Bradley Johnson’s own goal put City ahead before David Silva, Matija Nastasic and Alvaro Negredo struck. Yaya toure scored a free-kick, Sergio Aguero fired in before substitute Edin Dzeko swept home a seventh. This win is City’s biggest in the EPL. Norwish dropped into the bottom three. City are now fifth after Totenham’s goal les draw with Everton on Sunday.
Manchester City highlighted their credentials as title contenders with an emphatic win over jaded Norwich. City’s attacking took centre stage as the thrashed their opponents 7 – 0. Bradley Johnson’s own goal put City ahead before David Silva, Matija Nastasic and Alvaro Negredo struck. Yaya toure scored a free-kick, Sergio Aguero fired in before substitute Edin Dzeko swept home a seventh. This win is City’s biggest in the EPL. Norwish dropped into the bottom three. City are now fifth after Totenham’s goal les draw with Everton on Sunday.
Stoke who were playing Southampton at Britannia
Stadium earned a one all draw courtesy of a goal from their goalkeeper Asmir
Begovic. It was a bizarre goal which came from a long kick 97.5 yards away from
goal. The kick cleared Southampton’s defence before bouncing over visiting
goalkeeper Artur Boruc. Southampton restored parity when Jay Rodriguez scored
the equalizer.
West Brom who were at home beat Crystal Palace 2 – 0
thanks to goals from Saido Berahino and Gareth McAuley.
West Ham drew 0 - 0 with Aston Villa. This ended a
run of three home premier league deafeats. Christian Benteke came closest to scoring for the visitors
when he headed Matthew Lowton's deep cross against the crossbar from six yards
out.
Everton and Tottenham
both passed up the chance to go second in the Premier Laegue after a
frustrating standoff. Roberto Soldado missed with a header from Aaron Lennon’s
cross. Hosts Everton improved after the interval ans they saw a penalty appeal
rejected when Seamus Coleman went down under Jan Vertonghen’s challenge. Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris played on despite suffering a heavy
knock to the head from Romelu Lukaku.
In the Welsh Derby, Cardiff City beat
Swansea 1 nil to move above them in 12th place with 12 points while
Swansea moved down one position to 13th with 11 points from ten
games. Steven Caulker’s towering header gave Cardiff victory. He rose above
visiting defender Chico Flores after 62 minutes to direct Craig Bellamy’s
corner past goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
