Arsenal 7:3 Newcastle
Newcastle traveled to the Emirates Stadium with good intentions. However, Arsenal had the better start and Walcott with the lead in the 20th minute after a brilliant pass by Podolski. Newcastle, however, defended deep and created some great chances. Ba scored the equalizer in the 42nd minute with a deflected free-kick. Oxlade-Chamberlain brought Arsenal back in to the lead with the 2:1 in the 50th minute. However, this time it was Marveaux who equalized in the 59th minute – 2:2! Podolski again with the lead for Arsenal in the 64th – 3:2 Arsenal. Again, it was Ba who equalized only 5 minutes later in the 69th minute – 3:3! Newcastle ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes and the Walcott show began. First Walcott brought Arsenal back in to the lead in the 73rd minute, than he set-up two Giroud goals in the 84th and 87th minute, before he converted to the final 7:3 in the 90th minute. Arsenals beat Newcastle in a 10-goal thriller and extend the winning streak to 4 in a row. Arsenal is 5th now in the Premier League only 2 points behind Chelsea and will face Southampton on January 1st. Newcastle remains 15th in the table and will play Everton at home on January 2nd.
Norwich City 3:4 Manchester City
Norwich, currently 11th in the Premier League is a class of its own at home after beating Arsenal and Manchester United at Carrow Road. Manchester City, on the other side, just returned from a 1:0 defeat against Sunderland and needed to secure 3 points to keep track of Manchester United. City clearly had the better start after Aguero and Silva found Dzeko in the 2nd minute – 1:0 City. City added the second one only 2 minutes later. Canaries keeper Bunn rushed out of his goal, Aguero laid the ball back for Dzeko who just had to finish the ball in an empty net – 2:0 City. Anthony Pilkington’s free-kick in the 15th minute brought Norwich back into the game. The signs were good after Nasri was dismissed in the 43rd minute. The French winger squared up against Bassong after a tackle and reacted angrily. He appeared to flick his head and referee Jones had no other option. However, Aguero restored the 2 goal lead after he flicked the ball over Bunn in the 50th minute – 3:1 City. Norwich scored the 3:2 in the 63rd minute trough Martin, but Dzeko scored again just 4 minutes later – 4:2 City. Martin with the final 4:3 in the 75th minute. Manchester City secured important 3 points remain 7 points behind Manchester United. City will play Stoke on January 1st and Norwich will travel to West Ham.
