Chelsea 2 – 3 Manchester United
It was the game of the games this past weekend – Chelsea FC vs. Manchester United. The Stamford Bridge went wild and had to prove that they can win at the Stamford Bridge. ManUnited hasn’t won at the Chelsea ground in over a decade. However, United started the game much better than the host and went up 2:0 in the first 15minutes after an own goal by David Luiz (4th minute) and a great strike by Robin van Persie (12th minute). Chelsea, however, came back and scored the 2:1 in the 44th minute through Juan Mata with a superb free-kick. In the 53rd minute, Chelsea even equalized. Oscar crossed the ball and Ramires with a great header past De Gea – 2:2. After the equalizer, the game was balanced, but than referee Mark Clattenburg took centre stage. Clattenburg sent of Branislav Ivanovic in the 63th minute after fouling Ashley Young and sent off Fernando Torres in the 68th minute after receiving his second yellow for diving. Chelsea fans were furious and United took advantage of the numbers. In the 75th minute scored substitute Hernandez from close range to secure 3 points for United – The first win in over a decade at Stamford Bridge. After the game, Di Matteo said, Clattenburg had “ruined the game”. Also, serious allegations against Clattenbug were made about racial comments wade to Mikel and another Chelsea player.
Everton 2-2 Liverpool FC
The great Merseyside derby is always eventful and full of ecstatic fans on both sides. Liverpool started better in the game and Suarez’s shot was deflected by Baines in the 14th minute and landed in the back of the net. Suarez celebrated his goal in fashion right before the Everton manager Moyes. The Uruguayan extended the lead 5 minutes later to 2:0 after an assist by Gerrard (20th minute). The celebration was more traditional this time but Goodison Park and Everton fans were stunned. The Liverpool celebrations, however, didn’t last long. The 2:1 in the 22nd minute after a stunning finish by Osman. Everton drew hope and played much better now and to no surprise scored the equalizer in the 35th minute through Naismith – his fist goal as an Evertonian. The second half was Suarez’s half. First, it is argued that h should be sent off after a foul from behind on Dustin, than he scored the winner for Liverpool from an offside position. The goal wasn’t given, but Suarez was always a danger. The game finished in a 2-2 draw.
Newcastle United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
Lukaku started for the Baggies and replaced top scorer Long – only his second start of the season after impressing as a substitute last weekend. Newcastle scored the lead in the 35th minute after McAuley’s headed into the path of Ba, who put the ball superbly past Foster – Ba’s 7th goal of the season. Albion, however, always looked dangerous on the counter-attacks. Lukaku equalized Ba’s volley in the 55th minute with a fine header. However, Newcastle got lucky and Cisse’s scored a deflected injury-time winner in the 90th minute and gave Newcastle a barely deserved victory against West Brom at St James’ Park.
Southampton 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham had to win the keep close to the Premier League top teams. It was also a special game for Bale because he left Southampton as a 17 year old in 2007. Tottenham started organised and scored the opener of the night in the 15th minute through Bale. The 1-0 was set up by Defoe and Huddlestone. The American Dempsey extended the lead to 2:0 in the 39th minute. Tottenham clearly dominated the game and should have scored another one before the break but Defoe missed 3 great opportunities. The Saints played better in the second half and got back in the game when Rodriguez finished from a tight angle. Tottenham with an important victory.
Stoke City 0-0 Sunderland
The host Stoke City had great intentions and break the series of six draws in the last 9 games. Quality was missing in the first 45 minutes with a lot of misplaced passes. Stoke created a couple of chances by Charlie Adam and Ryan Shawcross, all of them were denied by Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet. The second half started just like the first one, quality was missing. However, after a rough tackle the game was held up for five minutes because of Andy Wilkinson. He was taken to hospital with a broken leg. Overall, Stoke was the better side but were lucky to draw after Robert Huth handled Steven Fletcher’s shot in the penalty area in the second half.
Manchester City 1-0 Swansea City
City won the last 33 home games and wanted to keep this series going. However, they needed to improve compared to the mid-week loss against Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League. City got lucky in the early minutes after Richards had to clear a dangerous cross by Hernandez. Michu scored the 1-0 for Swansea after a Routledge assist. However, the referee lifted the flag because Michu was offside. Swansea played well, pressured and created two great chances before half time. First, Hernandez failed to convert against Hart before Hart made a great save against Michu. City played better in the second half and Tevez saved the Mancini team in the 61st minute – clearly an undeserved win for City.
Aston Villa 1-1 Norwich City
It was the for meeting of manager Paul Lambert and his old club Norwich City and the media pressure was immense before the game. From the start, Villa appeared nervous and wasn’t able to keep possession in front of the home crowd. However, Benteke scored the lead in the 27th minute after a great assist by Bassong and Turner. Aston Villa calmed down and started to play better. However, when Bennett was dismissed with his second yellow, Norwich completely took control. Turner headed the deserved equalizer in the 79th minute and Villa keeper Guzan had to make several important saves to hold on to the draw. Villa will need to improve in the next games as they are just above Premier League relegation zone.
Arsenal 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
Jack Wilshere made his first start after 17 months of injury. However, Arsenal had to bounce back after losses against Norwich in the Premier League and against Schalke in the Champions League. Arsenal started well and Hoops keeper Cesar had to make several important saves against Giroud in the opening minutes. QPR, however, started to play better and created some chances. However, the game changed after Mbia’s red card. Minutes after, Arteta scored the late winner when he poked in from close range after hitting the bar. However, Queens Park Rangers never gave up and should have scored an equalizer through Granero or Mackie. Important 3 points for Arsenal!
Reading 3-3 Fulham
A game to look forward to for the weekend as Reading, 18th in the Premier League wanted to secure the second win of the season and Fulham had their sight on the top four of the Premier League. Reading controlled the game from the start and Leigertwood scored the opener in the 25th minute – 1:0 Reading. Fulham came back much better after the first half. The Costa Rican Ruiz equalized in the 61st minute with a shot from the edge of the box. Fulham turned the game when Baird headed a Ruiz corner to the 2:1 lead for Fulham. From then on, it went back and forth. Reading substitute McCleary scored the 2:2 equalizer after he put a shot past Schwarzer in the 85th minute. Dimitar Berbatov’s low shot in the 88th minute, looked to have secured the win for Fulham, but Robson-Kanu last-minute goal clinched a point for Reading. What a game! Reading even had a chance to win, but Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer made a double save and denied a stoppage-time winner.
Wigan Athletic 2-1 West Ham United
Wigan wanted the first home win of the season and the Hammers could move up to 4th of the table with 3 points. Both teams started well and Ivan Ramis gave the Latics an early lead in the 8th minute after he scored a magnificent volley. McArthur extended the lead for Wigan Athletics in the 47th minute with a 15-yard strike. James Tomkins headed a late consolation in the 90th minute.
