 |
|
Arsenal’s Dutch striker Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during their English Premier League match against Wigan Athletic at The DW Stadium in Wigan yesterday. |
Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 3-0 win over Newcastle United yesterday, as Manchester City stayed top with a 5-1 victory over Norwich City.
Tottenham Hotspur won their sixth game in a row, beating Bolton Wanderers 3-0, Manchester United won 1-0 at Aston Villa, while Blackburn Rovers climbed off the bottom as Yakubu scored all four in a 4-2 win over Swansea City.
In a pulsating game at St James’ Park in which the woodwork was struck five times, Chelsea weathered a second-half storm before sealing the game with two late goals.
Newcastle were furious that David Luiz was not sent off for hauling down Demba Ba when he seemed to be clean through in the fourth minute, but thereafter they were grateful to Tim Krul for keeping them in it before half-time.
The Dutch keeper saved a Frank Lampard penalty and made a string of saves from Daniel Sturridge but was eventually beaten by Didier Drogba’s header eight minutes before half-time.
Chelsea were under pressure for much of the second half, but goals in the closing minutes from Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge secured their win.
Villas-Boas admitted his side had been lucky. “We have been treated unfairly for quite some time as well and maybe today the decision fell our way,” Villas-Boas said. “I’m sure Alan will not be happy.”
Pardew wasn’t. “I am going to have to look at the rule book,” he said. “It’s a sending-off, it’s as simple as that. It changed the game.”
Manchester City maintained their unbeaten record with a comfortable win over Norwich.
Sergio Aguero put City ahead after 31 minutes, poking in a Micah Richards cross, and Samir Nasri added a second as keeper Jon Ruddy misjudged the French forward’s free-kick.
Yaya Toure curled in a third midway through the second half and although Steve Morrison headed one back, the win was rounded off late on by Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson. “People automatically assume now we are going to go out and get five, six, seven or eight goals against these teams,” said City first-team coach David Platt.
“To be honest, we would take one as long as there was no reply because that would get you three points all the same.”
Tottenham Hotspur secured a 3-0 win over 10-man Bolton Wanderers.
Gareth Bale flicked in a Luka Modric corner after seven minutes - his fourth goal in his last five league games - and Bolton’s day rapidly got worse as they suffered their fifth red card of the season, Gary Cahill being harshly dismissed for a foul on Scott Parker by controversial referee Stuart Attwell.
Even Spurs boss Harry Redknapp thought the decision odd. “I thought the sending-off was harsh,” he said. I was shocked when they gave him a red card.
“I was surprised the lad got a red when Scotty was so far away from goal.”
Spurs had chance after that, and finally added a second through Aaron Lennon five minutes after half-time. Jermain Defoe got the third from a Bale flick-on Manchester United were comfortable 1-0 winners at Aston Villa.
Phil Jones got the only goal with a controlled volley. Arsenal’s resurgence continued with a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic, who dropped to the bottom.
Arsenal won the game with two goals the space of a minute just before the half-hour. Mikel Artete got the first with a swerving shot and Thomas Vermaelen headed a second from a Robin van Persie corner.
Gervinho then knocked in the rebound after a Van Persie shot was saved, before Van Persie converted a Theo Walcott pass.
Yakubu got his sixth hat-trick in English football in Blackburn’s win.
The Nigerian forward slammed in the first from Gael Givet’s cut-back after 20 minutes and, although Leroy Lita headed Swansea level, Yakubu restored their lead just before half-time, diverting in a volley from substitute Simon Vukcevic.
His third came 12 minutes after half-time as Christopher Samba headed across goal.