Premier League Results from Today
Manchester United and Chelseas win while Arsenal and Liverpool Draw
Today's Premier League results see Manchester United move to the top of the League with six second half goals against managerless, Newcastle United. Arsenal draw at home.
Manchester United and Chelsea benefited from Arsenal and Liverpool dropping points this weekend. United have moved to the top of the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Arsenal with Chelsea four points behind.
Saturday, 12th January
Manchester United 6 Newcastle United 0 (H-T: 0-0)
Managerless Newcastle United suffered in the second half at Old Trafford as United scored six after a scoreless first period. Christiano Ronaldo set them off with a goal early in the half and went on to complete his hat-trick. Carlos Tevez added the second and sixth goals, while Rio Ferdinand scored the fourth, five minutes from time. United scored three goals in the final five minutes.
Chelsea 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (H-T: 1-0)
Chelsea maintained their unbeaten home record and their dominance of Spurs who haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1989. A long range shot from full back Juliano Belletti gave Chelsea the lead but as Spurs came more into the game after the interval, it was Shaun Wright-Phillips who settled the game, ten minutes from the end. Nicolas Anelka made his Chelsea debut as a late substitute and had a shot against the crossbar.
Arsenal 1 Birmingham City 1 (H-T: 1-0)
Arsenal lost their advantage at the head of the Premier League by drawing with Birmingham City. AThey dominated the first half and a penalty from Emmanuel Adebayor put them ahead but Garry O’Connor equalised early in the second half and Birmingham held on for a draw.
Middlesbrough 1 Liverpool 1 (H-T: 1-0)
Liverpool salvaged a draw at Middlesbrough, thanks to a Fernando Torres second half equaliser after George Boateng had given the home side a first half lead. Having already beaten Arsenal at the Riverside, Middlesbrough continued their good home record against the top sides. Liverpool are in fourth place, twelve points behind the leaders and with their title challenge faltering, they are only ahead of three other clubs on goal difference, something that must continue to increase the pressure on manager, Rafa Benitez.
Everton 1 Manchester City 0 (H-T: 1-0)
Everton defender Joleon Lescott scored the only goal of the game in the first half to defeat Sven Goran-Eriksson’s side and move into fifth, ahead of them on goal difference.
Aston Villa 3 Reading 1 (H-T: 1-0)
Villa are also on thirty nine points between Everton and City after their win over Reading. A goal in each half from John Carew and one from Martin Laursen made the game comfortable. Reading’s late consolation goal was scored by James Harper. Reading’s poor away record continues to halt their progress.
West Ham United 2 Fulham 1 H-T: 1-1)
Fulham’s new manager, Roy Hodgson saw his side take an early lead through Simon Davies at Upton Park. However, West Ham levelled with a goal from Dean Ashton midway through the first half and then Anton Ferdinand scored the winner with twenty minutes remaining.
Derby County 0 Wigan Athletic 1 (H-T: 0-0)
In the battle between the teams at the bottom, Derby who had Robbie Savage and Hassim Ghaly making their debut, conceded the only goal eight minutes from time. The home side played for the last thirty minutes with ten men after Claude Davis was sent off. Substitute Antoine Sibierski scored Wigan’s goal for their first away win of the season.
Sunday, 13th January
Sunderland 2 Portsmouth 2 (H-T: 2-0)
Sunderland won their second successive home league game to help their fight against relegation with two goals from Kieran Richardson. It was a disappointing result for Portsmouth whose manager, Harry Redknapp, turned down the opportunity to take over at Newcastle United and they drop behind in the race for a European place next season.
Bolton Wanderers 1 Blackburn Rovers 2 (H-T: 1-0)
A last minute goal from substitute Jason Roberts gave Blackburn the three points after Bolton had taken the lead just before half-time with a strike from Kevin Nolan. In a poor game defender Christopher Samba equalised from a corner shortly after the interval. Blackburn move up to eighth, tracking the clubs chasing a European place while Bolton remain near the bottom, concerned about relegation.
