Sunderland 1 v 3 Arsenal Giroud (11), Gardner (p,48), Ramsay (67 and 76)
Ramsay double sinks Sunderland. Arsenal started the game in good fashion and in the 11th minute opened the scoring when Giroud headed in Ozil's cross. Sunderland almost immediately levelled but Diakite headed onto the bar. Altidore had a long range shot saved comfortably whilst Walcott had two shots saved as well as heading wide before half time. Two minutes into the second half and Sunderland were awarded a penalty after Johnson was fouled by Koscielny inside the box. Gardner coolly slotted the penalty into the back of the net to equalise. Sunderland thought they had taken the lead but Fletcher's goal was disallowed for offside. Gardner nearly gave Sunderland the lead but his free kick bounced off the post, only to roll across the goal face. However, it was Arsenal who took the lead as in form Ramsay volleyed in Jenkinson's cross. The referee then controversially disallowed Altidore's goal for already having blown for a free kick. Sunderland's day got even worse as Ramsay scored his second of the game by slotting home Giroud's pass. It was all too much for Di Canio who was eventually sent off from the dugout.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Aaron Ramsay who continued his great form and scoring streak. Ozil impressed in what was a dominant first half for Arsenal. However, Sunderland really deserved to lead in the second half as they were hard done by from the woodwork and officials. Arsenal got away with one there.
Everton 1 v 0 Chelsea Naismith (45)
Naismith snatches win for Everton. Chelsea were on top in the first half but they failed to convert any of their chances in front of goal. Eto'o headed over early on before Jelavic had a header saved. Chelsea should have opened the scoring but Eto'o had his effort blocked in front of an open goal. Ramires had a shot well saved before Ivanovic headed wide. However, it was Naismith who put Everton in front after headed in from close range just before half time. The second half contained more pressure from Chelsea but Everton defended strongly. Schuurle chipped into the side netting just after time before Hazard had his shot blocked and Eto'o put the rebound wide. Mirallas came close to doubling Everton's lead but his free kick was saved before having another shot saved. In the closing minutes, Baines hit the bar with a free kick as Chelsea failed to equalise.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Barkley for an impressive midfield performance. Chelsea certainly had their chances throughout the match but failed to convert any as Eto'o looked out of sorts. A typically solid effort from Everton who will be delighted to take victory from this game.
Tottenham 2 v 0 Norwich Sigurdsson (28 and 49)
Sigurdsson double sinks Norwich. Tottenham largely dominated the game in the first half and created plenty of opportunities to score. Soldado came close early on but his shot hit the post. Eriksen blasted over before Soldado had a shot that deflected wide. Tottenham took the lead just before the half an hour mark as Sigurdsson curled into the far corner after a neat interchange with Eriksen. Norwich created their first chance just before the break but Van Wolfswinkel's effort was blocked. Soon after the break, Sigurdsson doubled his and Spurs' tally for the afternoon by tapping in a Paulinho cross. Tottenham continued their attack as Sigurdsson had another shot well saved before Townsend had his shot blocked.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Christian Eriksen for his brilliant creativity in the Spurs midfield. Tottenham really dominated this game and should have scored a few more to reflect how the match went. A very poor showing from Norwich who will hope for better away days.
Man United 2 v 0 Crystal Palace Van Persie (45), Rooney (80)
Van Persie and Rooney give United victory. Manchester United dominated the first half but failed to create many chances. It was a poor start from Young who was given a yellow card for diving inside the box, much to David Moyes agitation. Van Persie came closest to scoring five minutes before half time after his volley crashed off the crossbar. Gayle had Palace's best chance of the first half but could only chip wide of the post. On the stroke of half time, Young was brought down legitimately inside the box after being fouled by Dikgacoi which resulted in the referee pointing to the spot. Further punishment for Palace was handed out as Dikgacoi was given a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Van Persie duly converted the penalty to give United the lead going into half time. The second half was a United onslaught but it took a while for them to double their lead. Young and Fellaini both had their shots well saved before Rooney scored with a curling free kick 10 minutes before the end.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Wayne Rooney for showing lots of quality on the ball as well as scoring with a great free kick. United ultimately deserved to win as they dominated the match but Palace will feel aggrieved by the penalty decision and resulting sending off as it was an ambiguous call from the referee.
Aston Villa 1 v 2 Newcastle Ben Arfa (12), Benteke (67), Gouffran (73)
Gouffran steals points for Newcastle. It was a closely contested first half at Villa Park but Ben Arfa opened the scoring in the 12th minute after slotting home from Remy's cross. Villa couldn't find a reply before half time as Clark could only shoot into the side netting. Villa were a better team in the second half but they wasted plenty of chances with Agbonlahor scuffing wide before Ben Arfa had an effort saved. Benteke managed to equalise for Villa after heading in from a corner. However, their lead didn't last very long as Gouffran slotted home from a parried save six minutes later to put Newcastle back in front.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Hatem Ben Arfa who was the difference between the two teams today. Newcastle showed signs of improvement at Villa today and will hope that continues. Villa created chances but were very sloppy with their finishing in front of goal.
Stoke City 0 v 0 Man City
Stoke hold Man City to goalless draw. The first half was fairly even with both teams creating chances. Walters amazingly headed wide before Negredo curled his shot over the bar. Jones had a shot blocked before Kolarov hit a free kick over before half time. It was more of the same in the second half as neither team could convert any of their chances. Walters missed the ball from a low cross before Jovetic volleyed over. Jones headed over the bar whilst Jovetic headed wide at the other end. Hart spared Man City's embarrassment after saving from a deflection off Nastasic.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Charlie Adam who had the most creative influence on the pitch. Stoke really should have won this game but Walters just couldn't put the ball in the net. Man City didn't look very creative and deserved to only get the draw.
Hull City 1 v 1 Cardiff City Davies (40), Whittingham (59)
Whittingham earns Cardiff draw. In a closely contested first half, it was Hull who took the lead before half time. Graham had an early shot go wide before Campbell had his effort saved. Aluko shot into the side netting before Huddlestone had a shot saved. Davies opened the scoring five minutes before half time to put Hull into the lead after heading in a cross. Cardiff struck back to equalise on the hour mark as Whittingham converted from a well placed cross. Gunnarsson headed wide before Aluko had his goal disallowed for offside.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Aluko for being a constant threat up front for Hull. A draw was a fair result here but Hull had the better chances to come away with a win.
Fulham 1 v 1 West Brom Sidwell (21), McCauley (90)
McCauley salvages a late point for West Brom. Fulham deserved to be in the lead going into half time as they created more opportunities. However, it was Brunt who had the first shot on goal but his effort was saved. Sidwell put Fulham ahead after smashing in from a corner before Berbatov had his goal ruled out for offside. Soon after the break, Berbatov had another goal disallowed for offside before Anichebe had his shot saved. Berbatov saw his overhead kick go over the bar before Ruiz actually hit the bar with his shot. Fulham had yet another goal ruled out as Rodallega was adjudged to be offside. In a late twist to the game, McCauley scored with a header in the dying moments to equalise for West Brom.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Steve Sidwell for being a driving force in midfield. Fulham should have won this game but Berbatov really needs to stay onside. West Brom will be pleased to snatch a late point.
Best Goal of the Day: Both Ramsay goals are today's contenders but his first goal was the better goal.
Performance of the Day: Everton played very well and deserved their win over Chelsea.
Upset of the Day: Chelsea failing to score and losing to Everton.
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