Fulham 2 v 3 Liverpool Toure OG (8), Sturridge (41), Richardson (63), Coutinho (72), Gerrard (90pen)
First Half: Tunnicliffe has a shot parried behind at the near post. Goal! 1-0, Fulham take the lead as Richardson's low cross is turned into his own net by Kolo Toure who slices an attempted clearance horribly in from close range. Suarez has a deflected shot parried behind at the near post. Suarez blasts an effort high and wide of the near post. Goal! 1-1, Liverpool equalise as a brilliant Gerrard through ball finds Sturridge who slots home inside the far post. Sturridge fires a long range shot just over the bar.
Half Time: 1-1.
Second Half: Suarez shoots a free kick just wide of the far post. Sidwell has a shot from the halfway line saved from the top corner. Gerrard has a backheel effort saved. Suarez hits the far post with a low shot from the edge of the box. Goal! 2-1, Fulham take the lead as Skrtel blocks a cross but the ball falls to Richardson who taps in from close range. Goal! 2-2, Liverpool equalise as Coutinho slots a low shot from the edge of the box into bottom near corner. Coutinho fires a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the far post. Penalty! Reither fouls Sturridge inside the box. Goal! 2-3, Liverpool score a dramatic late winner as Gerrard strikes past the keeper into the near side from the spot.
Full Time: 2-3.
Fulham (20th) 20pts
Liverpool (4th) 53pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Gerrard. Liverpool score late winner at The Cottage. Fulham put in a really impressive performance but a silly foul by Reither in the final few minutes cost them dearly. They took the lead twice and looked like they were going to cause an upset and take one or more very important points for them. However, they were pegged back twice by two world class goals but should should have held on for a point. Fulham remain bottom of the table and four points off safety. Liverpool showed some strong determination to get a result from what proved to be a really tough game. A huge three points for their top 4 and title challenge and it will give the team a real confidence boost to have recovered from some tough situations in that match. Two very classy goals got them back on level terms twice and they rode their luck to get a last minute penalty. However, Gerrard took it well and sealed three massive points. With that win, Liverpool trail Chelsea by 4 points.
Newcastle United 0 v 4 Tottenham Hotspur Adebayor (19,82), Paulinho (53), Chadli (88)
First Half: Adebayor has a low shot deflected wide of the far post. Paulinho has a close range blasted shot parried behind at the near post. Cisse has a close range effort parried away. Goal! 0-1, Spurs take the lead as a Bentaleb cross is parried straight to Adebayor who simply taps in from close range. Cisse hits a lob over the keeper wide of the near post. Lennon strikes the outside of the near post with a low shot from the edge of the box.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Goal! 0-2, Adebayor has a low blasted shot from long range parried to Paulinho who slots home into the near side. Dummett hits a low driven shot wide across goal. Gouffran has a long range driven shot parried away. Debuchy has a header tipped over the bar. Cisse has a header saved by the keeper. Goal! 0-3, Townsend has a shot parried before Adebayor scores with a shot into the ground that bounces over the keeper and into the far side. Goal! 0-4, Chadli scores with a brilliant long range curling shot into the far side.
Full Time: 0-4.
Newcastle (9th) 37pts
Spurs (5th) 50pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Bentaleb. Spurs run riot over Newcastle. Overall, Newcastle were pretty poor and got soundly beaten. Cisse had some really good chances but failed to take any of them as some poor finishing in front of goal cost the Toon today. Pardew will have his work cut out to improve their next performance after such a disappointing result. With that loss, Newcastle fall one place into 9th. Spurs were very strong and dominated a poor Newcastle team. Adebayor was impressive as usual, scoring two goals whilst Chadli scored a long range screamer which could see him push for a few more starts this season. Just what was needed for the Spurs team who continue to push for 4th spot.
Arsenal 0 v 0 Manchester United
First Half: Van Persie goes through on goal but has a low shot saved. Wilshere has an effort deflected wide of the post. Giroud puts a header wide of the near post following a corner. Giroud fires a shot from the edge of the box high and wide of goal.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Koscielny has a header headed off the line by Valencia following a corner. Giroud puts a header wide of the far post. Mata drags a low shot wide of the near post. Giroud spurns a chance wide of the far post. Van Persie has a great header parried onto the bar by a great save. Cazorla has a low shot parried away from the near bottom corner. Cazorla has a low shot from long range saved at the near bottom corner.
Full Time: 0-0.
Arsenal (2nd) 56pts
Man United (7th) 42pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Cazorla. Goalless draw at Emirates. Giroud had an off day, wasting some good chances for Arsenal. They made De Gea make some decent saves but never really created a must score chance. It was an average performance but they will most likely be pleased with a point. United were much better defensively and as a result, stopped Arsenal from scoring. RVP had some really good chances, most notably in the first five minutes as he went through on goal but scuffed a poor shot. He was denied by a truly world class save in the second half after combining well with Rooney. Signs of improvement for United but still plenty of work needs to be done.
Stoke City 1 v 1 Swansea City Crouch (17), Chico (52)
First Half: Dyer hits the top of the bar with a misdirected cross. Goal! 1-0, Stoke take the lead as Odemwingie hits a low shot against the far post before Crouch slots home the from the rebound into the far side. Arnoutovic has a long range blasted shot parried over the bar. Canas puts an effort wide of the near post. Dyer fires a shot from the edge of the box wide of the far post.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-1, Swansea equalise as Chico scores with a flicked header into the far side. Bony has an effort cleared off the line. De Guzman has a driven shot from long range parried away from the far side.
Full Time: 1-1.
Stoke (14th) 27pts
Swansea (10th) 28pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Crouch. Chico seals point for Swansea. It was more a case of a point gained for Stoke rather than anything else. They took the lead but were under constant pressure from Swansea from then on. However, they do fall one place to 14th. Garry Monk has started reasonably well as the new Swansea manager and his team deserved to at least take a point away from this one. After going behind, they battled hard and got an equaliser early in the second half. They didn't create too much but Bony came closest when his effort was cleared off the line. Monk will try and get the team playing better but things are looking bright for him so far.
West Bromich Albion 1 v 1 Chelsea Ivanovic (45), Anichebe (87)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Chelsea take the lead just before half time as Ivanovic slots home from Luiz's flick on following a corner.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Willian has a driven shot from long range parried behind. Willian has a shot from the edge of the box saved. Thiemy blasts an effort from close range wide across goal. Brunt puts a volley wide of the far post. Goal! 1-1, The Baggies score a late equaliser as Anichebe scores with a flicked header into the far side from a Berahino cross.
Full Time: 1-1.
West Brom (17th) 24pts
Chelsea (1st) 57pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Anichebe. West Brom deny Chelsea at the Hawthorns. West Brom contained Chelsea pretty well for most of the game and were only undone by Ivanovic just before half time. They pressed on more in the second half and created more chances for themselves. Eventually, the equaliser came with three minutes left to play as Anichebe was on hand to head on a good cross from Berahino. A massive bonus point for the Baggies that gets them out of the relegation zone into 17th. Chelsea seemed comfortable but didn't really threaten too much going forward as much as they should have. They scored just before half time and Willian had some good shots saved in the second half. However, a very poor last twenty minutes invited lots of pressure on themselves and they inevitably conceded. Two points dropped for Chelsea and they bring others in the title race closer to themselves.
West Ham United 2 v 0 Norwich City Collins (84), Diame (90)
First Half: Hooper has a header parried away. Snodgrass is put through on goal but is denied by a blocked save. Tettey has a shot parried away from the far side.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Hooper has a low shot from close range saved. Diame has a low shot from close range parried behind. Goal! 1-0, The Hammers take the lead as Collins heads in from a Diame cross. Goal! 2-0, The Hammers score with a fast break that ends with Diame scoring with a low deflected shot into the near side.
Full Time: 2-0.
West Ham (11th) 28pts
Norwich (16th) 25pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Diame. Hammers win yet again. West Ham will have Adrian to thank after that result as the keeper made plenty of decent saved to keep a vital clean sheet. They managed to keep themselves in the game and in the final ten minutes took their chances well to seal another 2-0 victory. With that win, they climb up four places in the league to 11th and enable some breathing space from the drop. Norwich only have themselves to blame for that result. They created plenty of chances but failed to take a single one. Adrian did have a brilliant game in goal but Norwich really should have scored. To add insult to injury, West Ham scored twice in the final six minutes as Norwich somehow went away with nothing. The result means that Norwich are only 1 point above the relegation zone.
Hull City 0 v 1 Southampton Fonte (69)
First Half: Lambert fires a shot just wide of the near top corner. Lambert has an effort denied by a blocked save. Long hits the far post with a flicked header before Boyd has the rebounded effort tipped over the bar. Rodriguez hits the bar with a long range strike.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 0-1, Saints take the lead as Fonte has a header parried, Lallana has the rebounded effort parried and Fonte scores from close range with a low effort from the second rebound. Shaw has a low shot parried at the far bottom corner before Guly has the rebounded effort parried behind. Aluko has a low shot from the edge of the box parried away from the near bottom corner. Cork hits a long range driven shot against the bar/post.
Full Time: 0-1.
Hull (13th) 27pts
Saints (8th) 39pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Fonte. Saints seal win at KC stadium. Hull had their chances in this game but were unable to take any of them. Shane Long hit the post in the first half whilst Aluko kept threatening the Saints goal. However, it just wouldn't go in for Hull and they paid a heavy price as a result. With that loss, Hull fall two places into 13th. Southampton looked like the better team and deserved to win the game. Fonte scored the only goal but it could have been two or three. Rodriguez and Cork both struck shots against the bar but they will pleased to take three points back with them. With that win, they move ahead of Newcastle into 8th.
Cardiff City 0 v 0 Aston Villa
First Half: Campbell has an effort saved onto the far post before Noone hits the bar with a long range shot that deflects against the woodwork.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Bacuna drags a low shot wide across goal. Delph has a deflected driven shot from long range parried behind. Agbonlahor has an effort deflect wide of the near post. Weimann has an effort denied by a great save over the bar.
Full Time: 0-0.
Cardiff (19th) 22pts
Villa (12th) 28pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Marshall. Goalless draw in Cardiff. Cardiff created the better chances in the first half but were unable to take the lead. Noone came closest to breaking the deadlock but his long range strike came back off the bar. They were on the back foot for most of the second half and Marshall made some top saves to deny Villa from scoring. An important point for Cardiff who close the gap to two points from safety. Villa should have won this match and will be disappointed they didn't. They were slow to get going but improved in the second half. However, they were constantly denied by a wonderful performance from Marshall.
Best Goal: Sturridge, Coutinho, Chadli. Winner: Chadli
League Leaders
1. Chelsea 57pts
2. Arsenal 56pts
3. Man City 54pts
4. Liverpool 53pts
5. Spurs 50pts
Relegation Battle
16. Norwich 25pts
17. West Brom 24pts
18. Sunderland 24pts
19. Cardiff 22pts
20. Fulham 20pts
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Liverpool 5 v 1 Arsenal Skrtel (1,10), Sterling (17,52), Sturridge (20), Arteta (69pen)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Liverpool take the lead as Skrtel volleys in from close range from a Gerrard free kick. Goal! 2-0, Skrtel scores again, this time heading in from Gerrard's corner into the far top corner. Sturridge misses with a chip over the keeper wide of the far post. Suarez hits the near post with a long range volley before Toure spoons the rebound wide of an open goal. Goal! 3-0, Sterling scores after tapping in at the far post from close range following a low Suarez cross. Goal! 4-0, Coutinho finds Sturridge with a through ball, who calmly slots a low shot into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Half Time: 4-0.
Second Half: Goal! 5-0, Sterling has a shot parried before tapping in the rebound into the near side. Sterling puts a close range shot into the side netting. Suarez has a free kick parried over the near top corner. Henderson clips a shot wide of the far post. Penalty! Gerrard fouls Oxlade-Chamberlain inside the box. Goal! 5-1, Arteta scores from the spot, firing it straight down the middle. Arteta has a low free kick parried away from the far bottom corner. Sterling has an effort block saved wide of the near post.
Full Time: 5-1.
Liverpool (4th) 50pts
Arsenal (2nd) 55pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Sterling. Liverpool thrash sorry Arsenal. What a performance from Liverpool. That will send out a very strong message to the league and title contenders. One of the best, fastest and brilliant starts to a game I have seen in a very long time. They were 4-0 up inside 20 minutes against a startled Arsenal side. Sterling had a brilliant game whilst Skrtel proved to be immense in the opposition box. Suarez didn't even get on the scoresheet which shows Liverpool are more than just a one man team. Arsenal were simply the equivalent of rabbits frozen in the spotlight. They conceded within the first minute and failed to stop the Liverpool onslaught. The defence were just blown away by the intensity of Liverpool's play. By 20 minutes they game had gone. Arteta scored from the spot to salvage a consolation goal but their will be plenty of questions pointed in Wenger and Arsenal's direction after this shocking result. Consequently, Arsenal fall off the top of the table into second.
Chelsea 3 v 0 Newcastle United Hazard (27,34,63pen)
First Half: Ben Arfa has a low shot saved at the near post. Ben Arfa has a low shot from the edge of the box saved. Oscar misses with a low shot from the edge of the box just wide of the near post. Goal! 1-0, Chelsea take the lead as Hazard fires a low shot into the far bottom corner. Sissokho has an effort block saved wide of the near post. Goal! 2-0, Hazard plays a neat one-two with Eto'o before slotting a low shot into the far bottom corner. De Jong has a header saved.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Eto'o has an effort saved. Lampard has a free kick tipped over. Penalty! Eto'o is fouled inside the box by Mbiwa. Goal! 3-0, Hazard scores from the spot with a low strike into the far bottom corner to complete his hat-trick. Salah has an effort parried away. Marveux puts an effort into the side-netting.
Full Time: 3-0.
Chelsea (1st) 56pts
Newcastle (8th) 37pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Hazard. Magical Hazard hat-trick. Chelsea were very strong today and deserved to win the game. They will have to thank Eden Hazard as his display was majestic. He's proving himself to be one of the best players in the league and scored a fantastic hat-trick to blow Newcastle away. With that win, Chelsea move to the top of the table and lead Arsenal by one point. Newcastle started the game well but were just undone by the brilliance of Hazard. They created some decent chances but were just unable to take one. Newcastle will definitely have easier days than that.
Norwich City 0 v 0 Manchester City
First Half: Olsson has a long range drive shot deflected over the bar. Redmond blasts a shot wide of the near post. Yobo has a header parried before Hooper has a goal ruled out for offside. Jovetic has a goal ruled out for offside. Negredo heads against the bar following a corner. Jovetic has a low volley from the edge of the box saved.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Jovetic heads wide of the near post. Pilkington has a shot across goal parried over the bar.
Full Time: 0-0.
Norwich (16th) 25pts
Man City (3rd) 54pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Olsson. City held to goalless draw at Carrow Road. Norwich played really well and deserved to take at least a point away from the game. They created some good chances but were unable to take any but they defended well and managed to keep City from scoring which is no mean feat. With that point, Norwich move up one place into 16th. City had their chances but scuppered every chance. They came closest through Negredo who headed against the bar but that was about it. Pretty average and more questions will be posed about their away form. In the end, they were forced to hang on for a point. However, with that result, City move down one place into third and trail Chelsea by two points.
Swansea City 3 v 0 Cardiff City Routledge (47), Dyer (79), Bony (85)
First Half: Routledge has a low shot saved. Whittingham has a long range volley saved.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-0, Swansea take the lead as Hernandez plays in Routledge who curls in a low shot into the far bottom corner. Bellamy hits the top of the bar with a blasted shot from the edge of the box. Dyer blasts over the bar from long range. Kim heads over the bar. Goal! 2-0, Dyer scores from a Routledge cross, heading into the far bottom corner. Goal! 3-0, Bony scores with a header into the far top corner from a Hernandez free kick.
Full Time: 3-0.
Swansea (10th) 27pts
Cardiff (19th) 21pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Hernandez. Swansea win the Welsh derby. The first half was a cagey affair and not many chances were created by either team. However, Swansea came out much more strongly in the second half and looked like the better team. They scored an early goal and went from strength to strength. It will delight them more that they obtain the bragging rights in south Wales after having lost to Cardiff earlier in the season. With that win, the Swans move up two places into tenth. Cardiff created a few chances but were generally poor. They didn't look like much of a threat in front of goal and were soundly beaten. Thus, they remain in 19th and battling relegation.
Crystal Palace 3 v 1 West Bromich Albion Ince (15), Ledley (27), Thievy (46), Chamakh (69pen)
First Half: Anichebe has an effort saved. Dann puts an effort over the bar from close range. Goal! 1-0, Palace take the lead as Ince scores with a low chip over the keeper into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-0, Ledley scores with a header into the near side from an Ince corner.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: Goal! 2-1, Thievy scores with a shot that beats the keeper at the near side. Morrison has a long range driven shot parried behind. Sinclair has an effort denied by a great save. Penalty! Chamakh is fouled by Foster in the penalty area. Goal! 3-1, Chamakh scores from the spot with a low strike into the far bottom corner.
Full Time: 3-1.
Palace (14th) 26pts
West Brom (18th) 23pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Ince. Palace seal vital victory over Baggies. Massive win for Palace and played really well. Ince and Ledly both made big impacts by getting on the score sheet. Pulis seems to be doing a decent job with Palace and with this sort of form I can see them avoiding relegation. With those three points, Palace move up three places into 14th. West Brom created chances but didn't take enough of them. They were pretty poor in the first half but came out strongly in the second. Thievy scored early after half time to half the deficit but they were unfortunate to have conceded a soft penalty which put the game to bed. With that loss, the Baggies drop two place and into the relegation zone in 18th.
Southampton 2 v 2 Stoke City Lambert (6), Odemwingie (38), Davies (41), Crouch (44)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, Saints take the lead as Lambert scores with a free kick that goes in via the inside of the far post. Goal! 1-1, Stoke equalise as Odemwingie is put through on goal by Adam before slotting past the keeper from the edge of the box into the centre of goal. Goal! 2-1, Saints go back in front as a Davies Cross goes untouched and finds its way into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-2, Stoke level again as Crouch heads in from close range from an Adam corner.
Half Time: 2-2.
Second Half: Rodriguez heads wide of the near post following a corner. Schneiderlin hits a low shot into the side-netting.
Full Time: 2-2.
Saints (9th) 36pts
Stoke (13th) 26pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Adam. Stoke claw back twice to earn draw. Southampton were good going forward but conceded two sloppy goals to let two points drift away. They went ahead twice but got pegged back rather than holding out for what should have been three points. Stoke will be pleased that they showed some fight today after coming back twice to equalise. Overall, it seemed that both teams cancelled each other out as there were very few noteworthy chances throughout the second half. With that point, Stoke fall two places down to 13th.
Aston Villa 0 v 2 West Ham United Nolan (46,48)
First Half: Jarvis puts an effort wide of the near post. Westwood volleys wide of the far post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 0-1, West Ham take the lead as Downing finds Nolan who flicks past the keeper into the near side. Goal! 0-2, Nolan scores again, this time with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Benteke heads wide of the near post. Albrighton hits the far post with a long range driven shot. Benteke hits a header against the bar. Benteke hits an overhead kick over the bar.
Full Time: 0-2.
Villa (12th) 27pts
West Ham (15th) 25pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Nolan. Nolan at the double for Hammers. Aston Villa only have themselves to blame for losing that game as a very sloppy five minutes straight after half time really cost them. However, they fought back valiantly and were actually unfortunate not to have scored as both Albrighton and Benteke hit the woodwork. The result means that Villa drop down two places to 12th. West Ham dug in during the first half and made it tough work for the home side. They then came out of the traps very quickly after half time, scoring twice in the space two minutes. Nolan scored twice to provide the Hammers with three very valuable points which very much helps their bid to avoid the drop. After taking the lead, the Hammers managed to somehow hold on for a clean sheet. The win means that the Hammers move up three places and out of the relegation zone to 15th.
Sunderland 0 v 2 Hull City Long (16), Jelavic (62)
First Half: OFF! Brown is shown a straight red card for fouling Long and being the last man. Huddlestone has a low free kick saved. Livermore is denied with a blasted shot by a great parry over the bar. Goal! 0-1, Hull take the lead as Long heads in from close range from Livermore's volley. Jelavic has a header really well parried away from the near top corner. Long hits the inside of the far post with a long range blast. Johnson has a volley from the edge of the box saved.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Jelavic drags a low shot wide across goal. Goal! 0-2, Jelavic scores with a header into the far top corner.
Full Time: 0-2.
Sunderland (17th) 24pts
Hull (11th) 27pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Long. Hull strikers seal victory. Sunderland were put right on the back foot very early on in the game as Wes Brown received a straight red card for denying Shane Long a goalscoring opportunity. From then on they failed to create much going forward and were constantly pressed in their own half. A disappointing result for the Black Cats means that they fall three places down to 17th, just above the drop zone. Hull took full advantage of the extra man they had for the majority of the game as they dominated and controlled Sunderland. Steve Bruce will be delighted to see both of his strikers score as things are beginning to look brighter for Hull. With the three points, Hull move up two places into 11th.
Best Goal: Sturridge, Hazard, Routledge, Ince, Lambert, Nolan. Winner: Hazard.
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Stoke City 2 v 1 Manchester United Adam (38,52), Van Persie (47)
First Half: Rooney volleys a cross from Evra wide of the near post. Van Persie has a header deflected over the bar. Goal! 1-0, Stoke take the lead as a long range free kick from Adam deflects off Carrick and into the far side, wrong footing De Gea.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Goal! 1-1, United level as Mata plays in Van Persie who coolly slots into the far side. Goal! 2-1, Stoke go back in front as Adam scores an absolute screamer from the edge of the box into the far top corner. Arnautovic curls a low shot wide of the far post. Assaidi strikes a volley just over the bar. Young heads wide across goal. Rooney has a free kick well parried before Cleverly fires the rebound over the bar.
Full Time: 2-1.
Stoke (11th) 25pts
Man United (7th) 40 pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Adam. Adam stuns United at the Britannia. Charlie Adam scored twice to provide Stoke with three very important points and take yet another huge scalp at home this season. They battled hard throughout the match and earned the right to win. Their first goal was fortunate as it took a huge deflection but Adam's second was a worthy winner. Consequently, they move up five places into 11th. United had a day to forget at Stoke. The conditions were against them, both centre backs hobbled off injured and the luck went against them. It was clearly just one of those days. Overall, United played poorly but after equalising with a nice goal early in the second half, I expected them to go on and win it. However, they were denied by a world class strike five minutes later which killed any momentum.
Newcastle United 0 v 3 Sunderland Borini (19pen), Johnson (23), Colback (80)
First Half: Alonso heads just over the bar following a free kick. Penalty! Bardsley is fouled inside the box by Anita. Goal! 0-1, Sunderland take the lead as Borini smashes high into the far side from the spot. Goal! 0-2, Johnson scores after tapping in from close range Colback's parried deflected shot. Ameobi blazes over the bar from long range.
Half Time: 0-2.
Second Half: Tiote has a long range strike parried behind. Ameobi heads wide of the far post following a corner. Johnson goes on a dribble inside the box and hits the far post with a low shot. Ameobi has an effort block saved behind. Ameobi has a header cleared off the line. Goal! 0-3, Colback scores after being put through on goal and slotting through the keeper into the far side.
Full Time: 0-3.
Newcastle (8th) 37pts
Sunderland (14th) 24 pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Borini. Sunderland win Toon derby. It was clear to see that Newcastle badly missed the presence of Cabaye in midfield as they got completely outplayed. A very poor performance from the team which left the Magpies faithful with their heads in their hands. They will need to bounce back quickly from such a poor display and devastating loss to their fierce rivals. Sunderland were by far the better team and deserved to come out comfortable winners. It was a pretty dominant display and Poyet will be delighted with such a strong away performance. With that win, Sunderland climb three places in the table to 14th.
Cardiff City 2 v 1 Norwich City Snodgrass (5), Bellamy (49), Jones (50)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Norwich take the lead as Snodgrass slots in from close range from a deflected Olsson cross. Johnson blazes a shot over the bar from the edge of the box. Mutch fires an effort wide of the near post. Johnson has a strike from the edge of the box deflected over the bar.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Goal! 1-1, Cardiff level as Zaha plays in Bellamy who scores with a low shot under the keeper. Mutch fires a low close range shot just wide of the far post. Goal! 2-1, Cardiff take the lead as Jones has a close range header parried before converting the rebound into the near top corner. Johnson has a long range shot tipped against the bar. Mutch fires a shot that deflects off Jones before hitting the far post. Redmond is denied with a low shot by a great parry before Hooper has a header cleared off the line. Fer is denied with a header by a great parry before Hooper fires a shot into the sidenetting. Snodgrass hits the near post with a header following a corner. Bassong puts a header over the bar.
Full Time: 2-1.
Cardiff (19th) 21pts
Norwich (15th) 24pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Marshall. Jones seals vital win for Cardiff. Three massive points secured for Cardiff who desperately needed that result today. It was clear to see that the introduction of Zaha completely changed the game as well as the atmosphere. He created more chances for team and looked a real threat in the attacking half. Consequently, they turned the game around and took the lead with two goals in as many minutes. Marshall was brilliant in goal and kept out numerous Norwich chances to ensure the win was sealed. Cardiff climb off the bottom of the table and move up one place into 19th. Norwich can count themselves unlucky. They deserved to take away a point from the match. They looked at ease in the first half but two early second half goals threw them off their goal a little bit. However, they created plenty of chances before full time and were unfortunate not to have scored a second goal. With that loss, Norwich move down three places into 15th.
Everton 2 v 1 Aston Villa Bacuna (34), Naismith (74), Mirallas (85)
First Half: McGeady hits the far post with a curling shot. Goal! 0-1, Villa take the lead as Bacuna slots a low shot under the keeper into the far side.
Half Time: 0-1.
Second Half: Osman fires a low shot wide across goal. Benteke nearly scores an own goal after his clearing header goes wide of the near post. Goal! 1-1, Everton level as Pienaar puts Naismith through on goal who scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-1, Everton take the lead as Mirallas scores with a long range free kick into the top near corner. Naismith has a close range header saved.
Full Time: 2-1.
Everton (5th) 45pts
Villa (10th) 27pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Mirallas. Mirallas wonder free kick seals win. After going behind, Everton fought back strongly and deserved to win the game. They kept creating chances and eventually they paid off. Naismith took his goal well whilst Mirallas scored a superb free kick to put the Toffees ahead. With that win, Everton leapfrog Spurs up to 5th. On the whole, Villa played reasonably well. They took the lead and looked like they might take something away from the game but they were just beaten by two really good goals.
Fulham 0 v 3 Southampton Lallana (64), Lambert (70), Rodriguez (74)
First Half: Sidwell slices a clearance in defence but the keeper parries it away from goal. Hangeland has a header parried away following a corner. Bent has a volley well parried away. Bent is denied by a blocked save from the keeper.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Schneiderlin puts an overhead kick over the bar. Goal! 0-1, Saints take the lead as Lambert plays Lallana through on goal who slots a low shot into the far bottom corner. Goal! 0-2, A Clyne low cross finds Lambert who fires a shot into the far side. Goal! 0-3, Rodriguez scores after cutting inside and unleashing a brilliant strike into the far top corner.
Full Time: 0-3.
Fulham (20th) 19pts
Saints (9th) 35pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Lallana. Saints run riot at the Cottage. Fulham actually had the better of the first half but failed to take any of their chances before half time. However, they were outplayed in the second half and got soundly beaten. Morale is pretty low amongst the team, especially now that they fall to the bottom of the table. Southampton were lacklustre in the first half but kept themselves in it. A magical ten minutes in the second half proved pivotal as the Saints raced ahead, scoring three goals and sealing the three points.
West Ham United 2 v 0 Swansea City Nolan (26,45)
First Half: Goal! 1-0, West Ham take the lead as Carroll knocks a header down to Nolan who volleys into the far bottom corner. Goal! 2-0, Carroll heads down towards to Nolan who heads into the far bottom corner.
Half Time: 2-0.
Second Half: De Guzman has a long range shot deflect wide of the near post. OFF! Carroll is shown a straight red card for swinging an elbow at Chico. Bony sends a volley over the bar.
Full Time: 2-0.
West Ham (18th) 22pts
Swansea (12th) 24pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Nolan. Nolan at the double for Hammers. The partnership and understanding between Carroll and Nolan proved pivotal in the outcome of this match as they linked up well for both goals. However, it looked like Carroll was unfortunate to receive a straight red card for supposedly elbowing Chico. They will most likely appeal as Carroll would be a massive loss for the next three games. The Hammers edge ever so closer out of the relegation zone with that win but remain in 18th. Swansea had a day to forget as they never got going in the match. Not one of their best efforts as they didn't create too many chances in front of goal . As a result, the Swans fall one place to 12th.
Hull City 1 v 1 Tottenham Hotspur Long (12), Paulinho (60)
First Half: Jelavic fires a volley just over the bar. Adebayor has a volley from the edge of the box well parried over the bar. Goal! 1-0, Hull take the lead as Long is put through on goal before slotting a shot past Lloris at the near side. Jelavic fires a free kick wide of the near post.
Half Time: 1-0.
Second Half: Soldado has an effort parried past the near post. Goal! 1-1, Spurs level as Paulinho blasts the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Jelavic hits the near post with a close range effort. Bentaleb fires a long range volley wide of the near post. Jelavic has a low shot across goal saved.
Full Time: 1-1
Hull (13th) 24pts
Spurs (6th) 44pts
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Jelavic. Spoils shared at KC stadium. Hull looked really good and deserved to win today. However, they just couldn't keep that clean sheet but it was a good point gained. Spurs had a tough day at the office and never looked like winning but they didn't look like they were going to lose either. They managed to get an equaliser on the hour mark but didn't create too much after. With that result, Spurs move down one place into 6th.
Best Goal: Van Persie, Nolan, Mirallas, Rodriguez, Adam. Winner: Adam
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Manchester City 4 v 2 Cardiff City Dzeko (14), Noone (29), Navas (33), Y.Toure (76), Aguero (79), Campbell (90)
First Half: Navas has an effort across goal blocked. Turner misdirects a clearance onto his own near post. Goal! 1-0, City take the lead after Dzeko scores from close range with an effort that bobbles over the line. Negredo slices a volley wide of the far post. Goal! 1-1, Cardiff level after Noone cuts inside the defence and scores with a low shot that sneaks inside the near post. Goal! 2-1, City go back in front after a fast break ends with Navas scoring with a low shot from the edge of the box into the far side.
Half Time: 2-1.
Second Half: Silva fires a close range shot wide of the far post. Noone has a long range shot parried past the post. Goal! 3-1, Yaya Toure plays a one two with Nasri before slotting a low shot into the near bottom corner. Goal! 4-1, Aguero goes past a defender twice before scoring with a close range shot into the far top corner. Noone has a long range shot parried away. Goal! 4-2, Campbell scores from close range, tapping in from a corner set piece.
Full Time: 4-2.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Yaya Toure. It was expected that Man City would win and they did so, scoring four goals. However, there were some poor defensive errors that Cardiff managed to make them pay for. Job done for City but room for improvement. The highlight for Cardiff was Noone having a great game. Their best player today and deservedly scored a goal. Have to give them credit for coming to the Etihad and scoring twice but they couldn't stop the barrage of shots coming at their goal.
Arsenal 2 v 0 Fulham Cazorla (57,62)
First Half: Ozil has an effort cleared off the line. Sidwell has a long range volley well punched away. Sagna has a low shot parried.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Gnabry has a shot from the edge of the box parried. Sagna has a low close range effort cleared off the line. Goal! 1-0, Arsenal take the lead as Cazorla plays a one two with Wilshere before slotting a shot into the far side. Goal! 2-0, Cazorla scores from the edge of the box with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Podolski has a long range driven shot parried onto the near post. Bent fires an effort just wide of the near post. Kasami has a free kick saved.
Full Time: 2-0.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Cazorla. Arsenal controlled the game but struggled to make possession pay as for a large part of the match they failed to convert their chances. However, a brilliant five minute spell saw Cazorla grab two goals and the match. Fulham did well to hang on at 0-0 for so long but a five minute lapse of concentration proved costly as they came away with nothing.
Liverpool 2 v 2 Aston Villa Weimann (25), Benteke (36), Sturridge (45), Gerrard (53pen)
First Half: Agbonlahor taps an effort just wide of the near post. Westwood has a fierce strike saved. Clark heads onto the far post following a corner. Goal! 0-1, Villa take the lead as Weimann taps in an Agbonlahor cross. Goal! 0-2, Benteke scores after heading in from close range an Agbonlahor cross. Goal! 1-2, Sturridge scores with a low chip over the keeper into the far side.
Half Time: 1-2.
Second Half: Penalty! Guzan fouls Suarez inside the box. Goal! 2-2, Liverpool equalise as Gerrard scores from the spot with a low shot into the bottom corner. Delph fires a long range curling shot just wide of the far post. Henderson has a low shot from the edge of the box parried. Suarez fires a free kick just wide of the near post.
Full Time: 2-2.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Agbonlahor. Liverpool were given a shock today, going two down in the first half. Sturridge's goal just before half time was vital to their mindsight going into half time and they did well to recover and score the equaliser. They had their chances to win the match but in the end it was a good point to get. Villa played their best match for a while after putting in a much better display. They deservedly took the lead and capitalised on it by scoring the second. If they could have gone into half time 0-0 then they may well have won the game but Liverpool always looked like getting that second half equalizer.
West Ham United 1 v 3 Newcastle United Cabaye (16,90), Remy (33), Williamson OG (45)
First Half: Taylor puts a header wide of the near post. Goal! 0-1, Newcastle take the lead as Cabaye scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Sissokho has a low shot parried. Goal! 0-2, Remy scores after chesting the ball down and poking past the keeper. Cabaye has a long range shot parried at the near post. Goal! 1-2, Cole chests the ball down before firing a shot that deflects off Williamson and under the keeper.
Half Time: 1-2.
Second Half: Remy has a shot parried. Cole scuffs a chance wide of the far post. Carroll volleys over the bar. Goal! 1-3, Cabaye scores with a free kick that goes in via the inside of the near post.
Full Time: 1-3.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Cabaye. West Ham certainly had their chances but were unable to take enough of them. At 2-1 down they were still in the game but in their efforts to equalize they conceded a late goal to end the match. Great win for Newcastle who played really well. Encouraging stuff for Pardew and the Toon army.
Sunderland 2 v 2 Southampton Rodriguez (4), Lovren (31), Borini (32), Johnson (71)
First Half: Goal! 0-1, Southampton take the lead as Rodriguez scores with a long range strike into the far side. A Shaw cross deflects onto the near post. Lambert volleys wide across goal. Rodriguez has a low shot saved. Goal! 0-2, Lovren scores with a volley into the far bottom corner following a corner. Goal! 1-2, Borini scores after chesting the ball down from a cross and beating Boruc at the far post. Lambert has a free kick parried away.
Half Time: 1-2.
Second Half: Rodriguez has a shot saved. Goal! 2-2, Sunderland level as Johnson scores with a fierce blast into the roof of the net. Gardner has an effort from the edge of the box parried at the far post.
Full Time: 2-2.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Borini. Sunderland showed some real spirit today after coming back from 2-0 down to take a point from the match. They got off to a slow start and paid dearly for it but it was an important point gained in the end. Southampton dominated most of the match and rightly led 2-0. However, some poor defending let Sunderland back into the game whilst they failed to take more of their many chances. A point gained for the Saints but they should really have taken all three.
Crystal Palace 1 v 0 Stoke City Puncheon (51)
First Half: Ward heads just wide of the far post. Wilson has a header well parried past the post. Pieters volleys wide of the near post.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Adam fires a low shot from the edge of the box just wide of the far post. Goal! 1-0, Palace take the lead as Puncheon scores with a low shot into the far bottom corner. Adam fires a long range blast just wide of the post. Ward has a fierce strike saved before the keeper makes a double save to deny both Puncheon and Ward. Puncheon has a low shot saved.
Full Time: 1-0.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Puncheon. Palace deserved to win whilst Puncheon turned from villain to hero today. After missing a dreadful penalty last week, Puncheon put in a strong performance and got the winning goal. Three massive points which will build their confidence. Stoke came close to scoring but it just wasn't to be today. Not ideal for Stoke but they will keep battling away.
Norwich City 1 v 0 Hull City Bennett (87)
First Half: Jelavic fires a low shot just wide of the near post. Rosenior volleys wide of the far post. Van Wolfswinkel misses with a low shot wide of the near post. Snodgrass has a long range shot parried.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Hooper volleys over from long range. Pilkington has a shot that deflects over the bar. Goal! 1-0, Norwich take the lead as Bennett heads in at the far side following a corner. Red Card! Huddlestone is sent off for a second yellow card. Bruce heads wide of the near post.
Full Time: 1-0.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Bennett. A massive win for Norwich who desperately needed that. It came with three minutes to go but it they held on during the game well and took their chance. Not Hull's best day as they had plenty of early chances which they wasted. Frustrating to lose so late into the game whilst losing Huddlestone may prove costly in games coming up.
Best Goal: Y.Toure, Cazorla, Cabaye, Rodriguez, Lovren. Winner: Yaya Toure
