Both Manchester clubs win as Premiership becomes two horse race
We were treated to another enthralling Premier League weekend, despite there not being as many goals as we have been used to over recent weeks.
The early kick-off between Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur ended in a 0-0 draw, which both sides seemed to be fairly happy with. Spurs has the better chances, but could not convert them and QPR will see it as a point gained rather than two dropped.
The pick of the fixtures at 3PM was Reading v West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies looked as though they had the game won at 2-0 with just eight minutes left on the clock, but Reading then produced a comeback from nowhere and ended up winning the match 3-2 with a last-gasp winner from Pavel Pogrebnyak.
It might be a result that gives the Royals the confidence they so desperately need.
Jonathon Walters was grabbing the headlines for all the wrong reasons as Stoke City hosted Chelsea on Saturday.
The striker scored two own goals and missed a penalty in the Potters 4-0 defeat to the European Champions, a result that saw the away side move into third position in the league.
Sunderland also had a good afternoon as they were comfortable 3-0 winners over West Ham United at the Stadium of Light.
In truth, the Hammers never really turned up for this one and it was a stroll in the park for Martin O’Neill’s side. It also saw them move six points clear of the bottom three.
Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa continued their shocking run with a 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton. It was a controversial decision that gave the Saints all three points as Jay Rodriguez seemed to dive for the penalty that proved to be the winning goal.
Rickie Lambert despatched it with ease though and Villa went into the bottom three.
Fulham and Wigan Athletic drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage, a result that the Latics would have been delighted with as it saw them move out of the drop zone on goal difference.
Everton and Swansea City then played out an unlikely goalless draw at Goodison Park, with Norwich City v Newcastle United also ending 0-0 and it was a game with very little quality.
On Sunday, Manchester United were 2-1 winners over their bitter rivals Liverpool and Robin van Persie was on the score-sheet once more for the Red Devils.
The home side were 2-0 up and cruising, but a goal from Daniel Sturridge gave United a nervous 30 minutes or so. They hold on for the win though, which really put the pressure on Manchester City to get the points at Arsenal.
They did just that though with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. Once again, it was a game full of controversy as Laurent Koscielny was sent off after eleven minutes for brining Edin Dzeko down in the box.
Dzeko missed the resulting penalty, but James Miler’s thunderous finish put the Citizens 1-0 up and then the Bosnian made up for his earlier miss with the simplest of tap-ins.
Vincent Kompany also saw red though for a challenge on Jack Wilshere in the second half, a decision that City are appealing.
It was another entertaining weekend in the Premier League and the two Manchester clubs showed they are ready to dominate the league once more.
