United win Manchester derby to take decisive lead at top after scintilating day of action
It was a cracking weekend of Premier League action once more on Saturday and Sunday with plenty of goals and important results at the top and bottom of the table.
Manchester City and Manchester United locked horns on Sunday afternoon and it was the latter that snatched a 3-2 victory in the dying seconds of the game.
United led 2-0, but City pulled in back to 2-2 with goals in the 60th and 86th minute, so it looked as though the points would be shared. However, Robin van Persie’s last-minute free kick ensured that the Red Devils went six points clear at the top of the table.
Also on Sunday, Liverpool came from 2-1 down to defeat West Ham United at Upton Park. Glen Johnson and Joe Cole, two former West Ham players scored for the Reds, but it was James Collins’ own goal gave Liverpool the win.
Everton were losing 1-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur going into injury time, but Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic helped the Toffees claim all three points in dramatic fashion.
There was plenty of action on Saturday as well and the pick of the games saw Norwich City claim a superb win at Swansea City.
The Canaries led 3-0 going into half-time, but Swansea pulled in back to 3-2 in the second half. Norwich then got a fourth, before the Swans grabbed themselves a third. But, Chris Hughton’s men hung onto their 4-3 lead to make it ten games unbeaten in all competitions.
Southampton moved out of the bottom three with a 1-0 win over Reading, whilst Aston Villa and Stoke ended 0-0.
Elsewhere, Chelsea got their first Premier League win under Rafael Benitez and it was two goals from Fernando Torres that helped the Blues beat Sunderland 3-1.
Arsenal were awarded two controversial penalties at home to West Bromwich Albion and Mikel Arteta converted them both as the Gunners won 2-0.
There was nothing to separate Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers as this one ended 2-2. QPR went 2-1 up after 72 minutes, but their lead lasted just a few moments as Wigan went up the other end and levelled things up.
Fulham and Newcastle United round of the action this evening.
