A mixed weekend for those teams chasing the top three but a better weekend for some of the struggling sides as the League goes into a small break for the FA Cup fourth round meaning the next league games are next midweek.
Saturday's early kick-off saw a tense 2-2 draw between Sunderland and Southampton which was a surprise when the Saints took the lead in the fourth minute through the in-form Rodriguez and doubled their advantage just after the half-hour after a superb strike from Lovren, Sunderland hit back instantly through Borini and levelled in the 71st minute as Johnson hit his fourth goal in two games to seal a point.
Arsenal stayed top of the tree with a 2-0 win over Fulham thanks to a Cazorla double in the 57th and 62nd minutes while Crystal Palace moved off the foot of the table with a 1-0 win over Stoke with the villain of last week, Jason Puncheon making up for his penalty miss with the winning goal in the 51st minute.
Man City kept up the pressure on Arsenal with a 4-2 win at home to Cardiff with the Welsh side dropping to the foot of the table after Palace's win, Dzeko broke the deadlock after 14 minutes with Cardiff equalising on the half-hour mark through Noone. Navas quickly regained the lead for the hosts three minutes later but Cardiff managed to keep them to 2-1 until a quick double in the second half as Toure made it three in the 76th minute with the returning Aguero adding a fourth in the 79th minute. Although the win was certain, Cardiff added further consolation as Campbell hit their second goal to reduce the deficit in the final minute.
Norwich left it late to secure a vital 1-0 win at home to Hull with Bennett hitting the winning strike three minutes from the end and Hull received a further blow as Huddlestone was sent off in the 89th minute.
Newcastle claimed a 3-1 win away to West Ham with Cabaye putting them in front after 16 minutes and Remy doubled the lead in the 33rd minute The hosts got lucky as Willamson hit into his own net to give them the foundations of a comeback but the comeback was dashed as Cabaye sealed the win in the final minute.
The evening kick off saw Liverpool look to close up on the top three with a win against Aston Villa but the visitors took a 2-0 lead with goals from Weimann and Benteke but Liverpool gave themselves hope at the interval as Sturridge pulled on back. Guzan brought down Suarez eight minutes into the second half and Gerrard converted from the spot to level the score but neither side could claim a winner and had to settle for a point each.
Super Sunday began with Swansea falling to a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham who took the lead through Adebayor and were given a hand as Chico scored an own goal eight minutes after half-time, Bony pulled one back in the 68th minute but hopes of levelling were rapidly dashed as Adebayor struck again in the 71st minute to seal the win.
Chelsea and Manchester United faced off in the second game and it was a 100th PL win for Mourinho as an Eto'o hat-trick in the 17th,45th and 49th minutes put the hosts in firm control and even though Hernandez pulled one back in the 78th minute, United's day got worse as Vidic saw red in the final minutes with Rafael lucky not to join him after a horrific tackle as United slumped to a fourth defeat in five games.
Monday night saw West Brom host Everton with both knowing a win would move them up the table with the visitors having the incentive of going into next week's Merseyside Derby above neighbours Liverpool if they secured the win and after Mirallas gave them the lead after 41 minutes, it was looking good but West Brom inspired by the first game under new manager Pepe Mel levelled through Lugano in the 75th minute and held on for a point.
So a fairly good weekend for the fans of the top three but not for those of Cardiff, West Ham and Fulham who all dropped after Palace and Sunderland secured points.
Saturday's early kick-off saw a tense 2-2 draw between Sunderland and Southampton which was a surprise when the Saints took the lead in the fourth minute through the in-form Rodriguez and doubled their advantage just after the half-hour after a superb strike from Lovren, Sunderland hit back instantly through Borini and levelled in the 71st minute as Johnson hit his fourth goal in two games to seal a point.
Arsenal stayed top of the tree with a 2-0 win over Fulham thanks to a Cazorla double in the 57th and 62nd minutes while Crystal Palace moved off the foot of the table with a 1-0 win over Stoke with the villain of last week, Jason Puncheon making up for his penalty miss with the winning goal in the 51st minute.
Man City kept up the pressure on Arsenal with a 4-2 win at home to Cardiff with the Welsh side dropping to the foot of the table after Palace's win, Dzeko broke the deadlock after 14 minutes with Cardiff equalising on the half-hour mark through Noone. Navas quickly regained the lead for the hosts three minutes later but Cardiff managed to keep them to 2-1 until a quick double in the second half as Toure made it three in the 76th minute with the returning Aguero adding a fourth in the 79th minute. Although the win was certain, Cardiff added further consolation as Campbell hit their second goal to reduce the deficit in the final minute.
Norwich left it late to secure a vital 1-0 win at home to Hull with Bennett hitting the winning strike three minutes from the end and Hull received a further blow as Huddlestone was sent off in the 89th minute.
Newcastle claimed a 3-1 win away to West Ham with Cabaye putting them in front after 16 minutes and Remy doubled the lead in the 33rd minute The hosts got lucky as Willamson hit into his own net to give them the foundations of a comeback but the comeback was dashed as Cabaye sealed the win in the final minute.
The evening kick off saw Liverpool look to close up on the top three with a win against Aston Villa but the visitors took a 2-0 lead with goals from Weimann and Benteke but Liverpool gave themselves hope at the interval as Sturridge pulled on back. Guzan brought down Suarez eight minutes into the second half and Gerrard converted from the spot to level the score but neither side could claim a winner and had to settle for a point each.
Super Sunday began with Swansea falling to a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham who took the lead through Adebayor and were given a hand as Chico scored an own goal eight minutes after half-time, Bony pulled one back in the 68th minute but hopes of levelling were rapidly dashed as Adebayor struck again in the 71st minute to seal the win.
Chelsea and Manchester United faced off in the second game and it was a 100th PL win for Mourinho as an Eto'o hat-trick in the 17th,45th and 49th minutes put the hosts in firm control and even though Hernandez pulled one back in the 78th minute, United's day got worse as Vidic saw red in the final minutes with Rafael lucky not to join him after a horrific tackle as United slumped to a fourth defeat in five games.
Monday night saw West Brom host Everton with both knowing a win would move them up the table with the visitors having the incentive of going into next week's Merseyside Derby above neighbours Liverpool if they secured the win and after Mirallas gave them the lead after 41 minutes, it was looking good but West Brom inspired by the first game under new manager Pepe Mel levelled through Lugano in the 75th minute and held on for a point.
So a fairly good weekend for the fans of the top three but not for those of Cardiff, West Ham and Fulham who all dropped after Palace and Sunderland secured points.
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