After a break for the cup competitions, the Premier League returned with some sides still searching for a first win of 2014 but as the bottom half became a close set of sides, the top half saw three gaps appear from 3rd-4th, 7th-8th and 9th-10th on an exciting weekend.
Chelsea opened the weekend programme with a 2-0 victory at Hull to go top of the table thanks to goals from Hazard and Torres, ironic that the Blues went a year without a striker scoring away and it now seems to be so easy for them.
West Ham put their humiliating week behind them with a 2-0 win away to Cardiff with new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having an unhappy league debut in charge as Carlton Cole put the Hammers in front just before halftime. Tomkins saw red in the 72nd minute for the visitors but Cardiff failed to take advantage of the extra man and Noble confirmed the win for West Ham with a last minute strike.
Everton moved above city rivals Liverpool with a 2-0 win over Norwich with a stunning run and finish from Barry putting them in front after 23 minutes with Mirallas adding a second on the hour-mark to seal the win over the Canaries who in recent meetings had got the better of the Toffees.
Sunderland take the title for shock of the weekend after a 4-1 demolition of fellow strugglers Fulham at Craven Cottage with Johnson putting the visitors ahead on the hafl-hour and Ki added a second just before half-time to give the hosts a mountain to climb. Sidwell pulled one back for Fulham but their failure to draw level proved costly when Johnson converted a penalty in the 69th minute to make it 3-1, he went on to complete a famous hat-trick with five minutes to go to continue Sunderland's decent form in London.
Southampton moved clear in 9th with a 1-0 win over West Brom with Lallana hitting the winner after 66 minutes while Tottenham closed up on the top four with a 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace but the hosts could have gone behind early on after Palace were awarded a penalty but Puncheon hit high and wide blowing a brilliant chance. Eriksen gave Spurs the lead after 50 minutes and Defoe who will soon be moving on to Toronto scored what could be his last Spurs goal in the 72nd minute to complete the win.
Manchester United took on Swansea in the late kick-off as they looked to avenge their FA Cup defeat to the Swans, Valencia put them in front after 47 minutes and Welbeck hit the second on the hour-mark to end United's run of three consecutive defeats.
Super Sunday saw Newcastle host Man City with City improving their away form with a 2-0 win with an eighth minute opener from Dzeko setting them off and Negredo striking late on to complete the win. The second game of the afternoon saw an eight goal thriller between Stoke and Liverpool which was surprising with Stoke traditionally a hard place to score for visiting teams.
Liverpool got a fortuitous opener when Cissokho's shot went in off Shawcross after five minutes and Suarez made it two after 32 minutes with his 21st league goal but as in recent away trips, Liverpool were again pulled back as former Anfield hero Crouch headed in and fellow former red Adam drew Stoke level at the break from long range.
Gerrard made it 3-2 from the spot after Sterling was fouled but again Stoke came back as Walters made up for his penalty miss in the reverse meeting to make it 4-3 but when Sturridge made his return from injury, the SAS reformed in emphatic fashion as Suarez picked out his strike partner who hit for goal only to see Butland keep it out, Sturridge then skilfully chipped and headed the ball before finishing past Butland for 5-3 and brought the weekend's action to a close in the perfect way.
Chelsea opened the weekend programme with a 2-0 victory at Hull to go top of the table thanks to goals from Hazard and Torres, ironic that the Blues went a year without a striker scoring away and it now seems to be so easy for them.
West Ham put their humiliating week behind them with a 2-0 win away to Cardiff with new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having an unhappy league debut in charge as Carlton Cole put the Hammers in front just before halftime. Tomkins saw red in the 72nd minute for the visitors but Cardiff failed to take advantage of the extra man and Noble confirmed the win for West Ham with a last minute strike.
Everton moved above city rivals Liverpool with a 2-0 win over Norwich with a stunning run and finish from Barry putting them in front after 23 minutes with Mirallas adding a second on the hour-mark to seal the win over the Canaries who in recent meetings had got the better of the Toffees.
Sunderland take the title for shock of the weekend after a 4-1 demolition of fellow strugglers Fulham at Craven Cottage with Johnson putting the visitors ahead on the hafl-hour and Ki added a second just before half-time to give the hosts a mountain to climb. Sidwell pulled one back for Fulham but their failure to draw level proved costly when Johnson converted a penalty in the 69th minute to make it 3-1, he went on to complete a famous hat-trick with five minutes to go to continue Sunderland's decent form in London.
Southampton moved clear in 9th with a 1-0 win over West Brom with Lallana hitting the winner after 66 minutes while Tottenham closed up on the top four with a 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace but the hosts could have gone behind early on after Palace were awarded a penalty but Puncheon hit high and wide blowing a brilliant chance. Eriksen gave Spurs the lead after 50 minutes and Defoe who will soon be moving on to Toronto scored what could be his last Spurs goal in the 72nd minute to complete the win.
Manchester United took on Swansea in the late kick-off as they looked to avenge their FA Cup defeat to the Swans, Valencia put them in front after 47 minutes and Welbeck hit the second on the hour-mark to end United's run of three consecutive defeats.
Super Sunday saw Newcastle host Man City with City improving their away form with a 2-0 win with an eighth minute opener from Dzeko setting them off and Negredo striking late on to complete the win. The second game of the afternoon saw an eight goal thriller between Stoke and Liverpool which was surprising with Stoke traditionally a hard place to score for visiting teams.
Liverpool got a fortuitous opener when Cissokho's shot went in off Shawcross after five minutes and Suarez made it two after 32 minutes with his 21st league goal but as in recent away trips, Liverpool were again pulled back as former Anfield hero Crouch headed in and fellow former red Adam drew Stoke level at the break from long range.
Gerrard made it 3-2 from the spot after Sterling was fouled but again Stoke came back as Walters made up for his penalty miss in the reverse meeting to make it 4-3 but when Sturridge made his return from injury, the SAS reformed in emphatic fashion as Suarez picked out his strike partner who hit for goal only to see Butland keep it out, Sturridge then skilfully chipped and headed the ball before finishing past Butland for 5-3 and brought the weekend's action to a close in the perfect way.
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