QPR 2:1 Fulham
Queens Park Rangers still chasing their first win in the Premier League after three consecutive draws against Sunderland (0:0), Aston Villa (1:1) and Wigan (2:2). Redknapp certainly had his impact on the team since his arrival in November. Fulham, on the other side, wanted to build on the 2:1 victory over Newcastle on Monday, but struggle away this season. Fulham only won one out of 10 away fixtures this season. Redknapp team started the game much better and Cisse had the first chance in the 2nd minute when Schwarzer saved his shot easily. Taarabt and Cisse played well together and continued to create chances for QPR. However, it took until the 51st minute until Taarabt scored the lead for QPR with a shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. The sot was deflected by Hangeland and impossible to save for Schwarzer. Berbatov and Rodallega weren’t able to replicate their performance against Newcastle and Martin Jol was clearly unhappy. Taarabt scored the second one 68th minute. Petric, who came on in the 62nd minute – scored the final 2:1 in the 87th minute. This was the first QPR win in 16 games and moved QPR off the bottom of the table and ahead of Reading for the first time since 10 November. QPR will face Newcastle next week and Fulham has to travel to Liverpool.
Newcastle 1:3 Manchester City
The Mancini’s side wanted to make up for the 3:2 loss in the Manchester derby last week against Manchester United. Mancini started with Tevez and Aguero up front for the first time since the 5-0 win over Aston Villa on 17 November. Mario Balotelli wasn’t even on the bench. However, City started well and Sergio Aguero scored the lead in the 10th minute with a great shot from close-range after a Samir Nasri assist. Javi Garcia extended the lead even before half-time with a header from Silva’s corner which Davide Santon should have cleared off the line. Yaya Toure played a great game for Ciy in the midfield. Demba Ba gave Newcastle some hope in the 51st minute when he headed the 1:2 from inside the box. However, the man of the match – Yaya Toure secured the 1:3 and another 3 points for City. Manchester City will play Reading next week and Newcastle will face QPR at home.
Manchester United 3:1 Sunderland
United was confident after beating City last week with 3:2. Sunderland, however, just returned from a 3:2 loss against Chelsea FC. United started well and displayed their attacking strength from the first minute. It was Van Persie who scored the lead for United in the 15th minute after a deflection off John O’Shea. Tom Cleverley extended the lead just 3 minutes later with a great curling shot from inside the penalty area. Rooney tapped in from close range and made the 3:0 in the 58th minute, but Sunderland scored a consolidation goal through substitute and former United striker Fraizer Campbell. The final score was 3:1 for United and Sunderland Manager O’Neill is under huge pressure since he only won only three games out of 25 league matches and the next four games are against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. ManUnited will play Swansea next week.
