Once again, it was a spectacular week in the Premier League right after New Year’s. Fulham surprised West Brom with a 1:2 victory at the Hawthorns. City ended Stoke’s winning series with a 3:0 victory at home at the Etihad Stadium and United beat Wigan with 0:4 at the DW Stadium. Tottenham won against Reading 3:1 and Arsenal drew against Southampton.
West Brom 1:2 Fulham
Fulham beat West Brom with a great defensive tactic. Dejagah prepared the lead with a great solo run before Berbatov converted from 10 yards just before half-time in the 39th minute. Albion responded and Lukaku equalized in the 49th. West Brom was unlucky in the following minutes when Lukaku and Gera hit the post twice. Kacaniklic decided the match in the 58th minute for Fulham.
City 3:0 Stoke
Stoke travelled to City without losing the last 10 games (5 wins and 5 draws). However, City ended the run today with a 3:0 victory. Aguero was the man of the match. However, the Argentine missed totally free in the 9th minute, than he failed against Stoke keeper Begovic (23th) and also hit the post in the 33rd minute. Zabaleta scored from close range just before the halt-time after a Millner cross. Dzeko extended the lead in the 56th minute. The game was one sided and Aguero finally converted a penalty in the 74th minute.
Wigan 0:4 Manchester United
United clearly dominated the game at the DW Stadium. Hernandez’s first goal was ruled offside in the 14th minute, but Chicharito scored again. Wigan keeper Al Habsi saved Evra’s shot, but was unable to save against the Mexican in the 35th minute. Van Persie scored his 15th goal of the season before the break with a superb curling shot. Hernandez scored again in the 63rd minute and van Persie with the final decider in the 88th. United preserved the seven-point lead over Manchester City.
Tottenham 3:1 Reading
Pogrebnyak scored the lead for Reading in the 5th minute at the White Hart Lane. Dawson’s header equalized the game in the 10th minute before Adebayor (51st) and Demsey (79th) secured the important 3 points for the Spurs. Tottenham is now third in the league, but Chelsea has 2 games less.
West Ham 2:1 Norwich
A penalty goal from Noble gave West Ham an early lead against Norwich in the 3rd minute. Snodgrass missed a chance the equalize after he hit the post in the 20th minute before O’Brien extended the lead for the Hammers (25th minute). Vaz Te hit the post in the 65th minute before Russell Martin scored an consolation goal – the Hammers deserved the 2-1 victory.
Swansea 2:2 Aston Villa
Swansea coach Michael Laudrup rotated the keeper again against Aston Villa. This time, it was Tremmel who started from the beginning. Wayne Routledge’s early strike had given Swansea the lead while Michu twice hit the post, before Weimann equalised before just half-time. Villa was stronger in the second part of the game and was on the verge of victory when Benteke converted a penalty in the 85th minute. However, Swansea equalized in the 90th+4 minute when Graham found the gap from 8 yards.
Southampton 1:1 Arsenal
In the evening, Arsenal had to travel to Southampton. After a balanced start with no real chances on both sides took Southampton the lead through Ramirez (35th). Arsenal benefited when Guly do Prado diverted Theo Walcott’s free-kick into his own net. The Saints were the more active team after the restart and created the better chances. Arsenal was lucky that a Ramirez goal was ruled off side in the 72nd minute.
On Wednesday, Chelsea will face QPR, Everton will travel to Newcastle and Liverpool will play at home against Sunderland.
