EPL Round-up: Gunners stun Chelsea in London Derby goal-fest

Robin van Persie stole the show in the latest round of English Premier League matches as he smashed in a sensational hat-trick to hand Arsenal a welcome victory against Chelsea. This particular London derby also took place at Stamford Bridge, making the Gunner's win even more impressive. In total, 8 goals were shared between the two sides as neither showed much quality in defence, but bags of it in attack. Arsene Wenger's men eventually triumphed 5-3 in what was arguably the game of the weekend.

It was the home side who opened the scoring, however, when Frank Lampard stooped to head in an inviting cross from Juan Mata. The match was end to end though, and it didn't take long before van Persie grabbed his first goal, and Arsenal's equaliser, as he tapped in following some unselfish set up play by Gervinho. But Chelsea once again gained the advantage, when skipper John Terry converted a Lampard corner, giving Andre Villas-Boas' men the lead at half time.

It didn't take long for Arsenal to restore parity in the second period, and Brazilian full back Andre Santos drilled in a low effort for his first Premier League goal, although Cech really should have done better with the shot. Just 6 minutes later and Arsenal went ahead for the first time, as the Chelsea defence crumbled far too easily, allowing Theo Walcott to wriggle through and fire a powerful effort past Petr Cech.


It seemed that Arsenal might just hold onto this lead, but the final 10 minutes of the match were to offer yet more twists and turns. First of all Juan Mata brilliantly fired Chelsea back on level terms, before a dreadful pass by Florent Malouda, and a slip by Terry, allowed van Persie through one on one with Cech. He calmly took the ball round the goalkeeper and slotted in his second, and Arsenal's fourth. The scoring wasn't finished yet though, as van Persie hammered in his hat-trick goal in injury time to seal the points, and a fantastic performance by the Dutchman.

Elsewhere, both Manchester clubs recorded victories to keep themselves first and second in the table respectively. United bounced back from their derby humiliation at the hands of City last week with a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton. Javier Hernandez grabbed the only goal of the match in a tough encounter at Goodison Park. City won 3-1 at home to Wolves, and although there was a brief scare for the hosts when Kompany was sent off and Wolves pulled the scoreline back to 2-1 through a Doyle penalty, eventually it was a straightforward victory. City didn't even perform nearly as well as they can, but goals from Dzeko, Kolarov and Johnson were enough to sustain their unbeaten start to the season.

On Monday night another unbeaten side, Newcastle United, also continued their impressive start to the season as they defeated Stoke City 3-1 at the Brittania Stadium. On form striker Djemba Ba scored a hat-trick, his second already this season, with Stoke's reply coming from Walters penalty. The win pushes Alan Pardew's men up to third place, and makes them the only other unbeaten side in the Premier League other than Manchester City.

Results in Full:

Saturday, 29 October 2011

Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal

Everton 0-1 Man Utd

Man City 3-1 Wolverhampton

Norwich 3-3 Blackburn

Sunderland 2-2 Aston Villa

Swansea 3-1 Bolton

West Brom 0-2 Liverpool

Wigan 0-2 Fulham

 

Sunday, 30 October 2011

Tottenham 3-1 QPR

Monday, 31 October 2011

Stoke 1-3 Newcastle

Premier League Table:

1	Man City	10	28	28
2	Man Utd	10	15	23
3	Newcastle	10	8	22
4	Chelsea	10	8	19
5	Tottenham	9	4	19
6	Liverpool	10	4	18
7	Arsenal	10	-1	16
8	Norwich	10	-1	13
9	Aston Villa	10	0	12
10	Swansea	10	-3	12
11	Stoke	10	-6	12
12	QPR	10	-9	12
13	West Brom	10	-4	11
14	Sunderland	10	2	10
15	Fulham	10	1	10
16	Everton	9	-3	10
17	Wolves	10	-8	8
18	Blackburn	10	-10	6
19	Bolton	10	-14	6
20	Wigan	10	-11	5

By Laurie Dunsire

Premier League Preview

It’s another week of big Barclays Premier League action in England and I am here to give you the latest team news for the big games of the weekend, with my own little prediction on the score.

After last week’s thrashing at fierce local rivals Manchester United will be looking to exact revenge on Everton on Saturday to maintain their charge in retaining the Barclays Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson publicly criticised both Rio Ferdinand & Patrice Evra after the drubbing last Sunday, but expect them to return to the side after being omitted from United’s 3-0 victory over League 2’s Aldershot in the Carling Cup.

Everton could be without captain Phil Neville for the tie against his former team after picking up a knock in the Carling cup defeat against Chelsea. The Everton utility man served Manchester United for over a  decade, as well as being part of the historic treble winning side. Other Everton stars who are doubtful for the tie include talismanic Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, who is carrying a knock picked up in training during the week. Recent signing from Real Madrid Royston Drenthe will be out of the side after being suspended for being sent off in the midweek defeat to Chelsea.

I’m predicting a shock in this one. I think Everton might get something out of the game, with United’s defence prone to conceding goals lately. However, expect United to score late goals and grab a point.

Freeley Prediction 2-2


Cross town rivals Manchester City entertain Wolves at the Ethiad Stadium for the second time in three days after defeating the Midlands side 5-2 in the Carling Cup on Wednesday. Whilst internal struggles with striker Carlos Tevez dominate the back pages in the UK, the Citizens will be looking for a similar performance from last week’s win against Manchester United. Striker Edin Dzeko looks good for a start in the league after grabbing four goals in the last two games.

Wolverhampton Wanders manager Mick Mcarthy has been dealing with dissenting voices from the Molenaux faithful lately, going as far as brandishing the boo-boys as “idiotic” in a recent press conference. Wolves currently lie 16th in the Barclays Premier League with just 8 points and only have won once away from home this season so far. Manchester City are currently unbeaten at home this season and look good to continue that form.

With City’s win at Old Trafford many pundits have marked it as defining moment in the change in power in the Barclays Premier League. The jury is still out on their title credentials, but on current free-flowing goal scoring form I expect city to win easily.

Freeley Prediction 3-0 Manchester City.



Chelsea take on London rivals early on Saturday eager to keep up the pressure on Manchester United and Man City for the Premier League crown. Last week the Blues lost 1-0 to newly promoted side Queens Park Rangers, who are owned by Malaysian millionaire Tony Fernandez. The match was a bad tempered affair, with both Didier Drogba & Jose Bosingwa sent off - meaning they will be unavailable for Saturday. Expect Fernando Torres to start after he scored a brace last time out against Genk in the Champions League.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will be coming into the game on form - clocking up 7 wins in the last 8 games. Man of the moment Robin Van Persie has been on sublime form for the Gunners, having scored 9 goals so far this season. The Dutch international striker is rumoured to be extending his stay with the North London side past his contract expiring in 2013. In further good news for the Gunners, defender Thomas Vermaelen is pushing for his first Premier League start since August after coming through the midweek Carling Cup victory over Bolton.

Chelsea have not lost to another rival from the Capital at Stamford Bridge since 2008, that defeat coming at the hands of Arsenal. I expect a victory for the Gunners on Saturday against a Chelsea side who have been rocked by allegations of racism by captain John Terry in the previous match against Queens Park Rangers. Robin Van Percie is a certainty to score and add to his Premier League tally, and keep Arsenal’s Champions League dream alive.


Freeley Prediction- 2-0 Arsenal.

Want to talk football with me? Follow me on Twitter! @mitchos

EPL Round-up: Six of the best for City in derby demolition

All eyes were on Manchester in the latest round of Barclays Premier League matches, and following the derby game at Old Trafford on Sunday, it is still the one scoreline on everyone's lips: Manchester United 1, Manchester City 6.

There is no doubt that Manchester City were never going to be underestimated ahead of their trip to face their arch rivals, and current Premier League champions, Manchester United, but very few people would have (4T1V2X6Y) predicted such a convincing winning margin. Granted, a red card early in the second half for United centre back Jonny Evans had a massive impact on the result, in addition to three goals coming in injury time from City as Ferguson's men ran out of steam in the closing minutes. But whatever way you look at it, or spin it, this was a monumental result for Manchester City, and as Alex Ferguson himself admitted, United's darkest day in the Premier League.

The home side had actually started the stronger team, but it was City who broke the deadlock, somewhat against the run of play, as the ever controversial Mario Balotelli picked his spot with a cool right foot finish from a James Milner cut back. His celebration was muted, but he did reveal a t-shirt which read 'Why Always Me?” - although his firework antics that made the headlines in the past few days would seem to go a long way to answering such a question! Thankfully, for City fans, the Italian showed his explosive side on the field of play in a positive manner on this occasion, as it was him who was hauled down by Evans when clean through on the goalkeeper to earn the Northern Irish international a straight red card. Balotelli then added City's second goal on the hour mark, finishing off a lovely move which involved some great work from the mesmerising David Silva.

The match was effectively over just nine minutes later when yet another flowing City attacking move was finished off by Sergio Aguero, and with more than 20 minutes left to play United were suddenly staring down the barrel of a humiliating derby defeat. Darren Fletcher's sublime goal from the edge of the area in the final 10 minutes looked to have restored at least a little pride for the home side, but the worst was yet to come. In the closing minutes of the game two goals from substitute Edin Dzeko, and one in between from the fantastic Silva, completed a quite astonishing rout and inflicted United's worst home defeat since 1955, and the first time they'd conceded 6 at Old Trafford since 1930. Most importantly, in the title race, it extends City's lead at the summit to 5 points, and gives them a vastly superior goal difference over their rivals.

Sunday also saw another shock, as Chelsea slumped to defeat in their west London derby away to Queens Park Rangers. An early penalty from Heidur Helguson gave the home side the advantage at Loftus Road, before first half red cards for Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba left Chelsea with an uphill battle. It was Frank Lampard's 500^th Premier League appearance, but it was not one to remember for the England international midfielder as he had a penalty claim denied, and saw his side miss out on the chance to overtake Manchester United in second place.

There were also victories for London sides Arsenal and Tottenham, who had their respective Dutch masters to thank for their victories. Robin van Persie and Rafael van der (1G7K6Q7K) Vaart both grabbed two goals to help their sides maintain some good recent form, Arsenal beating Stoke 3-1 at the Emirates and Spurs winning 2-1 away to struggling Blackburn Rovers.  Late goals from Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell also gave Everton a welcome 3-1 victory away to Fulham.  Fantastic goals from Royston Drenthe and Bryan Luiz had the scoreline at 1-1 prior to the late show at Craven Cottage.

The previous day saw Norwich stun Liverpool in the late kick off, as Grant Holt's bullet header cancelled out Craig Bellamy's first half opener and earned the Canaries a surprise point at Anfield.  There was a west Midlands derby at Villa Park, and it was West Bromich Albion who came out on top against 10-man Aston Villa.  The home side had (8H7X5B1K) lead through a Darren Bent penalty, but a controversial red card for Chris Herd, and goals from Olsson and Scharner, gave the Baggies their first league win at Villa Park since 1979.

Newcastle sustained their impressive start to the season as they defeated Wigan 1-0 to stay in fourth spot, but they left it late as French international Yohan Cabaye finished well with 9 minutes remaining to win the match, and all 3 points, for the St James' Park side.

Results in Full:

Saturday 22^nd October

Aston Villa 1-2 West Brom

Bolton 0-2 Sunderland

Liverpool 1-1 Norwich

Newcastle 1-0 Wigan

Wolverhampton 2-2 Swansea

Sunday 23rd October

Arsenal 3-1 Stoke

Blackburn 1-2 Tottenham

Fulham 1-3 Everton

Man Utd 1-6 Man City

QPR 1-0 Chelsea

Premier League Table:

1	Man City	8	21	22
2	Man Utd	8	19	20
3	Chelsea	8	11	19
4	Newcastle	9	6	19
5	Liverpool	9	2	15
6	Tottenham	7	1	13
7	Norwich	9	-1	12
8	Stoke	8	-2	12
9	Aston Villa	9	0	11
10	West Brom	9	-2	11
11	Arsenal	8	-5	10
12	Sunderland	9	2	9
13	Swansea	9	-5	9
14	QPR	8	-8	9
15	Wolves	9	-6	8
16	Fulham	8	1	7
17	Everton	7	-4	7
18	Bolton	9	-12	6
19	Blackburn	8	-9	5
20	Wigan	9	-9	5

By Laurie Dunsire