Manchester United put the icing on a thrilling Saturday; when they came from two goals down to overpower Aston Villa at the Villa Park. Some disoriented defending saw the Villans take the lead twice, but Hernandez ‘Chicharito’ scored a hat-trick (58’,87’63’) to help the club go two points ahead of second-placed Chelsea..
In an entertaining afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta had a penalty saved with the last kick of the game as Arsenal and Fulham fought out a pulsating 3-3 draw. Theo Walcott stood out as Man of the Match, while former Spurs hit-man Berbatov could not be contained all afternoon.
Goodison Park was lit up when Everton scored twice in three minutes to secure a late 2-1 victory over struggling Sunderland.
Marouane Fellaini took a pass from Leon Osman at the edge of the box and turned to dispatch a low shot through John O’Shea’s legs into the bottom corner with 14 minutes remaining. Nikija Jelavic pounced on another Leon Osman pass to make it two moments later. The win ensured the Toffees remained amongst the top-four.
Reading’s search for their first win went on, after their clash with Norwich at the Madejski Stadium ended in a goalless draw.
Chances were at a premium in the first half with only one save of note made be either goalkeeper, John Ruddy parrying a fierce drive from Garath McCleary, and despite a fairly frantic final 30 minutes, neither side could find a winner.
Southampton moved off the bottom thanks to a 1-1 draw at home to Swansea but were left to regret some sloppy defending.
Saints looked set for their second win of the season when Morgan Schneiderlin got on the end of a Rickie Lambert knockdown to force the ball past Gerhard Tremmel after 64 minutes.
Charlie Adam scored a second-half winner, his first goal for Stoke, to heap further pressure on QPR manager Mark Hughes after a 1-0 defeat.
West Brom finally got their first away win of an increasingly impressive season as they defeated Wigan 2-1 in an entertaining clash at the DW Stadium.
Albion, who are only outside the top four on goal difference, had previously garnered only two points on their travels but took all three against the Latics thanks to a James Morrison header and an own goal from Gary Caldwell, with Arouna Kone replying for the hosts.
Visibly buoyed by their goal, the Baggies sought to press home their advantage with a second before half time and it duly arrived a minute before the break, the hapless Caldwell diverting Billy Jones’ cross-cum-shot into his own net.
The home crowd were stunned – but they found their voices within 60 seconds as Wigan immediately reduced the deficit, Kone turning in Jean Beausejour’s teasing low cross at the far post to bring a breathless first half to a close.