The English Premier League, as usual, featured a sensational weekend of soccer with about eight weeks to the end of the season. While some clubs were delighted with their performance, others were dejected with the score line.

Arsenal comfortably shutout Aston Villa 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium and moved up to third on the league table. To intensify Villa’s woeful lose to Arsenal, Alex McLeish’s side had to go home with five yellow cards.

The Gunners’ goal scorers were Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Mikel Arteta. Gibbs and Walcott scored close-range goals in the first half whereas Arteta rounded up the game with a well taken free kick in the 92nd minute. Meanwhile, fellow Londoners, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs, were faced with an agonizing draw at Stamford Bridge.

Carling Cup winners, Liverpool, were held 2-1 at home to relegation contenders, Wigan Athletic. The Latics got on the scoreboard first when Martin Škrtel illegally challenged Victor Moses in the 26th minute, forcing the referee to award a penalty. Luis Suarez instilled a sense of relief to his teammates when he scored the equalizer from a Steven Gerrard pass.

However, Wigan was bent on winning at Anfield for the first time ever and this determination was confirmed with Gary Caldwell’s 63rd minute goal. The Lactics may still be in the relegation zone but it is a good feeling to defeat a big club in front of its home fans.

But home advantage may not necessarily favor a team as was seen in Newcastle United’s visit to West Bromwich Albion. The Magpies humiliated West Brom with a 3-1 defeat at the latter’s home stadium. Papiss Cissé opened scoring in the sixth minute after clever footwork from Hatem Ben Arfa followed by a fine cross. The close-range shot dodged Ben Foster and gave Newcastle the early lead. Six minutes later, Cissé returned the favor by rolling a lovely pass to Ben Arfa, who gratefully tucked in a top-drawer goal that doubled the lead.

Then in the 34th minute, the same combination of the first goal made possible the third. Cissé was at the right spot, waiting to make the best of Ben Arfa’s pass.

Roy Hodgson’s halftime pep talk must have made an impact on the Baggies as they strived to get a goal on the scoreboard. Shane Long took advantage of an error in Newcastle’s defense and proceeded to score a consolation goal.

As Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham had quite a disappointing weekend, Manchester City found itself in the same boat after Stoke City sent the first place nominee home with just a point. Peter Crouch’s acrobatic shot produced a first-rate opening goal after 59 minutes of play. The visitors waited 17 minutes to equalize as well as surpass the wonder in the Potters’ goal. Inspite of the thrill that followed the 76th minute equalizer, the gap between City and Manchester United would widen after the latter defeats Fulham.

Manchester United ended the EPL weekend with a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. Jonny Evans orchestrated Wayne Rooney’s well-timed goal a few minutes before half time.

Still, United could have recorded more goals with the number of tactical attempts sent by the forwards and wingers. Patrice Evra was a whisker away from scoring with a bicycle kick in the 31st minute and Antonio Valencia squandered a 12-yard opportunity in the 48th minute. But Alex Ferguson’s side was a little frustrated in the 75th minute when Mark Schwarzer displayed the characteristics of good goalkeeping by stopping successive shots from Ashley Young.

The Red Devils are now three points clear of Manchester City and 15 points clear of Arsenal. The champions would have to maintain a positive performance in the league in order to take home a trophy at the end of the season.

Chelsea has lost its spot in the top and would have to join Liverpool and Newcastle’s competition for a place in next season’s Europa League. Finally Wigan, Wolverhampton Wanderers and the new boys, Queens Park Rangers are facing relegation.

Manchester United will travel to Ewood Park Monday to battle Blackburn. The champions would have to maintain a steady performance in order to defend their title.

Newcastle will host Liverpool as the rivals continue to battle to qualify for the Europa Cup.

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