Match week 13 of the English Premier League featured top-class football as well as controversies from the 20 clubs that play in the world’s finest league.
West Bromwich Albion continues to astound football fans with its remarkable performance this season.
The Baggies thrashed Sunderland 4-2 as they visited the latter at the Stadium of Light.
It took half an hour for Zoltan Gera to give West Brom the lead with a remarkable 20-yard strike to the top corner. Shane Long doubled the lead in the 44th minute as a result of Simon Mignolet’s carelessness with the ball.
Craig Gardner scored in the 74th minute from a free kick in attempt to initiate a comeback. However, Romelu Lukaku sent the ball past fellow Belgian Mignolet when referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot.
Stephane Sessegnon tucked in another for the Black Cats to make it 3-2 with three minutes left on the clock. The visitors finished the game with a counter attack then led to Marc-Antoine Fortune’s goal in injury time. This victory leaves West Brom third at the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, 168 miles away, Everton was hosting Norwich in an interesting fixture that ended 1-1. Steven Naismith scored in the 12th minute for the home side, who held on to the lead till the 90th minute. Sebastien Bassong scored a header from a well-placed free kick to deny David Moyes’ side a victory.
Stoke City faced Fulham at the Britannia Stadium where Charlie Adam goal sent Martin Jol’s side home with no point.
Wigan Athletic played an entertaining match with Reading and rewarded its chairman, Dave Whelan, with a 3-2 victory for a 76th birthday treat. Sean Morrison scored his first premiership goal in the 35th minute with a fine header past Ali Al-Habsi to give the Royals the lead. Jordi Gomez equalized in the 57th before granting Wigan the lead 11 minutes later. Al-Habsi then got on the scoreboard with an unpleasant own-goal, but Gomez rescued his team and completed his hat trick with barely seconds left with a terrific strike.
Aston Villa hosted Arsenal in a fixture that ended in an agonizing goalless draw. Liverpool visited Swansea for a similar result just Chelsea and Manchester City were unable to score at Stamford Bridge.
Rafa Benitez kicked of his Chelsea career with a 0-0 score line against the Citizens. The home fans did not make his first day on the job easy as they booed, chanted “Rafa Out” as well as held anti-Rafa banners.
The Saints were delighted with their 2-0 home victory over Newcastle United. Adam Lallana scored in the 35th minute while Gaston Ramirez doubled the lead at the hour mark.
Queens Park Rangers played its since firing Mark Hughes at Old Trafford against league leaders Manchester United. After a goalless first half, QPR drew first blood courtesy of clumsiness in the United defense. Jamie Mackie’s 52nd minute goal gave QPR a little hope before the Red Devils recuperated offensively.
United was able to put three goals past QPR within eight minutes. Jonny Evans scored a header in the 64th minute to level things up after Wayne Rooney’s fine corner kick. Four minutes later, Darren Fletcher scored his first Premier League goal of the season on his first appearance all season. United’s wonder kid Javier Hernandez then completed the victory in the 72nd minute.
Manchester United was a point clear at the top of the table while QPR, who is yet to win a game, are at the bottom with four points.
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