Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka scored as Chelsea beat Liverpool 2–0 on Sunday to take over top spot in the English Premier League after Manchester United failed to beat Sunderland.
Didier Drogba broke down the left flank crossing to find Anelka to score against his former club on the hour mark.
Injury time saw Drogba easily round Jamie Carragher and then Fabio Aurelio to slide in a cross for Malouda to conclude the match.
Drogba’s play, as so often is the case, was a mixture of theatrics and brilliance which infuriated Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez on the touch line.
Carlo Ancelotti could not contain himself as he broke into celebration, knowing he had gained an important win. It was also a sign that Chelsea had bounced back from its shock defeat last week against Wigan.
Darren Bent put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute with a turn-and-shoot goal and United was unable to get a look in during the rest of the first half.
Dimitar Berbatov leveled with a stunning bicycle kick before Kenwyne Jones headed Sunderland in front again, powering himself and the ball past United keeper Ben Foster.
Kieran Richardson was then sent off before Anton Ferdinand diverted a Patrice Evra shot into the back of his own net.
It was a bitter pill for Sunderland to concede in such a late stage of the game. The win would have been the first over United at Old Trafford since 1968.
Richardson will look back at the needless second yellow card, kicking the ball away, and leaving his team with 10 men to try and hold out the rest of the game.
Blackburn went ahead with a Steven Nzonzi header in the fourth minute but Arsenal’s goal-scoring central defender Thomas Vermaelen blasted in from 20 yards for the leveler 13 minutes later.
David Dunn put the visitors up again with a deflected shot before Robin van Persie slotted in to equalize after 33 minutes. After that, it was all Arsenal.
Andrey Arshavin’s low shot put the Gunners ahead 3–2 before Cesc Fabregas volleyed in another goal. Back from injury, Theo Walcott scored in the 75th minute before Nicklas Bendtner finished the demolition.
This was a great way for the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to celebrate his 13th year at the club and become the longest serving Arsenal boss.
Cesc Fabregas had a fantastic game, assisting on four of the goals and scoring one himself. Constantly linked with a move to Barcelona, the Spanish midfielder reiterated his commitment to Arsenal.
He told Sky Sports, “It was a good time to show I love this club.”
Villa center back Richard Dunne had something to prove against his former club as did City’s Gareth Barry.
Dunne gave the home team a lead after 14 minutes when he headed in a cross while being defended by Barry.
But Craig Bellamy equalized for City just after the hour mark. With the draw, City climbs into fourth place and Aston Villa moves into seventh place.
Kevin Davies chased down a cross to scramble in a header after a flowing Bolton move. He narrowly avoided smashing himself into the goalpost in the process.
But, Corluka headed in from a corner to take a point for Spurs and keep the team in third position in the Premier League.
Bolton has yet to win a game at home.
Didier Drogba broke down the left flank crossing to find Anelka to score against his former club on the hour mark.
Injury time saw Drogba easily round Jamie Carragher and then Fabio Aurelio to slide in a cross for Malouda to conclude the match.
Drogba’s play, as so often is the case, was a mixture of theatrics and brilliance which infuriated Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez on the touch line.
Carlo Ancelotti could not contain himself as he broke into celebration, knowing he had gained an important win. It was also a sign that Chelsea had bounced back from its shock defeat last week against Wigan.
Manchester United 2, Sunderland 2
Manchester United salvages a point at Old Trafford as Sunderland conceded a very late own goal.Darren Bent put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute with a turn-and-shoot goal and United was unable to get a look in during the rest of the first half.
Dimitar Berbatov leveled with a stunning bicycle kick before Kenwyne Jones headed Sunderland in front again, powering himself and the ball past United keeper Ben Foster.
Kieran Richardson was then sent off before Anton Ferdinand diverted a Patrice Evra shot into the back of his own net.
It was a bitter pill for Sunderland to concede in such a late stage of the game. The win would have been the first over United at Old Trafford since 1968.
Richardson will look back at the needless second yellow card, kicking the ball away, and leaving his team with 10 men to try and hold out the rest of the game.
Arsenal 6, Blackburn Rovers 2
Arsenal demonstrated flair and creativity as the team blew away Blackburn on Sunday.Blackburn went ahead with a Steven Nzonzi header in the fourth minute but Arsenal’s goal-scoring central defender Thomas Vermaelen blasted in from 20 yards for the leveler 13 minutes later.
David Dunn put the visitors up again with a deflected shot before Robin van Persie slotted in to equalize after 33 minutes. After that, it was all Arsenal.
Andrey Arshavin’s low shot put the Gunners ahead 3–2 before Cesc Fabregas volleyed in another goal. Back from injury, Theo Walcott scored in the 75th minute before Nicklas Bendtner finished the demolition.
This was a great way for the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to celebrate his 13th year at the club and become the longest serving Arsenal boss.
Cesc Fabregas had a fantastic game, assisting on four of the goals and scoring one himself. Constantly linked with a move to Barcelona, the Spanish midfielder reiterated his commitment to Arsenal.
He told Sky Sports, “It was a good time to show I love this club.”
Aston Villa 1, Manchester City 1
A very interesting Monday nighter took place at Villa Park as two teams with ambitions of breaking into the top four met.Villa center back Richard Dunne had something to prove against his former club as did City’s Gareth Barry.
Dunne gave the home team a lead after 14 minutes when he headed in a cross while being defended by Barry.
But Craig Bellamy equalized for City just after the hour mark. With the draw, City climbs into fourth place and Aston Villa moves into seventh place.
Bolton 2, Tottenham 2
Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka scored their first goals for Spurs as the team came from behind twice to take a point away at Bolton.
Bolton was quick off the mark with Ricardo Gardner putting the home team ahead after three minutes before Kranjcar leveled when he converted Peter Crouch’s knock down header.Kevin Davies chased down a cross to scramble in a header after a flowing Bolton move. He narrowly avoided smashing himself into the goalpost in the process.
But, Corluka headed in from a corner to take a point for Spurs and keep the team in third position in the Premier League.
Bolton has yet to win a game at home.
