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The English Premier League produced drama once again overnight, with Manchester United left scratching their heads, Newcastle United humiliated on home soil and a handful of teams spicing up the relegation dogfight.
The action started in the north of England, where Newcastle United and Sunderland faced off at St James’ Park for the Tyne-Wear derby, with the Black Cats defeating their rivals 3-0.
The much anticipated clash produced some early controversy when Sunderland were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute. On-loan Italian striker Fabio Borini duly converted the spot kick to give the visitors the lead.
The travelling faithful were sent into sheer delirium four minutes later when winger Adam Johnson tapped home Tim Krul’s parry from a Jack Colback shot.
It was clear that the Magpies were missing the influence of Yohan Cabaye’s passing game, after his departure to Paris Saint Germain midweek for £19 million.
With this being said, manager Alan Pardew’s headache would have required another dose of Panadol with 10 minutes remaining as Sunderland broke on the counter to unload Jack Colback on the path to goal, for a clinical shot into the top right hand corner of the Newcastle net to give them an unassailable lead and consecutive 3-0 victories in their travels to their bitter rivals.
Kicking off at the same time down in East London, West Ham gave their survival hopes a healthy injection as they defeated Swansea City 2-0. Two first half goals from captain Kevin Nolan, which were both assisted by striker Andy Carroll, were enough to give the Hammers the three points but still kept them in the drop zone for now.
In the second half though, Carroll soon went from hero to villain as he was given his marching orders and sent for an early bath for an ugly challenge with half an hour left to play, to leave the Hammers faithful on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
In Wales, Cardiff City followed a similar path to the Hammers, claiming a crucial three points in their bid to avoid immediate relegation from the Premier League after coming from behind to defeat Norwich City.
The Canaries took an early lead through Scotsman Robert Snodgrass, who applied a simple finish on the back post from a low Martin Olsson cross. However, the second half saw an inspired comeback from the Bluebirds as Welsh veteran broke the longest goal-scoring drought in his 17-year career by drawing Cardiff level moments after half time.
Then moments later, new signing and Trinidad and Tobago international Kenwyne Jones scored on his Cardiff debut from close range after his first effort was blocked on the goal line, which proved enough to give new manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer his first win in charge of the Welsh outfit.
On Merseyside, Everton faced a buoyed Aston Villa side who had claimed derby bragging rights midweek against West Bromich Albion.
The Villains took the lead midway through the first stanza through midfielder Leandro Bacuna with a simple finish through the legs of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Nonetheless, the Toffees were kicked into gear after the break having already lost bragging rights from the Merseyside derby loss to Liverpool midweek.
Former Villian Gareth Barry provided the assist for Steven Naismith with 15 minutes remaining to give the Toffees an equaliser. With several minutes remaining in the match that seemed to be destined for a draw, Belgian Kevin Mirallas smashed home a pearler of a free kick to give Roberto Martinez’s men a handy three points in their quest for the European places.
Back in London, on the banks of the Thames, Fulham suffered a massive blow in their battle to avoid relegation with a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Southampton.
The south coast club scored three goals in the last half an hour of the match, with clinical finishes from Adam Lallana, Ricki Lambert and Jay Rodriguez proving to be the tonic to claiming three points that leaves the Saints in ninth place.
Hull City claimed a point at home to Tottenham Hotspur after a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.
The Tigers opened the scoring through debutant Irishman Shane Doyle who was cool, calm and collected as he slotted past the advancing Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Spurs were able to claim a second half equaliser through Brazilian midfielder Paulinho, who scored from a well-worked move from the North London club. Paulinho’s strike saved Spurs’ blushes and a second consecutive defeat in the Premier League.
In the late match on Saturday evening, Stoke City embarrassed Manchester United at the Brittannia Stadium with a 2-1 win.
Charlie Adam opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a well-placed finish passed United keeper David De Gea.
United rebounded immediately after the break though through Dutchman Robin Van Persie, who scored for the second time in a week after returning from injury.
Just when United looked to be gaining the ascendancy in the match, Adam struck once again with an absolute peach five minutes after Van Persie’s strike. After a cutback from Jonathan Walters, the ball fell kindly for Adam 25-yards out from goal taking his shot first time as it nestled into the top right hand corner of the United net.
The result now leaves United in 7th place after suffering eight defeats in a Premier League campaign for the first time since the 2003/04 season.
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