On Saturday six games took place in the Premier League and there was plenty of movement in the table.
[ RELATED: Watch full match replay ]
Manchester United were the big winners as Wayne Rooney’s double moved the Red Devils into third place, while there were tight wins for West Brom, Newcastle, Stoke and Swansea elsewhere. Crystal Palace shocked West Ham in the early game, as plenty of teams continue to pull clear of the relegation zone.
[ RELATED: Standings | videos | schedule ]
Below are recaps, videos and analysis from all six matches, as the PL enters a pivotal stage of the season.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland - RECAP
After a shaky start United coasted past Sunderland, with Wayne Rooney scoring twice in the second half to send the Red Devils into third. A moment of real controversy arrived before Rooney’s first goal. Referee Roger East awarded United a penalty kick after Radamel Falcao was hauled down by John O’Shea... but East then sent off Wes Brown in a case of mistaken identity. Bizarre. Anyway, United have now lost just twice in their last 22 games but Sunderland are only three points off the bottom three.
West Ham United 1-3 Crystal Palace - RECAP
Glenn Murray put Palace ahead in the first half, then Scott Dann added another before Murray made it 3-0 early in the second half. Murray was then sent off for two bookable offences and Enner Valencia pulled one back for the Hammers, but the Eagles continue to soar clear of the relegation zone with Alan Pardew winning on his return to Upton Park in a feisty London derby.
- WATCH - Pardew delighted with Murray
- WATCH - Allardyce shocked by defeat
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Southampton - RECAP
The Baggies have now kept four clean sheets on the spin and Saido Berahino’s 17th goal of the season (which arrived just over a minute into the match) sealed the win for Tony Pulis’ men. Southampton have scored just once in their last five games, as the wheels are coming off for Ronald Koeman’s side in their challenge for a place in the top four.
Stoke City 1-0 Hull City - RECAP
Peter Crouch jumped off the bench and bagged a second-straight win for the Potters who are in 10th place on 39 points. Mark Hughes’ side ground out this one against a Hull City side who were missing several key players including Nikica Jelavic. The Tigers have a huge match vs. Sunderland on Tuesday, while Stoke can move into the top eight with a win over Everton on Wednesday.
Newcastle United 1-0 Aston Villa - RECAP
Papiss Cisse’s goal was enough to see off Aston Villa, as Tim Sherwood has started his time in charge of Villa with two defeats on the spin. Christian Benteke went close on several occasions for the away side, but they remain in the bottom three on goal difference. Newcastle stay in 11th on 35 points
Burnley 0-1 Swansea City - RECAP
In a must-win match, Burnley came up short as a scrappy second half goal which went down as a Kieran Trippier own goal was the only strike. Swansea’s fine season under Garry Monk continues, with the Swans climbing to eighth on 40 points and they are now just six points off a place in the top five. As for Burnley, they remain in the relegation zone and have two tough games against Liverpool and Manchester City coming up.
