Matchweek 31 delivered on the excitement it promised as Spurs moved into 3rd place with a win over Swansea (and Chelsea’s loss), Arsenal once again proved its desire for Champions League football and Wigan secured a vital three points that (for now) moves the Latics out of the relegation zone.
SUNDERLAND 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (Stadium of Light)
An enemic offensive display from Sunderland dropped them to within one point of the relegation zone as Manchester United triumphed 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. The goal came via a Titus Bramble own goal from a Robin van Persie strike in the 27th minute and was all Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad would need to preserve its 15 point advantage over 2nd placed Manchester City.
ARSENAL 4 READING 1 (Emirates Stadium)
Gervinho (11'), Santi Cazorla (48'), Olivier Giroud (67') and Mikel Arteta (77') were all on target as the Gunners showed real quality to defeat a desperate Reading side 4-1. The Royals cut Arsenal’s lead to 3-1 through Hal Robson-Kanu’s 68th minute header but it wasn’t enough to spur a comeback in Nigel Adkins’ first match as manager.
MANCHESTER CITY 4 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 (Etihad Stadium)
After a sound 2-0 defeat at the hands of Everton, Roberto Mancini’s men found their feet on Saturday with a clinical display against Newcastle. City received goals from Carlos Tevez (41') David Silva (45'), Vincent Kompany ('56) while a 69th minute own goal by James Perch sealed the Magpies fate. With the win City holds a five point cushion over 3rd place Spurs while the loss drops Newcastle to 15th in the table, merely three points above the drop.
SOUTHAMPTON 2 CHELSEA 1 (St. Mary’s Stadium)
Another huge scalping for Mauricio Pochettino as goals by Jay Rodriguez (23') and Rickie Lambert (35') buried Chelsea 2-1. Since the Argentinian manager’s arrival on the south coast in late January he’s secured victories over Manchester City, Liverpool and now Chelsea, confirming that Southampton is a squad to be reckoned with.
SWANSEA CITY 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (Liberty Stadium)
Spurs held on for victory at the Liberty Stadium with Jan Vertonghen (7') and Gareth Bale (21') each producing stunning first-half goals before a Michu header in the 71st minute cut the lead in half. It was a massive three points for Tottenham, who leapfroged Chelsea into 3rd place after the Blues were outclassed by Southampton.
WEST HAM UNITED 3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Upton Park)
West Brom’s hopes for an end-of-the-season push to qualify for the Europa League were dashed at Upton Park as a confident West Ham side destroyed the Baggies 3-0. A thunderous header from Andy Carroll opened the scoring in the 16th minute and four minutes later Gary O’Neill doubled the lead with a sweet curler from the top of the box. Carroll found his brace in the 80th minute and West Brom got one back through a Graham Dorrans’ penalty but it was all West Ham as Sam Allardyce earned a much needed three points.
WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 NORWICH CITY 0 (DW Stadium)
Arouna Kone was the hero for Wigan as his 81st minute strike from the edge of the penalty area being the difference at the DW Stadium. For now the win raises the Latics out of the relegation zone, heaping pressure on Aston Villa to get a result in tomorrow’s clash with Liverpool.
EVERTON 1 STOKE CITY 0 (Goodison Park)
Everton kept its European hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Goodison Park. The difference came in the 28th minute when Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard punched Marc Wilson’s cross into the path of Kevin Mirallas, who collected the ball and exploded into a pitch-long counter-attack before slotting the ball past Asmir Begovic. The fantastic individual effort was the crown jewel of an otherwise drab contest and was enough to secure the Toffees stayed in 6th place, two points behind 5th place Arsenal and four points behind 4th place Chelsea.
ASTON VILLA 1 LIVERPOOL 2 (Villa Park)
Thirty minutes in and a Christian Benteke goal gave Aston Villa hope of distancing themselves from the relegation zone but it was all-for-naught as Liverpool scored twice in the 2nd half to stay within three points of 6th place Everton. Jordan Henderson leveled in the 47th minute courtesy of Philippe Coutinho’s brilliant through-ball and thirteen minutes later Steven Gerrard converted a Luis Suarez penalty to secure the Reds’ victory.
