GUNNERS GO SECOND; CLARETS HOLD CITY

A review of Saturday's action in the Barclays Premier League.

Last Updated: 09/11/09 at 14:29 Post Comment

Dejection for Man City, delight for Burnley.

Dejection for Man City, delight for Burnley.

Arsenal took advantage of Manchester United's inactivity by hammering Wolves 4-1 to climb into second place in the Barclays Premier League.

With the champions not playing Chelsea until Sunday, the Gunners kept up the pressure at the top of the table with an emphatic victory.

They got a helping hand in the first half from the home side, with both Ronald Zubar and Jody Craddock scoring own goals.

And the Gunners kept their foot on the pedal, Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin extending their lead before Craddock got a consolation goal.

A late goal from substitute Kevin McDonald earned Burnley their first away point of the season in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Manchester City.

City had fought back from two goals down at Eastlands to lead, but McDonald struck four minutes from time, firing home a pass inside the area from Steven Fletcher.

Owen Coyle's men had lost all five of their previous matches on the road, but were on course to remedy that when Graham Alexander scored from the spot in the 19th minute after Joleon Lescott's handball in the area.

Fletcher then grabbed another after 32 minutes, adding the simplest of tap-ins to Chris Eagles' pass.

But Shaun Wright-Phillips halved the deficit before the interval, with the help of a deflection off Stephen Jordan, and Kolo Toure levelled after 55 minutes when he stabbed home a pass from Lescott following Gareth Barry's free-kick.

City were then in front for the first time three minutes later through Craig Bellamy, who applied the finishing touch to a cross from Wright-Phillips, and appeared to be heading for the win until McDonald's unlikely equaliser.

Tottenham took advantage by moving into the top four courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Sunderland at White Hart Lane.

Robbie Keane stabbed home after 12 minutes to beat Craig Gordon, who moments earlier had done well to palm away a volley from the Irishman.

Andy Reid hit the post for the visitors in the first half, while the Black Cats were awarded a dubious penalty after 51 minutes when Darren Bent went to ground under a challenge from Heurelho Gomes.

The Spurs 'keeper was booked for his protests, but redeemed himself by saving Bent's weak effort.

Tom Huddlestone then added to Sunderland's woes with Spurs' second after 68 minutes.

Aston Villa also climb the standings - into fifth - thanks to their 5-1 rout of Bolton.

Ashley Young gave Villa the lead after five minutes, smashing home on the rebound after Jussi Jaaskelainen had twice saved headers from John Carew.

Gabriel Agbonlahor then added a second after 43 minutes, but Johan Elmander hauled Bolton back into the match on the stroke of half-time.

Carew made it 3-1 eight minutes after the restart, and although James Milner had a penalty saved by Jaaskelaainen after 70 minutes, the midfielder made amends by smashing home Villa's fourth two minutes later.

Carlos Cuellar made it an afternoon to forget for Gary Megson's side when he headed home with 15 minutes remaining.

Blackburn came from behind to claim a 3-1 win over Portsmouth, a result which earned them a passage out of the bottom three.

Pompey were looking to build on their 4-0 thrashing of Wigan last weekend, and Jamie O'Hara gave them the perfect start at Ewood Park with the opening goal after 15 minutes from Aruna Dindane's pass.

But Jason Roberts got Rovers back on level terms after 53 minutes, poking home a header from Ryan Nelson, who then headed the hosts in front in the 73rd minute.

Roberts then put the result to bed with a left-footed strike four minutes from time.

Related News

Sky Bet

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

f I were a Madrid fan and they appointed Benitez I'd set fire to my eyes as a precaution and spend the next few days hitting my head against things until I wasn't moving.

hanzola
Who Will Take Over From Jose At Real?

R

io says... I think we need an English manager now, we don't need anything else lost in translation well maybe if you didnt mumble all the time Rio *ba dum dum, tsch*... ill get my coat.

monkey1986
Rio takes swipe at Capello

H

ahaha, of course he hasn't thought about the job... that's why he's had a beaming smile on his face all day... because he's DEFINITELY not thinking about the England job.

thejbs
Redknapp: Focus is on Tottenham

Footer 365

AVB plays down Roman visit

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insists nothing should be read into Roman Abramovich's visit to the Blues' training ground this week.

Sam: Harry is the obvious choice

West Ham gaffer Sam Allardyce says Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is the "number one choice" to take over as England manager.

Wenger feels 'sad' for Capello

Arsene Wenger has defended Fabio Capello's stance over John Terry but reiterated his belief that an Englishman should manage the national team.

Mail Box

England For The English Manager? Yes Please

Some folk genuinely want an English manager while others are still suggesting Rafa Benitez or Jose Mourinho. Also, remember that Fabio Capello walked...

Blaming Terry, The Press, The FA, Capello...

There are a lot of people who should take some of the blame for the farce of Fabio Capello's resignation but quite a lot if being thrown in the direction of the English media...

© 2012 365 Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved