Premier League review
Dubious pen spares Chelsea, Reds rout
West Bromwich Albion almost inflicted Jose Mourinho’s first Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge – but a controversial 94th-minute penalty from Eden Hazard saved a 2-2 draw and a point for Chelsea, reports ESPNsoccernet. Samuel Eto’o continued his good scoring form, having notched two against Schalke in the Champions League on Wednesday night, when he tapped home right on half time after good work from Eden Hazard.
But Shane Long scrambled home an equaliser in the 61st minute before Stephane Sessegnon scored what looked to be the winner seven minutes later when his shot somehow found its way through Petr Cech.
Hazard equalised from the spot after a dubious decision when Ramires went down under Steven Reid’s challenge.
Liverpool closed the gap on leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with another overwhelming performance at Anfield, this time dismantling an abject Fulham side with a 4-0 victory.
Fernando Amorebieta’s unfortunate own goal midway through the first half opened the floodgates, and Martin Skrtel headed home virtually unchallenged just three minutes later from Steven Gerrard’s corner.
It got worse for Fulham on 36 minutes when Gerrard was afforded too much space in midfield, fed Jordan Henderson who in turn set up Luis Suarez to sweep home the third.
And Suarez was again on target after more abysmal defending nine minutes into the second half, as Fulham followed up a poor showing against Manchester United with perhaps an even worse effort at Anfield.
It means the pressure continues to grow on Martin Jol, with Fulham languishing just above the relegation zone.
Southampton also scored four goals and moved into third place thanks to a comfortable 4-1 win over Hull City at St Mary’s.
Morgan Schneiderlin opened the scoring with a looping header after Rickie Lambert knocked the ball across goal into his path.
Southampton were then awarded a penalty when Steve Harper brought down Adam Lallana. Lambert drilled his spot kick into the roof of the net to double the lead on the half-hour mark.
Lallana then netted the third with a goal of the season contender, picking the ball up 30 yards from goal and embarking on a mazy run down the left, before cutting inside Ahmed Elmohamady and shooting past Harper into the corner.
Yannick Sagbo pulled one back for the visitors, before Steven Davis completed the rout.
Aston Villa ended their recent goal drought and kept their first clean sheet for 16 games as they won 2-0 against Cardiff City to bring Malky Mackay’s side back down to earth with a bump following their all-Welsh victory over neighbours Swansea last Sunday.
Leandro Bacuna scored a spectacular free-kick for the home side’s first goal in seven-and-a-half hours of football, before Libor Kozak’s header earned Villa a 2-0 victory six minutes from time.
Gary Hooper and Leroy Fer scored their first league goals for Norwich, who recovered from a goal down at West Ham to win 3-1 and leave Upton Park with all three points.
Norwich, who shipped seven at Manchester City last weekend, were behind at the break after Ravel Morrison tapped home following good work from Kevin Nolan.
But when Jussi Jaaskelainen felled Hooper in the area ten minutes into the second half, the former Celtic hitman picked himself up and made no mistake from the spot.
A stunning Robert Snodgrass free-kick put Norwich 2-1 up on 72 minutes – the first time the Canaries have been in front in a match in any competition since beating Stoke on September 29.
And as West Ham pushed for an equaliser, Fer broke clear in injury time and lashed home from the edge of the area to make the points safe.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace held on for a point against Everton in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.
-With The News Today input
