The Weekend Round-up

by Danny Wright

Arsenal returned to the summit of the Premier League as they beat Sunderland 3-2 in a thriller at the Emirates. Robin van Persie rattled home a rasping free-kick early on and Black Cat’s fans feared the worst when oaf-footed Philippe Senderos somehow stabbed home to make it 2-0. Ross Wallace hit back though, and power-house striker Kenwyne Jones equalized to shock Arsenal, but van Persie struck again to Sunderland’s dismay as Paul McShane saw red late on.

Manchester United follow Arsenal close behind after beating a spirited Wigan 4-0 at Old Trafford. The Latics had held out 53 minutes until Carlos Tevez struck, with a Ronaldo double and a Wayne Rooney strike sealing an impressive win.

Sven’s Manchester City are a surprise inclusion in the top four at present, currently lying a lofty third place after they beat Middlesborough 3-1 at Eastlands. Chris Riggot helped City on their way with an own goal, and a superb Elano strike doubled the home side’s advantage and the in-form hit man struck again with a delightful free-kick. Joe Hart couldn’t keep a clean sheet on his full top flight debut as Ben Hutchinson struck a consolation for Boro.

Liverpool occupy the remaining Champions League spot in fourth as they stuttered to a home draw against Tottenham, the game a 2-2 draw after Fernando Torres late-leveler thwarted Martin Jol’s men.

Merseyside rivals Everton fell 3-2 at Newcastle in a lively encounter at St James Park. Nicky Butt curled home a beauty to open the scoring, but Andy Johnson ended his barren goal spell with an equalizer only for Emre and fit-again Michael Owen to put daylight between the two sides. Shay Given scored a bizarre own-goal to give the Toffees hope but it wouldn’t rain on the Owen parade as England fans across the globe rejoiced.

Jussi Jaaskelainen did his utmost to deny Chelsea but his heroics weren’t enough as Salomon Kalou broke through to give Avram Grant’s side the 1-0 win. The Finish keeper saved from Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda to keep his side in the tie but his colleagues at the other end couldn’t do the business as the Trotters remain second bottom.

Blackburn defeated unlucky Birmingham 2-1 at Ewood Park. David Bentley’s swivel and shot gave Rovers’ the lead and Benni McCarthy struck from the spot kick, with Cameron Jerome pulling one back for Steve Bruce’s men.

Elsewhere, Fulham suffered home defeat to Portsmouth. Two goals inside two second half minutes did the trick for Harry Redknapp’s mean, as Benjani and Hermann Hreidarsson struck to lift Pompey up to fifth in the table. Both sides were indebted to stopper’s Kasey Keller and David James respective contributions as their fine saves kept both sides in the clash.

Derby’s Premiership life doesn’t get any easier as they were felled by Reading 1-0 at the Madejski thanks to Kevin Doyle’s strike; meanwhile Craig Gardner scored a deserved winner to hand Aston Villa a win over West Ham in the solitary 3pm Saturday game of the weekend.

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