Chelsea leapfrogged Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the Barclays Premier League thanks to a 4-0 triumph at Stoke City, on a day when Sunderland overcame West Ham United 3-0 and Reading rallied from two goals down to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2.
Chelsea responded to their recent defeat by Queens Park Rangers in style by completing a 4-0 rout of Stoke with the help of two own goals by Jonathan Walters. The home side had contained the Blues until the second minute of added time at the end of the first half when Walters connected with Cesar Azpilicueta’s centre to send a diving header past team-mate Asmir Begovic.
Walters’ afternoon worsened when he again scored at the wrong end on 62 minutes, and after Frank Lampard converted a penalty and Eden Hazard produced a wonderful long-range strike on 73 minutes, Walters compounded a miserable afternoon by missing a late penalty.
The victory takes Chelsea a point above Tottenham, who were held to a goalless draw by QPR, as were Everton, at home to Swansea City, and Norwich City, by Newcastle United. Fulham were also frustrated at home by Wigan Athletic for whom Franco Di Santo cancelled out Giorgos Karagounis’ first-half effort.
There was no such disappointment for Sunderland, who completed a 3-0 success against West Ham, thanks to Sebastian Larsson’s 12th-minute long shot and second-half goals by Adam Johnson and James McClean. Rickie Lambert's penalty also earned Southampton a precious three points as they edged a tight affair at Aston Villa 1-0.
Reading, meanwhile, breathed new life into their campaign to remain in the top flight with a dramatic fightback against West Brom at the Madejski Stadium. Steve Clarke’s side appeared in control after Romelu Lukaku’s goals earned his side a two-goal cushion.
However, the Royals hit back with three goals in the last eight minutes, from Jimmy Kebe, an Adam Le Fondre penalty and Pavel Pogrebnyak’s last-gasp winner. The victory takes the Royals two points clear of QPR at the bottom.
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Saturday 11 January
FT Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur | #QPRTOT | Matchday Live >>
FT Aston Villa 0-1 Southampton | #AVLSOU | Matchday Live >>
FT Everton 0-0 Swansea City | #EVESWA | Matchday Live >>
FT Fulham 1-1 Wigan Athletic | #FULWIG | Matchday Live >>
FT Norwich City 0-0 Newcastle United | #NORNEW | Matchday Live >>
FT Reading 3-2 West Bromwich Albion | #RDGWBA | Matchday Live >>
FT Stoke City 0-4 Chelsea | #STKCHE | Matchday Live >>
FT Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United | #SUNWHU | Matchday Live >>
Sunday 12 January
1.30pm Manchester United v Liverpool | #MUNLIV | Matchday Live >>
Sir Alex Ferguson (MUN) on Wayne Rooney’s recovery, the intensity of the "derby” against Liverpool, his side’s impressive form and their clean bill of health.
Brendan Rodgers (LIV) on Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez, the pride and passion involved when playing United and the Red Devils’ defensive weaknesses.
4pm Arsenal v Manchester City | #ARSMCI | Matchday Live >>
Arsene Wenger (ARS) on Olivier Giroud's availability, his views of the Gunners squad, the contract negotiations with Theo Walcott and why the match against Manchester City will be an open one.
Roberto Mancini (MCI) on his side’s injuries, the improving form of his strikers and the difficulty of facing Arsenal away from home without key players.
