Michael Essien hit the bar for Chelsea before they went ahead from a disputed corner after Darren Bent’s sliced clearance went in off Juliano Belletti.

But Bent atoned when he slotted in the equaliser after inadvertently being played in by Chelsea’s Frank Lampard.

The home side dominated possession in search of a winner but Spurs repelled their attacks to hold on for a draw.

(more…)

Van Persie powered in a spot-kick after Charles N’Zogbia handled an Emmanuel Adebayor cross as Arsenal overwhelmed a depleted Newcastle.

Michael Owen shot wide for the Magpies but Emmanuel Eboue’s clever backheel left Van Persie to slide in and score.

A Nicky Butt header hit the Arsenal woodwork but Denilson added the home side’s third after an intricate move.

(more…)

Defoe scored on the turn after 12 minutes, then set up Glen Johnson for a second five minutes before half-time.

Everton dominated for long periods, but David James was in superb form, saving brilliantly from Mikel Arteta.

He saved Yakubu’s penalty just after the interval following Johnson’s foul on James Vaughan, then Defoe chipped home his second via the bar.

(more…)

The 25-year-old Egyptian stroked home Antonio Valencia’s cross for the third and fired in a thunderous drive that cannoned off the bar and over the line.

Wigan went in front as Kevin Kilbane’s in-swinging corner was turned into his own net by Sam Ricketts, while Valencia raced clear to double their advantage.

Heskey fired the fourth, before Zaki completed the rout with his second.
(more…)

Calum Davenport headed West Ham ahead before Mark Noble’s scuffed shot went in off Christopher Samba for a second.

Jason Roberts poked in for Rovers, who were denied a leveller when Matt Derbyshire was dubiously ruled offside.

Roberts had a penalty saved by Robert Green before Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole struck injury time West Ham goals.

The victory will relieve the pressure on Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, while Ince will be left rueing defeat at a club whose fans he upset nearly 20 years ago.
(more…)

The midfielder scored after just three minutes when he found the top corner after Lee Cattermole had handled.

But Wigan hit back and Blues keeper Petr Cech had to pull off smart saves to keep out shots from Wilson Palacios and Amr Zaki.

Chelsea struggled for form but held on for a win as Cech again rescued them by keeping out a late Olivier Kapo strike.
(more…)

City hit the woodwork twice through Tal Ben-Haim’s deflected shot and Martin Petrov’s free-kick before West Ham had Mark Noble sent off for two bookings.

The visitors were under the cosh but held out until Daniel Sturridge rifled into the roof of the net on 65 minutes.

Stephen Ireland crossed for Elano to smash in a second before setting up the Brazilian to volley home City’s third.
(more…)

Spurs, who dropped Dimitar Berbatov, were lucky not to trail at half-time after Steed Malbranque hit the post.

Gareth Bale powered a header over for the hosts soon after the re-start but they fell behind when Kieran Richardson rifled home after 55 minutes.

Spurs twice went close before Jermaine Jenas levelled but sub Cisse’s late header left Tottenham without a point.
(more…)

Sidibe was credited with the touch on Rory Delap’s long throw to deny Villa, who twice battled back to level.

Delap was fouled by Martin Laursen to allow Liam Lawrence to fire Stoke ahead from the penalty spot, with John Carew scoring a well-crafted equaliser.

Ricardo Fuller’s turn of pace and neat finish restored Stoke’s lead, only for Laursen to level from close range.

Villa needed to don their tin hats as they came under siege from Stoke’s direct style early on.
(more…)

The visitors had a chance to take the lead when Steven Taylor handled a cross but Kevin Nolan saw his spot-kick saved by Magpies keeper Shay Given.

Owen punished the miss when he headed in a Geremi cross at the far post.

(more…)