Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League with this hard fought win over east London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge. Blues defender Alex had put the home side ahead after a quarter of an hour but former player Scott Parker put away a half volley to level things for the Hammers.
The second half saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side put immense pressure on their visitors and in form striker Didier Drogba put Chelsea ahead just before the hour mark and Florent Malouda steadied the fans nerves by making it 3-1 with 15 minutes left to play. Didier Drogba added a fourth in the dying minutes to secure the victory and continue his own hot streak.
The win puts Chelsea back above Manchester United ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter with Inter Milan on Tuesday night.
Two goals in the first quarter of an hour put Bolton in the driving seat at Upton Park in this crucial relegation six pointer. The win helps drag the Trotters above the Hammers into 13th place and five points from the relegation zone.
Kevin Davies put the away side with a typically powerful header and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere scored his first goal in Premier League football for Bolton to put Owen Coyle’s side in a commanding lead in a bad tempered encounter in east London.
Bolton midfielder Tamir Cohen was sent off with 20 minutes to go and Alessandro Diamante gave the Hammers hope with what turned out to be a consolation goal with two minutes left on the clock.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side secured a must win encounter thanks to yet another goal from Wayne Rooney. Its a result that puts some pressure on Chelsea ahead of this weekends round of Premier League games.
Rooney’s tenth and eleventh goal in eight games calmed nerves at Old Trafford and consigned in form West Ham to a defeat that wasn’t as bad as the scoreline suggests. It puts United in a good frame of mind ahead of their Carling Cup Final encounter with Aston Villa this weekend.
Anderson was hauled off early with an injury before the England international headed the home side in front before adding a second early in the second half. Michael Owen scored a late third to help his England chances. The win puts Manchester United within a point of leaders Chelsea having played one game more.
Find, Compare and Buy Manchester United Tickets at
West Ham secured a priceless win at Upton Park over fellow relegation candidates Hull City. Valeron Behrami scored an early opener for the Hammers and Carlton Cole continued his return from injury with a second and Julien Faubert scored a third in the dying minutes.
Tottenham eased past local rivals West Ham thanks to a Luka Modric goal after some good work from the in form Aaron Lennon. Gianfranco Zola had to deal with having to make two enforced changes early on due to injuries picked up by Scott Parker and Herita Ilunga.
White Hart Lane was as raucous as can be expected for this local derby as Tottenham piled on the pressure on a poor Hammers side who couldn’t cope with the likes of Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone and Wilson Palacios, all playing their part in this crucial win that puts more weight to Spurs top four push.
Jermain Defoe put away a second with a blistering strike past Rob Green.
anonymous wrote on Arsenal Plan Ambitious £40m Trio Raid (14):lol i like the way this website makes out arsenal would be in for all 3. as if we would spend 40m. i know they dont play the same position biut just because hes looking at all 3 we...
