Top teams hold form in saturday Premier League play

All of the top sides in the English Premier League won on Saturday and all in dominant fashion with the exception of Liverpool, who reversed a 2-1 halftime deficit to prevail at home against Wigan 3-2. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United destroyed their opponents by an aggregate 13-1 tally.

Liverpool provided the only drama Saturday among the league’s top teams as they fell behind twice at home against Wigan before salvaging the victory in the second half. Amr Zaki scored twice for the visitors to stake them to an early 1-0 lead, and then sent them into the locker room with a 2-1 margin after Dirk Kuyt had evened the score for the home side. A furious Liverpool onslaught in the 2nd frame finally produced two goals, the first by Alberto Riera at the 80 minute mark. Kuyt gave the home team the victory and the three valuable points by outwitting Wigan netminder Chris Kirkland five minutes later. The win allowed Liverpool to stay tied atop the EPL table with Chelsea.

Chelsea had a much easier time on the road at Middlesbrough, scoring early and often to shellac the home team 5-0. Salomon Kalou scored the first of his two goals at the 14 minute mark and that was all she wrote for the home team who were simply dominated in every phase of the game. Chelsea outshot the home side 22-8 and held a 70% to 30% possession edge in a contest that was more of a scrimmage than a competitive match.

Arsenal at least had the good graces to make it interesting at home against Everton. The Gunners allowed their guests to score first when Leon Osman tallied to put Everton up 1-0. That’s where the score stood at the half but Arsenal came roaring back after the break, tying the game on Samir Nasri’s goal off a bad zone clearing effort by Everton. Robin Van Persie scored the eventual game winner at the 70 minute mark and Theo Walcott added an insurance marker during stoppage time. Arsenal sits in fourth place, 1 point behind Hull and three points out of first.

After a slow start to the season, Manchester United continued their recent good form with a 4-0 clean sheet victory over West Brom at Old Trafford. After a scoreless first half, Wayne Rooney got the home team on the board at the 56 minute mark and the rout was on. Cristiano Ronaldo would add to the ManU lead 14 minutes later and Dimitar Berbatov and Nani would each score to stake their team to the final margin of victory. For the game, Man U outshot their opponents by a lopsided 23 to 6 margin.

Man U hosts Everton next Saturday, but the significant action will take place on Sunday as the two teams tied for first place—Liverpool and Chelsea—will tangle at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal will travel to Upton Park to play West Ham.