Arsenal beat Newcastle, Burnley shock Saints,
Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla both scored twice as Arsenal closed back up on the English Premier League’s top four with a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium. ArseGiroud powered in a header on 15 minutes and, after Danny Welbeck had seen a goal perhaps harshly disallowed, birthday boy Cazorla made it 2-0 at the start of the second half with a neat chip.
Giroud then produced another fine left-footed finish at the near post, and after Ayoze Perez had reduced the deficit, Cazorla clipped home a late penalty as the feel-good factor returned for Wenger’s side after the fall-out from their defeat at Stoke City.
Premier League leaders Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over ten-man Hull City at Stamford Bridge. Eden Hazard put the Blues ahead with his eighth goal of the season before Tom Huddlestone was dismissed for a reckless studs-up challenge on Filipe Luis.
Diego Costa scored his first goal in five games to seal the win, which comes a week after Chelsea lost their unbeaten record at Newcastle United. Jose Mourinho’s men remain three points clear of Manchester City, who beat Leicester City 1-0 thanks to Frank Lampard’s 175th Premier League goal.
Manuel Pellegrini spoke this week about his desire to extend Lampard’s loan deal with the champions and he delivered his manager three points at the King Power Stadium after turning home Samir Nasri’s cross from close range. The goal means Lampard is now the joint-fourth highest scorer in Premier League history alongside Thierry Henry.
Craig Gardner came back to haunt his old club Aston Villa as West Bromwich Albion came out on top in the West Midlands derby at the Hawthorns. Gardner, who spent five seasons at Villa, scored a 72nd minute-winner to ease the pressure on Baggies boss Alan Irvine.
Burnley hauled themselves out of the bottom three with a vital 1-0 win over Southampton at the Turf Moor. Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton saved Dusan Tadic’s penalty on the hour and 12 minutes later Ashley Barnes converted Danny Ings’ pass to move the Clarets up to 17th in the table.
At the Stadium of Light West Ham United‘s Stewart Downing scored his third goal of the season to deny Sunderland a crucial victory. The Black Cats had gone ahead through a Jordi Gomez penalty, but Downing equalised in the 29th minute to leave the scores level at 1-1.
