BPL : Liverpool on top

Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool

A first-half goal from Xabi Alonso ended Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home league record and put Liverpool three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League. Alonso struck in the ninth minute when his 20-yard shot deflected off Jose Bosingwa to leave goalkeeper Petr Cech flat-footed.

Chelsea had their moments but Ashley Cole wasted their best chance of the match in 73rd minute by firing wide from eight yards. Chelsea began the brighter of the two sides and their initial thrusts almost resulted in an opening goal. Nicolas Anelka dribbled his way into the penalty area in the third minute but was tackled before he could test Jose Reina. The ball fell to Deco but the Chelsea midfielder's shot was deflected to safety.

Liverpool went ahead in the ninth minute with their first attack of the match.Chelsea failed to deal with a throw when John Terry could only half clear Dirk Kuyt's clever back-header. The ball fell to Xabi Alonso on the edge of the penalty area and his shot deflected off Bosingwa past Petr Cech.

See The Highlight (Alonso's Goal)

Everton 1 - 1 Man Utd

Everton outmuscled Manchester United to claim an unexpected point thanks to a spirited second-half comeback. Manchester United had dominated the first 45 minutes of the Barclays Premier League match with a controlled and confident display, to the point that Everton were chasing shadows. United held a deserved lead through Darren Fletcher at the break, but in the second period Everton stormed back with a physical performance, with Marouane Fellaini heading the equaliser.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was able to make five changes to the United side that outclassed Celtic in the Champions League in midweek. Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra were back from injury, while Ryan Giggs returned as captain. Wes Brown and Ji-Sung Park were also recalled.

Everton had former United striker Louis Saha up front with Ayegbeni Yakubu, while Joseph Yobo and Phil Neville returned from injury. The hosts were either brave or foolhardy to play two wide-men in Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta, leaving Leon Osman and Fellaini sometimes cruelly exposed in central midfield, where Giggs pulled all the strings.


West Ham 0 - 2 Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor came off the bench to inspire Arsenal to victory over West Ham United at Upton Park. The Togo international created the breakthrough after 75 minutes when his cross-shot was turned into his own net by West Ham full-back Julien Faubert.

As the Hammers pushed for an injury time equaliser, Adebayor finished off an incisive counter-attack by rounding Robert Green to rifle home the second. West Ham finished the game with 10 men after Carlton Cole was sent off in injury time for a foul on Alexander Song.

Full results

Everton 1 - 1 Manchester U.
Sunderland 2 - 1 Newcastle U.
WBA 0 - 3 Hull C.
Blackburn Rovers 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
Chelsea 0 - 1 Liverpool
Manchester C. 3 - 0 Stoke C.
Tottenham H. 2 - 0 Bolton W.
Wigan Athletic 0 - 4 Aston Villa
West Ham U. 0 - 2 Arsenal
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Fulham

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