The Match day 13 lived up to its hype with a total of six matches played across England.
Soccer4life takes a review of each game.
SUNDERLAND 2 - 4 WEST BROM (EARLY KICK- OFF)
West Bromwich's Albion dream season continued as they moved up to third in the Premier League following a 4-2 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Zoltan Gera's brilliant strike, a dreadful blunder by Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, which gifted Shane Long a goal, Romelu Lukaku's penalty and Marc-Antoine Fortune's late finish gave Steve Clarke's side the points despite Craig Gardner's free-kick and Stephane Sessegnon's late tap-in having given the home fans something to cheer.
The win pushed West Brom above Chelsea, who host Manchester City in Rafa Benitez's first game in interim charge on Sunday, on to a total of 26 points from 13 games in what is emerging as an unexpectedly successful campaign.
In contrast, defeat for Sunderland added to the pressure on Martin O'Neill, which had only been temporarily lifted with last weekend's win at Fulham, and the Black Cats have now still won just one home game this season to leave them languishing close to the relegation zone.
The match's first real talking point came in the 20th minute when relieved Sunderland defender John O'Shea thought he had been shown a second yellow for a challenge on Long only to realise his Republic of Ireland team-mate had been harshly booked for diving.
Boaz Myhill was then fortunate not to be punished when the West Brom goalkeeper only palmed a header from Sessegnon, clearly full of confidence after his spectacular goal at Fulham, back into the danger zone.
But, in the 30th minute, Sunderland paid the price for their missed chances as Gera gave West Brom the lead by curling an excellent, left-footed, 25-yard effort past Mignolet, who could only brush his fingertips against the ball.
Mignolet and Sunderland's problems deepened one minute before half-time when the goalkeeper made an embarrassing hash of dealing with Chris Brunt's harmless, over-hit through-ball, allowing Long to pounce and walk the ball into the open net.
O'Neill, who had lost captain Lee Cattermole to injury in the first half, made another change at half-time and sent on James McClean in place of O'Shea, with Phil Bardsley moving to centre-back and Sebastian Larsson shifting to right-back.
But West Brom continued to look a threat on the counter-attack and Mignolet had to partly atone for his earlier blunder by saving a one-on-one with Long when rushing off his line to block the striker.
Sunderland, though, were back in the game in the 73rd minute when Gardner, who returned from suspension as a replacement for Cattermole, hit a free-kick and saw it deflect off the wall to beat Myhill.
The strike lifted Sunderland's spirits but it was short-lived as substitute Lukaku's 81st minute penalty, after Liam Ridgewell had gone down somewhat softly under a challenge from Adam Johnson, and Fortune's injury-time goal sandwiched Sessegnon's close-range finish at a corner.
EVERTON 1 - 1 NORWICH CITY
A last-minute equaliser from Sebastien Bassong gave Norwich City a hard fought 1-1 draw at Everton.
David Moyes' side had looked good for all three points after Steven Naismith's goal early in the first half gave them the lead.
But Everton never got going in the second half and it was no surprise when Bassong headed home in the final minute.
It was a fifth draw in seven games for Moyes' side but another encouraging result for Norwich after last week's defeat of Manchester United.
Despite being without their leading light Marouane Fellaini, and the likes of Kevin Mirallas and Phil Neville through injury, Everton started brightly and took the lead just 12-minutes in.
New boys Thomas Hitzlsperger and Bryan Oviedo combined well down the left as the Costa Rican broke into the box and squared for Naismith to side-foot home.
Former Toffee John Ruddy had a busy first half producing a string of good saves whilst Tim Howard was a virtual spectator at the other end.
But the second half was a different story as Norwich came out strong and Howard was suddenly asked to keep his side in the game, saving well from Anthony Pilkington before Johnny Heitinga had to clear off the line from Robert Snodgrass.
Everton's only real threat in the second period came from England full-back Leighton Baines, who was a constant thorn in Norwich's side.
Ruddy produced a fine save to deny Baines a wonderful individual effort before the left-back then fired over the bar from a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Everton looked as if they had done enough, but then in the final minute Norwich were level. Baines gave away a free-kick 35 yards out and Javier Garrido whipped it towards the back post where Bassong rose to beat Howard from an acute angle.
Everton remain in fifth with the point, but they miss the chance to close to within one point of Chelsea in fourth. Norwich remain without a win on the road, but Chris Hughton can be more than pleased with his side's display on Merseyside.
STOKE CITY 1 - 0 FULHAM
Charlie Adam netted the winner for a second successive Britannia Stadium fixture as Stoke City beat Fulham 1-0 to extend their good run of Barclays Premier League home form. The impressive Adam turned and finished from close range in the 26th minute to register his second goal as a Stoke player.
His first was the decisive strike in the previous home match, the 1-0 win over QPR on November 10, and Stoke are unbeaten in 13 games on their own turf in the league stretching back to February.
Tony Pulis’ side, who were the better team overall and nearly had another goal when Ryan Shawcross headed against the bar, have three victories to their name this season and are up to 11th in the table on 16 points. Fulham, meanwhile, stay ninth and are now winless in their last five games.
In driving rain, it was the visitors who made the brighter start, with Giorgos Karagounis lashing an effort across goal and wide after two minutes. There was a shaky moment soon after for Stoke as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic misread a back-pass but the ball was cleared away and the home side began to settle down.
Robert Huth headed wide from Matthew Etherington’s corner on the quarter hour-mark and Stoke continued to pressure, with Adam sending the ball over after juggling it in the area. Moments later the Scotland midfielder scored, taking one touch in the six-yard box, when Peter Crouch headed Ryan Shotton’s cross his way, before swivelling and firing the ball in.
The hosts kept up the momentum as Glenn Whelan tried his luck from the edge of the area, drilling wide, and Shawcross almost made it 2-0 in the 36th minute when he clattered a header against the bar. Fulham immediately broke forward, with Mladen Petric coming to meet a cross into the box but was unable to finish and Dimitar Berbatov then saw a delivery into the danger zone scrambled away.
Stoke looked eager to wrap things up as the second half got under way and seconds after the restart Whelan scooped an effort over from Jon Walters’ tee-up. Their opponents also had chances: Karagounis ballooned over and Steve Sidwell dived to connect with an Ashkan Dejagah cross, only for the ball to skim harmlessly off his head.
There was a scare for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who dropped a high ball but smothered it before anyone could pounce. Adam saw an effort deflect wide and Schwarzer tipped away a header by Huth from an Etherington corner, before Shawcross nodded off target.
Fulham survived a scramble in the area after a Schwarzer punch and went close as Berbatov’s drive was tipped away by Begovic. Pulis brought on Michael Kightly, who struck over. Kenwyne Jones, another Stoke substitute, thought he had doubled his side’s lead in the dying moments but was flagged offside.
WIGAN 3 - 2 READING
Hat-trick hero Jordi Gomez spared goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi’s blushes with an injury-time winner to earn Wigan Athletic three points with a 3-2 victory over Reading at the DW Stadium.
Reading arrived fresh from their first Barclays Premier League victory of the season against Everton and took the lead in the 35th minute through Sean Morrison’s first top-flight goal. But Gomez turned things around in the second half with a brace and that looked to be that until, 10 minutes from time, Al-Habsi dropped a half-blocked shot from Hal Robson-Kanu on to the bar and the ball hit him and went in. It was a hammer blow for Roberto Martinez’s injury-hit side but Gomez had the last laugh two minutes into added time to lift Wigan five points clear of the relegation zone.
Wigan were forced into three changes, with captain Gary Caldwell, midfielder Ben Watson and striker Franco Di Santo all injured, although the latter was fit enough for a place on the bench. After defeats by West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool, Wigan needed to get back on track and they could have been in front in the 12th minute when Jean Beausejour swung in a cross on to the head of Arouna Kone but he headed wide.
Reading began to look a threat when they sent balls into Wigan’s box. Adam Le Fondre twice headed just wide, first from Nicky Shorey’s corner and then a Jobi McAnuff centre. Wigan were still in the ascendancy, though, and Kone missed another chance in the 24th minute when a combination of Adan Federici and Shorey clearing off the line denied the Ivorian.
At the other end Reading won a free-kick but Al-Habsi gratefully grasped the ball at the second attempt after it looked like Shorey’s effort had gone through him.
Shorey was the architect when the visitors did take the lead in the 35th minute. Robson-Kanu was felled by McCarthy again and Shorey’s curling free-kick was powered home by Morrison.
Di Santo came on for Shaun Maloney at half-time and the Argentinian almost scored with his first touch after he was played through by Gomez but Federici tipped the shot round the post.
It was a lively start to the second half and, after Le Fondre saw a shot well blocked by Ivan Ramis eight yards out, Gomez volleyed over the bar at the other end.
There were yet more problems for Martinez when Ramis was forced off to be replaced by Adrian Lopez but in the 58th minute they were level. Di Santo was again involved, crossing from the left, and, although Federici saved Gomez’s first effort, he could not hold it and the Spaniard tucked away the rebound.
Wigan were on a roll and Federici again spilled a shot from Ronnie Stam but this time he pounced on the loose ball just in time. Reading were playing on the break and were almost back in front in the 62nd minute when Robson-Kanu crossed and Le Fondre flicked a header towards the corner only for Al-Habsi to fling out a hand.
Wigan had not recovered a single point from losing positions all season but they thought they were ahead when Beausejour crossed for Di Santo to tap in only for an assistant referee’s flag to cut short the celebrations. They did not have to wait long, though, as in the 68th minute Beausejour sent in another cross and Gomez grabbed his second with a diving header in his first Premier League start since his red card at Sunderland in September.
Wigan looked to be on course for three points but that all changed in the 80th minute. Robson-Kanu’s shot spun high up into the air off a Wigan defender but Al-Habsi seemed in control as the ball dropped back down. However, a combination of the spin and the wet ball contributed to it slipping through the goalkeeper’s grasp, hitting the bar before going in off the Oman international.
Gomez almost grabbed his hat-trick goal moments later only to see his shot deflected just wide, but the Spaniard did have the last word in injury time when he drilled in a pull-back from Kone, much to the relief of his goalkeeper.
MAN UTD 3 - 1 QUEEN PARK RANGERS
Sir Alex Ferguson has become accustom to playing either a team who just sacked their manager or a team who just appointed a new manger.
And QPR fell into both category and they had no choice than to suffer the same fate as all under that category usually do.
There may be those who are finding United's form frustrating this season but there is no disputing the entertainment and spirit at Old Trafford.
On 13 occasions, the Reds have fallen behind but this was the ninth victory secured from such a position of weakness. Bottom side QPR, supposedly lambs to the slaughter with newly-installed Harry Redknapp watching from the stands rather than taking charge, nullified the hosts in the first half and then had the audacity to score on 52 minutes through Jamie Mackie.
With no immediate response, the club's detractors must have been gleefully thinking about a third successive defeat for the first time since 2001. Yet Sir Alex's side turned the game on its head with three goals inside seven minutes. Jonny Evans, who seemed more determined than anybody to redress the balance, and Darren Fletcher both netted from Wayne Rooney corners and substitute Javier Hernandez did what he does best to make the points safe.
The Reds initially kicked off with plenty of purpose as Rooney and Robin van Persie were both advanced centrally with Danny Welbeck on the left and Ashley Young patrolling the opposite flank. With Fletcher starting his first Barclays Premier League game since 5 November last year in place of league ever-present Michael Carrick, complete control was established.
However, despite dominating possession, it took 16 minutes to almost carve out a first opening but Shaun Derry got an important toe to the ball to thwart Paul Schloles as he tried to nudge home inside the box. Van Persie then rippled the side-netting after Welbeck collected a Rooney pass and escaped down the left with the Dutchman’s classic attempt going just the wrong side of Julio Cesar’s right-hand post.
As the rain cascaded down at Old Trafford, QPR showed minimal attacking ambition but defended in numbers and with plenty of organisation and aggression. Clint Hill did well to beat Rooney to a cross from Patrice Evra following nice interplay with Welbeck and the best attempt of the opening half hour saw Young lash wide after Scholes hooked on rather than opting to volley a looped tee-up by Rooney.
United’s patient, probing approach drew some criticism from the home fans but Evra burst into the area with promise after combining well with van Persie, only to shoot tamely at Cesar.
Sir Alex instructed Young and Welbeck to switch flanks and it almost reaped instant dividend when the latter created a chance for Rooney but the striker’s scuffed effort was blocked by the increasingly busy Cesar. The Brazilian keeper was again called into action when Rooney unleashed a firmer drive but there was relief at the other end when an assistant referee flagged for offside before Mackie dived to head past Anders Lindegaard.
Controversy reigned before the interval when Hill shoved Young in the box and furiously accused the England international of diving. Referee Lee Probert took no action against either player even though they squared up, and Derry also became involved in the fracas, presumably still smarting from the incident that led to his dismissal in this fixture last term.
Sir Alex's side lacked the imagination to break down the massed ranks in the opening half and Adel Taarabt showed enough flair for the visitors to hint that a shock goal could not be ruled out, despite a game-plan clearly designed to hold out for a point.
Indeed, seven minutes after the restart, Rangers caught United napping at a corner. Taarabt returned the ball to unmarked taker Kieron Dyer, who cut in past van Persie to centre dangerously. Lindegaard could only touch the ball into the path of Mackie, who gratefully opened the scoring.
The Reds were rocked and Taarabt floated a free-kick over the top after Scholes was cautioned for a clumsy foul on Dyer. Sir Alex introduced Anderson and Hernandez for Young and Scholes in a desperate bid to fire up his troops while Anton Ferdinand, Rio's brother, replaced Armand Traore.
With the tension starting to build, the scores were levelled following a Rooney corner on the left. Welbeck won the header at the far post.
and, although Hernandez was unable to reach it, Evans powered in with real conviction to force home a close-range header.
Suddenly, the mood changed completely with the fans roaring the galvanised Reds on. Fletcher went close with a raking drive and then rose to head another Rooney corner emphatically past Cesar. Three minutes later, Anderson showed just what a player he can become by cutting QPR apart with an electrifying burst of acceleration. Hernandez took a touch with his left foot to control the precise pass and then produced a searing finish with his right.
Now clicking through the gears, van Persie could only fire behind the goal after another incisive move and teenager Nick Powell, fresh from an impressive Champions League debut in midweek, came on for another taste of the action - soon producing a delightful backheel.
It was probably a case of damage limitation for QPR from then onwards, but caretaker boss Mark Bowen urged his side to keep attacking until the end and Hill's header was cleared off the line by the alert Rafael. Rangers will hope for a new era under Redknapp while United are back on top of the table ahead of Manchester City's clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
ASTON VILLA 0 - 0 ARSENAL
The match between Aston Villa and Arsenal ended 0 - 0 with Arsenal not being able to do what Manchester United and Manchester City have done despite dominating possession.
For those who still don't believe it, below is the match details.
FT: Villa 0-0 Arsenal
90+2mins: Arsenal on top late on but Villa clear a dangerous cross and Gibbs then strays offside.
90+1mins: There will be three added minutes.
90mins: Last throw of the dice from Villa. Albrighton on for Weimann.
87mins: Great cross from Arshavin but Clark does brilliantly to clear it out for a corner with Gervinho lurking.
86mins: Gibbs cuts the ball back but it narrowly eludes an outstretched Arsenal leg. Gunners bring on Coquelin for Giroud.
83mins: Benteke outmuscles Koscielny and breaks away but then shows too much of it to Mertesacker and the German clears.
78mins: OFF THE BAR! It's that man Holman who unleashes a superb shot from distance but Szczesny does brilliantly to get a fingertip to the ball and divert it onto the crossbar.
76mins: Arsene Wenger brings on Arshavin for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
75mins: Benteke gets on the end of a free-kick at the back post but his header is easily saved by Szczesny. Ramsey tries his luck again at the other end but his shot drifts just wide.
70mins: The Villa defence closes down well to block a Ramsey shot.
69mins: Arsenal take off Podolski - for the 13th time in as many Premier League games. On comes Gervinho.
67mins: Nice passing from Villa and the move ends with Holman teeing up Agbonlahor but his low shot is blocked by Szczesny. Holman has looked good since coming on.
65mins: The game is opening up now but both sides see attacks break down on the edge of the box. Holman replaces El Ahmadi for Villa.
61mins: Lowton does well to block a Podolski shot, Ramsey arrives at the back post to put a good chance from the subsequent corner over the bar.
60mins: Slightly nervous moment for Szczesny as he fumbles a Lichaj cross but the ball bounces back into his arms.
58mins: Benteke briefly has a bit of room on the edge of the box but Arsenal are quick to close and his shot is deflected out for a corner.
55mins: Oxlade-Chamberlain drives down the right and crosses to the near post but the angle is tricky for Ramsey and his shot is well wide.
50mins: Villa forced to make a change. Skipper Vlaar has to go off with a calf problem and Eric Lichaj comes on.
47mins: CLOSE! A nice flick from Giroud tees up Cazorla but his shot from the edge of the box flies just wide of the target.
46mins: Villa get the second-half up and running. No substitutions at half-time.
Half-time: No goals at the break and not too much to enthuse about, although the match is being played out in torrential rain, to be fair.
Weimann had a goal correctly disallowed for Villa while Koscielny squandered Arsenal's best chance.
43mins: BAD MISS! Giroud crosses low from the left and it comes to Koscielny but the Frenchman shows why he's mainly a defender and scoops his shot over from close range.
37mins: DISALLOWED! Villa work a free-kick routine and Clark's deflected shot is lashed in by Weimann from close range but the forward was offside when the first shot went in.
35mins: Gibbs works a chance for Cazorla but the Spaniard's shot from the edge of the box is charged down. Arsenal having more possession at the moment, but struggling to create clear chances.
29mins: GOOD SAVE! Oxlade-Chamberlain makes inroads down the right again and then finds Ramsey, whose deflected shot is well blocked by Guzan.
26mins: Half-chance for Arsenal as the ball bounces loose to Podolski in the box but his first touch is a little heavy and Guzan comes out to smother.
21mins: El Ahmadi goes down far too easily and is rightly booked for diving by the referee.
20mins: Better from Arsenal but Oxlade-Chamberlain pulls his shot wide of the target after cutting inside from the right.
18mins: Benteke gets up well to meet a Bannan corner but his header drifts wide of the target.
15mins: The Villa tackles are flying in and the home fans are beginning to enjoy it. Bannan chances his arm from distance but his shot goes straight at Szczesny.
13mins: The hosts are starting to look good and Westwood swings a nice pass out to Weimann on the left. His cross is beaten away by Szczesny at the near post.
10mins: Villa knock it around nicely for a bit and Westwood is bundled over by Ramsey. Bannan's free-kick beats everyone and goes out for a goal-kick.
6mins: Gibbs crosses from the left but it eludes the Arsenal forwards and Villa clear.
3mins: The rain is lashing down but Arsenal are looking bright and Vlaar has to head a Giroud cross out for a corner.
1min: Arsenal get the action underway, wearing their yellow away gear, and Szczesny gets an early touch
Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Stevens, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Weimann, Bannan, Agbonlahor, Benteke.
Subs: Given, Ireland, Albrighton, Holman, Delph, Bowery, Lichaj.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud.
Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Vermaelen, Wilshere, Coquelin, Arshavin, Gervinho.
Tomorrow is the big one Champions Vs Champions, CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER CITY.
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