English Premier League Review for December 9

Manchester United extended their English Premier League lead to 9 points after a 3-1 derby victory over Manchester City Saturday.

Manchester United 3-1 Manchester City

The Red Devils went 2-0 up through Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha and looked set to cruise to victory. However, Hatem Trabelsi’s inspired effort 18 minutes from time ensured a nervy spell for United, before Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the win which sent the leaders nine points clear of Chelsea. City were reduced to 10 men in injury time when Bernardo Corradi was sent off for his second yellow card after diving.

Liverpool 4-0 Fulham

Liverpool claimed their seventh home win of the season with a 4-0 victory over Fulham. The Reds were dominant but could not find the breakthrough until Steven Gerrard’s 54th-minute penalty. Gerrard followed up to convert the rebound after Jan Lastuvka pushed out his spot-kick following Ian Pearce’s handball. Jamie Carragher then converted Gerrard’s corner after 60 minutes before Luis Garcia found himself unmarked 12 yards out and he planted a powerful header into the net. In the final minute, Mark Gonzalez sent a 25-yard free-kick into the bottom corner.

Portsmouth 2-0 Everton

Portsmouth moved into third following a 2-0 victory over Everton at Fratton Park thanks to two stunning goals. Matthew Taylor unleashed a spectacular left-footed volley which went over goalkeeper Tim Howard from 45 yards to give Pompey the lead in the 15th minute. Kanu put the hosts further ahead with a second superb volley from just inside the area to lead 2-0 at the break. Everton rallied in the second half with David James pulling off a stunning save from Joseph Yobo.

Tottenham 5-1 Charlton Athletic

Tottenham Hotspur cruised to a 5-1 victory over struggling Charlton Athletic at White Hart Lane. Tottenham opened the scoring through Dimitar Berbatov when Aaron Lennon dinked the ball through and Teemu Tainio put Spurs further ahead in the 33rd minute. Charlton pulled one back when Michael Dawson touched the ball past his own keeper two minutes from half-time. Berbatov’s knock-down was converted by Steed Malbranque in the 55th minute before Jermain Defoe hit an unstoppable shot past Scott Carson.

Berbatov took advantage of some good fortune to get his second.

Bolton 4-0 West Ham United

Bolton Wanderers moved into fifth with an emphatic 4-0 victory over struggling West Ham United. The victory sees Bolton settle in just one point behind Portsmouth and Liverpool but leaves the Hammers in trouble occupying the third relegation spot. Kevin Davies opened the scoring when he got on the end of a cross by El-Hadji Diouf and hammered home from six yards in the 17th minute. Gary Speed, making a record 500th Premier League appearance, swung in a corner which Ivan Campo headed on before Davies reacted instantly to knock it past Robert Green to make it 2-0.

Diouf finally got on the scoresheet in the 77th minute when he converted from close range before Nicolas Anelka completed the rout with a low shot a minute later. Campo almost added to the rout when his shot from the edge of the area beat Green but hit the post and bounced away.

Blackburn 1-3 Newcastle United

Obafemi Martins scored twice as Newcastle United claimed a 3-1 win at 10-man Blackburn Rovers. However, their satisfaction was tempered by an injury to Emre who was carried off after being caught by Morten Gamst Pedersen. Obafemi Martins put the Magpies ahead with an unstoppable shot in the 32nd minute and Steven Taylor scored three minutes later.

Henchoz was then given a straight red card after bringing down Martins by the touchline. Blackburn pulled one back with a wonderful 30-yard shot from Pedersen shortly after half-time. Martins then got his second in the final minute after Newcastle broke from a Rovers corner and he converted from 30 yards after Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel was stranded in the United area having gone forward for the set-piece.

Middlesbrough 1-1 Wigan

Middlesbrough failed to move away from the relegation zone after sharing a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic at the Riverside. Wigan went ahead through Henri Camara’s well-taken penalty in the 24th minute after Emanuel Pogatetz’s needless challenge on Paul Scharner.

Latics keeper Chris Kirkland was replaced by Mike Pollitt after being taken to hospital at half-time. Aiyegbeni Yakubu levelled after 67 minutes following good work from the returning Mark Viduka and James Morrison.

Watford 0-0 Reading

The game between Watford and Reading at Vicarage Road ended goalless. The first half produced few chances with neither keeper busy for the majority of the half, although the Royals were on top. However, the second half started brightly with Darius Henderson putting a header over the bar following Ashley Young’s cross.