Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Newcastle United 1-0 at St. James’ Park.
The hosts did most of the attacking in the first half with Moussa Sissoko, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy coming close with Michael Williamson heading a corner onto the woodwork. It was the Gunners though who struck when Giroud glanced in a header from Theo Walcott’s free kick. Giroud had the chance to seal the win when Walcott’s second effort following a save by Tim Krul was cleared off the line by Debuchy but the Frenchman shot wide as the visitors hung on to their slender lead. Newcastle were unlucky not to have been awarded a free kick in a dangerous area and a penalty and Mathieu Flamini was lucky to have remained on the pitch as he got away on both instances.
Edin Dzeko’s solitary goal was enough for Manchester City as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Many would have predicted a rout but the Eagles did well to keep the hosts at bay for much of the game. After Julian Speroni had tipped over James Milner’s effort, it was Joe Hart who had to produce some brilliant saves to deny the likes of Jason Puncheon, Mile Jedinak and Joel Ward. When the visitors looked to be getting something from the game, Dzeko slotted home Jesus Navas’ pass from the right to score.
Chelsea came from a goal down to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Eden Hazard’s leveller and Samuel Eto’o’s winner. The Reds took the lead on 3 minutes when Martin Skrtel tapped home Luis Suarez’s diving header from a free kick which had deflected off Branislav Ivanovic. Eto’o conceded the free kick and was lucky not to have received a caution at least for a high boot. The Blues drew level on 17 minutes when Hazard curled in a beauty into the top corner after Oscar’s attempted pass had been blocked only up to him by Mamadou Sakho. Eto’o scored the winner with 10 minutes to go in the first half when he slid in to guide Oscar’s low cross into the far corner. He had another chance to grab his brace but shot straight at Simon Mignolet when he was one on one with the Belgian keeper. The Cameroonian was lucky not have conceded a penalty when he blatantly brought down Suarez inside the box. Liverpool went looking for the equaliser but Chelsea held firm.
Danny Welbeck scored yet again as Manchester United beat Norwich City 1-0 at Carrow Road. After Shinji Kagawa had drawn a save from John Ruddy, it was David De Gea who was at full stretch to deny Russell Martin but Wesley Hoolahan failed to turn home the rebound. Gary Hooper and Nathan Redmond came close to breaking the deadlock but it was United who scored when an attempted clearance fell to Welbeck who rounded Ruddy before slotting home. The Canaries were unlucky not to have earned at least a point for their efforts as the visitors hung on to win it.
Everton bounced back from their Boxing Day defeat to beat Southampton 2-1 at Goodison Park. Seasmus Coleman scored a blinder for the Toffees but Gaston Ramirez equalised for the Saints. Romelu Lukaku scored the winner as Everton secured fourth spot.
Tottenham Hotspur continued their positive run with a 3-0 win over Stoke City at White Hart Lane. Roberto Soldado opened the scoring from the spot with Mousa Dembele and Aaron Lennon completing the scoring.
West Ham United played out a six goal thriller at home against West Bromwich Albion. Joe Cole put the Hammers in front but Nicolas Anelka scored twice to give the Baggies the lead. Modibo Maiga equalised for the hosts and Kevin Nolan gave them the lead once again. Saido Berahino had the last say when he restored parity with a superb strike.
Gabriel Agbonlahor’s strike for Aston Villa was cancelled out by that of Roland Lamah as the Villans were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Swansea City. Tom Huddlestone finally earned a trip to the barber’s after scoring for Hull City in a 6-0 drubbing of Fulham at the KC Stadium. Robert Koren scored a brace with Ahmed Elmohamady, George Boyd and Matty Fryatt also scoring for the Tigers. Cardiff City let a two goal lead slip when they drew 2-2 at home against Sunderland. Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell put the Bluebirds in front but late goals from Steven Fletcher and Jack Colback secured a point for the Black Cats.
