Luis Suarez continued his wonderful scoring run when he scored two more to help Liverpool beat Cardiff City 3-1 at Anfield.
Suarez also set a Premier League record with his first goal of the game which is his ninth in December, the highest number to have been scored in a single month. The hosts dominated proceedings but it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock but Simon Mignolet saved Craig Noone’s curling effort. The Reds went in front on 25 minutes when Suarez go on the end of Jordan Henderson’s cross to volley home a beauty with David Marshall rooted to the spot. Philippe Coutinho and Jon Flanagan came close to increasing their side’s lead but were unlucky to miss out. When it looked as if it would be just one goal separating the teams at the break, Liverpool scored two in the space of 3 minutes. Henderson sent Suarez with a superb through ball and instead of finishing it himself, the Uruguayan squared for Raheem Sterling to tap home. The third goal was as good as the first. Suarez collected Henderson’s back heel to curl in a great shot into the far corner with the keeper well and truly beaten. Cardiff would have feared the worst after the break but pulled one back through Jordon Mutch who, unmarked, headed in Peter Whittingham’s free kick. Suarez had a couple of chances to get his hat trick but struck a rebound onto the post and later shot straight at Marshall. The win sent Liverpool to the summit at least for a couple of days until Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates.
Manchester United got back to winning ways in the league when they beat West Ham United 3-1 at Old Trafford. Danny Welbeck opened the scoring on 26 minutes for the hosts when he combined with Wayne Rooney before taking a shot which crept under the body of Adrian in goal. Adnan Januzaj doubled the lead 10 minutes later when he latched onto Welbeck’s pass to deceive James Collins with ease before firing a low shot with his right foot. Antonio Valencia had the chance to make it three before the break through a swift counter but sent his effort over after Rafael’s cut back. Javier Hernandez who replaced Welbeck had a goal disallowed for offside. Ashley Young came on to replace Januzaj and got on the score sheet in the 72nd minute when he blasted Rooney’s layoff into top corner. Alexander Buttner came on to replace Patrice Evra and it was his mistake that allowed the Hammers to pull one back with 9 minutes remaining. He failed to maintain the line with the two center backs which allowed Cartlon Cole to break the offside trap and coolly tap in through the legs of David De Gea.
Manchester City continued their free scoring when they beat Fulham 4-2 at Craven Cottage. David Silva hit the crossbar as City went looking for the opener and it arrived on 23 minutes when Yaya Toure scored with a brilliant free kick. Edin Dzeko had a couple of chances to improve the score line but his tame efforts were saved by Maarten Stekelenburg. City went into the break two goals to the good when Vincent Kompany stabbed home the rebound after Martin Demichlis’ header from a free kick was saved by Stekelenburg. The Cottagers pulled one back 5 minutes after the restart when Kieran Richardson tapped in Adel Taarabt’s low cross. They drew level on 69 minutes when Sascha Riether’s cross was freakishly turned into his own goal by Kompany whose attempt to clear went horribly wrong. Substitute Jesus Navas put the visitors in front on 78 minutes when he collected Silva’s through ball before drilling a shot through the legs of Stekelenburg. James Milner made it four after 5 minutes when he turned home Alvaro Negredo’s brilliant cross from the right to seal the win for City.
Tottenham Hotspur got back to winning ways when they beat Southampton 3-2 at St. Mary’s. Adam Lallana put the Saints in front but Emmanuel Adebayor and Jos Hooiveld (own goal) put the Spurs in front. Rickie Lambert drew level for the hosts but Adebayor scored the winner for the visitors.
Everton continued their fine form by beating Swansea City 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium. Seamus Coleman opened the scoring for the Toffees with a screamer but Bryan Oviedo’s own goal brought the Swans level. Ross Barkley scored the winner for the visitors from a free kick.
Yohan Cabaye, Daniel Gabbidon (own goal) and Hatem Ben Arfa scored for Newcastle United as they beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park. Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch scored for Stoke City as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium with Libor Kozak scoring one for the Villans. Sunderland drew goalless at home against Norwich City while West Bromwich Albion scored late to draw 1-1 at home against Hull City. Matej Vydra’s strike for the Baggies cancelled out Jake Livermore’s goal for the Tigers.
FIFA Club World Cup
Bayern Munich won the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco by beating Raja Casablanca 2-0. Dante and Thiago Alcantara scored for the Bavarian giants as they lifted their fifth trophy in 2013. The German side had won the UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup and the European Super Cup before becoming the world champions.
Atletico Mineiro came third after beating Guangzhou Evergranade 3-2 in the third place playoff while Monterrey thrashed Al Ahly 5-1 to clinch fifth spot.
