Chelsea’s poor form continues as Arsenal top Premier League

Chelsea’s poor Premier League form continued as they drew 1-1 at home against a determined Everton side. Captain John Terry returned to the side after injury but was unable to inspire the team to a much-needed victory. Didier Drogba scored a penalty for Chelsea after Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard fouled Nicolás Anelka, with many of the home fans believing he should have been sent off. Everton fought back in the second half and Jermaine Beckford headed the equalizer four minutes from time, Chelsea have now won just one of their last six league games.

With Manchester United’s game at Blackpool postponed due to a frozen pitch, Arsenal made the most of it and climbed to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Fulham, the game turning around with two big goals by Samir Nasri. , while Arsenal were again guilty of excessive elaboration and waste in front of goal.

After a tense week at Manchester City, things looked more harmonious on the pitch when they beat Bolton 1-0, with Carlos Tevez scoring after four minutes. City could and probably should have scored more goals. The game was not without its drama as Aleksandar Kolarov was sent off by the home team and when Tevez was substituted late in the game he confronted manager Roberto Mancini on the touchline.

Birmingham are a formidable team at home, but Tottenham will feel like they wasted a golden opportunity after conceding a late goal as they drew 1-1. Gareth Bale was back in excellent form and set up Sebastien Bassong to give Spurs a 1-0 lead, only for Craig Gardner to equalize for Birmingham on 82 minutes.

An entertaining game in Wigan saw them draw 2-2 with Stoke, with all the goals coming in the first half, as the home side twice rallied after falling behind the visitors.

Blackburn, who had lost 7-1 to Manchester United last week, put their nightmare behind them by beating Wolves 3-0, although the score was probably flattering for the home side, whose goalkeeper Paul Robison produced some good saves for prevent the Wolves. to mark.

West Bromwich Albion continued their good form with a 3-1 win at home to Newcastle, who subsequently sacked their manager Chris Houghton, the directors feel the club needs a more experienced manager. Houghton had successfully led the club back to the Premier League and are currently 11th in the table.

Sunderland capped West Ham United’s mini-renaissance, with a 1-0 win, which sees them retake the unenviable 20th place in the league table. West Ham’s performance was encouraging as both teams had enough chances to win the match.

Gérard Houllier’s return to Anfield on Monday ended in disappointment as his Aston Villa team fell to a 3-0 defeat. Liverpool without Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres never had a problem with Villa, although Houllier received a warm welcome from the Liverpool faithful after his departure from management in 2004.