LIVERPOOL 5-0 NORWICH
Norwich must be sick of the sight of striker Luis Suarez as he scored his seventh goal in three matches against them to help Liverpool return to winning ways.The Canaries' nemesis, after hat-tricks in his previous two outings against them, struck the second after Jordan Henderson's well-taken opener.New £12million signing Daniel Sturridge became the first Reds player since Ray Kennedy in 1974 to score in his first three matches before Steven Gerrard's strike and Ryan Bennett's own goal completed the rout.It took Liverpool's tally against Norwich in the last three league matches to 13, most of which have gone to Suarez.Only Ian Rush, with nine, has scored more goals against them for Liverpool.Questions had been asked about whether Suarez, who now has 20 goals for the season, and Sturridge could play together and how manager Brendan Rodgers would accommodate the pair.The Uruguay international dropped into a deeper role off the front man but it did not lessen his impact as he was a constant thorn in Norwich's side.After a promising 45 minutes in the defeat at Old Trafford last week, the pair continued to build on their fledgling relationship with Sturridge's awareness and dummy for Suarez's goal the highlight.With goalkeeper Jose Reina missing due to a thigh injury Norwich needed to take advantage but Bennett planted his early free-header from Robert Snodgrass's free-kick straight at stand-in Brad Jones.From that point onwards it was virtually one-way traffic with Suarez and Sturridge combining early only for the latter to shoot straight at goalkeeper Mark Bunn.By then Suarez was already running rings around the visitors one brilliant backheel skill leaving Michael Turner completely bamboozled and his low cross-shot was claimed by Bunn at the second attempt at his near post.The South American's admission this week that he had dived in an attempt to win a penalty here in October had brought condemnation but against Norwich he appeared determined to stay on his feet.That resulted in the opening goal as he avoided two crunching tackles, the second pushing the ball into the path of Henderson, who drove a first-time shot high past Bunn for only his fourth goal in 74 appearances.There has been talk this week of Rodgers wanting to bring Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder to the club if the Holland international is willing to lower his considerable wage demands.Henderson is a long way from being in that class yet he has offered, in the last six weeks, hope that he can develop into the midfielder which persuaded Rodgers' predecessor Kenny Dalglish to spend £16million to bring him to the club.Boosted by his goal Henderson attempted a swerving 30-yard effort which Bunn held but the goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Suarez making it 2-0 in the 37th minute.Sturridge cleverly allowed Lucas Leiva's through-ball to pass through his legs for the Uruguayan to run onto and he coolly slotted in a shot off the far post with his weaker left foot.Sturridge had chances either side of half-time, first firing a narrow-angle shot at the goalkeeper and then completely missing his kick from close range from Suarez's pass.He made up for that, however, when he became only the seventh man to find the net in each of his first three appearances for the club just before the hour.Henderson switched the ball out to the right for Stewart Downing to drive a first-time cross for Sturridge to convert from close in. Gerrard then added the fourth when Glen Johnson's run down the left presented him with a chance which he drilled home low from 25 yards.Substitute Raheem Sterling may yet be awarded the fifth as it was his run and shot which was turned into his own net by Ryan Bennett.After last week's disappointing defeat to Manchester United a third successive home victory was just what was required but, as Rodgers knows, consistency is the key to success.The initial indications from the performances of Suarez and Sturridge together suggests now at least Liverpool have a fighting chance of finishing off teams and stringing results together.
MAN CITY 2-0 FULHAM
David Silva struck in each half as champions Manchester City cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to four points.The Spaniard fired home a rebound after just two minutes and then struck a sublime second in the 69th minute as the champions enjoyed a comfortable win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.Silva could have completed a hat-trick moments later but shot narrowly wide.City will hope the victory puts pressure back on United ahead of their tricky trip to Tottenham. Roberto Mancini's men looked confident from the outset against a side that had won just two of their previous 14 league games.They made a blistering start as Edin Dzeko took up an early attack and was allowed to shoot from 25 yards.Mark Schwarzer parried his fierce effort but Fulham had been caught short and Silva followed up to rifle in the rebound.Fulham were unable to get anything going in response and Gareth Barry took command in midfield.Twice Barry won possession to set moves in motion that led to chances, the first as he released Silva down the left. The Spaniard curled in a good cross for Dzeko but the Bosnian headed straight at Schwarzer.Barry then stole the ball to set up a City counter-attack but Carlos Tevez was also unable to beat Schwarzer.James Milner started to come into the game on the City right and linked well with Pablo Zabaleta before floating an inviting cross into the box but it dropped inches over Tevez's head.The game went quiet as Fulham tried to take the pace out of City but the hosts still looked the most likely side and Tevez raced across the area before having a shot blocked by Brede Hangeland.Fulham played a patient game and tried to build slowly but it yielded little until just after the half hour when Damien Duff found room on the right.Steve Sidwell got free at the back post and was picked out by a good cross from Duff but his glancing header struck the outside of the post.Tevez raced past Hangeland as City came forward again but Giorgos Karagounis got back to block his cross.Ashkan Dejagah played in Dimitar Berbatov just before the break but City held firm as Vincent Kompany denied the Bulgarian the chance to shoot.Fulham made a positive start to the second half as they created a chance for Sidwell outside the area but he sliced well wide and City upped the tempo.Tevez broke towards the box but just as he looked to have found space to shoot Sidwell slid in to eliminate the threat.Tevez then fired over and Zabaleta raced into the box to win a corner after clashing with Hangeland.Silva took the set-piece as Zabaleta received treatment and Kompany leapt highest to head on for Tevez but the Argentinian's attempt on goal three yards out was smothered by Schwarzer.Zabaleta returned to the field but could not continue much longer and, aside from his outstanding form, left the field amid some concern as City's only fit right-back.City were able to cope without him for the rest of the afternoon and doubled their lead soon after his exit following some brilliant play by Tevez and Silva.The Spaniard started the move, finding Gael Clichy out wide and the left-back's pass inside was cleverly flicked back into Silva's path by Tevez.Silva then did the rest, running into the area and hitting a delicate left-foot lob over Schwarzer to score off the post.The crowd were still celebrating the goal when Silva went close to claiming a hat-trick, running through in almost identical fashion but this time rolling a low shot inches wide of the far post.Thereafter City were never in any danger and played plenty of possession football and almost carved out chances at will. Dzeko went close with a fierce drive before Mancini decided to give fit-again Sergio Aguero a run-out in the latter stages. Dzeko curled another effort narrowly wide before playing in Aguero with a fine pass. Aguero took the ball in his stride but then took a heavy touch as he tried to go round Schwarzer and failed to connect with a shot.He had another opportunity as he raced through moments later but, in his first outing since tearing a hamstring on New Year's Day, was perhaps rusty as he shot wide. Dzeko should have scored a third in injury time but somehow scooped over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
WEST HAM UNITED 1-1 QPR
Joe Cole's first West Ham goal for 10 years earned the hosts a deserved point as Loic Remy was denied a dream debut for QPR in the Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park. Remy scored 14 minutes into his maiden appearance following his £8million signing from Marseille, but the Hammers were on top throughout, only to find Julio Cesar in inspired form as he twice denied Marouane Chamakh, who might have had a first-half penalty when Clint Hill wrestled him to the ground.Chamakh's replacement Carlton Cole also was denied by the Brazilian goalkeeper, but Joe Cole was in the right place to tuck in the rebound after 68 minutes for his first Hammers goal in his second spell at the club. QPR were looking for a second successive away win following their first of the season at Chelsea, but instead Harry Redknapp had to be content with a draw on his return to Upton Park. In Remy, who linked well with Adel Taarabt, the Hoops might have found the clinical striker required in their survival fight, but there is still much work to be done. After QPR captain Hill headed over from a corner in the second minute, Remy's desire to make a swift impression saw him caught offside twice. Chamakh, in his first start and on his home debut, was similarly keen to please.The striker twice conceded possession early on, but played a part in the move which almost led to the Hammers taking the lead. He linked well down the left with Mohamed Diame, who got in behind the visiting defence and cut the ball dangerously across the six-yard box.Matt Jarvis got a touch, but saw Cesar, wearing tights to combat the bitter cold, save.From the resulting corner Winston Reid headed the ball down to Kevin Nolan, who was denied at close range by a smart save from the goalkeeper. The Hammers were continuing to build the pressure before Remy struck.This time the Frenchman timed his run well to race past Reid and meet Taarabt's pass before finding the bottom corner with a low shot from the edge of the box.West Ham tried to regain the initiative, but Cesar coped well with the aerial bombardment. Chamakh latched on to a long punt forward which Shaun Derry failed to head clear and saw penalty appeals turned down after the ball bounced up to hit Derry's hand.There was further penalty box frustration for Chamakh after he wriggled his way around Hill, who appeared to be pulling him back, before Shaun Wright-Phillips did enough to put him off as he shaped to shoot. Again referee Howard Webb determined no foul had taken place.Diame had a shot blocked by the recovering Stephane Mbia before Chamakh headed high and wide from a Joe Cole free-kick as West Ham continued to press forward without testing Cesar. Jussi Jaaskelainen was untroubled too, with Taarabt firing well off target. West Ham resumed on the attack but this time tested Cesar.Joe Cole's effort was palmed away before Chamakh had a point-blank header stopped. Ryan Nelsen blocked Diame's follow-up shot in a congested area and Nolan could only head the ball over. With his team under pressure, Redknapp introduced defender Armand Traore for Wright-Phillips after 58 minutes.West Ham continued to press forward, with Jarvis' cross met by Chamakh, whose poor header was saved.It was Chamakh's last act as he was replaced by Carlton Cole, who had a major say in the equaliser.Cesar could only palm the striker's powerful header from Jarvis' cross to the feet of Joe Cole for a simple tap in.It was the former England international's first Hammers goal since January 2003, since a 2-2 draw with Newcastle, also at Upton Park. Reid had a shot from a corner blocked by Mbia, fired into the side-netting soon afterwards and then Joe Cole had Cesar scrambling but saw his shot blocked by Fabio. Reid blocked from Remy as QPR attempted to counter before the defender headed over from a corner at the other end in the first of four added minutes. The Hammers were unable to fashion an equaliser as they had to settle for a point.
NEWCASTLE UNITED 1-2 READING
Adam Le Fondre came off the bench to dump Newcastle deep into relegation trouble as Reading staged another famous fightback.The substitute struck twice inside six second-half minutes as the Magpies imploded having dominated the opening 45 minutes.Alan Pardew's men would have been out of sight by half-time had it not been for the heroics of keeper Adam Federici, but led only 1-0 courtesy of the returning Yohan Cabaye's superb 35th-minute free-kick.But they wilted alarmingly after the break to lose a game they simply had to win in front of a disgruntled crowd of 49,411.The Royals, who came from 2-0 down to beat West Brom 3-2 last week, left Tyneside having boosted their own survival hopes while significantly denting those of their hosts.If ever there was a must-win game, this was it for Newcastle after a run of just two wins in 13 Barclays Premier League games which had seen them slide inexorably towards the scramble for top-flight survival.Promoted Reading arrived on Tyneside as one of only four sides with a worse record than the Magpies, and therefore this was an opportunity the home side could not afford to let slip at the end of a difficult week.Pardew thought he had landed Marseille striker Loic Remy, only to be gazumped at the death by QPR, and the battles to land the reinforcements Pardew so desperately needs, as well as that to retain the services of skipper Fabricio Coloccini, are ongoing.But the presence of Mathieu Debuchy, making his home debut, and compatriot Cabaye, making his first start since November 11 after a groin injury, were causes for optimism.Cabaye's return re-invigorated Newcastle, and it was from his fourth-minute free that they might have taken the lead when the ball fell to the feet of Mike Williamson 12 yards out. However, the central defender slipped as he tried to steer the ball home.The lively Sylvain Marveaux saw a 12th-minute shot blocked and Federici had to get down well to keep out Davide Santon's long-range effort two minutes later as the Magpies piled on the pressure.The Australian excelled himself seconds later to keep out Cabaye's effort from a tight angle and reacted superbly to palm away Cisse's header.However, the visitors should really have been ahead with 27 minutes gone when they launched a rare foray into enemy territory and Garath McCleary crossed low for Pavel Pogrebnyak, only for the Russian to slide his shot wide of the far post.But it was largely one-way traffic and the luckless Cisse might have scored twice within as many minutes, but for Federici.The keeper was in exactly the right place at the right time to claim the Senegal international's 28th-minute volley, although had the ball been a foot either side of him, it would have ended up in the back of the net.Federici came to the rescue once again on the half-hour when Cisse ran on to Debuchy's perfectly-weighted cross and powered it towards goal, only to see the Royals last line of defence hold firm once again.But the deadlock was broken 10 minutes before half time in glorious fashion after Marveaux had been tripped 20 yards out by Jobi McAnuff.Cabaye stepped up to curl the resulting free-kick over the wall and into the top corner with Federici for once rooted to the spot.It was little more than Newcastle deserved, but they headed for the dressing room at the break knowing the job was far from complete.As if to illustrate the fact, Jonas Gutierrez was hugely relieved to see the ball fly just wide of the far post after he had attempted to cut out Ian Harte's 47th-minute free-kick with the visitors returning in determined mood.The home side struggled to rediscover the fluency of their first-half performance, and that encouraged the Royals, who were taking a much more positive approach.Pogrebnyak might have levelled after 62 minutes after Jimmy Kebe had headed down Danny Guthrie's cross, but he blasted high over.Pardew moved to close the game down when he replaced Marveaux with the more defensively-minded James Perch three minutes later, but the ploy did not work and Reading forced their way back into the game with 19 minutes remaining.Kebe was allowed time and space down the right and when Mike Williamson failed to cut out his cross, Le Fondre bundled the ball over the line.There was worse to come from the home side six minutes later when they failed to deal with a ball into the box and Le Fondre pounced to thump it past the helpless Tim Krul.Cisse fired wastefully over the top and substitute Gabriel Obertan forced Federici to make a late save in a desperate flurry, but there was no way back from beleaguered Newcastle.
WIGAN 2-3 SUNDERLAND
Steven Fletcher's first half double and some desperate second half defending proved enough for Sunderland to claim victory at Wigan.Martin O'Neill's men looked to be cruising home at the break after they had replied to David Vaughan's early own goal with a Craig Gardner penalty followed by Fletcher's impressive one-two.But after on-loan Manchester United man Angelo Henriquez netted with a far-post header 11 minutes from time, Sunderland needed to show plenty of defensive resolve to retain their advantage, sending Wigan sliding back into the relegation zone.The early signs were not good for Sunderland, who went behind after just four minutes thanks to Vaughan's comical own-goal.Ronnie Stam could barely have met Jean Beausejour's dangerous cross with any less conviction, drilling a weak shot straight into the ground.Sunderland should have escaped but when James McCarthy flicked the ball into Vaughan, the hapless midfielder could only prod it past Simon Mignolet and over the line.O'Neill's men soon shrugged off the disappointment, although it required a slice of good luck to help them on their way.For had Stam not slipped under no pressure deep inside his own half, Emmerson Boyce would not have needed to foul Adam Johnson and therefore the free-kick which McCarthy blocked with his elbow as he jumped to defend Sebastian Larsson's shot.Craig Gardner kept his cool to send Ali Al Habsi the wrong way and, within three minutes, the visitors were in front.New boy Alfred N'Diaye was the architect, peeling out to the left flank before crossing deep to Fletcher, who quickly volleyed home from close range after Al Habsi had repelled his initial header.Making his first Premier League start since his £4.5million arrival from Bursaspor, N'Diaye looked a useful addition to Black Cats ranks.A big, imposing central midfield presence, N'Diaye brushed the highly-rated McCarthy aside to break up a promising Sunderland attack as if he were swatting a fly.And whilst he failed to covert a close-range header not long after Sunderland had fallen behind, clearly O'Neill has obvious alternatives in the goalscoring department.None of Fletcher's breakthroughs this season could have been any sweeter than his 10th.Getting the slightest of touches to Gardner's deep free-kick, Fletcher was on hand when Johnson knocked it back to curl home a first-time shot in magnificent fashion as Al Habsi remained rooted to the spot.It was his sixth in seven games against Wigan and was exactly what Sunderland's dominance deserved and triggered a chorus of boos for the hosts at the break, plus the introduction of Honduran new-boy Roger Espinoza.Wigan returned in more positive mood and Shaun Maloney drew an excellent save out of Simon Mignolet after racing onto James McArthur's flick.Maloney drifted a shot just beyond the far post not long after the hour mark, by which time Wigan had protested vehemently for a penalty, believing Franco di Santo's shot had been blocked in a similar manner to the way McCarthy was punished for, when referee Anthony Taylor felt otherwise.Fletcher came close to completing an unwanted hat-trick of sorts when he stuck out a leg and sent Jordi Gomez's free-kick spinning onto the top of his own crossbar.With Maloney also hitting a post with a curling free-kick, the hosts could class themselves unlucky.However, they were living very dangerously at the back and with a touch more composure, Stephane Sessegnon would have wrapped up victory.As it was, the hosts still had hope when Henriquez was introduced and the on-loan Manchester United man quickly netted his first goal in English football as Maloney seized on some slack Sunderland defending and delivered a perfect far post cross.Wigan piled forward in search of an equaliser, with Espinoza particularly impressive.But for all their hard work, it would not come, with Mauro Boselli nodding their best chance over.
SWANSEA 3-1 STOKE CITY
Jonathan de Guzman netted a second half double as Swansea warmed up for their midweek cup date against Chelsea with victory over Stoke at the Liberty Stadium.After a sluggish, goalless first half, Ben Davies gave the hosts the lead shortly after the break with his first senior goal.De Guzman dispatched a curling free-kick into the top corner just before the hour, then coolly finished from Danny Graham's lovely pass before Michael Owen got a late consolation with his first goal for Stoke.Graham's future is in doubt with Sunderland and Norwich having submitted bids for the striker, but the Swansea faithful made clear their desire for him to stay after his appearance as a second half substitute.Kenwyne Jones, linked with a move to Swansea should Graham leave, also made an appearance off the bench but had little chance to make an impact.While Swansea eventually emerged comfortable winners, there was little to enthuse about during a drab opening half, with both sides struggling to generate any attacking tempo, and finding themselves unable to pick apart packed defences.Swansea initially started promisingly as Stoke dropped very deep from kick-off.Asmir Begovic tipped a Pablo Hernandez effort just wide of the post, although the Spaniard was offside, before Michu fired high and wide after Itay Shechter harried and dispossessed Robert Huth.But Stoke soon settled and the action dried up as the sides cancelled each other out.Peter Crouch volleyed Stoke's first real chance over after 25 minutes, but the England striker showed superb touch to release Matthew Etherington moments later, only for the winger to find the side-netting.The malaise was even affecting Michu, as Swansea's top scorer inexplicably headed wide from Angel Rangel's pinpoint cross just shy of the half hour mark.De Guzman then failed to connect with a Wayne Routledge cross after the winger had skinned Jon Walters down the left to cap a first half lacking in quality.The game desperately needed a goal, and thankfully it arrived in just the fourth minute of the second half.Davies nipped in to beat Walters to a low pass before turning and outpacing Ryan Shawcross to fire low across Begovic and put Swansea ahead.Michu should have doubled the lead two minutes later as Hernandez's pull back fell to him, but makeshift full-back Dean Whitehead made a brilliant block to prevent him adding to his 16-goal tally for the season.But De Guzman did make it 2-0 in the 57th minute. Charlie Adam cynically fouled Michu on the edge of the box and the Dutchman curled a fantastic free-kick into the top corner.Stoke boss Tony Pulis threw on Jones and Cameron Jerome for Crouch and Adam in response but the former Cardiff man only succeeded in delighting the home fans as he somehow spooned wide from barely two yards out.Graham was introduced in place of Shechter and was given a tremendous reception as chants of "We want you to stay" rang out.
And the former Watford man made an instant impact as he perfectly cushioned a long pass from Routledge into the path of De Guzman, who lofted his finish over Begovic.Substitute Owen flicked in a header in stoppage time for Stoke, but it was far too little, too late.
WBA 2-2 ASTON VILLA
Peter Odemwingie’s late equaliser earned West Brom a share of the spoils as Aston Villa let slip a two-goal lead to remain in the Barclays Premier League bottom three.Christian Benteke opened the scoring with a superb finish and Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled Villa’s lead before half-time, but the tone of the match changed early in the second half when Albion skipper Chris Brunt pulled a goal back and Odemwingie pulled his side level with a volley seven minutes from time.Villa dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Charles N’Zogbia in superb form as he produced one of his best performances for the midlands club. The winger demonstrated the quality which had helped to keep Wigan in the top flight before his move to Villa during the summer of 2011 and set up the opening two goals.Agbonlahor has a habit of scoring in local derbies and also looked back to his best as Villa controlled proceedings, but the home side were transformed after the break with Odemwingie, reportedly a transfer target for Queens Park Rangers, looking a constant threat.The home side started promisingly and Odemwingie’s low centre picked out Romelu Lukaku, whose first-time shot was deflected wide by fit-again Villa captain Ron Vlaar. Villa were then forced into a fifth-minute substitution when defender Nathan Baker limped out of the action to be replaced by Eric Lichaj.Lukaku was looking sharp and a dipping low cross from the on-loan Chelsea player was cut out by Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, but after 12 minutes a stunning strike from Benteke, Lukaku’s fellow Belgian international, put Villa ahead.N’ Zogbia found Villa’s summer signing on the edge of the box and he turned past Claudio Yacob before firing an unstoppable rising shot past Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster for his 10th goal of the campaign.
Albion tried to retaliate and an overhead kick from James Morrison flew straight at Guzan, and tempers became frayed as Baggies defender Jonas Olsson and Villa’s Agbonlahor were booked after squaring up to each other.Villa continued to pose problems for their local rivals and doubled their lead with Agbonlahor’s fifth goal of the season just past the half-hour mark. N’Zogbia again supplied the telling pass and Agbonlahor wriggled past Gareth McAuley before beating Foster with a low drive into the corner of the net.Matters worsened for the visitors as, four minutes later, Yacob, who had just returned from a lengthy lay-off with a hamstring injury, appeared to injure his arm and had to be replaced by Jerome Thomas. Dorrans was not far off target from 20 yards but Villa were coping relatively comfortably with the threat of the home side with N’Zogbia a constant danger as he teed up another opportunity for Lichaj, whose shot was blocked by Foster.However, the Baggies began the second half with more purpose and reduced the arrears after 49 minutes. Thomas’s low cross was held up and turned back by Lukaku into the path of the onrushing Brunt, who curled a sumptuous 15-yard first-time shot in off the post with his left foot.Lichaj and Matt Lowton were yellow carded for chopping down Thomas and Odemwingie respectively as the home side pushed for an equaliser. Then Graham Dorrans went into referee Lee Probert’s notebook for fouling Agbonlahor.Albion thought they had found their equaliser when McAuley’s header was cleared off the line by Joe Bennett, and Odemwingie then nicked the ball past Guzan but shot over from a narrow angle. A growing threat to Villa’s defence the Nigeria international was also only inches off target with a stinging drive.But he was not to be denied and after 83 minutes brought Albion level. McAuley headed a Brunt corner back across goal and Odemwingie reacted first to volley past Guzan on the half turn.
