By Andrew Discenza
Manchester City have overtaken Manchester United in the title hunt after Vincent Kompany scored the most important goal of the Premier League season. The defender was probably riled up by his soft booking for a foul on Wayne Rooney, and responded with a ferocious header on the stroke of half-time. That proved to be enough, as United were toothless in the second half against a defense marshaled by the Belgium, and City are now poised to win the title on goal difference.
Luis Suarez’s match-winning hat-trick for Liverpool was nothing less than a trio of sensational strikes, each better than the last. He set the tone with an emphatic finish into the top corner after Steven Gerrard played him through. Suarez then cut in from the right, and although the angle seemed impossible, he let rip a bullet of a shot from 25 yards out that arrowed into the very bottom corner. The Uruguayan would then go viral across the globe with one of the goals of the season. One touch took it away from Elliott Ward, and the second was a breathtaking 45-yard lob that sailed over John Ruddy and under the crossbar.
One week ago, a free-scoring Fernando Torres was but a shadowy recollection. But after his stoppage-time heroics in Barcelona, he returned to the Premier League a different player. None of his goals were anything special, but credit to the striker for making it look easy as he rounded Paddy Kenny to slot home, capitalized on the goalkeeper’s mix up with Nedum Onuoha, and timed his run perfectly to tuck away Juan Mata’s pass. Less about the goals, more about the rejuvenated Spaniard who lead a reinvigorated Chelsea to a 6-1 rout.
Wigan wowed the footballing world as they slayed red-hot Newcastle 4-0. Having beaten Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United in recent weeks, Roberto Martinez showed Alan Pardew who truly manages the in-form side. Victor Moses was on fire early on with a clinical header and side-foot finish, before Franco Di Santo stole the show. First, his through ball set up Shaun Maloney for Wigan’s third, before the Argentine capped off an astonishing 45 minutes of football with an audacious 25-yard chip that floated beautifully into the top corner.
Referee Mark Clattenburg failed to spot the “Hand of Hutton” and drastically altered Aston Villa’s goalless draw at West Brom. Liam Ridgewell’s header for the hosts was destined for the net, but Alan Hutton’s outstretched arm quite literally saved the ball off the line, with Mr. Clattenburg declining to point to the spot.
Kyle Walker’s cracking free-kick helped return Tottenham to the hunt for Europe amid news that manager Harry Redknapp was not first on England’s shopping list. Sandro had been denied a golazo when his thunderbolt left the bar shaking, but the fans got their money’s worth with 15 minutes left. Yes, there was a slight deflection off of David Dunn, but take nothing away from the power, the swerve, and the accuracy needed for Walker to find the top corner from 30 yards out.
Gabriel Agbonlahor missed a glaring chance that could have grabbed three points for Aston Villa. Goalkeeper Ben Foster and Jonas Olsson collided, leaving Agbonlahor with a simple finish, but he contrived to miss-hit his volley, doing no better than finding teammate Emile Heskey.
Papiss Cisse learned the hard way that it can’t always be your day. He was desperately unlucky not to score in his seventh straight match, as his outstanding curler struck the bar, and he rose to nod crisply against the post.
Nikica Jelavic & Steven Pienaar lead the line as Everton trampled Fulham 4-0. The Croatian import was in typically free-scoring form, earning a penalty and dispatching coolly, then firing through the keeper’s legs from a tight angle after a hint of offside. Pienaar contributed with two assists, delivering a corner for Marouane Fellaini to head in, and slipping his fellow Australian Tim Cahill in behind to seal the rout.
Swansea were pegged back by three unanswered Wolves goals to conclude an all-action 4-4 draw, but unfortunately for Ashley Williams, his mis-kick on the goal-line was the key moment in the match. Matt Jarvis had sent a shot toward the far corner, but Williams was waiting to clear the danger. He got his block totally wrong, however, skewing into his own net to open the door for Wolves’ comeback.
Kevin Davies earned his brace as Bolton earned a 2-2 draw at Sunderland. His first was a lethal first-time volley from Martin Petrov’s whipped cross, and he leveled the scores with a textbook header from Sam Ricketts’ cross.
Jonjo Shelvey will be relieved that his horrible miss didn’t prevent Liverpool from taking all three points. Jose Enrique had gifted Shelvey a tap-in from three yards out, but he somehow managed to touch the ball wildly wide when it looked easier to score.
James McClean netted a fine freekick from 25 yards out, as he bent the ball over the wall and toward the top corner with enough pace that goalkeeper Adam Bogdan could only palm the ball in off his own crossbar.
Daniel Sturridge sent Chelsea on their way with a sweet strike after just 48 seconds. Never hesitant to shoot, the ball broke to the Englishman and it was one touch and blast into the top corner.
