Premier League Round-Up 28/12/08

Category: News

Liverpool go into the new year top of the English Premier League after an impressive 5-1 demolition of Newcastle at St James's Park.

Newcastle were lifted prior to the game with the news that owner Mike Ashley had decided against selling the club.

5-1 flattered Newcastle who could have lost by more had it not have been for poor finishing and a superb display by Shay Given in the Newcastle goal.

Liverpool took the lead in the 31st minute when Steven Gerrard smashed the ball in off of the post from just inside the penalty box after a good ball from Yossi Benayoun.

Just five minutes later Sami Hyypia headed Liverpool 2-0 infront from a Gerrard corner.

Newcastle pulled one back on the stroke of half time as David Edgar scored with a near post header, although the Geordies celebrations were short lived as five minutes after the break Ryan Babel poked the ball in the net after poor defending from the Newcastle defence.

Gerrard scored with a delicate chip over Given in the 66th minute after a great ball from Lucas, and the rout was complete in the 77th minute when Alonso slotted home a penalty after Edgar tripped David N'Gog in the penalty area.

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage by inform Fulham.

Fulham opened the scoring in the 10th minute after a Simon Davies free kick found Clint Dempsey at the far post. Dempsey controlled the ball off his chest and flicked the ball past Petr Cech.

Chelsea equalized early in the second half through Frank Lampard after Aaron Hughe's and Mark Schwarzer's defensive mix-up.

Lampard scored again in the 72nd minute with a 30 yard free kick that left Schwarzer helpless.

89 minutes on the clock and Simon Davies again set Dempsey up for Fulham, this time with an in swinging corner. With that goal Fulham extended their unbeaten run to 9 games.

A misjudgement from David James gave Arsenal a barely deserved win at the Emirates.

Pompey came close in the 1st half through Peter Crouch who saw his header bounce back off the post.

Arsenal took the lead in the 81st minute after Gallas beat James to a Denilson free kick to head into the back of an empty net.

Stoke took the lead against West Ham after just 4 minutes when Abdoulaye Faye headed the ball into the net from the far post.

West Ham scored early in the second half after Carlton Cole swivelled and curled his shot into the far corner of the net. That sparked a flair-up between team-mates Ricardo Fuller and Andy Griffin which resulted in Fuller being sent off for slapping his team-mate.

West Ham stole all 3 points with just a couple of minutes left on the clock after a Cole shot deflected in of fellow Hammer Diego Tristan.

Tottenham lost 2-0 at West Brom after going down to 10 men after 35 minutes when Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off after a dangerous challenge on Gianni Zuiverloon.

Tottenham held on until the 83 minute before Roman Bednar rose like a salmon to head the Baggies into the lead. Tottenham claimed Michael Dawson was pushed as he challenged Bednar for the header, but the goal stood.

Craig Beattie secured the win in injury time after being tee'd up by James Morrison.

Amr Zaki scored his second penalty of the festive period as Wigan won 1-0 at Wigan.

The penalty was awarded after a clumsy challenge by Andy O'Brien on Wigan sub Henri Camara.

New manager Ricky Sbragia saw his Sunderland side lose 3-0 away at Everton.

Mikel Arteta smashed in a free kick on 10 mins and scored again on 27 minutes with a deflected volley after his free kick came back off of the wall.

Dan Gosling scored his first goal on his first appearance at Goodison Park in the 83rd minute when he tapped in from 6 yards.