There are some days in the Barclay's Premiership that you just have to sit there and say wow. Yesterday was one of these occasions as we had at least three goals in every game, the record amount of converted penalties, the usual controversy, one of the biggest comebacks in league history and the end of the unbeaten run.
We kicked things off at the Britannia where Stoke hosted Sunderland in the day's lunch-time kick-off. Most of the games had an early goal and this was no different as Kieron Richardson carried on his recent goalscoring form by breaking the deadlock after just two minutes. Stoke equalised thirteen minutes from half-time with John Carew scoring his first Stoke goal on his home debut, but replays showed that Carew was actually offside. Sunderland re-took the lead just three minutes into the second half through Asamoah Gyan but a late show from Robert Huth stole the points away; Huth equalised with seven minutes left and then won the game in injury time to see Stoke move up to ninth.
The three o'clock kick-offs carried on in the same vain. Aston Villa hosted Fulham at Villa Park and the home side were in front after thirteen minutes. John Pantsil scored an own goal in this fixture last year, also scored an own goal against Liverpool last week and scored another own goal to give Villa the lead. Fulham equalised seven minutes into the second half with a goal from Andy Johnson. But Villa regained the lead through on-loan Kyle Walker after 72 minutes before Dempsey equalised again just six minutes later to give each sides a point.
There were two games that had eight goals yesterday, one of which was at Goodison Park where Everton played Blackpool. Louis Saha gave Everton the lead after twenty minutes before Adam recreated the same corner that he scored from mid-week, but this time it came of the post and Baptiste was on hand to tap it in. Saha regained Everton's lead just two minutes into the second half before Puncheon scored a debut goal after 62 minutes. Adam then gave Blackpool the lead for the first time just two minutes later but Saha got his first hat-trick for Everton to equalise after 76 minutes. Substitute Beckford made it 4-3 to Everton with ten minutes to play and Saha got his fourth to seal the victory just four minutes later.
There were only three goals at White Hart Lane but that didn't stop the controversy as Tottenham hosted Bolton. Spurs took the lead after just three minutes when Van Der Vaart converted from the spot. Spurs were then given a second penalty just a minute later that looked dubious. Van Der Vaart took it again and the ball went the exact same place past the diving Jaaskeleinen, but the referee disallowed it and asked for it to be re-taken. This time Van Der Vaart missed the target and the score remained 1-0. Sturridge equalised for Bolton just ten minutes into the second half but Nico Kranjcar gave Tottenham the points in injury time.
There were only three goals at the City of Manchester as well as Tevez had a birthday to remember. Manchester City took the lead against West Brom after seventeen minutes when Tevez converted a penalty. Tevez then made it 2-0 just five minutes later before securing his hat-trick via a second penalty just six minutes before half-time.
The shock comeback came at St. James' where Newcastle were playing Arsenal. Arsenal took the lead in the first minute through Walcott. Djourou made it 2-0 just two minutes later before Van Persie made it three within ten minutes. Arsenal completed the rout, or so it seemed, after 26 minutes when Van Persie scored his second. But the second half comeback started when Abou Diaby was given a straight red just five minutes after the restart. Joey Barton pulled the first back from the spot after 68 minutes. It was 4-2 seven minutes later when Leon Best scored. Newcastle were awarded a second penalty seven minutes from time which Barton converted again and Tiote completed the comeback four minutes later to make it 4-4.
There were a further seven goals at the DW where Wigan entertained Blackburn. Former Wigan player Jason Roberts gave Blackburn the lead after 23 minutes and respectfully didn't celebrate. James McCarthy levelled ten minutes before half-time to make it 1-1 at the break. Hugo Rodallega made it 2-1 Wigan just five minutes into the second half with McCarthy scoring his second six minutes later to make it 3-1. Blackburn pulled one back two minutes after going 3-1 behind with a goal from Samba. Ben Watson made it 4-2 after 65 minutes from the penalty spot. Blackburn were also awarded a penalty nine minutes from time which David Dunn converted to make it 4-3 at full time.
The tea-time kick-off saw three goals and Manchester United's unbeaten run come to an end as they travelled to Wolves. United took the lead after just three minutes, but just like at Blackpool they couldn't defend corners. Ferdinand pulled out during the warm-up which meant Johnny Evans came into the squad. George Elokobi scored his first league goal for Wolves and only his second ever goal, the other also came against United, with a header from a corner after ten minutes. The winner came five minutes before half-time via another corner that has officially been given to Kevin Doyle despite an argument between him and Elokobi, but Wolves won't care as they have ended United's unbeaten run and have beaten United for the first time in seven years.
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