The Premiership resumed this weekend after the International break and with only eight games left (including yesterday's games) it's now a real battle for supremacy and survival. The lunch-time kick-off was the first big game at both ends of the table as West Ham hosted Manchester United. United got off to the best start and found themselves in many promising positions early on. The had numerous corners throughout the match but did nothing with them. But United were hit by a sucker punch when West Ham countered from one of the corners and Carlton Cole looked to chip it over Evra, but the Frenchman handled the ball and referee Lee Mason had no choice but to award the penalty. Thomasz Kuszczak was standing in for Van Der Sar who tweaked a groin in the warm up, but was sent the wrong way by Noble to give West Ham the lead after eleven minutes. It didn't deter United's attacking nature and the game continued with United dominating the West Ham half. But there was a hint of deja vu when Cole was brought down on the line of the box by Vidic following another counter and again Mason pointed to the spot. Noble stepped up again and changed direction and although Kuszczak went the right way, he couldn't stop the fiercely struck penalty on 25 minutes. Alex Ferguson brought Hernandez on at half-time and it paid dividends. United pulled one back after 65 when Carrick was brought down by Noble for a free-kick, Rooney curled it into the top corner. Rooney then made it 2-2 after a Valencia cross was played to his feet and he struck into the bottom corner. The comeback was complete six minutes later when Upson conceded a harsh penalty for hand-ball, Rooney stepped up and got his hat-trick. United then finished it off six minutes before the end when a Giggs low cross was tapped in by Hernandez.
Newcastle provided the rout of the day (in the Premiership) at home to Wolves. Kevin Nolan put the ball through the legs of a hesitant Hennessey to make it 1-0 after 22 minutes. Shola Ameobi headed the ball home just before half-time but again Hennessey probably should have saved it rather than turning into his own net. Peter Lovenkrands made it three just five minutes after the restart before Ebanks-Blake pulled one back eight minutes later. But Jonas Gutierrez finished it off with only his second Newcastle goal in injury time.
There was controversy at Goodison where Everton took on Aston Villa. Everton took the lead seven minutes before half-time when Osman's shot was poorly saved by Friedel before it hit the net. Bent equalised for Villa just two minutes into the second half and made it 2-0 after 68 minutes. But that came straight after a Beckford shot hit the bar and looked like it went over the line, however replays inconclusively showed the whole ball didn't cross the line. Everton equalised via penalty seven minutes before the end, Phil Jagielka making the contact with Makoun before diving over him, slightly dubious award. But Baines stepped up and converted past Friedel to earn themselves the point.
Roy Hodgson provided a dish of revenge as West Brom shocked Liverpool at the Hawthornes. Liverpool did take the lead five minutes into the second half when Skrtel headed home from a corner. West Brom equalised after 62 minutes when Odemwingie was brought down by substitute Kyrgiakos, Brunt converted the penalty. West Brom were awarded another penalty just two minutes before end when Odemwingie was brought down, this time by Reina, again Brunt converted the penalty to give Hodgson his revenge and West Brom a vital win.
Birmingham also secured a vital win at home to Bolton. Kevin Phillips gave them the lead after four minutes. Craig Gardner made it 2-0, smashing the ball home just before the hour mark. Johann Elmander pulled one back twenty minutes from the end, stabbing the ball home, but it wasn't enough as Birmingham grabbed the win.
It turned out to be a great day for Manchester United as Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all drew. Walters gave Stoke the lead after eight minutes at home to Chelsea. But Chelsea equalised via a Drogba header after 33 minutes. Stoke had many chances to win the game including two saves from Cech that forced the ball onto the crossbar. Wigan earned a point at home to Tottenham in Spurs' second consecutive goalless draw. But the tea-time kick-off saw a mixture of Arsenal trying to walk the ball in and Almunia providing a few scares as they also had a goalless draw at home to Blackburn. Blackburn were also reduced to ten men when N'Zonzi went in two-footed on Koscielny after 76 minutes.
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