The Premiership boasted eight games on yesterday's Easter Saturday. The lunch-time kick-off saw Manchester United host the in form Everton, however United hadn't gone three games without a goal since the end of the 06/07 season. It was all United throughout but they just couldn't find that killer pass and when they did Tim Howard was there to produce some great saves. Throughout the match Everton only really forced Van Der Sar into one major save from a deflected Rodwell shot, however they arguably could have had a penalty in the 71st minute when half-time substitute Anichebe went down under a Ferdinand challenge but the ball had already trickled to Van Der Sar. The only goal of the game came seven minutes from time when Valencia charged down a slow Distin clearance, the ball fell to Anderson who played it back out wide to Valencia, the Ecuadorian played a cross to the back post where Hernandez was waiting to score his nineteenth goal of his debut season. This meant United opened the gap to nine points with Chlesea playing in the evening and Arsenal playing today.
Tottenham missed the chance to overtake Man City in fourth place with City not playing till Monday. They were at home to West Brom and Roy Hodgson's side took the lead after five minutes through Peter Odemwingie. Pavlyuchenko equalised for Spurs after 27 minutes and Defoe made it 2-1 after 66. But West Brom earned themselves a point when substitute Simon Cox equalised nine minutes from time. Tottenham do close the gap to just one point on City whereas West Brom are twelfth but have now hit the 'magic' forty point mark.
Aston Villa drop to eleventh on goal difference with a draw at home to Stoke. Gary McAllister took charge of Villa with manager Houllier in hospital after suffering more heart problems. Stoke had no sympathy however and took the lead through Kenwyne Jones after twenty minutes. Darren Bent equalised for Villa two minutes before half-time to seal a draw that sees Stoke in fourteenth, just two points behind Villa who are on 41.
There was also a 1-1 draw at Molineux where Wolves played Fulham. Steven Flecther gave Wolves the lead after 22 minutes but Fulham equalised through Andy Johnson ten minutes from time. Wolves move up to 33 points but have a game in hand over Blackpool who sit seventeenth and just a point ahead. Fulham move level with Stoke on 39 points.
1-1 was the average scoreline as Bloomfield Road also witnessed this draw. Visitors Newcastle took the lead after seventeen minutes with Peter Lovenkrands breaking the deadlock. DJ Campbell equalised for Blackpool after 32 minutes to seal a draw which lifts them out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Newcastle are ninth on goal difference with 41 points.
Half-time at the Stadium of Light saw Sunderland and Wigan goalless, no-one would have believed you if you'd have said there would be six goals in the second half. Well that's what happened with Wigan breaking the deadlock seven minutes after the restart through Diame. Gyan equalised three minutes later but had to go off soon after with a hamstring injury. Despite playing without any strikers, Sunderland took the lead with Jordan Henderson proving why people are scouting him after 66 minutes. Sessegnon then made it 3-1 after 73 minutes after he was bundled over by Alcaraz before converting the following spot-kick. Henderson made it 4-1 with his second four minutes later. Wigan pulled one back with a collector's item, Franco Di Santo scored only his second goal in 66 games in injury time (plus he's supposed to be a striker!). The win sees Sunderland move up to tenth on goal difference while Wigan slip back into the relegation zone on goal difference.
The thrashing of the day came at Anfield where Liverpool hosted Birmingham. Maxi Rodriguez put Liverpool ahead after just seven minutes before Kuyt added a second after 23 minutes. However Birmingham were hit by a bigger blow when Foster had to come off six minutes before half-time Colin Doyle replaced him and didn't cover himself in any glory. Liverpool went three up with Rodriguez getting his second after 66 minutes, the Argentine then scored his hat-trick seven minutes later after Doyle spilt the initial shot. The rout was wrapped up by Joe Cole four minutes from the end although Doyle should have saved it at his near post. Liverpool edge to within four of Man City who have two games in hand, Birmingham edge closer to the relegation zone in fifteenth but only four points from safety.
The evening kick-off saw Chelsea take on West Ham at Stamford Bridge where the rain started making the pitch a bit water logged. West Ham had some great chances but didn't take them which allowed Chelsea to make a scoreline that flattered them somewhat. Lampard gave Chelsea the lead a minute before half-time after some poor defending. Chelsea have waited since January but finally Fernando Torres broke his duck coming off the bench, a run into the box was halted as the ball got stuck in the water but he was quickest to react, turning and smashing the ball past Rob Green six minutes from time. Chelsea made it 3-0 in injury time when a miss-placed Torres pass actually found the on-running Malouda who put the ball home. Chelsea close the gap on United to six whereas West Ham are still two points from safety at the bottom of the league.
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