By Danny Wright
Didier Drogba mustered a stunning double late in the game to snatch three points from Chelsea in the ‘Grand Slam Sunday’ clash against Arsenal. The result puts Chelsea into second, leapfrogging Arsenal, but that could have been very different had Bacary Sagna’s header gone unanswered. Drogba notched his first with a smart swivel and shot, and then sealed the win in the 82nd minute when he linked up with Nicolas Anelka to prod past Manuel Almunia. In the other ‘Grand Slam’ match Manchester United asserted their authority over the league with a convincing 3-0 win over Liverpool; Wes Brown, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani were the goal scorers, meanwhile Javier Mascherano saw red for an under par Liverpool, who had keeper Pepe Reina to thank for keeping the score respectable.
Everton’s fourth place aspirations took a hammer blow when they dropped points at home to West Ham in a 1-1 draw, Dean Ashton raising majestically to snatch a draw for the Hammers after Yakubu had smashed the home side ahead in the first half. The Toffees chances of UEFA Cup football were however boosted by Portsmouth’s defeat at Tottenham; Darren Bent was the Spurs hero, coming off the bench to score in the 80th minute with Jamie O’Hara completing a 2-0 win. Seven points now separate Pompey in 6th and Everton in 5th, the FA Cup looking like the best route to Europe for Harry Redknapp’s men.
Kevin Keegan recorded his first win as Newcastle United manager with a 2-0 win over former club Fulham, whose winless away record now reaches the 32 mark. The home side went all guns blazing, Mark Viduka leading a three-pronged attack, and it was the Australian who turned and finished superbly with his left foot to give the Toon Army the lead. Kasey Keller made two fine saves to keep Fulham in the match, but they eventually caved in and Michael Owen notched a close range header to secure three vital points.
That win was made even more vital by rivals Middlesborough and Sunderland both recording wins; at the Riverside, Boro saw off doomed Derby 1-0 thanks to Tuncay’s solitary goal, meanwhile Michael Chopra scored a late goal to defeat Aston Villa by the same scoreline.
Reading dragged Birmingham back into the relegation mire following a 2-1 win at the Madejski Stadium. Andre Bikey headed in from John Oster’s delivery, but Michael Forssell put Mauro Zarate in to score. The home side continued to press and gained their reward when Bikey popped up again to nod another set-piece, this time from Nicky Shorey.
Reading climb to 15th, with the Birmingham dropping to 17th just above Bolton, who played out a non-exciting 0-0 draw with Manchester City at the Reebok. The draw ends a run of five straight defeats for Gary Megson’s men, who still remain in the bottom three. Elsewhere, Blackburn beat Wigan 3-1 at Ewood Park thanks to Roque Santa Cruz’s double and Jason Roberts strike.
Images - bbc.co.uk/sport
