Blues add to Liverpool’s misery as Giroud keeps Gunners on top
Chelsea heaped more misery on Liverpool with a 2- 1 victory at Stamford Bridge and Olivier Giroud’s goal gave Arsenal a 1- 0 win at Newcastle United, returning them to the top of the English Premier League yesterday.
Everton moved back into the top four with a 2- 1 win over Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur beat Stoke City 3- 0 to get their first victory since appointing Tim Sherwood manager.
Chelsea fell behind to a goal from Martin Skrtel after four minutes but rallied with first- half strikes from Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o to inflict a second defeat in four days on Liverpool following their loss at Manchester City.
Arsenal’s win came courtesy of France striker Giroud, who had not scored in all competitions since November 23, but got the faintest of touches to glance a Theo Walcott free kick into the net midway through the second half.
They now top the table with 42 points from 19 games, one clear of Manchester City with Chelsea a point further adrift in third.
Liverpool, top on Christmas Day, dropped to fifth, a point behind local rivals Everton who moved to fourth with 37 points thanks to a secondhalf winner from Romelu Lukaku.
A Roberto Soldado penalty and goals from Mousa Dembele and Aaron Lennon lifted Tottenham to seventh on 34 points.
Liverpool have had the wind taken out of their sails with back- toback away defeats against fellow title challengers with both games starting brightly for them before turning sour. They had their tails up after four minutes when Skrtel put them ahead, tapping home from close range after Luis Suarez beat Branislav Ivanovic to a Philippe Coutinho free kick.
That sparked Chelsea into life and they rapidly got on top, with Brazilian David Luiz, drafted into midfield to replace the suspended Ramires, showing why Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho might be tempted to
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud celebrates his winning goal against Newcastle at St James’ Park yesterday. use him there more often.
Chelsea attacked in waves and drew level through Hazard on 17 minutes with the Belgium international curling home after the ball broke fortuitously to him on the edge of the area. They deservedly took the lead 11 minutes before the break when Eto’o darted in front of his marker Skrtel to poke an Oscar cross past Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet into the net.
Chances were limited in the second half, Liverpool’s best effort coming from Mamadou Sakho who hit the woodwork with a looping header seconds before Eto’o forced an excellent save from Mignolet with a powerful near- post shot.
Liverpool were incensed not to be awarded a penalty late in the match when Eto’o appeared to foul Suarez right in front of referee Howard Webb, but the official waved away their protests and Chelsea closed out the win.
‘‘ We were lucky to win the game because it is very tight,’’ Mourinho said before praising the players for putting on a fantastic show for fans.
‘‘ The players are like monsters – they fight until the last seconds.’’
Arsenal’s visit to Newcastle promised goals after the North Londoners won 7- 3 when the teams clashed on the same day last year, but this game soon descended into a more stolid affair with both defences well on top.
Arsenal kept possession neatly but without injured playmaker Mesut Ozil lacked incision and failed to create a the first half.
The game looked to be towards a draw when struck the decisive blow.
Walcott’s free kick was perfectly angled into the box and Giroud got in between the Newcastle centre backs to feather a delicate header into the net.
There was a frenetic finale but Arsenal’s defence held out to ensure they go into the new year on top of the table for the first time since 2007- 08.
‘‘ There was a big satisfaction because we surprised many people and we want to go on from here,’’ manager Arsene Wenger said.
‘‘ We played two away games and got six points against West Ham and Newcastle, and as you can see the team is ready for a fight.
‘‘ Let’s keep fighting and trying to develop the team.’’
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew remained upbeat despite his team slipping to eighth in the table.
‘‘ We certainly didn’t deserve to get beat but a mistake cost us at a
chance
of
note
in heading Arsenal set play, and we then had some moments at the end but we have come out with our confidence renewed even though we have lost,’’ he said.
Everton took the lead against Southampton after nine minutes when Seamus Coleman cut inside and fired an angled shot into the net for his fourth goal in seven English Premier League games.
Gaston Ramirez levelled with a thundering shot from distance before Lukaku ran on to a pass from James McCarthy and the Belgium striker took one touch and fired home from 12 metres.
There was a familiar feel to Tottenham’s opening goal, with Soldado firing home the fourth of his five premier league goals from the penalty spot after Ryan Shawcross was penalised for a handball.
Dembele worked some room on the edge of the area and fired low into the bottom corner to double the lead and Lennon angled a shot into the top corner to complete a comfortable win.