Draw enough to put Arsenal back on top
ARSENAL moved back to the top of the English Premier League table after an entertaining 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion yesterday, while Chelsea climbed to third place.
Bidding to follow up last weekend’s shock victory at Manchester United, West Brom took a 42nd-minute lead at the Hawthorns when Claudio Yacob converted Morgan Amalfitano’s rightwing cross with a near-post header.
Former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka spurned two glorious opportunities to double the hosts’ lead.
He was made to pay for his profligacy in the 63rd minute when Jack Wilshere met Tomas Rosicky’s lay-off with a crisp drive that took a deflection off Jonas Olsson and flashed past goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.
Myhill prevented Olivier Giroud from claiming a late winner, but the draw was enough to take Arsene Wenger’s side above Liverpool on goals scored, while Steve Clarke’s West Brom remain 12th.
Arsenal manager Wenger said: “West Brom showed why they won at Manchester United last week and we had a hell of a task to come back, but we showed character and we had chances to go on and win it.”
Tottenham Hotspur could have moved level on points with the leaders, but they were dealt a stunning 3-0 home defeat by London rivals West Ham United.
After a quiet first half, Spurs appeared to be hitting their stride in the second period when Winston Reid put West Ham ahead in the 66th minute.
Ricardo Vaz Te added a second goal six minutes later, the ball ricocheting off his thigh and into the net after Hugo Lloris blocked his initial attempt. Ravel Morrison completed the scoring with a fine solo goal.
Earlier, Eden Hazard and closeseason signing Willian came off the bench to score decisive goals as Chelsea won 3-1 at Norwich City.
The visitors took a fourth-minute lead when Oscar drilled home from Demba Ba’s lay-off, but Norwich gradually took the upper hand and equalised in the 68th minute.
Southampton continued their fine start to the season by winning 2-0 at home to Swansea City, which sent Mauricio Pochettino’s side to the dizzying heights of fourth place. – Sapa-AFP