In the shock result of the weekend, Chelsea lose dramatically to West Ham 3-1. The loss continues to heap more pressure on interim manager Rafael Benitez, as Chelsea have not won in his three game reign and have only scored one goal.

English Premier League Review December 1st 2012

Chelsea were totally dominant in the first half, but things changed dramatically at half time as West Ham upped the tempo denying Chelsea time and space. Chelsea totally capitulated under West Ham’s intense physical presence. The problems persist, if they have not gotten worse for Chelsea.

Manchester United scored 4 first half goals in an overall fair performance, yet still struggled to win. Their defensive flaws which have plagued them all year, especially from set-plays, was again in evidence. Reading scored two almost identical goals from corner kicks as they went goal for goal with United. Man Utd manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, shut up shop at half time and closed out the game, not creating much in the 2nd half while also not giving away anything, settling for a 4-3 win.

Man City maintain their unbeaten streak, but they will look upon the result as 2 points dropped after their draw with Everton. Marounne Fellaini, continues to wreak havoc on Premier league opponents as he opened the scoring for Everton, bundling the ball in after a set play. City was fortunate to get a draw after they tied the game up on a controversial Carlos Tevez penalty kick. The result keeps them in 2nd place, but drops them 3 points behind their fellow Manchester neighbors.

Arsenal’s struggles continue and their fans unrest increases by the game. Arsenal lost 2-0 at home to Swansea, dropping them to 10th in the table and the worst start to an EPL campaign in the Arsene Wenger era. The Gunners put in another lackluster jaded performance, well below the level required to get them in the Champions league. Two goals from Swansea’s bargain buy, Michu, was too much for the gunners, leaving them with only one win in their last 5 games.

Liverpool got back to winning ways after their midweek loss to Spurs, with a 1- 0 win over Southampton, making it only one loss in last 10 games. With the win, Liverpool continue their slow, but consistent march up the table and now find themselves in 11th place as the Brendan Rodgers project starts to take root.

In the Spurs, Fulham London derby, Jermain Defoe struck twice against Fulham to help Tottenham to a third straight Premier League victory. The win keeps Spurs firmly in 4th place tied with Chelsea. Fulham had brief flashes, from ex- Spurs and Man Utd star, Dimitar Berbatov, but could not capitalize. A good 3-0 win for Spurs.

West Brom have come off the boil a bit as they suffer their 2nd consecutive loss. Going down 1-0 to Stoke in a hard-fought game. Stoke get the win and they’re 7th clean sheet.

In new QPR manager, Harry Redknapp’s, first official game, the performance was a stark improvement, but a 1-1 draw was all they could muster against fellow strugglers Aston Villas as their winless streak continues. QPR played well and dominated in large stretches and fully deserved to win, but will have to settle for a point.

Rampant Norwich City continued their surge up the table with another win, this time over struggling Sunderland. The win moves them up to 12th place and well clear of the relegation zone, while the Sunderland continue their slide in the opposite direction.