Sensational round of Premiership games led off by the battle of Manchester. The two sides come into the game leading the table, with United in first and City in second place, three points behind.

English Premier League Review Dec 9th 2012

The game got off to somewhat of a slow start but by games end, it was a true hot bloodied derby affair. United went up on a Wayne Rooney goal, scored against the run of play, in a classic United counterattack. United increased their lead again, against the run of play with Wayne Rooney again being the scorer. City although dominating possession, did not really explode into action until the introduction of Carlos Tevez, who came on for the ineffective Mario Balotelli.

Tevez’s impact was instance, almost leading to a goal from his first few touches. City finally got back into the game on the flip-side of a disallowed United goal for offside, while replays clearly show Ashley Young was onside. From almost being 3-0, instead City clawed a goal back with Tevez finding Yaya Toure who slotted home. With 5 minutes to go in the game, the comeback was complete as Zableta tied it up when United failed to clear their lines from a corner kick. The game looked like it would be settled with a draw until, United got a free kick with minutes to go, in a perfect spot for a left footer. Up stepped Robin Van Persie to do the honors. His kick although on target, deflected off the outstretched leg of Nasri, alluded Joe Hart, and ended up in the back of the City goal. 3-2 United. The result takes them 6 points clear at the top.

Chelsea, seven-league games without a win finally got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Sunderland. Fernando Torres opened the scoring off a counterattack from a Eden Hazard cross. Chelsea and Torres made it two, when he converted a penalty after a ridiculous foul by Larson on Ramirez as the Brazilian was harmlessly heading out-of-bounds. A defensive giveaway led to Chelsea’s 3rd goal, Torres hit the crossbar and Mata scored the rebound. Sunderland put in a late rally, in which Adam Johnson scored a great goal and their late pressure forced Chelsea keeper, Petr Cech into several big saves. Sunderland showed the typical spirited effort you would expect from a Martin O’Neil but, all a little too late.

Arsenal having only one win in their last six games has been the worst start in the premier league under Arsene Wenger. Arsenal got on the scoreboard off a controversial penalty when Santi Cazola went down in the box, although replays show he was seemingly not touched by West Brom defender. Arsenal sealed their victory off another controversial penalty when it appeared that a West Brom player was fouled in the build up. Mikel Arteta stepped up to score both penalties to somewhat make amends for a costly penalty kick mis against Fulham.

Everton and Spurs, two team fighting for the much converted top 4 champions league spot, played a game of two halves. Everton dominated the first half and created multiple charges, but they squandered them and failed to take advantage of their dominance. Spurs had a much better second half, and opened the scoring on a 25 yard looping Clint Dempsey strike that evaded fellow American Everton keeper Tin Howard. With minutes remaining in the game, urs appeared to be walking out with until the ex- Spurs man, Steven Pienaar leveled the score with a header in the 90th minute. A draw looked on the cards, then barely a minute later, Everton snatched all three points when Nikica Jelavic scored in stoppage time to seal the victory for Everton. The result moves Everton into 4th and Spurs drop to. 5th.

West ham and Liverpool, played out a thriller where the West Ham old boys Joe Cole and Glen Johnson, stepped up to do the business. Liverpool with no Luis Suarez, who was out through suspension, looked short on attackers an started the game with 5 midfielders. In a game that swung back and forth Liverpool edged their way to a hard fought 3-2 win. The win moves them Liverpool into the top half of the league for the 1st time this year as their slow ascent continues.

In a seven goal thriller Norwich extend their unbeaten streak 9 games, in which they kept 4 clean sheets, marking it their best run in their premiership history. Norwich went up 3-0 in the first half, Swansea tried to get them selves back into the game, with goals from Michu, but too little too late. Norwich go home 4-3 winners in their first road win of the season.

Stoke and Aston Villa fight to a 0-0 draw. Another clean sheet for Stoke, Keeps there unbeaten streak going, while things remain bleak for Villa. Southampton, in the midst of a good run of form, picking 8 points out of a possible 15 keep their streak alive with a win over fellow strugglers Reading. The win pulls them three places clear of the relegation zone. QPR and Wigan fight to a 2-2 draw. The score does very for QPR as the remain rooted to the bottom of the league and winless on the year.