In the premierships biggest game, Spurs lose a 3-2 thriller to Liverpool on a late Steven Gerrard penalty. Spurs were authors of their own destruction with two poor defensive plays that led to goals. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was again in devastating form, on this occasion stealing the headlines from Spurs super-hot Gareth Bale. Both Bale and Suarez van count themselves candidates for Player of the Year honours along with Manchester United’s Robin van Persie.

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard scores from the penalty spot to sink Spurs

The loss, ends Spurs 13 game unbeaten streak and the opportunity to further their hold and consolidate their champions league elect status, but Spurs stay in third place as their nearest challengers Chelsea and Arsenal were both off. The win keeps Liverpool’s feint hopes of breaking into the top four alive.

Harry Redknapp’s QPR picked up their 2nd consecutive win to give their slim hopes of survival a solid boost. On this occasion they beat Sunderland team 3-1, that have chosen the wrong time of year to be going through a bad patch. QPR remain at the foot of the table but are now only 4 points away from escaping the relegation zone.

In the massive 6 point affair between Reading and Aston Villa, based upon this nervy display it was clearly evident why these two teams are struggling in the relegation zone. There was lots of effort and huffing and puffing but not a lot of quality or attacking play on hand. Poor and nervous defending ruled the day, with Aston Villa eventually running out 2-1 winners in the end. The result moves villa out if the relegation zone, while Reading drop to joint bottom with QPR.

Newcastle did their premiership hopes a world of good, picking up a solid 2-1 win over a resolute and determined Stoke City, with Papiss Cisse scoring a stoppage-time winner. The win bumps Newcastle up two spots and puts them among the 5 teams, from the 10th position thru 14th place, all stuck on 33 points. Stoke City are one of the 5 teams, all separated by only goal difference.

In a game between two teams that are evenly matched and safe in mid table West Brom beat Swansea 2-1, a result that ends West Brom’s three game losing streak and moves West Brom above Swansea in the table. West Brom’s on loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, was again in commanding form, powering West Brom to victory, scoring his 7th goal in eight league appearances.

Elsewhere, Norwich and  Southampton played to a 0-0 draw. The result doesn’t  do enough for either team as they both need more to secure their premiership status.

With nine games to go and both QPR and Villa picking up wins, Southampton & Norwich run the risk of being drawn into the relegation fray.