Premier League round-up

Shankly celebrations marked by narrow win, Arsenal's credentials knocked

Last updated: 17th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Premier League round-up

Lampard: Kept his cool

Click below for full match reports and stats:

Burnley 1 Arsenal 1
Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 1
Liverpool 2 Wigan 1
Tottenham 3 Man City 0

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Chelsea ended their blip in form with a victory over rock-bottom Portsmouth to restore a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League, while Tottenham won their battle of the UEFA Champions League contenders with Manchester City.

Liverpool recorded only their third win in 10 league games as celebrations of 50 years since Bill Shankly became manager were marked by narrowly defeating Wigan at Anfield, and Arsenal's title credentials were dented by a draw at Burnley.

Avram Grant's return to Stamford Bridge as Portsmouth manager was an unhappy one as Chelsea restored a three-point lead at the table's summit with a 2-1 win.

Manchester United had ensured the Blues, who had not won in four matches in all competitions prior to kick-off, only led by goal difference after defeating a weakened Wolves on Tuesday, but Carlo Ancelotti's men restored their advantage.

Chelsea were without Didier Drogba due to a back injury, however, Nicolas Anelka made up for his strike partner's absence by converting early dominance into a lead after collecting a 23rd minute pass from the rampaging Alex.

But there was evening-long evidence of recent anxiety at set-pieces and it was at a free-kick that Pompey equalised as Frederic Piquionne volleyed past Petr Cech in the 51st minute after Jamie O'Hara had hit a wall.

Marc Wilson, though, undid the hard work of his team-mates in the 79th minute as he chopped down Branislav Ivanovic inside the penalty area and Frank Lampard converted to ensure Pompey continue to prop up the division.

Tottenham delivered an indication that they may be better equipped than Manchester City to break the cartel of the Big Four with a 3-0 success over Mark Hughes' side at White Hart Lane.

Spurs had provided the first-half threat, with City's Emmanuel Adebayor seemingly in one of his disinterested moods, and deservedly took the lead in the 37th minute when Niko Kranjcar tapped in after Peter Crouch had headed against Stephen Ireland.

Crouch had proved a handful all evening and he was again involved in the undoing of defensively-shaky City in the 54th minute as he nodded on for Jermain Defoe to prod past Shay Given.

Spurs had lost to Wolves at the weekend and were without a win in three matches prior to Wednesday, so Kranjcar's excellent second goal of the night on 90 minutes added additional gloss.

David Ngog and Fernando Torres were the heroes for Liverpool as they moved sixth in the table on goal difference as Wigan were beaten 2-1 on what proved to be a tense night at Anfield.

The Reds were celebrating 50 years since former manager Shankly took charge at Anfield and home supporters only had to wait an additional nine minutes for a further reason to cheer.

Young French striker Ngog continued his improvement by cleverly applying a glancing header to Fabio Aurelio's cross at the Anfield Road end.

A host of star names from the days of Shankly, including Kevin Keegan, were in attendance, but they failed to fully inspire a Liverpool side low on confidence as Wigan threatened on the counter-attack through Paul Scharner and Jordi Gomez.

Torres, rested on the bench after Sunday's defeat to Arsenal, was introduced in the second half, but it was Wigan who finished strongly as Jason Scotland hit a glorious chance against the crossbar.

However, Spain international Torres found the back of the net in the 79th minute as he scored his side's second, despite seeing an original effort blocked on the line by Titus Bramble when goalkeeper Chris Kirkland had already been beaten.

Charles N'Zogbia netted in injury time to give Wigan a goal they deserved as Liverpool again failed to keep a clean sheet, but Rafa Benitez's side held on.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal had been praised for coming from behind at Liverpool, but they could not fully capitalise as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Burnley, meaning the Gunners only moved above third-placed Aston Villa on goal difference.

Owen Coyle had promised in the build-up to the midweek fixture that his side would not abandon their passing style when competing with the cultural aesthetics of Arsenal.

But the Burnley boss must have wished that defender-come-midfielder Andre Bikey had opted for the agricultural when getting the ball trapped under his feet in the 18-yard area in the seventh minute to gift Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas a messy goal.

Bikey, though, redeemed himself at Turf Moor in the 28th minute when winning a penalty after being clattered by Thomas Vermaelen, allowing Graham Alexander to once again make no mistake from the spot.

Having conceded the equaliser, injury-hit Arsenal, who will know title contenders need to win games such as these, suffered another setback before half-time as Fabregas limped off to be replaced by Aaron Ramsey.

Burnley thought they had taken the lead after half-time when Steven Fletcher finished at the back post, but the striker was on the wrong end of a tight offside decision.