Weekend review

Goals galore on remarkable Saturday; Torres debut ruined on Sunday

By James Riach   Last updated: 7th February 2011  

Cheik Tiote Newcastle United Premier League

Tiote: Scored fine winner for Newcastle

Louis Saha Everton Premier League

Saha: Four-goal hero for Everton

George Elokobi Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League

Elokobi: Scored against Man United
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One of the most remarkable weekends in Premier League history saw a record 41 goals scored in eight games on Saturday, while Liverpool spoiled Fernando Torres' Chelsea debut on Sunday.

Newcastle produced a heroic display in undoubtedly the game of the weekend at St James' Park - coming from four goals down to draw 4-4 with Arsenal. It seemed all over at half-time as the Gunners tore their opponents apart in the early stages - Theo Walcott opened the scoring in the first minute and soon after Johan Djourou made it two with a header into the top corner. Robin van Persie netted a brace before the break to leave Newcastle shell-shocked and out for the count. However, what then followed was a breathtaking comeback of epic proportions. Abou Diaby's petulant outburst saw him sent off five minutes after the restart for reacting to Joey Barton's strong challenge, and Barton then slotted home a penalty after Leon Best was brought down in the box. Best finished coolly to make it 4-2 with 15 minutes remaining, and a contentious decision from referee Phil Dowd saw Newcastle awarded another spot-kick after Mike Williamson tumbled under a shove from Tomas Rosicky. Barton made no mistake again and Cheick Tiote raised the roof with a stunning 25-yard volley to complete a truly incredible turnaround.

Arsenal's slip-up left the door open for Manchester United to stretch their lead at the top of the table but their unbeaten run came to an abrupt end following a 2-1 defeat at Wolves. All was running smoothly for the Red Devils as Portuguese attacker Nani set them on their way in the third minute - cutting into the box and firing a fierce effort past Wayne Hennessey. But just seven minutes later and the relegation-threatened hosts were level as George Elokobi headed Matt Jarvis' cross into the bottom corner. The home side sensed the vulnerability of United and dealt a killer blow five minutes before half-time. Nenad Milijas sent in a free-kick and there was Kevin Doyle to head past Edwin van der Sar - cue mass celebration inside Molineux. Sir Alex Ferguson's men laid siege to the Wolves goal after the break but they could not find another way through, and Mick McCarthy's team held on for a famous win.

Everton have been far from free-scoring this season but they bucked the trend on Saturday against Blackpool, beating the Tangerines 5-3. Fans at Goodison Park certainly got their money's worth after an astonishing encounter which saw Louis Saha find the back of the net four times. The Frenchman's first came in the 20th minute as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov picked him out inside the area to sweep home, but Blackpool were level in the 37th minute as Alex Baptiste benefited from a clearance which smacked him on the leg and went in from close range. Just 93 seconds after the restart and Saha put the Toffees back in front - finishing well from a low Leighton Baines cross, but the travelling Seasiders turned the tie on its head as Jason Puncheon restored parity before Charlie Adam nodded in after DJ Campbell had struck the crossbar. However, Saha completed his hat-trick with a header and substitute Jermaine Beckford then produced a fine finish to volley home a delightful chip over the top from Baines. Fittingly it was Saha who set the victory in stone, latching on to Marouane Fellaini's pass to hit a shot past the advancing Paul Rachubka to complete the scoring after a ding-dong affair.

Frantic

Not to be outdone at the DW Stadium, Wigan and Blackburn played out a similarly frantic tie, with the Latics emerging triumphant following a 4-3 success. Jason Roberts returned to haunt his old side by putting Rovers in front - tapping home Brett Emerton's cross in the 23rd minute. But James McCarthy scored his first of two goals to equalise 12 minutes later, turning the ball in after Paul Robinson had denied Emmerson Boyce. Hugo Rodallega pounced on some slack defending to put Wigan in front before the goal of the game from McCarthy in the 56th minute. The Irish midfielder was fed in by Charles N'Zogbia and he then proceeded to flick the ball up to himself and finish into the far corner. Chris Samba briefly reduced Blackburn's arrears but Ben Watson made sure of the points for Wigan with a penalty on 65 minutes after Mohamed Diame tumbled to the ground inside the area following a challenge from Michel Salgado. There was still time for David Dunn to score from the spot at the other end but it was not enough for Blackburn and despite a terrible playing surface at the DW, the two sides contested a thoroughly entertaining match.Ironically, what was billed as the tie of the weekend between Chelsea and Liverpool turned out to be a turgid affair. The Reds will not mind, though, as they ruined Fernando Torres' debut with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Following Torres' deadline-day switch to Stamford Bridge for £50million, all eyes were on the Spaniard in West London as Carlo Ancelotti opted to start him alongside Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. But the returning Jamie Carragher put in a real shift and Liverpool did a fantastic containing job on the Blues frontline, which looked lacklustre and not on the same wavelength. Raul Meireles capitalised on some slack defending at the other end in the second half to earn the travelling side an important three points as their revival under Kenny Dalglish picked up more momentum.

The first tie of the weekend set the ball rolling on a record-breaking Saturday, as Stoke twice came from behind to inflict a 3-2 reverse on Sunderland. The Black Cats took the lead after just two minutes at the Britannia Stadium as Kieran Richardson latched on to a loose ball in the box to fire home from close range. The Potters wore down their opponents with a barrage of crosses and long throws with John Carew eventually the beneficiary - toeing home in a crowded area to score on his home debut. Asamoah Gyan restored Sunderland's lead soon after the restart but Stoke managed a comeback and drew inspiration from the unlikeliest of sources. Big defender Robert Huth bagged a late brace to pile misery on Steve Bruce, who knows his side should have seen the game out. Huth got the faintest of touches on a Carew header goalwards in the 83rd minute before tapping home to complete the comeback in stoppage time.

Manchester City kept the pressure on at the top of the table after a comfortable 3-0 victory over West Brom which turned out to be Roberto Di Matteo's last game in charge of the Baggies. Carlos Tevez had a birthday to remember as the Argentine ace hit a hat-trick to put Albion's defence to the sword and move City five points behind United at the summit. Tevez scored his first from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Aleksandar Kolarov was tugged back inside the area, and five minutes later he finished off a wonderfully crafted move - slotting home following an exquisite one-two with David Silva. His third came from the spot once more before half-time as Jerome Thomas handballed in the box. The Baggies have slipped to 17th in the table and the powers that be at the Hawthorns were concerned enough to wield the axe over Di Matteo on Sunday.

Thrilling stalemate

Four goals were shared at Villa Park as Aston Villa and Fulham played out a pulsating 2-2 draw. An unfortunate own goal from John Pantsil gave Villa the lead in the 13th minute but Mark Hughes' Cottagers pulled level through Andy Johnson shortly before half-time. One of the goals of the day then followed as Kyle Walker drove forward before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards out with 18 minutes of normal time remaining. Brad Friedel had a miserable afternoon in the Villa goal and was caught in no man's land soon later, allowing Clint Dempsey to continue his fine form and head home Danny Murphy's corner.

More drama ensued at White Hart Lane and Tottenham had to rely on a superb late strike from Niko Kranjcar to see off the challenge of Bolton2-1. It was the Croatian's first goal of the season after a frustrating campaign which has seen him spend the majority of his time on the bench. It was a disastrous start for the Trotters as Kevin Davies handballed inside the area after just five minutes and Rafael van der Vaart duly dispatched the resulting penalty. But the Dutchman was left cursing the heavens soon later after missing a second spot-kick, despite seeing his original effort overruled because Wilson Palacios had entered the area during his run-up. On-loan Daniel Sturridge then made it two goals in as many games 10 minutes into the second half as Heurelho Gomes failed to keep out the youngster's strike. But Gomes' blushes were spared as Kranjcar hit a fine long-range effort in injury time.

Sunday's clash at Upton Park may have only provided one goal but there was no shortage of drama as Birmingham City beat West Ham 1-0 in a crucial relegation scrap. It was a real six-pointer and the quality of the tie reflected the situation, with both teams battling hard for the upper hand. It was Alex McLeish's men that emerged victorious as Nikola Zigic headed the winner past Robert Green with 25 minutes to go following a cross from Sebastian Larsson. The Hammers must be sick of the sight of Birmingham, with the Blues having dumped them out of the Carling Cup in January.

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