Arsenal win to put title charge back on track

LONDON. Liverpool let slip of top spot in the Premier League after losing at Manchester City as Arsenal returned to the summit following victory at West Ham United.

Friday, December 27, 2013
Arsenal came from a goal down to win at Upton Park on Boxing Day. Net photo.

LONDON. Liverpool let slip of top spot in the Premier League after losing at Manchester City as Arsenal returned to the summit following victory at West Ham United.Manchester United produced a familiar comeback to deny Hull City boss Steve Bruce a first win against his former club, while Crystal Palace climbed out of the relegation zone after beating Aston Villa.Chelsea continue to be efficient rather than entertaining after seeing off Swansea City, but Everton suffered a first home defeat of the season after being stunned by Sunderland.Tottenham Hotspur were held at home by West Bromwich Albion, while Newcastle United stuck five past a Stoke City side reduced to nine men in the first half.Southampton piled further misery on Cardiff City after a convincing win in south Wales, while Fulham snatched a late win at Norwich City.Liverpool slipped down to fourth in the table after Alvaro Negredo’s goal in first-half stoppage-time earned Manchester City a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in a pulsating game.In a match where the tempo never seemed to cease, Liverpool took the lead on 24 minutes following an excellent move which resulted in Philippe Coutinho finishing from a narrow angle after Raheem Sterling had taken the ball round Joe Hart.However, City levelled on 31 minutes when Vincent Kompany met a corner at the near post and Joe Allen was unable to prevent the Belgian’s header from crossing the line.The winner came in added time at the end of the first half when a superb pass from Jesus Navas, who had hit the post after just five minutes, released Negredo and his shot with the outside of his left foot crept over the line after Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet only got a weak hand to the ball.Liverpool pressed for an equaliser in the second half, with Sterling blazing a golden chance over and Luis Suarez unlucky not to get a penalty after his shirt was tugged by Joleon Lescott.Theo Walcott continued his impressive scoring record against West Ham United as Arsenal came from a goal down to win 3-1 at Upton Park.Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten home record in the Premier League was maintained after Eden Hazard’s first-half goal earned Chelsea a 1-0 win over Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.Manchester United were indebted to former defender James Chester for a fifth win in a row in all competitions after coming from 2-0 down to beat Hull City 3-2 at the KC Stadium.