This last slate of games, before yet another international break, had the teams at the top winning, more drama at the bottom of the table and one special anniversary. There were seven games on Saturday and three on Sunday so let’s get to it.

Newcastle 2-1 Everton

As I was watching this game I fully realized how great of an atmosphere St. James’ Park must be when Newcastle is playing well. The Toon got another win, against Everton, this weekend and the first goal came on a very odd Johnny Heitenga own goal. The second was the goal of the weekend as Ryan Taylor hit a brilliant volley past Tim Howard. Everton perked up and Jack Rodwell got one back but it would stay at 2-1 and Newcastle going into second place momentarily.

Arsenal 3-0 West Brom

Robin van Persie scored once again to stay at the top of the scoring charts. Thomas Vermaelan made it 2-0 before halftime and this kept going one way. Mikel Arteta made it three for three as Arsene Wenger’s side continued their great league run.

Aston Villa 3-2 Norwich

This match was the first of two 3-2 Saturday games and the home fans were the ones singing at the final whistle of this one. Norwich’s Anthony Pilkington gave the away club the lead on a free kick but Darren Bent tied it on a Gabriel Agbonlahor cross. Agbonlahor then gave Villa the advantage when his persistence and pressure paid off as he tapped in after a mistake by the Norwich keeper. The Aston Villa strike force linked up again to make it 3-1 as Bent got his second. Norwich pulled one back through Steve Morrison but that just made it look closer in the end. 

Blackburn 0-1 Chelsea

It wasn’t pretty but Chelsea got the win they came for. The lone goal came in the second half when Branislav Ivanovic sent in a great ball that Frank Lampard headed in. Three points is three points at this point.

Liverpool 0-0 Swansea

There may be some real weaknesses in this Liverpool team. If Luis Suarez doesn’t score or get an assist it seems like no one else can for this club at the moment. Fair play to Swansea for getting a great road point at Anfield, with some more heroics from their Dutch keeper, Michel Vorm.

Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland

It was the day before Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25^th anniversary as United boss so anything but a Red Devil win would’ve been shocking. The famous club was less than convincing again but they got that win thanks to a former United defender’s (Wes Brown) own goal.

QPR 2-3 Manchester City

QPR just may be hitting a good run of form and Loftus Road was shocked when they took the lead through Jay Bothroyd. They had a couple more good chances before Edin Dzeko leveled it for City. It was 1-1 at halftime but David Silva gave Man City the lead on a classy finish early in the second half. Heidar Helguson would make it 2-2 and QPR suddenly believed they could get a point out of this one. Yaya Toure had other ideas though as his goal, from an inch perfect cross by Alex Kolorav, kept the City win streak alive.

Wolves 3-1 Wigan

These are two managers that I like listening to and two teams that badly need a win. It was Mick McCarthy and Wolves that would emerge. Goals from Jamie O’Hara, David Edwards, and Stephen Ward for Wolves and a penalty follow up by Ben Watson for Wigan summed up the scoring in this one.

Bolton 5-0 Stoke

Where has this been all season, Owen Coyle must be saying. His Bolton side exploded for five goals, which is their highest total of the season. The first goal was an odd one, as the kind-of-a-backpass-then-quick-free-kick combo doesn’t happen all that often. Kevin Davies finished it off, however and Bolton were off and running. Chris Eagles made it 2-0 and Ivan Klasnic 3-0. Stoke had chances but Eagles and David Wheater got goals to fully pay back the FA Cup semi final from last year. 

Fulham 1-3 Tottenham

This one could have so easily gone either way, as it was an open and fun match to watch. Fulham had more chances but Tottenham was much more clinical as Gareth Bale finished off a move by smashing a ball off Chris Baird and into the net. The right sided speedy winger, Aaron Lennon, made it 2-0 on a great individual run and finish. Just like last week, Spurs had their lead cut to 2-1 and eventually finished off the opposition with a late goal, this time it was much later, however. Brede Hangeland  cut the lead for Fulham and Jermaine Defoe who ended the comeback.

Team of the week is going to Bolton for their high point in this season that very well may not be repeated. Player of the week goes to Ryan Taylor for his great goal and overall solid midfield play in Newcastle’s 2-1 victory over Everton. Finally, congrats to Alex Ferguson for his milestone moment at Manchester United and for having the north stand named after the great gaffer. See you in two weeks.