The Premier League returned this weekend after the 3^rd round of the FA Cup and while there weren’t any huge matchups, there were plenty of results that affect the Champions League places. Lets jump right in with the key points of the ten matches.

Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland

With Didier Drogba at the African Cup of Nations this month, a chance for Fernando Torres to get a run of starts is upon El Nino. He almost had a fantastic goal but his mid air volley nailed the crossbar and Frank Lampard was there to tap in and give Chelsea the lead. Both clubs had opportunities to score but the match would stay this way and Chelsea took home all three points.

Aston Villa 1-1 Everton

The bookmakers had this as a 1-1, I had this as a 1-1 and it finished 1-1. Goals from Darren Bent for Villa and Victor Anichebe for Everton made sure it stayed at a goal apiece.

Blackburn 3-1 Fulham

I have to admit I didn’t see this coming, but I guess I never see a Blackburn win coming. This win came even with their leading goal scorer, Yakubu, being sent off in the first half. Morten Gamst Pedersen gave Blackburn the lead before halftime. David Dunn doubled that lead early in the second half. Damien Duff then cut that lead but Mauro Formica finished off the Cottagers when he made it 3-1.

Liverpool 0-0 Stoke

Yet another home draw for Liverpool in this one. It was a decent point for Stoke, but there is no way Liverpool will make the Champions League with more matches like this.

Manchester United 3-0 Bolton

Man United were coming off of two straight league defeats so you had to know that they would come out strong. They did just that and Danny Welbeck drew a penalty but Wayne Rooney had his spot kick saved. The first goal would come, however, when Paul Scholes scored on his first start after a brief retirement. The Red Devils had plenty of chances but the second wouldn’t come until Welbeck poked home after good work from Rooney. The match was finished off when Michael Carrick hit one from outside the box.

West Brom 1-2 Norwich

Norwich just might be a top ten side this season. They won away at the Hawthorns on Saturday with goals from Surman and Morrison either side of a Shane Long penalty. Three more points for the Canaries.

Tottenham 1-1 Wolves

These are the matches that Spurs have to win if they want to have a real shot at the title. They dominated the first half and the whole game really but they couldn’t get that goal. Wolves took their one good early chance when Steven Fletcher poked home from a corner they received that should’ve been a goal kick. It would stay 1-0 until halftime but early in the second half Spurs were level when Luka Modric’s shot skimmed under Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey. The home side had more chances to win but it never came and it would finish in a disappointing draw.

Newcastle 1-0 QPR

If Newcastle wants to push for a Europa League place then these are the grind-it-out game they need to win. Fortunately for Alan Pardew, his team did that through a Leon Best strike. Who needs Demba Ba?

Swansea 3-2 Arsenal*

This was a great game for attacking football. Both teams went at it and both made huge defensive mistakes and scored great goals. Robin van Persie scored the opener inside of ten minutes but Swansea answered back when Scott Sinclair finished a penalty that Nathan Dyer drew. It would stay at 1-1 until halftime, but then Dyer gave the Swans the lead. Arsenal kept coming and Theo Walcott eventually leveled on a nice chip. Just 45 seconds later, however, Danny Graham gave Swansea their biggest win of the season.

Wigan 0-1 Manchester City

The Monday night game wasn’t much to watch this week and the entire second half felt like a formality. Edin Dzeko scored with his head after a great free kick from David Silva put it there. Both teams had a couple of chances and Sergio Aguero could’ve wrapped it up twice but it stayed at 1-0.

*Game of the Week

Nathan Dyer get the player of the week award from me but no team of the week award seeing as none of the 20 really stood out. It wasn’t a classic round of matches but the contenders and pretenders are becoming more evident. There are races all over the table that will be interesting down the stretch. Look out for Arsenal v. Manchester United and Tottenham v. Manchester City in next week’s slate of matches.