United exploit Chelsea loss at Villa
Saturday, October 17, 2009
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Manchester United FC are back on top of the Premier League after following Chelsea FC's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa FC by beating Bolton Wanderers FC by the same score, while Liverpool FC lost.
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Manchester United FC are back on top of the English Premier League after taking full advantage of Chelsea FC's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa FC.
Chelsea beaten
Chelsea, two points clear during the international break, were in action at Aston Villa in Saturday's early game and things began well when Didier Drogba's speculative 15th-minute shot bounced past Brad Friedel. The Villa goalkeeper was flawless after that, however, and Richard Dunne pounced to equalise on 32 minutes when Frank Lampard misdirected his header from Ashley Young's corner. The winner came seven minutes after the restart when another Young corner was headed in by James Collins.
Early strike
Buoyed by that result, United were ahead at home to Bolton Wanderers FC within five minutes, Zat Knight turning Michael Owen's flick into his own net. Just past the half-hour, Antonio Valencia headed in from Gary Neville's cross for his first United goal, before Matt Taylor pulled one back.
Liverpool reverse
There were mixed fortunes for England's other UEFA Champions League contenders. Arsenal FC are up to fourth, within four points of United with a game in hand, after they beat Birmingham City FC 3-1. However, injury-hit Liverpool FC lost 1-0 at Sunderland AFC to a bizarre Darren Bent strike on five minutes, the forward's shot deflecting past Pepe Reina off an inflatable beachball. Sunderland, like Villa, are six points behind United.
Spurs rise
Tottenham Hotspur FC are third, two points behind Chelsea, after posting a 2-1 win at manager Harry Redknapp's previous club Portsmouth FC, a game in which both teams ended with ten men. West Ham United FC remain two points ahead of Portsmouth in 19th after losing 2-1 at Stoke City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC missed the chance to pull further clear of the relegation zone when they conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 at Everton FC. In Sunday's games, Manchester City FC can recapture third spot by winning at Wigan Athletic FC and Blackburn Rovers FC meet local rivals Burnley FC.