| Saturday 15th November 2008 |
| Arsenal 0 v 2 Aston Villa |
Aston Villa struck twice in the last 20 minutes to seal a deserved win and dent Arsenal's Premier League title hopes.
Gael Clichy headed Ashley Young's cross into his own net after 70 minutes and Gabriel Agbonlahor raced clear to add a second 10 minutes later. Young had seen a penalty saved by Manuel Almunia in the first half as Villa produced an outstanding display. Brad Friedel saved well from Cesc Fabregas in the first half and Emmanuel Adebayor hit a post late on. For Villa, the win will strengthen their belief that they can challenge for a top four place this season, but the result will be massively frustrating for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. After watching his side respond to criticism by beating Manchester United at the Emirates last Saturday, Wenger watched his side undo all that good work against a Villa side who played with huge self-belief and attacking intent. |
| Blackburn Rovers 1 v 2 Sunderland |
Sunderland produced a vastly improved second-half performance as they came from behind to avenge their midweek Carling Cup defeat by Blackburn.
Rovers dominated the first half and led when Christopher Samba headed home from Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner. But the second period was all about a revitalised Sunderland side. Kenwyne Jones pounced on an error from Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson to level before Djibril Cisse converted a Steed Malbranque pass for the winner. |
| Bolton Wanderers 0 v 2 Liverpool |
Liverpool's Premier League title challenge gathered further momentum with an impressive victory at Bolton.
Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed the visitors in front from Fabio Aurelio's cross after 28 minutes. Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard both missed open goals before captain Gerrard headed in substitute Fernando Torres' cross with 18 minutes left. Bolton's Gary Cahill had a header ruled out for a foul and Ricardo Gardner missed two good opportunities. The win ensured Liverpool maintained the pressure on their rivals as they seek their first title since 1990. |
| Fulham 2 v 1 Tottenham Hotspur |
Harry Redknapp suffered his first defeat as Tottenham boss as Fulham sent them back into the relegation zone.
Former Spurs winger Simon Davies was credited with the first goal, though it was another awful error by Heurelho Gomes, who fumbled into his own net. With the visitors in disarray from corners, Andy Johnson pounced to turn in the second inside the six-yard box. On 81 minutes Spurs substitute Fraizer Campbell slotted home to create late tension but Fulham deserved their win. |
| Manchester United 5 v 0 Stoke City |
Cristiano Ronaldo's 100th Manchester United goal set his side on their way to an emphatic home win over Stoke.
The Portuguese winger smashed home a trademark free-kick from 25 yards before turning provider for Michael Carrick to fire in United's second. Dimitar Berbatov volleyed home to extend the lead before 17-year-old Danny Welbeck marked his Premier League debut with a stunning strike. Ronaldo sealed the win with his second, another expertly taken free-kick. The three points were a fitting reward for manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was celebrating 50 years in football after making his playing debut as a 16-year-old during Queens Park's 2-1 defeat at Stranraer on 15 November 1958. |
| Newcastle United 2 v 2 Wigan Athletic |
| Ten-man Wigan denied Joe Kinnear's side a dramatic late victory after former Newcastle defender Titus Bramble snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
Ryan Taylor's brilliant 20-yard strike put the visitors ahead early on but Emmerson Boyce was harshly awarded a second yellow card after half-time. With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Michael Owen stabbed in for Newcastle. Obafemi Martins then smashed in a second to send St James' Park wild, but Bramble headed home in the last minute. |
| West Bromwich Albion 0 v 3 Chelsea |
| Ten-man Wigan denied Joe Kinnear's side a dramatic late victory after former Newcastle defender Titus Bramble snatched a last-gasp equaliser.
Ryan Taylor's brilliant 20-yard strike put the visitors ahead early on but Emmerson Boyce was harshly awarded a second yellow card after half-time. With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Michael Owen stabbed in for Newcastle. Obafemi Martins then smashed in a second to send St James' Park wild, but Bramble headed home in the last minute. |
| West Ham United 0 v 0 Portsmouth |
| West Ham halted their losing streak with their first clean sheet of the season and a point, but they could easily have had all three.
Portsmouth's three best first-half chances fell to Jermain Defoe but despite the visitors dominating, keeper Robert Green was rarely tested. Craig Bellamy's second-half free-kick that hit the bar for West Ham was the best chance for either side. That chance inspired the hosts to go on the attack but Portsmouth held on. |
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