Top three march on but Reds crash again
Saturday 31 October 2009
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Robin van Persie scored twice as Arsenal FC defeated Tottenham Hotspur FC 3-0 in the north London derby, but as the Premier League's top three all won, there was more heartache for Liverpool FC who crashed to a sixth defeat in seven matches in all competitions at Fulham FC.
Van Persie double
The Dutchman opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 42nd minute, and the Gunners never looked back after Cesc Fàbregas doubled the advantage just eleven seconds after Tottenham had restarted the match with an opportunist run and finish. Van Persie turned in another Bacary Sagna cross, albeit after Ledley King and Heurelho Gomes failed to avert the danger, on the hour to complete the scoring.
Chelsea rout
Victory briefly moved Arsenal to within two points of Chelsea before Carlo Ancelotti's league leaders reasserted their dominance at Bolton, who they had also defeated 4-0 in the League Cup in midweek. Frank Lampard scored first from the penalty spot in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half after Didier Drogba had been brought down in the area by Jlloyd Samuel who was dismissed. With the man advantage Chelsea were able to add second-half goals from Deco (61) and a Zat Knight own goal (82) before a Drobga strike in added time sealed their ninth league win of the season. Chelsea have now scored 17 goals without conceding in their past four matches in all competitions.
United win
Chelsea lead the Premier League by two points from Manchester United FC who defeated Blackburn Rovers FC 2-0 thanks to goals from Dimitar Berbatov (55) and Wayne Rooney (87). Arsenal are third, three points behind United but with a game in hand, while Liverpool are now nine points off the summit after losing 3-1 at Fulham. Bobby Zamora opened the scoring on 24 minutes and though Fernando Torres brought Liverpool back into the game with his league-leading tenth goal three minutes before the break, Erik Nevland restored the home side's advantage on 73 minutes.
Pair dismissed
The Reds finished the match with nine men following the dismissals of Philipp Degen (79) and Jamie Carragher (82) in quick succession before Clint Dempsey sealed Fulham's victory three minutes from time. In the day's other matches, Burnley FC beat Hull City AFC 2-0 and bottom-side Portsmouth FC defeated Wigan Athletic FC 4-0. Everton drew 1-1 with Aston Villa FC while Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Sunderland AFC both came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Stoke City FC and West Ham United FC respectively.
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