Saturday Night EPL Review

EPL co-ordinator James Willoughby takes a look at all the matches played in England’s top flight, which were played overnight.

A stunning 4-1 home win for Middlesborough over Manchester United at the Riverside Stadium, was the highlight of the overnight action in the English Premier League.

Boro tore the once-mighty Man U to shreds with a scintillating performance, led by Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta who was instrumental in the match, scoring two goals and bossing the midfield in a world-class performance.

Mendieta opened the scoring after just two minutes with a superb long-range effort, which was backed up by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who made easy work of Rio Ferdinand, to double the lead.

Nigerian striker Yakubu made it three from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time, and the Riverside was rocking when Mendieta smashed Yakubu’s cutback into the back of the United net, and made it 4-0. Despite a late consolation from Cristiano Ronaldo, it was one of the darkest days in recent times for Manchester United.

Frank Lampard scored his 100th career goal as Chelsea continued their fine form with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Blackburn at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba got the reigning champions off to the perfect start after just nine minutes, when his header sailed past Brad Freidel and into the back of the net. Frank Lampard made it two, when coolly slotted a penalty after just 13 minutes.

Blackburn were to fight back with summer signing Craig Bellamy, showing why Mark Hughes paid top dollar for him. Bellamy made no mistake from the penalty spot after 17 minutes, and turned his goal into a double, after a miskick from Petr Cech let the Welshman in.

But when needed, Lampard took over and hit his 100th career goal in emphatic fashion, thumping a freekick into the back of the net and giving Chelsea the lead once more. Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was banished to the stands, and with him went the Rovers hope of snatching the win, as English midfielder Joe Cole sealed the result with a deflected goal.

The North London derby played between Arsenal and Tottenham finished up in a 1-1 draw in a pulsating encounter at White Hart Lane.

English international Ledley King gave the Spurs the lead, heading in Michael Carrick’s free-kick after 17 minutes. The Spurs dominated the first half, but could not add to their advantage, despite controlling the match.

The Gunners fought back in the second half and salvaged a point, when Robert Pires put the ball past Tottenham keeper’ Paul Robinson in the 77th minute, after Robinson flapped at the free-kick from Dennis Bergkamp.

The fairytale story that is Wigan Athletic continued to gain more momentum, as they extended their unbeaten stretch to eight games, with a last gasp 1-0 win over Fulham at the JJB Stadium.

Under the tutelage of Paul Jewell, the Latics have won their last seven games and are unstoppable, and have now established themselves in second position on the table. Pascal Chimbonda scored his first goal for the club, since arriving from French club Bastia, two minutes into injury time.

An amazing second half from Portsmouth saw them come from behind, to defeat Sunderland 4-1 at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats took the lead after just four minutes, courtesy of a penalty from Dean Whitehead. But Pompey fought back in emphatic fashion, with Zvonimir Vukic levelling the scores after 49 minutes.

Sunderland gifted Pompey their next goal, when a mix-up between centre-half Alan Stubbs and goalkeeper’ Kelvin Davis, allowed Matthew Taylor to stab home from close range. What was to follow from Taylor, was not to be missed.

With the ball at his feet, Taylor let loose from three yards inside the Sunderland half, with an un-stoppable 45 yard piledriver, which will go down in history as one of the best goals ever scored in the English Premier League.

Uruguayan striker Dario Silva completed the rout, with his second goal in two games, which sent Sunderland to the foot of the table and finalised the 4-1 win for Portsmouth.

Liverpool emerged from their form slump in the league, by virtue of a 2-0 win over West Ham at Anfield.

Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso opened the scoring, after his drive from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection and looped into the net. Sub Bolo Zenden, signed from Middlesborough in the off-season doubled the lead, with his first goal for the champions of Europe.

Everton recorded an important victory away from home which lifted them from the foot of the table, defeating 19th placed Birmingham City 1-0.

An error from City keeper’ Maik Taylor gave the Toffees the lead, when he let Simon Davies’ long range shot slip through his hands.

And in the final game, Bolton were too good for Charlton, the Wanderers winning 1-0 thanks to a Kevin Nolan goal.

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