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Analysis

Premier League review: as you were

Little change at the top as both Manchester clubs win and Robin van Persie keeps scoring… but much more motion at the bottom

A DAY WHICH saw a lot of action in the individual matches but not much movement in the actual Premier League table.

Indeed, it was largely a case of as you were: both Manchester clubs won while Robin van Persie – and, it shouldn’t be forgotten, Heidar Helguson – kept on scoring.

At the City of Manchester Stadium, Newcastle illustrated exactly why why they’re so well-regarded with an impressive performance in which they often bossed City.

But, ultimately, the sort of errors that the likes of City don’t make let them down. First of all, after Demba Ba had squandered the two best chances of the game, Ryan Taylor foolishly stuck his arm out in the box so that Yaya Toure’s shot hit it. Mario Balotelli coolly despatched the penalty before Micah Richards effectively made the game safe by finishing a flowing move just before half-time. Sergio Aguero later knocked in another penalty when Richards himself was brought down in the box before Dan Gosling gave Newcastle the consolation they more than deserved.

It was much the same at the Liberty Stadium as only an Angel Rangel error allow Javier Hernandez to score the game’s single goal despite Swansea dominating long stretches.

At Carrow Road, sheer class was the difference. Although Steve Morison capitalised on a Per Mertesacker error, Van Persie equalised before half-time before settling the game after with an exquisite chip.

The biggest movers of the day came at the bottom as Everton’s somewhat fortuitous 2-1 win over Wolves saw them jump from 17th to 12th. It also saw them go ahead of stuttering Stoke who surprisingly lost 3-2 at home to a creditable QPR.

Wigan,however, should have lifted themselves off the bottom having hit 28 shots at Blackburn’s goal and scoring three times – except for the fact that their leaky defence allowed in three at the other end. Going into the ninth minute of stoppage time, Paul Robinson made up for earlier errors by winning a penalty to give Yakubu the chance to equalise for Blackburn.

West Brom, meanwhile, got back on track against Bolton after a 2-1 victory that came courtesy of a Shane Long winner.

Both Sunderland and Fulham’s problems were emphasised, however, in a drab 0-0 draw.

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