PLENTY OF GOALS and plenty of drama… it can only be a Premier League Sunday afternoon.
Fulham 1-3 Tottenham
Missing manager Harry Redknapp – who was resting over the weekend following heart surgery – following heart surgery, Tottenham made hard work of their trip to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.
With former Spurs boss Martin Jol in the home dug out, the contest was always likely to be a fierce battle. And it was a Jol signing, Gareth Bale, who was credited with the opening goal – the defender unleashing a fierce drive that was deflected to the back of the net on ten minutes by Chris Baird.
Aaron Lennon doubled the visitors’ advantage in added time of the first half but an own goal by Younes Kaboul on 57 minutes ensured a nervy finish. Jermain Defoe eventually sealed all three points with a goal in stoppage time.
What it means: Tottenham have now won seven times in eight games and are fifth despite Redknapp’s health scare. Fulham are 16th and above the relegation zone by a single point.
Wolves 3-1 Wigan
Wolves ended their horrible run of eight games without a win earlier in the day when they overcame fellow strugglers Wigan by 3-1 at Molineux.
Hugo Rodallega will be the first man to have regrets having wasted several half chances to put his team in front before blasting wide from close range on the half-hour mark with just Wayne Hennessey to beat.
Wolves immediately charged down field with Kevin Doyle and Jamie O’Hara combining for the latter to break the deadlock. Ben Watson saw his penalty saved by Hennessey just before the break but was quickly off the penalty spot to knock the rebound to the back of the net.
That was as good as it got for the visitors though as goals from David Edwards and Ireland full-back Stephen Ward saw the hosts claim the victory and all three points in the second half.
What this means: Wolves move up to 13th and out of the relegation zone with the vital win. Roberto Martinez’s side, on the other, are rock bottom of the pile with only five points of their name.
Bolton 5-0 Stoke
It was a day to remember for Bolton fans as Chris Eagles and Ivan Klasnic both scored twice during the club’s 5-0 victory over Stoke.
It has been a tough start for the Trotters and their first home points of the season will give manager Owen Coyle and his troops a massive boost, along with the convincing manner of their performance.
Kevin Davies put the home side ahead with just two minutes on the clock. Stoke were penalised for a back pass and a quickly taken free-kick by Klasnic saw the England international capitalise and score. Eagles then doubled Bolton’s lead with a superb strike 20 minutes later.
A shot from distance saw Klasnic net the game’s third on the hour mark and his second strike with nine minutes remaining was split by Eagles’ superb second, a sweetly-judged lob over goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after a lovely pass his Croatian team-mate.
What it means: Bolton are up to third last, just a point behind Everton, Fulham and Sunderland. Stoke, for their part, are down to 12th.
SPL: Motherwell 1-2 Celtic
Celtic boss Neil Lennon had a late goal from Gary Hooper to thank as the Bhoys went second in the Scottish Premier League, courtesy of a 2-1 win over Motherwell.
Michael Higdon headed the home side in front on 11 minutes before Ireland striker Anthony Stokes levelled matters from close range three minutes later.
Former Derry City star Paddy McCourt and Stokes then combined well to allow Hooper slot the ball home and collect all three points with just ten minutes remaining in the match.
What it means: Celtic are 12 points behind Rangers, though they do have a game in hand over their city rivals.