Chelsea started the week in pole position in the tables, albeit by only one point over Arsenal. With new Fulham manager Felix Magath taking charge of his first home game Chelsea were looking to add to Fulham’s woes as they sat in the relegation zone.
Chelsea started the week in pole position in the tables, albeit by only one point over Arsenal. With new Fulham manager Felix Magath taking charge of his first home game Chelsea were looking to add to Fulham’s woes as they sat in the relegation zone.
Chelsea took their time to settle in the match following their midweek Champion’s League visit to Turkey, and Fulham sought to capitalize with Clint Dempsey wasting a good chance at goal from six yards in the 3rd minutes. The half continued on, a drab affair with chances at goal at a premium for both sides as the half came to a close.
The second half however, was all about Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle as the German International quickly opened the scoring seven minutes after the restart. Torres had a chance to double his side’s lead after good work from Hazard, but saw his header deflect of Kieran Richardson and away from goal.
Then it was Schurrle adding his second of the game with Hazard rolling an inch perfect pass which he duly fired low and beyond Maarten Stekelenburg. Three minutes later Schurrle’s hat-trick was complete as the German calmly slotted into the net after being set up by Fernando Torres. Fulham got a goal back with 16 minutes to play as Darren Bent knocked down a Lewis Holtby corner and John Heitinga poked the ball beyond Petr Cech. This goal may not have been much a consolation however as Fulham remain firmly rooted in the relegation zone.
Everton are a side harboring top four hopes this season under new manager Roberto Martinez, and with the help of on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku that is a distinct possibility. Everton controlled the match against West Ham for most of the first half and went close to scoring through Gerard Deulofeu and Steven Naismith, however neither of them were able to get past Adrian in the West Ham goal.
Shortly after the restart Steven Pienaar hit the post and West Ham looked set to get at least a point from the match and record their 14th clean sheet of the season. That was not to be however, as Lukaku scored for Everton nine minutes from time following a Baines cut back to the Belgian who hit it with his left foot past Adrian to move Everton up to 6th and above Manchester United in the tables.
Liverpool started the day in 3rd place harboring dreams of a top 4 finish in order to secure Champion’s League qualification. With Southampton winning the reverse fixture at Anfield earlier in the season, Brendan Rodger’s men were looking to prevent them doing the double over them this season. Having seen Arsenal and Chelsea play earlier in the day and with City not playing in the league, Liverpool had a prime opportunity to climb above Arsenal in the tables into 2nd place.
Luis Suarez started his 100th Premier League match, and what a start it was for him and Liverpool as he opened the scoring early on, calmly putting the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box after a botched clearance from Jose Fonte. Shortly before the hour mark he would turn provider for Liverpool’s second when his pull-back was met by winger Raheem Sterling before Captain Steven Gerard stroked home a stoppage time penalty to finish the game 3-0, Liverpool’s first win at St. Mary’s since 2003.
Writer: Lynford Harris
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