SOCCER:
Manchester United are top of the Barclays Premier League table for the first time this season after a 7-1 victory over Blackburn at Old Trafford. Dimitar Berbatov scored five times for the home side, while Ji Sung Park and Nani also netted as United move onto 31 points:
United manager Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Berbatov after the game:
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Arsenal moved into second place and two points behind United in the table following a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park. Goals from Andrey Arshavin, Sami Nasri, Marouane Chamakh and Jack Wilshire helped the Gunners to all three points, while Ciaran Clark netted twice for the hosts.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said the victory made it a good weekend:
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Matthew Etherington scored a stoppage time equaliser to give Stoke City a 1-all draw against Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium. Mich Richards scored what looked like the match winner for City after 81 minutes, before in-form Etherington equalised wit only seconds remaining for the hosts..
Stoke manager Tony Pulis said his players deserved at least a point:
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Mark Davies scored his first Premier League goal for Bolton to give Owen Coyle’s side a 2-2 draw against Blackpool at the Reebox Stadium. Ian Evatt put the visitors ahead, before Luke Varney doubled their advantage after 57 minutes. However, Martain Petrov and Davies scored in the closing 15 minutes to give Bolton a point.
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West Brom managed a 4-1 victory against Everton at Goodison Park as both sides finished the game with 10-men. PaUl Scharner, Chris Brunt, Somen Tchoyi and Youssouf Mulumbu all scored for the Baggies. Mulumbu was sent-off late in the game after scoring, while Mikel Arteta also saw red for Everton earlier in the half.
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The match between Fulham and Birmingham ended 1-all at Craven Cottage in the Premier League today. Sebastian Larsson put the visitors ahad in the first-half after 20 minutes, before Clint Dempsey equalised just after the break to give the home side a share of the points.
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Kevin Foley and Stephen Hunt were on target for Wolves in their 3-2 victory against Sunderland at Molineux. Second half goals Darren Bent and Danny Wellbeck put the Black-Cats 2-1 ahead, before Hunt and a late winner from Sylvan Ebanks Blake gave the home side all three points.
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West Ham remain bottom of the Premier League table despite their second win of the season today. Goals from Behrami, Victor Obinna and captain Scott Parker gave the Hammers a 3-1 victory against Wigan at Upton Park. Avram Grant’s side move onto 12 points and just below Wolves on goal difference.
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Queens Park Rangers moved five points clear at the top of the English Championship table today. Neil Warnock’s side came back from 1-0 down to beat title rivals Cardiff 2-1 at Loftus Road. Coventry moved into the play-off places after a 2-0 victory at Scunthorpe.
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Celtic are two points behind leaders Rangers afte dropping points in the Scottish Premier League today. Goals from Ki Sung Yung and Paddy McCourt put Neil Lennon’s side 2-0 up against Inverness CT, before a Richie Foran strike helped the visitors battle back and secure a point in this 2-all draw.
