• Premier League round-up

Norwich deny Liverpool as Newcastle leave it late

ESPN staff
October 22, 2011
Grant Holt secured a point for Norwich © Getty Images
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Norwich striker Grant Holt came off the bench to deny Liverpool as the Canaries took a point away from Anfield after a 1-1 draw.

Liverpool looked to be firmly on course for victory after Craig Bellamy's first-half strike, but Holt's header secured a point for the Canaries.

Liverpool, looking to make up ground on the four teams above them, started brightly, and Martin Skrtel's header thundered against the post after the defender met Charlie Adam's corner. Moments later, the woodwork came to Norwich's rescue once again, as John Ruddy made an instinctive save to palm Luis Suarez's effort onto the post, and Stewart Downing fired the rebound well wide.

Bellamy, handed his first league start by Kenny Dalglish, repaid his manager's faith to give the Reds the lead on the stroke of half-time, latching onto a loose ball, and his shot rebounded off Marc Tierney's heel and bounced into the net for his first goal since his return to Anfield.

But despite their dominance, Liverpool were unable to find a way to shut the game out, as Suarez's strike was diverted onto the post by Russell Martin.

Holt had only been on the pitch three minutes when he met Anthony Pilkington's cross from the right to nod the ball past Pepe Reina and silence the Liverpool fans, and he nearly snatched all three points as he forced Reina into a save from point-blank range.

Liverpool desperately searched for a winner, but Norwich had keeper Ruddy to thank for a series of world-class saves, including a superb block from a Suarez volley, as the Canaries hung on for a draw.

In the West Midlands derby, Paul Scharner scored his second goal in as many games as West Brom came from behind to claim a 2-1 win against ten-man Aston Villa.

Paul Scharner scored the winner in the West Midlands derby © PA Photos
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Darren Bent opened the scoring for Villa from the penalty spot after Gabriel Agbonlahor was felled by Ben Foster. Bent, who moments earlier had blasted over the bar from close range, atoned for his early miss, sending Foster the wrong way to give Villa the lead.

But the home side were reduced to ten men when Chris Herd was given his marching orders after tangling with Jonas Olsson. In what appeared to be an innocuous challenge, referee Phil Dowd brandished a straight red card after consulting with assistant referee Darren Caan.

Chris Brunt stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, only to fire his spot-kick wide, but the Baggies equalised through Olsson who rose high on the stroke of half time to send a powerful header past Shay Given from Brunt's corner.

West Brom made their numerical advantage count in the second half, and Scharner showed impressive reactions to hook the ball into Given's net as the Baggies claimed back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

Newcastle continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-0 win at home to condemn Wigan to a sixth straight league defeat. Roberto Martinez's men enjoyed the best of the first-half chances at St James' Park, with Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega going close.

But the introduction of Hatem Ben Arfa at half-time boosted the Magpies, and Cabaye broke the deadlock with ten minutes remaining, curling the ball past Ali Al Habsi after picking up the ball from Sylvain Marveaux's knockdown. Mohamed Diame had the chance to snatch a point for Wigan, but he directed his header wide.

Nicklas Bendtner sealed a morale boosting win for Sunderland, but the Black Cats left it late to claim all three points with a 2-0 win at Bolton. The Black Cats dominated possession at the Reebok Stadium, but it was not until the 82nd minute that Stephane Sessegnon finally made the breakthrough, lashing home after John O'Shea headed a corner back across goal.

And Bendtner sealed the victory, coolly slotting past Jussi Jaaskelainen to secure the Black Cats' first win on the road this season.

In the early kick-off, Jamie O'Hara netted a late equaliser as Wolves snatched a point with a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea. Wolves, who were bidding to avoid a sixth straight defeat, looked low on confidence and Swansea made their possession count as Danny Graham found space in the box and slotted home from close range.

Graham turned provider on 35 minutes, dashing into space before picking out Joe Allen, who steered the ball beyond Wayne Hennessey as Swansea looked to be on course for their first away win in the Premier League.

But Doyle gave Wolves hope, stabbing home on 82 minutes after Swansea failed to clear a corner, and the Republic of Ireland striker set up O'Hara just four minutes later to seal a remarkable fightback.

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