• Premier League Plays of the Day

Bobby Dazzler

ESPN staff
January 2, 2012
Joey Barton was sent off after a scuffle with Bradley Johnson © Getty Images
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Zamora sinks Arsenal, Chelsea win
What They Said
Premier League Gallery

Hero to zero
Joey Barton may not be everybody's cup of tea, but he seemed to have mellowed a little since his move to London. Or perhaps not. The QPR captain opened the scoring at Loftus Road, only to be sent off for violent conduct in the 36th minute. It proved to be costly as Norwich went on to make the most of their numerical advantage to claim a 2-1 victory. Predictably, Barton took to Twitter to put across his side of the story.

He wrote: "Well [I] feel for the officials, they've been conned. Admitted to me at half-time they never saw it. I was pulled back 1st, then kicked 2nd. [The] linesman definitely never saw it, all he [has] seen was Johnson's reaction. My head doesn't move forward at all. Ridiculous decision seen 25 replays. I'd be 1st to apologise if I'd reacted. Cannot apologise as I know I've not head butted anyone. Disappointed for the lads and the fans. Make your own minds up when you see it. The game's gone! Hopefully referee sees it retrospectively and sees he's been conned. It's no consolation for us right now but at least it's something."

Parting shot?
Bobby Zamora may be on his way out of Craven Cottage amid rumours of a rift with Fulham boss Martin Jol, but the former West Ham striker ensured he will be remembered by the Fulham faithful with a superb 92nd minute volley to snatch a 2-1 win against Arsenal. Just seven minutes after Steve Sidwell's equaliser, Zamora showed perfect technique to hammer a volley past Wojciech Szczesny to seal a dramatic victory.

Ton up
Peter Crouch obviously likes playing Blackburn. Having already scored six goals in five previous games against Rovers, the England striker popped up to score his 100th league goal to give Stoke the lead at Ewood Park. Clearly not content with that milestone, Crouch made it two to secure a 2-1 win for the Potters.

Swans fly the nest
It took five months, but Swansea finally claimed their first Premier League victory away from home. Solid at the Liberty Stadium, Brendan Rodgers' men had picked up just three points on the road, but goals from Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge sealed a deserved 2-0 win at Villa Park.

All Yellow
Peter Walton threatened to lose control of a fiery match at Molineux as he brandished five yellow cards in the space of just eight minutes. Frank Lampard was first in the book for his clumsy challenge on Adam Hammill - although the England midfielder was perhaps lucky to avoid a red, while Hammill, Karl Henry, Kevin Doyle and Oriol Romeu swiftly followed him into Walton's book. Clearly exhausted, Walton didn't reach into his pocket for the rest of the match.

Worth the wait
Swansea midfielder Wayne Routledge finally scored his first Premier League goal at the 116th attempt. Still only 26, Routledge has played for 10 different clubs in his career, but he ended a long wait, netting against his former club Aston Villa.

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