• Premier League round-up

Utd steal Anfield win; Arsenal hold City

ESPN staff
September 23, 2012
Robin van Persie netted Manchester United's winner © PA Photos
Enlarge

This season ESPN Goals is completely free. It's the first place to see every goal from every Premier League game, all season long

Manchester United came through an emotion-charged examination at Anfield to move within a point of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League on Sunday, while Arsenal grabbed a late draw at Manchester City. Elsewhere, there were home victories for Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle.

A ten-man Liverpool side delivered a footballing tribute to the 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough, but after a fairly dominant performance against arch rivals Manchester United they eventually came up short in a 2-1 defeat.

The Reds were hosting their first game since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report - which absolved the club's supporters of any responsibility for the 1989 disaster. And in a poignant pre-match tribute to those who lost their lives, both sides wore tracksuit tops donning the number 96, with either skipper helping to release 96 red balloons into the Merseyside air.

On the pitch there was one issue to deal with before the opening whistle as Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands to put an end to their public fallout. The Reds then lost Jonjo Shelvey to a straight red card six minutes before half-time, but still managed to take the lead as Steven Gerrard volleyed home a 46th-minute opener. Rafael replied almost instantly for United, who then clinched a largely undeserved victory when Robin van Persie netted an 80th-minute penalty.

Liverpool dominated the first half on home soil, with Gerrard, Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez all going close. The Kop also had a shout for a penalty as Jonny Evans appeared to drag down Daniel Agger, but referee Mark Halsey waved away appeals.

Halsey's next decision carried even more significance as he brandished a straight red to Shelvey, deservedly so after the Liverpool man recklessly lunged in on Evans - although the United man was every bit as guilty for the same offence.

Liverpool introduced Suso for Borini at the break and the Spanish youngster announced his arrival in superb fashion, helping Glen Johnson to cause havoc in the United area, before Gerrard controlled the loose ball on his chest and volleyed home left-footed from near the penalty spot.

Demba Ba grabbed the only goal for Newcastle © PA Photos
Enlarge

The lead lasted all of four minutes though as United were suddenly sparked into life, equalising through a super left-footed strike from Rafael. Halsey then came back under the microscope to deny Liverpool another penalty when Evans challenged Suarez inside the area, and then the Uruguayan drew a fine one-handed save from Anders Lindegaard when he struck from range.

However, Liverpool were made to pay for their profligacy when Johnson felled Antonio Valencia with 11 minutes remaining. Van Persie dispatched the spot-kick through the powderpuff hands of Pepe Reina, and Liverpool failed to respond despite a glorious chance for Martin Kelly.

A late equaliser from Laurent Koscielny earned Arsenal a well-deserved 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal were on top for much of the opening period, but it was City who took the lead when, following a needlessly conceded corner, Joleon Lescott headed in at the far post, with goalkeeper Vito Mannone in no man's land.

The Gunners toiled without reward in the second half until Koscielny rifled into the top of the net after City failed to clear a corner effectively. Sergio Aguero spurned a golden chance to win the game for City soon after - but a draw was the least the Gunners merited.

Two goals in the space of 90 second-half seconds gave Tottenham a 2-1 victory at home to QPR. Bobby Zamora gave QPR the lead late in the first period, causing Spurs to be booed from the field at half-time.

But a second-half turnaround, sparked by an Alejandro Faurlin own goal and then topped by Jermain Defoe, handed Spurs all three points at White Hart Lane.

Newcastle recorded their second league win of the season at St James' Park against Norwich, despite a missed first-half penalty from Papiss Cisse. The Magpies triumphed 1-0 after Demba Ba notched the winner in the 19th minute.

Ba's breakthrough came against the run of play, but it was beautifully made by Hatem Ben Arfa who played in the Senegalese forward to slide the ball beyond John Ruddy. Cisse then sent a horrible spot-kick over the bar, but it mattered little as Newcastle closed out the match.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices