Samir Nasri

December 5, 2010: Post match analysis of all the action that took place in the Barclay’s English Premier League on Saturday, the 4^th of December.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

A brace by playmaker Samir Nasri ensured that Arsenal took all three point against fellow Londoners Fulham. In a fiercely fought London derby, with both sides threatening the goal on numerous occasions, the home team came out on tops due to two sublime goals from the French midfielder.

The Arsenal team lacked composure and quality, and would have went behind but for Nasri’s 13^th minute goal. He dummied his way past two defenders before striking in the top corner. The duo of Nasri and Andrei Arshavin were the crux of every Arsenal attack in a match when all other Gunners looked below par. Fulham equalised at the half hour mark when Squillaci and Koscielny collided going in for the same ball, and in the mayhem, Clint Dempsey fed the ball to Kamara who slotted it home.

In the second half, Arsenal tried to build momentum by going near many times. All the hard work finally paid off in the 75^th minute with an excellent team goal. Robin van Persie squared the ball to the Frenchman and he dribbled past a couple of Fulham defenders with apparent ease and score the tightest of goals to clinch for his side the victory.

With this win, Arsenal shoot up to the top of the table with 32 points from 16 matches, one point clear of Manchester United whose match against Blackpool was postponed owing to unbearable weather conditions.

Chelsea 1-1 Everton

Chelsea lost yet another chance to go top of the table following their home draw against Everton yesterday.

The visitors started the match brightly by dominating possession and did not allow the home team to surge forward. After the haphazard first ten minutes, which saw Petr Cech make a brilliant save from Louis Saha’s low drive, Chelsea’s first attack arrived in the 12^th minute. Drogba fed Anelka in front of the defenders but his shot was cleared by Phil Jagielka. Chelsea grew stronger with a penalty shout which was denied, Terry hit the woodwork in the 27^th minute and Kalou headed wide a corner.  The home team, finally took the lead in the 41^st minute when goalkeeper Howard felled Anelka inside the penalty area, and the referee gave the penalty. Drogba scored what was to be his first goal in six matches.

After the restart, Everton came on tops as they forced Chelsea to defend in herds. There was an onslaught of shots on target by the visitors. Cech was forced to make many top quality saves as Everton controlled the match. The wall eventually gave in in the 86^th minute when substitute Jermaine Beckford headed the ball past Cech after a cross for Baines.

With this win, Chelsea fall further behind in the third position in the league table with 30 points from 16 matches.

Tags: Arsenal, Chelsea, English Premier League, EPL, Everton, Football, Fulham