Fernando Torres scored his second goal in the space of a week in a Chelsea jersey but like last week, he remained in the news for the incidents after the goal. After being involved in one of the worst open net gaffes last weekend against Manchester United, Torres was sent off within ten minutes after scoring against Swansea for a double footed lunge on Mark Gower. Torres put the Londoners in front with a neat finish after Juan Mata’s chip found him on-side. But his fortunes turned around a few minutes later as he inexplicably fouled Gower as the referee had no option but to produce a red card. A Ramires brace put Chelsea out of reach and Didier Drogba completed the scoreline with a goal on his return from injury.
EPL: Weekend Wrap-Up
Manchester United meanwhile started the match at the Britannia Stadium without Wayne Rooney in their lineup after the star striker pulled his hamstring during warm-up. The things got worse for the Red Devils as Hernandez limped off with an injury in only the seventh minute and Ferguson was forced to field Berbatov and Owen up front. Nani put the visitors in front with a wonderful solo goal while De Gea pulled off splendid saves to deny Walters and Wilkinson. But he was rendered helpless as Crouch headed in a corner in the 52nd minute for his first goal for his new club since his transfer from Tottenham. Stoke held on as they picked up their first points against United since their promotion three years back as United dropped their first points of the season.
Robin Van Persie scored his 99th and 100th goal for Arsenal as the Gunners celebrated a comfortable 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. After a drab display in the first half, the Gunners sprang to life as Van Persie gave the home team the lead after only 40 seconds after the break. Bolton’s troubles increased as Wheater was sent off in the 55th minute after fouling Walcott just outside the box. Skipper Van Persie doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 71st minute before Alexander Song killed the contest with a late goal as the Gunners jumped five spots to move to twelfth in the table.
Manchester City finally got the better of Everton as goals from Balotelli and Milner ensured that the city from Manchester got all the three points against the Toffees, who have beat them five times in the last six encounters. The draw for United meant that City moved on level pegging with their neighbours with the Red Devils on top only due to goal difference. An own goal from Roger Johnson followed by a strike from Luis Suarez ensured that Liverpool finally got a win after back to back defeats against Stoke and Tottenham. Steven Gerrard made his first Premiership appearance since March as the Reds moved to fifth in the table after a convincing 2-1 win against Wolverhampton.
In other matches, Demba Ba opened his account for Newcastle as the Magpies continued their unbeaten run this season with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn while goals from Bale and Van der Vaart helped Tottenham notch up their third successive win. A ninth own goal in the Premiership from Richard Dunne helped QPR steal a point against Aston Villa after Barry Bannan put the visitors in front with a spot-kick.
Results:
Stoke City 1 – 1 Manchester United
Liverpool 2 – 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea 4 – 1 Swansea
Arsenal 3 – 0 Bolton Wanderers
WiganAtheltic 1 – 2 Tottenham
Manchester City 2 – 0 Everton
West Bromwich 0 – 0 Fulham
QPR 1 – 1 Aston Villa
Tags: Chelsea, English Premier League, EPL, Fernando Torres, Manchester United, Premier League, Swansea, Weekend Wrap-Up
