Around the English Premier League - Round 25

The Premier League top tripod had another successful round, while the next best 3 end up making an interchange of positions. Chelsea that was holding the 4th spot with 1 point ahead of Newcastle and 3 from Arsenal, was defeated as well as the Toons and they both open the way for the Gunners to become the new No. 4. Arsenal and Chelsea are now tied in points, but the advantage on the "Goals For" that the Gunners have right now is placing them in the best position. All the same, Arsenal will have to work really hard to stay there, for its coming opponent is going to be Tottenham, but not before meeting the Serie A's current leader, AC Milan, on its Champions League match on Wednesday 15th. On the other hand, Chelsea is also meeting a tough Italian club (Napoli) for their own Champions' fixture, but in the Premier will play next with Bolton and chances are that is going to be an easier challenge than the Spurs for Arsenal.

Manchester United's victory over Liverpool on Saturday raised the Red Devils hopes of recovering the first position in vain, because the next day the Citizens won at Villa Park thanks to a goal by Joleon Lescott. Be that as it may, the Red Devils did a great job against Liverpool, although polemic was present at the Old Trafford with Luis Suarez's comeback from his eight-game ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra. Even before the match had begun he returned to his old ways, by not shaking Evra's hand in the pre-match formal handshake.

At certain points of the first half the tempers seemed to be steaming up a little, but it was during the half-time break when they almost exploded; fortunately in the end nothing happened and the game continued. Within the first 4 minutes of the second half United got a double lead, when its top scorer, Wayne Rooney, converted a corner from Ryan Giggs and a pass from Antonio Valencia. Ten minutes away from the end Michael Carrick challenged Suarez and this resulted in a free kick that ended-up giving the Uruguayan the chance to place the consolation goal. About the clash both coaches admitted that it was pretty challenging and in the case of Ferguson, also added about Suarez's situation that the player has become a disgrace for his team and therefore the Reds should sell him.

On a very different scenario the Spurs hosted Newcastle and from the very beginning of the encounter they hammered it. Emmanuel Adebayor was the star, being present in every important move or goal, either assisting or scoring. The very first goal was achieved by Benoit Assou-Ekotto at 3 minutes from the initial whistle and a minute after it was Louis Saha's first goal with the club. At the 20th Saha achieved his second goal converting a pass from Adebayor, who had intercepted a shot from Luka Modric. Also scoring for the first time this season was Niko Kranjcar at the 34th after he caught a shot that had been saved by Tim Krul.

The 4-0 had Tottenham's fans in ecstasy and pleading in shouts for Harry Redknapp to stay with the club and reject the new offer of becoming England's manager. On the contrary, at the Toons' side was Pardew looking quite upset for the result of first half, which could've been even better for the Spurs, since they missed some opportunities. Nonetheless a last goal was left for the best player of the day, Adebayor, who scored at 64' when he grabbed a cross from Assou-Ekoto assisted by Saha. The smashing 5-0 has left the Toons on the 6th position again, while the Spurs hold the 3rd with 53 points, ten points more than Arsenal and Chelsea.

The other matches from round 25: Swansea 2-3 Norwich; Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal; Fulham 2-1 Stoke; Verton 2-0 Chelsea; Bolton 1-2 Wigan; Blackburn 3-2 QPR; Wolves 1-5 West Brom; Aston Villa 0-1 Man. City.