Chelsea & Liverpool top of the class but Pardew on the naughty step

The Premier League once again produced another action-packed Saturday as the title race took yet another turn, while Newcastle manager Alan Pardew hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

At the top of the table, Chelsea extended their lead with a comfortable 3-1 win over local rivals Fulham with Andre Schurrle the Blues' star man, hitting a second-half hat-trick to secure victory for Jose Mourinho's men.

Behind the Blues, Liverpool leapfrogged Arsenal after a 3-0 win at Southampton while the Gunners' title hopes took a knock after they slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stoke City.

Manchester City, meanwhile, now lie fourth but with two games in hand over their rivals as they prepare for Sunday's Capital One Cup final with Sunderland.

However, perhaps the biggest news of the day was at St James' Park were Pardew was sent off after headbutting Hull City midfielder David Meyler.

Sunday, 2 March 2014 09:41

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QPR & Reading on the brink in relegation battle

 

Reading and QPR are on the brink of relegation after defeat for both sides on Saturday left them 10 points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining.

The final relegation spot is still undecided with Wigan currently in 18th place, while Aston Villa, who face Manchester United on Monday, are three points clear of Roberto Martinez's side.

Further ahead are Newcastle United, Stoke City and Sunderland, who are all on 37 points and starting to edge clear of the drop zone. 
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Hasta la vista, baby

 

Thomas Vermaelen's stoppage-time winner helped Arsenal move to within a single point of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Vermaelen, affectionately known as 'The Verminator', displayed the recent determination that has flourished among the Gunners and Arsene Wenger was full of praise as his side came from behind to win in their fourth consecutive Premier League game. They now also have a gap of three points over fifth-placed Chelsea and look likely to grab a spot in next season's Champions League, despite last week's elimination from the competition by AC Milan.

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson drinks through the New Year

Sir Alex Ferguson was left needing a stiff drink over the New Year period after watching his Manchester United team crash to successive defeats.

The Premier League champions had the chance to go into 2012 top of the table with what appeared to be the easiest match of the season - at home to basement club Blackburn.

It was not to be. Yakubu sent the relegation candidates into a two-goal lead, before the hosts got back on level terms. Fate intervened and a late Jack Hanley effort gave Rovers an unlikely 3-2 victory at Old Trafford.

Four days later it was a similar story. A lacklustre display at the Sports Direct Arena saw Newcastle run out 3-0 winners, with Phil Jones scoring a comical own goal to compound matters. 

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