On derby day, Tottenham Hotspur proved too strong for fierce rivals Arsenal in North London. Spurs started well with the impressive Scott Parker shooting straight at Wojciech Szczesny whilst at the other end, Aaron Ramsey saw his header cleared off the line. But with five minutes until the half time whistle was blown, Rafael Van Der Vaart controversially got Spurs’ 10,000th league goal. The Dutchman was given far too much space in the Arsenal box, collected Emmanuel Adebayor’s pass and slotted home, but to the complaints of handball from the red side of London. But Spurs’ hero turned to villain in the second half when his half-hearted attempt at a tackle let Alex Song stride forward and find Ramsey at the near post to level the scores. But Tottenham again threatened to take the lead when Adebayor went close before youngster Kyle Walker’s shot evaded Szczesny’s grasp and found the back of the net on 73 minutes. The win kept Spurs in sixth but Arsenal decreased to a shocking 15th.
Full time at White Hart Lane: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal.
Fulham outclassed Queens Park Rangers in the London derby at Craven Cottage. Andrew Johnson pounced on QPR stopper Paddy Kenny’s mistake after only 78 seconds before the striker was sent tumbling in the box and Danny Murphy converted the penalty. Johnson got his name on the score sheet again soon after from six yards before completing his hat-trick after the break. American Clint Dempsey added a fifth past Kenny before Bobby Zamora’s shot sent the home fans crazy. The win was Fulham’s first of the season as QPR could only ponder on their poor defensive display. The Cottagers move up a commanding five places to 12th, whereas their opponents drop to 11th.
Full time at Craven Cottage: Fulham 6-0 Queens Park Rangers.
In Wales, Swansea City beat Stoke City to move up six places in the league. Scott Sinclair scored his second goal in the league from the penalty spot when Ryan Shawcross clumsily brought down the onrushing Wayne Routledge in the area. But back came Stoke when Jonathan Walters’ shot was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Michel Vorm before Glenn Whelan saw his free-kick parry back off the post in the second half. Peter Crouch also went close for the visitors but it wasn’t enough as Swansea’s record signing Danny Graham finally got his first goal of the season with a cool finish. Things are starting to look up for the Swans, with fellow Premier League new boys Norwich City their next opponents.
Full time at Liberty Stadium: Swansea City 2-0 Stoke City.
The weekend’s results leave the two Manchester clubs occupying top spot with 19 points, whilst the Blues are third with 16 and Newcastle in fourth just a point behind.
Liverpool have 13 points and are fifth whilst Tottenham are on 12 points in sixth, with a game in hand.
By Aaron Aquilina
Twitter @P_D_L_P (Prem-de-la-Prem)