Mid-week Europa League ties meant there was plenty of Premier League football to be played on Sunday.
Chelsea and Fulham had big wins while Spurs took all the honours in the north London derby.
Bolton 1-5 Chelsea
With so much speculation going on about both his international and Chelsea career, Frank Lampard’s latest hat-trick could not have been more perfectly timed.
Playing against bottom side Bolton, who have had a very tricky start to the season in terms of fixtures, André Villas-Boas men were ahead within 90 seconds thanks to a Daniel Sturridge header and Lampard doubled his team’s advantage when he finished another well-orchestrated move on 15 minutes.
Two moments to forget for Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan afforded both Sturridge and Lampard their second goals of the game. The Trotters did show some resolve in getting on the score sheet through Dedryck Boyata and almost scored a second, but Lampard claimed the match ball just before the hour mark with a neat effort from close-range.
What it means: Chelsea are up to third, while Bolton’s fixture list starts to become a little easier over the coming weeks.
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Fulham 6-0 QPR
There was another hat-trick over at Craven Cottage where Fulham ran absolutely riot against London neighbours Queens Park Rangers.
Having started the new campaign slowly, Martin Jol’s troops are looking better after this week’s fixtures in Europe and in the league, and, on this showing, Andrew Johnson is likely to play a key part in any success the club’s earns this season.
The striker fired the ball to the back of the net after Paddy Kenny spilled a Mousa Dembele shot in the second minute of the game before earning his team a penalty – converted by Danny Murphy – and claiming a second goal before the break.
He secured the match ball when he finished off a Murphy free-kick just short of the hour mark and it was then that Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora got in on the act with goals of their own.
What it means: The win was Fulham’s first league victory of the season and lifts them to 12th after four draws and two losses. QPR will have plenty to work on in defence this week after a poor showing at the back from Neil Warnock’s men.
Swansea 2-0 Stoke
A penalty from Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham’s first goal of the season were enough to secure all three points for Swansea as they played host to Stoke City at the Liberty Stadium.
The Welsh outfit went in front just nine minutes into the game when Ryan Shawcross was judged to have fouled Wayne Routledge in the box and Sinclair slotted home the subsequent spot kick – much to the delight of the home supporters.
Irish duo Jon Walters and Glenn Whelan had the visitors’ best chances but couldn’t pull a goal back and it was left to record signing Graham to open his account for the club and secure the win with a nicely-hit effort after getting the better of Jonathan Woodgate with just five minutes remaining.
What it means: Swansea are up to tenth with their tally of eight points while Stoke are eighth after the weekend’s action.
Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
A controversial goal by Rafael van der Vaart and a 25-yard wonder strike from the boot of Kyle Walker were enough to condemn Arsenal to another league defeat at White Hart Lane.
There was a suggestion of hand ball in the game’s opening goal – Van der Vaart finding the net from an Emmanuel Adebayor’s pass just before the interval – but that was all forgotten when Aaron Ramsey equalised with 51 minutes on the clock.
Both sides created plenty of chances and it was full-back Walker who made the vital breakthrough with 16 minutes left on the clock – his swerving effort giving Wojciech Szczesny little chance.
What it means: The tough times continue for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners – though derbies are always a different type of challenge, while Tottenham move up to sixth courtesy of the three points they collected from their rivals.
Elsewhere
Celtic are now ten points behind SPL leaders Rangers after being beaten 2-0 at Hearts. Rudi Skacel and Ryan Stevenson were on target for the home side, who have moved up to fourth, while the Bhoys had Kris Commons sent off for a challenge on Adrian Mrowiec.
Premier League round-up: Spurs claim derby bragging rights
Mid-week Europa League ties meant there was plenty of Premier League football to be played on Sunday.
Chelsea and Fulham had big wins while Spurs took all the honours in the north London derby.
Bolton 1-5 Chelsea
With so much speculation going on about both his international and Chelsea career, Frank Lampard’s latest hat-trick could not have been more perfectly timed.
Playing against bottom side Bolton, who have had a very tricky start to the season in terms of fixtures, André Villas-Boas men were ahead within 90 seconds thanks to a Daniel Sturridge header and Lampard doubled his team’s advantage when he finished another well-orchestrated move on 15 minutes.
Two moments to forget for Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan afforded both Sturridge and Lampard their second goals of the game. The Trotters did show some resolve in getting on the score sheet through Dedryck Boyata and almost scored a second, but Lampard claimed the match ball just before the hour mark with a neat effort from close-range.
What it means: Chelsea are up to third, while Bolton’s fixture list starts to become a little easier over the coming weeks.
Fulham 6-0 QPR
There was another hat-trick over at Craven Cottage where Fulham ran absolutely riot against London neighbours Queens Park Rangers.
Having started the new campaign slowly, Martin Jol’s troops are looking better after this week’s fixtures in Europe and in the league, and, on this showing, Andrew Johnson is likely to play a key part in any success the club’s earns this season.
The striker fired the ball to the back of the net after Paddy Kenny spilled a Mousa Dembele shot in the second minute of the game before earning his team a penalty – converted by Danny Murphy – and claiming a second goal before the break.
He secured the match ball when he finished off a Murphy free-kick just short of the hour mark and it was then that Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora got in on the act with goals of their own.
What it means: The win was Fulham’s first league victory of the season and lifts them to 12th after four draws and two losses. QPR will have plenty to work on in defence this week after a poor showing at the back from Neil Warnock’s men.
Swansea 2-0 Stoke
A penalty from Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham’s first goal of the season were enough to secure all three points for Swansea as they played host to Stoke City at the Liberty Stadium.
The Welsh outfit went in front just nine minutes into the game when Ryan Shawcross was judged to have fouled Wayne Routledge in the box and Sinclair slotted home the subsequent spot kick – much to the delight of the home supporters.
Irish duo Jon Walters and Glenn Whelan had the visitors’ best chances but couldn’t pull a goal back and it was left to record signing Graham to open his account for the club and secure the win with a nicely-hit effort after getting the better of Jonathan Woodgate with just five minutes remaining.
What it means: Swansea are up to tenth with their tally of eight points while Stoke are eighth after the weekend’s action.
Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
A controversial goal by Rafael van der Vaart and a 25-yard wonder strike from the boot of Kyle Walker were enough to condemn Arsenal to another league defeat at White Hart Lane.
There was a suggestion of hand ball in the game’s opening goal – Van der Vaart finding the net from an Emmanuel Adebayor’s pass just before the interval – but that was all forgotten when Aaron Ramsey equalised with 51 minutes on the clock.
Both sides created plenty of chances and it was full-back Walker who made the vital breakthrough with 16 minutes left on the clock – his swerving effort giving Wojciech Szczesny little chance.
What it means: The tough times continue for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners – though derbies are always a different type of challenge, while Tottenham move up to sixth courtesy of the three points they collected from their rivals.
Elsewhere
Celtic are now ten points behind SPL leaders Rangers after being beaten 2-0 at Hearts. Rudi Skacel and Ryan Stevenson were on target for the home side, who have moved up to fourth, while the Bhoys had Kris Commons sent off for a challenge on Adrian Mrowiec.
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