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Rediff.com  » Sports » EPL PIX: Wilshere rescues Arsenal; Hazard, Willian lift Chelsea to 3rd
This article was first published 10 years ago

EPL PIX: Wilshere rescues Arsenal; Hazard, Willian lift Chelsea to 3rd

October 06, 2013 23:57 IST

Image: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal is challenged by Billy Jones of West Bromwich Albion during their English Premier League match at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich on Sunday
Photographs: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday after Jack Wilshere rescued a point for them in a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion, while rivals Tottenham Hotspur suffered a shock 3-0 thumping by West Ham United.

Chelsea relied on two goals in two minutes by substitutes Eden Hazard and Willian late in their match at NorwichCity to give them a 3-1 win that lifted them to third in the league with 14 points from seven games, two behind Arsenal and Liverpool.

A week after stunning champions Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford, West Brom were up to their old tricks against visitors Arsenal as they took a 42nd-minute lead with Claudio Yacob's powerful downward header.

Spurs mauled by West Ham

Image: Ravel Morrison of West Ham (3rd from left) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match at White Hart Lane in London on Sunday
Photographs: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

After somehow escaping further damage from more West Brom chances, Arsenal drew level in the 63rd minute when Jack Wilshere made up for his poor performance until that point when he smashed in a deflected shot from 20 metres out.

The point, which put Arsenal ahead of Liverpool on goals scored, will be all the sweeter for Arsene Wenger's side on a day their bitter north London rivals Tottenham lost ground on the leaders after a mauling by West Ham at White Hart Lane.

Second-half goals from Winston Reid, Ricardo Vaz Te and Ravel Morrison, whose was a superb individual effort after picking the ball up in his own half, secured only a second league victory of the season for Sam Allardyce's side.

Hazard, Willian rescue Chelsea

Image: Chelsea's Willian celebrates with teammate Ramires after scoring against Norwich City during their English Premier League match at Carrow Road in Norwich on Sunday
Photographs: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Earlier in the day, Chelsea had grabbed three points at Norwich after it had looked like their fourth-minute lead from an Oscar goal would not be enough as Anthony Pilkington levelled for the hosts in the 68th minute.

The equaliser seemed to shake Chelsea awake and the introduction of Hazard and Willian changed everything.

Chelsea broke quickly after a Norwich corner and Hazard's shot was pounced on by John Ruddy but the ball carried on past the keeper and over the line in almost slow motion on 85 minutes.

Another counter-attack wrapped up the win a minute later as Willian curled in a first-time shot of the kind of class the club will have been hoping for from the 30 million pounds they paid for him in the close season.

Southampton drown Swansea

Image: Jay Rodriguez of Southampton (2nd from right) shoots past goalkeeper Michel Vorm of Swansea City to score their second goal during the English Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton on Sunday
Photographs: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The only black cloud for Chelsea, and possibly for England ahead of their World Cup qualifiers on October 11 and October 15, was the sight of left back Ashley Cole being substituted in the second half with what looked like a rib injury.

Surprise package Southampton won again to go fourth, beating SwanseaCity 2-0 at home with Adam Lallana netting in the 19th minute and Jay Rodriguez adding another on 83 minutes.

They are level on 14 points with Chelsea, with Manchester City and Spurs a point behind. Champions Manchester United are ninth with 10 points.