EPL Update: City Close Gap On Chelsea As Newcastle, QPR, Stoke Wins

Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Burnley

Queens Park Rangers (QPR) claimed their fourth win of the Premier League season against fellow strugglers Burnley to move out of the relegation zone.

QPR’s top scorer Charlie Austin scored and was sent off for a second bookable offense 14 minutes to final whistle following a challenge on Michael Keane.

Rangers’ Leroy Fer broke the deadlock six minutes after the break, when his shot was deflected off Ben Mee over the Clarets goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Austin, facing his former club, doubled the R’s lead after 74 minutes, side-footing his eight goal of the season off Mauricio Isla’s cross.

Charlie Austin Celebrates His Goal Against Burnley. Image: Getty.
Charlie Austin Celebrates His Goal Against Burnley. Image: Getty.

The victory also ended Burnley’s four-match unbeaten run, leaving Sean Dyche’s side 2 points above rock-bottom Leicester City.


Stoke City 3-2 Arsenal

Stoke rebounded from their midweek defeat at Manchester United to seal a hard-fought victory against Arsenal on Saturday.

First-half goals from Peter Crouch, Bojan Krkic and Jon Walters made a mess off Arsenal’s second-half fight-back, as Arsene Wenger’s side ended the day 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Bojan was denied a brace, when the assistant referee ruled Mame Biram Diouf had interfered with play from an offside position in the build-up to the ex-Barcelona forward’s second-half strike.

The Gunners were awarded second-half penalty after Diouf tripped Mathieu Flamini in the goal area. Santi Cazorla stepped up to convert the spot kick.


Aaron Ramsey volleyed in from Alexis Sanchez corner as the visitors continued in their bid to salvage a point before Calum Chambers got his second booking for pulling down Bojan, leaving Arsenal down to ten men.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors pressed for the match-winner in the closing stages to no avail as Stoke held on to vital three point.

Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland

Liverpool struggled to build on their midweek win at Leicester as Sunderland forced them to stalemate in front of an expectant Anfield crowd.

Jozzy Altidore in a Tussle With Liverpool Defenders. Action Image.
Jozzy Altidore in a Tussle With Liverpool Defenders. Action Image.

Steven Gerrard was rested, with a crucial Champions League match with Basel understandably on Brendan Rodgers’ mind, but a tremendous defensive showing from the ‘Black Cats’ stopped Liverpool from taking a winning build up into Tuesday’s must-win game.

Wes Brown and Connor Wickham wasted glorious chances for the ‘Black Cats.’

Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling thought he could have won a penalty after going down on Brown’s challenge in the box but the referee waved play on.

Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea

Newcastle ended Chelsea’s 23-game unbeaten run on Saturday, with Papiss Cisse’s super-sub feat spoiling what became a wasteful end for the runaway leaders.

Cisse scored from Newcastle’s two great chances in the second half to increase his tally to seven this season, while Chelsea failed to take their numerous opportunities.

Papiss Cisse Converts His Second Goal in the 2-1 Win Over Chelsea. Image: Getty.
Papiss Cisse Converts His Second Goal in the 2-1 Win Over Chelsea. Image: Getty.

He first poked home from close range to open scoring before completing his brace, merely into the 25th minute of his introduction, tucking in after a swift break by Alan Pardew’s men.

Didier Drogba came up with Chelsea’s only goal but a late rally for a point evaded the Stamford Bridge outfit and Jose Mourinho will now wait for his first victory at St. James’ Park.

Manchester City 1-0 Everton

Yaya Toure’s penalty made all the difference against Everton as champions City moved to within three points of leaders Chelsea, but Sergio Aguero’s knee ligament damage dented the joy of a fourth straight win for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

The Citizens won a penalty after Phil Jagielka was controversially adjudged to have fouled James Milner and the Ivoirian stepped up to convert from 12 yards.

Yaya Toure's Goal Helped City Move Within Three Points of Leaders Chelsea. Image: Getty.
Yaya Toure’s Goal Helped City Move Within Three Points of Leaders Chelsea. Image: Getty.

Toure has now converted seven times from the penalty spot in the Premier League this season.

Romelu Lukaku came close to restoring parity but was denied by Joe Hart, with the Toffees ending the night 11th in the table.

Hull City 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Crystal Palace