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The season of the English Premier League continues. Today, the first seven matches of the twelfth round were played, after which the lead of London's "Chelsea" club over the closest pursuer - "Wigan" - decreased to 6 points. This time, Paulo Jewell's players convincingly won 2-0 away against one of the tournament's outsiders, "Portsmouth". Having won 25 points in 11 matches, the league debutants continue to fight for the top positions in England, surpassing such esteemed rivals as "Man Utd" or "Arsenal". However, the latter team also celebrated a victory on Saturday - beating the struggling debutant "Sunderland" team 3-1. The "Gunners" took the lead in the 12th minute when Dutchman Robin van Persie expertly stopped a pass from Solo Campbell and sent the ball into the net. Although "Arsenal" did not allow the opponents to attack their half, with John Stead and Andy Gray playing up front - both players were substituted in the second half - there was no serious threat to the "Arsenal" goal. Meanwhile, the Gunners increased their lead after a great counterattack. The author of the first goal, R. van Persie, sent the ball to the left to Lauren, who passed it accurately to Thierry Henry, who directed the ball into the goal, doubling Arsenal's lead. In the second half, Alan Stubbs softened the result after a precise corner by Steven Caldwell, and "Sunderland" tried to take control of the game, but just eight minutes later, the all-time top scorer of "Arsenal," Thierry Henry, scored another goal. Dennis Bergkamp could have increased the Gunners' lead and scored a fourth goal with two minutes left, but the ball was caught by B. Alnwick with a great reaction, somewhat compensating for previous mistakes. "In the first half, we did what we had to do, what everyone expected of us," explained T. Henry after the match. "Robin (Van Persie) gains confidence, he tries to use the experience gained in training, he just needs to run onto the field more boldly". "For the second time in a row, "Arsenal" gave us a good lesson: the first time in the League Cup, and today," justified "Sunderland" head coach Mick McCarthy, whose team was crushed by "Arsenal" just 11 days ago in the League Cup with a score of 3-0. "Arsenal" head coach Arsene Wenger: "We controlled the ball excellently, but when they softened the result to 2-1... you can never be sure how such an adventure will end. We were distracted and did not let up, but the team regrouped. It seems like we're back in our groove, the young players join the game well. Now we just need to maintain this form". "Sunderland" head coach Mick McCarthy: "The second goal was a great gift to our opponents, who outplayed us in all areas. In the first half, we were crushed. We arrived full of energy and determination, but are leaving crushed. Fortunately, the team recovered in the second half, but it took drastic comments during the break". The further the English league progresses, the more successful the strongest team of last season's Europe, "Liverpool", competes in the league. This time, Rafael Benitez's players, only at the end of the match, broke the resistance of Birmingham's "Aston Villa" team. In another match, the advancing "Newcastle", thanks to the only goal from the Turkish legionnaire Emre, defeated "Birmingham". All Saturday results: 0 - 2 85` [0 - 1] Steven Gerrard (from the penalty spot) 89` [0 - 2] Xabi Alonso 3 - 1 12` [1 - 0] Robin van Persie 36` [2 - 0] Thierry Henry 75` [2 - 1] Alan Stubbs 82` [3 - 1] Thierry Henry 1 - 0 57` [1 - 0] Teddy Sheringham 1 - 0 78` [1 - 0] Emre 4 - 1 2` [1 - 0] Brett Emerton 18` [2 - 0] Paul Dickov 36` [2 - 1] Bryan Hughes 59` [3 - 1] Morten Gamst Pedersen 90` [4 - 1] Craig Bellamy 2 - 1 6` [1 - 0] Steed Malbranque 20` [1 - 1] Lee Croft 45` [2 - 1] Steed Malbranque 0 - 2 48` [0 - 1] Pascal Chimbonda 79` [0 - 2] Jason Roberts
