© EuroFootball.com
On Saturday, seven matches of the 15th round of the English Premier League were played. Victories were achieved by all three championship favorites from the so-called "top four" - Arsenal, Liverpool, and Man Utd.
Arsenal, with attacking leader Thierry Henry, defeated Tottenham 3-0 at home and achieved their first win after two consecutive defeats at the start of the season.
The hosts took the lead already in the 20th minute, when striker Emmanuel Adebayor scored. The remaining two goals at the end of the first half and in the 72nd minute were scored by midfielder Gilberto Silva. Interestingly, the player scored twice from the penalty spot.
Liverpool impressively secured the first three points away this season. Rafael Benitez's team thrashed Wigan 4-0.
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy started the match well, scoring two goals in the 9th and 26th minutes, leading his team. Another striker Dirk Kuyt began the rout in the 40th minute, and midfielder Lee McCulloch ended the disastrous first half by scoring an own goal.
The second half was a formality - neither team had a reason to fight and it ended goalless.
Leader Man Utd continued their winning streak, this time defeating Middlesbrough away after a tough battle. The "Red Devils" took the lead in the 19th minute when Louis Saha converted Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty.
The hosts briefly equalized in the 66th minute after James Morrison's goal, but moments later Darren Fletcher's header put the visitors ahead again. This time, the English vice-champions managed to maintain the lead until the final whistle.
Saturday's results:
3 - 0
20' [1 - 0] E. Adebayor
42' [2 - 0] G. Silva (pen.)
72' [3 - 0] G. Silva (pen.)
2 - 0
6' [1 - 0] S. Nonda
24' [2 - 0] B. McCarthy
2 - 2
37' [0 - 1] G. Barry (pen.)
52' [1 - 1] M. Taylor
80' [2 - 1] M. Taylor (pen.)
82' [2 - 2] J.P. Angel
84' P. Mendes (Portsmouth) sent off
1 - 0
33' [1 - 0] K. Doyle
2 - 1
17' [0 - 1] A. Reid
64' [1 - 1] C. Morgan
88' [2 - 1] K. Gillespie
0 - 4
9' [0 - 1] C. Bellamy
26' [0 - 2] C. Bellamy
40' [0 - 3] D. Kuyt
45' [0 - 4] L. McCulloch (own goal)
1 - 2
19' [0 - 1] L. Saha (pen.)
66' [1 - 1] J. Morrison
68' [1 - 2] D. Fletcher
League table:
Top scorers:
1. Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 8 goals
2. Kevin Doyle (Reading) 8
3. Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth) 8
4. Louis Saha (Man Utd) 7
5. Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 7
