PremWatch 23rd February 2009

Morning all. Here's what happened in the Premier League this weekend.

Nicolas Anelka dinked the ball over Brad Friedel to score the only goal in Chelsea's win at Aston Villa. The game was spoiled by Chelsea's constant dissent and time-wasting, and Mark Halsey's all-too-predictable willingness to allow it. He should be sacked, the cheat.

Arsenal and Sunderland played out a goalless draw, as did Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic. Lee Cattermole's tackle put Didier Digard in hospital.

At the Reebok, Bolton Wanderers raced into a 2-0 lead over West Ham United. Matty Taylor opened the scored with a corking free kick, and Kevin Davies added the second in just the 11th minute. Scott Parker pulled one back for the Hammers after 66 minutes, but the comeback wasn't to be.

Stoke City and Portsmouth drew 2-2 in a controversial game at the Britannia. Niko Kranjcar put Pompey ahead after 75 minutes, but the next five saw a double from James Beattie to put Stoke ahead. The first was a harsh penalty for a Glen Johnson handball, the second a header from an offside position. Portsmouth got what they deserved, though, thanks to a Ryan Shawcross own goal in stoppage time.

In the late game, Manchester United finally conceded a goal. Wayne Rooney had put them ahead against Blackburn Rovers, but Roque Santa Cruz breached a United defence missing Edwin Van Der Sar and Nemanja Vidic. The three points went United's way thanks to a lovely free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo on the hour.

Three games took place yesterday. Fulham defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 thanks to goals from Bobby Zamora, ending something of a drought and Andy "Andrew" Johnson.

Liverpool dropped yet more points at Anfield. It took a Dirk Kuyt goal with 12 on the clock to equalise after an Alvaro Arbeloa own goal (very harsh, but technically Craig Bellamy's shot took a hefty deflection).

And Everton struggled to break down Newcastle United despite Kevin Nolan picking up a first half red card for the worst tackle I've seen in years.

So, with Hull City hosting Tottenham Hotspur this evening, here's how the table looks. Manchester United are comfortably top from Liverpool, while Chelsea leapfrog Aston Villa into third. Villa are six points above fifth-placed Arsenal.

West Brom, Middlesbrough and Blackburn are beginning to look like regular fixtures at the bottom.

(Photo: BBC Sport)