EPL: Arsenal, Chelsea record wins to consolidate their positions
After Arsenal gifted West Ham the lead, Theo Walcott scored twice and Lukas Podolski added another to clinch a 3-1 victory.
- Associated Press
- Updated: December 27, 2013 12:12 AM IST
Arsenal and Manchester United both came from behind to win in the Premier League on Thursday, with bottom-place Sunderland producing the only Boxing Day shock by beating highflying Everton.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was sent off for bringing down Ki Sung-Yeung, who then scored from the penalty spot to give Sunderland a 1-0 victory against the fifth-place team.
United conceded twice in the opening 13 minutes at Hull, but Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney drew the defending champions level before James Chester's own goal gave them a 3-2 win.
After Arsenal gifted West Ham the lead, Theo Walcott scored twice and Lukas Podolski added another to clinch a 3-1 victory.
Arsenal went top but could be overtaken later if Liverpool beat Manchester City. Chelsea is two points off the lead after Eden Hazard secured a 1-0 victory over Swansea.
Newcastle are closing in on the top four after routing Stoke 5-1 to remain ahead of United in sixth place.
Tottenham dropped to eighth after Tim Sherwood's first match in full charge ended in a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion.
Cardiff could be the next club searching for a new manager as Malky Mackay's side was beaten 3-0 by Southampton.
A change of manager has sparked a revival at Crystal Palace, with Tony Pulis producing a third success of the month, a 1-0 win at Aston Villa.
Rene Meulensteen is celebrating his second win as Fulham manager after his struggling team came from behind to overcome Norwich 2-1.