Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini could face a ban after a controversial incident involving Ryan Shawcross
Manchester City recorded a much-needed 3-1 win at Newcastle in the early Premier League kick-off. City bounced back from their derby defeat with a good win at St James Park.
City took the lead on ten minutes; Sergio Aguero scoring from a tap-in after Samir Nasri had been put through by Yaya Toure.
The champions extended their lead in the 39th minute. Carlos Tevez’s corner was headed towards goal by midfielder Javi Garcia, only for Newcastle full-back Davide Santon to knock the ball into his own goal on the line.
The home side equalised in the 51st minute, Demba Ba looping a header over Joe Hart after the striker had beaten the offside trap. The visitors confirmed victory in the 78th minute, as Yaya Toure poked home an effort from a Pablo Zabaleta cross.
The victory put City within three points of arch-rivals Manchester United, but the Red Devils restablished their six point lead at the top with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford. Robin Van Persie fired the home side into the lead on 16 minutes, after a poor clearance by John O’Shea.
Just a few minutes later and midfielder Tom Cleverley made it two, the England international bending the ball past Simon Mignolet superbly in the Sunderland goal. Wayne Rooney made it three in the 59th minute, the ball coming off his shins from a cross by Robin Van Persie.
Sunderland got a goal back in the 72nd minute. Former-Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell came on as a substitute and headed home for the Black Cats.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa claimed a surprise 3-1 victory at Liverpool. The visitors took the lead on 29 minutes, as Christian Benteke’s effort from 25 yards found the net off the inside of the post.
Andreas Weimann made it two in the 40th minute, sweeping home after Benteke produced a superb back-heel to put the Austrian in. It got even better for the visitors in the 51st minute, as Benteke fired home his second of the game.
Liverpool got a consolation goal in the 87th minute, Steven Gerrard heading home. The goal was scant consolation for the Reds, but for Villa it was a superb victory.
QPR recorded their first Premier League victory of the season, defeating Fulham 2-1 at Loftus Road. The Hoops took the lead in the 52nd minute. Adel Taarabt saw his long-range effort deflect in off Brede Hangeland.
Taarabt grabbed his second on 68 minutes, curling an effort from the edge of the box past Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal. Fulham did manage a consolation goal in the 88th minute, as striker Mladen Petric fired home an effort via deflection.
The goal lead to a very nervous finish for the home side, but Harry Redknapp’s men held on to a vital victory. The win moved Rangers above Reading and off the bottom of the Premier League table.
Norwich continued their good run of form with a 2-1 victory over Wigan at Carrow Road. Midfielder Anthony Pilkington fired the Canaries into the lead on 15 minutes. The Latics equalised in the second half through a powerfully struck effort from Scotland international Shaun Maloney.
However Norwich retook the lead in the 64th minute. Anthony Pilkington produced a superb cross, which Wes Hoolahan headed home powerfully. The victory moved Norwich up to seventh place in the Premier League table, just two points off the Champions League places.
Stoke and Everton drew 1-1 at Britannia Stadium, with Ryan Shawcross at the heart of the action. The centre-back headed past his own goalkeeper on 36 minutes from a Steven Pienaar cross.
Shawcross fired a high ball onto the head of Kenwyne Jones, who rose to head home the equalised for the Potters in the 52nd minute. Shawcross was later involved in a controversial incident, which saw the centre-back head-butted by Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
The Belgium international is likely to receive punishment from the FA for the incident. The draw kept Everton in the top four, but they missed the chance to extend their lead.
What should Marouane Fellaini punishment be for his head-butt on Ryan Shawcross?
