Chelsea hit Liverpool's BPL title hopes at Anfield
Chelsea hit Liverpool's Barclays Premier League title hopes at Anfield for a second straight season after a 2-1 win on Saturday. Brendan Rodgers' side came into the game looking to banish the memories of last term's corresponding fixture, Steven Gerrard's slip and the defeat which halted their trophy charge. But again they came out second best as Gary Cahill and Diego Costa overturned Emre Can's first Liverpool goal and Chelsea moved a daunting 15 points clear of the Merseysiders.
Gerrard, Mario Balotelli and Jordan Henderson were recalled after being omitted from the starting line-up for the UEFA Champions League match with Real Madrid, but it was the only change from last week’s BPL defeat by Newcastle United, Can, who put the hosts ahead early on with an effort that deflected in off Cahill.
The England man, against whom twice claims for handball in the Chelsea area were dismissed, atoned just five minutes later, bundling home despite Simon Mignolet's best efforts.
Jose Mourinho's approach was much more attacking than the April smash-and-grab, a reward coming after 67 minutes as Liverpool were punished by Costa's clinical finish.
Chelsea have taken five points from a possible nine away to Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool to underline their credentials as favourites for the Barclays Premier League this season.
Burnley get first victory
Ashley Barnes gave Burnley their first victory of the Barclays Premier League campaign with the only goal in a 1-0 win over Hull City on Saturday.
Barnes, recalled in place of Marvin Sordell by Sean Dyche, headed in the decisive goal at Turf Moor early in the second half after sloppy defending from the visitors.
In a low-key first half, the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock through a Danny Ings shot, while Robbie Brady had to be on hand to clear off the line.
Barnes' header put Burnley into a deserved lead and forced Hull to raise their game, although the visitors' efforts in attack routinely ended in frustration and they ended the game having mustered just one effort which forced home goalkeeper Tom Heaton into action.
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Juan Mata came off the bench to secure Manchester United's first win in four Barclays Premier League matches with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
As in last weekend's loss to rivals Manchester City, Spaniard Mata began among the substitutes, but he staked his claim to be a bigger role in weeks to come by firing a deflected winner in the 67th minute - shortly after joining the action.
Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni might have done better than palming Mata's strike into his own net and Neil Warnock's men were also left to reflect on a glorious chance passed up by former United youngster Fraizer Campbell before half-time.
Shane Long scores twice for Southampton
Shane Long scored twice as Southampton stretched their winning run to five matches by beating Leicester City 2-0 at St Mary's.
Ronald Koeman's side dominated a one-sided Barclays Premier League clash on the English south coast, but they had to wait until 15 minutes from time for Long to open the scoring after coming off the bench.
Leicester had produced a resolute display to frustrate the hosts, but their resistance was ended when Long scored his first top-flight goal for the club with a clinical finish just seven minutes after coming on.
Long then sealed the points five minutes later as second-placed Southampton claimed an eighth BPL win in their last nine matches to ensure they head into the international break four points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Leicester, by contrast, are in the relegation zone having picked up just one point from their last six matches since their dramatic 5-3 win over Manchester United. They have also failed to score in four matches.
Aston Villa end six-game BPL losing streak
Brad Guzan starred as Aston Villa brought their six-game Barclays Premier League losing streak to an end with a 0-0 draw at West Ham on Saturday.
Villa produced a more disciplined defensive performance than their previous outing against Tottenham Hotspur to claim a first point since their 1-0 win at Liverpool on September 13.
High-flying West Ham side were buoyed by Diafra Sakho's recovery from a shoulder injury however Andy Carroll did make his long-awaited return as a late substitute.
The hosts always looked the most likely to score, but were frustrated by an impressive display from Villa goalkeeper Guzan.
Guzan pulled off a string of saves, including a late one-handed stop to deny Carroll after the striker had headed goalwards following his stoppage-time introduction.
The draw - a repeat of last season's result in the corresponding fixture - sees Sam Allardyce’s side extend their unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to five games and move up to fourth in the top flight, while Paul Lambert’s side remain dangerously close to the bottom three.
Sergio Aguero saves Manchester City at QPR
Sergio Aguero's brace salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City at Queens Park Rangers as the Barclays Premier League champions lost further ground in their title defence.
The Argentina international scored an injury-time winner against QPR to seal the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League title for City, but similar celebrations at the end of the season appear more unlikely this campaign as Manuel Pellegrini's team lie eight points behind leaders Chelsea after 11 matches.
Charlie Austin had two disallowed goals before converting his sixth goal of the season to give the hosts a 21st-minute lead, with City suffering a ferocious early onslaught from Harry Redknapp’s side.
The visitors were indebted to a moment of brilliance from Aguero, who levelled the contest after 32 minutes. A Martin Demichelis own goal meant a repeat of the 2-1 scoreline that City suffered at West Ham United two weeks ago was on the cards. However, Aguero left a prone Richard Dunne in his wake to level seven minutes from time and QPR required a block by former City player Joey Barton from a Yaya Toure shot to preserve a deserved point.
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