BPL: Man City humble Arsenal, Chelsea move second

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/manchester-city-overwhelm-arsenal-stake-title-claim-145514644--sow.html

Manchester City asserted their Premier League title credentials with an extraordinary 6-3 defeat of leaders Arsenal on Saturday that took them to within three points of Arsene Wenger's side.

Sergio Aguero gave City a 14th-minute lead, with Alvaro Negredo restoring the hosts' advantage after Theo Walcott had marked his first start for Arsenal since September by equalising.

City lost Aguero to injury early in the second half, but a brace from Fernandinho, a David Silva strike and a Yaya Toure penalty secured victory for the 2012 champions, with Walcott and Per Mertesacker replying in vain.

Having won all eight of their home games this season -- scoring 35 goals -- City climbed to third place in the table, with Chelsea moving up to second by narrowly beating Crystal Palace 2-1.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have now lost three times this season.

>>>

Though victory momentarily took City up to second place, they slipped to third after Chelsea's win at home to Palace, which left Jose Mourinho's side two points behind Arsenal.

Ramires struck the winning goal with a sweet 20-yard drive 10 minutes prior to half-time, after Fernando Torres's close-range opener for the hosts had been cancelled out by Marouane Chamakh's volley.

>>>

Everton clambered above local rivals Liverpool and into the top four after winning 4-1 at home to Fulham.

Dimitar Berbatov equalised for Fulham with a 67th-minute penalty after Leon Osman had curled Everton ahead in the first half, but Seamus Coleman, Gareth Barry and Kevin Mirallas scored late goals to secure the points for Roberto Martinez's side.

Fulham slipped below Palace to 19th, with both sides now a point behind fourth-bottom West Ham United, who were held 0-0 by bottom club Sunderland at Upton Park.

>>>

Newcastle United moved above Spurs on goals scored after drawing 1-1 at home to Southampton, for whom Jay Rodriguez netted a 65th-minute equaliser after Yoan Gouffran had put the hosts in front.

>>>

Meanwhile, Cardiff City moved four points clear of the relegation zone after Peter Whittingham's brave second-half goal gave the Welsh side a 1-0 win at home to West Bromwich Albion.

>>>

In the day's late game, mid-table Hull City and Stoke City were left to rue missed opportunities to move further away from the relegation zone after they played out a goalless draw at the KC Stadium.