English Premier League Saturday Wrap-Up
Chelsea kept winning, Everton impressed again and Southampton finally got off the mark.
The English Premier League featured six matches Saturday, with league leaders Chelsea maintaining their position atop the table.
Fulham, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton also grabbed victories on a day that saw only one draw.
Keep reading for a complete wrap-up of the day's action.
Swansea City 0-3 Everton
1 of 7Scorers: Everton—Victor Anichebe 22', Kevin Mirallas 42', Marouane Fellaini 82'
Quickie recap: Marouane Fellaini scored a goal and set up another as Everton extended their historical dominance over Swansea and briefly moved joint-top of the table with a 3-0 road win at the Britannia Stadium.
The result was secure when…Nathan Dyer was sent off for his second yellow card early in the second half, with Everton already leading 2-0. Dyer, who entered the match as a substitute at halftime, received his first booking in the 55th minute, for dissent. His second, for a reckless tackle, came only three minutes later.
Fellaini's forearm: Fellaini played the final pass to set up Anichebe's 22nd-minute opener. Upon viewing the goal in real time, Fellaini appeared to head the ball into Anichebe's path, but replays showed he had used his forearm. Everton fans, of course, will consider the missed handball delayed justice for Monday's goal-line controversy.
16 and winless: Swansea have now played Everton 16 times in all competitions. The Swans have won none of those matches. Everton won both league meetings last season.
Stat time: According to Opta, Fellaini's last 10 Premier League appearances have yielded eight goals either scored or assisted.
Where it leaves them: Everton temporarily moved to the top of the table, level on points with Chelsea (who played and won later Saturday) with 10 points. They were second by the end of the day. Swansea fell to ninth with seven points.
Up next: Everton host Southampton next Saturday while Swansea visit Stoke.
Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City
2 of 7Scorers: Chelsea—Ashley Cole 85'
Quickie recap: Cole's late goal gave Chelsea a hard-fought win over Stoke and kept the Blues atop the table. Chelsea's attacking quartet of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Oscar largely struggled, and Stoke's Jonathan Walters hit the post.
The result was secure when…Cole's goal, assisted by Mata, bounced into the net five minutes from time after Asmir Begovic got a touch.
Sim city: Oscar was booked for simulation in the second half, and Chelsea full-back Branislav Ivanovic was fortunate to avoid the same treatment for a dive in the Stoke box.
Stat time: Chelsea have not lost to Stoke since Oct. 4, 1995. Stoke defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge that day in the league cup. Stoke's last league win over Chelsea came in 1975.
Where it leaves them: Chelsea retained first place in the table. Roberto Di Matteo's team now has 13 points from five matches. Stoke, still winless on the season, are 13th with four points.
Up next: Chelsea visit Arsenal next Saturday in the early kickoff, and Stoke host Swansea later in the day.
Southampton 4-1 Aston Villa
3 of 7Scorers: Southampton—Rickie Lambert 58', 90'+5' (pen.), Nathaniel Clyne 63', Ciaran Clark (own goal) 72'; Aston Villa—Darren Bent 36'
Quickie recap: Rickie Lambert scored twice as Southampton overcame a halftime deficit and claimed their first points of the season with a home victory over Aston Villa.
The result was secure when…Villa's Clark made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute by putting the ball in his own net.
First start: Gaston Ramirez, Southampton's record signing, made his first start. His first-time pass set up Clyne for the winner in the 63rd minute.
Generous defense: Villa's goal was the 15th allowed by Southampton this season, the most in the Premier League (Wigan are second worst with 10).
Stat time: Rickie Lambert has four goals this season, which is tied for most in the league.
Where it leaves them: Southampton moved off the bottom of the table and now sit in 17th place with three points. Villa are 14th with four points.
Up next: Southampton play Everton away next Saturday. Aston Villa host West Brom next Sunday.
West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Reading
4 of 7Scorers: West Brom—Romelu Lukaku 71'
Quickie recap: On-loan striker Lukaku scored the only goal as West Brom beat Reading and moved to third place in the table. Reading dropped to last place.
The result was secure when…Hal Robson-Kanu's header landed atop West Brom's net soon after the Baggies' breakthrough. Reading rarely threatened afterward.
Long wait: Shane Long, West Brom's leading scorer this season with three goals in all competitions, started on the bench. His introduction in the 66th minute led to the winner five minutes later, when he knocked down a high ball in the box into Lukaku's path.
Stat time: Reading have not won yet in the league this season. The Royals' last league victory came in the League Championship against Nottingham Forest on April 17—when they clinched promotion to the Premier League.
Where it leaves them: Reading are last with one point from four matches. West Brom are third, level on 10 points with Everton and three behind Chelsea, Lukaku's parent club. The Baggies have played five matches, one more than Reading.
Up next: Reading host Newcastle next Saturday. West Brom visit Aston Villa next Sunday.
West Ham United 1-1 Sunderland
5 of 7Scorers: West Ham—Kevin Nolan 90'+3'; Sunderland—Steven Fletcher 9'
Quickie recap: Nolan capped an extended spell of West Ham pressure with a goal deep into second-half stoppage time to give the Hammers a dramatic draw at home to Sunderland.
The result was secure when…Nolan volleyed past Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet for the late, late equalizer.
Fletcher on fire: Steven Fletcher, who signed for Sunderland from Wolves over the summer, scored again for Martin O'Neill's team. Fletcher is tied for the league lead with four goals.
Stat time: Sunderland scored with their only shot on target. West Ham keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did not make a save.
Where it leaves them: West Ham are eighth with eight points from five matches. Sunderland have four points after drawing each of their first four matches. The Black Cats are 12th.
Up next: Sunderland host Wigan next Saturday. West Ham play at QPR next Monday, Oct. 1.
Wigan Athletic 1-2 Fulham
6 of 7Scorers: Wigan—Arouna Kone 90'+1'; Fulham—Hugo Rodallega 31, Damien Duff 68'
Quickie recap: Old boy Hugo Rodallega returned to Wigan to face his old team and scored to help his new team, Fulham, to a 2-1 victory.
The result was secure when…Duff doubled Fulham's lead midway through the second half.
Rodallega's return: Rodallega, a Colombian international striker, played for Wigan from 2009 to 2012, scoring 24 league goals. His goal Saturday was his first for Fulham.
Unlucky official: Referee Lee Probert needed treatment after coming out worst in a challenge between Fulham's Steve Sidwell and Wigan's Ben Watson in the first half. Probert jokingly waved a red card during a long delay.
Stat time: This was Fulham's first away win of the season. The Cottagers' first away win last season also came against Wigan. Martin Jol's team won just four times on their travels last term.
Where it leaves them: Fulham moved up to fourth, though Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all have a chance to overtake them Sunday. The Cottagers have collected nine points from five matches. Wigan are 15th with four points.
Up next: Fulham host Manchester City next Saturday while Wigan visit Sunderland.
Sunday's Schedule
7 of 7The Premier League weekend concludes Sunday with four more matches. All kickoff times are listed in Eastern time.
Liverpool vs. Manchester United, 8:30 a.m.
Newcastle United vs. Norwich City, 10 a.m.
Manchester City vs. Arsenal, 11 a.m.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Queens Park Rangers, 11 a.m.
