Premier League Football Round-up: Liverpool put Magpies to the sword and Robinho stuns Rovers

Premier League / Maxliu / 30 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Liverpool send message to rivals with stunning win, Chelsea held and Robinho breaks Blackburn hearts...

Liverpool will end the year as league leaders after they traded no higher than [2.10] on their way to thumping Newcastle 1-5 at St James Park.

Rafael Benitez's side displayed exactly the type of championship form they have failed to produce in previous seasons and the result sends a clear signal of their aspirations to their title rivals. Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and Xabi Alonso all scored but, as ever, Steven Gerrard was the talisman, weighing in with two, including the opener for which he was matched at [8.4]. Six goals or more was matched at [55.0] in the Total Goals market as Liverpool tore apart a lacklustre Newcastle side.

Chelsea's title ambitions took another dent as they were held to a 2-2 draw, which traded at [14.0], by local rivals Fulham. The home side took the lead in the first-half when Clint Dempsey scored his third of the season but the Blues hit back after the break with two goals from Frank Lampard, including an excellent 30-yard free-kick. Luiz Felipe Scolari's men looked good for the win until Dempsey grabbed a 90th minute equaliser which leaves Chelsea three points behind Liverpool at the top of the table and [3.15] to win the Premier League. Over 3.5 goals was matched at [6.0] and 2-2 traded at a high of [30.0] in the Correct Score market.

Tony Adams endured a miserable afternoon against his old club as his Portsmouth side slid to another defeat, going down 1-0 against Arsenal. The Gunners drifted to [2.9] as Pompey held out until the 81st minute when William Gallas scored the only goal.

Blackburn Rovers traded at [1.01] before Manchester City sensationally over-hauled a two goal deficit to earn a draw which was matched at [130.0]. Rovers were leading through goals from Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts until the 83rd minute when Daniel Sturridge got one back for City. Robinho then fired in a 94th minute equaliser to deny Rovers a vital three points and reward those who backed 2-2 at [140.0] and Over 3.5 goals at [110.0].

There was value at Upton Park where West Ham touched [5.4] after going behind to [38.0] first goalscorer Abdoulaye Faye's fourth minute strike. But after Stoke had a man sent off for the second time in consecutive matches Carlton Cole equalised before Diego Tristan's first goal for the Hammers earned them a 2-1 win which was matched at [10.5] to be the correct score. Gianfranco Zola's side are now up to 10th in the Premier League table.

West Bromwich Albion did their chances of survival no harm as they were backed at [5.6] before they beat Tottenham 2-0 at the Hawthorns. Roman Bednar was on target again for the Baggies and Craig Beattie added a second in injury time. 2-0 was matched at [55.0].

Everton traded no higher than [1.93] as they registred an impressive 3-0 win over Sunderland at Goodison Park. Mikel Arteta's first-half free kick was value for those who backed him at [14.5] to get the first goal and David Moyse will have been encouraged by a first goal for the club from 18-year-old Dan Gosling. 3-0 was matched at [20.0].

Amir Zaki showed why he is attracting interest from Europe's elite when he scored his 11th goal of the season to earn Wigan a 0-1 win over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Steve Bruce's men were matched at [3.9].