Sunderland were quick to regroup and immediately hit back through Jack Rodwell and an Adam Johnson penalty, but Lampard's perfectly-executed header 17 minutes from time ensured Manuel Pellegrini's side moved level on points with leaders Chelsea.
At Anfield, bottom-of-the-league Leicester produced a stirring second-half fightback to secure a 2-2 draw and deny Liverpool all three points.
Brendan Rodgers' men went into the half-time interval two goals to the good courtesy of controversial Steven Gerrard penalties – but the Foxes emerged from the dressing room with renewed determination and drew level through David Nugent and Jeff Schlupp efforts.
Lazar Markovic could have snatched the victory for the Reds with a free header late in the day but failed to convert, leaving the hosts still seven points off the top four.
Southampton continued their resurgence against Arsenal at St Mary's, where two errors from visiting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny proved decisive in a 2-0 win.The Pole rushed from his goal in the first period to provide Sadio Mane with the chance to bend home the opener and was at fault again after the break when his tame clearance allowed Dusan Tadic to tuck into an unguarded net.
Had Mathieu Debuchy not cleared a Graziano Pelle shot off the line late in the day it would have been worse for Arsenal, who may feel slightly aggrieved that Florin Gardos escaped a red card for a cynical foul on Alexis Sanchez.
Earlier in the day, Manchester United lost ground in the title race as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
Ryan Shawcross opened the scoring for the hosts in just the second minute when he swivelled to tuck home a Peter Crouch knock-down from a corner, and Louis van Gaal's side needed a predatory finish from Radamel Falcao to ensure a share of the spoils.
It was a third draw in four games for United, who remain in third just a point ahead of Southampton.
At St James' Park, Burnley came from behind three times to earn a morale-boosting 3-3 draw with Newcastle, who had John Carver in charge in the absence of Alan Pardew.
Steven Taylor nodded the hosts ahead before a Paul Dummett own goal restored parity, but Burnley suffered three setbacks before the break – conceding Jack Colback's goal and suffering injuries to captain Jason Shackell and midfielder Dean Marney.
A delicate glancing header from Danny Ings levelled the game and although Moussa Sissoko's effort sent the Magpies ahead for a third time, George Boyd fired in another equaliser via the gloves of Newcastle goalkeeper Jak Alnwick four minutes from time.
Hull won at the KC Stadium for the first time in almost three months as Steve Bruce's struggling side ground out a solid 2-0 win over free-falling Everton, who have now suffered four straight Premier League defeats.
Both goals came in the first half – Ahmed Elmohamady opening the scoring and Nikica Jelavic adding a second against his old club with a deft lobbed finish.
At Loftus Road, QPR were denied the chance to draw away from the relegation zone as Wilfried Bony's exquisite last-gasp leveller snatched Swansea a 1-1 draw
Leroy Fer's crisp long-ranger ignited the home support in the 20th minute and there looked to be no way back for the Swans when Wayne Routledge was shown a red card for reacting to a poor Karl Henry challenge – but Bony's dazzling snap-shot ensured a stalemate.
Tony Pulis watched from the stands at Upton Park as he began his spell as West Brom manager with a 1-1 draw with West Ham.
Prolific summer signing Diafra Sakho struck his seventh goal in 11 starts for West Ham but the Baggies responded through Saido Berahino and remain a point clear of the drop-zone.
At Villa Park, Yannick Bolasie came closest as Crystal Palace held Aston Villa to a goalless draw in front of new manager-elect Pardew.
The French winger pounced on hesitation on the halfway line to race through on home goalkeeper Brad Guzan - only to see his lifted finish cannon back off the crossbar.
No comments:
Post a Comment