English Premier League round-up: Rooney atones for OG with two at the right end

Published on 21/10/2012 00:57

Manchester United pegged Chelsea’s lead at four points despite trailing Stoke early on to a Wayne Rooney own goal.

The striker diverted Charlie Adam’s free-kick into his own net in 11 minutes but made amends with his first league goal of the season to level up 16 minutes later. It was a straightforward header from Rooney from a lovely Robin van Persie cross, and the Dutchman made it 2-1 with a goal a minute before half-time.

Danny Welbeck grabbed a third and, although Michael Kightly gave Stoke hope in the 58th minute, Rooney made it 4-2.

Substitute Edin Dzeko scored twice in the final ten minutes to earn ten-man champions Manchester City a last-gasp 2-1 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns. James Milner was sent off for fouling Shane Long as the last man in the 23rd minute and Long gave the hosts the lead 67 minutes in. Dzeko only entered the fray in the 79th minute but immediately equalised and, two minutes into injury time, converted Sergio Aguero’s pass.

Norwich recorded a deserved first Premier League win under new manager Chris Hughton as lacklustre Arsenal were beaten 1-0 at Carrow Road. The Gunners were second best all afternoon as Grant Holt’s scrambled effort on 20 minutes following a mistake by goalkeeper Vito Mannone proved enough.

Liverpool managed their first home win of the season, 1-0 against struggling Reading, courtesy of a first Premier League goal from 17-year-old Raheem Sterling. The teenager became the eighth youngest goalscorer in Premier League history when he netted in the 29th minute .

Southampton’s leaky defence cost them again as West Ham raced to a 4-1 victory at Upton Park, with all the goals coming in the second half. Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan netted to put the hosts in charge but Adam Lallana pegged them back in the 63rd minute. However, Jose Fonte handled in the 72nd minute to give Noble the chance of a second from the spot before Modibo Maiga scored three minutes from time.

Swansea ended their five-game winless run with a 2-1 home victory over Wigan. Pablo Hernandez broke the deadlock in the 65th minute and Michu added a second two minutes later, Emmerson Boyce back-heeling a consolation for the Latics.

It was a quiet afternoon at Craven Cottage for 84 minutes but Chris Baird ensured it was Fulham who took the three points with a 1-0 
victory over Aston Villa.