Steven Fletcher on target again to seal Sunderland victory

Published on 30/09/2012 00:00

STEVEN Fletcher gave under-pressure Scotland manager Craig Levein more food for thought by scoring the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light yesterday as Sunderland beat Wigan 1-0.

The striker, frozen out of the national side since a fall-out with Levein, struck his fifth goal in as many Premier League games five minutes after the break, driving home James McClean’s pass to 
condemn 10-man Wigan – for whom Jordi Gomez was sent off in the 48th minute – to defeat.

Elsewhere, Liverpool finally earned their first league win of the season and lifted some of the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers as they outclassed Norwich City 5-2 at Carrow Road. Luiz Suarez did the damage with a hat-trick, as well as setting up Nuri Sahin for the opener. Steven Gerrard also found the net via a deflected shot, while Steve Morrison and Grant Holt were on target for the home side. Liverpool’s city neighbours Everton maintained their impressive start to the season as a double by Nikica Jelavic helped them come from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 at Goodison Park. Gaston Ramirez had headed the visitors into the lead but Leon Osman levelled and Jelavic’s two goals ensured victory.

Champions Manchester City left it late to seal a dramatic late win at Fulham, Edin Dzeko grabbing the crucial goal with three minutes remaining. A Mladen Petric penalty had given Fulham 
a 10th-minute lead before 
Sergio Aguero levelled just before half-time.

Demba Ba twice hauled Newcastle level at Reading, for whom Jimmy Kebe and Noel Hunt found the net, while Peter Crouch was also on target twice for Stoke City who beat Swansea 2-0. The 6ft 7in frontman headed the opener after 12 minutes and tapped home the second half an hour later as the Welsh side slipped to their third straight defeat.