Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Results, Wednesday 1 February 2012

Five Barclays Premier League 2011/12 matches were played on the evening of Wednesday February 1st 2012, with the teams from the North East proving to be the only two winners on the night.

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Sunderland 3-0 Norwich

Sunderland were the biggest victors, as they picked up a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light over Norwich City, continuing Martin O’Neills impressive start at the Black Cats’ helm. Fans on Wearside will have been most impressed with a first start for a long time for Fraizer Campbell, and it was the former Manchester United man who got the host’s into the lead with a delightful volley from range – on his first starting appearance in 18 months.

Another good goal from Sessegnon – who started and then finished the move with his head – just before the half hour mark meant Sunderland came in at half time 2-0 in front, before an Ayala own goal on 58 minutes effectively wrapped up the points for Sunderland.

Sunderland move to 8th in the table, leapfrogging Norwich, who slide to 11th.

Blackburn 0-2 Newcastle

Newcastle United came away from Blackburn’s Ewood Park with three points which put them above Liverpool and Arsenal into fifth place – just three points from Chelsea who occupy the final Champions League slot – following a difficult 2-0 victory.

Blackburn defender, Scott Dann, was unfortunate to see a heavy deflection from a 12th minute Ryan Taylor shot fly into his own net having left Paul Robinson stranded, but it wasn’t until the 90th minute that Newcastle, who again looked short of attacking impetus without Demba Ba, sealed the victory with a goal from Obertan.

Blackburn will be bitterly disappointed that their high shot count throughout the intervening 80 or so minutes came to naught in a match they could otherwise easily have got a point or three.

The result puts Newcastle fifth, while Blackburn are in the relegation hot-seat of 18th.

Aston Villa 2-2 QPR

Queens Park Rangers saw an immediate return on their deadline day investments, as their new look side raced away to a 2-1 half time lead away at Aston Villa, only to be pegged back in the second period by a much improved home side. The match ended with a 2-2 draw following an entertaining 90 minutes of Premier League football.

Djibril Cisse who had not trained with his teammates following his arrival from Italy, took just 12 minutes to score on his debut for the club, when slotting home from a tight-ish angle, before Stephen Warnock headed past his own goalkeeper on 38 minutes to give QPR a two goal cushion.

Just before half time, Darren Bent scored a vital goal for the hosts, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

In the second period, a revitalised Aston Villa dominated possession and peppered the visitors with shots, but could only get the one goal from Charles N’Zogbia on 79 minutes, which meant a point apiece at the final whistle.

QPR’s point meant they crept a little further from danger, and opened a three point gap between them and the top of the drop zone sides, Blackburn. Aston Villa remained 12th as their mid table season continued.

Bolton 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal had an opportunity to go fifth, and close the gap on Chelsea who are fourth after the Blues drew at Swansea, however, the Gunners could only manage a point themselves from a goalless 0-0 draw away at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.

A very even match could have seen a goal at either end, but for either side to have won would have been a little harsh. Arsenal look like a side a little short of attacking ideas at present, while Bolton appeared happy just to pick up a point.

The result places Bolton 17th, safe by a precarious two points – for now – while Arsenal saw Liverpool and Newcastle pick up results this week, meaning they slid to an uninspiring – by their standards – 7th place.

Fulham 1-1 West Brom

Fulham started without a recognised striker, following Bobby Zamora’s transfer to QPR, an injury to Anderw Johnson, and delays relating to the inbound Russian signing Pavel Pogrebnyak. This meant the hosts started with midfielder Clint Dempsey up front, and it was the American who put Fulham in front after 69 minutes.

Roy Hodgson’s current side, West Brom, are difficult to shake off, though, and Somen Tchoyi (82) scored to snatch a point for the visitors.

The result means Fulham and West Brom remain closer to the bottom than the top of the table, in 13th and 15th respectively.