Liverpool conquered Manchester United at the weekend thanks to a Dirk Kuyt hat-trick and some excellent footwork from Suarez. Arsenal and Tottenham both drew their games against opposition perceived to be far weaker in the grand scheme of the Premier League and Manchester City earned themselves three points at home after cruising to a 1-0 win against Wigan.

The big game of the weekend kicked off at Anfield between two established enemies. Manchester United needed points to establish a sizeable lead over Arsenal at the top and Liverpool looked to continue clipping at Tottenham’s heals for fifth spot. The game was more than comfortably won by Liverpool thanks to a Dirk Kuyt hat-trick, but Liverpool used this game as an opportunity to put their millions on display. Suarez looked deadly for the first goal; he beat 6 United players to square the ball for Kuyt who finished with ease inside the box. Andy Carroll made his debut in the second half to a rapturous applause from the KOP end and he looked threatening from his first touch, rising well above the United defence to head his first ball in a Liverpool shirt. Nani fell victim to a rough challenge in the first half and had to be stretchered off, he was crying, hitting the floor and general making an  out of himself. He was to blame for the second goal after heading a ‘clearance’ straight into the path of Kuyt so many feel his exit was the result of a frustrated afternoon. Dirk Kuyt said it was the easiest hat-trick he has ever scored, he was the right man in the right place at the right time for the whole game! Kenny Dalglish celebrated his 60th birthday in style as Liverpool became only the third team to beat United this season.

The other thriller this weekend came at the Molineux stadium, Tottenham needed points on the road to really keep up the pressure on Chelsea and Manchester City for fourth place but Wolves have impressed against the top six this season. Wolves took the lead from a  Doyle header after the spurs defence were left chasing shadows in the box, Jermaine Defoe then hit two world class finishes from outside the box to give Spurs a 2-1 lead. However, this was short lived. Before the break Wolves were awarded a penalty after Alan Hutton brought down Nenad Milijas in the box with a tug of the shirt, the Scotsman wasn’t shown red but Doyle finished with ease to level 2-2. Roman Pavlyuchenko opened the scoring in the second with an excellent finish from outside the box, but it was Wolves who had the last laugh. Fletcher headed home on 87 minutes to finish the tie at 3-3, Spurs will see the result as points dropped but they must keep fighting for a win in every game. The neutral would suggest it was a fair result considering the attacking football on display but Harry Redknapp will be thinking otherwise, his men hit the woodwork with opportunities that needed to be taken. Gareth Bale was given a 20 minute run out ahead of the clubs big game on Wednesday night against AC Milan, he looked good going forward and he passed with precision.

Arsenal were ruing dropped points at home this weekend. Capstone Sport were pitch side with our competition winners to soak in the Spring air at the Emirates stadium. Arsenal were without a lot of their key players as they struggled to break down the Black Cats. Victory over Sunderland would pile the pressure on United. Both Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh hit the woodwork and were the closest to making an impression on the game but it finished all square at 0-0. Thankfully Liverpool did Arsenal a favour at the top and now the Gunners have one game in hand to draw level with United on 60 points. The big challenge now starts for Arsenal, they have to beat Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night and then they must overcome United in The Premier League and FA Cup to have any chance of silverware this season.
Manchester City will play Chelsea in their next big Premier League encounter, an Ali Al Habsi gaffe was enough to give City three points at the weekend after Silva finished with ease past Wigan. City are still pushing for the top spot despite never having experience of the League from this height. They now have the confidence to go all the way but the next game is a real tester for their mental attitude and perseverance. Chelsea are never an easy match up!

Elsewhere, Birmingham beat West Brom in the derby game of the weekend with a comprehensive 3-1 win! Everton bounced back from going a goal down to see off Newcastle, while Fulham finished off Mark Hughes old club Blackburn with a late Zamora penalty. Bolton and Aston Villa also played a cracker; their match produced five goals and a missed penalty. Blackpool face Chelsea at home  this evening.

Here are the scores in full:

Birmingham 1 West Brom 3

Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0

Bolton 3 Aston Villa 2

Fulham 3 Blackburn 2

Newcastle 1 Everton 2

West Ham 3 Stoke 0

Man City 1 Wigan 0

Liverpool 3 Manchester United 0

Tottenham Hotspur 3 Wolves 3