A 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday has strengthened Manchester City’s position as favourites to win the Premier League title.
In conditions more accustomed to Ski Sunday than a Premier League football match, City took the lead 10 minutes into the game through a Sergio Aguero penalty after Adam Johnson appeared to trip over a lingering Chris Baird leg. Subsequent replays showed that there was minimal contact however and Fulham had reason to feel aggrieved.
Aguero was matched at 5.2 (
Betfair) in the First Goalscorer market whilst the Yes option in the Penalty Awarded market was backed at 4.0.
Baird's night got much worse on the half hour mark when Johnson's shot-come-cross deflected off the Fulham defender and into his own net past the stranded Mark Schwarzer. The Half Time 2-0 Score was matched at 7.8. The points were sealed with 15 minutes to go when Ageuero dribbled his way into the area before teeing up Edin Dzeko to rifle home from 10 yards. The 3-0 Correct Score was backed at a high of just 11.0 In-Play.
The result means City tighten their grip at the head of the Premier League Winner market and are now available to back at 1.65. Fierce rivals Manchester United - who face Chelsea tomorrow - can be backed at 2.92.
Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick and Thierry Henry chipped in with a goal as Arsenal smashed seven past Blackburn at the Emirates.
The Gunners drew a blank in midweek against Bolton but they made up for it today as they put Steve Kean's woeful side to the sword. The rout started after only two minutes as van Persie tapped in but Morten Gamst Pedersen managed to pull the visitors level shortly afterwards.
Blackburn's afternoon went ralpidly downnhill as Arsenal outclassed them in every department. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a brace and Mikel Arteta also got on the scoresheet. The 7-1 scoreline, which was matched at 280.00, leaves Blackburn, who had Gael Givet sent off, trading at 1.45 for relegation and Arsenal 3.45 for a top four finish.
Djibril Cisse continues to lead an eventful life. After scoring a debut goal in midweek, he was sent off in Queens Park Rangers' 2-1 defeat to Wolves at Loftus Road. The away side, who came from behind after Bobby Zamora had scored his first Rangers goal, were matched at 15.0.
Sunderland and Swansea were the day's other away winners. The Black Cats were matched at 4.1 for their 1-0 win at the Britannia, where Robert Huth was controversially sent off, while the Welsh side touched 18.0 as they came from behind to win 2-1. Danny Graham scored the late winner.
In the day's other game, Everton almost followed their midweek victory against the division's top club with defeat against the bottom team. Phil Neville's own goal gave Wigan the lead in the second -half before Victor Anichebe rewarded those who backed the draw at 6.0.
