Premier League: Chelsea back to winning ways as Liverpool and Arsenal falter

Wolves pulled off a shock victory at Anfield, ten man Wigan managed to hold Arsenal, while Chelsea defeated Bolton thanks to an offside goal.

Chelsea 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Carlo Ancelotti’s team picked up their first win in seven matches thanks to a second half goal from Florent Malouda. It wasn’t looking good after an awful first 45 minutes, however, as neither goalkeeper was required to make a save. Jussi Jaaskelainen was finally called into action in the fourth minute of the second period, when the Finn deflected Didier Drogba’s attempt onto the post.

It was a sign of things to come, as the Ivorian played the ball across to Malouda ten minutes later, who tapped the ball into the net. Bolton players claimed Drogba was offside, but their appeals fell on deaf ears. Not long after, Sam Ricketts blazed over from ten yards, while a Stuart Holden header in the 77th minute was tipped over by Peter Cech. Bolton were unable to beat the Czech in the remainder of the match which finished with Chelsea as the victors.

Wigan 2-2 Arsenal

Arsene Wenger took the opportunity to rest Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere, while Theo Walcott also began the match from the bench. The Gunners went into the contest in confident mood after their demolition of Chelsea on Monday. It was Wigan who started the brightest, however, and were rewarded for their efforts in the 18th minute.

Laurent Koscielny hacked down Charles N’Zogbia and referee Lee Probert blew his whistle for a Latics’ penalty. Replays suggested that the contact may have been outside the box, however. Ben Watson duly converted, and Wigan had a shock lead. This would last for 20 minutes, when two Gunner goals in five completely turned the game around.

Russian international Andrei Arshavin scored the first, when he volleyed in a rebound after Ali Al Habsi parried Nicholas Bendtner’s shot. The Dane netted the second goal, when Arshavin played him in and he bundled the ball over the line. A Wigan comeback looked unlikely when N’Zogbia was sent off for headbutting substitute Jack Wilshere in the 78th minute. Disastrously, however, Sebastien Squillaci headed into his own net to gift Wigan a valuable point.

Liverpool 0-1 Wolves

The calls for Roy Hodgson’s head grew louder after the Reds lost at home to bottom side Wolves. The win was thoroughly deserved for Mick McCarthy’s team who bossed most of the second half. Liverpool managed only three shots on target in the whole match. They had the ball in the back of the net in the 88th minute through Martin Skrtel, but it was correctly ruled out for offside.

Irishman Stephen Ward scored the winning goal in the 56th minute when he coolly slotted the ball past Pepe Reina after being played in by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Throughout the match fans chanted Kenny Dalglish’s name, while the final whistle was met with a chorus of boos.