BPL REVIEW: Arsenal, Chelsea, City win…Saints lose fourth game on the trot

Two goals each from Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla saw Arsenal beat Newcastle at Emirates Stadium in the Barclays Premier League (BPL).

Giroud opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a header from inside the penalty area.

The Gunners controlled things for most of the first-half and that dominance continued in the second half when Cazorla doubled their lead on 54 minutes.

Four minutes later Giroud made sure of the points with a neat finish at the near post after good work down the right by youngster Hector Bellerin.

Newcastle gave themselves a glimmer of hope on 63 minutes when Ayoze Perez flicked a header into the net from a free kick.

However, they were unable to build on that goal, and the hosts made them pay when Cazorla scored from the spot after Danny Welbeck was brought down by Paul Dummett.

Chelsea got back to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hull City at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues’ 2-1 loss at Newcastle United last time out threatened to derail what had been a good start to the season but they regrouped well to seal a win over Steve Bruce’s men.

It took just seven minutes for the host to go in front. Oscar out on the left delivered a cross into the box and Hazard was there to head home.

Tom Huddlestone saw red for an ugly challenge on Filipe Luis and the Blues quickly made their advantage count with Costa finishing off an incredible move which saw Hazard dazzle the Hull midfield and defence.

Manchester City were able to keep pace and remain just three points behind their title rivals after claiming a slim 1-0 win over Leicester City.

Frank Lampard sneaked between the Leicester centre-backs and slipped a left-foot shot into the net from Samir Nasri’s ball across the area.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman was left frustrated as he watched his side throw away three points to Burnley who beat them 1-0.

Nathaniel Clyne’s attempted clearance came into the path of Ashley Barnes who slipped the ball between Fraser Forster and his near post to win the game for the host.

West Bromwich Albion beat Aston Villa 1-0 on home soil.

Villa were reduced to ten men after 22 minutes when Kieran Richardson slid in hard on Stephane Sessegnon.

The hosts eventually made the extra man count as Craig Gardner fired in after a melee in the visitors penalty area after 72 minutes.

Crystal Palace and Stoke City shared the spoils in their clash at Selhurst Park as they played out a 1-1 draw.

James McArthur put the hosts ahead with a back header from Yannick Bolasie’s centre which looped over Asmir Begovic.

The lead lasted for only two minutes though as Peter Crouch knocked in an equaliser.

Sunderland and West Ham also ended their game 1-1 at the Stadium of Light.

James Tomkins felled Adam Johnson in the penalty area and Jordi Gomez coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net to give the host the lead.

But Stewart Downing ensured they weren’t to be beaten as his strike, after cutting in from the left, deflected in past the outstretched arm of Costel Pantilimon.