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52 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2013 FOOTBALL Suarez hat-trick hands Liverpool victory A review of Saturday's action in the Barclays Premier League MANCHESTER United battled back for a 3-2 victory against Stoke to avoid seeing their season go from bad to worse, while Luis Suarez scored a brilliant hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed West Brom 4-1 to keep on the pressure on leaders Arsenal. Having fallen 11 points adrift of top spot following Arsenal's 2-0 victory in Saturday's early game against Crystal Palace, United could ill afford another off-day against a Stoke side without a win in their last five league games. However, David Moyes' men, who have already lost three times in the league this season, suffered a nightmare start as Peter Crouch's closerange finish put the visitors ahead after just four minutes. Robin van Persie drew the teams level in the 43rd minute, but Stoke stunned the home side again by reclaiming the lead on the stroke of half-time through Marko Arnautovic's fine free-kick. Two goals in the final 12 minutes from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez saved United's blushes though as they come from behind to win. Arsenal briefly opened up a fivepoint lead over nearest challengers Liverpool and Chelsea after beating Crystal Palace, but Brendan Rodgers' men responded in emphatic fashion to cut the gap back to two. Suarez scored twice in the opening 17 minutes and then completed the fourth hat-trick of his Anfield career 10 minutes into the second half as the Uruguayan continued his rich goalscoring form since returning to the Liverpool side. West Brom pulled a goal back Luis Suarez was Liverpool's hattrick hero against West Brom Freephone: (+356) 800 737 70 cabs minivans vip transport through James Morrison's penalty but Suarez's strike partner Daniel Sturridge chipped home a brilliant goal to wrap up the scoring 14 minutes from time. Earlier on, Arsenal beat managerless Palace despite playing the final 25 minutes with a man less following Mikel Arteta's sending off. Arteta put the leaders ahead from the penalty spot at the start of the second half but the Gunners captain was then handed his marching orders. Referee Chris Foy deemed the Spaniard had prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity when he tangled with former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh some 35 yards out from goal and showed him a straight red card. Palace, for whom Keith Millen was in caretaker charge following Ian Holloway's departure this week, came close to getting back into the game but could find no way past Wojciech Szczesny and a late second from Olivier Giroud sealed the win for Arsenal. Everton were also 2-0 victors in their match at Aston Villa with Romelu Lukaku and Leon Osman scoring second-half goals for the Toffees. Christian Benteke spurned a great chance to give Villa the lead when his penalty was saved by Tim Howard, and the Belgian's misery was compounded when his compatriot Lukaku put Everton ahead in the 68th minute. Osman then wrapped up the points with a second nine minutes from time. Yesterday's other 3pm kick-off saw Norwich and Cardiff draw 0-0. Norwich were dominant but found Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall in fine form to leave the Canaries in a precarious position with only Palace and Sunderland beneath them. In the late game, Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriquez both struck as Southampton produced a dominating display to dispatch a below-par Fulham 2-0 at St Mary's. Rodriquez set up the first for Lambert before the pair switched roles for the second as the Saints extended their unbeaten run to seven games in the top flight. w w w. c a b s . c o m . m t 2138 9575 / 9921 5286 luxury coaches info@cabs.com.mt vintage buses