Magpies enjoy epic; Wolves end United's streak; Saha bags four
Newcastle produced an epic fightback, Wolves ended Manchester United's unbeaten run, Louis Saha scored four and Carlos Tevez bagged a birthday hat-trick as the Premier League went goal crazy.
A record 41 goals were scored on an astonishing day of top-flight action as Arsenal saw a four-goal lead amassed inside 26 minutes slip through their grasp in the final 22 of a frantic encounter at St James' Park.
United's dreams of emulating Arsenal's 'Invincibles' were dashed at Molineux, Everton got the better of Blackpool in another eight-goal encounter, while Wigan shaded a seven-goal thriller with Blackburn at the DW Stadium.
Manchester City cruised to victory over West Brom thanks to Tevez's first-half treble, Tottenham and Stoke left it late to overcome Bolton and Sunderland, respectively, while Aston Villa and Fulham shared the spoils.
Newcastle produced one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history to battle back from 4-0 down at home to Arsenal to snatch a point that looked utterly impossible at the interval.
There were less than 60 seconds gone when Theo Walcott burst clear to open the scoring with Johan Djourou then left unmarked to head home.
Robin van Persie made it three in the 10th minute after Walcott's cross before the Dutchman was again allowed the freedom of the area following Bacary Sagna's pass with just 26 minutes on the clock.
But Abou Diaby's needless dismissal after the break for shoving Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan changed the game with Barton starting the recovery from the spot in the 68th minute.
Leon Best added to the Gunners' worries 15 minutes from time and a second Barton penalty in the 83rd further shredded Arsene Wenger's nerves before Cheick Tiote's long-range screamer sparked scenes of utter delirium at St James' Park.
Leaders stunned
Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season as rock-bottom Wolves stunned the leaders at Molineux.
Everything looked to be going according to plan for Sir Alex Ferguson's men as Nani rifled home in the opening moments to put the Red Devils on course for a club-record 30th unbeaten top-flight game.
But goals before the interval from George Elokobi and Kevin Doyle gave the hosts three vital points in their survival battle although they remain at the foot of the table.
Louis Saha grabbed four goals as Everton triumphed in an eight-goal thriller against Blackpool in atrocious conditions at Goodison Park.
The French forward proved too hot to handle for the visitors, who have now lost five games in succession to slide towards the drop zone, with Jermaine Beckford also on target for the hosts.
Ian Holloway's side showed great tenacity to remain in the contest and even led at one stage thanks to efforts from Alex Baptiste, Jason Puncheon and Charlie Adam, but were made to pay by the irrepressible Saha.
Argentina international Tevez celebrated his 27th birthday with a first-half hat-trick as Manchester City ran riot against struggling West Brom.
The Argentina international struck twice from the spot either side of another impressive effort from open play to take his Premier League tally for the season to 18.
Roberto Mancini's men closed to within one point of second-placed Arsenal as the Gunners suffered a second-half capitulation at Newcastle.
Niko Kranjcar reminded Harry Redknapp of his talents with a superb late winner against Bolton to keep Tottenham firmly in the fight for UEFA Champions League football.
The Croatia international, a peripheral figure for much of the season, fired home from the edge of the box deep into added time to secure the points.
Spurs were awarded two early penalties with Rafael van der Vaart scoring one and missing the second after being forced to retake, with Daniel Sturridge enhancing his reputation with another goal for the Trotters after some weak goalkeeping by Heurelho Gomes.
Scrambled
Wigan scrambled out of the relegation zone - temporarily at least - with a 4-3 success over Blackburn at a drenched DW Stadium.
Jason Roberts had fired Rovers ahead against his former club only for two goals from James McCarthy - the second showing superb skill - and one from Hugo Rodallega to put the Latics in charge.
Chris Samba dragged the visitors back into the contest before Ben Watson drilled home a penalty after Michel Salgado felled Mohamed Diame, with David Dunn's response from the spot not enough.
Fulham twice hit back from a goal down to take a point from their trip to Aston Villa with goalkeeper Brad Friedel not enjoying his finest afternoon.
John Pantsil added to his collection of comedy own goals to give the hosts the lead before Steve Sidwell's shot was too hot to handle for Friedel and Andy Johnson bundled home the rebound.
Kyle Walker's long-range belter had Gerard Houllier's men back in front only for Clint Dempsey to head in the leveller after hesitation from Villa's American goalkeeper.
Robert Huth's late brace broke Sunderland's hearts as Stoke twice came from behind to snatch a 3-2 success at a rainy and windswept Britannia Stadium.
The defending from both teams was average at best, with Kieran Richardson and Asamoah Gyan benefitting for the Black Cats and John Carew punishing Craig Gordon's weakness.
Steve Bruce's side failed to deal with the bombardment into their box and Huth got a slight touch to Carew's already goalbound header in the 83rd minute before firing home Jermaine Pennant's excellent free-kick in added time.
A record 41 goals were scored on an astonishing day of top-flight action as Arsenal saw a four-goal lead amassed inside 26 minutes slip through their grasp in the final 22 of a frantic encounter at St James' Park.
United's dreams of emulating Arsenal's 'Invincibles' were dashed at Molineux, Everton got the better of Blackpool in another eight-goal encounter, while Wigan shaded a seven-goal thriller with Blackburn at the DW Stadium.
Manchester City cruised to victory over West Brom thanks to Tevez's first-half treble, Tottenham and Stoke left it late to overcome Bolton and Sunderland, respectively, while Aston Villa and Fulham shared the spoils.
Newcastle produced one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history to battle back from 4-0 down at home to Arsenal to snatch a point that looked utterly impossible at the interval.
There were less than 60 seconds gone when Theo Walcott burst clear to open the scoring with Johan Djourou then left unmarked to head home.
Robin van Persie made it three in the 10th minute after Walcott's cross before the Dutchman was again allowed the freedom of the area following Bacary Sagna's pass with just 26 minutes on the clock.
But Abou Diaby's needless dismissal after the break for shoving Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan changed the game with Barton starting the recovery from the spot in the 68th minute.
Leon Best added to the Gunners' worries 15 minutes from time and a second Barton penalty in the 83rd further shredded Arsene Wenger's nerves before Cheick Tiote's long-range screamer sparked scenes of utter delirium at St James' Park.
Leaders stunned
Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season as rock-bottom Wolves stunned the leaders at Molineux.
Everything looked to be going according to plan for Sir Alex Ferguson's men as Nani rifled home in the opening moments to put the Red Devils on course for a club-record 30th unbeaten top-flight game.
But goals before the interval from George Elokobi and Kevin Doyle gave the hosts three vital points in their survival battle although they remain at the foot of the table.
Louis Saha grabbed four goals as Everton triumphed in an eight-goal thriller against Blackpool in atrocious conditions at Goodison Park.
The French forward proved too hot to handle for the visitors, who have now lost five games in succession to slide towards the drop zone, with Jermaine Beckford also on target for the hosts.
Ian Holloway's side showed great tenacity to remain in the contest and even led at one stage thanks to efforts from Alex Baptiste, Jason Puncheon and Charlie Adam, but were made to pay by the irrepressible Saha.
Argentina international Tevez celebrated his 27th birthday with a first-half hat-trick as Manchester City ran riot against struggling West Brom.
The Argentina international struck twice from the spot either side of another impressive effort from open play to take his Premier League tally for the season to 18.
Roberto Mancini's men closed to within one point of second-placed Arsenal as the Gunners suffered a second-half capitulation at Newcastle.
Niko Kranjcar reminded Harry Redknapp of his talents with a superb late winner against Bolton to keep Tottenham firmly in the fight for UEFA Champions League football.
The Croatia international, a peripheral figure for much of the season, fired home from the edge of the box deep into added time to secure the points.
Spurs were awarded two early penalties with Rafael van der Vaart scoring one and missing the second after being forced to retake, with Daniel Sturridge enhancing his reputation with another goal for the Trotters after some weak goalkeeping by Heurelho Gomes.
Scrambled
Wigan scrambled out of the relegation zone - temporarily at least - with a 4-3 success over Blackburn at a drenched DW Stadium.
Jason Roberts had fired Rovers ahead against his former club only for two goals from James McCarthy - the second showing superb skill - and one from Hugo Rodallega to put the Latics in charge.
Chris Samba dragged the visitors back into the contest before Ben Watson drilled home a penalty after Michel Salgado felled Mohamed Diame, with David Dunn's response from the spot not enough.
Fulham twice hit back from a goal down to take a point from their trip to Aston Villa with goalkeeper Brad Friedel not enjoying his finest afternoon.
John Pantsil added to his collection of comedy own goals to give the hosts the lead before Steve Sidwell's shot was too hot to handle for Friedel and Andy Johnson bundled home the rebound.
Kyle Walker's long-range belter had Gerard Houllier's men back in front only for Clint Dempsey to head in the leveller after hesitation from Villa's American goalkeeper.
Robert Huth's late brace broke Sunderland's hearts as Stoke twice came from behind to snatch a 3-2 success at a rainy and windswept Britannia Stadium.
The defending from both teams was average at best, with Kieran Richardson and Asamoah Gyan benefitting for the Black Cats and John Carew punishing Craig Gordon's weakness.
Steve Bruce's side failed to deal with the bombardment into their box and Huth got a slight touch to Carew's already goalbound header in the 83rd minute before firing home Jermaine Pennant's excellent free-kick in added time.
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