LONDON
(AFP) - Chelsea ended a run of four winless games to beat Fulham 2-0
and move to the top of the Premier League on Saturday, after Southampton
stunned previous leaders Liverpool.Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
created a stir by dropping Juan Mata from his squad for the visit of
west London rivals Fulham and saw his side struggle to create chances in
the first half at Stamford Bridge.Indeed, the away side procured the
best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, only for Darren Bent to
shoot straight at
Petr Cech
when sent clear by Pajtim Kasami.It was Chelsea who made the
breakthrough, however, with Oscar scrambling home from close range in
the 52nd minute after Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale parried from
Andre Schurrle
and Samuel Eto'o.John Mikel Obi made it 2-0 in the 84th minute,
converting a John Terry knock-down from close range to end his 185-game
wait for a first league goal.After consecutive losses to Everton and
Basel, it was a timely victory for the Europa League champions, who lead
the standings on goal difference from Liverpool, albeit having played a
game more than several of the teams below them."The beauty of the
Premier League is that everybody loses matches," Mourinho told Sky
Sports."So no dramas. I agree that we are not playing very well, I agree
that the results have not been very, very good, but the reality is that
we are there, we have 10 points."Maybe tomorrow, Arsenal, Tottenham,
they have 12, but they don't have 20."Having drawn 2-2 at Swansea City
on Monday, Liverpool saw their early-season momentum fade yet further in
a surprise 1-0 loss at home to Southampton.Missing the injured Philippe
Coutinho, the hosts saw Steven Gerrard extend visiting goalkeeper Artur
Boruc with a first-half free-kick.Daniel Sturridge then had a penalty
appeal turned down after tangling with
Dejan Lovren,
and it was Lovren who broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a
back-post header from a left-wing corner.Only a fine triple save from
Simon Mignolet
prevented Southampton from adding to their lead, but Lovren's goal
proved enough to inflict a first league defeat on Liverpool since a 3-1
loss to the same side last March. "We are bitterly disappointed and it
was one of them days," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, whose
side visit Manchester United in the League Cup on Wednesday."We were not
so good with the ball and, technically, nowhere near the level we have
been at. The players have been excellent for these last few months and
today was an off day."Everton moved to within a point of top spot after
Romelu Lukaku scored on his debut to snatch a 3-2 win at West Ham United
and help preserve the last unbeaten record in the division.West Ham
twice took the lead, via a deflected shot from
Ravel Morrison and a Mark Noble penalty, only for
Leighton Baines
to level on each occasion with a pair of magnificent free-kicks from 25
yards.Noble was then sent off for a rash foul on Ross Barkley before
Lukaku bravely headed home an 85th-minute winner in his first game since
signing on loan from Chelsea.Another on-loan striker, Loic Remy, scored
twice on his first home start for Newcastle United, but still finished
on the losing side in a 3-2 defeat by
Hull City
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