It Looked Bleak For 93 Mins - But It's Been A Good Weekend!

Last updated : 24 December 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

We took our time to get into gear - but a win is a win - no matter what. Meanwhile, in Wales Manchester United were held, and that could be one hell of a reult come May. 
 
aChelsea will sit third in the Barclays Premier League at Christmas after smashing sorry Aston Villa for eight unanswered goals in a farcically one-sided encounter at Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres' power header got the ball rolling for Rafael Benitez's men inside three minutes before a stunning free-kick by David Luiz and a Branislav Ivanovic header had the points in the bag by the break.

Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan did his best to limit the damage with a string of fine saves in the second half, but he could not keep out Frank Lampard's stinging long-range effort and then suffered the ignominy of Ramires slotting a fifth between his legs.

Oscar made it six from the spot in the 79th minute and there was still time for Eden Hazard to become the seventh different goalscorer when he lashed home, while Ramires made it eight at the death as Paul Lambert's men were brought back to earth with a bump following last week's win at Liverpool.

Lampard's goal, meanwhile, took him ahead of Bobby Tambling's record of 129 top-flight goals for Chelsea on his 500th Premier League start.

Manchester United missed the chance to extend their lead in the title race back to six points as Swansea striker Michu came out on top in the battle of the Barclays Premier League's top scorers in a 1-1 draw.

Premier League

1 Man Utd 43
2 Man City 39
3 Chelsea 32
4 Arsenal 30
5 Everton 30
6 Tottenham 30

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Patrice Evra had given United the lead at the Liberty Stadium in the 16th minute as he headed home from a Robin van Persie corner.

But Swansea continued their good record against the top-flight big guns as Michu finished from close range to move clear of Van Persie with his 13th league goal of the season.

United hold a four-point lead over Manchester City at Christmas but will be left to rue a series of missed chances during the final half-hour when they piled the pressure on their hosts.