Sports Saturday Thread #1 For 12/12/09: Another Wild Day In The Barclays Premiere League

Agbonlahor's header was the difference in a big win for Martin O'Neil's side (Photo from Empics)

It was another wild day in the most exciting league in the world (because most consider Spain's La Liga as the best in the world, and technically speaking, the Bundesliga maybe the most competitive since anyone can win that league it seems). But no other competition combines quality and competitiveness better than the Barclays Premier League.

The top headline of the day will be Aston Villa's big win over Manchester United, as Gabriel Agbonlahor's 21st minute tally was enough to leave Manchester United fans in silence. It was Villa's first win at Old Trafford since 1983, and it not only was a massive result for both participants in this game, but also Chelsea.

The Blues, thanks to a horrendous afternoon from Petr Cech, were held to a 3-all draw by an always dangerous Everton. Despite Didier Drogba continuing his World class form with two goals, Chelsea were severely let down by their much maligned goalkeeper, who is and will continue to see a lot of criticism for his latest poor performance.

Even with the leader's troubles on this day, like United, all of the top teams did not capitalize on Chelsea dropping points. Tottenham, in the shock of the day, suffered a 1-0 home defeat to lowly Wolverhampton off a 2nd minute goal from Kevin Doyle. Despite the early goal, Mick McCarthy's side was able to hold on thanks to great goalkeeping by Marcus Hahnemann.

With Spurs losing and Manchester City needed a fine effort from Carlos Tevez to salvage a 3-all tie with relegation fighting Bolton, it was the perfect day for Aston Villa fans in their battle to be in the Top 4. Bolton had the lead on the blue club of Manchester three times, and had a man advantage after Craig Bellamy was sent off for a second yellow that was overly harsh. Still, credit to Mark Hughes' side for finding the equalizer to at least keep their unbeaten run going.

In the first match of the day, Stoke and Wigan ended in an exciting 2-2 draw. While that match was worth the viewing, the exact opposite was the case in Hull City and Blackburn's snooze fest that ended unsurprisingly nil-nil. Birmingham City scored another big home win by beating a West Ham side badly missing Carlton Cole 1-0.

Sunderland, thanks to an 23rd minute Darren Bent, seemed on their way to 3 points at home, before Younes Kaboul dashed those hopes with a dramatic strike in the 90 minute to give Portsmouth a crucial point on the road.

And Fulham stopped Bentley at garnering another home win, as Bobby Zamora's 50th minute strike needed a 59th reply from Wade Elliott to make things all even at the end of the day for those sides.

One more match tomorrow, and it is the latest "Big 4 supermatch soap opera", as both injury riddled Liverpool and Arsenal need a win.

Either way, it should be a great close to another wild weekend in the Barclays' Premier league.