Story highlights
Former Man United midfielder Darron Gibson scores for Everton in 1-0 win over Manchester City
United draw level on points with City at top of league with 2-0 win over Stoke City
Tottenham enjoy comfortable 3-1 win over Wigan; Liverpool beat Wolves 3-0
Last-gasp equalizer for fourth-placed Chelsea earns a point at Swansea
Darron Gibson’s first goal for Everton gave his old team Manchester United a massive boost as English Premier League leaders Manchester City crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park on Tuesday.
The Northern Ireland midfielder’s deflected shot in the 60th minute gave David Moyes’ team a lead which they held on to despite mounting City pressure at the end of the match.
The result meant second-placed United joined City on 54 points from 23 games after the champions beat Stoke 2-0, but Roberto Mancini’s side have a superior goal difference.
Everton’s Argentine striker Denis Stracqualursi had an effort headed off the line by Joleon Lescott five minutes into the match, and soon after Samir Nasri hit the bar at the other end.
The hosts paraded new striker Nikica Jelavic during the halftime interval before Gibson – who also joined the Merseyside club this month – unleashed a drive from the edge of the area which flew past a rooted Joe Hart.
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Manchester United made the most of the slip up with a comfortable home win over eighth-placed Stoke City despite being without several first-team regulars.
A penalty in either half – converted by strikers Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov – saw Alex Ferguson’s men keep the pressure on City.
Tottenham Hotspur beat Wigan 3-1 at White Hart Lane to maintain their grip on third place, as Gareth Bale scored twice.
The Wales winger’s volley put the home side ahead after 29 minutes, and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric added a second five minutes later.
Bale got his second of the night in the 64th minute before Wigan substitute James McArthur grabbed a consolation goal 10 minutes from time.
Fourth-placed Chelsea lost further ground on their north London rivals after dropping points away to Swansea.
Former Chelsea midfielder Scott Sinclair scored a stunning goal to put Swansea ahead but Jose Bosingwa spared Chelsea blushes with an injury-time equalizer after Ashley Cole was sent off for two bookable offenses.
Andy Carroll marked the first anniversary of his signing for Liverpool with a much-needed goal in a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The former Newcastle striker, who cost Liverpool ￡35 million ($55 million) in the last January transfer window, opened the Reds’ account prodding in a ball at the far post in the 53rd minute.
A goal from strike partner Craig Bellamy followed eight minutes later with Dirk Kuyt adding a third 12 minutes from the end as Liverpool moved up to fifth above Arsenal – who travel to Bolton on Wednesday.
Meanwhile in Italy, Tuesday’s Serie A fixture between leaders Juventus andmid-table Parma was called off less than an hour before kickoff because of heavy snow.