Arsenal 3 - 1 Burnley
Arsenal drew level on points with Premier League leaders Chelsea after making hard work of beating Burnley.
Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring when he slotted in from close range but soon afterwards he was forced off injured.
Burnley equalised when David Nugent latched on to Leon Cort's header and looped the ball over Manuel Almunia.
Theo Walcott curled in a sublime shot to ease the embarrassment of Nicklas Bendtner's awful finishing before Andrey Arshavin rifled in a third.
Denmark international Bendtner, who scored for his country in midweek, is in the running for miss of the season with at least three of his fluffed efforts on goal.
Fortunately for Arsenal, the impressive Walcott was able to supply the cutting edge to his game that has often been lacking to keep the Gunners' title ambitions on track.
The result lifted Arsenal to second in the table, only behind Chelsea on goal difference although the Gunners have played a game more.
Manchester United, in third place have the chance to leapfrog both their rivals when they take on Wolves in Saturday's late kick-off.
And while Arsenal's victory keeps the title race wide open, it also served to leave Burnley deep in relegation trouble.
Brian Laws' side have now won only one of their last 17 league games - and it is hard to see how they will turn things around after another performance lacking guile and belief.
In contrast, there was mental toughness in evidence from the hosts, who were determined to show that the horrific broken leg suffered by Aaron Ramsey against Stoke last weekend would not derail their season.
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Peterborough 0 - 1 Coventry
Jon Stead's first-half winner saw Coventry close in on the Championship play-off places as Peterborough slipped a step closer to relegation.
Stead looked second favourite when he broke through in the first half but shrugged off defender Craig Morgan and stabbed the ball past Joe Lewis.
Tommy Rowe saw a powerful drive blocked as the hosts pushed for an equaliser.
Charlie Lee and Lee Frecklington both shot over as Posh surged forward but Coventry held on to clinch the points.
Posh are now 13 points adrift of safety with just 12 games remaining and their brief flirtation with second-tier football is rapidly coming to an end.
The Sky Blues, meanwhile, are up to eighth and only three points off the play-off places.
www.bbc.co.uk
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QPR 3 - 1 WBA
1 - 0 J. Simpson 13.min.
2 - 0 M. Connolly 18.min.
2 - 1 C. Brunt 36.min.
3 - 1 A. Buzsaky 67.min.
Considering players’ individual qualities, it’s gonna be another tough season for the Sky Blues. And if we consider previous season, when team showed it’s potential from time to time recording surprising performances and victories, but finished at the 17th place, fans have every right to be concerned about forthcoming season. The biggest strength is surely, talented manager Chris Coleman (ex Fulham and Real Sociedad boss). He faced with budget reducing problems and some players had to leave to balance the books at the Ricoh Arena. Star youngster Danny Fox (sold to Celtic) and skipper Scott Dann (Birmingham City) both had to leave. Beside them, Coleman wrote off French midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin, experienced goalie Andy Marshall and Maltesian Michael Mifsud. But, real shock for the fans came this thursday, when club decided to send key midfielder Michael Doyle to Leeds on one year loan deal. Counted players were the spine of the squad. Instead them, club have brought two midfielders, Michael McIndoe from Bristol City and excellent Sammy Clingan from Norwich and young Chelsea’s defender Patrick van Aanholt who came on loan until the end of the year. Coventry have finished in the bottom half of the table five times in the last eight seasons, but this time I’ll dare to predict even fight for avoiding relegation. For this game, hosts are without midfielder David Bell (ankle), while center-back James McPake is out for two months after breaking his collarbone in pre-season. Only good news for them is statistics which say Coventry have not lost their opening league game since 2000. Their last three campaigns have started with the wins.
As a sign of big ambitions, chairman Marcus Evans brought Roy Keane in the club two rounds before the previous season ended. He started with two wins (second one was against Coventry at the same place, 2-1) and everybody in the club wants to continue where they stopped. Club finished the previous season at 9th place, showing a great potential during the main part of competition and the clubs’ officials think they were victims of complacency. Instead the soundable signings, they mostly relied on Keane’s ability to motivate the lads and raise their limits. However, they brought some decent Championship players who will fight for a place in the first eleven. From his former club, Sunderland, Keane brought midfielder Jack Colback, another midfielder, Colin Healy from Cork City, while striker Tamás Priskin came from Watford. Also, winger Lee Martin (ex Man.Utd.) and defender Damien Delaney (ex QPR) have joined the club. Club left midfielder Velice Sumulikoski and striker Kevin Lisbie. With the expected loan deal of Giovani Dos Santos from Spurs, Tractor Boys will be a serious contender for a play-off spot. Defender David Wright has recovered from a rib injury but forward Pablo Counago misses out with a groin problem.
