Penalties. Lots and lots of penalties.
Saturday's matches in the Premier League were brought to you by the word penalty. There were four total across five games, including two in one match. In each case, the penalty was either the match winner or match tying goal. So, if you liked penalty kicks, this was a good day for you.
Tottenham 3-1 Fulham
Fulham's race against relegation took another blow on Saturday with a 3-1 loss against Spurs at White Hart Lane. The Cottagers started well, answering a Paulinho goal in the 35th minute with a goal of their own thanks to Steve Sidwell two minutes alter. The second half was problematic though as Spurs built a two-goal advantage behind goals from Harry Kane and Younes Kaboul. Sidwell had a chance late to give Fulham hope, but had a penalty saved by Hugo Llloris.
Aston Villa 0-0 Southampton
ZzZzZzZ. Apologies for the lack of insightful analysis but this was not a good match. The teams combined for nine shots, of which only three were considered on target. The point isn't the worst result for Villa who move five points clear of the drop zone, improving their chances of survival just a little bit more.
Cardiff 1-1 Stoke City
Marko Arnautovic put Stoke ahead late in first half stoppage time thanks to a dubious penalty call by Howard Webb, but Cardiff got a PK of their own early in the second half -- a good call -- and equalized. It appeared that Cardiff took the lead in the 57th minute, but as the players celebrated the linesman decided that Jordan Mutch was offside, and the goal was disallowed.
In the end, the Bluebirds couldn't find a winner and were forced to settle for a point that really doesn't help their survival hopes. If Norwich were to shock Liverpool tomorrow, it could prove a potentially fatal draw.
Newcastle 1-2 Swansea
Wilfried Bony was a stoppage time hero for Swansea as he converted a penalty in the 92nd minute to give Swansea a 2-1 win over Newcastle. Bony also scored the Swans' first goal, also in stoppage in the first half.
The Magpies were again poor, continuing their abysmal run of form that has seen them lose five straight league matches. For all you lovers of trivia, with the loss, Alan Pardew becomes the first Newcastle manger to ever lose five straight Premier League matches. Luckily for Newcastle, the first half of their season was good enough to ensure they're safe from the relegation fight.
West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have become a likable version of Charlie Sheen...they just can't stop winning. Thanks to a penalty kick goal from Mile Jedinak in the 59th minute, Palace earned their fifth straight win, moving within a point of 10th place in the table. Not too bad for a team picked by many to be relegated.