On the last day of 2011, Brad Guzan got his first big result as a starting Premier League goalkeeper. Guzan's Aston Villa beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. After giving up a 23rd minute penalty, Villa were level five minutes later through a Stephen Ireland goal. Stiliyan Petrov put Villa in front in the 83rd, with Darren Bent scoring three minutes later.
"That was a fantastic result," Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish said. "Going into the New Year, the players were outstanding, they never gave up, went to the final whistle, defended well."
With England the only leagues in action on New Year's Eve, Clint Dempsey's Fulham looked to have taken three points from Zak Whitbread's Norwich City. Fulham lead from the 7th minute when Orlando Sa scored, but a Simeon Jackson stoppage time equalizer split the points. Dempsey and Whitbread both went the distance. Brad Friedel and Spurs were also the victims of a late equalizer, drawing 1-1 with Swansea in Wales. Spurs led from the 44th minute with Swansea leveling the score in the 84th.
On New Year's Day, Tim Howard picked up the shutout in Everton's 1-0 win over West Brom. Victor Anichebe scored the game's only goal three minutes from time.
A league down on Saturday, Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City shutout Blackpool 3-0. Curtis Davis opened the scoring in the 45th, with Marlon King making it 2-0 City in the 52nd. Nathan Redmond scored the third goal in the 89th. Robbie Findley's start for Nottingham Forest against Cardiff City was cut short six minutes in when he had to be subbed out with an injured shoulder. Cardiff went onto win the game 1-0 from a 59th minute goal.
