Premier League: the best of the action on Easter weekend - in pictures

An inadvertent 27th minute deflection by Sunderland defender Titus Bramble from Robin van Persie's shot condemned Sunderland to a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Having gone eight league games without a win, Martin O'Neill was sacked after the match Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Gareth Bale scored a sumptuous strike against Swansea, letting fly from 20 yards before anyone had chance to react, as Tottenham won 2-1 in his native Wales Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

The chance was created by a disguised pass from Jan Vertonghen, who had given Spurs the lead earlier in the match following another fine exchange with Bale Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

Nigel Adkins, the former Southampton boss, returned to management with Reading - his first task was a trip to Arsenal Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

But his side were thumped as Gervinho led Arsenal to a 4-1 win which leaves them just two points outside the top four Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Kevin Mirallas earned Everton a 1-0 victory over Stoke with a super strike, racing from his own half before to score, to keep the Toffee's European hopes alive Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images

Stoke, meanwhile, who should have scored through this chance from Ryan Shotton, are now on the fringe of a relegation scrap after suffering seven defeats in their last 10 league matches Photograph: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Vincent Kompany returned to action for Manchester City and spurred his side to a 4-0 win. The Belgian scored City's third goal of the afternoon in a rampant display Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

A deflection off Yaya Touré's cross in the 69th minute capped the rout. The result leaves Newcastle three points above the drop zone Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA

Southampton's Rickie Lambert scored a free-kick and Jay Rodriguez slotted home following a slick move as the Saints notched a second successive league win Photograph: Gerry Penny/EPA

Chelsea were the victims, losing 2-1, much to the chagrin of Rafa Benítez Photograph: GERRY PENNY/EPA

Andy Carroll scored two fine goals - a thunderous header and a David Platt-esque swivelling volley as West ham beat West Brom 3-1 Photograph: Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Youssouf Mulumbu was red carded late on in comical circumstances as he petulantly drop-kicked the ball at an opposing player Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images

Arouna Kone scored the only goal of the game as Wigan defeated Norwich 1-0 to move out of the relegation zone on goal difference Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images

Norwich have won just one and drawn six of their last 10 league games, sucking them closer to the mire Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images

Aston Villa took the lead against Liverpool on Sunday when Christian Benteke flashed a half-volley past Pepe Reina Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

But Jordan Henderson equalised after the break with a dinked finish Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

And Steven Gerrard performed heroics - scoring a penalty following a blatant foul on Luis Suarez and miraculously clearing from the goal-line - to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters