Saturday 9th February 2008
Aston Villa 4-1 Newcastle United
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Portsmouth
Everton 1-0 Reading
Sunderland 2-0 Wigan Athletic
Derby County 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United 1-1 Birmingham City
Middlesbrough 1-0 Fulham
Sunday 10th February 2008
Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Barclays Premier League Transfers
A review of all the transfers to and from Barclays Premier League clubs during the January transfer window.
Arsenal
IN: Luke Freeman (Gillingham, undisclosed)
OUT: Matthew Connolly (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Mark Randall (Burnley, loan), Kieran Gibbs (Norwich City, loan)
Aston Villa
IN: Wayne Routledge (Tottenham Hotspur, £1.25million)
OUT: Chris Herd (Port Vale, loan), Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed)
Birmingham City
IN: David Murphy (Hibernian, £1.5million); James McFadden (Everton £5million) , Mauro Zarate (Al-Sadd, loan)
OUT: Neil Kilkenny (Leeds United, £150,000), Sam Oji (released), Rowan Vine (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Wilson Palacios (loan expired), Olivier Tebily (released) , Neil Danns (Crystal Palace, £600,000) , Mathew Sadler (Watford, £750,000)
Blackburn Rovers
OUT: Robbie Savage (Derby County, £1.5million) , Peter Enckelman (Cardiff City, loan), Paul Gallagher (Stoke City, loan)
Bolton Wanderers
IN: Tamir Cohen (Maccabi Netanya, undisclosed), Gretar Steinsson (AZ Alkmaar, £3.5million), Matthew Taylor (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Gary Cahill (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Grzegorz Rasiak (Southampton,loan)
OUT: Gary Speed (Sheffield United, loan); Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea, £15million), Gerald Cid (Nice, undisclosed), Christian Wilhelmsson (Nantes, loan cancelled), Lubomir Michalik (Leeds United, undisclosed),
Chelsea
IN: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers, £15million), Branislav Ivanovic (Lokomotiv Moscow, £9million), Franco Di Santo (Audax Italiano La Florida SADP, undisclosed)
Derby County
IN: Danny Mills (Manchester City, loan), Emanuel Villa (UAG Tecos, £2million), Laurent Robert (unattached, free transfer), Robbie Savage (Blackburn Rovers £1.5million), Hossam Ghaly (Tottenham Hotspur, loan), Mile Sterjovski (Genclerbirligi OFTAS, undisclosed), Roy Carroll (Glasgow Rangers, undisclosed), Alan Stubbs (Everton, free)
OUT: Steve Howard (Leicester City, undisclosed), Mo Camara (Norwich City, loan), Andy Griffin (Stoke City, £300,000), Matt Oakley (Leicester City, £500,000), Jonathan Macken (Barnsley, undisclosed), Stephen Bywater (Ipswich Town, loan), Lewin Nyatanga (Barnsley, loan)
Everton
IN: Manuel Fernandes (Valencia, loan), Dan Gosling (Plymouth Argyle, undisclosed), Anthony Gardner (Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
OUT: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Plymouth Argyle, loan); James McFadden (Birmingham City £5million), Patrick Boyle (Crewe Alexandra, loan) , Alan Stubbs (Derby County, free)
Fulham
IN: Brede Hangeland (FC Copenhagen, undisclosed), Leon Andreasen (Werder Bremen, undisclosed), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards, undisclosed), Erik Nevland (FC Groningen, undisclosed), Jari Litmanen (Malmo FF, undisclosed), Toni Kallio (Young Boys Berne, undisclosed), Paul Stalteri (Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
OUT: Collins John (Watford, loan), Lee Cook (Charlton Athletic, loan), Steven Davis (Glasgow Rangers, loan), Tony Warner (Barnsley, loan)
Liverpool
IN: Martin Skrtel (Zenit St Petersburg, £6.5m)
OUT: Jack Hobbs (Scunthorpe United, loan), Mohamed Sissoko (Juventus, undisclosed), Lee Peltier (Yeovil Town, undisclosed)
Manchester City
IN: Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk , loan), Filippo Mancini (Inter Milan, loan), Felipe Caicedo (Basel, undisclosed), Benjani (Portsmouth, £3.87million)
OUT: Danny Mills (Derby County, loan), Marc Laird (Millwall, undisclosed), Ched Evans (Norwich City, loan), Matthew Mills (Doncaster Rovers, loan), Rolando Bianchi (Lazio, loan), Georgios Samaras (Celtic, loan), Ousmane Dabo (Lazio, undisclosed), Ishmael Miller (West Bromwich Albion, undisclosed), Paul Dickov (Blackpool, loan)
Manchester United
OUT: Jonny Evans (Sunderland, loan), Lee Martin (Sheffield United, loan), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland, £2million), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City, £1million)
Middlesbrough
IN: Afonso Alves (Heerenveen, undisclosed)
OUT: Andrew Davies (Southampton, undisclosed), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur, £7million), Ben Hutchinson (Celtic, undisclosed)
Newcastle United
IN: Ben Tozer (Swindon, undisclosed), Tamas Kadar (Zalaegerszegi, £900,000), Fabio Zamblera (Atalanta, undisclosed)
OUT: Tim Krul (Falkirk, loan extension), David Rozehnal (Lazio, loan)
Portsmouth
IN: Danijel Subotic (Basel, undisclosed), Lassana Diarra (Arsenal, undisclosed), Lucien Aubey (Lens, loan), Milan Baros (Lyon, loan), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
OUT: Matthew Taylor (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed), Djimi Traore (Rennes, loan), Benjani (Manchester City, £3.87million)
Reading
IN: Marek Matejovsky (Mlada Boleslav, undisclosed), Radoslav Vasilev (Slavia Sofia, undisclosed), Jimmy Kebe (Lens, undisclosed)
OUT: John Halls (Crystal Palace, loan), Simon Cox (Swindon Town, undisclosed)
Sunderland
IN: Jonny Evans (Manchester United, loan), Jean-Yves M'Voto (Paris Saint-Germain, undisclosed), Phil Bardsley (Manchester United, £2million), Rade Prica (Aalborg, £2million), Andy Reid (Charlton Athletic, £4million)
OUT: Stanislav Varga (Burnley, loan), Andrew Cole (Burnley, loan), Greg Halford (Charlton, loan)
Tottenham Hotspur
IN: Chris Gunter (Cardiff City, undisclosed), Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough, £7million)), Alan Hutton (Glasgow Rangers, £8million), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin, undisclosed)
OUT: Ben Alnwick (Leicester City, loan), Philip Ifil (Colchester United, undisclosed), Hossam Ghaly (Derby County, loan), Wayne Routledge (Aston Villa, £1.25million), Paul Stalteri (Fulham, loan), Anthony Gardner (Everton, loan), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth, loan)
West Ham United
OUT: Hogan Ephraim (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Christian Dailly (Glasgow Rangers, loan)
Wigan Athletic
IN: Wilson Palacios (Deportivo Olimpia, undisclosed), Maynor Figueroa (Deportivo Olimpia, loan), Antonio Valencia (Villarreal, undisclosed), Erik Edman (Rennes, £500,000), Marlon King (Watford, undisclosed), Erik Hagen (Zenit St Petersburg, loan)
OUT: Fitz Hall (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Denny Landzaat (Feyenoord, £1million)
Game Week 24- Review
Arsenal are back in pole position as Emmanuel Adebayor continued his stunning streak in front of goal with a brace in the 3-1 victory over Manchester City at Eastlands.The Togolese striker has now scored 11 times in his last eight games, and also provided a towering assist for Eduardo da Silva's acrobatic volley.
Sir Alex Ferguson had warned his Manchester United side that they could not afford another defeat if they were to retain the title, but they came within seconds of leaving White Hart Lane with nothing.Tottenham dominated for much of the match and took a deserved lead when Dimitar Berbatov slotted home from close range after Edwin van der Sar had parried Aaron Lennon's low cross into his path.But United refused to buckle and an intense spell of pressure over the closing stages finally told in the last seconds of the game as Carlos Tevez sneaked in front of Michael Dawson to apply the finishing touch to Nani's corner.Cue manic celebrations from the entire United side, but they have still slipped two points behind the Gunners at the Premier League summit.
Chelsea are now six points adrift as Jermain Defoe proved an immediate point following his deadline day departure from Spurs with a goal on his debut to earn Portsmouth a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.Nicolas Anelka has settled immediately into the Blues' starting XI and was on target again for Avram Grant's men, with his impending partnership with Didier Drogba an enthralling prospect.
The battle against relegation is even more tightly packed, with only nine points between second from bottom Fulham and Newcastle, who are up in 12th.Jimmy Bullard's late free-kick earned the Cottagers their first victory under Roy Hodgson, denting Aston Villa's UEFA Champions League dreams in the process.Given Bullard's long road back to full fitness after suffering an horrific knee injury against Newcastle in September 2006, few would begrudge his exuberant celebrations, which included a hug for referee Chris Foy at the final whistle.
Emanuel Villa grabbed a late equaliser for Derby as they snatched a point at Birmingham, which will do far more to damage Blues' survival hopes than boost those of Paul Jewell's side.Villa has stated he wants to follow in the footsteps of Carlos Tevez, whose goals helped West Ham beat the drop last term, but with so much ground to make up and games running out fast, it is a forlorn hope.
Reading's freefall towards the relegation places gained more unwanted momentum as Bolton claimed their first away victory of the season at the Madejski Stadium.Steve Coppell's men have lost six successive matches and are leaking goals at a rate which puts them on a par with Derby.
Wigan were the other big winners of the weekend at the wrong end of the table, climbing out of the bottom three thanks to Kevin Kilbane's solitary strike against lacklustre West Ham at The JJB Stadium.
Sunderland's miserable form on the road, they have taken just two points from the 39 on offer, could well be their undoing come May, and they were brushed aside 3-0 by Liverpool at Anfield.Rafa Benitez's men were far from their best, but gained the upper hand after a turgid first half with goals from Peter Crouch, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
David Moyes was left seething on the sidelines at Ewood Park as the Toffees were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn Rovers.Andy Johnson had what looked to be a perfectly legitimate goal ruled out for a debatable offside call, Everton were denied what they felt was a penalty for a foul on Johnson and David Dunn, who later cleared off the line, escaped a red card when a deliberate handball went unpunished.
And on Tyneside, the much-feted return of 'Messiah' Kevin Keegan continues to flounder, although Newcastle at least managed to get on the scoresheet for the first time in his four games at the helm as they drew 1-1 with local rivals Middlesbrough.
Sir Alex Ferguson had warned his Manchester United side that they could not afford another defeat if they were to retain the title, but they came within seconds of leaving White Hart Lane with nothing.Tottenham dominated for much of the match and took a deserved lead when Dimitar Berbatov slotted home from close range after Edwin van der Sar had parried Aaron Lennon's low cross into his path.But United refused to buckle and an intense spell of pressure over the closing stages finally told in the last seconds of the game as Carlos Tevez sneaked in front of Michael Dawson to apply the finishing touch to Nani's corner.Cue manic celebrations from the entire United side, but they have still slipped two points behind the Gunners at the Premier League summit.
Chelsea are now six points adrift as Jermain Defoe proved an immediate point following his deadline day departure from Spurs with a goal on his debut to earn Portsmouth a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.Nicolas Anelka has settled immediately into the Blues' starting XI and was on target again for Avram Grant's men, with his impending partnership with Didier Drogba an enthralling prospect.
The battle against relegation is even more tightly packed, with only nine points between second from bottom Fulham and Newcastle, who are up in 12th.Jimmy Bullard's late free-kick earned the Cottagers their first victory under Roy Hodgson, denting Aston Villa's UEFA Champions League dreams in the process.Given Bullard's long road back to full fitness after suffering an horrific knee injury against Newcastle in September 2006, few would begrudge his exuberant celebrations, which included a hug for referee Chris Foy at the final whistle.
Emanuel Villa grabbed a late equaliser for Derby as they snatched a point at Birmingham, which will do far more to damage Blues' survival hopes than boost those of Paul Jewell's side.Villa has stated he wants to follow in the footsteps of Carlos Tevez, whose goals helped West Ham beat the drop last term, but with so much ground to make up and games running out fast, it is a forlorn hope.
Reading's freefall towards the relegation places gained more unwanted momentum as Bolton claimed their first away victory of the season at the Madejski Stadium.Steve Coppell's men have lost six successive matches and are leaking goals at a rate which puts them on a par with Derby.
Wigan were the other big winners of the weekend at the wrong end of the table, climbing out of the bottom three thanks to Kevin Kilbane's solitary strike against lacklustre West Ham at The JJB Stadium.
Sunderland's miserable form on the road, they have taken just two points from the 39 on offer, could well be their undoing come May, and they were brushed aside 3-0 by Liverpool at Anfield.Rafa Benitez's men were far from their best, but gained the upper hand after a turgid first half with goals from Peter Crouch, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
David Moyes was left seething on the sidelines at Ewood Park as the Toffees were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn Rovers.Andy Johnson had what looked to be a perfectly legitimate goal ruled out for a debatable offside call, Everton were denied what they felt was a penalty for a foul on Johnson and David Dunn, who later cleared off the line, escaped a red card when a deliberate handball went unpunished.
And on Tyneside, the much-feted return of 'Messiah' Kevin Keegan continues to flounder, although Newcastle at least managed to get on the scoresheet for the first time in his four games at the helm as they drew 1-1 with local rivals Middlesbrough.
Game Week 23- Review
Tuesday 29th January 2008
Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Fulham
Middlesbrough 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Sunderland 2-0 Birmingham City
Wednesday 30th January 2008
Everton 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool
Chelsea 1-0 Reading
Derby County 1-1 Manchester City
Manchester United 2-0 Portsmouth
Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United
Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Fulham
Middlesbrough 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Sunderland 2-0 Birmingham City
Wednesday 30th January 2008
Everton 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United 1-0 Liverpool
Chelsea 1-0 Reading
Derby County 1-1 Manchester City
Manchester United 2-0 Portsmouth
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Game Week 22- Review
Arsenal failed to cash in on an Emmanuel Adebayor penalty as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium.Arsenal dominated the early stages but could find no way past the Blues until Stephen Kelly was adjudged by referee Phil Dowd to have fouled Eduardo in the box in the 21st minute - and Adebayor slotted in the resulting spot-kick.The Gunners could not hold their lead, though, Garry O'Connor's header from a corner levelling the match only three minutes after the break.
Manchester United beat manager-less Newcastle United 6-0 at Old Trafford ,and and taking advantage of the surprise slip up of Arsenal,to move top of the Barclays Premier League . Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick, Carlos Tevez scored a brace and Rio Ferdinand got a goal at the end in the convincing victory. Alan Smith was sent of for protesting is the last minute of injury time.
Bolton Wanderers suffered a crushing late defeat at home to Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers. Despite captain Kevin Nolan's impressive first-half opener, Christopher Samba headed an equaliser within 10 minutes of the break before Jason Roberts powered forward to hit a 90th-minute winner in front of a crowd of 18,315.
Two goals from Kieran Richardson boosted Sunderland's Barclays Premier League survival hopes. Portsmouth enjoyed the better of the early stages but fell behind in the 33rd minute to Richardson's first goal. He produced a cool finish after fine battling work from Kenwyne Jones, who kept the ball in play before cutting it back into the England midfielder's path. The lead was doubled just before the break with another excellent finish from Richardson, who raced into the box and fired a shot beyond David James.
Juliano Belletti provided Chelsea with the impetus they needed at home to Tottenham Hotspur - with an outstanding strike after 19 minutes as the third-placed Blues won 2-0. Avram Grant's men made sure when the in-form Shaun Wright-Phillips scored a second goal in the 80th minute.
Liverpool dropped two more costly points at the Riverside Stadium, where a scrappy 26th-minute goal from George Boateng gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 lead.Stewart Downing then hit the post for the hosts in the second half, but the Reds rescued a draw when Fernando Torres' right-footed drive from 25 yards flew into the top corner 19 minutes from time.
Simon Davies got struggling Fulham off to a flying start in pursuit of an elusive away win, with a goal direct from a free-kick to put the Cottagers 1-0 up at West Ham United after just eight minutes.But Roy Hodgson's team could not see the job through, Dean Ashton equalising shortly before the half-hour and Anton Ferdinand giving the Hammers the points in the 69th minute.
Manchester City are another team who have found it relatively tough away from home for much of this season - and sure enough they lost 1-0 at Everton.The winner came from the predictable source of a Mikel Arteta corner, Joleon Lescott hitting the target with a 31st-minute header on the end of the Spanish winger's delivery as Everton finished the day level on points with Liverpool.
Aston Villa were indebted to John Carew, who struck in the 22nd minute to set them on their way to a 3-1 victory at home to Reading - and then made sure with his second goal in the 88th.Martin Laursen doubled the lead soon afterwards with a 55th-minute header from a corner, and James Harper's 90th-minute strike for the visitors was mere consolation.
New-look Derby County had an opportunity to vindicate some of Paul Jewell's transfer-window signings.But none of the bottom club's players managed to get on the scoresheet in a 1-0 defeat at home to their new manager's old club Wigan Athletic.The Rams were reduced to 10 men when Claude Davis was sent off midway through the second half for a second bookable offence - and Antoine Sibierski administered the telling blow with the winner eight minutes from time.
Manchester United beat manager-less Newcastle United 6-0 at Old Trafford ,and and taking advantage of the surprise slip up of Arsenal,to move top of the Barclays Premier League . Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick, Carlos Tevez scored a brace and Rio Ferdinand got a goal at the end in the convincing victory. Alan Smith was sent of for protesting is the last minute of injury time.
Bolton Wanderers suffered a crushing late defeat at home to Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers. Despite captain Kevin Nolan's impressive first-half opener, Christopher Samba headed an equaliser within 10 minutes of the break before Jason Roberts powered forward to hit a 90th-minute winner in front of a crowd of 18,315.
Two goals from Kieran Richardson boosted Sunderland's Barclays Premier League survival hopes. Portsmouth enjoyed the better of the early stages but fell behind in the 33rd minute to Richardson's first goal. He produced a cool finish after fine battling work from Kenwyne Jones, who kept the ball in play before cutting it back into the England midfielder's path. The lead was doubled just before the break with another excellent finish from Richardson, who raced into the box and fired a shot beyond David James.
Juliano Belletti provided Chelsea with the impetus they needed at home to Tottenham Hotspur - with an outstanding strike after 19 minutes as the third-placed Blues won 2-0. Avram Grant's men made sure when the in-form Shaun Wright-Phillips scored a second goal in the 80th minute.
Liverpool dropped two more costly points at the Riverside Stadium, where a scrappy 26th-minute goal from George Boateng gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 lead.Stewart Downing then hit the post for the hosts in the second half, but the Reds rescued a draw when Fernando Torres' right-footed drive from 25 yards flew into the top corner 19 minutes from time.
Simon Davies got struggling Fulham off to a flying start in pursuit of an elusive away win, with a goal direct from a free-kick to put the Cottagers 1-0 up at West Ham United after just eight minutes.But Roy Hodgson's team could not see the job through, Dean Ashton equalising shortly before the half-hour and Anton Ferdinand giving the Hammers the points in the 69th minute.
Manchester City are another team who have found it relatively tough away from home for much of this season - and sure enough they lost 1-0 at Everton.The winner came from the predictable source of a Mikel Arteta corner, Joleon Lescott hitting the target with a 31st-minute header on the end of the Spanish winger's delivery as Everton finished the day level on points with Liverpool.
Aston Villa were indebted to John Carew, who struck in the 22nd minute to set them on their way to a 3-1 victory at home to Reading - and then made sure with his second goal in the 88th.Martin Laursen doubled the lead soon afterwards with a 55th-minute header from a corner, and James Harper's 90th-minute strike for the visitors was mere consolation.
New-look Derby County had an opportunity to vindicate some of Paul Jewell's transfer-window signings.But none of the bottom club's players managed to get on the scoresheet in a 1-0 defeat at home to their new manager's old club Wigan Athletic.The Rams were reduced to 10 men when Claude Davis was sent off midway through the second half for a second bookable offence - and Antoine Sibierski administered the telling blow with the winner eight minutes from time.
Big Sam Sacked by Magpies
Newcastle United have parted company with manager Sam Allardyce after coming to a "mutual agreement".
A statement on the club's official website read: "This decision has been reached by mutual agreement.
Newcastle United Chairman Chris Mort said: "Mike and I would like to place on record our thanks for Sam's efforts and wish him well for the future.A new manager has not yet been appointed at Newcastle United. We will make a further announcement on the managerial position when appropriate."
Sam Allardyce said: "I am disappointed to be leaving Newcastle United but I wish the Club all the best for the remainder of the season and for the future."
First Team coach Nigel Pearson will take charge of the team for Saturday's game at Manchester United.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Game Week 21- Review
Eduardo da Silva struck inside the opening minute as Arsenal cruised past West Ham 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to maintain their two-point lead at the summit of the Barclays Premier League. Arsenal doubled their advantage after 18 minutes as Emmanuel Adebayor squeezed home from an acute angle after heading Gael Clichy's long ball past the onrushing Green.
Liverpool's Barclays Premier League title hopes were dealt a blow as Wigan Athletic claimed an unlikely 1-1 draw at Anfield. After wasting a number of chances in the opening period Rafael Benitez's side finally broke the deadlock four minutes into the second period as Fernando Torres slid home to finish Steve Finnan's inviting cross for his 16th goal of the season.Liverpool were made to pay for their inability to kill off the match, though, as Titus Bramble fired home a loose ball from the edge of the penalty area after 79 minutes.
Carlos Tevez's sublime goal was enough to see off the challenge of Birmingham City and ensure Manchester United remain within striking distance of the Gunners with a 1-0 win. The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock after 10 minutes as Tevez's header crashed back off the post before Cristiano Ronaldo - partnering the Argentinian in attack - saw a long-range volley dip over Maik Taylor's crossbar. United's new-look strikeforce combined to devastating effect for the decisive goal after 25 minutes, though, as Tevez latched on to Ronaldo's audacious backheel to coolly slot past Taylor.
Elano added to his already burgeoning reputation with a goal of genuine class seven minutes before the break to put Manchester City ahead. The Brazilian started the move on the edge of Newcastle United's penalty area with a deft backheel before latching onto Darius Vassell's lay-off to steer the ball past Shay Given into the bottom left corner. City netted their second with 14 minutes remaining when Gelson Fernandes lashed home from just inside the area after Kelvin Etuhu's neat lay-off.
It was a tale of two penalties at Ewood Park as Blackburn Rovers recorded a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Roy Keane's side wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead five minutes after the break as captain Dean Whitehead missed from the spot. Daryl Murphy was bundled to the ground following a challenge from Christopher Samba but Whitehead's spot-kick was easily kept out by Brad Friedel.The Black Cats were made to pay the ultimate price for their profligacy as Benni McCarthy lashed home from the spot just five minutes later after Samba's volley had crashed against Danny Higginbotham's raised arm. Sunderland's hopes of finding a way back into the match were all but ended with 20 minutes remaining when Dwight Yorke was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Derby County remain rooted to the bottom of the table and 10 points away from safety after Stelios Giannakopoulos scored the only goal of the match in stoppage time for Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. The Greece international latched on to a long clearance from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. He chipped the ball over Lewis Price and headed into an empty net to leave Derby stunned.
New Fulham boss Roy Hodgson endured a losing start to his Cottagers reign as Chelsea overcame a lifeless first half to edge their west London rivals 2-1. Danny Murphy blasted Fulham ahead with a 10th-minute penalty, a lead that deservedly remained intact until the interval. But Chelsea clicked into gear after the break with a Salomon Kalou header and disputed Michael Ballack penalty securing the three points.
Portsmouth recorded their seventh win in eight away games as they eased past 10-man Reading 2-0. The Royals got off to a disastrous start with defender Ibrahima Sonko receiving his marching orders after just three minutes for bringing down Benjani Mwaruwari in the penalty area. Niko Kranjcar failed to take advantage, though, as his spot-kick crashed back off the upright. But after nine minutes Sol Campbell prodded into an empty net after Marcus Hahnemann had dropped Sulley Muntari's inswinging free-kick. They added a second after 65 minutes as John Utaka outpaced Nicky Shorey to latch on to Muntari's long ball and slot past the exposed Hahnemann.
Everton bounced back from their home defeat by Arsenal with a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough. Andy Johnson broke the deadlock after 67 minutes with an angled drive past Mark Schwarzer before James McFadden sealed the win with a cool finish five minutes later.
Martin Laursen atoned for a first half miss by scoring a late winner for Aston Villa to maintain their push for a European place. The Danish international had shot over from close range with the goal at his mercy before fellow defender Olof Mellberg broke the deadlock in the Barclays Premier League match against Tottenham four minutes before the interval. Jermaine Defoe looked to have rescued a point for Spurs when he volleyed home after 79 minutes in only his second league start of the season - but Laursen had the final say with his fifth goal of the campaign.
Liverpool's Barclays Premier League title hopes were dealt a blow as Wigan Athletic claimed an unlikely 1-1 draw at Anfield. After wasting a number of chances in the opening period Rafael Benitez's side finally broke the deadlock four minutes into the second period as Fernando Torres slid home to finish Steve Finnan's inviting cross for his 16th goal of the season.Liverpool were made to pay for their inability to kill off the match, though, as Titus Bramble fired home a loose ball from the edge of the penalty area after 79 minutes.
Carlos Tevez's sublime goal was enough to see off the challenge of Birmingham City and ensure Manchester United remain within striking distance of the Gunners with a 1-0 win. The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock after 10 minutes as Tevez's header crashed back off the post before Cristiano Ronaldo - partnering the Argentinian in attack - saw a long-range volley dip over Maik Taylor's crossbar. United's new-look strikeforce combined to devastating effect for the decisive goal after 25 minutes, though, as Tevez latched on to Ronaldo's audacious backheel to coolly slot past Taylor.
Elano added to his already burgeoning reputation with a goal of genuine class seven minutes before the break to put Manchester City ahead. The Brazilian started the move on the edge of Newcastle United's penalty area with a deft backheel before latching onto Darius Vassell's lay-off to steer the ball past Shay Given into the bottom left corner. City netted their second with 14 minutes remaining when Gelson Fernandes lashed home from just inside the area after Kelvin Etuhu's neat lay-off.
It was a tale of two penalties at Ewood Park as Blackburn Rovers recorded a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Roy Keane's side wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead five minutes after the break as captain Dean Whitehead missed from the spot. Daryl Murphy was bundled to the ground following a challenge from Christopher Samba but Whitehead's spot-kick was easily kept out by Brad Friedel.The Black Cats were made to pay the ultimate price for their profligacy as Benni McCarthy lashed home from the spot just five minutes later after Samba's volley had crashed against Danny Higginbotham's raised arm. Sunderland's hopes of finding a way back into the match were all but ended with 20 minutes remaining when Dwight Yorke was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Derby County remain rooted to the bottom of the table and 10 points away from safety after Stelios Giannakopoulos scored the only goal of the match in stoppage time for Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. The Greece international latched on to a long clearance from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. He chipped the ball over Lewis Price and headed into an empty net to leave Derby stunned.
New Fulham boss Roy Hodgson endured a losing start to his Cottagers reign as Chelsea overcame a lifeless first half to edge their west London rivals 2-1. Danny Murphy blasted Fulham ahead with a 10th-minute penalty, a lead that deservedly remained intact until the interval. But Chelsea clicked into gear after the break with a Salomon Kalou header and disputed Michael Ballack penalty securing the three points.
Portsmouth recorded their seventh win in eight away games as they eased past 10-man Reading 2-0. The Royals got off to a disastrous start with defender Ibrahima Sonko receiving his marching orders after just three minutes for bringing down Benjani Mwaruwari in the penalty area. Niko Kranjcar failed to take advantage, though, as his spot-kick crashed back off the upright. But after nine minutes Sol Campbell prodded into an empty net after Marcus Hahnemann had dropped Sulley Muntari's inswinging free-kick. They added a second after 65 minutes as John Utaka outpaced Nicky Shorey to latch on to Muntari's long ball and slot past the exposed Hahnemann.
Everton bounced back from their home defeat by Arsenal with a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough. Andy Johnson broke the deadlock after 67 minutes with an angled drive past Mark Schwarzer before James McFadden sealed the win with a cool finish five minutes later.
Martin Laursen atoned for a first half miss by scoring a late winner for Aston Villa to maintain their push for a European place. The Danish international had shot over from close range with the goal at his mercy before fellow defender Olof Mellberg broke the deadlock in the Barclays Premier League match against Tottenham four minutes before the interval. Jermaine Defoe looked to have rescued a point for Spurs when he volleyed home after 79 minutes in only his second league start of the season - but Laursen had the final say with his fifth goal of the campaign.
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