Premier League Saturday round-up
by Adam Marshall, 23 March 2008
There were vital wins towards the bottom of the table for Sunderland, Newcastle United and Reading as the relegation picture begins to become a little clearer.
Michael Chopra, on as a substitute, showed what he can do when entrusted with a central striking role as Sunderland made light of the absence of Kenwyne Jones to earn a fantastic 1-0 win at Aston Villa.
The triumph for Roy Keane's was the first on their travels all season and the last time they won away from home in The Premier League was way back in January, 2006. Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings
Newcastle United picked up their first win under Kevin Keegan as goals by Mark Viduka and Michael Owen increased Fulham's relegation concerns. Viduka's early strike would have been enough but Owen made the points safe with seven minutes remaining. Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings
Reading needed two goals from defender Andre Bikey to see off Birmingham City 2-1. Steve Coppell's Royals knew this was a key fixture for them but they were pegged back by Mauro Zarate's equaliser after some fine work by Mikael Forssell. The game could have gone either way but Bikey headed his second goal to become the hero. Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings
Blackburn Rovers overcame Wigan Athletic 3-1 with Roque Santa Cruz bagging a brace. Jason Roberts also got on the scoresheet, against his former club, while Wigan's strike came through a Marlon King penalty. Chris Samba was sent off for tugging Emile Heskey in the incident that led to the spot-kick but Wilson Palacios levelled the teams up at ten apiece when seeing red late on for a rash challenge on David Dunn. Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings
Bolton and Manchester City shared the spoils from a goalless encounter at The Reebok. Both teams lived dangerously at times with Kevin Davies unlucky not to grab a late winner. Ricardo Gardner picked up a serious-looking injury for Wanderers. Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings
Middlesbrough edged past Derby County 1-0 thanks to Tuncay Sanli's 32nd minute winner. Both sides missed chances and relegation certainties Derby would have snatched a point had Robert Earnshaw and Kenny Miller taken their opportunities late on. Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings
Earlier in the day, Tottenham beat Portsmouth 2-0 with late efforts from Darren Bent and Jamie O'Hara. The two substitutes made the difference with Bent heading home before skinning Hermann Hreidarsson to tee up O'Hara for his first Premier League goal. Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings
Dean Ashton’s second-half goal put a brake on Everton’s Champions League spot aspirations, as The Hammers drew 1-1 with David Moyes’ men at Goodison Park in the late game.
Yakubu had opened the scoring on eight minutes with a thunderbolt finish, but Ashton headed home a 68th minute leveller from Lucas Neill’s cross.
Match Report ¦ Stats/ratings