Epl and Carling cup final previews
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Re: Re: Epl and Carling cup final previews
16 years 3 months ago
Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool
Alonso's first-half own goal gifted Boro the lead at the Riverside
Liverpool's title ambitions were dealt a major blow as Middlesbrough won for the first time in 15 league games.
Nabil El Zhar, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel all tested Boro keeper Brad Jones but Xabi Alonso's own goal from Stewart Downing's corner put Boro ahead.
Tuncay swept in Jeremie Aliadiere's low cross to double the lead before Steven Gerrard was denied by Jones.
Marlon King tested Pepe Reina and also had a goal disallowed for offside late on as Boro ran out comfortable winners.
Liverpool, who have not won at The Riverside since a 2-1 victory in March 2002, made four changes to the side that won 1-0 at Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Steven Gerrard came in to make his 300th start for the Reds, but not even he could unlock a resolute Boro side that was unchanged from the one that beat West Ham in Wednesday's FA Cup replay.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges with El Zhar, making his first league start, testing Jones with a low shot from eight yards at his near post.
And Kuyt's rising shot on the turn from the penalty spot was tipped over by the Boro stopper who also smothered Babel's effort from an acute angle.
Boro rarely threatened unless they were able to smuggle the ball out to Downing on the left, who's pace proved problematic for makeshift right-back Martin Skrtel.
The winger's crosses also caused panic in the Liverpool box and O'Neil almost profited when he nipped in front of Arbeloa at the back post, but Reina was down smartly to deal with his toe-poked effort.
However, the Liverpool keeper could do nothing to stop Boro from taking the lead.
Three Liverpool defenders missed Downing's in-swinging corner from the right and the ball cannoned into the net off Alonso's left knee.
It was Boro's first league goal since 10 January and Downing almost made it two moments later after blocking Skrtel's clearance and racing clear, but Reina saved well.
El Zhar wasted a fantastic chance to level immediately after the break when he lifted Gerrard's sublime pull-back over the bar from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy.
Somewhat against the run of play, Boro doubled their lead when O'Neil and Jeremie Aliadiere combined well down the right and the latter's low cross was swept home first time by Tuncay from the penalty spot.
Gerrard immediately set about reducing the deficit, bundling his way into Boro's box, but Jones was again equal to his effort and after a goalmouth scramble, Alonso's effort was deflected over.
Boro confidence is flowing - Southgate
Marlon King should have wrapped up the win after being found in acres of space by Tuncay, but he wanted more time than he had and Reina saved.
Liverpool captain Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were substituted and with their exit, so the Reds hopes of salvaging something from the game faded.
Downing provided one final perfect cross that O'Neill volleyed wide while King thought he had made it three when he tapped in from close range, only for the assistant referee to rule it out for offside.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"We have shown in the our last three games with four points from two league games and an FA Cup win how we can play.
"We have had four clean sheets in six games and the confidence is flowing back through the players and the crowd carried us through at the end.
"This win should give the players an unbelievable amount of belief."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"In the first 30 minutes we had around five chances and we did not take them.
"If before this game it was going to be difficult to win the league then it is clearly now going to be even harder.
"We have to think about Sunderland next before preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League."
Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Bates, Arca (Walker 88), Downing, Sanli (Adam Johnson 79), Aliadiere (King 68).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Taylor, Emnes, Alves.
Booked: Sanli, Bates.
Goals: Alonso 32 og, Sanli 63.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher (Benayoun 71), Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (Lucas 76), Babel, El Zhar (Ngog 68).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Riera, Darby.
Att: 33,724
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
Chelsea 2-1 Wigan
A relieved Lampard celebrates his last-gasp winner
Frank Lampard's last-gasp header broke Wigan hearts to send Chelsea second in the Premier League table and keep alive their lingering title chances.
John Terry's spectacular mid-air volley had put the Londoners ahead despite Wigan dominating the early exchanges.
Oliver Kapo seemed to have earned the visitors a point with a late goal of his own, turning in Maynor Figueroa's teasing cross with eight minutes to go.
But in injury time Lampard looped a header past Chris Kirkland.
Latics boss Steve Bruce will wonder how his side failed to take something from the game after a fine opening 20 minutes in which they were much the better side.
They harassed and harangued a hassled-looking home side at every move and they had three glorious chances to go ahead.
Blues keeper Petr Cech made a wonderful save to deny Paul Scharner who ran through unopposed after a sweeping counter-attack involving Mario Melchiot and Amr Zaki.
A scrambling Ashley Cole then did well to clear Titus Bramble's towering header off the line.
Terry then somehow managed to clear the follow-up effort from Charles N'Zogbia as he raced back towards his own goal.
Such was Wigan's early threat that both Terry and Alex were also cautioned in those opening 20 minutes.
The tenacity of Lee Cattermole and Michael Brown was denying the home side time and space in midfield, Zaki was posing problems up front and the much-maligned Bramble looked in masterful form in defence.
But with a Wigan goal seemingly inevitable, suddenly Chelsea, who have yet to lose to Wigan in eight Premier League matches, came to life.
Mikel (l) races to congratulate skipper Terry on his superb volleyed opener
Didier Drogba fizzed a shot across goal and moments later Jon Mikel Obi had a fierce 20-yard effort tipped over by Kirkland.
And with the Blues suddenly looking like the side that so impressed in the opening quarter against Juventus in midweek, Terry put them ahead with a spectacular scissor-kick volley.
The England skipper readjusted his feet and leapt in the air to send a crisp strike past the unfortunate Kirkland via a crucial deflection off Emmerson Boyce.
Terry's fellow centre-half Alex then saw his close-range strike blocked by Kirkland.
The home side were totally dominating and the chances continued to come.
Lampard saw his attempted dinked finish well blocked by the excellent Kirkland and he then shot wastefully at Kirkland while Terry fired well wide from 12 yards.
The second half promised more of the same as Bramble acrobatically cleared Drogba's goalbound effort after a delightful reverse pass from Lampard.
But Chelsea's failure to kill teams off, which has seen them score just 11 goals in their last 10 league matches, almost came back to haunt them.
Scharner sent a flying header well over the bar and the ever-willing Zaki curled a chance wide from 20 yards.
And with Chelsea starting to get twitchy, Wigan capitalised.
Maynor Figueroa tricked his way down the left flank and his inviting low cross was forced home at the near post by Kapo despite Cech's best efforts.
But with the game in injury-time, a long ball into the box was flicked on by Michael Ballack and the inspirational Lampard leapt above Melchiot to nod the winner.
Wigan claimed a push by the England midfielder but the goal stood and enabled Chelsea to close the gap on leaders Manchester United to seven points and leave the Latics without a win in seven games.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink:
"The team reacted well after we conceded. It is always difficult to get into the next game after playing at European level in midweek.
"But Wigan deserve a lot of respect for the way they played. they are hard-working and disciplined and play decent football. They caused us lots of problems.
"They scored the equaliser but the reaction of our team was good in getting the winner in the 90th minute.
"When you are dominating in the first period we like the game killed. But I am happy and satisfied for the win.
"But the way we gave away the control in the second-half is not super-satisfying. I have to be happy but also critical as to where we need to improve."
Wigan boss Steve Bruce:
"I thought we deserved something but we didn't get it unfortunately.
We were robbed - Bruce
"In my opinion the referee has made a poor decision. He is only 15 yards away from it. Frank has obviously got his hand in Mario's back and he has turned him round as he's gone to head it.
"It is obvious that he has got that one wrong and it has gone against us. That is a big shame because I thought the team deserved to get something from the game.
"We don't seem to get these decisions in big games, on a big stage.
"We need the referee to be strong and not to get influenced. But it seems to happen all the time. We can go to Anfield and Stamford Bridge and it doesn't seem to matter against little Wigan. It is very frustrating and disappointing as you can imagine."
Chelsea: Cech, Mancienne (Quaresma 81), Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou (Belletti 75), Anelka, Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Di Santo, Malouda, Ferreira.
Booked: Alex, Terry, Mancienne.
Goals: Terry 25, Lampard 90.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Cattermole (Rodallega 69), Brown, Scharner, Kapo, Zaki (Sibierski 89), N'Zogbia.
Subs Not Used: Kingson, Edman, Kupisz, Routledge, Holt.
Booked: N'Zogbia, Cattermole.
Goals: Kapo 82.
Att: 40,714.
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Arsenal 0-0 Fulham
Arshavin was included in an attack-minded Arsenal line-up
Arsenal's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dealt another severe blow as Fulham inflicted the Gunners' fifth successive league draw.
Andrew Johnson went close for Fulham before Robin van Persie's close-range header was saved by Mark Schwarzer.
Van Persie was foiled by a superb Schwarzer when in on goal and headed against the post after half-time.
Johnson glanced just wide from close range before Schwarzer denied Abou Diaby and Andrey Arshavin late on.
A draw was the least Fulham deserved for a performance full of attacking ambition and dogged defensive resilience. Despite not winning on their travels all season, they have now held Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal.
The visitors' point is only their third of all time away at Arsenal, where they have never won, and takes them up to seventh after Wigan were beaten at Chelsea.
Arsenal are five points adrift of fourth-place Aston Villa, having played a game more, and just two points above sixth-place Everton.
Arsene Wenger's men have now drawn four league matches 0-0 for the first time since October 1993.
There must be serious concerns for Wenger, whose side appears devoid of attacking invention and a cutting edge in front of goal.
For Wenger, the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor cannot return soon enough.
Arsenal last scored a home league goal on 10 January and, perhaps with that in mind, Wenger named Van Persie, Arshavin, Carlos Vela and Samir Nasri in an attack-minded line-up.
But is was Fulham, inspired by midfielders Danny Murphy and Simon Davies and centre-half Brede Hangeland, who made by far the brighter start.
Manager Roy Hodgson restored a fit-again Johnson to his starting XI and, partnered by the in-form Bobby Zamora, he caused Arsenal's centre-halves no shortage of problems early on.
Davies had already evaded the hosts' offside trap and fired over from 20 yards before Johnson twice escaped the attentions of Kolo Toure and William Gallas inside the opening 10 minutes.
The striker scuffed his first effort across goal and well off target but, after turning Toure, flashed his second marginally wide of Manuel Almunia's left-hand post.
With the home crowd beginning to grow restless, Arsenal were quick to respond with an attack of their own and Van Persie saw a powerful header from Arshavin's cross tipped over the crossbar by Schwarzer.
Arsenal's lack of cohesion and predictable attacking game-plan allowed Fulham to grow in confidence and when Gallas could only clear Zamora's centre to Danny Murphy, the midfielder's drive from the edge of the penalty area fizzed just over.
Murphy's shot seemed to remind Arsenal that they were in a game and, after a neat move that ended when Nasri failed to get his shot away, they should have opened the scoring.
Arshavin sent Van Persie through on goal with an exquisite slide-rule pass but the Dutchman's right-footed strike was blocked by an on-rushing Schwarzer.
Arsenal started the second half in determined fashion and after Nasri shot narrowly wide, Van Persie headed onto the roof of the net from the Frenchman's corner.
Van Parsie came even closer soon after as his flicked header from Bacary Sagna's centre clipped the far post, but Fulham were by no means being outplayed.
Clint Dempsey and Johnson almost broke through on the Arsenal goal and Johnson saw a shot deflected onto the roof of the net before flicked Frederik Stoor's cross wide from an unmarked position six yards out.
Schwarzer repelled Diaby's header and Arshavin's fierce drive as Arsenal were frustrated and left the field to a chorus of boos.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"We had chances to score and so did they, it was an open game. And it finished with a result that we did not want as we have dropped two points.
"We are not scoring goals and the offensive confidence of the team is not high and as a result the players are becoming a little anxious.
"The fans are frustrated and so are we are.
"We have to take the result on the chin and continue to fight."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson:
"There were times in the game when we played to our full potential - it was as good as it gets from us.
"We were a constant threat and we carved out many opportunities. Arsenal are an offensive side at home and we matched them.
"We were well organised and the shape of our team was good."
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Eboue 70), Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Arshavin, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Van Persie, Vela (Bendtner 63).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Song Billong, Djourou, Gibbs.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird (Stoor 46), Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey (Gera 88), Johnson, Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Kamara, Dacourt, Kallio.
Att: 60,102
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke
Beattie, Stoke's lone striker, worked tirelessly to help his side earn a point
Glenn Whelan scored a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser as Stoke frustrated Aston Villa in their bid to cement the fourth Champions League position.
Villa took the lead just before half-time through Stiliyan Petrov's strike.
It appeared the game was settled when John Carew doubled the lead with a spectacular first-time finish.
But with three minutes remaining James Beattie crossed for Ryan Shawcross to head in and, at the death, Whelan's fierce drive earned Stoke a point.
Villa move six points clear of fifth-place Arsenal, but are three points behind Chelsea and Liverpool.
Martin O'Neill's men have now won only two of their last nine home games and are winless in five matches in all competitions.
Stoke stay second from bottom but their late comeback puts them level on points with the two clubs above them - Middlesbrough and Blackburn.
Stoke might still be without an away win all season but proved in the second half that they are capable of posing a serious threat going forward.
That said, their 5-4-1 formation encouraged Villa to flood forward in the opening stages and, were it not for some heroic defending, the home side could have claimed a resounding triumph.
O'Neill made eight changes to the side that that was knocked out of the Uefa Cup by CSKA Moscow in midweek, with the likes of Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey all returning to the starting line-up.
Given that this was Villa's 44th game of the season - three more than they played in the whole of last term - O'Neill decision to rest his key men was understandable and the hosts responded with a bright start.
Stoke were twice forced to scramble the ball clear from Luke Young crosses but Tony Pulis' men did occasionally venture forward and Mamady Sidibe went close with a deflected drive after Curtis Davies had failed to clear.
Villa pushed for a breakthrough but they were repeatedly frustrated, Heskey narrowly failing to connect with Barry's fizzed pass and Zat Knight heading James Milner's in-swinging cross on to the roof of the net.
It seemed as though Stoke's incisive tackling and astute positional play had seen them through to the break unscathed but Villa, to their credit, ploughed on and were rewarded.
Petrov collected possession on the right-hand side of the Stoke penalty area and lashed a stinging effort past former Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who appeared to lose sight of the ball as it flew through a crowd of bodies.
Petrov scored his first league goal of the season but Stoke had the last word
Sorensen was forced off at half-time with a neck injury and, after the re-start, Villa immediately looked to test his replacement Steve Simonsen with a series of aerial balls into the box.
But it was Stoke who showed a greater desire to get forward in numbers and the introduction of Ricardo Fuller on 54 minutes - just three weeks after dislocating a shoulder - had a telling effect.
On 61 minutes, the Jamaican shrugged off Davies and was one-on-one with Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel when Young arrived with a superb sliding tackle.
Fuller then spun and volleyed just over the crossbar as Stoke pushed hard for a way back into the game.
That appeared beyond them when substitute Carew, on for Heskey after the England striker damaged an Achilles, swept Petrov's neat pass over the head of Simonsen from 25 yards out.
Villa were given further warning of the threat Stoke posed when Shawcross outjumped Davies and Knight to nod Liam Lawrence's corner over the bar.
Moments later, Shawcross was in a similar position to powerfully head the superb James Beattie's centre into the bottom corner.
As the final whistle approached Villa began to panic and, after failing to clear Salif Diao's long ball forward, Whelan beat Friedel with a crisp strike from outside the box.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey (Carew 76).
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Reo-Coker, Shorey, Gardner.
Booked: Ashley Young.
Goals: Petrov 45, Carew 79.
Stoke: Sorensen (Simonsen 46), Shawcross, Sonko, Higginbotham, Wilkinson, Diao, Amdy Faye (Whelan 64), Pugh (Fuller 54), Lawrence, Beattie, Sidibe.
Subs Not Used: Cort, Cresswell, Kelly, Camara.
Booked: Shawcross.
Goals: Shawcross 88, Whelan 90.
Att: 39,641
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
Hull 1-2 Blackburn
Keith Andrews celebrates his second league goal of the season
Blackburn moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference with a hard-fought win away to out-of-form Hull.
Stephen Warnock profited from Matt Duke's fumble and Keith Andrews steered home from close-range before the break.
The visitors' win seemed secure when Dean Marney was dismissed, but Morten Gamst Pedersen's second yellow raised the hopes for the Hull faithful.
Ian Ashbee's volley halved the deficit and fuelled belief, but Blackburn stood firm against his side's late barrage.
There were early signs of the busy afternoon in store for referee Martin Atkinson when Warnock crashed into Bernard Mendy to pick up the first booking after less than a minute.
Chances were scarce in the opening stages with El-Hadji Diouf's weak header comfortably gathered by Duke and a leaden first touch from Geovanni sent the ball squirting through to Paul Robinson.
On 34 minutes Pedersen manoeuvred his way through a clutch of defenders on the edge of the box and his deflected shot bobbled across the goal towards the far post.
Duke got to it fractionally before Roque Santa Cruz, but the keeper allowed it to slip his grasp and the Paraguayan striker laid it back to Warnock who sidefooted home first time into the empty net.
Win is massive for Blackburn - Allardyce
A minute later, a long clearance bounced through to Pedersen, Warnock galloped onto his neat lay-off, past Nathan Doyle and squared low to Andrews for the second.
With the Hull defence rocking, Santa Cruz came close to adding his name to the scoresheet as a succession of dangerous crosses sailed across the six-yard box, narrowly clearing his forehead.
In the final minute of the half, Michael Turner clattered into Robinson in pursuit of a loose ball, winding the keeper, adding his name to the referee's book and ensuring Jason Brown would come off the Rovers' bench at half-time.
Phil Brown's removal of the lively Geovanni after the break upset both the playmaker and large sections of the crowd and their mood worsened as Marney responded to a heavy challenge by kicking out at Pedersen under Atkinson's nose.
Geovanni will be dealt with - Brown
The Norwegian received a booking for his involvement which proved crucial as his stray boot, coming through late and high on Kamil Zayatte, saw him dispatched down the tunnel soon after.
Mendy then stubbed over a cross which Ashbee volleyed into the ground and over Brown's despairing dive to ensure the KC Stadium had a tense final 10 minutes.
But Hull could not carve out any clear-cut chances despite the weight of numbers committed to the Blackburn box and were restricted to long-range efforts from Turner and substitute Nick Barmby.
Hull manager Phil Brown:
"It is the biggest test of character of my career, in terms of a manager, and it probably is for the players.
"We have got to try to play above ourselves in the last 11 games, it is as simple as that.
"If we minimise mistakes between now and the end of the season there is a possibility we will be OK but it has to happen now."
Brown defends Geovanni decision
"We were getting to the stage of must-win football matches, to get three points on the board.
"Today my players, the way they started, weren't really using the ball correctly, but once we got Stephen taking a very good chance, it gave us the confidence to go on.
"We defended tremendously well throughout the game, we dug it out very well."
Hull: Duke, Doyle (Fagan 67), Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Mendy, Ashbee, Marney, Kilbane (Cousin 53), Geovanni (Barmby 53), Garcia.
Subs Not Used: Myhill, Halmosi, Manucho, Gardner.
Sent Off: Marney (64).
Booked: Turner, Dawson.
Goals: Ashbee 79.
Blackburn: Robinson (Brown 46), Ooijer, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, Diouf (Mokoena 83), Grella, Andrews, Warnock, Pedersen, Roque Santa Cruz (Roberts 86).
Subs Not Used: Kerimoglu, McCarthy, Treacy, Villanueva.
Sent Off: Pedersen (70).
Booked: Warnock, Pedersen, Diouf.
Goals: Warnock 34, Andrews 37.
Att: 24,612
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
West Ham 1-0 Man City
Collison (right) celebrates his winner with Carlton Cole
West Ham moved up to seventh in the Premier League with a thoroughly deserved victory over Manchester City.
The Hammers were by far the better team throughout and Jack Collison won it in the second half, side-footing home after Shay Given saved from Savio.
Robinho had missed a sitter for the visitors, prodding wide from six yards, while he also forced a brilliant save from Rob Green with an impromptu flick.
West Ham also saw Valon Behrami carried off with a serious-looking injury.
But boss Gianfranco Zola will be delighted with the manner of their victory after outplaying City for most of the game and it provides a timely boost to their chances of qualifying for Europe next season.
The visitors, who beat FC Copenhagen of Denmark to reach the last 16 of the Uefa Cup on Thursday, appeared subdued, their play lacking any real urgency.
Craig Bellamy was their only threat, and the Welsh striker ignored the home fans' boos after his acrimonious exit from Upton Park last month to set up a glorious chance for Robinho which the Brazilian somehow poked wide.
But most of the play belonged to West Ham, with Scott Parker pushing the hosts forward from midfield and Collison and Behrami and then Savio getting into advanced positions down the flanks.
Their football at times was a joy to behold but they were frequently in danger of over-playing it, always looking for that one extra pass instead of finding a killer finish.
After one such interchange Herita Ilunga found Collison but Given was equal to the 20-year-old's low shot, before another flowing move led to David di Michele shooting tamely straight at Given.
Indeed the two best chances of the first half fell to the lacklustre Robinho, who apart from missing from close-range also flicked a Vincent Kompany shot towards the bottom corner, only for Green to make a fine low save.
Just as the game was livening up, the injury to Behrami cast an enormous shadow over proceedings at the Boleyn Ground.
He caught his studs in the turf and his ankle and knee both twisted in horrific fashion, the Swiss star needing oxygen and six minutes of treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off.
The half ended tamely, but it was the Hammers again who picked up the tempo after the break as they searched for the goal their play deserved.
Carlton Cole saw a header from a corner saved by Given, before another sweeping passing move led to Parker's goalbound shot being bravely blocked by Wayne Bridge.
It seemed a matter of time before they scored and with 19 minutes remaining, West Ham went in front
Savio - on for Behrami - went on a powerful run down the left, cut inside and shot from 20 yards.
Given made a fine save with his left hand but parried it out to Collison, who showed fabulous composure on the volley to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net.
City finally woke up and Felipe Caicedo twice threatened, first skipping past Matthew Upson only to fire wide, before moments later lashing wildly over from 10 yards.
But City, who have only won once on the road all season, never really looked like halting their woeful away form.
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes:
"We dominated for long periods. They got a breakaway against the run of play and have taken the chance they've created.
"Performance wise it's as good as we've played away from home, and that includes the draw at Liverpool.
"If we concede first teams are prepared to get people behind the ball and we find it difficult to break them down."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"They had some chances but we had more and we were in control of the game."
On match-winner Jack Collison: "Jack is unbelievable, he's getting better and better.
"He plays like a veteran and his attitude is good. He's got a bright future. I feel very lucky to have him and not only him, but other players too."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Nsereko 43), Parker, Collison, Kovac (Spector 83), Di Michele (Lopez 87), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Sears, Stanislas, Payne.
Booked: Parker, Kovac.
Goals: Collison 71.
Man City: Given, Richards (Caicedo 15), Onuoha, Dunne, Bridge, Zabaleta, De Jong (Bojinov 89), Kompany, Ireland, Bellamy (Elano 66), Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Hart, Vassell, Garrido, Berti.
Booked: Kompany, Ireland.
Att: 34,562.
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Bolton 1-0 Newcastle
Gardner celebrates scoring his third goal of the season
Bolton manager Gary Megson's new contract award was rewarded with a nervy victory over lowly Newcastle to ease the Trotters' relegations fears.
Newcastle, who remain in a scrap for survival, were undone by a sublime Ricardo Gardner top-corner shot.
Bolton's Johan Elmander missed a host of chances and the home side also had a decent penalty appeal turned down.
Newcastle, too, were denied a penalty even though Fabricio Coloccini's shot appeared to hit Jlloyd Samuel's arm.
Bolton's third victory in four games moves Megson's men to the top half of the table and with a visit to Stoke to come on Wednesday, this could be the week when the Trotters make huge strides to secure their top-flight status.
The outlook is rather more gloomy for Newcastle, who are just two points above the relegation zone with a midweek game against the Premier League leaders Manchester United looming at St James' Park.
Megson's astute introduction of Gardner at the start of the second half proved decisive, helping lift the game from its torpor, with the Jamaican also grabbing the decisive goal.
But it was a match of missed chances, with the best first-half scoring opportunities falling to Elmander, who lacked the composure befitting of a £10m striker.
The Sweden international bulldozed his way through two Newcastle players and his acute shot from the byeline looked to be creeping in until Jose Enrique calmly cleared the ball off the line.
Elmander then somehow toe-poked over the crossbar from six yards when he had just the goalkeeper to beat.
To conclude his hat-trick of misses, the striker scuffed a fine chance after he was put through by a flick-on from the indefatigable Kevin Davies.
Newcastle improved as the half-time whistle approached but they were clearly missing the energy of Kevin Nolan, who missed out on a return to his old stomping ground due to suspension.
Obafemi Martins forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into a fine save when he leapt unmarked to meet a Ryan Taylor corner, only to then catch the game's profligate mood when he headed wide from close range.
On came Gardner and within a minute he evaded the Newcastle defence to race on to a Matt Taylor pass and, from the inside right, hit the top-left corner for his third goal of the season.
The visitors lacked imagination and found it increasingly difficult to penetrate a Bolton side who retreated further and further towards their own goal as the match wore on.
With 15 minutes remaining, Newcastle were justifiably aggrieved when they were denied a penalty for an apparent Samuel handball, but on reflection an equaliser would have been an injustice.
Bolton manager Gary Megson:
"From West Brom at the bottom to eighth from top, no-one can say 'we're going to be ok next year'.
"We're in the same boat as we were before Newcastle but it's so tight.
"We are in transition. I've never been at a club where so much is needed at such a short space of time."
Newcastle assistant coach Chris Hughton:
"On the balance of play, on chances, I think we were the better side.
"We just had that lax period early in the second half and they scored.
"We've got to bounce back and there was enough in the performance to say that we can. We'll look forward to the next game and try to get something from it."
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Mark Davies, McCann, Muamba (Gardner 46), Taylor, Kevin Davies, Elmander (Smolarek 78).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Puygrenier, Makukula, Shittu, Basham.
Booked: Taylor, Smolarek.
Goals: Gardner 47.
Newcastle: Harper, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor, Butt (Geremi 66), Lovenkrands, Ameobi, Martins (Viduka 78).
Subs Not Used: Forster, Cacapa, Smith, Edgar, Carroll.
Booked: Butt, Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor.
Att: 20,763
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
Alonso's first-half own goal gifted Boro the lead at the Riverside
Liverpool's title ambitions were dealt a major blow as Middlesbrough won for the first time in 15 league games.
Nabil El Zhar, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel all tested Boro keeper Brad Jones but Xabi Alonso's own goal from Stewart Downing's corner put Boro ahead.
Tuncay swept in Jeremie Aliadiere's low cross to double the lead before Steven Gerrard was denied by Jones.
Marlon King tested Pepe Reina and also had a goal disallowed for offside late on as Boro ran out comfortable winners.
Liverpool, who have not won at The Riverside since a 2-1 victory in March 2002, made four changes to the side that won 1-0 at Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Steven Gerrard came in to make his 300th start for the Reds, but not even he could unlock a resolute Boro side that was unchanged from the one that beat West Ham in Wednesday's FA Cup replay.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges with El Zhar, making his first league start, testing Jones with a low shot from eight yards at his near post.
And Kuyt's rising shot on the turn from the penalty spot was tipped over by the Boro stopper who also smothered Babel's effort from an acute angle.
Boro rarely threatened unless they were able to smuggle the ball out to Downing on the left, who's pace proved problematic for makeshift right-back Martin Skrtel.
The winger's crosses also caused panic in the Liverpool box and O'Neil almost profited when he nipped in front of Arbeloa at the back post, but Reina was down smartly to deal with his toe-poked effort.
However, the Liverpool keeper could do nothing to stop Boro from taking the lead.
Three Liverpool defenders missed Downing's in-swinging corner from the right and the ball cannoned into the net off Alonso's left knee.
It was Boro's first league goal since 10 January and Downing almost made it two moments later after blocking Skrtel's clearance and racing clear, but Reina saved well.
El Zhar wasted a fantastic chance to level immediately after the break when he lifted Gerrard's sublime pull-back over the bar from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy.
Somewhat against the run of play, Boro doubled their lead when O'Neil and Jeremie Aliadiere combined well down the right and the latter's low cross was swept home first time by Tuncay from the penalty spot.
Gerrard immediately set about reducing the deficit, bundling his way into Boro's box, but Jones was again equal to his effort and after a goalmouth scramble, Alonso's effort was deflected over.
Boro confidence is flowing - Southgate
Marlon King should have wrapped up the win after being found in acres of space by Tuncay, but he wanted more time than he had and Reina saved.
Liverpool captain Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were substituted and with their exit, so the Reds hopes of salvaging something from the game faded.
Downing provided one final perfect cross that O'Neill volleyed wide while King thought he had made it three when he tapped in from close range, only for the assistant referee to rule it out for offside.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"We have shown in the our last three games with four points from two league games and an FA Cup win how we can play.
"We have had four clean sheets in six games and the confidence is flowing back through the players and the crowd carried us through at the end.
"This win should give the players an unbelievable amount of belief."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"In the first 30 minutes we had around five chances and we did not take them.
"If before this game it was going to be difficult to win the league then it is clearly now going to be even harder.
"We have to think about Sunderland next before preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League."
Middlesbrough: Jones, Hoyte, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Bates, Arca (Walker 88), Downing, Sanli (Adam Johnson 79), Aliadiere (King 68).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Taylor, Emnes, Alves.
Booked: Sanli, Bates.
Goals: Alonso 32 og, Sanli 63.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher (Benayoun 71), Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (Lucas 76), Babel, El Zhar (Ngog 68).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Riera, Darby.
Att: 33,724
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
Chelsea 2-1 Wigan
A relieved Lampard celebrates his last-gasp winner
Frank Lampard's last-gasp header broke Wigan hearts to send Chelsea second in the Premier League table and keep alive their lingering title chances.
John Terry's spectacular mid-air volley had put the Londoners ahead despite Wigan dominating the early exchanges.
Oliver Kapo seemed to have earned the visitors a point with a late goal of his own, turning in Maynor Figueroa's teasing cross with eight minutes to go.
But in injury time Lampard looped a header past Chris Kirkland.
Latics boss Steve Bruce will wonder how his side failed to take something from the game after a fine opening 20 minutes in which they were much the better side.
They harassed and harangued a hassled-looking home side at every move and they had three glorious chances to go ahead.
Blues keeper Petr Cech made a wonderful save to deny Paul Scharner who ran through unopposed after a sweeping counter-attack involving Mario Melchiot and Amr Zaki.
A scrambling Ashley Cole then did well to clear Titus Bramble's towering header off the line.
Terry then somehow managed to clear the follow-up effort from Charles N'Zogbia as he raced back towards his own goal.
Such was Wigan's early threat that both Terry and Alex were also cautioned in those opening 20 minutes.
The tenacity of Lee Cattermole and Michael Brown was denying the home side time and space in midfield, Zaki was posing problems up front and the much-maligned Bramble looked in masterful form in defence.
But with a Wigan goal seemingly inevitable, suddenly Chelsea, who have yet to lose to Wigan in eight Premier League matches, came to life.
Mikel (l) races to congratulate skipper Terry on his superb volleyed opener
Didier Drogba fizzed a shot across goal and moments later Jon Mikel Obi had a fierce 20-yard effort tipped over by Kirkland.
And with the Blues suddenly looking like the side that so impressed in the opening quarter against Juventus in midweek, Terry put them ahead with a spectacular scissor-kick volley.
The England skipper readjusted his feet and leapt in the air to send a crisp strike past the unfortunate Kirkland via a crucial deflection off Emmerson Boyce.
Terry's fellow centre-half Alex then saw his close-range strike blocked by Kirkland.
The home side were totally dominating and the chances continued to come.
Lampard saw his attempted dinked finish well blocked by the excellent Kirkland and he then shot wastefully at Kirkland while Terry fired well wide from 12 yards.
The second half promised more of the same as Bramble acrobatically cleared Drogba's goalbound effort after a delightful reverse pass from Lampard.
But Chelsea's failure to kill teams off, which has seen them score just 11 goals in their last 10 league matches, almost came back to haunt them.
Scharner sent a flying header well over the bar and the ever-willing Zaki curled a chance wide from 20 yards.
And with Chelsea starting to get twitchy, Wigan capitalised.
Maynor Figueroa tricked his way down the left flank and his inviting low cross was forced home at the near post by Kapo despite Cech's best efforts.
But with the game in injury-time, a long ball into the box was flicked on by Michael Ballack and the inspirational Lampard leapt above Melchiot to nod the winner.
Wigan claimed a push by the England midfielder but the goal stood and enabled Chelsea to close the gap on leaders Manchester United to seven points and leave the Latics without a win in seven games.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink:
"The team reacted well after we conceded. It is always difficult to get into the next game after playing at European level in midweek.
"But Wigan deserve a lot of respect for the way they played. they are hard-working and disciplined and play decent football. They caused us lots of problems.
"They scored the equaliser but the reaction of our team was good in getting the winner in the 90th minute.
"When you are dominating in the first period we like the game killed. But I am happy and satisfied for the win.
"But the way we gave away the control in the second-half is not super-satisfying. I have to be happy but also critical as to where we need to improve."
Wigan boss Steve Bruce:
"I thought we deserved something but we didn't get it unfortunately.
We were robbed - Bruce
"In my opinion the referee has made a poor decision. He is only 15 yards away from it. Frank has obviously got his hand in Mario's back and he has turned him round as he's gone to head it.
"It is obvious that he has got that one wrong and it has gone against us. That is a big shame because I thought the team deserved to get something from the game.
"We don't seem to get these decisions in big games, on a big stage.
"We need the referee to be strong and not to get influenced. But it seems to happen all the time. We can go to Anfield and Stamford Bridge and it doesn't seem to matter against little Wigan. It is very frustrating and disappointing as you can imagine."
Chelsea: Cech, Mancienne (Quaresma 81), Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou (Belletti 75), Anelka, Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Di Santo, Malouda, Ferreira.
Booked: Alex, Terry, Mancienne.
Goals: Terry 25, Lampard 90.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Cattermole (Rodallega 69), Brown, Scharner, Kapo, Zaki (Sibierski 89), N'Zogbia.
Subs Not Used: Kingson, Edman, Kupisz, Routledge, Holt.
Booked: N'Zogbia, Cattermole.
Goals: Kapo 82.
Att: 40,714.
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Arsenal 0-0 Fulham
Arshavin was included in an attack-minded Arsenal line-up
Arsenal's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dealt another severe blow as Fulham inflicted the Gunners' fifth successive league draw.
Andrew Johnson went close for Fulham before Robin van Persie's close-range header was saved by Mark Schwarzer.
Van Persie was foiled by a superb Schwarzer when in on goal and headed against the post after half-time.
Johnson glanced just wide from close range before Schwarzer denied Abou Diaby and Andrey Arshavin late on.
A draw was the least Fulham deserved for a performance full of attacking ambition and dogged defensive resilience. Despite not winning on their travels all season, they have now held Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal.
The visitors' point is only their third of all time away at Arsenal, where they have never won, and takes them up to seventh after Wigan were beaten at Chelsea.
Arsenal are five points adrift of fourth-place Aston Villa, having played a game more, and just two points above sixth-place Everton.
Arsene Wenger's men have now drawn four league matches 0-0 for the first time since October 1993.
There must be serious concerns for Wenger, whose side appears devoid of attacking invention and a cutting edge in front of goal.
For Wenger, the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor cannot return soon enough.
Arsenal last scored a home league goal on 10 January and, perhaps with that in mind, Wenger named Van Persie, Arshavin, Carlos Vela and Samir Nasri in an attack-minded line-up.
But is was Fulham, inspired by midfielders Danny Murphy and Simon Davies and centre-half Brede Hangeland, who made by far the brighter start.
Manager Roy Hodgson restored a fit-again Johnson to his starting XI and, partnered by the in-form Bobby Zamora, he caused Arsenal's centre-halves no shortage of problems early on.
Davies had already evaded the hosts' offside trap and fired over from 20 yards before Johnson twice escaped the attentions of Kolo Toure and William Gallas inside the opening 10 minutes.
The striker scuffed his first effort across goal and well off target but, after turning Toure, flashed his second marginally wide of Manuel Almunia's left-hand post.
With the home crowd beginning to grow restless, Arsenal were quick to respond with an attack of their own and Van Persie saw a powerful header from Arshavin's cross tipped over the crossbar by Schwarzer.
Arsenal's lack of cohesion and predictable attacking game-plan allowed Fulham to grow in confidence and when Gallas could only clear Zamora's centre to Danny Murphy, the midfielder's drive from the edge of the penalty area fizzed just over.
Murphy's shot seemed to remind Arsenal that they were in a game and, after a neat move that ended when Nasri failed to get his shot away, they should have opened the scoring.
Arshavin sent Van Persie through on goal with an exquisite slide-rule pass but the Dutchman's right-footed strike was blocked by an on-rushing Schwarzer.
Arsenal started the second half in determined fashion and after Nasri shot narrowly wide, Van Persie headed onto the roof of the net from the Frenchman's corner.
Van Parsie came even closer soon after as his flicked header from Bacary Sagna's centre clipped the far post, but Fulham were by no means being outplayed.
Clint Dempsey and Johnson almost broke through on the Arsenal goal and Johnson saw a shot deflected onto the roof of the net before flicked Frederik Stoor's cross wide from an unmarked position six yards out.
Schwarzer repelled Diaby's header and Arshavin's fierce drive as Arsenal were frustrated and left the field to a chorus of boos.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"We had chances to score and so did they, it was an open game. And it finished with a result that we did not want as we have dropped two points.
"We are not scoring goals and the offensive confidence of the team is not high and as a result the players are becoming a little anxious.
"The fans are frustrated and so are we are.
"We have to take the result on the chin and continue to fight."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson:
"There were times in the game when we played to our full potential - it was as good as it gets from us.
"We were a constant threat and we carved out many opportunities. Arsenal are an offensive side at home and we matched them.
"We were well organised and the shape of our team was good."
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Eboue 70), Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Arshavin, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Van Persie, Vela (Bendtner 63).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Song Billong, Djourou, Gibbs.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird (Stoor 46), Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey (Gera 88), Johnson, Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Kamara, Dacourt, Kallio.
Att: 60,102
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke
Beattie, Stoke's lone striker, worked tirelessly to help his side earn a point
Glenn Whelan scored a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser as Stoke frustrated Aston Villa in their bid to cement the fourth Champions League position.
Villa took the lead just before half-time through Stiliyan Petrov's strike.
It appeared the game was settled when John Carew doubled the lead with a spectacular first-time finish.
But with three minutes remaining James Beattie crossed for Ryan Shawcross to head in and, at the death, Whelan's fierce drive earned Stoke a point.
Villa move six points clear of fifth-place Arsenal, but are three points behind Chelsea and Liverpool.
Martin O'Neill's men have now won only two of their last nine home games and are winless in five matches in all competitions.
Stoke stay second from bottom but their late comeback puts them level on points with the two clubs above them - Middlesbrough and Blackburn.
Stoke might still be without an away win all season but proved in the second half that they are capable of posing a serious threat going forward.
That said, their 5-4-1 formation encouraged Villa to flood forward in the opening stages and, were it not for some heroic defending, the home side could have claimed a resounding triumph.
O'Neill made eight changes to the side that that was knocked out of the Uefa Cup by CSKA Moscow in midweek, with the likes of Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey all returning to the starting line-up.
Given that this was Villa's 44th game of the season - three more than they played in the whole of last term - O'Neill decision to rest his key men was understandable and the hosts responded with a bright start.
Stoke were twice forced to scramble the ball clear from Luke Young crosses but Tony Pulis' men did occasionally venture forward and Mamady Sidibe went close with a deflected drive after Curtis Davies had failed to clear.
Villa pushed for a breakthrough but they were repeatedly frustrated, Heskey narrowly failing to connect with Barry's fizzed pass and Zat Knight heading James Milner's in-swinging cross on to the roof of the net.
It seemed as though Stoke's incisive tackling and astute positional play had seen them through to the break unscathed but Villa, to their credit, ploughed on and were rewarded.
Petrov collected possession on the right-hand side of the Stoke penalty area and lashed a stinging effort past former Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who appeared to lose sight of the ball as it flew through a crowd of bodies.
Petrov scored his first league goal of the season but Stoke had the last word
Sorensen was forced off at half-time with a neck injury and, after the re-start, Villa immediately looked to test his replacement Steve Simonsen with a series of aerial balls into the box.
But it was Stoke who showed a greater desire to get forward in numbers and the introduction of Ricardo Fuller on 54 minutes - just three weeks after dislocating a shoulder - had a telling effect.
On 61 minutes, the Jamaican shrugged off Davies and was one-on-one with Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel when Young arrived with a superb sliding tackle.
Fuller then spun and volleyed just over the crossbar as Stoke pushed hard for a way back into the game.
That appeared beyond them when substitute Carew, on for Heskey after the England striker damaged an Achilles, swept Petrov's neat pass over the head of Simonsen from 25 yards out.
Villa were given further warning of the threat Stoke posed when Shawcross outjumped Davies and Knight to nod Liam Lawrence's corner over the bar.
Moments later, Shawcross was in a similar position to powerfully head the superb James Beattie's centre into the bottom corner.
As the final whistle approached Villa began to panic and, after failing to clear Salif Diao's long ball forward, Whelan beat Friedel with a crisp strike from outside the box.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Knight, Davies, Luke Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Heskey (Carew 76).
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Reo-Coker, Shorey, Gardner.
Booked: Ashley Young.
Goals: Petrov 45, Carew 79.
Stoke: Sorensen (Simonsen 46), Shawcross, Sonko, Higginbotham, Wilkinson, Diao, Amdy Faye (Whelan 64), Pugh (Fuller 54), Lawrence, Beattie, Sidibe.
Subs Not Used: Cort, Cresswell, Kelly, Camara.
Booked: Shawcross.
Goals: Shawcross 88, Whelan 90.
Att: 39,641
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
Hull 1-2 Blackburn
Keith Andrews celebrates his second league goal of the season
Blackburn moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference with a hard-fought win away to out-of-form Hull.
Stephen Warnock profited from Matt Duke's fumble and Keith Andrews steered home from close-range before the break.
The visitors' win seemed secure when Dean Marney was dismissed, but Morten Gamst Pedersen's second yellow raised the hopes for the Hull faithful.
Ian Ashbee's volley halved the deficit and fuelled belief, but Blackburn stood firm against his side's late barrage.
There were early signs of the busy afternoon in store for referee Martin Atkinson when Warnock crashed into Bernard Mendy to pick up the first booking after less than a minute.
Chances were scarce in the opening stages with El-Hadji Diouf's weak header comfortably gathered by Duke and a leaden first touch from Geovanni sent the ball squirting through to Paul Robinson.
On 34 minutes Pedersen manoeuvred his way through a clutch of defenders on the edge of the box and his deflected shot bobbled across the goal towards the far post.
Duke got to it fractionally before Roque Santa Cruz, but the keeper allowed it to slip his grasp and the Paraguayan striker laid it back to Warnock who sidefooted home first time into the empty net.
Win is massive for Blackburn - Allardyce
A minute later, a long clearance bounced through to Pedersen, Warnock galloped onto his neat lay-off, past Nathan Doyle and squared low to Andrews for the second.
With the Hull defence rocking, Santa Cruz came close to adding his name to the scoresheet as a succession of dangerous crosses sailed across the six-yard box, narrowly clearing his forehead.
In the final minute of the half, Michael Turner clattered into Robinson in pursuit of a loose ball, winding the keeper, adding his name to the referee's book and ensuring Jason Brown would come off the Rovers' bench at half-time.
Phil Brown's removal of the lively Geovanni after the break upset both the playmaker and large sections of the crowd and their mood worsened as Marney responded to a heavy challenge by kicking out at Pedersen under Atkinson's nose.
Geovanni will be dealt with - Brown
The Norwegian received a booking for his involvement which proved crucial as his stray boot, coming through late and high on Kamil Zayatte, saw him dispatched down the tunnel soon after.
Mendy then stubbed over a cross which Ashbee volleyed into the ground and over Brown's despairing dive to ensure the KC Stadium had a tense final 10 minutes.
But Hull could not carve out any clear-cut chances despite the weight of numbers committed to the Blackburn box and were restricted to long-range efforts from Turner and substitute Nick Barmby.
Hull manager Phil Brown:
"It is the biggest test of character of my career, in terms of a manager, and it probably is for the players.
"We have got to try to play above ourselves in the last 11 games, it is as simple as that.
"If we minimise mistakes between now and the end of the season there is a possibility we will be OK but it has to happen now."
Brown defends Geovanni decision
"We were getting to the stage of must-win football matches, to get three points on the board.
"Today my players, the way they started, weren't really using the ball correctly, but once we got Stephen taking a very good chance, it gave us the confidence to go on.
"We defended tremendously well throughout the game, we dug it out very well."
Hull: Duke, Doyle (Fagan 67), Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Mendy, Ashbee, Marney, Kilbane (Cousin 53), Geovanni (Barmby 53), Garcia.
Subs Not Used: Myhill, Halmosi, Manucho, Gardner.
Sent Off: Marney (64).
Booked: Turner, Dawson.
Goals: Ashbee 79.
Blackburn: Robinson (Brown 46), Ooijer, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, Diouf (Mokoena 83), Grella, Andrews, Warnock, Pedersen, Roque Santa Cruz (Roberts 86).
Subs Not Used: Kerimoglu, McCarthy, Treacy, Villanueva.
Sent Off: Pedersen (70).
Booked: Warnock, Pedersen, Diouf.
Goals: Warnock 34, Andrews 37.
Att: 24,612
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
West Ham 1-0 Man City
Collison (right) celebrates his winner with Carlton Cole
West Ham moved up to seventh in the Premier League with a thoroughly deserved victory over Manchester City.
The Hammers were by far the better team throughout and Jack Collison won it in the second half, side-footing home after Shay Given saved from Savio.
Robinho had missed a sitter for the visitors, prodding wide from six yards, while he also forced a brilliant save from Rob Green with an impromptu flick.
West Ham also saw Valon Behrami carried off with a serious-looking injury.
But boss Gianfranco Zola will be delighted with the manner of their victory after outplaying City for most of the game and it provides a timely boost to their chances of qualifying for Europe next season.
The visitors, who beat FC Copenhagen of Denmark to reach the last 16 of the Uefa Cup on Thursday, appeared subdued, their play lacking any real urgency.
Craig Bellamy was their only threat, and the Welsh striker ignored the home fans' boos after his acrimonious exit from Upton Park last month to set up a glorious chance for Robinho which the Brazilian somehow poked wide.
But most of the play belonged to West Ham, with Scott Parker pushing the hosts forward from midfield and Collison and Behrami and then Savio getting into advanced positions down the flanks.
Their football at times was a joy to behold but they were frequently in danger of over-playing it, always looking for that one extra pass instead of finding a killer finish.
After one such interchange Herita Ilunga found Collison but Given was equal to the 20-year-old's low shot, before another flowing move led to David di Michele shooting tamely straight at Given.
Indeed the two best chances of the first half fell to the lacklustre Robinho, who apart from missing from close-range also flicked a Vincent Kompany shot towards the bottom corner, only for Green to make a fine low save.
Just as the game was livening up, the injury to Behrami cast an enormous shadow over proceedings at the Boleyn Ground.
He caught his studs in the turf and his ankle and knee both twisted in horrific fashion, the Swiss star needing oxygen and six minutes of treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off.
The half ended tamely, but it was the Hammers again who picked up the tempo after the break as they searched for the goal their play deserved.
Carlton Cole saw a header from a corner saved by Given, before another sweeping passing move led to Parker's goalbound shot being bravely blocked by Wayne Bridge.
It seemed a matter of time before they scored and with 19 minutes remaining, West Ham went in front
Savio - on for Behrami - went on a powerful run down the left, cut inside and shot from 20 yards.
Given made a fine save with his left hand but parried it out to Collison, who showed fabulous composure on the volley to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net.
City finally woke up and Felipe Caicedo twice threatened, first skipping past Matthew Upson only to fire wide, before moments later lashing wildly over from 10 yards.
But City, who have only won once on the road all season, never really looked like halting their woeful away form.
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes:
"We dominated for long periods. They got a breakaway against the run of play and have taken the chance they've created.
"Performance wise it's as good as we've played away from home, and that includes the draw at Liverpool.
"If we concede first teams are prepared to get people behind the ball and we find it difficult to break them down."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"They had some chances but we had more and we were in control of the game."
On match-winner Jack Collison: "Jack is unbelievable, he's getting better and better.
"He plays like a veteran and his attitude is good. He's got a bright future. I feel very lucky to have him and not only him, but other players too."
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami (Nsereko 43), Parker, Collison, Kovac (Spector 83), Di Michele (Lopez 87), Cole.
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Sears, Stanislas, Payne.
Booked: Parker, Kovac.
Goals: Collison 71.
Man City: Given, Richards (Caicedo 15), Onuoha, Dunne, Bridge, Zabaleta, De Jong (Bojinov 89), Kompany, Ireland, Bellamy (Elano 66), Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Hart, Vassell, Garrido, Berti.
Booked: Kompany, Ireland.
Att: 34,562.
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Bolton 1-0 Newcastle
Gardner celebrates scoring his third goal of the season
Bolton manager Gary Megson's new contract award was rewarded with a nervy victory over lowly Newcastle to ease the Trotters' relegations fears.
Newcastle, who remain in a scrap for survival, were undone by a sublime Ricardo Gardner top-corner shot.
Bolton's Johan Elmander missed a host of chances and the home side also had a decent penalty appeal turned down.
Newcastle, too, were denied a penalty even though Fabricio Coloccini's shot appeared to hit Jlloyd Samuel's arm.
Bolton's third victory in four games moves Megson's men to the top half of the table and with a visit to Stoke to come on Wednesday, this could be the week when the Trotters make huge strides to secure their top-flight status.
The outlook is rather more gloomy for Newcastle, who are just two points above the relegation zone with a midweek game against the Premier League leaders Manchester United looming at St James' Park.
Megson's astute introduction of Gardner at the start of the second half proved decisive, helping lift the game from its torpor, with the Jamaican also grabbing the decisive goal.
But it was a match of missed chances, with the best first-half scoring opportunities falling to Elmander, who lacked the composure befitting of a £10m striker.
The Sweden international bulldozed his way through two Newcastle players and his acute shot from the byeline looked to be creeping in until Jose Enrique calmly cleared the ball off the line.
Elmander then somehow toe-poked over the crossbar from six yards when he had just the goalkeeper to beat.
To conclude his hat-trick of misses, the striker scuffed a fine chance after he was put through by a flick-on from the indefatigable Kevin Davies.
Newcastle improved as the half-time whistle approached but they were clearly missing the energy of Kevin Nolan, who missed out on a return to his old stomping ground due to suspension.
Obafemi Martins forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into a fine save when he leapt unmarked to meet a Ryan Taylor corner, only to then catch the game's profligate mood when he headed wide from close range.
On came Gardner and within a minute he evaded the Newcastle defence to race on to a Matt Taylor pass and, from the inside right, hit the top-left corner for his third goal of the season.
The visitors lacked imagination and found it increasingly difficult to penetrate a Bolton side who retreated further and further towards their own goal as the match wore on.
With 15 minutes remaining, Newcastle were justifiably aggrieved when they were denied a penalty for an apparent Samuel handball, but on reflection an equaliser would have been an injustice.
Bolton manager Gary Megson:
"From West Brom at the bottom to eighth from top, no-one can say 'we're going to be ok next year'.
"We're in the same boat as we were before Newcastle but it's so tight.
"We are in transition. I've never been at a club where so much is needed at such a short space of time."
Newcastle assistant coach Chris Hughton:
"On the balance of play, on chances, I think we were the better side.
"We just had that lax period early in the second half and they scored.
"We've got to bounce back and there was enough in the performance to say that we can. We'll look forward to the next game and try to get something from it."
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Mark Davies, McCann, Muamba (Gardner 46), Taylor, Kevin Davies, Elmander (Smolarek 78).
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Puygrenier, Makukula, Shittu, Basham.
Booked: Taylor, Smolarek.
Goals: Gardner 47.
Newcastle: Harper, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor, Butt (Geremi 66), Lovenkrands, Ameobi, Martins (Viduka 78).
Subs Not Used: Forster, Cacapa, Smith, Edgar, Carroll.
Booked: Butt, Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor.
Att: 20,763
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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