Soccer - Premier League Review:Ten-man West Brom came from behind to defeat Midlands rivals Aston Villa 2-1 this afternoon to help move Roy Hodgson's side move away from the Premier League relegation zone and into the comfort of a mid-table position.
Villa took a fourth-minute lead thanks to West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite, who somehow managed to deflect in Stewart Downing’s right-wing cross.
Meite’s mishap means West Brom are now 33 Premier League games without a clean sheet, but they equalised through Peter Odemwingie in the 60th minute.
The Nigeria international latched onto the ball after Villa failed to deal with James Morrison’s free-kick to score his 14th of the season.
West Brom, though, were soon down to 10 men after Paul Scharner was sent off for a second yellow card for tripping Stiliyan Petrov.
Despite the sending off, the Baggies secured victory with a breakaway attack that allowed Youssouf Mulumbu to fire home the decider.
Elsewhere, Blackburnsecured a vital 1-0victory at home to Lancashire rivals Bolton. Having started the game at a high tempo, Steve Kean's side took a 20th minute lead through Martin Olsson.
Bolton’s failure to clear their lines allowed Michel Salgado to roll the ball across the edge of the box for Olsson to lash home.
Leighton Baines' late penalty helped atone for Mikel Arteta's earlier saved effort as Evertonsecured a 1-1draw at Wigan. The Latics took a 21st-minute lead through midfielder Charles N'Zogbia after he curled in a left-footed effort.
The France international almost went from hero to zero, though, in the 36th minute as he foolishly scythed down Leon Osman in the box to give away a penalty. Arteta stepped up to take the spot kick but Ali Al Habsi comfortably saved the Spaniard’s placed effort.
However, Baines saved Arteta’s blushes with 12 minutes remaining with his own penalty. Hugo Rodallega was penalised for handball in the box and the left back stepped up to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
Meanwhile, Fulhamovercame their usual troubles on the road in some style as they thrashed Sunderland 3-0at the Stadium of Light.
The west Londoners grabbed a 33rd minute lead in the north east through French loanee Gael Kakuta. The Chelsea man stumbled past a couple of defenders before netting his first goal in English football with a tidy low finish.
After the break Sunderland’s profligacy in attack was punished at the other end by Simon Davies, whose brace wrapped up a superb victory for the Cottagers.
Finally, Ian Holloway's Blackpoolside secured what could prove to be a vital point in the relegation run-in as they held FA Cup finalists Stoketo a 0-0draw at Bloomfield Road.
In the day's late game Salomon Kalou's controversial late goal secured a vital 2-1win for Chelseaover Tottenhamand kept their hopes of retaining their Premier League title alive.
It was the second dose of fortune for Carlo Ancelotti’s men after Frank Lampard’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time did not look to have crossed the line.
Lampard’s shot was fumbled by Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes to cancel out Sandro’s 19th minute opener in a game which all but extinguished Spurs’ bid for a Champions League place.
Premier League
Blackburn 1 Bolton 0
Blackpool 0 Stoke 0
Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1
Sunderland 0 Fulham 3
West Brom 2 Aston Villa 1
Wigan 1 Everton 1
Scottish Premier League
Aberdeen 1 Inverness CT 0
Hibernian 1 St Johnstone 2
Kilmarnock 2 Hearts 2
Motherwell 0 Rangers 5
