Soccer – Premier League round-up: Charles N'Zogbia made one goal and scored another as Wigan moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with an impressive 3-1 win away at Blackpool, while it was business as usual for Chelsea who denied West Brom 3-1.
The visitors made a lively start and within three minutes had taken the lead as Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart slipped and missed N’Zogbia’s through-ball, allowing Hugo Rodallega to slot home his eighth goal of the season before the former Newcastle man doubled Wigan’s advantage, collecting the ball after Charlie Adam had been dispossessed, breaking into the box and finishing past
Matthew Gilks.
Neal Eardley was the unlucky man credited with scoring an own goal for Wigan’s third as Mohamed Diame’s shot deflected off two players before beating Gilks. Blackpool’s form from has seen them plummet into the bottom three,
DJ Campbell pulled a goal back for the hosts with seven minutes remaining, sliding in to convert Phillips’ cross after a free-kick had come off the wall.
Birmingham also increased their chances of survival with a 2-0 win against Steve Bruce’s out-of-form Sunderland side. Sebastian Larsson took advantage of a defensive mix-up on 41 minutes to give City the lead after a long clearance from Ben Foster was flicked on by Cameron Jerome.
Sunderland looked dangerous for a period at the start of the second half but McLeish’s first change after 62 minutes saw Alexander Hleb replace Kevin Phillips and he made an immediate impact by creating a second goal for Craig Gardner only four minutes later.
The former Arsenal player held the ball up before picking out the unmarked Gardner, whose swerving shot contained too much power for Mignolet.
Didier Drogba scored Chelsea’s equaliser against West Brom as the Blues came from behind to win 3-1. Drogba converted after Nicky Shorey’s attempt to clear at the far post only succeeded in picking out the Ivory Coast striker who scored his 13th of the season.
Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie had exquisitely chipped the advancing Petr Cech to give Roy Hodgson’s side the lead, but soon after Drogba’s equaliser they found themselves behind with Carson parrying a 25-yard Drogba drive into the path of Salomon Kalou to slide the ball home.
Frank Lampard scored the third on half-time after a fantastic breakaway move which cut the Baggies defence to ribbons.
West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Gerard Houllier’s Aston Villa, despite Robbie Keane giving the home side the lead in only the second minute.
Villa defender Richard Dunne then appeared to bundle Carlton Cole over inside the box, but no penalty was given.
Darren Bent then had an effort ruled out for a push, before converting Luke Young’s cross to make it 1-1 at half time.
Robert Green made several good saves in the second half but was powerless to stop Gabriel Agbonlahor’s effort in the first minute of injury time as Ashley Young found space down the right and picked out the substitute, who headed home the winner.
Everton kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the Europa League alive with a good second half display leading to a 2-0 win over Blackburn
The game was level at the break, although Jermaine Beckford wasted an early opportunity to give the Toffees the lead.
Their first goal eventually came on 54 minutes when a Magaye Gueye corner was taken short to Leon Osman whose shot flew in thanks to a deflection from Chris Samba.
Phil Jones then fouled Seamus Coleman in the box and referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot. Leighton Baines made no mistake as he stepped up to fire his second penalty in three games into the roof of the net. Morten Gamst Pedersen somehow shot wide from close range moments later as Blackburn’s poor run continues.
Results
Premier League
Birmingham 2 Sunderland 0
Blackpool 1 Wigan 3
Everton 2 Blackburn 0
West Brom 1 Chelsea
West Ham 1 Aston Villa 2
FA Cup Semi-final
Man City 1 Man Utd 0
Scottish Premier League
Inverness CT 1 Hearts 1
Rangers 2 St Mirren 1
