Premier League round-up: Gabriel Agbonlahor struck a last-minute winner to give Aston Villa what could be a crucial victory in their battle to stay in the Premier League as Paul Lambert returned to beat his old club Norwich 2-1 at Carrow Road.
Villa have injected fresh life into their survival bid with a decent run of form, thumping Sunderland 6-1 on Monday night, and they did enough to merit another maximum-points haul with two fine goals from Agbonlahor in the second half.
The Villa winger had drilled in a superb 25-yard effort on 55 minutes, which was cancelled out by a penalty from Norwich captain Grant Holt.
However, Lambert — who had guided the Canaries to successive promotions back up into the top flight before an acrimonious departure last summer — enjoyed the last laugh as Agbonlahor rolled in a late winner which leaves his old club still looking anxiously over their shoulders heading into the final two matches.
Callum McManaman struck 10 minutes from time as Wigan beat West Brom 3-2 at The Hawthorns to s keep Wigan's hopes of another great escape alive.
The Latics twice came from behind before McManaman, who scored his first Premier League goal against Tottenham last weekend, swept home from close range following Shaun Maloney’s superb run.
Shane Long and Gareth McAuley put West Brom ahead in the 29th and 50th minutes, only for Arouna Kone and James McArthur — with his first touch — the drag the visitors back into it.
Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles also played an important role, saving a Dorrans piledriver in the 89th minute.
Newcastle's survival remains in the balance as they left Upton Park with only a share of the spoils following a mundane goalless draw with West Ham .
Alan Pardew’s side are now just three points clear of the bottom three and 18th-placed Wigan have a game in hand.
Papiss Cisse came closest to breaking the deadlock on an afternoon of few clear-cut opportunities, with the Senegal international seeing a first-half effort cleared off the line by Winston Reid.
Nigel Adkins celebrated his first win as Reading manager today as the relegated club halted their abysmal run with a fine 4-2 victory at Fulham .
Disposed of by Southampton in January, Adkins was unable to stave off the drop after being brought in to replace Brian McDermott less than six weeks ago.
Their fate was sealed with last weekend’s drab 0-0 draw against fellow basement boys QPR, but the recently-appointed boss will have been encouraged by what he saw today.
Hal Robson-Kanu’s performance in west London was a particular highlight, starting off by slotting home a 12th-minute penalty after being fouled by John Arne Riise.
The Wales international deservedly doubled the Berkshire club’s advantage in the second half, driving past Mark Schwarzer after a spell of sustained pressure.
Bryan Ruiz pulled one back for out-of-sorts Fulham with 20 minutes remaining, only for Reading to regain their two-goal cushion moments through substitute Adam Le Fondre.
It was not over there, though, with Ruiz heading home his second of the afternoon before substitute Hugo Rodallega rattled the crossbar.
However, Jem Karacan’s strike seven minutes from time was enough to secure Reading’s first victory since February 2nd and maiden one under Adkins.
Swansea and Manchester City played out a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium as both sides were left cursing two highly-debatable penalty decisions by referee Mike Jones.
Swansea, who are now without a win in seven games, enjoyed the better of the opening half but were aggrieved that Cheshire official Jones opted not to award them a penalty when Matija Nastasic clattered into Michu.
City wasted two wonderful chances to claim the three points through Edin Dzeko and David Silva, adding to their frustration after Jones turned away appeals when the Bosnian went over Chico Flores just inside the box.
