Tonight's other Premier League matches: Evertonput Tottenham'stitle aspirations and ambitious plans to sign David Beckham in the shade with a 2-1 victory in a compelling encounter tonight.
Republic of Ireland youngster Seamus Coleman grabbed a 75th-minute winner at Goodison Park after the outstanding Rafael van der Vaart had cancelled out Louis Saha’s superb early opener.
Both sides had numerous opportunities to win an absorbing contest but it was Everton, rediscovering the spark that has been missing for much of the season, who held on for a jubilantly-greeted victory.
The only consolation for Spurs was that they retained fourth place in the table thanks to yet another defeat for ailing champions Chelsea.
Fans’ favourite Robbie Keane was thrown on 10 minutes from time on the day it was confirmed talks had begun over a possible €8.2 million move to Birmingham. But the Republic of Ireland striker could not make a final telling contribution and his Spurs career could now be over.
Republic of Ireland international Leon Best reminded Andy Carroll that there is more than one striker on Tyneside as Newcastledumped woeful West Hamdeep into relegation trouble with a 5-0 win.
Best, making his first Barclays Premier League start for the club in the absence of the injured Carroll and Shola Ameobi, finally opened his account on his 15th appearance with a fine hat-trick to repay a large slice of his €1.5 million transfer fee.
They were the 24-year-old’s first goals in a week short of a year and came on the day it was revealed Newcastle had rejected an approach from Tottenham for Carroll.
Best’s first-half brace and skipper Kevin Nolan’s 45th-minute strike put the Magpies in the driving seat, and his third on the hour completed a first double of the campaign and ended the Hammers’ recent revival before Peter Lovenkrands helped himself to a fifth.
It was the third time this season Newcastle had scored five or more at St James’ Park, and substitute Nile Ranger passed up a glorious opportunity to match the six they managed against Aston Villa back in August.
Aston Villadropped into the bottom three for the first time in seven years as their former loan signing Phil Bardsley earned Sunderlanda 1-0 victory at Villa Park. Gerard Houllier's side slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference as a result of Wolves' shock victory over champions Chelsea at Molineux.
Villa had striker Emile Heskey sent off for violent conduct before Bardsley’s decider and then Black Cats substitute Boudewijn Zenden was given his marching orders for two bookable offences. A small section of Villa fans chanted “you are going to get sacked in the morning” towards Houllier after Bardsley had broken the deadlock.
But the calls for Houllier to go were more intensified at the final whistle. The last time Villa were in such a lowly position was in November 2003 during David O’Leary’s reign as manager. But Sunderland’s second away win of the campaign keeps them on course for a European spot.
Ronnie Stam conjured a late equaliser to salvage a precious point for Wiganand leave high-flying neighbours Boltonbitterly frustrated following the 1-1 draw. When on-loan Benfica forward Rodrigo Moreno, 19, produced a delightful finish to put Owen Coyle's men ahead in the 54th minute, the stage was set for the Trotters to emerge victorious.
Wigan had already lost Tom Cleverley to injury in the 12th minute and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was carried off on a stretcher shortly after the hour mark. But Stam stabbed home at the far post in the 80th minute to draw Wigan level and earn a booking for his celebrations in front of the visiting supporters.
