Premier League round-up:Fraizer Campbell once again answered Martin O'Neill's call for fresh firepower to set Norwichon the road to a 3-0 defeat this evening that moves the Sunderlandup to eighth spot in the table.
The 24-year-old, who scored on his return from long-term injury at the weekend, did so again with a stunning 21st-minute volley as the Canaries wilted on Wearside.
Stephane Sessegnon made it 2-0 within seven minutes and the scoring was complete when Phil Bardsley’s 54th-minute cross ended up in the back of the net courtesy of deflections off defender Daniel Ayala and keeper John Ruddy.
Arsenalmissed the chance to close the gap on the top four after being held to a goalless draw which gave Boltonanother priceless point in their relegation battle.
The Gunners dominated proceedings at the Reebok Stadium with Robin van Persie twice being denied by the woodwork but they failed to take a number of other chances.
With Newcastle beating Blackburn it meant Arsene Wenger’s side dropped to seventh in the table, while Wanderers, still just above the drop zone, edged two points ahead of Rovers.
Arsenal have now taken just one point from their last three away matches, although they marginally improved on their defeat at the Reebok last season.
After earning six points from a possible nine in January Owen Coyle’s side are playing with confidence and recorded their first clean sheet in 12 league matches dating back to November.
Charles N'Zogbia scored his first goal for Aston Villaand spoilt the debut of QPRstriker Djibril Cisse as Alex McLeish's side rallied from 2-0 down to salvage a point at Villa Park.
Cisse scored a stunning debut goal and then Villa defender Stephen Warnock’s own goal doubled their lead. But Darren Bent gave the home side a lifeline before half-time with his 100th Premier League goal before N’Zogbia equalised.
Newcastleclimbed to fifth place in the table after a 2-0 victory over Blackburnthat left Steve Kean's strugglers ruing a host of missed chances.
The visitors went ahead in the 12th minute when Ryan Taylor’s speculative 25-yard effort took a wicked deflection off Scott Dann, but Rovers dominated the rest of the first half, with Danny Simpson clearing off the line and Leon Best heading against his own bar before David Dunn saw his penalty saved by Tim Krul.
The second half was a quieter affair but Anthony Modeste, Dann and Mauro Formica all missed good chances to earn Rovers what would have been a deserved share of the spoils before Gabriel Obertan rubbed salt into the wounds with a late second.
Substitute Somen Tchoyi earned Roy Hodgson's West Broma share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Fulhamthis evening.
The west Londoners began life after Bobby Zamora without a recognised striker and it showed at Craven Cottage.
While Martin Jol’s side kept possession with ease, they only had Clint Dempsey’s second-half effort to show for their hard work.
Fulham were made to pay for their futility eight minutes from time when Tchoyi grabbed an equaliser to see Hodgson secure a point on his first return to his former club.
