Premier League review:Aston Villa leapfrogged Chelsea into third place in the Premier League after defeating Blackburn 2-0 at Ewood Park this afternoon.
James Milner opened the scoring after 27 minutes, the former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder exchanged passes with Gareth Barry from a short corner on the right before flashing a left-footed shot through a crowd of players and into the corner of Paul Robinson’s net.
It would have been so much better for the visitors as both Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor had efforts ruled out by referee Steve Bennett.
Agbonlahor made sure of the three points after the break, however, firing home via a deflection in the final minute.
Chelsea allowed Villa to move above them in the standings after being held to a goalless draw at home to a well-drilled Hull side.
Ricardo Quaresma made his Blues debut but failed to make an impression, while Phil Brown’s Tigers had the best chance to steal all the points when Dean Marney fired just wide in the second half.
Newcastle produced a display to lift the spirits of manager Joe Kinnear who was taken to hospital this morning after feeling unwell at the team hotel.
With Chris Hughton in charge, Newcastle posted a 3-2 win courtesy of some abysmal defending by Tony Mowbray’s side.
A defensive lapse by Baggies defender Leon Barnett allowed Damien Duff in to open the scoring for Newcastle after just two minutes, but the Magpies’ lead was immediately cancelled out as Marc-Antoine Fortune swept the ball home from the edge of the area.
Peter Lovenkrands, making his first start for Newcastle, restored the visitors’ lead after nine minutes following more errors in the Albion back line, while Steven Taylor (41) made it three when he headed home Ryan Taylor’s inswinging corner.
West Brom reduced the deficit through Fortune’s second after 73 minutes but the hosts could not find an equaliser that would have lifted them from the foot of the standings.
Everton ended a three-game winless run in the league as they defeated Bolton 3-0 at Goodison Park.
Everton led at the break thanks to Mikel Arteta’s 40th-minute penalty, awarded after new loan signing Jo went down in the area under a challenge from Andy O’Brien.
Jo added to the Toffees’ lead after 49 minutes as the new arrival from Manchester City pulled a high ball down into his path on the edge of the area and slotted home under Jussi Jaaskelainen, while the Brazilian increased the margin of victory as he slotted home a penalty at the death.
Sunderland defeated 10-man Stoke 2-0 at the Stadium of Light thanks goals from Kenwyne Jones and David Healy.
Jones struck after 78 minutes, rising to head home Andy Reid’s deep cross at the far post although Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen should have made the save.
Healy made sure of the three points with the Black Cats’ second at the death.
Stoke played the final 25 minutes a man down after Matthew Etherington saw red for an off-the-ball clash with Danny Collins.
Wigan’s clash with Fulham at the JJB Stadium ended goalless, while in the day’s early kick-off, Shay Given pulled off a string of important stops on his Manchester City debut as Mark Hughes’ side posted a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.
Craig Bellamy scored the only goal at Eastlands after 51 minutes as Gareth Southgate’s ailing Boro side saw their winless streak extend to 13 games.
