Premier Leage round-up: Aston Villa also had to come from behind to beat Sunderland 2-1. The Black Cats broke the deadlock 14 minutes in when Carlos Edwards' free-kick found Danny Collins at the back post and he headed past a stranded Brad Friedel to register his first goal of the season.

James Milner’s controversial goal levelled things on the hour. Ashley Young raced down the right to cross for the former Leeds man who dove to head the ball home but replays showed the ball may have struck his arm.

Young was then given a straight red for a two-footed lunge before Gareth Barry converted a penalty after Paul McShane fouled Gabriel Agbonlahor.

West Brom moved off the foot of the table by cruising past Middlesbrough 3-0 at the Hawthorns. Middlesbrough had gone into the match without a win in nine and started terribly when Chris Brunt’s deflected shot squeezed past Ross Turnbull to break the deadlock.

They then went 2-0 down when Robert Koren struck a 12-yard shot past Turnbull.

Boro’s misery was compounded after 62 minutes when Didier Digard was sent off before Koren’s brilliant 18-yard strike made it 3-0.

Sam Allardyce came back to haunt old club Newcastle as his Blackburn side beat the Magpies 3-0 at Ewood Park.

Benni McCarthy scored from the penalty spot just after the break after referee Rob Styles controversially judged that David Edgar had fouled the South African in the box.

Jason Roberts put Rovers 2-0 up after 66 minutes after Nicky Butt was sent off for the Magpies. Roberts added a third four minutes from the end to put the result beyond doubt.

Manchester City edged three more points away from the relegation zone thanks to Pablo Zabaleta’s second-half volley.

City had endured a frustrating first half but Zabaleta hit the winner just after the break when he latched onto a Wigan clearance and dispatched a superb right-foot volley past Chris Kirkland.

City’s delight was soon tempered when Richard Dunne was sent off for kicking out at Amr Zaki but City held on for the win.