Football Corner

Avram Grant's Chelsea travelled to the JJB where they faced a struggling Wigan team and The Londoners revival continued as Frank Lampard and Juliano Belletti scored after 11 and 18 minutes respectively. However the 2-0 scoreline didn't do justice to a dogged and passionate Wigan line up.

Newcastle entertained Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth who are scoring goals for fun of late, and that was the case again this afternoon when they went 3-0 up within 11 minutes with goals from Pamarot, Utaka and Premier League top scorer Benjani. A Sol Campbell own goal on 16 minutes failed to spark a Newcastle comeback and a Kranjcar strike on 71 minutes killed the game off on what was a woeful day at the office for The Toon Army. 4-1 it finished at St. James Park

Juande Ramos took charge of his first league game as Spurs boss with a tricky tie at the Riverside. The former Sevilla manager's decision to start Darren Bent paid off as the £16 million striker finished beautifully from range giving the London side a 1-0 lead going into the second period, but it took Boro only seven minutes after the break to get back on level terms,when Luke Young fired home for the Teesiders. It finished that way at the Riverside in what was a slight anti-climax for the Spurs faithful in Ramos' first game in charge

Aston Villa had an expected win against bottom place Derby but it took the home side 57 minutes to break down Billy Davies' resilient defence. The opener came through Martin Laursen and Villa's lead was doubled just four minutes later through England international, Ashley Young after a neat cross from Nigel Reo-Coker the former Watford star was left to slot home. 2-0 it ended at Villa Park and it's still all doom and gloom for Derby.

At Goodison Park Everton hosted Steve Bruce's Birmingham in what was a deserved win for The Mersysiders. Summer signing Yakubu put the home side in front with just nine minutes on the clock after finishing from close range, but the dominant Everton were nearly punished for not taking their chances when Olivier Kapo equalised for Birmingham on 80 minutes. It was only for two injury time strikes from Lee Carsley and James Vaughn that saved The Toffees from their blushes. 3-1 it finished at Goodison Park.

Fulham claimed only their second league win with a victory against a lackluster Reading. Simon Davies put the Cottagers in front after 18 minutes before Irish international Kevin Doyle pulled one pack for the Royals. Dempsey put Lawrie Sanchez' men back in front with just under 20 minutes to go and all 3 points were secured when David Healy scored in injury time to make it 3-1.

In today's late kick off Blackburn, who have won their last five games took on an unbeaten Liverpool side at Ewood Park. A dull first half saw few chances the best of which falling to Blackburn, David Bentley struck the post of Jose Reina's goal and just prior to half time David Dunn smashed a volley off the Liverpool crossbar. A poor Liverpool performance saw only one shot at goal in the first half and a distant one at that from Ryan Babel. The second period was a bit livelier and in the closing stages Liverpool could and should have won it but Dirk Kuyt... well he was awful and wasteful with simple opportunities.

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