Michael Owen was on the scoresheet again as Newcastle took a huge stride towards Barclays Premier League safety with a surprise 4-1 victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Kevin Keegan's men fell behind to Darren Bent's opener but goals from Nicky Butt and Geremi put the visitors ahead before Owen scored his third in as many games for his club.
Obafemi Martins added a fourth with eight minutes remaining, latching onto Joey Barton's pass and finishing calmly to seal the points.
Ten-man Arsenal re-ignited their faint Barclays Premier League title hopes by coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Bolton.
Two goals from Matthew Taylor either side of Abou Diaby's sending-off for a reckless challenge on Gretar Steinsson appeared to have given struggling Wanderers a much-needed boost.
However, in the second half William Gallas poked home a corner, before Robin van Persie equalised from the penalty spot after Gary Cahill had brought down Alexander Hleb and Jlloyd Samuel's own goal with seconds remaining capped a remarkable turnaround.
Wayne Rooney grabbed a brace just when Manchester United needed it the most as the Red Devils moved six points clear of the rest at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 4-0 home demolition of Aston Villa.
The England striker had gone six matches for the title-chasers without hitting the target, but he rediscovered his touch at Old Trafford as United made it six straight league wins to tighten their grip at the top.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with his 35th goal of a remarkable season and Carlos Tevez added a second to leave Villa stunned.
Goals from Mark Viduka and Michael Owen ended Newcastle United's wretched run of 13 Premier League games without a win as they beat struggling Fulham 2-0 at St James' Park yesterday. The result, Newcastle's first win in Kevin Keegan's second spell as their manager after nine games without a victory since the former England coach's return, eased the Magpies fears of being drawn into the relegation battle. But defeat left Fulham second-bottom and facing a fight to maintain their top-flight status.
Champions Manchester United crushed 10-man Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford in a controversial north-west derby.
Blackburn 0 - 2 Man Utd
Wes Brown (30)
Wayne Rooney (64)
The nickname Ince attached to himself as a player is more suited to Ferguson given the enormous number of trophies he has acquired in a stellar managerial career.
And the view from his Blackburn technical area was an unpleasant picture for Ince as United sauntered to victory thanks to a goal in each half from Wes Brown and Wayne Rooney.
Watching England coach Fabio Capello must have been delighted at Rooney's contribution, although how he must wish he could call on Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov, the instigators of United's first back-to-back successes of the season.
Sam Allardyce has hit back at suggestions Newcastle were not fit enough during his eight-month spell in charge at St James' Park.
Winger Damien Duff last week was quoted as saying fitness had improved under Kevin Keegan but Allardyce has described the allegation as an excuse as the Magpies continue their descent into the Premier League relegation zone.
Allardyce said:
“There wasn't anything wrong with match fitness when I was there. That's a bit of an excuse. Sometimes fitness is a mental thing. The fear factor can drain an awful lot out of players so that may be the problem at the moment. There is also a lack of confidence and it can boil down to that, not a lack of match fitness.
The former Bolton boss has pinpointed the upcoming games against Birmingham and Fulham as vital to the Magpies' fortunes.
Allardyce continued:
“They have experienced and talented players but they must get a result pretty soon. They have Birmingham and Fulham in the next few games and they could be the big matches - the turning point for Kevin and the team.
Allardyce has also targeted a summer return to management, saying:
“I would like to come back, if I had my way, in the summer. But we'll have to wait and see what turns up.
Posts
All Comments
