A brief round-up of the Premiership Action this Weekend!
CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 WATFORD 0
A scrappy game between the two bottom clubs will have left neither side particularly buoyant, though at least Watford claimed an away point and Charlton picked up a point after five straight defeats.
Charlton made all the first-half running and kept up the pressure after the break. But both sides looked nervous in front of goal and the lack of composure when it counted kept Charlton bottom with just four points from one win, one draw and seven defeats under new manager Iain Dowie. Watford are still without a league win in nine matches since gaining promotion.
CHELSEA 2 PORTSMOUTH 1
Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko scored his first goal in 10 games and his first at Stamford Bridge, setting the champions on their way to a victory that sent them three points clear at the top.
Portsmouth made a bright start but keeper David James was soon being kept busy drawing fine saves from both Dutch winger Arjen Robben and Shevchenko.
The Ukrainian had a strike disallowed for off-side but finally broke the deadlock with a 55th minute shot that took a deflection on its way in off Pompey defender Sol Campbell.
Germany captain Michael Ballack headed them into a 2-0 lead just two minutes later after good work by striker Didier Drogba, but the visitors were kept in the game when Zimbabwean striker Benjamin Mwaruwari scrambled the ball home after 69 minutes.
EVERTON 2 SHEFFIELD UNITED 0
Everton had few difficulties with Neil Warnock’s side, even before the visitors were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half at Goodison Park.
A header by Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta, off a Phil Neville cross, put Everton 1-0 up after 13 minutes. United’s task was made harder after 32 minutes when defender Claude Davis was red-carded for bringing down England striker Andy Johnson in the area and James Beattie converted the resulting penalty. Everton held on to win for the first time in five matches since September 9.
WIGAN ATHLETIC 4 MANCHESTER CITY 0
Wigan Athletic had a dream start with two goals in the opening three and a half minutes.
Former England striker Emile Heskey crashed home a shot on the bounce after 67 seconds and they doubled their lead soon after when City defender Richard Dunne nodded a free kick by Australian midfielder Josip Skoko past his own keeper Nicky Weaver.
Senegal striker Henri Camara punished City for sloppy defending in the 65th minute, prodding home a cutback by Leighton Baines, and Ecuador midfielder Luis Antonio Valencia blasted their fourth just two minutes later to complete the rout and give Wigan their first league win since August 26.
ASTON VILLA 1 FULHAM 1
Villa have not lost in the league this season but a fifth draw in their last six league games will be somewhat frustrating for the Villa Park faithful.
They took the lead with a generously-awarded penalty in the 24th minute after Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov was man-handled by Fulham defender Liam Rosenior. Gareth Barry rocketed home the spot-kick but German defender Moritz Volz fired an equaliser for Fulham on the stroke of halftime.
