"LONDON: 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.
Elsewhere, Newcastle's arch-rivals Sunderland moved further away from the drop zone with a 1-0 win away to Aston Villa, their first league win on their travels this season, thanks to Michael Chopra's 83rd minute goal.
Middlesbrough completed a good day for the north-east with a 1-0 victory over doomed basement club Derby County.
Meanwhile, Birmingham were drawn nearer the bottom three after Reading, also on the fringes of the relegation zone, won 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium. Bolton remained in the bottom three after a goalless draw at home to Manchester City.
Blackburn Rovers beat Wigan 3-1 as the Latics suffered a setback in a match where both sides finised with 10 men.
In the day's early Premier League match, Tottenham beat Portsmouth 2-0 to dent Pompey's hopes of a top-five finish.
Everton, scrapping with city rivals Liverpool for fourth place, will look to boost their campaign for a Champions League spot next season against West Ham in yesterday's late kick-off.
All the top four are in action today with leaders Manchester United facing fourth-placed Liverpool and Chelsea (third) taking on second-placed Arsenal in a London derby.
Not since Keegan's first spell at Newcastle have the Magpies entertained thoughts of winning the title.
Australia international Viduka did his best to settle early nerves on Tyneside by scoring in the sixth minute.
But the home fans had to endure a nervous wait until England forward Owen wrapped up the points seven minutes from time.
At Ewood Park, Roque Santa Cruz made it five goals in two games against Wigan as he struck twice.
The Paraguay forward opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Marlon King pulled Wigan level five minutes later from the penalty-spot with his first goal for the club after Christopher Samba was sent-off for a foul on ex-England striker Emile Heskey.
Jason Roberts restored Rovers' lead on the stroke of half-time and then Santa Cruz made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute.
Wigan were dealt a further blow when Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios was sent-off for a second bookable offence.
Andre Bikey was Reading's hero, the Cameroon midfielder scoring twice. He put the Royals ahead in the 31st minute and Steve Coppell's side held that lead until the 64th minute when Argentinian Mauro Zarate levelled.
But Bikey's header 11 minutes from time secured Reading's ninth league win of the season." – AFP
from the star malaysia
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