Another former Liverpool forward, Nicolas Anelka, had given City the lead with a first-half penalty.

Newcastle suffered a surprise defeat as Blackburn claimed a controversial 1-0 victory at St James’ Park.

Paul Gallagher grabbed the winner when he bundled the ball in after 72 minutes but replays later suggested it may have come off a hand.

The goal punished Newcastle for their failure to score in the first half when Brad Friedel pulled off excellent saves from Jermaine Jenas, Alan Shearer and Laurent Robert.

Only a bad injury to Barry Ferguson, who was stretchered off with a dislocated knee, took the gloss off Rovers’ afternoon.

Bottom side Wolves secured three much-needed points with a 3-1 victory over the side immediately above them, Leeds, at Molineux.

Leeds made a great start with Michael Duberry heading home an Ian Harte corner but Wolves got back on level terms when Alan Smith sliced a clearance into his own net.

Steffen Iversen put Wolves ahead with a header immediately after the break and then made sure of the points in the dying moments.

Leeds also finished the match with 10 men after Dominic Matteo was sent off for two bookable offences.

Aston Villa put a dent in Fulham’s European hopes as Darius Vassell struck twice in a 3-0 win at Villa Park.

Jlloyd Samuel created Villa’s first two goals by putting in Juan Pablo Angel after 33 minutes and then providing a chance for Vassell on 67 minutes.

Vassell wrapped up the points with his second eight minutes from time.

Leicester snatched a late equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

The Foxes had taken the lead through Marcus Bent but Bolton had seemed set for victory after goals from Bruno N’Gotty and Ivan Campo.

But the visitors were not done and snatched a point courtesy of Les Ferdinand’s last-minute leveller.

Wayne Rooney kept the Everton spotlight firmly focused on himself to bag the only goal of the game in his side’s 1-0 win over Birmingham.

England striker Rooney was introduced after a tame first half and was in the right place to sweep home a corner after 69 minutes.

Charlton maintained their recent good form with a 1-0 win over struggling London rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Spurs had dominated the first half but it was the Addicks who claimed the spoils after Carlton Cole headed home from a corner midway through the second period.

Chelsea got back to winning ways and moved level with second-placed Arsenal by beating Portsmouth 3-0 in the Barclaycard Premiership today.

Claudio Ranieri’s side put aside the disappointment of their Boxing Day loss to Charlton to win convincingly with goals from Wayne Bridge, Frank Lampard and Geremi at Stamford Bridge.

Pompey managed to keep the home side goalless in the first half but it was a different story after the break as Chelsea stepped up a gear.

Geremi capped a fine second-half performance with a spectacular 25-yard volley eight minutes from time.

Leaders Manchester United, who kicked off later at 4pm, looked set to extend their lead over Arsenal as they claimed a half-time lead at Middlesbrough.

United went 1-0 ahead in the 15th minute when Quinton Fortune cut in from the left and saw his shot deflected in off Danny Mills.